New law threatens freedom of expression in Togo - IFJ

“This new law is a serious setback for democracy in Togo, because its only objective is to muzzle the private media in this country,” declared Gabriel Baglo director of IFJ Africa Office. “This new law is inappropriate in the current context as it does not conform to internationally recognised standards,” he added.

The Togo Union of the Independent Journalists (UJIT), IFJ affiliate, the Togolese Observatory of Media (OTM), the National Association of media owners of Togo (CONAPP), and the Journalists for Human rights (JDHO-Togo) learned on 30 October the vote by the National Assembly of a bill amending the legislation of 15 December 2004 relating to the High Authority of Audio-visual and Communication (HAAC).

According to a joint statement published by these organisations, the new law provides that the High Authority, after an injunction is made public, can, inter alia, proceed to the “final withdrawal of the authorisation with seizure of the equipment” and to the “suspension for six months of the publication with withdrawal of the press card”. The most appalling according to the statement, is that this law gives prerogative to the HAAC “to organise hearings of media professionals on serious errors”. According to these organisations, this is an attempt to muzzle the private press before the 2010 presidential elections in Togo.

The IFJ has called on the Togolese authorities to build a relationship with the media and has called for dialogue with the trade unions and associations of journalists in order to review this law and allow the journalists to work without fear or intimidation.

Article published courtesy of IFJ.org