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Alerts - 2005 - January-March

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Niger

CPJ condemns crackdown on media coverage

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Kazakhstan

Documents and electronic files stolen from opposition newspaper editor's flat

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 30 March 2005, unidentified individuals broke into the flat of Alberg Zhiger, an editor-in-chief of "Alternativa", the only opposition newspaper in Zhambyl region. In Zhiger's absence, burglars forced the door of his flat open and took disks containing archive materials belonging to the paper's editorial board and information needed for the paper's next edition. The intruders also took important notebooks and other documents, but left cash, electronic gear, a computer and other valuables.

Peru

Journalist attacked, threatened with death by two activists he had accused of corruption

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the 17 March 2005 attack against Magno Sosa, the editor of the bimonthly "Rebelión", in the southern region of Ayacucho. Sosa was attacked and threatened by two women activists he had accused of corruption.

Togo

Radio Victoire allowed to resume broadcasting

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed a 25 March 2005 decision by Togolese authorities' to allow Radio Victoire to resume broadcasting.

Libya

Cyber-dissident reportedly arrested in Tobruk

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the release of cyber-dissident Abdel Razak Al Mansouri, whose arrest on 12 January 2005 has just been reported. He criticised the Libyan government on a United Kingdom (UK)-based website. There has been no word of him since his detention.

Afghanistan

Conservatives launch new campaign against "anti-Islamic" television stations

(RSF/IFEX) - In response to a new wave of pressure from conservatives, RSF has urged President Hamid Karzai to take a clear public stance in support of cable television and diversity in the broadcast media. The Ulema Council, led by Supreme Court President Fazl Hadi Shinwari, has called for a ban on "anti-Islamic" television stations.

China

RSF condemns cyber-dissident's imprisonment

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the detention of dissident journalist Zheng Yichun, whose arrest on 3 December 2004 for writing articles for publications and websites based abroad has only just emerged.

Niger

Journalist's digital camera seized

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 24 March 2005, a digital camera belonging to Gorel Haroun, a reporter for the weekly newspaper "Le Républicain", was seized by Ben Omar Mohamed, the minister responsible for relations with state institutions. The incident took place during a press conference on recent civil society demonstrations against increases in the prices of various goods.

Kazakhstan

Public Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech protests increasing pressure on independent media in lead up to presidential election

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - In a 9 March 2005 statement, the Public Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech, of which Adil Soz president Tamara Kaleyeva is a member, protested against the increasing pressure faced by independent mass media. The statement follows:

Peru

Journalist assaulted by municipal police officers

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 26 March 2005, at 1:00 p.m. (local time), a group of 15 municipal police officers assaulted journalist Víctor Abel del Castillo Saavedra, of TV Sur Canal 9 station. The journalist sustained minor injuries all over his body. The incident occurred in Nazarenas square, in the city of Cusco, southeastern Peru.

Mozambique

Media barred from covering libel trial

(MISA/IFEX) - On 28 March 2005, the Maputo City Court's eighth section, in an unprecedented move, decided to bar the media from covering a libel case involving one of six men sentenced to long prison terms in January 2003 for the murder of Mozambique's foremost investigative journalist, Carlos Cardoso.

Togo

State television crew attacked during opposition demonstration

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has urged Togo's presidential candidates to appeal to their supporters not to use violence against journalists after a crew from the state-owned television station TVT was attacked and threatened during a rally by the opposition Union of Forces for Change (UFC) on 26 March 2005. Demonstrators were demanding the postponement of the 24 April presidential election.

Algeria

IFJ condemns judicial harassment of journalists

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 17 March 2005 IFJ media release:

Philippines

CPJ investigating whether columnist's assassination was linked to her work

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Zimbabwe

South African radio stations refused accreditation to cover elections

(MISA/IFEX) - Zimbabwean authorities have refused accreditation to the South Africa-based Talk Radio 702 and 567 CapeTalk radio stations to cover 31 March 2005 general elections in Zimbabwe. The stations were informed of the decision on 23 March. No reasons were given for the refusal.

Vietnam

RSF calls for amnesty for cyber-dissident Pham Hong Son

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has urged the European Union Commissioner for External Relations and the US Secretary of State to press for cyber-dissident Pham Hong Son to be included in a forthcoming amnesty announced by Vietnamese authorities. Pham Hong Son is about to start his fourth year in jail.

Kazakhstan

Court orders newspaper to stop publishing

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 25 March 2005, the Inter-District Economic Court in Almaty held final hearings in the case against the Bestau company, which owns "Respublika" newspaper. The Culture, Information and Sport Ministry's Information and Archives Committee filed the lawsuit after the newspaper published transcripts of an interview given by Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the Russian Parliament's (Duma) vice-speaker and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), to Radio Echo Moscvy (Radio Echo of Moscow).

Panama

WPFC welcomes introduction of bill eliminating the crime of "insult" from Panamanian legislation, encourages president to decriminalise defamation

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2005 WPFC letter to President Martín Torrijos Espino:

Iraq

Three Romanian journalists missing

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has said it is "extremely concerned" about the 28 March 2005 disappearance and probable abduction of three Romanian journalists in a Baghdad suburb.

Costa Rica

"La Nación" newspaper the target of two shooting incidents in less than a month

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Venezuela

Penal Code amendments pose threat to press freedom

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern over the increased penalties for press offences contained in amendments to Venezuela's Penal Code, which took effect on 16 March 2005. The organisation called the amendments "a big step backwards" for press freedom.

Cuba

Police informer tries to implicate dissident journalist in "imaginary crime"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF voiced outrage today over a 17 March 2005 attempt to implicate journalist María Elena Alpízar Ariosa, of the independent news agency Grupo de Trabajo Decoro, in an imaginary crime in Placetas, Santa Clara province, central Cuba.

Belarus

KGB and police seize independent weekly's computers

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the 24 March 2005 seizure of four computers and printing equipment from the independent weekly "Zhoda" by plainclothes members of the Belarusian KGB and local police. The Minsk-based newspaper, which has a circulation of 5,000, is accused of illegally installing its offices in an apartment.

Russia

Criminal court sentences museum director and curator on charges of "inciting religious enmity"

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

Philippines

Newspaper columnist assassinated

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed "horror" at the murder of newspaper columnist Marlyn Garcia Esperat, of the weekly "Midland Review". Garcia Esperat was shot dead by two gunmen on 24 March 2005, at her home in Tacurong, on the southern island of Mindanao. Her 10-year-old daughter was with her at the time.

Chechnya (Russia)

Russian Foreign Ministry accuses Swedish media of fomenting violence

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Kazakhstan

Copies of opposition newspapers seized

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The press agency of the dissolved Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) party stated that, in February 2005, police officers stepped up efforts to seize copies of "Dauys DVK" newspaper from the newspaper's distributors. The DVK has been shut down by court order.

Russia

Court reduces financial penalty against independent daily

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Kyrgyzstan

Journalist arrested, state-run television and radio media prevented from reporting on protests as president flees amid unrest, fraud, censorship

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

Nigeria

Journalists attacked

(MRA/IFEX) - On 21 March 2005, Ijendu Iheaka, a reporter for "The Punch" newspaper, and Mathia Nwogu, a reporter for "The Sun" newspaper, were mobbed and their tape recorders seized by traders at the Ariaria International Market in Aba, the capital of Abia State, southeastern Nigeria, for entering the traders' "territory" without giving them prior notice and obtaining their permission.

Kyrgyzstan

Bulgarian journalist assaulted, members of Russian television crew attacked by mob

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

Serbia / Montenegro

ARTICLE 19 and Montenegrin Helsinki Committee concerned that Montenegro's draft law on free access to information may not comply with international standards

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2005 open letter by ARTICLE 19 and the Montenegrin Helsinki Committee:

China

Political essayist Zhang Lin formally arrested; Internet journalist Zheng Yichun imprisoned since December 2004

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Australia

Australian security laws muzzle media, says journalists' union

(MEAA/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2005 MEAA media release:

Malaysia

Blogger questioned by police and government officials; university committee summons student for a third time

(SEAPA/IFEX) - SEAPA has expressed grave concern over a perceived trend of official harassment being waged against Malaysian bloggers.

Somalia

Two journalists fired, arrested for working for London-based radio station

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has accused the breakaway state of Somaliland's government of abusing its authority by ordering the dismissal and arrest of two part-time employees of the state-owned Radio Hargeisa station, on the grounds that they also worked for a new privately-owned radio station broadcasting from London.

Pakistan

Journalist assaulted in the Northern Areas

(RSF/IFEX) - On 20 March 2005, an army officer brutally assaulted journalist Nisar Abbas, of the privately-owned Geo TV and the daily "Jang" in Skardu (Northern Areas). The journalist confirmed to RSF that he was assaulted during a military raid to obstruct a ceremony organised by a humanitarian non-governmental organisation. A soldier beat Abbas with the butt of his rifle, leaving him badly bruised, particularly on his shoulders.

Kyrgyzstan

Head of journalists' union injured by police while covering protest

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 23 March 2005, Azamat Kalman, the chairman of the independent Trade Union of Journalists, was injured while police were dispersing protesters who were demanding President Askar Akayev's resignation. At the time of the incident, Kalman was covering the protest in the capital, Bishkek. Shortly after the demonstration started, police pushed the journalist and several protesters to an underground subway passage and began beating them with batons. The police officers threw Kalman from a wall. He fell about three metres and was subsequently taken to hospital with serious leg injuries.

Argentina

RSF concerned over repeated attempts to intimidate television producer and his family

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed outrage at an attempt to intimidate Daniel Otero, co-producer of the investigative programme "Puntodoc" on Azul TV. The incident, which took place on 12 March 2005 in Quilmes, southeastern Buenos Aires, follows a number of threats against Otero and a physical attack on his 19-year-old son on 25 December 2004.

Honduras

Congress ratifies constitutional reform establishing principle of "habeas data"

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an 18 March 2005 PROBIDAD statement:

Kazakhstan

Lawsuit launched against newspaper's owner

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The Culture, Information and Sport Ministry has launched a lawsuit against the Bastau company, which owns the newly established "Respublika Analiticheskiy Yezhenedelnik" ("Respublika Analytical Weekly") newspaper, demanding that the company be liquidated. The suit was launched after the newspaper published transcripts of an interview given by Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the Russian parliament's (Duma) vice-speaker and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), to Radio Echo Moscvy (Radio Echo of Moscow). The transcripts of the interview were published on 20 January 2005, in the newspaper's first issue. In the interview, Zhirinovsky was highly critical of the way Kazakhstan's statehood and the nation's cultural and historical values are developing.

Brazil

IAPA calls for action in case of journalist's murder

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 21 March 2005 IAPA press release:

Yemen

President pardons jailed editor

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

Iraq / United States

Pentagon refuses to reopen inquiry into allegations of abuse of three Reuters' employees

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 March 2005 CPJ press release:

China

Court dismisses NTDTV appeal against termination of Eutelsat contract

(RSF/IFEX) - A Paris high court has dismissed an appeal brought by Chinese-language New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) against the termination of its contract by satellite provider Eutelsat. A lawyer for the station said he was determined to continue the fight.

Turkey

IPI concerned about new Penal Code; several journalists face criminal prosecution

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI letter to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan:

Côte d'Ivoire

Camera operator and sound engineer for national television station assaulted and detained by police

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 12 March 2005, Moussa N'Daye and Vincent Guéhou, a camera operator and sound engineer, respectively, for the National Broadcasting Corporation's television station, were assaulted and detained by police officers from Abidjan's 3rd district. At the time of the incident, they were covering a conference on vehicular traffic in the commune of Adjamé, a commercial district in the centre of Abidjan.

Nepal

Maoists claim responsibility in two year old murder of Radio Nepal journalist

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed its dismay after Maoists revealed they were responsible for the murder of Dhana Bahadur Rokka Magar, a journalist for the state-run Radio Nepal. The rebels had abducted the journalist on 1 August 2002.

Yemen

Court upholds sentence against imprisoned journalist, judge orders prosecutor to question other journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Rwanda

Editor's conviction upheld, sentence toughened

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Singapore

Director withdraws documentary from festival on government "advice"

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Threats of imprisonment and crippling fines have prompted a Singaporean filmmaker to pull his movie from Singapore's annual film festival.

Iraq

RSF reiterates call for handover of British military's full report into disappearance of French cameraman

(RSF/IFEX) - On the second anniversary of French cameraman Fred Nérac's disappearance in southern Iraq, RSF again called on the British government to hand over the British military police's full report on the investigation into the case to the French authorities and to Nérac's family.

Zimbabwe

Government jams short-wave radio broadcasts by London-based station

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed "outrage" over Zimbabwe's jamming of short-wave broadcasts by SW Radio Africa, a privately-owned radio station based in London which employs Zimbabwean journalists living in exile. The broadcasts have been blocked since 7 March 2005.

Liberia

"Forum" newspaper offices reopened

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 15 March 2005, officials of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court reopened the Monrovia offices of "Forum" newspaper, following the persistent refusal by the newspaper's management to pay a "bribe" of 500 Liberian dollars (approx. US$10) that had previously been demanded by the court as a pre-condition for its reopening. The newspaper reappeared on newsstands on 16 March.

Serbia / Montenegro

Radio station editor faces libel charges

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 21 March 2005 ANEM statement:

Azerbaijan

President pardons imprisoned opposition editor

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 March 2005 CPJ press release:

The Gambia

Intelligence agents interrogate murdered editor's partner

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced amazement after Pap Saine, co-owner of "The Point" newspaper and partner of murdered journalist Deyda Hydara, was interrogated on 17 March 2005 at the headquarters of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in Banjul, as a suspect in Hydara's murder. Saine was questioned at length about the newspaper's management and tax situation.

Cuba

Journalist José Luis García Paneque in danger of dying

(RSF/IFEX) - On the second anniversary of his arrest, RSF voiced alarm at the dramatic decline in the health of José Luis García Paneque, 39, director of the independent news agency Libertad. The journalist, who is serving a 24-year prison sentence, has lost 40 kg in the past two years.

Belgium

European Federation of Journalists welcomes adoption of law on protection of journalists' sources

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 March 2005 IFJ media release:

India

Press group harasses blogger

(RSF/IFEX) - In a letter to the head of the Times of India press group, RSF has expressed concern over the harassment of journalist Pradyuman Maheshwari by the group's lawyers. Maheshwari, who operates the weblog http://www.mediaah.com, felt compelled to close the blog as a result of the harassment.

Cuba

Twenty-one imprisoned journalists urgently in need of help two years after "Black Spring"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is campaigning harder than ever for the 21 Cuban journalists who have been imprisoned since an 18 March 2003 crackdown in which 75 dissidents and journalists were arrested. Two years after the crackdown, which has become known as Cuba's "Black Spring", RSF is calling for the broadest possible solidarity with these prisoners of conscience.

Liberia

Reporter assaulted

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 15 March 2005, Rhodoxon Fayiah, a reporter for Radio Veritas, a radio station operated by the Catholic church, was assaulted by police officers assigned to the Careysburg security checkpoint, about 25 km north of the capital, Monrovia.

Ghana

Court orders newspaper to pay damages in defamation case

(MFWA/IFEX) - A High Court in Accra has ordered the independent weekly "Ghana Palaver" to pay Ghana's minister of state for works and housing, Hackman Owusu Agyeman, 1.5 billion cedis (approx. US$165,000) in damages for publishing an article that the minister considered to be defamatory.

International

IPI releases "World Press Freedom Review: Impunity Lives, while Journalists Die"

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

Ukraine

Journalist threatened over investigation into municipal development scandal

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has urged the Ukrainian authorities to investigate a death threat made against local television journalist Angelika Nesterchuk, on 16 March 2005, in the city of Jitomir (130 km west of Kiev). The threat stemmed from Nesterchuk's investigation into allegations of corruption involving the mayor and a construction company.

Somalia

CPJ urges president to investigate journalist's detention

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

Ethiopia

Two imprisoned journalists continue to be detained in run-up to elections

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern that, with general elections due to take place in just two months, on 15 May 2005, two journalists, Shiferraw Insermu and Dhabassa Wakjira, continue to be detained. Insermu and Wakjira, journalists for the Oromo-language service of the state-owned Ethiopian Television (ETV), are accused of having links with an Oromo separatist group.

Belarus

Internet forum shut down

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the Belarusian government's latest attack on free expression after the state-owned firm Beltelekom, which owns the Belpak Internet service provider, shut down the popular Grodnensky Forum (http://www.forum.grodno.by) because it was seen as too subversive. Belpak holds a monopoly on Internet access in Belarus.

Bangladesh

Journalists found guilty of contempt of court

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

Mauritania

Journalist charged, imprisoned for "damaging national image"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed indignation over the indictment and imprisonment of freelance journalist Mohamed Lemine Ould Mahmoudi. Mahmoudi was charged with "damaging the public image" of Mauritania after he interviewed a young woman identified by a local NGO as a runaway slave.

Russia

Political journalist assaulted during election campaign

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed outrage over a brutal assault on political journalist Viktor Naikhin, after local authorities dismissed the attack as a random criminal act.

Peru

Radio station's equipment and files stolen

(IPYS/IFEX) - In the early of 17 March 2005, unidentified individuals forced their way into "La Inolvidable" radio station and stole equipment and files from the station. The incident took place in Sicuani, 120 km from the city of Cusco, southeastern Peru.

Israel

IFJ condemns intimidation of whistleblower

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

China

Advocate for Uighur community rights released

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

Ghana

Reporter assaulted by demonstrators

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 17 March 2005, Evans Mensah, a reporter for Joy FM, an independent radio station in Accra, was assaulted by a group of demonstrators while covering a protest march in the city.

Nepal

Editor questioned by police

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 17 March 2005 IFJ media release:

Russia

Supreme Court upholds acquittal in Kholodov murder case

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 March 2005 CPJ press release:

China

CPJ calls for journalist Zhao Yan's release on six-month anniversary of his arrest

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 17 March 2005 letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao, CPJ marked the six-month anniversary of the imprisonment of Zhao Yan, a news assistant for "The New York Times" who has been held incommunicado and without charge or trial since 17 September 2004. CPJ said it deplores Zhao's ongoing detention, which violates international law and the 2004 amendment to the Chinese Constitution safeguarding human rights.

Malawi

Journalists ordered to report to police in 14 days, presidential aide released unconditionally

(MISA/IFEX) - On 16 March 2005, the Malawi police unconditionally released a vice-presidential aide and granted bail to two prominent journalists who had been arrested the previous day.

Bangladesh

Five journalists receive death threats in one week

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed renewed concern over working conditions for the media after at least five journalists in southern Bangladesh received death threats during the week of 6 to12 March 2005.

Turkmenistan

Russian journalist expelled

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced outrage over Turkmen authorities' treatment of journalist Viktor Panov, who was deported on 12 March 2005 after being held for two weeks in Ashgabat. A Foreign Ministry official who did not want to be identified said Panov, who works for the Russian news agency RIA-Novosti, was accused of spying for Moscow.

Liberia

Court officers demand "bribe" to reopen newspaper's office

(MFWA/IFEX) - Officers of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in the capital, Monrovia, are demanding 500 Liberian dollars (approx. US$10) from "Forum" newspaper's management as a pre-condition for reopening its office.

Canada / Sri Lanka

FMM voices concern over conditions imposed on Canadian journalist by Sri Lankan High Commission

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 16 March 2005 FMM statement:

Guatemala

Photojournalist assaulted by riot police

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 14 March 2005, a group of police officers, equipped with anti-riot gear, assaulted Edwin Benavente, a reporter for the daily "Nuestro Diario", as he was covering riots that erupted in Guatemala City during protests against a free trade agreement.

Brazil

Demonstrators set fire to RBS television network vehicle

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 15 March 2005, a vehicle owned by the RBS television network was set on fire near the town of Sarandi, Rio Grande do Sul state. RBS cameraman Éverton Machado and reporter Leonel Lacerda were on a highway, covering a demonstration by farmers against federal proposals to control a drought in the region. The event was organised by the Landless Workers' Movement, Via Campesina and the Small-Scale Farmers' Movement.

Mauritania

Journalist detained for interviewing runaway slave

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has protested the 13 March 2005 arrest of freelance journalist Mohamed Lemine Ould Mahmoudi. Mahmoudi was investigating a case of domestic slavery in Mederdra, southwest Mauritania, when he was picked up by local police.

Algeria

Second foreign publication banned

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an 11 March 2005 IFJ media release:

Chechnya (Russia)

Authorities escalate intimidation campaign against independent newspaper, editor threatened

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Malawi

Two journalists released on bail

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

Nepal

Police summon editor of country's largest newspaper

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

International

IAPA criticices state of press freedom in the Americas

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 14 March 2005 IAPA press release:

Iraq / United States

Iraqi journalist released

(RSF/IFEX) - On 11 March 2005, the independent daily "Al-Fourat" announced that Majed Fadhil Zaboun, editor of the paper's culture section, was released after being held for 11 days by US troops at the Syrian border. He is said to be in very poor physical and psychological condition after being beaten, humiliated and repeatedly forced to stand against a wall for hours on end. The US authorities reportedly confiscated his passport and mobile phone.

China

Journalist Shi Tao found guilty of "illegally divulging state secrets abroad", faces lengthy prison sentence

(RSF/IFEX) - On 11 March 2005, dissident journalist Shi Tao appeared before the state prosecutor in the southern city of Changsha in a secret, two-hour hearing and was found guilty of "illegally divulging state secrets abroad". RSF has voiced outrage at the travesty of justice in Shi's case.

Malaysia

Television reporter questioned by police over report on environmental issues

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 7 March 2005, a reporter for TV3, a privately-owned Malaysian broadcaster, was questioned by police over a story that exposed environmental issues in the northern state of Kedah.

Saudi Arabia

Writers Ali al-Domaini and Matrouq al-Faleh still in detention

(WiPC/IFEX) - On the first anniversary of the arrest and detention of Ali al-Domaini and Matrouq al-Faleh, International PEN's Writers in Prison Committee renews its call for the writers' release.

Brazil

Journalist fined in defamation case

(IPYS/IFEX) - Columnist Odorico Leal de Carvalho was fined US$1,300 after a court in Piauí state, northeastern Brazil, ruled against him in a defamation case. The lawsuit was launched by State Attorney General Emir Martins Filho, who felt that an article published in the local "Folha Picoense" newspaper defamed him. The newspaper is based in the city of Picos, approximately 300 kilometres from the state capital, Teresina. The trial took place in record time, less than 18 hours, and Carvalho was not given an opportunity to retract the statements made in the article.

China

Eutelsat fails to renew US-based television network's contract; IFJ fears that company may be bowing to pressure from Beijing

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 15 March 2005 IFJ media release:

Nepal

CAPSULE REPORT: Journalists continue to face harassment, arrest and censorship

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ capsule report:

Nepal

Provincial editor shot, seriously injured; journalist detained

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

Malawi

Two journalists arrested after writing about president's fear of ghosts

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

Mexico

Photographer assaulted by police during carnival

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the use of violence by police officers against photographer Víctor Hugo Moreno, of the magazine "Política", while he was covering a carnival in Xalapa, in the eastern state of Veracruz, on 6 March 2005.

Iraq

Kurdistan-TV camera operator and bureau chief killed

(RSF/IFEX) - The killings of a camera operator and a bureau chief for Kurdistan-TV, the satellite television station of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), in the space of four days were condemned by RSF as "targeted murders aimed at intimidating a Kurdish news media outlet in Iraq."

Zimbabwe

Supreme Court upholds repressive media law in "Daily News" case

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Colombia

Radio stations in Florencia come under attack

(FLIP/IFEX) - In the early morning of 13 March 2005, broadcast facilities belonging to the Cristalina Estéreo and Espléndida Estéreo radio stations came under attack. The two stations are based in Florencia, capital of Caquetá department, southern Colombia.

Canada

Libel suit against "Washington Post" could have serious consequences for free expression, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - In an 11 March 2005 letter to Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, RSF outlined its position on an important question of law for online media that has been raised by a former United Nations (UN) official's libel action in Canada against the "Washington Post". The question is, can a journalist whose article has been published on the Internet be sued anywhere where the article can be downloaded?

Côte d'Ivoire

RSF calls for suspect in Kieffer disappearance to be flown to France for questioning

(RSF/IFEX) - On 10 March 2005, RSF urged both the Ivorian and French authorities to cooperate with a French investigating judge's request for Ivorian citizen Michel Legré to be transferred to France for two months for questioning. Legré is the primary suspect in the April 2004 disappearance of journalist Guy-André Kieffer in Abidjan. Kieffer has dual French and Canadian citizenship.

Bangladesh

Three journalists receive death threats

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

Tunisia

IFEX-TMG members lament cyber-dissident's sudden death

(IFEX-TMG) - The following is an IFEX-TMG press release:

Ethiopia

Federal High Court upholds decision recognising EFJA's legal status

(EFJA/IFEX) - The following is a 3 March 2005 EFJA press release:

International

CPJ releases "Attacks on the Press in 2004", annual survey recounts a deadly year

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

Ukraine

Former president questioned in Gongadze murder investigation, two Interior Ministry officers charged

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Lesotho

Court proceedings begin in civil defamation case against newspaper

(MISA/IFEX) - On 10 March 2005, representatives of the English-language weekly "The Mirror" appeared before the High Court on civil defamation charges relating to a July 2003 article published in the paper. The newspaper's sub-editor, Handsome Tlali Caswell, is the second defendant in the case and author of the article over which the plaintiff, Moeketse Vincent Malebo, launched his complaint.

Nepal

Abducted journalist released, captors' identity in question

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

Russia

Supreme Court examines complaints in Kholodov murder case

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Burma

RSF representatives held at Burmese embassy in Paris

(RSF/IFEX) - On 11 March 2005, two RSF representatives, along with a French police officer, were held for more than two hours inside the Burmese embassy in Paris. Other activists were surrounded by policemen outside. RSF had gone to the embassy to deliver a letter to the Burmese ambassador. The ambassador refused to accept the letter and has threatened to file a complaint against the organisation.

Turkey

IPI concerned over Austrian journalist's continued detention

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an 11 March 2005 IPI letter to the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso:

Bahrain

Blogger and two technicians detained and charged

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

Belarus

Journalist sentenced to 10 days in prison for "participating in an unauthorised demonstration"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has protested a 10-day prison sentence handed down on 4 March 2005 by a court in the city of Grodno (near the Polish border), to journalist Andrei Pochobut. Pochobut was accused of "participating in an unauthorised demonstration" by small business owners, which he had gone to cover for the Pahonia online news site (http://www.pahonia.promedia.by). Pochobut also writes for "Den", an independent weekly.

United States

Apple v. ThinkSecret: confidentiality of sources must be respected, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - On 9 March 2005, RSF called for online journalists, as well as those website operators and bloggers whose work constitutes "real journalism", to be accorded the same legal protections as journalists with the traditional press. RSF was reacting to attempts by Apple, the United States computer industry giant, to ascertain the identity of the sources used by three online publications for some of their articles about the company.

Philippines

Journalist killed in Baguio

(WAN/IFEX) - In an 11 March 2005 letter to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed outrage at the murder of two more journalists, Romeo Sanchez and Arnulfo Villanueva.

Argentina

RSF condemns impunity in case of arson attack on daily; news site editor's car vandalised

(RSF/IFEX) - A year after an arson attack gutted the printing press and editorial offices of "El Diario del Fin del Mundo" daily newspaper in Ushuaia, the capital of the far-south province of Tierra del Fuego, RSF condemned the continuing impunity enjoyed by its perpetrators as well as other repeated acts of intimidation against Tierra del Fuego journalists that have gone unpunished.

Sri Lanka

Media personnel come under attack in Jaffna

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

United States

Freedom to Read Protection Act reintroduced to legislature

(PEN/IFEX) - The following is a 9 March 2005 PEN American Center press release:

Algeria

Authorities ban issue of "Afrique Magazine"; "Le Soir d'Algérie" editor sentenced in libel case

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the Algerian authorities' decision to ban the March issue of "Afrique Magazine" and urged them to reverse the decision. The banned issue carried a report on political disappearances in Algeria in the 1990s. "Afrique Magazine" is published by the Jeune Afrique-l'Intelligent group.

Nepal

Editor injured in bomb explosion

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the kidnapping of respected investigative reporter JB Pun Magar, of the bimonthly magazine "Himal Khabarpatrika". Magar was abducted by Maoist rebels on 9 March 2005, in the Kapilbastu district, southwest of Kathmandu.

Israel

Army says it will not press criminal charges against soldier suspected in journalist's shooting death

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Nigeria

Police summon reporter

(MRA/IFEX) - The Nigerian police have summoned Kingsley Emeruwa, a reporter with the daily tabloid "The Sun", to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office in Abuja on 14 March 2005 regarding a story published by the newspaper last month.

Zimbabwe

RSF condemns restricted access to media for opposition MDC party; threats to new weekly

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the state-owned media's coverage of the Movement for Democratic (MDC) opposition party's campaign in the run-up to 31 March 2005 parliamentary elections as "clearly unfair". The organisation also criticised recent threats by the head of the Media and Information Commission (MIC) to impose sanctions on "The Zimbabwean" newspaper, on the grounds that it is a "propaganda tool."

Kosovo (Serbia) / Montenegro / Serbia

Public broadcaster and other media outlets receive bomb threats

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

Nepal

Police arrest editor

(RSF/IFEX) - On 8 March 2005, police arrested Rishiram Pokhrel, editor of the local weekly "Tanahu Aawaj", in Tanahu, western Nepal, as he was covering a peaceful demonstration calling for a return to democracy. He is being held at the police station in Damauli.

