MISA Zimbabwe letter to Chairperson Chigumba of ZEC: “Re: Political Parties Access to Zimbabwe Broadcasting Company” (16.05.2018)

Opinion: Mzee cannot handle real coverage of himself!

Well, again the lectures has to start, as the man whose says he is about free press and democracy, he has to call in a meeting to lecture them how to cover him. Not to attend a meeting of sorts, where the standing of the nation, no no, that is another bargain for another day. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will tell stories of bravery from 1986 and beyond. He will express discontent, where his own words are taken out of proportion, because his erratic mind and his stances is changing with the wind. It would have been better to just drop a report and show the reality, however, the President wants positive spin ala Softpower or Chimpreports and so on. He doesn’t want media who questions and finds faults. Because the President is never wrong, everyone else is!

“President Yoweri Museveni has summoned all media owners and managers in Uganda for a meeting at State House Entebbe. The meeting was confirmed by the presidency in a brief message to journalists. “HE the President is due to meet media owners and managers today at Entebbe State House,” reads a message from Museveni’s press handlers. Accordingly, the agenda of the meeting is not yet clear, but inside sources hint on the fact that Museveni wants to dissuade the media from fanning conflicts between him and religious leaders as well as request for better coverage regarding the rampant cases of kidnap in the country” (Moses Namayo – ‘Museveni summons media owners’ 11.05.2018, Nilepost.co.ug).

Museveni has had a hard time with the media, he has closed radios, bullied newspapers and editors. That is why some of the most prominent reporters and notable writers are still in exile, not in Uganda anymore. Because they cannot stay there in fright of the penalties their writings will have. Everyone is supposed to praise every word coming out of the President mouth. Even when he is one week saying the priest and clergy are good folks, next week bashing them for connecting with politics and thirdly wondering why the clergy is silent doing nothing during the celebration of the martyrs?

That is just how the days goes by, and he expect everyone to tune into his message and his deluded beliefs. As he is the master and chief, the mastermind and the inventor of liberation, even as he keeps the whole republic as hostages to his rule. That is the magician who thinks he tricks everyone, but only tricks himself. President Museveni isn’t that bright or that smart, even the street smart, non-educated and the villager can see through it. That is why his own party officials was rebuked recently in Rukungiri.

So, don’t expect the fountain of honour to be regarding the media. It is all about himself and his agenda. That he needs to massage the message. There aren’t anything new, just that they need guidance to follow his memo and not think for themselves. That is the patriotic stance of the republic, to be on guard and follow the leader. If you don’t then your rights can be revoked. Peace.

China: Banning yet another cartoon character!

The Chinese authorities are cracking down on more cartoons, because of their messaging. The regime is afraid of their messages. Just like in 2017, when on Chinese Social Media the public was mocking the President with the nickname and pictures of Winnie the Pooh. Xi Jinping doesn’t like jokes and not on his expense. Therefore, during July 2017, Winnie the Pooh was a no-go.

Now the second coming here and this time its the Peppa Pig. But for other reasons. It is not because someone said the pig looks like the wife of the President or anyone in the cabinet. However, the authorities, doesn’t enjoy the message. So we can expect a lot of censorship, to extent we haven’t seen before. Because of Peppa Pig has a wrong message. Most of Disney Channel, Cartoon Network or Looney Tunes can be forgotten in the magic kingdom of China.

Manya Koetse reports: “According to a list of Douyin’s guidelines that have been surfacing online, Peppa is just one amongst various topics and themes banned from the platform. Other types of banned content include those relating to smoking, drinking, cross-dressing, cults or religion, and anything insulting the Chinese government. Over the past few months, Peppa Pig has become a subversive symbol to a Chinese online youth subculture dubbed ‘shehuiren‘ (社会人), literally ‘society people’, which is a group of young adults that is anti-establishment and somewhat ‘punk’ in their own way; going against mainstream values and, as state media outlet Global Times puts it, are “the antithesis of the young generation the Party tries to cultivate.” (Manya Koetse – ‘The Power of Peppa Pig: The Cultural Icon of China’s ‘Shehuiren’ Punks’ 02.05.2018, link: https://www.whatsonweibo.com/the-power-of-peppa-pig-the-cultural-icon-of-chinas-shehuiren-punks/)

