Kabendera is free: However two articles published right before [his arrest] shows why he was detained…

Erick Kabendera, the freelance investigative journalists who was arrested on the 30th July 2019. Whose been in jail ever since. First they looked into his citizenship, which was a non-started. Than later he was charged with Money Laundering, tax-evasion and criminal racketeering. That happen later in the year. Since, then he has been detained until 24th February 2020 as he paid a bond of a hefty sum of $125k US Dollars.

Before his kidnap, arrest and detaining of him. He had written two big articles questioning the CCM and President Magufuli. Both of these articles was in The East African. Like on the 6th July 2019 ‘Electoral body now moves to seal the fate of Lissu’ writes this:

But, irrespective of the outcome of his push for his reinstatement, political pundits say Mr Lissu’s return to the country will likely currently limping from the effects of a campaign to close all political space and shut all avenues for anyone to mount a credible challenge against President Magufuli for the presidency next year” (Erick Kabendera, 06.07.2019).

Later in the month before his arrest, this was co-written with Christopher Kidanka in The East African, which is titled ‘Could Tanzania’s Magufuli second term bid face opposition?’ on the 20th July 2019. Where he states this:

Former CCM secretaries-general Abrahman Kinana and Yusuf Makamba last week issued a letter alleging a plot by powerful people in government seeking to frame former CCM and government leaders for treason. The letter has attracted counteraccusations from President Magufuli’s loyalists who stand by their claims. The president’s supporters accuse former party leaders, including the authors of the letter, of ganging up to undermine the party and go against its tradition of allowing two terms in office for the presidency.” (Kabendera & Kidanka, 20.07.2019).

Clearly, these sort of reporting is humiliating to the President Magufuli whose expected to be praised to stars, the moons and the above the skyline. The CCM is supposed to be unison and follow the President blindly. That’s why Kabendera’s articles are earth shattering. Because, this is the sort of written scoops, President Magufuli doesn’t want to have out.

He wants headlines of brilliance, greatness and be the glorified bulldozer. The man who makes changes, big-business and generate wealth for the United Republic. He doesn’t want to look foolish, ignorant or stupid. Neither does he want any dissent in the CCM party. That is why these two articles are a reminder of what Magufuli hates and had to make-up charges to get Kabendera behind bars. Peace.

Opinion: Maybe Duterte needs a Gag Order [on himself]

Now that the Solicitor General Jose Calida in the on-going “tax-case” with ABS-CBN, one of the biggest news-outlet and media corporations in the Republic of Philippines. Which has been under hard scrutiny from President Rodrigo Duterte since the end of last year. Now, the owners and everyone involved in ABS-CBN is feeling the same sort of legal ramifications as the Rappler did just a few brief moments ago.

We have seen this script before, now they are retaliating even harder. Not only at the foreign investor side, but also directly at the core of the business. Not allowed to speak of the case, which is implying themselves. If this succeeds, then the Duterte administration is setting the precedence of only one thing.

The Duterte administration won’t from now on, only a lovely press ass-kissing their every move. Singing the songs of the Malacañang Palace and their glories achievements. They want state-run TV and most likely in the tunes of Pyonyang. Because, why not go full tilt and full ego boost of Rodrigo?

No free statement, no free reporting and no fair judgement. Anyone who has an idea that counter the brilliant mind and the scholar, the entrepreneurial mastermind from Davao. Don’t you dare speak ill of him. Than the sickness, the moon will not shine on you and the devil will put a spell on you.

Since, they will not allow the ABS-CBN to report on it. Neither speak on it, when its their livelihood. What if the Malacañang Palace got an gag order? What if Duterte got one? If all of his cabinet and everyone involved? All his aides and secretaries? Just keep your mouth shut. The public will address your matters.

I cannot say that all reporting made by ABS-CBN has been good neither should it be either. There are always grounds for questioning the behaviour and the ways a network like that operates. However, to do this legal ramifications and these sort of steady attacks. Undermine their work and their justification for their freedom of expression in the Republic. Just like it did with Rappler too.

This is the same story, just another venue from the same people to the same ends. That is why the gag order would be fitted to the palace and its king. Not that the ones reporting on the acts of the palace and the king to get the blame. Because, they are telling the stories of the place, the way they deem fit. If it is done wrongly and with prejudice. Than the President and his men should state that and show the public their digressions. Not muffle them to silence and possibly try to revoke their license. What sort of game plan is that?

