Committee to Protect Journalists - African Union tag:cpj.org,2008-09-16://1 2013-05-16T21:41:33Z Movable Type 4.38 At AU summit, Kerry should speak out for a free press tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21757 2013-05-16T21:00:33Z 2013-05-16T21:41:33Z Dear Mr. Secretary: We are writing to bring to your attention the deteriorating state of press freedom in Ethiopia, where you will attend this year's African Union Summit. A vibrant press and civil society is fundamental to hold governments accountable and to ensure long-term development and stability. As we mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, we ask that you include the issue of press freedom in your discussion of the challenges that Africa will face in the next half-century. Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ calls on African Union to uphold press freedom tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21649 2013-05-02T18:40:00Z 2013-05-02T18:53:10Z Dear Chairperson Zuma: We ask that you mark World Press Freedom Day, May 3, 2013, by calling for the release of all journalists imprisoned in Africa and appealing for justice in the murders of journalists killed in the line of duty. Committee to Protect Journalists

]]> Obama should raise press freedom in Africa food talks tag:cpj.org,2012://1.19367 2012-05-16T18:24:51Z 2012-05-16T18:54:07Z New York, May 16, 2012--President Obama should acknowledge the role that independent news reporting plays in assessing agricultural challenges and facilitating the response to famine, the Committee to Protect Journalists stated in a letter to the White House. Ethiopia in particular downplays the extent of food crises and undermines the ability of donor nations and aid groups to help by denying journalists access to sensitive areas and censoring independent coverage. Committee to Protect Journalists Attacks on the Press: Development Trumps Freedom tag:cpj.org,2012://1.17651 2012-02-22T04:32:01Z 2012-02-21T01:45:07Z Many African leaders continue to offer a false choice between stability and press freedom. Taking a cue from China, a key investor and model, they stress social stability and development over openness and reform. By Mohamed Keita... Committee to Protect Journalists Civil unrest grips downtown Kampala. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said journalists who covered the protests were 'enemies' of the country's development. (AP/Stephen Wandera)

Many African leaders continue to offer a false choice between stability and press freedom. Taking a cue from China, a key investor and model, they stress social stability and development over openness and reform. By Mohamed Keita

]]> Attacks on the Press 2007: Africa Analysis tag:216.139.245.96,2008://1.6711 2008-02-05T17:10:00Z 2009-04-06T21:17:22Z When Press Freedom and Democracy Are Out of StepBy Tom RhodesBallots may have replaced bullets in much of Africa since the dawn of this new century, but one of the great political ironies for at least part of the continent has been a loss of press freedom following the voting.... Committee to Protect Journalists When Press Freedom and Democracy Are Out of Step
By Tom Rhodes

Ballots may have replaced bullets in much of Africa since the dawn of this new century, but one of the great political ironies for at least part of the continent has been a loss of press freedom following the voting. Leaders in a large swath of sub-Saharan Africa have drawn approving nods from Western politicians for holding sometimes unprecedented elections. Three such countries are the Gambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Ethiopia. All have democratically elected presidents and Western support. Yet between them they hold the unenviable record of placing at or near the top of CPJ's 2007 list of the world's worst backsliders on press freedom.
]]> CPJ asks AU head to uphold press freedom tag:216.139.245.96,2008://1.2210 2008-01-30T17:00:00Z 2008-09-15T18:49:05Z Your Excellency, On the eve of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Committee to Protect Journalists urges the AU to actively defend and uphold press freedom across the continent. CPJ calls on your office to strengthen AU institutions dedicated to supporting press freedom, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and the African Peer Review Mechanism, and remind states of their obligation to uphold press freedom as part of their membership in the union. Committee to Protect Journalists

H.E. Alpha Oumar Konaré
President of the Commission of the African Union
African Union Headquarters
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Via facsimile (251)11 551 3036

Your Excellency,

On the eve of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Committee to Protect Journalists urges the AU to actively defend and uphold press freedom across the continent. CPJ calls on your office to strengthen AU institutions dedicated to supporting press freedom, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and the African Peer Review Mechanism, and remind states of their obligation to uphold press freedom as part of their membership in the union.