So clearly, the message of Peppa Pig is insulting Chinese Government, just like nicknaming Xi Jinping as Winnie the Pooh. Because both of these characters are such firebrand of revolutionary voices. Their striking artifacts of Western-Civilization, that can inspire cults and make dissidents go off the rails. This just show how far the censorship is in China at this point. They are already blocking dozens of pages, news-outlets and social-media pages. Therefore, there are other pages that the Chinese uses, as they are trying to connect as well. However, these are also strictly monitored. If it wasn’t so, than these cartoons wouldn’t be subject of scrutiny.

The Communist party is really afraid of the free voices. Since they cannot manage these cartoons, because of how people are using them. But they are not thinking. That the same people will find other ways and other types of communications. Will find new symbols and the rally for censoring more will go into the ridiculous.

What is next Jessica Rabbit? Donald Duck? Mickey Mouse? Whose up?

Who knows right? But this is just a sign, just another proof of how controlling the media, the social media and the powers of censorship is in the Republic of China. They are not stopping and has no planning to do so. Because they have all the powers of doing so. Peace.

Burundi: C.N.C – “Retrait temporaire de l’autorisation a 3 medias et mise en garde pour certains autres” (04.05.2018)

Burundi: Presidence de la Republique – Secretariat General du Gouvernement – Communique du 30/04.2018

Sudan Democracy First Group: The Suspension of Hurriyat Online Newspaper (28.04.2018)

Ye’ is now a lost-one: Gone Full-MAGA, Co-Signing Trump on a song!

And I’ll never let my son have an ego

He’ll be nice to everyone, wherever we go

I mean I might even make him be Republican

So everybody know he love white people” – Kanye West from the ‘New Day’ off the ‘Watch the Throne’ (Released in 2011).

I really didn’t want to comment on Kanye West, because what is there to say. He swallowed the “red-pill” and taken it so hard. It is hard to say anything else. If it is marketing scheme or pure love of Republican values? Who knows at this point?

I do not know about his brotherly love, I knew he met with Donald Trump on the 13th December 2016 and has continued from there. Who knows what really went down, as he has since then collected memorabilia and become brothers. Whatever that means for Trump who always needs some loyal snooze-buttons to further his agenda. As long as they steal the spotlight or not praising the President’s massive ego. Because that hurts him and then he will throw that person under the bus. Right now Ye is on the Trump-Train. For whatever reason that might be.

However, it is hard to make sense out of it, I had a feeling when he returned to Twitter, and was poetical and trying to mystic. That he had some sort of marketing plan behind it. Not like he would drop a project without any sort of foreplay. That wouldn’t be Ye. He needs the whole machine behind him, the orchestras and the whole company delivering the needs to played on every radio, be on the screens and be in talks of the town.

Now he steering into controversy. That must be because the beat he created to the recent song with T.I. sucked. The beat was boring and pale. It will not turn into fine wine, let me tell you that. It was neither soul or the beats we recognized from the past. Maybe it general laziness or that the controversy supposed to overshadow the quality of the song.

When Ye drops line like this on the ‘Ye Versus the People’, which was released yesterday:

I feel a obligation to show people new ideas

And if you wanna hear ’em, there go two right here

Make America Great Again had a negative reception

I took it, wore it, rocked it, gave it a new direction

Added empathy, care and love and affection

And y’all simply questionin’ my methods” – Kanye West (Ye Versus the People, 27.04.2018).

It is hard to hear these bars, these lines and take it as nothing. Because the man in the past didn’t sound like this. We all change, like I have had a personal political journey with life. But I have my reasons for my changes. Its been from a liberal to more socialist view, because of the visions of benefits for society. I wonder what is his reasoning for rocking it? What did he do, other than the meeting? Did he say to Trump to hire Ben Carson for having a brother inside the Cabinet? Because there aren’t any or much positive political policies for Ye’ kind or African-American Community, either less and harder policies hurting these communities. If it is immigration wise or if it economical. These communities are hit hard, also the suspension of government funded programs and so-on. There aren’t much or anything Trump has done to make better for Ye.

