Africa

Africa
At a glance At a glance
Africa

10024 articles
Link to: Members of government threaten radio journalist

Members of government threaten radio journalist

On 9 October 1996, Jose Rodriguez Santy, director of the privately-owned radio station Pigiguitty, held a press conference to inform the public about threats made by members of government against Ladislau Stanislau Robalo, a daily newscaster. According to the two journalists, members of Prime Minister Saturnino Da Costa’s cabinet summoned Joaquim Robalo, Ladislau Stanislau Robalo’s […]

Link to: Seminars banned

Seminars banned

On 11 October 1996, Chelimo Cheboi, Embu District Commissioner in the Eastern Province of Kenya, ordered an immediate stop to all non-governmental organization (NGO) and church-organised seminars in the district because “they were political.” Cheboi was addressing a crowd gathered at Moi Stadium in Embu town, where he is reported to have said that the […]

Link to: Koigi wa Wamwere’s co-prisoner sick

Koigi wa Wamwere’s co-prisoner sick

The “Sunday Nation”, Kenya’s leading English-language newspaper, reported on 13 October 1996 that jailed ex-army Captain G.G Njuguna Ngengi had been admitted to Nairobi Hospital suffering from heart-related ailments. His lawyer, Paul Muite, said Ngengi – – who is serving a four-year jail term along with writer Koigi wa Wamwere and Charles Kuria wa Wamwere […]

Link to: Two “Messager Popoli” journalists sentenced to prison

Two “Messager Popoli” journalists sentenced to prison

On 3 October 1996, the Littoral Appeals Court in Douala sentenced “Le Messager Popoli” journalists Pius Njawe and Eyoum Ngangue to six months’ imprisonment and a 100,000 CFA (US$ 200) fine, and one year in prison and a 300,000 CFA (US$ 600) fine, respectively, invalidating a 27 February 1996 verdict from the Douala Court of […]

Link to: Censors ban film

Censors ban film

A committee of censors in South Africa has banned, under Section 47 of the Publications Act, 1974, public viewing of the American movie “Kids”, on the grounds that it is “immoral and undesirable.” On 18 September 1996, South Africa’s Director of Publications, Dr. Braam Coetzee, said that the ban had been in effect since 6 […]

Link to: Community radio reports unfair treatment by licensing authority

Community radio reports unfair treatment by licensing authority

A community-based radio station, Katutura Community Radio (KCR), which has been on air for more than a year, has been told by the licensing authority it must move frequencies or else close down after a new commercial station targeting KCR’s township audience was allocated a frequency just 0.3 megahertz (MHz) away from the community broadcaster. […]

Link to: Publisher arrested, “Le Palmares” newspaper suspended

Publisher arrested, “Le Palmares” newspaper suspended

Michel Luya, publisher of the opposition newspaper “Le Palmares”, was arrested at his home on 17 September 1995 and handed over to the court. He could face one to twelve months’ imprisonment. And, on 18 September, Minister of Information and the Press Boguo Makeli ordered “Le Palmares” suspended indefinitely. These actions follow the paper’s publication […]

Link to: “The People” office petrol-bombed

“The People” office petrol-bombed

A gang of about eight people threw four petrol bombs into the compound of the Nairobi weekly newspaper “The People”, situated along Waiyaki Way in Westlands area, on 18 September 1996 shortly after midnight. The bombs exploded after hitting the wall and window of the accounts office but did not cause any major damage. Two […]

Link to: Newspaper group says monarchy wants it closed

Newspaper group says monarchy wants it closed

Swaziland’s only independent newspaper group said the ruling monarchy was planning ways of forcing it to close down. In a “The Times of Swaziland” editorial of 7 August 1996, the newspaper said that there were “strong indications that pressure is being put on the authorities to close down The Times of Swaziland group of newspapers….” […]

Link to: Journalist Paddy Mbawa released from prison; faces seven libel suits

Journalist Paddy Mbawa released from prison; faces seven libel suits

Paddy Mbawa, director of the independent newspaper “Cameroon Post”, was released from prison during the last week in August 1996 after serving eleven months. He had been sentenced after being found guilty of fourteen different libel offences against the government. Despite his release from prison, Mbawa faces seven additional libel suits. The date for his […]

Link to: “Torchlight” newspaper banned temporarily

“Torchlight” newspaper banned temporarily

The 6 September 1996 launch in Freetown of the twice-weekly independent newspaper “Torchlight” was delayed when, in a statement issued that same morning, Minister of Information George Banda Thomas banned the circulation of the newspaper, apparently because, according to CPJ sources, the newspaper had published “very uncomplimentary articles” about President Tejan Kabba. Later that same […]

Link to: Editor released without charge; government authorities warn journalists

Editor released without charge; government authorities warn journalists

On 28 August 1996, “Expo Times” publisher and editor-in-chief Ibrahim Seaga Shaw was released without charge. **New case, plus update to IFEX alert dated 28 August 1996** The following day, Minister of Information George Banda-Thomas and Attorney General Solomon Berewa called all editors to a meeting at Banda-Thomas’s office where they were warned against publishing […]

Link to: Newspaper “Okavango Observer” charged; staff questioned

Newspaper “Okavango Observer” charged; staff questioned

The privately-owned newspaper, “Okavango Observer”, was, on 22 January 1996, charged by Botswana’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) under Section 59 of the Alarming Publications Act. On 22 August, editor Caitlin Davies said that the paper had published in its 29 September 1995 edition a story about a notorious street gang known as “Ma Western” which […]

Link to: Fotoform printing house bombed

Fotoform printing house bombed

On 27 August 1996, the premises of Fotoform Printers in Westlands, Nairobi were bombed; however, no substantial damage was done. According to the 30 August edition of the weekly “The People”, which is printed by Fotoform, the gas used in the bombing was contained in two plastic cans which were placed at the rear basement […]

Link to: Copies of play burned during religious demonstration

Copies of play burned during religious demonstration

Two plays about AIDS awareness were among the several items burned during a religious demonstration against the introduction of sex education in Kenyan schools. On 31 August 1996, hundreds of Catholic youth, led by Catholic Church Cardinal Maurice Otunga, marched through the streets of Nairobi. The marchers ended up at Uhuru Park, where the protest […]

Link to: Journalist Appolos Hakizimana released

Journalist Appolos Hakizimana released

Appolos Hakizimana, a journalist with the privately-owned newspaper “Intego”, was released from the Muhima Brigade in Kigali during the week of 19 August 1996. **Updates IFEX alerts dated 9 and 1 August 1996** Background Information Hakizimana was picked up by police on 30 July and accused of being an “interahamwe” (a term used to designate […]