Gabon

2009

  

CPJ condemns suspension of six newspapers in Gabon

New York, November 12, 2009—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the suspension of six private newspapers by the government-controlled media-monitoring body, the National Communications Council, in Gabon. The council announced the suspensions, which range from one to three months, on Tuesday evening on state-run TV. The papers have been suspended for “violating the ethics of journalism”…

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Gabon’s bloggers struggle to take hold

It’s been a couple of weeks since I left Gabon, and a month since elections to pick a successor to Omar Bongo, who ruled Africa’s fourth-largest oil producer for 41 years. There are unresolved questions about the ballot count and the number of people killed in post-election violence. 

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Soldiers guard Gabon's election commission. (AFP/Getty)

Gabonese media under attack since election

New York, September 3, 2009–Five journalists and a TV station covering Gabon’s disputed presidential election, which has already been marred by media censorship, have been attacked since Wednesday, according to local journalists and news reports. Official results announced today declared Ali Ben Bongo–son of Omar Bongo, the late 41-year ruler of the oil-rich, equatorial nation–the…

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An election rally in Gabon. (AFP)

Gabon election marred by media censorship

New York, September 1, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Gabonese government censorship and restrictions on media coverage of Sunday’s presidential elections, including denials of accreditation to at least four international journalists.

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Gabon targets media over coverage of Bongo’s health

New York, May 27, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the government of Gabon’s crackdown on independent media coverage of President Omar Bongo’s hospitalization and potential succession issues. Bongo, Africa’s longest-serving head of state, has been in a Spanish hospital since earlier this month amid conflicting reports about his condition.

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A French lawsuit challenges the assets of Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang, Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso, and Gabonese President Omar Bongo. (AFP)

Ossébi’s byline missing as sensitive case moves forward

A French judge on Tuesday authorized an anti-corruption group to pursue a complaint that questions how the leaders of three oil-rich, central African nations amassed their personal assets. One byline was absent in news media coverage: Bruno Ossébi, an online Congolese columnist and one of the few local journalists who had covered the sensitive issue.…

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Republic of Congo Special Report: From a Fatal Fire, Many Questions

Bruno Jacquet Ossébi, a Franco-Congolese journalist known for outspoken coverage of government corruption in the Republic of Congo, dies after a mysterious fire burns down his house. By Mohamed Keita with reporting by Sarah Turbeaux

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Republic of Congo Audio Report: From a Fatal Fire, Many Questions

In our special report, “From a Fatal Fire, Many Questions,” CPJ’s Mohamed Keita and Sarah Turbeaux examine the mysterious death of Bruno Jacquet Ossébi, a Franco-Congolese journalist. Here, Keita describes a sensitive lawsuit against three African leaders that Ossébi had covered in his writings. Listen to the mp3 on the player above, or right click here…

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Gabon media silent on French freezing president’s assets

News that a judge in France froze the private bank accounts of Gabon’s President Omar Bongo was all over the international media but barely a word appeared in the national press.

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Attacks on the Press in 2008: Africa Developments

Angola | Burundi Central African Republic| Chad | Gabon| Gambia | Ghana | Guinea | Ivory Coast | Lesotho | Nigeria | Republic of Congo| Sierra Leone | South Africa | Togo ANGOLA • Three journalists for national state broadcaster Rádio Nacional de Angola were suspended indefinitely in October after questioning President José dos Santos’…

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2009