By Delicious Mathuthu
Zimbabwe based African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) and Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Regional Director, Dr Tabani Moyo has been elected Head of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX).
IFEX is a global network of freedom of expression organisations.
The media freedom activist was elected Convener of the organisation at the inaugural meeting of the newly elected IFEX Council held virtually on the 19th of July 2023, and will be at the helm for the next three years.
Dr. Moyo is deputised by Mr. Andrei Klikunou from the Belarusian Association of Journalists’ International Relations Department Manager, while Venezuelan’s Ms Marianela Balbi, the Executive Director of the Instituto Prensa Sociedad (IPYS), was elected Treasurer.
As Convenor Dr. Moyo will be chairing all the 13 members of the IFEX Governing Council.
MISA says Dr. Moyo becomes the third African to lead the global network since its establishment over 30 years ago.
“He follows in the footsteps of Mr. Luckson Chipare, current Chairperson of the MISA Regional Trust Fund Board and Mr. Edetaen Ojo, the Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and current Chairperson of AFEX, both of whom have previously served as IFEX Convenors,” MISA says.
Addressing AFEX members soon after his election at IFEX, Dr. Moyo told the Secretariat that his elevation is a responsibility that has been entrusted by the members of the IFEX Governing Council.
“We accept this call to leadership with utmost humility and pledge to be of service in defence of free expression, a right increasingly under attack in this age of fragmentation, and shifting geo-politics.”
“We, therefore, commit to consolidating solidarity and genuine collaboration among members,” Dr. Moyo is quoted by MISA as having said.
IFEX, established in 1992 in Montréal Canada, today boasts of over 100 organisations in over 70 countries with the aim to establish mechanisms of solidarity and co-operation among organisations with an interest in promoting freedom of expression.
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