- MFWA Press Statement: Freedom of Expression monitors from the 15 ECOWAS member States are convening in Accra from May 22-24, 2013 for a training workshop on the methodology to be used in rating freedom of expression (FoE) conditions in their respective countries. The training of the FoE monitors is part of activities under the West African Freedom of Expression Index project by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in partnership with the US-based Freedom House Inc, a freedom of expression (FoE) advocacy organisation. The Index, which will be produced on a biennial bases, beginning 2014, will rate all the 15 ECOWAS countries on conditions of FoE. Earlier in the year (March 26 …

- The Accra based Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is further intensifying press freedom and freedom of expression campaign through a two year West Africa Freedom Expression Index publication, in collaboration with Freedom House based in the United States. To achieve this objective, MFWA is hosting a three days training for its West African correspondents and representatives of the Ugandan Human Rights Journalists Association at the Sun Lodge Hotel, Tesano, Accra Ghana from 22 to 25 May 2013. Addressing participants at the training, MFWA executive director, Professor Kwame Karikari stated that in addition to the usual advocacy activities (issuing news alerts on freedom of expres…

- PRESS STATEMENT: GAMBIAN GOVERNMENT RELEASES DETAINED IMAM; WARNS OF INTOLERANCE FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION The Gambian government on May 11th, 2013 released a renowned Muslim Cleric and a Human Rights Defender – Imam Baba Leigh after he was arrested and detained on 3rd December, 2012. Imam Baba Leigh was detained incommunicado for five months and seven days for condemning the execution of nine death row inmates by the Yayha Jammeh-led government, describing the act as inimical to Islamic teachings and precepts. He was neither charged to court nor granted access to his family and lawyer. Since his detention, international and regional organisations including the MFWA has wag…

- PRESS STATEMENT: PRESIDENT SIRLEAF MUST SHOW COMMITMENT TO PRESS FREEDOM The MFWA has received with concern, the recent developments in Liberia which undermines press freedom and freedom of expression in that country. On May 3, 2013, the head of Liberia's presidential guard, the Executive Protection Service (EPS), Mr. Othello Daniel Warrick, while addressing a gathering of over 100 journalists at an event to mark the World Press Freedom Day, issued severe threats against the freedom of the media. Mr. Warrick is quoted by news reports to have said: “Any press member that surpasses his/her responsibility to get involved in presidential intelligence; trust me, we will restr…

- La version française suit Press Release: MFWA TO INTENSIFY FOE RIGHTS MONITORING AND REPORTING IN MALI The Media Foundation for West Africa in partnership with the Copenhagen-based International Media Support and the Dakar-based Panos Institute West Africa, is to intensify its free expression rights monitoring and reporting in crisis-ridden Mali from May 20, 2013. In preparation for the monitoring exercise, the MFWA is organising a two-day training programme for monitors in the Malian Capital, Bamako on May 14-15, 2013. The training, expected to result in a structured and co-ordinated FoE rights monitoring network, will provide knowledge and skills in monitoring and reporting on F…

- The World Justice Project has announced the World Justice Forum IV, to be held 8-11 July 2013, in The Hague, Netherlands. The World Justice Forum is designed to improve the state of the world by engaging business, government, civil society, academic and other leaders to develop practical, multidisciplinary programs to strengthen the rule of law. This global gathering will convene delegates from more than 100 countries to debate crucial rule of law issues through plenary sessions, topical panel discussions and working sessions which will focus on shared learning and collaboration. Topics to be addressed include: Youth Leaders, Civil Society and Accountability; Access to Health;…

- No French Version MFWA- Guinea ALERT: Demonstrators violently attacked, four dead reported A large crowd of supporters belonging to the Guinean Opposition Coalition were on May 2, 2013 brutally attacked with live bullets and tear gas by police officers and gendarmes drawn from the Guinea Security Force. The attack, which occurred at the Fidel Castro Highway in Conakry, the capital, left several demonstrators with serious wounds while three people unfortunately lost their lives through gun shots. A police officer also got killed when he was stabbed with a sharp object. Narrating the incident, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported that the inci…

- No French Version Sierra Leone ALERT: Two journalists detained on Press Freedom Day, charged with criminal defamation The Freetown Court No.3 on May 6, 2013, charged Kasho Cole and Ibrahim Samura, Managing Editor and editor respectively of privately-owned Prime Newspaper, on eight counts of offences including criminal defamation for allegedly publishing an article about Lawyer Adekule King, an employee of the National Petroleum Directorate. The Court presided over by Magistrate Bankole Shyllon, however, granted the journalists bail in the sum of Ten Million Leones (about US$2,500) with one surety. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported that…

