In Zimbabwe, three South African nationals employed by Sky News, Bernet Hasani Sono, Resemate Chauke and Simon Musimani, who were serving a six-month prison sentence, have been released. Their sentences were commuted to a fine after a High Court judge reviewed their cases. They were convicted from bringing broadcasting equipment into the country without a licence. After paying approximately US$2.50, the three journalists were immediately deported from the country.
In Malawi, immigration authorities raided the Joy Radio premises on 10 July in search of alleged foreigners employed by the station. The day before the State House Press Officer Chikumbutso Mtumodzi warned the station against “embarking on a disinformation crusade, airing libellous and slanderous programmes and playing derogatory songs” against President Bingu wa Mutharika.
In Cameroon, authorities have lifted a ban on three private broadcasters that were summarily closed due to critical coverage in February 2008. Equinox Télévision, Radio Equinoxe, and Magic FM were authorized to resume broadcasting on 4 July. However, equipment seized by the government from Magic FM is still in the hands of the government.
In Morocco, a Rabat court fined Al-Jazeera’s Rabat bureau chief, Hassan Rachidi, 4,500 Euros under the justification of article 42 of the press law on 11 July. The satellite TV station was accused of “disseminating false information” by reporting that people were killed in clashes between police and protestors in the southern port city of Sidi Ifni in June.
In Angola, Radio Despertar is continuing to broadcast despite a ministerial order on 8 July to suspend its operations for 180 days on the basis that the radio largely exceeded the 50 km range stipulated in its licence. The suspension was given one month prior to an election campaign due to begin on 5 August. Director Alexandre Solombe of Radio Espertar explained to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) that he has managed to delay the suspension by requesting an official explanation. He claims that according to the law the minister of posts and telecommunications and the minister of social communication, who oversees the news media, should have jointly issued the order. A clear date for suspending operations was absent from the order. Solombe is also considering a court appeal for his case.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), employees at Journalist in Danger (JED), the partner organization for RSF, have been receiving death threats. On 7 July an anonymous email said: “Many people have already paid the price and that could happen to you at any time especially as we are here with you and you cannot identify us.” One week later a man who identified himself as the writer of the email made a threatening phone call. RSF has called on the DRC government to protect JED members to the highest degree and to do everything in their means to stop the threats.
Sources for the Alerts:
Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA)
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)