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Alert

TV journalist Fana Soumah suspended indefinitely for allegedly "broadcasting false information"

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 5 April 2009, the management of the state-owned Radio Television Guinéenne (RTG) suspended newscaster Fana Soumah, for allegedly "broadcasting false information".

Media Foundation for West Africa's (MFWA) correspondent reported that, in a memo, Alpha Kabinet Doumbaya, the managing director of RTG said the journalist had committed a "grave mistake" and was therefore "suspended until further notice".

The correspondent said Soumah, the host of a popular evening programme, L'Invité, featured Amadou Mouctar Baldé, a government official, to discuss the hundred days of the military regime of Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara. After the programme, the authorities relieved him of his duties for allegedly "broadcasting false information".

Soumah has however, condemned the decision of the management. He said he did not commit any "professional mistake" and that by asking questions, he only did his job as a journalist.

MFWA calls on the management of RTG to immediately reinstate Soumah as his suspension is arbitrary and casts a shadow on the exercise of the fundamental and constitutionally-guaranteed right of media freedom and freedom of expression in Guinea.