By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 4 December 2014:
Omer Al-Hassi’s National Salvation government has been accused of rampant violations against journalists and news agencies, . . .[restrict]including bullying, threats and imposing unreasonable restrictions.
The Libya Centre for Freedom of Press (LCFP) says it has been documenting cases of Hassi antigovernment intimidation and has expressed its strong condemnation of such practices, calling for press freedom.
The LCFP specifically mentioned alleged abuses carried out by Hassi’s Department of Foreign Media against foreign journalists and agencies.
The report singled out Associated Press reporter Essam Zubeir who was verbally and physically assaulted by Hassi’s bodyguards and threatened with death while covering a press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Tripoli on 22 November.
The LCFP also mentioned that Libya Dawn forces intimidated a France 24 correspondent and tried to interfere with the reporting done by the news outlet on 17 November when they published what was perceived to be negative news about Libya Dawn. As a result France 24 closed down its operation in Tripoli and withdrew is news team.
The group also reported that a Reuters correspondent was unduly tracked and restricted while conducting interviews with government officials in Tripoli.
The LCFP called on the Hassi antigovernment to stop restricting press freedom and hold accountable those who sought to muzzle the media. The group expressed its commitment to expose violations against the press and to advocate locally and internationally for the rights of journalists. [/restrict]
