It urged Libya, like other countries, to conduct “impartial, speedy, thorough, independent and effective investigations into all alleged violence against journalists and media workers falling within their jurisdiction, to bring perpetrators including, inter alia, those who command, conspire to commit, aid and abet or cover up such crimes to justice, and to ensure that victims and their families have access to appropriate remedies.”
Reporters Without Borders reiterates its deep concern about the fate of Libya’s journalists, who are finding it increasingly difficult to practice their profession without fear of being persecuted, attacked or murdered.
Media still being targeted
An armed group attacked Al-Midan FM, a privately-owned radio station in Zawiya, a town 40 km west of Tripoli, on the night of 9 October, removing its transmitter, other equipment and material and badly damaging some of its installations. The station had continued to broadcast political and social programmes despite getting many threats.
In a statement on its Facebook page, the station accused those behind the “terrorist and cowardly attack” of wanting to “silence free media and take them over.” No group has so far claimed responsibility.
Mo’az Al-Thaleeb, a presenter on the privately-owned satellite TV station Al-Assima, was kidnapped in the central Tripoli district of Salah El-Din on the evening of 10 October and was held for two days before being release.
A member of the family said he was held at Al-Yarmouk military camp, which is controlled by Tripoli-based revolutionary militias and by Operation Libya Dawn. Al-Thaleeb, who is also studying social sciences, had previously received threats in connection with his journalistic work.