Picture, if you will, an information infrastructure that encourages censorship, surveillance and suppression of the creative impulse. Where anonymity is outlawed and every penny spent is accounted for. Where the powers that be can smother subversive (or economically competitive) ideas in the cradle, and no one can publish even a laundry list without the imprimatur of Big Brother. Some prognosticators are saying that such a construct is nearly inevitable. And this infrastructure is none other than the former paradise of rebels and free-speechers: the Internet.

In the past few years instant messaging (IM) has been kicking off in a big way. Many of you are probably familiar with chat rooms, well IM works on a similar principle, only you get to choose who you talk to. This method of communication is a lot safer than a chat room as you know exactly with whom you will be speaking, and if they do get offensive, you will always have the ability to block them for as long as you see fit.

This article is designed to introduce you to the term - Firewall. No doubt you have heard it mentioned many a time whether on the Internet, or in a magazine, but do you really know what it is and why you need one? If you have answered 'no' to this question then read on.

Managing editor of the weekly "Le Républicain" newspaper, Mamane Abou, was released on bail by the court of criminal appeal in Niamey on January 6, after spending two months in a prison at Say, 56 km outside the capital, for libel. He had been sentenced to six months in prison for "criminal defamation" against the Prime Minister, Hama Amadou and his former Finance Minister, Ali Badjo Gamatié.

Africa's first continental association of investigative journalists has been established at a specially convened 'brain-storming' conference in South Africa. The new Forum for African Investigative Reporters network will function as an independent professional association of working journalists who are committed to improving pan-African reporting standards and access to information. FAIR's founding members have committed the organisation to promoting effective, ethical and original investigative reporting. Anyone interested in commenting on the initiative, contacting the steering committee, or contributing to FAIR should email interim co-ordinator Evelyn Groenink on [email protected].

Police raided news stands in major Kenyan towns on 10 January and confiscated copies of newspapers published by the "alternative press". Scores of vendors were arrested in the well-coordinated crackdown, which Tourism and Information Minister Raphael Tuju said was aimed at getting rid of illegal newspapers. He added that the action was taken because the newspapers had not complied with the law on "registration, execution of a bond and making returns".

The government of Nigeria should adopt a proposed Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) in order to promote government accountability, transparency, and citizen participation in the democratic process, Freedom House said. Passage of the bill will grant Nigerians the legal right to obtain information and records that are currently inaccessible. The ability to request official files will allow any citizen to research government and business matters and verify if public claims are backed by official records.

Itai Dzamara, a reporter with the Harare-based independent weekly The Independent, and the paper's general manager, Raphael Khumalo, were arrested January 14 after presenting themselves to police at Harare Central Police Station. The arrests followed the publication of a story in the January 9 edition of The Independent co-authored by Dzamara alleging that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe had commandeered an Air Zimbabwe plane for his trip to East Asia. Dzamara was charged with criminal defamation before being released. Khumalo was released without charge. Dzamara will likely appear with three other Independent journalists in court on January 29. Police arrested Independent Managing Editor Iden Wetherell, News Editor Vincent Kahiya, and reporter Dumisani Muleya on Saturday, January 10, also in connection with the January 9 article.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has confirmed that Roy Clarke, a columnist for "The Post" newspaper, has come out of hiding following a 13 January Lusaka High Court ruling allowing him to continue enjoying his status as a permanent Zambian resident until the court hears the case in which he is challenging his deportation order. In an interview, Clarke expressed hope that he will not be harassed until his case goes to court on 26 January. This follows a furore following publication of a satirical story in his "The Spectator" column, published in "The Post" newspaper. In the story, Clarke used animal figures, including monkeys, giraffes and baboons, in a satirical commentary on the current social, economic and political situation in Zambia.

This practical workshop will, for the first time, bring together Free and Open Source Software (F/OSS) developers from across Africa. During the five-day event, participants and facilitators will share technical skills and experiences, discuss key challenges in realizing F/OSS projects, and develop concrete strategies for strengthening the nascent community of F/OSS technologists working in African contexts.

