Editor's note

People all over the world are losing faith in journalists and media organisations. This is true for a number of countries in Africa too. This erosion of trust is happening at the same time that authoritarian rulers are tightening their hold on the media as well as internet access. Jeffrey Conroy-Krutz explains why it is important for renewed vigilance to safeguard press freedom - and democratic rights more broadly.

There’s been an exponential rise in the number of private military and security companies being contracted to fight in war zones as well as to play a part in distributing food or managing situations after a disaster has struck. But there are huge gaps in our understanding of the impact they have. Jonathan Powell Christopher Michael Faulkner and Joshua Lambert set out what they found in their recent investigation.

 

Godfred Boafo

Commissioning Editor: Ghana

Top Stories
Newspapers in Swahili and in English in Dar es Salaam. The media is increasingly not trusted in Tanzania. Shutterstock

Fresh vigilance is needed to protect media freedom across Africa

Jeff Conroy-Krutz, Michigan State University

In a surprising change in trends, citizens in many African countries increasingly support government restrictions of press freedom.
Nigerian soldiers clearing Boko Haram camps in Borno State. The government has contracted private security companies to help. EPA/Stringer

Peeling back the layers on the role of private security companies in Africa

Jonathan Powell, University of Central Florida; Christopher Michael Faulkner, Centre College; Joshua Lambert, University of Central Florida

Private military and security companies are increasingly being contracted in Africa. But there are big gaps in understanding their impact.

Politics + Society

Could a national buyback program reduce gun violence in America?

Lacey Wallace, Pennsylvania State University

More than 40 percent of U.S. adults have a gun in their household, making it hard to get guns off the streets – even if new gun restrictions are passed.

Inequality in the OECD is at a record high – and society is suffering as a result

Mike Brewer, University of Essex

High levels of inequality damage our health, harm social cohesion and act as a brake on economic performance.

Science + Technology

Buffet buddies: footage reveals that fierce leopard seals work together when king penguin is on the menu

David Hocking, Monash University; Alistair Evans, Monash University; James Robbins, Plymouth University

Cooperation or theft? New observations show wild leopard seals sharing food when targeting king penguins in Antarctica.

Type 2 diabetes: small reduction in alcohol, big reduction in heart disease risk

Jean Strelitz, University of Cambridge

Drinking one less pint of beer a week could cut the risk of cardiovascular disease by almost half.

En français

« C’était pas du vrai humanitaire, mais ça m’a apporté plein de choses »

Alizée Delpierre, Sciences Po – USPC

Tourisme humanitaire ou arnaque ? Malgré leurs désillusions, les jeunes cherchant à voyager « autrement » ont du mal à critiquer leur expérience.

Biodiversité : et si vous profitiez des vacances pour faire de la science citoyenne ?

Bastien Castagneyrol, Inra

De nombreux programmes élaborés par des scientifiques permettent à tout à chacun d’observer la nature et de contribuer à l’avancée des connaissances sur la biodiversité. Pourquoi pas vous ?