The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today expressed concerns over the plight of journalists in Guinea-Bissau, following the coup d’état of April 12th in that country in West Africa.
« For a long time Press freedom has been under siege and threatened by drug dealers. The coup d’état has come to worsen the state of the press freedom and the media environment in Guinea-Bissau, » said Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Africa Office Director.
The IFJ has received information which confirms that the military junta who seized power during the coup d’état has closed down media houses and threatened the journalists.
IFJ hails the courage of journalists in Guinea-Bissau to work in respect of their professional code of ethics despite difficult economic and political conditions. The Federation also calls on the junta to do its best to guarantee an environment in which journalists can work safely and freely.
For more information contact the IFJ on +221 33 867 95 86/87
The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries