Three opposition newspapers’ offices ransacked
(RSF/IFEX) – The offices of the newspapers “Le Patriote”, “Tassouman” and “Abidjan Magazine” were ransacked by a group of unidentified persons on 16 October 2002, at 9:30 a.m. (local time). RSF condemns the attackers. “This state of affairs is intolerable. It constitutes a deliberate attack on press freedom, at a time when the situation in […]
CPJ concerned about journalists’ safety, government restricts foreign broadcasts
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 25 September 2002 CPJ press release: CPJ CONCERNED ABOUT JOURNALISTS’ SAFETY IN THE IVORY COAST Government restricts foreign broadcasts to fight terrorists New York, September 25, 2002-The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is gravely concerned about the safety of journalists covering the ongoing military crisis in the Ivory Coast. […]
RSF urges authorities to guarantee press freedom
(RSF/IFEX) – On 26 September 2002, RSF expressed its concern about curbs on press freedom in Côte d’Ivoire since the outbreak of an anti-government rebellion on 19 September, including the blocking of the reception of major foreign radio stations. “It is hard to believe the government’s explanation that the blocking of the stations for the […]
Police raid editorial offices
(RSF/IFEX) – On 9 September 2002, uniformed police officers raided the offices of two dailies with links to the opposition, “Le Patriote” and “Tassouman”. An article published that morning in “Tassouman” reported on the theft of Interior Minister Emile Boga Doudou’s vehicle. “This police raid raises concerns about press freedom in Côte d’Ivoire. We hope […]
Two journalists receive death threats
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Home Affairs Emile Boga Doudou, RSF expressed concern about the death threats against Abdoulaye Sangaré, managing editor of the independent daily “Le Jour”, and Patrice Guéhi, publisher of the newspaper “Le Patriote”. “These threats are unacceptable. We ask you to guarantee the security of these journalists,” said […]
Deadly attack at home of private newspaper editor
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Justice Siene Oulaï, RSF expressed its concern following the deadly attack that took place at the home of Laurent Tapé Koulou, publication director of the private daily “Le National”. RSF asked the minister to do everything possible so that those responsible for the attack are identified and […]
Two journalists sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for defamation
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Communications Lia Bi Douyoua, RSF protested the three month prison sentence handed down to Méité Sindou, editor-in-chief of the daily “Le Patriote”, and Patrice Lénonhin, publication director with the same paper, for defamation. RSF asked that “the punishment not be applied, and that the charges weighing against […]
Burkina Faso community’s newspaper authorised to publish again
(RSF/IFEX) – On 3 May 2001, the National Press Commission (Commission nationale de la presse, CNP) lifted the suspension against the bi-monthly publication “Solidarité Paalga”. The CNP met twice with publishing director Nicolas Sahouidi to look into the reasons for this measure. For further information, contact Jean-François Julliard at RSF, rue Geoffroy Marie, Paris 75009, […]
Burkina Faso community’s newspaper suspended
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Eugène Die Kacou, president of the National Press Commission (Commission nationale de la presse, CNP), RSF protested the suspension “until further notice” of the publication “Solidarité Paalga”. RSF asked the CNP president to reverse his decision. “This is the first time a newspaper has been suspended in Côte d’Ivoire […]
Journalist beaten and arrested by police, two newsrooms ransacked by students
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to President Laurent Gbagbo, RSF expressed its concern further to the arrest of Bakary Nimaga, editor-in-chief of “Le Libéral”, and the ransacking of two newspapers’ newsrooms in Abidjan. “Two days after your official inauguration as head of state, it is your duty to publicly comment on the issue of press […]
Journalist and four technicians from private press group beaten by soldiers
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Communications Minister Henri-César Damalan, RSF protested the attack by soldiers against five employees of the Olympe press group. “With a presidential election a few days away, it is your duty to guarantee the security of journalists and press professionals in your country,” stated Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general. “The […]
Journalist tortured on presidential orders, CPJ expresses its alarm
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 13 September 2000 letter to President Robert Gueï, CPJ stated that it is gravely disturbed by the continued brutal persecution of journalists who criticize the president and the activities of his military government. CPJ is particularly alarmed at the recent beating of Joachim Beugré, editor of the private daily “Le Jour”, […]
Journalist from private daily beaten
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the president of the Republic, General Robert Guéï, RSF protested the attack against Joachim Beugré, a journalist with the Ivoirian daily “Le Jour”. Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general, deplored this attack and made it clear that it was a “serious blow to press freedom.” Expressing its concern over the […]
Two journalists held in police custody for “slander”
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the state minister responsible for security, Quartermaster General Lassana Palenfo, RSF protested the placement in police custody of Yoro Koné and Khristian Kara, managing editor and journalist, respectively, with the private daily “Le Libéral”. Without commenting on the accusations brought forward by the daily against General Robert Guéï, RSF […]
BBC journalist beaten by soldiers
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the state minister responsible for security, Quartermaster General Lassana Palenfo, RSF protested the attack on Mohamed Fofana Dara, a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) journalist. The organisation asked the minister to launch an inquiry and punish the soldiers responsible for the brutal assault. According to information collected by RSF, on […]
Junta cracks down on the press after “failed coup”
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a CPJ press release: COTE D’IVOIRE: JUNTA CRACKS DOWN ON THE PRESS AFTER “FAILED COUP” New York, July 7, 2000 — On July 5, in the aftermath of what he described as a “failed coup,” Cote d’Ivoire’s military ruler General Robert Guei warned local journalists to be “careful” because they […]