Committee to Protect Journalists - Africa 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 Ethiopian editor questioned over story on Meles' widow tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21721 2013-05-15T20:08:59Z 2013-05-16T14:08:05Z New York, May 15, 2013--Ethiopian police in Addis Ababa questioned an editor for several hours today in connection with a story published in October about the widow of the late Ethiopian leader Meles Zenawi, according to news reports.... Committee to Protect Journalists A journalist is being harassed in connection with a seven-month-old story about Azeb Mesfin, seen here with her husband, the late leader Meles Zenawi. (AP/Samson Haileyesus)

New York, May 15, 2013--Ethiopian police in Addis Ababa questioned an editor for several hours today in connection with a story published in October about the widow of the late Ethiopian leader Meles Zenawi, according to news reports.

]]> Cameroon shuts down station over secessionist interview tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21686 2013-05-13T20:13:53Z 2013-05-14T16:50:35Z New York, May 13, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the closure of an independent radio station on April 22 in retaliation for its broadcast of an interview that authorities said incited secessionism.... Committee to Protect Journalists The staff of Foundation Radio (Fomunyoh Foundation)

New York, May 13, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the closure of an independent radio station on April 22 in retaliation for its broadcast of an interview that authorities said incited secessionism.

]]> CPJ urges President Zuma to block secrecy bill tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21678 2013-05-12T21:45:33Z 2013-05-12T21:53:08Z Dear President Zuma: We are writing to express our concern about South Africa's Protection of State Information Bill and join with civil society organizations in your country in urging you to send the bill back to the National Assembly for further revision when it comes to you for confirmation. Committee to Protect Journalists Malian army expels French journalist from Gao tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21674 2013-05-09T14:58:55Z 2013-05-09T15:23:59Z A French freelance reporter has said she was expelled from the city of Gao after reporting on allegations of human rights abuses in a nearby town, according to news reports.... Committee to Protect Journalists A French freelance reporter has said she was expelled from the city of Gao after reporting on allegations of human rights abuses in a nearby town, according to news reports.

]]> Zimbabwe journalists charged after military-MDC story tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21668 2013-05-08T18:23:41Z 2013-05-08T18:29:02Z Committee to Protect Journalists Cape Town, South Africa, May 8, 2013--Police in Harare have filed criminal charges against two Zimbabwean journalists on accusations they published "false statements prejudicial to the state" in a story about behind-the-scenes discussions between military leaders and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. 

]]> 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

]]> In Eskinder case, politicized verdict undermines Ethiopia tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21647 2013-05-02T15:31:33Z 2013-05-02T15:46:05Z Committee to Protect Journalists New York, May 2, 2013---In response to today's ruling by Ethiopia's Supreme Court to uphold an 18-year prison sentence imposed on award-winning journalist Eskinder Nega and reject his appeal, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: 

"This ruling trivializes the serious crime of terrorism, upholds a politically motivated travesty of justice, and lessens Ethiopia's international standing," CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita said. "As a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council, Ethiopia should comply with its obligations under international law and its own constitution and release Eskinder unconditionally. The persecution of Eskinder and other journalists is the hallmark of a regime fearful of the opinions of its citizens."

]]> Somaliland official says media owner attacked by police tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21639 2013-04-30T21:42:43Z 2013-04-30T22:13:51Z New York, April 30, 2013--A senior administration official in Somaliland has said that police officers were the perpetrators of an April 24 attack on the owner of a media network, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in the semi-autonomous republic to conduct a... Committee to Protect Journalists Mohamed Ahmed Jama's arm was broken in the attack. (Hubaal Media Network)

New York, April 30, 2013--A senior administration official in Somaliland has said that police officers were the perpetrators of an April 24 attack on the owner of a media network, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in the semi-autonomous republic to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice.

Two masked gunmen burst into the offices of the critical independent daily Hubaal in the capital, Hargeisa, at around 11:30 p.m. as the paper's employees were proofreading the next day's issue, according to local journalists and news reports. One assailant fired at least once at Mohamed Ahmed Jama, but missed, the reports said. Mohamed is the owner and manager of the Hubaal Media Network, which publishes Hubaal and the English daily The Independent, according to Hubaal Editor-in-Chief Hassan Hussein Abdillahi. Mohamed is also the manager of both papers.

]]> Swaziland must overturn editor's 2-year sentence, fine tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21594 2013-04-23T21:01:12Z 2013-04-23T21:04:45Z New York, April 23, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Swaziland's appeals court to overturn last week's conviction of an editor for "contempt by scandalizing the court" in relation to two articles criticizing the country's chief justice.... Committee to Protect Journalists New York, April 23, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Swaziland's appeals court to overturn last week's conviction of an editor for "contempt by scandalizing the court" in relation to two articles criticizing the country's chief justice.

]]> Burundi Senate passes harsh amendments to press law tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21592 2013-04-23T14:43:14Z 2013-04-23T14:54:57Z New York, April 23, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the passage in the Senate of highly restrictive amendments to Burundi's Press Law and calls on President Pierre Nkurunziza to reject the bill when it comes to him for confirmation.... Committee to Protect Journalists New York, April 23, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the passage in the Senate of highly restrictive amendments to Burundi's Press Law and calls on President Pierre Nkurunziza to reject the bill when it comes to him for confirmation.

]]> Authorities must investigate murder of Somali journalist tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21588 2013-04-22T20:34:05Z 2013-04-22T20:40:55Z Nairobi, April 22, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Somali authorities to keep their promise to prosecute journalists' killers by investigating the murder of Mohamed Ibrahim Raage. Two unidentified gunmen shot Mohamed around 5:30 p.m. Sunday near his home in Mogadishu's Dharkenley district, according to local journalists.... Committee to Protect Journalists Mourners carry the coffin of Somali journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Raage in Jazira on the outskirts of Mogadishu on Monday. (AFP/Mohamed Abdiwahab)

Nairobi, April 22, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Somali authorities to keep their promise to prosecute journalists' killers by investigating the murder of Mohamed Ibrahim Raage. Two unidentified gunmen shot Mohamed around 5:30 p.m. Sunday near his home in Mogadishu's Dharkenley district, according to local journalists.

]]> Ethiopia transfers editor Woubshet Taye to remote prison tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21586 2013-04-22T17:04:37Z 2013-04-22T19:22:33Z New York, April 22, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists protests Ethiopian authorities' transfer of independent newspaper editor Woubshet Taye to a remote prison several hours away from his family's home. Woubshet has been imprisoned since June 2011 on vague terrorism charges that CPJ has determined to be unsubstantiated.... Committee to Protect Journalists (Awramba Times)

New York, April 22, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists protests Ethiopian authorities' transfer of independent newspaper editor Woubshet Taye to a remote prison several hours away from his family's home. Woubshet has been imprisoned since June 2011 on vague terrorism charges that CPJ has determined to be unsubstantiated.

]]> Two investigative journalists threatened in Kenya tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21581 2013-04-19T19:31:15Z 2013-04-19T20:14:35Z Nairobi, April 19, 2013--Two investigative journalists have reported receiving death threats in Kenya shortly after airing a story suggesting foul play in a government official's death, according to news reports and local journalists.... Committee to Protect Journalists Ali and Namu are threatened after suggesting foul play in a government official's death. (The Standard)

Nairobi, April 19, 2013--Two investigative journalists have reported receiving death threats in Kenya shortly after airing a story suggesting foul play in a government official's death, according to news reports and local journalists.

]]> Nigerian journalists could face life in jail on forgery charges tag:cpj.org,2013://1.21580 2013-04-19T19:13:47Z 2013-04-19T20:15:22Z Lagos, Nigeria, April 19, 2013--Two Nigerian journalists and their employer have been charged with forgery in connection with their publication of a memo reported to be from President Goodluck Jonathan, according to news reports. If convicted, the journalists could face life terms.... Committee to Protect Journalists Two journalists with a daily paper in Nigeria have been charged with forgery. (Courtesy Leadership)

Lagos, Nigeria, April 19, 2013--Two Nigerian journalists and their employer have been charged with forgery in connection with their publication of a memo reported to be from President Goodluck Jonathan, according to news reports. If convicted, the journalists could face life terms.

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