Chad

Original headline: Chadian parliament adopts new media law

Text of report in English by Italian-based Missionary Service News Agency (Misna) website

With 82 votes in favour, two against and 11 abstentions, parliament has adopted a media law, yesterday, which modifies parts of the previous text which was adopted after an attempted coup in 2008. In particular, the articles that provided for the arrest of journalists found guilty of defamation have been removed, as has been the crime of offence against the head of state.

On the other hand, jail sentences ranging from six months to a year have been introduced and fines from 100,000 to one million CFA Francs (about USD 175 to 1750) for the crime of inciting racial or ethnic hatred and for apologizing violence; in such cases the law also provides for the suspension of publications for up to six months.

The minister of communications, Kedalla Younous Hamid, describes the law as "balanced" and he spoke of a "clear democratic progress". Even as it concedes that some steps forward have been taken, the opposition has criticized the measure that provides for the possibility of suspending publications describing it as disproportioned and considering it "an open door" for potential exploitation.

Source: Misna news agency website, Rome, in English 19 Aug 10

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