Burkina Faso court jails two journalists 12 months

Two journalists have been jailed for 12 months in Burkina Faso, a press release from the Media Foundation for West (MFWA) has said.

The journalists, Roland Ouédraogo and Issa Lohé Konaté, both editors of privately-owned L’Ouragan newspaper were sentenced October 29, 2012 by a Magistrates’ Court in Ouagadougou, the release said.

The two were jailed on charges of defaming Placide Nikieme, the State Prosecutor, according to the release.

It added that the journalists who were taken straight to prison to begin their sentences were also fined an amount of CFA 4 million (about $7,800) in damages to Nikiema while the newspaper was suspended for a period of six months.

The release citing a Media Foundation for West Africa correspondent said the sentence followed a complaint lodged by Nikiema at the Court accusing the newspaper and its editors of defaming him in a published article, which cited corrupt practices in the State Prosecutor’s office.

The Court found them guilty and pronounced judgement on charges of “defamation, insults and contempt of court through the press,” it said.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi