Protect Freedom of Press in North Sudan: Demand Justice for Prosecuted Journalists
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: Secretary of State Hilary Clinton
When journalist Fatima Ghazali reported on the alleged rape of youth activist Safiya Ishaq, she thought she was just doing her job. Now she faces a month behind bars.
Ghazali, along with five other journalists, was accused of "publishing lies" in regard to Ishaq's rape. After being given a choice between paying a $600 fine or spending a month in jail, Ghazali made her choice and began her prison sentence.
The Sudan constitution specifically protects freedom of press. As the rape has not been proven or discredited, journalists are well within their rights to write about the allegations and certainly are not lying to the public.
Harassment and prosecution of journalists in northern Sudan is threatening their right to freedom of press and the Sudanese public's right to information.
Demand that journalists are granted their constitutional right and help free prosecuted journalists.
Journalists in Northern Sudan face having their constitutional right to freedom of press taken away.
As I am sure you are aware, several northern Sudanese journalists have recently been prosecuted under the accusation that they have published lies about the alleged rape of activist Safiya Ishaq. Reporting merely on allegations does not constitute lying about what did or did not happen to Ms. Ishaq. In light of this the journalists have been wrongfully accused and are being punished for crimes that they did not commit.
The right to freedom of press is vitally important in protecting citizens from misinformation and in giving people a voice.
Please protect the constitutional rights of Sudan's citizens by standing up for these journalists and encouraging president Omar al-Bashir to have the charges against them be dropped.
