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Alerts - 2012 - Central and Eastern Africa

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Uganda

"Daily Monitor" journalist assaulted in prison, released on bail

Perez Rumanzi was assaulted by inmates of a crowded Ntugamo prison where he had been remanded.

Sudan

Repression intensifies after border violence

Sudan has stepped up harassment of journalists, censorship and arrests of political opponents in the wake of recent fighting with South Sudan.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Radio station closed

Radio Bangu's office in Bandundu City was closed following its failure to pay a US$5,571 licence tax.

Uganda

Video director gunned down in western Uganda

Thembo was shot dead by unidentified individuals who took his bag and video camera.

Rwanda

Radio presenter held pending trial

"We condemn Habarugira Epaphrodite’s placement in pre-trial detention for something he said on the air," RSF said.

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED deplores suspension of Radio Liberté, calls for restraint

Eight journalists were arrested during the police raid on the station.

Kenya

Journalist in western Kenya faces death threats

Joel Eshikumo said that unidentified callers had threatened him every night for a week, saying they would burn his house down and telling him to be prepared to die over the pictures he had taken in court.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Two journalists held by police in Kisangani

Sébastien Mulamba and Mbuyi Mukadi, both with the monthly Kisangani News, were arrested by plainclothes officers from police intelligence.

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED warns of grave threats to Radio Okapi journalist's safety

JED calls on Congolese and UN authorities to take all necessary measures to guarantee Gisèle Kaj's physical safety.

Sudan

Journalist detained; newspapers confiscated

The NISS has not disclosed Faisal Mohamed Saleh's health, condition, or whereabouts and has denied him access to his family or a lawyer.

Burundi

Prosecutor requests life imprisonment for journalist charged with terrorism

"It has already been demonstrated that this court is neither competent nor impartial, so the request for a life sentence is further evidence that the trial is a travesty orchestrated by the government," RSF said.

Central African Republic

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.

Somalia

Journalist murdered on eve of World Press Freedom Day

Farhan James Abdulle is the fifth journalist to be killed this year in Somalia, the deadliest country in Africa for the media.

Uganda

Journalist arrested by First Lady's security guards, risks sedition charges

When Perez Rumanzi demanded to know what crime he had committed, police told him he was "in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Somalia

Radio station director released after being held without charge for 57 days

Voice of Peace director Awke Abdullahi Ali was reportedly freed because his health had declined sharply while in detention.

Somalia

IFJ condemns arrest of reporter, shooting of editor

Somaliland authorities reportedly accuse Darwish of "spreading false news."

Ethiopia

Leading weekly's website blocked for past six days

"Website blocking is not new in Ethiopia, but a leading independent newspaper's site has never previously been affected," RSF noted.

Somalia

IFJ condemns arbitrary arrests of journalists

IFJ condemned the detention of two broadcast journalists and persistent acts of intimidation of media professionals in northern Somalia.

Uganda

Television journalist survives mob attack

Bukedde Television reporter Rebecca Nakame was attacked on the orders of a special police constable.

Kenya

Two journalists threatened for their reporting

Both journalists told CPJ that unidentified men had been following them, which had forced them to hide in an undisclosed location.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Screenings of documentary on assassinated human rights activist banned

Authorities' ordered a country-wide ban on screenings of "The Chebeya Affair: State Crime?", a documentary film abut the circumstances surrounding the trial of the killers of Floribert Chebeya.

Uganda

Journalist assaulted by police commander, another roughed up by group of officers

"Attacks on journalists are on the rise; some have since abandoned taking up assignments which involve reporting news stories about opposition politicians," warned HRNJ-Uganda.

Uganda

Two sports reporters injured by police during football match

"Police failed to act professionally; they acted like farmers with guns. I can't find any kind words for them today,” Nsubuga told HRNJ-Uganda after being discharged from hospital.

Comoros

Minister seizes newspaper supplement, suspends editor

"Any state media journalist who wants the freedom to write or speak has to conform to the government line, or have the intellectual honesty to work elsewhere, for a privately-owned news outlet," the minister said.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Wave of detentions in West Kasai province

JED denounced the intimidation of journalists by local national intelligence agency officials in Tshimbulu.

