In The News: At least 79 journalists have been arrested in Sudan
Check out our regular news roundup of some of the top headlines in African journalism, innovation and digital media — a quick summary designed to keep you updated!
Sudanese newspaper editor released after 5 weeks
As protests continue in Sudan, Sudanese journalists are under pressure and suffering from the decline in press freedom and censorship in the country. Sudanese newspaper editor Osman Mirghani was one of the journalists arrested by the The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) in February. He was detained but never formally charged. He was released at the end of March.
The arrests began after protests against the rise in the price of bread in December. They have rapidly swelled in general anger against the Sudanese regime. RSF said that the systematic arrests campaign not only affected reporters covering rallies across the country but also journalists who dared to protest the government’s policy of censorship and arrests.
Burundi has extended the suspension on Voice of America and banned BBC
On March 29th, Burundi’s media regulator, the National Communication Council, announced that it had banned the BBC and renewed the suspension of Voice Of America. The official notice was posted on Twitter by the National Communication Council.
The ban on the BBC is effective immediately and the National Communication Council has not disclosed how long Voice Of America is suspended from operating in the country. The two international media organisations were accused of not respecting media laws and ethics in Burundi in May 2018.
New safety tool for news organisations launched
The International Federation of Journalists in collaboration with a number of press freedom groups have launched the News Organisations Safety Self-Assessment, a new resource that will help news outlets review and improve their current safety practices and protocols.
According to the International Federation of Journalists, the Self-Assessment should help news organizations to identify and better understand their own weaknesses and strengths in relation to the security of all the individuals working for them who are exposed to danger, including freelancers.
“A Safety Self-Assessment should help your organization to better protect all your assets. It can save the lives of reporters, and it can also save your company,” says the International Federation of Journalists.
Foreign journalists expelled amid Algeria protests
The Committee to Protect Journalists has released a news alert that states two Tunisian journalists from TRT and Reuters, respectively where detained and sent back to Tunisia. The journalists were in Algeria to cover the ongoing anti-government protests in the country.
Events and Opportunities
Opportunities
Check out the promising courses, fellowships and competitions here.
Events
Digital democracy vs digital dictatorship
The South African Institute Of International Affairs is hosting a panel discussion on how social media and increased access to data has changed the nature of politics, business and governance in Africa. To RSVP visit their website.
Details
Date:17 April 2019
Time:7:30 am — 10:30 am
Venue: GIBS Business School, 26 Melville Road, Illovo, South Africa
World Press Freedom Day (UNESCO) — Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
UNESCO will celebrate the 26th edition of World Press Freedom Day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 2–3 May 2019. Jointly organized by UNESCO, the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia(link is external) and the African Union Commission(link is external), the global celebration will be held at the Headquarters of the African Union.
The event provides a platform for multiple actors to exchange on current issues, threats and achievements concerning freedom of the press. The overall theme of the event will be the role of media in elections and democracy. A wide range of sessions (plenaries, debates, lightning talks, etc.) will address different aspects of the overall theme.
