Abdulkadir Ashir "Nadara," head of the privately-owned TV station Universal TV, journalist Bashir Dirie Nalei and cameraman Hamud Mohammed Osman were arrested on 8 April at Mogadishu airport and have been held since then. The three journalists had covered a press conference by President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, during which "Nadara" had asked him about favouritism in his choice of officials.

Kabissa has submitted a project proposal idea to NetSquared - an organization that is working to spur the adoption of new “social web” tools among organizations working for social change. Kabissa has entered the competition which is very steep with 150 projects participating.

http://www.pambazuka.org/images/broadcasts/systemcele.jpgSystem Cele from shack dweller association Abahlali in Durban speaks to Pambazuka News about the struggle for rights to land and housing in new South Africa. Five members of her group are now on hunger strike after being arrested in what Abahlali sees as a politically motivated murder charge. In this interview System speaks about why the community is struggling to stay in their area, and the obstacles they face in daily life and political organising. For more on shack dwellers issues and updates on the hunger strike see the .

Johannesburg's inner city regeneration programme has led to the eviction of more than 100 refugees and asylum seekers. Some fear a flurry of evictions in coming months could see 70,000 people, including refugees and asylum seekers, expelled from 235 buildings.

International bandwidth is what connects Africa’s telephone and internet users to neighbouring countries and the rest of the world. It is delivered either by fibre optic cable (like the existing SAT3 cable) or via satellite. For higher volumes use, fibre provides a significantly cheaper way of carrying traffic than satellite, although the latter remains essential for connecting rural areas.

Based on the 2004 e-Access & Usage Household survey that was completed during the course of 2004 and 2005, this report is the result of a demand study of individuals and households and how ICT's are used across 10 African countries.

The media literacy course is part of GMDC activities that seek to promote dialogue and debate around gender and media.

According to reports by Britain's "The Independent" newspaper, a Zimbabwean freelance cameraman, Edward Chikombo, was abducted from his home in the Glenview township outside Harare. His body was discovered on the weekend near the village of Darwendale, 80 kilometres west of the capital, Harare.

The Mozambican government will pay disability grants of up to R500 per month to victims of last month's Malhazine armoury blasts, Vista News reports. Government spokesperson Luis Covane told independent television channel STv on Wednesday that the grants will be paid after an assessment to ascertain the degree of injury.

Michel Alkhaly-Ngady, head of the independent publishers organisation GEPPIC (Groupement des éditeurs de la presse privée et indépendante de Centrafrique), has been sentenced to two months in prison. Alkhaly-Ngady, managing editor of the newspaper Temps Nouveaux, was also fined 300,000 CFA francs (€400). He was arrested in Bangui on 12 March, held for questioning and a court on 15 March ordered him provisionally detained for “obstructing the law and national institutions” pending trial.

Gambian freelance journalist and pro-democracy activist Fatou Jaw Manneh, was arrested by the National Intelligence Agency on 28 March on her arrival at Banjul International airport.

Reporters Without Borders welcomes the release of Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, the publisher of the Somaliland privately-owned daily Haatuf, Ali Abdi Dini, its editor, and Mohamed Omar Sheikh Ibrahim, one of its journalists. They had been detained since January because of an article about corruption in the president’s immediate circle.

A new report by the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) looks at the options and challenges faced with regard to connectivity in Tanzania and gives an overview of types of connectivity available. Although rural connectivity is feasible in all areas of Tanzania, there are several challenges: The issue of last mile infrastructure, the cost of service, the ‘appropriateness’ of the type of services available and the support and sustainability of the service.

Africa has developed a consolidated action plan on science and technology that integrates the programmes and projects of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) into the structures of the African Union. Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action articulates Africa’s common objective of socio-economic transformation and full integration into the world economy.

This article published by the "ICT Hub Knowledgebase" Web site offers an interesting and exhaustive list of funders financing ICT based projects. According to the ICT Hub Knowledgebase there are a number of trusts and grant funders who look favorably on applications for ICT within a project application, a limited number of funders will specifically fund ICT.

Super-fast internet connections and digital technology are changing the face of medicine. A multi-million-dollar venture between India and Ethiopia will see doctors in Addis Ababa using telecommunications to consult fellow medics in Indian hospitals. But will ‘telemedicine’ help more than a lucky few? Sisay Abebe of PANOS reports.

The Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa requires publication officer based in the Gambia. Closing date for applications is April 23rd 2007. Interviews will be held in Banjul, The Gambia in May/June 2007. Kindly send your application and all relevant documents to [email][email protected]

Two journalists with Zimbabwe's state broadcaster have been criminally charged in connection with footage of diamond trafficking in the eastern Manicaland province, according to Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and news reports.

On 21 March 2007, the prosecutor at the Algiers appeal court called for a one-year prison sentence and a 500,000 dinar (approx. 5,300 euros) fine against the two journalists along with a one-year ban on the newspaper. The libel suit against the two journalists was taken out in the name of the Libyan leader at the start of October 2006 by the Libyan representative in Algiers.

The Government of Zambia has called for the mainstreaming of Internet Governance in the implementation plan of the National Information and Communications technology (ICT) Policy and immediate formation of the National Internet Governance Forum (NIGF) to enable Zambia's full participation in internet governance issues.