It is with great sorrow that the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) learned of the passing on June 7, 2016, of Peter Schellschmidt. He died at the age of 71, after a long battle with cancer. Peter witnessed Namibia’s transition to independence during his time...
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Namibian FOI campaigners gear up for consultations on access to information law
The Access to Information in Namibia (ACTION) Coalition today commended Namibia's Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) for earnestly initiating the process of drafting both an access to information (ATI) law and updating the information policy...
AFEX condemns barbaric murder of female journalist in Somalia
The African Freedom of Expression joins the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) to strongly condemn the barbaric killing of Sagal Salad Osman, a female journalist working with state-controlled Somali National Television station (SNTV). According to NUSOJ, a...
Access to Information campaigners appeal against downgrading of World Bank’s FOI Programme
The African Platform on Access to Information (APAI) Working Group and other civil society organisations working on freedom of information around the globe have written to World Bank President Jim Yong Kim to express their concern about reports that the World Bank has...
AFEX calls on Ugandan president to safeguard free speech
The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), a network of freedom of expression organizations on the continent, has petitioned Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, calling on him to make a commitment to protect and defend free speech in the face of the...
MISA Angola appeals for increased monitoring, support for free expression
(Portuguese) On May 15 2016, a General of the Angolan Armed Forces and head of the Military Intelligence and Security Service labelled Rafael Marques “the enemy of Angola” and made an ‘ominous’ call on his subordinates for what he termed as "treatment as such" against...
MISA documentary highlights free expression struggles in southern Africa
Freedom of expression is one of the cornerstones of all democratic systems. Without it ideas about how to protect the common good in our societies would be impoverished. A marketplace of ideas is essential for democracy to thrive. It is for this reason that MISA...
#WHK25 – History made in Namibia: The Windhoek Declaration
The principles of the Windhoek Declaration on an independent and pluralistic press are still relevant 25 years after they were adopted. As authorities in Africa continue to undermine media freedom, it’s important to outline steps to strengthen a free press for the...
#WHK25: A declaration that still packs a punch for a free press
All too often, declarations remain simply pieces of paper filed away and forgotten. But the Windhoek Declaration is different, and its impact is still being felt today. In 1991, the winds of change were blowing for a second time after the liberation from colonial rule...
#WHK25: From resolutions to reality – Tlakula
Rights such as freedom of expression and access to information are often associated with journalists, but they belong to everyone. It takes strong commitment to ensure they become reality, not just words on paper. 2016 is a significant year for Africa. It marks the...