Free Press Under Attack: Stories from African Journalists

An independent press is essential for transparency in government and for fostering an informed citizenry, yet media freedom is proving to be increasingly fragile across the globe – in authoritarian regimes and democracies alike. Journalists around the world are intimidated, attacked, and murdered.

As a female and young civil society leader in Zimbabwe, Ms. Marara is the National Coordinator of the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS). Her current job responsibilities entail overall strategic planning in liaison with the Board of Trustees, fundraising, financial management, organizational development, staff management and program operations. Additionally, Ms. Marara coordinates activities and functions of ZACRAS national operations to ensure that the Association’s goals and objectives are accomplished in accordance with established priorities, time and funding limitations, or other specifications.

Mr. Brian Hatyoka is a two-time Top Prize Winner as Best Business and Financial Writer, accolades bestowed on him by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, for articles he published highlighting the glaring financial irregularities in some quasi-governmental institutions. He also runs a project aimed as promoting ideal journalism values among high school students, inculcating a culture of reading and writing in youth.