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Alerts - 2004 - October-December

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Democratic Republic of Congo

JED condemns government attempts to confine press to a "Congolese gulag"

(JED/IFEX) - The following is an excerpt from a 28 December 2004 JED press release:

Peru

Two individuals detained for their involvement in journalist's kidnapping

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 December 2004 CPJ press release:

International

IFJ launches special humanitarian appeal over media deaths in Asia earthquake disaster

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Indonesia

AJI members missing in Banda Aceh, appeal for assistance for journalists affected by tsunami disaster

(AJI/IFEX) - The following is an AJI press release:

Nicaragua

IAPA concerned about constitutional reform that would abolish the press's tax exempt status

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 29 December 2004 IAPA press release:

Morocco

Journalist assaulted by police; guide detained

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the 9 December 2004 beating of a reporter by police in Rabat and the imprisonment of a guide on trumped up drug charges in mid-December, after he worked with a reporter investigating drug trafficking in the central Rif region.

Kazakhstan

National Security Committee initiates lawsuit against newspaper's owner

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 23 December 2004, the Special Inter-District Economic Court in Almaty held pre-trial hearings in the case against Ak tas Ltd., which owns "Soz" newspaper and has been charged with publishing false information. The National Security Committee (NSC) filed a lawsuit after the author of a 23 September "Soz" article wrote that unidentified individuals used a hidden camera to film Ak Zhol party leaders having lunch at a café and alleged that NSC officers were involved in the incident.

Azerbaijan

Press photographer apparently beaten at police station

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced deep concern over the apparent beating of Alim Kazimov, a reporter and photographer with the main opposition daily "Yeni Musavat." The incident took place on 28 December 2004, when Kazimov went to the Narimov district police station in Baku seeking new identity papers.

International

Free expression in Southeast Asia suffers serious setbacks in 2004, says SEAPA

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 27 December 2004 SEAPA statement:

Ethiopia

Court reverses government ban on journalists' association

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has hailed a 24 December 2004 federal high court decision to reverse a 13-month-old government ban on the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA) as a "victory for the EFJA and a step forward for press freedom in Ethiopia."

Nepal

Army releases journalist after 24 days in detention

(RSF/IFEX) - On 24 December 2004, the army released journalist Raj Kumar Budhathoki after holding him for 24 days in secret detention. The journalist, who works for the weekly "Sanjeevani Patra", told RSF that the soldiers holding him had threatened to retaliate if he made any statements about his detention in the Shivapuri barracks in Kathmandu. "I am afraid to stay in the city," he said.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Two journalists arrested in Kamako

(JED/IFEX) - Delphin Manesa and Jean Kambamba, journalists with Radio Arc-en-ciel, broadcasting out of Kamako, were arrested on 28 December 2004 by a group of police officers acting under the orders of Mutombo Tshisala, the municipality's deputy chief of police. Kamako is located approximately 180 kilometres from Tshikapa, the second largest city in West Kasaï province, central Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kazakhstan

Reporters held by national television station security guards

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 24 December 2004, security guards for the Kazakhstan national television station forcibly detained KTK television station reporter Yaroslav Krasiyenko and cameraman Lamzar Lyusan. Krasiyenko and Lyusan were held for about two hours.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Director of independent newspaper released on bail

(JED/IFEX) - Feu D'or Bosange Ifonge, director of the Kinshasa-based "Tapis Rouge" newspaper, was granted a provisional release on 24 December 2004, after posting bail of US$340. Bosange was arrested on 18 December by judicial police inspectors from the Kinshasa-Gombe Public Prosecutor's Office.

Nepal

Journalists released, another threatened

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 26 December 2004, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels released journalists J. Pandey and Shivani Singh Tharu, in Achham district, western Nepal. Pandey and Tharu were abducted by rebels from the Binayak Village Development Committee, Achham district, on 17 December. Pandey was accompanying Tharu, who was travelling in the area to gather information for her Masters thesis. Tharu works for the state-owned Nepal Television. During their eight days in captivity, the rebels threatened to kill Pandey and Tharu, accusing Tharu of being a government intelligence officer and travelling in the region as a spy.

Colombia

Photojournalist prevented from taking photographs at crime scene

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 21 December 2004, a public prosecutor in Pereira prevented photojournalist Paola Castaño, of "La Tarde" newspaper, from carrying out her work. Castaño was preparing to photograph a cadaver when the prosecutor in charge of the crime scene tried to snatch her camera and told her she could not take photographs. The official then told her to give him her name and threatened to implicate her in the case.

China

Eleven Falun Gong members arrested for posting torture photos on Internet

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the arrest of 11 members of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement as yet another freedom of expression violation by Chinese authorities. The eleven individuals were arrested earlier this month for using the Internet to disseminate photos of the torture some of them have undergone in prison. More than 20 Falun Gong followers are already in prison for the same reason.

Peru

Radio journalist kidnapped

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 27 December 2004 at 10:30 a.m. (local time), journalist Duber Mauriola Labán, of Radio Centinela, was beaten and kidnapped by civilian defence patrol members. Mauriola's kidnappers accused him of defending the interests of the Majaz mining company, which they say is causing serious pollution problems. The incident took place in Huancabamba, Piura region, northwestern Peru. At present, Mauriola's whereabouts and physical condition are unknown.

Ethiopia

Journalist jailed in defamation case

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

Yemen

Five suspended sentences cap year of mounting difficulty for the press

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an RSF press release:

Guinea

Journalists barred from press conference

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 22 December 2004, journalists were prevented from covering a press conference address by the head of state, General Lansana Conté.

Madagascar

Three radio stations closed indefinitely

(RSF/IFEX) - Three privately-owned radio stations in the port city of Toamasina, on Madagascar's eastern coast, have been closed by government authorities after broadcasting statements by opposition figures. Radio Ny Antsika (RNA), Sky FM and Radio Feon'i Toamasina (RFT) have been off the air since 10 December 2004. The stations' management has been summoned to police headquarters for questioning.

Uruguay

Journalist given five-month suspended prison sentence

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 23 December 2004 IAPA press release:

United States

PEN Canada welcomes decision to allow publication of books from authors in sanctioned countries

(PEN Canada/IFEX) - The following is a 23 December 2004 PEN Canada press release:

Indonesia

Journalist sentenced to nine months in prison for publishing libelous articles

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 23 December 2004 CPJ press release:

Ukraine

Media asserts independence but risks remain

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) - The following is a Human Rights Watch press release:

Canada

Community newspaper editor receives death threats

(PEN Canada/IFEX) - The following is a PEN Canada press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Director of "Tapis Rouge" newspaper jailed in Kinshasa

(JED/IFEX) - On 18 December 2004, Feu D'or Bonsange Ifonge, director-general of the Kinshasa-based newspaper "Tapis Rouge", was arrested by police inspectors from the Kinshasa/Gombe Public Prosecutor's Office. Bonsange was first held at the Public Prosecutor's Office's detention centre before being transferred, the following day, to Kinshasa's Penitentiary and Reeducation Centre (Centre pénitentiaire et de rééducation de Kinshasa, CPRK, formerly Makala Central Prison).

Thailand

SEAPA troubled by authorities' efforts to sanitise news about violence in southern Thailand

(SEAPA/IFEX) - SEAPA is gravely troubled by an escalation of heavy-handed tactics by Thai authorities to sanitise news and information about ongoing violence in southern Thailand, especially in the lead up to the general election of 6 February 2005.

Mexico

Operating permits granted to three more indigenous community radio stations

(AMARC/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 22 December 2004 AMARC press release:

Honduras

Journalist receives threats following investigation into police corruption

(AMARC/IFEX) - Journalist Carlos Galeas has been threatened for reporting on allegations that Honduran police are involved in smuggling coffee and lumber across the border to El Salvador. Galeas, of Radio San Miguel station, based in Marcala, southern Honduras, received death threats after conducting his investigation.

International

RSF announces winners of 2004 RSF-Fondation de France Prize

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 21 December 2004 RSF press release:

United Kingdom

Playwright receives death threats, goes into hiding; English PEN launches campaign against "offence" law

(WiPC/IFEX) - The following is a WiPC, International PEN, advisory:

Niger

Issue of weekly "Le Témoin" seized, managing editor in hiding

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 20 December 2004, issue 99 of the weekly newspaper "Le Témoin" was seized by police in the capital, Niamey.

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED condemns government attempts to set media agenda during crisis

(JED/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 20 December 2004 JED press release:

Iraq

French journalists Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot released

(RSF/IFEX) - The release of French journalists Georges Malbrunot and Christian Chesnot, who have been held hostage in Iraq since 20 August 2004, is "the biggest Christmas present we could have hoped for," RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said on 21 December.

Vietnam

Cyber-dissident Do Nam Hai harassed by authorities

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has hailed the courage of Vietnamese cyber-dissident Do Nam Hai in daring to openly criticise the authorities in articles posted on the Internet. The organisation condemned the harassment to which he has been subjected in recent months, including two days of detention and several interrogations.

Turkey

IPA and International PEN issue joint guide on Penal Code

(IPA/WiPC/IFEX) - The following is a 16 December 2004 joint IPA and International PEN press release:

Nepal

Journalist abducted, another journalist imprisoned by security forces

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - For the last week journalist Shakti Kuman Pun has been detained by the security forces in Rukum district. Pun, a reporter for the daily "Rajdhani", was arrested by the security forces during a military operation in rebel stronghold areas.

Nepal

Journalist barred from his home

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 12 December 2004, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoists) rebels locked up journalist Shankar Thapa's house, in Deuthala, Laxminagar Village Development Committee (VDC), Doti district. Thapa is a correspondent for the state-owned Radio Nepal station and president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists' (FNJ) Doti-Accham section. The journalist was reportedly targeted for not supporting the rebels' activities.

United States

Lebanese satellite television station placed on list of terrorist organisations

(RSF/IFEX) - On 17 December 2004, the State Department announced its decision to place the Lebanese satellite television station Al-Manar on the Terrorist Exclusion List. State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said the decision to place Al-Manar on the United States (US) government's list of terrorist organisations was taken because of "[the station's] incitement of terrorist activity." Al-Manar is operated by the Lebanese Shiite organisation Hezbollah.

Nepal

Human rights defenders, journalists face grave threats

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) - The following is a 19 December 2004 Human Rights Watch press release:

Iran

Judiciary uses coercion to cover up arbitrary detention and torture of journalists and activists

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a Human Rights Watch press release:

The Gambia

National Assembly passes tough new media registration requirements

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 14 December 2004, the National Assembly, The Gambia's rubber-stamp Parliament, passed the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2004, in spite of local and international appeals and protests by journalists and human rights bodies.

Belarus

International PEN calls for the release of writer and nuclear scientist Yury Bandazhevsky

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN is calling on the Belarusian authorities to grant an early release to Yury Bandazhevsky, a nuclear scientist and writer on the effects of radioactive emissions on human beings. International PEN considers Bandazhevsky to be detained in violation of his right to freedom of expression. Reports that he is in ill health add to the urgency of the organisation's call for Bandazhevsky's release.

Russia

Journalist convicted on criminal charges

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 17 December 2004 CPJ press release:

Guatemala

Journalist threatened by former police officer

(CERIGUA/IFEX) - Aroldo Marroquín, a correspondent for the daily "Prensa Libre", was threatened by Isaías López López, a former National Civil Police (Policía Nacional Civil, PNC) officer, while he was reporting on the latter's arrest. López has been accused of organising an attempt to lynch two young men. Marroquín is based in San Marcos department, approximately 160 km from the capital.

Iran

Internet journalists forced to give false testimony at colleague's trial

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the pressure being brought to bear against three recently released Internet journalists, and a fourth who is still imprisoned, to give false testimony at the trial of Association of Iranian Journalists President Ali Mazroi.

Macedonia

SEEMO concerned about restrictions on free movement of journalists

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Pakistan

Senior assistant editor of monthly "Herald" harassed by Military Intelligence officers

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has urged President Pervez Musharraf to see to it that Pakistan's Military Intelligence Services cease harassing Amir Mir, senior assistant editor of the monthly "Herald".

Lebanon

Authorities acknowledge role played by General Security Department in banning of books

(IPA/IFEX) - The following is a 15 December 2004 IPA press release:

The Gambia

AFP and RSF correspondent gunned down in Banjul

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced outrage and deep sadness over the murder of its correspondent in The Gambia. On the night of 16 to 17 December 2004, Deyda Hydara was shot three times in the head as he left his Banjul office.

Zimbabwe

Free expression organisations threatened as Parliament passes NGO bill

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 15 December 2004 MISA Communiqué:

Slovakia

IPI worried by prohibitive compensation in civil libel suit against newspaper

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI press release:

Côte d'Ivoire

RSF urges UN secretary-general to intervene in presidential takeover of state media

(RSF/IFEX) - On 15 December 2004, the day of the announced implementation of sanctions against certain individuals involved in Côte d'Ivoire's ongoing crisis, RSF wrote to United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan, asking him to intercede in an attempt to restore normality at state broadcaster RadioTélévision Ivoirienne (RTI).

Italy

Journalists call for protection of newspaper's editorial independence

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ press release:

Mexico

Journalist threatened over report on possible links between former police chief and drug traffickers

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern about threats that have been made against Juan Torres, a correspondent for the regional newspaper "Noroeste", in Escuinapa (northeastern state of Sinaloa). The organisation said the threats must be taken all the more seriously since they could be linked to the recent murder of a photojournalist in Escuinapa.

China

Writer Shi Tao reported to have been formally charged

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN has received reports that writer, poet and Independent Chinese PEN member, Shi Tao, was formally charged on 14 December 2004 with "illegally providing state secrets overseas". He remains detained with limited access to his family. International PEN fears that Shi Tao is detained solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions, and therefore in contravention of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Malaysia

Website under investigation

(SEAPA/IFEX) - SEAPA is gravely concerned by reports that the Malaysian government is stepping up its censorship of the Internet.

Thailand

Government bans circulation of VCDs showing footage of bloody Takbai violence

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Thai government has ordered a ban on the circulation of video compact discs (VCDs) showing the military's violent and controversial handling of protests on 25 October 2004 in the predominantly Muslim district of Takbai.

