The Pan African Network for Artistic Freedom (PANAF) has published a report titled Artistic Freedom in Africa: A Comparative Study of 8 Countries, a consolidation of 8 reports published in 2023 on the state of artistic freedom across Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Ethiopia, Kenya, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Mozambique.
The report serves as a vital resource for governments and stakeholders, guiding them in effectively promoting and protecting the rights of artists. By fostering an environment where creativity can flourish, we benefit not just artists, but society as a whole.
Artistic freedom is an essential component of cultural development, yet many artists across the continent continue to face significant barriers. According to the report, about 60% of artists reported experiencing censorship, while 70% noted that government policies create an environment of uncertainty for copyright-based industries. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for advocacy and reform in the artistic landscape.
The report identifies several pressing challenges facing artistic expression. Key issues include inconsistent government policies, unresolved conflicts among copyright stakeholders, and discrimination against marginalised groups. The findings reveal that the lack of legislation regarding streaming services exacerbates the already complex copyright landscape, leading to further difficulties for creators.
In light of these challenges, the report makes several recommendations aimed at enhancing artistic freedom in Africa. It emphasises the need for capacity-building programs that educate artists about their rights and responsibilities while fostering a supportive environment for creativity. Additionally, it advocates for increased investments in the cultural sector and the establishment of strong engagement platforms that bring together stakeholders from various creative sub-sectors.
The report also calls for the introduction of extensive entrepreneurship and skills development programs targeted at women and youth in the creative industry. Furthermore, there’s a call for the establishment of a dedicated fund or grants program for artists at risk, complete with transparent application processes and ongoing evaluations to track impact and improve support mechanisms.
The findings of this report come at a critical time. According to the Artistic Freedom Index 2023 by Freemuse, a global organisation advocating for artistic freedom, the overall situation for artists in Africa has worsened, with rising instances of government censorship and persecution. The index ranks several African countries low in terms of protecting artistic freedoms, underscoring the importance of the recommendations outlined in the PANAF report.
The implementation of the PANAF initiative and the findings of this report are made possible through the generous support of the Swedish Arts Council (SAC), which remains dedicated to fostering artistic freedom and cultural development in Africa through the launch of the second phase of the initiative last month. This second phase, which will run from 2024 to 2027, builds on the successes of phase one, expanding efforts to monitor and protect artistic freedom across Africa.
The Artistic Freedom in Africa: A Comparative Study of 8 Countries report is now available for download here.
