Mozambique
The last few years, the state of press freedom in Mozambique has been going downhill. In the RSF Press Freedom Index, Mozambique dropped from place 73 out of 180 in 2013, to 93 in 2017, to 108 in 2021, its worst ranking since the Index was created in 2002.
Although the media operate in a legally free environment in Mozambique, serious violations of press freedom and freedom of expression have been registered. Kidnappings, death threats, preventing journalists from covering events, seizing of work equipment, assaults on newsrooms, arrests and bribing of journalists are regularly noted.
Armed conflict in Cabo Delgado
The armed conflict in the Cabo Delgado province, involving Islamic extremists and the Mozambican security and defense forces, is reaching alarming proportions. Multiple towns and regions are controlled by the insurgents, which is raising a climate of fear in Pemba, the Cabo Delgado provincial capital. Neighbouring provinces Niassa and Nampula have been put on alert. There is an increase in the number of people displaced by the war, causing a humanitarian crisis. The political and military conflict in the north of the country mark the overall context in which the freedoms of the press and of expression have suffered. The practice of journalism became very dangerous in a short period of time.
New media law under revision
In 2020, the Mozambican government submitted a new media law to parliament for approval. Media Institute Southern Africa (MISA) Mozambique, Free Press Unlimited partner, made an analysis of these proposed new media and broadcasting bills and discovered that both documents are very problematic and ambiguous, and breach several articles of the Constitution of Mozambique. The newly proposed law among others contains limitations and other forms of control of the activities of Mozambican journalists as well as the international media reporting on Mozambique.
Protecting press freedom in times of crisis
Because of the rapidly deteriorating press freedom situation in Mozambique, Free Press Unlimited started a new project in collaboration with MISA-Mozambique, supported with funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This project will span over two years and aims to raise awareness among politicians, judiciary, civil society and general public on the importance of press freedom and freedom of expression and on combating impunity for crimes against journalists.
For this it is important that attacks against journalists are monitored. Besides that journalists and media organisations in distress will be provided with legal and other forms of support. MISA-Mozambique and Free Press Unlimited will also promote the creation of new media bills that are in compliance with the Constitution and international standards on freedom of expression and information.
Photo in header: "Mozambique, Chokwe, Lhate village" by International Livestock Research Institute is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.