Venezuela

CPJ protests legislation that could restrict press freedom

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 15 December 2004 CPJ letter to President Hugo Chávez Frías:

The Gambia

National Media Commission Act repealed but proposed bill poses new threat to independent media

(MFWA/IFEX) - The following is an MFWA press release:

Tunisia

Court upholds heavy prison sentences against eight Internet users

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced outrage over the Tunisian Court of Cassation's 8 December 2004 decision to uphold heavy prison sentences against eight Internet users from the southern city of Zarzis. The organisation also reiterated its outrage over the mistreatment to which the defendants were subjected in detention.

Peru

Journalist accused of defamation

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 2 December 2004, the director of the Loreto Region Educational Administration Department, Manuel Villacís Pinedo, filed a complaint for defamation against Marcial Barbarán Leví, a journalist with Radio Feroz station, in the city of Contamana, Ucayali province, northeastern Peru. According to Villacís, Barbarán made "offensive statements against him" during the 25 November edition of the journalist's "Sin Censura" ("Uncensored") radio programme.

Indonesia

AJI calls for government action to improve freedom of expression and press freedom conditions

(AJI/IFEX) - The following is a 10 December 2004 AJI press release:

Thailand

Radio journalist suspended

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A radio journalist has been suspended from an army radio station morning news programme in a move believed to have stemmed from his comments on sensitive political issues.

China

Released writer Yu Jie fears police preparing a case against him

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 December 2004 CPJ press release:

Sri Lanka

Journalist killed in bomb attack during concert, media institutions blamed for their role in incident

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 14 December 2004 FMM press release:

Cuba

European Union should not reward Cuba for releasing political prisoners who were unjustly jailed, says Freedom House

(Freedom House/IFEX) - The following is a 13 December 2004 Freedom House press release:

Colombia

News crew held up by unidentified individuals in Meta

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 10 December 2004, at 11:15 a.m. (local time), a news crew for the regional "Llano 7 Días" newspaper, owned by the El Tiempo publishing house, was held up by unidentified individuals and prevented from carrying out its work. The assailants robbed journalist Jhon Alfonso Moreno Correa, photojournalist Hernando Herrera Estrada and driver Jorge Alonso Peña Gutiérrez of their equipment and vehicle near Jardín de Peñas, in Meta department, eastern Colombia.

Tunisia

Authorities block access to organisations' websites

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) - The following is a Human Rights Watch press release:

China

Arrests of writers raise fears of crackdown against dissident intellectuals

(WiPC/IFEX) - On the afternoon of 13 December 2004, three prominent dissident intellectuals - literary critic Liu Xiaobo, writer Yu Jie and political theorist Zhang Zuhua - were arrested in Beijing and held for 12 hours, before being freed on the morning of 14 December. International PEN fears that these arrests portend a wider crackdown against dissent in China, and a climate of fear that is stifling freedom of expression.

France

Lebanese satellite television station banned from Eutelsat

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has challenged the 13 December 2004 order by the Council of State, France's highest administrative court, instructing the French-based Eutelsat satellite to cease broadcasts of Lebanese television station Al-Manar within 48 hours.

Nepal

Magazine's office attacked by armed group; journalist threatened

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 11 December 2004, a group of unidentified armed men vandalised the office and press of the weekly magazine "Ekkaisau Satabdi" ("21st Century"), in Anamnagar, Kathmandu. According to a statement issued by the editor of "Bharat Raj Pokhrel" magazine, about half a dozen armed men forcibly entered the "Ekkaisau Satabdi" office at around 7:00 p.m. (local time), and proceeded to damage office equipment and vandalise the office and press.

Brazil

IAPA welcomes law that places human rights crimes under federal jurisdiction

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 10 December 2004 IAPA press release:

Venezuela

Government passes Law on Social Responsibility in Radio and Television

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an 8 December 2004 IAPA press release:

Portugal

Journalist gets 11-month suspended sentence for refusing to reveal source

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the 11-month suspended sentence handed down to journalist José Luis Manso Preto for refusing to reveal his source when he was called to give evidence at a drug trial.

Mexico

Two indigenous community radio stations granted operating permits

(AMARC/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an 8 December 2004 AMARC press release:

Haiti

Three quarters of case file goes missing in Jean Dominique murder investigation

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has written to Haitian Prime Minister Gérard Latortue voicing outrage over the disappearance of three quarters of the documents that made up the investigating judge's case file in the April 2000 murder of journalist Jean Dominique.

Nigeria

Governor's security officers assault two journalists

(MRA/IFEX) - On 12 December 2004, policemen assigned to protect the governor of Oyo State (southwestern Nigeria), Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja, assaulted two journalists on the orders the governor's chief security officer. The targeted journalists were AbdulRazak Adebayo, of "Daily Trust" newspaper, and Tunde Sanni, of "ThisDay" newspaper.

Peru

Journalist's house set on fire

(IPYS/IFEX) - Early in the morning on 10 December 2004, Henry Portugal Pérez, a journalist for Radio Caplina station, was notified by his neighbours that his garage and the entrance to his house were on fire. The incident occurred in Tacna region, southern Peru.

Burkina Faso

Six years after journalist Norbert Zongo's murder, investigation remains stalled and impunity prevails

(RSF/IFEX) - Six years have passed since newspaper editor Norbert Zongo and three of his companions were found dead in their car on a southern Burkina Faso road, on 13 December 1998. The investigation remains stalled and one of the leading suspects in the case, François Compaoré, President Blaise Compaoré's brother, has never been detained or charged.

Guinea

Suspension order against newspaper lifted

(RSF/IFEX) - On 8 December 2004, the National Communications Board (Conseil national de la communication, CNC), Guinea's media regulatory body, announced the lifting of a suspension order against "Le Quotidien" newspaper. The paper was suspended "indefinitely" more than three weeks ago and its editorial team is experiencing serious financial difficulties as a result of the forced closure.

Russia

Prize-winning journalist arrested and charged with defamation

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the immediate release of independent journalist Mikhail Afanassiev, who was arrested as he prepared to travel to Moscow to receive the Glasnost Defence Foundation's Sakharov Prize. Afanassiev was picked up on 9 December 2004 on a defamation charge as he was leaving a hospital in Abakan, in the autonomous region of Hakasia.

International

Death toll for journalists highest in decade, says CPJ

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

International

JED publishes 2004 Report on press freedom situation in Central Africa

(JED/IFEX) - The following is an excerpt from JED's 2004 report on the "State of Press Freedom in Central Africa":

United States

Journalist sentenced to six months of house arrest

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 December 2004 CPJ press release:

China / International / Maldives / Vietnam

WiPC protests growing attacks on "cyber-dissent", launches global campaign to release cyber-dissidents in China, Maldives and Vietnam

(WiPC/IFEX) - The following is a WiPC press statement:

Honduras

Newspaper editor receives death threats

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - Journalist Jhony Lagos, editor and founder of the "El Libertador" monthly newspaper, has told the Committee for Free Expression (Comité por la Libre Expresión, C-Libre) that for the past month he has been followed and harassed by unknown individuals who have left him telephone death threats.

Honduras

Journalist subjected to threats and harassment

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - Journalist Rodolfo Montalbán, of STC Noticias radio station, has informed the Committee for Free Expression (Comité por la Libre Expresión, C-Libre) that he is being harassed and has received death threats. Montalbán believes that supporters of Tegucigalpa's mayor, Miguel Pastor, may be behind the actions against him. Pastor is aspiring to become the presidential candidate for the ruling Partido Nacional party. The threats, which have recently become more frequent, have been in the form of anonymous telephone calls in which the caller threatens to physically harm the journalist if he continues to criticise Pastor's actions.

France

RSF denounces draft law

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the National Assembly vote of a draft law that would set prison sentences for press infractions. On the night of 7 to 8 December 2004, following a debate on the creation of a regulatory body charged with handling discrimination complaints, the government succeeded in pushing through a series of measures, which constitute a serious threat to free expression.

Romania

Press independence threatened on eve of presidential runoff

(RSF/IFEX) - After monitoring media coverage of the presidential election campaign from 21 October to 28 November 2004, RSF and the Media Monitoring Agency (MMA), a Romanian press freedom organisation, have concluded that Romania's print media were freer and more critical of the ruling party candidate, while state broadcasters allegedly censored and manipulated coverage. The organisations issued their findings five days before the runoff scheduled for 12 December.

Seychelles

Privately-owned weekly's survival threatened following heavy fine

(RSF/IFEX) - In a 9 December 2004 hearing, the weekly "Regar" was heavily fined for ignoring a Supreme Court order that it not publish a letter by three judges.

Philippines

Philippines situation shows press struggle does not end with attaining freedom, says SEAPA

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is an 8 December 2004 SEAPA capsule report:

Peru

Football player assaults sports journalist

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 6 December 2004, Carlos Alberto Navarro, a sports commentator for Panamericana Televisión station, was assaulted by Flavio Maestri, a professional football player for the Alianza Lima football club. The incident occurred after Navarro refused to publicly apologise for negative comments he had made regarding Maestri's professional performance.

Cuba

Journalist Jorge Olivera Castillo released on medical grounds

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed the release for health reasons of Jorge Olivera Castillo - the fourth independent journalist to be freed in the past eight days - and voiced the hope that Cuban authorities will free the other 22 journalists still detained in Cuba.

Sri Lanka

Grenade attack on newspaper office

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is an FMM press release:

Cameroon

CPJ protests journalist's continued imprisonment

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 7 December 2004 letter to Cameroonian President Paul Biya, CPJ condemned the imprisonment of Eric Wirkwa Tayu, publisher of the small private newspaper "Nso Voice", which is based in the western town of Kumbo. According to local sources, Tayu has been in prison in Kumbo since 28 July, when he was convicted of defaming Kumbo's mayor, Donatus Njong Fonyuy.

Canada

Journalist sentenced for refusing to reveal sources

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned as "a dangerous precedent" the 7 December 2004 sentencing of Ken Peters, a journalist with the "Hamilton Spectator", for protecting his source. He had been found in contempt of court at an earlier hearing.

International

Four RSF activists arrested and later released

(RSF/IFEX) - Four RSF activists who were arrested by Dutch police in The Hague on 8 December 2004 were released after being held in separate cells for the legal maximum of six hours.

Syria

Syrian-Kurdish journalist arrested; another reporter barred from writing

(RSF/IFEX) - On the eve of World Human Rights Day (10 December 2004), RSF has urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to end the daily attacks on press freedom in his country.

Nepal

Journalists abducted; newspaper closed

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 6 December 2004, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels released journalist Tulasi Thapa Kshitija. Kshitija, chief reporter for the weekly "Panchthar Times" and a reporter for the weekly "Aakha", published in Panchthar and Ilam districts, was held captive by the rebels for 46 hours in Panchthar district, eastern Nepal. The journalist was abducted in the Durabimba Village Development Committee, allegedly for working in the area without having sought permission from the CPN-Maoist rebels. The rebels asked Kshitija to register with the CPN-Maoist party in order to be allowed to continue working in the area.

Sri Lanka

Broadcasting station attacked

(FMM/IFEX) - FMM has condemned the attack on the MTV/MBC media group's transmission station and the destruction of station equipment as another threat to freedom of expression in Sri Lanka. The network runs several popular television and radio stations in all three of Sri Lanka's languages.

China

Five members of editorial board resign in protest over editor's dismissal

(RSF/IFEX) - Five of the six members of the board that provides editorial advice and recommendations to the magazine "Tong Zhou Gong Jin" ("Solidarity in the Same Boat") have resigned in protest over editor-in-chief Xiao Weibin's dismissal on 2 September 2004.

Peru

Journalist in Ayacucho receives death threats

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 6 December 2004, Elías Navarro Palomino, editor of the bi-weekly "Línea Roja", reported that he has been receiving death threats via calls to his mobile phone, in which the caller said, "Your days are numbered." The journalist has asked the Ayacucho Prefecture, in southeastern Peru, to provide him with protection.

Iran

Torture used to force Internet journalists and activists to write "confession letters", says Human Rights Watch

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) - The following is a Human Rights Watch press release:

Côte d'Ivoire

RSF reveals government plan to control state media

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an excerpt from RSF's report "Chronicle of a state media hijack":

International

ARTICLE 19 welcomes joint declaration addressing access to information and secrecy law

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 6 December 2004 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Zambia

Minister threatens government-owned media outlets

(MISA/IFEX) - On 24 November 2004, Deputy Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry Geoffrey Samukonga caused a stir at the "Zambia Daily Mail", "Times of Zambia" and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) when he accused the news organisations of tarnishing his image.

Libya

Human Rights Watch research team's visit blocked

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) - The following is a Human Rights Watch press release:

Kyrgyzstan

Independent newspaper closes after editor threatened with legal action

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The following is an alert from the Trade Union for Journalists in Kyrgyzstan, an Adil Soz partner:

China

Poet and journalist Shi Tao arrested

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the arrest of journalist Shi Tao and urged the European Union (EU) delegation to the 8 December 2004 EU-China Summit in the Netherlands to press Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to stop arbitrary arrests of journalists.

Philippines

Former broadcaster slain in Sultan Kudarat

(CMFR/IFEX) - A former broadcaster who became a politician was killed at around noon (local time) on 6 December 2004, in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, southern Philippines. She suffered three bullet wounds from a .45 calibre pistol.

Cuba

Third journalist released

(RSF/IFEX) - On 2 December 2004, Cuban authorities released journalist Edel José García Díaz from prison. He was the third independent journalist in the country to be released during the week of 30 November, following Oscar Espinosa Chepe and Raúl Rivero. Officially, all three journalists are now under house arrest after being allowed to leave prison for health reasons. García Díaz has a digestive ailment, high blood pressure and problems with his vision.

Algeria

RSF urges courts to end editor Mohammed Benchicou's judicial harassment

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has urged the Algerian justice system to put an end to its harassment of "Le Matin" editor Mohammed Benchicou, who is already serving a two-year sentence and could now be convicted in two or possibly three separate libel cases on 7 December 2004.

