(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 28 December 1999 CPJ news alert: CPJ is pleased to announce the web publication of “Gueï ‘s Way,” an analysis of the press freedom implications of the recent military coup in Côte d’Ivoire, written by CPJ Africa program researcher Yves Sorokobi. EXCERPT: New York, December 28, 1999 — “Press […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 28 December 1999 CPJ news alert:
CPJ is pleased to announce the web publication of “Gueï ‘s Way,” an analysis of the press freedom implications of the recent military coup in Côte d’Ivoire, written by CPJ Africa program researcher Yves Sorokobi.
EXCERPT:
New York, December 28, 1999 — “Press freedom will be total,” promised Gen. Robert Gueï, Côte d’Ivoire’s new head of state. Gen. Gueï, 58, who overthrew the government of president Henri Konan Bédié on Christmas Eve, made this announcement just hours after his nine-man junta imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in this West African country, historically noted for its political stability.
However, the general warned local reporters against reporting “garbage,” a practice that flourished, he claimed, under the Bédié regime. “We should not confound press freedom, the fourth estate in any sound democracy, and irresponsible journalism,” he said.
The full text of the article can be found on CPJ’s website:
http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/Ivoire/Ivoire28dec99.html
