Africa Archives - Page 7 of 12 - Committee to Protect Journalists

Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas participates in disguise on a panel at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day event in Accra, Ghana, on May 3, 2018. One month later, Ghanaian member of parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, has been threatening Anas and those perceived as close to his undercover investigative film about corruption and football in Ghana. (CPJ/Jonathan Rozen)

In Ghana, investigative film crew faces death threats, harassment

June 4, 2018 5:57 PM EDT

New York, June 4, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Ghanaian member of parliament Kennedy Agyapong to stop threatening investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and those perceived as close to his undercover investigative film, “Number 12,” about corruption and football in Ghana.

People wait in a line to cast their votes in the presidential election at a polling station in Hargeisa, Somaliland, on November 13, 2017. Somaliland authorities in late May 2018 detained two journalists and banned two TV stations. (AFP)

Somaliland arrests journalists, bans TV stations

June 1, 2018 12:04 PM EDT

Nairobi, June 1, 2018–Authorities in the breakaway region of Somaliland should desist from detaining and harassing journalists covering a conflict with Puntland and lift an operations ban on two television stations, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Protesters march against government corruption in Nairobi on the 53rd anniversary of Kenya's independence on December 12, 2016. Kenyan authorities arrested blogger Cyprian Nyakundi on May 14, 2018, after his posts on alleged official corruption, and released him three days later. (AP/Ben Curtis)

Kenyan authorities arrest blogger after posts on alleged official corruption

May 30, 2018 5:11 PM EDT

Kenyan blogger Cyprian Nyakundi was arrested on May 14, 2018, on allegations of publishing “alarming” content about senior civil servants, according to court documents seen by the Committee to Protect Journalists. He was released on May 17 following the intervention of the director of public prosecutions, the blogger and one of his lawyers, Smith Otieno,…

A woman casts her ballot in general elections at a polling station in the village of Nyakosoba, Lesotho, on June 3, 2017. Lesotho's Constitutional Court declared criminal defamation unconstitutional on May 21, 2018. (Gianluigi Guercia/AFP)

Lesotho Constitutional Court declares criminal defamation unconstitutional

May 22, 2018 4:04 PM EDT

New York, May 22, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed yesterday’s ruling by Lesotho’s Constitutional Court that criminal defamation is unconstitutional, calling it a significant step toward safeguarding press freedom in the country.

A soldier stands outside Garowe prison as prisoners stand behind the locked gate in Garowe, Puntland, in northeastern Somalia, on December 14, 2016. Puntland authorities detained a journalist without charge on May 4, 2018. (Reuters/Feisal Omar)

Puntland authorities detain journalist without charge

May 18, 2018 12:31 PM EDT

Nairobi, May 18, 2018–Authorities in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in Somalia, should immediately release journalist Ibrahim Obo Daud, also known as Suldan Godogodo, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Ibrahim was arrested on May 4 in Garowe, the administrative capital of Puntland, according to Media Association of Puntland (MAP) chairman Mohamed Dahir and Bashir…

A demonstration calling for LGBT rights in Trinidad and Tobago on April 12. Journalists covering LGBTQ issues say they often face retaliation for their work. (Reuters/Andrea de Silva)

Covering LGBTQ issues brings risk of threats and retaliation for journalists and their sources

May 17, 2018 10:00 AM EDT

To mark the annual International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, CPJ spoke with journalists and news outlets based in Argentina, Iran, Indonesia, the U.S., Uganda, and Russia, about the challenges they face reporting on LGBTQ issues.

A man fixes Gambia's flag on Feburary 16, 2017, during preparations for the swearing-in ceremony for Gambia's new president, Adama Barrow. Gambia's Supreme Court decided on May 9, 2018, to declare criminal defamation unconstitutional, but upheld segments of the country's criminal code on sedition and false news, according to reports. (Reuters/Thierry Gouegnon)

Gambia declares criminal defamation unconstitutional, keeps some laws on sedition, false news

May 10, 2018 4:05 PM EDT

Nairobi, May 10, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the Gambian Supreme Court’s decision yesterday to declare criminal defamation unconstitutional, but is dismayed that segments of the country’s criminal code on sedition and false news were upheld.

A banner of Tanzanian President John Magufuli adorns a wall around the country's tanzanite mines. Magufuli's government has imposed a series of restrictions on rights, including freedom of expression. (AFP/Joseph Lyimo)

CPJ joins call for Tanzanian government to respect human rights

May 10, 2018 3:25 PM EDT

CPJ, along with 64 other non-governmental organizations, today wrote to Tanzanian President John Magufuli to express concern about a worrying decline in the respect of human rights, including freedom of expression.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta inspects an honor guard in Nairobi on May 2, 2018. CPJ calls on Kenyatta not to sign a cybercrime bill passed by Parliament. (Reuters/Thomas Mukoya)

Kenyan president should not sign cybercrime bill into law

May 10, 2018 11:40 AM EDT

Nairobi, May 10, 2018 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta not to sign into law a cybercrimes bill that was recently passed by the National Assembly because it will stifle press freedom.

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza speaks during the launch ceremony on May 2, 2018, for the a constitutional referendum scheduled for May 17 that would allow him to remain in power for another 16 years. Burundian authorities today suspended the licensing for BBC and VOA, according to reports. (AFP/STR)

Burundi media regulator suspends BBC and VOA, warns other broadcasters

May 7, 2018 5:37 PM EDT

Nairobi, May 7, 2018–Authorities in Burundi should immediately lift a six-month licensing suspension imposed on radio broadcasts of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Voice of America (VOA), the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Burundi’s National Communication Council (CNC), the media industry regulator, on May 4 accused the two stations of breaching the country’s…