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Alerts - 2007 - July-September

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Philippines

Court temporarily stops class action suit by journalists against president's husband

(CMFR/IFEX) - The class action suit filed by 40 journalists and three media organizations against presidential spouse Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo for his alleged abuse of the right to litigate and violation of press freedom had not even reached the pre-trial stage a year after it was filed. Both sides had been locked in an argument over legal technicalities. But in a decision dated 24 September 2007, the Court of Appeals granted Mr. Arroyo's request for a preliminary injunction on the hearing of the affirmative defenses, thus putting the case on hold.

Russia

Journalist on suspended sentence harassed by authorities, risks imprisonment

(CJES/IFEX) - The editor-in-chief of the Internet publication "Novy Fokus", Mikhail Afanasyev, risks imprisonment, the interregional human rights association AGORA has reported.

International

South Asian Media Solidarity Network to be formally structured, campaign for comprehensive freedom of expression action plans

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 September 2007 IFJ media release:

Venezuela

Attack on "Panorama" newspaper attributed to Chávez opponents by congressmen and Maracaibo mayor

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 26 September 2007 IAPA press release:

The Gambia

Case against journalists suspended

(MFWA/IFEX) - The proceedings against Malick Jones, a principal producer with the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), and Mam Sait Ceesay, a former editor of the pro-government "Daily Observer" newspaper, were suspended on 26 September 2007. The decision followed defence counsel Antouman Gaye's submission that the case was filed without a fiat of the Attorney General as required by law.

Haiti

President lends support to independent investigative committee, pledges justice in murders of journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Portugal

New law threatens "integrity of journalism"

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 25 September 2007 press release of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Nepal

CEHURDES condemns disruption in newspaper group's operations by Maoist-affiliated union

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - CEHURDES, a Kathmandu-based freedom of expression monitoring group, condemns the disruption in Kantipur Publication group's newspapers by Maoist-affiliated trade union.

Sri Lanka

Four journalists sent on compulsory leave by state-owned TV network

(FMM/IFEX) - Four journalists with the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), the state-owned national television network, were sent on compulsory leave with immediate effect on 26 September 2007. Among those affected is the president of the Producers' Union, the trade union of the SLRC. The journalists have been singled out for urging in a letter to management that all action taken by the authorities which impinges on the professional integrity of employees be stopped forthwith.

Iraq / United States

CPJ expresses support for Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act to aid journalists targeted for work with US-linked media outlets

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 September 2007 CPJ letter to US Senators Kennedy and Smith and 12 other US legislators:

Burma

Internet access reportedly "cut" in Burma; journalist beaten, arrested

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The main link to the Internet in Burma -- the main medium that has allowed the world access to images and reports about the violence and political crisis gripping the country -- has been severely compromised, wire news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) is reporting.

Egypt

Independent editor to be tried in emergency security court; four journalists sentenced to jail for libel

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)

Fresh death threat to journalist on sixth anniversary of Martin O'Hagan's murder

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders joins journalists in Northern Ireland in condemning a fresh paramilitary death threat made against a leading Belfast journalist - exactly six years after the unsolved murder of the investigative reporter, Martin O'Hagan.

Burma

Soldiers raid foreign journalists' hotels, shut down newspapers

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association (BMA) have condemned new attempts by Burma's military rulers to exert pressure on foreign journalists and the Burmese media.

Burma

German photographer reportedly among shooting victims; death of Japanese journalist confirmed

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 September 2007 IFJ media release:

Philippines

Peaceful critics banned from entering country, blacklisted by government

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

International

"Journalisme malade, danger pour la démocratie en Europe, déclare la FIJ

(FIJ/IFEX) - Ci-dessous, un communiqué de presse de la Fédération européenne des journalistes, (FEJ), groupe régional de la FIJ, daté du 27 septembre 2007:

International

"Sick journalism" a danger for democracy in Europe, warns IFJ

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 September 2007 press release of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Niger

Prosecutor brings "inconsistent and absurd" indictment against Moussa Kaka

(RSF/IFEX) - A detailed indictment used to charge leading journalist Moussa Kaka on 26 September 2007 with "complicity in a conspiracy against state authority" was "inconsistent and absurd," Reporters Without Borders said. The manager of privately-owned Radio Saraouniya and correspondent of Radio France Internationale and Reporters Without Borders, Kaka was arrested on 20 September.

Serbia

Journalists prevented from attending press conferences

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned local authorities in the region of the southern city of Novi Pazar for drawing up a blacklist of undesirable journalists ahead of press conferences.

Azerbaijan

Correspondent for opposition newspaper seized, beaten and imprisoned, his family persecuted

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ letter to Azeri President Ilham Aliyev:

The Gambia

IFJ fears detained journalist killed

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 September 2007 IFJ media release:

Somalia

Radio Shabelle manager narrowly escapes murder attempt; three journalists arrested in provinces

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is appalled by the attempted murder on 24 September 2007 of privately-owned Radio Shabelle's acting manager, Jafar Mohammed "Kukay", the latest target of a wave of political killings that seems to be aimed at demonstrating that the transitional federal government is unable to guarantee security in the Somali capital.

Burma

Japanese photojournalist reportedly killed by military as junta violently cracks down on protestors

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A foreign journalist was reportedly killed by military troops on 27 September 2007, the second day of the Burmese junta's crackdown on protesters in Rangoon, according to exile-run news agency Mizzima.

United Arab Emirates

Prime minister decriminalises press offences

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 September 2007 IFJ media release:

United States

New legislation protecting reader privacy helps safeguard access to information

(PEN/IFEX) - The following is a 25 September 2007 PEN American Centre press release:

Mexico

Journalist accuses Chiapas government of manipulating advertising contracts to censor media

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a 25 September 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Iran

Mr. President, the Iranian people are not "the freest in the world": open letter to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

(RSF/IFEX) - On 26 September 2007, Reporters Without Borders wrote to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about claims he made during his visit to the United States to attend the annual United Nations General Assembly. The press freedom organisation hopes the Islamic Republic's president will not break his promise to allow human rights organisations to visit Iran.

Burma

Several journalists injured; news blackout accompanies military crackdown on protests

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association are outraged by the measures adopted by the military junta to prevent journalists and activists covering the on-going crackdown on protests. Most of the country's mobile phone lines have been cut and the Internet network has been drastically reduced. Charges by police and troops on demonstrators in Rangoon, especially near the Shwedagon pagoda, have reportedly left several dead, while dozens of people have been arrested and injured.

Mexico

Journalist accuses Chiapas state officials of interfering with his work, blacklisting him

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a 25 September 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Colombia

Huila electoral candidates veto two newspapers; journalist harassed, forced to delete photographs

(FLIP/IFEX) - Members of the Liberal Party who are running in an election in Huila state have vetoed the "La Nación" and "Diario del Huila" newspapers. In addition, a "La Nación" journalist was harassed and forced to delete photographs she took during a meeting in which one of the candidates participated.

Niger

After four days in police custody, veteran journalist imprisoned for allegedly "conniving" with rebels

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 September 2007 CPJ press release:

China

Imprisoned journalist in danger of permanent paralysis still untreated, transferred to another prison

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 25 September 2007 CPJ press release:

India

Government suspends two satellite television channels for a month without due process

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

International

Draft treaty on access to information flawed, says ARTICLE 19

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

Mexico

Journalist receives death threat following articles critical of governor of Veracruz state

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a 25 September 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Turkey

Human rights association reviews dismal freedom of expression situation in first six months of 2007

(BIANET/IFEX) - The following is a 24 September 2007 BIANET press release:

The Gambia

Journalist with state broadcaster released on bail

(MFWA/IFEX) - Malick Jones, a principal producer of the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) was released on 21 September 2007 after finally executing his bail condition in the sum of 200,000 Dalasi (approx. US$9,500).

Jordan

Press law extended to online publications

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has criticized the government's extension of the press law to cover online publications as "damaging to the freedom of expression that the Internet ensures in a country such as Jordan, where the media is tightly controlled." It called for the measure to be cancelled.

Bangladesh

IPI protests jailing of cartoonist and suspension of publication of satirical weekly

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

United Arab Emirates

Two journalists receive two-month prison sentences for libel

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has deplored the handing down of two-month prison sentences for libel to the former editor of the English-language paper "Khaleej Times", Shimba Kassiril Ganjadahran, and journalist Mohsen Rashed by a court in Dubai. The sentences came less than two weeks after five-month prison terms were given to two online journalists in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah (see IFEX alerts of 13 September, 24 and 21 August 2007).

Iraq

Radio journalist murdered in Mosul

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders deplored the murder of TV journalist Jawad al-Daami, of the satellite TV station Al-Baghdadiya, who was shot dead in Baghdad on 23 September 2007, less than a week after the killing of Muhannad Ghanem Ahmed, of radio Dar Al Salam, in the northern city of Mosul (see previous IFEX alert of 25 September 2007).

Peru

Social movement leader punches journalist for criticising coca-leaf growers' strike during interview in Tocache

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 24 September 2007, Radio Concierto journalist Abel Gonzáles Vargas was punched by Edwin Usuriaga Paz, the president of Tocache's Defense Front (Frente de Defensa de Tocache), an alliance of various social movements in the Tocache area who are supporting the demands of coca-leaf farmers, while the journalist conducted a live interview with him about the coca producers' strike initiated that day in Tocache, in San Martín region in northeastern Peru.

Turkey

Journalist Sinan Kara acquitted on one charge under Article 301, faces three others

(BIANET/IFEX) - "Gündem" journalist Sinan Kara, who has been imprisoned three times before, was acquitted in a trial concerning an article he wrote, in which he joined EU Commission Turkey representative Hans Jörg Kretschmer in criticising the army. The article was entitled "Barracks Party".

Venezuela

Newspaper's security guard hurt during attack by demonstrators in Maracaibo, journalist harassed

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 17 September 2007, a score of demonstrators attacked the headquarters of the newspaper "Panorama" with rocks, bottles and sticks, damaging the building's front walls and doors. The newspaper is based in the city of Maracaibo, in the state of Zulia, in northern Venezuela.

Ukraine

Editor of critical online newspaper victim of arson attack

(IMI/IFEX) - The following is a statement from IMI, an interim member of IFEX:

Turkey

Newspaper owner shot to death in Van

(BIANET/IFEX) - Kasim Ciftci, owner of the "Hakkari Province Voice" newspaper, aged 46, was killed in Van on 22 September 2007. His family took his body from the Van State Hospital on 23 September for burial in Hakkari, a province southeast of Van, in southeastern Turkey.

Egypt

Three journalists with opposition newspaper sentenced to prison over article on judiciary

(HRinfo/IFEX) - Three journalists of the opposition news paper "El-Wafd" have each been sentenced to two years in prison, following a lawsuit brought against them by a group of lawyers representing the ruling Democratic Party.

Bolivia

New media restrictions may arise from new constitution, CPJ report warns

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

Fiji

Emergency laws reactivated, potentially curbing freedom of expression, media

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

Iraq

Well-known television producer murdered in Baghdad

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 September 2007 CPJ press release:

United States

Journalist detained in Guantanamo in "serious physical and mental decline", relatives fear for his life

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

International

CPJ to honour four courageous journalists with International Press Freedom Awards

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

Sri Lanka

Draft legislation prohibiting coverage of defence procurement violates freedom of expression, warns FMM

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

Montenegro

WAN alarmed at media harassment following attack on journalist, lawsuits against newspaper, threats against reporter and unresolved case of murdered editor

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a WAN letter to President Filip Vujanovic:

Iran

Offices of website closed

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has criticised the closure of the offices of the hardline website http://www.Baztab.com, calling it a "troubling example of the government's repressive policies."

Mexico

State government rejects national human rights commission's call for investigation into assault on journalists

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Philippines

Journalist allegedly threatened, "banned" from covering military following critical coverage

(CMFR/IFEX) - A freelance journalist told CMFR that she has been threatened and banned from military camps by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, apparently for writing stories on the armed conflict in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. The military has denied her allegations.

Philippines

Columnist threatened with death following articles implicating top government official in corruption

(CMFR/IFEX) - A columnist claims that he received a death threat on 20 September 2007, after writing about a high-ranking election official involved in an anomalous deal on the installation of broadband networks in the country.

Russia

Government charges newspaper with "dissemination of extremist materials" over Putin cartoon

(CJES/IFEX) - The Federal Service for the Supervision of Mass Media, Communication and Protection of Cultural Heritage (Rossvyazokhrankultura) in the Saratov region filed a lawsuit against the region's newspaper "Saratovsky Reporter" on 19 September 2007. The paper is charged with "dissemination of extremist materials."

Colombia

Journalist repeatedly threatened in Soledad following report on corruption

(FLIP/IPYS/IFEX) - Samit Linero, a journalist with the newspaper "Al Día", reported having been threatened by telephone and harassed, apparently in retaliation for his 18 September 2007 report about a case of alleged corruption.

El Salvador

Journalist killed following threats

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 21 September 2007 IAPA press release:

Burma

Junta orders journalists, actors to refrain from protesting, speaking out

(SEAPA/IFEX) - As thousands of ordinary citizens join some 3,000 monks and nuns in the streets of Rangoon and Mandalay on their seventh day of peaceful marches on 24 September 2007, the junta is warning the press from joining the protests, worried that journalists, too, may be emboldened enough by the deeply moving spectacle to exercise their right to free expression in its most basic form

Liberia

Journalists manhandled by presidential bodyguards

(CEMESP/IFEX) - On 21 September 2007, bodyguards of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, from the Special Security Service (SSS), brutalized and intimidated several local journalists and correspondents of international news organizations.

Zimbabwe

IFJ demands safety guarantees for journalists after media "hit list" leaked from government

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 September 2007 IFJ media release:

Iran

ARTICLE 19 welcomes release of scholar Kian Tajbakhsh, calls for release of remaining Iranian-US citizen in detention

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

South Africa

Cape Town court dismisses bank's application to prevent satirical journal from publishing information relating to alleged tax fraud scheme

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

Indonesia

Police tap journalist's telephone following report on tax fraud

(AJI/IFEX) - AJI condemns the actions of the Indonesian police and the telecommunications company P.T. Telkom in tapping the cellular telephone account of "TEMPO" journalist Metta Dharmasaputra, and circulating print-out copies of text messages and conversations recorded without the journalist's consent.

Zimbabwe

Censorship and political interference rife at state broadcaster

(MISA/IFEX) - The chief executive officer of Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH), Henry Muradzikwa, has admitted that political interference and censorship of news reports is the order of the day at the state-controlled national broadcaster.

Maldives

Political affairs reporter banned from Parliament

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the secretary of the Maldives parliament, the People's Majlis, to rescind a ban on reporter Lushan Saeed of the daily "Miadhu" from entering the parliament building until the end of the year. Saeed, who specialises in parliamentary affairs, was notified of the ban in a letter from the parliament's secretariat on 17 September 2007.

India

Journalists get four-month jail terms for contempt of court

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders voiced outrage at a New Delhi court decision on 21 September 2007 to sentence the publisher of the "Mid-Day" newspaper and three of his employees - two editors and a cartoonist - to four months in prison for contempt of court because they accused a former senior judge of issuing a ruling that benefited his son.

Niger

RFI and RSF correspondent held incommunicado

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the immediate release of Moussa Kaka, director of privately-owned Radio Saraouniya station and Niger correspondent of Radio France Internationale and Reporters Without Borders, who was arrested on 20 September 2007 and who is being held at police headquarters in Niamey.

Fiji

Blogger suspended from government job for criticising military

(RSF/IFEX) - The authorities announced the suspension of a finance ministry official on 14 September 2007 for criticising the military government in blog posts. The announcement came eight days after the military proclaimed a state of emergency to prevent the return from exile of former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, who is accused of inciting the military government's overthrow.

Ecuador

Radio journalist assaulted by skinheads following broadcasts on social diversity

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 16 September 2007, a group of women assaulted journalist Cora Cadena, the hostess of the programme "Transgresor Jatarishun" on Radio Luna, a station based in Quito, capital city of Ecuador.

Pakistan

Police re-arrest TV manager Munir Mengal after he is cleared by Baluchistan High Court

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders voiced indignation at the authorities' hounding of Munir Mengal, one of the managers of Baloch Voice television, who was released by the Baluchistan High Court on 12 September 2007. The court declared that he was guilty of no crime, but he was nonetheless rearrested by police.

Sri Lanka

Police officer threatens journalist, confiscates his recording equipment

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

Somalia

Internet journalist released after five days in detention

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN welcomes the release of Mohamed Hussein Jimale, correspondent for the news website Puntlandpost.com ( http://www.puntlandpost.com ) on 17 September 2007 following five days of detention. It would like to share the following statement issued by Somali-Speaking PEN:

Nicaragua

Possible increase in import duties on newspaper supplies threatens press freedom, says IAPA

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 19 September 2007 IAPA press release:

Colombia

CAPSULE REPORT: Reporting in a climate of fear in Cali and Valle del Cauca

(FLIP/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated version of a 14 September 2007 FLIP report:

Iran

Charges made public against two journalists more than a month after their arrest

(RSF/IFEX) - The Iranian justice system has just made public charges against journalists Ako Kurdnasab and Soheil Assefi, in two unconnected cases, more than one month after the two were arrested.

Tibet (China)

Students detained by police, one allegedly beaten, on suspicion of writing pro-Tibet graffiti

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

Mexico

Protesting peasants briefly detain journalist, seize her camera

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

The Gambia

One journalist released, another still in jail

(MFWA/IFEX) - Mam Sait Ceesay, a former editor of the pro-government Banjul-based "Daily Observer" newspaper, was released on 18 September 2007 after fulfilling his bail conditions in the sum of 200,000 Dalasi (approx. US$6,500).

Brazil

Reporter shot, wounded while investigating organised crime in Brasilia suburb

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is concerned about the attack upon Amaury Ribeiro Junior, a crime reporter with the national daily "Correio Braziliense", who was hospitalised on 19 September 2007 after being shot in the stomach while outside a bar on a street in the Brasilia suburb of Cidade Occidental, where he had gone to cover organised crime.

