africa: Sign Press Freedom Petition For July African Union Summit
African media professionals are invited to sign an all-African petition for Press Freedom, addressed to current Chair of the African Union (AU), Thabo Mbeki, president of South Africa. It will be presented at the AU meeting of Heads of State in Maputo from 4-12 July. The campaign is driven by the [CREDO] Centre for Research, Education & Development Of Freedom of Expression & Associated Rights and FAHAMU. "The more people who lend their voices to the cause, the more people will be willing to listen," said Rotimi Sankore, co-ordinator of CREDO. "This is not a private issue between us and the AU, this involves the entire continent. The campaign has already received widespread support from many international NGOs, but what it really needs is the support of the African media."
From: RAP 21
The African Press Network for the 21st Century
Newsletter No 22/2003
The African Press Network for the 21st Century (RAP 21) is a panafrican
media network. RAP 21 was launched by the World Association of Newspapers
(WAN) together with the Union of Publishers in Central Africa (UEPAC).
This email-based network gives the possibility to dialogue and exchange of
ideas and information among media professionals all over Africa. The members consist of newspapers, media associations, newspaper executives, journalists and freelancers.
For more information, contact [email protected]
http://www.wan-press.info/pages/rap21.html
Sign Press Freedom Petition For July African Union Summit!
African media professionals are invited to sign an all-African petition for Press Freedom, addressed to current Chair of the African Union (AU), Thabo Mbeki, president of South Africa. It will be presented at the AU meeting of Heads of State in Maputo from 4-12 July. The campaign is driven by the [CREDO] Centre for Research, Education & Development Of Freedom of Expression & Associated Rights and FAHAMU.
"The more people who lend their voices to the cause, the more people will be willing to listen," said Rotimi Sankore, co-ordinator of CREDO. "This is not a private issue between us and the AU, this involves the entire continent. The campaign has already received widespread support from many international NGOs, but what it really needs is the support of the African media."
The petition calls for the release of all incarcerated journalists, the re-opening of all closed media houses, the repeal of anti-media legislation and the recognition of the importance of a free press, freedom of expression and other associated rights as vital ingredients necessary to build free, democratic and prosperous societies.
Sankore explains the importance of the direct involvement of the African media community in the campaign: "There seems to be no collective conscience to fight for this cause together yet. There is a lack of tendency for the media, perhaps except for those in Eritrea, to be affected by these laws all at the same time. Usually governments pick on one or two media outlets at a time." This, he admits, could contribute to the lack of unity when combating media laws that stifle freedom of expression and press. The campaign, which hopes to encourage further co-operation within the African media community, was launched on 5 June.
Show your support to stop the persecution of journalists and eradicate repressive media laws by adding your signature the petition to put Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression at the top of the agenda at the AU Summit.
Log on to www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/freeafricanmedia to sign the petition. If you are unable to sign the online petition you may email [email protected], and copy to [email protected]. Be sure to include in the email your name, organisation, position (if applicable) and country.