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Communiqué Vol 18, No 33

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Afghanistan / Pakistan

Authorities enforce media blackout during elections; journalist critical of Taliban killed

Security forces obstructed, assaulted and detained journalists in Afghanistan last week, enforcing an official order to avoid broadcasting any violent incidents during the presidential election, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE). Meanwhile, in Pakistan's tribal areas, an Afghan journalist critical of the Taliban was killed, say the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and other IFEX members.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist's murder highlights deteriorating press freedom situation in east

A radio presenter was stabbed to death last weekend in Bukavu, the latest in a string of events that raises serious press freedom concerns in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, report Journaliste en Danger (JED), the International Press Institute (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Somalia

Martial law could lead to free expression abuses, says NUSOJ

Somalia's parliament has voted to declare three months of martial law, which could lead to more restrictions on free expression, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) warns.

Azerbaijan

Editor dies in detention

The Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights Watch and ARTICLE 19 are questioning the death of an Azeri journalist while in custody, saying inadequate medical attention may have contributed to his demise.

Sri Lanka

Death threat against activist sign of ongoing post-war repression

Last week, a popular Sri Lankan human rights activist received a death threat that is emblematic of the continuing clampdown on dissent in Sri Lanka during supposed reconstruction and peacetime, say ARTICLE 19 and Freedom House.

Philippines

Underfunded witness protection programme contributes to impunity

Journalists continue to be gunned down in the Philippines and witnesses look the other way due to fear of reprisals, say new reports by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).

Awards

West African journalists invited to apply for Norbert Zongo prize

Journalists from West Africa are invited to apply for the Norbert Zongo investigative journalism prize, created in memory of the journalist and press freedom advocate from Burkina Faso assassinated in December 1998. The deadline for entries is 30 September 2009.