The year 2023 has seen the bulk of the southern African countries making positive steps in the rankings of the Reporters Without Borders Index. Of the 15 countries that were ranked, six slid down the ladder of rankings. One of the six that had a negative movement is Namibia dropping from position 18 to 22 yet maintaining the number one position in Africa.
Media freedom
Southern Africa improves on media rankings but more needs to be done
Commenting on the latest rankings, MISA Regional Director Tabani Moyo said there was need to sustain the quest for media freedom and build on the improvements over the past year.
MISA Regional World Press Freedom Day Statement
Thus, the theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day – Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights – is quite apt as it serves as a reminder of the centrality of freedom of expression in the enjoyment of all other human rights.
Freedom of expression key to enjoyment of other fundamental rights
MISA Zimbabwe, in line with the universal theme, and the obtaining environment in Zimbabwe, is thus celebrating this year’s WPFD under the localised theme: Freedom of Expression as a Public Good: Pivotal to the Enjoyment of other Rights.
Malawi determined to develop a viable broadcasting sector
MACRA Deputy Director of Legal – Consumer Affairs Kelious Mlenga, said the schedule of licensing framework and the Communications Act will be reviewed.
Region should pay attention to shrinking civic space
The summit was organised by Accountability Lab, Ford Foundation, WFD, NED, Alliance for Finance Monitoring, African Election Observation Network, Christian Churches Monitoring Group, International IDEA, Kofi Annan Foundation, Southern African Human Rights Defenders Network, The Carter Centre, Zambia, the European Partnership for Democracy, the European Union, the Westminster Foundation, the African Election Observation Network and MISA Regional Office.
Journalists free to cover the ZEC mobile voter registration exercise
In his letter, Dr Moyo said the clarification sought would ensure that journalists are able to cover the registration exercise without hindrance as provided for by Section 61 of the Constitution which protects media freedom as well as Section 62 on the right to access to information.
#D4DJournalism: Reporting trip to the e-Governance Conference 2023
With the objective of promoting a broader public debate on e-governance across the African continent and ensuring that the outcomes of such dialogue permeate to other sectors of society, the AU-EU D4D Hub is sponsoring a reporting trip for three African journalists to attend the e-Governance Conference in person.
Freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom critical for credible elections in Southern Africa
SADC member states should further ensure that the enacted and proposed domestic laws are aligned with the African Union (AU) Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection and the ACHPR’s Revised Declaration on Principles of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.
Call for Applications: IJP German-Southern African Bursary 2023
Applications are still possible until February 15, 2023.