Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Journalist Betty Masanja interrogated; pressured into writing a statement against her will
(MISA/IFEX) – On 30 July 1998, a journalist with the private Dar es Salaam Television (DTV), Betty Masanja, was interrogated by police and forced to provide a written statement to be a state witness in order to associate the vice-chairman of the Zanzibar-based Civic United Front (CUF) party, Seif Shariff Hamad, with charges of treason […]
Newspaper, journalists and others strike out against President’s attack on the press
(MISA/IFEX) – The “Zimbabwe Independent”, a weekly independent newspaper, has lambasted President Robert Mugabe’s attack on the independent media. In its 17 July editorial, the paper dismissed Mugabe’s outburst and his threats to introduce legislation. The paper said the President’s threat to curb press freedom “should be seen more as a reflection of his anger […]
President attacks independent press
(MISA/IFEX) – On 13 July 1998, President Robert Mugabe attacked the independent press for “not respecting the privacy of individuals.” He was speaking on the eve of the opening of the Fourth Session of the Fourth Parliament at State House. He said that the privately-owned press was “thriving on selling manufactured lies to the people […]
Journalists allegedly assaulted, charged with trespassing
(MISA/IFEX) – A journalist and a cameraman from the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) have both been charged with trespassing after they were allegedly assaulted, on 23 June 1998, by the manager of a private Catholic school they were doing a story on. The two NBC employees, Unomengi Kauapirura and cameraman Hadley Mwashekeleh, have since laid […]
Journalists detained, accused of spying for opposition forces
(MISA/IFEX) – On 3 April 1998, two journalists working for the newspaper “Folha 8”, along with a driver, were detained for a week after being accused of being spies for the Angolan opposition force, UNITA, and of stopping their car illegally in a police zone. According to a report in “Folha 8”, the journalists, Victoria […]
Newspaper owner apologises for reviving defunct newspaper
(MISA/IFEX) – Managing director of Guardian Limited Vumi Urasa, who owns the newspapers “Kasheshe” and “Tingisha”, has apologised to the government for publishing and distributing “Tingisha” four days after the government had suspended “Kasheshe”. **Updates IFEX alerts dated 24, 15, 12 and 9 June 1998** According to a government statement released by Tanzania Information Services […]
Journalist’s car stolen, believed to be part of harassment campaign against him
(MISA/IFEX) – On 3 July 1998, a pick-up van belonging to the editor of “MoAfrika” newspaper, Candi Ramainoana, was stolen in broad daylight. The theft, according to Ramainoana, is part of a persistent campaign of harassment against him that has been going on for close onto two years by people who want to “intimidate me […]
Police order investigation into fire at journalist’s house
(MISA/IFEX) – On 3 July 1998, the Kilimanjaro regional police commissioner (RC), Professor Philemon Sarungi, directed the police to conduct an immediate investigation into the fire that destroyed the house of BBC correspondent Nechi Lyimo on 30 June 1998 in Moshi (northern Tanzania). **Updates IFEX alerts of 18 June and 3 July 1998** According to […]