This isn’t about liberty, ownership or anything of the above. It is a about an administration whose so reckless and careless acts towards the expressions and freedom of speech. That is why the ones who dare to question Duterte get’s into trouble.

Yesterday it was Rappler, today its ABS-CBN. Soon its someone else, who has a foreign owner, who hasn’t paid tax and whose not “correct” in the eyes of the President. Maybe, he shouldn’t have travelled with the random lady in Hong Kong? Maybe, he shouldn’t have kissed  the woman in South Korea?

If you don’t like the headlines, Mr. President, don’t create them! Don’t utter the words, don’t speak ill and act with fury. Think rational and be humble. I know that is not Rodrigo, but he should consider it. Let that be his gag order. To actually think before he talks. That would be really refreshing, compared to random rants at various events across the Republic.

Well, I expect more to follow this. This story is not over. There was a lot more tricks of the trade in concern to Rappler. Therefore, there will be more for the ABS-CBN.  By the way, this story is not a song of greatness, but of mediocrity of Duterte. Since he again cannot stand comments or reporting on his actions. If he could, then would have been a better man and let this one go. Peace.

Opinion: Abiy’s Anti-‘Medemer’ Law Approved

There are sometimes ironies in life. Today that comes from Addis Ababa and Ethiopia. Where Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali was supposed to reform things. However, with time that isn’t sincere and today the nail in coffin of that was with a disingenuous law. Laws like these aren’t to save the nations from certain speech, but to muffle critics and opposition.

The Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister are really showing that there is no difference in them compared to the previous regimes, which it came from. This is happening in the months ahead of elections. So, expect the leadership of opposition and journalists to be arrested because of this law. As there are easy steps to be hit by this sort of law. Because of this, I am first dropping the key news about the law, before a simple explanation of the “Medemer” and after that breaking it quickly down.

The State own report on it:
“Addis Ababa, February 13, 2020 (FBC) –Ethiopian parliament today approved a hate speech and disinformation prevention and suppression law. The law was approved with a majority vote, 23 against and 2 abstentions” (…) “It is also intended to control and suppress the dissemination and proliferation of hate speech, disinformation and other related false and misleading information.
The law prohibits disseminating hate speech by means of broadcasting, print or social media using text, image, audio or video” (Fana Broadcasting Company – ‘House approves hate speech and disinformation prevention law’ 13.02.2020).

What is Medemer:

Since reformist Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed came into office, his concept ‘Medemer’ has become a phrase of common currency within Ethiopia’s political landscape. ‘Medemer’ literally means ‘adding’ or ‘being added’ based on how its read, and contextually means to come together. According to the Prime Minister, ‘Medemer’ is a homegrown approach that aims to solve the country’s challenges by bringing together polar views, and finding compromise” (Ethiopian Press Agency – ‘Inside ‘Medemer’’ 13.01.2020).

This law is clearly aimed at the ones not speaking their language or their rhetoric, as they can charge and make their expression illegal. As they will control the media, the public online and elsewhere. That is why this is totally opposite of the ideals of ‘Medemer’, as that was to bring together polar views and find compromises.

Now, the state is instead made way to stifle the voices, instead of listening they can ban and make voices illegal. Even if there are ethnic hate-speech, if there is tribal sentiment growing. This law will be most likely hit the dissidents and opposition.

This is the opposite of finding compromise and it’s actually silencing them. If this would target Mohammad Jawar’s Oromo Media Network or Eskinder Nega for that matter. I wouldn’t shocked, if they got into trouble for something they wrote or stated online. Neither, if some media forums like Tigrai Online or Aiga Forum for that matter. Don’t be shocked, if these would be banned or seen as illegal by the authorities ahead of the elections. Because, they just need to write or state something online, which is deemed as disinformation, hate-speech and you got it cracking.

This wasn’t a move of reform, but of going back. They might renamed themselves the Prosperity Party, but this is the old-EPRDF oppressive style of move. Peace.

