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IFEX Communiqué Vol 20, No 13

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Mexico

Media agree to guidelines for covering organised crime

Just moments before two journalists were found dead in the drug-riddled city of Monterrey last week, nearly 50 leading Mexican news organisations agreed on a code for covering drug-related violence and organised crime, report the Centro Nacional de Comunicación Social (CENCOS) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Syria

Despite concessions, crackdown continues

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has released 260 political prisoners and promised security forces would stop shooting demonstrators, but the fate of Syrian journalists and protesters is no less secure. The death toll from protests in the southern city of Daraa is 61, some journalists have been detained, and the news blackout is being enforced with violence, report Human Rights Watch and other IFEX members. Plus, journalists and dissidents detained before the uprising have not been released and laws remain which criminalise speech.

Brazil

Attack on blogger symptom of high level of violence against media

A blogger known for his scathing reporting on government officials and police corruption survived a shooting last week, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). It is just one of many acts of criminal violence targeting Brazilian media, say RSF and the Associação Brasileira de Jornalismo Investigativo (ABRAJI).

Togo

Critical radio stations closed down with red tape excuses

Radio stations and newspapers in the capital of Togo suspended their normal activities for a day in March in protest against three radio stations having been shut down since December, report the Media Foundation for West Africa and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Awards / International

TuniLeaks and Ibrahim Eissa among Index on Censorship award winners

Egypt's most famous independent editor and a website that posted a selection of the WikiLeaks diplomatic cables exposing corruption in Tunisia are among this year's winners of Index on Censorship's 2010 Freedom of Expression Awards. The awards pay tribute to people and organisations around the world that have made outstanding contributions to free expression - often at great personal risk.

Awards and other opportunities / International

Vote for your favourite free expression blog

The search is on for best blog! Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in conjunction with German media group Deutsche Welle wants you to vote for your favourite blog from anywhere in the world that defends free expression, as part of the Best of the Blogs Awards (the BOBs). Hurry, voting closes on 11 April.

International

Protect yourself from online threats with Access Now guide

Whether from a dictator who has sent cyber police onto the Internet, or from a fraudster trying to steal your identity, learn how to protect yourself from threats online with Access Now's guide on digital security.