afrol News, 11 February - Chadian journalists are living with fears of insecurity caused by the recent fierce fight involving forces loyal to the government and the rebels.

Many journalists based in the capital N'Djamena had fled to Cameroon and Nigeria. Some of the recognised journalists were harassed or mistreated by soldiers while others such as Modilé Belrangar of commercial radio Ngato FM had their press card and mobile phones confiscated as they tried to re-enter N'Djamena.

Soldiers destroyed photos taken by Frank Nakingar, the layout editor of Sark Tribune, one of the few publications in the southern Moyen-Chari region. The photos showed the arrival of the rebels in the capital and the exodus of tens of thousands of its inhabitants towards Kousseri, the nearest Cameroonian town.

N'Djamena authorities were also been accused of making attempts to arrest several journalists in the wake of the abortive military assault on the capital.

Those targeted for arrest include a correspondent of Reporters Without Border [Laldjim Narcisse], editors of Le Temps [Michael Didama] and the weekly satirical Le Moustik [Eloi Miandadji].

Dobian Assingar, the manager of the closed down FM Liberté and co-founder of the Chadian League of Human Rights, has been in hiding ever since his home was destroyed by a shell.

The government has arrested and detained in communicado several opposition leaders in undisclosed locations.

"There are therefore legitimate grounds for serious concern about journalists who are often identified by the government with the most radical opposition sectors," Reporters Without Borders said in a statement.

"The N'Djamena media are in practice now gagged. This manhunt is disturbing and absurd, and must stop."

By staff writer

© afrol News

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