China 'toxic for Africa freedom'
BBC News, UK - February 13, 2008

Eritrean journalist Seyoum Tsehaye has been in jail for six years

The increase in the arrest and imprisonment of journalists in Africa in the last year has been partly blamed on China by Reporters Without Borders.

"The influence of China in African affairs has been very toxic for democracy," the media watchdog's Leonard Vincent told the BBC.

He said China gave aid without asking for political reforms in return.

While increasing national pride within Africa had made it difficult for Western countries to assert pressure.

The Paris-based group said many governments now took action against the media irrespective of international opinion.

In its annual survey of press freedom, it mentions serial offenders like Ethiopia, Eritrea, Zimbabwe and The Gambia.

But it is also critical of places like Rwanda, Mali and Benin - where it says media freedom used to be respected ...