Security forces in Guinea-Conakry this Monday detained a dozen journalists and used tear gas to break up demonstrations in the capital in an attempt to disable a widely popular news site, local media reported.
The Union of the Private Press of Guinea (SPPG) called for a demonstration in the center of the capital Conakry to demand the lifting of restrictions imposed on the online news portal Guinée Matin.
Guinea-Matin does not have a VPN (virtual private network) and has not been accessible directly from Guinea-Conakry since mid-August. Reporters Without Borders has created a mirror portal to allow the website to be viewed.
The military junta, in power since a coup in September 2021, has given no explanation for the Guinea-Matin blockade.
“We intended to gather at the port roundabout. Mixed police and military forces dispersed us with tear gas,” Abduramane Diallo, an SPPG official, told AFP.
A journalist present at the meeting was slightly injured, Diallo added.
Photos posted online showed journalists moving away from gas clouds as explosions sounded as gendarmerie vehicles drove past.
According to professional organizations, at least 12 journalists have been detained, including the secretary general of the SPG.
The detainees were taken to court on charges of participating in an illegal assembly.
The ruling military junta has banned demonstrations from 2022.
In a joint statement quoted by AFP, the four press associations said they “condemn this unjustified violence against journalists” and “demand their immediate and unconditional release.”
“The press associations call on national and international public opinion to witness the serious deterioration of freedom of expression and democracy,” the statement said.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.