Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2015 (CHOGM)

Commonwealth Secretariat The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be held in Malta between 27-29 November 2015. The theme of this year's CHOGM is 'The Commonwealth - Adding Global Value' This year's theme focuses on how the Commonwealth’s strengths can be utilised to influence and effect change on important global issues, such as human rights, gender equality, climate finance, building resilience in small states and the empowerment of youth. The theme also reflects how the Commonwealth can make a positive difference to the lives of its citizens. To visit the official CHOGM website click CHOGM 2015  Read more

High Court judge files suit against IFEX member and prominent investigative reporter

Media Foundation For West Africa A High Court judge, Justice Paul Uuter Dery, who has been implicated in a bribery and corruption expose by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has filed a suit at a High Court, citing the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and four journalists for contempt of court. The four others cited in the suit are the investigative journalist, Anas, acting editor and deputy editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Samuel Frimpong and Ernest Addo respectively; and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Starr FM, Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi. The…Read more

Assailants open fire on private news channel’s van

Pakistan Press Foundation The Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) van of Samaa television, a private news channel in Pakistan, was attacked by armed men on Sunday 20 September 2015. The incident occurred in Karachi, the largest city and the country's media center. The attackers who were on a motorcycle fired five to six straight shots at the DSNG van. Police and paramilitary rangers arrived at the scene and collected evidence from the site where empty bullet shells were recovered. The van's rear windscreen was damaged and a tyre was also hit. Fortunately, cameraman…Read more

Ghanaian police attack protestors calling for new voter register

Media Foundation for West Africa The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is shocked at the behaviour of some members of the Ghana Police Service who brutally assault demonstrators on September 16, 2015. The protesters, who were led by members of pressure group, Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA) were demonstrating to demand that Electoral Commission of Ghana compiles a new voters' register, were said to have used unapproved routes. Members of the police force who were on duty to ensure law and order chased, arrested, tear-gassed and whipped some of the demonstrators.…Read more

BBC: Lord Black Calls for ‘Genuine Partnership’ With Commercial Sector

  • Posted on September 14, 2015
  • /Under UK
News Media Association Lord Black of Brentwood,  chairman of the News Media Association’s legal, policy and regulatory affairs committee, has called for “tighter controls” on the BBC’s online news services to prevent it from crowding out commercial rivals through an unsustainable competitive advantage. Speaking in a House of Lords debate on the BBC yesterday (Thursday) Lord Black, executive director of Telegraph Media Group, called for the BBC to enter into a “genuine partnership role” with the commercial sector. Lord Black said: "Our reverence for the BBC’s role as a content provider - about…Read more

Radio France Internationale correspondent in Cameroon held over a month, denied access to lawyer

Committee to Protect Journalists The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the detention of a Nigerian journalist who has been held for more than a month in Cameroon and denied access to his lawyer for two weeks. CPJ also calls on Cameroonian authorities to explain the reason for Ahmed Abba's detention and allow him immediate access to his lawyer. Abba, a Nigerian national and a correspondent for Radio France Internationale's Hausa service, was arrested by Cameroonian officials in Maroua, the capital of the Far North Region, of Cameroon on July 30, according…Read more

Gunmen open fire on Geo TV broadcast van in Karachi, killing one

Committee to Protect Journalists A Geo TV technician was killed and a driver for the privately owned Pakistani station was injured today in a shooting in Karachi, according to media reports. Arshad Ali Jafri, the technician, was shot seven times in the attack, and the driver was shot twice in the shoulder but managed to drive to a hospital, police told local media. Two other Geo media workers near the van escaped injury. Unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on the broadcast van when it was parked on the street, according to reports. Police have…Read more

Newspaper columnist kidnapped from her home in Nigeria

Committee to Protect Journalists A Nigerian newspaper columnist was abducted from her home early Sunday, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Nigerian authorities to do their utmost to find Donu Kogbara, establish a motive for the abduction, and apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators.  "We condemn the kidnapping of Vanguard columnist Donu Kogbara and call on Nigerian authorities to launch an immediate and efficient investigation," said Peter Nkanga, CPJ's West Africa representative. Unidentified gunmen entered Kogbara's home in Port Harcourt city, capital of Rivers state, captured the journalist, and drove her away…Read more

Alleged killers of Balochistan journalist and his colleagues apprehended

Pakistan Press Foundation Pakistan's law enforcement agencies succeeded in their efforts and have arrested the alleged killers of Baloch journalist Irshad Mastoi and two of his colleagues. During a 2 September 2015 press conference at the Home Ministry, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Safaraz Bugti informed media that the apprehended individuals had confessed to the 2014 killing of journalists in Quetta, capital of Balochistan province. He further stated the suspects belonged to the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). He identified the killers as Shafqat Ali Rodani, whose code name is Naveed, and Ibrahim Nachari,…Read more

Gambian man faces charges for sharing image of Prophet Mohammed on Facebook

Media Foundation for West Africa Alhagie Mam Seye, a Gambian citizen, has been charged with “uttering words with intent to wound religious feelings” after he shared a picture of Prophet Mohammed on Facebook. Seye, whose case is currently before the Brikana Magistrate Court, has been accused of sharing a picture of Prophet Mohammed on Facebook on July 11, 2015. It is alleged that Seye shared the picture “knowing fully well that it would hurt the religious feelings of his followers and thereby committed an offence.” The said photograph reportedly showed Prophet Mohammed with…Read more