[ad_1]
Photo: Maka Angola
Angolan journalist Rafael Marques de Morais.
By Zenaida Machado (Researcher, Africa Division)
A court in Luanda, capital of Angola, acquitted today the investigative journalist Rafael Marques and the editor Mariano Bras of Charges of insulting the state, a huge victory for the press freedom in a country where the media were often the target of government repression
The two journalists were indicted on 21 June 2017 of "contempt of sovereignty and prejudice against public authority" under Angolan law on crimes against the State Security, after publishing an article on an illegal acquisition of land involving the Attorney General, João Maria de Sousa.
The article – first published on the site of Marques MakaAngola in November 2016 and reprinted by O Crime, published by Bras – alleged that de Sousa was acting illegally as a real estate developer and real estate in addition to its official functions. He also suggested that former President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos supported the actions of the Attorney General.
State prosecutors argued that journalists acted in bad faith and violated the ethical principles of journalism. But the judge was not in agreement
. Reading the verdict of nearly three hours, Judge Josina Falcão Ferreira stressed the importance of criticism and examination of officials. "This court believes that we would do great harm as a society that wants to progress, if we punish the messengers of bad news," she said.
The unexpected decision is a victory for press freedom in a country where the media have been leashed, with authorities often cracking down on cases of corruption involving government officials, intimidation, and intimidation. Misuse of defamation laws.
On January 23, 2017, President Dos Santos signed a law on the media. limits freedom of expression, despite the opposition of the union and journalists' rights groups. The Angolan union of journalists called the law "a political tool to intimidate the press".
Following the court's historic decision, the Angolan government must now go further and amend the media law of 2017 so that journalists can work in a free environment.
[ad_2]
Source link
