Zambians step closer to accessing information
An Access to Information Act has been approved in Zambia, with President Hakainde Hichilema, pictured, calling it a major milestone in the media sector and the country. Zambia becomes the latest country in Southern Africa to introduce such an act, after Namibia in 2022. Access to information legislation has been a contentious issue for decades […]
Pakistan media backs gender equality
Media stakeholders and leaders at press clubs, unions, and prominent news outlets across Pakistan have pledged to address barriers to women’s leadership, inclusivity, and equal representation. The messages of support came following groundbreaking Women’s Media Forum Pakistan (WMFP) campaigning and mapping work in support of gender equality in the country’s media. The “Pakistan’s Media Needs Women” campaign […]
Inaugural CJA lecture asks where next for AI
Professor John Naughton of Wolfson College, Cambridge, who is the technology columnist of The Observer newspaper, examined the impact of artificial intelligence on the media landscape in the first of what will be an annual series of lectures under the auspices of the CJA-UK. The softly-spoken Irishman began by redefining the terms of his brief: […]
“Negative reporting” forces journalist out of India
The Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ, has urged the Indian authorities to immediately reinstate French reporter Vanessa Dougnac’s journalism permit and stop using legal technicalities to prevent journalists from carrying out their duties. Indian authorities ordered Ms Dougnac, pictured, a former South Asia correspondent for multiple international news organizations who is married to an Indian […]
Anti-gay moves in Uganda threaten media
By MUTHOKI MUMO, sub-Saharan representative of the Committee to Protect Journalists Kuchu Times was founded eight years ago to give voice to Uganda’s LGBTQ+ community. Now, a new anti-homosexuality law is threatening this mission at a time when LGBTQ+ Ugandans are facing beatings and evictions. “People will tell us their stories and ask us not to put them out […]
India urged to rethink sedition law
The Committee to Protect Journalists has urged the Indian government to repeal the country’s sedition law and reject recommendations from the Law Commission to retain and expand the legislation, saying it would impinge on press freedom. The commission, which advises the government on legal reforms, has recommended retaining the country’s sedition law, expanding the definition of sedition, and increasing the […]
Pakistani journalists mourn yet another colleague
Picture shows members of Khairpur Press Club demonstrating for justice for Ghulam Asghar Khand. Ghulam Asghar Khand, pictured, a journalist with the Sindhi Daily Sobh in Pakistan, has been attacked and killed in Ahmadpur town of Khairpur district. Reports from there say a number of men riding motorcycles approached him while he was at his guest […]
Anti-corruption campaigning journalist killed in Lesotho
The killing of an outspoken radio journalist, Ralikonelo ‘Leqhashasha’ Joki, pictured, in Lesotho has been condemned by media and civil rights campaigners. “I deplore the killing of Ralikonelo Joki. I urge authorities to investigate this crime and hold those involved to account. Violent attacks on journalists must not be used to discourage them from conducting […]
Pressure mounts on Rwanda over death of investigative journalist Ntwali
The CJA is among leading human rights and free speech movements from many parts of the world who have questioned the circumstances around the death of the Rwandan investigative journalist John Williams Ntwali, and demanded an independent inquiry. See picture of family and colleagues at the funeral of Mr Ntwali in January. A total of […]
Free speech in Ghana “being muzzled”
The Media Foundation of West Africa along with three other media organisations has called on the government to annul aspects of two laws which continue to criminalise free expression, even though Ghana repealed its criminal libel law two decades ago. The call which was made by the MFWA together with the Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana […]