Africa
2018
In Ethiopia, driver for news crew dies from injuries after attack
Nairobi, July 23, 2017–Authorities in Ethiopia should investigate an attack on a news crew from the state-owned Dire Dawa Mass Media Agency that led to the death of the crew’s driver, Suleiman Mahamed, and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Guinean journalist detained on defamation charges
Guinean authorities arrested journalist Saliou Diallo in the country’s capital, Conakry, on June 19, 2018, and detained him in the city’s central prison on defamation charges, according to his lawyer, Moussa Diallo, who is unrelated to the journalist.
Nigerian Broadcasting Commission closes Ekiti state radio and TV
New York, July 18, 2018–The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the federal government-run broadcast regulator, should immediately permit the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) to reopen, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 14, police acting on the order of the NBC evacuated the state government-owned radio and television broadcaster and locked its…
Republic of Congo releases Bemba after nearly 18 months without charge
New York, July 3, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed the release after nearly 18 months in prison without charge of Ghys Fortuné Dombé Bemba, editor of the privately owned newspaper Talassa, in Brazzaville. CPJ urged authorities in the Republic of Congo not to pursue further legal action against him and to ensure that…
Ethiopia allows access to over 260 blocked websites
New York, June 22, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed the Ethiopian government’s decision to allow access to 264 websites, including news outlets and blogs, that were blocked in the country. In a tweet today, Fitsum Arega, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s chief of staff, said that the sites included the diaspora outlets Oromia Media…
Somaliland bans operations of privately owned newspaper
New York, June 21, 2018–Authorities in the breakaway state of Somaliland should immediately lift a ban on the operations of Waaberi newspaper, a privately owned daily, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. A Hargeisa regional court issued an order suspending the newspaper on June 19 on allegations of improper registration, according to a statement…
Ethiopian photojournalist shares experiences of going into exile
For World Refugee Day, exiled Ethiopian photojournalist Aziza Mohamed spoke with CPJ Journalist Assistance Program Coordinator Nicole Schilit about her experience of being a refugee and eventually being resettled in the U.S. [This transcript of Aziza’s comments has been edited for length and clarity.]
Nigerian president Buhari must ensure release of journalist Jones Abiri
The Committee to Protect Journalists and 20 other organizations call for the release of journalist Jones Abiri, who has been held by Nigeria’s Department of State Security (DSS) for nearly two years, and the DSS to be held accountable for its attacks against journalists in Nigeria.
Ugandan president, officials verbally attack and threaten media
Nairobi, June 18, 2018–Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni should stop making statements that denigrate and threaten the press, and ensure that his government does not take actions that conflate journalism with terrorism or national security threats, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Tanzania forces forums, blogs, and streaming websites to comply with draconian regulations
Nairobi, June 12, 2018– Authorities in Tanzania should immediately rescind regulations that force online forums, blogs, and streaming websites to register with the government–a process that requires them to pay large entry fees and comply with draconian regulations–and withdraw threats of legal action for noncompliance, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.