Lesotho courts dismiss lawsuits seeking closure of 2 newspapers, defamation cases ongoing
Two privately owned newspapers in Lesotho—the Lesotho Tribune and Lesotho Times—faced separate lawsuits in February and March 2024, seeking to shut them down, according to the publications’ owners who spoke to CPJ. In late March, the courts dismissed both lawsuits, but the newspapers still face defamation cases in connection with their corruption coverage. Mergence Investment…
Nigerian soldiers hit and detain journalist Dele Fasan, thugs attack 3 journalists covering election
On February 23, at least seven soldiers arrested and handcuffed journalist Dele Fasan and hit him with a gun as he filmed at the scene of a planned protest in Nigeria’s southern Delta State, according to news reports and Fasan, who spoke to CPJ by phone. Fasan, regional bureau chief for the privately owned Galaxy…
Togo journalist Apollinaire Mewenemesse detained for defamation
Dakar, April 1, 2024—Togolese authorities must release journalist Apollinaire Mewenemesse, drop all legal proceedings against him, and reform the country’s laws to prevent journalists from being arrested for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. An investigating judge charged Mewenemesse, publishing director of the privately owned weekly newspaper La Dépêche, with numerous defamation,…
CPJ: Angola’s proposed national security law threatens press freedom, puts journalists at risk
New York, April 1, 2024–Angola’s proposed national security law could hinder the public’s right to information and severely undermine press freedom, further exposing journalists to harassment, intimidation, and censorship by authorities, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday. The National Security Bill, which critics say threatens Angola’s democracy and could turn the country into…
Liberian law enforcement officers arrest, beat journalist Kesselee Sumo
Abuja, March 29, 2024—Liberian authorities should investigate the law enforcement officers who tear-gassed and beat to unconsciousness journalist Kesselee Sumo, and drop all legal proceedings against the talk show host, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Two officers with the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and a magistrate’s court sheriff assaulted and arrested Sumo,…
Armed men take Nigerian journalist Segun Olatunji from Lagos home
Abuja, March 21, 2024—The Nigerian military should swiftly and publicly account for the whereabouts of First News editor Segun Olatunji, who was taken by armed men identifying themselves as officers with the army, disclose any charges against him, and ensure his safety, said the Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday. On March 15, around 15…
CPJ calls on Senegal’s presidential candidates for press freedom reforms as 5 journalists freed
Dakar, March 19, 2024—Presidential candidates in Senegal’s elections on Sunday should commit to decriminalizing journalism and dropping all legal proceedings against journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Senegalese are due to vote on March 24, with 19 candidates vying to lead the country, after a last-minute delay to the poll in February triggered protests. The current president, Macky Sall,…
CPJ welcomes release of DRC journalist Stanis Bujakera, calls for release of Blaise Mabala
Kinshasa, March 19, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s release of journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, but is alarmed by his six-month prison sentence and fine of 1 million Congolese francs (US$400) and the ongoing detention of journalist Blaise Mabala, who has been in custody since December. After more than…
Togo suspends La Dépêche, calls Tampa Express publisher to court on defamation charge
Dakar, March 15, 2024—Togolese authorities must end the legal harassment of the country’s Tampa Express newspaper and its publishing director Francisco Napo-Koura, reverse the three-month suspension of La Dépêche newspaper, and allow Togolese media to report freely and without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Napo-Koura is due to appear in…
Ahead of expected verdict, CPJ calls prosecution of DRC journalist Stanis Bujakera ‘outrageous’
New York, March 14, 2024—Ahead of an expected verdict in the prosecution of Congolese journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala on March 20 and in light of recent testimony presented by the court’s technical expert on March 8, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement on Thursday. “The prosecution of journalist Stanis Bujakera has been…