27 February 1998

Alert

Private radio station suspended


Incident details

legal action


(RSF/IFEX) - According to RSF, on 20 February 1998, Radio Soleil, a private
radio station, was forbidden from transmitting. The decision, by the
National Communication Council, followed an editorial broadcast by Radio
Soleil in which President Omar Bongo was satirized. The radio station has
close ties to the National Union of Timberworkers opposition party.




Without commenting on the merits of the case, RSF is shocked that the
suspension affects the entirety of Radio Soleil's programming.


Recommended Action


Send appeals to authorities:

  • recalling that Gabon ratified the African Charter of Human Rights, in which
    article 9 guarantees freedom of expression and information
  • appealing to them to use their authority so that all other Radio Soleil
    programming may continue to broadcast




    Appeals To



    Omar Bongo
    President of the Republic of Gabon

    c/o the diplomatic representative of the Republic of Gabon in your country

    (in Canada)
    Embassy of the Republic of Gabon
    4 Range Road
    Ottawa, Ontario
    Canada K1N 8J5
    Fax: 613 232 6916







    Please copy appeals to the source if possible.





    • Source

    Reporters Without Borders
    47, rue Vivienne
    75002 Paris, France
    rsf (@) rsf.org


    Fax:+33 1 45 23 11 51

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