Public media staff strike in protest against government interference

Peaceful Assembly

Staff working for public broadcaster - Radio Gabon and Gabon Télévision - went on strike on 30th April 2018 to denounce the government's interference in their work and to demand the payment of salary arrears, leading to only minimum service being broadcast on the two media outlets. Edgard Ndziembi Doukaga, vice-president of Syndicat des professionnels de la communication (SYPROCOM, Union of Communication Professionals), commented on the situation to international CSO, Reporters Without Borders:

"For the past two years, the communication minister has been in the habit of issuing instructions to editorial staff, so that everything functions to his liking."

The strike was suspended on 5th May 2018 following the opening of negotiations with the government.