Imprisonment of Two Togolese Journalists Over Defamation Charges Draws Widespread Criticism

Arrest of two journalists in Togo for defamation sparks widespread criticism, highlighting concerns over press freedom violations.

LOME, TOGO - The incarceration of two Togolese journalists, Loic Lawson and Anani Sossou, on charges of defamation, has sparked significant criticism from various opposition parties and civil society organizations in Togo. The journalists had claimed on social media that a minister had approximately 600,000 euros stolen from his home, leading to their arrest and imprisonment.

The Democratic Forces for the Republic (FDR) party and the DMP, a collective of opposition parties and civil society organizations, have vehemently condemned the actions of Minister of State Kodjo Adedze against these journalists, who were simply performing their duty of providing information. Lawson, the publishing director of Flambeau des Démocrates, and Sossou, an independent journalist, were accused of defamation, attacking the minister's honor, and incitement to revolt. They were subsequently sent to prison in Lome.

Despite retracting their statement on Facebook, acknowledging that the communicated amount was overestimated, the journalists faced legal action. In Togo, social media networks are not covered under the press and communication law, which means offenses on these platforms are prosecuted based on the penal code.

The Togolese Press Authority (PTT) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have both expressed their concern over this situation. The PTT highlighted the worrying trend this case represents, while RSF, through its sub-Saharan Africa desk director Sadibou Marong, called for the immediate release of the journalists, emphasizing that the ongoing detentions indicate an attempt by authorities to bypass press laws.