Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Draft legislation currently being debated by Namibian law makers could outlaw the deliberate or unintentional publication of “false information” on Parliament and its proceedings. The Privileges and Immunities of Parliament Bill, which has been passed by the National Assembly and is now being debated by the National Council, would also make it an offence for […]

Source: Inter Press Service (IPS) **Updates IFEX alerts dated 1 April, 27, 25, 20 March, 23 February, and others** Wrapping up its hearing on the upholding of and respect for human rights in Zambia, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) says that “Zambia’s human rights record has not improved.” The UNHRC, which convened in […]

Professor (sic) Malema, a journalist for the privately-owned newspaper “Botswana Guardian”, is currently under investigation by the Office of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), which operates out of the Office of the President. Rodger Batty, Head of Prosecutions for the DCEC, confirmed that he is investigating Malema. He stated that his office […]

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 14 March and 24 January 1996** The disciplinary case against journalist Mamonyane Matsa’ba has been postponed “indefinitely.” However, it seems that this latest delay in Matsa’ba’s case will have “bad effects” on the journalist. “The pending case is haunting her…and it serves as a censorship,” said MISA-Lesotho Chairperson Bethuel Thai, adding […]

**Updates IFEX alert dated 27 March 1996** The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has refused to release video footage to a German television crew which wanted to make a programme on the holding of truth commissions in Namibia and South Africa. On 29 March 1996, the crew, which works for the German television station ZDF, sought […]

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 27, 25, 20, 14, 13, 12, 6, 4, 1 March, 28, 27, 23 February 1996** Several members of the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) say the decision by Speaker of the National Assembly Robinson Nabulyato to order the indefinite imprisonment of two newspaper editors was a serious violation of the […]

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 11, 3 August; 24, 16 July; and 16, 19 June 1995** The publisher and two senior editors of Zimbabwe’s leading independent newspaper, the “Financial Gazette”, have been fined. The South African Press Association reports that Magistrate William Cutler fined the owners of the “Gazette”, Modus Publications, Z$ 2500 (U$300). “Gazette” editor […]

**For background, see IFEX alerts dated 30, 24, 1 September, and 24 August 1994 A freelance photographer was arrested and fined for trespassing in the early hours of 18 August 1995 when attempting to photograph the clubbing of seals during Namibia’s controversial annual seal harvest. Photographer John Liebenberg was held for several hours at Cape […]