afrol News, 20 February - Three major Chadian newspapers - ‘Le Temps’, ‘L’Observateur’ and ‘N'Djamena info’ - have embarked on a news blackout in protest against a state of emergency that restricts media freedom. Unless the measure remains, the papers would ride on with the blackout.

A countrywide state of emergency, decreed by President Idriss Deby on Friday, was meant to bring back security and order in the aftermath of an attempted coup in the capital N'Djamena.

Besides the dawn to dusk curfew, the government prohibits meetings as well as censor media contents for publication. In that, a government committee has been mandated to read and endorse all news before they are broadcast or published.

Chadian national assembly is mandated to extend the state of emergency after it expires within two weeks.

Describing the government's action as "unwarranted and uncalled for," Chadian journalists said they cannot work under the current climate.

A lot of independent journalists were forced to flee N'Djamena after the latest incursion.

The government has offered a cash reward of US $600 for the supply of any information on the whereabouts of rebels believed to be hiding in N'Djamena.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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