Publishers accuse government of attempting to undermine independent media's credibility through Christmas cheques

(CEMESP/IFEX) - Several journalists, under the banner of the Concerned Publishers of Liberia, have chided the government of Liberia for reportedly handing out large sums of money, consisting of cheques to the tune of US$500 each, to media institutions as a Christmas gift.

Court confiscates station's broadcast equipment, oversteps authority, ANEM says

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 28 December 2006 ANEM press release:

Publisher fears for magazine's survival as deadline passes for payment of record "defamation" damages

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 December 2006 CPJ press release:

On governor's orders, police storm and attempt to close headquarters of NGO that countered official claims

(HRinfo/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo) is highly concerned by the resolution of the Qalubia governor to close the Ahalina Centre for Egyptian Family Support and Development (Ahalina). The governor's resolution is an act of revenge on Ahalina, which had disclosed the falseness of his mid-November statements that all slum areas in the Qalubia governorate are completely supplied with utilities. Ahalina reported that many areas in the governorate are still lacking the minimum humanitarian requirements for life.

IAPA condemns President Chávez's non-renewal of television network's license

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

"Palestinian journalists caught in the Gaza crossfire": RSF issues report on fact-finding visit to Gaza and Israel

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 28 December 2006 RSF press release:

RSF and Somali journalists' union call for charter to protect journalists as government troops take over

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 28 December 2006 RSF press release:

IACHR rapporteur calls for swift passage of law recognising community media

(AMARC/IFEX) - The following is a 19 December 2006 AMARC press release:

Security Council passes resolution on journalists' protection in conflict areas

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 23 December 2006 RSF press release:

CJFE makes five key recommendations to President Felipe Calderón to end the violence against journalists

(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is a 20 December 2006 CJFE press release:

Two journalists detained, accused of inciting violence after reporting on demonstrations

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the detention of journalists Néstor Pasquín and Hugo Francischelli in Corral de Bustos, a town in Córdoba province in Argentina's north-central region. Both were detained for alleged instigation of violence, arson and minor injuries, for which they may face from 3 to 15 years' imprisonment.

Journalists assaulted by doctors while covering protest; another threatened over lack of news coverage

(FNJ/IFEX) - Toya Dahal, a reporter with Kantipur Television, and cameraperson Poonam Baskota were attacked by Dr. Krishna Prasad Poudel, Dr. Ambus Karna and others on 26 December 2006 in Kathmandu.

Two journalists assaulted while covering communal clash; two others harassed

(FNJ/IFEX) - Cadres of the Nepal Sadbhawana Party-Anandadevi (NSP-A) attacked journalists Prabhat Devkota of "Satya Patra Daily" and Basanta Sharma of "Nispakcha Weekly" in Tribhuwan Chowk in the mid-western city of Nepalgunj on 26 December 2006 at around 11:30 a.m. (local time).

New TV reporter, cameraman and driver held in connection with Hariri murder coverage

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the continuing detention of New TV reporter Firas Hatoum, cameraman Abdel-Azim Khayat and driver Mohammed Barbar, who were arrested on 19 December 2006 for entering the apartment of a key prosecution witness in the February 2005 murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. New TV is a satellite news station based in Beirut.

Leading journalist shot dead at wheel of car: RSF urges police to consider all possibilities

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called on the Nigerian police to consider all possibilities in their investigation into the 22 December 2006 murder of Godwin Agbroko, the head of the editorial board of the privately-owned "This Day" newspaper, after his family expressed scepticism about a police claim that he was probably killed by robbers.

Journalists get three months in prison for accusing prefect of corruption

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the three-month prison sentences passed by a court in eastern city of Jijel on 25 December 2006 on Omar Belhouchet, editor of the daily "El Watan", and Chawki Amari, one of his journalists, for "libelling" the local prefect in an article last June accusing him of corruption. They were also fined 1 million dinars (approx. 10,900 euros).

Liu Jianhua receives 20-year sentence for "revealing state secrets"; Ching Cheong spends his 57th birthday in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Journalist Ching Cheong, seriously ill and serving a five-year sentence for "spying", spent his 57th birthday in prison on 22 December 2006, as Reporter Without Borders and the Hong Kong Journalists' Association (HKJA) presented a petition for his release.

Police briefly detain photographer, seize his equipment; journalist assaulted

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 December 2006 CPJ press release:

Two journalists convicted, face fines or imprisonment, over column on government perks

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

Journalist with opposition newspaper severely beaten following threats

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 December 2006 CPJ press release: