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Alerts - 1997

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Zambia

Detained journalist served with presidential detention order

Pakistan

Journalist Qaiser Mahmood Khokhar arrested and assaulted

South Korea

American journalist Richard Choi arrested

Zambia

Journalists prevented from covering military graduation ceremony

South Korea

American journalist Richard Choi arrested

Nigeria

Editor-in-chief of "The Diet" arrested

Argentina

Arson attack against "El Oeste" newspaper

Zambia

Reporter for "The Post" goes into hiding

Liberia

Four journalists arrested

Guinea

Ivory Coast journalist Louis Esperant Celestin expelled; two independent newspapers shut down

Egypt

Authorities seize edition of Arabic-language newspaper "Al-Hayat"

Democratic Republic of Congo

Offices of newspaper "Elima" ransacked

Cambodia

Canadian journalist Ed Fitzgerald expelled

Tanzania

Government threatens to ban newspapers and broadcasters that carry "obscene" cartoons intended to ridicule authorities

Namibia

Journalist Peterkings Nkoma dies after being run over by police vehicle

Zambia

Police visit offices of "The Post" looking to question reporter

Zimbabwe

Broadcaster fired for reporting on public disturbance

Cameroon

Journalist Pius Njawe arrested; editorial staff of the newspaper "Le Messager" threatened

Samoa

"Samoa Observer" case goes to Court of Appeal

Spain

Bomb attack on home of journalist Carmen Gurruchaga

Nigeria

Fears for safety of detained journalists and writers

Jordan

Playwright Ali Sneid sentenced to eighteen months in prison

Mauritania

Arab-language edition of the independent weekly "Le Calame" banned

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist Pontien Tshisungu arrested

Yemen

Journalist Nabil al-Amoudi detained without charges

Brazil

Community radio station ordered to close

Liberia

Journalists arrested in Liberia

Croatia

Trial of "Feral Tribune" editor Viktor Ivancic and reporter Marinko Culic to resume on 22 December 1997.

Turkey / United States

CPJ calls on President Bill Clinton to stress U.S. concerns about lack of press freedom in Turkey

United Kingdom

Three magazine editors each sentenced to three years in prison

Democratic Republic of Congo

South African journalist Mossi Mwassi arrested

Spain

Individuals set fire to offices of newspaper

Jordan

ARTICLE 19 and Jordanian partner organisations issue resolution on media freedom and censorship

Botswana

Former editor and reporter appear in court

Samoa

Hate letters to "Samoa Observer" traced to fax of top government official

Australia

East Timor activist to be charged for displaying photos of torture

Belarus

Trial of journalists Pavel Sheremet and Dmitry Zavadsky due to begin

Cuba

Journalist Odalys Curbelo Sanchez taken in for questioning, threatened

Guinea

Journalist Foday Fofana detained

South Africa

Community leader arrested for possession of secret documents

South Africa

Court effectively bans book about Sol Kerzner

Spain

Armed individuals force way into office of Madrid daily; employees assaulted

Turkey

Press freedom still a long way off, says RSF

Suriname

Photographer Edward Troon abducted

New Caledonia (France) / France

Anti-independence leader pressures broadcasters

Cuba

Raul Rivero wins Reporters sans frontieres - Fondation de France Prize

Brazil

Journalist Mariza Romao receives death threats

Nigeria

Journalist severely beaten; three others arrested

Indonesia

Play "Marsinah Menggugat" banned again

Fiji

Proposed Fiji media laws unlikely to include licensing, says minister

Canada

Police justify actions to quell demonstrations during APEC forum, admit to suppressing freedom of expression

Botswana

Former editor and reporter for defunct "Okavango Observer" newspaper summoned to appear before court

Zambia

Government expels two South African journalists

Mexico

RSF urges that democratic clause in agreement between European Union and Mexico be respected

Kenya

Publisher of "Finance" magazine charged with publishing "alarming" article

Canada

Coroner's jury makes recommendations regarding treatment of mentally ill individuals two years after murder of journalist Brian Smith

