12 month prison sentences for two journalists called for
**Updates IFEX alert of 15 May 2000** (RSF/IFEX) – In a letter addressed to the President of Bangui’s Correctional Court, Mr. Assana, RSF protested the call for prison sentences against Cardoso de Meillot, managing editor of the private daily “Le Démocrate”, and Raphaël Kopessoua, managing editor of the private weekly “Vouma la mouche”. RSF noted […]
Journalist arrested, two others sought
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to President Ange-Félix Patassé, RSF asked that Cardoso de Meillot, managing editor of the private daily “Le Démocrate”, be immediately released, and that the arrest warrants against Raphaël Kopessoua, managing editor of the private weekly “Vouma la mouche”, and Zosse Judes, managing editor of “L’Hirondelle”, be lifted. Without commenting on […]
President threatens the press
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to President Ange-Félix Patassé, RSF has expressed its concern further to a number of recent statements by the head of state which threaten the press. Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general, noted that “these statements do nothing to calm the present situation.” RSF also recalled that the Central African Republic has […]
Journalist forbidden from entering the country
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Central African Republic President Ange-Félix Patassé, RSF has asked that Stephen Smith, a journalist of the French daily “Libération”, be allowed to cover the upcoming presidential elections and that the ban on his presence in the Central African Republic be lifted. According to information obtained by RSF, on 13 […]
Journalist expelled
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is denouncing the expulsion of Stephen Smith, a journalist of the French daily “Libération”, from the Central African Republic. According to RSF’s information, Smith, a specialist of Africa, was in possession of a visa issued by the Central African Republic’s embassy in Paris to visit and do a story on the country’s […]
Journalist sentenced to prison
Mathias Goneyo Reapago, editor-in-chief of the opposition newspaper “le Rassemblement”, was arrested on 19 July 1995. He was charged with attacking “the dignity and honour of the President of the Republic.” The journalist had questioned President Ange-Felix Patasse in an article titled “Who wants to kill [Secretary-General of the Workers’ Trade Union of the Central […]