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Sierra Leone ALERT: Three newspapers suspended, fined two million Leones each

Vivian Affoah
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The Independent Media Commission (IMC), the statutory media regulatory body on September 26, 2012 suspended for a month, three privately-owned newspapers for allegedly producing offensive publications. The newspapers namely Independent Observer, the Senator and Awareness Times will thus, not appear on newsstands from September 26 – October 26, 2012.

According to the Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent, the IMC’s decision to suspend the newspapers was “in respect of the recent spate of offensive publications carried by the newspapers. ”According to the correspondent, the IMC in a press release issued on September 26 stated that they decided to suspend with immediate effect, the three newspapers for breaching several sections of the IMC Code of Practice and Act, particularly Section 23.

The regulatory body also imposed a fine of two million Leones each (about $455,581) on the three newspapers which they are to pay before the expiration date of the suspension.

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

Guinea ALERT: Journalist molested, radio station vandalized

Vivian Affoah
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Oumar Tely Diallo, a trainee-reporter of the privately-owned satirical Lynx-Lance newspaper, was on September 21, 2012 physically assaulted by a group of angry pro-government militants while covering a political riot. The attack on the journalist left him with torn clothes while his attackers made away with his camera, pen-drive, mobile telephone and some cash. According to the Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent, Diallo was covering a riot which pitted opposition militants against supporters of the ruling People’s Rally of Guinea (RPG) when he was suddenly surrounded and beaten by his assailants.

In a related development, on the same day, the premises of Conakry-based Sabari FM was vandalized by unknown persons resulting in the destruction of reporting equipment and the loss of personal belongings of the journalists. The glass windows of the radio station were also shattered. The MFWA is deeply concerned about the recent spate of attacks targeted at the media, considering the fact that in a space of one month, two politicians have attacked two radio stations while party militants continue to assault journalists.

We, therefore, reiterate our call on the authorities to be critical of these attacks and safeguard the lives and rights of journalists and media personnel in Guinea.

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

Guinea ALERT: Politician rudely disrupts radio programme

Vivian Affoah
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Elhadj Mohamed Conté, Prefect of Fria, a mining town about 160 kilometres to the North of Conakry, the capital, on September 18, 2012 stormed the studios of La Voix de Fria, a privately-owned radio station and interrupted the broadcast of a radio programme. The Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that, Conté carried out his act while Alassane Sidibé, host of the programme, ‘Listeners- Have Your Say,’ was on air with Alhassane Sylla, a sociologist and radio consultant.

According to the correspondent, Conté burst into the studio, hit the head of Sylla and threw them out while ordering the technicians to stop the programme. “We were having a programme called ‘Listeners, Have your Say.’ The subject was on Prime Minister Mohamed Saïd Fofana’s unfulfilled promises. At about 9:30am, the prefect entered the studio. As soon as he got into the doorway, he threw out the first journalist and hit the head of the guest…” – Sidibe recounted. The behaviour of Conté has attracted a lot of condemnation mainly from the residents of Fria, who are against such attacks on press freedom.

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

Cote d’Ivoire UPDATE: Authorities lift ban on pro-Gbagbo newspapers

Vivian Affoah
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The National Press Council (CNP), the statutory press regulatory body, on September 17, 2012 lifted suspension sanctions it had imposed on six privately-owned pro-Gbagbo newspapers, for jointly republishing an article originally published by Notre Voie, also a pro-Gbagbo daily. The regulatory body on September 7, 2012 rebuked and suspended Notre Voie for six publications for publishing photographs of personalities of the fallen regime with the caption “Minister” which suggests the “existence of two governments in Cote d’Ivoire.”

Accordingly, the CNP on September 12 decided to suspend Le Nouveau Courrier, LG Info, Le Temps, Aujourd’hui and Le Quotidien d’Abidjan for six publications each while L’Alternative was suspended for 12 publications, for knowingly reproducing the article, thus reinforcing the notion of “existence of two governments in Cote d’Ivoire. The Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that the regulatory body’s decision to lift the suspensions follows the newspapers’ plans to lodge a complaint against the CNP at the country’s Supreme Court.

According to the correspondent after several mediation efforts by the Newspaper Publishers’ Association of Cote d’Ivoire (GEPCI) and the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CDVR), the CNP finally decided to suspend the measure taken against the newspapers.