Bosnia and Herzegovina

President attacks three magazines, calling them "traitors"

South Africa

Court rejects media's request for access to in-camera evidence on chemical warfare project

Kenya

Publisher of "Finance" magazine abducted

Sri Lanka

Alleged government-sponsored offensive against journalist Iqbal Athas

South Africa

Hearing on possible ban of book to take place in-camera

Cuba

Two journalists taken in for questioning by police

Croatia

Legal proceedings against journalist and newspaper

Nigeria

Update on journalists arrested and harassed

Samoa

"Samoa Observer" criminal libel trial delayed, costs grow

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Journalist Milorad Ostojic dies in mysterious circumstances

Kenya

Writer wa Wamwere is free to run for election

Sri Lanka

Journalists harassed and threatened

Rwanda

Foreign journalist denied visa

Turkey

Waiting for the re-enactment of the murder of Goktepe

Swaziland

MISA-Swaziland passes resolution government media bill

Russia

Press conference on case of Alexander Nikitin

Papua New Guinea

Editors want inquiry into bribery claims

Argentina

President insults journalist Horacio Verbitsky once again

Turkey

Two foreign journalists harassed by police in southern Turkey

Mexico

Journalist J. Jesus Blancornelas shot

Zambia

At least four journalists fired or suspended following failed coup in October

Belarus

Court orders closure of newspaper "Svaboda"

Zambia

Journalist detained over critical articles and alleged role in October coup plot

Democratic Republic of Congo

Ten journalists assaulted

Canada / Indonesia

Indonesian government threatens Indonesians against taking part in protests during APEC Summit

South Africa

Provincial premier serves journalist with defamation claim

Democratic Republic of Congo

"Le Phare" editor-in-chief released

Botswana

Continuing concern over proposed media legislation

Sierra Leone

Two journalists arrested

Yemen

Two newspapers banned; copies of another confiscated

South Africa

Newspaper defeats attempt to place prior restraint on it; another newspaper to challenge order preventing it from publishing article

Nigeria

Journalist detained

(IJC Nigeria/IFEX) - A journalist with the "Post Express" newspaper, Akin

Belarus

Authorities order closure of newspaper "Svaboda"

Azerbaijan

Journalist attacked; another verbally assaulted

Turkey

Two journalists detained and others beaten during demonstration

Belarus

Newspaper "Svaboda" ordered to close

Nigeria

European Union to weaken Nigeria position

Nigeria

Writers endorse action against Nigeria

Peru

Update on phone tapping against journalists

Peru

Security agent attacks two reporters from the program "En Persona"; armed individuals take over radio station in Huancayo; journalist sentenced to one year in prison

Colombia

Journalist Jairo Elias Marquez killed

United States / China

Human Rights Watch to co-sponsor press conference by Wei Jingsheng

Nigeria

Several journalists arrested; another wanted by police; Bayo Onanuga still targeted by police

Kenya

State drops charges against writer Koigi wa Wamwere

Iran

Government newspaper publishes "confession" by Faraj Sarkoohi allegedly extracted under torture

Zimbabwe

Two journalists harassed and assaulted

Sierra Leone

Military junta suspends magazine

Malawi

Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) director demoted and ordered to dissociate himself from media organisations; journalist admonished and put on surveillance by MBC management

Indonesia

CPJ to present its International Press Freedom Award, won in 1995, to freed Indonesian journalist Ahmad Taufik

Guatemala

Journalist Luis Ronaldo De Leon Godoy killed

Greece

Radio technician arrested and charged; radio station's programming seized

Bulgaria

Court orders arrest of journalist for allegedly libelling police official

Samoa

Samoan government discusses closing down independent radio station

Malawi

MISA protests irregularities in the granting of broadcasting licences by the government

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bomb attack against newspaper editor

China

Wei Jingsheng released

China

Wei Jingsheng released

Nigeria

ARTICLE 19 demands release of all Nigeria's political prisoners after announcement by Abacha

Mexico / United States

RSF writes to U.S. President Bill Clinton on the press freedom situation in Mexico

