Africa

  

Authorities detain 2 Ugandan journalists on charges of publishing without license

Nairobi, June 27, 2024 — Ugandan authorities should release journalists Dickson Mubiru and Alirabaki Sengooba, drop all criminal charges against them, and take steps to reform laws that can be used to stifle journalism, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On June 20 the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court in the capital, Kampala, charged…

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Kenya security officers apprehend an activist protesting the high cost of living before government leaders proceed to the Kenyan Parliament to read the Government's Buget for the 2024/25 fiscal year in Nairobi, on June 13, 2024. Thousands of Kenyans have been protesting a proposed law under the budget that would significantly increase taxes. (Photo: AFP/Tony Karumba)

CPJ calls on Kenyan authorities to respect press freedom amid ongoing protests

Nairobi, June 25, 2024—Kenyan authorities must investigate reports of several journalists attacked while covering protests, desist from intimidating the media, and ensure reliable and secure access to the internet, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Thousands of Kenyans have taken to the streets several times since June 18 to protest a proposed law that…

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Dokurugu Abubakar Ndeeya is seen in this video image immediately after the attack, which he said left him with cuts around his mouth, and tooth and knee pain. (Screenshot: CPJ/Dokurugu Abubakar Ndeeya)

Ghana ruling party supporters assault journalist Dokurugu Abubakar Ndeeya

On May 16, four supporters of Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) assaulted Dokurugu Abubakar Ndeeya, a reporter with the privately owned Zaa Multimedia, while he was filming outside a meeting between Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia and party leaders in the northern Tamale region, the journalist told CPJ and media reports said. Ndeeya told CPJ he…

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Police in Nigeria on May 27 arrested journalist Precious Eze Chukwunonso, the publisher of privately owned online publication News Platform, and detained him for 18 days over a May 8 article about a local business. (Photo: Courtesy of Precious Eze Chukwunonso)

Nigerian authorities detain journalist Precious Eze Chukwunonso for 18 days

Lusaka, Zambia, June 21, 2024—Nigerian authorities should drop all criminal charges against Precious Eze Chukwunonso, publisher of the privately owned outlet News Platform, who was detained for nearly three weeks, following a complaint about his reporting, and allow journalists to work without fear of arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On May 27,…

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On June 7, Niger’s head of state Abdourahamane Tchiani, seen here declaring himself the country's leader after a July 2023 coup, reintroduced prison sentences and fines for defamation and insult via electronic means of communication, news reports said. (Screenshot: YouTube/The Times and the Sunday Times)

Niger reinstates prison sentences for journalists for defamation, insult

Dakar, June 20, 2024—Nigerien authorities must decriminalize defamation and ensure that the country’s cybercrime law does not unduly restrict the work of the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday. On June 7, Niger’s head of state Abdourahamane Tchiani, who overthrew the democratically elected president in July 2023, reintroduced prison sentences of one…

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Fleeing prolonged media crackdown, Ethiopian journalists struggle in exile

When Belete Kassa’s friend and news show co-host Belaye Manaye was arrested in November 2023 and taken to the remote Awash Arba military camp known as the “Guantanamo of the desert,” Belete feared that he might be next. The two men co-founded the YouTube-based channel Ethio News in 2020, which had reported extensively on a conflict that…

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Néhémie Paluku

Church members assault DRC journalists Néhémie Paluku and Esaïe Mbusa

Kinshasa, June 17, 2024—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should ensure a credible investigation into the June 3 assaults on reporters Esaïe Mbusa and Néhémie Paluku, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday. Around a dozen people assaulted Mbusa and Paluku at a local church in Mambasa territory, in the country’s northeast…

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After two of its reporters were attacked, Iwacu Press Group received a warning letter June 6 from Burundi’s media regulator CNC, accusing the outlet of professional failings in recent political reporting. (Screenshot: YouTube: CPJ/Iwacu Press Group)

Burundi regulator warns Iwacu Press Group after police assault 2 of outlet’s journalists

Kampala, Uganda, June 17, 2024—Burundian authorities must desist from intimidating the independent news outlet Iwacu Press Group and swiftly investigate recent police attacks on two of the outlet’s journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Iwacu received a letter on June 6 from Burundi’s media regulator, known by its French acronym CNC, accusing the…

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Journalist Tatiana Osango assaulted after interview criticizing DRC president

Kinshasa, June 12, 2024—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should impartially investigate the June 5 assault of broadcast journalist Tatiana Osango and ensure those responsible are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Seven men used glass bottles to hit Osango, a reporter who presents a political program on the…

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At least 5 journalists harassed or assaulted covering pre-election events in Mozambique

New York, June 7, 2024 – Mozambican authorities should investigate the harassment and assault of at least five journalists covering election-related events since March, and take concrete steps to ensure the press can freely and safely report on matters of crucial public interest leading up to the country’s October general elections, said the Committee to…

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