MEDIA FREEDOM - The African Mirror

Aug

11

2020

Algerian court jails journalist three years

MEDIA FREEDOM

AN Algerian court has sentenced a journalist and activist to three years in prison on charges of harming national unity, a rights group that defends detainees said. The court in the capital, Algiers, also handed a four-month jail sentence to two other activists for the same charges, according to the National Committee for the Release of Detainees. Justice Ministry officials could not be reached for comment. The sentences against journalist Khaled Drareni and activists Samir Benlarbi and Slimane Hamitouche are linked to protests that toppled President Abdelaziz Bouteflika last year. The protests broke out in February 2019 to reject Bouteflika's…

Aug

20

2020

By The African Mirror

We analysed media reports on rape cases in Nigeria. What we found

MEDIA FREEDOM

OLUDAYO TADE, Researcher in criminology, victimology, electronic frauds and cybercrime, University of Ibadan IN Nigeria, the media continues to play a key role in tracking rape cases where reporting of rape to the authorities remains low. In a recent study, we examined the coverage of rape incidents in the country. To do the study, we selected two national newspapers with dedicated crime reporting pages. We analysed 331 cases of rape reported by The Punch and The Sun. Our goal was to sift through the rape coverage to identify the characterisation of victims and rapists. To do this, we analysed data…

Aug

25

2020

By The African Mirror

Mysterious fire guts Mozambican investigative publication

MEDIA FREEDOM

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER A mysterious fire that destroyed the equipment of a privately-owned Mozambican investigative publication has not stopped it from meeting its next deadline. Unknown assailants, suspected to be estate agents, set fire to the office of Canal de Mocambique, a media outlet that has been critical of and angered the Mozambican government when it published confidential documents. Soon after the fire destroyed computers and other equipment, good samaritans donated new equipment and the journalists were able to set up offices under a tent and work. “All newspaper equipment was completely burned down but this morning people came over…

Sep

02

2020

By The African Mirror

How social media are levelling Kenya’s political field — and lessons learnt

MEDIA FREEDOM

JOHN NDAVULA, Head of Department, Communication Studies, St Paul's University SOCIAL media have opened up spaces for political candidates to engage with voters in more direct ways compared to traditional forms of campaigns such as rallies, billboard advertising, and the legacy media. Social media enhance the flow of information between candidates and voters. Traditional media, in contrast, are expensive; the feedback is constrained and they privilege elite candidates. Political campaigns are all about informing, mobilising, involving and connecting with voters. Social media amplify this and build a community of advocates for a candidate running for office. They allow politicians to…

Sep

28

2020

By The African Mirror

Call for more access to information in Africa

MEDIA FREEDOM

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) has called on the 36 African countries that have no laws guaranteeing the promotion and protection of citizens access to information to urgently adopt them. In a statement to commemorate the International Day for Universal Access to Information, the ACHPR called for a renewed commitment to creating an environment where the right of access to information is promoted, protected and realized. “In these unprecedented times during the Covid-19 pandemic, the significance of the right of access to information cannot be overstated. The uncertainty and disruption wrought by the…

Sep

20

2020

By The African Mirror

Journalism makes blunders but still feeds democracy: an insider’s view

MEDIA FREEDOM

ANTON HARBER, Caxton Professor of Journalism, University of the Witwatersrand ANTON HARBER, the veteran South African journalist, editor and journalism professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, has a new book out. So, For the Record: Behind the Headlines in an Era of State Capture is a deep dive into the conduct of the media as mega corruption and state capture engulfed and eventually brought down President Jacob Zuma’s administration. Politics editor Thabo Leshilo asked the author to provide the highlights. What prompted you to write the book? For one thing, it is a great story to tell, complete with…

Sep

18

2020

By The African Mirror

Egyptian TV host’s comments on hijab spark debate, probe by media watchdog

MEDIA FREEDOM

BEN BARKWAI and MENNA A FAROUK AN Egyptian TV presenter is being investigated by the country's media watchdog after she said women who wore the hijab were "100,000-times better" than those who shunned the traditional headscarf, sparking a fierce online debate. Women's dress is a sensitive issue in the largely conservative Muslim nation, and while some praised Radwa el-Sherbiny for defending women who opt to wear the headscarf, critics accused the chat show host of fanning prejudice. "(Commenting) whether against hijabi or non-hijabi women is hateful, refers to a lack of respect and acceptance of other people and incites violence,"…

Sep

16

2020

By The African Mirror

Algeria upholds conviction of journalist; rights groups fear new crackdown

MEDIA FREEDOM

AN Algerian appeals court has upheld the conviction of a journalist in what rights campaigners called a new crackdown on dissent aimed at preventing the revival of mass protests that toppled veteran ruler Abdelaziz Bouteflika last year. The Hirak popular protest movement brought thousands of Algerians to the streets for weekly demonstrations, which continued even after Bouteflika quit and a new president was elected in December. A judicial source and a rights group that defends detainees said the appeals court had upheld the conviction of journalist Khaled Drareni on charges which include threatening national unity and "inciting unarmed gatherings". His…

Sep

14

2020

By The African Mirror

Let us do what we can to ensure that the free and diverse media is able to survive and thrive – Ramaphosa

MEDIA FREEDOM

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA In many countries around the world, the coronavirus pandemic has required the limitation of many civil liberties and put social cohesion to the test. But countries with strong institutions, vigilant judicial systems and robust media have been able to prevent human rights from being undermined and the authority of the state being abused. It has been six months since the national state of disaster was proclaimed. Despite the unprecedented nature of the disease and the immense challenge of placing a country of 58 million people under lockdown, we have fared well. We have managed to contain the spread…

Sep

07

2020

By The African Mirror

Ethiopia bars journalists from flying to Tigray regional vote -passengers

MEDIA FREEDOM

AT least 12 people, including four journalists and a senior think tank analyst, have been barred from flying to Tigray, four of the passengers said after Ethiopian security officials said the region's elections later this week were illegal. Ethiopia's upper house said on Saturday plans by the Tigray region to hold an election on September 9 for regional parliament and other positions were unconstitutional, setting up a potential clash between the central government and the powerful Tigray People's Liberation Front. The TPLF, which runs the northern province, has said the vote will go ahead despite pressure from the central government.…