Equatorial Guinea frees journalists held after judge interview

News24
10 Sep 2019, 06:41 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

Business

Section

100 years after his father founded hotel group, Barron Hilton has died

LOS ANGELES, California - Hotelier and philanthropist Barron Hilton who died on Thursday of natural causes at his home in ...

Recession fears mount for Europe, Asian markets mixed

SYDNEY, Australia - It was a mixed start for the week for Asian stock markets on Monday.In Japan and Australia, ...

70,000 Saudi Aramco employees rally in response to attacks

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Oil giant Saudi Aramco is bouncing back after its infrastructure in Saudi Arabia came under attack ...

U.S. Navy on track to buy 72 MQ-25A Stingrays, order worth $13 billion

ST LOUIS, Missouri - Despite its problems with the Max 777, it is business as usual for Boeing on many ...

Sheep farmers tag subsidies in Ireland top 1.4 million euros this year

DUBLIN, Ireland - Irish sheep farmers are being reminded that applications under the Sheep EID Tag Subsidy Scheme end at ...

International hotels target whiskey and craft beer drinkers

MCLEAN, Virginia - A recent survey from Hilton Hotels found that today's guests, particularly meeting attendees and business travelers enjoy ...

Broadcasting

Section