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

Gambia Alert: Two newspapers ordered to close, authorities give no reason

Vivian Affoah
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The offices of two privately-owned newspapers, Daily News and Standard Newspaper, were on September 14, 2012 stormed by operatives of the notorious National Intelligence Agency (NIA), who ordered them to immediately cease publishing without giving any reason. According to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources, three plainclothes officers from the NIA led by one Modou Ceesay, who carried out the order, did not provide any formal note ordering the closure. They, however, insisted that the directive was from the office of President Yahya Jammeh.

According to the sources, when Lamin Njie, the acting editor in chief of the Daily News, confronted the NIA officials, they told him to contact the office of the President for further details. The newspapers have since halted operations awaiting more information about the order. This incident comes immediately after the recent and inexplicable closure of Taranga FM, a community radio station based in Banjul, the capital, on August 14, 2012 by the NIA.

The MFWA is very surprised at both incidents and the manner in which such censorship acts are carried out- the clear refusal by the authorities to provide instant reasons and explanations for these disruptive acts. ‘

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

Gambia ALERT: Detained journalists charged with felony

Vivian Affoah
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Baboucarr Ceesay, first vice president of the Gambian Press Union (GPU), also working with the privately-owned Daily News newspaper, and Abubacarr Saidykhan, a freelance journalist, were on September 10, 2012 charged “with conspiracy to commit felony” by Gambian police prosecutors. The Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) sources reported that the charge on the journalists followed their arrest and detention on September 6, 2012, after seeking a police permit to peacefully protest against the execution of nine death row inmates upon the orders of President Yahya Jammeh.

They were, however, released on September 10 after signing a bail bond of 250,000 Gambian Dalasis (about US$8,333 ) each, with one Gambian surety. The two, until their release, had been in the custody of the Interpol Unit of the Gambian police service. According to the sources, initial charges of “inciting violence” were dropped and replaced with the charge of conspiracy to commit felony. However, when officials of the Gambian Press Union (GPU) demanded to see the charge sheet, a senior police officer retorted that they could not give out a charge sheet, explaining that they were still investigating the matter.

Ceesay and Saidykhan are expected to be arraigned before Court on September 17, 2012, the sources reported. The MFWA is dismayed at this event, as the journalists, by seeking permission to protest, demonstrated their respect and faith in the authorities. In that regard the MFWA calls on the Gambian government to drop this charge, uphold and respect Section 25 of the Gambian Constitution which entrenches the right to peaceful demonstration.

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

Guinea ALERT: Two journalists assaulted, briefly detained

Vivian Affoah
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Emmanuel Millimono and Miss Aissatou Diakité, reporters of privately-owned Soleil FM and Espace FM respectively, on August 31, 2012, were manhandled by police officers drawn from the Guinean anti-riot police unit. The Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that the assault on the journalists occurred while covering a protest rally organized by some people against the recent spate of police brutality and violence.

The two journalists, who had their clothes torn and recording equipment destroyed by the officers, were later detained at a Divisional Police Station in Nongo, a district in Conakry, the capital. According to the correspondent, the police officers took offence at their presence, insulted, threatened and arrested the journalists. They were, however, released after spending three hours in detention upon the intervention of a senior police officer.

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

Guinea ALERT: Ruling party militants violently assault radio journalists, destroy equipment.

Vivian Affoah
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Six journalists from privately-owned Espace FM and Renaissance FM on August 27, 2012, were severely beaten by a group of men believed to be supporters of the ruling People’s Rally of Guinea (RPG). The journalists, Abdourahmane Diallo, Moussa Moise Sylla, Tissata Diakité from Espace FM and Ibrahima Sory Soumah, Mahamadou Alpha Baldé and David Toundoufeindouno from Renaissance FM respectively, sustained several bruises.

Moussa Moise Soumah who was seriously wounded received treatment at the hospital. According to the Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent, the attack on the journalists occurred when they were on their way to report on some opposition leaders who had being prevented by the police from demonstrating against the authorities in Matoto, a suburb of Conakry, the capital. On reaching Matoto, the vehicle conveying the journalists was stopped at a roadblock mounted by the militants, who smashed the car, dragged out the journalists and beat them with tree trunks and leather belts.

