On Tuesday 12 February 2013, the Parliamentary committee dealing with the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (the so-called “Spy Bill”) starts work again, aiming to adopt the Bill by 20 March 2013. The Right2Know Campaign remains opposed to the provisions of the Bill and will continue to monitor its progress through Parliament.
Why does R2K oppose the “SpyBill”?
We believe the GILAB,…
Jacob Zuma has added The Star to his latest round of defamation actions against newspapers.
The ANC president has issued a summons against Independent Newspapers for R1-million for alleged invasion of his dignity in an article published by The Star in 2005 – just making the prescription period by a few days, as plaintiffs have only three years to sue for…
What do OR Tambo International Airport, President Zuma’s homestead in Nkandla, and the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station have in common?
They have all been declared ‘National Key Points’ in terms of the National Key Points Act (NKPA), an obscure piece of apartheid-era law still on South Africa’s statute books. Introduced in 1980 as a response to ‘sabotage’ in Umtata, the law…
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…