China

Further information on Wei Jingsheng's release; at least 36 other writers remain in prison, says WiPC

Iran

Journalist reportedly imprisoned for "spying"

Turkey

Writer Esber Yagmurdereli released on health grounds; poet and publisher Recep Marasli remains in detention

Paraguay

Death threats against two journalists

Jordan

Court upholds government decision to suspend newspaper

Colombia

Journalist Francisco Castro Menco killed

East Timor / Indonesia

U.S. journalist expelled from East Timor

Sudan

Edition of the independent newspaper "Al-Rai Al-Akhar" banned

Rwanda

Journalist Joseph Habyarimana arrested

Zimbabwe

Bill threatens to limit freedom of expression

Rwanda

Journalist Joseph Habyarimana arrested

France

Former member of National Front's security squad details methods used to harass journalists

Ethiopia

Thirteen journalists arrested during September and October

International

ARTICLE 19 releases new report, "Deadly Marionettes - State- Sponsored Violence in Africa"

Algeria

Previously missing "El Watan" journalist reappears

Mauritania

The weekly "La Tribune" censored

Nigeria

"PM News" correspondent arrested

Iran

RSF and LDH protest government newspaper's campaign against detained editor Faraj Sarkoohi;journalist Morteza Firoozi detained since June

Peru

Journalists who revealed telephone tapping are called before Congressional Commission

Turkey

At tenth hearing in trial of journalist's murder, presiding judge asks to be taken off the case

Nigeria

Nigerian journalist arrested

Spain / International / Portugal

RSF calls for creation of non-governmental commission on press freedom on occasion of summit of Iberian and Latin American leaders

Cuba

Three journalists held, released; two journalists receive phone threats

Sierra Leone

Journalist arrested; list of wanted journalists circulated

The Gambia

Ghanaian journalist expelled

South Africa

Member of Parliament being investigated for accusations made in Parliament

South Korea

Writers in Prison Committee responds to Ministry of Justice's claim that there are no prisoners of conscience in South Korea

Turkey

Leaders justify continued restrictions on the media, WAN delegation to Turkey reports

Algeria

"El Watan" publisher Omar Belhouchet sentenced to prison, arrested for another alleged offence

Uruguay

Press freedom organizations seek clarification regarding "disappearance" of journalist Julio Castro twenty years ago

Turkey

Two radio journalists arrested; cassettes and publications confiscated

Nigeria

Security forces storm offices of "The News" seeking managing director; "The News" correspondent in hiding

Turkey

Two radio journalists arrested; cassettes and publications confiscated

Nigeria

Security forces storm offices of "The News" seeking managing director; "The News" correspondent in hiding

Nigeria

Journalist Ladi Olorunyomi released

Vietnam / International

Imprisoned editor Doan VIet Hoat wins WAN's 1998 Golden Pen of Freedom award

Peru

Theft of computer hard drives that allowed television program to broadcast live via the Internet

Vietnam / International

Imprisoned editor Doan VIet Hoat wins WAN's 1998 Golden Pen of Freedom award

Peru

Theft of computer hard drives that allowed television program to broadcast live via the Internet

Nigeria

Journalist Ladi Olorunyomi released

Kenya

Court sets aside award to presidential aide in libel suit against newspaper

Ghana

Member of Parliament sues journalists for libel

Cuba

Journalist Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso arrested

Colombia

Dismembered body of journalist found

Brazil

Journalist Edgard Lopes de Faria murdered

Zambia

Government reportedly clamping down on perceived opponents, including journalists, following attempted coup

Samoa

Samoa opposition leader tries to get views on national radio

Belarus

Upper house of Parliament refuses to confirm controversial draft amendments to press law

Nigeria

Nineteen journalists victims of repression during October alone, says RSF

Serbia / Montenegro

"Koha Ditore" journalists harassed by police

Peru

Investigation into murder of journalist Tito Pilco Mori to continue

Jordan

Freedoms are sacrificed in advance of Jordan's elections, says Human Rights Watch