A brilliant initiative to bridge the great information, communication and technology (ICT) divide between Africa and developing countries has been clipped in the wing - by the rich Western nations. The Digital Solidarity Fund is a venture by African countries seeking contributions from the developed world to roll out cheap computer and communication networks across rural Africa, to enhance agricultural output, minimise illiteracy and end Africa's marginalisation.

Following the throwing to the public domain the controversy surrounding the administration of the country's Top Level Domain by the Nigerian Computer Society, the Nigerian Internet Group has countered, declaring its right to administer what it describes as a national resource and thus making the dispute hotter than ever before. The domain name tragedy, the writer says, has become a source of embarrassment to Nigerian IT professionals, both at home and abroad.

YouthNet has announced the launch of Youth InfoNet, a one-stop monthly source for new publications and information on youth reproductive health and HIV prevention. It is hoped the newsletter will enhance the work of those working with youth, and submissions and ideas for the newsletter are invited.

This one year full-time (or two years part-time) Programme in Understanding & Securing Human Rights is open to graduates of any discipline who seek training in human rights. This inter-disciplinary course, which has now been running for almost a decade, is based in Central London & consists of three written papers and a dissertation. Speakers come from international agencies & the academic community. Students also benefit from a one-day work placement each week with an international human rights agency. The MA seminars are small & friendly, and students are encouraged to develop their academic talents in a supportive environment.

For the fourth consecutive year, the LINK Centre at the School of Public and Development Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in conjunction with the University of Michigan School of Information, is offering this highly regarded Global Graduate Seminar on Globalisation and the Information Society: Information Systems and International Communications Policy. In this seminar, participants will join students from the University of Michigan, the American University, Howard University (both in Washington DC), and the Universities of Fort Hare and Pretoria, in a weekly series of online, interactive, collaborative learning sessions between 13 January and 20 April 2004.

Educorp has launched an online store that sells educational software titles. The company offers educational software ranging from pre-school level through to matric. While the majority of titles on offer are imported, there are some that are locally designed. Products are mainly in English, but there are also Afrikaans and Zulu titles available.

Human rights campaigners in Kenya have accused government of ignoring the plight of pastoral communities that are involved in a compensation case against the British government. In 2000, Maasai and Samburu pastoralists living in the northern Samburu and Laikipia districts sued Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) for injuries caused by military ordnances left behind by its troops. The forces had been conducting exercises in these areas.

Dear Reader,

This is our first edition of 2004 and we’d like to take the opportunity to wish all of our subscribers the very best for the New Year and extend a hearty thank-you to all for their continued support in the struggle for social justice in Africa. We’d also like to alert you to a special donation offer and inform you about the results of a survey we conducted in 2003.

JOIN THE STRUGGLE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

One hundred and thirty seven editions, 18 000 archived stories, over 11 000 existing subscribers, and an estimated 60 000 readers. Pambazuka News has come a long way since December 2000 when we started out as a modest distribution list with just a few hundred subscribers.

We suspect that we may still underestimate our actual readership, especially as AllAfrica.com, since early 2003, began reproducing every issue of Pambazuka News on their website. Our editorials are regularly reposted on other lists and on a number of other websites, including OneWorld.net.

We’re probably the biggest and most comprehensive email service on Africa. To add value to our service, we’ve produced a website where you can access the latest stories on Africa and search our entire database. We also offer a newsfeed function for Pambazuka News headlines to be included on websites. Visit www.pambazuka.org for more information.

Your first full newsletter of 2004, due to be delivered next week, will be different to your last newsletter in 2003, with changes designed for better categorisation and easier access to information. In 2004, we plan to continue providing high quality, original editorials that stimulate debate about issues in Africa. We will also deepen our research and coverage of key issues and events on the continent. From next week we will be including a variety of new sections. These include: Current Issue Highlights, African Issues Commentary, Agriculture and Land and News from the Diaspora. Some existing sections will also be broken up into new sections. We hope that this will make some sections more manageable and easier to handle, while also broadening our coverage of other areas.

We would like to appeal for donations to support our service on the basis that Pambazuka News is not just a simple email service. It was founded on the belief that the distribution of information about Africa can contribute to the spread of social justice in Africa.

