Gabon suspends TV, newspaper for popularizing opposition message

LIBREVILLE, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Gabon's National Communication Council (CNC) has suspended a TV station and a newspaper for popularizing an opposition message.

The CNC on Wednesday suspended the broadcast licence of TV+ television station for a period of three months and the licence of Echos du Nord (Echoes from the North) newspaper for a period of two months.

The decision was taken after both carried the New Year message from the Central African country's opposition leader Andre Mba Obame on Jan. 1.

The CNC ruled that the broadcast and publication of this message by TV+ private television station and Echos du Nord could destabilize the social order.

It noted that TV+ station has been notorious for broadcasting messages that could breed instability in the country.

On Jan. 25, 2011, this television station aired live broadcast of Mba Obame's swearing in ceremony.

These two media houses are staunch supporters of Obame who sent his New Year message to the nation from South Africa where he is undergoing medical treatment.