About IFEX:

News by region:

IFEX Campaigns and Advocacy:

IFEX Email Products:

Opportunities and assistance:

Communiqué Vol 18, No 44

---

International

WiPC issues a call for solidarity for persecuted writers

To mark the Day of the Imprisoned Writer (DoIW) on 15 November, the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) is highlighting the cases of imprisoned writers and honouring those who have been slain for defending free speech. WiPC is calling on all activists and writers to show solidarity on behalf of persecuted writers by sending appeals to authorities. This year WiPC is shining a spotlight on five people from around the world.

Pakistan

Journalists targeted by insurgents and draconian state censorship

As the Pakistani state combats different insurgent groups, increased violence this year has led to a crackdown on media. Some radio stations have been ordered to not broadcast BBC Urdu-language programs and parliament is ratifying severe regulations to control how the conflict is covered, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and other IFEX members. Journalists are also caught between the military and extremists as they struggle to practice their profession.

Honduras

Media faces grenade attacks and more soldiers in the streets

About 10 grenades have been lobbed at media outlets in Honduras since the crisis began this summer, says the International Press Institute (IPI). Recently, a grenade was flung into the offices of a popular Honduran radio station on 5 November, injuring two people and damaging the broadcast booth. The device exploded on the roof of Radio HRN, Honduras's oldest station, in the capital, Tegucigalpa.

Togo

Media groups protest repressive law

A draft law passed by the Togolese parliament on 30 October gives the state broadcasting council greater powers to impose severe sanctions against the media, reports the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). Ahead of elections, this coercive media law will restrict free and pluralistic debate.

Ukraine

Politicians abuse power, attack journalists

Ukrainian politicians are targeting journalists and editors in order to quash criticism. A newspaper editor was recently assaulted by a member of parliament (MP) for publishing stories critical of the MP's performance, reports the Glasnost Defence Foundation (GDF). Meanwhile, another journalist was beaten up allegedly on orders from an MP on 14 October, reports the Institute of Mass Information (IMI) in Ukraine.

International

Call for applicants for Oxford Moot court in defense of freedom of expression

The Programme for Comparative Media Law and Policy at Oxford has announced the publication of the 2010 case for the Monroe E. Price Media Law Moot Court Competition. Students will have four months to research and formulate arguments from both the applicant's and the government's perspective, before submitting the written memorials. The finals take place at Oxford University in March 2010.

International

CJFE honours persecuted journalists and news outlet

Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) is honouring reporter Jila Baniyaghoub of Iran and the Russian news outlet "Novaya Gazeta" with the 2009 International Press Freedom Awards for "extraordinary courage and overcoming tremendous odds to report the news." CJFE is also honouring Canadian writer and journalist Terry Gould for his documentation of attacks on the media, despite great personal risk, with the Tara Singh Hayer Memorial Award.

North Korea / Awards

North Korean journalist wins human rights award

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy is honouring exiled North Korean journalist Kim Seong-Min with its 2009 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award. Seong-Min is the founder and director of Free North Korea Radio and is being recognised for his "courageous defiance" of the North Korean regime.