Benin and Burkina Faso suspend media outlets over coverage of Niger coup
Dakar, August 15, 2023—Authorities in Benin and Burkina Faso must immediately lift their respective suspensions of La Gazette du Golfe and Radio Oméga, and allow the media to report without fear on regional politics, including the coup in Niger, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On August 8, Benin’s High Authority for Audiovisual and…
Masked men threaten to kidnap journalist Sahiana Maman Hassan in Niger
On July 28, 2023, three masked men in a pickup truck threatened to kidnap Sahiana Maman Hassan, editor of the news magazine Le Témoin de l’Histoire, in Niamey, Niger’s capital, according to the journalist and Ibrahim Harouna, president of the Press House, a local media association, who both spoke to CPJ via messaging app. Hassane,…
South African court throws out urgent bid to gag Media24
Lusaka, August 10, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed a Gauteng High Court ruling on Tuesday to dismiss an urgent application by two businessmen connected to South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile to prevent the Media24 publishing group from referring to them as part of the “Alex Mafia.” In its ruling, the court described the…
Ethiopian authorities detain Alpha Media founder Bekalu Alamrew
Durban, South Africa, August 9, 2023—Ethiopian authorities must immediately release journalist Bekalu Alamrew, founder and chief editor of Alpha Media, a YouTube-based news channel, and ensure the protection of press freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On Sunday, August 6, at approximately 2 p.m., three uniformed police officers and two other people in…
Senegalese journalist Pape Alé Niang released after hunger strike, Maty Sarr Niang remains jailed
Dakar, August 08, 2023 – The Committee to Protect Journalists on Tuesday welcomed the release of journalist Pape Alé Niang, but called for charges against him to be dropped and for Senegalese authorities to unconditionally release journalist Ndèye Maty Niang, also known as Maty Sarr Niang. “The release of journalist Pape Alé Niang is a…
Senegalese journalist Pape Alé Niang arrested over broadcast about opposition politician
Dakar, August 4, 2023—Senegalese authorities must unconditionally release journalist Pape Alé Niang, who began a hunger strike on July 29, and cease all legal proceedings against him related to his work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Tuesday, August 1, Niang, editor of the privately owned news site Dakarmatin, was charged by the…
DRC police attack Congolese journalists Louis France Kuzikesa and Will Claes N’lemvo in Ethiopia
Kinshasa, August 4, 2023—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should investigate and hold to account police officers who assaulted journalists Louis France Kuzikesa and Will Claes N’lemvo in an Ethiopian airport, and stop law enforcement officials from intimidating the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On July 30, a dozen men…
Niger blocks RFI and France 24 in wake of coup
New York, August 3, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned Niger’s suspension of broadcasts by French outlets Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24. “Authorities in Niger should immediately unblock access to RFI and France 24’s broadcasts and ensure all media in the country can operate freely and without fear of reprisal,” said Angela…
At least 7 Congolese journalists stoned, slapped or beaten in election-related incidents
Kinshasa, August 3, 2023—Politicians in the Democratic Republic of Congo and their supporters must respect journalists’ rights to report freely and safely in the lead-up to national elections on December 20, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. At least seven journalists reporting on political candidates were assaulted in three separate incidents last week, according…
Zimbabwean reporter Columbus Mavhunga faces jail over drone reporting
Lusaka, August 2, 2023—Zimbabwean authorities should immediately drop illegal drone-flying charges against reporter Columbus Mavhunga and ensure that journalists can freely carry out their work without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On July 23, police arrested Mavhunga, a correspondent for the U.S. Congress-funded broadcaster Voice of America (VOA), after a…