Ivory Coast Media Suppression Forces Newspapers' Shutdown

Image via WikipediaLe Nouveau Reveil, Le Patriote and Nord-Sud are among nine Ivory Coast newspapers that have suspended publication in the face of violence, intimidation and onerous fines from supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo, according to an article in today's online edition of The Guardian.

Citing growing concern about press freedom by international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (see "TUOL" post 2/11/11), the Guardian article reports on the heightened violence between supporters of Gbagbo and backers of Alassane Ouattara, who defeated Gbagbo in last November's presidential election, though the incumbent has refused to step down. Examples include the recent lynching of a pro-Gbagbo journalist in Abidjan and vandalism at the transmission center of RTI, the state-run broadcast network. Meanwhile, the nation's media regulatory agency has been levying oppressive fines against newspapers critical of Gbagbo.

Journos Worried About Ivory Coast Media Crackdown

Image via WikipediaReporters Without Borders warns that press freedom is at risk after Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo last week fired the president and board of governors of  the National Press Council, Bloomberg News reports.

Other disturbing news includes the National Broadcasting Council lifting the permit of ONUCI-FM, the United Nations-controlled radio station, on Feb. 9.  President Gbagbo has targeted U.N. peacekeepers whom he believes support his rival, Alassane Ouattara, the victor in a Nov. 28 election that Gbagbo, who has not ceded power, claims was marred by voter fraud.