Zimbabwe

MISA concerned over legal vacuum in broadcast licencing process

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 5 December 2004 MISA statement:

Ukraine

Journalists assaulted in Lugansk; local authorities attempt to block broadcast of independent television stations

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) - The following is a 4 December 2004 Human Rights Watch press release:

Mexico

Suspect in killing of photographer Gregorio Rodríguez Hernández reportedly identified

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the slaying of Gregorio Rodríguez Hernández, a photographer with the daily "El Debate", in Escuinapa (northwestern state of Sinaloa), who was gunned down on 28 November 2004 while dining in a restaurant with his wife and two children.

Colombia

Officers capture individual wanted in connection with journalist's murder

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 1 December 2004, Luis Arley Ortiz Orozco, alias "Pereque", was captured by Technical Investigations Unit officers from the Sogamoso Municipality Public Prosecutor's Office, located in Boyacá department. Ortiz Orozco was wanted in connection with the murder of "La Patria" newspaper deputy editor Orlando Sierra.

Russia

Japanese journalist faces possible five-year ban from Russia

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has written to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov voicing concern at the possibility that Japanese freelance journalist Kosuke Tsuneoka could be banned from Russia for five years after reportedly conducting interviews in Ingushetia without being registered or accredited and while travelling on a business visa.

Thailand

Journalist held in contempt of court, acquitted of libel charges

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 2 December 2004, a Thai court acquitted veteran columnist Prasong Soonsiri and three executives of a local daily of libelling court judges. The court said an article by Prasong, published on 28 August 2001, was at most improper and contemptuous of the judiciary, but that its contents were ultimately factual and of benefit to the public interest.

Philippines

Suspect arrested in killing of journalist Stephen Omais

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed deep concern after a second journalist was murdered within one week in the Philippines, the 13th to be killed in the country this year.

Haiti

RSF lobbies government over its continued failure to punish killers of journalists Brignol Lindor and Jean Dominique

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 2 December 2004 RSF press release:

Zimbabwe

CPJ outraged over proposed new legislation that could see journalists jailed for up to 20 years

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 2 December 2004 letter to President Robert Mugabe, CPJ expressed its outage over the government's continued clampdown on independent media in Zimbabwe, including proposed new legislation that could be used to jail journalists for up to 20 years. At a time when several other African countries are lifting criminal sanctions for press offences, bringing their laws in line with international standards, Zimbabwe's government is preparing to introduce penalties that are among the harshest on the continent. In the letter, CPJ said that this will only further impede Zimbabwe's media, which already face other restrictive laws.

China

Reformist journalists and intellectuals punished and censored

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has alerted the European delegation to the 8 December 2004 European Union (EU)-China summit in the Netherlands that China has launched a new crackdown on reformists.

China

CPJ welcomes journalist's release, 42 others still behind bars

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 November 2004 CPJ press release:

Maldives

Cyber-dissident gives first-person account of abuses suffered in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an RSF press release:

Mexico

Commercial radio and television station representatives express opposition to government's intention to legalise community radio stations

(AMARC/IFEX) - On 29 November 2004, representatives of commercial radio and television stations, including Televisa and TV Azteca, expressed their concern to President Vicente Fox about the government's intention to legalise a number of community radio stations. Most Mexicans have welcomed the government's move as a step towards recognising citizens' rights to express themselves freely.

Russia

More suspects arrested in "Forbes" magazine editor's murder

(RSF/IFEX) - The prosecutor's office in Moscow has charged Musa Vakhayev in connection with the 9 July 2004 murder of Paul Khlebnikov, editor-in-chief of the Russian-language edition of "Forbes" magazine.

Mexico

IAPA concerned over proposed reforms to Radio and Television Law

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 29 November 2004 IAPA press release:

Thailand

Government's consideration of new security legislation could be pretext for controlling press, says SEAPA

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 1 December 2004 SEAPA statement:

Burma

Journalist Ko Sein Ohn released after more than eight years in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 30 November 2004 RSF press release:

China

Imprisoned journalist Yu Dongyue reportedly gone insane after being tortured

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on European Commission President José Manuel Barroso to use the upcoming European Union-China Summit to urge Chinese authorities to free journalist Yu Dongyue after reports that he has gone insane as a result of being tortured in prison.

Laos

"Time" magazine reporter banned from ASEAN Summit

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Laotian government has prevented "Time" magazine's Asia correspondent from entering the country to cover the recently-concluded 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Philippines

Journalist tortured and murdered

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

China

Journalist Liu Jingsheng released after more than 12 years in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed the 27 November 2004 release of. Liu Jingsheng, dissident and founder of the underground magazine "Tansuo" ("Investigation"), two and a half years before the end of his sentence.

Ukraine

Street protests have given way to genuine freedoms, says Ukrainian MP

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 30 November 2004 IPI press release:

Bangladesh

CPJ condemns journalist's ongoing detention

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 November 2004 CPJ letter to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia condemning the ongoing detention of Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury:

Belarus

Privately-owned weekly suspended for three months

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the Information Ministry's three-month suspension of the privately-owned weekly "Birzha Informatsii". The newspaper was suspended over an article for which its editor-in-chief and co-founder, Elena Rovbetskaya, was previously fined.

Central African Republic

Parliament passes law decriminalising press offences

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF welcomes the passage of a law ending prison terms for press offences. The Central African Republic's transitional (CAR) Parliament adopted the law on 25 November 2004.

Thailand

ARTICLE 19 analyses Thai defamation provisions

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is 29 November 2004 Article 19 press release:

Cuba

Writer Raúl Rivero and journalist Oscar Espinosa Chepe released from prison

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 November 2004 CPJ press release:

Croatia

Counter Intelligence Agency exerts pressure on journalist

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 29 November 2004 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Pakistan

Journalist assaulted by police

(PPF/IFEX) - On 30 November 2004, police posted at the Civil Secretariat in Lahore, capital of Pakistan's largest province, Punjab, assaulted Zaheer Mahmood Siddiqui, a senior reporter for the English-language daily "Dawn", when he tried to enter the premises.

Venezuela

IAPA concerned over Congress's second reading approval of Law on Social Responsibility in Radio and Television

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 26 November 2004 IAPA press release:

Peru

Police officer assaults journalist

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 29 November 2004, journalist Juan Segundo Espinoza Linares was assaulted by municipal police officer Humberto Venegas Liñán. At the time of the incident, Espinoza was at Santa municipality's public works office where he had gone to interview the assistant manager of infrastructure, Roberto Briceño Franco. The city of Santa is located in the Áncash region, northwestern Peru.

Philippines

CPJ investigating journalist's killing

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 November 2004 CPJ press release:

China

Chinese authorities block Google News website

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the Chinese authorities' blocking of access to Google's news website, Google News, for the past 10 days or so. The action comes a few weeks after the launch of a limited Chinese-language version of Google News. The organisation urged Google to react by stopping the filtering of its Chinese-language site and opening it to news reports that are banned by Beijing.

Iraq

Iraqi journalist kidnapped south of Baghdad; Kurdish interpreter detained by US forces in Fallujah

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on United States (US) military authorities to explain the continuing detention of Bakhtiar Haddad, an Iraqi interpreter of Kurdish origin who has been held for the past three weeks by US forces after being arrested in Fallujah on 8 November 2004, along with French freelance photographer Corentin Fleury. US officials have said Haddad has been held in Abu Ghraib prison since 23 November on suspicion of collaborating with Iraqi guerrillas.

Nigeria

"Time" magazine reporter refused entry into Nigeria

(MRA/IFEX) - On 27 November 2004, Stephan Faris, a reporter with the United States-based news weekly "Time" magazine, was prevented by State Security Service (SSS) agents from entering Nigeria upon his arrival at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. He was later expelled from the country, according to "Time" magazine's news director, Howard Chua-Eoan.

Colombia

Journalist forced to seek exile after repeatedly receiving threats

(FLIP/IFEX) - Journalist Claudia Julieta Duque has been forced to seek exile outside of Colombia as a result of repeated threats and the failure of the Public Prosecutor's Office to sufficiently advance the investigation into the threats to the degree warranted by the seriousness of the case.

Mexico

Photographer killed in Sinaloa state

(WAN/IFEX) - In a 30 November 2004 letter to President Vicente Fox, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed their outrage at the murder of photographer Gregorio Rodriguez.

Sudan

Editor of opposition newspaper held in secret location for past week

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced alarm over the detention of Hussein Khogali, editor-in-chief of the independent Arabic-language daily "Alwan", who has been held without charge by police in an undisclosed location since 22 November 2004.

Iran

Five webloggers jailed; webzine editor convicted on appeal

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has strongly protested Iran's relentless efforts to stifle free expression online following the arrest of five webloggers in less than two months, the latest on 28 November 2004.

Ukraine

Opposition journalist violently attacked in Kirovograd

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for a rapid investigation of the violent attack on opposition journalist Hennadi Rybchenkov, of the weekly "Ukraina Tsentr", in the central city of Kirovograd on 25 November 2004. Rybchenkov was attacked by thugs who told him he should be writing articles in support of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, the official winner of the 21 November presidential election run-off.

Kazakhstan

Police and security guards obstruct camera crew, confiscate videotape

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 24 November 2004, a camera crew for the Channel 31 news programme "Informburo" was harassed by security guards while filming a picket at the Almaty "akimat" (the city Mayor's Office).

International

Repressive countries gaining foothold ahead of World Summit on the Information Society, RSF warns

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed concern that several countries that harshly crack down on use of the Internet are members of the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG), which met in Geneva from 23 to 25 November 2004, in the run-up to the 2005 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis.

Algeria

Journalist Hafnaoui Ghoul granted provisional release

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed the unexpected provisional release of Hafnaoui Ghoul on 25 November 2004. Ghoul is the daily "El-Youm"'s correspondent in Djelfa (270 km south of Algiers) and heads the Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights' (Ligue algérienne de défense des droits de l'homme, LADDH) regional office. He was arrested six months ago for libel.

Peru

Journalist flees his home after receiving repeated death threats

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 25 November 2004, after receiving repeated death threats, journalist Renán Palacios was forced to flee his home in the city of Ica and go into hiding with his wife in the capital, Lima. IPYS helped to coordinate Palacios's move to Lima.

Philippines

Photojournalist gunned down by hit man

(RSF/IFEX) - A hit man gunned down photojournalist Allan Dizon in the central city of Cebu on 27 November 2004, bringing to 12 the number of journalists murdered in the Philippines since the start of the year.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Three journalists detained for 24 hours in Kinshasa

(JED/IFEX) - On 26 November 2004, in the early evening, Delly Bonsange, Rackys Bokela and Jean-Marie Basa Ndjakolo, journalists with the newspapers "Alerte Plus", "Le Collecteur" and "Flash Info", respectively, were arrested by three judicial police inspectors and detained at the Kinshasa/Gombe High Court, where they spent the night. The journalists were released on 27 November, at around 2:00 p.m. (local time), and were ordered to reappear before the court on 30 November.

Côte d'Ivoire

President Gbagbo urged to assist opposition press, bring order to state-owned media

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an RSF statement:

Ukraine

Journalists' strike widens as electoral chaos continues in Ukraine

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed its support for journalists fighting systematic censorship, after 237 journalists and contributors to the state-owned television station UT-1 went on strike on 25 November 2004 to protest news bias.

Philippines

Suspect in radio host's killing turns himself in

(RSF/IFEX) - Leonides Alcantara, a suspect in the killing of radio host Apolinario "Polly" Pobeda, surrendered to authorities in the city of Bansud, in Mindoro province (southeast of Manila), on 22 November 2004.

Iraq

RSF condemns defence minister's "unacceptable" allegations against Al-Jazeera television

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned recent comments made by Iraqi Defence Minister Hazem Shaalan in an interview with an Arabic-language newspaper in which he accused the Qatar-based pan-Arab television station Al-Jazeera of being a "terrorist station."

Zimbabwe

RSF concerned over wave of attacks on free expression

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an RSF press release:

Laos

ASEAN summit offers crucial freedom of expression test, says SEAPA

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is a SEAPA capsule report:

South Korea / North Korea

South Korean authorities block access to about 30 North Korean propaganda websites

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has criticised South Korea for blocking access to about 30 North Korean propaganda websites. The organisation appealed for the week-old ban to be lifted in the name of free expression. But RSF called strong North Korean protests against the move hypocritical, since the Pyongyang regime forbids ordinary people from using the Internet at all.

Peru

Cameraman injured during demonstration

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the afternoon of 24 November 2004, a tear gas canister fired by a police officer hit cameraman Edwin Ocros Poma, of Channel 7's Huaraz affiliate, while he was covering a demonstration organised by a local trade union federation. The incident took place in Huaraz, capital of Áncash region, northwestern Peru.

Romania

Latest issue of satirical weekly disappears from newsstands

(RSF/IFEX) - On the mornings of 24 and 25 November 2004, almost half the print-run of the latest issue of the satirical weekly "Academia Catavencu" disappeared from newsstands. The copies were allegedly removed by members of the ruling Democratic Socialist Party (PSD).

China

Journalist and dissident Liu Jingsheng to be released soon

(RSF/IFEX) - Chinese authorities are reportedly about to release dissident and founder of the underground magazine "Tansuo" ("Investigation") Liu Jingsheng, on 27 November 2004. Liu has been imprisoned since 28 May 1992. The surprise commute in his sentence would appear to be a conciliatory gesture towards the international community, said the organisation Human Rights in China.

Venezuela

Draft media law undercuts freedom of expression, says Human Rights Watch

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) - The following is a 24 November 2004 Human Rights Watch press release:

Iran

Impunity continues to triumph in Iranian justice system, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 23 November 2004 RSF press release:

Tunisia / International

IFJ calls for World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis to focus on media freedom and workers' rights

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 November 2004 IFJ media release:

Canada

Journalist faces possible imprisonment for refusing to reveal sources

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern over the penalty that could be imposed on "Hamilton Spectator" reporter Ken Peters if he is found guilty of contempt of court for refusing to reveal his sources. His sentencing is due on 25 November 2004.

Nigeria

BBC correspondent banned by Borno state government

(MRA/IFEX) - On 24 November 2004, the Borno state government in northern Nigeria declared the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) Hausa Service correspondent, Alhaji Adamu Mato, a "persona non grata" and banned him from continuing to report from the state following allegations of "incorrect" reporting about the region. The government has banned the correspondent from the state's Government House in Maiduguri and all government institutions, ministries and parastatals, in addition to public functions.

