Apart from that, the alert serves the purpose of reporting and recording a specific event or incident, which either amounts to a violation of media freedom or freedom of expression, or significantly advances it. The alert is thus part of one of the most essential tools of advocacy - information.

What to report:

Journalists who are:

• Assaulted
• Arrested
• Censored
• Denied credentials
• Harassed
• Kidnapped
• Killed
•Missing
• Threatened
•Wrongfully expelled
• Wounded
• Wrongfully sued for libel or defamation

News organisations that are:

• Attacked or illegally searched
• Censored
• Closed by force
• Raided, where editions are confiscated or transmissions are jammed. Materials
confiscated or damaged
• Wrongfully sued for libel or defamation

What to include in your report

MISA needs accurate and detailed information about:

• Names of journalists and news organisations involved
• Date and circumstances of the incident
• Detailed background information
Anyone with information about an attack on the media should call the Researcher at MISA by dialling +264 61 232975 or by sending e-mail to research@misa.org

What happens with your information?

Depending on the case, MISA will:

• Investigate and confirm the report
• Pressure authorities to respond
• Notify human right groups and press organisations around the world, including IFEX,
Article 19, Amnesty International, Reporters San Frontiers, Human Rights Watch and the International Federation of Journalists and
• Increase public awareness through the press
• Publish advisories to warn other journalists about potential dangers
• Send a fact-finding mission to investigate

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