Turkey

YouTube access again blocked by court order because of "insulting" videos

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns a court ruling on 18 September 2007 ordering Internet Service Providers to block access to the video-sharing website YouTube because of videos deemed to insult President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the army and the Turkish republic's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Colombia

CAPSULE REPORT: Journalists pushed toward silence by violence in Buenaventura

(FLIP/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated version of a 14 September 2007 FLIP report:

Ghana

Journalist barred from covering official function

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 13 September 2007, Asana Gordon, central regional correspondent of the Accra-based privately owned daily newspaper "Daily Dispatch", was barred from covering the Central Regional Health Service awards ceremony to honour stakeholders in the health sector by Clarence Lartey, the public relations officer of the Central Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).

Mexico

Two journalists of TV Azteca still missing; IAPA calls for more vigorous investigation

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

Ecuador

President calls for more regulatory power over media

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 15 September 2007, during an address broadcast on radio, President Rafael Correa asked the new Constituent Assembly, which will begin its deliberations on 30 September, to further regulate the media so as to "stop them from being able to manipulate information".

Burma

Journalists covering protest detained, questioned, released, their cameras seized

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Zimbabwe

Government to amend Public Order and Security Act

(MISA/IFEX) - The Government has conceded to the demands made by Zimbabweans to amend the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

India

Four journalists found guilty of contempt for reporting on land scandal, await sentencing

(CRN/IFEX) - Cartoonists Rights Network International has learned that the Delhi High Court found four journalists guilty of contempt for reporting on the aftermath of a land-use scandal. The cartoonist for "Mid-Day", Irfan Khan, is one of the journalists who face sentencing on 21 September 2007. The other journalists are M.K. Tayal, S.K. Akhtar and Vitusha Oberoi (the newspaper's publisher).

Nepal

Investigation into death of pro-Maoist journalist ordered following public outcry

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is shocked by the violent death of Shankar Panthi, a correspondent of the local pro-Maoist "Naya Satta Daily" newspaper, in Sunawal, in the western district of Nawalparasi. His body, which bore the signs of injuries to several parts of his body, was found by police at a roadside near a petrol station on 14 September 2007.

Colombia

Police assault, briefly detain journalist in Cartago

(IPYS/IFEX) - In the early hours of 17 September 2007, reporter Juan Alonso Restrepo was assaulted by agents of the police's motorized unit in Cartago, a city in southwestern Colombia, as he was leaving the headquarters of CNC television station. He had just finished taping an interview with a candidate to the municipal council about the upcoming regional elections. The motives for the assault are unknown, but they may be related to his work.

Zimbabwe

Individual convicted for carrying printed e-mail message critical of president and vice-president

(MISA/IFEX) - In the first case of its kind, a Harare magistrate has tried and convicted a man who was found in possession of a printed email message containing information that was said to denigrate President Robert Mugabe and Vice President Joice Mujuru.

Peru

Radio programme cancelled following criticism of local politician

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 3 September 2007, Rusbel Ferri Castro, the owner of Sensación radio station, cancelled the "Contacto Democrático" programme, hosted by journalist Wilbert Valentín Rosado Arce. According to the journalist, the sudden closure was due to pressure exerted by supporters of Fuerza Loretana, a political party led by Iván Vásquez Valera, current president of Loreto region, who was upset by criticisms of his administration voiced on the programme. The incident occurred in the town of Requena, Loreto, northeastern Peru.

Argentina

Radio journalist arrested and beaten; RSF laments negative climate for media as labour dispute degenerates into violence

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is outraged by an assault on journalist Tomás Eliaschev on 13 September 2007 in Buenos Aires in connection with a labour dispute. Eliaschev is the editor-in-chief of perfil.com ( http://www.perfil.com ), a news website that forms part of the Perfil press group. The attack is indicative of the terrible climate currently afflicting the Argentine news media.

Pakistan

Journalist allegedly kidnapped by government agents, interrogated, released

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 18 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Vietnam

Authorities wage relentless campaign against business news Website; owner fears for safety

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 17 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Peru

Radio journalist under threat after revealing municipal "favouritism" case

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is alarmed at the apparent death threats made against Julio César Mendoza Escobar, presenter of the programme "El matador" ("The killer"), broadcast on Radio Candela in Yurimaguas, northeastern Peru.

Bangladesh

Cartoonist arrested over harmless play on name Mohammed

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the immediately release of Arifur Rahman, a cartoonist with "Aalpin", the daily newspaper "Prothom Alo"'s weekly satirical upplement. He was arrested at his Dhaka home on 17 September 2007 over a cartoon that was a play on the name Mohammed. The government's press department said the cartoon "hurt religious sentiments." All copies of the supplement were seized. "Prothom Alo" apologised and fired the supplement's deputy editor.

Somalia

Police fire on Radio Shabelle, force station off the air

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 18 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Peru

Journalist receives death threat for criticising local politician

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 17 September 2007, three unidentified men came to journalist Gudelia Gálvez Tafur's front door and threatened to kill her and harm her family if she continued criticising Ancash's regional president, César Álvarez Aguilar. The incident occurred in the city of Huaraz, northwestern Peru.

Mexico

Judge dismisses dubious charges against four journalists in Monclova

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is an 18 September 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Zimbabwe

Statement by broadcasting authority reveals unyielding government grip on broadcast media through restrictive law, says MISA

(MISA/IFEX) - In a revealing and first time acknowledgment of the restrictive nature of the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA), the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), says its hands are tied as no new broadcasting players can come into the scene under the present regulatory environment.

Malaysia

Authorities violently shut down road show on electoral reform, restrict media coverage of the incident

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 8 September 2007, in the northeastern state of Terengganu, Malaysian police disrupted a road show calling for electoral reform in the country, resulting in a riot that saw two people seriously wounded after they were shot by a police officer.

Morocco

Appeal court upholds prison sentence for journalist Mostapha Hurmatallah

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is dismayed by the Casablanca appeal court's 18 September 2007 decision to uphold a prison sentence for reporter Mostapha Hurmatallah of the Arabic-language weekly "Al Watan Al An", one week after he was freed pending the outcome of his appeal.

Mexico

Sports journalist assaulted at university campus in Oaxaca

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a 17 September 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Democratic Republic of Congo

UN radio journalist's two convicted killers withdraw earlier statement, clear his friends and accuse military judges of bribery

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and its partner organisation in Democratic Republic of Congo, Journalist in Danger (JED), are outraged that two petty criminals who were convicted by a military court of shooting UN radio journalist Serge Maheshe in the eastern city of Bukavu have written a letter accusing two military judges of bribing them to say that two of Maheshe's friends paid them to kill him. The two friends, Serge Mohima and Alain Shamavu, are under sentence of death, as are the two men who implicated them.

Mexico

Human rights commission condemns police assault on journalists in Ciudad Juárez

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a 17 September 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

China

British TV journalists assaulted, arrested and threatened in Beijing

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the treatment meted out to two British journalists, Andrew Carter and Aidan Hartley, and their Chinese fixer Dean Peng, working for the investigative programme "Unreported World" on British TV's Channel 4. The two were investigating the fate of petitioners held by the authorities in a western district of the capital, when they were assaulted by staff at an illegal detention centre for petitioners on 14 September 2007. Nanyang officials maltreated them and tried to seize them and break their film camera. The violence stopped when the police arrived but they immediately arrested the journalists. They were held for six hours, questioned and threatened with punishment. Agents of the Public Security Bureau told them to sign a document confessing that they had broken Chinese law. When they refused the authorities deprived them of food.

China

Journalist and photographer detained by authorities following publication of article on official corruption

(WiPC/IFEX) - WiPC is seriously concerned about the detention of journalist Qi Chonghuai, who has been detained since 25 June 2007, apparently for his publication of an article on official corruption. International PEN fears that Qi may be detained in violation of Article 19 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory, and if so calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

Somalia

Security forces raid Mogadishu radio station, detain 19 staffers

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 17 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Thailand

CAPSULE REPORT: A year after coup, press freedom remains compromised and vulnerable

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 17 September 2007 SEAPA report:

Egypt

Government decree dissolves outspoken NGO that reports on human rights

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

Turkey

As acquittal overturned, two academics face possible imprisonment for "inciting hatred" over report on minorities

(BIANET/IFEX) - Professors Ibrahim Kaboglu and Baskin Oran were acquitted on 10 May 2007 of "inciting to hatred and hostility" with the publication of the Minority Rights and Cultural Rights Working Group report. However, a court of appeal has now overturned the acquittal.

Eritrea

RSF urges democratic governments to summon Eritrean ambassadors on anniversary of 18 September 2001 crackdown

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the foreign ministries of the leading democracies to mark the sixth anniversary of the start of a wave of arrests in Asmara by summoning Eritrea's ambassadors to express disapproval for a crackdown that led to the suppression of all freedoms and the imprisonment of more than 10 journalists in unknown locations.

Côte d'Ivoire

IFJ calls for the end of intimidation of journalists reporting on good governance

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 September 2007 IFJ media release:

Guinea

Two journalists assaulted, one briefly detained

(MFWA/IFEX) - Nasser Diallo, a reporter with Nolstagie FM, was on 6 September 2007 assaulted by officials of the "Coordination des Associations de Jeunesse de Guinée" (CAJEG), a coordinated youth group in Guinea.

Peru

Prison guards fire upon journalists to prevent them taking photographs of inmates' hunger strike

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 14 September 2007, National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) personnel working at the jail in Chimbote, a port in northern Peru, fired upon several journalists with breech-loading guns in order to prevent them from photographing the hunger strike started by prison inmates.

China

"New York Times" journalist released after serving three-year prison sentence

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

Sweden

Artist, newspaper editor receive death threats over prophet cartoon

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

Somalia

Police detain reporter covering security sweep

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 September 2007 CPJ press release:

China

Journalist Li Yuanlong freed on completion of jail sentence

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Peru

Authorities close down one radio station for earthquake reporting, harass another for coverage on new oil fields

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF protests the brutal closure of Radio Orión in Pisco, southwestern Peru, which was done using a bogus administrative pretext to mask an act of censorship after the government made serious accusations against the station's proprietor.

Nepal

One journalist found dead, another receives death threat; media vehicle attacked

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 16 September 2007 Sanker Panthi, a correspondent for the Butwal-based daily newspaper "Naya Satta", was found dead with injuries over his head and body on the Mahendra Highway, in Sunwal, Nawalparasi district.

Tibet (China)

Monk harassed, detained, beaten, allegedly tortured by authorities over critical writings

(WiPC/IFEX) - WiPC is seriously concerned about reports that Tibetan monk and writer Venerable Rinchen Sangpo has been subject to harassment and ill treatment by the authorities since August 2006, when he was released from one month's detention without charge. PEN is seriously concerned that Rinchen Sangpo appears to be targeted for his critical writings, and calls on the authorities to ensure his right to free expression in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.

Burma

CPJ concerned as media crackdown continues in wake of protests

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

Pakistan

Fourteen-year old son of journalist beaten for his father's reporting

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

Côte d'Ivoire

Police summon five journalists of two opposition newspapers

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 11 September 2007, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ivorian police summoned five journalists of two pro-opposition daily newspapers for allegedly publishing stories they claimed cast a slur on the reputation of President Laurent Gbagbo.

Sri Lanka

Police question journalist who revealed senior official's son imported luxury car; threatened reporter stops writing on military matters

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged that the police interrogated Indika Sakalasooriya of the Colombo-based newspaper "The Nation" on 14 September 2007 about a report that the son of a senior ruling party official imported a British-made luxury car without paying customs duty. The police asked him to reveal his sources.

Peru

Journalists assaulted by municipal officials in Chimbote and Huaraz

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 12 September 2007, Isís Chafloque Valuis and Ingrid Casas Calderón, journalists with Panamericana Televisión's programme "Buenos Días Chimbote", were assaulted and threatened by municipal police officer Humberto Venegas Liñán, who acts as security for the Provincial Mayor's Office in Santa, Chimbote, in northwestern Peru.

China

Arrests and incidents involving foreign journalists show government is not keeping Olympic Games promises

(RSF/IFEX) - The arrest of two Agence France-Presse (AFP) reporters on 12 September 2007 is the latest in a string of cases of foreign journalists being obstructed in their work. They show that the less stringent regulations introduced in January are being applied erratically and only when less sensitive issues are involved. At least 32 foreign journalists have been detained or prevented by police from doing reports since January.

Brazil

Secret session for vote on senator's impeachment violates right to freedom of information, says ARTICLE 19

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

Guatemala

Radio station subject to two armed attacks; journalist briefly abducted, threatened

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF calls on the authorities to investigate the armed attacks on Radio Nuevo Mundo installations that took place on 4 September 2007 in Salamá, in Baja Verapaz department, and on 11 September in Guatemala City. The organization also calls for an investigation into the abduction of Cable Star Channel reporter and cameraman Erwin David Hernández on 4 September.

Nigeria

Journalist beaten unconscious by police and guards while covering prison riot; political activists attack journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns a violent assault on Tope Abiola, the deputy editor of the privately-owned "Nigeria Tribune" daily newspaper, who was beaten unconscious by prison guards and police at Agadi prison in Ibadan (in the southwestern state of Oyo) on 11 September 2007 while trying to cover the aftermath of a riot by inmates.

Argentina

Radio journalist shot with rubber bullets, wounded while covering social protest

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Colombia

Two political candidates arrested in connection with journalist's murder

(FLIP/IPYS/IFEX) - On 12 September 2007, Juan Pablo Ariza, a municipal council candidate, and Abelardo Rueda Tobón, a departmental assembly candidate, were arrested in Barrancabermeja, Santander, in connection with the 6 April 2003 murder of journalist José Emeterio Rivas.

Egypt

Four editors sentenced to jail for publishing "false information"

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

Mexico

Three IFEX members and other organisations comment on proposal to restrict political parties from buying advertising spots during electoral periods

(CENCOS/IFEX) - In a 12 September 2007 press release, CENCOS, AMARC, ARTICLE 19's regional Mexico office and a number of other Mexican organisations released a joint declaration on the implications for freedom of expression of a current debate about the ability of political parties to buy advertising spots on radio and television.

Colombia

Lawyer threatens to beat journalist in Santa Marta

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 5 September 2007, the president of the Santa Marta Lawyers' Association, Alfredo Salomón Calvano, threatened to beat Radio Galeón journalist Idinael Fernández Caballero. The threat was in response to a report broadcast by Fernández a day earlier stating that the lawyer is on trial for allegedly sexually abusing his daughters. The city of Santa Marta is located in northern Colombia.

Russia

Skepticism greets prosecutors' ruling in Safronov death

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 12 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Pakistan

CPJ condemns violent attacks on journalists by security forces

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 September 2007 CPJ letter to President Pervez Musharraf:

Philippines

Radio broadcaster successfully petitions Supreme Court to allow live coverage of former president's trial

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

The Gambia

Two detained journalists charged, released on bail, re-arrested

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 12 September 2007, Mam Sait Ceesay, a former editor of the pro-government Banjul-based "Daily Observer" newspaper, and journalist Malick Jones, of the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), were re-arrested by Gambian police and detained at the Mile 2 Central Prisons on the outskirt of Banjul, after being granted bail by the court.

United Arab Emirates

Web writer and site administrator sentenced to five months in prison

(HRinfo/IFEX) - HRINFO has expressed deep concern over a new sentence passed by the Ras Kheima court against writer Khalid El-Asly, of the Majan website ( http://www.majan.net ), and the site's head administrator Muhammed Shouhi. Both were sentenced to five months in prison. This is the second case launched against the website. A further two complaints have been filed but thus far have not been admitted to court.

China

"New York Times" researcher Zhao Yan expected to be released on 15 September 2007 on completion of sentence

(RSF/IFEX) - On 13 September 2007, Reporters Without Borders called on the Chinese authorities to keep their promise to release journalist Zhao Yan on 15 September, when he completes a three-year prison sentence for alleged fraud. Despite the many appeals for his release in the past, his sentence was never reduced and he was never granted early release.

Syria

Cyber-dissident Habib Saleh released after 27 months in detention

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF hails the 12 September 2007 release of writer and cyber-dissident Habib Saleh after 27 months in detention. He was freed by a military court in the city of Homs in response to a petition from his lawyer, Ibrahim Melki, under a law that allows prisoners to be released on completing three-quarters of their sentence.

Palestine

PBC journalist arrested and beaten by Hamas paramilitaries in Gaza

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF strongly condemns the arrest and beating of journalist Faeq Jarada by Hamas' Executive Force paramilitaries. An employee of the Palestinian public television station PBC, Jarada was arrested at his home in Tal Al-Hawa, in the southwest of the Gaza Strip, on 10 September 2007 and was released the following day from Gaza City prison.

Malawi

Opposition-dominated Parliament cuts funding to public broadcasters over claims they are used as propaganda tools by government

(MISA/IFEX) - On 11 September 2007, Parliament passed its K173 billion (approx. US$670 million) annual national budget with an allocation of only K1 (approx. US$.01) each for the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Television Malawi (TVM), for their 2007/2008 financial year.

Rwanda

Four ministers threaten independent media in comments on state TV and radio

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced deep concern about the future of press freedom and independent journalists in Rwanda after studying the very disturbing comments made by four government ministers, another senior official and two members of the security forces during a programme broadcast by the state-owned media on 9 September 2007.

Argentina

First lady faces legal complaint for discriminating against national media outlets

(FOPEA /IFEX) - The following is a statement from FOPEA, an interim member of IFEX:

Burma

Junta taps journalists' telephones, cuts off their mobile connections

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Burmese junta has been tapping land lines and cutting off mobile phone connections of journalists and democracy activists in the highly restrictive and secretive country since 8 August 2007, according to information only recently leaked by a source of the global organisation of exiled journalists, Burma Media Association (BMA).

Zimbabwe

Four years after being banned, newspapers still in legal battle to resume publishing

(MISA/IFEX) - On 11 September 2003, the Supreme Court passed its "dirty hands" judgment against Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ), publishers of the banned "Daily News" and "Daily News on Sunday" newspapers.

Zambia

Official warns journalists with state-owned newspapers against criticising government

(MISA/IFEX) - Zambia's Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Mike Mulongoti, warned journalists at the state-owned "Daily Mail" and "Times of Zambia" not to criticise the government.

