Looking back at 2020, it’s clear that government reactions to the pandemic have reduced freedom of expression across Eastern Africa. Concerns about online freedom of expression are growing. Key challenges include the criminalization of opinions expressed online, poor accessibility and affordability of the Internet for all, and inadequate privacy and data protection for individuals and communities.
In 2020, concerning trends regarding online freedom of expression were highlighted. The media and other actors began documenting the arrests of bloggers, citizen journalists, and politicians in Kenya and beyond. Names of various individuals, including Idris Sultan, Milton Were, Stella Nyanzi, Valentin Muhirwa and Elizabeth Kebede frequently appeared in newspapers and TV reports for allegedly insulting a political figure or spreading false information.
However, the problems being underscored by media houses and human rights organizations were two-fold. Concerns as online freedom of expression becomes threatened. Governments began to surveil social media platforms in full force, and woe unto you if their spotlight fell on you. For some individuals, this would translate to hours or days in an interrogation room, a prison cell, or a court appearance.
Secondly, governments continued to misuse vague provisions in new and existing laws and policies. They criminalized freedom of expression with laws like the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (Kenya), the Penal Code (South Sudan and Uganda), and the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations (Tanzania). Also, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Law and Media Law (Rwanda).
In Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, state agents intimidated, detained, summoned, arrested, charged, or imprisoned 23 Internet and digital technology users. They criticized public health measures and authorities or commented on other social and political issues. Concerns as online freedom of expression diminishes were evident in Kenya. This was due to the notoriety of agents at the DCI and their preference for Sections 22 or 23 of the Cybercrimes Act, which is well known.
By SIGI WAIGUMO and TRACEY ISHMAEL
Source: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/
