West Africa

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From the Communiqué

17 March 2010

Nigeria

Journalist almost killed by mourners; other journalists threatened by soldiers

A Nigerian radio journalist covering the mass funeral of victims of a 7 March massacre in villages in central Nigeria was brutally assaulted by mourners, report the Nigeria-based Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Journalists have also been harassed and intimidated by soldiers in the region, reports the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

10 March 2010

Liberia

Assaults on journalists and legal threats curb press freedom

Police brutality and legal action are the two greatest sources of attacks on journalists in Liberia, says the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP) in its 2009 report. Journalists and media workers also face death threats, detention and censorship.

3 March 2010

Côte d'Ivoire

Opposition protestors killed; media barred from reporting

Security forces fired on anti-government protesters in the city of Gagnoa, Ivory Coast, killing five and injuring several others on 19 February, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). French TV news station France 24 was suspended after its coverage of the incident and opposition newspapers have been threatened.

10 February 2010

Mauritania

Editor imprisoned for criticising military junta

In a move that surprised press freedom groups, a jailed Mauritanian editor of an online publication critical of the country's rulers was sentenced to a further two years in prison on 4 February, report the Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

18 November 2009

Gabon

Opposition press suspended; criticism of state pushed aside

A state-run media-monitoring body suspended six private newspapers and a television program in Gabon on 10 November in an effort to silence criticism of recent elections results and members of government, report IFEX members.

11 November 2009

Togo

Media groups protest repressive law

A draft law passed by the Togolese parliament on 30 October gives the state broadcasting council greater powers to impose severe sanctions against the media, reports the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). Ahead of elections, this coercive media law will restrict free and pluralistic debate.

Campaigns and Advocacy

27 January 2010

Ghana

Hundreds to march in support of Right to Information Bill

Apart from raising awareness, the march will highlight the need for a thorough revision of draft bill to ensure that it complies with international best practice standards.

6 January 2010

Senegal

ARTICLE 19 welcomes formation of national committee for adoption of a law on access to information

A committee that includes ARTICLE 19 will work with the local Transparency International chapter to ensure that the draft law is in line with international standards.

10 December 2009

Côte d'Ivoire

RSF reports on mission to Côte d'Ivoire

RSF visited Abidjan from 9 to 11 November 2009 to evaluate the current media situation and recommend measures to guarantee press freedom ahead of upcoming elections.

20 November 2009

Guinea

MFWA organises public forum on impunity

"Today in Guinea, if you invite any journalist to participate in any media discussion, he or she would not turn up for fear of being attacked by the soldiers," said a Guinean human rights lawyer during the forum.

30 October 2009

Mauritania

President meets with RSF delegation in official visit to Paris

"My aim is to encourage press freedom and freedom of expression for all Mauritanians," Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz told RSF.

28 October 2009

Cameroon

Help free imprisoned songwriter

Freemuse, a free expression organisation for musicians and composers, is asking for your support to help dissident singer/songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga. He was imprisoned in 2008 and fined US$640,000 for writing a song critical of Cameroonian President Paul Biya.