Burma

Junta cuts telephone lines of various foreign correspondents

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Indonesia

Supreme Court orders "Time Asia" to pay former dictator exorbitant damages

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is stunned by the 10 September 2007 supreme court ruling ordering "Time Asia" to pay former President Suharto 1 billion rupees (US$106 million) in damages for a 1999 cover story accusing him of corruption. A spokesman for the court said it concluded that the story in "Times'"Asia edition had damaged the former dictator's "reputation and honour."

Morocco

Journalist Mostapha Hurmatallah freed pending outcome of appeal against eight-month jail term

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails the Casablanca appeal court's decision on 11 September 2007 to grant a request for the provisional release of "Al Watan Al An" reporter Mostapha Hurmatallah pending the outcome of his appeal against an eight-month prison sentence for publishing a leaked internal security memo.

The Gambia

Two journalists arrested, held incommunicado

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 9 September 2007, Mam Sait Ceesay, a former editor of the pro-government Banjul-based daily "Daily Observer", and Malick Jones, a journalist with the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), were arrested and detained by the Gambian Police Force.

Maldives

International mission urges amendments to draft press freedom bill

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

Turkey

"Gündem" newspaper suspended for 30 days for publishing two articles by Kurdish leader

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Istanbul 12th Penal Court has decreed that "Gündem" newspaper be suspended for 30 days as punishment for publishing two articles by Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Murat Karayilan. The newspaper was charged with spreading PKK propaganda, under the Anti-Terrorism Law.

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED subject to ongoing threats

(RSF/IFEX) - On 11 September 2007, Reporters Without Borders said it was "worried and exasperated" about the continuing threats against the members of Journalist in Danger (JED), its partner organisation in Democratic Republic of Congo, who have to endure a constant climate of fear and danger.

Ethiopia

CPJ urges authorities to disclose information on two detained Eritrean journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Turkey

Journalist, two editors, fined for publishing interview with Kurdish militant

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Istanbul 10th Penal Court has sentenced "Hürriyet" newspaper journalist Sebati Karakurt to an advance payment of 455 YTL (approx. US$350). Karakurt is being tried for an interview he conducted with Kurdish Kongra-Gel militants on Kandil Mountain in Northern Iraq. He faces a possible prison sentence.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist released after 10 months in detention

(JED/IFEX) - JED has voiced relief after the release on 7 September 2007 of Bonsange Mbaka, publisher of the Kinshasa-based newspaper "Mambenga". The Kinshasa/Gombe Military Court announced the journalist's acquittal the same day.

Mexico

Two police officers suspended, under investigation in attack on journalist in Sinaloa

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a 10 September 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Mexico

Three reporters die covering truck explosion

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Nepal

Singer-journalist kidnapped by Maoist-affiliated group for expressing support for the monarchy

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - CEHURDES - a Kathmandu-based freedom of expression monitoring group - condemns the abduction of singer and former journalist Ram Prasad Khanal by activists of the Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL).

Pakistan

Taliban bomb music and video markets for "promoting obscenity"; over 50 shops destroyed

(PPF/IFEX) - A powerful explosion in the town of Mingora, in the Swat district of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan, destroyed over 50 shops in two adjacent music and video markets on 7 September 2007.

Argentina

Supreme Court rules that official advertising cannot be used as tool to pressure media

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 7 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Egypt

Authorities seek to silence outspoken NGO following its exposure of widespread torture

(HRinfo/IFEX) - Egyptian human rights organizations joined forces and gathered inside the office of the Association of Human Rights and Legal Aid (AHRLA) on 8 September 2007 to stand up against the police measures taken by the Egyptian government to shut down the Association. The effort to close the organization appears to be in retaliation for its significant role in exposing the wave of widespread, institutionalized torture being practiced in Egypt.

Democratic Republic of Congo

RTNC journalist arrested by army intelligence

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

China

Attacks on media freedom continue despite government assurances to International Olympic Committee

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

Peru

Municipal security personnel prevent journalist from covering presentation, mayor withdraws advertising from radio station that reports on the incident

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 14 August 2007, journalist Julio Mendoza Escobar was prevented from entering the Alto Amazonas council building by a group of security guards. The journalist was planning to cover a book launch. The guards also took from him copies of the "La Voz de la Calle" newspaper, for which he writes and which he also distributes. The incident occurred in Yurimaguas, Loreto region, northeastern Peru.

Iran

Two Kurdish-Iranian journalists on death row call off hunger strike

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is relieved to learn that imprisoned journalists Adnan Hassanpour and Abdolvahed Hiva Botimar have ended the hunger strike they began on 14 July 2007. When he received a visit from relatives on 4 September, Botimar announced that he and Hassanpour had resumed eating after more than 50 days of consuming nothing but sweetened water.

Iran

Supreme Leader publicly condemns media; persecuted journalist allowed to leave country

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is concerned about a verbal assault on the media delivered by the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei, during a speech to the Assembly of Experts on 5 September 2007.

Sierra Leone

Various acts of violence, harassment, death threats against journalists on eve of election

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is alarmed by a wave of threats and attacks on journalists by supporters of the two candidates in Sierra Leone's 8 September 2007 presidential election run-off. Many cases of violence involving members of the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People's Congress (APC) have been reported since late July.

Somalia

CAPSULE REPORT: As attacks on media increase, IFJ calls for international action

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

Paraguay

Journalists assaulted, harassed while covering release from jail of former military general

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the mistreatment of journalists Luis Acosta of Radio Mil and Félix Chávez of Radio 1000, based in Asuncion. The incident in question occurred in Caacupé on 6 September 2007, while the journalists were attempting to cover the release from prison of former general Lino Oviedo.

Russia

Newspaper accused by authorities of "extremism" over article on ethnic tensions in Republic of Yakutia

(CJES/IFEX) - The newspaper "Izvestiya" reported on 28 August 2007 that it had received an official warning from the Federal Service for Control over Mass Media, Communications and Cultural Heritage Protection (Rossvyazokhrankultura), in which the newspaper is accused of publishing "information containing indications of extremism."

Burma

Authorities block access to You Tube website

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Bangladesh

Privately-run television station suspended

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called on the interim government to reverse its decision to suspend the country's only privately-run 24-hour news channel CSB News for a period of seven days.

Turkey

Singer accused of spreading terrorist propaganda

(BIANET/IFEX) - Singer Ferhat Tunc is facing charges for having called for peace, and for reminding people that members of the illegal pro-Kurdish guerilla group PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) and the Maoist Communist Party (MKP) who die are also "children of this country."

Russia

Ruling party boycotts three regional newspapers over critical coverage

(CJES/IFEX) - Russia's ruling party, United Russia, has decided to boycott three newspapers published in Stavropol territory: "Stavropolskiye Gubernskiye Vedomosti", "Moskovsky Komsomolets" (regional edition), and "Vecherny Stavropol". This decision was announced at a press conference organized by a group of United Russia's top functionaries in Stavropol in early September 2007.

Egypt

Editor of independent newspaper to be tried for reporting rumours about president's health

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the charges that state security prosecutors brought against "Al-Dustour" editor Ibrahim Issa on 5 September 2007 for publishing articles referring to rumours about President Hosni Mubarak's health. Issa was accused of "spreading false reports likely to disturb public security and besmirch the country's reputation."

Azerbaijan

Authorities hit imprisoned editor with another criminal charge; imprisoned journalist's health deteriorates

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Palestine

Two journalists with Franco-German TV station injured while covering demonstration; radio correspondent detained; RSF condemns closure of journalists' union

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemned Hamas' decision on 3 September 2007 to dissolve the Gaza Strip branch of the Union of Palestinian Journalists, most of whose members are affiliated to Fatah or support it. At the same time, Hamas has decided to create a Government Committee for the Media.

Palestine

IFJ condemns "political interference" as Hamas tries to dissolve journalists' organisation

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 September 2007 IFJ media release:

Mexico

Journalist assaulted and detained by police after trying to photograph official

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a 5 September 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Peru

Journalist resigns following pressure not to investigate mayor's conduct

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 25 August 2007, journalist Carolina Arredondo Vilar resigned from her position at Amazónica deTelevisión - Channel 2. She had been pressured by the station's directors to stop investigating alleged irregularities committed by Maynas mayor Salomón Abensur Díaz. Arredondo was the host of the "Hablemos Claro" programme, broadcast in the region of Loreto, northeastern Peru.

India

IFJ calls for wider consultations in broadcast law reform process

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

Morocco

"Your Majesty, one is free to comment": Casablanca news conference on lack of progress in press freedom since Mohammed became king

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 5 September 2007 RSF press release:

Sri Lanka

Media organizations comment on proposed national media policy, make recommendations

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a joint statement by FMM and eight other organisations on the proposed National Media Policy:

Colombia

Journalist murdered in Cartago

(FLIP/IPYS/IFEX) - The following is a 5 September 2007 statement by FLIP and IPYS:

Argentina

Radio journalist convicted of criminal slander, forbidden to work one year, after reporting on corruption allegations

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 September 2007 CPJ press release:

Russia

Twists and turns in Politkovskaya case raise doubts about justice system's capacity to solve murder, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - "The many twists and turns in the case since last week's announcement of the arrest of ten suspects in the 7 October 2006 murder of Anna Politkovskaya are feeding our doubts over the capacity and determination of the Russian authorities to solve it, nearly a year after the brutal killing of the journalist," Reporters Without Borders said today.

Togo

Three newspapers summarily suspended

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 31 August 2007 CPJ letter to Phillipe Evegno, president of Togo's media regulatory body:

France

Judges conclude probe into Clearstream leaks, case could be dismissed

(RSF/IFEX) - A probe into alleged violations of judicial secrets in the so-called Clearstream affair, which included an attempt to search the offices of the Paris-based satirical magazine "Le Canard Enchaîné" in May 2007, was concluded by two judges during the week of 27 August without anyone being charged, a judicial source has confirmed to Reporters Without Borders.

Indonesia

AJI calls for end to press freedom violations in annual statement

(AJI/IFEX) - The following is a 24 August 2007 AJI press release:

International

IFJ condemns Rugby World Cup plan to control photographers

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 September 2007 press release of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

China

Congress passes law censoring disaster coverage

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the 30 August 2007 approval by the National People's Congress of a law which, according to the official news agency Xinhua, "bans the fabrication and spread of false information on accidents and disasters and requires the government to provide accurate and timely information." Called the Emergency Response Law, it will take effect on 1 November.

Afghanistan

Two journalists released from detention, but their safety still an issue, says IFJ

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

Turkey

Lawyer to be tried for alleged insult uttered during defence of journalists

(BIANET/IFEX) - Yücel Sayman, the former president of the Istanbul Bar Association, is being tried for insulting nationalist lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz's lawyers. The insult is alleged to have taken place at a trial of journalists from the "Agos" newspaper for influencing the judiciary.

Egypt

Newspaper editor-in-chief faces libel and defamation charges

(HRinfo/IFEX) - On 4 September 2007, HRinfo condemned the witch-hunt campaign the government and a number of pro-government newspapers have launched against "Al-Dostur" newspaper and its editor-in-chief, Ibrahim Essa. Essa is facing libel and defamation charges and is scheduled to appear before the state security deputy on 5 September 2007.

Guinea-Bissau

Journalist faces charges for reporting on soldiers' alleged involvement in drug trafficking

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 September 2007 IFJ media release:

Somalia

Press freedom organisation's leader sought by gunmen in Mogadishu

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is very concerned about the safety of the members of its partner organisation in Somalia, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), after unidentified gunmen threatened to kill one of its leaders, Ali Moallim Isak on 3 September 2007.

Sri Lanka

Journalist, still in jeopardy, says government never offered protection

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 31 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Liberia

Journalist assaulted by police, arrested while covering drug raid

(CEMESP/IFEX) - A combined team of officers from the Liberia National Police and the Drug Enforcement authority physically attacked and arrested a journalist for attempting to cover a police operation on 31 August 2007.

Afghanistan

Television reporter beaten by security officials, his equipment temporarily confiscated

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

Bolivia

Journalists assaulted, threatened during protest in Santa Cruz department

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced concern about physical attacks on journalists with "El Mundo" regional daily and Red Uno television station that occurred on 28 August 2007 in the eastern department of Santa Cruz. The incident took place during a demonstration by market vendors protesting against a general strike by regional opponents of President Evo Morales's central government.

Tunisia

Office of persecuted human rights activist the target of arson, vandalism

(HRinfo/IFEX) - On 1 September 2007, HRinfo condemned the disgraceful assault on the office of Mr. Abbas Homamy, the Tunisian human rights activist.

Vietnam

Journalist and dissident Nguyen Khac Toan tried before "people's tribunal"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns journalist and dissident Nguyen Khac Toan's trial before a "people's court" in Hanoi on 31 August 2007, fearing that this act of intimidation and a recent government-orchestrated media campaign against him could foreshadow his imminent imprisonment.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Rebel soldiers ransack community radio station

(JED/IFEX) - On 2 September 2007, the premises of Radio La Colombe, a community radio station broadcasting from Rutshuru, located approximately 72 km from Goma, the main city of South Kivu province, were ransacked by rebel soldiers. The soldiers are followers of Laurent Nkunda, dissident general of the DR Congo Armed Forces (Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo, FARDC), currently in conflict with the pro-government forces.

Russia

Harassment of human rights activist Stanislav Dmitrievksy continues

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 3 September 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Montenegro

SEEMO alarmed at recent attack upon newspaper's director

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 3 September 2007 letter by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Nepal

Members of Maoist-allied group attack two journalists, seize camera

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 2 September 2007, Amrit Baskune, district correspondent for the "Naya Patrika" daily, and Dinesh Shanta Baruwal, district member of the FNJ's Myagdi branch, were attacked by cadres of the Young Communist League (YCL), a Maoist-allied group. The assault occurred in the Parbat district, near Myagdi, in western Nepal.

Nepal

Journalist accosted, his camera stolen, while covering clash over sandalwood smuggling

(FNJ/IFEX) - Nemling Lama, vice president of the Sindhupalchowk chapter of the FNJ and also a correspondent for Nepal Television, was accosted while covering a clash between a sandalwood smuggler and a local resident on 30 August 2007 at Barabise, Sindhupalchowk, a central district of Nepal.

Thailand

News site confirms first arrest under new Computer Crime Act

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A local online news service is reporting that at least one person has been arrested in Bangkok under Thailand's new Computer Crime Act, which came into effect on 18 July 2007. Prachatai.com ( http://prachatai.com ) confirms a 1 September "Financial Times" of London report which quoted its own unnamed sources in reporting that the first arrest under the new law had taken place in late August.

Malaysia

Newspaper suspended for one month for "offending" religious sensibilities

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 21 August 2007, the Tamil daily "Makkal Osai" (The People's Voice) published a quote, "Heaven awaits those who repent", accompanied with a picture of Jesus Christ clutching what appeared to be a can of beer and a cigarette. The paper had put up the item for its regular "Thought for the Day" column, which featured quotes from famous personalities.

Philippines

Radio journalist stabbed, seriously wounded following reports on crime

(CMFR/IFEX) - A radio reporter was stabbed and seriously wounded by an unknown assailant on 31 August 2007 in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental province, approximately 480 km from Manila.

Togo

Translator for Human Rights Watch contractor missing after responding to military intelligence summons

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

Haiti

Two men get life for journalist Jacques Roche's murder

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF welcomes the life sentences handed down by a Port-au-Prince court on 30 August 2007 against two men, Alby Joseph and Chéry Beaubrun, for the abduction and murder of Jacques Roche, the head of the "Le Matin" newspaper's arts and culture pages. Roche was kidnapped on 10 July 2005 and found dead four days later.

Burma

Fear of censors stops local media from covering protests

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Thailand

Google reportedly agrees to filter YouTube website

(SEAPA/IFEX) - News reports in Thailand and the international press are saying that Google-owned YouTube has agreed to cooperate with Thai authorities in filtering sensitive content on its website, paving the way for the lifting of a Thai ban on the popular video-sharing website.

Russia

In a benchmark verdict, court convicts five in reporter Igor Domnikov's murder

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Mauritania

Newspaper journalist assaulted by First Lady's associates; bodyguards who assaulted another journalist get 30 days in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for an investigation into a physical attack on Elvaka Ould Cheibany, the privately-owned daily "Nouakchott Info"'s correspondent in the northern city of Nouadhibou, by two members of First Lady Mint Boukhary's immediate entourage on 28 August 2007. The two men, Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Kebady and Noman Ould Noman, accosted Cheibany inside a car rental agency, asked him to step outside and then beat him up without giving any explanation. Cheibany thinks it may have been a reprisal for an article the week of 19 August about the First Lady's growing power and her run-ins with the press.

Slovenia

Government allegedly influencing media through business relationships; journalists pressured over critical articles

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

Niger

Government bans live broadcasts on Tuareg rebellion

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Côte d'Ivoire

IFJ condemns ransacking of private newspaper by students

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 August 2007 IFJ media release:

Russia

Raids on newspaper, human rights organisations in Nizhny Novgorod aimed at suppressing provision of alternative information

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

Iraq

CBS interpreter's murder brings toll of journalists and media workers killed since start of war to 200

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders voiced dismay on learning of the murder of Anwar Abbas Lafta, an Iraqi translator and interpreter employed by the US television network CBS News. Lafta's body was found on 25 August 2007, five days after he was abducted in Baghdad. His death brings the number of journalists and media workers killed in Iraq since the start of the US-led invasion in March 2003 to 200.

Poland

Les services spéciaux arrêtent l'ex-ministre qui a dénoncé les mises sur écoutes de journalistes

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters sans frontières a appris, le 30 août 2007, que les services spéciaux étaient entrés, tôt dans la matinée, dans l'appartement du journaliste indépendant Sylwester Latkowski afin d'y interpeller, pour "entrave à la justice", l'ancien ministre de l'Intérieur, Janusz Kaczmarek. Il est poursuivi dans le cadre d'une enquête sur une fuite concernant une opération anticorruption du ministère de l'Agriculture. Limogé début août, il avait déclaré, le 22 août, devant une commission parlementaire chargée d'évaluer les activités des services spéciaux, que le ministre de la Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro, et le Premier ministre, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, avaient fait mettre sur écoutes de nombreux journalistes, critiques à l'égard du gouvernement.

Poland

Secret services arrest former minister who exposed phone tapping

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has learned that members of the special services entered the apartment of freelance journalist Sylwester Latkowski in the early hours of 30 August 2007 in order to arrest former interior minister Janusz Kaczmarek in connection with a leak about an anti-corruption operation.

