Journalists in Mali on July 17, 2012 launched a massive protest in Bamako, the capital, to protest against recent attacks on journalists and media in the country. As part of the protest, the media imposed a one-day blackout dubbed: “No Press Day” which saw all private and public media not publishing or broadcasting in the country.
The Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that the protesters made up of journalists, civil society organisations and political actors marched through the principal streets of the capital and in climax, presented a petition to the office of the Prime Minister. “The lives of journalists and the practice of the profession are in danger in this country, as long as the authorities do not take appropriate measures to guarantee the exercise of the freedom of the press, these protests will continue” emphasized Makan Koné, President of the Malian Press Centre.
The MFWA has for some time now reported on series of attacks on the media in Mali including the horrific abduction and assault on Messrs Abdramane Keita, managing editor of privately-owned L,Aurore newspaper and Saouti Haidara, managing editor of privately-owned L’Independent newspaper on July 2 and 12 respectively. We very concerned about the dramatic deterioration of press and media freedom in Mali which until the recent coup was a regional model for respect of freedom of expression. We thus, urge the interim government to ensure the protection and safeguarding of the media.
For more information please contact
Kwame Karikari (Prof)
Executive Director
MFWA
Accra
Tel: 233-30-22 4 24 70
Fax: 233-302-22 10 84
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.mediafound.org