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Digest 12 - 16 March 2010

International

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Nigerian and Indonesian activists challenge repressive measures in "Defamation of Religions" debate (Freedom House)

RSF releases new list of "Internet enemies" on World Day Against Cyber Censorship (RSF)

Africa

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Eritrea

Radio Erena: an independent news source for Eritrea (RSF)

Ethiopia

Ethiopia reinstates hefty fines against publishing houses (CPJ)

Ghana

Ghana's reputation on media freedom under threat, IPI warns (IPI)

Nigeria

Radio reporter assaulted by mourners, narrowly escapes death (MRA)
+ Nigerian reporter assaulted at mass funeral (CPJ)

Abductors free sports journalists (IPI)

Release of two journalists kidnapped in Niger delta region (RSF)

Togo

French media outlets finally granted visas to cover presidential election (RSF)

Americas

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Honduras

Another journalist killed in Honduras (C-Libre)
+ Third journalist gunned down in two weeks (RSF)
+ IAPA astounded at two new murders of journalists (IAPA)
+ IFJ condemns spate of journalists' murders in Honduras (IFJ)
+ Third Honduran journalist gunned down in two weeks (CPJ)
+ Third journalist killed in Honduras this month (IPI)
+ After third journalist killed in two weeks, IPI calls on Honduran president to take immediate action (IPI)

Radio journalist shot to death (CPJ)
+ Radio journalist gunned down on Atlantic coast after suspected drug cartel threats (RSF)
+ IAPA condemns murder of journalist in Honduras (IAPA)
+ Second Honduran journalist killed in two weeks (IPI)

Mexico

Journalist shot to death in Guerrero (CPJ)
+ Mexican journalist killed in surge of drug violence (IPI)
+ A fourth journalist gunned down without any government reaction to the slaughter (RSF)

Two suspects arrested in journalist's murder, but motive remains questionable (RSF)

Eight journalists kidnapped in two weeks (IAPA)
+ At least one journalist missing in wave of violence in Tamaulipas state (RSF)
+ Drug-related violence endangers news media in Reynosa (CPJ)
+ WAN-IFRA condemns abduction of Mexican journalists (WAN-IFRA)
+ Two journalists dead; five missing (WiPC)

Asia and Pacific

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Burma

Election analysis banned in Burmese publications (Mizzima News)

China

Propaganda department issues new reporting ban (IFJ)

Scholars and writers press for Liu Xiaobo's release (Human Rights Watch)

Malaysia

Government imposes censorship and self-censorship on religious issues (RSF)

Pakistan

Freelance journalist released after being held by army for 70 days (RSF)

Sri Lanka

Attorney general offers assurance to exiled journalists (CPJ)

Executive director of Transparency International Sri Lanka faces imminent arrest (FMM)

Vietnam

Blogger arrested just three days after completing jail term (RSF)

Award-winning writer and journalist Tran Khai Thanh Thuy sentenced (WiPC)

Europe and Central Asia

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Azerbaijan

Appeals court upholds sentences against two bloggers (WiPC)
+ Appeal of youth bloggers not fulfilled (IRFS)
+ Appeal court leaves bloggers in jail (Human Rights Watch)

France

Radio Erena: an independent news source for Eritrea (RSF)

French foreign minister refers to Voice of America reporter as "sick" and "insane" (IPI)

Kazakhstan

Embattled independent weekly paralysed by damages (CPJ)
+ WAN-IFRA condemns press crackdown in Kazakhstan (WAN-IFRA)

Kosovo (Serbia)

French foreign minister refers to Voice of America reporter as "sick" and "insane" (IPI)

Russia

Staff of Dagestani weekly on trial for extremism (CPJ)
+ ARTICLE 19 concerned about ongoing prosecution of independent newspaper staff (ARTICLE 19)

Turkey

Internet censorship: Turkey "under surveillance" of RSF (BIANET)

Uzbekistan

UN review should highlight atrocious record (Human Rights Watch)

Middle East and North Africa

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Egypt

Blogger, cleared once, is convicted anew (CPJ)
+ Only in Egypt: A six-month prison sentence for Wael Abbas in a fabricated case on which he was already acquitted (ANHRI)
+ Hounding of bloggers continues (RSF)

Palestine

British journalist released after 25 days in detention (Human Rights Watch)

Saudi Arabia

Blogging about quest to treat comatose brother could land man in jail (Human Rights Watch)

Yemen

Authorities block live reports by Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya (CPJ)
+ Broadcasters' offices stormed in Yemen (IPI)
+ Authorities continue to harass media, seizing broadcast equipment from Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera (RSF)

IFJ accuses Yemen of "brutal inhumanity" over abuse of jailed editor (IFJ)