June 2016 theme: Censorship vs freedom of expression

Unlike our September 2015 theme that explored the music-related media industries of various  African countries in general, this month we have compiled content that speaks specifically to the theme of censorship versus freedom of expression. Below is a list of relevant content published on the site over the past year or two that is representative of this ongoing debate. This includes overview texts from certain countries where musicians are restricted to varying degrees in what they can or cannot say (such as Eritrea, Rwanda and Ethiopia), news articles of prominent recent cases of censorship, examples of musicians who are not afraid to speak out in the political arena, as well as some academic resources concerning South Africa’s historical legacy of censorship.

• Musicians Union of Ghana slams ‘profane' lyrics
• Nigeria, Ghana ban music and video for ‘indecency’
• Kenya bans 'gay' music video
• Nigerian body bans songs by Wizkid, Nicki Minaj and others
• Malian documentary to be screened on Music Freedom Day
• Jailed Angolan rapper Luaty on hunger strike ahead of trial
• Ugandan pop singer faces 10 years in jail for sexy music video
• Music studio in Burkina Faso capital bombed after coup
• Namibian artist Jackson Wahengo slams corrupt politicians in new video
• Kenyan musicians in the political realm
• Ugandan artists' political campaign angers fans
• Music in the Eritrean media
• Music in the Rwandan media
• Music and the Ethiopian media
• Music censorship and surveillance in apartheid South Africa
• Three decades of nationalist broadcasting in Southern Africa
• The new freedom fighters of South Africa
• Somaliland's Horn Stars detained after tour to Somalia