Nepal

Journalist kidnapped by Maoists

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

Liberia

Court closes newspaper, issues arrest warrants for managing editor, journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned "disproportionate" measures taken by a Monrovia court, on 4 March 2005, against the "Forum" newspaper. The court ordered the offices of the privately-owned weekly closed and issued an arrest warrant for the paper's managing editor and other editorial staff for "contempt of court" after they allegedly ignored several earlier summonses. The paper's offices are to remain closed until it pays the US$200 fine ordered by the court.

Yemen

Lawyers for imprisoned editor assaulted

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Peru

Municipal officials assault journalist and seize audiovisual materials

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 2 March 2005, José Antonio Simons Cappa, director of "El Huinsho" magazine, was assaulted and threatened by municipal officials in Alto Amazonas province, Loreto region, after he videotaped an informal meeting between the officials and a provincial public prosecutor. The incident took place in the main square of the city of Yurimaguas, capital of Alto Amazonas, in northeastern Peru.

Brazil

Radio station fined for "defamation"

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 7 March 2005, the Brazilian High Court ordered Radio Antena 1 station, located in Amapá state, to pay US$7,500 to Senator João Capiberibe for "calumny and defamation." The decision confirmed a 1996 ruling by a local Amapá court. The senator sued the station over a radio soap opera character called "João Capiroto", who was presented as a thief and a hypocrite.

Iraq

US military detains Iraqi journalist

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the immediate release of Iraqi journalist Majed Fadhil Zaboun, of the independent daily "Al-Fourat". Zaboun has been held by US military forces since he was arrested on the Syrian border, on 28 February 2005, as he was returning from a conference in Damascus.

Thailand

SEAPA hails Supreme Court decision ordering iTV to rehire 21 newsroom staff as a victory for press freedom

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 9 March 2005, SEAPA hailed a Supreme Court decision ordering iTV, Thailand's only private television station, to rehire 21 newsroom staff it dismissed in 2001 as a victory for press freedom.

Nigeria

Journalist detained and beaten by members of paramilitary brigade

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has protested the violent beating, on 4 March 2005, of Ayodele Ale, a reporter for "The Saturday Punch". Ale was detained by Lagos State paramilitaries who have been recruited to defend the environment.

Lesotho

Editor threatened

(MISA/IFEX) - On 25 February 2005, the editor of the weekly tabloid "Moeletsi oa Basotho", Francis Khoaripe, was threatened by two officials of the Lesotho Catholic Bishop's Conference (LCBC) for allegedly defaming them in an article published in that day's edition of the paper.

The Gambia

President signs into law two bills that could have severe consequences for free expression

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 28 December 2004, without informing The Gambia's citizens, President Yahya Jammeh signed into law two bills whose application will severely restrict freedom of expression and pose a danger to the practice of journalism in the country.

Philippines

Two individuals arrested in connection with burning of ABS-CBN van

(CMFR/IFEX) - Two alleged members of a communist rebel group were recently arrested by police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in connection with an attack on an outside broadcast (OB) van owned by network giant ABS-CBN.

Nepal

Editor Kanak Dixit released; photographer detained

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Cameraman assaulted by soldiers under minister's authority

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

International / Gender

RSF pays tribute to women journalists under threat

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 7 March 2005 RSF press release:

Belarus

Investigators urged to explore possibility that journalist's murder was linked to her work

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on those investigating the murder of Veronika Cherkasova to explore the possibility that the crime was linked to her work as a journalist, rather than focussing on the theory of a crime of passion and trying at all costs to implicate her family. Cherkasova was found stabbed to death in her Minsk home on 20 October 2004.

Iraq / United States

IPI criticises wounding of Italian journalist

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

Iran

Imprisoned author wins award for besieged writers

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) - The following is a 7 March 2005 Human Rights Watch press release:

Nepal

IPI concerned over possible fine and/or jail sentence for newspaper editor

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 7 March 2005 IPI letter to King Gyanendra:

Philippines

Broadcasters seen as compromising on coverage of groups branded as "terrorists"

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Leaders of the Philippine broadcasting industry have reportedly agreed to compromise on their coverage of groups branded as "terrorists" by the country's government, eager not to be seen as "mouthpieces" of outlawed organisations and wary of having their licenses revoked.

Nepal

CPJ condemns detention of prominent editor

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

Yemen

After six months in prison, journalist appears before appeals court

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the immediate release of jailed editor Abdulkareem Al-Khaiwani, who is serving a one-year prison sentence for defamation. The organisation has also called for the lifting of a six-month ban on Al-Khaiwani's weekly newspaper, "Al-Shura".

Ukraine

Former minister implicated in Gongadze case found dead

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 March 2005 CPJ press release:

International

International PEN highlights cases of cyberdissidents in Tunisia, Iran and China on International Women's Day

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

Pakistan

Unknown group claims responsibility for assassination of two journalists in South Waziristan

(RSF/IFEX) - The 7 February 2005 fatal shooting of reporters Amir Nawab Khan and Allah Noor Wazir in Wana, South Waziristan, was claimed 10 days later by an unknown group calling itself Sipah-e-Islam (Soldiers of Islam).

Cuba

Journalist Carlos Brizuela Yera released from prison

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF welcomes the 2 March 2005 release of journalist Carlos Brizuela Yera, of the Colegio de Periodistas Independientes de Camagüey, an independent news agency in southwestern Cuba. The journalist was freed after completing a three-year prison sentence.

Pakistan

Homemade bomb thrown into journalist's home

(PPF/IFEX) - On 3 March 2005, a homemade bomb was thrown into the home of Khurshid Ahmed, president of the press club in Gilgit, capital city of Pakistan's Northern Areas.

Pakistan

Karachi police arrest new suspect in Daniel Pearl case

(RSF/IFEX) - Karachi police have arrested a new suspect in the 2002 murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl, following a shootout in the southern Pakistani city on 2 March 2005. The suspect, Mohammad Sohail, who is approximately 30 years of age, was taken to a Karachi court after the shootout, where a judge ordered his detention until 7 March to allow for questioning.

Nepal

FNJ district president arrested

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

Eritrea

Voice of America correspondent freed; sixteen journalists remain in secret jails

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Philippines

Four newspaper employees charged with libel

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 25 January 2005, a controversial pearl farm, Jewelmer International Corporation, launched a libel complaint against four employees of the "Bandillo ng Palawan" community weekly, based on an island in Palawan province, western Philippines. The libel complaint is linked to a series of articles published in 2004 about allegations of human rights violations in the area.

Chechnya (Russia)

CPJ concerned about campaign to obstruct work of journalists reporting on Chechnya, criminal investigation launched against monthly newspaper

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 4 March 2005 letter to President Vladimir Putin, CPJ expressed its concern about an ongoing campaign by the Federal Security Service (FSB) and prosecutors to intimidate and obstruct the work of independent journalists reporting on the ongoing war in and around the southern republic of Chechnya.

Iraq / United States

Freed Italian journalist wounded by coalition fire

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

Colombia

Broadcast station destroyed in Putumayo

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 2 March 2005, a broadcast station owned by the RCN and Caracol television stations was destroyed. The incident took place at kilometre 14, on the road between Mocoa and Pasto, in Putumayo department, southern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador. According to information obtained by FLIP, several heavily-armed men overpowered the station's only guard. They then proceeded to pour gas around the station and burned everything in the building's interior. As a result, RCN and Caracol have been forced off the air in much of Putumayo department. It is not yet known when they will begin to operate again.

Guatemala

Former paramilitary group members attack journalists in Guatemala City

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 1 March 2005, at least three reporters were insulted and attacked by former paramilitary group members in Guatemala City. At the time of the incident, the journalists were covering a protest by former members of Guatemala's Civil Defence Patrols (Patrullas de Autodefensa Civil, PAC).

Sierra Leone

Police assault journalist

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 1 March 2005, Salamatu Turay, a senior reporter for the "Salone Times", was assaulted while reporting on a clash between police and striking Fourah Bay College students.

Turkey

Court acquits Baskaya, postpones trial of Zarakolu

(IPA/WiPC/IFEX) - The following is a 2 March 2005 joint IPA and International PEN press statement:

Argentina

Preliminary report on IAPA mission to Argentina

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 2 March 2005 IAPA report:

Nepal

Censorship and attacks on journalists worsening

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 March 2005 IFJ media release:

Tunisia

Lawyer arrested for posting article online

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the release of lawyer Mohammed Abu, who was arrested in Tunis on 1 March 2005 for posting an article online dealing with the torture of political prisoners in Tunisia.

Kosovo (Serbia) / Montenegro / Serbia

ARTICLE 19 calls for reform of criminal defamation provisions in Kosovo; correspondent receives six-month suspended prison sentence in libel case

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 1 March 2005 letter to Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj:

Philippines

Journalists receive death threats

(CMFR/IFEX) - A number of local media practitioners have expressed fear for their lives after receiving death threats. According to a report by "The Philippine Star" newspaper, the threats are reportedly in connection with the journalists' exposés of illegal drug activities in some provinces of Cagayan Valley, northern Philippines.

Tunisia

Censorship tightened in WSIS host country

(RSF/IFEX) - On 1 March 2005, Tunisia, host of the November 2005 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), blocked access to the opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) website. The move places the PDP site on a long list of filtered sites, including http://www.radionongrata.org, the website set up by RSF to report on the summit.

Malaysia

Blogger questioned in connection with controversial article

(SEAPA/IFEX) - SEAPA has expressed renewed concern over the continuing investigation of Malaysian blogger Jeff Ooi, saying the case has adverse implications for the Internet and free speech in Malaysia.

Iran

Journalist banned from working for two years; regional daily suspended; nine journalists summoned

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned government harassment of the press after a pro-opposition journalist was given a six-month suspended sentence, a regional daily was suspended and nine journalists were summoned.

Iran

Pregnant wife of jailed weblogger imprisoned after openly defending her husband

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has said it is appalled by the imprisonment of pregnant student, Najmeh Oumidparvar, 26, wife of weblogger Mohamad Reza Nasab Abdolahi, who was jailed one week earlier.

Philippines

RSF concerned over spate of attacks, death threats against journalists

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

Colombia

Radio station owner in La Dorada threatened and forced to flee the region; radio station in Puerto Asís attacked

(FLIP/IFEX) - Journalist Claudio Gomajoa Buesaquillo, owner of La Dorada Estéreo radio station, based in La Dorada municipality, 90 km from Puerto Asís, capital of Putumayo department, southern Colombia, was forced to flee the region after receiving threats from paramilitaries.

Madagascar

Publication director handed down prison sentences in three separate libel cases

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has protested three prison sentences handed down in separate libel cases, on 1 March 2005, to Lola Rasoamaharo, publication director of the independent daily "La Gazette de la Grande Ile". Rasoamaharo remains free, pending appeal.

Philippines

Columnist sentenced to 28 years in prison in libel case

(CMFR/IFEX) - A tabloid columnist has been sentenced to 28 years in prison after the Pasay City Regional Trial Court found him guilty of 14 counts of libel on 1 March 2005.

Nepal

Government maintains chokehold on independent press; independent weekly shuttered

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 March 2005 CPJ press release:

United States

Victory for "New York Times" reporters in fight to protect sources

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed a ruling by US District Judge Robert W. Sweet of Manhattan, New York, recognising the right of two "New York Times" journalists, Judith Miller and Philip Shenon, to protect the confidentiality of their sources.

Azerbaijan

Editor of opposition weekly gunned down

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

Argentina

"El Liberal" correspondent attacked while covering elections

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned a 27 February 2005 attack on Guido Uaut, a correspondent for the regional daily "El Liberal", while he was covering gubernatorial elections in the northern province of Santiago del Estero.

Nepal

IPI expresses alarm at ban on distribution of information that "assists terrorist activities"

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI letter to Nepal's minister of information and communications, Tanka Prasad Dhakal:

Ukraine

Gongadze murder suspects detained, key witness injured in grenade attack

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 1 March 2005 CPJ press release:

Philippines

Journalist killed

(CMFR/IFEX) - On the night of 28 February 2005, community newspaper columnist Arnulfo Villanueva was gunned down in Naic, Cavite, just south of Manila, according to a report by "The Philippine Star". He is the first journalist to be killed in the Philippines in 2005.

Turkey

Austrian journalist imprisoned for past 18 days

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has protested the imprisonment of Austrian journalist Sandra Bakutz, of Radio Orange 94.0 and the German newspaper "Junge Welt". Bakutz was arrested on 10 February 2005 on her arrival at Atatürk International Airport in Istanbul and has been held ever since on charges of "belonging to an illegal organisation".

Iraq

Kurdish journalist dies three days after being shot by US forces at military checkpoint

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

Azerbaijan

Two opposition journalists abducted, assaulted and subjected to humiliating treatment

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed indignation after two journalists from an opposition daily were abducted, beaten and humiliated.

China

Authorities suspend licence of jailed journalists' lawyer

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

Turkey

International observers to attend hearings in cases against publisher and writer

(IPA/WiPC/IFEX) - The following is a joint IPA and International PEN press statement:

Guatemala

Former member of armed forces sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in raid on publisher's home

(RSF/IFEX) - On 25 February 2005, a Guatemala City court sentenced former armed forces member Eduviges Funes to 16 years in prison for his part in a 24 June 2003 raid on the home of "elPeriódico" publisher José Rubén Zamora.

Burma

Magazine suspended for carrying Valentine's Day advertisement; three other publications sanctioned by censorship bureau

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF and the Burma Media Association (BMA) have urgently demanded that the government abolish its censorship bureau after a magazine was suspended for two months over an advertisement for Valentine's Day, which is banned in Burma.

Botswana

Political analyst allowed to stay in country to challenge deportation order

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

Iraq

Journalist Florence Aubenas pleads for help in video released by captors

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

Colombia

FARC guerrilla group claims responsibility for attack on RCN Radio and Television

(FLIP/IFEX) - In a 24 February 2005 press release, the Manuel Cepeda Vargas Urban Unit of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC) claimed responsibility for a recent attack on the RCN Radio and Television building in Cali. The guerrilla group accused RCN of "taking sides in the war", in favour of the government and the army.

Zimbabwe

After just eight weeks, an independent newspaper is shuttered

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Mexico

"El Universal" newspaper print run seized in Hidalgo state

(RSF/IFEX) - The seizure of the entire 24 February 2005 print run of the national daily "El Universal", in Pachuca, capital of the central state of Hidalgo, was a "violation of the right to inform, which has no place in a democratic country," said RSF. The confiscated edition contained a report accusing Hidalgo's governor of lying about having a law degree.

