(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 31 October 2003 RSF open letter to presidential candidates in Mauritania: Dear candidates, As the 7 November presidential election approaches, the worldwide press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders calls on you to formally declare your support for a range of measures to ensure greater press freedom, a topic that […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 31 October 2003 RSF open letter to presidential candidates in Mauritania:
Dear candidates,
As the 7 November presidential election approaches, the worldwide press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders calls on you to formally declare your support for a range of measures to ensure greater press freedom, a topic that does not feature in your campaign manifestos.
RSF would like you to promise, if elected, to:
– Abolish Article 11 of the 1991 press law, which allows the Interior Ministry to ban the circulation, distribution or sale of newspapers that “undermine the principles of Islam or the reputation of the state, harm the public interest or disturb public order or security.” More than 10 newspapers have been banned under Article 11 so far this year;
– Enforce Article 15 of the national constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, by ending the state monopoly on radio and television;
– Ensure that application of the press law regarding the issuing of press cards does not exclude independent journalists;
– Give all candidates equal access to public media during future elections.
Reporters Without Borders will publicise your responses to this appeal, which we hope to receive without delay.
