International Freedom of Expression eXchange: The global network for free expression
Free expression spotlight
10 March 2010
International
International Women's Day honours the struggles of women journalists and rights defenders
IFEX members highlighted International Women's Day on 8 March by honouring women journalists, writers and activists for their courage and tenacity in combating corrupt regimes, abuses of power and human rights violations. Many have faced arrest, beatings, imprisonment, and some have been murdered, for speaking out.
From the Communiqué
10 March 2010
Iraq
Election violence harrowing; scores of journalists assaulted
As Iraqis went to the polls on 7 March to select 325 members of parliament, Human Rights Watch urged all political groups to make freedom of expression central to their platform to be sure the next government respects press freedom and minority rights. Meanwhile, countless journalists in Iraq Kurdistan faced brutal attacks leading up to and on election-day, because of political rivalry, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Campaigns and Advocacy
10 March 2010
International
Fifty years of women writers in prison
On International Women's Day, the WiPC celebrates and commemorates all women writers, past and present, who have suffered arrest, attack and even murder for having spoken out.
10 March 2010
International
International Women's Day: ARTICLE 19 reflects on the experiences of women who have stood up for free expression
In a report, ARTICLE 19 reaffirms the importance of gender equality as a key component of the right to freedom of expression.
9 March 2010
Turkey
Columnists protest against Prime Minister's warning to media
Turkish columnists have published a joint statement responding to Prime Minister Erdogan's call to "control newspaper bosses and columnists."Urgent alerts
ETHIOPIA: Supreme Court orders publishing houses to pay country's highest ever fine, say publishers The decision overturns a previous High Court ruling that a 2007 presidential amnesty to journalists and publishing houses also covered the fines.9 March 2010 NIGERIA: Kidnapped journalists released A spokeswoman for South African broadcaster M-Net/SuperSport confirmed that two journalists abducted at gunpoint on 1 March have been released.
9 March 2010 BELGIUM/TURKEY: Ten arrested in police raid on Kurdish TV station Police organised simultaneous raids at 25 locations in the country that were alleged to be connected to the Kurdistan Workers' Party.
9 March 2010
Take action!
INTERNATIONAL: Show your support for World Day Against Cyber Censorship
Do you want to defend an Internet without restrictions and accessible to everyone? Download this logo free of charge and post it on your blog or website or add it to your email signature to show your support for World Day Against Cyber Censorship on 12 March 2010. RSF designed the logo to symbolise the defence of online free expression. It represents a computer mouse freeing itself from its chains. The logo is available in various colours.
10 March 2010
IRAN: Help free imprisoned journalists
Leading press freedom and free expression groups are asking for your support to help free imprisoned journalists, writers and bloggers in Iran. Since the disputed June elections, there has been a brutal crackdown on dissent. In response, a coalition of free expression organisations has launched a petition drive calling for the release of those imprisoned. More dissidents are in prison in Iran than in any other country in the world: out of at least 60 political prisoners, 47 of them are journalists. Generally, prisoners are held incommunicado and some are tortured.
3 March 2010
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