Angola court uses insult law to silence journalists
Folha 8 reports that criminal insult laws are being used to suppress free expression.
Folha 8 reports that Angola's legal system is using criminal charges, specifically insult laws, to silence journalists and adversaries. The newspaper highlights a confusion between calumny, injury, and defamation, suggesting these distinctions are being blurred to enable prosecutions.
The publication points to Article 213 of the Penal Code concerning insult, defining it as an attack on a person's intimacy. Examples provided include accusations spread on social media about a former partner's physical attributes and derogatory remarks made in public debates or school settings.
Folha 8 argues that these legal actions, even when based on suspicion, are used to target individuals and suppress their ability to express themselves freely. The newspaper indicates this practice is becoming a rule rather than an exception in the country.
Why it mattersJournalists and adversaries in Angola face legal action under insult laws, potentially limiting their freedom of expression.