Important contribution here by Joel Simon. He argues human rights have proven to be an insufficient rationale for delivering press freedom, and that the answer may lie in a public interest paradigm for Independent Journalism cjr.org/tow_center_rep…

Another alarming sign from the world's largest democracy nytimes.com/2023/03/08/opi…

Claims emerging that 43 Kenyan Facebook moderators contracted by Meta were laid off for unionising - the very same ones we learned were given no mental health support or regular pay last year dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-0…

Deeply disturbing incidents! It’s critical that government The Presidency 🇿🇦 and all major parties condemn these acts. ANC - African National Congress Democratic Alliance Economic Freedom Fighters @MediaMattersZA SANEF

Politicians and political parties need to understand the role of the media, and not simply resort to abusing their own powers when they are unhappy with journalists - especially as we head towards #elections2024 SABC News @MediaMattersZA Stephen Grootes dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-0…

#FreedomDay #20 Judge Edwin Cameron. Legal scholar, Aids activist, and now prisons inspector-in-chief who blew the whistle on Thabo Bester. Outstanding, lifelong leadership.

Art 19 Universal Declaration of Human Rights does not say: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, save where and when it matters most.”

Devastating. Beyond the obvious economic consequences for everyone, esp the most marginalised, this is also a story of heartbreak. A promise broken. A country and people that deserve better.

Efforts to make tech platforms pay for news are gaining momentum globally, but Meta and Google are fighting back. project-syndicate.org/commentary/goo…

Victory! A massive vindication for amaBhungane and journalism. drive.google.com/file/d/1JXC5Vc…

South Africa's Cabinet has approved a shocking bill to amend the country's intelligence laws. This is a 🧵from advocacy group Intelwatch on why South Africans should be extremely worried. Intelwatch

Zunaid Moti’s campaign to quash our reporting has taken a new turn. The controversial businessman has embarked on a new venture, enlisting an anonymous “freelance journalist” and threatening to write hard-hitting “exposés” on us.

Today, @UnitedNations Secretary-General António Guterres launched his AI Advisory Body. The Body will focus on: 🔹Risks and challenges of AI 🔹 Enablers & opportunities for the #SDGs 🔹 International governance of AI Find out more : un.org/ai-advisory-bo…

Eddie Webster 48 years ago. Year long Suppression of Communism Act trial, centred around a campaign for the release of political prisoners and other student and trade union activities. He never stopped working for those on the margins.

This World Press Freedom day, I can't get this devastating image out of my head. Winner of the prestigious World Press Photo award, photographer mohammed jad salem is still trapped in Gaza 'This photo could be a statue, a war monument' (h/t Patrick Witty) #WPFD2024💔

Today's #WorldPressFreedomDay honours journalists reporting on the biggest story of our time: our planet Here are just a few of the many brave, creative journalists who are pushing the envelope on environmental reporting, all over the world... 🧵

This is the most alarming story I've worked on in a while. The French billionaire Vincent Bollore, described as "the French Rupert Murdoch", is trying to bring Africa's biggest broadcaster - MultiChoice, that's DStv, ShowMax and SuperSport - into his "right wing media empire".

After some thought, I have decided to start transitioning over to Bluesky where I’ve begun the slow and painful process of rebuilding the carefully curated lists of folks I have found, followed, and engaged here over the last 15 years. Find me at bsky.app/profile/michae…