Rwanda

President should pardon journalists, says ARTICLE 19

ARTICLE 19 urged the government to urgently revise its legislation, in particular the provisions on criminal defamation and incitement to genocide denial.

Somalia

In Somaliland, two journalists detained without charge

Local journalists suspect Ahmed Ali Farah and Abdisaman Isse were arrested for their coverage of the Sool region.

Eritrea

Detained journalist admitted to hospital in serious condition

Journalist and poet Yirgalem Fisseha Mebrahtu was arrested during a raid on Radio Bana on 22 February 2009, during which its entire staff was detained.

Somalia

Fourth journalist killed since year began

Unidentified assailants shot Mahad Salad Adan near his home in Beledweyne, the capital of the central region of Hiran, according to local journalists and news reports.

Uganda

"Walk to Work" group declared illegal

The action against Activists for Change (A4C) was taken ahead of a planned demonstration on 5 April.

Somalia

Draft Communications Act good, but needs wider consultation, says ARTICLE 19

The legislation is intended to lay the groundwork for regulation of the telecommunications industry and broadcasting sector in Somalia.

Somalia

Seven journalists wounded in suicide bombing at Mogadishu theatre

According to reports received by RSF, a woman carrying a concealed device blew herself up as she mingled with the crowd.

Uganda

Journalist struck by police vehicle, suffers serious injuries

"The environment for front line journalists is getting more dangerous by the day at the hands of police," said HRNJ-Uganda.

Ethiopia

Journalist Eskinder Nega defends himself in court

IPI again condemns terrorism charges against journalists.

Uganda

More journalists assaulted by police while on assignment

I can't report to police, after all they are the ones attacking us,” one journalist told HRNJ-Uganda.

Uganda

CBS journalist charged with criminal defamation

The former Kalangala district chairperson accused Ssembuusi of defamation after he reported a story about his alleged involvement in the disappearance of solar panels.

Somalia

Unknown gunmen shoot, injure journalist

Islamist insurgents Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the shooting, according to Somalimemo, a website that supports the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group.

Sudan

IPI condemns newspaper confiscations

The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) is pursuing a new censorship strategy, journalist Abdelgadir Mohammed Abdelgadir told IPI.

Uganda

Police rough up human rights advocate, beat journalists covering opposition leader's arrest

Freelance photographer Edward Echwalu and "Eddoboozi" newspaper photographer Anatoli Luswa were victims of police brutality.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Belgian journalist Thierry Michel takes on impunity

Although four of the eight indicted policemen were convicted for the murder of Chebeya, the victims' widows were stunned by the verdict. Virtually no one believed that justice had been done.

Kenya

Police assault three journalists, detain one

At least 10 police officers in plainclothes surrounded "Daily Nation" reporter Suleiman Mbatiah, after he took photographs of an undercover traffic operation in Nakuru.

Uganda

Legislators rescind decision preventing media from using electronic devices in Parliament

The bi-partisan reversal came as a result of pressure and intense lobbying on the part of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association.

Uganda

Legislators prevent media from accessing Parliament with video and still cameras, electronic recorders

Journalists asked the Rules and Privileges Committee to allow the media to carry their electronic gadgets along with them into the House to capture MPs’ debates, in order to avoid misquotations and possible defamation - a request that was denied.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Television station attacked, programme host in hiding

Radio Télévision Kindu Maniema was attacked on 20 March by a dozen men who doused its satellite antenna and a car on the premises in fuel, and set them on fire before fleeing the scene.

Uganda

WBS TV journalist threatened with death while on assignment

"We take the threats seriously and condemn this act in the strongest terms; we implore police to take the matter seriously and take action to restrain Ddamulira," said HRNJ-Uganda.

Uganda

Government report exonerates police in shooting of "Daily Monitor" photojournalist

Kasamani says he narrowly escaped death when a policeman allegedly shot at him on 24 January as he took a photo of a tear gas canister thrown as police dispersed demonstrators.

