Statement on the detention of the journalists

July 23, 2010 – The United States is disturbed by the arrest and continued detention by the Government of Cote d’Ivoire of three journalists:  Saint-Claver Oula, Stéphane Guédé and Théophile Kouamouo,  editor-in-chief, publisher and managing editor, respectively, of the daily newspaper Le Nouveau Courrier.   The US Government reiterates its support for freedom of the press and calls on the Government of Cote d’Ivoire to respect commitments it has made regarding the fair treatment of journalists.

The three journalists were arrested on July 13 after refusing to disclose their sources for an investigative report detailing the results of a government probe into corruption in the coffee and cocoa industry, and have been charged with “theft of administrative documents.”  

Recognizing the crucial role a free press plays in supporting a democratic society, the United States is closely following the outcome of the trial.  We are especially concerned about the effect that the imprisonment of journalists can have on the workings of a free press, particularly when they have not yet been convicted of a crime.

The United States urges the Government of Cote d’Ivoire to carefully balance the interests of the state in protecting its privacy against the interests of the people of Côte d’Ivoire in having a free and vibrant press to help safeguard its democratic institutions.