Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Link to: Zambian government urged to enact Access to Information bill

Zambian government urged to enact Access to Information bill

Thirteen civil society organisations have asked the government to immediately take steps to ensure that the Access to Information (ATI) bill is presented during the next sitting of Parliament without further delay.

Link to: Government minister assaults journalist in Malawi

Government minister assaults journalist in Malawi

The assault against journalist Raphael Mlozoa follows a report he filed, which said that the minister of Economic Planning and Development, Ralph Jooma, had himself been assaulted by certain members of the Muslim community.

Flickr/Lubuto Library Project, Inc.

Zambian government threatens to revoke radio licenses

Media reports quote the Information and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary as saying that the government will not hesitate to revoke the broadcast licenses of any media house deemed non-compliant with the provisions of their particular license.

A protester carries portraits of Edward Snowden during a demonstration against secret monitoring programmes and showing solidarity with whistleblowers Edward Snowden and others in Berlin on 27 July 2013, REUTERS/Pawel Kopczynski

Over 150 groups urge President Obama to protect whistleblowers and journalists

Over 150 IFEX members and partners of ARTICLE 19 appealed to US President Obama to drop charges against whistleblower Edward Snowden, update the Whistleblower Protection Act and pass a media shield law.

Wilson Pondamali was detained for two weeks for alleged ties to the Zambian Watchdog news site., Wilson Pondamali/Facebook

Zambian journalist released from police custody

Wilson Pondamali was released from jail on 31 July 2013, but must still answer to four charges in October. The journalist is suspected of having links to a critical online news publication, the Zambian Watchdog.

Clayson Hamasaka was arrested on 9 July 2013 by Zambian authorities for his alleged connection to the Zambian Watchdog., Facebook/Clayson Hamasaka

Zambian authorities block critical news site, arrest reporters

Actions taken by Zambian authorities against three journalists are the latest in a series of escalating tactics against the “Zambian Watchdog”. Clayson Hamasaka, Thomas Zyambo and Wilson Pondamali have been detained out of suspicion that they are affiliated with the website.

Link to: Zambian reporter charged with sedition, suspected of affiliation with critical website

Zambian reporter charged with sedition, suspected of affiliation with critical website

Thomas Zyambo, a journalist suspected of having links to the Zambian Watchdog, has been charged with sedition. The Zambian Watchdog is seen as critical of the ruling party, the Patriotic Front, and has recently come under verbal attacks from party sympathisers.

Link to: Zambian journalists arrested, likely to be charged with defaming president

Zambian journalists arrested, likely to be charged with defaming president

Clayson Hamasaka and Thomas Zgambo are likely to be charged with defaming Zambian president Michael Sata. The pair has been in separate police confinement since t9 July 2013 after a raid on their houses. They are suspected of running or being part of the Zambian Watchdog, an online website that largely provides news services on Zambia.