Africa-Press – Mozambique. The chairperson of the regional press freedom body MISA (Media Institute of Southern Africa), Jeremias Langa, on Wednesday warned of “alarming setbacks” to freedom of press in the region.
Speaking at a ceremony in Maputo marking World Press Freedom Day, Langa said that journalism is facing “a critical phase”, marked by a growing wave of violations of media rights throughout the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region.
The future of independent journalism is under threat, he warned. “We are living through unprecedented times, when the future of journalism itself is at stake”, he said.
The rise of authoritarian movements and systematic attacks on the media, particularly in the United States, sounded alarm bells for press freedom throughout the world, he said.
The attacks on the media, Langa added, included not only intimidation and arbitrary arrests, but also the approval of repressive legislation in the name of cyber-security
Langa called for the adoption of a multi-sector approach to the ethical and regulated use of artificial intelligence, and a strengthened collective commitment to freedom of expression.
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