Azerbaijan

Imprisoned journalist in critical condition, calls for his release on medical grounds

(RSF/IFEX) - On 30 August 2007 Reporters Without Borders drew the international community's attention to the rapidly deteriorating condition of imprisoned journalist Faramaz Allahverdiyev. According to his wife, Tahira Allahverdiyeva, he is "close to death." He has already undergone an operation and doctors say another one would not improve his condition.

Russia

Four individuals formally charged in murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya as new suspect emerges

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Rwanda

Editor released after being held for eight days on rape charge

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is relieved to learn that Gérard M. Manzi, the editor of the privately-owned weekly "Umuseso", was released on 29 August 2007 after his lawyer submitted signed statements by witnesses supporting his alibi in a rape charge on which the police had held him for eight days. Manzi was told he must remain at the disposal of the police.

Russia

Government seizes computers of NGO affiliated with activist imprisoned over critical articles

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

Brazil

ARTICLE 19 mission finds situation of freedom of expression "serious, in need of immediate action"

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

Uganda

Radio host suspended for broadcasting debate on homosexuality

(Media Institute/IFEX) - The Uganda Broadcasting Council (BC) has suspended a presenter of the popular Capital FM radio station for allegedly violating "minimum broadcasting standards".

Burma

Government warns against reportage on commodity prices; newsrooms tense amidst continuing crackdown; photojournalist arrested

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Official censors in Burma have warned editors against tracking commodity prices in line with staggering fuel price hikes, SEAPA contacts inside the country say. Amidst a continuing crackdown on protesters and oppositionists who have risen up against a doubling of fuel prices in the space of a month, Burma's military government has also been keeping an already restricted media on an even shorter leash.

Cameroon

Publisher of weekly newspaper sentenced to jail in absentia

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Brazil

Proposed congressional investigation of publishing house may be politically motivated

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 28 August 2007 IAPA press release:

Niger

Libyan president sues three newspapers

(MFWA/IFEX) - The Libyan President Colonel Mouammar Qadhafi has filed a suit against three Niamey-based independent weekly newspapers for allegedly publishing "false information" that could undermine his honour.

Lebanon / Israel

Hezbollah smear campaign won't silence report on its wartime conduct, says Human Rights Watch

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

Russia

Political party wins defamation suit against "Saratovsky Rasklad" newspaper; publisher and editor-in-chief fined

(CJES/IFEX) - The Saratov Volzhsky District Court has ruled in favour of the plaintiff in the lawsuit filed by the Saratov regional section of the United Russia party against the newspaper "Saratovsky Rasklad".

Thailand

Announcement about continuation of martial law in provinces will "keep environment unstable for the press," says SEAPA

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A senior member of Thailand's interim National Legislative Assembly (NLA) says martial law may remain in place in 35 Thai provinces in the short term, possibly through to scheduled national elections in December 2007. On 29 August, Prasong Soonsiri, who chairs the NLA's special committee reviewing bills in preparation for the general elections, told Bangkok's English-language daily "The Nation" that "it is not necessary" to lift martial law in the 35 provinces as "maintaining martial law may better help keep peace and order" (see: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30046985 ).

Turkey

Authorities block another website following complaint by religious leader; others unblocked

(BIANET/IFEX) - The judiciary in Turkey has again blocked access to a website because of the content of one item on the site. Following the blocking of the alternative dictionary website "Eksisözlük" (literally, "sour dictionary"; http://sozluk.sourtimes.org/Default.asp? ) and the website Antoloji.com ( http://www.antoloji.com/ ), access to the website WordPress.com ( http://wordpress.com/ ) has now also been blocked, following a complaint by religious sect leader Adnan Oktar.

Sudan

Authorities seize entire issue of leading opposition weekly

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the seizure of the latest issue of the Arabic-language opposition weekly "Al-Midan" by the security services on 28 August 2007. No official explanation was given.

Sri Lanka

Veteran journalist subject to grave threats, extraordinary pressure after writing again about suspicious arms deals

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 August 2007 CPJ letter to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Military tribunal sentences journalist's "friends" to death in killing; JED calls for retrial before an independent court

(JED/IFEX) - A Bukavu military tribunal handed down its verdict on 28 August 2007 in the case of murdered Radio Okapi journalist Serge Maheshe Kasole, sentencing the two main suspects and witnesses - who were also friends of the journalist - to death.

Palestine

Press freedom situation continues to deteriorate in "Hamastan"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders firmly condemns the constant harassment of Palestinian journalists in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas paramilitary Executive Force. The press freedom organisation is also concerned about the Islamist party's intention to enforce a press law dating back to 1995 that will enable it to control the media even more closely.

Rwanda

Newspaper editor held on dubious rape charge

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the authorities to explain why Gérard M. Manzi, the editor of the privately-owned weekly "Umuseso", has been held since 22 August 2007 on a charge of raping an unidentified young girl despite having an alibi supported by many witnesses.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist Bapuwa Mwamba's killers sentenced to death by military court

(JED/IFEX) - On 24 August 2007, the Kinshasa/Matete Military Court pronounced its verdict in the murder trial of journalist Louis Bapuwa Mwamba's killers, sentencing three of the defendants to death.

Russia

Ruling party's defamation action against newspaper intended to intimidate press prior to elections, says CJES

(CJES/IFEX) - The Saratov regional division of the United Russia party has announced its intention to file a libel lawsuit against the newspaper "Saratovsky Rasklad", alleging that an article in the newspaper slandered Vyacheslav Volodin, the deputy speaker of the State Duma and secretary of the presidium of the general council of the United Russia party.

China

Yahoo distances itself from Chinese affiliate's collaboration with authorities, Microsoft says agreement is only a "recommendation"

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Pakistan

Explosions destroy three music stores in Buner; shop owners in Matta Tehsil receive threats of similar violence

(PPF/IFEX) - Three music shops were destroyed and several others were damaged on 25 August 2007 in explosions in Buner, in the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. Press reports quoting police officials said the improvised explosives that were used were locally made and were timed to go off around 11:00 pm (local time).

Burma

More journalists attacked, threatened and media access deteriorates as protests, crackdown continue

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Journalists in Rangoon are reporting a rapidly deteriorating situation for covering the sporadic protests and brewing crisis in Burma.

Yemen

Editor abducted, severely beaten

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Russia

RSF concerned about prosecutor's comments as he announces 10 arrests in Politkovskaya murder

(RSF/IFEX) - The arrests, announced on 27 August 2007, of 10 people including interior ministry and FSB (security service) officials for the October 2006 murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya have taken nearly a year and are the first concrete sign of progress in the case, although, according to Vladimir Putin in December, it has been assigned "the best police and judicial professionals," Reporters Without Borders said.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Private TV station shut down; several journalists questioned following broadcast of interview with rebel leader

(JED/IFEX) - A weekend of media repression in Kinshasa has resulted in at least four journalists being questioned for several hours by the intelligence services, the closing of a private TV station, and the confiscation of a tape recording of an interview with a rebel leader.

Ukraine

Bomb hoax against Russian-language daily, photographer attacked

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has expressed support for the Russian-language daily "Sevodnya" ("Today") after its premises were the target of a bomb hoax on 22 August 2007 and one of its photographers, Alexandre Lesik, was attacked while covering a meeting held on 26 August 2007 in Odessa by the opposition coalition led by former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Argentina

FOPEA concerned over seizure of satirical magazine's poster exhibit

(FOPEA /IFEX) - The following is a 22 August 2007 statement from FOPEA, an interim member of IFEX:

South Korea

IPI worried that government's media measures seriously damage press freedom

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

Azerbaijan

Supreme Court upholds editor's prison sentence

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 August 2007 CPJ press release:

China

Leading cyber-dissident arrested for "inciting subversion"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrest on 24 August 2007 of cyber-dissident Lu Gengsong in Hangzhou (in the southeastern province of Zhejiang) by the political police. Lu, who is well-known for his pro-democracy articles on the Internet, has been charged with "inciting subversion of state authority" and "illegal possession of secret documents." He is currently being held in the Xihu district prison near Hangzhou.

Palestine

IFJ condemns Hamas's continuing harassment of media in Gaza, attempt to arrest journalist union leader

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 August 2007 IFJ press release:

Colombia

Government issues clarification on previous prohibition of electoral "proselytism" by community radio stations

(FLIP/IFEX) - In a new press release issued on 13 August 2007, brought to FLIP's attention a few days later, the Communications Ministry clarified the definition of "proselytism" referred to in Law 1981 issued of 2003, which stipulates regulations for the operation of community radio stations. In a prior press release, the government had prohibited the stations from interviewing political candidates or including political debates in their programming.

Somalia

Radio reporter killed in vehicle ambush while returning from journalism workshop

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Sierra Leone

Criminal charges against newspaper editor dropped

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 21 August 2007, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Fred Carew, discontinued criminal proceedings against Philip Neville, editor of the "Standard Times", a privately-owned Freetown-based daily newspaper.

Tunisia

TV journalist assaulted by plainclothes police; human rights lawyer prevented from flying to London

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged by a physical attack on journalist Aymen Rezgui of the privately-owned satellite TV station Al-Hiwar Attounsi in the centre of Tunis on 24 August 2007. In a separate development, human rights lawyer Mohammed Abbou was refused permission to travel to London to be interviewed by the pan-Arab TV station Al-Jazeera.

Bolivia

Television station's broadcasting equipment seized by regulatory body; reporter of state-owned radio station beaten by students

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 22 August 2007, the Telecommunications Superintendent's Office (Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones, SITTEL) seized the broadcasting equipment of Canal 20 television station. According to the regulatory body, the station's licence only permits it to operate in the locality of Vinto, but not in the city of Cochabamba (where its studios are based) or in Quillacollo (where its aerial is located).

Venezuela

Government supporters harass journalists during public hearing, hit two camera operators

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 21 August 2007, a group of President Hugo Chávez's supporters harassed eight journalists from a number of different media outlets while they were covering a public hearing involving opposition Congressman Óscar Pérez. The hearing was held at Caracas's Third Superior Tribunal for Administrative Disputes.

South Africa

Prison doctor suspended, faces defamation suit for criticising government minister

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an FXI media statement:

Cuba

Imprisoned journalist Adolfo Fernández Sainz's health deteriorates

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 22 August 2007 IAPA press release:

Kenya

Second restrictive media bill withdrawn for re-drafting

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 23 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Bangladesh

CPJ concerned by restrictions on media coverage of crisis; several journalists assaulted, detained and harassed

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 23 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Poland

Ex-minister accuses intelligence services of tapping journalists' phones

(RSF/IFEX) - Former government member Janusz Kaczmarek, who was fired as interior minister in early August 2007, reportedly told a behind-closed-doors meeting of the parliamentary commission for the secret services on 22 August that the phones of journalists critical of the government were tapped on the orders of justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro and Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski.

Afghanistan

Radio-Canada journalist embedded with Canadian Forces loses leg following roadside bomb attack

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

Belarus

Government creates working group to restrict online free expression

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about deputy information minister Alyaksandr Slabadchuk's announcement on 20 August 2007 that a working group is being set up to look at the "Internet's legal regulation." The announcement came two weeks after President Alexander Lukashenko threatened to put an end to "anarchy" on the Internet.

Burma

Junta further tightens telecommunications to prevent news getting out about violent suppression of protests

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Burmese military dictatorship may be tightening the already restricted telecommunication channels in the country to prevent information about the ongoing mass protests and arrests in Rangoon from leaking out, according to SEAPA sources.

Nepal

Political group targets FNJ, newspaper with bomb attack in effort to influence coverage

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 22 August 2007, FNJ's Morang Chapter was the target of a bomb attack. A similar bomb was thrown at the local daily newspaper "Udgosh". Both incidents took place in Biratnagar, Morang district, in eastern Nepal.

Sudan

RSF denounces new wave of censorship of Arabic-language dailies

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the censorship of six privately-owned Arabic-language dailies during the week of 19 August 2007 in an attempt by the security forces to suppress reports about the arrests of eight alleged terrorists.

Pakistan

Intelligence officers kidnap and assault TV reporter

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the kidnapping and beating of ARY TV reporter Babar Malik by men in plain-clothes using what appeared to be an intelligence agency jeep on 21 August 2007 in the northwestern city of Peshawar. Reached by Reporters Without Borders, a colleague said that, before releasing him, Malik's abductors told him: "You may be able to break big stories, but we can break your arms and legs."

United Arab Emirates

Website writer charged for "defamation" released; site administrator still detained despite being allowed bail

(HRinfo/IFEX) - HRinfo welcomes today the decision of the Ras Kheima criminal court to free Internet activist Khalid El-Asly without requiring him to post bail following his arrest for defamation over an essay he allegedly wrote on Majan.net. The head of the Ras Kheima medical department filed a lawsuit against El-Asly, accusing the writer of defaming him in the essay.

Iran

Scholar, detained for "endangering national security", released on bail

(Freedom House/IFEX) - The following is a 21 August 2007 Freedom House press release:

Kenya

President rejects media law as threat to press freedom

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails President Mwai Kibaki's refusal on 22 August 2007 to sign a media bill into law on the grounds that a last-minute amendment limiting the confidentiality of sources posed a threat to press freedom.

China

Government has blog service providers sign "self-discipline pact" to end anonymous blogging

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the "self-discipline pact" signed by at least 20 leading blog service providers in China including Yahoo.cn and Msn.cn. Unveiled on 23 August 2007 by the Internet Society of China (ISC), an offshoot of the information industry ministry, the pact stops short the previous project of making it obligatory for bloggers to register, but it can be used to force service providers to censor content and identify bloggers.

Philippines

Television reporter assaulted by sports celebrity while pursuing story about him

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

Kuwait

Editor arrested over alleged insult posted on web forum; another beaten, detained overnight for photographing the arrest

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 August 2007 CPJ press release:

United States

Sudanese cameraman Sami Al-Haj in critical condition in Guantanamo

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF voiced "deep concern" about Sudanese cameraman Sami Al-Haj, a Guantanamo detainee since June 2002, whose lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith, said on 22 August 2007, after recovering his notes from US military censors, that his client's health has worsened considerably in recent days. Referring to the death of four prisoners in just over a year, Al-Haj told him he feared for his survival.

Paraguay

Chilean radio journalist murdered by uniformed men in Itapúa department

(SPP/IFEX) - According to a police report, Tito Alberto Palma Godoy, a radio journalist based in Mayor Otaño - a town in the department of Itapúa, in southeastern Paraguay - was shot dead on the night of 22 August 2007, by two people wearing military uniforms. He was with his wife, Wilma Martínez, who was also shot, and his father-in-law, Aparicio Martínez, at the time of the murder. Palma Godoy, of Chilean nationality, had settled in Paraguay several years before. The SPP condemns this murder and asks the government to conduct a thorough investigation of the case to ensure the punishment of the masterminds as well as the direct perpetrators of this crime.

China

Blogger confined to psychiatric hospital against his will

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged by the confinement of cyber-dissident and blogger He Weihua in a psychiatric hospital in the central province of Hunan against his will. Relatives interviewed by Reporters Without Borders denied that He has any kind of mental illness and said they thought his confinement was linked to what he has posted on his blog http://www.boxun.com/hero/hewh.

Kazakhstan

OSCE presidency opposed after heavily biased election coverage

(RSF/IFEX) - Media coverage of the 18 August 2007 legislative elections, swept by the ruling Nur Otan party, was "biased and heavily influenced by the authorities," Reporters Without Borders said, adding that it would therefore oppose Kazakhstan's bid to hold the rotating presidency of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2009.

Afghanistan

Two Radio-Canada journalists injured by landmine

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is dismayed by the injuries sustained by two journalists with state-owned Radio-Canada when the Canadian military convoy they were accompanying hit a landmine on 22 August 2007, in the southwest of the southern province of Kandahar. Two Canadian soldiers and an Afghan guide were killed by the blast, in which reporter Patrice Roy suffered shock and cameraman Charles Dubois sustained injuries to a leg. They are being treated in a military hospital in Kandahar. A Canadian press officer said: "This was not a lack of prudence, it is the reality in Afghanistan, unfortunately."

Peru

Congress member's sister files defamation complaint against journalist

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 20 August 2007, lawyer Tica Luizar Obregón, sister of Congressman Oswaldo Luizar Obregón, filed a defamation complaint against journalist Yrma Zela Vera, of the Cusco-based "Correo" newspaper. On 13 April, Zela reported that the lawyer had threatened police officers at the police station in San Sebastián, Cusco, southern Peru.

Peru

Judge allows mayor's defamation complaint against journalists to proceed

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 6 August 2007, Judge David Beraun Sánchez, of the First Bench of Huánuco's Superior Court of Justice, decided to admit a complaint against journalist Lenia Zevallos Pascal, political affairs editor of "Correo" newspaper, and the newspaper's general editor, Héctor Mayhuire Rodríguez. They were both accused of defamation by Huánuco's mayor, Jesús Giles Alipazaga. Huánuco is located in central Peru.

Cuba

Journalist released after 15 months in prison

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Turkey

Local journalist detained in Gaziantep, awaits trial over article referring to "North Kurdistan"

(BIANET/IFEX) - Yasin Yetisgen, owner and director of the "Coban Atesi" ("Shepherd's Fire") weekly newspaper in Gaziantep, south-eastern Turkey, has been detained since 13 August 2007 for using the expression "North Kurdistan" in one of his articles. He is facing charges of "damaging the unity and integrity of the state" although it is not clear under which article he will be charged.

Cuba

Independent journalist released from prison in 2006 receives new prison sentence for "illicitly" taking handkerchief signed by Fidel Castro

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders voiced dismay on learning that Alberto Santiago Du Bouchet Hernández, an independent journalist who was released in August 2006 after spending a year in prison, was given another jail term by a Havana court on 15 August 2007 for allegedly stealing a handkerchief signed by Fidel Castro from an elderly woman who was once a pro-Castro activist.

Philippines

Radio station manager receives death threats

(RSF/IFEX) - Condemning the continuing threats and violence against radio journalists who report on organised crime and local government corruption, Reporters Without Borders is calling on the police assigned to Task Force USIG to identity the instigators and perpetrators of the two latest cases.

