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.
Media freedom monitoring
MISA Zimbabwe Way Forward Post-2023 Zimbabwe Elections
As highlighted earlier in this report, the media operating environment drastically improved during the 2023 elections compared to previous election seasons.
ZBC publishes elections broadcasting schedule
On 17 July, MISA Zimbabwe wrote to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) requesting the schedule. MISA Zimbabwe then wrote a follow-up letter on 23 July, after which a schedule was published in the local newspapers.
Call for more trainings on safety and security for female journalists
The call was made after MISA Zimbabwe held a safety and security training workshop in Harare on 22 July 2023, which deliberately targeted young female journalists. Thirty female journalists drawn from 25 media houses participated in the training workshop.
Regional governments commit to more openness as MISA launches press freedom report
MISA Regional Director Tabani Moyo gave a synopsis of the report, explaining that while there were improvements on some aspects, the issue of impunity for crimes against journalists remained a worry.
The State of Press Freedom in Southern Africa Report 2022 ( Now Available)
The rise of digital technologies has presented new challenges in terms of the legislative environments in the region.
MISA Zimbabwe 2022 State of the Media Report (Now Available)
While Zimbabwe is commendably not among the African countries with jailed journalists, the country witnessed an upsurge in the number of cases involving the assaults of journalists at political gatherings/rallies, with some sustaining injuries for which they sought medical treatment.
Malawi should rethink its broadcasting licence regime
The Spaces of Solidarity platform, thus, calls on the government, through MACRA, to address concerns of high annual fees broadcasters have to pay to the regulator. These subscriptions are pegged in US dollars and the recent devaluation of the Malawi kwacha against the all major convertible currencies has made the licence fees more expensive and unsustainable for broadcasters in the country.
Governments should come up with punitive measures for crimes against journalists
The event, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, was jointly organised by MISA, UNESCO, the Government of Zimbabwe (Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services), Media Monitors and the International Media Support (IMS).
AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER An analysis of trends in AMBs for 28 countries over 11 years
Since its inception, the AMB has served as a trusted source of information on the state of media environments and key developments in freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and access to information in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.