Publications 2015
Accessing Information in Africa: It's your Right
by the APAI working group, fesmedia Africa, the regional media project of the Friedrich- Ebert-Stiftung (FES),
Exercising one's right to information is the oxygen for democracy.
It is increasingly recognised as a prerequisite for transparency and accountability of governments, as a means of safeguarding citizens against mismanagement and corruption, and facilitating people's ability to make informed decisions about their lives. Please see below video links of "Access to information in Africa: Its your right" in English, Swahili, French and Portuguese https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuD6vAzgjfWOj5GQVOo6U9w
It is increasingly recognised as a prerequisite for transparency and accountability of governments, as a means of safeguarding citizens against mismanagement and corruption, and facilitating people's ability to make informed decisions about their lives. Please see below video links of "Access to information in Africa: Its your right" in English, Swahili, French and Portuguese https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuD6vAzgjfWOj5GQVOo6U9w
THE AFRICAN PLATFORM ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION (APAI)
by the APAI working group, fesmedia Africa, the regional media project of the Friedrich- Ebert-Stiftung (FES),
Acknowledging access to information as a catalyst for accountability, transparency,good governance, as well as the enjoyment of other fundamental rights, the APAIDeclaration emphasises the importance of a right to information for all citizens.
Download/View Report (PDF):
Download/View Report (PDF):
Airing Out The Laundry: Gender Discrimination in Zambian Media Workplaces
by Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), fesmedia Africa, the regional media project of the Friedrich- Ebert-Stiftung (FES),
Women in Zambia, like the rest of the world face a number of gender based challenges even in the sphere of employment. The law, being an important instrument to society if used well can help to protect them from such challenges. In line with the aspirations of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government on Gender and Child issues as outlined in the PF manifesto, a fully fledged Ministry of Gender and Child Development was established in 2011. This would assist in bringing focus on disparities in women’s roles and limited opportunities in relation to those of men. However, despite attempts at addressing gender inequality and achievements in this regard, gender discrimination is pervasive and is known to occur in almost every professional setting.
Download/View Report (PDF):
Election watch: Media Freedom & Access to Information Essential for Elections
by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), fesmedia Africa, the regional media project of the Friedrich- Ebert-Stiftung (FES),
On 23rd October and 19th November 2015 the seminar ‘The Media and the Local and Regional Elections’ organised by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) in cooperation with fesmedia Africa was held in Windhoek and Oshakati respectively.Discussions took place about the media coverage of the upcoming elections on 27th November 2015, between representatives of IPPR and the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) as well as media experts and several journalists.The speakers Graham Hopwood (IPPR), Theo Mujoro (ECN), Nangula Shejavali (IPPR) and Emily Brown (Polytechnic of Namibia) explained how the elections will be organised and pointed out the importance of media freedom and access to information for free and fair elections.
Download/View Report (PDF):
Election watch: Frequently asked questions
by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), fesmedia Africa, the regional media project of the Friedrich- Ebert-Stiftung (FES),
Election Watch is a bulletin containing electoral analysis and voter education that appear regularly in the run up to the 2015 Regional Council and Local Authority Elections.It is produced as a PDF download and as a printed newspaper insert. The bulletins are compiled to cover Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the 2015 Regional Council and Local Authority Elections. It is produced as part of the IPPR’s Election Watch project with the assistance and support of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), fesmedia Africa, and the European Union.
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Heroes Under Fire
by Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC)
ODAC is proud to announce the launch of its latest research piece on the lived experience of South African whistleblowers, "Heroes Under Fire". Download/View Report (PDF):
ODAC is proud to announce the launch of its latest research piece on the lived experience of South African whistleblowers, "Heroes Under Fire". Download/View Report (PDF):
So this is democracy
by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Welcome to the 2014 edition of the Media Institute of Southern Africa’s (MISA)
flagship publication, So This Is Democracy?: State of Media Freedom in Southern
Africa. Download/View Report (PDF):
Welcome to the 2014 edition of the Media Institute of Southern Africa’s (MISA)
flagship publication, So This Is Democracy?: State of Media Freedom in Southern
Africa. Download/View Report (PDF):
Freedom of Expression and Media Regulation Manual
by Hendrick Bussiek
The media legislation manual provides wide coverage of recent crucial media developments. The media therefore has a central role to play in the freedom of information and freedom of expression and just like in any successful democracy, the more voices that are heard, the better. As with the purpose of law generally in a democratic society, is to enable all citizens to live a full and dignified life and exercise their rights while not violating those of others in the process, the same principle applies in the case of any legislated regulation of the media. Limitations placed on freedom of expression and the media by law are justified only to prevent violations of other rights or the rights of others. Media law must be enabling, meant to make sure that the media paint as full a picture of life in all its facets as possible - that all stories worth telling do indeed get told. Download/View Report (PDF):
The media legislation manual provides wide coverage of recent crucial media developments. The media therefore has a central role to play in the freedom of information and freedom of expression and just like in any successful democracy, the more voices that are heard, the better. As with the purpose of law generally in a democratic society, is to enable all citizens to live a full and dignified life and exercise their rights while not violating those of others in the process, the same principle applies in the case of any legislated regulation of the media. Limitations placed on freedom of expression and the media by law are justified only to prevent violations of other rights or the rights of others. Media law must be enabling, meant to make sure that the media paint as full a picture of life in all its facets as possible - that all stories worth telling do indeed get told. Download/View Report (PDF):
Hate Speech
by Andrea Scheffler
Hate speech legislation is seen as an efficient and appropriate means to prevent harm emanating from speech. International Conventions, most notably the Genocide Convention and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) put an obligation on their state parties to prohibit different forms of incitement. Some state - such as Rwanda - have reacted by adopting legislation against various forms of hate speech. In Kenya, the popular term is even couched in the new Constitution. Download/View Report (PDF):
Hate speech legislation is seen as an efficient and appropriate means to prevent harm emanating from speech. International Conventions, most notably the Genocide Convention and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) put an obligation on their state parties to prohibit different forms of incitement. Some state - such as Rwanda - have reacted by adopting legislation against various forms of hate speech. In Kenya, the popular term is even couched in the new Constitution. Download/View Report (PDF):
