Alerts | Laws and regulations

Côte d’Ivoire Electronic Communication Law raises concern for press freedom

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On March 14, the parliament of Côte d’Ivoire adopted a Bill on Electronic Communication, which has raised concerns among journalists and investigative media houses. Despite the concerns raised by the media defence groups, the parliament went ahead and voted the Bill into law on May 7 with the controversial article 214 which says: ‘’anyone who intercepts, discloses, publishes or uses the content of messages or reveals their existence” could be sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of 10 million CFA francs (around 15,245 euros). As it is, this law can be abusively used against critical reportage and instil fear and self-censorship among journalists who expose wrongdoing. 

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