New York, October 26, 2009—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned that the prosecution of Jean Bosco Gasasira, editor-in-chief of the Rwandan bimonthly Umuvugizi, on criminal defamation charges has been politicized and the outcome predetermined.
Committee to Protect Journalists
Rwanda
CPJ sat down recently with the Rwandan minister of information, Louise Mushikiwabo, who spoke of several media developments, including a new press law. “I am convinced the new legislation will help professionalize our media—there were many holes in the former law,” she told CPJ. Some, however, do not share her enthusiasm.
Using their cell phones, Africans are avid consumers of electronic information. For reporters, text messaging is an essential tool. It's a brave (and risky) new world.
By Tom Rhodes
On paper, Rwanda had more private newspapers and radio stations than at any
point in its history. In practice, independent news coverage was minimal due to business woes and government intimidation. One critical editor was forced to flee the country, and a second was deported. Legislation pending in late year would stiffen accreditation requirements and force journalists to reveal sources in court.
Reports
| Afghanistan, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, France, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Rwanda, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Syria, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe
More than 80 journalists flee their home countries in the last year. Iraq and Somalia are the hardest hit. By Elisbeth Witchel and Karen Phillips
Dear Mr. President: As an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to upholding the principles of press freedom worldwide, we would like to express our concern about the increasing intimidation by your government of Rwanda's independent media in the run-up to parliamentary elections scheduled for later this year.
New York, March 21, 2008—The founder and editor of the private bimonthly newspaper Umuco went into hiding Tuesday, a day before a police raid on his residence in Kigali. A police statement said Bonaventure Bizumuremyi faces prosecution on defamation charges for “insulting the president.” Police spokesman Willy Higiro made an...
Reports
| Algeria, Benin, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mexico, Missing, Nepal, Russia, Rwanda, Serbia, Uganda, Ukraine
CPJ research indicates that the following journalists have disappeared while doing their work. Although some of them are feared dead, no bodies have been found, and they are therefore not classified as "Killed." If a journalist disappeared after being held in government custody, CPJ classifies him or her as "Imprisoned"...
Tension remained high between the independent news media and President Paul Kagame’s government in the run-up to the 2008 parliamentary elections. Authorities summarily closed two private newspapers, stripped critical newspapers of vital advertising revenue, and jailed one journalist and harassed others in response to critical coverage. The bloody legacy of...
Newspaper publisher released after year in prison CASE UPDATE JANUARY 19, 2008 Original alert: April 20, 2007 Posted January 25, 2008 Agnès Nkusi-Uwimana, Umurabyo...
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