International

Distribution of IFEX-TMG report hindered at WSIS Preparatory Committee meeting

(IFEX-TMG) - The following is a 25 February 2005 IFEX-TMG press release:

Togo

Three more radio stations resume broadcasting

(RSF/IFEX) - A lower court in Lomé has withdrawn an order that kept two radio stations off the air for the past two weeks. Radio Nana FM manager Peter Dogbé and Radio Kanal FM manager Modeste Mesavusu-Ekué said their stations were able to resume broadcasting on 24 February 2005. The only other radio station that was still closed, Radio Lumière, in the town of Aného, east of Lomé, was permitted to resume broadcasting the same afternoon. The station had to use rented equipment, however, because its own equipment, which had been confiscated, was returned in very poor condition, manager Kossigan Zinsou said.

Guinea

Reporter assaulted by police

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 24 February 2005, Sotigui Kaba, a reporter for the Le Lynx-La Lance media group, was assaulted by a joint force of members of the Anti-Crime Brigade (BAC) and the municipal police while covering a protest march.

Bahrain

Online forum moderator arrested

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the release of Ali Abdulemam, moderator of the discussion forum http://www.Bahrainonline.org, who was arrested by security forces on 27 February 2005. He faces five possible charges, including defaming the king.

Russia

WAN concerned that attack on journalist may be linked to his work

(WAN/IFEX) - In a 24 February 2005 letter to President Vladimir Putin, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed serious concern at an assault on journalist Sergei Lyubimov.

Australia

MEAA calls for open and transparent process for board appointments at national public broadcaster

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

Iraq

Iraqi journalist killed by abductors; another journalist attacked, seriously wounded

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced horror at the murder of Iraqi journalist Raeda Mohammed Wageh Wazzan, of the regional public television station Iraqiya. Wazzan was found dead on 25 February 2005, five days after she and her son were kidnapped by masked gunmen in downtown Mosul.

Botswana

Political analyst served with deportation order

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI letter to Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration DK Kwelagobe:

Nepal

IFJ welcomes release of three journalists but condemns further arrests, censorship and ongoing violence in Nepal

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

Kyrgyzstan

Radio station suspended days before parliamentary elections

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 25 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Russia

Sidorov case reopened, RSF calls for investigation to be transferred to federal prosecutor-general

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed the reopening of the investigation into the October 2003 murder of journalist Alexei Sidorov. The organisation voiced concern, however, that the local prosecutor's office is still in charge of the case and reiterated its call for the investigation to be transferred to the federal prosecutor-general.

Bangladesh

Police officer arrested on suspicion of collusion with press club bombers

(RSF/IFEX) - A Khulna police officer, Mofazzal Hossain, was arrested on 16 February 2005 for suspected collusion with armed Maoist militants who have carried out a number of bombings, including the recent attack on the Khulna Press Club.

Sierra Leone

Journalist transferred to prison block used for violent or high security prisoners

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN is deeply concerned for the safety of imprisoned journalist Paul Kamara following reports of his forced transfer to a prison block normally used for violent or high security prisoners.

Nepal

Reporter detained and mistreated; RSF condemns interrogation of newspaper editors

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the interrogation of five newspaper editors for publishing blank spaces to protest censorship measures. The organisation also denounced the mistreatment of reporter Swaagat Nepal while he was being questioned by soldiers in Kathmandu.

Colombia

Journalist in Tame threatened and forced to flee the region

(FLIP/IFEX) - Edwin Alberto Moreno Mojica, a journalist and host of the "Informativo 88.3" radio programme, broadcast by a community radio station in Tame municipality, Arauca department, northeastern Colombia, has been forced to leave the region as a result of threats he was receiving.

Nepal

IPI criticises ongoing harassment of editors

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 24 February 2005 IPI press release:

Serbia / Montenegro

SEEMO alarmed over Draft Criminal Code, calls for removal of repressive laws that criminalise defamation and libel

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 24 February 2005 letter by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Cambodia

CAPSULE REPORT: Political tension breeds anxiety, self-censorship in Cambodian media

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 24 February 2005 SEAPA capsule report:

The Gambia

Suspect detained in connection with murder of veteran journalist

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 23 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Russia

Belarus extradites suspects in Klebnikov slaying

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 23 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Cuba / Haiti / Venezuela

Press freedom organizations issue resolutions on Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 22 February 2005 IAPA press release:

Iran

Blogger sentenced to six months in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has strongly condemned the six-month prison sentence upheld on 23 February 2005 by judicial authorities against weblogger Mohamad Reza Nasab Abdolahi. Abdolahi was found guilty of insulting the country's leaders and disseminating anti-government propaganda. He was also fined one million rials (approx. 85 euros; US$112). He remains free but could be arrested at any time.

Guatemala

Local television journalists receive death threats

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern over the repeated death threats made against journalists from the "Contacto Noticioso" programme, aired by the Canal 13 cable television station, in the eastern department of Chiquimula.

Serbia / Montenegro

Journalist given a one-year suspended prison sentence in libel case

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned a one-year suspended prison sentence for libel handed down to former "Podrinski Telegraf" editor Milan Milinkovic on 10 February 2005, in the western city of Sabac. The organisation noted that both the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) oppose the application of prison sentences for press offences.

Tunisia

Journalist Abdallah Zouari severely weakened after 33 days of hunger strike

(RSF/IFEX) - Journalist Abdallah Zouari, of the banned Islamist weekly "Al-Fajr", now in his 33rd day of a hunger strike in protest over an internal banishment order, was dismissed from hospital late on 23 February 2005 by the same cardiologist who had ordered his admission hours before.

Peru

Court upholds sentence banning journalist from practicing his profession for one year

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 4 February 2005, the Madre de Dios Superior Tribunal, in southeastern Peru, rejected an appeal filed by journalist Luis Aguirre Pastor's defence and upheld a sentence that bans the journalist from practicing his profession for one year. Aguirre, director and host of the radio news programme "La Voz de Madre de Dios", was indicted for defamation in 2003.

Iran

Human Rights Watch condemns "sham" trial of prominent blogger

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

Venezuela

Minister's accusations may endanger journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 23 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Colombia

Two suspects arrested in connection with explosion at television and radio offices

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Slovakia

ARTICLE 19 calls for repeal of criminal defamation provisions

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 21 February 2005 ARTICLE 19 letter to Justice Minister Daniel Lipsic:

Kyrgyzstan

Independent printing press shut down a few days before scheduled national elections

(Freedom House/IFEX) - The following is a 23 February 2005 Freedom House press release:

Russia

Journalist brutally attacked in Saratov; RSF urges Bush to raise issue of press freedom at meeting with Putin

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on US President George W. Bush to raise the issue of press freedom at his 24 February 2005 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bratislava. The organisation expressed concern, in particular, over "the Russian government's growing control of the news media and the increasing use of violence and harassment against journalists."

Kosovo (Serbia) / Montenegro / Serbia

ARTICLE 19 analyses draft Law on Independent Media Commission and Broadcasting

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 21 February 2005 ARTICLE 19 press release:

International

IFJ releases report on media and the Asian tsunami

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 February 2005 IFJ media release:

Russia

CPJ calls on Bush to highlight deterioration of press freedom in meeting with Putin

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 20 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Iran

Journalist and weblogger sentenced to 14 years in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed outrage over the 14 year sentence handed down on 22 February 2005 to journalist and weblogger Arash Sigarchi by a revolutionary tribunal in Gilan, northern Iran.

Brazil

Photographer briefly detained by police

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 16 February 2005, photographer Lucas Mamede, of "Folha de S. Paulo" newspaper, was taken into custody by police after having an argument with officers who were present during a land occupation in Batatais, a small town in the state of São Paulo. The photographer was released two hours later.

Zimbabwe

Journalists forced to flee the country fearing for their safety; another journalist goes into hiding

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 22 February 2005 letter to President Robert Mugabe, CPJ expressed outrage at his government's harassment and intimidation of three Zimbabwean journalists working for international news agencies, which has forced them to flee the country in fear for their security. According to CPJ, the police action against freelance reporters Angus Shaw, Brian Latham and Jan Raath was clearly aimed at silencing these senior journalists in the run-up to Zimbabwe's general elections on 31 March. CPJ said that it was also disturbed to learn of police accusations against another freelance journalist, Cornelius Nduna, who has been forced into hiding.

Iraq

Iraqi news anchor kidnapped in Mosul

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced alarm over a new wave of kidnappings in Iraq after Raeda Wazzan, an anchor for the local public television Iraqiya, was kidnapped on 20 February 2005 in Mosul, 390 km north of Baghdad. Wazzan is thought to have been abducted with her 10-year-old son.

Angola

Director of government news agency threatens to shoot journalist

(MISA/IFEX) - On 16 December 2004, Miguel de Carvalho, director of the ANGOP government news agency, threatened to shoot a journalist working for the independent weekly "Agora".

Bangladesh

Authorities proceed in sedition case against journalist

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Russia

Interior Ministry says Yuri Bagrov will not be deported; CPJ calls on government to take genuine steps to allow journalist to report freely

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Honduras

IAPA condemns harassment of Honduran press

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an 18 February 2005 IAPA press release:

Togo

Authorities allow seven stations to resume broadcasting

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has acknowledged the Togolese authorities' decision to allow seven stations to resume their broadcasts over the past few days. But the organisation called on the authorities to permit all closed media outlets to resume operations.

Guinea

Newspaper editor freed after being secretly held for three days

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed relief at the 19 February 2005 release of newspaper editor Mohamed Lamine Diallo, known by his pen name Benn Pépito. Pépito was secretly detained for three days in connection with his reporting on an opposition leader wanted by the authorities.

China

Cyber-dissident Huang Jinqiu reportedly ill-treated in prison

(WiPC/IFEX) - International Pen's WiPC is alarmed about reports of the ill-treatment of dissident internet writer Huang Jinqiu, who is currently serving a 12-year prison term. PEN considers Huang's detention to be in direct violation of his right to freedom of expression and is calling for his immediate release.

The Gambia

RSF urges investigators to pursue political motive in Hydara case

(RSF/IFEX) - On the occasion of The Gambia's 40th anniversary of independence, RSF has called on police investigating the murder of journalist Deyda Hydara to examine the possibility that it was politically motivated. In particular, the organisation has urged police to determine whether it may have been carried out by a group calling itself the "Green Boys" which has threatened other journalists.

Colombia

Car bomb explodes in front of RCN building in Cali; photojournalist assassinated

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 20 February 2005, at 10:15 p.m. (local time), a car bomb exploded in front of the RCN radio and television building in Cali, capital of Valle de Cauca department, western Colombia.

Tunisia

Tunisia Monitoring Group releases report on state of free expression

(IFEX-TMG) - The following is an IFEX-TMG press release:

Kyrgyzstan

President threatens legal action against opposition daily "MSN"

(RSF/IFEX) - On 18 February 2005, President Aksar Akayev told the government newspaper "Slovo Kyrgyzstana" that he intends to bring a libel action against the opposition daily "MSN" over an 8 February report listing all the news media which either he or his associates control.

Haiti

Megastar radio journalist attacked

(RSF/IFEX) - On 18 February 2005, police attacked Radio Megastar journalist Makenson Remy in Port-au-Prince. Remy was driving home after work when he realised a police car was following him. When he stopped at a red light in the Nazon neighbourhood, the police ordered him to get out of his car. Then, according to the account he gave to Associated Press, they beat him and threatened to kill him if he did not stop working for Megastar.

Honduras

Defamation case against journalists to proceed to courts

(AMARC/IFEX) - The defamation case against two journalists from San Miguel community radio station will go to court after the journalists refused to retract statements regarding allegations of police involvement in smuggling operations.

El Salvador

Journalist Mauricio Funes fired

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - At 6:00 p.m. (local time) on 18 February 2005, Canal 12 television station's general manager informed journalist Mauricio Funes that the owners of the station's parent company, AZTECA, had decided to terminate his contract as of 19 February.

Iraq

Indonesian journalists released

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed the release of Metro TV journalist Meutya Hafid and cameraman Budiyanto. The Indonesian journalists were abducted on 15 February 2005 in Ramadi, east of Baghdad.

Guinea

Journalist beaten, detained by police

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 14 February 2005, Lansana Sarr, a reporter with the state-owned daily "Horoya", was beaten by members of the police's special interventions unit (Brigade Spéciale d'Intervention de la Police, BSIP) and detained for three and a half hours after covering a protest march in Conakry.

Nepal

IFJ identifies six journalists currently detained by government forces

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 19 February 2005 IFJ press release:

Croatia

Journalist's sentence upheld on appeal; weekly alleges intelligence agency tapped journalists' phones

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an 18 February 2005 letter by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Belarus

Independent daily ordered to pay damages to finance minister, faces possible closure

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the use of "spurious pretexts" by Belarusian authorities with the intent of closing down the national sports daily "Pressbol", one of the few remaining independent newspapers in the country, with a circulation of 25,000 copies.

East Timor

Government orders eviction of major newspaper

(SEAPA/IFEX) - East Timor's Land and Property Department has ordered the country's major and oldest local daily, "Suara Timor Lorosae", to leave its present premises in the capital of Dili within 60 days. Local media outlets believe that the move is in retaliation for the newspaper's constant criticism of the government.

Zimbabwe

Journalist Jan Raath forced to leave country

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an 18 February 2005 IPI Watch List protest to the Zimbabwean government:

Zimbabwe

Intelligence services searching for journalist thought to have videotape with "sensitive" footage; AP stringers threatened with arrest on spying charges

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has protested the manhunt for Cornelius Nduna, a Zimbabwean reporter for foreign news media outlets, and the 14 February 2005 police raid on the Associated Press (AP) office in Harare, in which Jan Raath, Tsvangirai Mkwazhi and Angus Shaw - all stringers for the AP and other foreign media - were threatened with arrest on spying charges.

Kazakhstan

Journalist found guilty of defamation

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 16 February 2005, the Arkalyk city court held a final hearing in the case against journalist Zhumat Anesuly. Anesuly was charged with defaming city akim (mayor) Zhomart Tubekbayev under Article 129 of Kazakhstan's Criminal Code. The charges stemmed from a 28 October 2004 article in "Zhas Alash" newspaper, entitled "Aydalada Kalgan Arkalyk", which criticised local authorities. Tubekbayev had demanded a three-year prison sentence against the journalist. The court found Anesuly guilty and fined him 65,000 tenge (approx. US$500), which is roughly equivalent to five months of the journalist's salary.

Iraq

Two Indonesian journalists missing

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern over the disappearance in Iraq of two Indonesian television journalists, reporter Meutya Hafid and her cameraman, identified only as Budiyanto. There has been no word of them since midday on 15 February 2005. The two work for Metro TV, Indonesia's only 24-hour television news station.

