Captive Cameras: Togo's Troubling Trend for Journalists The detention of two French filmmakers in Togo since July 27 has sparked renewed concern about press freedom in the West African nation.
On its face, this incident is a disturbing symptom of a larger problem – one that speaks to the erosion of journalistic autonomy in countries with authoritarian tendencies.
Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe has been at the helm since 2005, following his father's 38 year reign. This dynastic rule has created a climate where dissent is suppressed and criticism is met with swift reprisal.