CPJ alarmed by closure of independent radio broadcaster
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 25 February 2003 letter to President Kumba Yala of Guinea-Bissau, CPJ expressed alarm at the government’s closure of Radio Bombolom, Guinea-Bissau’s main independent news broadcaster, in the latest attempt to silence critical voices ahead of general elections scheduled for 20 April. On 13 February, police shuttered Radio Bombolom’s offices, forcing the […]
Authorities shut down opposition radio station
(RSF/IFEX) – On 13 February 2003, the Guinea-Bissau authorities shut down private radio station Bombolom FM for an unspecified period. The authorities accuse the station of “threatening state security”. RSF urges President Kumba Yalla to see to it that the radio station is allowed to start broadcasting again as soon as possible. “The station is […]
Portuguese television station RTP barred from broadcasting
(RSF/IFEX) – On 1 December 2002, the Portuguese public broadcaster Radiotelevisao Portuguesa’s (RTP) operations were suspended in Guinea-Bissau for an unspecified period, according to the Information Ministry. “This decision is unfair and unacceptable. RTP does nothing more than fulfill its mission of informing the people of Guinea-Bissau of events that have marked their country’s history,” […]
CPJ disturbed by recent arrests of two journalists
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 27 June 2002 CPJ press release: GUINEA-BISSAU: Two journalists arrested New York, June 27, 2002-The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is disturbed by the recent arrests of João de Barros, publisher and editor of the independent daily Correio de Bissau, and Nilson Mendonca, editor at the state-run Rádio Difusão […]
Imprisoned journalist begins hunger strike, subsequently released
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed its serious concern following the detention of Joao de Barros, publication director of the private daily “Correio de Bissau”. After his incarceration, the journalist announced that he was beginning a hunger strike. “This journalist is the victim of constant harassment from the authorities. He is either imprisoned or his newspaper […]
Two journalists arrested by state prosecutor’s order
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to State Prosecutor Caetano N’Tchama, RSF protested the arrests of João de Barros, the daily “Diário de Bissau”‘s publication director, and his colleague Athizar Mendes. RSF urged the prosecutor to take the necessary measures to ensure that the journalists are released immediately. “The press freedom situation in Guinea-Bissau continues to […]
RSF protests closure of two private newspapers
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Guinea-Bissau State Prosecutor Caetano N’Tchama, RSF protested the closure of two private newspapers, the daily “Diario de Bissau” and the weekly “Gazeta de Noticias”. “The independent press has been in the authorities’ sights since Mr. Yala’s election to the presidency of Guinea-Bissau in January 2000,” stated Robert Ménard, the […]
Two independent publications closed
(WAJA/IFEX) – Guinea-Bissau’s state prosecutor has just ordered the closure of two independent publicatons, “Diario de Bissau” and “Gazeta de Noticias”. Two independent radio stations, Pindjiguiti and Bombolom, may also be closed shortly. On 29 October 2001, Guinea-Bissau’s journalists’ associations and unions condemned the decision to close the publications at the Press House (Maison de […]
New public prosecutor threatens journalists from private radio station
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Public Prosecutor Caetano N’Tchama, RSF expressed concern over threats he made against journalists from the private radio station Radio Pidjiquiti. RSF asked the prosecutor to apologise to the radio station staff and publicly affirm his commitment to press freedom. “It is unacceptable that the first act of a recently […]
Army threatens journalists: “In case of war, Radio Bombolom FM will be the first target,” says officer
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the general chief of staff of the armed forces, Veríssimo Correia Seabra, RSF expressed concern over threats uttered by soldiers against journalists. RSF asked the chief of staff to publicly condemn these remarks and to ensure that officers and soldiers of Guinea-Bissau’s army no longer threaten the country’s journalists. […]
News presenters jailed, news broadcasts suspended
(IPI/IFEX) – In a 29 May 2000 letter to Prime Minister Gaetano Intchama, IPI strongly condemned the jailing of Yussuf Keita, a news presenter, and Paula Melho, also a news presenter and responsible for the contents of the news at RTGB, the Radio and Television of Guinea-Bissau. IPI also strongly condemned the suspension of the […]
RSF protests arrests of two journalists
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Prime Minister Caetano N’Tchama, RSF requested the release of Paula Melo, programming director of Radiotelevisão da Guiné-Bissau (Guinea-Bissau Radio-television, RTGB), and Iussuf Queta, RTGB news anchor and correspondent with Portuguese public radio station RDP. RSF recalled that “Guinea-Bissau is the only country in West Africa to have neither signed […]
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 […]
Joao de Barros, editor-in-chief of “Correio da Guine-Bissau”, beaten and arrested
On the morning of 8 March 1995 at approximately 9:00, Joao de Barros, editor-in-chief of the weekly “Correio da Guine-Bissau”, was beaten and arrested at the Bissau airport as he was waiting to board a plane to Cape Verde. Police officers detained Joao de Barros, claiming he did not have permission to leave the country. […]
Newspaper “Correio da Guine Bissau” suspended
On the night of 29 December 1994, the Minister of Communications of Guinea-Bissau, Helder Proenca, suspended the publication of the independent newspaper “Correio da Guine Bissau”. In a press release, the Minister said that a debt to the government incurred by the newspaper was the reason for the suspension. The editor- in-chief of “Correio da […]