Physical attacks, intimidation, repression, limitations on demonstrations and harassment of journalists and activists, among other forms of human rights violations and attacks on Freedom of Expression and of the Press, have become increasingly common in Mozambique. This situation is particularly critical during election periods, when power struggles aggravate tensions and political polarization, leading to serious limitations on the exercise of fundamental freedoms.

At the same time, Mozambique is not oblivious to the global challenges imposed by technological developments, more specifically the popularization of Internet social networks. These challenges include hate speech and disinformation, which have become increasingly more reachable with the rapid expansion of digitalization. This Report assesses the state of Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression, as well as the level of Disinformation during the year 2024.

pdf Relatório do estado da Liberdade de Imprensa - 2025 (1.40 MB)

The overall findings, based on both quantitative and qualitative analysis, show a worrying trend regarding both the state of Press Freedom and Disinformation in Mozambique. The report shows that although traditionally, periods before, during and after elections have been particularly challenging for the practising journalism, no other election in the history of Mozambique had slipped into an escalation of attacks against Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press as it was in the 2024 presidential, legislative and provincial assembly elections and the crisis thereafter.

In 2023, MISA recorded a total of 28 cases of Press Freedom violations, of which 11 were related to the municipal elections that were held in October that year. These cases had occurred in the provinces of Maputo, Sofala and Zambezia, where many journalists were faced with attempts at preventing them from doing their work. The violations took the form of physical aggression, prevention from covering events, threats, intimidation, seizure of equipment and/or material, among others.

A total of 32 cases of Press Freedom violations were recorded in 2024. Of these, 22 are directly related to the general elections held on 9 October. The violations occurred in all the country’s 10 provinces and were particularly notorious during the internet shutdown on 25 and 30 October. In addition to the internet shutdown, media professionals suffered threats, physical violations, intimidation, confiscation of equipment and/or material, shootings, expulsion (for foreign journalists) and disappearance, among others.

Disinformation also followed the same trend, having been widely used as an electioneering tool. This report consists of two parts. The first highlights the state of Press Freedom in 2024, describing the main violations recorded throughout the year. The second addresses issues of digitalization, with a special focus on disinformation during the 2024 elections.

pdf Relatório do estado da Liberdade de Imprensa - 2025 (1.40 MB)