South Africa

Sale and distribution of book about hotel magnate still suspended

Indonesia

Three journalists assaulted and briefly detained

Serbia / Montenegro

Serbian journalist threatened with death

Zambia

Coup plotters temporarily take control of national broadcaster

Palestine

Journalist arrested over article about torture of Hamas militants

Kenya

College students attack reporters

China

RSF writes to U.S. President Bill Clinton regarding imprisonment of twelve journalists

Belarus

State censorship could return to Belarus, seminar warns

Uganda

Journalists charged with publishing false information

(NDIMA/IFEX) - Two journalists of the independent Ugandan daily, "The Monitor" appeared in a Kampala court on Friday 24 October 1997, charged with publishing false information. Editor Charles Onyango - Obbo and reporter Andrew Mwenda were jointly charged over an article published in the paper's edition of 21 September headlined: "Kabila paid Uganda in Gold, says report." Onyango-Obbo and Mwenda were granted bail of Ushs 2 million ($2,000) cash each, with their sureties executing a bond of Ushs 5 million cash.

South Africa

Hotel magnate to ask courts to prevent publication of former journalist's book

Sierra Leone

Four journalists arrested on various charges

Nigeria

Security Agents storm "The News" offices searching for reporter Henry Ugbolue

Nigeria

"African Concord" Editor Soji Omotunde abducted by security agents

Kenya

Ex-presidential aide Kulei threatens to sue two more newspapers

South Africa

Government to publish access to information bill

South Africa

City council reverses decision to ban pro-gay poster following intervention by Human Rights Commission

Namibia

Resolution compelling individuals to reveal sources of information to be tabled in Parliament; Speaker of National Assembly states that journalists' rights will be protected

Cuba

Journalist Jorge Luis Arce Cabrera assaulted

Cameroon

Assault and arrest of journalist during presidential elections; copies of magazine "Mutations" seized

Brazil

Article of legislation currently being debated in Congress threatens press freedom

Turkey

Playwright Esber Yagmurdereli imprisoned in order to serve 23- year sentence

International

Six journalists receive CPJ's International Press Freedom Awards

Kenya

Copies of magazine bought and rounded up by security officers

International

ARTICLE 19 delegation to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting challenges leaders to do more for human rights

Philippines

Five television journalists dismissed; suspicions of government interference

India

Newspaper editor target of repeated arrests

Nigeria

Five journalists arrested while attempting to cover rally; two editors released

Jordan

ARTICLE 19 gives early warning on Jordan as authorities suspend several weekly newspapers

Falkland Islands (United Kingdom)

Harassment of independent news network

Zambia

Corruption body probes director of journalism training institute; opposition MP introduces motion in Parliament calling for privatisation of state-owned media

Swaziland

Authorities suspend plans to halt re-transmission of South African Broadcasting Corporation signals

Nigeria

"The NEWS" and "TEMPO" editors arrested

China

CPJ sends open letter to Chinese President calling for improvements in press freedom in China

Croatia

Trial of "Feral Tribune" journalists to resume in December

International

Eight Commonwealth countries infringe press freedom, says RSF

Peru

"Faceless" courts disbanded

Sri Lanka

Journalist questioned at gunpoint by Sri Lankan Navy

Peru

Journalist Eduardo Parado Samaniego killed in a Sendero ambush

Kenya

Magistrate orders prison authorities to produce jailed journalist in court

International

NDIMA and World Press Photo Foundation announce World Press Photo Contest

Peru

Journalists Nicolas Lucar and Alamo Perez Luna cleared of defamation charges; Global Television case could be heard in public court