Burundi: UBJ – Communique de l’UBJ l’arrestation du journaliste Blaise Pascal Karaumiye (17.01.2020)

South Sudan: Media Authority – Re: Response to NRA complaint against Eye Radio (17.12.2019)

Zimbabwe: Press Statement on Fake News Article Circulating on Social Media (02.12.2019)

Comores: La coordination des femmes de Mwali – Communique (02.12.2019)

Tanzania: A continued crackdown on media…

If the Chama Cha Mapundzi (CCM) and President Joseph Magufuli got done with his actions against the media. There might been slow days and also better broadcasting, as the state and the authorities are arresting journalists, revoking licenses and suspending media houses for days. If their reporting or their stories isn’t in the same vision as the President. That is just measure and reasoning for all the activity that has been done during the reign of Magufuli. His track-record on this matter, speaks for itself and the ones hurt it, are either in jail or at unknown locations, because government take them away and they haven’t been seen again.

So, the onslaught against unfavourable reporting, articles and statements on-air is steady from this regime. It exposure to the reality of people thinking for themselves and making up opinions is such a vast challenge. That the ones collecting data and making statistics, even needs the anointing spirits of the President to publish it. Nothing that is written or said, should hurt his pride and his achievements, even if it means trading-off bad deals to save his shallow mind.

In this regard, after rigging an election and not celebrating it. The Tanzanian government feels a bit hurt by the reporting on the subject of local government elections. They thought it should be celebrated and be grandest elections of them all. Even if the process to it, was flawed, open bazaar of unopposed candidates and a cluster-fuck of “multi-party” democracy. Which made the CCM become superior beyond any doubt. Because, they ran against none of serious challenge and if they were, than it was the ghosts of Christmas past. Therefore, the reporting on this matter, is now called fake-news, even if the CCM is faking it all on their own.

First the attack on the media owners and who they hire:

Through a notice published in the daily Tanzanian government Newspaper by the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority ( TCRA), the media owners who will fail up to acknowledge and heed to the act will be fined or have their licenses withdrawn as stipulated in the law. “Those who don’t heed to this warning will be fined or have their licenses revoked as stipulated in the law,” the notice from Tanzanian Communication Regulatory Authority read” (Howwebiz.ug – ‘Magufuli: No More Jobs For Djs And Comedians On Radio and TV in Tanzania’ 28.11.2019).

Then the attack post elections 2019:

““Some news outlets in the country have been approached, used and act as agents in spreading fake news, rumours and propaganda against our country from international organisations and representatives of foreign countries” reads one of the tweets. Mr Abbas accused journalists of neglecting the principles of their profession by failing to fact-check. “The government has made enough explanation, given enough warnings and enough pardons. Now we will take stern legal measures,” he added” (The East African – ‘Tanzania in fresh crackdown on freedom of the media’ 30.11.2019).

Surely, the CCM wants good press, but that under fear, that if the Media Houses, the broadcasting companies and the ones writing isn’t writing what they like; they will loose their licenses and their rights to broadcast. Certainly, they will stop the press, the publishers and the block their pages. They will have their content deleted and silence the ones who says the wrong thing.

No DJ or Comedian should joke on-air or on Twitter for that matter. No one should write anything that insults the CCM nor its President. Because his the grandest head of state, the magnificent human being who self impose himself everywhere. His so wise and has such a grandeur of a spirit, that he will excel straight to heaven. Just by him breathing and speaking, he will make wounds heal and make bank-accounts pregnant. That is just what the President and CCM does.

I’m just kidding about that, but if the CCM want positive headlines. Want a favourable press and get coverage, which it deems fit. Maybe they should act more righteous and not block the opposition. Maybe not arrest comedians and investigating journalists. Maybe if the CCM and the President doesn’t want foreign bad press. Maybe let the opposition be able to field candidates, hold rallies, press conferences and do party work without needing prior acceptance from state authorities. There should be measures and levels of registrations of political work and parties, but into these superficial levels, which has been created under Magufuli. Wonder if the CCM could have managed to run the country, if they had to answer to the same arrangements and protocol that the ACT Wazeledo and CHADEMA. I doubt that!

So, with this in mind. I stop it here, but lets be clear. Magufuli fear the written word, he fears the press and the ones reporting on him. Because, people are just supposed follow the script of him and his CCM. If you don’t, your malicious and devious to damage his calm. Peace.

Burundi: Conseil National de la Communication (C.N.C.) – Communique de Press relatif aux Manquements Graves du Journal en Ligne Nawe.Bi (21.11.2019)

Burundi: OLUCOME – Communique de Presse – L’Emprisonnement Injuste de Quatres Journalistes du Groupe de Presse IWACU et leur Chauffeur (08.11.2019)