El Salvador

Journalist taken off the air during broadcast of his programme

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - On the morning of 16 February 2005, journalist Mauricio Funes was abruptly taken off the air by the management of Canal 12 television station while he was hosting the "La Entrevista al Día" programme. At the time of the incident Funes was talking about the dismissal the previous day of a number of individuals who worked for his programme and the news programme "Hechos". The journalist was forced to cancel the interview with the guest he had invited to speak on the programme. The incident took place while the programme was being broadcast live in El Salvador and abroad. No explanation was provided for the interruption.

Guinea

Security forces arrest prominent editor

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

International

RSF presents recommendations for online free expression at WSIS preparatory meeting

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

Nepal

CAPSULE REPORT: IFJ mission releases preliminary findings on media conditions

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

Nepal

CPJ expresses alarm at treatment of journalists since king's declaration of state of emergency

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 February 2005 letter to Nepal's ambassador to the United States, Kedar Bhakta Shrestha:

Togo

More stations closed in ongoing crackdown on independent broadcasters

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF warns that as many as 60 privately-owned radio and television stations could be closed in Togo in a continuing wave of censorship that began on 5 February 2005 after President Gnassingbé Eyadéma's death and the takeover by his son, Faure Gnassingbé.

Sri Lanka

State of emergency could have serious implications for free expression, FMM warns

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

Kyrgyzstan

President reigns in media in run-up to legislative elections

(RSF/IFEX) - In the run-up to the 27 February 2005 legislative elections, President Askar Akayev is using his control of Kyrgyzstan's news media to smear or neutralise the opposition and avoid the political upheaval that has been seen in recent months following elections in Georgia and Ukraine, RSF said. The organisation called on President Akayev to respect the principle of media pluralism as an essential guarantor of democratic elections.

Russia

Journalist's deportation delayed

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Djibouti

Authorities cut Radio France Internationale's FM broadcasts

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 16 February 2005 letter to President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, CPJ said that it is deeply troubled that Radio France Internationale's (RFI) FM broadcasts in Djibouti have been cut since 14 January 2005.

Zimbabwe

CPJ concerned about harassment of international correspondents

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 15 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Zimbabwe

CORRECTION: Foreign correspondents not arrested in Harare

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

Nepal

Journalists prevented from reporting on military abuses

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

China

Cyber-dissident Zhang Lin held in "criminal detention"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the immediate release of pro-democracy activist Zhang Lin, who was due to have been freed on 13 February 2005 following 15 days of "administrative detention". Zhang is now being held in what the Chinese authorities call "criminal detention" on a charge of threatening state security.

Iraq

Italian journalist appeals for withdrawal of Italian troops in video clip released by kidnappers

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed outrage and horror at a video broadcast on 16 February 2005 showing kidnapped Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena tearfully calling for her country to withdraw its troops from Iraq. "Nobody has forgotten the execution of her compatriot and colleague Enzo Baldoni, who was also forced to make such an appeal by his kidnappers," the organisation said.

Malaysia

University questions student a second time over critical articles

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Science University of Malaysia (USM) has for the second time investigated Ali Bukhari Amir, a senior communications major at the school, for his critical articles on the university. The focus of the investigation has now shifted to the student's website and his role in founding a writers' association.

United States

Appeals court rules that "Time" magazine and journalists Judith Miller and Matthew Cooper must reveal sources in CIA leak case

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 15 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Russia

CPJ concerned about journalist's pending deportation

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 15 February 2005 CPJ press release:

United Kingdom / International

ARTICLE 19 welcomes European Court of Human Rights ruling on McLibel case

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 15 February 2005 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Iran

Appeal court upholds prison sentence for cyber-dissident; another blogger imprisoned as court doubles bail

(RSF/IFEX) - Condemning the imprisonment of two Iranian Internet users in the past 10 days, RSF said Iran was undergoing the Middle East's biggest-ever crackdown on online expression.

Zimbabwe

Three foreign correspondents arrested in Harare

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 15 February 2005 IFJ press release:

Sierra Leone

Authorities detain magazine editor for three days without charge

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the three day detention without charge of "Peep!" magazine editor Olu Richie Awoonor Gordon in the capital, Freetown. The organisation has also criticised the failure of the UN mission in Sierra Leone to speak out on the government's repeated press freedom violations.

Nigeria

Security agents raid newsstands, seize publications and arrest vendor

(MRA/IFEX) - On 10 February 2005, agents of the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria's intelligence agency, raided newsstands on Old Market Road, the main distribution centre for the city of Onitsha, in Anambra State. The SSS agents confiscated large quantities of "The News", "The Source" and "The Week" magazines, as well as copies of "Hallmark" newspaper. They also arrested a newspaper distributor, Ikechukwu Obisi, and took him to an unknown location. The SSS officials, who were from Awka, the state capital, took the action on the grounds that the news vendors were distributing publications carrying stories about the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

Uruguay

Police raid journalist's home

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 10 February 2005 IAPA press release:

Mexico

Journalist threatened by military authorities

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 9 February 2005, Emilio Gutiérrez Soto, a correspondent for "El Diario de Juárez" newspaper, reported that he had received death threats from members of the military after he published an article about a military raid on a local hotel. "El Diario de Juárez" is published in Ascención, Chihuahua region, northern Mexico.

Nepal

Two more journalists arrested, FNJ general secretary held without charge

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

Burundi

Radio station and news agency suspended

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Togo

CPJ condemns government crackdown on private broadcasters

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Bangladesh

Maoist group claims responsibility for fatal Khulna bombing

(RSF/IFEX) - On 11 February 2005, the Maoist extremist group Purba Bangla Communist Party (PBCP) claimed responsibility for a 5 February bomb attack outside the Khulna Press Club in southwest Bangladesh that fatally wounded journalist Sheikh Belaluddin Ahmed and injured three others.

Philippines

Last remaining witness in Damalerio case survives assassination attempt as family of other murdered witness receives death threats

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has urged Philippine authorities to protect the family of Edgar Amoro, a witness to the murder of journalist Edgar Damalerio, who was himself murdered on 2 February 2005. Amoro was buried on 14 February.

Togo

Government closes three radio stations, one television station for "inciting revolt"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the one month closure of three radio stations and a television station for "inciting civil disobedience and revolt". The closure was announced on the evening of 11 February 2005, just hours after officials forcibly closed and sealed the premises of all four privately-owned media outlets citing "tax reasons".

Honduras

Newspaper director and editor-in-chief face defamation complaint

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - Journalists Nelson Fernández and Luis Fuentes, director and editor-in-chief of the daily "La Prensa", respectively, published in the northern city of San Pedro Sula, 250 km from the capital, Tegucigalpa, are facing a defamation complaint filed against them by Supreme Court Justice María Elena Matute.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Jailed reporter freed

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Thailand

Managing editor killed in southern Thailand

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On the morning of 14 February 2005, Kiat Saetang, managing editor of the bi-monthly newspaper "Had Yai Post", was shot dead near a central market in the bustling town of Had Yai, in Thailand's southern province of Songkhla.

Iran

Iran's ambassador to Britain admits Iranian security forces killed Kazemi

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has hailed an 8 February 2005 admission by Iran's ambassador to Britain that Iranian officials killed Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi while she was in custody in Tehran in July 2003.

Bangladesh

Journalist dies from injuries sustained in press club bombing; more suspects arrested in connection with the attack

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF says it is deeply saddened by the death of journalist Sheikh Belaluddin Ahmed of the daily "Sangram", six days after he was critically wounded in a bomb attack on the Khulna Press Club, in southwest Bangladesh.

Egypt

New opposition daily suspended as first issue goes to print

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on the Egyptian authorities to reverse an 8 February 2005 decision to suspend the new daily "Al-Ghad" ("Tomorrow", after the newly-formed party of the same name), calling the move "arbitrary".

Brazil

IAPA calls on authorities to take action in cases of murders and attacks against journalists

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 9 February 2005 IAPA press release:

Tajikistan

Report on free expression in Tajikistan shows situation worsened for media in 2004

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The following is an abridged 7 February 2005 press release by the National Association of Independent Mass Media in Tajikistan (NANSMIT), an Adil Soz partner:

Philippines

Two journalists targeted in separate incidents

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 8 February 2005, veteran tabloid columnist Pablo Hernandez was stabbed inside a billiard hall in Quezon City by an individual suspected to have been hired by local high-ranking police officers.

Mexico

Journalist in hiding after being attacked

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Kuwait

Prime minister threatens to censor newspapers

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 10 February 2005 letter to the prime minister, His Highness Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, CPJ expressed concern over recent statements the prime minister made threatening to suspend or shut down newspapers that publish information related to the Kuwaiti government's current fight against religious extremists.

Togo

CPJ protests censorship and threats to private radio stations

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Croatia

Journalists demand inquiry into alleged abuses by security agency

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Nepal

Crackdown on press freedom could put 1,000 journalists out of work

(RSF/IFEX) - The Nepalese army is continuing to prevent privately-owned newspapers from publishing while around 1,000 journalists, particularly those working for the dozens of FM radio stations, could lose their jobs as a result of the crackdown on the news media imposed by the king on 1 February 2005, RSF warns.

Russia

Authorities issue warning to newspaper over Chechnya interview

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Ethiopia

IPI expresses concern for safety of two journalists held by authorities

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI letter to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi:

Colombia

La FLIP presenta informe anual sobre violaciones a la libertad de prensa en 2004

(FLIP/IFEX) - Lo que sigue es un resumen del Informe Anual de la FLIP sobre Violaciones a la Libertad de Prensa en 2004:

Mexico

Journalist survives assassination attempt in Monterrey

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced outrage over the 7 February 2005 attempt to assassinate television journalist Jorge Cardona Villegas, of Televisa Monterrey station, in the northeastern city of Monterrey, Nuevo León State. The organisation urged the government to end violence along the border with the United States that has killed three journalists over the past year.

Haiti

Radio host wounded in drive-by shooting

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

Bangladesh

Police officer fired for negligence following Khulna Press Club bombing

(RSF/IFEX) - A police officer assigned to the Sadar police station in Khulna was fired for "negligence" on 6 February 2005, the day after the bombing at the Khulna Press Club in which four journalists were wounded, two seriously.

Iraq

Islamist group claims responsibility for journalist's slaying

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

Somalia

BBC reporter killed in Mogadishu

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

Cameroon

Editor granted provisional release after one month in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - On 9 February 2005, the Douala Appeals Court granted a provisional release to Jules Koum Koum, editor-in-chief of the independent bi-weekly "Le Jeune Observateur". The journalist has spent the past month in very harsh conditions in New Bell prison, serving a six-month sentence for libel. He is expected to be released as soon as the legal formalities are completed.

Nepal

Human Rights Watch concerned that Nepal is plunging deeper into a massive human rights crisis; danger of "disappearances" escalates

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

Belarus

WAN concerned over way in which investigation into journalist's murder is being conducted

(WAN/IFEX) - In a 7 February 2005 letter to President Alexander Lukashenko, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed serious concern at the way the investigation into the murder of journalist Veronika Cherkasova is being conducted.

Nepal

King takes further measures against press freedom; contrary to earlier reports, BBC correspondent not arrested

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the presence of large numbers of security personnel inside the offices of newspapers in Kathmandu and the control they are exercising over news reports. The organisation has called for the release of detained journalists and an end to the harassment of the families of those journalists who have gone into hiding to avoid arrest.

Iraq

Al-Hurra television reporter killed by gunmen

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has firmly condemned the 9 February 2005 murder of Abdel Hussein Khazaal, a correspondent for the United States-financed, Arabic-language television station Al-Hurra, who was gunned down outside his home in the southern city of Basra. His three-year-old son, who was with him, was also killed.

Morocco

Pro-government press mounts smear campaign against journalist Ali Lmrabet

(RSF/IFEX) - A campaign by at least a dozen pro-government news media in Morocco to disparage journalist Ali Lmrabet and accuse him of "treason" over his remarks on Western Sahara is raising concerns for his safety, RSF warns.

Egypt

Detained journalist begins hunger strike

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

Ecuador

Bomb blast rocks provincial radio station

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned a bomb attack on Radio Canela station in the early hours of 4 February 2005 as "a serious press freedom violation." The organisation urged the authorities to extensively investigate the incident in order to promptly identify and apprehend those responsible. Radio Canela is based in Macas, 240 km southeast of Quito.

Thailand

Prime minister's reelection raises concerns for press freedom

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

Iran

Continued crackdown on the press tempers optimism in the wake of journalist Hassan Youssefi Echkevari's release

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 7 February 2005 RSF statement:

Comoros

Main radio station on Anjouan Island allowed to resume broadcast of evening news programme

(RSF/IFEX) - Radio Dzialandzé Mutsamudu (RDM) was told it could resume broadcasting its nightly news programme on 29 January 2005, station coordinator Saïd Ali Bacar said. Since that date, listeners on Anjouan Island have been able to tune in to the nightly news programme, "which deals mainly with international events," Bacar said. The programme was suspended on 12 January on the Interior Ministry's orders.

Burma

Co-founder of "Myanmar Times" on trial

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 7 February 2005, the military started the trial of Sonny Swe, co-founder of the weekly "Myanmar Times", for alleged "economic crimes".

China

Police arrest cyber-dissident Zhang Lin

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the immediate release of pro-democracy activist and cyber-dissident Zhang Lin, who was arrested on 29 January 2005 in Bengbu (Anhui province, west of Shanghai) for posting articles on various websites. Police told his wife he would be detained for two weeks.

Honduras

Journalist faces defamation complaint

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - On 11 January 2005, attorney Siomara Benítez Molina filed a defamation complaint against journalist Carlos Ismael Galeas, head of news programming for San Miguel radio station, based in Marcala, La Paz department. Galeas must appear before a Comayagua court on 18 February to respond to the accusations or otherwise face trial.

Pakistan

Two journalists killed, two others wounded in gun attack

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 7 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Bangladesh

Four journalists injured, two seriously, in bomb attack on Khulna Press Club

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed outrage after four journalists were wounded, two very seriously, in a 5 February 2005 bomb attack on the press club in Khulna, southwestern Bangladesh. Two of the injured journalists remain hospitalised. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Iraq

Islamist group issues ultimatum for release of Italian journalist

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

Philippines

Tabloid reporter attacked in Manila

(CMFR/IFEX) - A tabloid reporter was assaulted and robbed by two suspected illegal drug users in Tondo, Manila, on 26 January 2005, according to the local evening paper "People's Journal Tonight".

Somalia

Journalist authorised to return to work after more than four months' banishment

(RSF/IFEX) - The head of security for Middle Shabelle region, who is also the brother of local chief Mohamed Omar Habeb, authorised journalist Abdiqani Sheik Mohamed to return to work on 3 February 2005, the local press freedom group Somali Journalists Network (SOJON) told RSF. The journalist, formerly of the privately-owned station Radio Banadir, had been living in internal exile in Mogadishu, in precarious circumstances, since a decree issued on 27 September 2004 banned him from "practicing his profession." The local authorities had threatened him with reprisals if he did not comply with the decree.

