The Togo correspondents of Radio France International (RFI), Reuters News Agency (RNA) and Agency France Presse (AFP) were, on Wednesday, March 26, all suspended from working in the country by the Minister of Communication and Civic Training, Pitang Tchalla.
The correspondents told Media Foundation for West Africa-Togo that they were only served verbal notice of their suspension through the Minister’s Press Attaché. The Minister accused them of not covering the International Forum on Electoral Processes in Africa held in Lomé from March 24 – 26, 2003.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) condemns this censorship action and appeals to the government to lift the suspension promptly and unconditionally. We urge you to kindly protest the arbitrary and high-handed posture of President Eyadema’s government towards journalists and the independent media in Togo.