7 October 2009
Communiqué Vol 18, No 39
Guinea
Journalists were assaulted after they witnessed a massacre of protesters by Guinean soldiers during an opposition demonstration on 28 September in Conakry, report the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and other IFEX members. Two journalists have gone into hiding after learning that soldiers are on the hunt for them for reporting the killings to the international community.
Italy
Thousands marched the streets in Rome on 3 October to defend press freedom and freedom of information in the face of continuous attacks by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, reports the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the European group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
Cambodia
Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand on 23 September, Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy accused his government of targeting journalists and members of civil society in its repression of critical voices, reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA). Meanwhile, civil society groups in Cambodia are working to set up a media defense network that would provide legal aid to journalists.
Tunisia
The Tunisian government has launched a smear campaign against Qatar-based Al-Jazeera as part of its ongoing strategy to silence dissent in order to ensure a fifth term for President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in the upcoming October election, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). This is just one of a number of recent violations reported by IFEX members.
International
Several draft resolutions were submitted to the twelfth session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) last week, eliciting a variety of reactions from IFEX members, some of whom lauded a welcome focus on freedom of expression.
Russia
On a five-day advocacy mission to Russia last week, the International Press Institute (IPI) investigated the murder of journalists, impunity of killers and self-censorship of the press that continues.
Europe and Central Asia / Awards and other opportunities
The Norway-based Fritt Ord Foundation (Freedom of Expression Foundation) and the German-based ZEIT Foundation have put out a call for nominations for awards to support press freedom and independent media in Eastern Europe.
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