India

Two journalists assaulted

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 February 2005 IFJ media release:

Nepal

FNJ general secretary arrested, FNJ president evades security forces

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 7 February 2005 IFJ media release, followed by IFJ's 6 February 2005 release announcing Bishnu's arrest and the reported disappearance of a BBC representative:

Nepal

Indian journalist unions protest continued curtailment of press freedom in Nepal as king orders complete black out of all media outside Kathmandu Valley

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 February 2005 media release:

Azerbaijan

Interior Ministry denies journalist's allegations of abduction

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Philippines

Police name suspect in killing of witness to Damalerio murder

(RSF/IFEX) - Philippine police have named a man who they say is a suspect in the killing of Edgar Amoro, a witness to the murder of journalist Edgar Damalerio. Vidal Querol, chief of police in the Zamboanga region (on the southern island of Mindanao), said the police were actively seeking Mohammed Maulama, who had shared a cell with Damalerio's alleged murderer, policeman Guillermo Wapile, himself detained since September 2004.

Nepal

Columnist Khagendra Sangraula arrested; security forces target journalists, impose blackout outside capital

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

China

Journalist Shi Tao faces possible life sentence for posting Tiananmen document on website

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced outrage over the charge of "illegally exposing state secrets abroad" that was brought against journalist and poet Shi Tao on 28 January 2005 for posting an official document relating to the June 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre on a foreign website. Shi, who has been detained since November 2004, faces a sentence of between three years and life imprisonment if convicted.

International

CPJ analysis names main offending countries in jailing journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 February 2005 CPJ capsule report:

Kazakhstan

Newspaper faces criminal charges for "insulting" president

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 2 February 2005, Kazakhstan's National Security Committee brought charges against "Juma Times-Data Nedeli" newspaper for insulting the honour and dignity of the President under Article 318 of the Kazakhstani Criminal Code. The charges stemmed from a 12 November 2004 article entitled, "It is Time to Know Whom to Vote For", which predicted the outcome of the presidential election. The article endorsed the hypothetical candidate Notnursultan Notabishevich Notnazarbayev, and included a profile of the imaginary contender. An investigation into the case is underway. One of the newspaper's editors, Bahytkul Makitbayeva, has been summoned for questioning on 5 February 2005.

Belarus

Writer and nuclear scientist Yury Bandazhevsky refused early release

(WiPC/IFEX) - Writer and nuclear scientist Yury Bandazhevsky was refused early release by the Belarus authorities in January 2005. The WiPC of 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.

Philippines

Reporter threatened by logging company executive

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), a founding member of SEAPA, has sounded the alarm over threats made by an alleged illegal logger against one of its reporters.

Egypt

Journalist and other peaceful critics arrested in clampdown on dissent; security forces raid book fair booth, confiscate literature

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

Peru / Panama

Peruvian journalist faces legal action

(IPYS/IFEX) - Journalist Pablo O'Brien Cuadros, of the Lima-based newspaper "El Comercio", is facing legal action in a Panama court. On 25 January 2005, a case against the journalist was admitted at the Thirteenth District Prosecutor's Office in Panama City. He is accused of "acting against the public faith and falsifying information".

Iraq

Italian journalist abducted

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

Nepal

FNJ president in hiding, risks arrest

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

Nepal

King imposes six-month ban on critical reporting on government activities; journalists detained overnight at weekly's offices

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 February 2005 CPJ press release:

Thailand

Newspaper publisher harassed by politician

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A newspaper publisher in southern Thailand has received a veiled threat from an influential politician after submitting himself to an official inquiry into an alleged vote-buying violation by a senior member of the ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party.

Azerbaijan

Opposition journalist abducted and threatened by soldiers

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the abduction of and threats to Akper Hasanov, a journalist with the opposition daily "Monitor" on 2 February 2005. Hasanov was held for almost five hours at Baku military headquarters. Plainclothes soldiers forced him to write a retraction of an article carried by "Monitor" on 29 January, which reported on the horrifying conditions endured by a military unit in the Geranboy region.

Guyana

Television station suspended for indefinite period

(RSF/IFEX) - In a 31 January 2005 decision, the High Court ordered the suspension of CNS Channel Six television station, as an interim measure, until the court issues a ruling on the constitutionality of the government's decision to suspend the station's licence for one month.

Nepal

IFJ calls for strong global response in the face of severe media restrictions

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

Kyrgyzstan

Phoney e-mail messages sent to discredit opposition

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on the head of the State Agency for Communications, Andrei Titov, to investigate a disinformation campaign in which e-mail messages designed to discredit a number of opposition figures were sent out on around 8 January 2005 from addresses belonging to the opposition websites http://www.Gazeta.kg and http://Centrasia.ru without the knowledge of those in charge.

Kyrgyzstan

Government pressures newspapers to disclose sources in controversial report

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - Kyrgyzstan's "MSN" and "Res Publica" newspapers are facing government pressure over reports published in the papers on an alleged secret government session last December. According to Zamira Sadykova, a senior editor of "Res Publica" newspaper, the papers received an official notice demanding they disclose their sources for the report or face legal proceedings.

Vietnam

PEN receives reports of writers freed

(WiPC/IFEX) - According to information received by International PEN's WiPC, Vietnamese writers Nguyen Dan Que, Nguyen Van Ly and Nguyen Dinh Huy have left their internment camps. The three men were reported to have been granted amnesty on the occasion of the Vietnamese new year.

Thailand

Broadcast media under critical eye as elections near

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Thai television coverage of campaigns for the upcoming general elections appears biased towards the party of incumbent Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a study by the Bangkok-based Assumption University Abac Poll center says.

Venezuela

Journalist to be prosecuted in case of leaked documents

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

Philippines

Key witness in case of murdered journalist Edgar Damalerio gunned down

(CMFR/IFEX) - A key witness in the celebrated murder case of slain Filipino journalist Edgar Damalerio was gunned down on the morning of 2 February 2005 while leaving his place of work in Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur.

Greece

Austrian author receives suspended six-month prison sentence

WiPC/IPA/IFEX) - The following is a joint WiPC, IPA and International Booksellers Federation (IBF) appeal to Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis:

Nepal

IFJ concerned for media safety following collapse of democracy, unconfirmed reports that journalists are detained in army camps

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

Tajikistan

BBC correspondent attacked, independent weekly's offices sealed as government steps up campaign of press harassment in advance of legislative elections

(RSF/IFEX) - Tajikistan's journalists and independent media are increasingly being harassed in the approach to the 27 February 2005 legislative elections, RSF warned, pointing to a politician's aggressive behaviour towards BBC Farsi-language correspondent Iskandar Firuz, and the closure of the independent weekly "Nerui Sukhan" and seizure of its latest issue.

Nepal

King imposes state of emergency and cuts all communications with outside world

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan to intervene in Nepal, where King Gyanendra imposed a state of emergency on 1 February 2005, taking over direct power and cutting the country off from the outside world. All communications, including e-mail, have been cut, and privately-owned FM radio stations have been forced to cancel news programmes.

Mozambique

Journalist kidnapped, threatened with death

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on the Mozambican authorities to protect Jeremias Langa, news director of the privately-owned television station Soico TV (STV). On 27 January 2005, the journalist was kidnapped at gunpoint in Maputo. He was held briefly and threatened with "the same fate as journalist Carlos Cardoso if [he] continued to talk too much." Cardoso was killed in 2000.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist imprisoned for making "damaging allegations"

(JED/IFEX) - Journalist Jose Wakadila, of the Kinshasa-based daily "La Référence Plus", was arrested by judicial police on 31 January 2005 as he was boarding a Kinshasa-bound bus and taken to the Matadi Central Prison in Bas-Congo province, western Democratic Republic of Congo.

Iran

Journalist Taghi Rahmani marks 5,000 days in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has strongly condemned the ill-treatment of journalist Taghi Rahmani, who has spent over 5,000 days in prison since 1981, sentenced each time in connection with his journalistic work. Rahmani has currently been in jail for 19 months without charge.

Ukraine

CPJ urges vigorous investigations, reforms in letter to President Yushchenko

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 31 January 2005 CPJ letter to President Viktor Yushchenko:

Philippines

CPJ investigating attack on publisher to determine if shooting was connected to his journalism

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 31 January 2005 CPJ press release:

Peru

Journalist attacked

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 29 January 2005, at 12:30 p.m. (local time), journalist Fernando Valverde Lavado was stopped as he walked down the street and assaulted by brothers Gilfor and Gib Alva Sotomayor. About 20 people who witnessed the incident prevented the attackers from stabbing the journalist.

Venezuela

Officers search journalist's home, seize files

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the morning of 28 January 2005, eight officers from the Scientific and Criminal Investigations Unit (Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas, CICPC) raided the residence of Patricia Poleo, editor of "El Nuevo País" newspaper, in Caracas.

Tunisia

Journalist banished to remote south of the country, launches hunger strike to protest authorities' refusal to allow him to visit family

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

Morocco

RSF condemns harassment of journalist Ali Lmrabet

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the bureaucratic harassment of journalist Ali Lmrabet and the blocking of his attempts to launch a weekly to replace "Demain" magazine, which was banned in May 2003.

Greece

Journalists protest Defence Ministry restrictions on access to information

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

Philippines

Publisher survives assassination attempt

(RSF/IFEX) - The 29 January 2005 attempted killing of Maximo Quindao, publisher of the weekly "Mindanao Truck News" in Tagum, on the southern island of Mindanao, shows that corrupt politicians and organised crime are continuing to attack the press in the Philippines, RSF says.

Pakistan

Offices of Pakistan's largest media group attacked

(PPF/IFEX) - On 30 January 2005, at about 2:00 a.m. (local time), about 30 to 35 unidentified people riding on motorcycles attacked the head office of the Jang Group of Publications in Karachi. They opened fire, beat the building's security staff, ransacked parts of the building and set fire to vehicles in the parking lot.

Malawi

President refuses to allow two reporters and a camera operator to accompany him on state visit

(MISA/IFEX) - President Bingu wa Mutharika has refused to allow two reporters and a camera operator nominated by Television Malawi (TVM) and the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to accompany him on a state visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Malawi

Journalist attacked

(MISA/IFEX) - On 29 January 2005, "Daily Times" reporter Collins Mtika was beaten up by supporters of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), a party that is a member of the ruling coalition.

Nepal

Journalists harassed and threatened

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 24 January 2005, a group of people displaced as a result of the country's internal conflict attempted to assault journalist Harihar Singh Rathor, in Dullu, Dailekh district, western Nepal. The district reporter for Kantipur publications was harassed by the group during the distribution of education materials organised by the Dailekh-district based Dalit Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Federation. According to CEHURDES's sources, police arrested two of his assailants but others remain at large.

Peru

Radio station's equipment destroyed by angry mob

(IPYS/IFEX) - At noon (local time) on 16 January 2005, close to 40 people armed with guns and sticks burst into the offices of Radio Néctar and destroyed the station's facilities and transmission equipment. They claimed to have been insulted on the air a few minutes earlier. Station owner Mariano Núñez Guevara denied the accusations. The incident occurred in Nueva Cajamarca district, San Martín region, northern Peru.

Peru

Court issues warrant for journalist's arrest

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 26 January 2005, Julio Molero, editor and owner of the weekly "El Tiempo", announced that he is facing an order for his arrest and has been forced to go into hiding. "El Tiempo" is based in Andahuaylas, Apurímac region, southeastern Peru.

Bangladesh

Intelligence agents search for sources of "Times" article

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

Comoros

Authorities suspend news programme of Anjouan island's main radio station

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has urged authorities on the autonomous island of Anjouan to allow the island's main radio station, Radio Dzialandzé Mutsamudu (RDM), to resume its daily news programme, after it was suspended "until further notice" on 13 January 2005, under the orders of the Interior and Information Ministry.

Algeria

IFJ condemns latest legal actions against the independent press

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 27 January 2005 IFJ press release:

Romania

Intelligence services admit to tapping phones of two journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed concern over revelations of a secret service decision to tap the phones of two Romanian journalists working for foreign media and said to be suspected of "espionage".

Nicaragua

Former mayor declared guilty of journalist's assasination

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - At 6:00 a.m. (local time) on 26 January 2005, Eugenio Hernández González was declared guilty of having assassinated María José Bravo, a correspondent for "La Prensa" newspaper. Judge Rosa Inés Osorio, of the Juigalpa Criminal Court, ruled on the case after a trial that lasted more than eight hours.

Belgium

Police question two journalists in latest attack on confidentiality of sources

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the 25 January 2005 police interrogation of reporter Anne De Graaf and editor-in-chief Yves Desmet, of the Flemish-language newspaper "De Morgen". The journalists were questioned about their sources for a May 2004 report on police fears of a terrorist attack in Antwerp.

Morocco

Authorities refuse to allow editor Ali Lmrabet to apply for publishing licence; CPJ protests newspapers' suspension

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 27 January 2005 letter to Justice Minister Mohamed Bouzoubaa, CPJ said it is deeply disturbed that the Ministry of Justice suspended two Arabic-language weeklies. According to press reports and local journalists, intelligence agents notified the editors of the Oujda-based weeklies "Al-Sharq" and "Al-Hayat al-Maghribiya" on 18 January that they were to cease publication of their weeklies immediately for three months on order of the ministry.

Nepal

Journalist tortured by Nepalese army

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced outrage over the torture of a young journalist by soldiers. The organisation called for Chandra Giri, 23, of the weekly "Shram", to be freed from custody and for those responsible for his torture to be punished. Giri is being detained in Kathmandu under the anti-terrorist law.

International

RSF condemns ongoing harassment of satellite channel Al Jazeera

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

Tajikistan

Freedom of expression in Tajikistan worsening in run-up to elections

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

Colombia

Journalist threatened in Valledupar

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 21 January 2005, Enrique Herrera Araujo, a columnist for "Vanguardia Liberal" newspaper in Cesar, was threatened. Three days later, the journalist wrote in his column, "I have been threatened in connection with my role as a writer for 'Vanguardia Liberal'. I received the latest threat on Friday, when I was told that I would be 'buried' if I continued to write 'crap'. . . It pains me to have to say that I am will stop writing editorials as I fear the assassins may not be patient."

Nigeria

Newspaper publisher arrested over report on police commissioner

(MRA/IFEX) - On 19 January 2005, the Rivers State Police Command arrested Jerry Needam, publisher of the Port Harcourt-based weekly tabloid "National Network", for publishing reports considered negative to Rivers State Police Commissioner Sylvester Araba.

Nigeria

Security agents arrest and interrogate three newspaper vendors

(MRA/IFEX) - On 20 January 2005, four State Security Services (SSS) agents raided newsstands in southeastern Enugu state. The security agents arrested the state chairman of the Newspapers Vendors' Association of Nigeria, Clement Egbuche, and two newspaper vendors, identified as Emeji and Chidinma. The three were arrested for selling copies of the tabloid newspaper "Eastern Pilot", which carried reports of the "emergence of a new Biafra nation".

