Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
High Court declares advertising ban against newspapers unconstitutional
(MISA/IFEX) – In what is regarded as a victory for media freedom and freedom of expression, during the week of 24 September 2001, the Botswana High Court declared a government ban on advertising in two newspapers unconstitutional. Justice IBK Lesetedi said the advertising ban by the Botswana government on the “Botswana Guardian” and “MidWeek Sun” […]
New defence law seeks to control the media
(MISA/IFEX) – Media rights organisations and editors have called on the Namibian government to review the restrictive media provisions proposed in a new Defence Bill and make it compatible with the Namibian constitution. MISA and the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) said they were “gravely concerned” about provisions in the bill relating to the media. The […]
Journalists’ trial postponed again
(MISA/IFEX) – The trial of two journalists and two opposition politicians charged with defaming Zambian President Frederick Chiluba has been postponed until 15 October 2001. This request was made by the prosecution because some witnesses were not available. Those charged are Fred M’membe, the editor-in-chief of the privately owned “Post” newspaper, Bivan Saluseki, a reporter […]
Government lifts ban on Radio Phoenix
(MISA/IFEX) – On 18 September 2001, Minister of Information Vernon Mwaanga announced the lifting of the ban on the privately-owned radio station Radio Phoenix, which he ordered to be closed on August 19. Mwaanga said at a press briefing that the station’s licence was being reinstated because all the appropriate penalties and renewal fees had […]
Musician harasses journalist, confiscates his film
(MISA/IFEX) – On 3 September 2001, well-known Zimbabwean musician Andy Brown confiscated “Daily News” reporter Aaron Ufumeli’s film during a function. Ufumeli had tried to take photos of the musician, according to a report in the 6 September edition of “The Daily News”. According to the report, on 3 September, at the instigation of a […]
Journalists arrested, press cards confiscated
(MISA/IFEX) – On the evening of Saturday 8 September 2001, two Bulawayo-based journalists were arrested and detained for an hour for allegedly trespassing into a police station. The two journalists, Mduduzi Mathuthu of “The Daily News” and Loughty Dube of the “Zimbabwe Independent”, had their press cards confiscated. The police were also eager to question […]
Editor-in-chief and reporter appear in court, case postponed
(MISA/IFEX) – On 5 September 2001, Fred M’membe, “The Post” newspaper’s editor-in-chief, reporter Bivan Saluseki and opposition sympathiser Edith Nawakwi appeared in court on a charge of “Defamation of the President”. The case was postponed to 13 and 14 September, following a request by the government that independent Member of Parliament Dipak Patel, also charged […]
Government appeals High Court ruling allowing “The Guardian of Swaziland” to resume publishing
(MISA/IFEX) – On 4 September 2001, the government of Swaziland appealed High Court Judge J Annandale’s 31 August ruling, which allowed “The Guardian of Swaziland” newspaper to resume publishing. The newspaper recently emerged from a four-month ban, announced on 4 May by Minister for Public Service and Information Mntonzima Dlamini through Legal Notice 69 of […]