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![A mobile phone vendor helps a customer at a stall in the market in Makeni, northern Sierra Leone, 5 March 2018, ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images](jpg/sierra-leone-mobile-phone-vendor-upr-internet-getty-768x512.jpg)
Namibia and Sierra Leone’s digital rights record under scrutiny during UPR process
Crucial UN Universal Periodic Review of Namibia and Sierra Leone puts spotlight on both countries’ digital and human rights records.
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COVID-19 accelerates media sustainability crisis in Southern Africa
Diverse, free and independent media is under severe threat as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the financial viability of media outlets in the region.
![Link to: Campaigners welcome progress on Access to Information in Namibia](png/placeholder.png)
Campaigners welcome progress on Access to Information in Namibia
The ACTION Coalition commended Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) for earnestly initiating the process of drafting both an access to information (ATI) law and updating the information policy for the country.
![Namibian president Hifikepunye Pohamba and First lady Penehupifo Pohamba arrive at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia for an election rally, 22 November 2014, AP Photo/Joseph Nekaya, Namibian Press Association](jpg/namibia_election_27nov2014_apimages.jpg)
Political parties, security forces must uphold journalists’ safety during election period
“The safety Namibian journalists enjoyed is waning, and those committed to democracy, media freedom, access to information and freedom of expression need to join our call for the safety of journalists,” MISA Namibia’s national director Natasha Tibinyane says.
![My Constitution, My Decision/MISA/Facebook](jpg/namibia_myconstitutionmydecision_cropped_misafacebook_11august2014.jpg)
Namibians denounce lack of public consultation surrounding constitutional amendment bill
Access to information is critical in a society that aims to strengthen citizen participation, promote critical thinking and debate, and achieve socio-economic justice. Namibians were not provided access to information on the Third Constitutional Amendment Bill, but were informed by the media, who had to use leaked information.
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Media Institute of Southern Africa joins campaign to free detained Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has joined journalists, activists and civil society organisations from all over the world in calling for the release of three Al Jazeera journalists currently detained in Egypt.
![Link to: MISA-Namibia criticises attempts to turn public media into party megaphones](png/placeholder.png)
MISA-Namibia criticises attempts to turn public media into party megaphones
Parliamentarians from the ruling party, Swapo, are reported to have expressed their annoyance with state-controlled media houses.
![Link to: Newspaper faces defamation charges](png/placeholder.png)
Newspaper faces defamation charges
The Windhoek High Court has ruled that a defamation claim against “The Namibian” can proceed.
![Link to: Ten-year-old advertising ban on “The Namibian” lifted](png/placeholder.png)
Ten-year-old advertising ban on “The Namibian” lifted
In a two-paragraph statement, the minister of Information and Communication Technology confirmed a recent cabinet decision that effectively ends the government-imposed ban.
![Link to: MISA condemns suspension of “Informante” newspaper journalist](png/placeholder.png)
MISA condemns suspension of “Informante” newspaper journalist
Brigitte Weidlich was suspended without pay after writing a story about the termination of an agreement between the company that owns “Informante” and another company.
![Link to: Reporter fined for alleged biased reporting](png/placeholder.png)
Reporter fined for alleged biased reporting
The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation’s Rundu-based reporter Wilfred Nyambe was fined N$2,000 (approx. US$295) by the Hambukushu Traditional Authority for allegedly reporting a biased story about the traditional authority.
![Link to: Football association head assaults journalist](png/placeholder.png)
Football association head assaults journalist
Andreas Novotny, a freelance journalist, was punched by NFA Secretary General Barry Rukoro after he insisted on getting questions answered by the soccer official.
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“Informanté” editor resigns following threats
The newspaper’s management denied allegations that they had fired Max Hamata, claiming instead that he had resigned.
![Link to: “Informanté” editor under threat for publishing article on former president’s illness](png/placeholder.png)
“Informanté” editor under threat for publishing article on former president’s illness
Max Hamata fears for his safety following the publication of an article that reported that former president Sam Nujoma had been flown to South Africa for medical treatment.