Articles by Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
African Commission adopts resolution on media attacks in Somalia
In the resolution, the ACHPR “strongly condemns the serious violations of the right to life committed against journalists and media practitioners” and appeals for “the immediate cessation of harassment and intimidation aimed at independent media organisations” in Somalia.
Positive trends and challenges to freedom of information in Africa
A conference on freedom of information brought together over 100 state and non-state actors to discuss and identify emerging positive trends and challenges impeding the implementation of freedom of information laws across Africa.
27-year jail sentence for Somali journalist in Ethiopia a “travesty of justice”
The African Freedom of Expression Exchange condemns the 27-year sentence imposed on Mohamed Aweys Mudey and notes that the Ethiopian media environment is characterized by the arrest of journalists.
Civil society groups urge African countries to pass access to information laws
A group of nine civil society organisations has urged countries without access to information legislation, such as Ghana, to take urgent steps to put a law in place.
New African free expression network highlights need for protection of journalists
The African Freedom of Expression Exchange, a network of organisations who are also IFEX members, has deplored the current state of attacks, arrests, and harassments meted out to journalists in many countries on the continent, especially in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Somalia.
Transparency, independent media are vital for global development plan
195 civil society organisations from around the world have called on the UN to put government accountability and independent media at the centre of a new framework for global development.
Nigeria: Security officials assault Leadership newspaper correspondent on church premises
On 24 January 2014, on the premises of S.S Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ibadan, officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps assaulted Mr. Adebayo Waheed, the Oyo State correspondent for Leadership newspaper. Waheed had gone to cover the installation of the new Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Reverend Gabriel Abegunrin.
Release Alaa Abd El Fattah and all those unjustly detained in Egypt
Following the criminalisation of peaceful protest in Egypt in November 2013, 57 organisations and individuals release joint statement against arrests of Egyptian bloggers and political activists.