Statements and communiques
Need to enforce internet services standards in Zimbabwe
On 9 December 2020, consumers and internet users nationwide struggled to access internet services as one of the biggest internet services provider ZOL Zimbabwe’s system was not working. The company...
African Media Barometer Zimbabwe: 2015 – 2020 findings
A panel comprising journalists, media lecturers and representatives of civic society has noted that while relations between the media and government have relatively improved more still needs to be...
Government grants new TV licences, diversity concerns linger
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has awarded six television licences following public interviews held in October 2020. This is the first time that the country has licensed commercial...
African Commission reaches out to Mnangagwa over Chin’ono
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, Commissioner Jamesina King has written to President...
Lesotho police shoot journalist during protests
Lesotho police have been accused of shooting journalist Ntsoaki Motaung during a youth protest dubbed #BachaShutDown on 6 November 2020. Motaung, who works for Newsday, was treated for minor wounds...
Mozambican journalists flee into the bush following attack on radio station
At least nine Mozambican journalists from the Sao Francisco de Assis Community Radio and their families fled into the bush 10 days ago and are living in deplorable conditions following an insurgent...
Tanzania blocks bulk SMS as rights environment deteriorates
Tanzania is in the process of holding its general elections, which have been tainted by the government’s clampdown on basic rights such as freedoms of expression, media, association and digital...
Tanzania throttles internet ahead of elections
The run-up to Tanzania’s elections, set for 28 October 2020, threatens to blemish the record of a country that was once considered the torchbearer of democracy on the continent. On 26 and 27 October...
Freedom of expression environment deteriorates as Tanzania heads for elections
With just under a week to go before Tanzania’s elections on 28 October 2020, the government’s stranglehold over the media is once again in the limelight. In the past 10 months, the Tanzanian...