Uganda

Criminal libel case against CBS journalist fails to take off

Ronald Ssembuusi has been involved in a lengthy court case after he reported on alleged corruption in the Kalangala district.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Goma-based journalist receives death threats, fears for his life

Tuver Wundi began receiving threats after participating in a Goma radio station's cultural programme.

Somalia

Radio station closed, media director arrested in Puntland

Journalists believe that Puntland authorities were angered by the radio station's broadcasting of an interview with Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Mus'ab, spokesperson of Al-Shabaab militias who are fighting Puntland forces.

Somalia

NUSOJ outraged over murder of young journalist in Galkayo

Ali Ahmed Abdi, 26, was shot dead by hooded gunmen while walking in the Is-Raac neighborhood of northern Galkayo.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Kinshasa-based broadcaster back on the air after three-month closure

JED is deeply dismayed by the station's unjustified three-month closure, which highlights the authorities' contempt for media and the thousands of people who were denied news broadcasts over several months.

Somalia

Somaliland reporter arrested, beaten in custody; two others released

While in custody, Abdirahman was beaten by four police officers with sticks and the butt of a gun until he lost consciousness, local journalists and news reports said.

Somalia

Radio station director murdered in Mogadishu

According to eyewitnesses, Abukar Hassan Mohamoud was murdered by two men armed with pistols who shot him five times at his Mogadishu home.

Ethiopia

Future of last remaining human rights monitoring NGO in the balance

Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19, CIVICUS, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project and Human Rights Watch call upon the Supreme Court to protect the rights of all human rights organisations to conduct their legitimate and essential work, including through unrestricted access to their funds.

Sudan

Newspaper suspended indefinitely, three other papers' print runs seized

ANHRI denounces "organised campaign aimed at silencing all voices opposed to the regime."

Sudan

Security forces seize independent daily's entire print run

Security forces raided the Khartoum headquarters of "al-Tayar" newspaper on 19 February and seized the paper's entire print run.

Somalia

NUSOJ condemns new communications law as a "licence to restrict" independent broadcasting and media freedom

NUSOJ believes that the legislative process was not sufficiently consultative, and expresses fears that the resultant legislation will be used to undermine independent broadcasting.

Somalia

Two more journalists arrested in continuing crackdown

Police accuse Mohamed Abdi Hassan and Hassan Omar Hassan of "spreading false news”, a standard charge by the authorities for the publication of news they do not like.

Burundi

Defence rights flouted in terrorism case involving RFI reporter

A reporter for Bonesha FM and RFI's Swahili-language service, Hassan Ruvakuki was arrested on 28 November 2011 after interviewing an alleged rebel group member.

Uganda

Minister shuts down rights workshop

LGBT group denied freedom of assembly, expression.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Radio Télévision Catholique, pro-opposition broadcasters allowed back on air

Three broadcasters are back on the air following a two-day suspension of their activities.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Catholic broadcaster shut down ahead of protest march

The closure order came one day before a planned protest march organised by Catholic church members to denounce election results.

Uganda

HRNJ-Uganda demands investigation of judge's conduct towards journalists

“Justice Mwonda takes it upon herself to systematically block the eyes and ears of the public under unclear circumstances; this conduct is an insult to the media and it greatly impedes our work,” said HRNJ-Uganda.

Uganda

Court acquits “Daily Monitor” editors

A Kampala court threw out forgery charges against managing editor Daniel Kalinaki and political editor Henry Ochieng.

Djibouti

Radio journalist threatened and tortured for 24 hours

Farah Abadid Hildid was previously detained and tortured twice in 2011, and in the first instance was held for more than four months on a charge of “participating in an insurrectional movement.”

Kenya

WiPC interview with Robert Wanyonyi on witnessing and reporting on crime

Cathal Sheerin of the Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International interviewed the journalist about reporting on an alleged massacre carried out by local police officers and the repercussions of his work.

Kenya

ARTICLE 19 publishes analysis of Freedom of Information Bill

The draft bill is a positive step in the process of guaranteeing the right to access to information, but ARTICLE 19 encourages the government to amend several problematic sections before it is enacted.

Somalia

NUSOJ outraged over live radio broadcast that exposed journalists to danger

Some journalists have been receiving death threats following the airing of an off-the-record discussions between the press and a military commander.

