A bodyguard of the Chairman of the Togo Football Federation whose name is yet unknown allegedly attempted to harm Abel Zindjodji and Manu Adjiwanou, of privately-owned Radio X-Solaire and Radio Victoire respectively, on November 21, 2012, after the two journalists participated in a radio discussion programme.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported that the attempt on the lives of the two journalists is linked to comments they made about Gabriel Ameyi, Chairman of the Togo Football Federation, during the discussion. According to the correspondent, a press release issued by the Togo Sports Journalists Association (AJST) reported that “a man identified as one of the bodyguards of Gabriel Ameyi, attempted to attack the two journalists for criticizing his boss during a live radio programme.
“We denounce and condemn in no uncertain terms this type of primitive behaviour and demand sanctions against this bodyguard” the AJSTsaid, adding that they would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion. The AJST, however, did not disclose the name of this bodyguard. The MFWA condemns the attack and calls on the security authorities to safeguard the lives and rights of journalists in the country since journalists have often been victims of attacks by people whose actions or behaviours they (journalists) criticized.
For more information please contact:
Kwame Karikari (Prof)
Executive Director
MFWA
Accra
Tel: 233-30-22 4 24 70
Fax: 233-302-22 10 84
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.mediafound.org