Central African Republic

The International Press Institute (IPI) was saddened Friday to learn of the death of Radio Be Oko journalist Elisabeth Blanche Olofio in the Central African Republic, who succumbed to injuries she reportedly suffered in January 2013. According to the Community Radio Association (ARC), Seleka rebels attacked and destroyed Olofio’s home on January 4, 2013 in response to her “sharp tongue.”...

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have urged the transitional government of the Central African Republic and all international forces based in the country to do everything in their power to ensure the murderers of French journalist, Camille Lepage, answer for their crimes. According to media reports, renowned freelance...

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has expressed concern at the criminal proceedings that the CAR authorities have initiated against three journalists. It has also urged the media and the transitional authorities to defuse the tension in their relations. Last week, two newspaper editors were arrested and taken before a judge on charges of libelling President Catherine Samba Panza in articles. They...

At a special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council yesterday on the situation in Central African Republic, Reporters Without Borders spoke about its impact on media personnel, who have been the victims of threats, physical attacks and ransacking of their offices by ex-Seleka soldiers, members of the transitional government and anti-Balakas. The situation has deteriorated further since...

Bangui judge Jules Gaveaux has ordered the release of news media editors Faustin Bambou and Emmanuel Cyrus Sandy after dismissing criminal charges of “inciting violence and hatred” in a case involving defence minister Jean-Francis Bozizé, Paris-based press freedom group Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) has reported. The judge did however on July 11 fine them 300,000 CFA francs (458 euros) on a...

Central African Republic authorities have charged the director of the independent weekly The Hills of Bangui, Faustin Bambou, with inciting hatred and disorder among the military forces and insulting the government, Bambou told New York-based press freedom group Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The director was sent directly to Ngaragba Prison in the capital, Bangui. Four military policemen...