Last year, we conducted a survey of our subscribers which showed that information provided by Pambazuka News is used in innovative ways for information dissemination, advocacy, debate, research and networking.

If you’d like further convincing, read a selection of the hundreds of statements we’ve collected on how our subscribers judge us, or browse our letters section online for further comments from our readers.

So, by contributing to Pambazuka News, you’re not only guaranteeing yourself a stream of relevant, timely – and often controversial – information on Africa, but you are also contributing to something more: the struggle for social justice.

SPECIAL DONATIONS APPEAL BOOK OFFER

We’ve recently made available a donate function on our website http://www.pambazuka.org. As a special promotion, we're offering a copy of the book ‘Limits to Liberation in Southern Africa: The Unfinished Business of Democratic Consolidation’, to the first 20 people who donate 15 pounds or more to Pambazuka News. There are a large number of subscribers in Africa who might not be able to take advantage of this offer. To compensate for this, we'd like to suggest that if you donate 15 pounds or more, then you can nominate any not-for-profit organisation in Africa to receive a copy of the book. Please remember to include details of your nomination in the "Message for Charity" box on the online secure giving form. You can donate now at http://www.pambazuka.org/en/donate.php.

Limits to Liberation is edited by Henning Melber and published by HSRC Press, Cape Town, 2003. Melber was the Director of the Namibian Economic Policy Research Unit (NEPRU) in Windhoek from 1992 to 2000 and is now the Research Director of the Nordic Africa Institute in Uppsala, Sweden. The book is a groundbreaking collection of essays on Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana and South Africa that raises questions about the authoritarianism in liberation structures and the elitism inherent in liberal democracy. Its contributors include Kenneth Good, Ian Taylor, Francis Nyamnjoh, Amin Kamete, Suzanne Dansereau, Roger Southall, Martin Legassick, Raymond Suttner and Krista Johnson.

In coming months, we’ll be offering further publications and useful resources to promote our donations function, so keep an eye out for these special offers.

We’re aware that some subscribers may not have the capacity to donate online. If so, please contact [email protected] and we can make alternative arrangements. And if you can’t take advantage of this particular offer, please remember that no amount is too small: you can ensure that subscribers in Africa get Pambazuka News free, with every $5.00 helping to ensure a subscription for one year.

THE 2003 SURVEY: A BRIEFING

We would like to extend a sincere thank-you to those subscribers who took the time to respond to our survey in 2003.

SUMMARY:

While Pambazuka News is predominantly used for news and information about the African continent, the newsletter is also used for dissemination, advocacy, debate, research and networking. For example, one respondent said the information in Pambazuka News was used in training conducted by their organisation with other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s). In another example, we were informed that information from Pambazuka News relating to gender and women’s issues was provided to 27 community radio stations. “The information is written in a story format which is sent out every Friday via email and fax,” the response said. Information provided by Pambazuka News is widely used by academic staff, journalists, NGO workers and researchers.

The survey found that the readership of Pambazuka News is far greater than previously thought, with responses indicating an average of 5-6 readers per subscriber. A large proportion of the readership is located in the NGO sector (34.5%), with other significant sectors including university (17.9%), international agencies (10.5%), media (7.6%), government (6.7%) and the private sector (10.9%). This readership is geographically diverse, with respondents drawn from 41 countries.

While the most common comments from respondents about the newsletter related to its length and the lack of time available to read it, survey results show that Pambazuka News readers spend an average of 39 minutes reading the newsletter every week.

Development, Rights and Democracy, Conflicts, Crises and Emergencies and Women and Gender were the most favoured sections, but the survey also revealed significant interest in the sections of Advocacy Resources, Courses, Seminars and Workshops and Books and Arts.

The length of Pambazuka News has troubled some subscribers. This was a clear trend in responses and related to the format of the newsletter, which was mentioned as an area that could be improved. This issue is related to the ability to quickly access relevant information and not have to read material that is not relevant to an individual’s interest or field.

WHAT OUR SUBSCRIBERS SAY:

RECENT COMMENTS SENT TO THE NEWSLETTER:

1. ANTOINETTE NTULI
Director, HealthLink; Chair, GEGA Co-ordinating Committee
Many thanks for your newsletter which continues to provide a wonderful source of important information and conscientisation.

