Kenyan scribes get training on election coverage

[Carole Kimutai] Internews, an international media development organisation has launched a media programme aimed at equipping Kenyan journalists on covering elections. The 'Free and Fair Media' training programme is intended to promote the growth of developmental journalism that allows media to set the agenda that is futuristic, offers solutions to societal challenges and mitigates conflicts situations. 29 Aug 2011 08:21

Independent broadcasters harassed by Burundi government

According to reports by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), president of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza and his government are attempting to silence critical press coverage of his administration with incessant judicial harassment of two of the country's independent broadcasters. 4 Aug 2011 11:44

Somalia: NUSOJ welcomes new information minister

MOGADISHU: The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) recently welcomed the new minister for Somalia's information, posts and telecommunication sector, Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed, who was sworn for the oath of office at a ceremony held at the presidential palace, Villa Somalia, along with other cabinet members. 29 Jul 2011 11:05

Ethiopian journalist likely held under anti-terrorism law

NEW YORK: Ethiopian authorities have been holding a newspaper columnist incommunicado since Tuesday, 21 June 2011, local journalists told the Committee to Protect Journalists. Reeyot Alemu, a regular contributor to the independent weekly Feteh, was expected to spend the next four weeks in preventive detention under what appears to be Ethiopia's sweeping anti-terrorism law. 27 Jun 2011 08:01

African people disillusioned with leadership - Moeletsi Mbeki

[Issa Sikiti da Silva: @sikitimedia] "African people - like me - are completely disillusioned with the performance of their leaders because of what they have done and what they are doing, and for me these people should not be called leaders, but rather the elite," Moeletsi Mbeki, brother of former South African president Thabo Mbeki and chairman of the SA Institute of International Affairs, said, speaking at the CNN-MultiChoice media forum currently taking place in Bryanston, Johannesburg, on Friday, 24 June 2011. 24 Jun 2011 11:56

Somali militias shut two radio stations

NEW YORK: Gunmen from pro- and anti-government militias raided and shuttered two radio stations in Somalia in separate attacks on Wednesday, 22 June 2011, local journalists reported. 24 Jun 2011 10:24

Press freedom celebrations tempered with concerns

Yesterday, Tuesday, 3 May 2011, was the 20th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, begun in Namibia as the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles calling for a free, independent and pluralistic media throughout the world. Celebrations around the world were tempered with concerns about the erosion of press freedom and in South Africa, SANEF called on Government to review its proposed legislations that has seen SA downgrade from 'free press' to 'partly free'. 4 May 2011 09:13

Decline in press freedom experienced in key countries - report

WASHINGTON: The number of people worldwide with access to free and independent media declined to its lowest level in over a decade, according a Freedom House study released yesterday, 2 May 2011. The report, Freedom of the Press 2011: A global survey of media independence, found that a number of key countries experienced significant declines, producing a global landscape in which only one in six people live in countries with a press that is designated Free. 3 May 2011 14:00

Concern mounts over missing SA journo as govt scrambles to assist

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] As concern mounts over the fate of Anton Hammerl, a South African photographer missing in Libya alongside two US journalists and one Spanish photographer, the Presidency said yesterday, Wednesday, 20 April 2011, that President Jacob Zuma has been briefed on the attempts made by the SA mission in Libya to locate Hammerl. Reports from Washington DC also suggest that the White House is very concerned about their well-being and it is trying hard to assist them in any way it can. 21 Apr 2011 11:10

Panos moves to improve tax reporting in East Africa

[Walter Wafula] Journalists in East Africa can expect to acquire skills on reporting tax and governance issues in the region to stimulate debate on better policy actions and accountability. Panos East Africa, a regional information and communication organisation for development of non-governmental organisations, is planning a training programme on the topics. 11 Apr 2011 11:25

Newspapers and journalists face threats and legal pressure

Reporters Without Borders is alarmed by the steadily worsening climate of harassment and intimidation that the Ethiopian authorities have imposed on the media, especially the private media. 25 Mar 2011 06:25

EAC journalists to acquire reporting skills on regional integration

[Walter Wafula] East African journalists have an opportunity to acquire reporting skills on matters of regional integration through a new training programme that starts on 10 April 2011. 22 Mar 2011 12:15

SABMiller plc invests in the future of African journalism

SABMiller has announced that in 2011 it will become a co-sponsor of the David Astor Journalism Awards Trust, the UK-based charity which aims to promote, strengthen and support independent journalism in Africa. 22 Mar 2011 12:09

NMG dominates East African Business Council Awards

[Staff reporter] Business journalists from the Nation Media Group (NMG) scooped three of the four awards in the inaugural East African Business Council Awards held in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday night, 14 March 2011. 16 Mar 2011 10:28