Tripoli, 7 February, 2013:
Reporters without Borders, the Paris-based organisation . . .[restrict]dedicated to freedom of information and the safety of journalists worldwide, has said that it is concerned about the growing number of threats and cases of violence against journalists in Libya.
It issued a statement about its concerns following the attack on 1 February by security guards on an Alassema TV crew outside the General National Congress building in Tripoli. In the incident, involving Salah Abu Za’tar, cameraman Mus’ab Ali Al-Harari and driver Abdelfatah Mansour Mohammad Al-Danouni, four of Danouni’s teeth and two of Harari’s teeth were broken and they were left with bruises.
“The authorities must shed light on all the circumstances of these incidents which constitute major violations of freedom of information,” Reporters Without Borders Secretary-General Christophe Deloire said. “The Libyan media have a fundamental role to play in the transition to democracy under way in Libya.”
Congress issued a formal apology following the incident and Mohamed Magarief, Congress’ president, has said that that if there was a case for legal action it would be referred to the Public Prosecutor.
However, Reporters without Borders says that that no concrete and effective measures have so far been taken to protect journalists in Libya and fully guarantee freedom of information.
It says it is “worried by the frequent recurrence of threats, including death threats, against Libyan journalists, which are often but not solely made by semi-official armed groups or religious groups”. Such threats, is says constitute serious violations of media freedom.
“Reporters Without Borders therefore urges the authorities to do whatever is necessary to provide Libyan journalists and foreign journalists working in Libya with unconditional protection.” [/restrict]