China

Writer Yang Tianshui released, two others remain in prison

(WiPC/IFEX) - According to information furnished to International PEN's WiPC, Yang Tianshui was released on 25 January 2005. Yang was arrested on 24 December 2004 in Hangzhou, some 100 km south of Shanghai, on charges of "inciting subversion of state power".

Turkey

Writer and publisher to face hearings on 2 March 2005

(WiPC/IFEX) - International PEN is concerned that writers continue to be tried in direct denial of their right to freedom of expression despite recent changes to Turkish laws. Two of Turkey's most noted dissident writers, Fikret Baskaya and Ragip Zarakolu, will be appearing in separate courts on 2 March 2005. International PEN will be sending observers to these trials.

Dominican Republic

IAPA calls for action in case of journalist missing since 1994

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 25 January 2005 IAPA press release:

Peru

Demonstrators attack journalist, sabotage his book presentation

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the night of 24 January 2005, journalist Antonio Angulo Daneri was attacked by a group of demonstrators during the presentation of his book "Llamalo amor, si quieres" ("Call it love, if you wish"). The incident occurred during the Book Fair in Trujillo, capital of La Libertad region, northwestern Peru.

Brazil

CPJ condemns attack and death threats against journalist

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 25 January 2005 CPJ press release:

Poland

Publisher of weekly magazine fined

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

Nepal

Correspondent for national daily released

(RSF/IFEX) - On 12 January 2005, the security forces released Shakti Kumar Pun, of the national daily "Rajdhani".

International

Information must be a tsunami response priority, says ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 25 January 2005 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Haiti

IPI left fearful after criticism of Reuters' Haitian correspondent

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

Colombia

Photojournalist kidnapped in Urabá

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 22 January 2005, 64-year-old photojournalist Hernán Echeverri Arboleda, who works with "Urabá Hoy" newspaper, was kidnapped. The kidnapping appears to have been carried out by members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC) guerrilla group and took place on the road between the Dabeiba and Mutatá municipalities, in Urabá, northwestern Colombia.

Philippines

Suspected gambling operator storms into radio station, threatens staff

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

Azerbaijan

AJK and IPI call on international community to defend media, point to a number of press freedom violations since presidential elections

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a joint Azerbaijan Journalists Confederation (AJK) and IPI press release:

International

Seventy-one journalists and media workers killed in 2004, twenty-three of them in Iraq, says WAN

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

Australia

MEAA supports freedom of information appeal to Federal Court

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

Iran / United States

US hosting provider terminates Iranian student news agency's contract

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF suspects a political motive is behind the American hosting provider The Planet's termination of its contract with the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) on 14 January 2005. The organisation has written to the company seeking an explanation for its decision.

Mozambique

Fugitive in Cardoso murder returned to Mozambique

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 January 2005 CPJ press release:

Russia

CPJ disturbed that journalist's appeal denied

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 January 2005 CPJ press release:

Indonesia

American journalist deported

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Indonesian officials have deported an American journalist for having allegedly defied an earlier ban on his entry into the country.

Tunisia

Tunisia Monitoring Group expresses serious concerns over continued free expression violations in the country ahead of WSIS Preparatory Committee meeting in Geneva

(IFEX-TMG) - The following is an IFEX-TMG press release:

Brazil

Journalist assaulted by businessman

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 21 January 2005, journalist Lucio Flavio Pinto, an experienced reporter who has covered the Amazon region since the 1970s, was attacked by Ronaldo Maiorana, director of "O Liberal" newspaper and of the Rede Globo broadcasting station in Belém, the capital of Pará State. Maiorana was assisted by two security guards recruited from the state police.

Kenya

Authorities drop libel charge against investigative reporter

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed a 17 January 2005 decision by Kenya's attorney general to drop a criminal libel charge against Kamau Ngotho of the independent daily "The Standard". The charge had been brought under a law dating back to the colonial era.

Chile

WPFC urges Senate to reject senate committee's recommendation, says that "the spirit of 'desacato' remains in law"

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 21 January 2005 WPFC letter to Senate President Hernán Larraín Fernández:

Cameroon

Publisher's imprisonment extended by five months; CPJ calls for release of jailed publication director

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 21 January 2005 letter to President Paul Biya, CPJ expressed deep concern over the recent jailing of Jules Koum Koum, publication director of the private bimonthly "Le Jeune Observateur", on criminal defamation charges. Two journalists are now imprisoned in Cameroon for their work.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Censored stations resume broadcasting

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 January 2005 CPJ press release:

Venezuela

Radio programme host threatened and assaulted in Monagas state

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 14 January 2005, a crowd of approximately 40 people assaulted Daniel Ortiz, journalist and host of Geomar FM radio station's "En Positivo" programme. Geomar FM is based in Punta de Mata, Monagas state, northeastern Venezuela.

Haiti

Journalist assassinated; president of Haitian Journalists' Association receives death threats

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

Thailand

Legal and media experts working to hammer out common reform package on libel laws

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

Vietnam

Monthly suspended after two issues

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the suspension of the monthly "Nha Bao va Cong Luan", which was reportedly ordered to cease publishing in mid-January 2005. The decision, taken by the Ministry of Culture and Information, has not been made public.

Morocco

Two weeklies receive three-month suspension

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the three-month suspension of the Arabic-language weeklies "Al Hayat al Maghribia" ("Moroccan Life") and "Asharq" ("The East"). The 18 January 2005 order came in an apparent application of an 18-month-old court order, despite the fact the order was later rescinded by a royal pardon.

Peru

Newspaper editor receives one-year suspended prison sentence

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 19 January 2005, Julio Jara Ladrón de Guevara, editor-in-chief of the Cusco-based newspaper "El Comercio", received a one-year suspended prison sentence. In addition to the suspended prison sentence, Judge Miguel Ángel Castelo Andía, of Cusco's Third Criminal Court, also ordered Jara Ladrón de Guevara to pay 16,000 nuevos soles (approx. US$4,900) to the state and 1,000 nuevos soles (approx. US$300) to the plaintiff, Rafael Córdova Paliza.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Crackdown on broadcast media

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned a sudden crackdown on broadcast media, on 18 January 2005, in which broadcasts of three stations were cut without any warning or court order. In addition, specialised and religious radio and television stations were told they can no longer broadcast talk shows and phone-in programmes or political programming.

Maldives

Free elections threatened by lack of pluralism, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is concerned that the 22 January 2005 elections in the Maldives have virtually no chance of being free and fair, as promised by the government, because of a striking absence of press freedom in the country.

Azerbaijan

Editor of weekly harassed by court in libel case

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned an Azeri court for hounding an opposition weekly by ordering it to pay a 15,000 euro (approx. US$19,400) fine in a libel case or face criminal charges.

Iran

Weblogger arrested

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the immediate release of journalist Arash Sigarchi, who was arrested on 17 January 2005, after responding to an Intelligence Ministry summons in Rashat (northern Iran).

Russia

Information Ministry bars local media from reporting on demonstrations; anti-terrorist bill expands news restrictions nationwide

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed concern about growing press freedom violations in Russia since President Vladimir Putin came to power. The statement came as French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier prepared to make an official visit to Moscow on 20 and 21 January 2005.

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED welcomes suspension of hate media

(JED/IFEX) - On 13 January 2005, the Congolese media regulatory body (Haute Autorité des Médias, HAM) announced the one-month suspension of the controversial programme "Forum des médias". The weekly programme is produced and broadcast by the public broadcaster's (Radiotélévision nationale congolaise, RTNC) Channel Two station.

Cameroon

Journalist sentenced to six months in prison for defamation

(RSF/IFEX) - On 10 January 2005, Jules Koum Koum, the editor of the twice-monthly privately-owned newspaper "Le Jeune Observateur", was sentenced to six months in prison with no parole for defamation in an article questioning the management of two insurance companies. Koum has been held in New Bell prison, in the country's business capital, Douala, since the sentence was handed down.

Uganda

Foreign journalist robbed and arrested by customs officials

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the18 January 2005 arrest and overnight detention of Mohammed Abdullah Ould Memmine, a special envoy for the Arabic-language Iranian television news station Al-Alam. The Mauritanian journalist was arrested when he tried to enter Uganda from Kenya as part of his coverage of an African tour by Iranian President Mohammed Khatami.

Angola

Photographer arrested, censored

(MISA/IFEX) - On 10 November 2004, photographer Carlos Augusto, who was reporting for the independent weekly paper "Angolense", was arrested by police for photographing a police raid on street vendors in the capital, Luanda.

Poland

Prosecutor requests suspended prison sentence for "offensive" editorial about the pope

(RSF/IFEX) - The prosecution of satirical newspaper editor Jerzy Urban for an editorial about Pope John Paul II could set "a dangerous precedent for a European Union member state," RSF has warned.

International

IFJ says 2004 "dark and deadly year for media," calls for government action

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 18 January 2005 IFJ media release:

Zambia

WPFC concerned over government's intention to appeal High Court ruling on Independent Broadcasting Authority; appeals to president to restore Omega Television's construction licence

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is an 18 January 2005 WPFC letter to President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa:

The Gambia

ARTICLE 19 concerned over adoption of Newspaper Amendment Act 2004 and Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - In a 17 January 2005 letter to Commissioner Andrew Ranganayi Chigovera, special rapporteur on freedom of expression of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, ARTICLE 19 expressed grave concern over the recent adoption of the "Newspaper Amendment Act 2004" and the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill 2004.

Australia

Police actions obstruct journalists

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

Haiti

Aristide supporters attack two reporters in Port-au-Prince

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern over the 14 January 2005 attack on Claude Bernard Serant and Jonel Juste, two reporters with the daily "Le Nouvelliste". The organisation noted that it was "the first time journalists have been hit by the wave of violence launched in the capital by former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's supporters in September [2004]." RSF urged the authorities "to redouble efforts to disarm the former president's supporters."

Mexico

Unidentified individuals vandalise CENCOS director's vehicle

(CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 16 January 2005 press release by CENCOS and other human rights organisations:

Chad

Country's oldest privately-owned radio station suspended, faces possible closure

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on Chad's High Council of Communications (Haut Conseil de la communication, HCC) to rescind its week-long suspension of the privately-owned non-profit radio station DJA FM. The station was suspended from 17 to 24 January 2005. The organisation also urged the regulatory body to withdraw its threat to close down the station permanently if it is unable to pay its annual dues.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist sentenced to four years in prison for defamation

(JED/IFEX) - On 5 January 2005, Déo Mulima Kampuku, a journalist with the Kinshasa-based daily "La Référence Plus", was sentenced in absentia to four years in prison with no parole and ordered to pay 63,260 FC (approx. US$145) in damages and legal fees for defaming Guillaume Bolenga, president of the Cobil Oil (formerly Mobil Oil) company's management committee. "La Référence Plus" was also found liable and ordered to pay a symbolic fine of 100 FC (less than one US dollar) in damages.

Azerbaijan

AJK and IPI launch international campaign to defend media freedom

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 17 January 2005 Azerbaijan Journalists Confederation (AJK) and IPI joint press release:

Nepal

Journalist missing for more than two weeks

(RSF/IFEX) - Chandra Giri, a journalist with the privately-owned weekly "Shram", has not been seen for more than two weeks. He disappeared on 30 December 2004 and no group has claimed responsibility for his abduction.

International

Press freedom key to media growth, says WAN

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

Guinea

Government undertakes to liberalise airwaves

(MFWA/IFEX) - MFWA welcomes the government's recent pledge to liberalise Guinea's airwaves and permit independent broadcasting soon.

Pakistan

Government suspends newspaper advertisements in retaliation for coverage of sectarian violence

(PPF/IFEX) - The federal government has resorted to the use of advice and the suspension of advertisements in an effort to persuade newspapers to tone down their coverage of sectarian violence in Pakistan's Northern Areas and an unrelated incident of alleged gang rape involving a female doctor in a sensitive area of Balochistan province, which is suffering from serious law and order problems.

Iran

Lawyer Shirin Ebadi in danger of arrest

(Human Rights Watch/IFEX) ? The following is a 16 January 2005 Human Rights Watch press release:

Pakistan

Nine journalists injured in attack by student protestors

(PPF/IFEX) - On 14 January 2005, 10 persons, including nine journalists, were injured when activists of a sectarian religious organisation attacked the Lahore Press Club (LPC), in the capital city of Punjab province. The attackers threw stones and bricks, smashing cars parked at the club, as well as the LPC building's window panes.

Ecuador

IAPA welcomes progress on implementation of access to information law

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 14 January 2005 IAPA press release:

China

Government revokes visas for two television reporters seeking to accompany Canadian prime minister on visit to China

(PEN Canada/IFEX) - The following is a 14 January 2005 PEN Canada press release:

Colombia

Journalist in Cúcuta threatened

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 12 January 2004, a day after the murder of radio journalist Julio Palacios, reporter Jorge Corredor, of the Cúcuta-based La Voz del Norte radio station, received a death threat. Cúcuta is located in Norte de Santander department, northeastern Colombia.

Canada

Author Stephen Williams receives suspended sentence after pleading guilty to charge of breaking a publication ban

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

Saudi Arabia

Editor detained

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the arrest and arbitrary detention of Mohamed al Raouchan, editor-in-chief of the weekly "Al-Mouhaid" ("Neutrality"). Al Raouchan was arrested by security forces in Riyadh on 9 January 2005.

Kenya

Journalist from "The Standard" newspaper charged with criminal libel

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern over the libel charge that was brought against leading investigative journalist Kamau Ngotho, of "The Standard", on 13 January 2005. The legal action has triggered an outcry in Kenya, a country that normally respects press freedom.

Peru

Journalists assaulted by hospital security guards

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 11 January 2005, journalists Yoice Pacori, of "Correo" newspaper, and José Díaz, of América Televisión station, were assaulted by security guards at the Hipólito Unanue Hospital, in Lima's El Agustino district.

Indonesia

Two journalists detained by military; three others prevented from reporting

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 12 January 2005 CPJ press release:

Mexico

IAPA calls for investigation into harassment of newspaper

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 12 January 2005 IAPA press release:

France

Police carry out searches of "Le Point" and "L'Equipe" newspapers' offices

(RSF/IFEX) - On 13 January 2005, an examining judge led some 10 police officers in a search of the Paris offices of the weekly "Le Point", in a probe into the "violation of the confidentiality of an investigation" involving an alleged doping scandal within the Cofidis cycling team. A virtually simultaneous search was carried out by another examining judge at the offices of the sports daily "L'Equipe".

Philippines

ABS-CBN van set on fire by armed men

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 11 January 2005, at dawn, unidentified armed men stormed and set on fire an outside broadcast (OB) van of local network giant ABS-CBN. The incident took place in Mandaluyong City.

