Technology a shot in the arm in West Africa’s fight against COVID-19
Telecommunications companies, civic groups and state entities in Ghana, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire harness the power of technology in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ivorian journalist Jonas Baikeh receives death threat
Ivorian journalist Jonas Baikeh was forced to go into hiding after receiving death threats from ruling party supporters for his real time report on the collapse of a government official.
Media targeted ahead of Ivory Coast election
Journalists are being targeted by security agents, politicians and party supporters as the Ivory Coast election draws closer.
Journalist detained and assaulted by prison official while covering story
Ivorian journalist Claude Dasse was detained and assaulted by an official at a prison where he was investigating allegations of extortion.
MFWA concerned by continuous use of prohibitive fines against media in Côte d’Ivoire
Six journalists and two managing editors have been heavily fined in separate cases in just over a month in Côte d’Ivoire.
MP sentenced to one-year prison term for Twitter post under Penal Code
Opposition Member of Parliament Alain Lobognon has been sentenced to one year in prison for his Twitter post in what is being regarded as a political power ploy.
Côte d’Ivoire withdraws controversial media bill following MFWA petition
The MFWA and its national partner organisations in West Africa have welcomed the decision of the Ivorian government to withdraw the controversial press bill, sections of which sought to criminalise speech.
Côte d’Ivoire’s new media bill criminalises press offences
Côte d’Ivoire’s new media bill has the potential to be exploited by politicians and influential people to settle scores with critical journalists, and encourage self-censorship.
Journalists detained for reporting on mutiny released after 48 hours
The six journalists still face charges of “undermining state security and inciting soldiers to acts of insubordination and rebellion.”
Côte d’Ivoire: Youth attack journalist’s home over “unfair reporting”
A group of angry youth attacked the home of the regional correspondent of an Ivorian independent daily, Soir Info, in Dabou. The assailants accused the journalist of filing reports that portrayed their community as a town still in turmoil.
Groups call for peaceful elections in Côte d’Ivoire following detention of activists
All political actors in Cote d’Ivoire should make a commitment to peaceful elections, 15 Ivorian and international organizations said several days before the first round of presidential elections. The groups expressed their concern over the treatment of a number of opposition activists detained over their involvement in unauthorized protests.
Côte d’ Ivoire’s media regulatory body suspends newspaper over “insults” against president
A statement issued The Conseil National de la Presse (CNP) accused Le Monde d’ Abidjan of “publishing insults to an extreme gravity” against the Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, in its 29 January issue. This is the fifth newspaper that the CNP has sanctioned this year.
Journalist murdered, another abducted in Côte d’Ivoire
Reporters Without Borders is alarmed by the climate of intimidation for Ivorian journalists after Tomorrow Magazine editor Désiré Oué’s murder on 14 November and Le Nouveau Réveil reporter Dieusmonde Tadé’s overnight abduction four days later.
Ivorian publisher freed after over a year in prison
Ousmane Sy Savané was released provisionally on World Press Freedom Day, after being held for just over 13 months on a charge of endangering state security.