Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
African free expression groups hold digital rights advocacy workshop
Organised by the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), the workshop aims to deepen participants’ knowledge of online advocacy and develop strategies to create an Internet environment that fosters innovation, information sharing and development.
Civil society calls for investigation into surveillance of journalist Cătălin Tolontan
IFEX members call for an immediate investigation into spying operations in Romania incompatible with free and democratic society.
Reflections on internet rights and net neutrality in Africa after the IGF
MISA’s Advocacy Officer in Zambia, Kamufisa Manchishi, recently attended the 10th annual global Internet Governance Forum in João Pessoa, Brazil. In this post he shares his thoughts on net neutrality, internet rights and zero-rating in Africa.
International community calls for the release of VICE fixer Mohammed Ismael Rasool
Members of the IFEX network and other concerned organisations demand justice for wrongful imprisonment of Mohammed Ismael Rasaool
Radio Phoenix could have licence revoked over alleged “anti-government” agenda
Zambia’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Chishimba Kambwili, on October 22, 2015, threatened to revoke the operating licence of Radio Phoenix, the country’s oldest private broadcasting station, if it allegedly continues to be influenced by the opposition.
Report reveals southern Africa’s “most open and secretive government institutions”
MISA’s 2015 report reveals that direct requests for information are still generally met with hostility within the public service, with researchers experiencing long delays, non-responsive institutions or demands to justify their request for information.
Zimbabwe: Police commissioner urged to investigate violence against journalists
“While cases pertaining to media freedom violations are somewhat on the decline, we are concerned that a number of the violations involve the assault and harassment of journalists by security personnel,” says MISA-Zimbabwe Chairperson Kumbirai Mafunda.
Internet censorship bill approved in South Africa
South Africa’s Cabinet has approved the submission of the films and publications amendment bill despite public outcry that it is guided by policy seeking to curb Internet freedoms. The cabinet said the bill seeks to amend the films and publications act of 1996 by adapting it to technological advances.