Angolan journalists continue to face criminal insult and defamation proceedings
New York, June 30, 2022 – Angolan authorities should drop criminal defamation and insult investigations into journalists Escrivão José, Óscar Constantino, and Fernando Caetano and ensure that investigative journalism is not criminalized, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. The three journalists each told CPJ that they are facing ongoing legal processes over criminal defamation…
Angolan security forces attack journalists covering evictions in Luanda
On April 13, 2022, military and police officers in the Angolan capital of Luanda prevented reporters Daniel Fernandes and Romão De Jesus from reporting on the demolition of homes to make way for a new airport in the city, according to media reports and both journalists, who spoke to CPJ by phone and message app….
Angolan journalists questioned in criminal defamation complaint over gun trafficking report
Two reporters, José Kalembe and Diamantino Sangueve from the Catholic Church-run Radio Ecclésia Huambo, and its director, Father Alberto Java, were questioned by Angolan police on January 6 and 26 as part of a criminal defamation and insult complaint following a report about a local police commandant’s alleged dealings in arms trafficking, according to the…
Angolan public media journalists assaulted, branded ‘sellouts’ while covering nationwide strike
New York, January 18, 2022 – Angolan authorities should ensure the safety of journalists covering protests and investigate recent incidents of assault, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 10, six reporters working for news outlets TV Zimbo and TV Palanca were assaulted by unidentified people and forced to flee to safety while…
Angolan editor Carlos Alberto sentenced to fine, 2 years in prison over coverage of land deal
New York, September 17, 2021 – Angolan authorities should not contest the appeal of journalist Carlos Alberto against his prison sentence and fine, and should stop pursuing criminal defamation cases against members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 13, the Luanda Provincial Court convicted Alberto, editor of the online…
Angolan police detain Wizi-Kongo editor Jeremias Kaboco
On July 1, 2021, Angolan police detained Jeremias Kaboco, editor of privately owned news website Wizi-Kongo, in the northern city of Uige while he was covering a protest by teachers demanding unpaid wages, according to reports and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ via a messaging app call. Kaboco told CPJ the officers forced him…
Angola charges 2 more journalists with criminal defamation over corruption reporting
New York, July 1, 2021—Angolan authorities should drop criminal defamation charges against journalists Coque Mukuta and Escrivão José, stop pursuing such cases against the press, and ensure that journalism is not criminalized, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 17, Angolan judicial authorities charged Coque Mukuta, editor of privately owned news website O Decreto and…
Angolan editors questioned in separate criminal defamation investigations
New York, June 4, 2021 — Angolan authorities must drop criminal defamation investigations into journalists and reform sections of the country’s penal code that criminalize reporting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Between May 18 and May 24, the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) in Luanda, the capital, questioned Lucas Pedro, editor of privately-owned news…
Angola suspends 3 TV channels for alleged improper registration
New York, May 14, 2021 — Angola’s government should allow the television channels Record TV Africa, Vida TV, and Zap Viva to return to the airwaves, and should stop harassing media outlets critical of the government, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 19, the Ministry of Telecommunications Technologies and Media (MINTTICS) ordered…
Angolan editor Francisco Rasgado facing prison, $1.5 million damages in criminal defamation case
New York, April 30, 2021 – Angolan authorities should drop the criminal defamation and insult charges against editor Francisco Rasgado and reform the country’s laws to decriminalize journalism, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 23, police officers arrested Rasgado, the founder and director of the privately owned newspaper Chela Press, at his…