Oman

Media outlets ordered to blacklist two writers

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the Sultanate of Oman for barring the media from giving space in publications or airtime to two writers and intellectuals, Mohammed Al Harthi and Abdallah Al Ryami, for the past five months. The organisation called for the writers to be allowed to be interviewed freely again.

Thailand

Media experts wary of government agency's offer to allow community radio stations to earn revenue from advertising

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Thai media reformers are wary of a government agency's offer to open the country's fledgling community radio operations to advertising, saying such a move would detract from the spirit and intent of community broadcasting, and, even more dangerous, create mechanisms by which small independent radio operations could be influenced by the state.

Rwanda

Editor acquitted of "divisionism," convicted of defamation

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 23 November 2004 CPJ press release:

Somalia

Journalist "banned" by clan chief

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has written to Somalia's new prime minister, Ali Mohammed Geedi, asking him to ensure that radio reporter Abdiqani Sheik Mohamed be allowed to return and work in the Middle Shabelle region, where local authorities physically attacked him and banned him from working in September 2004.

Tanzania

"Dira" newspaper to remain closed

(MISA/IFEX) - On 24 November 2004, the High Court of Tanzania, on the island of Zanzibar, delivered its ruling on a long awaited case launched by the "Dira" newspaper management team to challenge the act used to close the only independent weekly in the Isles.

Bulgaria

Romanian journalist charged, BBC reporter under investigation for using concealed camera

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has deplored the threat to investigative journalism posed by Bulgarian authorities' decision to charge Romanian television journalist George Buhnici with "using a concealed camera without permission" and to investigate BBC reporter Justin Rowlatt for the same offence, as well as "inciting corruption".

Mexico

Politician calls on his supporters to assault journalists, sets fire to copies of newspaper

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an IAPA press release:

Ukraine

Presidential elections marked by sharp increase in press freedom violations

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the sharp increase in press freedom violations during Ukraine's presidential elections that it said were "incompatible with free elections and democratic debate."

Ukraine

Journalists stage strike over censorship, independent television station blocked

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Turkey

Coordinating Committee of Press Freedom Organizations calls on Turkey to remove criminal defamation and insult laws

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 23 November 2004 Coordinating Committee of Press Freedom Organizations press release:

Pakistan

"Frontier Post" journalist released from prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Munawar Moshin Ali, letters page editor of the English-language daily "Frontier Post", has been released from prison in Peshawar. On 12 November 2004, the High Court acquitted him of blasphemy charges.

Nigeria

Journalist barred from Government House

(MRA/IFEX) - Chris Nsi, Ebonyi State correspondent for the "New Age" newspaper, has been barred indefinitely from entering the grounds of Government House in Abakaliki, the seat of government in the state controlled by the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP).

Nepal

Journalists taken hostage, harassed, threatened with death

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoists) rebels have taken journalist Shakti Kumar Pun hostage in Rukum, a western district of Nepal. In its 24 November 2004 edition, the daily "Nepal Samacharpatra" reported that the rebels took Pun into custody for a 35-day period, along with six other people, including schoolteacher Lal Bahadur Gharti. They were reportedly taken hostage for having assisted security forces in the arrest of five CPN-Maoist rebels from the district's Rugha Village Development Committee.

China

Journalist Wu Shishen to be released in July 2005

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed the Justice Ministry's decision to commute the life sentence imposed on journalist Wu Shishen in 1993, on the orders of former President Jiang Zemin, for "illegally divulging state secrets" abroad. According to the Chinese political prisoners defence group Dui Hua, he is to be freed on 10 July 2005.

Ukraine

IFJ condemns attempts to prevent journalists from reporting on protests following presidential election

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

International

Sudanese editor wins Golden Pen of Freedom award

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a WAN press release:

Burma

Win Tin and 12 other journalists still imprisoned despite anticipated release

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF and the Burma Media Association (BMA) have called on Prime Minister Soe Win to quickly release renowned journalist Win Tin and 12 other imprisoned journalists.

Peru

Journalist receives death threats

(IPYS/IFEX) - Journalist Renán Palacios has received six death threats via text messages sent to his mobile phone. The first two threats were sent on 20 November 2004. Palacios received the other threats on 22 November while he was filing a complaint with the police's Criminal Investigations Division in the city of Ica, southwestern Peru.

Nepal

Bomb explodes in printing press's offices; journalist assaulted

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 20 November 2004, a socket bomb exploded in the offices of the Triyuga Offset Printing Press in Anamnagar, Kathmandu. Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels are suspected of being behind the explosion, which caused damage to the toilet in the building and the windows of six neighbouring houses. Triyuga Offset Printing Press is situated next to the Asia Pacific Communication Association (APCA) building. The APCA publishes the dailies "Annapurna Post" and "The Himalayan Times". A Royal Nepal Army squad defused another socket bomb planted in the press's offices. According to CEHURDES's sources, there were no reports of casualties and CPN-Maoists have not claimed responsibility for the blast.

Zambia

WPFC concerned over alleged presidential interference in granting of licencing applications, closure of Omega Television

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 19 November 2004 WPFC letter to Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa:

International

Press freedom under siege worldwide, says WAN's half-year review

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a WAN press release:

Guinea

Privately-owned daily closed by authorities

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the closure of "Le Quotidien", Guinea's only privately-owned daily, on 13 November 2004.

Serbia / Montenegro

ARTICLE 19 expresses concern over draft law on "Criminal Offences against Honour and Reputation"

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 19 November 2004 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Sierra Leone

Journalist in coma after being assaulted

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 13 November 2004, Mohamed Amara Josiah, a correspondent for "Standard Times" newspaper in Kenema, eastern Sierra Leone, was assaulted by a group of men until he fell into a coma. Amara is currently responding to treatment at a local hospital in the region.

Hungary

IPI dismayed by journalist's prosecution under outdated security law

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI press release:

Peru

Journalists assaulted by transport workers

(IPYS/IFEX) - A group of transport workers who were demonstrating against rising fuel costs assaulted journalist Teodoro Feliciano Quispe, director of the "Sin Límites" programme broadcast on Canal A television station, and Canal A reporter Ana María Tintaya. When the protesters realised that the demonstration was being filmed, they assaulted the journalists and robbed them of their video camera and videotapes. The incident took place at 7:00 p.m. (local time) on 17 November 2004, in Tacna, a region located on the border with Chile.

Bulgaria

Romanian journalist freed on bail

(RSF/IFEX) - George Buhnici, of the privately-owned Romanian television station Pro TV, who was arrested by Bulgarian authorities on 16 November 2004 for using a concealed camera to film in a duty-free shop on the Romanian-Bulgarian border, was released on 2,500 euros (approx. US$3,250) bail on 19 November.

Philippines

Police officer and five others arrested for the murder of radio host Roger Mariano

(RSF/IFEX) - Police officer Apolonio Medrano and five other persons have been arrested for the 31 July 2004 murder of radio host Roger Mariano, of local radio station DZJC, in the Cordillera region, northern Philippines.

Peru

Radio journalist goes into hiding for fear of being kidnapped

(IPYS/IFEX) - Journalist Luis Lingán Ramírez has been in hiding since 12 November 2004. The journalist believes he was being followed and fears that he could be kidnapped by members of a local civilian patrol in the city of Santa Cruz, Cajamarca region, northern Peru. Lingán told IPYS that he is being targeted because of comments he made on his programme, broadcast on Radio HGB station, about the benefits of a mining project that is being developed in the area. His comments were not popular with local citizens who are opposed to the mine.

Colombia

Communications Ministry to approve an additional 400 community radio stations

(AMARC/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 17 November 2004 AMARC press release:

Russia

Family of murdered editor calls on journalists worldwide to probe his unsolved murder

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 18 November 2004 CPJ press release:

Ukraine

Journalist brutally beaten in Kirovograd

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned a brutal attack on Alexander Danutsa, news director and anchor for TV-Stymul in Kirovograd, central Ukraine. The attack is the latest in the ongoing harassment of independent media ahead of the 21 November 2004 presidential elections (see IFEX alerts of 19, 17, 2 and 1 November, 29 and 20 October 2004).

Argentina

AMARC welcomes Chamber of Deputies' resolution approving amendments to broadcasting law

(AMARC/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 16 November 2004 AMARC press release:

Finland

IPI applauds European Court of Human Rights rulings in newspaper cases

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an 18 November 2004 IPI press release:

Pakistan

Second suspect in Pearl killing shot dead by police

(RSF/IFEX) - Asim Ghafoor, a member of the armed Islamist group Harkat-ul Mujahideen, was shot dead on 17 November 2004 in a clash with police in the western suburbs of Karachi, southern Pakistan. After Amjad Farooqi, he is the second suspect in the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl to be killed.

Ukraine

Growing media harassment threatens press freedom ahead of presidential election run-off, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is concerned about growing media harassment ahead of the second round of presidential elections on 21 November 2004, which has included assaults, sackings and the denial of access to information.

Nicaragua

Hearings begin in Bravo murder case

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN is appalled at the 9 November 2004 killing of journalist María José Bravo and calls upon the Nicaraguan authorities to ensure that her killer is brought to justice.

India

IFJ condemns attack on journalist in Uttar Pradesh

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

United States

Journalist convicted of criminal contempt

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

Venezuela

Journalist faces charges for allegedly defaming the National Armed Forces

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 11 November 2004, the military's prosecutor general, Eladio Aponte, notified journalist Manuel Isidro Molina, of the weekly "La Razón", that a complaint has been launched against him for allegedly defaming the National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional).

France

Law on Confidence in the Digital Economy: first legal action on the responsibility of ISPs

(RSF/IFEX) - On 15 November 2004, the central Paris court handed down the first explicit decision on the Law on Confidence in the Digital Economy (LEN), which judges an Internet service provider's (ISP) responsibility for content, and ruled in favour of the ISP.

Nepal

CEHURDES files compensation claim on behalf of "illegally detained" journalist

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 9 November 2004, CEHURDES, in collaboration with the Press Freedom Grand Jury (PFGJ), filed a compensation claim with the Appellate Court on behalf of journalist Shyam Shrestha. The two organisations are demanding compensation from the government for "illegally detaining" the journalist during a state of emergency more than two years ago.

Bulgaria

Journalist arrested, faces three-year sentence for using concealed camera

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the immediate release of Romanian journalist George Buhnici, of the privately-owned television station Pro TV, who was arrested by Bulgarian authorities on 16 November 2004 for filming with a concealed camera in a duty-free shop on the Romanian-Bulgarian border. He faces up to three years in prison under Bulgarian law, which considers the use of a hidden camera as spying.

United States

Reporter faces possible six-month jail sentence for refusing to reveal his sources

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed concern over a federal judge's threat to imprison journalist Jim Taricani, of the Providence (Rhode Island) NBC television station WJAR-TV, for up to six months if he refuses to reveal, by 18 November 2004, the identity of the individual who gave him a secret Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) videotape made during a corruption inquiry.

Iraq

American forces detain Al-Arabiya television correspondent in Falluja

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on American forces in Falluja to release Abdel Kader Al-Saadi, a correspondent for Al-Arabiya satellite television, whom they arrested in the city on 11 November 2004.

Ukraine

IFJ mission calls on authorities to end censorship, interference and control over media in run-up to second round of presidential election

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 November 2004 IFJ press release:

Philippines

Slain journalist's colleague receives death threats; suspects arrested in Lumawag murder

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed outrage over the murder of a photographer and a radio station director, the murder attempt on a television host and death threats against a reporter, in what it has called a "black week for press freedom in the Philippines."

Azerbaijan

Authorities freeze main opposition daily's assets

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the authorities' freezing of the assets of "Yeni Musavat", the country's main opposition daily, on 16 November 2004. The move has forced the paper to cease publishing. The decision was taken on the grounds that the newspaper failed to pay fines and damages totalling some 125,000 euros (approx. US$162,800).

Peru

Congressman insults and attempts to assault journalists

(IPYS/IFEX) - Eittel Ramos, a congressman for the ruling Perú Posible political party, insulted and tried to assault several journalists as he was leaving a party meeting in Lima on the evening of 13 November 2004. The journalists were trying to obtain information about the meeting when Ramos became angry and began to insult them.

Rwanda

Editor of independent newspaper tried on criminal charges

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

Peru

Journalist's bodyguard shot in the leg

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the night of 24 October 2004, journalist Fernando Ampuero del Bosque's bodyguard, Luis Chávez Alpaca, was shot in the leg by an unidentified individual. Ampuero is the head of "El Comercio" newspaper's investigative unit. This incident is one of a series of actions against the daily's journalists.

Pakistan

Journalist's blasphemy conviction reversed on appeal

(PPF/IFEX) - On 11 November 2004, journalist Munnawar Mohsin Ali, subeditor of the daily "Frontier Post", was acquitted by the Peshawar High Court, in the North West Frontier Province. He had earlier been sentenced to life imprisonment for blasphemy. A two-member bench accepted Ali's appeal and set aside his earlier conviction.

Lesotho

Newspapers face possible closure following ruling in civil defamation suit

(MISA/IFEX) - The weekly Sesotho-language tabloid "Setsomi Sa Litaba", a sister publication of the weekly English-language newspaper "The Mirror", faces possible closure due to a judgment that was passed against it in a civil defamation suit.

Croatia

Journalist receives suspended three-month prison sentence for defamation

(RSF/IFEX) - On 11 November 2004, a court in Split, southern Croatia, sentenced journalist Vladimir Matijanic, of the weekly "Feral Tribune", to a suspended three-month prison sentence for defaming footballer Igor Stimac, suspected of involvement in criminal activities.

Azerbaijan

ARTICLE 19 calls on authorities to ensure that implementation of public service broadcasting law is in line with international standards

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 12 November 2004 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Vietnam

Dissident Internet writer Nguyen Hong Quang sentenced to three years' imprisonment

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN protests the three-year prison sentence handed down to pastor, lawyer and dissident Internet writer Nguyen Hong Quang on 12 November 2004.

Philippines

IFJ concerned over recent attacks on journalists

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Sri Lanka

Journalists assaulted

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is an FMM press release:

Iraq

New concerns for fate of French journalists after kidnapped interpreter found

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed the 11 November 2004 rescue of Mohammed al-Joundi, the Syrian driver and interpreter for kidnapped French journalists Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot.

