03 March 2011

COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF EAJA NAIROBI, KENYA, 28 FEBRUARY 2011

Solidarity Mission Report

16 November 2010

Summary Burundi is a country composed of a very vibrant media landscape, mostly privately owned. The new government which came to power in May 2010 following a very peaceful election which enjoyed a great goodwill from the media (through a media synergy that preached peace and responsibility), has suddenly resuscitated its vigor in clamping down on media freedom by arresting and detaining journalists who dare criticize or question their policies. The government and the media view each other with a lot of suspicion. [..]

21 May 2010

The second congress of the Federation of African Journalists in Harare has been dubbed the biggest gathering of African journalists at a transcontinental conference. Soon after its first working congress in Nairobi, the Federation made giant steps to become the most authoritative voice of journalists in the continent. This overpowering progress was reflected at every stage of this congress, in its reports, its lively debates and submissions, and above all in the transparency of its proceedings. [..]

13 September 2009

Press freedom is still in danger in Africa despite 20 years of democratisation. Independent journalism continues to be a perilous profession on the continent, both in the peaceful arena as well as in conflict zones. In peaceful zones, governments, politicians, economic and religious groups still see the media and journalists as impostors who have no business in reporting critical issues. The media is still not yet seen as common good, a prerequisite and oxygen for democracy. [..]

26 June 2009

Working journalists in Africa are facing lower wages, longer working hours and even more precarious employment conditions. They are incessantly denied the fundamental rights to freedom of association, collective bargaining and freedom of expression. Many African journalists were killed due to their journalistic work or their actions while defending workers’ rights, and many more were attacked physically or subjected to harassment, intimidation or arrest. [..]

04 May 2009

Concerned about the growing intolerance towards independent journalism and the growing violence against journalists, the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) organized two-day conference on the occasion to mark the World Press Freedom Day in accordance with the global theme proposed by UNESCO: Media, Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. The Eastern Africa Conference on Media, Dialogue and Mutual Understand, held in Kigali on 2-3 May, attracted leaders of journalists and media in Eastern Africa for two days of lively discussion and debate. [..]