The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, has joined a coalition of African and international journalism groups in urging the government of Mozambique to withdraw plans to charge foreign correspondents in the country exorbitant accreditation fees.
The full statement in English and Portuguese follows.
To: Mr. João Manasses
Gabinfo, Government of Mozambique
Re: Media organisations urge Mozambique to withdraw prohibitive fees for journalists
Friday, 31 August 2018
JOHANNESBURG – The undersigned media organisations in southern Africa are alarmed by reports that the government of Mozambique intends to impose prohibitive accreditation fees for foreign correspondents and local journalists working for foreign media organisations.
The new fees, which in some cases add up to as much as $2500 for single reporting trips and will be among the highest accreditation costs in the world, will effectively bar most foreign media from reporting on Mozambique.
Moreover, the decision to increase the fees comes at a critical time, ahead of local elections in October and presidential elections next year.
As such, the high accreditation costs represent an attack on media freedom in the country. A free and independent media is a cornerstone of good governance.
We urge the government of Mozambique to reconsider its decision and withdraw the new fees immediately.
The Foreign Correspondents Association of Southern Africa
The Media Institute of Southern Africa-Mozambique
The Committee to Protect Journalists
The International Press Institute
The South African National Editors’ Forum
Southern African Editors Forum
The African Editors Forum
Associações de Imprensa instam Moçambique a retirar taxas proibitivas para jornalistas
Sexta-feira, 31 de agosto de 2018
JOANESBURGO – As associações de Imprensa na África Austral abaixo-assinadas estão alarmadas com a notícia de que o Governo de Moçambique pretende impôr taxas proibitivas pela acreditação de correspondentes estrangeiros e jornalistas nacionais ao serviço de orgãos de comunicação social estrangeiros.
As novas taxas, que em alguns casos chegam a custar $2.500 por uma única reportagem no país e serão das mais caras do mundo, vão impedir efetivamente a cobertura jornalística da maioria dos orgãos de comunicação social estrangeiros sobre Moçambique.
Além disso, a decisão de aumentar as taxas de registo ocorre num momento crítico, antecedendo as eleições autárquicas de outubro e as eleições presidenciais em 2019.
Como tal, os elevados custos de acreditação representam um ataque à liberdade de imprensa no país. Uma comunicação social livre e independente é um pilar da boa governação.
Instamos o Governo de Moçambique a reconsiderar a sua decisão e a retirar de imediato as novas taxas.
The Foreign Correspondents Association of Southern Africa
The Media Institute of Southern Africa-Mozambique
The Committee to Protect Journalists
The International Press Institute
The South African National Editors’ Forum
Southern African Editors Forum
