Campaigns and Advocacy - Central and Eastern Africa
23 May 2012
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government downplays food crises by denying journalists access to sensitive areas and censoring independent coverage.
4 May 2012
Somalia
The resolution calls on authorities and armed groups to end ongoing violations against journalists, media practitioners and organisations.
1 May 2012
Take action! - Ethiopia

Join in the call for the release of Ethiopian journalist and blogger Eskinder Nega who could face the death penalty if convicted.
Sign the petition
1 May 2012
Joint action - Ethiopia
On 1 May, jailed journalist Eskinder Nega, facing the death penalty, receives in absentia the 2012 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. Thirty-two IFEX members are calling for his release, and an end to the use of national security legislation against all writers and journalists.
30 April 2012
Somalia
In Somalia, a nation of ever-shifting fortunes, the first few months of 2012 have been particularly deadly for the media.
23 April 2012
Ethiopia
Renowned journalists call for an end to the persecution of journalists in Ethiopia.
13 April 2012
Ethiopia / Awards / International
Nega, who was arrested in September 2011, is being tried under the country's sweeping anti-terror legislation and faces the death penalty if convicted.
26 March 2012
Djibouti
Mendez was urged to intervene on behalf of radio journalist Farah Abadid Hildid, who works for the Europe-based station
La Voix de Djibouti.
14 March 2012
Uganda
It is over 120 days since the government pledged to implement 170 recommendations in the area of human rights during the review at the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva in October 2011, but Uganda still falls well short of implementation.
7 March 2012
Ethiopia
In an open letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, IPI asks him to speak out against the use of anti-terrorism legislation against media members.
5 March 2012
Somalia

At a side event held at the 19th session of the UNHRC in Geneva, NUSOJ, IFJ, ITUC and RSF highlighted attacks on journalists' rights and free expression, and exposed authorities' inability to prevent, investigate and punish perpetrators of crimes against journalists.
28 February 2012
Uganda
HRNJ-Uganda is shocked by the government's rejection of recommendations made to it during the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism to admit the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression to visit the country and assess the human rights situation.
10 February 2012
Eritrea
The plea demonstrated that national laws and international treaties should provide protection to Dawit Isaac and his detained colleagues.
25 January 2012
Ethiopia
in the course of its observations and the interviews it conducted during its visit, RSF confirmed that freedom of expression has been on the wane for some time.
16 December 2011
Burundi
RSF asked Manirakiza about the situation of journalists in Burundi, which has worsened markedly this year, and about the government's increasing harassment of the media.
29 November 2011
Rwanda
The organisation is concerned about provisions that do not comply with international standards on freedom of expression, especially those relating to criminal defamation, protection of national security, access to reproductive health information and genocide ideology.
24 November 2011
Democratic Republic of Congo
JED accused the media council and electoral commission of indifference in the face of a "serious deterioration of democracy".
14 November 2011
Joint action - Eritrea

After hearing rumours of the death of Dawit Isaak, an Swedish-Eritrean journalist held without charge for ten years, 31 members of IFEX are asking President Isaias Afewerki to confirm that he is still alive and if so, to release him from prison.
8 November 2011
Joint action - Democratic Republic of Congo
In a letter to the interior minister, RSF and JED expressed concern over the increase in violence against media workers since the start of the election campaign.
28 October 2011
Democratic Republic of Congo
In 2006, violent clashes between supporters of the two main presidential candidates were attributed - in some cases justifiably - to media outlets who inflamed tensions with incendiary comments and incitement to hatred and violence.
13 October 2011
Democratic Republic of Congo
At a meeting between media experts and public figures organised by JED, participants agreed to launch a Rapid Alert Network, aimed at preventing serious attacks on press freedom in the period leading up to elections.
12 October 2011
Uganda
ARTICLE 19 urges Uganda to use the occasion of the Universal Periodic Review as an opportunity to review and repeal unduly restrictive freedom of expression legislation and address the issue of violence against journalists, human rights defenders and political opponents.
20 September 2011
Eritrea

RSF has launched an international ad campaign marking the 10th anniversary of the round-ups of journalists and closure of all the privately-owned print media.
14 September 2011
Take action! - Eritrea

Twenty-third September marks 10 years since the Swedish-Eritrean journalist and writer Dawit Isaak was imprisoned in Eritrea. His crime? He worked for an independent newspaper that reported on demands for democratic reforms. There has never been a trial, a charge or a sentence against him. IFEX members and supporters are asking that you take part in a week of action to demand his freedom.
13 September 2011
Rwanda / France
RSF activists demonstrated outside the Hotel Ritz in Paris, where Kagame was scheduled to have breakfast with a delegation of French businessmen, in protest against his visit to France.
9 September 2011
Democratic Republic of Congo

