(MFWA/IFEX) – “Kalum Express”, a privately-owned Conakry-based newspaper, was suspended for two months by the media regulator, the National Council for Communication (CNC), on 27 November 2006, for allegedly damaging the reputation of the state of Guinea. The newspaper will be out of circulation until 27 January 2007. MFWA’s correspondent says Top Sylla, the managing […]
(MFWA/IFEX) – “Kalum Express”, a privately-owned Conakry-based newspaper, was suspended for two months by the media regulator, the National Council for Communication (CNC), on 27 November 2006, for allegedly damaging the reputation of the state of Guinea.
The newspaper will be out of circulation until 27 January 2007.
MFWA’s correspondent says Top Sylla, the managing editor of “Kalum Express”, has also been barred from establishing any media under a new name or work as a journalist in the country during the period of the suspension.
A CNC statement signed by its chairman, Boubacar Yacine Diallo, accused the newspaper of damaging the reputation of the state.
According to the CNC, an editorial carried in Issue no 5 on 27 November, portrayed the state of Guinea as very dishonest. The article, according to MFWA, accused the government of pressuring an audit firm to publish figures in its favour.
The CNC also accused the newspaper of taking sides in a battle of allegations and counter-allegations of indebtedness by state officials and a wealthy businessman, Mamadou Sylla.
The MFWA appeals to the CNC to apply other forms of sanctions on the media, since suspensions tend to undermine media freedom.