Therefore, I have to take some bars from College Drop-Out that was released on 2004:

Now niggas can’t make it to ballots to choose leadership

But we can make it to Jacob’s and to the dealership

That’s why I hear new music and I just don’t be feelin’ it

Racism’s still alive, they just be concealin’ it” – Kanye West (Never Let Me Down from the College Drop-Out, Released 10.02.2004).

It’s hard to hear the same man praising Trump and his agenda. A man that has no scruples to misuse White Supremacy, Anti-Immigration Slogans and let the state misuse ICE-Agents against own citizens. To get the support and Co-Sign from Ye. That is not easy, that is hard. Especially, when Ye used spit like this. It is hard and weird. No matter what reasons, it is hard. He has changed and Trump gave him a reason to do so, I guess. But at this point in time, the Republican’s are concealing their racism. They are doing it with the Dreamers, Muslim-Ban and everything else they can hit on minorities.

Therefore, it is weird to have Ye on this side of the political spectrum. It is like he is blind, because the President is praising him for his efforts. Taking a cup of tea in the Twinkle Tower in Manhattan and sipping the Kool-Aid. Who knows, but is not intelligent.

Even some bars from the Late Registration:

Went from bein’ a broke man to bein’ a dopeman

To bein’ the President, look there’s hope man

This that inspiration for the Moes and the Folks man

Shorty come and see his momma straight overdosin’” – Kanye West (Crack Music from the Late Registration, 30.08.2005).

I don’t know if he plans to drop inspirational bars like in the future, because he switched to Luxury Rap and self-involved material long time ago. Just like Lil Wayne has to spit about Codein, Sex and Haters. That is just the game for these guys. However, there has been a social conscious side of Ye’, it is still there, but a dramatic shift in topics and defense.

See that’s the problem with this damn nation

All Blacks gotta be Democrats, man, we ain’t made it off the plantation” – Kanye West (Ye Versus the People, 27.04.2018).

It is the narrative that has shifted, the defense of his acts now. Instead of being social conscious, he is now taking a very ordinary defense of Trump. It is like if we don’t like him, we have to be democrats. But that hasn’t been the direct issue, if it was the older conservative party, it would still have cracks, but it would have made more sense. That is why Powell and Rice was in the Bush administration. An Administration Ye’ spoke ill about, which did far less damage to the African-Community, than the current one. Even if the Bush Administration didn’t care much, they didn’t stop vital programs for the inner-cities and the poorest communities, in the same fashion as Trump. So the issues are really something significantly changed within the artist and person, Kanye West. Which wasn’t there in the past.

He is not the guy I used to listen too. Ye is gone full-MAGA. He will soon have talks directly with Tomi Lahren, be on Diamond & Silk, Hannity and whatever else craziness. Maybe even be on Fox & Friends and also InfoWars. Because why not? The hat shouldn’t be enough. If that is all, then it was easy treat from the President, instead of giving Ye something good for the time and energy. He is giving low-cost attribution for the Co-Sign and only one losing Ye. A fair trade for the President, indeed. 

That is a victory for Trump in all of this, he get a Co-Sign and it cost him nothing. Not even 130k pay-off. Just barely minimum and a signature. Better then the rip-offs of Trump University. Ye took and shake his hand, thought he was brilliant and moved to become a supporter. If so. Kudos Ye, your not as socially conscious as I thought you were, your spirit wasn’t as enlighten as I thought. Because, the possibility of getting caught in the world-wind took you and now, you were let astray. Peace.

Internet Censorship: the UCC orders ISPs to block unauthorized Online Media Pages!

On the 19th April 2018, the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) has sent a letter ordering all Internet Service Providers (ISP), that they are ordered to block “unauthorized” Online Data. That meaning the internet service providers can because of this block pages and news-outlets that isn’t accepted by the Government of Uganda. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) are really having a warfare on the content online. As it has already added taxes on airtime, on mobile money and also now asking to block pages too.

We can surely know that UCC will really struggle to give authorization to media houses, web-pages and content that questions the government. The letter from the government says it very clearly:

The purpose of this letter therefore, is to DIRECT you to IMMEDIATELY SUSPEND the provision of caring services to any Online Data communication service provider (online/Electronic Media News provider) that is not listed above and/or has not presented an authorization certificate or other express clearance from the Uganda Communication Commission” (Letter from Fred Otunnu to ISP – ‘Letter to ISPs on Unauthorized Online Data Communications Service Providers’ 19.04.2018).

