Media Reform: Luena Memorandum of Understanding
Implementations
Media Reform – 2002
(Pre-2002 Status of Media Reform) Although Angola’s constitution guaranteed freedom of expression and a free press, the government violated these laws in everyday practice. Ricardo de Mello, the editor of the Luanda-based newspaper Imparcial Fax, was shot on the stairs of his home in January 1995. His wife said that he had recently been threatened by military agents of the MPLA to stop criticizing the Government’s handling of the war. Another reporter, Mario Paiva, a writer for Reuters, was told by an agent of the Angolan Home Affairs Information Department (SINSO) that he would be shot if he continued to criticize the Government.1
In early October 1996, Antonio Casemero, a reporter in Cabinda for Televisao Popular de Angola, was harassed by police for his reporting and a few weeks later shot and killed by 4 gunmen in his home in Cabinda.2
In 1997, the radio program that was believed to be the most unbiased in Angola was banned from broadcasting certain content.3
In February 1998, the Luanda-based independent weekly “Agora” was burned down by arsonists. Simao Roberto, a reporter for Jornal de Angola, was shot and killed on 5 June 1998. The Committee to Protect Journalists considered Angola “one of the most dangerous for journalists, and one where those who use violence to silence the press do so with impunity.”4
(Post-Luena Accord) In 2002, Angola state authorities convicted several journalists of libel and defamation in an effort to suppress criticism of the President and hide corruption. In January, Rafael Marques was convicted in a Luanda court of defamation against President Dos Santos and ordered to pay 950 U.S. dollars in damages. In June, state authorities shut down the radio show “Point of View” for what they considered to be anti-government coverage.5
As of 2002, the Government of Angola ran the country’s only daily newspaper, the only TV station (TPA), and the only national radio station (RNA). At press conferences, journalists had to submit their questions 72 hours in advance and officials chose which ones they would answer. Journalists who criticized the government risked being sent to jail.6
- “Attacks on the Press 1995: Angola,” Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
- “Antonio Casemero,” Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
- “Attacks on the Press 1997: Angola,” Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
- “Attacks on the Press 1998: Angola,” Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
- “Attacks on the Press 2002: Angola,” Committee to Protect Journalists.
- “Angola: Journalist Paints “Bleak Picture” of Press Freedom,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, November 25, 2002.
Media Reform – 2003
One of the few private radio stations in Angola, Radio Ecclesia, was temporarily suspended in February based on charges of “defamation and false propaganda” against Angolan institutions, said the Minister of Communication Hendrick Neto.7
Media Reform – 2004
In March, the Luanda Provincial Tribunal convicted Felisberto Campos, editor of the weekly Semanario Angolense, of defamation and sentenced him to 45 days in prison or a fine of 1,200 US dollars for articles detailing how some top government officials became multi-millionaires. The Defense Minister, General Kundy Payama, who was profiled in the piece, filed a complaint against Mr. Campos for libel.8
Media Reform – 2005
The UN Human Rights Committee ruled that the Government of Angola was in violation of international human rights treaties because journalists were being sent to prison for criticizing the President. The UNHR Commission gave the government 90 days to comply. The Open Society Justice Initiative called on Angolan officials to end the defamation law for public officials.9
Media Reform – 2006
In 10 days, two journalists were murdered in Angola: Augusto Pedro with the Jornal de Angola, and Benicio Wedeinge, the director of the public television station in Cunene. Pedro was attacked at a gas station and beaten to death. Authorities did not convict anyone of the crime. Wedeinge was shot in his home. Avelino Miguel, the president of the Union of Angolan Journalists (SJA), claimed that “the sudden surge of violence was part of a strategy to intimidate the media in the run-up to elections.”10
Media Reform – 2007
Several journalists were detained, beaten, or charged with crimes in 2007. In December, one local journalist, Arnando Chicoca, with Radio Ecclesia was warned by police not to report on public protests against the demolition of informal marketplaces in the area by police. Chicoca reported on the protests anyway and was arrested and convicted under Article 186 “disobeying a police officer.” Later in the year, a more prominent journalist was convicted of libel and sent to prison.11
Media Reform – 2008
After criticizing the ministerial picks of President Dos Santos in October, three journalists for the national state media outlet, Rádio Nacional de Angola, were fired.12
Media Reform – 2009
In a June report by Human Rights Watch, the case of journalist Fernando Lelo was documented. Lelo was sentenced to 12 years in prison for security violations associated with his reporting in Cabinda.13
- “Angola: Protect Press Freedom for Africa Cup – Arrest of Journalists in Cabinda Highlights Climate of Intimidation,” Africa News, December 17, 2009.
Media Reform – 2010
Freedom of the press in Angola suffered major legal setbacks in 2010. Numerous journalists were convicted of libel and defamation. In June of 2010, a company named Media Investments, which is alleged to have had ties to the ruling MPLA party in Angola, purchased three independent newspapers known for focusing on corruption in the executive branch of government. The newspapers were close to bankruptcy after all of the companies that had advertised in the newspaper suddenly dropped all their ads.14
In November, Angola’s ruling MPLA party passed a state security law making it a criminal offense to use any “words, images, writings, or sound” that insults the president or the government. Violations carry a sentence of up to 2 years in prison.15
- “Attacks on the Press 2010: Angola,” Committee to Protect Journalists.
- “Attacks on the Press 2010: Angola,” Committee to Protect Journalists.
Media Reform – 2011
On 12 October 2011, Alexandre Neto, the editor of an independent newspaper, was convicted and fined for printing stories about corruption in the executive branch. Convicted of criminal libel, Neto was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of 105,000 US dollars. The complaint was filed directly by five executive branch officials: Kopelipa (Military Advisor to the President), Maria (Head of Military Intelligence), Groz (Attorney-General), Furtado (Chief of Staff of Armed Forces), and Burity (National Director of Customs). According to Neto’s reporting, the five men gained a contract for a diamond mine in Lunda Norte Province without any process of public competitive bidding.15