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Communiqué Vol 18, No 16

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Bahrain

King pardons hundreds of activists following international outcry

Bahrain's king has pardoned 178 people charged with breaching state security, including 35 Shi'ite activists whose arrests sparked violent protests and whose case drew international scrutiny, reports the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR).

Iran / United States

Freelancer Roxana Saberi convicted of spying

Iran convicted an American-Iranian journalist of spying for the United States and sentenced her to eight years in prison, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Press Institute (IPI).

Algeria

Press freedom abuses rise during elections

Press freedom violations have increased under Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, many occurring during this month's electoral campaign, say the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Bouteflika was re-elected to a third term on 9 April.

International

Member states should not boycott UN anti-racism meeting, say IFEX members

IFEX members ARTICLE 19 and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) are "extremely concerned" by the recent decision of the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands to withdraw from the UN anti-racism conference, also known as the Durban Review, and are calling on other states not to follow their example.

Indonesia

"Time" magazine cleared of defaming Suharto

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and the Southeast Asian Press Association (SEAPA) welcomed the "landmark ruling" last week of the Indonesian Supreme Court in favour of "Time" magazine in a US$106-million defamation suit filed by former President Suharto.

South Korea

Financial blogger acquitted of spreading false news

A South Korean blogger has been acquitted of spreading false news on the Internet, reports Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Somalia

NUSOJ unveils bulletproof gear for journalists

In recognition of Somalia being the most dangerous country in Africa for journalists, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has got their journalists' backs covered - literally. This month, NUSOJ distributed 20 bulletproof jackets and helmets to independent journalists and targeted news organisations in the most volatile areas of the country.

Slovakia

Civil defamation a worrying trend in Slovakia, says IPI

Civil defamation lawsuits are being disproportionately slapped onto critical journalists and media organisations in Slovakia, which could have the added effect of self-censorship, says the International Press Institute (IPI) in a new report.

Awards

Index on Censorship honours free expression champions

Software that helps get around censorship and a Malaysian human rights lawyer who faced numerous death threats are among the winners of Index on Censorship's 2008 Freedom of Expression Awards, which pay tribute to people and organisations around the world that have made outstanding contributions to free expression.