Côte d'Ivoire

CPJ calls on French and Ivoirian authorities to conduct thorough investigations into fatal shooting of journalist

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 12 November 2004 CPJ press release:

Israel

IFJ condemns arrest of whistleblower

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 12 November 2004 IFJ media release:

Philippines

Radio commentator murdered

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

Pakistan

RSF expresses concern over wave of recent arrests

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an RSF press release:

Mexico

Journalist subjected to mock execution

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is disturbed by the recent attack on Víctor Manuel Ulín Hernández, a journalist with the local daily "La Verdad del Sureste", published in Tabasco state. Ulín Hernández was kidnapped by two unidentified persons and brutally beaten before being released by his attackers a few hours later.

Iraq

Government instructs media to promote leadership's positions

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 12 November 2004 CPJ press release:

International

PEN Canada marks Day of the Imprisoned Writer with focus on China and Iran

(PEN Canada/IFEX) - The following is an 11 November 2004 PEN Canada press release:

Lebanon

Book banned

(IPA/IFEX) - The following is a 12 November 2004 IPA press release:

Pakistan

Radio station's operations suspended after police raid; journalists released on bail

(PPF/IFEX) - The following is a PPF press release:

Ecuador

Supreme Court upholds sentence against journalist

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 November 2004 CPJ press release:

International

Photojournalist killed in Philippines; IFJ expresses concern over crisis of news safety following killings of Ivoirian and Nicaraguan journalists

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Peru

Newspaper director and journalists threatened for publishing articles on terrorists' trials

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 2 November 2004, journalist Raúl Vela Carhuas, of the daily "El Pregonero", based in Huánuco, central Perú, received a threatening call on his mobile phone. The unknown caller demanded that the newspaper stop reporting on the trials of terrorists who are currently behind bars and the possibility that some of them may be eligible for release from prison. Otherwise, Vela told IPYS, the caller warned that "the daily's director and the whole staff" risked attack.

Kyrgyzstan

New attacks on independent press by president and administration

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has written to Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev cautioning against too broad an interpretation of national security threats and asking him to ensure that the fight against terrorism is not used as a pretext to gag independent media that are needed to build a true democracy.

Mozambique

RENAMO bans television crew from filming election campaigns

(MISA/IFEX) - On 6 November 2004, local officials of Mozambique's former rebel movement, Resistencia Nacional de Mozambique (RENAMO), banned a TVM public television station crew from filming RENAMO election campaigning in two northern towns, Mozambique Island and Nacala.

Nigeria

Two provincial radio stations ransacked and set on fire

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the ransacking and torching of two public radio stations in the southeastern state of Anambra by a local politician's thugs. The organisation also protested the attack on a newspaper photographer in a Lagos court by bodyguards of the late dictator Sani Abacha's security chief.

Nigeria

Photojournalist assaulted by security agents

(MRA/IFEX) - On 11 November 2004, a photojournalist with the Lagos-based daily "Vanguard", Diran Oshe, was assaulted by security agents who also smashed his camera as he attempted to take photographs of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former chief security officer to the late Nigerian head of state, General Sani Abacha.

Côte d'Ivoire

Journalist killed during clashes with French troops in Duékoué

(RSF/IFEX) - Antoine Massé, a local correspondent for "Le Courrier d'Abidjan", a privately-owned daily that supports President Laurent Gbagbo, was killed on the morning of 7 November 2004 during clashes between the Ivorian army, demonstrators and members of the French peacekeeping force (Force Licorne), RSF has confirmed.

Côte d'Ivoire

State media mix propaganda, disinformation and incitement to riot, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 10 November 2004 RSF press release:

International

IFLA calls for greater access to public domain information

(IFLA/FAIFE/IFEX) - The following is a 28 October 2004 IFLA/ FAIFE statement:

Zimbabwe

Repressive media law tightened further

(RSF/IFEX) - Authorities in Zimbabwe continue to flout the right to news and information. In the wake of a recent ban on opposition access to the state media, Parliament has now passed an amendment to the already extremely repressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

South Korea

IPI astounded by assault on editorial independence

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI press release:

Pakistan

Journalists arrested

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Australia

Police raid independent newspaper's offices, seize documents

(MEAA/IFEX) - The following is an MEAA media release:

Mexico

CPJ publishes special report on Tijuana

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 November 2004 CPJ press release:

India

Newspaper editor brutally murdered

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Ethiopia

IPI calls on prime minister to reconsider proposed press law

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI press release:

Burkina Faso

RSF urges police to announce the charges against managing editor of weekly "San Finna"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on the Burkina Faso police to announce the charges against Mathieu N'Do, managing editor of the weekly "San Finna" and one of the leaders of the opposition party National Union for Democracy and Development (Union nationale pour la démocratie et le développement, UNDD). N'Do has been held incommunicado at a special police centre since his arrest on 5 November 2004 at Ouagadougou airport.

Portugal

Fifty-three journalists receive summonses in move condemned by RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the summonsing of 53 journalists by the Lisbon Public Prosecutor's Office as an "attempt at intimidation." The journalists were summonsed for "violating legal confidentiality rules" in the Casa Pia child sex abuse trial, which opens on 25 November 2004.

Spain

Coordinating Committee of Press Freedom Organizations denounces judicial assault on press freedom

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a statement by the Coordinating Committee of Press Freedom Organizations:

Nicaragua

Journalist shot dead during clashes following municipal elections

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced outrage over the fatal shooting of reporter María José Bravo on 9 November 2004. The journalist was shot as she was covering clashes near a vote-counting centre in Juigalpa, Chontales department, 140 km south of Managua, two days after municipal elections were held throughout Nicaragua.

Nepal

Photojournalist assaulted by soldiers; CPN-Maoists threaten radio stations

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 9 November 2004, Royal Nepal Army (RNA) soldiers physically assaulted photojournalist Prakash Mathema in Naya Tole, Kapilwastu municipality, Kapilwastu district, western Nepal.

Mexico

PEN Canada expresses concern over death threats against newspaper editor-in-chief, his family and colleagues

(PEN Canada/IFEX) - The following is a 9 November 2004 PEN Canada press release:

Thailand

Police pressure journalists to surrender video equipment

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI press release:

Romania

Local authorities target journalist from daily "Ziarul de Vrancea"

(RSF/IFEX) - A journalist covering the presidential elections for a local daily in Focsani, northeast of the capital, Bucharest, was subjected to harassment by three officials in the space of a few hours on 6 November 2004.

Thailand

SEAPA alarmed by government attempts to intimidate the media in the wake of violence in southern Thailand

(SEAPA/IFEX) - SEAPA is alarmed by reports that the Thai government is putting pressure on the country's media in line with efforts to control and sanitise news and information about violence in the province of Narathiwat, southern Thailand.

Iran

Government moving to silence Internet and web-log communications, says Human Rights Watch

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a Human Rights Watch press release:

Haiti

Former rebels falsely accuse journalist of involvement in murder plot

(RSF/IFEX) - Claims by a former rebel group based in the northern city of Gonaïves linking radio journalist Nancy Roc to the 2003 murder of its leader are "irresponsible and gratuitous" and pose a threat to her safety, RSF said.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Evangelical radio station's confiscated equipment returned

(JED/IFEX) - On 28 October 2004, evangelical radio station Radio Hosanna's confiscated equipment was returned. Members of the National Intelligence Agency's (Agence nationale des renseignements, ANR) Lubumbashi branch had confiscated the station's equipment on 4 August. Radio Hosanna is owned by the Nouvelle Cité de David (New City of David) church and broadcasts in Lubumbashi, the main city in Katanga province, southern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nepal

Journalists assaulted

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 4 November 2004, a group of Nepal Police officers, led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Jaya Ram Nepal, assaulted journalist Surya Bahadur Chanda. The incident occurred in front of the offices of the Nepal Electricity Authority, in Kanchanpur district, western Nepal, while the journalist was gathering information in the area. Chanda, a district correspondent for the state-owned daily "Gorakhapatra", was manhandled despite presenting his press identification.

Burkina Faso

CPJ troubled by editor's detention

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 November 2004 CPJ press release:

Iraq / United States

Army report finds no fault in Palestine Hotel shelling

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 November 2004 CPJ press release:

International

European journalists back call for Europe-wide action against media concentration

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 November 2004 media release by the European Federation of Journalists, an affiliate of the IFJ:

South Korea

RSF welcomes plan to repeal National Security Law but calls for withdrawal of draft media law

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed a legislative proposal to repeal the National Security Law, a move which would benefit press freedom. But the organisation has called for the withdrawal of a draft media law that could endanger free enterprise in the printed press.

Côte d'Ivoire

CPJ outraged by attacks on newspaper offices, government ban against eight publications

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 5 November 2004 letter to President Laurent Gbagbo, CPJ expressed its outrage over violent attacks carried out on 4 November on four private newspapers in Abidjan, and by a government ban against eight newspapers. These grave attacks on press freedom came as hostilities resumed in the rebel-held north of the country. CPJ also expressed alarm at the silencing of three international radio stations in Abidjan, reportedly by an act of sabotage.

Venezuela

Information minister accuses journalist of "irresponsible" reporting

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 31 October 2004, Communication and Information Minister Andrés Izarra accused journalist Marta Colomina of spreading "irresponsible" information via her programme, broadcast on the Unión Radio station. The minister voiced the accusation after Colomina had reported on problems surrounding the elections for governor of Valencia, including lootings and delays in the presentation of the final results. The city of Valencia is located in Carabobo state, central Venezuela.

China

Cyber-dissident He Depu begins his third year in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has deplored the continued imprisonment of Chinese cyber-dissident He Depu, who was arrested at his Beijing home on 4 November 2002 for signing an open letter to the ruling Communist Party Congress (which was posted on the Internet) calling for democratic reforms. Six other signatories were jailed in the weeks that followed.

Nepal

Rebels impose reporting ban in western district; weekly's offices vandalised

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoists) rebels have recently imposed a reporting ban on five village development committees in Rukum district, western Nepal. CPN-Maoist District Secretary Bishal told "The Kathmandu Post" on 4 November 2004 that the ban would be lifted after "some time". The paper further reported that CPN-Maoists had put into effect provisions that would make it mandatory for journalists reporting in the district to obtain permission from their "people's government". The banned areas include Chunbang, Mahat, Ranmaikot, Pwang and Purtimkanda.

France / French Polynesia (France)

RSF calls for re-opening of investigation into journalist's disappearance

(RSF/IFEX) - Seven years after the disappearance of investigative journalist Jean-Pascal Couraud, statements made by a man linked to the Groupe d'intervention de la Polynésie (GIP, the presidential police forces) may force the case to be re-opened.

Ethiopia

IFJ and IPI welcome commitment to hold EFJA General Assembly and appoint new president

(IFJ/IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 4 November 2004 joint IFJ and IPI press release:

Iran

Second female journalist arrested on Internet-related charges

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on women's media and women's rights groups around the world to rally to the defence of two female journalists who have been arrested in the past week in connection with their work for pro-reform websites.

Greece

SEEMO alarmed about attack on sports editor

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 3 November 2004 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Venezuela

State television station reporters attacked

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 31 October 2004, reporters for the state television station Venezolana de Televisión (VTV) were attacked while covering elections to designate local authorities (mayors and governors). The television crew, headed by journalist Siary Rodríguez, was outside a voting centre at Champagnat school in Caurimare district, eastern Caracas, when they were violently attacked by a group of citizens.

Côte d'Ivoire

Crackdown on opposition press intensifies

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed "outrage" over a 4 November 2004 crackdown on the opposition press in Côte d'Ivoire. The latest incidents coincide with a sharp deterioration in the political and military climate and attacks by pro-government forces on former rebels.

Egypt

CPJ condemns attack on editor and columnist for opposition weekly

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 November 2004 CPJ press release:

India

Journalists assaulted and injured, television station attacked in Kerala

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Hungary

Prominent daily faces closure

(IFJ/IFEX) ? The following is an IFJ media release:

International

IAPA highlights Inter-American Court rulings, supports Commission and Office of the Special Rapporteur

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 3 November 2004 IAPA press release:

Netherlands

RSF dismayed at filmmaker's murder

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced dismay at the 2 November murder in Amsterdam of Theo Van Gogh, a controversial filmmaker, writer and columnist known for his mordant and provocative views. Van Gogh had reportedly received death threats after a film he had made about Islam was recently shown on television.

Azerbaijan

ARTICLE 19 calls on authorities to adopt freedom of information law

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 3 November 2004 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Colombia

Demonstrators in Valledupar detain cameraman, seize videotape from another

(FLIP/IFEX) - Donald Montaño, a cameraman for Canal Caracol television station in Valledupar, northwestern Colombia, has been held in a restroom in the city's La Nevada Hospital since the morning of 4 November 2004. Montaño was detained by demonstrators who took over the hospital on 1 November, protesting their eviction from their homes.

Hong Kong (China)

IPI calls for new procedural guidelines to ensure no repetition of media raids

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI press release:

Colombia

Journalists prevented from carrying out their work in Valledupar, photographer assaulted

(FLIP/IFEX) - In separate incidents on 31 October and 1 November 2004, several journalists from the "Vanguardia Liberal" and "El Pilón" newspapers, based in the city of Valledupar, northwestern Colombia, were prevented from carrying out their work. In one of the incidents, the journalists were prevented from photographing the scene of a bus accident. In the second incident, a photographer was assaulted by a group of demonstrators. The same demonstrators also held another photographer and a journalist for one hour.

Iran

WiPC concerned for the health of two imprisoned writers

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned for the health of writers Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari and Akbar Ganji, who are both reported to be seriously ill in Evin prison. Eshkevari is an insulin-dependent diabetic and has reportedly suffered an eye haemorrhage in prison as a result of the disease. He is said to be at risk of losing the sight of his right eye. Ganji is said to have been ill-treated in prison, and has been in poor health for some time.

Nigeria

Journalist beaten, stripped naked

(MRA/IFEX) - On 25 October 2004, Owei Sikpi, of the "Weekly Star" newspaper, based in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was assaulted by thugs allegedly acting on instructions from Steven Diver, chairman of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa State.

