Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COTONOU154
2007-03-01 03:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:
Golfe Broadcasters Convicted of Defamation, Fined and
how-toVZCZCXRO1102 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHCO #0154 0600340 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 010340Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9288 INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1053 RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
UNCLAS COTONOU 000154
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W:DBANKS, AF/PD:LBEDICHEK
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PROV PHUM KPAO BN
SUBJECT: Golfe Broadcasters Convicted of Defamation, Fined and
Sentenced to Prison in Cotonou, Benin
REF: 06 Benin 1227
UNCLAS COTONOU 000154
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W:DBANKS, AF/PD:LBEDICHEK
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PROV PHUM KPAO BN
SUBJECT: Golfe Broadcasters Convicted of Defamation, Fined and
Sentenced to Prison in Cotonou, Benin
REF: 06 Benin 1227
1. The High Court of Justice in Cotonou ruled February 16 against
Golfe media group President Ismael Soumanou, former Golfe FM Chief
EditorDirector Euloge Aidasso, former Golfe TV Chief Editor Joel
Ahofoji, and current Golfe TV Editor Charbel Aihou, finding them
guilty of defamation. They each were sentenced to six months in
prison and fined of 500,000 francs CFA (USD 1,000). Both Golfe TV
and Golfe FM were ordered to pay 5,000,000 francs CFA (USD 10,000
in damages). All are free pending an appeal.
2. Former Minister of Housing and the Environment Luc Marie Constant
Gnacadja filed a complaint for defamation based on radio and
television broadcasts made March 1 and 2, 2005. The news segments
claimed that Gnacadja had been fired by the government of then
President Mathieu Kerekou because of fraudulent management of a
project to construct fifty apartments in the Cotonou suburb of
Akassato. The broadcasts also alleged that Gnacadja had bought a
4X4 vehicle for 34 million francs CFA (USD 68,000) but had submitted
a claim for 54 million francs CFA (USD 108,000),and that he had
registered the vehicle in the name of CERTA, one of his private
companies. Finally, the broadcast stated that he had embezzled
large sums of money intended for drainage channels for Cotonou (the
city floods regularly during the rainy season).
3. In another case (reftel),editor Clement Adechian and reporter
Cecil Adjevi of the minor daily newspaper L'Informateur were freed
from jail February 9 after paying a fine of 500,000 francs CFA (USD
1,000). The two had printed a story accusing a bailiff of rape.
Adjevi later confessed that he had written the story at the behest
of the alleged victim's daughter without confirming the facts.
4. Comment: The controversy continues over whether imprisoning and
fining journalists and broadcasters for defamation is the most
effective way to guarantee fairness and accuracy in the Beninese
media, which is known as one of the freest in Africa.
BROWN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W:DBANKS, AF/PD:LBEDICHEK
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PROV PHUM KPAO BN
SUBJECT: Golfe Broadcasters Convicted of Defamation, Fined and
Sentenced to Prison in Cotonou, Benin
REF: 06 Benin 1227
1. The High Court of Justice in Cotonou ruled February 16 against
Golfe media group President Ismael Soumanou, former Golfe FM Chief
EditorDirector Euloge Aidasso, former Golfe TV Chief Editor Joel
Ahofoji, and current Golfe TV Editor Charbel Aihou, finding them
guilty of defamation. They each were sentenced to six months in
prison and fined of 500,000 francs CFA (USD 1,000). Both Golfe TV
and Golfe FM were ordered to pay 5,000,000 francs CFA (USD 10,000
in damages). All are free pending an appeal.
2. Former Minister of Housing and the Environment Luc Marie Constant
Gnacadja filed a complaint for defamation based on radio and
television broadcasts made March 1 and 2, 2005. The news segments
claimed that Gnacadja had been fired by the government of then
President Mathieu Kerekou because of fraudulent management of a
project to construct fifty apartments in the Cotonou suburb of
Akassato. The broadcasts also alleged that Gnacadja had bought a
4X4 vehicle for 34 million francs CFA (USD 68,000) but had submitted
a claim for 54 million francs CFA (USD 108,000),and that he had
registered the vehicle in the name of CERTA, one of his private
companies. Finally, the broadcast stated that he had embezzled
large sums of money intended for drainage channels for Cotonou (the
city floods regularly during the rainy season).
3. In another case (reftel),editor Clement Adechian and reporter
Cecil Adjevi of the minor daily newspaper L'Informateur were freed
from jail February 9 after paying a fine of 500,000 francs CFA (USD
1,000). The two had printed a story accusing a bailiff of rape.
Adjevi later confessed that he had written the story at the behest
of the alleged victim's daughter without confirming the facts.
4. Comment: The controversy continues over whether imprisoning and
fining journalists and broadcasters for defamation is the most
effective way to guarantee fairness and accuracy in the Beninese
media, which is known as one of the freest in Africa.
BROWN