2 November 2011
IFEX Digest | 17 - 23 October 2011
International
UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression launches key report on Internet freedom (ARTICLE 19)
Freedom House report finds governments restricting media through regulation (Freedom House)
Africa
Democratic Republic of Congo
Headquarters of private media outlet attacked (JED)Ghana
Newspaper reporter receives death threats (MFWA)Liberia
Journalist attacked in Monrovia (CEMESP)+ Media outlets targeted in post-election violence (CPJ)
+ Radio host escapes armed attack (MFWA)
Pro-opposition media attacked (MFWA)
+ Violence, intimidation against media in run-up to second-round election (RSF)
Malawi
Journalists must be allowed to investigate death of activist, says RSF (RSF)Mauritius
Journalist jailed, others fined for contempt of Supreme Court (CPJ)+ Journalist jailed and media outlets fined for contempt of court (RSF)
+ Newspaper editor freed pending outcome of appeal (RSF)
Niger
Two newspaper journalists detained over report on judicial corruption (MFWA)Nigeria
Police release "The Nation" newspaper editors (MRA)Senegal
Activist sentenced to two years in prison for defaming president (MFWA)Opposition activist charged for libeling President Wade (MFWA)
Somalia
NUSOJ condemns bombing of radio station (NUSOJ)+ In Puntland, fourth radio station hit by grenade attack (CPJ)
The Gambia
Jailed lawyer pardoned (MFWA)Americas
Attempts to silence independent press have increased, IAPA concludes during annual meeting (IAPA)
Brazil
Favela reporters censored by army, wave of attacks on regional journalists (RSF)Canada
Supreme Court's hyperlink decision a victory for freedom of expression on the Internet (CJFE)Chile
More media freedom violations feared as protests continue (RSF)Ecuador
Investigative journalist sued by president receives threat from unidentified individual (Fundamedios)Former columnist faces second lawsuit for slander (Fundamedios)
Mexico
Assailants break into journalist's home in Durango (CEPET)Paraguay
Politicians accused of masterminding journalist's murder still at large (RSF)Peru
Drunken congressman attacks journalists (IPYS)United States
Journalist in legal fight with Obama administration over sources (RSF)+ Canadian lawmaker seeks CBC documents (IPI)
Reporters arrested, roughed up while covering Occupy Wall Street protests (RSF)
Venezuela
US$2 million dollar fine could bankrupt Globovisión (IPYS-Venezuela)+ Globovisión fined millions for its riot reporting (CPJ)
+ Authorities impose US$2 million fine on private TV station (RSF)
+ The IAPA condemns sanction against Globovisión (IAPA)
Asia and Pacific
SEAPA to coordinate research project on freedom of information in Southeast Asia (SEAPA) Online expression forum highlights importance of free and open Internet (SEAPA)
Burma
Human Rights Watch urges Japan to press Burma's foreign minister on human rights issues (Human Rights Watch)Interview with newly-freed dissident comedian Zarganar (RSF)
Three writers released under amnesty (Mizzima News)
Cambodia
Human rights defenders and journalist summoned to court to answer two-year-old "incitement" charges (CCHR)China
Beijing court throws out appeal by jailed cyber-dissident Wang Lihong (RSF)Indonesia
Police arrest 300 protesters in Papua (Human Rights Watch)Parliament passes controversial intelligence bill (AJI)
+ Government urged to repeal new intelligence law (Human Rights Watch)
Japan
Human Rights Watch urges Japan to press Burma's foreign minister on human rights issues (Human Rights Watch)Nepal
Journalist receives death threat after reporting on business malpractice (Freedom Forum)Philippines
Reporter alleges harassment by former anti-drugs chief (CMFR)Broadcaster shot dead (IFJ)
+ Another journalist killed (IPI)
+ Broadcaster gunned down (CPJ)
+ Radio blocktimer shot dead in Mindanao (CMFR)
Singapore
Activist filmmaker under investigation for organising event (SEAPA)Sri Lanka
Access to anti-government website blocked (CPJ)+ FMM condemns blocking of Lanka eNews (FMM)
+ Censored website's editor talks about media control (RSF)
Thailand
Government acknowledges effect of lèse-majesté on free expression (ARTICLE 19)Media independence curtailed by political and commercial pressures (SEAPA)
Europe and Central Asia
Azerbaijan
Authorities confiscate newspaper's equipment (IRFS)+ Criminal case launched against editor Avaz Zeynalli (IRFS)
Court proceedings against journalists' attackers continue (IRFS)
Kazakhstan
Three men found guilty in journalist's death (Adil Soz)Kyrgyzstan
Three men found guilty in journalist's death (Adil Soz)Russia
Terror, threats and corruption: report of RSF fact-finding visit to Russian Caucasus (RSF)Serbia
Radio-Television Prima's studio vandalised (ANEM)IPI condemns renewed pressure on journalists (IPI)
Ukraine
Unidentified assailant shoots journalist in Mykolayiv (IMI)Draft law proposes closure of media outlets for broadcast of violent images (IMI)
+ IFJ warns of threat to press freedom ahead of key debate on protection of "public morals" bill (IFJ)
+ RSF appeals to parliament about dangers of "public decency" bill (RSF)
Parliament urged to reject bill that would censor information about homosexuality (Human Rights Watch)
Middle East and North Africa
Bahrain
Regime continues to target free expression by bringing journalists and photographers to trial (BCHR)Egypt
Civil society organisations condemn acts of violence, extrajudicial killings in Maspero incident (CIHRS)+ ANHRI's complaint against information minister referred to military court (ANHRI)
Iran
Journalist, poet and activist Faranak Farid released on bail (WiPC)Iraq
Series of new attacks and acts of intimidation against journalists (RSF)+ ANHRI condemns ongoing assaults against media practitioners (ANHRI)
Saudi Arabia
ANHRI condemns ongoing stifling of freedom of expression by authorities (ANHRI)+ Three online television journalists held by police (RSF)
Syria
ANHRI condemns censorship of novel by Arab Writers Union (ANHRI)Tunisia
Political parties' responses to Human Rights Watch questionnaire shed light on their human rights stances (Human Rights Watch)Yemen
Another journalist killed as Saleh regime steps up violence against protesters (RSF)+ Violence continues, Saleh still clings to power (ANHRI)
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