Activist of sorts | academic | researcher | new media & tech | digital rights | freedom of expression l access to information | comms and media policy | blogger
As we gear towards #FIFAfrica26 later this year. I reflect on a piece from @JKainja in which he argues that "Africa has not yet achieved the baseline of internet freedom that would allow citizens to safely express themselves, access information, and participate fully in digital spaces. Instead, the continent’s policy agenda has become increasingly aspirational, focused on AI ethics, big data, and digital transformation, while the fundamental guarantees of access, security, and expression remain precarious." More here: https://t.co/Nc6jOp4lYQ
@JKainja is one of the finest media policy and Internet governance expert and scholar ! And indeed it's really impressive how @cipesaug#FIFA flagship project has tremendously changed the #African internet policy and governance landscape 👌👏👏
"Africa’s Endless Struggle for Internet Freedom Is Always in Motion, But Rarely Forward"- writes Jimmy Kainja.
When FIFAfrica began over a decade ago, Africa’s internet freedom challenges were clear and urgent: limited access, prohibitive data costs, state surveillance, weak legal protections, and rampant censorship. Governments often justified internet restrictions in the name of “national security” or “public order”. The term “fake news” soon emerged as another pretext for silencing critics and regulating online speech. Fast forward to 2025....
Full commentary: https://t.co/I1HjK9eUxP
#InternetFreedomAfrica #FIFAfrica25
What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think of #AI? At the ongoing pre-event session on AI’s impact, participants didn’t hold back: ‘Scary’ and ‘Fake’ topped the list. This training session is equipping National Human Rights Institutions with skills on how to tackle AI’s #humanrights risks ahead of the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa #FIFAfrica25| #InternetFreedomAfrica
#FIFAfrica25 is on the horizon. Sept 22-24 brings pre-events packed with workshops, trainings & dialogues on AI & human rights, data governance, gender justice online, youth advocacy & more. Empowering voices across civil society.
More details on pre-events https://t.co/wo0NDhvnVe
#InternetFreedomAfrica
BBC has a long history in Africa. New book offers a critical take on the broadcaster https://t.co/KAjSrBIw8c
By @albertsharra, Anthony Mavuto Gunde, @JKainja
𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐁𝐂’𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
The University of Malawi continues to cement its position as a prime center of research. The evidence of this comes from the publications that emerge from scholars at the institution from time to time. One of the most recent publications is an edited book volume, The BBCs Legacy in Africa, published by Routledge in July, 2025. The team of editors for the book includes two established media and communication academics at UNIMA, Dr Anthony Gunde and Mr Jimmy Kainja, and another well-known scholar in the field, Dr. Albert Sharra, currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Witwatersrand and University of Edinburgh.
Read more: https://t.co/35ikvcfWlS
#UNIMA #ConnectWithExcellence #UNIMA@60
Registration For #FIFAfrica25 Now Open! Book your seat and join the vibrant community of digital rights defenders, policymakers, techies, journalists, & the donor community dedicated to advancing #InternetFreedomAfrica - https://t.co/GB78szULtk
They repeat the same lie: Weapons of Mass Destruction! How can Americans fall for this lie AGAIN!?
The only thing that will deescalate the Israel war mongering are the USA citizens. Like you did with Vietnam, take to the streets and refuse unjustified and illegal WAR on Iran!
#StopTheWar
Authors of the chapters of book "Digital Surveillance in Africa": Gifty Appiah-Adjei (Ghana),
Admire Mare (Uni of Joburg), Jimmy Kainja (Malawi) and
Kiss Abraham (Zambia).
Their new book has been published open access and is free to download here: https://t.co/tSiMvpdUiy
On World Press Freedom Day @snkowani argues that political intimidation, legal constraints, & economic pressures threaten press freedom in Malawi. Legal reforms, adequate funding, & a political culture that values truth are needed to protect press freedom https://t.co/RQ2C8S1B7M
The Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems at the University of Malawi invites proposals for community action research projects to enhance the resilience of agri-food systems in Malawi. @Ace2Africa@mmonjerezi@unima_official https://t.co/cT0TMrjnnS
It's Day 3 of the British Academy International Writing Workshop:
🔍 Morning: Mentees strengthen their manuscripts through expert feedback.
🎤 Afternoon: Mentors lead thought-provoking discussions on:
🌍 Interdisciplinary research
🕊️ Religion in African research
🎓 Mentorship
I’ve just recorded my last contribution for the BBC after 39 years. It’ll be on the next edition of From Our Own Correspondent on @BBCRadio4 and @bbcworldservice
Now onward to new adventures… As my hero Marcelo Bielsa might say, ‘Vamos Carajo!’
The increasing use of surveillance technologies🕵️ across Africa🌍 poses significant risks to privacy and data protection.
While governments often justify surveillance for national security, weak legal frameworks and lack of oversight lead to rights violations. To address these challenges, experts recommend coordinated efforts from governments, civil society, and the tech sector to ensure accountability, transparency, and ethical data practices.
For States and Governments:
1⃣Strengthen legal frameworks to protect personal data and privacy.
2⃣Establish independent oversight boards for surveillance.
3⃣Regulate surveillance technologies to ensure accountability.
4⃣Collaborate regionally and internationally on privacy standards.
For Civil Society Organizations:
1⃣Train human rights defenders on data governance.
2⃣Advocate for ethical tech use and data protection.
Challenge unlawful surveillance through legal action.
For the Tech Sector:
1⃣Conduct privacy audits and impact assessments.
Minimize data collection and enhance security.
2⃣Ensure ethical tech development.
📰:https://t.co/TsK7EKOiWi
#DigitalRights
@ICNLAlliance
The University of Malawi, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and supported by funding from the British Academy, is launching a mentorship initiative for ECRs across Southern Africa. The project is titled "Religion and Social Transformation in Africa."
In the final chapter @Anandstweets & Sebastian Klovig Skelton lift the lid on which companies from which countries supply which #surveillance technologies to Africa governments. https://t.co/5Gi13QNfOH