Africa

  

CPJ alarmed by Cameroonian authorities’ use of administrative detention law

Dakar, May 29, 2024 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is highly concerned by a Cameroonian administrator’s use of a law granting him the ability to indefinitely detain journalist Engelbert Mfomo in what he said was retribution for his critical reporting. Cameroonian authorities must reform the country’s laws to ensure journalists cannot be detained for…

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Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki

CPJ joins call for renewing mandate of UN special rapporteur on Eritrea

The Committee to Protect Journalists on Tuesday joined 30 other non-governmental organizations in urging member and observer states of the United Nations Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. The special rapporteur reports on and assesses the human rights situation in Eritrea, and…

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In a video statement posted on May 15, 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s media regulator, the Superior Audiovisual and Communications Council, ordered the privately owned Bosolo TV station to suspend its “Bosolo Na Politik Officielle” program for a month. (Screenshot CSAC RDC/X)

DRC regulator suspends Bosolo TV program over election commentary

On May 15, 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s media regulator, the Superior Audiovisual and Communications Council, known by its French acronym CSAC, ordered the privately owned Bosolo TV station to suspend its “Bosolo Na Politik Officielle” program for a month, according to a CSAC video statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, and media reports. According to…

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Madu Onuorah, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Global Upfront Newspapers, told CPJ he was arrested May 22 at his home in the Lugbe district of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. His image is seen here in a May 23 globalupfront.com report about his arrest. (Screenshot: CPJ)

Nigerian journalist Madu Onuorah arrested for alleged defamation, released on bail

New York, May 24, 2024 — Nigerian authorities should drop their investigation into journalist Madu Onuorah and cease arresting journalists in connection with their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Armed police officers from Nigeria’s eastern Enugu and Ebonyi states arrested Onuorah, the publisher and editor-in-chief of Global Upfront Newspapers, at his home…

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Former South African president Jacob Zuma arrives at a rally in Soweto on May 18, 2024, to launch the manifesto of his new political party, uMkhonto we Sizwe, ahead of South Africa’s May 29 general election. Men wearing military fatigues assaulted a number of of journalists at the rally. (Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko)

Journalists assaulted at MK election rally ahead of South Africa elections  

Lusaka, May 24, 2024 — South African authorities must investigate and hold to account  those responsible for sexually assaulting a woman journalist as well as physically assaulting and harassing other members of the media during an uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party political rally on May 18, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Friday. Men…

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On May 21 and 22, Guinea’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology revoked the broadcasting licenses of privately owned stations Djoma TV and Espace TV, and radio stations FIM, Espace, Sweet and Djoma. (Screenshot: Djoma TV/YouTube)

Guinea revokes broadcast licenses of 6 media outlets

Dakar, May 23, 2023—Guinean authorities should immediately reinstate the media licenses for six blocked outlets and allow them to resume broadcasting freely after months of censorship, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On May 21 and 22, Guinea’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology revoked the broadcasting licenses of the private radio stations FIM, Espace, Sweet,…

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On May 18, Ugandan journalists Zainab Namusaazi, Gertrude Mutyaba, and Magaret Kayondo said that opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu's private bodyguards harassed and assaulted them while they were covering the funeral of a prominent businessman in the central region district of Lwengo. Ssentamu, pictured here, spoke at the funeral. (Screenshot: Daily Monitor/YouTube)

Ugandan opposition leader’s bodyguards assault, harass three journalists

Kampala, May 22, 2024—Ugandan authorities should thoroughly investigate and hold to account those responsible for attacking journalists Zainab Namusaazi, Gertrude Mutyaba, and Magaret Kayondo, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On May 18, the private bodyguards of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, harassed and assaulted the three journalists who…

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On May 14, freelance journalist Jamil Mabai was briefly detained at the Hisbah offices in the Nigerian capital of Katsina. (Photo courtesy of Jamil Mabai)

Nigerian journalist Jamil Mabai detained by religious police while seeking interview

Abuja, May 20, 2024—Nigerian authorities should swiftly and comprehensively investigate the detention of freelance journalist Jamil Mabai by religious police in northern Katsina State and hold them to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday.  Mabai, who was on assignment for the privately owned Trust TV, had been invited to the offices of the Hisbah,…

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An image of William Tonet, editor of Folha 8.

Angola journalist William Tonet’s home invaded by gunman as defamation case continues

New York, May 17, 2024 — Angolan authorities should credibly investigate a break-in at the home of prominent journalist William Tonet and drop the criminal defamation charges he faces, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.  A man armed with a pistol broke into Tonet’s home in the capital, Luanda, at around 4 a.m. on…

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Soldiers with the DRC military have made multiple death threats against journalist and Radio Communautaire Amkeni Biakato director Parfait Katoto. (Photo: Courtesy of Parfait Katoto)

DRC soldiers threaten to kill journalist Parfait Katoto over broadcasts

Kinshasa, May 15, 2024 – Congolese authorities should take swift and comprehensive actions to investigate all threats against journalist and Radio Communautaire Amkeni Biakato (RCAB) director Parfait Katoto, ensure his safety, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.  On May 3, 2024, three armed soldiers with the DRC military arrived at…

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