Somalia

Senior journalist murdered

Hassan Osman Abdi was shot dead in what some believe to be a targeted attack on the evening of 28 January 2012 as he arrived at his home in Madina district in Mogadishu.

Central African Republic

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.

Somalia

Information minister speaks out against NUSOJ's Annual Report

The information ministry denied the use of the repressive measures against journalists that NUSOJ highlighted in the report.

Ethiopia

Blogger risks death penalty as judge confirms charges

Eskinder Nega will stand trial in March for all of the terrorism accusations initially advanced by prosecutors, a federal high court judge ruled.

Ethiopia

CORRECTION: Death penalty for blogger, prison for journalists

The three journalists were charged in September with lending support to an underground network of banned opposition groups, which has been criminalized under the country's 2009 antiterrorism law.

Uganda

Police officer shoots at journalist

The officer shot at Isaac Kasamani as he took a photograph of a teargas canister thrown near Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye's car.

Central African Republic

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.

Uganda

Radio journalist attacked at gunpoint in front of his family

Though the motive of the attackers is as yet unclear, Gideon Tugume has reportedly been trailed by unknown individuals recently.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Community radio station back on air after three-month suspension

While the previous suspension was lifted, RCTK's director and journalists were warned to "respect the measures in place, or risk a definitive closure."

Uganda

Three journalists assaulted as police arrest opposition politicians

Michael Kigozi of Radio One, K-FM journalist Hadijah Mwanje and Nasser Kayanja of Radio Simba were assaulted by several individuals, including law enforcement officers.

Somalia

Al-Shabaab militant group conducts illegal raid on radio station, abducts journalist

Journalist Ayub Yusuf Dalmar was abducted during the takeover of Radio Afgoye while several pieces of equipment were taken from the station's studios.

Ethiopia

Journalists convicted under anti-terror legislation

Reyot Alemu, Wubshet Taye, and Elias Kifle could face the death penalty for calling for protest against the government in their writings.

Sudan

Two private newspapers shut down by authorities

Within two weeks, two independent and opposition newspapers, "Alwan" and "Rai al-Shaab", have been closed by security forces without explanation.

Somalia

TV station raided, journalists detained

Police raided HornCable TV in Hargeisa and forced its broadcasts off the air and then detained eight journalists who protested the raid.

Somalia

Journalists released

IFJ remains concerned about the media crackdown in the region and calls for the release of the four journalists still in detention.

Uganda

Police beat up journalist, delete photos and charge him with trespassing

Frank Ezaruk was covering a story about land in Manilamintwiea where people were evicted in 1920.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Newspapers suspended on alleged administrative violations

"Kisangani News" and "Journal de la paix" are accused of violating the 1996 media law; editors at both papers maintain the charges are political.

Somalia

Journalists detained, barred from traveling in Somaliland

Somaliland police arrested Abdqani Hassan Farah after he aired a news report about a clan meeting in the town of Taleh in the Sool region.

Democratic Republic of Congo

RFI returns to airwaves

The suspension of broadcasts by the station had aroused international protests, notably from France and the United States.

Uganda

HRNJ-Uganda condemns assault on journalist by police

Emmanuel Opio was assaulted by the Deputy Regional Police Commander while covering a story regarding the interrogation of four suspects by the police during a demonstration protesting lack of electricity in their region.

Somalia

Puntland authorities urged to explain detention of journalists

Security personnel in the port city of Bossasso arrested Radio Daljir producer Mohamed Ahmed and reporter Yusuf Ali as they were returning home from their night shift on 1 January.

Rwanda

Proposed media law fails to safeguard free press

ARTICLE 19 welcomes several improvements in the draft, but calls on the government to bring the law into full compliance with international legal standards on the right to freedom of expression.

Democratic Republic of Congo

RFI broadcasts suspended over election coverage

Authorities shut down broadcasts of the French government-funded station after it reported on opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi's staged swearing-in ceremony.

Sudan

Human Rights Watch calls for end to violence against peaceful protesters

Authorities were urged to immediately release detained activists, opposition members, and others arrested because of their political opinions, or charge them with appropriate crimes.