2. LINN HJORT
Secretariat Of African National Human Rights Institutions
I started to subscribe to the Pambazuka Newsletter immediately after a Human Rights Training Education conference recently, and am very pleased with it. I have already found lots of articles to use for my MA thesis, my freelance journalist work as well as just personal interest. The latest editorial on HIV/AIDS was one of the best articles on the topic I have read in a very long time, and I have sent it to friends all around the world. Thanks for the access!

3. MAURICE UFON BESENG
Cameroon
Pambazuka News cuts across a wide range of issues that are vital in my career objectives as a prospective development planner. I find it very resourceful and enriching.

4. WILLEMIEN LOURENS
South Africa
I want to congratulate the team on Pambazuka. Keep up the good work, we as South African citizens enjoy it very much. Thanks a lot for all the effort.

5. GLENN ASHTON
Would just like to congratulate you on the Pambazuka Newsletter; it is a most useful resource and is well put together. Keep it up.

6. SHAMEME MANJOO
SA Human Rights Commission
Must complement you on the continuing excellent quality of this newsletter and let you know it is highly valued in its relevance and usefulness as a resource and reference regarding human rights in Africa.

7. ROBIN OPPERMAN
You guys are doing exceptional work. I am a teacher, and I run a number of projects with international collaborations. Part of this is that we have contact with, and host teachers and students from around the world. Your newsletters are great at telling the real story of Africa, and helping me to clue people into the real issues of the day.

8. FRED BRIDGLAND
I am a Johannesburg-based foreign correspondent writing for various English, Scottish and Japanese publications. I am currently running through Pambazuka Newsletters for a series of development articles I am planning, and I am struck yet again that - although, inevitably, I do not agree with some of the opinions expressed and analyses offered - yours is a fantastic and invaluable service. Keep up the good work.

COMMENTS FROM 2003 SURVEY:

1) “For example, there was an article on HIV/AIDS and child labour on commercial farms in Zimbabwe. I tracked down the author of the report, who put me in touch with other researchers doing work of this kind.”

2) “We use the newsletter primarily as a source of resources and contacts. We are still in our early phases, and so the practical contacts that come from the fundraising, workshops, and newsletters sections are the most useful. We follow them up and go onto those sites.”

3) “In teaching, we use it to give American undergraduates an alternative to mainstream media sources.”

4) “Sometimes we are cut off from news where we are (Kenya), so this keeps us
updated about what is happening.”

5) "I mainly read the editorials - I often don't have time to read the whole newsletter, but like to gain a different perspective on events through the editorials from that presented in the western press."

6) "We distribute the information to the provincial members of our legislature."

7) "Pambazuka is very important to inform on current issues. Like the excellent report on the food crises in Ethiopia. We organised a political cafe on this subject destined for parliamentarians and NGO’s in the Netherlands."

8) "Pambazuka News is a crucial part of my staying abreast of the news from the continent, which impacts stories we assign, writers we work with, and the like."

9) "My current work organisation has no interest in anything but the bottom line. It is a typical U.S. privately-held corporation, interested solely in exploiting its employees. I read Pambazuka News to: (1) retain my belief in the capability of human nature to overcome its limitations and deceits with open, honest communication and a vision that includes all of the world's citizens (2) attempt to understand conditions that are not reported at all in the U.S. media but often distorted or dramatized in the independent press (3) focus my prayers for my old friends in Zimbabwe and a distant family connection in South Africa (4) contribute to the Feminist Peace Network."

10) "The quality of this newsletter is that the blurbs are brief enough to ensure consistency of presentation, and long enough to get a sense. When the quality is good, I always feel that size is not a limiting factor at all, so it is as long as it needs to be. I'm often hassled about this in my own work - but my philosophy is that people will read it if it's good, and if you provide a short summary, you are covering all bases."

11) “I use it (Pambazuka News) so that I can keep the PeaceWomen website updated on what is happening on women, peace and security issues across the African continent.”

