PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Media watchdog asks Cote d'Ivoire to lift ban on French-based broadcasters
New York, US (PANA) – US-based media watchdog, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Saturday asked the Ivorian authorities to immediately lift a ban imposed on French-based news broadcasters covering the disputed presidential election.
“The ban on popular France-based news broadcasters, which have played an important role in covering the election, deprives Ivorians of diverse sources of reliable news,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “We call on the CNCA to lift this ban immediately.”
A statement by CPJ received by PANA on Saturday said the National Council of Audiovisual Communication (CNCA) ordered the local affiliate of France-based satellite television operator Canal+ to suspend all international news channels offered on subscription-based packages.
Canal+ Cote d’Ivoire, the local affiliate, complied with the ban, which affected about 10 French-language channels, an employee, Clauvis Zahui, told CPJ.
The statement said the announcement came a few hours after France 24, Africa 24 and other stations broadcast a press conference announcing the official results of last Sunday’s contested run-off between incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and challenger Aassane Ouattara.
The results, in which Outtara was declared the winner with 54.1 per cent of the vote, were immediately declared invalid by the Constitutional Council, which certifies the vote.
It said the results were announced after a legal deadline had passed and declared President Gbagbo the winner.
The ban has not affect other stations beaming into Cote d'Ivoire from the region such as Dakar-based West Africa Democracy Radio or Gabon-based Radio Africa Numero 1.
Earlier this year, Ivorian authorities suspended the satellite broadcasts of France 24 after it reported on security forces’ suppression of opposition demonstrations.
Cote d'Ivoire risks another conflict as incumbent President Gbagbo is set to be sworn in on Saturday for another term and opposition leader Ouattara has also claimed victory in the 28 November run-off polls.
The West African state was on Friday plunged deep into confusion and uncertainty as the Constitutional Council “quashed” the victory of Ouattara in the polls and declared President Gbagbo the winner.
-0- PANA MA 4Dec2010
“The ban on popular France-based news broadcasters, which have played an important role in covering the election, deprives Ivorians of diverse sources of reliable news,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “We call on the CNCA to lift this ban immediately.”
A statement by CPJ received by PANA on Saturday said the National Council of Audiovisual Communication (CNCA) ordered the local affiliate of France-based satellite television operator Canal+ to suspend all international news channels offered on subscription-based packages.
Canal+ Cote d’Ivoire, the local affiliate, complied with the ban, which affected about 10 French-language channels, an employee, Clauvis Zahui, told CPJ.
The statement said the announcement came a few hours after France 24, Africa 24 and other stations broadcast a press conference announcing the official results of last Sunday’s contested run-off between incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and challenger Aassane Ouattara.
The results, in which Outtara was declared the winner with 54.1 per cent of the vote, were immediately declared invalid by the Constitutional Council, which certifies the vote.
It said the results were announced after a legal deadline had passed and declared President Gbagbo the winner.
The ban has not affect other stations beaming into Cote d'Ivoire from the region such as Dakar-based West Africa Democracy Radio or Gabon-based Radio Africa Numero 1.
Earlier this year, Ivorian authorities suspended the satellite broadcasts of France 24 after it reported on security forces’ suppression of opposition demonstrations.
Cote d'Ivoire risks another conflict as incumbent President Gbagbo is set to be sworn in on Saturday for another term and opposition leader Ouattara has also claimed victory in the 28 November run-off polls.
The West African state was on Friday plunged deep into confusion and uncertainty as the Constitutional Council “quashed” the victory of Ouattara in the polls and declared President Gbagbo the winner.
-0- PANA MA 4Dec2010
