Press Freedom

Senator Thuli Msane spoke out against arresting sex workers. Credit: Mantoe Phakathi/IPS

SWAZILAND: Help Sex Workers – Senator

By Mantoe Phakathi
It is one of the world's oldest professions, dating so far back that it is even mentioned in the Bible. But in the deeply cultural and religious country of Swaziland, Senator Thuli Msane stirred a hornet's nest when she publicly challenged a new strict bill opposing prostitution.

SIERRA LEONE: Claims Presidency Interferes with Judiciary

By Lansana Fofana
It may be seven years after the country’s civil war, but Sierra Leone is still battling to obtain an independent judiciary.
Lusaka-based journalists march on the Great East Road campaigning for the violence against journalists to stop. Credit: Kelvin Kachingwe/IPS

ZAMBIA: Media Face Beatings and Attacks

By Kelvin Kachingwe
When journalists were beaten by political supporters for covering the president’s return trip from abroad, and cabinet ministers and police officers looked on without stopping it, it seemed to be the last straw in the victimisation of the media. But it was not.
David Bahati submitting his controversial anti-gay Bill to parliament. Credit: Wambi Michael/IPS

RIGHTS-UGANDA: “You Cannot Tell Me You Will Kill Me Because I’m Gay”

By Wambi Michael
The Ugandan government will put to death gay citizens repeatedly caught having sex and throw into jail those who touch each other in a "gay" way, if a new proposed Bill becomes law.
Mary Ndagire (78) will not listen to the radio ever since her favourite radio station was shut down. Credit: Evelyn Matsamura Kiapi/IPS

RIGHTS-UGANDA: Baganda Fight for Their Heritage

By IPS Correspondents
Specioza Nakabugo (63) sits on a mat under a mango tree on a well-mowed grass patch, her expression a blend of boredom and gloom.

GRENADA: Libel Case Sends “Chilling Signal”, Groups Warn

By IPS Correspondents
Grenada Today did not have the staff nor circulation associated with most major Caribbean publications.
Young Mozambicans turned out in their numbers to vote. Credit:

POLITICS-MOZAMBIQUE: Another Term for Incumbent President?

By Zenaida Machado
Mozambique’s incumbent president looks set to serve a second term of office as partial results of the country’s presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections are announced.

ZAMBIA: Give Us Our Constitution

By Kelvin Kachingwe
Pressure is mounting for a new constitution that is inclusive of all citizens' views as the ongoing delays by the body granted to draft it still continues.

RIGHTS-UGANDA: Colliding with the Fourth Estate

By IPS Correspondents
Charles Odobo Bichachi, editor of the Independent Newspaper has in a span of a year, been summoned to the police several times accused of publishing seditious statements. And just last month, Bichachi fell into trouble again: this time over a cartoon.

CARIBBEAN: Media Up in Arms over Licensing Plan

By IPS Correspondents
Caribbean media groups have drawn a line in the sand, warning regional governments that they will face strenuous opposition to proposed legislation requiring media workers to obtain a license to practice their profession in the 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom) grouping.

AFRICA: Government on Collision Course with Civil Society

By Kelvin Kachingwe
The acquittal of former President Frederick Chiluba on charges of theft after a seven-year long landmark case, and the refusal by the Zambian government to appeal, has put government and civil society on a collision course.

SIERRA LEONE: Journalists at War with Highest Court

By Mohamed Fofanah
Umaru Fofana looks dishevelled. His hair is overgrown and people who do not know him could be mistaken for thinking he just joined an Afro band. And his hanging beard will surely solicit suspicious glances.

EGYPT: Virtually, Some Real Freedom

By Cam McGrath
Egyptians critical of their government are using new media and the Internet to expose its improprieties and press for social change.
Rick Goldsmith Credit: Courtesy of Rick Goldsmith

Q&A: Secrecy, Lies, Power and the Pentagon Papers

By Bill Berkowitz
A little over 38 years ago, when Daniel Ellsberg released the "Pentagon Papers" to The New York Times and other newspapers, it set off one of the 20th century's most important battles over government secrecy and freedom of the press.

SIERRA LEONE: Banned Opposition Radio Station Goes to Court

By Lansana Fofana
Sierra Leone's largest opposition party has taken the country's media monitoring body to court for banning its radio station.

POLITICS-ITALY: From Democracy to Videocracy

By IPS Correspondents
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, one of the world's most powerful media moguls, is being increasingly accused of using his six news organisations and television channels to manipulate the country's political life and public opinion.
There are only four women in Berlusconi's cabinet. Credit: Italian government

POLITICS-ITALY: Don't Even Speak of Equality! – Part 2

By Miren Gutierrez
Angelica Mucchi-Faina, psychology professor at the Perugia University, thinks that "in Italy you cannot even talk about equal opportunities for women in politics."
Luisa Capelli: Italian feminism "has been marginalised" Credit: Oriana Boselli/IPS

POLITICS-ITALY: Where Are the Women? – Part 1

By Miren Gutierrez
Four ministers out of 21; 193 parliamentarians out of 952 (upper and lower houses); no party leaders. Why are there so few women in Italian politics?
Sultan Munadi was shot by coalition commandos who freed the British journalist he was working for. Credit: Najibullah Musafer/Killid

AFGHANISTAN: Media Outrage Over Coalition Killing of Reporter

By IPS Correspondents
For many Afghans, slain Afghan journalist Sultan Munadi has become a symbol for all that is wrong with the United States-led war in Afghanistan.

COSTA RICA: Media Bill Languishes in Congress

By Daniel Zueras
A bill on the press and freedom of expression that has been kicking around in the Costa Rican Congress for the past eight years, which deals with questions like source confidentiality, access to public information, and libel and slander laws, was saved in late August from being permanently shelved by the legislature.

SERBIA: Media Wakes Up to New Curbs

By Vesna Peric Zimonjic
A controversial new law on media came into force in Serbia Tuesday, raising fears that freedom of expression will now be restricted by censorship or self- censorship.
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