Burma

Editors interrogated following public rally; five university students arrested for putting up poster

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Philippines

Critical radio commentator shot, injured in assassination attempt

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

Russia

Journalist released from forced psychiatric hospitalisation

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 20 August 2007 CPJ press release:

United Arab Emirates

Website closed, its administrator sentenced to prison, one of its writers detained

(HRinfo/IFEX) - On 21 August 2007, HRinfo noted that the harsh sentence issued by Ras Kheima criminal court in U.A.E. against the head administrator of Majan website ( http://www.majan.net ) greatly threatens freedom of expression in the U.A.E.. On 8 August Muhammed Rashid Shouhi was sentenced to one year in prison, and instructed to pay a 50,000 Dirham (approx. US$13,600) fine and 30,000 Dirham (approx. US$8,100) in compensation to a government official. The ruling also called for the closure of the website.

Russia

Government minister forces journalist to leave meeting

(CJES/IFEX) - Alexandra Srogonova, a journalist with the "Listok" newspaper, was made to leave a meeting held by Altai Republic Finance Minister Svetlana Gashkina in Gorno-Altaisk, Altai, on 13 August 2007. The minister ordered the journalist to leave, the REGNUM information agency reported.

Mexico

Journalist in Morelos abducted, beaten and threatened with murder

(CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is a 20 August 2007 joint press release by CENCOS and the Independent Commission on Human Rights of Morelos:

Ethiopia

Four journalists released from prison on conditional pardon

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

Peru

Two journalists threatened, offered bribe not to broadcast story

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 12 August 2007, journalists José Arrieta and Carol Ruiz, of the "Panorama" programme broadcast on Panamericana Televisión, reported that they were threatened in an attempt to stop them from broadcasting a story about the alleged links of the Sánchez Paredes family to the diversion of chemical materials used in the production of cocaine hydrochloride.

Mauritania

Prime minister's bodyguards beat radio reporter; first lady sues newspaper editor

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned a 16 August 2007 attack on radio journalist Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Moghdad by the prime minister's bodyguards, as well as a charge of "libelling the First Lady" that was brought against newspaper editor Sidi Mohamed Ould Ebbe on 18 August, which could result in a prison sentence.

Chile

Chilevisión journalists sentenced for using hidden cameras

(IPYS/IFEX) - In a unanimous ruling made known on 9 August 2007, the Second Bench of the Supreme Court confirmed the conviction of three journalists of the Chilevisión (CHV) television station for the use of hidden cameras. Press editor Patricio Caldichoury Ríos, journalist Fernando Reyes Amín and producer Raúl Poblete Barrios each received a suspended three-month prison sentence.

Guinea-Bissau

IFJ calls for concrete actions for the security of journalists covering drug trafficking

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 19 August 2007 IFJ media release:

Israel

Golan Heights-based reporter held for past three weeks; media banned from covering the case

(RSF/IFEX) - On 20 August 2007, Reporters Without Borders called for the immediate release of Ata Farahat, the correspondent of Syrian public television and the daily newspaper "Al-Watan" in the Golan Heights, who was arrested on 30 July and is currently held in Al-Jalama prison (14 km southeast of Haifa). His lawyers and the press have been banned from talking about the case. The Golan Heights were annexed by Israel in 1981.

China

Detained editor allegedly abused, his health deteriorating

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned by reports that Hada (editor's note: the Mongols in Inner Mongolia use only one name), a Mongolian political prisoner held since 1995, has been recently maltreated in detention. International PEN believes Hada, who is serving a fifteen-year sentence for his writings, is held in violation of his rights to freedom of expression as guaranteed under Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a party, and is calling for his immediate and unconditional release. PEN is also seeking assurances of his well being from the Chinese authorities.

Cambodia

Journalist's house set on fire again following threat over reports on illegal logging

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A reporter's house was set on fire for a second time by unknown persons on 17 August 2007, just a week after the first arson attack occurred.

Russia

BBC World Service removed from FM radio station; government pressure suspected

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

Cuba

State media journalists obliged to use only government portal to go online

(RSF/IFEX) - At the behest of Communication Minister Ramiro Valdés, the Cuban Institute for Radio and Television sent a letter to the heads of state media on 13 August 2007 announcing new restrictions on their staff. They must henceforth use a portal created by the Cuban state telecommunications company, http://www.enet.cu/ , to access websites and email services. This will enable the government to easily monitor their online activity.

Nepal

Striking staff at cable association block broadcast of national television stations

(FNJ/IFEX) - Striking employees at the Nepal Cable TV Association are obstructing the broadcasting of the state-owned broadcasting corporation, Nepal Television, and other national television channels.

Turkmenistan

President urged to extend amnesty for 11 political prisoners to include journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has written to President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov proposing that an amnesty for 11 political prisoners that was announced on 9 August 2007 should be extended to include imprisoned journalists and all other prisoners of conscience.

Kazakhstan

Press freedom violations mar bid to hold democratic elections

(RSF/IFEX) - Kazakhstan is supposed to stage model legislative elections on 18 August 2007 as it aspires to hold the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) rotating presidency in 2009 with the support of most European countries. But no election held in this central Asian republic since independence in 1991 has been considered free and fair, and this campaign has been marked by interference in both state and privately-owned media.

United States

New threat to confidentiality in judge's decision ordering five journalists to disclose sources of reports on anthrax attacks

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about a Washington DC federal judge's decision on 13 August 2007 ordering five journalists to identify the government officials who told them that former government scientist Steven Hatfill was a suspect in a series of anthrax attacks in 2001.

Malaysia

Newspaper terminates critical columns, reducing plurality in mainstream media

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A major newspaper associated with the ruling party in Malaysia has terminated two critical columns, further reducing the plurality of voices in the mainstream media, which largely mirrors the government position.

Vietnam

Cyber-dissident's prison sentence cut from five years to four on appeal

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders notes that on 17 August 2007 a Ho Chi Minh City court reduced cyber-dissident Le Nguyen Sang's five-year prison sentence to four years on appeal.

China

Cyber-dissident gets four years for "inciting government's overthrow"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders said it was "appalled" by the four-year prison sentence which a court in the southeastern province of Zhejiang imposed on 16 August 2007 on cyber-dissident Chen Shuqing for posting articles critical of the government on the Internet.

Thailand

CAPSULE REPORT: Suppression of dissent taints referendum as citizens prepare to vote on draft charter

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Thais will vote on a draft Constitution on 19 August 2007, in a crucial exercise the interim military government insists will put democracy back on track in the kingdom - but that critics say will have the opposite effect.

Tunisia

Online newspaper editor's libel trial turning into farce after second postponement

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders said the trial of Omar Mestiri, the editor of the online newspaper "Kalima", for libel was turning into a "farce" after a Tunis criminal court on 16 August 2007 postponed it for a second time, until 28 August, at the request of the plaintiff's lawyers. It had already been postponed for two weeks at the plaintiff's request on 2 August.

China

Authorities restrict coverage of Hunan province bridge collapse, five journalists assaulted while reporting on the incident

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the government's decision to restrict reporting of the collapse of a bridge in Fenghuang, a city much frequented by tourists in the southern province of Hunan. According to foreign news agencies, the Propaganda Department ordered the Chinese media to reduce their coverage of the event. News organisations are said to have pulled their reporters out of Fenghuang immediately.

Nepal

Distribution of two national dailies blocked by Maoist offensive against independent media

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about a growing threat to press freedom in Nepal as a Maoist labour union prevented two privately-owned national dailies, "The Himalayan Times" and "Annapurna Post", from being printed and distributed for the third day running.

Republic of Congo

President's son fails to keep incriminating information from public

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 16 August 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

China

Government announces crackdown on "false news" and "illegal news coverage" ahead of Party Congress

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

Democratic Republic of Congo

Police disperse photojournalists peacefully protesting their colleague's murder in Kinshasa

(JED/IFEX) - On 16 August 2007, a peaceful march of about 100 photojournalists was dispersed in Kinshasa, the capital, by several Rapid Intervention Police (Police d'intervention rapide, PIR) officers. The police were called to the scene as the photojournalists headed to the Interior Ministry to deliver a statement.

Liberia

House of Representatives reacts negatively to radio talk show hosts' comments

(CEMESP/IFEX) - The House of Representatives in Monrovia has lashed at and threatened to summon the presenter of a talk show before that body for "preaching hate messages".

Paraguay / Brazil

IAPA hails conviction in Brazil of mastermind behind murder of Paraguayan newsman

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

Kenya

CRN and Kenya affiliate voice concern over proposed legislation, creation of Media Council

(CRN/IFEX) - On 6 August 2007, the "Standard" newspaper reported that, four days earlier, the Kenyan Parliament authorised the creation of the Media Council of Kenya, a quasi-governmental organisation to regulate and monitor the media in Kenya. After weeks of debate, Parliament approved the controversial legislation and sent it to the president for signing.

Turkey

Four websites face lawsuits for reporting on labour issues in media group

(BIANET/IFEX) - Four websites reporting on the obstruction of trade union activities among employees of "Sabah" newspaper have been sued for compensation by Nurdan Acur, human resources manager of the Merkez Newspaper Group.

Russia

Blogger faces criminal charges over on-line writings about law enforcement officials

(CJES/IFEX) - The Syktyvkar prosecutor's office (Komi Republic) has filed criminal charges against Internet blogger Savva Terentyev for allegedly violating Article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The article refers to "fanning hatred or a feud" and "belittling a person's dignity".

Turkey

Longtime "Hürriyet" journalist dismissed, allegedly due to government pressure

(BIANET/IFEX) - After 22 years with the "Hürriyet" newspaper, columnist Emin Cölasan has been dismissed. Journalists' associations and prominent individual journalists have protested his dismissal.

Sri Lanka

FMM concerned over recent series of violent attacks, threats against journalists

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

Haiti

Committee will oversee investigations of journalist murders

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 August 2007 CPJ press release:

South Africa

Hospital official suspended for speaking to media; "free speech in the public health system needs intensive care," says FXI

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

Morocco

Journalist Mostapha Hurmatallah sentenced to eight months in prison; editor Abderrahim Ariri handed suspended sentence

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders said it was "shocked and appalled" by the eight-month prison sentence imposed by a Casablanca court on 15 August 2007 on Mostapha Hurmatallah of the Arabic-language daily "Al Watan Al An" for publishing a leaked internal security memo. He was convicted of "receiving documents obtained by criminal means." The newspaper's editor, Abderrahim Ariri, received a six-month suspended sentence on the same charge.

Cambodia

Arson attack follows anonymous threat against journalist reporting on illegal logging

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

Kenya

NAFEO calls on president to withhold assent to media bill that threatens protection of sources

(MFWA/IFEX) - The Network of African Freedom of Expression Organisations (NAFEO) has expressed its consternation upon learning that the Parliament of Kenya adopted a new press bill which blatantly violates press freedom in this country. This law compels journalists to disclose their sources when sued in court.

Guinea

Court convicts two journalists of defamation

(MFWA/IFEX) - A Magistrate Court in Conakry on 13 August 2007 convicted two journalists of two privately-owned weekly newspapers for defaming Bahna Sidibe, a former minister of Works in Guinea.

Colombia

Television journalist ordered to broadcast story or be killed

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 13 August 2007, Juan Pablo Monsalve, a member of a team of journalists working with the RCN Television programme "La Noche", received three telephone calls in which he was told to broadcast a particular story or be killed. The threats relate to a story under investigation by the programme regarding a case of alleged corruption in Cantagallos, a town in southern Bolívar department.

Argentina

Journalist's right to work questioned after he covers hearing on human rights violation

(FOPEA /IFEX) - The following is a 10 August 2007 statement from FOPEA, an interim member of IFEX:

Turkey

Various journalists detained, released, on trial for allegedly insulting authorities in articles

(BIANET/IFEX) - Two journalists of "Söz" TV and newspaper in Diyarbakir, in south-eastern Turkey, have been put on trial on charges of insulting local authorities in print. In a separate case, the director of the local newspaper "Emirdag" in Afyonkarahisar, in central Anatolia, is being tried for insulting an officer on duty. In a third case, a newspaper owner has been released after serving a five-month prison term.

Turkey

Journalist faces criminal charges over article on soldiers' complaints

(BIANET/IFEX) - The General Staff of the Turkish military has filed a criminal complaint against journalist Umur Talu of "Sabah" newspaper for "acting in an insulting and derisive manner aimed at undermining relations between junior and senior officers and destroying trust in superiors or commanders".

Russia

Forcibly hospitalised journalist beaten, drugged; her daughter fired from her job over interviews

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 August 2007 CPJ letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin:

India

Leading newsweekly attacked by hardliners

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Slovakia

Prime minister accuses media of "harassing" minister and "political involvement"

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 13 August 2007 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Nepal

Maoist group attempts to kidnap journalist, threatens him with death over coverage

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 14 August 2007, the Maoist-aligned Young Communist league (YCL) attempted to abduct Madhav Basnet, a journalist with "Dristi" weekly newspaper, from his office in Bagbazar, Kathmandu, and threatened to kill him.

China

Journalist sentenced to one year in prison for allegedly fabricating story

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist receives death threat from police officer in Uvira

(JED/IFEX) - On 10 August 2007, Jean Berchimas Lulaca, a journalist with the Mitumba community radio station in Uvira, 120 km south of Bukavu, the main city of South Kivu province, in eastern DR Congo, was threatened with death by Fidel Mwenebatu, a police officer with the Kasenga police station.

Syria

Outspoken promoter of democratic reform denied right to travel for urgently needed medical care

(HRinfo/IFEX) - On 14 August 2007, HRinfo urged the Syrian government to allow former MP Ryad Seif to leave the country to seek medical care. Seif was diagnosed with cancer two months before and has not received any medication due to the lack of it in Syria.

Burma

Authorities disconnect public service mobile phones in Lashio, further restricting access to information

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Iran

Two journalists on hunger strike protest their death sentences

(RSF/IFEX) - On 13 August 2007, Reporters Without Borders wrote to United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon urging him to intercede in the case of Adnan Hassanpour and Abdolvahed Botimar, two journalists who were sentenced to death on 16 July, and to ask the Islamic Republic of Iran to adhere to the international treaties it has signed concerning civil and political rights.

Nepal

Thirty journalists arrested, later released, for demanding reinstatement of 49 dismissed journalists

(FNJ/IFEX) - Thirty journalists were arrested at the gate of Singhadurbar on 13 August 2007 as they were demonstrating for the reinstatement of 49 journalists fired by the management of the Gorkhapatra Corporation.

Somalia

Two suspects arrested in murder of journalists; protesting media outlets resume broadcasting, despite death threats

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Turkey

Journalist on trial for allegedly insulting mayor, other officials, in satirical newspaper article

(BIANET/IFEX) - Yakup Önal, of the local newspaper "Sarköy'ün Sesi" ("The Voice of Sarköy") in Sarköy, Tekirdag province, is on trial for allegedly "insulting" the Justice and Development Party (AKP) mayor and two members of the municipal council.

Libya

Twelve face possible death sentences, two "disappeared", over planned demonstration; government "still imprisons those who express alternative political views", says Human Rights Watch

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 13 August 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Russia

Against expert testimony, court extends journalist's forced internment in psychiatric hospital

(CJES/IFEX) - A court of the town of Apatity, in Murmansk region, recently considered the issue of extending the treatment of journalist Larisa Arap in the Apatity psychiatric hospital. Despite the recommendation made by an independent psychiatric commission, which had come to Apatity from Moscow on the initiative of Russian human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin, the court ruled that Arap's treatment in the hospital should continue.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Two state TV journalists released after fifteen days in detention

(JED/IFEX) - Vincent Hata Mawika and Michel Shango Mpanya, journalists and union activists with state-owned Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise (RTNC) were released on 11 August 2007 at around 1:00 p.m. (local time) by the Kinshasa/Gombe High Court prosecutor on payment of US$120 bail each.

Ukraine

Journalist assaulted, threatened with legal action over critical report about mayor

(IMI/IFEX) - The following is a statement from IMI, an interim member of IFEX:

Mexico

Journalists detained by army are released on bail, accuse soldiers of assault, planting evidence

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Colombia

Government imposes prior censorship on community radio stations' electoral coverage

(AMARC/IFEX) - AMARC strongly condemns the Colombian government's decision to violate freedom of expression and information by imposing prior censorship, through restricting in an arbitrary and unconstitutional manner community media's right to cover various electoral proposals, conduct interviews and promote debates between the different political parties.

Somalia

Radio Mogadishu journalist wounded in gunfire attack following wave of political killings

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has expressed horror at the murder of two well-known Somali journalists - Radio Capital Voice director Mahad Ahmed Elmi, shot dead on his way to work in Mogadishu, and Ali Iman Sharmarke, director of Horn Afrik, killed by a bomb soon afterwards on 11 August 2007. Six media workers have been killed in Somalia so far this year.

Portugal

President vetoes law threatening journalists' rights; harmful provisions still up for debate

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

Uzbekistan

Journalist forcibly interned in psychiatric hospital subject to inhumane treatment, his health declines

(RSF/IFEX) - Freelance journalist Jamshid Karimov, who has been held against his will in a psychiatric hospital since September 2006, has reported in a message smuggled out to friends that his health is declining. He attributes this to the psychotropic drugs he is being given and the harassment to which he is being subjected. He complains of memory loss, difficulty concentrating and a partial loss of vision.

Kazakhstan

IPI condemns ongoing government campaign against newspaper

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

Eritrea

State TV editor goes missing while trying to flee across border into Ethiopia

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about the fate of Johnny Hisabu, an editor with state-owned Eri-TV, who disappeared in late May 2007 after trying to flee across the border into Ethiopia. There are unconfirmed reports that he was arrested and has been held ever since in a detention centre in the southwestern town of Barentu.

Colombia

Military accuse Arauca radio journalists of being "apologists for terrorism," station suspends broadcasting for day to protest FARC pressures

(FLIP/IFEX) - Various media outlets in the department of Arauca continue to face difficulties following the insistence by the guerrilla group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC) that they broadcast a FARC press release or face being declared military targets.

Kazakhstan

Journalist faces libel lawsuit for reports critical of prosecutor

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - Senior prosecutor Baurzhan Ospanov plans to sue journalist Zhasaral Kuanyshalin for his critical reports in the newspapers "Zhas Alash", "Taszhargan" and "Respublika".