Russia

Newspaper ordered to pay US$11 million to Russian bank in libel ruling

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a WAN press release:

Egypt

Newspaper editor kidnapped, assaulted and threatened with death

(EOHR/IFEX) - The following is a 3 November 2004 EOHR press release:

Nigeria

Military court bars journalists from naval officers' trial

(MRA/IFEX) - On 1 November 2004, the Nigerian Navy court martial set up to try three senior naval officers for alleged complicity in the loss of a detained oil bunkering ship, the MT. Africa Pride, ordered journalists to stay away from its proceedings as of 2 November. No reason was given for the ban.

Iraq / United States

CPJ calls for investigation into Iraqi journalist's death

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 November 2004 CPJ press release:

Belarus

Editor sentenced to seven days in jail

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI letter to President Aleksandr Lukashenko:

Netherlands

Journalist killed

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Liberia

Journalists attacked by angry youths

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 29 October 2004, rampaging youths in the capital, Monrovia, attacked a vehicle carrying a team of journalists from the independent newspaper "The Analyst".

International

IAPA fights mandatory licencing for journalists

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an IAPA press release:

Ukraine

ARTICLE 19 releases assessment of electoral law and its effect on the ongoing presidential election campaign

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an Article 19 statement:

El Salvador

IAPA welcomes criminal code reform protecting journalists' sources

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 1 November 2004 IAPA press release:

Iraq

IFJ concerned over reports that cameraman was killed by coalition fire

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 November 2004 IFJ media release:

Nepal

Journalists' equipment and land confiscated, another barred entry to conference

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 31 October 2004, security forces confiscated the communications equipment of journalists Hari Har Singh Rathor and Amar Sunar, in Dailekh district, western Nepal. The confiscated equipment included a cellphone and fax machine. The seizure was reportedly aimed at controlling the circulation of information about security issues in the district. Rathor and Sunar work for the daily "Kantipur" and the privately-owned television station Channel Nepal, respectively.

Venezuela / International

La SIP aprueba 23 resoluciones con reclamos y solicitudes a gobiernos y organismos americanos

(SIP/IFEX) - Lo que sigue es un comunicado de prensa de la SIP, con fecha del 27 de octubre de 2004:

Iraq

Five Al-Arabiya employees killed by car bomb, more than a dozen others wounded

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

Iraq

Cameraman killed in Ramadi

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

Tajikistan

Concerns raised over delays in resolving broadcast licencing issues

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The following is a 31 October 2004 statement by the National Association of Independent Mass Media of Tajikistan (NANSMIT), an Adil Soz partner:

Ukraine

Television journalists expand protest movement against intimidation and censorship during presidential election campaign

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Iraq

Car bomb attack outside Baghdad offices of Al-Arabiya television station

(RSF/IFEX) - On 30 October 2004, a car bomb exploded outside the Baghdad offices of the pan-Arab television station Al-Arabiya, leaving seven people dead and at least 19 wounded, including employees of the station.

Iran

Sixth online journalist jailed

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the 28 October 2004 arrest of Iranian journalist Fershteh Ghazi, a correspondent for the daily "Etemad" ("Confidence") and contributor to several reformist news websites.

Mexico

AMARC welcomes "positive signals" from government with respect to recognition of community radio stations

(AMARC/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 28 October 2004 AMARC press release:

Sierra Leone

Editor appeals two-year prison sentence

(MFWA/IFEX) - Paul Kamara, the jailed editor of the independent newspaper "For Di People", has appealed the two-year prison sentence imposed on him by the High Court.

Ukraine

Seven journalists from privately-owned television station resign in protest over biased coverage of presidential election campaign

(RSF/IFEX) - On 29 October 2004, seven journalists with the privately-owned television station 1+1, which is controlled by presidential chief of staff Viktor Medvedchuk, resigned in protest over its biased coverage of the campaign for the 31 October presidential election. "We refuse to take part in an information war which the authorities have declared on their own people," they said.

Ukraine

Journalists launch hunger strike to protest court decision against Kanal 5 television station

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Colombia

News programme director resigns fearing for his life

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 27 October 2004, journalist Alfredo Serrano Zabala resigned from his position as director of the news programme "Las Noticias", saying that he fears for his life. He informed the public of his resignation by reading on air a letter, entitled "I silence my voice before it is silenced for me". Serrano Zabala had held the position for only three months. The event took place in Barrancabermeja, Santander department, northern Colombia.

Côte d'Ivoire

MFWA deeply concerned about attacks on newspapers seen to be "pro-rebel"

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 25 October 2004, youth supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo called the Young Patriots seized, tore up and prevented the sale of pro-opposition newspapers in the commercial capital of Abidjan.

Nepal

Journalists detained and threatened

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 23 October 2004, Deputy Senior Police Officer Madan Bista and Police Inspector Arjun Dharel held journalist Poshan K.C. for three hours in Kusum, Banke district, western Nepal. At the time, Poshan K.C., deputy editor of the state-owned Radio Nepal, was returning from celebrating the Nepalese festival of Vijayadashami. He was verbally abused and the officers threatened to physically harm him.

Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot editor continues to face legal harassment

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Yemen

Authorities close two newspapers

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an RSF press release:

Iraq

Iraqi journalist shot dead in Baghdad

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the fatal shooting in Baghdad of Iraqi television journalist Likaa Abdel-Razak on 27 October 2004. The killing "once again bears the hallmarks of an execution," the organisation said. An interpreter and the driver of the taxi in which Abdel-Razak was travelling were also killed in the shooting, while a friend of the journalist was wounded.

Eritrea

IFJ condemns government's "dictatorial" approach to press freedom

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Ukraine

Internet increasingly the target of government repression

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned an increase in the harassment of online publications and journalists in recent months in Ukraine, including the use of searches and lawsuits. "These intimidation tactics are particularly dangerous as they come just days before the presidential election," the organisation said.

China

Editor-in-chief dismissed; crackdown on Guangzhou press continues

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the dismissal of Xiao Weibi as editor-in-chief of a liberal, Guangzhou-based magazine for carrying an interview with a former, pro-reform political leader. The organisation also denounced new sanctions against Cheng Yizhong, the former editor-in-chief of the dailies "Xin Jing Bao" and "Nanfang Dushi Bao".

International

RSF releases "Third Annual Worldwide Press Freedom Index"

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 26 October 2004 RSF press release:

Portugal

Government spokesperson's statement that public service broadcasters should only have "limited freedom" worries EFJ

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a media release by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ affiliate:

Côte d'Ivoire

Youths seize and destroy opposition newspapers in orchestrated censorship campaign

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the latest campaign of censorship and intimidation against opposition news media. In recent days, gangs of young people have been roaming the streets of Abidjan, threatening and attacking street vendors who sell opposition newspapers and tearing up copies of the newspapers targeted.

Serbia / Montenegro

ANEM concerned about changes in management of local public media following local government elections

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 26 October 2004 ANEM statement:

Sri Lanka

Correspondent assaulted by opposition party member

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 26 October 2004 FMM press release:

Maldives

Cyber-dissident Fathimath Nisreen "banished" again

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed cyber-dissident Fathimath Nisreen's release from prison on 25 October 2004. However, the organisation denounced the news that she would be transferred within a few days to Feeail Island, south of the capital, to resume serving a five-year "banishment" sentence.

Azerbaijan

CPJ condemns editor's conviction

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 25 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Tunisia

RSF bemoans uniformity of Tunisian press

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 22 October 2004 RSF statement:

Uzbekistan

Journalist Ruslan Sharipov granted asylum in the United States

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a 25 September 2004 WAN press release:

North Korea

RSF fact-finding mission issues press freedom survey

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 22 October 2004 RSF statement:

Sudan

Press law renders independent and critical journalism virtually impossible, says ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 21 October 2004 ARTICLE 19 press release:

India

Investigative journalist imprisoned

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Côte d'Ivoire

Suspect faces charges in Kieffer disappearance

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 21 October 2004 RSF press release:

Venezuela

Government urged to amend radio and television bill

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern over several provisions of the draft Law on the Social Responsibility of Radio and Television and called on Venezuelan authorities to set up a special independent body to monitor the law's implementation.

Belarus

CPJ demands that authorities investigate journalist's murder; hearing against Belarusian journalist Pavel Sheremet postponed indefinitely

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Togo

"Promises and the Press": a special CPJ report

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 20 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Guatemala

Journalists harassed by police, one assaulted and injured

(CERIGUA/IFEX) - On 14 October 2004, members of the National Civil Police's (Policía Nacional Civil, PNC) Special Police Force (Fuerza Especial Policial, FEP) harassed three journalists while they were covering celebrations after Guatemala defeated Honduras in a football games. One of the journalists was assaulted and injured in the incident, which took place at "El Obelisco", near the end of Guatemala City's Avenida Reforma, where hundreds of people had gathered.

Ghana

Radio programmes banned in Northern Region

(MFWA/IFEX) - Less than two months before presidential and general elections in Ghana, radio stations operating in the Northern Region of the country have been banned from broadcasting "political" discussions, interviews and phone-in programmes.

Somalia

Journalist abducted, held overnight in Mogadishu

(RSF/IFEX) - On 24 October 2004, Zamzam Abdullahi Abdi, a member of the Somalia Women Journalists Association's (Sowja) governing board, was abducted and detained overnight by unidentified armed individuals in Mogadishu before being released on 25 October.

Bangladesh

Journalist murdered

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Zimbabwe / Côte d'Ivoire / International / Tunisia

CJFE to present International Press Freedom Awards to African journalists, Tara Singh Hayer Memorial Award to missing Franco-Canadian journalist

(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is a 20 October 2004 CJFE media advisory:

Azerbaijan

Journalist Rauf Arifoglu sentenced to five years in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is "staggered by the extraordinary harshness" of a five-year prison sentence handed down by a Baku court against Rauf Arifoglu, editor-in-chief of the country's leading opposition daily, "Yeni Musavat".

The Gambia

Cabinet decides to revoke controversial media law

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 20 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Kazakhstan

Journalist faces harassment from police

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - Adil Soz has sent letters to the Prosecutor General's Office and the South Kazakh regional prosecutor, expressing its concern that Grigoriy Melnikov, a staff reporter for "Vremya" newspaper, is being persecuted by law enforcement agencies for his criticism of them.

United States

Two reporters suspended for attending anti-Bush concert

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced shock over the three-day suspension of two reporters for the "Saint Paul Pioneer Press", a Saint Paul (Minnesota) daily. Chuck Laszewski and Rick Linsk were suspended for attending an anti-Bush concert, "Vote for Change", on 5 October 2004.

South Africa

FXI's Anti-Censorship Programme releases fourth progress report on state of freedom of expression

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is a 20 October 2004 FXI statement:

Serbia / Montenegro

ANEM managing board withdraws nominations for Broadcast Council members

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 20 October 2004 joint statement by ANEM and four other organisations:

Fiji

Photographer assaulted by parliamentary guard

(PINA/IFEX) - The following is a PINA statement:

Burma

SEAPA warns of worsening press conditions following prime minister's dismissal

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is a SEAPA statement:

China

"New York Times" researcher formally arrested

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Sierra Leone

Justice minister threatens to jail editor

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has protested over Justice Minister Fred M. Carew's recent threat to jail Chernoh Ojukwu Sesay, editor of "The Pool" newspaper.

Belarus

IFJ calls for independent investigation into opposition journalist's killing

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Belarus

RSF voices alarm over wave of press attacks during elections

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced alarm as working conditions plunged to a new low, with security forces arresting and beating journalists during elections and at opposition demonstrations. Some foreign television journalists also complained that they were prevented from sending their footage to viewers abroad.

Spain

ETA renews threats against journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed serious concern after the Basque separatist group ETA issued a series of new threats against journalists. The organisation called on Spanish authorities to protect the journalists.

Burma

New military government suspends 17 publications

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF and the Burma Media Association have expressed dismay following the new military government's suspension of 17 publications on 21 October 2004. Fourteen publications were closed indefinitely and three others temporarily.

Colombia

Journalist under threat of attack in Popayán

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 14 October 2004, journalist Silvio Sierra Sierra, host of an opinion programme broadcast on Radio Super station and a correspondent for the Cali-based newspaper "El País", was informed of a plan to attack him in the city of Popayán, southwestern Colombia.

Belarus

Journalist killed

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI letter to Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko:

Iran

European online press rally to the support of five imprisoned online journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Twenty leading European online news sites have rallied to join RSF in support of colleagues in Iran, as a fifth journalist was arrested on 18 October 2004 in a crackdown on online media. The 20 European websites have called for the release of Shahram Rafihzadeh, Hanif Mazroi, Rozbeh Mir Ebrahimi, Omid Memarian and Javad Gholam Tamayomi.

Peru

Radio journalist receives apology from government official

(IPYS/IFEX) - Journalist Giovanni Acate, director of Radio Oriente in the city of Yurimaguas, Loreto region, eastern Peru, says he has received a public apology from Loreto Regional President Robinson Rivadeneira Reátegui after having been harassed by Alto Amazonas Subregional Administration officials.

Peru

Journalists forced to flee from El Estrecho, capital of Putumayo district

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the morning of 18 October 2004, journalists Beatriz Jiménez Tejero and Luz Marina Herrera were forced to flee from El Estrecho, capital of Putumayo district, Loreto region. Under heavy police protection, the journalists were evacuated in a Peruvian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Peruana) plane after being threatened and surrounded by a group of individuals who were seeking to remove the local mayor from office.

Kazakhstan

Court decision puts pressure on newspaper

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 18 October 2004, the Medeu District Court in Almaty issued a ruling against "Argumenty i fakty" newspaper. The case was filed by Maksut Orazai, a private citizen who accused the paper of "neglecting official names." The court ruled that "Argumenty i fakty" was obliged to use only the official names of certain Kazakh cities that were renamed after the Soviet Union's collapse. The court also dismissed a lawsuit brought by "Argumenty i fakty"'s editorial board against Orazai, in which it alleged that he unjustly attacked the paper's "honour, dignity and business reputation". Adil Soz believes the court ruling is unjustified under Kazakh legislation.

