Africa

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Spotlight: Central African Republic Impunity

RSF urges authorities to conclude investigations into murder of Lepage 5 years ago

10 May 2019
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

RSF calls on the authorities in the CAR to complete all necessary investigations into French photojournalist Camille Lepage's murder, including a reenactment of the crime, in order to establish the facts of the case before it comes to trial.

Benin Digital Rights Freedom of Assembly

Media and FoE crackdown in Benin intensifies over 2 week period

In an intensified crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom in Benin, 2 protestors were killed, a journalist arrested and detained and the internet temporarily shutdown.

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)‎10 May 2019

Africa Digital Rights Free Expression & the Law

Benin's internet shutdown, Bobi Wine arrested in Uganda, What's Crap on WhatsApp and more

A bittersweet month in Africa: Journalists in Mozambique released, democracy undermined as Beninese head to polls, Bobi Wine in court, innovative ideas to tackle disinformation ahead of South African elections, the dangers of being a journalist in Nigeria, and targeting of environmental activists.

‎ By Reyhana Masters for IFEX. Based on IFEX member reports ‎ 2 May 2019

Ethiopia Attacks Free Expression & the Law

Under Abiy, Ethiopia's media have more freedom but challenges remain

Though the Ethiopian press is much freer today than before Abiy took power, CPJ spoke to over a dozen journalists and rights defenders who said that challenges remain, including the risk of attack and arrest, and a proposed law that could curtail their newly found freedoms.

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)‎ 1 May 2019

Latest from Africa

Ethiopia: Abiy's first year as prime minister, review of freedom of expression

‎ Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Ethiopia Digital Rights Free Expression & the Law 1 May 2019
AFEX reminds African leaders of possibility to chart new course around FoE

‎ African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX)

Access to Information Africa Attacks 30 April 2019
AFEX condemns detention and deportation of CIPESA executive director

‎ African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX)

Tanzania Free Expression & the Law 30 April 2019
High levels of impunity on the continent for crimes against journalists

‎ African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX)

Impunity Africa Attacks 24 April 2019
ATI and safety of journalists of paramount importance for credible elections

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Access to Information Zimbabwe Attacks 24 April 2019
Radio stations taken off air for hosting opposition leader

‎ Human Rights Network for Journalists - Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)

Uganda Attacks Censorship 22 April 2019
Benin authorities arrest editor over article

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Benin Free Expression & the Law 22 April 2019
MFWA documents 152 FoE violations in the region during 2018

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

Africa Attacks Freedom of Assembly 21 April 2019
AFEX condemns impunity for crimes against journalists

‎ African Freedom of Expression Exchange

Impunity Africa Attacks 21 April 2019
Liberia's minister of information promises to investigate death threats

‎ Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP)

Liberia Attacks 15 April 2019
AFEX joins regional and international organisations calling for release of Amade Abubacar

‎ African Freedom of Expression Exchange

Mozambique Free Expression & the Law 15 April 2019
West African journalists dealing with detentions and assaults

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

Access to Information Africa Attacks Digital Rights 15 April 2019
MISA-Zimbabwe condemns police deliberate attack on 263Chat journalists

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Zimbabwe Attacks 5 April 2019
Directive requiring Gambian journalists to be screened is withdrawn

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

The Gambia Free Expression & the Law 5 April 2019
Clampdown on journalists in Comoros amid political crisis

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Censorship Comoros Free Expression & the Law 5 April 2019
Armed men raid Somalia's Universal television station

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Attacks Somalia 4 April 2019
Mauritanian bloggers detained for republishing story

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

Mauritania Digital Rights Free Expression & the Law 4 April 2019
Ghana police suspend officers who attacked journalists

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

Ghana Attacks 4 April 2019
Media clampdown designed to silence criticism and independent reporting

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Burundi Censorship 1 April 2019
Unprecedented arrest of Somali soldiers for mistreating journalists

‎ Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Impunity Attacks Somalia 1 April 2019
Tanzania's media act goes against grain of regional treaty

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Tanzania Free Expression & the Law 31 March 2019
Journalists in Comoros facing multiple charges

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Comoros Free Expression & the Law 31 March 2019
MFWA urges stakeholders to push for effective implementation of Ghana's RTI law

‎ Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

Access to Information Ghana Free Expression & the Law 29 March 2019
AU Special Rapporteur writes to Chadian president regarding social media blackout

‎ African Freedom of Expression Exchange

Digital Rights Censorship Chad 29 March 2019
An RTI win, scribbling schoolgirls released, regional bodies slam shutdowns and journalists jailed

‎ By Reyhana Masters for IFEX. Based on IFEX member reports

Africa Digital Rights Gender 28 March 2019
President Buhari's refusal to sign Digital Rights and Freedom Bill into law disheartening

‎ Media Rights Agenda (MRA)

Nigeria Digital Rights Free Expression & the Law 22 March 2019

At a glance

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Most covered free expression issues in this region

More from Africa

Annual Freedom of Expression Situation in Africa Report - 2018

African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) 10 April 2019
Despots and Disruptions: Five Dimensions of Internet Shutdowns in Africa

In regards to internet freedom, Africa got off to an awful start in 2019. Internet disruptions were registered in five countries (Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sudan and Zimbabwe) within the first three weeks of the year. The disruptions were related to elections, protests against government policies, and, what seemed like a coup attempt.

Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) 18 March 2019
West Africa Freedom of Expression Monitor July-September 2018

Thirty-five violations were recorded in 12 countries with Nigeria recording the highest number. The findings show a slight reduction in the cases of violations compared to the previous quarter (April June, 2018) which recorded 40 violations.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) 30 October 2018