12) "I am building a web portal on women and armed conflict for UNIFEM (to be launched in June) and in the process have found your resources incredible. Last year I was writing a book for UNIFEM on Women, War and Peace and constantly bounced

13) “We can verify news, do research and keep ourselves and others informed."

14) “One thing I lament about us is that we have little understanding of our own continent and its leaders and people tend to make unfounded extrapolations from one situation to another without understanding the complex issues in the sub-region and further a field. I hope in identifying these issues, Pambuzuka will play a vital role in enlightening people who are still caught up in the 'dark Africa' syndrome.”

15) "A very useful service with value much beyond what one might believe."

16) "An excellent newsletter."

17) "Best email service on Africa at present."

18) "Congratulations for the work put up. It's great to get such a source of news about Africa and I hope you will carry on."

19) "Great resource! Whether in or outside Africa."

20) "I am a Latin Americanist by training, but I find Pambazuka News very relevant for development issues in general and thought-provoking information and editorials."

21) "I am impressed by the breadth and sophistication of information."

22) "I appreciate the News since it needs considerable efforts to compose the weekly newsletter."

23) "I don't see how you generate so much content on a regular basis with a small staff. Congratulations!"

24) "I find it a very useful way to keep in touch with a whole range of issues pertaining to Africa and not just the ones which would usually occupy my attention. I value this. Thank you."

25) "I find your service incredibly useful - and am constantly astounded at the volume and quality of your work."

26) "I look forward to receiving it because there's always at least one item of close relevance to our work."

27) "I think it is a fantastic newsletter, well written, well informed, well researched and an invaluable form of information about all of Africa. Thanks."

28) "I think it is a good service and it is unique in that it provides information about ALL of Africa, this is so important."

29) "I think it's great to have this access to news from Africa - as such information is hard to find otherwise."

30) "I think you do a splendid job especially for those of us who engage in research on African affairs. A factor which gives me confidence in the News is that it is objective or presents its evidence in a manner that is not judgemental; this gives the reader space to make her/his on judgments."

31) "I'm a new subscriber and have found it very useful and informative."

32) "It an excellent source of news and it has been useful for me to subscribe to it, I'm really gaining in terms of knowing what's happening and it has been also useful to my programme."

33) "It is a remarkable achievement and, although I cannot read and absorb it all, that which I do read is immensely interesting and I would not have access to much of the information from other sources."

34) "It is a revolution and a huge success."

35) "It is a useful source of information on equity issues. Both current issues and background information help understand details and context."

36) "It is a very informative and up-to-date source of information."

37) "It is an excellent and invaluable tool. It helps you feel connected to others in similar situations grappling with similar issues. You don't feel alone, and that often helps."

38) "It must reach as many readers as possible."

39) "It's a great service. The section on corruption has no parallels in other news services. The development section is particularly helpful."

40) "It's great!"

41) "There is a definite need for a news organ dealing with African issues. Here we simply don't get much by way of information about what is happening in Africa from the normal media channels."

42) "This is a really valuable source of information."

43) "Thoroughly enjoy and look forward to each issue. Many thanks to those who work tirelessly to pull it together - it is a huge job!"

44) "Trawling through it all is a bit of a chore, but usually worth it for the interesting bits I do find."

45) "Very useful alert on social justice and human rights."

46) "We are happy with it, it is very informative. Of all the material/publications that we circulate in the office for people's attention, Pambazuka takes up most time to go through. I appreciate the effort to bring issues African to the fore."

47) "We would like to continue to receive it and if possible to make a contribution when appropriate as we work with many countries in Africa."

48) "Well worth reading."

49) "You're one of the few e-mail magazines I'm really going through (finding a lot of others too detailed or with technical limitations), so keep up the good work!"

50) "I'm always surprised to read so much on it, the same in other sections."

http://www.pambazuka.org
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/donate.php

Thank you for your support!

The station manager of Radio Dialogue FM, Father Nigel Johnson, was arrested on January 2 in Bulawayo – approximately 450km from the capital Harare - whilst filming footage for a music video.

Zambia’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services has ordered the community based commercial radio station, Breeze FM, to stop the relay of British Broadcasting Corporation programmes.