'Stop terrorising journalists'
2006-03-03 10:26
Johannesburg - The African Editors' Forum (TAEF) has called on Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and his government to stop terrorising Kenyan journalists.
It said that Thursday morning's raid on The Standard newspaper in Nairobi by armed and masked police had shocked editors throughout Africa.
TAEF said: "We call for the immediate release of those detained, for the return of equipment stolen, and for the government to pay for the speedy repairs of broadcasting and printing equipment vandalised by the rogue policemen.
"They forced the 24-hour television station off air, took computers from the newspaper's newsroom and beat up staff and security personnel, among other illegal actions."
Political talks
The forum said: "This followed the arrest on Tuesday of three Standard journalists after a Saturday story regarding alleged political talks between the president and a member of his opposition.
"TAEF notes the improvements in press freedom in Kenya since 2002 when Kibaki became president.
"We call on him to acknowledge the importance of a free press, tolerance of ideas and continual media scrutiny in the building of a successful democracy in Kenya.
"The forum also calls on all Kenyans, including politicians and other leaders, to use the legal route of press complaints to the media council in their country, rather than resorting to tactics of oppression and fear if they have concerns about what media are publishing or broadcasting."
- SAPA