They have put a list of 14 companies, where only two are authorized, these are Nile Post News Uganda Limited and China Haijang Online Africa Ltd. There are dozens other which is not, these are in process, the ones known are Chimps Media Ltd and Trumpet Media Ltd. Therefore, many pages are not here. There are dozens of outlets not mentioned or asked for authorization from the UCC.

That the UCC are attacking the online content is clear. The UCC are using their power and force to silence certain media. This is to stop the content the government doesn’t see fit. They are now trying to get all companies, who are using the platforms online to register, to give license and operate. That the UCC are having sleepless nights is evident. As they have already made it hard to register sim-cards lately, also the same government who wants to monitor porn. So this is continuation of the trying to control all online content.

This should be a field day for the Attorneys working Pro-Bono for the Online Content makers as the censorship of the government comes into force. Just like it did, when the UCC had a black-out and VPN during the General Election of 2016. The NRM are really afraid of free-spirited people and the UCC are losing their marbles.

This is to show, that if your not registered at us, we will order the ISPs to not show your page, block your ideas, your content and everything you got through telecommunications. Only way to get through that is using VPN. So the citizens should use VPN to the content from pages and apps that the government has blocked. Peace.

NUSOJ: Journalists’ union accuses Somali Ministry of Information for faking sincerity to resolve journalists’ safety crisis (23.04.2018)

In Niger, the FDS or the Army is planning to Monitor the Social Media!

If you have missed it, you might, the Republic of Niger isn’t the one that strikes the news. But during last week on the 13th April of 2018, Minister of Defence Djida Hamadou wrote a letter where he wanted to control the social media. This being Facebook, Twitter or Whatsapp, the Ministry of Defence didn’t know how to even to write Twitter, they called it Tweeter. Clearly, they are twats, who doesn’t understand freedom of speech. Not that the Republic of Niger is famous for that either.

Mahamadou Issoufou, the President who has been in-charge since 7th April 2011, now his comrades in other ministries want to directly control the actions online. The Ministry of Defence wants to use the Forces de Défense et de sécurité (FDS) to monitor and control the Social Media. That only means that the army can follow whatever the citizens does online. Something that doesn’t sound like a good idea, unless President Issoufou planning to cease the civil society and the spreading of information within the Republic.

The same government has voted in for the Conseil Supérieur de la Communication (CSC) would get a new mandate and a new organizational structure. Therefore, the government are really working to control and settle content online. This is yet another country, where they are taking the war against democracy online. They are afraid of people speaking and writing what they feel on the internet. We know that, because there isn’t anything positive happening with the Ministry of Defence and the Army monitoring the Social Media.

This isn’t a positive sign, its a sign of that the government are not opening up, but closing even more. That the military and militarism is more important, than ever. We know that the state has issues with freedom of expression, as of today, Ali Idrissa have been detained for 24 days now for his campaign against corruption and nepotism. Clearly, the Military want to silence this voices in the public sphere.

We know that the Republic has issues with this, as they sent the Military to the University of Niamey in the Capital also. Therefore, this regime cannot stomach people writing against them. Issoufou and his henchmen cannot manage critics. They want people to give praise and shower honors. Not question their actions and transparency. That cannot be good, since they want the Military to Monitor Social Media. Just think about how far of a breach of privacy and also freedom of speech that is. That the FDS should be allowed to monitor and follow the public online.

Issoufou, is this the state of mind your in? That soldiers and Generals are monitoring their own citizens and their actions online, what they say and think on the Social Media; Is that so dangerous for them to speak their mind? Why are you so afraid of the Social Media? Do you think it would inspire people to revolution topple your regime and your army? Is that why?

Why do you want to use the army to monitor the Social Media? It is insane, should the same army monitor the talk at the yard, the market and in the schools too? Are they monitoring all communications and taping all conversations on the telephones as well?

Because, I have doubt you care about freedom of speech, expressions of digital content, when you are working on having the army as a overlooker of the Social Media. Peace.