Journalists charged under COVID-19 regulations granted bail
Journalists Frank Chikowore and Samuel Takawira were granted bail when they appeared in court and remanded out of custody to 15 June 2020 on charges of breaching Section 11 (b) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 in terms of the COVID-19 regulations.
Regional governments intensify crackdowns on media during COVID-19
As the continent commemorates Africa Day on 25 May, it is worrying that the majority of Southern African countries, typical of fragile states, are taking advantage of the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus to tighten their grip on power.
Journalists charged under COVID-19 regulations remanded in custody
Journalists Frank Chikowore and Samuel Takawira were on 23 May 2020 denied bail and remanded in custody to 26 May 2020 on charges of breaching Section 11 (b) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 in terms of the COVID-19 regulations when they appeared before the court in Harare’s suburb of Mbare.
MISA meets Media Commission over accreditation categories
The Zimbabwe Media Commission has assured MISA Zimbabwe that there were no ill intentions on its part with regards to the new accreditation categories and that it would be as flexible as possible when the accreditation process for 2020 commences next week.
Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill entrenches surveillance
MISa Zimbabwe's analysis of the recently gazetted Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill, 2019.
Newsday journalist charged with contravening COVID-19 regulations
NewsDay journalist Rex Mphisa and Zimpapers sales representative Charles Marerwa were arrested in Dulivhadzimu, in Zimbabwe’s southern border town of Beitbridge on 15 May 2020 and charged with contravening Coronavirus regulations.
MISA Malawi condemns use of swearwords by MBCTV
It is appalling that the public broadcaster acted in such a manner.
‘Attack on journalist Brian Banda barbaric’
Brian Banda was attacked by alleged Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters at Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre.
Zimbabwe: Protecting media freedom and access to information in 2020
MISA Zimbabwe shares its Way Forward recommendations for defending media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information to mark World Press Freedom Day 2020.
MISA Malawi calls for media independence, professionalism
We call on President Mutharika and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to free MBC and ensure its independence
Media discuss investment in children
A lack of resources is among the reasons that governments are not meeting regional and international standards in child rights protection, cited Gugulethu Ndebele, Executive Director of Save the Children South Africa at the recent Children and Media meeting. Ndebele addressed media professionals, children and civil society representatives from southern Africa who convened in Pretoria on 2 and 3 July 2015, for MISA’s annual Children...
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So this is democracy? State of media freedom in Southern Africa 2013
Since its foundation in 1992, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has been the primary advocate for media freedom and freedom of expression in southern Africa, issuing alerts on media freedom violations, condemnations of killings, assaults, criminal charges and other forms of unjustified attacks on journalists, including restrictions on access to information. Each year, MISA produces So This Is Democracy?: State of media freedom in...
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Media must be free to report on political and security situation in Lesotho
MISA Lesotho, having followed the unfolding of political developments in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho since elections, had an extraordinary meeting on July 5, 2015 to, among others reflect on the state of the media within the current political and security situation in the country. As an advocacy organisation with a primary interest to promote media freedom, it is warranting that this statement focuses on...
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MISA Lesotho launches guidelines on Child Reporting
On Friday, July 3, 2015, MISA Lesotho launched Editorial Guidelines and Principles on Reporting on Children at the Lehakoe Recreational Center in Maseru. The guidelines are designed to improve the media’s reporting of children and their issues and ensure that they do not affect their wellbeing and expose them to further harm., The objective of the guidelines is to empower children to participate meaningfully in...
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African Media Barometer highlights deficiencies in media freedom in Botswana
Botswana’s democracy credentials have been put on the spotlight once again. In 2014 the Mo Ibrahim report ranked Botswana in eighth position on the category of participation and human rights in which freedom of expression is one of the indicators. The African Media Barometer (AMB) assessment, undertaken late in 2014, has not spared Botswana either. The findings of the 2014 AMB assessment indicate that if...
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MISA brings children and media together on the Day of the African Child
To engage children in terms of celebrating the Day of the African Child, MISA organized a media flash mob under its Children and the Media project on June 16, 2015. The flash mob took place at MISA offices in Windhoek, Namibia. The aim of the event was to encourage children’s understanding of the celebration and the celebration’s focus, which was to enhance African countries’ efforts...
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Children elect their 2015 – 2016 Child Ambassadors
MISA hosted the 2015 elections of child ambassadors under its Children & the Media project simultaneously in Windhoek, Namibia, and Maseru, Lesotho on June 13, 2015. Over 100 children and parents attended the elections, anxious to see who would be elected to the positions for the 2015 – 2016 period. Prior to the elections children had an opportunity, through the on-going focus group discussions, to...
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Zimbabwe to miss digitisation deadline
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) on 11 June said Zimbabwe will miss the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) digital migration deadline set for 17 June 2015. In an interview with the public broadcaster and key player in the migration process, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), the Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Obert Maganyura said the country had faced challenges relating to the delivery of digital equipment...
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Rafael Marques’ blood diamonds book online
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has decided to publish the Angolan journalist Rafael Marques de Morais’ censored book online. According to RSF, the book can be downloaded in English and in Portuguese from the organisation’s website. Marques’ book named “Blood Diamonds: Corruption and Torture in Angola” has been censored in the country since its publication in 2011. The author was faced with charges of defaming several...
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Gearing up for World Press Freedom Day 2015 – MISA
On 3 May 2015, MISA’s network of national chapters across southern Africa will join people around the world in celebrating World Press Freedom Day (WPFD). See below for details of MISA activities around the region and contact your local MISA Chapter for more information on how to get involved. As always, the highlight of MISA’s WPFD celebrations is the launch of its annual state of...
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