This statement was originally published on ipcng.org on 10 September 2021. The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria condemns in strong terms the reported gruesome killing of Chukwu Odiahu, a member of staff of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), in Okene, Kogi State. A PM News post revealed that the late Odiahu who works at the engineering…
Popular Swahili newspaper suspended by Tanzanian government
This statement was originally published on rsf.org on 10 September 2021. The Tanzanian government’s decision to suspend an independent weekly for 30 days is “arbitrary and excessive” and a complete contradiction of the new president’s declared intention to stop sanctioning the media, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says. One of Tanzania’s most popular Swahili-language newspapers, Raia Mwema, has…
MFWA charts progress on implementation of RTI law
This statement was originally published on mfwa.org on 7 September 2021. Access to information is a universal human right. Accordingly, it is recognised in several international human rights treaties and protocols such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’…
HRNJ Uganda discusses impact of COVID-19 with media sector
This statement was originally published on hrnjuganda.org on 15 September 2021. Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has held a meeting with Managers, News Editors and senior reporters of Gulu District on 14 September 2021 to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the media fraternity on the media within the Acholi sub region.…
Lesotho parliamentary committee recommends withdrawal of Cybercrime Bill
This statement was originally published on lesotho.misa.org on 15 September 2021. MISA Lesotho has learned with contentment about recommendations of a parliament’s portfolio committee to dismiss the Computer Crime and Cybersecurity Bill of 2021, as well as the Communications Regulations of 2021 from the National Assembly. The Committee recommends rescission of the controversial Cybersecurity Bill,…
Joint call for the exoneration and release of human rights defender, journalist, and former lawyer Zhang Zhan
Mr. Xi Jinping State Chairman People’s Republic of China The State Council General Office 2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu Beijingshi 100017 Paris, 17 September 2021 Mr. Chairman, As a collective of non-governmental organisations defending human rights and freedom of the press, we urge you to exonerate and release human rights defender, journalist, and former lawyer Zhang Zhan,…
Four arrested over 2019 killing of journalist Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland
This statement was originally published on rsf.org on 16 September 2021. The arrests of four additional suspects in connection with the 2019 killing of journalist Lyra McKee in Derry are a welcome step, but highlight the continued need for justice for her murder. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) continues to campaign for justice for McKee and…
Press freedom organisations welcome European Commission’s Recommendation on safety of journalists
This statement was originally published on ipi.media on 16 September 2021. Strong implementation by member states vital for improving journalists’ safety The partner organisations in the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) welcome the European Commission’s Recommendation on ensuring the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists and media professionals in the European Union, presented today. The…