14 December 2011

IFEX Communiqué Vol 20, No 49


International

Number of imprisoned journalists reaches 15-year high, says CPJ report

As of 1 December 2011, 179 journalists are in jail worldwide, says CPJ The number of journalists in prison around the world is higher than it has been in 15 years, says a Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) report. As of 1 December, 179 writers, editors and photojournalists were detained, according to CPJ's annual survey. The jump is largely attributed to beyond-the-law military regimes in Middle East and North Africa, most notably in Iran, which topped the list with 42 journalists imprisoned.

International

IFEX members honour International Human Rights Day around the world

A 2008 protest in Porto Vehlo, Brazil: Indigenous people and locals have been shut out of the decision-making around proposed power plants on the Madeira River, says ARTICLE 19 IFEX members marked International Human Rights Day on 10 December by demanding freedom of expression and right to information for Somali journalists, Brazilian indigenous communities, Chinese dissident writers and other targeted groups throughout the world.

India

Activist demanding information shot dead as government tries to ramp up cyber censorship

An activist with a long history of campaigning for transparency and accountability was shot dead by unknown gunmen at a time the government attempts to further clamp down on the free flow of information.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Bought-off media worsen election marred in violence

At least 18 people were killed and 100 injured in the violence that led up to the elections on 28 November 2011 Just before a brutally violent and hotly contested election, Journaliste en danger (JED) condemned the lack of media standards and inaction by DRC's broadcast regulatory that have contributed to massive divisions in the country.

Zimbabwe

Media monitors' arrests are shocking and unlawful, say IFEX members

MMPZ's Andrew Moyse was arrested by police, along with three other staff members Three members of the Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe (MMPZ) are in jail after they showed a film about the media's role in the election process, report the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), ARTICLE 19 and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Americas / Awards and other opportunities

IAPA seeks nominations of human rights journalists and press freedom advocates

The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) is calling on news agencies and journalists to send in articles and video and audio clips that portray excellence in human rights reporting, among 11 other categories.
 
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