Dakar, Senegal (PANA) – The chief editor of the Senegalese private newspaper, La Tribune, Félix Nzalé, was arrested on Monday for reporting the detection of five people affected by Ebola in Senegal.
He was due to appear before the public prosecutor on Tuesday, allegedly for disseminating false news.
Nzalé was summoned Monday by the Brigade for general affairs at the Criminal investigation department (DIC) to justify the story.
Reacting to the rumours on Ebola outbreak in Senegal, the Health Minister, Mrs Eva Marie Coll Seck, on Monday said “no case was reported in the country”.
Speaking at the close of the inter-ministerial council devoted to the Ebola disease, she called the press to show common sense and be professional in the treatment of information related to the disease.
In its Tuesday edition, La Tribune denounced the arrest of its chief editor and called on authorities for “serenity”.
“The ways and means to spare Senegal from the blight that for several months hit Guinea must be the top priority for the government. Punishing or demonizing journalists is taking the shadow for the prey,” said the newspaper.
