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Digest 30 October-3 November 2009

International

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International PEN Congress issues eleven resolutions on free expression (WiPC)

Africa

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Mauritania

President meets with RSF delegation in official visit to Paris (RSF)

Niger

Editor freed after more than two months in custody (RSF)
+ Niger journalist imprisoned for "casting discredit on a judicial ruling" released after two months (IPI)

Somalia

Stakeholders push for amendments to Media Law (NUSOJ)

NUSOJ condemns media house raid, journalists' detention (NUSOJ)

Sudan

ARTICLE 19 launches its state-by-state media assessment (ARTICLE 19)

Americas

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Argentina

WPFC urges Senate to approve bill decriminalising defamation (WPFC)
+ Argentina moves closer to scrapping criminal defamation (IPI)

Colombia

Interior Ministry protection programme for journalists also used for "close-quarters spying" (RSF)

Grenada

Weekly to be liquidated as a result of former prime minister's libel suit (RSF)

Honduras

National Telecommunications Commission returns seized equipment (C-Libre)

Mexico

Another reporter assassinated in Durango despite authorities' knowledge of threats against him (CEPET)
+ Crime reporter abducted and slain in Durango State (CPJ)
+ IAPA condemns murder of another journalist in Mexico (IAPA)
+ Another journalist executed - Mexico joins Pakistan at top of "World's Deadliest Countries for Reporters" list (IPI)
+ Crime reporter abducted and murdered (WiPC)
+ ARTICLE 19 calls for immediate investigation into attacks as ninth journalist murdered (ARTICLE 19)
+ WAN-IFRA protests over violence against journalists in Mexico (WAN-IFRA)

Columnist reports having received death threats (CEPET)

Peru

Journalist attacked by criminal's relative; columnist accused of defamation (IPYS)

Asia and Pacific

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Burma

Politicians call for media freedom before 2010 polls (Mizzima News)

At least three journalists and bloggers arrested in crackdown on volunteer group (RSF)

China

Internet writer and activist sentenced (WiPC)

Authorities detain Uighur website managers (CPJ)
+ Uighur journalist detained in China on charges of endangering national security (IPI)

India

India denies visas to Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi journalists (IFJ)

Pakistan

National Assembly Standing Committee recommends curb on electronic media coverage (PPF)
+ Pakistan assembly urged to reject restrictive amendments to press law (Freedom House)
+ Surge in news censorship condemned as backward step (RSF)
+ Electronic media managers prepare coverage guidelines (PPF)

Europe and Central Asia

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Azerbaijan

Justice Ministry conducts inspection of IRFS office, questions staff (IRFS)

Bulgaria

Courage in journalism prize awarded to Bulgarian journalist (IFJ)

Georgia

Journalist Pata Lagvilava receiving anonymous threats (CJES)

Russia

Natalya Estemirova case must be solved, say CPJ, PEN American Center (CPJ)

Middle East and North Africa

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Egypt

Investigation into assault on blogger terminated (ANHRI)
+ Call for solidarity with Egyptian anti-torture blogger (ANHRI)
+ Authorities urged to stop persecuting leading blogger Wael Abbas (RSF)

Israel

Two photographers attacked in Hebron (MADA)

Morocco

Press freedom "disappointingly absent from agenda" of visiting US Secretary of State; another editor given suspended sentence (IPI)
+ CPJ to Clinton: Morocco censors, jails journalists (CPJ)

Suspended jail terms, exorbitant damages award against newspaper publisher and cartoonist (RSF)

Tension affects news conference in Casablanca in support of Moroccan media (RSF)

Palestine

Two photographers attacked in Hebron (MADA)

Tunisia

Ailing journalist faces three years in prison (RSF)

Journalist kidnapped and beaten in brutal attack, another arrested (IPI)
+ Post-poll violence and an arrest targeting two journalists (RSF)
+ IFJ condemns government over attack on journalist (IFJ)
+ World's press condemns attacks on Tunisian journalists (WAN-IFRA)
+ No end in sight to government harassment of journalists‎ (CPJ)

Yemen

New Yemeni press court sentences, bans journalists (CPJ)
+ Convictions and bans pile up against journalists amidst unacceptable indifference (RSF)
+ IFJ condemns conviction of Yemeni journalists for insulting the president (IFJ)
+ WAN-IFRA write to president expressing concern at alleged torture of a journalist in prison and the sentencing of two others (WAN-IFRA)

Journalist beaten and tortured in prison (ANHRI)

Awards

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Courage in journalism prize awarded to Bulgarian journalist (IFJ)