Togo Lifts Ban on Foreign Journalists’ Accreditations Amid Press Freedom Concerns
Togo’s authorities have announced the lifting of a suspension on accreditations for foreign journalists, which was imposed in April following a contentious constitutional reform.
The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) had suspended accreditations before legislative elections, citing “serious failures” in French media’s coverage of Togo’s politics and issues involving a French journalist expelled from the country.
“The suspension of the accreditation of foreign press organisations for the coverage of news and demonstrations in Togo is lifted as of Wednesday, June 26,” HAAC said in a statement issued late Friday.
In a statement released over the weekend, the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication had declared that the suspension of accreditation for foreign press organizations to cover news and demonstrations in Togo will be lifted as of Wednesday, June 26.
This move comes after criticism from Reporters Without Borders, who had denounced the suspension as a violation of press freedom.
