By RFPosted on 02-11-2019Modified on 02-11-2019 at 23:29

The CAR has plunged in 2019 in the RSF ranking from 112th place to 145th place. Central African journalists face daily difficulties, navigating in a media environment plagued by conflict and economic obstacles. A draft law on the press has been pending for several months. Saturday, November 2, the Union of Journalists of Central Africa met to denounce the violence they are the subject of recurrent.

" Raymond Daké, Elisabeth-Blanche Olofio, Rene Padou, Desire Syenga, Patrice Yanzenga, Joseph Wiliban ... " The names of the journalists killed go off. " To date, no alleged perpetrator, co-author or sponsor of these abuses has been prosecuted ... "

For Elise Janine Lugo, director of programs at Radio Centrafrique, the most difficult thing to accept is without doubt the lack of justice. She knew journalist Elisabeth-Blanche Olofio, who died in 2014 as a result of abuses by men from armed groups.

" She left behind two little girls and it's painful for young children to grow up without their mother, but at least they have a response from reason that made their mother leave so early. And so I think the time has come now for us to try to raise awareness. Perhaps, in relation to the corporation, we could make a complaint if only to pay homage to the woman who served her country and lost her life for it. "

The security context but also the approximation of the electoral deadline favor attacks against journalists.

" The range goes from the moral pressure of threatening phone calls, corruption, to physical aggression ," says Jean-Ignace Manengou, former president of the community radio association. There were about ten journalists killed in the course of their duties. I have the impression that there are specialists who know very well what to do to threaten journalists. "

On Saturday, the journalists together created a warning mechanism on cases of aggression against journalists and media professionals, cases still too little documented, documented and followed.

Foreign journalists are also victims of the situation in the Central African Republic. Three Russian journalists were killed in August 2018 while investigating the presence of mercenaries in their country in CAR. In June, AFP colleagues were attacked by police while covering a demonstration.

Not to mention the case of Camille Lepage, French photojournalist killed in Central Africa in 2014 while covering the conflict. Camille's family is still asking for the case to be brought to justice.

    On the same subject

    "The Central African government knows how to play the rivalry of the great powers"

    Central African Republic: fighting racketeering on the roads

    Central African Republic: A Question and Answer Session to the Government of the Assembly

    comments