Two journalists sentenced to six months’ imprisonment
(RSF/IFEX) – On 6 February 2003, Nadjikimo Bénoudjita, publication director of the weekly “Notre Temps”, and Mbainaye Bétoubam, the newspaper’s deputy editor-in-chief, were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined two million CFA francs (over 3,000 euros; US$3,300) in damages and interest, in N’Djamena. The court also barred the journalists from exercising their profession for […]
Authorities ban political programmes on private radio stations ahead of legislative election
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Emmanuel Touade, president of the High Council of Communications (Haut conseil de la communication, HCC), RSF protested the decision to bar private, community and associative radio stations from programming “political debates” or “programmes of a political nature” during the entire legislative election campaign. The election is scheduled for 21 […]
Private radio station suspended for three weeks
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Emmanuel Bealoum Touadé, president of the High Council of Communications (Haut conseil de la communication, HCC), RSF protested the community radio station FM Liberté’s three-week suspension. “The authorities are blaming the radio station for a demonstration that took place, yet the station was only doing its job and had […]
Authorities bar political programmes on private radio stations ahead of presidential election
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Emmanuel Touade, president of the High Council of Communications (Haut conseil de la communication, HCC), RSF protested the decision to bar private, community and associative radio stations from programming “political debates” or “programmes of a political nature” during the entire presidential election campaign. The election is scheduled for 20 […]
Verdict returned in defamation trial of “N’Djamena Hebdo”
(RSF/IFEX) – On 4 December 2000, the N’Djamena Magistrate’s Court sentenced Garonde Djarama to a suspended sentence of six months’ imprisonment, a fine of 50,000 CFA Francs (US$68, 72 Euros) and a symbolic fine of one CFA Franc in damages and interest. Oulatar Begoto, director of “N’Djamena Hebdo”, was acquitted. The court disqualified the complaint […]
“N’Djamena Hebdo” attacked for defamation
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Justice Mahmad Alhabo, RSF protested the charging of Oulatar Begoto Nicolas, director of “N’Djamena Hebdo”, and the jailing of Garonde Djarama. The two men are accused of defamation. RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard asked the minister “to do everything possible to facilitate Garonde Djarama’s release and see to […]
CPJ publishes “Hunting The Dictator”
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a CPJ news alert: CPJ PUBLISHES “HUNTING THE DICTATOR” CPJ is pleased to announce the Web publication of “Hunting the Dictator,” Chadian journalist Daniel Bekoutou’s account of how his life was threatened after he led the fight to have former Chadian leader Hissene Habré prosecuted for torture and other crimes […]
Threats issued to newspaper
(RSF/IFEX) – IFEX is concerned about the threats issued to the newspaper “L’Observateur” by Minister of Communication Moussa Dago. At a 26 August 1999 press conference, the minister declared that “all legal measures possible” would be taken to penalize the newspaper “L’Observateur” for what he considered a violation of the Constitution in publishing an interview […]
Journalists convicted of defamation launch appeal; other journalists await hearing of their appeal
(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 30 July 1998, on 20 July 1998, Sy Koumbo Singa Gali and Polycarpe Togomissi, director of publication and journalist respectively for the independent bi-monthly “L’Observateur”, were sentenced for defamation to two-year suspended sentences, fined 1,000,000 CFA francs (about US$1,600.00) and one symbolic CFA franc, to […]
Journalists sentenced
(CPJ/IFEX) – On 20 July 1998, the N’djamena Magistrate Court sentenced managing editor Singa Gali Koumbo and reporter Polycarpe Togomissi, of the independent bi-monthly newspaper “L’Observateur,” to a two-year suspended jail sentence and a fine of 1 million CFA (US$1,700.00) each. The journalists have 10 days to appeal the sentences. **Updates IFEX alert of 4 […]
Two journalists charged with defamation
(RSF/IFEX) – On 3 June 1998, Koumbo Singa Gali and Polycarpe Togamissi, respectively director of publication and reporter for the privately-owned bi-monthly “L’Observateur”, were placed under a committal order (“mandat de depot”) at N’Djamena prison, following a complaint lodged by Wadal Abdelkader Kamougue, president of the national assembly. The journalists are charged with “defamation” for […]
Criminal sanctions in defamation case
(WAN/IFEX) – According to WAN, on 12 February 1998, the N’Djamena correctional tribunal sentenced Yaldet Begoto Oulatar and Dieudonne Djonabaye, director and chief editor respectively of the newspaper “N’Dajmena Hebdo.” The two journalists received two-year suspended prison sentences and fines of 100,000CFA for defaming the President of the Republic of Chad, Colonel Idriss Deby. The […]