Independent Press Threatened in Many Southern African Countries Citing “Grave Concerns,” CPJ Calls on SADC To Consider Press Freedom Records Of Member States
Your Excellency, Ahead of the August 6-7 SADC Summit of Heads of State, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) wishes to express its grave concern about the deplorable state of press freedom in several SADC member states. Our research shows an alarming pattern of governments interfering with the free flow of information and using harsh, outdated laws to prosecute journalists for their work.
Independent Press Threatened in Many Southern African Countries Citing “Grave Concerns,” CPJ Calls on SADC To Consider Press Freedom Records Of Member States
[Click here to read CPJ’s protest letter] August 3, 2000 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), citing an “alarming pattern of government interference” with the free flow of information in many Southern African countries, is calling on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to “consider the press freedom records of member states in determining…
Cameroon: Three journalists convicted of criminal libel for reporting on corruption at local trade union
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is outraged at the prison sentences recently imposed on three journalists from the private biweekly publication Dikalo in retaliation for their coverage of alleged corruption and mismanagement at a local trade union.
IPF Awards 2000 – Announcement
New York — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) presented its International Press Freedom Awards for the year 2000 to four journalists–from Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malaysia, and Iran–for their courage and independence in reporting the news. These honorees endured jail, had their lives threatened and, in one case, survived a car-bomb attack,…
Nigeria: Journalists face increasing violence and official hostility
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is gravely concerned that despite last year’s landmark democratic elections, the right of journalists to freely and independently report the news continues to be routinely violated in Nigeria.
Swaziland: Press Freedom Organizations Issue Joint Letter of Protest
Your Excellency: We, the undersigned organizations, are deeply concerned about the state of freedom of the press in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Over the past nine months, media workers in Swaziland have experienced serious attacks on their right to freely report on matters in the Kingdom, consequently undermining the right of Swazi citizens to receive and impart information as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Gambia: CPJ concerned about recent press freedom violations
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned about recent press freedom violations in The Gambia, including the prosecution of one journalist on murder charges. Based on our investigation into the abuses related in this letter, we have come to the unfortunate conclusion that these attacks against journalists are not isolated incidents, but part of a systematic campaign to suppress reporting on issues of legitimate public concern.
Junta Cracks Down on the Press after “Failed Coup”
Click here to read more about press freedom conditions in CÔTE D’IVOIRE New York, July 7, 2000 — On July 5, in the aftermath of what he described as a “failed coup,” Côte d’Ivoire’s military ruler General Robert Gueï warned local journalists to be “careful” because they will now be severely punished for politically motivated…