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IFEX Communiqué Vol 20, No 09

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China

Crackdown on dissidents harshest in recent years

Following a response to calls for a "Jasmine Revolution" in China, police have launched a massive security clampdown on activists in what some critics are calling the most severe in recent years, report PEN American Center, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

International

Organised crime is media's greatest threat, says RSF

Organised crime in the form of drug cartels, mafias or paramilitary forces poses the greatest threat to journalists today, according to a new report released last week by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Since 2000, 141 journalists have been killed for reporting on organised crime, the report says.

International / Gender

CPJ and INSI respond to sexual assault on U.S. reporter in Egypt

In the days following the sexual attack on well-known CBS reporter Lara Logan in Egypt, the International News Safety Institute (INSI) assembled a safety advisory for women travellers. Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) laments the trouble with documenting sexual violence against journalists.

Côte d'Ivoire

Political camps exact reprisals on their critics

Attacks on the media have ratcheted up in Côte d'Ivoire with a media employee killed as supporters of both incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara target partisan media outlets and journalists, say the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The struggle for power threatens to lead to a full blown civil war.

Zimbabwe

Activists arrested for watching video on Middle East unrest

Zimbabwean police have arrested 46 people who attended a meeting to discuss the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, just days after the government threatened to crack down on any dissent inspired by the North Africa street protests, report Human Rights Watch and the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA). Some of them have been tortured in custody.

Iran

Stop the executions and release prisoners of conscience

Join Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi and Amnesty in calling on the Iranian authorities to institute an immediate moratorium on all executions and release the thousands who have been jailed for peacefully speaking out. Sign the petition here.

Americas / International

Sing for press freedom

There's still time to enter the "Lend your Voice to the Voiceless" contest, with the first round of voting wrapping up on 15 March. Post your video, song or lyrics about crimes against journalists, or vote for your favourite entry. The winner will have their song professionally recorded. Find out more on the Lend Your Voice website, available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Awards and other opportunities / Middle East and North Africa

Journalists invited to apply for Samir Kassir awards

The Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press 2011 competition is accepting entries from journalists until 30 March 2011.

International / Awards and other opportunities / World Press Freedom Day

Cartoonists wanted for World Press Freedom Day exhibition

Calling all cartoonists! On World Press Freedom Day (3 May) this year, an international exposition organised by La Maison des journalists in Paris will exhibit the best editorial cartoons on the theme of "exile" by some of the most talented cartoonists in the world. Be one of them.