South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has received an overwhelming majority of media coverage ahead of the country’s fifth democratic election which is it expected to win. Firdose Moonda reports
CATEGORY: Africa
Gambians campaign for press freedom at UN
The campaign for media freedom in the Gambia lobbied the United Nations to push the global body to take measures to address media freedom in the West African state.
Naming and shaming: 8 countries egregiously violating religious freedom
The U.S. State Department names and shames eight “Countries of Particular Concern” that severely violate religious freedom rights within their borders. Now an independent watchdog is naming and shaming the State Department, saying its list should be doubled. Brian Pellot reports
Uganda: Pushing journalists toward self-censorship
In Uganda, journalists are not only dealing with outright censorship. It seems the government of president Yoweri Museveni is employing a strategy that is aimed at pushing journalists towards self-censorship, Jos Van Steelandt writes
Burundi: Nkurunziza targets the press
After a bloody civil war, Burundi looked like it had turned the corner, until the country’s president rounded on the press with repressive legislation, Jos Van Steelandt reports
Swaziland: On trial for criticising the judicial system
Human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and journalist and editor Bheki Makhubu return to court today facing charges of “scandalising the judiciary” and “contempt of court” for writing about corruption and lack of impartiality, writes Gia Armstrong
Senegalese artists under pressure for performing for Gambia’s dictator
Activists write open letter to award-winning singer set to stage a three-day concert in Gambia’s capital Banjul, writes Buya Jammeh
Gambia: Jammeh promises to implement reforms
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has bowed to EU pressure to implement political reforms — including changing the country’s restrictions on the media, Buya Jammeh reports
New law could force Ugandans to love their country
The soon to be tabled Patriotism Bill would require every Ugandan to, among other things, support all government development programs and defend national property. Edward Ronald Sekyewa reports
Gambia’s president wants to ditch English as official language
President Yahya Jammeh describes it as a “colonial legacy”, writes Buya Jammeh
Freedom of expression in Africa. Index on Censorship covers free speech, freedom of religion, artistic freedom on the continent of Africa.