India’s media is breaking new ground as it grows, but Harmanan Singh, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Mumbai in India, argues that commercialism should not jeopardise journalism standards. “India wants an answer!” bellows an effervescent, bespectacled news presenter, Arnab Goswami. For the past couple of minutes, he has dashed out an unprecedented war of words with …

"Indian media: the juggernaut and all in between" Read More »

A debate on gun control prompts Jake Elson, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bunbury in Australia, to examine Australia’s stance on individual freedom.  Is Australia a free country? According to Tucker Carlson, the answer is no. In a debate on gun control (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM7jxfxjphk), Mr. Carlson made the claim, when Australia’s successful gun control was mentioned, that …

“Australian perspective on freedom and guns” Read More »

In this guest contribution, Ajibola Adigun of Nigeria outlines concerns about legislation threatening freedom of the media, an institution that has been described as the guardian of democratic rights.  In a desperate attempt to avoid criticism, members of the Kenyan Parliament have resorted to attacking the press. Kenyan journalists are being forced to endure costly …

“Journalism under attack in Kenya” Read More »

On World Press Freedom Day, we heard and read much about a free press and freedom of speech being strong and necessary pillars of democracy. We also heard distressing statistics about death and harm to journalists, and about repressive legislation and arbitrary detention that makes it difficult for journalists do to their jobs. These are …

Young writers play vital role in media freedom Read More »

Discrediting reporting by journalists has become the norm rather than the exception in Kenya, as the government keeps placing roadblocks on the work of journalists, writes Aisha Anne Habiba, 27, a Correspondent from Mombasa in Kenya.  Media houses in Kenya are facing increasing unorthodox ordinances in an attempt to gag them. Draconian laws enacted by …

“Censorship in Kenya: A nation plunged into information darkness” Read More »