United Kingdom / United States

IPI condemns British authorities' seizure of two Indymedia Web servers

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 20 October 2004 IPI letter to British Home Secretary David Blunkett:

Iraq

Facts on Iraq: Numbers show growing, evolving dangers in covering conflict

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 19 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Palestine / Israel

IPI report says press freedom deteriorating

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 19 October 2004 IPI press release:

Ukraine

Defamation case ruling threatens sole opposition television station

(RSF/IFEX) - A Kiev court's decision to freeze the financial assets of Ukraine's only opposition television station, Kanal 5, because of a defamation suit is "totally abnormal and very disturbing," said RSF. The move comes just two weeks before the presidential election.

Venezuela

Allanan tres emisoras y un canal de televisión por cable de Maracaibo

(IPYS/IFEX) - Funcionarios de la Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL) - organismo adscrito al Ministerio de Infraestructura -, acompañados de efectivos militares de la Guardia Nacional, allanaron el 13 de octubre de 2004 las instalaciones de dos emisoras de radio comunitarias, una radio comercial y un canal de televisión por cable que funcionan al sur de la ciudad de Maracaibo, capital del estado petrolero de Zulia, al occidente del país.

Sri Lanka

Grenade attack on television station

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is an 18 October 2004 FMM press release:

Sri Lanka

Four years after his murder, journalist Mayilvaganam Nimalarajan's family demands justice

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an 18 October 2004 RSF press release:

Venezuela

Journalist receives death threats

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 15 October 2004, journalist Nelson Bocaranda said he had received death threats that were linked to comments he made regarding El Hatillo Mayor Alfredo Catalá's administration. Bocaranda made the comments on his programme "Los Run Runes de Nelson", broadcast on Onda 107.9 FM radio station. El Hatillo municipality is located in eastern Caracas.

Liberia

Arrest warrant issued against journalist

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed concern over legal action taken against the independent weekly "The Vanguard Newspaper" and objected to the arrest warrant issued against one of its journalists, after he exposed questionable dealings of influential local businessman and African Development

Peru

"La Voz de Bagua Grande" radio station owner and journalist threatened

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the morning of 18 October 2004, journalist Carlos Flores Borja, owner of "La Voz de Bagua Grande" radio station, was threatened while conducting a live radio interview with Wilfredo Rosillo Merino, the leader of the Utcubamba Defence Front (Frente de Defensa de Utcubamba). Ricardo Coronado Cruzálegui, a former Utcubamba government employee called the station and threatened Flores Borja, demanding that he stop the interview immediately. The incident took place in the city of Bagua Grande, Utcubamba province, Amazonas Region, northern Peru.

Colombia

Newspaper vendor killed in Santa Marta

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 16 October 2004, the daily "El Tiempo" reported on the assassination of Jaime Alberto Madero Muñoz, a newspaper vendor in the city of Santa Marta, on Colombia's northern coast. Madero's murder was mentioned in a special report on the state of journalism on the Caribbean coast.

Nepal

Detained journalist released, another journalist attacked

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 18 October 2004, journalist and lawyer Jit Man Basnet was released by security forces after being detained for 251 days in the Royal Nepal Army's Bhairavnath barrack, in Kathmandu. Basnet was arrested by security forces in Tinkune, Kathmandu in February for his alleged connections to the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels. Basnet was the editor of the monthly magazine "Sagarmatha Times". He told the media upon his release that he was harassed and subjected to mental torture while in detention.

Iran

Journalist released after more than 18 months in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an 18 October 2004 RSF press release:

Namibia

Court protects witness's identity

(MISA/IFEX) - On 15 October 2004, the Namibia High Court at Grootfontein ordered that the identity of the third prosecution witness in the Caprivi high treason trial should not be published in the media. Judge Elton Hoff made the ruling on an application by State Advocate Taswald July for the witness's identity not to be revealed.

Turkey

RSF raises concerns about press freedom situation; journalist held for 12 hours at Istanbul anti-terrorist police headquarters

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an 18 October 2004 RSF statement:

Belarus

Russian journalist attacked outside Minsk government office and detained by police

(RSF/IFEX) - On 17 October 2004, Russian television journalist Pavel Sheremet was attacked by two plainclothes men outside a Minsk government building and then detained by police for a "minor disturbance of the peace". Sheremet is the author of a critical biography of President Alexander Lukashenko.

Iraq

IFJ and Media Alliance welcome release of Australian journalist in Iraq

(IFJ/ MEAA/IFEX) - The following is a joint IFJ and MEAA media release:

Greece

Sports journalist victim of violent attack

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced shock over an 18 October 2004 violent attack on journalist Philippos Syrigos, sports editor of the daily "Eleftherotypia". Syrigos was stabbed and beaten with iron bars on the head and back by at least three assailants wearing motorcycle helmets in Athens. The journalist is well known for his reports on doping.

Peru

Local government officials force their way into radio station

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 7 October 2004, a group of people headed by Ilo Councillor Miriam Sosa and Municipal Services Manager Denisse Chávez forced their way into Radio Líder station. The group apparently intended to assault Omar Pari Diaz, host of "Radio Noticias" programme, and David Pari Yana, head of the press department. The incident took place at approximately 1:00 p.m. (local time) in Ilo, Moquegua region, southern Peru.

Togo

Government promises to guarantee journalist's safety following death threats

(RSF/IFEX) - On 13 October 2004, Minister of Communications and Civic Education Pitang Tchalla assured RSF's Togo correspondent and other representatives of press freedom organisations that the government recognised its obligation to guarantee the safety of journalist Jean-Baptiste Dzilan, publication director of the privately-owned weekly "Forum de la Semaine".

Philippines

Radio commentator killed

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

International

Newspaper organisations protest United Nations examination of editorial quality

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is an 18 October 2004 WAN press release:

International / Belgium

IFJ vows to continue fight for protection of sources in Tillack case

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Russia

Killers go free 10 years after Moscow journalist's murder

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Zimbabwe

Bill to tighten media law introduced

(MISA/IFEX) - The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) Amendment Bill, which is designed to tighten the controversial media law, was tabled in Parliament on 5 October 2004.

Iran

Human Rights Watch calls for release of journalist and Internet writer Omid Memarian

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2004 Human Rights Watch press release:

Macedonia

ARTICLE 19 issues second memorandum on draft access to information law

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2004 ARTICLE 19 press release:

International

CPJ to present press freedom awards to journalists from Belarus, Burma, Burundi and the United States

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Indonesia

IFJ welcomes Press Council decision

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Peru

Journalists and camera operators assaulted

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the afternoon of 15 October 2004, several journalists were attacked while reporting on a violent confrontation between police and fruit market vendors. The incident occurred in Lima's La Victoria district. The reporters were assaulted by thugs, who were apparently hired to fight off the police and prevent them from evicting the vendors from the market. When the thugs realised that they were being filmed, they assaulted the reporters and seized their cameras and video tapes.

Zimbabwe

Justice, legal and parliamentary affairs minister says government will not allow opposition party access to public media

(MISA/IFEX) - The government will not allow the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) access to the public media ahead of the parliamentary elections slated for March 2005, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Patrick Chinamasa said in Harare on 13 October 2004.

Côte d'Ivoire

French peacekeepers rescue missing journalist from rebel zone

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Somalia

Self-proclaimed president's militia threaten and shoot at journalist in Mogadishu

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned an attack by militiamen working for businessman and self-proclaimed president Abdinur Ahmed Darman. On 16 October 2004, Darman's militiamen slapped, threatened and shot at radio reporter Abdullahi Yassin Jama in Mogadishu after he and another journalist interviewed the inhabitants of a refugee camp.

Zimbabwe

Journalists apply for removal from remand

(MISA/IFEX) - On 1 November 2004, a Harare magistrate is expected to rule on whether four journalists who work for the privately-owned "Zimbabwe Independent" newspaper and who are being charged with criminal defamation should be removed from remand.

Thailand

Reforms needed on libel laws, say legal and media experts

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Legal and media experts in Thailand are sharing in concerns that the country's libel laws are being used by the powerful as weapons against critics and the press, and are no longer serving their intended purpose of protecting the reputations of individuals.

Pakistan

Information minister warns of action against media outlets "glorifying terrorists"

(PPF/IFEX) - Pakistan's national editors' body, the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), has strongly criticised a statement by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in which he warned media outlets against "glorifying terrorists" and said that anyone seen to be speaking on behalf of terrorists would be "considered a terrorist."

Iraq

Another Iraqi journalist gunned down in front of his home

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the 14 October fatal shootings of two Iraqi journalists in Iraq. Television journalist Dina Mohammed Hassan was shot dead outside her home in Baghdad as she was leaving for work. Photographer Karam Hussein was gunned down outside his home in the northern city of Mosul.

Zimbabwe

Police harass journalist

(MISA/IFEX) - On 30 September 2004, freelance journalist Frank Chikowore was barred from covering the initial remand hearing of a group of women who were arrested in Chegutu while on their way to Harare to protest a controversial non-governmental organisations (NGO) bill.

Zimbabwe

Newspaper threatened over president's photo

(MISA/IFEX) - On 16 September 2004, the Media and Information Commission (MIC) issued a 1 October deadline to Bornwell Chakaodza, editor of the privately-owned weekly "The Standard", to submit the negative of a photograph of President Robert Mugabe taken at the Harare Agricultural Show in August.

Greece

Book banned, publisher and author charged with "blasphemy"

(IPA/IFEX) - The following is a 7 October 2004 IPA statement:

Kazakhstan

Journalists' rights violated during elections

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech, Adil Soz, has documented 39 cases of violations of journalists' rights surrounding the 19 September 2004 elections for the Majilis (lower chamber of Parliament).

Malawi

Photographer and journalist attacked

(MISA/IFEX) - On 7 October 2004, photographer Emmanuel Muwamba and journalist Pilirani Semu-Banda, of "The Nation" newspaper, escaped with tattered clothes after police attacked them as they covered industrial unrest at a tea estate in southern Malawi.

Iraq

Journalist killed in drive-by shooting in Baghdad

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Iran

Another journalist arrested for contributing to reformist websites

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned a renewed crackdown on the online press following the 10 October 2004 arrest of Omid Memarian on the orders of the Tehran Prosecutor's Office's Ninth Chamber. Memarian was detained for posting articles on several reformist websites. Three other journalists are currently in custody for the same reasons.

Zimbabwe

Journalist arrested over army story

(MISA/IFEX) - On 13 October 2004, Richard Musazulwa, a special correspondent for the privately-owned weekly "The Standard", appeared in court on charges of publishing falsehoods under Section 80 (1) (b) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). He was granted ZWD$50,000 (approx. US$9.00) bail and remanded in custody until 26 October.

Zimbabwe

Photojournalists arrested

(MISA/IFEX) - On 5 October 2004, photojournalists Tsvangirai Mukwazhi, Desmond Kwande and Howard Burditt were arrested outside the Parliament Building in Harare while covering a demonstration by women protesting a proposed non-governmental organisations (NGO) bill.

Maldives

RSF concerned over fate of four cyber-dissidents two months after their arrest

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed concern about four cyber-dissidents - Mohamed Zaki, Ahmad Didi, Fathimath Nisreen and Naushad Waheed - arrested on 13 August 2004 as police broke up a pro-democracy demonstration. The organisation says it is especially worried about their prison conditions and has called for their immediate release.

Namibia

Journalists attacked, equipment damaged

(MISA/IFEX) - On 30 September 2004, three employees of Democratic Media Holdings (DMH) were forced to flee in fear of bodily harm when an interview suddenly took a turn for the worse. The interviewee was well-known businessman Manfred Franz, the managing director of Nopaska Electronic (Pty) Ltd. The interview took place at the businessman's residence in Okatana, outside Oshakati.

Tonga

PINA hails media ruling declaring two media regulations void

(PINA/IFEX) - The following is a 13 October 2004 PINA statement:

Greece

Appeals court rules against publisher for dismissing journalist who had decried censorship

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 October 2004 IFJ media release:

International

Repressive governments biggest threat to independent press, say WAN conference participants

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a 13 October 2004 WAN press release:

United States

Judge orders second journalist to jail for refusing to testify before grand jury

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 October 2004 CPJ press release:

United Kingdom / United States

AMARC and IFJ call for solidarity action on Indymedia closures

(AMARC/IFJ/IFEX) - The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have called for solidarity action in support of Indymedia, a global network of independent media organizations, following the recent seizure of Indymedia servers and the closure of 20 Indymedia websites.

Nepal

Army harasses Nepalgunj daily; journalist beaten and threatened by police officers

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has protested after a group of soldiers forced a staff member of the daily "Kalpristha" in Nepalgunj, southern Nepal, to open the paper's offices, where they conducted a search before arresting him and taking him back to their barracks for interrogation. The troops arrested Bharat Oli as he was distributing copies of "Kalpristha" on the morning of 9 October 2004. A few days earlier, a police officer made a death threat against a journalist with the daily "Rajdhani", the organisation said.

Russia

Court acquits suspect in editor's murder

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 12 October 2004 CPJ press release:

International

Rights organisations and intellectuals support call for treaty protection for academic freedom, freedom of expression and media freedom

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 12 October 2004 press statement:

Colombia

Journalists cancel editorial programme after being urged to change its content

(FLIP/IFEX) - Journalists Ramón B. Jimeno, Juan Manuel López and Alejo Vargas have decided to cancel the "Tercera Dimensión" programme, which has been broadcast on the Bogotá-based Radio Santafé station for the last seven years. The journalists were reacting to the station management's request that they change the content of the information presented on the programme.

Colombia

Journalist and camera operator kidnapped

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 10 October 2004, Luis Carlos Burbano Carvajal, a Caracol Noticias Televisión station correspondent in Nariño department, and his camera operator, Mauricio Mesa Lancheros, were kidnapped by members of the Jacinto Matallana unit of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo, FARC-EP) guerrilla group. The incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. (local time) in La Divina Pastora municipality, on the border between the departments of Nariño and Putumayo, southern Colombia.

International

Participants at WAN conference seek ways to combat obstacles hindering independent media development in the region

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is an 11 October 2004 WAN press release:

South Africa

FXI urges court to allow television station and public broadcaster to transmit live broadcasts of corruption trial

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an 11 October 2004 FXI statement:

Thailand

Court pushes back Supinya trial to second half of 2005

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The start of a civil libel case that has Thai journalists anxious over the security of their sector has been pushed back to the second half of 2005.

