Africa

2011

  
An Ethiopian court has sentenced Swedish journalists Johan Persson (left) and Martin Schibbye to 11 years in prison. (AFP)

In Ethiopia, Swedish journalists handed prison terms

New York, December 27, 2011–In a highly politicized trial, two Swedish journalists have been sentenced in an Ethiopian court to 11-year jail terms after being convicted of supporting terrorism and entering the country illegally, according to news reports.

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How to survive in Tanzania’s press

There is one simple rule for survival in Tanzania’s media – whether you are an editor, reporter, columnist, printer, or even news vendor: don’t be critical. Thanks to repressive laws on Tanzania’s books, an article considered libelous by the state can get anyone in trouble, even prominent journalists such as Absalom Kibanda — the chairman…

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Tanzania Daima Managing Editor Absalom Kibanda has been charged with inciting police to subordinate. (IPP Media)

In Tanzania, two journalists charged with incitement

New York, December 22, 2011–Authorities in Tanzania have arrested and charged a columnist and an editor with inciting the police force to subordinate in connection with an editorial critical of the government, according to local journalists and news reports. The printer of the publication has also been summoned to court twice in relation to the…

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Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson could be sentenced to up to 18 years. (Reuters)

CPJ condemns trial of Swedish journalists in Ethiopia

New York, December 21, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns an Ethiopian court’s decision to convict two Swedish photojournalists today in what appears to be a politicized trial.

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Ethiopia must free convicted Swedish journalists

December 21, 2011–Today’s conviction of two Swedish journalists by an Ethiopian court is emblematic of Ethiopia’s increasing use of antiterrorism laws to persecute independent media, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

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Two Brazzaville weeklies suspended; CPJ seeks reversal

New York, December 20, 2011–Authorities in the Republic of Congo should immediately lift the months-long suspensions imposed last week against two private weeklies in reprisal for articles critical of government officials, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. 

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For journalists, coverage of political unrest proves deadly

Journalists die at high rates while covering protests in the Arab world and elsewhere. Photographers and freelancers appear vulnerable. Pakistan is again the deadliest nation. A CPJ special report

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Somali journalists carry the body of Abdisalan Sheikh Hassan of Horn Cable TV who was killed in December 2011. Fear of violence is one of the top reasons why journalists flee into exile. (AFP/Mohamed Abdiwahab)

Somali government should probe journalist’s murder

New York, December 19, 2011–Somali authorities must pursue all leads in investigating the murder on Sunday of a broadcast journalist who had reported receiving several recent threats. A gunman in a military uniform shot freelance reporter Abdisalan Sheikh Hassan, according to local and international reports.

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Reuters and The Associated Press are being investigated by authorities in South Africa for installing cameras pointed at Nelson Mandela's house, seen here. (AFP)

Criminal probe targets AP, Reuters cameras on Mandela

New York, December 16, 2011–South African authorities announced on Thursday the launch of a criminal probe against international news agencies The Associated Press and Reuters for installing cameras outside the home of anti-Apartheid figure Nelson Mandela, according to news reports.

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CPJ

In Nairobi, plans to improve aid to exiled journalists

Kassahun Yilma left Ethiopia quickly in December 2009. He didn’t have time to save money for the journey, choose a place to go, arrange housing or a job. He left his wife, his mother, his house and all his friends behind. Yilma didn’t know what lay ahead. He only knew that if he stayed, he…

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2011