Press Freedom Day presidential pardon for jailed newspaper editor

The pardon came after the Union of Journalists announced they would refrain from commemorating World Press Freedom Day in protest against Samba's detention.

Editor sentenced to 10 months in jail on libel charge

The court also ordered Ferdinand Samba to pay 15,000 euros in damages and a fine of 1,500 euros, and banned "Le Démocrate" from publishing for one year.

Editor jailed in politicised case

Police arrested Ferdinand Samba, top editor of the private daily "Le Démocrate", due to the paper's critical coverage of a presidential relative who also serves as the government's finance minister.

Judge fines and releases two journalists

"We felt the effect of the strong campaign on our behalf by international organizations, RSF, foreign ministries, the UN and local journalists," said Faustin Bambou, one of the the two released journalists.

Prosecutor seeks three-year jail terms for detained editors

Following a successful campaign to get a press law that ended prison sentences for journalists in defamation cases, the conviction of Faustin Bambou and Emmanuel Cyrus Sandy could mark a serious setback for civil liberties in the country, says RSF.

Journalist detained despite decriminalisation of press law offences

Faustin Bambou is charged with "inciting violence and hatred" following publication of several articles about embezzlement.

Daily suspended for two weeks

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders voices its support for the newspaper editors who have decided to cease publication for two weeks, starting on 21 April 2009, in solidarity with the daily "L'Hirondelle". The newspaper was suspended by the High Council for Communication (HCC) for two weeks from 20 April for publishing an article on 2 April allegedly "calling for sedition by the armed forces."

Editor freed after receiving presidential pardon

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails Faustin Bambou's release on 23 February 2008 following an announcement on the national radio station that he had been pardoned by President François Bozizé. The editor of the privately-owned weekly "Les Collines de l'Oubangui", Bambou spent six weeks in prison.

Newspaper editor sentenced to six months in prison on charges of libel, insult and "incitement to revolt"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the six-month prison sentence passed on 28 January 2008 on Faustin Bambou, the editor of the privately-owned weekly "Les Collines de l'Oubangui", on charges of libel, insult and "incitement to revolt" because of an article accusing two ministers of taking kickbacks.

Newspaper editor held on charge of "inciting a disturbance of the peace"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called for the release of Faustin Bambou, the editor of the privately-owned weekly "Les Collines de l'Oubangui", who was arrested on 11 January 2008 and charged on 15 January with "inciting a disturbance of the peace" and "rebelling against the country's institutions" because of an article accusing two government ministers of embezzlement.

President of private press group sentenced to prison

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 April 2007 CPJ press release:

Charges brought against imprisoned editor in conflict with media regulator

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 March 2007 IFJ media release:

Private press group executive jailed after criticizing official media body

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 March 2007 CPJ press release:

Ex-presidential guard member threatens RSF correspondent

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of RSF's statement:

ARTICLE 19 calls on prime minister to respect freedom of expression

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 12 December 2005 ARTICLE 19 letter to Central African Republic Prime Minister Elie Dote:

Three journalists receive death threats from soldiers and supporters of the president

(RSF/IFEX) - In a letter to President François Bozizé, RSF urged him to "make a personal commitment" to ensure that the threats and intimidation that have targeted three journalists in recent weeks are stopped. The threats have come from members of the presidential guard and supporters of the "Kwa Na Kwa National Convergence".

Parliament passes law decriminalising press offences

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF welcomes the passage of a law ending prison terms for press offences. The Central African Republic's transitional (CAR) Parliament adopted the law on 25 November 2004.

RSF hails publishers' "day without newspapers" to demand decriminalisation of press offences

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has hailed a 30 September 2004 announcement by the Central African Republic Association of Private and Independent Newspaper Publishers (Groupement des éditeurs de la presse privée indépendante de Centrafrique, GEPPIC) saying it will no longer publish newspapers on Fridays, beginning 1 October, until President François Bozizé's government keeps a promise to decriminalise press offences.

Imprisoned journalist receives suspended sentence

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

High Court adjourns deliberation in case of imprisoned publication director Maka Gbossokoto

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the immediate release of Maka Gbossokoto, publication director of the independent daily "Le Citoyen" and an RSF correspondent, following a 16 July 2004 court appearance at which the Bangui High Court prosecutor asked for a 12-month prison sentence with no parole for Gbossokoto. RSF also demanded that all charges against the journalist be dropped.