Cuba

Imprisoned journalist Normando Hernández González hospitalised with tuberculosis

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has said that it will hold the Cuban government responsible for imprisoned journalist Normando Hernández González's health situation. The journalist is believed to have contracted tuberculosis in prison.

Indonesia

SEAPA expresses concern over new restrictions on journalists, aid workers in Aceh

(SEAPA/IFEX) - SEAPA is dismayed by Jakarta's stated intent to restrict the movement of aid workers and journalists in Aceh. In the wake of the devastation wrought by the 26 December 2004 tsunami on the province, SEAPA said the latest statements of the Indonesian government and military run against a need to ensure transparency and access to information in Aceh.

Zimbabwe

Journalists removed from remand

(MISA/IFEX) - On 10 January 2005, journalists Vincent Kahiya, Dumisani Muleya, Iden Wetherell and Itai Dzamara, who were facing charges of criminal defamation, were removed from remand after the state failed to come up with a trial date.

Zambia

Journalists assaulted by police officers during demonstration

(MISA/IFEX) - The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has written to Inspector General of Police Zunga Siakalima, asking him to identify and provide details of officers who assaulted journalists during a demonstration. A 20 December 2004 protest by opposition parties and civil society organisations pressing for the speedy adoption of a new constitution was violently disrupted by police.

China

Government breaks up South Korean parliamentarians' press conference, expels journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced dismay after Chinese state security agents broke up a press conference in Beijing on 12 January 2005. The conference had been called by South Korean parliamentarians to discuss the plight of North Korean refugees.

Vietnam

Government clamps down on online press

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned a government assault on press freedom that has led to the ban or harassment of three media outlets over the course of several weeks - the daily "Tuoi Tre" ("Youth"), http://www.tintucvietnam.com and http://www.vnexpress.net. The organisation also deplored the launch of legal action against Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, a journalist with "Tuoi Tre".

Kazakhstan

"Respublika" newspaper reporter attacked

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - Andrey Klimonov, a freelance reporter for "Respublika" newspaper and former director of the Kazakhstan Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law's Aktobe office, was attacked by five unidentified individuals on 30 December 2004 at 10:00 p.m. (local time) near his home in Aktobe. The attackers asked him, "Are you Andrey Klimonov?", and then beat him. They ran away when they heard Klimonov's neighbour fire a tear gas canister. The neighbour took the journalist home.

Sudan

Media will be decisive factor in post-conflict era, says ARTICLE 19 report

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:

South Africa

Community newspaper faces defamation suit

(MISA/IFEX) - A local community newspaper, "The Developer", is facing a ZAR100,000 (approx. US$16,818) defamation suit from businessman Eric Chauke. Through his lawyers, Mdlalose Attorneys, Chauke is claiming "compensation for injury to his dignity, reputation and good name".

Zimbabwe

Independent publication threatened with closure

(MISA/IFEX) - The government-controlled Media and Information Commission (MIC) has threatened the recently launched independent publication "Weekly Times" that it risks imminent closure for allegedly misleading the commission on the thrust of its editorial policy.

Colombia

Radio news host shot and killed

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 January 2005 CPJ press release:

Kazakhstan

Investigation reopened into harassment of journalist

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The Internal Affairs Ministry has reopened the investigation of Colonel Berik Bilyalov for allegedly "provoking" reporter Grigoriy Melnikov, of "Vremya" newspaper.

Peru

IPYS publishes 2004 press freedom report

(IPYS/IFEX) - The following is an excerpt of IPYS's 2004 press freedom report:

Kazakhstan

Access to opposition party website blocked

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 7 January 2005, access to the Ak Zhol opposition party's official website, http://www.dpkakzhol.kz, was blocked. Users attempting to access the Ak Zhol website were automatically redirected to the website of internet services provider Nursat at http://w3.nursat.net/, where the following message was posted: "The page you are looking for is currently unavailable".

South Korea

IPI concerned about two press reform bills

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an IPI letter to President Roh Moo-hyun:

Nepal

Journalist released; newspaper office vandalised

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 9 January 2005, the security forces released journalist Sita Ram Parajuli in the Ratna Park area, after detaining him for 13 days in an undisclosed military detention center. Parajuli, executive editor of the weekly "Shram", was arrested on 28 December 2004 in Kathmandu's New Baneswor district. He was then blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination. According to Parajuli, after two days he was moved to another location and warned not to disclose any details of his detention and interrogation.

Zimbabwe

Mugabe signs repressive new media law

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 January 2005 press release:

Yemen

Daily suspended for one year; two journalists receive two-year prison sentences

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed concern over a growing crackdown on the news media in Yemen. On 29 December 2004, the privately-owned daily "Al Hurriya" ("Freedom") was suspended for one year by a Sanaa court. "Al Hurriya" editor-in-chief Abdulkareem Sabra and journalist Abdulqawi Al Qubati were each sentenced to two years in prison with hard labour.

Uzbekistan

Reporter assaulted

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - Djamshid Karimov, a reporter with the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), was attacked by two unidentified men on the porch of his house in the early morning hours of 21 December 2004. He was knocked to the ground and kicked. The journalist was taken to Djizak hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Liberia

Newspaper sued for libel

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 5 January 2005, "Forum" newspaper was sued for US$2 million for allegedly libelling Melee Kermue, a senatorial candidate in Bong county (central Liberia).

The Gambia

Nigerian journalist detained and questioned by police

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 30 December 2004, Sam Obi, a Nigerian journalist and presenter for the privately-owned City Limits Radio station, was detained and subjected to questioning by officials of the Gambia Police Force's Serious Crime Unit for six hours, in Serre Kunda, following an interview he granted to Radio France International (RFI).

Azerbaijan

Newspaper ceases publishing indefinitely

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

Russia

CPJ disturbed by ruling that Russian newspaper must pay millions

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 January 2005 CPJ press release:

Peru

Journalist and camera operator assaulted in Cuzco

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 4 January 2004, journalist Maruja Castro Sansaya and camera operator Miches Gómez Gudiel, of Cuzco's Channel TV Sur, were assaulted by Claudia Muñiz Maldonado, owner of the "El Milagro" pharmacy chain. The incident occurred in Cuzco, southeastern Peru.

Azerbaijan

Main opposition daily given heavy fine; sale of four others banned in subway stations

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the government's harassment of the country's main opposition newspaper, "Yeni Musavat", which has been hit with such heavy fines that it will almost certainly have to close in the next few days.

Iraq

French reporter and her interpreter missing

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed serious concern over the disappearance of Florence Aubenas, a reporter with the French daily "Libération", and her interpreter, Hussein Hanoun Al-Saadi. They have not been heard from since they left their Baghdad hotel on the morning of 5 January 2005.

Peru

Journalist assaulted in Ucayali

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the night of 4 January 2005, journalist , a broadcaster and director of Radio Visión Global station's "Tribuna Libre" programme, was assaulted by Henry Pulido Gómez, an engineer for the Servicios Generales Sosa construction company. Pulido also threatened Tenazoa with death.

Kuwait

Al-Arabiya correspondent arrested after news report

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

The Gambia

RSF calls for appointment of independent commission to examine murder of journalist Deyda Hydara

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

Sudan

Opposition newspaper editor released after being held secretly for more than a month

(RSF/IFEX) - Hussein Khogali, the publisher and editor-in-chief of the private, Arabic-language daily "Alwan", was released on 5 January 2005 after more than a month in detention. The police held him secretly in Khartoum's Kober prison from 22 November to 18 December 2004, allowing him no contact with either his lawyer or family.

Iran

Journalists receive death threats after testifying about their torture in detention

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

Democratic Republic of Congo

Four journalists detained in Kinshasa for trying to cover student demonstration

(JED/IFEX) - On 6 January 2005 in Kinshasa/Limete, Congolese National Police detained four journalists who were covering a demonstration organised by the Kinshasa Student Coordinating Committee (Coordination Estudiantine de Kinshasa). The detentions took place just before noon (local time). The four journalists were taken to the Provincial Inspectorate of the Kinshasa city police (Inspection provinciale de la Police de la ville de Kinshasa, formerly CIRCO), where they were questioned about the "motive for their presence at the site of the student demonstration". They were released at about 2:30 p.m. A camera belonging to one of the journalists was damaged.

Philippines

Two schoolboys arrested for murder of journalist Stephen Omais

(RSF/IFEX) - A 16-year-old schoolboy, arrested by police in Kalinga Province (northern Philippines) on 5 January 2005, has admitted to the 26 November 2004 murder of journalist Stephen Omais, which he said he carried out with five of his friends.

International

RSF says 2004 the deadliest year for journalists in a decade

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 5 January 2005 RSF press release:

Burma

Fourth journalist, Ohn Kyaing, released from jail

(RSF/IFEX) - A fourth journalist, Ohn Kyaing, aged 60, was released on 3 January 2005, from Toungoo jail, north of Rangoon.

Palestine / Israel

CPJ calls for investigation into shooting of journalist in Gaza Strip

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 5 January 2005 letter to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) CPJ expressed alarm over the recent shooting of a Palestinian cameraman in the northern Gaza Strip.

Philippines

Court dismisses libel suit against former broadcaster

(CMFR/IFEX) - A libel suit filed against former broadcaster and current Vice President Noli de Castro has been dismissed by a Manila court.

Malaysia

University student questioned over articles for campus newspaper and opposition party publication

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is a SEAPA letter to Professor Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak and Associate Professor Dato' Jamaluddin Mohaiadin, of the Science University of Malaysia:

Sri Lanka

FMM calls on authorities to cooperate with media to ensure that post-tsunami reconstruction effort is conducted in corruption-free and accountable manner

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

Bangladesh

Journalist survives assassination attempt in Khulna

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed grave concern over a 4 January 2005 murder attempt against journalist Dip Azad. He escaped when a homemade bomb thrown at him failed to explode.

International

Media reform a central part of reconstruction after Asian tsunami tragedy, says IFJ

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

Ethiopia

Editor released after week in prison as harassment of "Ethiop" journalists continues

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned the continuing judicial harassment of private, Amharic-language publication "Ethiop", whose editor Wosonseged Gebrekidan has just spent a week in prison because he was unable to pay the bail set by the Federal High Court in a libel action.

Burma

Military junta releases journalists Zaw Thet Htwe, Thein Tan and Aung Myint

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 3 January 2005 RSF-Burma Media Association press release:

Nigeria

Police officers assault journalists at political meeting

(MRA/IFEX) - On 4 January 2005, a security team made up of police officers and members of the anti-riot unit, deployed to maintain security at an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council of Nigeria's ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, assaulted a number of journalists who were at the party's secretariat to cover the meeting.

Philippines

Broadcaster faces temporary restraining order

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 10 December 2004, a local judge issued a temporary restraining order on lawyer-journalist Melanio "Batas" Mauricio Jr., barring him from disclosing in public any controversial information about a meat processing company.

Iraq

Journalist Raad Beraiej al-Azzawi released

(RSF/IFEX) - The Associated Press news agency has reported that journalist Raad Beraiej al-Azzawi, of "Sada Wasit" newspaper, was released on 2 December 2004, after a US$7,000 ransom was paid to his kidnappers.

Peru

Camera operator assaulted by crowd in Andahuaylas

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the morning of 4 January 2005, Elmer Valdivieso, a camera operator for Channel 4 television station's "América Noticias" news programme, was attacked by a crowd in the city of Andahuaylas, southeastern Peru. At the time of the incident, Valdivieso was reporting on a showdown between the security forces and approximately 150 members of the Movimiento Etnocacerista political movement, who took over a police station on 1 January, killing four police officers and taking 20 hostages.

Kazakhstan

RSF calls for reopening of investigation into journalist's death

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the investigation into the death of Internet journalist Askhat Sharipzhanov to be reopened. The organisation's appeal came three days after an Almaty court sentenced Kanat Kalzhanov to three and a half years of hard labour for having struck the journalist with his car on 16 July 2004. Sharipzhanov died from his injuries five days later.

Russia

Appeals court orders "Kommersant" newspaper to pay heavy damages for alleged slur on bank's reputation

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern over a 27 December 2004 appeals court ruling that an arbitration tribunal was right to have convicted the independent daily "Kommersant", on 20 October, of "harming the reputation" of the country's second largest bank, Alpha Bank. The appeals court reduced the damages award from 320.5 million rubles (approx. US$11.6 million; 8.5 million euros) to 10 million rubles (approx. US$361,000; 271,000 euros).

Algeria

Authorities step up crackdown on the press

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has condemned judicial harassment of the news media in Algeria after 13 journalists appeared before the Sidi M'Hamed court in Algiers in the space of 24 hours. They face six months to a year in prison.

Egypt

Editor released after almost three months in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Editor Ahmed Ezz Eldin Ahmed was released on 1 January 2005 after almost three months in Tora Prison, in the capital, Cairo.

Palestine / Israel

Palestinian cameraman seriously wounded

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has written to Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz calling for a "quick and thorough" investigation to determine how cameraman Majdi Al Arabid, of Channel 10 television station, was shot and wounded in a 2 January 2005 incident in the town of Beit Hanoun (northern Gaza Strip).

Nepal

Two journalists held by army, two others beaten by police

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern about recent physical attacks by police on journalists in Dailekh and Nepalgunj, the arrest of "Shram" editor Sitaram Parajuli on 28 December 2004, and the army's continued detention of "Rajdhani" correspondent Shakti Kumar Pun.

China

Two writers arrested

(WiPC/IFEX) - Two more writers are reported to have been arrested in China in recent days as part of an apparent crackdown against dissent. Academic Li Boguang and writer Yang Tianshui are reported to remain detained after having been arrested on 14 December and 24 December 2004 respectively. International PEN is calling on the Chinese authorities to halt this apparent crackdown on dissent, and to adhere to the principle of freedom of expression, as guaranteed under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Peru

Journalist rescued after three days in captivity

(RSF/IFEX) - Duber Mauriola Labán, a radio journalist who was kidnapped by a group of armed peasants in northwestern Peru on 27 December 2004, was finally released on 30 December following a police operation.

International

Murder leading cause of work-related deaths for journalists in 2004, according to CPJ analysis

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

International

IAPA's year-end message

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

Nepal

Journalist threatened, another attacked

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 29 December 2004, a local resistance group in the Nepal-India border area, which was formed to oppose the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels, threatened to kill journalist Krishna Bahadur Karki in Nawalparasi district, western Nepal. Karki, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists' (FNJ) Nawalparasi section, who received the threat via a telephone call, was accused of publishing false information.

Nepal

Two journalists threatened; others prohibited from entering rebel stronghold areas

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - On 2 January 2004, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels assaulted journalist Netra K.C., of the BBC Nepali Service, and French journalist Vincent S. Prado, in Syalapakha, Rukum district. The rebels threatened to kill the two journalists and prevented them from gathering information even though they displayed their press identification. They also confiscated the journalists' belongings.