Africa

  

Being a Target

A reporter learns how to dodge terrorist threats to get the story By Rukmini Callimachi The convoy of cars flying al-Qaeda’s black flag swept across northern Mali in 2012. Within weeks, it felt like a curtain had been drawn.

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Fiscal Blackmail

The Kenyan government withdraws advertising when newspapers step out of line By Alan Rusbridger In some parts of the world, it is still possible to silence a journalist with a sharp blow to the side of the head. But as newspapers the world over struggle with the financial disruption of digital technologies, governments are finding…

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From Fledgling to Failed

Even as the country collapses, South Sudan’s government will brook no criticism By Jacey Fortin JUBA, South Sudan – The shooting began around 5:15 on a Friday afternoon. Dozens of journalists had gathered in the pressroom at the Presidential Palace–a walled compound also known as “J1”–in the capital city. Following a few days of rising…

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Ahmed Abba is serving a 10-year jail sentence. (RFI)

In Cameroon, Ahmed Abba sentenced to 10 years in jail

New York, April 24, 2017–A military court in Cameroon today sentenced Ahmed Abba, a correspondent for Radio France Internationale’s (RFI) Hausa service, to 10 years in prison and ordered him to make a payment of 55 million Central African francs (US$91,133) Abba’s lawyer Clément Nakong, told CPJ. Abba, who has been held in pretrial detention…

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Somaliland editor detained after trading himself for colleague’s freedom

New York, April 20, 2017–Somaliland authorities should immediately release Ibrahim Osman Ahmed, editor of Hangool News, who has been held without charge since April 15, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Ibrahim is in custody in Hargeisa Central Police Station after handing himself over to police to secure the release of Abdirahman Arab Da’ud,…

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Ahmed Abba is serving a 10-year jail sentence. (RFI)

Cameroonian military court convicts journalist Ahmed Abba of terrorism charges

New York, April 20, 2017–A military court in Cameroon today convicted Ahmed Abba, a journalist for Radio France Internationale’s Hausa service, on charges of “non-denunciation of terrorism” and “laundering of the proceeds of terrorist acts,” according to his lawyer and RFI. The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Cameroonian authorities not to contest the journalist’s…

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Somaliland journalist detained over critical coverage of police

New York, April 14, 2017 — Somaliland authorities should immediately release jailed Hangool News journalist Abdirahman Arab Da’ud and cease intimidation of other members of the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Academic Stella Nyanzi defends herself in a Kampala court on charges stemming from her critical remarks online about Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, April 10, 2017. Journalist Gertrude Uwitware has faced threats, abduction, and assault for her writing in support of Nyanzi. (AFP/Gael Grilhot)

Ugandan journalist abducted, assaulted

Unknown assailants on April 8, 2017, abducted and assaulted Gertrude Uwitware, a health reporter for the private Ugandan broadcaster NTV, from the streets of Kampala, according to the journalist and her employer.

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Journalist beaten by Kenyan police, told he ‘cannot fight them with a pen’

Kenyan police on March 22 threatened and assaulted Isaiah Gwengi, a correspondent for The Standard daily newspaper, according to the journalist and media reports.

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Members of the Zone 9 blogging group. (Endalkachew H/Michael)

Ethiopia Supreme Court says two Zone 9 bloggers should face incitement charges

New York, April 6, 2017–Ethiopia’s Supreme Court today ruled that two bloggers from the Zone 9 collective, previously acquitted of terrorism charges, should be tried instead on charges of inciting violence through their writing. If convicted of the charge, Atnaf Berhane and Natnail Feleke would face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, according to…

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