African media at greater risk
Local African journalists are increasingly at risk of being censored, imprisoned, attacked or forced to flee their countries because of their work, a global watchdog group has warned.
In its annual report on press freedom worldwide, the Committee to Protect Journalists highlights the Horn of Africa as one of the world's most dangerous regions for media workers. Speaking at the launch of the report in Nairobi earlier this week, the director of the East African Media Institute, David Makali, argued that harsh information laws and a lack of adequate equipment and training have left the media in sub-Saharan Africa ill-prepared to report on conflict.
Makali also pointed out that six out of the nine countries in East Africa are due to hold elections soon, meaning political interest groups will target unfavourable election coverage.
Source: Panos London
Panos London promotes the participation of poor and marginalised people in national and international development debates through media and communication projects. It is part of the worldwide Panos Network of independent institutes working to ensure that information is used more effectively to foster debate, pluralism and democracy.
Go to: http://www.panos.org.uk
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