Colombia

Two radio stations in Arauca broadcast FARC pamphlet content, another refuses, following threats

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

Nepal

Maoist-affiliated union again disrupts distribution of two newspapers, issues death threat

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - CEHURDES condemns the renewed disruption of distribution of two daily newspapers by a Maoist-affiliated trade union, and the death threat the union allegedly issued against anyone who contradicts their orders.

Somalia

Two journalists with popular radio network murdered; "a great blow to press freedom", says CJFE

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

Argentina

Journalists beaten by football fans; one receives stab wound

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 10 August 2007, supporters of the River Plate football team beat a number of reporters who were covering the wake of Martín Gonzalo Arco. Arco, a supporter of the same team, was shot in Buenos Aires on 7 August in what seems to have been a settling of old scores among different factions of the same group of fans.

Senegal

Newsroom records threat to journalist made by minister

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Mexico

Four journalists detained by military while trying to cover drug raid

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a 9 August 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Photojournalist shot dead near his home in Goma

(JED/IFEX) - JED voiced dismay at the killing on 9 August 2007 of Patrick Kikuku Wilungula, photojournalist with the Agence Congolaise de Presse (ACP) in North Kivu province and the Kinshasa-based weekly "L'Hebdo de l'Est", in Goma, eastern Congo.

Colombia

Staff of television news programme harassed for reporting on bridge construction

(FLIP/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 9 August 2007 FLIP statement:

Turkey

Journalist convicted of "insulting" lawyer, faces possible imprisonment and compensation fees

(BIANET/IFEX) - Journalist Ayse Önal of the "Star" newspaper has been sentenced to three months imprisonment and payment of compensation to Kemal Kerincsiz, a lawyer with of the Great Lawyer's Union, after he filed a suit against her. Her imprisonment has been converted into a fine.

Palestine / Israel

Cameraman badly injured by Israeli gunfire unable to leave Gaza Strip to get artificial legs in Egypt

(RSF/IFEX) - One month after asking Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak to investigate the circumstances in which Israeli soldiers fired on Palestinian cameraman Imad Ghanem on 5 July 2007 in the Gaza Strip, Reporters Without Borders has called for the results of the investigation to be published. Ghanem, who lost both legs as a result of the shooting, is meanwhile waiting to be allowed to leave the Gaza Strip and go to Egypt to be fitted with artificial legs.

Serbia

Editor of radio-television station in Bela Crkva receives death threats

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

Turkey

Three human rights activists receive prison sentences for criticising military operation, prison conditions

(BIANET/IFEX) - Three human rights activists of the Adana branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) have been sentenced to two years and eight months' imprisonment for criticising the "Return to Life" military operations of December 2000 and the prison conditions of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.

China

Ailing cyber-dissident Zhang Jianhong faces permanent paralysis; RSF appeals for humanitarian release

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced outrage at the failure of the prison authorities to treat ailing writer and cyber-dissident Zhang Jianhong, who is also known by the pen-name of Li Hong. Imprisoned since September 2006, Zhang has been in a critical condition for the past three months and could become permanently paralysed.

Afghanistan

IFJ condemns abduction of Kabul reporter Kamran Mir Hazar, previously detained by state security agency

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

East Timor

Newspaper office attacked, media worker beaten

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 4 August 2007, amid political tensions arising from the controversial formation of the new government, an unknown group of men attacked the office of a major newspaper, "Suara Timor Lorosa'e" (STL).

Sri Lanka

Military prohibits discussion of human rights issues in meetings with UN visitor

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 9 August 2007 FMM joint statement with other organisations:

Turkey

Historian receives death threat, is harassed by newspaper, for questioning official history

(BIANET/IFEX) - Prof. Dr. Taner Akcam of the history department at Minnesota University, who has consistently described in his work the events of 1915 a "genocide", fears for his life since receiving death threats over e-mail.

Pakistan

Released after 16 months' military detention, journalist held another 30 days under police arrest

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

Peru

Two television reporters attacked in Pucallpa

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 6 August 2007, two journalists in the city of Pucallpa, in northeastern Peru, were attacked separately in puzzling incidents. América Televisión camera operator Víctor López Torres was hit in the face and body by an unidentified person while he was walking on the Federico Basadre highway. In a separate incident the same day, Douglas Torres Laos - a correspondent for another television station, ATV - was pursued by three men on motorcycles when he was heading home on his own motorcycle. According to Torres Laos, when the men chasing him began shooting, he crashed into the sidewalk, sustaining mild injuries. Local residents came to Torres Laos's assistance, the assailants fled, and Torres Laos was taken to hospital, where a doctor examined his injuries, releasing him later the same day.

Philippines

Electoral commission threatens legal action against media personalities; boxer files libel suit against journalists

(CMFR/IFEX) - CMFR is concerned over two separate libel threats recently directed against journalists.

Syria

Iraqi journalist detained, beaten, expelled from country

(HRinfo/IFEX) - On 9 August 2007, HRinfo called for the Syrian government to conduct a fair and honest investigation concerning the assault against Iraqi journalist Saif al-Khayat, who suffered serious violations at the hands of Syrian Political Security Forces before he was ordered to leave Syria in mid-June 2007.

Sierra Leone

Two presenters injured in armed attack on evangelical radio station

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned an attack by gunmen on Believers Broadcasting Network (BBN), a Christian radio station in Freetown, in the early hours of 4 August 2007, in which two radio presenters were shot and seriously injured.

Colombia

Radio journalists in Arauca must read announcement on air or become military targets, FARC threatens

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 8 August 2007, various broadcast media outlets in the north-eastern department of Arauca found a pamphlet from the guerrilla group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC) awaiting them at their offices. The pamphlet announced the initiation of an "armed stoppage" ("paro armado") in the department, and warned journalists that they must read the announcement on air or be considered military targets of the FARC.

India

Journalists in Manipur threatened on all sides

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Zimbabwe

Sweeping surveillance law to target "imperialist-sponsored journalists"

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Iraq

Associated Press journalist kidnapped near Baqouba; another kidnapped and released near Baghdad

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced deep concern about the fate of Talal Mohammed, an Iraqi news reporter and photographer employed by the Associated Press, after the US news agency revealed on 7 August 2007 that he was kidnapped on 28 July near Baqouba, 55 km northeast of Baghdad.

Paraguay

Amambay governor assaults critical photojournalist; Asunción municipal security guards beat, detain two newspaper journalists

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns several recent acts of verbal and physical aggression perpetrated against several journalists in Amambay, a department in Paraguay's northeast, and in Asunción, the country's capital.

Peru

"Pro&Contra" newspaper editor accused of defaming Loreto politician's brother

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 29 July 2007, journalist Jaime Vásquez Valcárcel was accused of defamation by Eduardo Yong Quina, brother of Alfredo Yong Quina, former candidate to the regional presidency of Loreto. The plaintiff asked for civil reparations of 170,000 soles (approx. US$70,000). Vásquez is the editor of the newspaper "Pro&Contra" and a host of Canal 21 television station's programme "Contrapunteo".

Peru

Mayor of Ferreñafe challenges journalist to fistfight to back his demand for the right to respond to critical articles

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 2 August 2007, journalist Manuel Velásquez Montero, director of Radio Ferreñafe's programme "La Voz Regional", accused Mayor William Cabrejos Requejo of approaching the station's facilities and demanding his right to respond by banging on the door and threatening him. Ferreñafe is located in the region of Lambayeque, northwestern Peru.

Kazakhstan

Nouveau décès d'un journaliste indépendant dans un accident de voiture: ce n'est pas la première fois et la piste professionnelle ne doit pas être exclue

(RSF/IFEX) - Le 2 août 2007, le journaliste Saken Tauzhanov, âgé de 37 ans, qui travaillait pour les sites d'informations indépendants zonakz.net, dialog.kz et kub.kz est décédé, suite à un accident de voiture. Reporters sans frontières en appelle aux autorités kazakhes afin de faire toute la lumière sur ce drame aux circonstances encore obscures et de ne pas tirer de conclusions trop hâtives.

Kazakhstan

Another journalist killed in road accident - seventh since 2002

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has urged the Kazakh authorities not to come to any hasty conclusions about Saken Tauzhanov's death on 2 August 2007 and to do everything possible to clarify the circumstances. The authorities said the 37-year-old journalist, who wrote for three independent news websites, zonakz.net, dialog.kz and kub.kz, was run over by a truck.

Tibet (China)

WiPC seriously concerned for the health of imprisoned writer Dolma Kyab

(WiPC/IFEX) - WiPC is seriously concerned for the health of teacher and writer Dolma Kyab (aka Lobsang Kelsang Gyatso), whose health is said to have deteriorated in detention. International PEN believes Dolma Kyab, who is serving a 10-year sentence for his writings, is held in violation of his rights to freedom of expression as guaranteed under Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory, and is calling for his immediate and unconditional release. PEN is also seeking assurances that he is receiving all necessary medical care.

Malaysia

Authorities to act against student over "seditious" national anthem rap on YouTube; police interrogate blogger's wife

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Malaysian authorities are looking to come down hard on a student in Taiwan who has allegedly insulted nationalistic and Islamic sensibilities in a music video uploaded on the popular video-sharing website YouTube.

Peru

Journalist receives another death threat after investigating official in Huaraz

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the night of 5 August 2007, "Eco de Ancash" magazine journalist Henry Barreto Palma received another death threat by telephone. The journalist suspects that the threat may be linked to his investigations of Giovanne Villareal Salome, an official in the National Fund for Development Cooperation (FONCODES), who is alleged to have received two paychecks as a state employee, which would be illegal.

Iraq

"Incitement to terror" charges dropped against 11 media workers; two still imprisoned for "possessing unlicensed weapons"

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 7 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Turkey

Supreme Court affirms earlier court decision to drop case against writer Orhan Pamuk for "degrading Turkishness"

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Supreme Court of Appeals has affirmed the decision of the Sisli 2nd Penal Court to drop the case against writer Orhan Pamuk.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist jailed for not airing politician's interview

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Kenya

Controversial press law requiring journalists to reveal sources approved by Parliament, awaits presidential approval

(Media Institute/IFEX) - The media industry in Kenya has been thunderstruck by the surprise enactment of a media law that will require journalists to disclose the identities of their sources in court.

United States

Suspect confesses to Oakland editor's murder

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Turkey

Two journalists investigated under Article 301

(BIANET/IFEX) - Article 301 continues to haunt journalists in Turkey. Two "Radikal" newspaper journalists, Perihan Magden and Yildirim Türker, are under investigation for "degrading the state's armed forces".

Comoros

Broadcast journalists prevented from travelling to separatist island; one detained briefly for questioning

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Nepal

Group seeking autonomy burns newspapers in protest over coverage

(FNJ/IFEX) - The daily "Purba Sandesh", published in Damak, the national daily "Kantipur" and "The Kathmandu Post", both of Kantipur publications, were burnt by cadres of Sanghiya Limbuwan Rajya Parishad (SLRP, an organisation seeking autonomy for the ethnic Limbu community) on 7 August 2007 at 5:30 a.m. (local time) near Ratuwa bridge, Damak, in eastern Nepal.

Iran

Another journalist arrested; leading daily suspended again

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the release of Soheil Assefi, a journalist who was arrested when he presented himself to a Tehran court on 4 August 2007 in response to a summons. Neither his family nor his lawyers know where he is being held or with what he is charged. Officials from the prosecutor's office searched his home on 31 July, taking personal documents and his computer's hard disk.

China

CAPSULE REPORT: Government attacks on media violate Olympic commitments, says Human Rights Watch

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

Turkey

Student arrested, detained over threatening e-mail to "Agos" newspaper; threats continue

(BIANET/IFEX) - Aris Nalci, news director of the "Agos" weekly newspaper, said although there has been a drop in e-mail threats received by the newspaper, the threats are still continuing.

Morocco

Government confiscates weeklies, charges publisher; police delay printing of another

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Peru

Journalists receive death threats after investigating official for corruption in Huaraz

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the night of 2 August 2007, "Eco de Ancash" magazine journalist, Henry Barreto Palma, was intimidated when a car tried to run him over near his house in Huaraz, northwestern Peru. Someone within the vehicle shouted out a death threat at the journalist.

Mexico

Journalist shot and wounded after reporting on corruption

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Venezuela

Court prohibits two newspapers in Bolívar from printing images showing blood

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 20 July 2007, the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Justice issued a preventive measure that forbids newspapers "El Progreso" and "El Luchador", both from the state of Bolívar, in southern Venezuela, from publishing photographs of accidents or murders in which blood may be seen.

Peru

Two radio stations incite protesting peasants to attack journalist over coverage

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 31 July 2007, Radio Panorama journalist and correspondent for Ideele Radio, Ronald Ripa, stated to IPYS that after he reported about the violent protests of farmers in Andahuaylas, a city in southeastern Perú, two radio stations of the region have been inciting the locals to attack him by broadcasting audiotapes of his report and blaming him for the death of one of the protesters, alleging that it was this that prompted the arrival of more policemen in order to suppress the protest.

Zimbabwe

President signs spying bill into law

(MISA/IFEX) - President Robert Mugabe has signed the Interception of Communications Bill into law. The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda announced this in a general notice issued in the Government Gazette of 3 August 2007.

Germany

Seventeen journalists under investigation over leaking of confidential documents

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF learned with concern on 3 August 2007 that prosecutors in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and other German cities are investigating 17 journalists in connection with the leaking of confidential documents from a parliamentary commission that is looking into the activities of the German domestic intelligence service, the BND, in the fight against terrorism.

Uruguay

Senate must approve Community Broadcasting Bill, says ARTICLE 19

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

United Kingdom

London appeal court quashes judge's gagging order in Blair-Bush memo case

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has hailed a London appeal court's decision on 30 July 2007 to quash a gagging order issued by judge Richard Aikens during a trial in May that banned the press from referring in their reports of the trial to the content of a leaked memo about a meeting between Tony Blair and George W. Bush in 2004.

Guinea-Bissau

Four journalists in hiding for fear of being arrested as army cracks down following coverage of drug trafficking

(MFWA/IFEX) - Four journalists in Guinea-Bissau went into hiding on 26 July 2007 for fear of being arrested by the country's military.

Burma

Satirical Danish ad in "Myanmar Times" leads to stricter regulations

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Ethiopia

Four more journalists given heavy prison sentences; pardon anticipated

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Argentina

One journalist beaten by police, another threatened by priest in cases reminiscent of military dictatorship

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced outrage at the arbitrary arrest and beating of Darío Illanes of the regional daily "El Tribuno" by plain-clothes police using a car with no licence plates on 1 August 2007 in the northwestern city of Salta. The assault occurred while Illanes and other journalists were visiting a detention centre for minors.

Democratic Republic of Congo

State TV union activist released after five days in detention

(JED/IFEX) - Eugène Risasi Tambwe, journalist and activist of state-owned Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise (RTNC) was released on 31 July 2007 at 3:00 p.m. (local time). On 2 August, Tambwe told Journalist in Danger (JED), that he was stripped of his shoes, handcuffed and whipped 30 times while held in a military camp. No charges were brought against him.

Turkey

Journalist abducted, violently assaulted and threatened with death by police officers

(BIANET/IFEX) - BIANET joins Reporters sans frontières (RSF) in condemning the attack on journalist Sinan Tekpetek of the "Yüzde 52 Öfke" magazine by police.

Brazil

Ruling party's resolution inflammatory toward certain media following critical reporting; "ominous", says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 2 August 2007 RSF letter to Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva and Workers' Party president Ricardo Berzoini:

Turkey

ECHR condemns 1997 ruling against journalist, legitimizes punishment of former mayor for "inciting hatred" in speeches

(BIANET/IFEX) - The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has heard the appeals of former Kayseri mayor Sükrü Karatepe, who had been convicted of "inciting hatred and hostility" and of Ziya Ulusoy, a journalist who had been sentenced to 16 months imprisonment. Both appeals were based on Article 6/1 of the European Convention on Human Rights and claimed that there had not been a fair trial. The court decreed that Ulusoy's punishment was unfounded. However, Karatepe's penalisation has been found legitimate.

United States

Newspaper editor gunned down in Oakland

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

Mozambique

Head of football club assaults photojournalist

(MISA/IFEX) - The Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom body MISA has denounced a physical assault by a leading sports figure against a photojournalist.

Ghana

Journalist harassed, forced to delete photographs of politician

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 31 July 2007, three men accompanying Sherry Ayittey, a functionary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ghana's main opposition party, forced a photographer of the "Daily Guide", a pro-government newspaper, to remove images of Ayittey from his camera.

Venezuela

Government employees restrict Globovisión journalists from accessing official venues

(IPYS/IFEX) - In July 2007 state employees repeatedly restricted Globovisión reporters from accessing official venues to cover events. Globovisión is a media outlet that is critical of the government.

Gabon

Jailed journalist hospitalised, sentenced

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 1 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Thailand

Police investigate lecturer accused of lèse-majesté

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Thai police are investigating a university lecturer for allegedly insulting the monarchy through examination questions he set on Thai civilisation.

Venezuela

Supreme Court provides temporary reprieve for RCTV's cable broadcasting, will hear petition

(RSF/IFEX) - RCTV Internacional was able to continue broadcasting by cable beyond a government deadline set for 1 August 2007 thanks to an 11th hour reprieve in the form of a decision by the Supreme Court that it was prepared to hear a petition from the Venezuelan Chamber of Subscription Television (Cavetesu) about the status of cable and satellite TV stations.

Kazakhstan

Two convicted, but many questions still unresolved in French journalist's 2006 murder

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders says it is pleased that two burglars have been convicted of the murder of French journalist Grégoire de Bourgues on 2 August 2006 in Kazakhstan but it condemns the Kazakh judicial system's failure to clarify the still unresolved aspects of the case. One of the burglars was sentenced to 16 years in prison. The other got 17 years.