]]> African leaders urged to defend press freedom tag:216.139.245.96,2006://1.2099 2006-06-30T16:00:00Z 2009-04-23T21:21:48Z Your Excellency, The Committee to Protect Journalists urges you as chairman of the African Union to discuss with your fellow heads of state and government at your summit in the Gambian capital, Banjul, from July 1, the need to defend press freedom on the continent. Committee to Protect Journalists June 30, 2006

H.E. Denis Sassou-Nguesso
Chairman of the African Union and President of the Republic of Congo
C/o the Embassy of the Republic of Congo
4891 Colorado Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20011

Fax: (202) 726-1860

Your Excellency,

The Committee to Protect Journalists urges you as chairman of the African Union to discuss with your fellow heads of state and government at your summit in the Gambian capital, Banjul, from July 1, the need to defend press freedom on the continent.
]]> Attacks on the Press 2004: Ivory Coast tag:216.139.245.96,2005://1.6950 2005-03-14T16:27:00Z 2005-03-14T17:00:00Z Ivory Coast Although legislation passed at the end of 2004 eliminated criminal penalties for most press offenses, journalists in Ivory Coast face much more immediate and dangerous threats, including harassment and violence, amid the political tension and uncertainty that have engulfed the country since civil war began in 2002. Serious... Committee to Protect Journalists Ivory Coast

Although legislation passed at the end of 2004 eliminated criminal penalties for most press offenses, journalists in Ivory Coast face much more immediate and dangerous threats, including harassment and violence, amid the political tension and uncertainty that have engulfed the country since civil war began in 2002. Serious attacks on the press have occurred in both the government-controlled south and the rebel-held north.
]]> CPJ urges AU to promote press freedom tag:216.139.245.96,2003://1.1744 2003-07-08T16:00:00Z 2008-09-18T15:42:23Z Your Excellency, On the eve of the Assembly of Heads of State at the African Union (AU) summit in Maputo, Mozambique, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is writing to express deep concern over the state of press freedom in Africa. Committee to Protect Journalists
On the eve of the Assembly of Heads of State at the African Union (AU) summit in Maputo, Mozambique, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is writing to express deep concern over the state of press freedom in Africa.

We are dismayed that the issue of press freedom does not appear on the conference agenda. Outgoing AU chairperson, South African president Thabo Mbeki, recently stated that a principal responsibility of the organization is "to ensure that the entirety of our continent enjoys peace, stability and democracy." But as long as journalists' rights are suppressed, and they are not free to report on official injustices, such as corruption and other hindrances to development, the AU will not be able to fulfill its mandate.
]]> Attacks on the Press 2002: Africa Analysis tag:cpj.org,2003://1.7163 2003-03-31T17:10:53Z 2009-05-08T13:50:15Z Although the Kenya-based East African Standard, one of Africa's oldest continuously published newspapers, marked its 100th anniversary in November, journalism remains a difficult profession on the continent, with adverse government policies and multifaceted economic woes still undermining the full development of African media.... Yves Sorokobi East African Standard, one of Africa's oldest continuously published newspapers, marked its 100th anniversary in November, journalism remains a difficult profession on the continent, with adverse government policies and multifaceted economic woes still undermining the full development of African media.]]> CPJ urges group to guarantee press freedom tag:216.139.245.96,2002://1.1630 2002-08-12T16:00:00Z 2008-10-02T19:21:17Z Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is concerned that the constitution of the new African Union (AU) does not protect the right to press freedom. In fact, the language of this new constitution marks a significant setback for press freedom and freedom of expression in Africa, both of which were enshrined in the constitution of the Organization of African Unity, the precursor to the AU. Committee to Protect Journalists August 12, 2002
His Excellency Amara Essy
Secretary General
African Union
African Union Headquarters
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Via facsimile: 251-1-51-2622/3036
Your Excellency:

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is concerned that the constitution of the new African Union (AU) does not protect the right to press freedom. In fact, the language of this new constitution marks a significant setback for press freedom and freedom of expression in Africa, both of which were enshrined in the constitution of the Organization of African Unity, the precursor to the AU.
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