Rwandan journalist Dieudonné Niyonsenga says he was beaten, detained in ‘hole’
Nairobi, January 31, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday expressed alarm at reports that Dieudonné Niyonsenga had been tortured in a Rwandan prison and called on authorities to unconditionally release the journalist, who is serving a seven-year sentence. During a January 10, 2024, hearing at the court of appeal in the capital Kigali, Niyonsenga said that he was held under “inhumane” conditions in…
CPJ calls for probe into attack on Ghana radio journalist David Kobbena at ruling NPP office
Abuja, January 26, 2024—Authorities in Ghana should credibly investigate an attack on Cape FM morning show host David Kobbena at the offices of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. About 15 people, several of whom were wearing pro-NPP T-shirts, confronted…
DRC journalist Blaise Mabala detained on insult charge; Stanis Bujakara Tshiamala remains jailed
Kinshasa, January 24, 2024—Authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo should immediately release journalists Blaise Mabala and Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, drop legal proceedings against them, and reform the country’s laws to ensure journalism is not criminalized, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On December 29, 2023, police officers arrested Mabala at a provincial police…
Pegasus spyware used to target Togolese journalists Loïc Lawson and Anani Sossou
New York, January 23, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by findings that the phones of Togolese journalists Loïc Lawson and Anani Sossou were infected with Pegasus spyware in 2021, and repeats its calls for an immediate moratorium on the use of such surveillance technologies and for legal proceedings against the journalists to be…
Somaliland journalist Mohamed Abdi Sheikh detained after discussing diplomatic row
Nairobi, January 17, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday called on authorities in the breakaway region of Somaliland to unconditionally release MM Somali TV journalist Mohamed Abdi Sheikh and to guarantee that members of the press can freely cover diplomatic affairs. On January 6, intelligence agents raided the offices of MM Somali TV in…
CPJ calls for investigation of attack on 5 Kenyan journalists reporting a raid on Nairobi bar
Nairobi, January 8, 2024—In response to news reports that private security personnel assaulted and harassed at least five journalists covering a January 5 raid on a bar in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, by police and drug enforcement officers, the Committee to Protect Journalists has urged a transparent and immediate investigation. “Authorities should swiftly investigate assaults…
South African journalist Thomo Nkgadima charged with intimidation after photographing mayor’s home
Lusaka, January 3, 2024—South African authorities should drop criminal trespass and intimidation charges against freelance journalist Thomo Nkgadima and ensure that members of the press do not face reprisal for reporting issues of public interest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On December 24, 2023, police in Fetakgomo Tubatse Municipality in South Africa’s northern…
DRC journalists Pascal Mulegwa and Réné Mobembo attacked during election coverage, broadcaster ordered off air
Kinshasa, December 22, 2023 – Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo must allow the press to report freely on the country’s elections, swiftly investigate and hold accountable those responsible for attacking journalists Pascal Mulegwa and Réné Mobembo, and allow Perfect Télévision to continue broadcasting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Friday. “Journalists play…
Four Allô Sénégal journalists detained, charged with defamation and incitement following minister’s complaint
Dakar, December 20, 2023—Senegalese authorities should unconditionally release four journalists from the online news outlet Allô Sénégal, who are detained on defamation and incitement charges, and stop criminalizing the work of the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Agents from the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC), a branch of the Senegalese police, arrested six…
Guinean radio and TV broadcasters and social media sites blocked
Dakar, December 15, 2023—Guinean authorities should immediately end broadcasting blocks on at least four radio and television outlets and restore access to all social media and online communication platforms, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Friday. On December 6, the High Authority of Communication (HAC), Guinea’s media regulator, ordered Canal+, a French distributor in…