(MFWA/IFEX) – On 23 January 2009, El Malick Seck, managing editor of “24 Heures Chrono”, lost his petition when an appeals court confirmed the three-year sentence meted out to him. On 12 September 2008, Seck was sentenced for defaming President Abdoulaye Wade and his son Abdoul Karim Wade. The “24 Heures Chrono” newspaper was also […]
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 23 January 2009, El Malick Seck, managing editor of “24 Heures Chrono”, lost his petition when an appeals court confirmed the three-year sentence meted out to him.
On 12 September 2008, Seck was sentenced for defaming President Abdoulaye Wade and his son Abdoul Karim Wade. The “24 Heures Chrono” newspaper was also suspended for three months on the same offence. Seck’s lawyers appealed immediately after the ruling. Seck, who has practiced journalism for 13 years, was found guilty under Article 80, 255 and 258 of the penal code and sentenced to three years in prison for insulting the head of state, publishing false news and indulging in acts which could lead to public disturbances.
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is concerned about the outrageous sentences and heavy fines imposed on journalists and the media in Senegal. These rulings have the tendency of undermining media freedom. MFWA fervently appeals the Senegalese authorities to repeal all repressive laws in the statute books.
Updates the Seck case: http://ifex.org/en/content/view/full/100295
