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Police
fired tear gas trying to prevent protesters from moving in on the National
Assembly building ahead of a vote on controversial constitutional
amendments. ISSOUF
SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images
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Lagos,
Nigeria - The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed that protesters stormed and looted the offices of Burkina Faso's national broadcaster
Radiodiffusion Television du Burkina in the capital, Ouagadougou, today.
Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets to protest a
constitutional amendment that would allow President Blaise Compaore seek
re-election next year, according to reports.
"It
is clear that the Burkina Faso public is out for change. But in critical times
like these, media institutions must be protected," said Peter Nkanga,
CPJ's West Africa representative.
"We call on all parties to allow
journalists to carry out their responsibilities to gather and report the news,
which is essential for the country to experience a peaceful transition."
Compaore
has ruled the country for 27 years since taking power in a coup in 1987.
Burkina Faso Communications Minister Alain Edouard Traore announced the
constitutional vote had been reversed following the protests, news reports said.
Source: www.cpj.org
CPJ is an
independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom
worldwide.
Contact:
Sue Valentine
Africa Program
Coordinator
Peter Nkanga
West Africa
Representative
Email: pnkanga@cpj.org
Tom Rhodes
East Africa
Representative
Email: trhodes@cpj.org
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