(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 20 October 2004 CPJ press release: Promises and the Press A Special Report: In Togo, journalists are skeptical but see opportunity in regime’s bid to shed sanctions New York, October 20, 2004-Togolese President Gnassingbé Eyadéma has dominated politics and muzzled critics for nearly four decades. His regime’s ironfisted tactics […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 20 October 2004 CPJ press release:
Promises and the Press
A Special Report: In Togo, journalists are skeptical but see opportunity in regime’s bid to shed sanctions
New York, October 20, 2004-Togolese President Gnassingbé Eyadéma has dominated politics and muzzled critics for nearly four decades. His regime’s ironfisted tactics and human rights abuses led the European Union to suspend cooperation with Togo in 1993.
But now the Eyadéma regime has pledged 22 democratic reforms, including promises to improve press freedom, in an effort to have EU economic sanctions lifted. As the European Commission launches a two-year evaluation period, the Togolese Parliament has adopted changes to the nation’s harsh Press Code, removing criminal penalties for some offenses.
Togolese journalists say the commitments mark a tremendous opportunity, but many remain deeply skeptical given Eyadéma’s record. A special report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, “Promises and the Press” by Adam Posluns, explores the regime’s record and the views of Togolese journalists.
“To legislate these reforms is not yet to practice them,” warns Franck Assah, a reporter for Crocodile and Togo correspondent for the Panafrican News Agency. “I’m an optimist, but I still have many doubts.”
To read the full report: http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2004/Togo_oct_04/Togo_oct_04.html
CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.cpj.org.
