Media Freedom Still an Issue in Sub-Saharan Africa

Several Years Ago there was a concerted Effort among those who are Advocates for a Free Press Regarding Zimbabwe. The Country has just had a Controversial Election and the Government was launching efforts to shut down its Most Vocal Critic the Daily News. Zimbabwe has Set up a Media and Information Commission and has used Legislation to Further Silence Critics.

In 2002 the Zimbabwe Parliament Passed the Highly Controversial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This Legislation which was promptly signed into Law by President Mugabe was considered to be Draconian by Most Critics overseas. As a Matter of Fact the Daily News was Forced to Relocate to neighboring South Africa. Other Independent Journalists relocated either to South Africa or Britain. Most News now comes from the Ministry of Information or Reliable International Allies.

Currently Two of the Most Vocal Regional Critics of the Mugabe Regime are Kenya and Botswana. Both Countries this year have tried to enact Similar Legislation that could curtail Freedom of the Press in Both Countries as well. And both Countries are Allies of the United States as well.

The Kenya Communications Amendment Bill 2008 or the ICT Bill in the Short Form has some Strong Language. Article 86 of the Bill will Give the Minister of Information the Power to Interrupt Broadcasts, Dismantle TV and Radio Stations and Tap Telephones. The Internal Security Minister will Gain the Power to seize Broadcasting Equipment. There has been a backlash against the Media in Kenya after the Violent Aftermath of last December Presidental Elections. Currently the Bill is in its Third Reading according to reports.

The Internal Situation in Botswana is somewhat Different than Kenya. The country had a Peaceful Transition of Government this year but it has a Similar Media bill as well. The Mass Media Practictioners Bill if its enacted will give the Minister of Communication Science and Technology the Power to Dictate how the Private Press can conduct its business.

These are just two examples that we can look at to Determine Freedom of the Press in Southern Africa. Most Newspapers now have Internet Sites so this mean that when Crackdowns occur now Computers are also seized. In Zimbabwe the Security Forces have the Power to actually seize a Computer on a whim if it feels that Anti-Government Activites occur. It is not known if the Security Forces in either Kenya or Botswana have similar powers as well.

However the Concern cannot be limited to just Kenya or Botswana. Freedom of the Press is a Legitmate Concern in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Insurgencies in the East Continue and the Government and UN Peacekeepers are unable to stop them. However at least 90 percent of the attacks threats and harassment of Journalists committed against Independent Journalists were committed by Government Personell without fear of Punishment.
                                 
Now we are seeing a Threat to Online Journalists as well. In Zimbabwe we know that any Journalist regardless of Medium is subject to Arrest at will but there are other countries that have similar efforts. In Burundi an Online Journalist was Arrested in September and Charged with Deformation. His Crime? Being Critical of the Presidential Trip to the Beijing Olympics. Relations between the Rwandan Government and the Media are strained as well.

One of the Most Brilliant Analysis regarding Freedom of the Press in Africa comes from the Committee to Protect Journalists. The Title of the section that deals with Press Freedom in Africa is titled: Where Press Freedom and Democracy are out of Step. This is not a Ringing Endorsement for Democratic Ideals in Africa. As a Matter of Fact it shows that Power is the Ultimate Goal.

The Author Publishes Confused Eagle on the Internet and Comments on US Policy Towards Africa. Confused Eagle can be Found at morganrights.tripod.com