Two steps forward, one step back: Press freedom in Africa

Africa has made strides towards more press freedom, with countries like Zimbabwe and Malawi recently passing laws to protect free speech or access to information. But while this is a positive development for journalism, there have also been "clawbacks” – a reversal in access. In addition, journalists on the continent continue to self-censor their work in the face of government pressure and intervention, and have struggled to gain public trust. In this episode, we explore some of the trends common across Africa, with a particular focus on Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa, with: - Nqaba Matshazi, campaign coordinator for the Media Institute of Southern Africa (https://zimbabwe.misa.org/who-we-are/the-team/) - Susan Makore, director for Advisory and Insights within Wan-Ifra’s Women in News programme and commissioner for the Zimbabwe Media Commission (https://womeninnews.org/2020/08/susan-makore-faces-tough-challenge/) - John Allen Namu, investigative journalist and co-founder of Africa Uncensored, based in Nairobi, Kenya (https://africauncensored.online/author/j-allan/) - Nwabisa Makunga, editor of the Sowetan newspaper in Johannesburg, South Africa (https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/authors/nwabisa-makunga/) The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Irene Abalo, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode. Music in this episode: Something Elated by The Freeharmonic Orchestra (https://stevecombsmusic.bandcamp.com/track/sleepless)