Equatorial Guinea frees journalists held after judge interview

News24
10 Sep 2019, 02:11 GMT+10

Two journalists held by police after they interviewed a suspended judge in Equatorial Guinea have been released without charge, one of them said on Monday.

Equatorial Guinea has one of the world's worst records for media rights, ranking 165th out of 180 on the 2019 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Melanio Nkogo and Ruben Dario Bacale, who work at the oil-rich nation's only privately-owned TV station Asonga, spent 12 days in detention after broadcasting an interview with a judge, Nazario Oyono.

Oyono was suspended last month by the Supreme Court's President, David Nguema Obiang, amid a dispute between the pair who accuse each other of preventing an embezzlement trial.

Nkogo said he believes that he and his colleague were held in a bid to "intimidate" them.

"We are free and will continue to work as journalists to provide objective information," he told AFP.

Media watchdog RSF said the case "shows the extreme vulnerability of journalists" working in the country.

Nkogo said he believes the country's president and vice-president intervened in order to secure his release.

Asonga's owner is the son of Equatorial Guinea's iron-fisted President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who has ruled for 40 years.

It is widely believed that the son, Teodorin Nguema Obiang, is being groomed for his succession.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Broadcast Communications.

More Information

null in null

Business

Section

Tech stocks slide, industrials surge on Wall Street

NEW YORK, New York - Global stock indices closed with divergent performances on Tuesday, as investors weighed corporate earnings, central...

Canada-US trade talks resume after Carney rescinds tech tax

TORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...

Lululemon accuses Costco of selling knockoff apparel

Vancouver, Canada: A high-stakes legal showdown is brewing in the world of athleisure. Lululemon, the Canadian brand known for its...

Shell rejects claim of early merger talks with BP

LONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...

Wall Street extends rally, Standard and Poor's 500 hits new high

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets closed firmly in positive territory to start the week Monday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones...

Canadian tax on US tech giants dropped after Trump fury

WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he was halting trade discussions with Canada due to its decision...

Sectors - Broadcasting

Section

SBA participates in World News Media Conference 2025 in Poland

SHARJAH, 7th May, 2025 (WAM) -- The Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA) recently took part in the 76th World News Media Congress,...

"Landmark day for India's efforts to encourage sporting talent": New National Sports Policy 2025 approval

New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): On the occasion of the approval of the new 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025', Prime Minister Narendra Modi...

Indian Institute of Creative Technologies begins admissions for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, in August

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 1 (ANI): The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) opens admissions for its first batch...

Cabinet approves Research and Development and Innovation scheme with corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore to boost strategic, sunrise domains

New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): In a significant step to bolster India's research and innovation ecosystem, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday...

Georgia Risks EU Sanctions; Ukraine Hits Roadblocks In NATO, EU Bids

Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions...

Uttarakhand CM Dhami participates in Space Conference 2025 focused on role of Himalayan states

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 30 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday participated in the Space Technology...