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IFEX Communiqué Vol 19, No 9

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International

Olympic Games should not override right to free expression

Violations of free expression were recorded surrounding the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada, report Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). So as the world looks to the next Winter Olympics in 2014, in Sochi, Russia, Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) are examining the local media's lack of financial independence and powerlessness in the face of the Kremlin.

Côte d'Ivoire

Opposition protestors killed; media barred from reporting

Security forces fired on anti-government protesters in the city of Gagnoa, Ivory Coast, killing five and injuring several others on 19 February, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). French TV news station France 24 was suspended after its coverage of the incident and opposition newspapers have been threatened.

Angola

War on separatists used as cover to imprison rights defenders and harass journalists

The Angolan government is targeting human rights defenders with intimidation, harassment and detention, says Human Rights Watch. The lethal attack on Togolese football players by Angolan separatist rebels in January was also used as an excuse to round up critics of the government. At least eight activists have been arrested since the attack and journalists have been threatened.

Nepal

Media publisher slain; editors threatened

A Nepali publisher and chairman of a media organisation was shot and killed on 1 March, report the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Journalists and editors continue to face intimidation and threats despite the state's commitments to press freedom and journalist's safety, says the International Press Institute (IPI).

Honduras

One journalist murdered, another seriously injured in attack

A Honduran journalist was shot dead in an attack that also injured another journalist on 1 March, report the Committee for Free Expression (C-Libre) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Mexico

Public officials behind crimes against journalists

Mexico is the deadliest country in the Americas for journalists trying to do their job. Organised crime is often perceived as being predominantly behind attacks on the press, but a new report by ARTICLE 19 and the National Center for Social Communication (CENCOS) points to public officials as the main perpetrators. And there is a movement to challenge this culture of impunity with newspaper editors and journalists joining forces to urge the government to take action, reports the Inter American Press Association (IAPA).

Asia and Pacific

AMARC reaffirms effort to use community radio as a vehicle for dissent and pluralism

Community radio broadcasters from 20 countries in the Asia Pacific region met in Bangalore, India, from 20-23 February to look at the challenges to community radio and reaffirm the necessity for marginalised communities to take charge of their own means of communication, reports the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC).

Iran

Help free imprisoned journalists

Leading press freedom and free expression groups are asking for your support to help free imprisoned journalists, writers and bloggers in Iran. Since the disputed June elections, there has been a brutal crackdown on dissent. In response, a coalition of free expression organisations has launched a petition drive calling for the release of those imprisoned. More dissidents are in prison in Iran than in any other country in the world: out of at least 60 political prisoners, 47 of them are journalists. Generally, prisoners are held incommunicado and some are tortured.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Help restore RFI's radio signal

Journaliste en Danger (JED) launched a campaign on 23 February 2010 to restore the FM signal of French public radio station Radio France Internationale (RFI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo: "Release the info, reopen RFI." JED is asking you to sign a petition, which will be sent to President Joseph Kabila.