Reporters Without Borders appeals to presidential candidates

Dear candidates: As the 7 November presidential election approaches, the worldwide press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders calls on you to formally declare your support for a range of measures to ensure greater press freedom, a topic that does not feature in your campaign manifestos. We would like you to promise, if elected, to -- Abolish article 11 of the 1991 press law that allows the interior ministry to ban the circulation, distribution or sale of newspapers that "undermine the principles of Islam or the reputation of the state, harm public interest or disturb public order or security." More than a dozen newspapers have been banned under article 11 so far this year. -- Enforce article 10 of the national constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, by ending the state monopoly of radio and television. -- Ensure that application of the press law about issuing press cards does not exclude independent journalists. -- Give all candidates equal access to public media in future elections. Reporters Without Borders will publicise your replies to this appeal, which we hope you will respond to without delay.