The battle for media freedom - 17 Oct 2011

In Malawi, media continue to suffer police persecution, after three journalists were summoned, with one even receiving death threats. The merger between the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Television Malawi has been stopped by the government after several flaws were found.

The Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) have warned two local radio stations for broadcasting programmes in which one insults President Bingu wa Mutharika, and the other for broadcasting programmes that could spark religious strife in the country.

The High Court of Malawi has ordered the government to stop using equipment of the Consolidated ICT Regulatory Management System (CIRMS) Project to access phone records of subscribers. According to the constitution, this is a violation of human rights, privacy and confidentiality.

On a more positive note, companies in Uganda can expect new media communication services and skills soon, thanks to the US-based global PR firm Burson-Marsteller acquiring South Africa's Arcay Communications, and the Brand Kenya Board has launched an integrated communications campaign named Nitakuwepo (Kiswahili for "I will be there"). The campaign aims to raise awareness of the need for national cohesion, pride and patriotism among Kenyans.

The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) celebrates its 15th birthday this week. The editors' forum and the Institute for Advancement of Journalism (IAJ), supported by Media Monitoring Africa, will host an event on Wednesday, 19 October 2011, in Johannesburg, South Africa, at 12 noon as part of South Africa's Media Freedom Day.

Let's keep pushing for media freedom in Africa!

PS: Send all your Africa marketing news to moc.ytinummoczib@swenacirfa and opinion pieces to moc.ytinummoczib@acirfa-srotubirtnoc.

Evan-Lee Courie (@evan1985)

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