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Communiqué Vol 18, No 48

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Somalia

Three journalists killed; bomber strikes at heart of country's future

A suicide bomber dressed as a woman blew himself up at a university graduation ceremony in Mogadishu on 3 December, killing three Somali journalists and at least 25 others, reports the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). This tragedy has spurred twenty-six IFEX members to join NUSOJ in a joint appeal for justice.

Iran

Protesters ferociously attacked; dissidents hunted down

Iranian authorities have meticulously carried out total control of news and information in the last week, gearing up for National Students' Day on 7 December, reports Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Recently, two prominent journalists were sentenced to lengthy prison terms, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Others are being summoned for interrogation or simply arrested.

Syria

Journalist detained for government critiques; Kurds' free expression systematically targeted

In a recent wave of arbitrary arrests of dissidents, a journalist who wrote articles on government corruption and defended other journalists harassed by authorities was arrested on 22 November, reports Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The Kurdish community has also been singled out for violations of free expression by Syrian authorities, reports Human Rights Watch.

Bolivia

Journalists attacked; media freedom deteriorates

Press freedom has deteriorated in Bolivia since President Evo Morales came to power in 2005; his insults against the media are often followed up with supporters assaulting journalists, alleges the International Press Institute (IPI). Morales's re-election on 6 December means opposition critics and journalists will continue to be under threat, reports IPI.

Russia / Awards

WPFC award honours President of Glasnost Defense Foundation

The World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC) honoured Alexei Simonov, President of the Glasnost Defense Foundation (GDF), with its 2009 Dana Bullen Press Freedom Advocacy Award on 4 December.

Philippines

Executive director of SEAPA honoured for his efforts to protect free expression

Roby Alampay, Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) was selected as one of the awardees of The Outstanding Young Men award in the Philippines.

International

RSF honours Israeli reporter and Chechen newspaper

The 2009 Reporters Without Borders - FNAC Press Freedom Prize was awarded on 3 December to Israeli newspaper reporter Amira Hass and the Chechen quarterly "Dosh".

International

ARTICLE 19 analyses the extent of civil defamation worldwide

ARTICLE 19 launched a map of civil defamation worldwide this week, based on two years of research covering 176 countries.

International

Discussion of Internet freedom marks International Human Rights Day

A panel discussion exploring human rights abuses on the Internet and breaches of freedom of expression linked to Internet regulation is being aired on 10 December to mark International Human Rights Day.