Newspaper suspended in Gabon

March 18, 1999
The International Freedom Of Expression Exchange (March 18, 1999)

Toronto - The following document was released by Reporters sans frontieres (RSF), Paris: RSF is protesting the suspension of the "La Griffe" newspaper. According to RSF's information, on 17 March 1999, the President of the National Communications Council (Conseil National de la Communication, CNC) announced the suspension of the satirical weekly "La Griffe" during the course of an address on Gabonese national television. He justified his decision by the absence of the newspaper's management from the country, adding that this suspension was effective immediately and would be maintained as long as those responsible for the paper were not clearly identified. The newspaper was suspended once before, on 12 August 1998, further to a sentence brought down by the Libreville Correctional Court in a slander suit. On 15 February 1999, this decision was annulled in a Libreville Appeals Court ruling. The CNC's ruling contradicts both the facts and existing laws. First of all, the two most recent issues of "La Griffe" (dated 5 and 12 March) include the names and duties of the responsible parties as well as the newspaper office's address in Gabon. Secondly, the law does not obligate the newspaper to specify the names of its contributors, nor does it require the physical presence of the newspaper's collaborators on the national territory.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Send appeals to the President of the CNC:

- expressing your concern with regard to this interpretation of the law, which effectively renders the publication and circulation of this newspaper impossible

- suggesting that this censorship of an independent newspaper represents a violation of the right to inform, included in the Constitution of Gabon, and guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which is ratified by Gabon

- consequently, urging him to reexamine his decision and to authorise the publication and circulation of "La Griffe" newspaper

APPEALS TO:

Mr. Pierre-Marie Dong President of the Conseil national de la communication - CNC Libreville, Republique du Gabon

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.

For further information, contact Jean-Francois Julliard or Frederic Lesain at RSF, rue Geoffroy Marie, Paris 75009, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 84, fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51, e-mail: afrique@rsf.fr, Internet: http://www.rsf.fr

The information contained in this action alert is the sole responsibility of RSF. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit RSF.

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