ICT, Media & Security

The Fourth Estate and journalists have had a tumultuous existence in Africa. Journalists have been persecuted, prevented from reporting, detained, and, even worse, killed in many African countries.

On Sunday 10 March 2013, the day after Kenya’s electoral body, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), declared Uhuru Kenyatta as the winner of Kenya’s hotly contested presidential election by a slight margin, the outspoken writer Binyavanga Wainaina published an article in Br

The media in Africa had been the cornerstone of African independence and the eventual over thrower of colonialism.

Needless to say, a huge victory such as one claimed by ZANU/PF last week, should have seen the streets of Harare and other metropolises bursting with excitement by ZANU zealots. This has not been the case to date. What accounts for the ‘muted joy’?

Recent literature suggests that the Tanzania’s leadership is opposed to restrictions on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and bio-technology. Indeed in March this year, President Jakaya Kikwete is said to have personally blamed GMO critics as an uninformed lot that needs self-education.

What would a hypothetical person know after diligently reading the newspaper, watching television news and reading online news sources for the past week?

INTRODUCTION

Yes, the fall of Morsi and of the rule of the Moslem Brothers is an important victory of the Egyptian people. It was expected by all Egyptians.

Normally Tanzanian lawmakers would ‘prove’ their radicalism by blasting rival parties, state authorities, public corporations or ministers for shoddy work done or millions that go missing. They would hardly ever take a swipe at a multinational corporation, much less an American one.

The latest international uproar against sexual violence in DR Congo followed the publication of a UN report that found about 200 women and girls had been raped in November and December 2012 in South Kivu.