Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

RSF condemns the decision to ban Brazil’s largest TV channel from broadcasting any further information about the police investigation into the murder of a well-known Rio de Janeiro city councillor.

RSF is reiterating its call for the immediate release of leading Cameroonian journalist Amadou Vamoulké, in prison on trumped-up charges since July 2016. He is due to appear in court on 4 December in a trial already postponed 14 times in a row.

Decriminalized 17 years ago, defamation could soon become a crime again with punishments of up to three years in jail.

“The Trump administration’s revocation of Mr. Acosta’s press pass was reckless and, as the judge said today, ‘shrouded in mystery,’ and we are relieved that Mr. Acosta can return to work at the White House,” said RSF.

RSF is disturbed by the Casablanca criminal court decision. Plaintiffs were pressured by the authorities and some denied making complaints against Bouachrine.

Shawkan’s lawyer reports that the prosecutor’s office has now decided to extend his detention by six months, which would mean he would not get out of prison until mid-February 2019.

One year ahead of parliamentary elections, Mauritius amends Information and Communication Technologies Act (ICTA) to include clause that imposes heavy sentences for online messages that may be considered aggravating.

The High Authority for Communication in Gabon has suspended the newspaper L’Aube for 3 months and banned its editor from working for 6 months over an article about President Ali Bongo’s health.