U.S. senator again presses Gambia on missing journalist
On Thursday, U.S. Senator Richard Durbin sent a letter to Gambia’s justice minister, Edward Gomez, renewing his appeal for the release of local journalist Ebrima “Chief” Manneh. Manneh disappeared more than five years ago after security agents seized him at the offices of his newspaper, the Daily Observer.
Invoking security, Puntland bans two TV stations
New York, November 2, 2011–Authorities in northern Somalia banned two private broadcasters from operating in Puntland Tuesday, blaming independent media coverage for undermining national security as they grapple with potentially destabilizing violence in the region, according to local journalists and news reports. The Information Ministry in semi-autonomous Puntland banned the local operations of Universal TV…
Armed men threaten journalist in Angola’s Cabinda
New York, October 31, 2011– Authorities in the Angolan enclave of Cabinda should take all steps necessary to ensure the safety of independent journalist José Manuel Gimbi, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today following reports that unidentified armed men raided Gimbi’s residence Thursday and threatened to harm him.
Ethiopia steps up terrorism allegations against journalists
New York, October 24, 2011–Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi last week accused journalists in the country of being “messengers” with “terrorist” groups, while a state newspaper accused the chief editor of an independent publication of having terrorist ties and called on security forces to “take action” against him. The Committee to Protect Journalists today said…
Nigerian journalist killed; Islamists claim responsibility
New York, October 24, 2011–Authorities in northeastern Nigeria must urgently take steps to ensure the safety of media workers, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today following Saturday’s assassination of a journalist in a shooting claimed by Islamist militants.
Mauritius jails journalist for contempt of court
New York, October 20, 2011–Authorities in Mauritius today imprisoned a journalist for contempt of the Supreme Court and levied two fines over coverage of a case, according to local journalists and news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the sentences. Editor-in-Chief Dharmanand Dooharika of the private weekly Samedi Plus was incarcerated in the main…
Puntland radio station hit by grenade attack
New York, October 19, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Tuesday’s grenade attack on a Puntland radio station and calls for authorities to take immediate steps to identify and prosecute the perpetrators. This was the third local radio station hit with a blast in three months, CPJ research showed.On Tuesday evening, a grenade was hurled…
Liberian media outlets targeted in post-election violence
New York, October 18, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Monday’s arson attack against a Liberian radio station and threats made against another radio station’s journalists in response to their coverage of Liberia’s presidential elections.
Swedish support for jailed colleagues in Ethiopia, Eritrea
If you pass by Kronoberg Prison in Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, you will see journalists chained to its gates. They have committed no crime. For over a week, journalists have taken turns locking themselves up in front of the prison to raise awareness of the imprisonment of three colleagues held in the Horn of Africa.
Nigeria police arrest six journalists
New York, October 12, 2011–Police in Nigeria arrested six journalists and one staff member from independent daily The Nation on Tuesday concerning the publication of a purported private letter from former head of state Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan about administrators of government agencies, local journalists reported.On the front page of its October 4…