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IFEX Communiqué Vol 20, No 11

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Hungary

Repressive media law muzzles press; thousands protest

Thirty-thousand people hit the streets of Budapest yesterday in support of press freedom after Hungary's parliament amended a controversial media law on 7 March. The law has the power to issue a fine of 100,000 Euros, ban media outlets and dictate content - and is controlled by a media council made up of political appointees of the ruling party, report the South East European Network for Professionalization of Media (SEENPM), the International Press Institute (IPI)'s affiliate the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Libya

Al-Jazeera journalist killed; several journalists detained, beaten, missing

After inviting foreign journalists into Libya, pro-Muammar Qaddafi forces have made every effort to impose a news blackout by confining journalists to their hotels, and assaulting and detaining those who try to report on anti-regime protests and violence against civilians. And as Qaddafi loyalists battle insurgents, deadly attacks on journalists have increased, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and other IFEX members. An Al-Jazeera journalist was killed on 12 March in an ambush on the outskirts of Benghazi, and three BBC journalists were detained for 21 hours and tortured.

Yemen

Foreign witnesses removed; local reporters and activists attacked, abducted

Yemeni authorities have arrested and deported at least six foreign journalists after coverage of government attacks that killed seven protesters in Sana'a over the weekend. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Press Institute (IPI) fear the deportations are setting the stage for further repression of local journalists and greater violence against protesters. And as thousands continue to march the streets demanding that President Ali Abdullah Saleh step down immediately, snipers are taking aim at unarmed demonstrators while security forces are arresting wounded demonstrators in hospitals, reports Human Rights Watch.

Azerbaijan

Social networking call to protest; activists detained

Several hundred Azerbaijani protesters took to the streets in the capital, Baku, last week, determined to demand their rights after watching uprisings in the Middle East. They called for the resignation of President Ilham Aliyev. The Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS) and other IFEX members report that authorities arrested activists who urged fellow citizens to protest government policies and corruption, detained numerous demonstrators and evicted several non-governmental organisations from their offices.

Philippines

Add your voice in support of justice for murdered journalists

In the coming weeks, the Philippines Court of Appeals will be deciding whether Zaldy Ampatuan, the suspected mastermind behind the November 2009 Ampatuan massacre, should be dropped from the list of suspects. Media groups in the Philippines, including IFEX member CMFR, are appealing to all concerned individuals and organisations to send a letter to the Court of Appeal ahead of the upcoming decision.

International / Awards and other opportunities

Nominations accepted for International Hrant Dink Award

The Hrant Dink Award is presented to individuals, organisations or groups that work for a just world, free from discrimination, racism and violence, who take personal risks to achieve those goals. As the Hrant Dink Foundation calls for this year's nominations, it aims to remind all those who struggle for these ideals that their voices are heard and their work is visible.