(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is concerned by the legal proceedings launched against independent newspapers and journalists in Luanda. According to RSF’s information, on 10 April 1999, presidential spokesperson Aldomiro Vaz Da Conceição announced that a complaint would be lodged against Gustavo Costa, a correspondent in Angola of the Portuguese weekly “Expresso”. This complaint follows the appearance […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is concerned by the legal proceedings launched against
independent newspapers and journalists in Luanda.
According to RSF’s information, on 10 April 1999, presidential spokesperson
Aldomiro Vaz Da Conceição announced that a complaint would be lodged against
Gustavo Costa, a correspondent in Angola of the Portuguese weekly
“Expresso”. This complaint follows the appearance of an article, published
on 2 April, concerning a story on overbilling which allegedly implicated
individuals close to President Dos Santos, notably his daughter. This
“slander and libel” complaint against the journalist, who is of Angolan
nationality, could also have legal implications for the twice weekly “Agora”
newspaper, which, in its 10 April edition, reported this story in an article
entitled “Angola, corruption is creating victims.”
Furthermore, William Tonet, the editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper
“Folha 8”, is being prosecuted by the staff headquarters of the armed forces
for “slander, insulting the army, libel, incitement to subversion and
desertion.” Certain articles in the newspaper called into question the will
of certain Angolans to respond to the armed forces’ recently announced
mobilisation order.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Information Minister:
and
Political Rights, which guarantees press freedom
than exercise their right to inform
the
rights of the defence be respected and that the sentence fit the crime
Appeals To
Pedro Hendrik Vaal Neto
Minister of Information
Luanda, Angola
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
