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World media body slams African leaders

World media body slams African leaders
Written by Mutale Kapekele
Monday, January 19, 2009 7:05:01 AM

THE World Association of Newspapers (WAN) has revealed that African leaders have continued resorting to charges of defamation, sedition and “disrupting public order” to intimidate and sanction independent media.

In a report to review 2008, the Paris based organisation presented a growing list of abuses against press freedom and freedom of expression, among them deaths 39 deaths of journalists killed between June and December of 2008.

“Reporting on rebellions or criticising the country’s leadership, administration or the army also lands many African journalists in prison,” the report stated. “Despite efforts led by media and civil society organisations, free expression still remains under threat.”

WAN further stated that attacks and threats against the press multiplied worldwide in the last six months.

“Fourty (40) journalists and other media workers have been killed since June 2008, bringing the year-long total to 68,” WAN stated.

The report stated that 40 journalists were killed between June and December 2008.

The report mentioned that journalists in the Middle East and North Africa were especially threatened, by “autocratic regimes that do not hesitate to take repressive measures against the independent press”.

The report also added that Mexico had emerged as one of the deadliest places for journalists, due to the incidence of drug trafficking in that region.

“Reporting on organised crime groups in Latin America and links between public officials and those groups remain the target of threats of violence, attacks and murders. Impunity prevails as investigations by law enforcement bodies and the judiciary fail. Verbal attacks by political leaders against critical reporters and media have only added to an already hostile environment,” stated WAN in its report. “In Asia, 20 journalists were killed in the last six months. Europe and Central Asia recorded seven journalists killed while sub-Saharan Africa had three media murders and the Middle East, America and North Africa recorded 10.”

Labels: GOVERNANCE, INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

posted by MrK @ 7:06 AM