According to the correspondent, the attackers who threatened to kill the journalists should they come to the area again, also seized and destroyed the reporting equipment of the journalists. It took the intervention of the police to free the journalists from the militants. The MFWA is unhappy by this inhumane treatment and demands that the authorities investigate this incident and bring the culprits to book.

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

Guinea ALERT: Authorities shut down Liberté FM

Vivian Affoah
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Zakaria Camara, acting prefect of N’zérékoré, a town about 1000 kilometres to the south of Conakry, the capital, on August 26, 2012 closed down Liberté FM, a privately-owned radio station based in the town without any reason. Camara also chased the journalists out of the station and labelled them persona non grata.

The Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that, the acting prefect had invited Alpha Saliou Diallo, director of Liberté FM to his (Camara) office to inform him about the authorities’ decision to close down the station. “I have not been able to fathom out the reason for closing down my radio station. I have not done anything to compromise the peace in the city, but they notified me and I had to obey” said Saliou.

According to Diallo, the National Board for Communication, the media regulatory body told him they have not had any information about the closing down of his radio station.The MFWA joins media associations in Guinea to condemn this disruptive and inexplicable act and demand that Liberté FM be allowed to resume broadcast immediately.

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

Cote d’Ivoire ALERT: Pro-Gbagbo newspapers impose a media black-out

Vivian Affoah
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The Journals Victims of April 11, 2011 (JV11), an organisation made up of pro-Gbagbo newspapers on August 22, 2012, during a press conference stated that all member-newspapers will not appear on newsstands for two days. The two-day boycott which begins on August 24 to 25 is to protest the unfair treatments and harassment meted out to them.

As such members of JV11 including Notre Voie, Le Temps, Le Nouveau Courrier, LG Infos, Le Quotidien d’Abidjan and others will be absent on the newsstands on August 24 and 25. The decision to boycott the newsstands was taken when publishers of these newspapers held a meeting in Abidjan on August 20 to deliberate on their situation. César Etou, publishing manager of privately-owned daily newspaper, Notre Voie, and chairman of the organisation noted that the action is “a sign of protest against heavy sanctions targeted against them, as well as threats and attacks which they have been subjected to since April 11, 2011.”

The JV11, which was set up on July 5, 2011, insisted that they had no alternative than to alert national and international opinion on the danger of death that hover on the lives of their journalists and employees.

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

Ghana ALERT: Members of a Muslim sect storm North Star FM

Vivian Affoah
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North Star FM, a privately-owned radio station based in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital was on August 19, 2012 besieged by members of Al-Sunna, a Muslim sect, to register their displeasure over alleged misinterpretations of some verses of the Holy Qur’an. A confrontation occurred when the members of the Al-Sunna sect thronged the radio station to react to interpretations of some Qur’an verses that the Tijaniya, another Muslim group had earlier interpreted on the station.

Though the Tijaniya group had already left the radio station, the angry members of Al-Sunna chose to vent their spleen on the radio station. In an interview with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Adam Cockra, general manager of the radio station explained that members of the Tijaniya were at the station earlier to preach and educate the public on some aspects of the Qur’an.This angered the Al-Sunna group who accused the Tijaniya group of misinterpreting the Holy Book, and thus stormed the station’s premises. “No casualties or damages occurred albeit some furniture were destroyed” the manager said.

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

Gambia ALERT: Authorities shut down radio station for no reason

Vivian Affoah
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0

Officers of the dreaded National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on the night of August 14, 2012 stormed the premises of Taranga FM, a community radio station based in south-west district of Banjul, the capital, and forced the station to close down. No explanation was given for this disruptive act.

According to the Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) sources, Pick-Up trucks carrying officers of the NIA were seen on the premises of the radio station few hours to mid-night. According to the sources, Ismaila Ceesay, managing editor of the station, confirmed the incident stating that the only reason the officers gave for the closure was that it was “a directive from above. ”However, it is reported that the closure could be linked to comments made by members of some opposition parties during a weekly talk show, aired on the station.

In 2011, the Gambian authorities on two separate occasions forced Taranga FM to halt the transmission of its newspaper review programmes which were broadcast in the two popular Gambian languages, Wolof and Mandinka, to the majority of Gambians.

The MFWA calls on the government of President Jammeh to as a matter of urgency, ensure that Taranga FM resumes broadcasting, drawing attention to the fact that most citizens, especially, the uneducated in society, rely on the station for their news.

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

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