MEDIA FREEDOM - The African Mirror

Nov

20

2020

South African broadcaster SABC delays job cuts plan by a week

MEDIA FREEDOM

THE South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is delaying a plan to lay off 600 employees by a week, following protests by some of its presenters and journalists, who have threatened a radio and TV blackout. The SABC is among a clutch of heavily indebted state-owned firms that President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised to wean off public funding. But this week the broadcaster's board said it needed at least 1 billion rand ($65 million) per annum to keep operations going, and that its plan to cut costs by lowering headcount was not yet working. "The Board of the SABC would like…

Nov

19

2020

By The African Mirror

Nigeria should sanction CNN for report on shooting of protesters – minister

MEDIA FREEDOM

FELIX ONUAH NIGERIA should sanction CNN for its report that the country's military shot and killed protesters demonstrating against police brutality, a minister has said. Nigeria Information Minister Lai Mohammed. Picture: Flickr The U.S. broadcaster used "unverified and possibly doctored videos" and "information from questionable sources" in the report, information minister Lai Mohammed told a news conference in Abuja. When asked, Mohammed did not specify how the government might sanction CNN. He said he believes it has internal systems for dealing with erring staff, and that Nigerian authorities would also do what was necessary. CNN did not immediately respond to…

Nov

18

2020

By The African Mirror

Turmoil at one of Africa’s largest broadcaster amid retrenchments

MEDIA FREEDOM

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), one of Africa’s biggest broadcasters, is pressing ahead with retrenchments which are expected to lead to over 450 media workers losing their jobs. The retrenchments have led to protest action by SABC employees and a disruption of the public broadcaster's service. Workers have also threatened a full blown strike which could lead to a total black out of TV and radio services on which millions of South Africans depend. On Tuesday, member of the SABC newsroom head a heated meeting with their boss - head of news Pathiswa Magopeni - who…

Oct

28

2020

By The African Mirror

Nigerian considers social media regulation in wake of deadly shooting

MEDIA FREEDOM

NIGERIA’S information minister said "some form of regulation" could be imposed on social media just a week after protesters spread images and videos of a deadly shooting using Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Images, video and an Instagram live feed from a popular DJ spread news of shootings in Lagos on October 20, when witnesses and rights groups said the military fired on peaceful protesters. The protesters had been demonstrating for nearly two weeks to demand an end to police brutality. The army denied its soldiers were there. Social media helped spread word of the shootings worldwide, and international celebrities from…

Oct

22

2020

By The African Mirror

Burundi: 65 organizations call for immediate release of Iwacu journalists

MEDIA FREEDOM

ON the first anniversary of their arrest, 65 organizations call for the immediate and unconditional release of the Iwacu journalists Agnès Ndirubusa, Christine Kamikazi, Egide Harerimana and Térence Mpozenzi who were convicted on charges against state security for simply doing their job. Their continued detention on baseless charges is a stark reminder that, despite a recent change in leadership, the Burundian government has little tolerance for independent journalism and free speech, the organizations said. On 22 October 2019, the four journalists were arrested along with their driver Adolphe Masabarakiza as they went to report on clashes between the security forces and an…

Dec

31

2020

By The African Mirror

Morocco arrests dissident, investigates alleged money laundering

MEDIA FREEDOM

A Moroccan judge has ordered a prominent writer and rights activist to be held in custody pending an investigation into money-laundering allegations, in a case that media freedom activists describe as harassment. Maati Monjib, a university historian who writes frequent newspaper editorials, has denied the accusations. His arrest at a restaurant on Tuesday followed the jailing or detention of several other dissident journalists in recent months. The prosecutor's office said in October it was investigating Monjib on suspicion of money laundering. Monjib has often denied wrongdoing in posts on his Facebook account and said he had been summoned several times…

Dec

28

2020

By The African Mirror

Three Ugandan journalists injured during police scuffle with Bobi Wine supporters

MEDIA FREEDOM

UGANDAN police said three local journalists were hospitalised on Sunday after sustaining injuries when officers used teargas to disperse supporters of presidential candidate and pop star Bobi Wine. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has emerged as the strongest challenger against President Yoweri Museveni, 76, in the country's presidential election due on January 14. He said one of those injured was in a "critical condition". Police spokesman Fred Enanga said supporters of Wine had gathered on Sunday in Masaka, 125 km southwest of the capital Kampala. Wine had attended a church service in the town, according to a tweet…

Dec

25

2020

By The African Mirror

Four jailed Burundian journalists pardoned by president

MEDIA FREEDOM

FOUR Burundian journalists arrested in 2019 and jailed in January for offences including undermining state security have been granted a presidential pardon. "Under the terms of the present decree, the convicted prisoners Ndirubusa Agnès, Harerimana Égide, Mpozenzi Terence are granted a complete remission of the freedom-depriving sentence," President Evariste Ndayishimiye said in a decree. The three all worked for domestic news website Iwacu, as did a fourth journalist who was not mentioned in the decree but who confirmed his release on Thursday. Willy Nyamitwe, head of information and communication in the president's office, tweeted on Thursday that the four journalists…

Dec

25

2020

By The African Mirror

Tributes for veteran journalist after sudden death

MEDIA FREEDOM

AFRICA MIRROR REPORTER TRIBUTES have poured in for legendary Zimbabwean journalist Foster Dongozi who has passed on after a short illness. Journalists, editors and media organisations throughout Africa have paid warm tributes to Dongozi, who was secretary-general of the Zimbabwean Union of Journalists (ZUJ). The African Editors Forum said: “The African Editors Forum dips its banners to mourn Foster, a media freedom activist who dedicated his life to the cause. We send our condolences and wish strength to his family and the entire Zimbabwean media industry. The media freedom spear has fallen, let's pick it up!! May Foster's soul rest…

Dec

31

2020

By The African Mirror

Reuters cameraman detained in Ethiopia has seen no evidence against him, lawyer says

MEDIA FREEDOM

REUTERS cameraman Kumerra Gemechu has been held in solitary confinement for nearly a week without charge or being given any evidence of wrongdoing, his lawyer said. His lawyer Melkamu Ogo said on Wednesday that police informed him that their lines of enquiry included accusations of disseminating false information, communicating with groups fighting the government, and disturbing the public's peace and security. However, he said he has seen no evidence. REUTERS cameraman Kumerra Gemechu. Picture: Twitter Kumerra was arrested at his home in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa last Thursday and is being held until at least Jan. 8 pending a…