On 26 August 2011, Donat M'Baya Tshimanga and Tshivis Tshivuadi received an e-mail threatening them and their families.
17 June 2011
Uganda
A broad coalition of 105 human rights, media, and development organisations urged the president to invite the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions.
2 June 2011
Uganda
During May 2011 alone, at least nine people died following brutal attacks by state security agents and many more were injured, including journalists.
31 May 2011
Joint action - Eritrea
The detained journalists are held without charges and forced to endure terrible conditions such as extended periods in the sun and denial of medication.
31 May 2011
Joint action - Somalia
IFEX members condemn the increased attacks and judicial harassment against Somali journalists and media organisations.
6 May 2011
Somalia
"It is our hope that the TFG will accept the recommendations from the UN Human Rights Council in order to improve the freedom of expression situation in the country," says NUSOJ.
5 May 2011
Somalia
To commemorate this day, NUSOJ celebrates the indispensable role that journalists play in Somali society in the face of an increasing wave of repression.
4 May 2011
Eritrea
The situation of freedom of expression has been steadily deteriorating as it is estimated that some 30 journalists have been detained, without charges, since the government imposed a ban on independent media in September 2001.
2 May 2011
Ethiopia
"We have appreciated IFEX members' condemnations of the Ethiopian government's repressive measures against the organisation," says EFJA President Kifle Mulat.
6 April 2011
Rwanda
ARTICLE 19 commends the initiative to develop a dedicated law on this subject but at the same time expresses concern about the creation of a series of criminal offences which could see persons making 'bad faith disclosures' jailed for extensive periods.
24 March 2011
Uganda
Uganda, a member of the UN Human Rights Council, is up for a review of its human rights situation in October 2011 under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism.
16 March 2011
Uganda
ARTICLE 19 highlighted the restrictive legislation related to the media and freedom of expression; the failure of the government to implement the access to information legislation; and the frequent attacks on journalists, human rights defenders and political opponents.
15 February 2011
Joint action - Uganda
The signing organisations are alarmed by the decreasing space for the voices of journalists and opposition parties during the run-up to the 18 February 2011 general elections.
8 February 2011
Somalia
IFJ called on the international community to give priority to measures to protect journalists as the transitional period of the Transitional Federal Government comes to an end in August 2011.
27 January 2011
Rwanda
At a recent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Rwandan Minister of Justice Tharcisse Karugarama accepted that there was an immediate need for a review of several laws that restrict freedom of expression in the country.
20 January 2011
Rwanda
Journalists Agnès Uwimana Nkusi and Saidath Mukakibibi are being tried on a range of charges including genocide denial, inciting public disorder, insulting the president and spreading false rumours.
14 December 2010
Burundi

CPJ made the call at a press conference marking the end of a four-day mission to Burundi.
1 November 2010
Somalia
The submission documented widespread and routine violations of the right to freedom of expression, particularly freedom of the press.
29 October 2010
Joint action - Somalia
Since Abdirahman Mohamed Farole became president on 11 January 2009, journalists have been arrested, physically assaulted, suspended, censored and even killed, and the operations of news media organisations have been threatened, closed or restricted.
18 October 2010
Eritrea
"The legal opinion shows that both Sweden and the European Union are obliged to use all possible means to help their citizen, Dawit Isaac," Esayas Isaac said.
12 October 2010
Joint action - Uganda
With increased reports of killings, beating, assaults and threats to journalists, the space under which media exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms is increasingly being narrowed.
1 October 2010
Somalia
"There will be no peace without justice for human rights", said NUSOJ president Omar Faruk Osman.
27 September 2010
Joint action - Uganda
The International Joint Partnership Freedom of Expression mission, composed of five IFEX members, released findings and recommendations from a mission to Kampala to address the deteriorating environment for freedom of expression.
21 September 2010
Somalia
Twenty-two journalists have been killed in Somalia since February 2007, with 20 of them being killed in the war-ravaged regions of southern and central Somalia, NUSOJ noted.
21 September 2010
Eritrea
RSF wrote to the British authorities urging them to prosecute one of the purge's organisers, who now lives in Britain.
17 September 2010
Uganda
The anniversary comes at a time when media freedom is facing attacks ranging from suffocating legislation, police harassment, murder and judicial sanctions.
14 September 2010
Joint action - Democratic Republic of Congo
There has been a steady decline in the working environment for Congolese journalists and the space for free expression is shrinking.
7 September 2010
Joint action - Uganda
The proposed amendment would restrict freedom of expression and impede the ability of journalists and media outlets to fulfill their important roles.
27 July 2010
Somalia
The Amnesty International publication, entitled "Hard news: Journalists' lives in danger in Somalia", focuses on journalists' working conditions.
14 July 2010
Madagascar
RSF released a report on the media's role in the country's ongoing political crisis.
12 July 2010
Rwanda
The submission describes the current legal challenges to free expression and highlights the dangerous atmosphere for journalists and other critics of the government.
30 June 2010
Democratic Republic of Congo
JED and RSF call on Belgium to ensure that the issue of journalists' safety is on the EU's agenda.
29 June 2010
Kenya
On 17-18 June 2010, experts and stakeholders debated the values and limits of freedom of expression and regulations against harmful speech in Nairobi.
26 May 2010
Take action! - Eritrea
Some 30 journalists are imprisoned without trial and kept in inhumane conditions, according to RSF.
28 April 2010
Somalia
To mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work, NUSOJ calls attention to the abysmal safety record of journalists reporting in Somalia.
21 April 2010
Democratic Republic of Congo
JED is encouraged by the response, which illustrates the Congolese people's desire to once again be able to tune into RFI's diverse FM programming.
5 April 2010
Kenya / Ethiopia
The training comes as increasingly restrictive laws are being passed, threatening the Ethiopian government's commitment to freedom of expression.
29 March 2010
Somalia
UN report documents infringements on freedom of opinion and expression, among other abuses.
16 March 2010
Eritrea / France
Based in Paris and run by exiled Eritrean journalists, Radio Erena has been operating for the past nine months.
3 March 2010
Take action! - Democratic Republic of Congo

