State Media Under Censure

Media Foundation for West Africa (Accra)

PRESS RELEASE
June 23, 2004
Posted to the web June 23, 2004

The Ivorian Broadcasting Corporation (RTI) was on Thursday, June 10, 2004 issued with a censorship fiat, requiring it to clear all information originating from or about Gohitafla in western Côte d'Ivoire with the office of the acting Minister of Communication, Alphone Douaty.

A communiqué signed by Douatey on behalf of the the Minister of Communications, Hubert Oulaye, specifically instructed the director general of the RTI thus: "You are required, in the handling of information relating to these serious events [a violation of the ceasefire in Gohitafla], to seek prior clearance from the Minster's office before reporting issues ."

According to Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)-Côte d'Ivoire sources, the ministry named two journalists to monitor radio and television news bulletins "likely to endanger the security of Côte d'Ivoire" before they are broadcast.

The communiqué also ordered the suspension of newspaper review programmes on national radio and television. The measures are to remain in force until further notice.

These censorship measures come in the wake of recent clashes between forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo and alleged dissident assailants who attacked Gohitafla while the President was on a visit to the United States. The "New Forces" have denied responsibility for the attack on Gohitafla, blaming it on "uncontrolled elements".

Meanwhile, the new director general of the RTI, Kébé Yacoub, who was accused in the June 5, 2004 edition of the private Le Courrier daily newspaper (known to be sympathetic towards Gbabo's FPI party) of colluding with the former rebels, has referred the matter to the CNP, the newspaper regulating body and the OLPED, the media ethics observatory, before considering court action for libel.