Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Editor and lawyer who criticised Swazi judiciary given two-year prison sentences
The harsh sentence follows Makhubu’s and Maseko’s conviction on contempt of court charges for separate news articles criticising the kingdom’s chief justice, Michael Ramodibedi, published in the independent news magazine, The Nation.
Impunity persists: 20 years of fear in The Gambia
It’s been 20 years since Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh overthrew the Gambian government and proclaimed himself President of the Republic. Some of the human rights violations recorded over the last 20 years include the killing of 14 protesters in April 2000 and the killing of journalist Deyda Hydara in 2004.
Swazi human rights lawyer and editor found guilty of contempt of court over critical articles
On 17 July the High Court in Mbabane, Swaziland found Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu guilty of contempt of court in relation to articles published in The Nation magazine, which criticised the conduct of Swaziland’s Chief Justice, Michael Ramodibedi.
Demand the release of recently sentenced Al Jazeera staff
More than 100 groups and individuals worldwide call on Egyptian President el-Sisi to remove the unjust sentencing of three Al Jazeera journalists.
Zimbabwe strikes down criminal defamation, but some observations in ruling raise concerns
While MISA Zimbabwe commends the court for this judgment, the organisation is concerned by the court’s observations that the right to freedom of expression as conferred by Section 61 “…is to be more narrowly construed as being subordinate to the value of human dignity…”
Groups call on UN to protect free expression online
This week, a resolution on the importance of protecting human rights online was discussed at the 26th UN Human Rights Council Session in Geneva. Read the oral statement on this resolution led by ARTICLE 19 and supported by several IFEX members.
Publisher and editor win appeal for charges of “scandalising the court” in Swaziland
On Friday, 30 May 2014, the Swaziland Independent Publishers and The Nation editor Bheki Makhubu won their appeal in the case in which they were charged with “scandalising the court”.
Public sphere under threat in Zambia as press freedom violations mount
Acts of intolerance by stakeholders and the continued existence of archaic laws that are used to suppress press freedom are threatening the public sphere in Zambia.