Journos train in science and health reporting

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] Media practitioners in Malawi underwent a science and health reporting workshop in Blantyre over the weekend, as part of an initiative by Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust (MLW), to equip journalists to establish health as a regular journalism beat. 23 May 2012 09:55

Govt to repeal oppressive media law

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] President Joyce Banda announced on Friday, May 18 2012, that her government will repeal a piece of legislation that was meant to oppress the media which was being championed by the late president Bingu wa Mutharika. 21 May 2012 12:06

Access to quality information needed

Media freedom is undermined by a lack of information infrastructure as well as skills and literacy to access and critically evaluate information. The ability to access vital information, especially government information, makes it difficult for media practitioners and the general public to accurately report on issues that concern them. 21 May 2012 09:39

CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2012 finalists announced

The finalists in the 17th CNN MultiChoice African Journalist competition were announced on 18 May 2012, by Ferial Haffajee, chair of the independent judging panel. This year the competition received entries from 42 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa. 18 May 2012 11:49

New bill 'will close down the press'

The Swaziland Government has been accused of trying to close down the press with the publication of a new bill to bar public servants from disclosing any information about their work that relates to 'public policy'. 17 May 2012 11:39

Media bills in final stages of approval

[Eric Didier Karinganire] Senators in their plenary session last Thursday [10 May 2012] reviewed media bills including the draft law regulating media, draft law on access to information and another one regarding the responsibilities, functioning and organisation of the Media High Council (MHC). 15 May 2012 14:11

Nigeria journalists plan govt boycott over unrest

JOS, NIGERIA: Journalists in a restive state in central Nigeria said on Monday [14 May 2012] they would halt coverage of government activities in protest at the failure of the authorities to stop years of deadly violence. 15 May 2012 11:28

Google launches African News Innovation Challenge

With the assistance of generous sponsors, Google has announced the launch of a new US$1 million African News Innovation Challenge (ANIC) to help African journalism flourish in the digital age. 10 May 2012 14:26

Daily abuses suffered by journalists

Following World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, Reporters Without Borders takes a look at the breaches of freedom of news and information in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2012, turning the spotlight on one of the most dangerous countries in Africa for journalists. For the first time, it has included the Islamist militia Boko Haram in its latest list of Predators of Freedom of Information. 8 May 2012 10:18

New online magazine for youth

Youth Fit Africa (YFA) is new online magazine featuring information about and for young people on the move, encouraging fitness and health. Launching on 12 May 2012, youth and student journalists will write most of the contributions. 8 May 2012 10:17

MISA-Malawi wants repeal of media laws

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] The Malawi chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Malawi) has asked government to consider repealing all laws that are inconsistent with the constitution and those considered as an insult to the media fraternity in Malawi. 4 May 2012 13:20

World Press Freedom Day: How technology impacts journalism in Kenya

[Carole Kimutai: @CaroleKimutai] The world has dedicated one day in a year to scribes 3rd May. This is World Press Freedom Day. According to the United Nations, it is a day that "celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession". 4 May 2012 11:53

Forbes Africa welcomes Kalusha Bwalya

Africa Business News (ABN360), home of CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa, has announced that Zambian football legend Kalusha Bwalya will join the Forbes Africa team as a columnist for its sport pages. 3 May 2012 14:32

Make a free press 'The Headline for Democratic Transition'

PARIS, FRANCE / DARMSTADT, GERMANY: "A free press is an essential cornerstone of any country based on democracy." So says Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman, in her exclusive interview with the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), to mark 3 May, World Press Freedom Day. 3 May 2012 13:36