The state of media freedom and safety of journalists in Africa
Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)
(2022), 57 pp.
"The media in Africa continues to face serious challenges in the execution of its work. The minimal progress in the advancement of press freedom and freedom of expression on the continent has been whitewashed by legislation and actions by some states that continue to hinder the development of a professional and independent media.<NZ>This report seeks to serve two purposes. The first is to research and document the state of media freedom and safety of journalists in Africa and to provide specific and evidence-based recommendations to guide policy makers, media development organisations and other media freedom and human rights actors to address identified gaps that undermine the safety of journalists and media freedom in Africa. Secondly, the report seeks to reinforce the safety of journalists and enhance legal and institutional frameworks by providing recommendations to support the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists (UNPoA) and the Issue of Impunity.<NZ>This report is the result of several efforts and inputs from two interlinked processes between 2021 and 2022 that sought to establish the state of media freedom and journalists' safety in Africa." (Introduction, p. 4-7)
Contents
1 Introduction, 4
Digitalisation and the Media in Africa -- Objective of the Report
2 Research Methodology and Scope, 7
The Africa Media Freedom and Journalists' Safety Indicators -- Assessment of the Achievements, Challenges, and Future Opportunities in the Implementation of UNPoA
3 Results, 10
Legal and Regulatory Framework -- Media Pluralism and Diversity -- Journalists Safety and Protection -- Arrests and Prosecution of Journalists and Online Content Creators -- Trolling and Online Harassment of Journalists -- Online Harassment of Female Journalists -- Conflicts Exacerbating Journalists' Safety Challenges -- Media Independence -- Internet Access and Affordability -- Adoption of Digital Taxation -- Internet Disruptions Including Internet Shutdowns -- Media Self-Regulation -- Surveillance and Privacy of Online Communication -- Legalising Surveillance and Interception of Communication -- Undue Limitations on the Right to Privacy and Anonymous Communication -- Increasing Surveillance and Monitoring of Journalistic Activities -- Independent Online Content Producers and the Right to Freedom of Expression -- Criminalisation of Free Speech Online -- Registration and Licensing of Online Content Producers
4 Conclusion and Recommendations, 51
Conclusion -- Key Achievements -- Key Challenges - Recommendations - Government Media Support Organisations -- Academic and Research Institutions -- Media Houses/Journalists -- United Nations and African Union
Digitalisation and the Media in Africa -- Objective of the Report
2 Research Methodology and Scope, 7
The Africa Media Freedom and Journalists' Safety Indicators -- Assessment of the Achievements, Challenges, and Future Opportunities in the Implementation of UNPoA
3 Results, 10
Legal and Regulatory Framework -- Media Pluralism and Diversity -- Journalists Safety and Protection -- Arrests and Prosecution of Journalists and Online Content Creators -- Trolling and Online Harassment of Journalists -- Online Harassment of Female Journalists -- Conflicts Exacerbating Journalists' Safety Challenges -- Media Independence -- Internet Access and Affordability -- Adoption of Digital Taxation -- Internet Disruptions Including Internet Shutdowns -- Media Self-Regulation -- Surveillance and Privacy of Online Communication -- Legalising Surveillance and Interception of Communication -- Undue Limitations on the Right to Privacy and Anonymous Communication -- Increasing Surveillance and Monitoring of Journalistic Activities -- Independent Online Content Producers and the Right to Freedom of Expression -- Criminalisation of Free Speech Online -- Registration and Licensing of Online Content Producers
4 Conclusion and Recommendations, 51
Conclusion -- Key Achievements -- Key Challenges - Recommendations - Government Media Support Organisations -- Academic and Research Institutions -- Media Houses/Journalists -- United Nations and African Union