- No French Version Sources: MFWA - Ghana ALERT: Bodyguards of Prophet T.B. Joshua lock up journalists for no reason[i] Four journalists belonging to Accra-based media organisations were on May 7, 2013, detained for several hours by macho men believed to be bodyguards of Prophet T.B Joshua, Founder and Overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). The journalists were locked up in a room at the church premises located at the Spintex Road, a suburb of Accra, the capital. The four, Emmanuel Anteh and Gilbert Azu, reporter and cameraman respectively of privately-owned Multi-TV, and Abdul Wahab Giwah and Seth Yeboah, cameramen of privately-owned Net 2 Television were accoste…

- No French Version Sierra Leone ALERT: President orders withdrawal of Afri Radio’s broadcast license Afri Radio, a privately-owned radio station on April 12, 2013 had its broadcast license withdrawn by the statutory media regulatory body, the Independent Media Commission (IMC), following an alleged order from President Ernest Bai Koroma. The decision to ban the radio station came after “various meetings held with state authorities … on the issuance of (Afri Radio’s) broadcast license” explained the IMC. According to the Media Foundation for West (MFWA)’s correspondent, President Koroma, during a meeting with officials of the National Telecommu…

- CI Conducts Training on Organization and Governance, Fundraising and Resource Mobilization for Start-Up and small NGOs and Charitable organizations: Conscience International (CI) Friday, 3 May 2013 organized Training on Organization and Governance, Fundraising and Resource Mobilization for start-up NGOs and Charitable organizations, geared towards building their capacity on how to manage and raise funds to sustain their programs and activities. Conscience International (CI) is a non-profit, non-political and non-religious organization committed to achieving social and economic justice. CI promotes the rights of people to fully participate in the social, technical, environmental and…

- Media fraternity worldwide will be observing world press freedom day tomorrow, 3 May 2013. 3 May was first proclaimed World Press Freedom Day at the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991. It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered. The global theme for 2013 is “Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media” which focuses…

- Infini Africa Group, a software development and engineering company, specialized in establishing trade zones, is planning to establish an outsourcing hub for Africa, to service the whole of the West African region and the African market, said it’s Chief Executive Director Nadeem Khan. Mr Khan made this revelation after being given the go-ahead by the Gambian president Yahya Jammeh to establish a trade zone in The Gambia, following a closed-door meeting held with the President at State House in Banjul on 23 April 2013. “We are a company which is specialized in establishing trade zones, and we are going to establish an outsourcing hub for Africa which is going to service th…

- Micheal Uche Emenugha, a Nigerian IT expert and trainer of the ended International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) two days online security and safety training for media practitioners held at the Gambia Press Union secretariat has urged on journalists to always ensure safety using the internet. Lecturing journalists on the online safety measures, Mr Uche advised participants to ensure effective protection and always strengthen computer defense system by keeping firewall on all the time, to prevent illegal connection and protect intruders’ attacks. He also urges participants to take proper care of computers and regularly update software. He also advises the need to ensure that com…

- The end of a two days training on online safety and security training for Gambian media practitioners drawn from various media organizations and freelance bloggers marks the formation of the Gambia Online Journalists Network (GOJON). It started with formation of a facebook page, where participants of the training join as members during the practical session of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) online security and safety training workshop held on 19 and 20 April 2013 at the William Dixon Colley hall, GPU secretariat, Fajara, The Gambia. Among the objectives of the Alert Network is to promote excellence on online journalism practice in The Gambia. The network is a group o…

- The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) in collaboration with the Gambia Press Union (GPU) and Foundation for Legal Aid Research and Education (FLARE) on 20 April 2013 completed a two days ‘online safety and security’ training workshop for media practitioners from different media houses operating in the Greater Banjul Area of The Gambia. The training held at William Dixon Colley conference hall at the GPU secretariat was to equip freelance online reporters, editors and website managers with knowledge on safer use of the internet, as professionals managing and disseminating information for public consumption. Topics discussed covers safeties on internet usage, co…

- No French Version Sierra Leone ALERT: President orders withdrawal of Afri Radio’s broadcast license Afri Radio, a privately-owned radio station on April 12, 2013 had its broadcast license withdrawn by the statutory media regulatory body, the Independent Media Commission (IMC), following an alleged order from President Ernest Bai Koroma. The decision to ban the radio station came after “various meetings held with state authorities … on the issuance of (Afri Radio’s) broadcast license” explained the IMC. According to the Media Foundation for West (MFWA)’s correspondent, President Koroma, during a meeting with officials of the National Telecomm…