China

Renewed crackdown on media freedom shadows countdown to 2008 Olympic Games, says Human Rights Watch

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

India

Following bomb attempt on newspaper, death threats, media outlets shut down in protest

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 1 August 2007 IFJ media release:

United Kingdom

IFJ welcomes victory in journalist's long battle to protect sources

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 1 August 2007 IFJ press release:

International

ARTICLE 19 calls on EU to improve transparency

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 1 August 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Russia

ECHR finds government violated free expression in defamation ruling against journalist

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 1 August 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Mexico

Attorney General endorses self-censorship by media in context of increasing danger; CENCOS urges government action

(CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is a 31 July 2007 CENCOS press release:

Mali

Politician assaults journalist over election coverage

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 31 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Venezuela

Government forces RCTV to stop cable and satellite broadcasting

(RSF/IFEX) - On 1 August 2007, a "spurious, last-minute legal pretext" was used to force RCTV, now called RCTV Internacional, to suspend broadcasting for the second time in just over two months, RSF said. The grounds cited by the government were that the privately-owned station was not a "national audiovisual producer." RCTV had resumed broadcasting by cable and satellite just two weeks before, after being forced to stop terrestrial broadcasting on 27 May.

Botswana

Government communications company denies advertising to newspaper allegedly in retaliation for critical story

(MISA/IFEX) - "The Tswana Times" newspaper has accused the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) of denying it advertising as a punishment for publishing an unfavourable report, entitled "Seretse Misled Batswana", about the corporation on 16 March 2007.

Zimbabwe

Army commander's wife assaults journalist covering opposition party activity

(MISA/IFEX) - On 1 August 2007, the wife of Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Jocelyn Chiwenga, assaulted freelance photojournalist Tsvangirai Mukwazhi at Makro Wholesalers in Harare.

Iran

Several journalists victim of persistent prosecution by judicial system

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the release of Farshad Gorbanpour, who was arrested on 31 July 2007 along with fellow journalist Masoud Bastani on the orders of Tehran prosecutor Said Mortazavi. Bastani was freed after several hours (for further information on his previous arrest, see IFEX alerts of 14 Sept and 2 August 2005) but Gorbanpour was transferred to Evin prison. This brings the number of journalists and cyber-dissidents detained in Iran to 11.

Angola

ARTICLE 19 calls for lifting of media restrictions prior to elections

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

Iran

Four Kurdish journalists and writers arrested for expressing support for two colleagues sentenced to death

(WiPC/IFEX) - WiPC is alarmed by the death sentence handed down to Iranian Kurdish journalist, writer and human rights activist Adnan Hassanpour on 16 July 2007. Hassanpour, who was arrested on 25 January 2007, is believed to have been convicted of being a mohareb ("enemy of God") and "acting against national security", apparently for expressing his views on the Kurdish issue. International PEN fears that he is being detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to free expression, and, if so, calls for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a signatory.

Yemen

Armed men raid newspaper office, threaten to kill editor; ministry files charges against journalists for "harming national security"

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 31 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Sri Lanka

Student journalist shot dead in Jaffna

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

Sri Lanka

Chief Justice's comments on film have "grave implications for freedom of expression", says FMM

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

Afghanistan

Radio station director threatened with death following broadcasts on mail-order fraud

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

Moldova

ARTICLE 19 welcomes new broadcasting law, recommends changes to protect private and community stations

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 30 July 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Afghanistan

IFJ calls on media owners to ensure journalists' safety as a matter of protecting press freedom

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 July 2007 IFJ media release:

Brazil

Prosecutor's office calls for annulment of broadcasting licenses unfairly obtained through political influence

(AMARC/IFEX) - According to the Observatory for the Right to Communication in Brazil (Observatorio de Derecho a la Comunicación de Brasil, http://www.direitoacomunicacao.org.br ), on 23 July 2007, the Federal District Public Prosecutor's Office called for the annulment of the licenses of six radio and television media outlets.

The Gambia

"Disappeared" journalist seen

(MFWA/IFEX) - Chief Ebrima Manneh, the detained journalist of the pro-government newspaper "Daily Observer" was seen on 26 July 2007 at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH), the Gambia's main hospital, where he had been hospitalised for treatment of high blood pressure.

Egypt

Appeal court fines prominent poet for insulting religious extremist

(HRinfo/IFEX) - HRinfo salutes Abdel Moati Hegazi, a prominent Egyptian poet, for his refusal to pay a L.E 20,000 (approx US$ 3,500) fine brought against him by an appeal court in Cairo, after he was charged with insulting Yusuf al Badri, an extremist infamous for his enmity towards freedom of thought and expression. HRinfo calls for advocates of freedom of opinion and expression and enlightenment in Egypt to extend their solidarity to Hegazi and to stand collectively against the extremist positions taken by this sheikh and his likes.

China

Lawyer for journalists and cyber-dissidents loses licence

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the decision of the judicial authorities to refuse to renew the licence of lawyer Li Jianqiang, one of the very few prepared to defend journalists and dissidents.

Paraguay

Government threatens to shut down educational radio station in Itapúa

(AMARC/IFEX) - The nongovernmental organisation CECTEC (Centro de Educación Capacitación y Tecnología Campesina) has condemned a decision by the telecommunications entity Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL) to shut down an educational radio station based in Itapúa. CONATEL appears to be acting under the influence of politicians close to President Nicanor Duarte who control the region.

Russia

Editor attacked by police officer, knocked unconscious, calls for proper investigation

(CJES/IFEX) - Mikhail Afanasyev, editor-in-chief of the Internet magazine "Novy Focus", has filed a complaint with the Abakan City Court about the actions taken by investigators from the Interior Affairs Department, the prosecutor's office and the prosecutor of Abakan, the capital of the Republic of Khakasiya. The complaint states that the law enforcement agencies did not notify the journalist of the results of the probe into a 17 June 2007 attack, which, by law, they were required to do within 10 days.

Argentina

Municipal government in Santa Fe province closes critical newspaper's printing press

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the reopening of the regional daily "El Observador"'s printing press, which was closed without warning by the municipal authorities in San Lorenzo, in the east-central province of Santa Fe, on 25 July 2007 on the grounds that it lacked the necessary authorisation. The organisation is convinced this was just a pretext.

Colombia

Journalist and his family receive death threat in Antioquia

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 27 July 2007, a threatening notice was sent to the home of journalist Sergio Mondragón, in Envigado municipality of Medellín, Antioquia. The authors of the letter threaten to kill the journalist, his romantic partner and his daughter. Mondragón had previously received threats in March.

Russia

Newspaper issue faces publishing, distribution difficulties, editor-in-chief questioned

(CJES/IFEX) - The 20 July 2007 edition of "Mordovia Segodnya", an independent weekly newspaper published in the city of Saransk, the capital of the central Russian republic of Mordovia, was devoted to the recent arrest of the paper's founder, editor Anatoly Sardayev (see IFEX alert of 19 July 2007). On the front page, the words "There is no free press in Mordovia!" were written in large letters.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Four state television journalists detained for "trying to destabilise RTNC"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the continuing detention of journalists Vincent Hata, Michel Shango and Eugène Risasi Tambwe of the public broadcaster RadioTélévision Nationale Congolaise (RTNC), who were arrested for union activism on 26 and 27 July 2007.

Burma

Ban of popular internet telephony Mediaring Talk

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Russia

Journalist and opposition activist forcibly confined in psychiatric hospital

(CJES/IFEX) - Larisa Arap, a member of the opposition movement United Civil Front, has been forcibly hospitalized in a Murmansk psychiatric clinic.

Turkey

Court orders historian and "Agos" weekly to pay retired ambassador compensation for "violating" his personal rights, "insulting" him

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Ankara 13th Civil Court of First Instance has accepted part of the court case filed by retired ambassador Sükrü Elekdag against the "Agos" weekly newspaper and historian Taner Akcam.

Iran

Jailed students abused to obtain forced confessions

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

Tajikistan

CPJ calls on Tajik president to veto Internet criminal defamation bill

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 July 2007 press release:

Russia

President Putin signs restrictive amendments on 'extremism'

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Venezuela

Government could make RCTV unavailable by cable on 1 August

(RSF/IFEX) - Ten days after the embattled Venezuelan broadcaster RCTV, now called RCTV Internacional, resumed broadcasting via cable and satellite on 16 July 2007, a new threat emerged that could result in its being removed from cable service distribution by 1 August. The government stripped RCTV of its terrestrial broadcast licence on 27 May.

Sudan

New draft media laws will not improve dire situation for media, says ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 27 July 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Palestine

Media diversity in danger as Fatah-affiliated broadcasters forced to stop operating in Gaza Strip, pro-Hamas journalists threatened in West Bank

(RSF/IFEX) - The partition of the Palestinian Territories resulting from the Islamist party Hamas' takeover in the Gaza Strip in June 2007 has eroded media diversity, Reporters Without Borders said. Broadcasters that are affiliated to Fatah or support it have stopped operating in Gaza, while pro-Hamas journalists are exposed to threats in the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority.

Nepal

Forty-nine journalists sacked by government-owned media group

(FNJ/IFEX) - Forty-nine journalists working for the past 11 years for Gorkhapatra Corporation, a government-owned media group, were sacked by management without any genuine evaluation of their work on 26 July 2007.

Pakistan

Two reporters assaulted by supporters of Sindh province minister

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is shocked by the way two journalists based in Dokri, in the southern province of Sindh, were attacked by a crowd of supporters of a member of the provincial government on 20 July 2007. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) said Zubair Zarar of Sindh TV and Monis Bokhari of the "Express" daily newspaper were targeted by the supporters of Sindh minister Altaf Unar because of their coverage of a news conference given by a cousin of the minister. The mob first accosted Zarar in a Dokri market and then Bokhari at the town's press club. They two journalists were then beaten in a public square. The police showed no interest in investigating the attack properly.

Sri Lanka

Restrictions placed on NGOs in military-controlled areas; foreshadows more limitations on right to information and expression of opinion, says FMM

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

Iraq / United States

IFJ renews call for US authorities to end "massive injustice" over detained Iraqi photographer

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

China

Government launches crackdown on fake news stories after Beijing TV reporter's arrest

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the government's political exploitation of the fact that a much-commented TV report about pork buns made with cardboard supposedly turned out to have been fabricated. The authorities have used it to launch a campaign against fake news reports with "heavy penalties" for the journalists responsible.

Malaysia

Government threatens use of draconian laws on bloggers in apparent pre-election crackdown

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Malaysian government has threatened to invoke draconian laws against bloggers in what appears to be a move to limit information and free expression ahead of the general election expected in early 2008.

China

Repression in Inner Mongolia continues as jailed journalist mistreated and websites closed

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has renewed an appeal for the release of the journalist Hada, a Mongolian political prisoner since 1995, whose family says he has recently been maltreated, and also condemned the denial of free expression online to the Mongolian minority.

South Africa / Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean editor shot and seriously wounded in South Africa

(MISA/IFEX) - Abel Mutsakani, the editor of ZimOnline and former managing editor of the banned "Daily News", is reportedly battling for his life in a Johannesburg, South Africa hospital after he was shot and seriously injured by a gang of three assailants on 23 July 2007.

Malaysia

Police interrogate popular internet journalist as bloggers increasingly targeted by government

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 25 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Philippines

Radio station manager shot, wounded by official angered by allegations of corruption

(CMFR/IFEX) - A radio station manager of a local broadcasting company was shot by a government official on 25 July 2007 in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, an island province approximately 480 km from Manila.

Turkey

ECHR condemns closure of newspaper, contests conviction of journalist

(BIANET/IFEX) - In a 24 July 2007 decision, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has condemned Turkey for "limiting freedom of expression", when the "Yedinci Gündem" newspaper was banned in the Emergency Law (OHAL) Regions by the regional governor.

Tunisia

Mohamed Abbou freed after more than two years in prison; IFEX-TMG welcomes his release

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

Zimbabwe

Magazine editor released after two days in detention, faces charges of practicing journalism without accreditation

(MISA/IFEX) - The trial of Bright Chibvuri, editor of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions' "The Worker" magazine, charged with practicing journalism without accreditation under the repressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), has been postponed to 29 August 2007.

Turkey

Press freedom declining, censorship and auto-censorship on the rise, says BIANET

(BIANET/IFEX) - The following is an abridged 24 July 2007 BIANET press release:

Cameroon

Journalist attacked during opposition demonstration

(JED/IFEX) - JED is indignant and scandalised by the 23 July 2007 assault on Roland Tsapi, a journalist with the privately-owned daily "Le Messager" published in Doula, Cameroon's economic capital, by riot police who had come to quell a peaceful opposition demonstration.

Indonesia

Press would face criminal penalties under draft bill on general elections, warns AJI

(AJI/IFEX) - The following is a 24 July 2007 AJI press release:

El Salvador

Journalist released from detention, still faces proceedings for "acts of terrorism"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF welcomes the conditional release on 23 July 2007 of journalist María Haydee Chicas and three of the other people arrested with her on 2 July under the new anti-terror law.

Azerbaijan

Two imprisoned journalists on hunger strike, health failing; WPFC awards them Fund Against Censorship grant

(WPFC/IFEX) - WPFC has awarded a Fund Against Censorship grant to fund the legal defense of Azerbaijan journalists Rovshen Kebirli, editor of "Mukhalifet", an opposition newspaper, and Yashar Agazade, a reporter of this publication.

Colombia

IAPA urges president to pursue investigation into journalist's 2002 murder

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 24 July 2007 IAPA press release:

Russia

Amid irregularities, court finds newspapers guilty of "plotting to defame" businessman

(CJES/IFEX) - The Court of Cassation of the Moscow City Court has found the newspapers, "Saratovsky Vzglyad", "Moskovsky Komsomolets v Saratove" and "Novyye Vremena" guilty of plotting to defame businessman Roman Pipiya, "Kommersant" reported.

Morocco

Detained editor receives provisional release, colleague sent to prison pending trial

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemned judicial harassment of the Arabic-language daily "Al Watan Al An" on 24 July 2007, after the Casablanca prosecutor's office released its editor, Abderrahim Ariri, but sent one of his reporters, Mostapha Hurmatallah, to Okacha prison pending trial. Arrested on 17 July after publishing a leaked internal security memo, both have been charged with "receiving documents obtained by criminal means."

Philippines

Constitutionality of anti-terror law questioned in Supreme Court

(CMFR/IFEX) - More than 20 petitions have been filed by various organizations and individuals before the Supreme Court (SC) questioning the constitutionality of the anti-terror law.

Afghanistan

Journalist released following 13-day detention over article that reportedly angered president; another freed on bail, goes into hiding after being questioned on critical online articles

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

South Korea

Closure of press rooms "an explicit attempt to restrict journalists' access to important government sources", says IFJ

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

China

Journalist accused of fabricating story arrested, held on unclear charges; authorities allegedly suppress follow-up coverage

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 23 July 2007 CPJ press release:

China

Hackers block access to human rights website 64tianwang

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the hacker attacks on http://www.64tianwang.com, a Chinese human rights website based in the United States, which forced the site to close on 18 July 2007. Launched by human rights activist Huang Qi after being released from prison in 2005, the site has been a major source of information about human rights violations in China. Part of its name refers to the Tiananmen Square massacre.

Iran

Two Kurdish journalists sentenced to death

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced deep concern on learning that journalists Adnan Hassanpour and Abdolvahed "Hiva" Botimar were sentenced to death by a revolutionary tribunal in Marivan, in Iran's Kurdish northwestern region, on 16 July 2007.

International

Hemispheric conference urges legal reforms to combat impunity in crimes against journalists

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

Guinea-Bissau

IFJ condemns threats against two journalists covering drug trafficking

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

Poland

Journalist sentenced to six months' imprisonment, fined for defaming judge

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 23 July 2007 IPI letter to Polish President Lech Kaczynski:

Nepal

Distribution of two major dailies halted by trade union action

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - CEHURDES condemns the disruption of distribution of two daily newspapers by a Maoist-affiliated trade union.

Zambia

Security personnel prevent journalists from photographing stranded airplane of visiting president

(MISA/IFEX) - On 17 July 2007, security personnel at the Livingstone International Airport attempted to stop Edward Mulenga, a bureau chief of the "Times of Zambia" newspaper, and other journalists from taking pictures. They also threatened to confiscate Mulenga's camera. Mulenga and the other journalists were trying to photograph an airplane with Djibouti's President Ismail Guelleh on board, which was unable to take off.

Greece

ECHR challenges application of law on libel and defamation in case against radio journalist, programme coordinator

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 20 July 2007 media release from the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ affiliate:

Peru

Journalist beaten unconscious by striking teachers, hospitalised; his camera broken

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 19 July 2007, journalist Carlos Carrillo Berbeño, a correspondent for the newspaper "La República" and for the radio station Radio Programas del Perú, was beaten by a mob of striking teachers as he was covering the strikers' attempt to take over the facilities of Cusco airport, in southern Peru.

Guatemala

Police doubt robbery was motive for photographer's killing

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF was shocked to learn of the murder of photographer Jorge Alejandro Castañeda Martínez, who was gunned down in Guatemala City on 5 July 2007.

International

IAPA concerned over deteriorating state of press freedom in hemisphere

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 21 July 2007 IAPA press release:

Spain

Judge orders seizure of satirical magazine over cartoon of prince and wife

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the 20 July 2007 seizure order by Judge Juan del Olmo of an issue of the satirical weekly magazine "El Jueves". The issue carries a cartoon on the cover of Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Letizia having sex.

Peru

Protesting teachers intimidate journalists in Huanta, beat and threaten another in Tingo María

(IPYS/IFEX) - Journalists have been recently mistreated by teachers in two different regions of Peru. In one instance, a journalist received death threats.

Ethiopia

Four journalists convicted of treason pardoned and freed

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders voiced relief on learning that, on 20 July 2007, the Ethiopian government heeded international pleas and pardoned 38 opposition members, including four journalists, who had been given jail terms ranging from six months to life on 16 July.

Zambia

Police prohibit radio station from covering demonstration

(MISA/IFEX) - On 19 July 2007, police in Lusaka prevented Q-FM, a private radio station, from mounting their Outside Broadcasting (OB) equipment to cover live a demonstration organised by the OASIS forum and Collaborative Group on the Constitution, outside the gates of Parliament.

Pakistan

Journalists barred entry into North Waziristan

(PPF/IFEX) - On 18 July 2007, police stopped two senior journalists and a cameraman from entering the North Waziristan Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan that border Afghanistan.

