**Updates IFEX alert of 27 January 1999** (WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release: WAN Asks Liberia to Help Free Kidnapped Journalist The World Association of Newspapers has asked Liberia to intervene with rebels in Sierra Leone to help free journalist Javier Espinosa of Spain’s El Mundo newspaper, who was kidnapped on Monday. […]
**Updates IFEX alert of 27 January 1999**
(WAN/IFEX) – The following is a WAN press release:
WAN Asks Liberia to Help Free Kidnapped Journalist
The World Association of Newspapers has asked Liberia to intervene with
rebels in Sierra Leone to help free journalist Javier Espinosa of Spain’s El
Mundo newspaper, who was kidnapped on Monday.
“As we understand it, your government wields considerable influence over the
Revolutionary United Front of Sierra Leone, and we urge you to use this to
obtain the release of this journalist, who is in grave danger,” WAN said in
a letter to Liberian President Charles Taylor.
Mr. Espinosa was kidnapped on 25 January by the RUF together with Patrick
Saint-Paul of the French daily Le Figaro as they were trying to get an
interview with the RUF Commander in Kalaba town.
Mr. Saint-Paul was released the same day, but the RUF has apparently stated
that they will not free Mr. Espinosa unless the BBC radio programme “Focus
on Africa” announces that the rebels have gained control of Freetown and
that they are treating civilians correctly.
“It goes without saying that neither Mr. Espinosa nor El Mundo can be held
responsible for the content of BBC broadcasts,” said the letter from WAN.
The Paris-based WAN, the global association of the newspaper industry,
defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 15,000
newspapers and its membership includes 57 national newspaper publisher
associations, individual newspaper executives in 90 countries, 17 news
agencies and seven regional press groups.