Media Rights Agenda (MRA)

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) held its 4th Annual General Meeting in Grahamstown, South Africa, on 31 August 2016. The AGM was preceded by a two-day capacity building workshop on Digital Rights Advocacy, as a follow up to a similar workshop held in Ghana in January 2016.

IFEX members protest the impact on free expression of the overly broad bill, adopted on 12 August.

Following an outcry by the local and international community, including a statement issued by the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), Alfred Taban was granted bail on 29 July 2016.

On July 16, 2016, agents of the National Security Service arrested Alfred Taban, Editor-in-Chief of Juba Monitor, an independent English language daily newspaper in South Sudan. The security service accused the journalist of inciting violence, and consequently shutdown the Juba Monitor on the same day.

The peculiar case of a radio worker in secret detention in the Congo who is accused of both spying for Rwanda and aiming to destabilize Burundi.

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) is deeply concerned about the continued wave of attacks on freedom of expression in Sudan. Some of these violations include the arbitrary arrest of journalists and media professionals, confiscation of publications, and the suspension of media houses.

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) demands Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services to immediately release the eight students who have been detained incommunicado since May 2016, following a protest at the University of Khartoum.

IFEX members call on the Prime Minister of Tonga to cease threats of suspension of journalist Viola Ulakai and respect his past commitment to press freedom in the country.