- The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has issued a press release prohibiting companies and/or individuals operating through Internet Cafes and offering Dating services and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services as a commercially available service to the public in The Gambia. A Press release published on Daily Observer newspaper Friday 19 April 2013 states: “The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) wishes to inform the general public that it has come to its notice that there are companies and/or individuals operating through Internet Cafes and offering Dating services and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services as a commercially available service to th…

- In an effort to further minimize the increasing security risks in internet usage, undermining the work of media practitioners, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) in collaboration with partners offers a two days training for journalists working in various media houses and bloggers in The Gambia, on how to use the internet safely, in a more secure manner. The training taking place at the William Dixon Colley Hall, Gambia Press Union secretariat, Fajara started Friday, 19 April 2013, centering on the concepts of responsible and secure use of the internet for journalists who heavily rely on the internet to do their work. The training also include the use of mobile communication…

- No French Version The National Assembly of The Gambia on April 16, 2013, amended sections of the country’s Criminal Code to empower the Courts to mete out stiffer punishments to persons found guilty of giving false information to public officials. The new law which is an amendment to Section 114 of the country’s Criminal Code, empowers the Courts to impose a jail term of five years or a fine of Fifty Thousand Dalasis (about USD1,650) for a misdemeanour that previously attracted a jail term of not more than six months or Five Hundred Dalasis (about USD17). According to the MFWA sources, apart from the stiffer punishments, the new law also classifies the President, Vice…

- YCFB/YCAF opens enrollment for free massage therapy, HIV training Youths and Children Foundation Bakoteh (YCFB) in collaboration with Youths and Children Art Foundation (YCAF), is providing training on Massage therapy and lectures on controlling the spread of HIV infection and AIDS amongst young people, and gender equity. The month long training taking place from the 1st to 31st May 2013 is meant to give participants skills that qualify them to be massage therapists, to enable them to gain employment, be self employed, provide free massage service to their families, community or domestic level; and to those who are recovering or suffering from stroke attack and muscle related pain an…

- AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY DISCUSSES STRATEGIES TO STRENGTHEN THEIR WORK The struggle to bring humanity together, by implementing ‘regional’ and ‘universal’ doctrines for a society free from all forms of human rights violations, which entangled humanity in many pasts histories, and current situations, is high on the agenda of regional human rights defenders. The need for an all inclusive approach, and dialogue between governments and civil societies actors, including human rights defenders and promoters, is necessary steps towards realization of our former men’s dream of a society guaranteeing human and peoples’ rights. This was the agenda of a one…

- Conscience International (CI) The Gambia on Tuesday 26 March 2013 held its third stakeholders meeting for beneficiaries of its three months Adult Functional Literacy and Numeracy Skills Project ending in March 2013. The meeting marked by opening prayers, gave opportunity to teachers and students who benefit from the project to give their impression, challenges faced during the implementation process and made recommendations on the way forward. Shaka Ceesay, CI Director in his welcoming remarks said the project which started in January 2013, ending this month is funded by British High Commission. He said for this reason, CI organizes the meeting to discuss about the impacts the projec…

- At a Meeting with reporters and media editors in Banjul, The Gambia today, 10 April 2013, representatives of the Department of Political Affairs of the African Union and the African Centre for Democracy and Human RightsStudies shared their plans to engage citizens across Africa in public dialogue about human rights and the protection of personal freedoms at all levels of African societies. Dr. Hannah Forster, Executive Director of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, Dr. Salah Hamnad Siddiq, human rights expert, Department of Political Affairs of the African Union,and Dr. Alieu Badara Saja Taal, Senior Lecturer Department of Political Science University of the Gamb…

- La version française suit Mali ALERT: Mounting concern for press freedom in Mali, journalists impose media blackout Journalists and privately-owned media organisations across the country have embarked on an indefinite media blackout to demand the release of their colleague, Boukary Daou who has been detained without charge since his arrest on March 6, 2013 by officers of the Malian Intelligence Agency. Daou, managing editor of privately-owned daily Le Republican newspaper, was arrested for publishing a letter to interim President, Dioncounda Traore. The letter was written by some aggrieved soldiers, reportedly angered at the wage benefits being given to Captain Amadou Sanogo, lead…

Media organisations and journalists in Togo on March 12, 2013 embarked on a nation-wide news blackout to protest against a new law that was recently passed by the country's Parliament. - The new legislation grants the statutory media regulatory body, the High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication (HAAC), discretionary powers to impose sanctions on the media without recourse to judicial processes. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported that with the exception of the State-owned newspaper and three other pro-government newspapers, all other newspapers did not appear on the newsstands. Radio stations also stopped normal programming and resorted…