Swaziland

Trade unions want government to scrap legislation to regulate media

Panama

Journalist Gustavo Gorriti granted work visa by Panamanian government

Southern Africa

MISA honours Namibian editor with 1997 Press Freedom Award

Ghana

Three journalists and distributor charged with libel

Argentina

Radio stations resume broadcasting

Brazil

Bill being debated in House of Representatives poses threat to press freedom

Nigeria

Three journalists arrested

Belarus

Parliament to debate proposed amendments to Press Law

Pakistan

Bomb attacks and threats against newspapers

Slovakia

Authorities temporarily cut independent radio station off its main frequency

Sierra Leone

Update on the state of press freedom in Sierra Leone

Cambodia

Grenade attack against office of newspaper

Nigeria

Eight staff members of television station beaten

Kenya

Freelance journalist charged over allegedly defamatory article

Vietnam

Editor of state-run newspaper arrested on charges of revealing state secrets

Jordan

Writer arrested over unpublished article criticizing local politician

Bolivia

Two articles of bill pose threat to press freedom

Argentina

Journalist assaulted by government minister

Argentina

Police officers who detained and threatened photographer Delfo Rodriguez sanctioned; businessman Alfredo Yabran still suspected of being behind murder of journalist Jose Luis Cabezas

(Periodistas/IFEX) - The government of Mendoza province ordered the arrest of three police officers implicated in the unorthodox arrest, on 4 October, of sub-director of photography for the daily "Los Andes", Delfo Rodriguez. Minister of Governance Angel Cirasino stated that sub-chief of police Pedro Pereyra, sub-inspector Eduardo Torres and Ruben Quintana of the Fifth Section police department of the city of Mendoza were to be removed from their posts and held for nine days while the case was being investigated. Judicial authorities are also investigating the incident.

Turkey

Further details of trial against publisher Recep Marasli

Niger

Journalist Moussa Tchangari sentenced to three months in prison

Colombia

Journalist threatened; wishes to leave Colombia

Belarus

Journalist Pavel Sheremet freed pending trial

Turkey

Ninth hearing in trial of police officers accused of murder of journalist Metin Goktepe takes place; re-enactment of crime planned

Burma

Journalist U Win Tin reported to be seriously ill

Pakistan

Journalist Humayun Fur released

Mauritania

Edition of "Mauritanie Nouvelles" seized; newspaper suspended

Serbia / Montenegro

Journalists assaulted while covering demonstrations

Fiji

"The Fiji Times" publisher and editor appear before Senate privileges committee

Nigeria

Arrest warrant issued for "The NEWS" editor-in-chief; "FAME" magazine staffer dies from illness developed during his detention

Bosnia and Herzegovina

NATO forces seize television transmitters

Ghana

Journalists under investigation

Vietnam

New decree limits contact between local and foreign journalists

Mexico

RSF report also available in French

Peru

Press Council of Peru established

Fiji

Senate moves against "The Fiji Times"

Pakistan

Jailed journalist Humayun Fur hospitalised in critical condition

Kenya

Journalists detained and questioned over source of photo

Sri Lanka

Tamil journalist under threat in Canada

Mauritius

Journalist Gilbert Bablee arrested

Malaysia

Canadian journalist deprived of passport pending an appeal of conviction for contempt of court

Kenya

Publisher and director of printing firm charged with defamation

Serbia / Montenegro

Three journalists and head of independent union of journalists assaulted during opposition protest

Serbia / Montenegro

Journalist with Albanian-language newspaper arrested

Kenya

Two Kenya Television Network journalists reinstated

Serbia / Montenegro

Authorities dismiss top management at Studio B television

Argentina

Businessman suspected of being involved in murder of photographer Jose Luis Cabezas ordered to appear before judge

Nigeria

Clean sweep of the media in Nigeria, says RSF

Namibia

Journalists association calls for meeting with Speaker of Parliament to discuss legislation which could force individuals to reveal sources of information

Turkey

Trial against publisher Recep Marasli continues

Kyrgyzstan

Journalist Rysbek Omurzakov sentenced to three years in prison

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bomb explosion at offices of "Alternativa" newspaper

Belarus

Groups hold conference, "Belarusian Media: Distinguishing Features of Legislation, the Rights and Duties of Journalists"

Afghanistan

CNN reporter and film crew briefly detained; Taliban place restrictions on foreign media

Algeria

AFP bureau journalist stripped of his accreditation

Southern Africa

MISA launches website

Israel

Authorities refuse to grant press cards to journalists from "Challenge" and "Al-Sabar" magazines; Palestinian journalist harassed and assaulted by Israeli soldier