United Kingdom / United States

RSF challenges British Home Secretary over Indymedia website closures

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the 7 October 2004 seizure of United Kingdom (UK)-based webservers used by some 20 Indymedia websites. The organisation has written to British Home Secretary David Blunkett, with copies to his United States (US), Italian and Swiss counterparts, seeking an explanation for the confiscations.

Namibia

Media face partial ban on reporting of treason trial

(MISA/IFEX) - On 7 October 2004, the state prosecution in the Caprivi high treason trial asked the court to place a partial ban on the media's reporting of the trial. State Advocate Taswald July asked Judge Elton Hoff to order the media not to reveal the identity of the third witness the state intends to call.

Colombia

Release of one of the accused in journalist's murder a setback in the fight against impunity, says IAPA

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an 8 October 2004 IAPA press release:

Lesotho

MISA-Lesotho denied access to airwaves

(MISA/IFEX) - Since 6 October 2004, MISA's Lesotho chapter has been denied access to state-owned radio and television to comment on media law reform and to advocate changes to national radio and television.

Syria

Kurdish journalism student sentenced to three years in prison for posting photos on website

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the State Security Court's 10 October 2004 decision to sentence Massud Hamid, a journalism student and member of Syria's Kurdish minority, to three years in prison. Hamid was found guilty of "belonging to a secret organisation" and "attempting to incorporate part of Syria's territory into a third country."

Nepal

Journalist arrested

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 9 October 2004, plainclothes security forces arrested journalist Yagya Dhakal from Shantinagar, Kathmandu. Dhakal is the publisher and chief editor of "Aawaj Weekly", published in Kathmandu. The reason for the arrest and Dhakal's whereabouts remain unknown.

Peru

Journalists and television director resign

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the evening of 6 October 2004, Carlos Espá and Rosana Cueva, host and director, respectively, of América Televisión's "Cuarto Poder" political affairs programme, announced during a press conference that they had resigned from their positions. Their decision was made after President Alejandro Toledo allegedly demanded a public apology for a report aired on the 3 October edition of the programme.

Belarus

Newspaper ordered to stop publishing for three months

(WAN/IFEX) - In an 11 October 2004 letter to President Alexander Lukashenko, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed alarm at the government's apparent campaign of closures of independent newspapers in the run-up to the October elections, noting that the closures cannot be credible in such circumstances.

Sierra Leone

IPI concerned that editor's right to a fair trial was compromised

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an 8 October 2004 IPI letter to President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah:

Iran

RSF concerned over mounting press freedom violations

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed concern over mounting press freedom violations in Iran, where journalists are constantly being threatened or summoned for questioning by officials in the justice and intelligence ministries.

Russia

CPJ concerned about criminal inquiry against North Ossetian journalist

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

Zimbabwe

Minister says opposition will be denied access to state media

(RSF/IFEX) - After years of hounding the independent press, President Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe is establishing itself as one of the African countries that places the most curbs on its population's right to information. RSF is particularly alarmed by Information Minister Jonathan Moyo's warning, during a provincial tour on 3 October 2004, that the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) will be denied access to the state media even though general elections are scheduled for next year. "Unless and until we have a loyal opposition, it will not be possible for them to access the public media," Moyo said.

Syria

RSF urges president to release three journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to immediately release three journalists, two of whom were recently arrested and one who has been imprisoned for more than a year.

Nepal

CEHURDES condemns death threats against journalists

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 6 October 2004, Kshetra Bahadur Regmi, alias "Kisaan", a Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) local leader, issued death threats against four journalists for publishing news reports on the abduction of students from a number of schools. Regmi is a member of the CPN-Maoist "peoples' government" in Parbat district, western Nepal.

United Kingdom / United States

FBI seizes Indymedia servers in the United Kingdom

(AMARC/IFEX) - AMARC is deeply concerned by reports about the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seizure of Indymedia servers in the United Kingdom. Indymedia is a global independent media network. Indymedia activists report that on the morning of 7 October 2004, United States (US) authorities issued a federal order to Rackspace, an internet service provider, ordering them to hand over information hosted on Indymedia web servers to the FBI. Rackspace, which provides hosting services for more than 20 Indymedia sites at its London facility, is reported to have complied by turning over two Indymedia servers to the US authorities, effectively removing those sites from the Internet.

United States

Judge holds "New York Times" reporter in contempt in CIA case

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 7 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Nepal

Maoist chief issues death threats against three journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Three journalists working for national newspapers in the central Parbat region have received death threats from a local Maoist leader after they investigated abductions of schoolchildren by Maoists.

Honduras

Security minister says shots fired at "La Tribuna" were accidental

(RSF/IFEX) - In response to a letter from RSF, Security Minister Oscar Álvarez Guerrero said an investigation has established that a uniformed police officer "accidentally" fired shots at the offices of the daily "La Tribuna" when he was cleaning his service firearm. The incident took place on 1 October 2004.

Malaysia

Malaysia threatens to use Internal Security Act and sedition laws against webmasters

(SEAPA/IFEX) - SEAPA is gravely concerned by the government's stated intent to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) and Sedition Act to potentially control the flow of information and opinion in Malaysia-based Internet operations.

China

RSF urges French President Chirac to use visit to press for cyber-dissident Huang Qi's release

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an RSF press release:

Malaysia

Authorities threaten blogger

(RSF/IFEX) - The internal security minister has threatened to imprison Jeff Ooi, manager of the weblog Screenshots (http://www.jeffooi.com), after a message was posted to Ooi's weblog insulting Islam Hadhari, a religious practice promoted by the government. RSF condemned the intimidating remarks and called on Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to see that no legal action is taken against Ooi.

Sierra Leone

CPJ condemns editor's prison sentence

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 6 October 2004 letter to President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, CPJ condemned the imprisonment of Paul Kamara, editor and publisher of "For Di People" newspaper. On 5 October, Kamara was sentenced to two years in prison stemming from October 2003 articles that criticized the president.

Togo

Publication director receives death threats

(RSF/IFEX) - The publication director of the privately-owned weekly "Forum de la Semaine", Jean-Baptiste Dzilan (also known as Dimas Dzikodo), has been receiving anonymous telephone calls in which the caller has threatened to kill him. The threats began after he published a report by an opposition group.

Peru

Chaupimarca district governor assaults journalist

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 22 September 2004, journalist Juan Berrospi Meza was assaulted by Chaupimarca District Governor José Yauri Mizari. Berrospi Meza directs the "The good, the bad and the ugly in the news" ("Lo bueno, lo malo y lo feo de la noticia") programme, broadcast on Radio Altura Digital station. The incident took place in the Pasco region, central Peru, after Berrospi Meza interviewed Pasco Subprefect Pasión Dávila Atanasio on his programme. During the programme Dávila Atanasio indicated that the governor would be dismissed from his post.

Turkey

IPA calls for amendment to Penal Code to allow for free expression on Armenian genocide

(IPA/IFEX) - The following is a 4 October 2004 IPA press release:

Kazakhstan

Vendors prohibited from selling opposition newspaper

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - Just prior to the 19 September 2004 elections for the Majilis, Kazakhstan's lower chamber of parliament, unidentified individuals in civilian clothing prohibited vendors from selling "Respublica" newspaper. The individuals introduced themselves as "akimat" (local executive branch) officials and presented unclear documents prohibiting the distribution of "Respublica". According to "Respublica" readers, most vendors keep the newspaper hidden and sell it only to those who ask for it.

China

Internet essayist, writer and journalist Huang Jinqiu sentenced to twelve years in prison

(WiPC/IFEX) - WiPC has protested the heavy sentence handed down on 27 September 2004 by the Changzhou Intermediate People's Court to Internet essayist, writer and journalist Huang Jinqiu (aka Qing Shuijun). Huang was sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges of "subversion of state power" for a large number of essays published on the Internet.

Peru

President Toledo insults television programme host following broadcast of compromising video

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the evening of 3 October 2004, during a live broadcast of the "Cuarto Poder" political affairs television programme, President Alejandro Toledo made a telephone call to programme host Carlos Espá. Toledo called Espá a "coward" and accused him of carrying out "dishonourable journalism." The incident took place immediately after a video showing the president during a social gathering in the late 1990s was broadcast on the programme. The footage was taken when Toledo was still a presidential candidate and could prove that there were irregularities in the governing party's legal registration with the National Elections Committee (Jurado Nacional de Elecciones). "Cuatro Poder" is broadcast on América Televisión, Channel 4.

Nepal

South Asian journalists call for security and freedom of Nepalese colleagues

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 September 2004 statement signed by participants in a workshop organised by IFJ and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) on "Building Union Capacity for Human Rights and Conflict Reporting in South Asia", which took place in Kathmandu, Nepal:

Dominican Republic

RSF calls for investigation into attempted assassination of television station director

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed concern over the attempted assassination of Euri Cabral, director of Channel 23 television and host of Radio Z-101's "El gobierno de la Mañana" programme.

Russia

Moscow police back away from claims of Chechen connection in Klebnikov murder

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Nepal

IPI welcomes press freedom commitments by government and Maoist rebels

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI press release:

Libya

RSF urges French foreign minister to raise press freedom issue during upcoming visit

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 1 October 2004 RSF press release:

Honduras

Daily's offices attacked

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - On the night of 1 October 2004, the offices of the Tegucigalpa-based daily "La Tribuna" came under attack. A group allegedly composed of police officers fired shots at the daily's administrative and editorial offices as they drove by.

Colombia

"Semana" magazine receives threats

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 2 October 2004, "Semana" magazine published an editorial in which it reported that it had received threats and that state security personnel are tapping the mobile and home telephones of some of the magazine's journalists.

Central African Republic

RSF hails publishers' "day without newspapers" to demand decriminalisation of press offences

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has hailed a 30 September 2004 announcement by the Central African Republic Association of Private and Independent Newspaper Publishers (Groupement des éditeurs de la presse privée indépendante de Centrafrique, GEPPIC) saying it will no longer publish newspapers on Fridays, beginning 1 October, until President François Bozizé's government keeps a promise to decriminalise press offences.

Bangladesh

CPJ investigating potential motives behind editor's slaying

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Côte d'Ivoire

CPJ concerned about journalist's disappearance, fears he may be held by rebels

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 October 2004 CPJ press release:

Belarus

Government tightens control over independent press ahead of referendum as three more newspapers suspended, journalist fined

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the Information Ministry's ban on nine independent newspapers in the last two months in the run-up to legislative elections and a constitutional referendum on 17 October 2004.

Turkey

Human Rights Watch calls for further progress on freedom of expression before EU decision

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) - The following is a Human Rights Watch press release:

Chile

RSF concerned over robbery at magazine's premises

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed its concern over a 28 September 2004 robbery at the premises of the bi-monthly magazine "El Periodista".

Guinea

Security minister seizes weekly's entire print run

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has criticised Guinean Security Minister Moussa Sampil for confiscating all 950 copies of the weekly "Le Petit matin" on 23 September 2004 because of an article ridiculing his "mistakes", and then trying to justify the seizure by falsely claiming the newspaper was illegal.

Azerbaijan

RSF alerts Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to press freedom violations

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to firmly condemn Azerbaijan for tolerating escalating press freedom violations.

Argentina

Access to information threatened in Mendoza and Santa Fe provinces

(PERIODISTAS/IFEX) - On 21 September 2004, a number of organisations, including PERIODISTAS, sent letters to the Chamber of Deputies in the provinces of Mendoza and Santa Fe, calling on them to remove certain restrictions from two access to information bills.

Belarus

IPI concerned about closure of several newspapers ahead of October parliamentary elections

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 4 October 2004 IPI letter to President Aleksandr Lukashenko:

Bangladesh

Editor killed

(Media Watch/IFEX) - On the night of 2 October 2004, Dipankar Chakroborty, a 55-year-old senior journalist and executive editor of the Bogra-based daily "Durjoy Bangla", was hacked to death near his residence in Sherpur. The attack occurred as Chakroborty, who was also vice-president of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), was returning home from his workplace. According to witnesses, a group of individuals who were riding on motorcycles assaulted the journalist, striking him from behind with sharp weapons.

Belarus

Independent newspaper closed for three months

(WAN/IFEX) - In a 1 October 2004 letter to President Alexander Lukashenko, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed alarm at the closure of the "Regional Newspaper" and four other independent publications in the run-up to the October elections, which cannot be credible in such circumstances.

Bahrain

Human rights centre closed as crackdown expands

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) - The following is a 30 September 2004 Human Rights Watch press release:

Morocco

Editor's prison sentence increased to one year on appeal

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF deplores the one-year prison sentence and 10,000 dirham (approx. US$1,100; 900 euros) fine handed down by the Rabat Appeals Court, on 29 September 2004, against journalist Anas Tadili. Tadili is accused of libelling Economy Minister Fathallah Oualalou.

Guatemala

Journalist assassinated, another journalist receives death threats

(CERIGUA/IFEX) - On 28 September 2004, journalist Miguel Ángel Morales, secretary general of the National Press Society (Círculo Nacional de Prensa, CNP), was assassinated. The incident occurred on the highway from Guatemala City to Izabal department, in northern Guatemala. In a separate case, CERIGUA was informed that journalist César Augusto López Valle, director of the magazine "Panorama", based in Retalhuleu department, approximately 200 kilometres from Guatemala City, received a death threat.

Dominican Republic

IAPA condemns attack on journalist

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 30 September 2004 IAPA press release:

Peru

Journalist asks for protection after calling for investigation into congressman's conduct

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 29 September 2004, Pedro Salinas, a columnist for the daily "Correo", asked the Lima Prefecture to provide him with protection following a series of incidents that led him to suspect that he is being followed. According to the journalist, he is being targeted for having publicly condemned the actions of Member of Congress Jorge Mufarech.

Bahrain

Bahrain Center for Human Rights director sentenced to 45 days imprisonment pending investigations

(CIHRS/IFEX) - The following is a 29 September 2004 press release:

Philippines

IFJ calls for public commitment to journalists' safety

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 September 2004 IFJ media release: