Human rights group lashes out at media clamp down

As Angolan journalist Rafael Marques entered his 26th day in detention, Amnesty International issued a report saying that freedom of expression in Angola was being stifled with the government using legal procedures to “arrest, question and intimidate journalists, apparently with the intention of silencing criticism.” A spokesman from the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) told IRIN on Thursday that Marques had still not been charged and that there was no indication on the part of the authorities as to what his fate may be. Marques’ bail application has been dismissed by the government, although he has been given access to his lawyer and his family. In its latest report, ‘Angola: Freedom of expression under threat’, Amnesty International said: “The right to freedom of information is essential to enable Angolans to know what is really happening in their country and allow them to contribute to the resolution of the crisis in a meaningful way.” According to the report since January this year, 20 journalists have been detained, most of whom work for privately owned radio stations and newspapers. These journalists were detained by the police and questioned about reports which the government saw as defamatory and or slandering the state, or as crimes against the security of the state. In its report Amnesty International said that the Angolan authorities have repeatedly warned media outlets that they may be closed if their reports contain information which the government “considers to be detrimental to national security.” It said that this year journalists have been arrested, their premises or homes searched and materials confiscated. Journalists have also been made to sign agreements that they would not publish or broadcast certain information. Amnesty International said that “whilst the arrest of journalist is a new trend, violence against journalists, which in many cases appears to be politically motivated, and may be carried out in the form of threats of physical harm, assaults and murder, is a pattern which developed in previous years.” The human rights group called on the Angolan government to “take immediate and urgent steps” to guarantee the right to freedom of expression and to protect the integrity and security of journalists and media workers. Marques is with the newspaper ‘Folha 8’, and is the coordinator of the Angolan office of the Open Society Initiative in Southern Africa.