Press Freedom
CPJ Updates
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- Fragile Progress: Part 1
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- Fragile Progress: Part 3
Reporter Without Borders
Togo April 7, 2005
H.E. Faure Gnassingbe
President
Office of the President
Palais Presidential
Avenue de la Marina
Lome
Republic of Togo
Fax: (011.228) 21-20-40
Your Excellency:
We write to join the many voices protesting your recent crack-down on the media of Togo in the aftermath of the death of your father, President Gnassingbe Eyadema, and your unconstitutional seizure of his office with the support of the army.
In nine days beginning February 7, 2005, officials of your government closed ten radio and television stations, either accusing them of “inciting civil disobedience and revolt” or on the pretext that they owed back taxes. It is evident that their real offense was broadcasting panel discussions of your actions and/or call-in shows on which listeners voiced opinions hostile to your coup.
While we are relieved that all the stations have since been allowed to resume broadcasting, the precedent you have set in harassing them is extremely worrisome. We urge you to issue a strong statement affirming support for press freedom and expressing regret for the actions taken in February.
Thank you for your attention. We await your response.
Respectfully yours,
Norman A. Schorr
Larry Martz
Co-chairmen, Freedom of the Press Committee
cc:
Koffi Sama
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1161
Lome
Republic of Togo
Fax: (011.228) 221-2952
Akoussoulelou Bodjona
Ambassador of Togo to the U.S.A.
Embassy of the Republic of Togo
2208 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington , DC 20008
Fax: (202) 232-3190
Kodjo Mena
Charge d’Affaires
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Togo
to the United Nations
112 East 40 th Street
New York , NY 10016
Fax: (212) 983-6684
Gregory W. Engle
U.S. Ambassador to Togo
Embassy of the United States of America
Rue Kouenou and Beniglato Rue 15
Lome B.P. 852
Togo
Fax: (011.228) 221-7952