Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
MBC dismisses journalist, suspends editor and warns announcer reportedly over coverage of opposition party rally
Hastings Maloya, a radio journalist working for the state-run radio broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), has been dismissed. In a statement issued on 26 August 1996, MISA-Malawi reported that Maloya was dismissed for covering an opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) rally held in Malawi’s commercial city, Blantyre. MISA-Malawi also reported that editor Francis Chikunkhuzeni was […]
Cabinet orders withdrawal of advertising from “Mo- Afrika” over the newspaper’s “negative stance” toward the government
Lesotho’s government has issued a circular prohibiting all its ministries, departments, institutions and parastatals from placing advertisements in “Mo-Afrika”, a privately-owned weekly. According to the circular, cabinet arrived at the decision at its caucus meeting on 23 July 1996, after which it issued a directive saying that “no advertising shall be done through Mo-Afrika because […]
“The Post” editors plead not guilty to charge of receiving classified information
On 14 August 1996, three editors from “The Post” newspaper pleaded not guilty in the Lusaka High Court on accusations that they had received and published classified information in contravention of Section 4 of the State Security Act (not the Official Secrets Act as was previously reported). The trio — editor-in-chief Fred M’membe, managing editor […]
Radio Lesotho journalist Mamonyane Matsa’ba demoted
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 10 April,14 March and 24 January 1996** Speaking to MISA on 6 August, Matsa’ba said the commission’s decision was “worrying….I was shocked at the judgement. I thought as a journalist, I was doing my job.” Matsa’ba said the commission has also “warned me not to make any mistake in the six […]
Mob ‘Ransacks’ Galz Stand
At the close of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair (ZIBF) on Saturday, August 3, a mob comprising mainly University of Zimbabwe students “ransacked” a stand at which a group representing Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) exhibited its literature. A journalist who claims to have been present at the time and witnessed the incident, said, […]
Journalist found guilty, gets demoted
On July 30, the Public Service Commission in Lesotho found guilty and demoted Mamonyane Matsa’ba, a journalist working for the state-run radio. MISA-Lesotho acting Chairperson, Bethuel Thai, reported on August 5, that the Commission found Matsa’ba guilty of “disobeying and disregarding” in November last year an order prohibiting journalists from broadcasting a recorded opposition statement. […]
Police raid home of “The Post” reporter Brian Malama; “The Post” reporter Samson Mujuda also subject to harassment
On 11 July 1996, six armed police officers raided and searched the house of “The Post” newspaper reporter Brian Malama in the town of Kitwe. Managing editor Bright Mwape said that “heavily armed police raided and searched Malama’s house at gun point but without a search warrant and [they] refused to identify themselves.” Mwape said […]
Parliament approves motion for a press council
Speaker of the Lesotho National Assembly John Kolane has said that Parliament approved in February 1996 a motion “to encourage the local media [to] establish a press council.” Kolane said that Parliament believes the motion will “ensure that newspapers in the country adhere to journalism ethics.” The National Assembly passed the motion on 16 February […]