Guinea-Bissau



From the Communiqué

4 March 2009

MILITARY SILENCES MEDIA FOLLOWING MURDERS OF PRESIDENT AND ARMY HEAD

Privately-owned radio stations in the tiny west African country Guinea-Bissau were ordered to stop broadcasting following the assassination of the President and the army's Chief of Staff, report the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
11 September 2007

AUTHORITIES HARASS PRESS OVER REPORTS ON DRUG TRADE

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Amnesty International have called on Guinea-Bissau President Joao Bernardo Vieira to stop official harassment of journalists reporting on drug trafficking in the West African country.
6 November 2001

GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN NEWSPAPERS AS UN VOICES CONCERN

Amidst concerns expressed by the United Nations Security Council over the political situation in Guinea-Bissau, the government has ordered two independent newspapers to shut down operations, report the West African Journalist's Association (WAJA) and Reporters sans frontières (RSF). In a public statement released on 29 October, WAJA condemned the decision to close down "Diario de Bissau" and "Gazeta de Noticias" and urged the government to "work towards defusing the destructive atmosphere that predominates in the country." WAJA added that the government may also close down two independent radio stations – "Radio Pindjiguiti" and "Bombolom".

Alerts

Armed forces briefly silence broadcast media after murder of president and chief of staff 6 March 2009 Journalist detained briefly, interrogated by intelligence services following publication of article on army's involvement in police force promotions 14 March 2008 Journalist intimidated and threatened with death following reports on drug trafficking 17 January 2008 Journalist faces charges for reporting on soldiers' alleged involvement in drug trafficking 5 September 2007 IFJ calls for concrete actions for the security of journalists covering drug trafficking 20 August 2007 Four journalists in hiding for fear of being arrested as army cracks down following coverage of drug trafficking 3 August 2007 IFJ condemns threats against two journalists covering drug trafficking 23 July 2007 Police prevent journalist from taking photographs 20 July 2007 Presidential press secretary threatens to close radio station 19 April 2007 President's supporters besiege radio station, force journalist to disclose source 5 December 2006 Radio journalist assaulted and forced off the air 12 March 2003 Authorities close Radio Bombolom FM permanently 3 March 2003 CPJ alarmed by closure of independent radio broadcaster 27 February 2003 Authorities shut down opposition radio station 18 February 2003 Portuguese television station RTP barred from broadcasting 3 December 2002 CPJ disturbed by recent arrests of two journalists 28 June 2002 Imprisoned journalist begins hunger strike, subsequently released 20 June 2002 Two journalists arrested by state prosecutor's order 16 November 2001 RSF protests closure of two private newspapers 5 November 2001

Reports

Freedom of the Press 2007: Guinea-Bissau 27 February 2008
 
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