Civil Society Groups Denounce the European Union’s Involvement in Surveillance in Africa

Open Letter |

The increasing involvement of foreign entities in undermining democracy and respect for human rights in the digital sphere in Africa is widely documented. Whereas these schemes have mostly been attributed to spyware vendors and data analytics firms, recent disclosures have implicated the European Union (EU).

Investigations by Privacy International have revealed the use of EU aid and cooperation programmes to train and equip security forces…

World Press Freedom Day: Exploring the Relationship Between Media, Network Disruptions and Disinformation

By Juliet Nanfuka |

This year marks the 26th celebration of WPFD and is themed, “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”. The day will be celebrated in more than 100 countries in addition to the main event that will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the African Union Headquarters; and will serve as a platform to discuss…

Burundi to Suspend BBC and VOA Radio Broadcasts

Burundi News Update |

Burundi’s press regulator on Friday said it was suspending broadcasts by the BBC and Voice of America (VOA) by local radio stations ahead of a constitutional referendum on May 17.

The head of Burundi’s National Communications Council told journalists in the capital Bujumbura that a six-month ban would come into force on Monday. Karenga Ramadhani accused the BBC…

CNC Suspends Commentary Column of Iwacu News Paper

Burundi News|

Burundi Media Regulator CNC has suspended this Wednesday, April 11, 2018, the online commentary column of Iwacu newspaper for three months. Iwacu newspaper direction says to be saddened by the decision.

Iwacu has gone against professional standards, the reason why CNC decides to suspend the column for three months from now”, says Karenga Ramadhani, Chairman of Burundi Media Regulator- CNC.

Read…

Two Nigerian Journalists Charged With Cybercrime

News Update|

February 27, 2018–the Committee to Protect Journalists said, Nigerian authorities should immediately drop plans to charge Timothy and Daniel Elombah, editor and chief executive respectively, of the independent Elombah news website.

A federal court in Abuja is scheduled to arraign the brothers on cybercrime and terrorism-related offenses on March 1, their lawyer Obunike Ohaegbu told CPJ.

“Timothy and Daniel Elombah are journalists and…

Ugandan Journalist Seized in Kampala Following Investigative Report

News Update|

Nairobi, February 14, 2018–Ugandan authorities must make every effort to secure the safe release of Charles Etukuri, an investigative journalist for the state-owned New Visionnewspaper, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Five unidentified men dressed in military camouflage seized Etukuri outside the newspaper’s office in Kampala yesterday, days after he published an investigation into the murder of a foreign national in…