Media Rights Agenda (MRA)

Articles by Media Rights Agenda (MRA)

REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

Not in our name: World Press Freedom Day 116 days after Charlie Hebdo

On World Press Freedom Day, organisations from around the globe commit to defending the right to freedom of expression, even when that right is being used to express views that may be offensive.

Link to: Al Jazeera correspondents arrested in lead-up to Nigerian elections

Al Jazeera correspondents arrested in lead-up to Nigerian elections

On 24 March 2015, Al Jazeera correspondents Ahmed Idris and Ali Mustafa were arrested by Nigerian military officials for allegedly operating without “protection, accreditation or due clearance.”

REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

Jordanian proposal threatens to legitimise blasphemy laws around the world

ARTICLE 19 and NGOs around the globe urge the Inter-Parliamentary Union to reject Jordan’s proposed resolution, which could potentially legitimise the use of blasphemy laws by governments everywhere.

Link to: AFEX condemns arrest of journalists covering civil society event in DRC

AFEX condemns arrest of journalists covering civil society event in DRC

“The Congolese Government must make a determined effort towards guaranteeing freedom of expression, including media freedom, and freedom of association and assembly in line with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in the country.”

Syrian lawyer and human rights defender Mazen Darwish, in an undated photo taken from the website of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), https://scm.bz/

NGOs to Bashar al-Assad: Implement your amnesty decree and free Syrian activist Mazen Darwish

The International Press Institute and 23 IFEX members sent a letter to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad calling for the release of lawyer and human rights defender Mazen Darwish ahead of his court hearing on 25 March 2015.

Times of Swaziland/MISA-Swaziland

Swaziland doesn’t want you to care about these government critics. Here’s why you should.

They don’t write for The New York Times or The Daily Mail. And the Swazi government is counting on just that to keep Bheki Makhubu and Thulani Maseko in jail for criticizing the judiciary.

An "On Air" red light is seen inside the Bakhita Radio station in Juba, South Sudan, 28 May 2012, REUTERS/Adriane Ohanesian

South Sudan: Sweeping powers in National Security Service Bill will undermine free expression

The proposed bill would mandate the National Security Service to monitor communications systems, newspapers and radio stations “in respect to security interest so as to prevent misuse by users.”

Link to: Somali parliament urged to reject repressive media bill

Somali parliament urged to reject repressive media bill

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) is appalled by the endorsement, by the Somali Council of Ministers, of a repressive media bill that severely restricts media operations and content.