Cuba

Journalist Hector Peraza Linares released

Turkey

"Gunluk Emek" journalist threatened; copies of paper seized

Bosnia and Herzegovina

World Press Freedom Committee protests threat by U.S. and NATO officials to jam pro-Serbian radio and television broadcasts

Nigeria

Several journalists and media workers released

Hong Kong (China)

Report on press freedom in Hong Kong is released by CPJ

Cameroon

Journalist Joseph Nyada Mani remains imprisoned; pressures against journalists continue

France

Director of the weekly "L'Evenement du Jeudi" given one month suspended prison sentence for defamation

Azerbaijan

Government bans "Forum" newspaper

Namibia

Journalists association launches campaign against parliamentary motion which threatens free expression and press freedom

Nigeria

News vendors briefly detained; copies of "The News" magazine impounded

Pakistan

Police raid and occupy offices of newspaper

International

Free press vital to economic development in Asia and emerging markets elsewhere in the world, say participants in CPJ forum

Ecuador

Legislation currently being debated in Congress threatens press freedom

Thailand

Legal action threatened against newspaper

Zambia

Anonymous caller threatens "The Post" newspaper

Russia

Participants at roundtable on journalists held hostage draft recommendations for action

Peru

Advances in investigation into phone tapping

Malawi

Government interdicts civil servant for writing article exposing poor safety standards at airport

International

Journalists from six countries to receive CPJ's International Press Freedom Awards; committee to honour Ted Koppel, Fred Friendly for dedication to press freedom

Peru

Police seize six rolls of films from Associated Press photographer

Panama

Deportation order issued against Peruvian journalist Gustavo Gorriti

Peru

Court grants control of Frecuencia Latina/Canal 2 to brothers Winter; judicial request by Baruch Ivcher in regard to his Peruvian citizenship partially turned down

Serbia / Montenegro

Serbian elections will not be free nor fair

Israel

Palestinian photographer arrested by Israeli army

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Two armed attacks against foreign journalists

Zambia

Army officers harass journalists, confiscate camera

Kyrgyzstan

Trial of journalist Yryspek Omurzakov resumes

Egypt

Court decides to ban newspaper; copies of another newspaperseized

Zambia

Minister bans radio station from relaying live BBC broadcasts

Mexico

Three journalists abducted and threatened

Vietnam

Writer Pham Duc Kham released

Iran

Wife of detained editor Faraj Sarkoohi publishes letter highlighting concerns for her husband's health

Iran

Faraj Sarkoohi sentenced to one year in prison

Cuba

Renewed harassment of journalists

China

Extension of sentences served against writer Zhou Guoqiang and editor Liu Nianchun

Turkey

Four police officers on trial for Goktepe murder freed, as eighth hearing in trial held

Somalia

Journalist arrested; newspaper ordered to close

Nigeria

"The News" staffer arrested; magazine's regional office raided

Pakistan

Protesting journalists and media workers attacked by police

Nigeria

Newsagents arrested; copies of magazine impounded

Pakistan

Photographers assaulted by hospital staff

Peru

Journalist arrested for alleged defamation

Lesotho

Ban against media from covering parliamentary debates lifted

Serbia / Montenegro

Journalist taken in for questioning; camera of another confiscated

Egypt

Novelist Ala'a Hamed freed pending ruling from the Court of Cassation

Cuba

Detained poet released

Egypt

Heavy sentences for Saudi daily journalists

Turkey

Journalist Adil Harmanci threatened

Nigeria

Journalist abducted; whereabouts of Nigerian Union of Journalists official unknown; "TELL" journalists file lawsuit against government

Samoa

Two "Samoa Observer" journalists ordered to pay Prime Minister's costs for adjournment

International

Recommendations on the development of the Namibian film and video industry

Turkey

International press freedom awardee Ocak Isik Yurtcu released from prison; move follows government amnesty for jailed editors

Peru

Supreme Court orders radio manager detained in ongoing tax evasion case

Cameroon

Journalist arrested; seizure of two independent newspapers