IFJ condemns Togo police attack against journalist

Dakar, Senegal (PANA) – The global media rights watchdog, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), on Wednesday condemned the attack on a freelance journalist, Noel Tadegnon, who was assaulted by Togo security forces and had his camera confiscated.

“We strongly condemn the attack against Tadegnon and call on the police to return his working equipment,” Gabriel Baglo, the IFJ Africa Director, said.

“We also urge the authorities in Togo to thoroughly investigate the case so as to hold those responsible for this aggression accountable.”

The journalist who works for Reuters Television and TV7 was reportedly attacked on 27 April while covering a demonstration in Lomé, the Togolese capital.

The demonstration was organized by members of the “Save Togo” association as the country celebrated its independence day anniversary.  

As the journalist went on filming, a police chief reportedly asked him why he was only shooting the police.

According to the victim, as he tried to respond that he was filming not only the police, an instruction was given for his camera to be confiscated.

The journalist then went on to narrate how he was knocked on the head until he felt unconscious.

When he regained consciousness, Noël said he realized that his camera had disappeared and that he was later taken to the hospital by two of his media colleagues.

The IFJ calls on the Togolese authorities to sensitize the police on the role of the media in order to put an end to violence against journalists in the West African nation.
-0- PANA MLJ/VAO 3May2012