MEDIAS
SENEGAL – RSF calls for release of investigative journalist
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the detention of journalist Pape Alé Niang, who has been charged, among other things, with disseminating information “harmful to security”. Our organisation calls for the journalist’s immediate release and calls on the authorities to protect press freedom.
He spent his first night in prison. On 9 November, investigative journalist Pape Alé Niang was charged and placed under arrest by a Senegalese judge. He is being prosecuted for disclosing information that is “injurious to national defence”, for receiving administrative and military documents, and for disseminating “false news that discredits public institutions”.
“It is anachronistic to see a journalist in prison in a country like Senegal, considered one of the most stable democracies in Africa and endowed with a plural and abundant media landscape. We call on the authorities to release journalist Pape Alé Niang and establish a dialogue with the media. Decriminalization of press offences is still not effective in Senegal and this continues to be a problem. The texts governing the media must be reviewed.”
Sadibou Marone, head of RSF’s Sub-Saharan Africa office.
Arrested on Sunday, November 6, Pope Alé Niang was taken into custody for three days and charged, before being imprisoned. Investigative journalist, director of the Dakar Matin news website and member of the Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO), Pape Alé Niang is used to dealing live with news topics. He had recently dealt with a case of alleged rape of a young masseuse by political opponent Ousmane Sonko, a case that was very much followed in Senegal.
In a statement issued the day after his arrest, the Senegalese justice system, through the Public Prosecutor’s office, stated that it had “asked the police, in compliance with the requirements of press freedom, to open an investigation into the case”, saying that “repeated, unfounded and unacceptable attacks on defence and security forces” had been observed “for some time”. For his part, the Minister of the Armed Forces stressed that the protection of national defence secrecy falls under a strict legal regime applicable to all citizens.
In an interview with RSF, one of Pope Alé Niang’s lawyers, Mr Ciré Clédor Ly, described the charges against the journalist as a “mountain of heresies”. For RSF, these disproportionate charges could lead other journalists to self-censorship and block any investigative initiative in the name of the public’s right to information.
RSF joins the press associations in Senegal in calling for the journalist’s release.
Source : Reporters Without Borders
MEDIAS
MEDIA – Press release of the Senegalese Press Club in France on the case of investigative journalist Pape Alé Niang
Once again, our colleague Pape Alé Niang has been arrested and placed in pre-trial detention for a few days. Accused of leaking information prejudicial to national defence and spreading fake news, he had already been imprisoned a few months ago. This time, he is imprisoned under the charge of having launched a “call for insurrection”, shortly after the arrest of the opponent Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef.
The Senegalese Press Club in France first expresses its support and compassion to Pope Alé Niang, detained since July 29, 2023, he began a hunger strike to denounce the injustice he is a victim.
We draw the attention of national and international opinion to the very precarious state of health of Pope Alé Niang. We strongly denounce his arrest as a flagrant violation of press freedom and freedom of expression.
We therefore call for the immediate and unconditional release of Pope Alé Niang, whose health cannot be compatible with detention and is deteriorating day by day.
We remind the Senegalese authorities of the importance of guaranteeing citizens’ right to information and respecting democratic principles.
The Senegalese press club in France does not rule out bringing to justice the Senegalese authorities who have endangered the life of a journalist.
The life of Pape Alé NIANG is in the hands of the regime of Macky SALL!
Done at Paris, 3 August 2023
The Senegalese Press Club in France
MEDIAS
BURKINA FASO – France 24 emissions suspended
Burkinabe authorities ordered the cessation of France 24’s broadcasts following an interview with the head of the North African branch of the Al-Qaeda group, Aqim. The French channel deplores the decision.
In a statement available on its website, the French media “challenges the unfounded accusations” put forward by the Burkinabe authorities to justify their decision, this Thursday, June 30, 2023.
At the reproach of the Burkinabe government for having granted an interview to the head of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqmi), France 24 replies that it did not grant him an interview directly, “taking care to recount his remarks in the form of a chronicle allowing the necessary distancing and contextualization.”
MEDIAS
SENEGAL – Journalists declare a day without press
The Coordination of Press Associations (CAP) declared Friday, June 16, 2023 at a conference that June 23, 2023 will be a «Day without Press». The decision follows the numerous arrests of journalists in Senegal over the past several months.
Pape Alé Niang spent more than 2 months in prison before being granted provisional freedom. Pape NDIAYE of the Walfadjiri group has been in prison for more than 3 months as well as Serigne Saliou Gueye, Editor of the daily Yoor-Yoor. There is also Maty Sarr Niang, who collaborated with the site Kewoulo, in prison for several weeks.
It should be noted that Walfadjiri television has been suspended for one month since 1 June.
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