Ethiopia Files Charges Against a Group of Bloggers, Journalists Detained Over the Weekend
• Charges were brought against a group of bloggers writing for Zone9 and three journalists detained by security forces on Friday April 25th and Saturday April 26th.
Friends of the detainees were told this morning at the Ma’ekelawi, the central investigation office where the detainees were are kept since…
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – U.S. funded-broadcaster Voice of America said on Monday that Ethiopia may have blocked its website in a move which may lead to further U.S. criticism of its closest ally in the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia holds national elections on May 23 and international press freedom advocacy groups say the government is intimidating and harassing journalists ahead of…
Just when US Secretary of State John Kerry visits Ethiopia, six of the nation’s leading bloggers have been arrested.
On Friday afternoon at 17:00 Addis Ababa time, the mobile phones and inboxes of nine Ethiopian bloggers began to beep and vibrate with frantic messages. One of the members of social media activist group Zone 9 had been arrested – and others…
Rwanda: Media Council Issues Journalists Stern Warning
Rwanda Media commission (RMC) has warned journalists to stick to professionalism and ethical standards. The warning was sounded by RMC chairman Fred Muvunyi, during a press conference where he discusses the plight of two journalists who are currently under police custody.
Cassien Ntamuhanga a journalist at Amazing Grace Radio was arrested over allegations of working…
press release
Reporters Without Borders is worried by the deteriorating environment for the media in Rwanda in recent weeks.
In the past few weeks, a journalist has been arrested, at least two others have fled abroad, and a news website has been hacked. While apparently not linked, these events have helped to fuel a climate of fear and self-censorship among media personnel.
Cassien…
Ntwali John Williams the editor of Ireme vernacular website has dismissed media reports that claim he has fled the country yet he is in Kigali. But told IGIHE he was extremely worried about his safety following a series of reports about his whereabouts.
The latest Post on his Facebook page reads; “I am extremely worried of information since last week that…
The East African, Phone Evidence Used in Terror, Treason Case
The reality of a new law in Rwanda permitting tapping of telephone conversations has hit home in the ongoing terror and treason case involving famous Rwandan singer Kizito Mihigo and journalist Cassien Ntamuhanga.
The law was passed in August 2012 with little opposition both in parliament and from the civil society.
On Thursday…
Kenya: Parliament decides to withdraw controversial amendments targeting Public Benefit Organisations (PBO)
The Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2013, that was under review by the Justice and Legal Affairs Parliamentary Committee – last stage before being passed by Parliament – posed serious threats to the respect and protection of the right to freedom of association in Kenya. The Bill, which was…
Controversial blogger Robert Alai has been arrested and detained by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officers for an “offensive tweet” accusing a former Siaya Gubernatorial candidate William Oduol of battering his wife.
Alai was charged with posting the “annoying” tweet/message on Twitter contrary to section 29(b) of the Kenya Information and Communications Act CAP. 411A laws of Kenya.
According to the Act,…
Arrest of Kenyan tech blogger Robert Alai has shone a spotlight on the East African nation’s online civil liberties, with experts saying it has illustrated the possible vagueness of the country’s communications law.
Alai, who writes for technology website techmtaa.com, was put behind bars two nights ago by Kenyan police and released on a Khs100,000 yesterday, after he posted a tweet…