Journaliste en Danger (JED) launched a campaign on 23 February 2010 to restore the FM signal of French public radio station Radio France Internationale (RFI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo: "Release the info, reopen RFI." JED is asking you to sign a petition, which will be sent to President Joseph Kabila.
14 January 2010
Eritrea
Three years after the death of imprisoned journalist Fessehaye "Joshua" Yohannes, conditions for Eritrean detainees remain among the most disturbing in the world.
8 December 2009
Joint action - Somalia
Calling on the international community to protect Somali citizens, particularly journalists, 26 IFEX members appeal for justice following the 3 December 2009 attack that killed more than 25 people, including three journalists.
1 December 2009
Somalia
More than 30 independent media houses signed a joined declaration calling for the establishment of a training and solidarity centre for reporters.
24 November 2009
Ethiopia
Despite positive developments, fears persist that government retains influence over media, reports IPI.
20 November 2009
Joint action - Democratic Republic of Congo
JED and RSF condemn the lack of action on the part of military officers in charge of the investigation.
5 November 2009
Kenya
In comments submitted to the UN Human Rights Council, ARTICLE 19 raised concerns about the failure of Kenya to respect and promote freedom of expression and freedom of information.
3 November 2009
Sudan
An ARTICLE 19-led Consortium launched a report in Juba, South Sudan, which outlines the dire situation faced by the media at a critical time in the country's political history.
3 November 2009
Somalia
Journalists, media owners, lawyers, government officials, members of civil society and parliamentarians held meetings to discuss amendments to the Media Law.
6 October 2009
Somalia
The UN body expressed its deep concern over repeated attacks against journalists and civil society activists.
29 September 2009
Somalia
NUSOJ warned that failure to renew the mandate would heighten violations as rights abusers would enjoy unbridled impunity.
17 September 2009
Joint action - Uganda

Condemning the shut-down of four radio stations and a violent crackdown on members of the press during a period recent social unrest, 31 IFEX members call on President Museveni to guard free expression rights.
12 August 2009
Take action! - Sudan

Last month, Sudanese journalist Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein wore pants to a restaurant - and now faces 40 lashes for "sensational dressing up." Join the International PEN Women Writers' Committee and protest the treatment of al-Hussein, who has turned her case into a challenge of the validity of applying public indecency laws to women who wear trousers.
28 July 2009
Somalia
National Somali Journalists Conference concludes with landmark decisions on professional standards, safety and democratic development of media.
27 July 2009
Ethiopia
In a letter to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, CPJ expressed serious concerns about increasing restrictions on press freedom in the wake of the pending adoption of anti-terror legislation.
1 January 2009
Kenya
Journalists, free expression advocates and media owners in Kenya got some bad news at the beginning of 2009, after they learned that President Mwai Kibaki had signed into law a contentious media bill that imposed new restrictions on the press. But thanks to an immediate and massive campaign launched by IFEX member the Media Institute and the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), President Kibaki directed the Attorney General and the Information Minister to review the bill and facilitate its return to parliament for debate.
19 December 2008
Joint action - Kenya
(Media Institute/IFEX) - The following is a joint appeal by 28 IFEX members:
2 June 2008
Joint action - Uganda
(MFWA/IFEX) - The following is a 29 May 2008 joint statement by eight IFEX members and other members of the Network of African Freedom of Expression Organisations (NAFEO):
21 February 2008
Joint action - Somalia
(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The following is a joint letter of appeal from NUSOJ, 26 other IFEX members and one partner network:
14 January 2008
Joint action - Kenya
(Media Institute/IFEX) - The following is a joint action by 23 IFEX members:
1 January 2008
Somalia
2007 was a brutal year for Somali journalists: nine reporters were killed, 53 media professionals were arrested, and five media houses were closed down, reports the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). Press freedom violations skyrocketed by over 85 percent from the previous year, as political unrest and civil war escalated.