Committee to Protect Journalists - Gabon

Gabon opposition TV station reports attack

2012-09-10T21:54:25Z

On September 5, 2012, the studios of TV+, a private television station in the capital, Libreville, owned by André Mba Obame, the country's main opposition leader, were attacked by six unknown assailants, Agence France-Presse quoted Editor-in-Chief Ismaël Obiang Nze as saying. In the attack around 3 a.m. local time, a security guard was hit on the head with a hammer, stabbed in the back, and tied up, but his injuries were not critical, Nze said.

In Gabon, gunmen burn opposition TV station's transmitter

2012-08-16T20:46:57Z

Lagos, Nigeria, August 16, 2012--Unidentified gunmen today stormed a private television station owned by Gabon's main opposition leader and burned down its transmitters, according to local journalists and news reports. It was the second armed attack on the broadcaster since 2009.

Gabon suspends 2 newspapers critical of government

2012-08-06T20:51:11Z

New York, August 6, 2012--The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Friday's decision by Gabon's state-run media regulator to suspend two private newspapers for six months over criticism of top officials.

In a press statement obtained by CPJ, the National Communications Council accused weeklies Ezombolo and La Une of disrespecting public institutions "and the personalities that embody them." Local journalists told CPJ that the council appeared to be singling out critics of the government.

Gabon journalists summoned over critical articles

2012-03-20T22:11:28Z

New York, March 20, 2012--The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Gabon's authorities to drop legal proceedings against six journalists in connection with articles raising questions about use of a presidential plane. Two of the journalists have fled the country fearing arrest after being summoned by police for interrogation.

Two Gabon outlets suspended for opposition coverage

2012-01-05T21:15:22Z

New York, January 5, 2012--The government of Gabon, led by President Ali Bongo, on Tuesday imposed suspensions on a TV station and a newspaper for coverage of opposition leader André Mba Obame, according to local journalists and news reports.

Gabon: Civil damages are not a tool for punishment

2010-10-29T17:20:42Z

New York, October 29, 2010--The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Gabonese authorities to free a journalist who was jailed on Tuesday for failing to pay exorbitant damages stemming from a 2004 civil libel suit.

CPJ, African groups call for press freedom commitment

2010-07-08T15:20:47Z

Your Excellencies: As you gather in Paris for festivities that celebrate your nations’ 50 years of independence, we, the undersigned African press freedom advocates petition for your public commitment to a free, vibrant, and self-sustaining press as a cornerstone of the development of francophone Africa in the next five decades.

In Gabon, journalist given suspended prison sentence

2010-06-10T20:43:00Z

New York, June 10, 2010—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a suspended prison sentence handed to a journalist this week over an article raising questions about the unsolved murder of a government official.

Attacks on the Press 2009: Africa Developments

2010-02-16T05:02:50Z

CPJ condemns suspension of six newspapers in Gabon

2009-11-12T21:59:08Z

New York, November 12, 2009—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the suspension of six private newspapers by the government-controlled media-monitoring body, the National Communications Council, in Gabon. The council announced the suspensions, which range from one to three months, on Tuesday evening on state-run TV. The papers have been suspended for “violating the ethics of journalism” and “inciting ethnic divisions” according to local reports.

Gabonese media under attack since election

2009-09-03T21:17:27Z

New York, September 3, 2009--Five journalists and a TV station covering Gabon's disputed presidential election, which has already been marred by media censorship, have been attacked since Wednesday, according to local journalists and news reports.

Official results announced today declared Ali Ben Bongo--son of Omar Bongo, the late 41-year ruler of the oil-rich, equatorial nation--the winner of Sunday's vote between 18 candidates, but challenges to the results turned to violent unrest. Journalists and media outlets with perceived partisanship to Bongo or his rivals have come under attack.

Gabon election marred by media censorship

2009-09-01T21:21:42Z

New York, September 1, 2009--The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Gabonese government censorship and restrictions on media coverage of Sunday's presidential elections, including denials of accreditation to at least four international journalists.

Gabon targets media over coverage of Bongo's health

2009-05-27T18:36:03Z

New York, May 27, 2009--The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the government of Gabon's crackdown on independent media coverage of President Omar Bongo's hospitalization and potential succession issues. Bongo, Africa's longest-serving head of state, has been in a Spanish hospital since earlier this month amid conflicting reports about his condition.

Attacks on the Press in 2008: Africa Developments

2009-02-10T05:53:00Z

Two publications suspended in Gabon

2009-01-23T21:16:29Z