Newspaper given reprieve as suspension threat lifted
Recent remarks by a government minister constitute a form of intimidation that undermines media freedom and independence, says RSF.
Government urged to lift suspension of newspaper
The suspension decision follows the paper’s publication of a front page article which authorities charged “deliberately distorts the government’s image.”
Pioneer of independent journalism attacked in his newspaper’s offices
“I know this attack was due to the fact that my newspaper had published several articles about drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau,” said publisher João de Barros.
Armed forces briefly silence broadcast media after murder of president and chief of staff
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is relieved to learn that Guinea-Bissau’s broadcast media were allowed to resume operating shortly after midday on 2 March 2009 after being ordered off the air the previous night following the murder of the armed forces’ Chief of Staff, which was followed in turn on 2 March by the murder […]
Journalist detained briefly, interrogated by intelligence services following publication of article on army’s involvement in police force promotions
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 11 March 2008, Atizar Mendes Pereira, journalist and director of “Última Hora”, a privately-owned Bissau-based newspaper, was arrested and detained by the Intelligence Service of the Ministry of Interior of Guinea Bissau. Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that Pereira was interrogated for nearly six hours, before being released. The […]
Freedom of the Press 2007: Guinea-Bissau
Freedom of the Press 2007: Guinea-Bissau
Journalist intimidated and threatened with death following reports on drug trafficking
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ Says Intimidation of Journalist Must End in Guinea Bissau The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the recent intimidation of the journalist Albert Dabo in Guinea Bissau by the chief of the national navy Rear Admiral Jose Américo Bubo Na Tchuto and the anonymous […]
Journalist faces charges for reporting on soldiers’ alleged involvement in drug trafficking
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 3 September 2007 IFJ media release: IFJ Urges President of Guinea-Bissau to Support Journalists Reporting on Drug Trafficking The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today wrote to President Joao Bernardo Vieira of Guinea Bissau urging him to put an end to the harassment of journalists reporting on drug trafficking […]
IFJ calls for concrete actions for the security of journalists covering drug trafficking
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 19 August 2007 IFJ media release: IFJ Calls for Concrete Actions for the Security of Journalists Covering Drug Trafficking in Guinea-Bissau The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the government of Guinea-Bissau to take concrete and effective action to put an end to threats and intimidation of […]
Four journalists in hiding for fear of being arrested as army cracks down following coverage of drug trafficking
(MFWA/IFEX) – Four journalists in Guinea-Bissau went into hiding on 26 July 2007 for fear of being arrested by the country’s military. The journalists are: Allen Yéro Embalo, correspondent for Radio France International (RFI) and Agence France-Presse (AFP), Alberto Dabo, correspondent for both the BBC’s French-language service and Reuters, as well as journalists Eva Maria […]
IFJ condemns threats against two journalists covering drug trafficking
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ condemns the intimidation of journalists covering drug trafficking in Guinea Bissau The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the government of Guinea-Bissau to help end the intimidation of journalists covering the trafficking of drugs in the country and to ensure appropriate compensation is […]
Police prevent journalist from taking photographs
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 8 June 2007, a group of policemen, members of the “Ninjas”, a special unit of the Guinea Bissau Police, prevented Helmazin Cunha, a journalist working with the pro-government newspaper “Nô Pintcha”, from taking photographs of an operation they undertook to clear hawkers off the streets. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) […]
Presidential press secretary threatens to close radio station
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 17 April 2007, Barnabé Gomes, a presidential press officer, threatened to close Radio Bombolom, an independent radio station based in Bissau, the capital, for allegedly broadcasting a programme that he claimed could worsen the country’s political situation. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) correspondent reported that after the press officer’s unsuccessful […]
President’s supporters besiege radio station, force journalist to disclose source
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 15 November 2006, a group of sympathizers of President Joao Bernardo Vieira besieged Radio Bombolom, an independent radio station based in Bissau, the capital, and forced journalist Antonio Iaia Seidi to disclose a source of information. The angry group also forcibly broadcast a rejoinder to an earlier story filed by Seidi. The […]
Radio journalist assaulted and forced off the air
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is concerned about the serious deterioration of the press freedom situation in Guinea-Bissau following Secretary of State for Information João Manuel Gomes’ dismissal of a national radio journalist. “After having targeted private media outlets and shut down the main opposition radio station, the authorities are now turning their attention to public media […]
Authorities close Radio Bombolom FM permanently
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is concerned about the serious deterioration of the press freedom situation in Guinea-Bissau following the permanent closure of the country’s main opposition radio station. “The situation has been getting increasingly worse since the expulsion of the Portuguese radio and television broadcaster’s bureau chief in December (see IFEX alert of 3 December 2002). […]