About IFEX:

News by region:

IFEX Campaigns and Advocacy:

IFEX Email Products:

Opportunities and assistance:

IFEX Communiqué Vol 19, No 2

---

Yemen

Clampdown on militants used as excuse to stifle free expression

An independent newspaper critical of the Yemeni government's policies was under military siege last week and its editors were arrested, report IFEX members. Yemen's intense clampdown on militants is being used as an excuse to stifle media freedom, say the International Press Institute (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Tunisia

Journalists at risk; pro-government press intensifies attack on critics

Intimidation and harassment of Tunisian journalists has escalated in recent weeks, reports the Observatoire pour la liberté de presse, d'édition et de création (OLPEC). The Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG), composed of 20 IFEX members, has called on the European Parliament to raise free expression violations with the Tunisian government in upcoming discussions.

Sri Lanka

Journalist released from prison; impunity protects editor's killers

Sri Lankan journalist J.S. Tissainayagam was released on bail this week, four months after receiving a 20-year prison sentence, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI). IFEX members have also highlighted that one year after Sri Lankan editor Lasantha Wickrematunge was killed, there has been no serious investigation of the case and a culture of impunity continues to curb free expression.

Burma

Reporter sentenced to 20 years in prison; junta diversifies censorship

A Burmese video reporter who challenged government policies in her work was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 31 December, report Mizzima News, the South East Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and other IFEX members. The junta has also stepped up its censorship regulations with the military controlling newspaper content, and film and video footage under greater scrutiny, reports Mizzima News.

Afghanistan

British journalist killed in explosion

A British journalist was killed by a roadside bomb on 9 January while travelling with a U.S. Marine Corps unit, report Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Mexico

Kidnapped reporter murdered

A Mexican reporter was found dead on 8 January, a day after he was kidnapped, report the Centro Nacional de Comunicadión Social (CENCOS), Observatorio Latinoamericano para la Libertad de Expresión (OLA) and other IFEX members.

Bulgaria

Notorious crime journalist slain

A journalist who had written articles and a book on crime figures was gunned down on 5 January in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Index on Censorship and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

International

Freedom House notes decline of political rights and civil liberties in annual survey

Global declines in freedom have outpaced gains in 2009, reports Freedom House in its latest annual survey of the rights situation in 194 countries and 14 territories worldwide: "Freedom in the World 2010."

International

Nominations sought for UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2010

Nominations are being accepted for the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, which seeks "to honour a person, organisation or institution that has made a notable contribution to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially if this involved risk."