We need to devise robust pushback strategies and responses in view of the rapidly shrinking civic space we have witnessed over the past few years. Stringent NGO laws have been enacted across the region, which require our collective attention and strategic responses to halt the shrinking and erosion of democratic civic space.
Media violations
Submissions to the All Africa Judges and Jurists Summit, Nairobi, Kenya, 18 September 2024
In a historic development, the AJJF brought judges and jurists from all continental regions to Nairobi, Kenya, from September 17th to 19th, 2014, as a holistic approach to strengthening the judiciary in an ever-evolving environment.
Open Letter to the AU Heads of State and Government on the Endorsed Continental AI Strategy and African Digital Compact
We urge the AUC Chairperson, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, to stress the crucial importance of member states implementing the AUC Data Policy Framework. Data is
central to achieving the vision of the Digital Compact and should be governed in a manner that protects Africans’ fundamental rights and freedoms.
MISA Regional 2023 Annual Report (Now Available!!!)
In these precarious conditions, expression and truth-telling are the first layers of casualty, as nations recoil, become inward looking, focusing on narrow national issues at the expense of a holistic picture. Suffice to say the entire construct of humanity is highly vulnerable due to such inward-looking approaches.
MISA ZIMBABWE 2023 STATE OF THE MEDIA REPORT (Now Available!!!)
The Police-Media Action Plan, among other action points, aims to improve the professional relations between the police and the media while curbing or reducing cases of media freedom violations involving law enforcement agents.
Press freedom declines significantly in Southern Africa
However, improvements were recorded in Tanzania, Malawi, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Angola. Declines were recorded in Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia.
Violence against women serious breach of human rights
Resolution 522 highlights that: Digital violence is increasingly gendered and disproportionately affects women, through inter alia threats of sexual violence, misogynistic disinformation campaigns and “revenge pornography…”
INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS (Statement)
A report by Citizen Lab in December 2020 revealed that at least three Southern African countries – Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe – had acquired surveillance equipment from Circles, an Israeli firm.
Prevent, protect and provide justice to end impunity for crimes against journalists
The Southern African region had in the past few years experienced an improvement in the media freedom environment. However, the last year has been characterised by democratic backsliding that has manifested in growing impunity for crimes against journalists and...
MISA STATEMENT TO THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS ON THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AT THE 77th ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS.
In 2022, we were optimistic that Southern Africa had turned the corner regarding attacks against journalists. However, we were jolted back to reality by the death of Ralikonelo Joki, the Lesotho broadcaster, who was shot and killed as he drove out of his work of employment. Before his death, Joki received death threats through social media platforms.