News Archives

18.02.2008 The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries, urges the Kenyan government to call an end to the current ban on live news broadcasts in Kenya.

According to information before IPI, the ban was imposed on 30 December 2007 in response to violence following the recent presidential elections. The reason given to justify the ban, announced by the Kenyan Ministry for Security, was that the emotions demonstrated during live broadcasts were inciting violence. The ban remains in place, and covers all live news broadcasts by radio and television alike. The government has given no clear indication of when the ban will be lifted, stating that this will occur only once the situation has ‘cooled down.’

12.02.2008 African universities are crucial to the future development of the Internet on the continent in two ways. Firstly, they contain one of the largest groups of existing and potential users: today’s student user is tomorrow’s future decision-maker. Secondly, universities should be generators of content that will be used by the same students to increase their knowledge and skills. The Kenyan Government and Google have both said they want to provide free Internet connectivity to students. Russell Southwood looks at what the Webometrics rankings can tell us about how far Africa’s universities have to travel.