Media Foundation for West Africa (Accra)
3 May 2006
press release
"L'Inter de Bamako" a weekly independent newspaper, was on April 26, 2006 ordered by a local Magistrate Court to pay damages of 300,000 CFA Francs (equivalent of US$567) to Diacounda Traore, chairman of the opposition ADEMA- PASJ party for defaming him.
In addition Amy Sanogo, and Yoro Sow, editor and editor-in-chief respectively were also asked to pay a fine CFA Francs 70,000 (equivalent of US $ 166) each.
The court also ordered the two editors to publish the ruling in three local newspapers at their own expense.
According to Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)-Mali source, the two, Amy and Sow were found guilty of libel and conspiracy to defame, following an article by Amy in Issue No. 55 of February 2006 edition of the newspaper alleging top leaders of the former ruling party had through mismanagement and corruption ruined the National Bank for Housing.
The article specifically cited leading members of the ADEMA party including Diacounda as having contributed to the plunder of the bank.
Several efforts by Amadou Tieoule Diarra, counsel for the journalists for an out of court settlement failed as Alou Diarra, counsel for Diacounda argued that the publication by the newspaper was a deliberate attempt to damage his client?s reputation.
However, the fines imposed by the courts, fell short of the 20 million CFA Francs (US $3,000, 000) demanded by the plaintiff.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2006 Media Foundation for West Africa. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
