CPJ condemns junta’s plan to legalise censorship
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 28 June 2000 letter to President Robert Gueï, CPJ expressed its grave concern about his regime’s plans to tighten state control over the press in Côte d’Ivoire. According to CPJ’s sources in Abidjan, Information Minister Captain Henri Cesar Sama announced on 23 June that the ruling National Public Salvation Committee (CNSP) […]
Soldiers raid newspaper offices and assault journalists
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter addressed to the president, General Robert Gueï, RSF protested the assault on several journalists with the private daily “La Référence”, in Abidjan, and expressed its concern about the deteriorating press freedom situation in Côte d’Ivoire. Reminding the head of state of “[his] commitments with respect to press freedom when [he] […]
CPJ condemns kidnapping and torture of journalist
CPJ is outraged by the 9 April 2000 kidnapping and torture of Jules Toualy, a reporter with the private daily “Le Jeune Democrate”, by two soldiers close to the ruling National Public Salvation Committee (CNSP). Dressed in street clothes but carrying their military identification cards along with pistols and a submachine gun, the two soldiers […]
CPJ condemns attacks on private newspapers
In a 28 March 2000 letter to President Robert Gueï, CPJ stated that it is deeply disturbed by several serious recent press freedom violations in Côte d’Ivoire. Upon seizing power in December 1999, the president promised that freedom of expression would be respected. Since then, however, soldiers close to the ruling National Public Salvation Committee […]
CPJ publishes analysis of press freedom implications of recent military coup
(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 […]
Two journalists detained, released
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to General Robert Gueï, RSF expressed concern over the detention of Jean Baptiste Akrou and Gaoussou Kamissoko, two journalists with the government daily “Fraternité Matin” in Abijan. RSF asked the general to reveal the location of the journalists’ detention, as well as the motives for their arrest. “If the motive […]
Publisher released, CPJ concerned over deterioration of press freedom
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 29 October 1999 letter to President Henri Konan Bedie, CPJ expressed its grave concern over the continued deterioration of the press freedom situation in Côte d’Ivoire. **Updates IFEX alerts of 29 October 1999, 13 September, 27 August, 30 June, 10 June, 4 June and 2 June 1999** While CPJ welcomed the […]
Two journalists receive six-month prison sentence
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter addressed to the minister of justice and human rights, Jean Kouakou Brou, RSF protested the charges against Raphaël Lakpé and Jean Khalil Sylla, editor-in-chief and journalist, respectively, of the private daily “Le Populaire”. They were condemned to six months in prison for “distribution of false news” and “acts and manoeuvres […]
Newspaper offices looted, night watchman killed
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Jean Kouakou Brou, justice minister and minister responsible for human rights, RSF has asked to be kept informed of progress in the investigation of the attack on the offices of the daily “Libération” in Abidjan. RSF also expressed its concern about the intensification of attacks on the opposition press […]
Newspaper manager survives shooting
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Justice and Human Rights Jean Kouakou Brou, RSF asked to be kept informed of the results of an investigation into the Abidjan shooting in which Lama Fofana, manager of the daily “Libération”, managed to escape with his life. Robert Ménard, RSF’s secretary-general, expressed his concern over the […]
Presidential advisor attacks journalist
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is expressing its surprise and concern over remarks made by the president’s communications advisor, Jesus Kouassi Yobouet, concerning Fabienne Pompey, a French journalist stationed in Abidjan. According to RSF, in an opinion piece read on national television, Yobouet attacked Pompey, a contributor to several French media outlets in Côte d’Ivoire. According to […]
Newspaper owner assassinated
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the minister of justice and human rights, Jean Kouakou Brou, RSF has asked to be kept informed of progress in the investigation into the murder of Abdoulaye Bakayoko, owner and manager of the daily “Le Libéral” (the newspaper of the Rassemblement des Républicains, RDR, Alassane Dramane Ouattara’s opposition party). […]
Continued detention of publisher and reporter
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ has protested in the strongest terms against the continued detention of Raphael Lakpe and Jean Khalil Sylla, the publisher and reporter, respectively, at the independent daily newspaper “Le Populaire”. **Updates IFEX alerts of 27 August, 30 June, 10 June, 4 June and 2 June 1999** In the early hours of 28 April […]
Journalist held for four months without trial in Abidjan
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Justice and Human Rights Jean Kouakou Brou, RSF has again asked for the release of two journalists of the daily “Le Populaire”. RSF reminded the minister that “tomorrow, Raphaël Lakpé will have been denied his freedom for four months.” Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general, noted that “there […]
Newspaper seized
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Security Minister Marcel Dibonan Koné, RSF protested the police’s seizure of the newspaper “Africa Golfe Eco”. The press freedom organisation demanded that copies of the monthly be returned to vendors. Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general, stated that this seizure was “an illegal action by security forces and an attack […]
Two journalists still detained in Ivory Coast
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Jean Kouakou Brou, Minister of Justice and Human Rights, RSF reiterated its concern regarding the detention of two journalists from the daily “Le Populaire”. RSF asked that Raphaël Lakpé and Jean Khalil Sylla “be released.” Robert Ménard, RSF’s secretary general, also asked that “the legal proceedings end and that […]