The Board of Directors of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) met in Accra, Ghana, on December 1 and 2, 2012 to discuss and review a variety of issues relating to the operations of the organization as well as the broader issues of media freedom, freedom of expression and media development in the West African sub-region. - The meeting was presided over by the Chairperson of the Board, Madam Soyata Maiga (Mali), who is also a Commissioner at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. At the end of its meeting, the Board unanimously adopted and issued this resolution: 1. The Board expresses grave concern about the renewed attacks on the media sector, on media freed…

The latest report of the International Monetary Fund on The Gambia has revealed that majority of Gambia's 1.8 million people still lives in poverty despite an increment in primary school enrolment and completion, as well as an improvement in immunization, child and maternal mortality. - With the reported “robust economic growth” over the years, the latest survey on the country’s poverty situation states that the 58 per cent of the population lives in poverty. The IMF report says the Gambia’s progress on reducing poverty has been mixed as various social indicators have shown strong improvement notably in education and health, but “a large share of the pop…

The International Monetary Fund has indicates that the local currency, the Gambian Dalasi, may be overvalued by 17 percent. According to IMF report, "a number of complementary approaches were adopted to assess whether the Gambia's exchange rate is aligned with fundamentals. - These alternative approaches proposed by the IMF Consultative Group on Exchange Rate issues include the macroeconomic balance approach, the external sustainability approach and equilibrium real exchange rate approach.” According to the report, the purchasing power parity approach was also involved in the assessment, pointing out that these alternative approaches produce somewhat different results. …

The chairperson of the African Union Commission has described 2011 as the "worst year" for Africa given the current spate of crises that have plagued the continent. Jean Ping, Gabonese-born diplomat who has been the chairperson of the AU Commission since 2008 was speaking to journalists in Banjul, Gambia shortly after holding talks with the president-elect of that country Yahya Jammeh. - The soft-spoken diplomat was in the country to among other things discuss with the Gambian leader Monday’s abortive coup in Guinea Bissau. Ping said taking into account the situation which is prevailing in the region, mainly the situation in Guinea Bissau, it is very useful for him to se…

African leaders in Durban said it was time Africa got is fair share of global climate finance. The leaders strongly reiterated that, while Africa is determined to embark resolutely on the path of clean development, it needs adequate access to climate finance, with a clear link between development, adaptation and mitigation. - Closing the two-week UN Conference on Climate Change held in Africa, a high-level roundtable held at the Africa Pavilion featured prominent statesmen, international financiers and academics. While Meles Zenawi said it was true that "Africa must today take the path of clean energy, whose production costs are significantly lower than fossil fuels," he added t…

Notre Voie, a pro-Gbagbo daily newspaper, has reappeared on the newsstand after almost a month of absence. Notre Voie, like other newspapers, had suspended publication after former President Laurent Gbagbo was captured in a raid by forces loyal to President Alassane Ouattara on April 11. - According to the newspapers, they feared for their security. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported that journalists of Notre Voie were working under difficult condition since they could not operate from the newspaper’s premises which were ransacked by pro-Ouattara forces who are currently occupying the premises. The journalists of the newspaper had to work f…

Journalists from some independent press houses were denied entry by state security agents to cover the State Opening of the National Assembly on Friday 25 March 2011 by President Yahya Jammeh despite having official accreditations. It took the intervention of press director of the House to allow them in. - Reporters from various local based private own newspaper, namely Foroyaa, Today and The Point, The Voice and The Daily News private newspapers, Marketplace and News and Reports Magazines, frustratingly stood at the door to the National Assembly for about an hour before they were allowed in by frown-faced security agents after the newly appointed press director at State House, Fatou Camara …

Most privately-owned radio stations and newspapers in Lome, capital of West African nation of Togo on March 10, 2011 suspended their normal activities in protest against the continuous closure of three radio stations since December 2010. - The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent in Togo reported that while the radio stations played music throughout the day, the newspapers, with the exception of state-owned daily Togo Presse and the privately-owned Forum de la Semaine, were not on the newsstands. The correspondent said the decision of the journalists to suspend their programmes followed a declaration of “No Press Day” by the media group, SOS Journalist…

Radio Shabelle based in embattled country of Somalia conferred with the 2010 Media of the Year Prize. According to the organizers Reporters Without Borders in partnership with the French retail chain FNAC, the station shares the award with jailed Iranian journalist Abdolreza Tajik for their bravery in news dissemination. - “This year we are honouring a courageous journalist, Abdolreza Tajik, and a beleaguered radio station, Radio Shabelle,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-François Julliard said. “These laureates work into two countries, Iran and Somalia, where reporting the news is a constant battle.” Presenting the 2010 Media of the Year prize to …