CPJ urges Mozambican president to uphold media freedom
In a letter, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Mozambique’s President Daniel Francisco Chapo to take decisive steps to ensure that the media can operate without fear of reprisal. The letter urges Chapo, who was inaugurated January 2025 following a disputed election last year, to act swiftly in providing the whereabouts of two missing journalists—Ibraimo Mbaruco, who…
Blogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique’s press freedom crisis deepens
New York, February 5, 2025—“Help. I got shot and they keep shooting…I am dying.” These were among the last words that Mozambican blogger Albino Sibia streamed live on Facebook on December 12, 2024, after a police officer shot him twice in the back as he was filming police action against protestors. Sibia, also known as…
Journalists in the crossfire of Mozambique’s post-election crisis
New York, November 19, 2024—In the weeks since Mozambique’s October 9 general election — which was characterized by irregularities and in which the ruling Frelimo party claimed victory — the country has descended into chaos as security personnel engage in violent clashes with protestors disputing the results. News reports and statements by human rights groups…
At least 5 journalists harassed or assaulted covering pre-election events in Mozambique
New York, June 7, 2024 – Mozambican authorities should investigate the harassment and assault of at least five journalists covering election-related events since March, and take concrete steps to ensure the press can freely and safely report on matters of crucial public interest leading up to the country’s October general elections, said the Committee to…
Mozambique journalist arrested, 2 harassed and robbed at protest
New York, June 7, 2024 — The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday expressed alarm that police arrested one journalist and two others were robbed of equipment while covering a protest in the Mozambican capital, Maputo. At around 6:00 p.m. on June 4, seven police officers chased and arrested Sheila Wilson while she was reporting…
Mozambican authorities accuse journalists of colluding with ‘terrorists’
New York, March 7, 2024—Senior officials in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province must withdraw comments accusing journalists of colluding with terrorists and publishing false news and the authorities must allow the media to report on the conflict without intimidation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday. In a public address on February 17 in the…
CPJ calls for a thorough investigation into killing of Mozambican journalist João Chamusse
New York, December 14, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for authorities in Mozambique to thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist João Chamusse outside his home his home in KaTembe, in the province of Maputo, on Thursday. “CPJ is deeply disturbed by the killing of prominent Mozambican journalist João Chamusse, and we extend our condolences…
Mozambique mayor harasses journalists at press conference
On June 12, 2023, Paulo Vahanle, the mayor of the northern Mozambique city of Nampula, refused access to two reporters at a municipal event and accused a third of being a “spy,” according to media reports and the three journalists, who spoke to CPJ. Vahanle, a member of the opposition Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (Renamo) party,…
Mozambican journalist Leonardo Gimo investigated for criminal defamation over report on alleged police corruption
On June 5, 2023, Mozambique authorities called Leonardo Gimo, a reporter for the privately owned broadcaster TV Sucesso, and asked him to appear before investigators on June 8, according to a statement by the Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom group Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ…
Mozambique border police detain, beat radio journalist Rosário Cardoso
On January 15, 2023, five Mozambique border police officers detained and beat journalist Rosário Cardoso, according to media reports, statements by the National Forum of Community Radios and the Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom group Media Institute of Southern Africa, and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ by phone. Cardoso left the community…