Mexico

Newspaper photographer beaten as police look on for covering traffic accident

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Paraguay

Photographer, cameraman assaulted, threatened for filming shopping mall fire

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the mistreatment of journalists Diego Villasanti, cameraperson for television station Canal13 of Ciudad del Este, and Víctor Azcona, photojournalist with the Ciudad del Este-based newspaper "Vanguardia". Ciudad del Este is the capital of Alto Paraná department.

Mexico

CAPSULE REPORT: State grossly ineffective in protecting freedom of expression, reveals report by CENCOS and ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an 18 July 2007 joint report by CENCOS and ARTICLE 19:

Malawi

High Court nullifies improperly-appointed communications regulatory board

(MISA/IFEX) - On 13 July 2007, the High Court in Blantyre nullified the composition of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) board because its members did not qualify for appointment.

Mexico

Four IFEX members issue pronouncement before IACHR on freedom of expression situation

(CENCOS/CEPET/ARTICLE 19/AMARC/IFEX) - The following is a 17 July 2007 joint press release by CENCOS, CEPET, ARTICLE 19, AMARC and other organisations:

South Africa

Court gags media from publishing details of alleged corruption and abuse at public broadcaster

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an FXI media statement:

Niger

One-month ban on RFI broadcasts fuels concern about rapid decline in press freedom

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about a rapid deterioration in press freedom in Niger, especially in the north, following the imposition on 19 July 2007 of a one-month ban on the retransmission of French public radio station Radio France Internationale's (RFI) programmes throughout the country.

Malaysia

Government bans media debate on constitution, law and religion

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Malaysian government has banned the mainstream media from reporting on an explosive issue concerning the very nature of the country's constitution that points to the problematic relationship between law and religion.

Nepal

Right to Information Bill passed into law

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - CEHURDES welcomes the passage of the Right to Information (RTI) Bill by the Legislature-Parliament, unanimously approved on 18 July 2007.

Burma

Government department to sue journal for criticising tourism efforts

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Niger

Army chief threatens to kill journalist

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 14 July 2007, the Chief of Defence Staff of Niger's Armed Forces (FAN), General Moumouni Boureima, threatened to kill Moussa Kaka, a correspondent for Radio France International (RFI) in Niger, over his coverage of the rebellion in the Northern part of the country.

Pakistan

Wife of murdered journalist Daniel Pearl files lawsuit against 23 members of Al-Qaeda, Pakistani bank and Islamic trust

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders supports the US lawsuit that Mariane Pearl has brought against Al Qaeda members, a Pakistani bank and an Islamic charity for their alleged role in the January 2002 murder of her husband, "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl. She said in a statement: "I am trying to find out the truth of what happened to Daniel for the sake of our family, our friends and for public information."

Vietnam

Police suppression of protesting farmers "a vivid demonstration of continuing intolerance for government critics", says Human Rights Watch

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

Somalia

Somaliland authorities free newspaper reporter after seven days

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has hailed the 19 July 2007 release of Abdirahman Mohammed Habane of "Jamhuuriya", a daily based in Hargeisa, the capital of the breakaway state of Somaliland. He had been held since 12 July because of a controversial article about the swearing-in of a traditional leader.

Guinea-Bissau

Police prevent journalist from taking photographs

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 8 June 2007, a group of policemen, members of the "Ninjas", a special unit of the Guinea Bissau Police, prevented Helmazin Cunha, a journalist working with the pro-government newspaper "Nô Pintcha", from taking photographs of an operation they undertook to clear hawkers off the streets.

Albania

Government fines owner of critical TV station 12 million euros over unpaid taxes; "economic harassment", says SEEMO

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an 18 July 2007 letter by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate, to Albanian Parliament Speaker Jozefina Topalli:

Philippines

Three years after journalist's murder, suspects' trial nears resolution

(CMFR/IFEX) - After three long years, the wheels of justice may finally catch up with the killers of an Ilocano broadcast journalist, one of the 33 journalists killed in the line of duty during the Arroyo Administration.

Venezuela

Government wants to force cable and satellite TV stations to air its official broadcasts

(RSF/IFEX) - The resumption of broadcasting by Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) on cable and satellite on 16 July 2007 has been followed by an announcement by information and communication minister William Lara that the law will amended to oblige pay-TV cable and satellite broadcasters to carry the same occasional government programming that terrestrial broadcasters are already obliged to transmit.

Russia

Editor sentenced to prison following long harassment campaign against his newspaper

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

Philippines

Murder charges against journalist's killer downgraded to homicide

(CMFR/IFEX) - The Court of Appeals has downgraded to homicide the conviction for murder of the killer of dzMM senior editor Alberto Berbon in December 1996, citing the prosecution's failure to provide evidence for the "abuse of superior strength," necessary for a murder conviction.

Nepal

Journalist attacked by security personnel after being invited to police base camp

(FNJ/IFEX) - Gyanendra Khadka, vice president of FNJ's Bhojpur chapter and a reporter for the "Nepal Samacharpatra Daily", was attacked by a group of security personnel at around 8:00 p.m. (local time) on 10 July 2007 in Bhojpur, a district in eastern Nepal.

Kazakhstan

Journalist faces libel charges over article about beating of drug convict

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - Olga Ushakova, a journalist with "Ustinka Plus" newspaper in Ust-Kamenogorsk, eastern Kazakhstan, is facing libel charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan over a 15 September 2006 article. The charges stem from a complaint filed by Eugeniyi Nazarenko, convicted on 31 August 2006 to three years in prison for "possessing a large quantity of drugs."

Mexico

Investigators give up search for two TV Azteca journalists missing since May

(RSF/IFEX) - Alfonso Teja, television station TV Azteca's news director in the city of Monterrey in the northern state of Nuevo León announced on 10 July 2007 that he had "given up hope" that two employees who went missing on 10 May, reporter Gamaliel López and cameraman Gerardo Paredes, will be found alive.

Argentina

Woman journalist harassed by police, fined after exposing prostitution ring

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the police and judicial harassment of independent journalist Claudia Acuña, which began on 11 July 2007 after she revealed the existence of a Buenos Aires prostitution ring controlled by certain authorities by means of threats. The founder of the online news agency La Vaca and the affiliated "MU" newspaper, Acuña has already been fined 3,000 pesos (700 euros).

Sri Lanka

Supreme Court finds journalist's detention illegal

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 17 July 2007 FMM press release:

Thailand

ARTICLE 19 proposes improvements to draft law on first public broadcaster toward independence, representativeness, accountability

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 17 July 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Turkey

Mass dismissals in five media outlets within two weeks

(BIANET/IFEX) - After the mass dismissal at "Radikal" newspaper, which saw 41 journalists lose their jobs, Turkish journalists have decided to demonstrate to defend the right to be informed and the right to freedom of expression.

Burma

Authorities release solo protester, family

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is an 11 July 2007 statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Malaysia

Blogger released on bail

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 17 July 2007, Malaysian authorities released blogger Nathaniel Tan on police bail after his four-day remand expired.

Iran

Iranian Kurdish journalist Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand detained; WiPC fears ill treatment

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Iranian Kurdish journalist Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, who was arrested on 1 July 2007. International PEN fears that he is being detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to free expression, and if so calls on the Iranian authorities to release him with immediate effect. International PEN is also seeking reassurances of his well being from the Iranian government. International PEN is deeply concerned about an apparent pattern of repression against journalists and human rights activists in Iranian Kurdistan, which has been ongoing since unrest broke out in the Kurdish areas of Iran in July 2005, and was violently suppressed by the authorities.

Morocco

Two journalists being held for publishing internal security memo on terrorist threat

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrest of Abderrahim Ariri, the publisher of the weekly "Al Watan Al An" ("The Nation Now"), and one of his journalists, Mostapha Hurmatallah, on 17 July 2007 in Casablanca after they published the text of an internal security memo circulated by the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), an intelligence agency.

Pakistan

Radio station forced to stop broadcasting BBC news bulletins; RSF urges court to oppose media authority order

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the Sindh High Court to defend the right of radio Mast FM103 to broadcast the BBC World Service's Urdu-language programmes. The court is urged to find that an order issued by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) forbidding the station to retransmit BBC news bulletins every hour violates free expression and business freedom.

Indonesia

Court revokes articles that criminalised defamation of government

(SEAPA/IFEX) - SEAPA welcomes the Indonesian Constitution Court's ruling on 17 July 2007 that articles 154 and 155 of the Penal Code, which criminalise defamation against the government, are unconstitutional and therefore void.

Iran

"Confessions" of detained journalist and woman academic probably coerced, should not be broadcast, says Human Rights Watch

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

Turkey

Another newspaper suspended for remainder of election campaign

(BIANET/IFEX) - After the "Gündem" newspaper was closed for 15 days for "spreading terrorist propaganda", a court in Istanbul has decided to close the "Güncel" newspaper, which it sees as the continuation of "Gündem", for 12 days. Mehmet Samur, the editor-in-chief of "Güncel", said: "Only the company was the same. This is election censorship."

Mexico

Guanajuato state governor orders two newspapers to be subjected to advertising boycott

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is an 11 July 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

India

Human rights activist known for investigating press freedom violations arrested in Chhattisgarh

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called on the authorities in the central state of Chhattisgarh to drop all charges against Subash Mohapatra, the head of the Forum for Fact-finding Documentation and Advocacy (FFDA), a human rights NGO. Mohapatra was arrested on 17 July 2007 in Raipur on trumped-up charges under Articles 186, 353, 294 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code and was released on bail six hours later.

Niger

Editor of suspended newspaper questioned after attempting re-launch; newspapers refrain from printing rebel communiqués following warnings

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Somalia

Reporter held by authorities, no reason given

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the detention of Abdirahman Mohammed Habane of "Jamhuuriya", a daily newspaper based in Hargeisa, the capital of the breakaway state of Somaliland. He has been held since 12 July 2007.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist sentenced in absentia to six months' prison and heavy fine for defaming oil company

(JED/IFEX) - Pold Kalombo, a reporter with the Kinshasa-based weekly "Le Soft International", was sentenced in absentia by a Kinshasa/Ngaliema court on 18 May 2007 to six months' prison without bail and a fine of 20,000 Congolese francs (approx. US$40). Kalombo and his paper were also ordered to pay damages in the amount of US$150,000.

Russia

Municipal district assembly introduces restrictive rules on journalist accreditation

(CJES/IFEX) - The Balakovo Municipal District Assembly has introduced new accreditation rules for the mass media, REGNUM information agency reported on 2 July 2007, quoting the mass media of the town of Balakovo, in Saratov region.

Sri Lanka

Regional officials threaten, assault broadcast journalist, forcibly seize his equipment

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 16 July 2007 FMM press release:

Turkey

BIANET's quarterly report documents continuing harassment of, legal action against journalists

(BIANET/IFEX) - The following is a 6 July 2007 BIANET press release:

Peru

President García backs censorship of exhibition due to meddling by Armed Forces

(IPYS/IFEX) - The following is a 3 July 2007 IPYS press release:

Burma

Junta restricts media coverage of convention on new charter

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a 17 July 2007 statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

China

Court sentences cyber-dissident Zhu Yufu to two years in prison only one year after his release

(RSF/IFEX) - Zhu Yufu, a cyber-dissident and pro-democracy activist who was released in 2006 after spending seven years in prison (for further information, see IFEX alerts of 15 September 2006 and 7 March 2000), was on 16 July 2007 sentenced to another two years in prison for pushing a police officer at the time of his arrest on 19 April. His son, Zhu Ang, who was arrested at the same time, was given a one-year suspended sentence.

Ecuador

Mining corporation employees threaten to burn down community radio station over coverage

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 10 July 2007, journalist Miguel Andrade, director of the community-based radio station Radio Intag, reported that for several months the station has been threatened by workers of the Ascendant Cooper Corporation mining company, because of its stand against mineral extraction.

Nepal

Journalists threatened with death by public employees in Siraha and Giaghat

(FNJ/IFEX) - Parshuram Shah, publisher and editor of the newspaper "Janadharana Weekly", was threatened with death by staffers of the Siraha District Development Committee (DDC) on 16 July 2007. The incident took place in Siraha, an eastern district of Nepal.

Ethiopia

Six journalists get jail terms ranging from 18 months to life

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced outrage at the Federal High Court's decision, on 16 July 2007, to sentence six journalists to jail terms ranging from six months to life. They are part of a group of 43 government opponents who were tried together. Most of them were found guilty of "trying to overthrow constitutional rule."

Cuba

Two imprisoned journalists go on hunger strike to protest their own and others' deteriorating health and treatment

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is concerned about the health and safety of Cuba's imprisoned journalists, especially Normando Hernández González, the editor of the Colegio de Periodistas Independientes de Camagüey, an independent news agency, who is still waiting for the special medical release his wife requested for him a year ago because of his poor health.

China

Cyber police shut down 'suspect' literary website, block access to another

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the Shanghai Information Bureau's decision to shut down a literary forum run by poet Lu Yang. This came after the Chinese government blocked access to Israeli literary website http://www.shvoong.com for its 20,000 Chinese users in early July 2007.

Paraguay / Brazil

Paraguayan radio journalist Enrique Galeano reappears alive 17 months after being abducted, tortured, taken to Brazil

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is greatly relieved by the news that journalist Enrique Galeano of Radio Azotey has reappeared alive 17 months after he went missing on 4 February 2006 in the central department of Concepción, where he lived and worked.

Paraguay

Community radio stations closed in response to pressure from business interests; allocation of frequencies politically biased, says AMARC

(AMARC/IFEX) - AMARC condemns the closure of various radio stations belonging to the Paraguayan Association of Community Communication (Asociación Paraguaya de Comunicación Comunitaria, COMUNICA), due to the strong pressure brought to bear upon the courts by commercial radio companies.

Turkey

Authorities close "Gündem" newspaper for 15 days following coverage of pre-election opinions

(BIANET/IFEX) - After an article on pre-election opinions in Batman, a south-eastern province, was published in the "Gündem" newspaper on 12 July 2007, an Istanbul penal court has closed the newspaper for 15 days. Cause for the closure was an article published on 12 July (issue no. 132), entitled: "The Batman Message: Stand By the Guerrillas".

Mexico / United States

US journalist reportedly on "hit list" of Mexican criminal gang; warning issued to border media

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Mexico

"Por Esto" newspaper owner receives death threats, blames federal and state government officials

(CENCOS/IFEX) - On 30 June 2007, Mario Renato Menéndez Rodríguez was harassed in Mérida and received death threats. He is the director and owner of "Por Esto" newspaper in Mérida, the capital of Yucatán state, in southeastern Mexico. He told CENCOS that the motive for the threats is his publication of various articles, since 1997, criticising federal and local governments for their alleged connections to the trafficking of both drugs and illegal workers.

Russia

New legislation on "extremism" a tool to silence critics, says CPJ

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Malaysia

Blogger arrested under Official Secrets Act, another under investigation; symptomatic of clampdown on online expression, says SEAPA

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A Malaysian blogger has been arrested under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) for comments posted on his blog that pointed to a corrupt internal security system in Malaysia.

Zimbabwe

Photojournalist briefly detained, his camera briefly seized, for taking pictures of police action

(MISA/IFEX) - On 12 July 2007, police in Harare arrested "The Standard" photojournalist Boldwin Hungwe while he was taking pictures of events as people scrambled for goods at South African owned Makro shop after an invasion by the price control police.

France

Photographer taking pictures of murder re-enactment is physically attacked then arrested on charge of "violating judicial confidentiality"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the detention of press photographer Jean-Claude Elfassi for several hours on 10 July 2007 and the seizure of some of his material. Police arrested Elfassi after he took photos of the judicial re-enactment of a murder in the Paris suburb of Pantin on 10 July.

Swaziland

Magazine editor faces defamation lawsuit for alleging corruption by parliamentarian

(MISA/IFEX) - On 9 July 2007, the editor of the privately-owned "Nation" magazine, Bheki Makhubu, was sued for E3.5 million (approx. US$500,000) by a Member of Parliament for alleged defamation of character.

Turkey

Arrest warrant issued for author facing trial over history book

(BIANET/IFEX) - The 4 July 2007 hearing in the trial of Sirri Ozturk, publisher of Sorun Publishers, and author Osman Tiftikci, author of the book "The evolution of the army from Ottoman Times Until Today", was postponed.

China

Unprecedented purge of eight staff at newspaper that "covered what the others did not dare report"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned a purge of staff during the first week of July 2007 at "Minzhu yu Fazhi Shibao" ("Democracy and Legal Times"), a weekly specialising in legal news that is considered to be one of China's ten most influential newspapers.

Turkey

Human rights activist receives one-year prison sentence for speaking of "Kurdistan", faces other legal actions over speeches and interviews

(BIANET/IFEX) - Human rights activist and lawyer Eren Keskin has received a one-year sentence for saying "Turkey has a dirty history" and using the term "Kurdistan". Keskin, who is also a former president of the Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD), faces 13 trials and two investigations for various speeches, articles and interviews. In one case she has been sentenced to one year imprisonment, converted into a 4,380 YTL (approx. US$ 3,450) fine (under Article 159/1 of the old Turkish Penal Code).

Nepal

Media van attacked

(FNJ/IFEX) - A van belonging to Kantipur publications was stopped and burnt near the Banke River close to the border between Sarlahi and Mahottari districts in eastern Nepal at around 2:00 p.m. (local time) on the afternoon on 11 July 2007.

Pakistan

CNN journalists denied access to the Red Mosque in aftermath of battle

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the decision of the Pakistan government to ban access to the Red Mosque to journalists from the US network CNN. While nearly 200 Pakistani and foreign journalists were on 12 July 2007 allowed inside the mosque complex in Islamabad, where fighting between the Army and the Islamic militants inside left nearly 100 people dead, journalists from the Atlanta-based channel were kept away. The decision to discriminate against CNN staff followed a broadcast on the channel on 7 July of a documentary entitled "The threat within", which dealt with the presence of the Taliban and al-Qaeda inside Pakistan. A crew from CNN was also refused access to a press conference given by the Pakistani prime minister on 10 July.

Iraq

"New York Times" reporter shot and killed in Baghdad

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

Turkey

One of journalist Hrant Dink's alleged murderers revives questions about police role

(RSF/IFEX) - A letter from Tuncay Uzundal, a member of the alleged terrorist group on trial for journalist Hrant Dink's murder, to the prosecutor in charge of the case has revived questions about the role of the police in Dink's death. The contents of the letter were revealed last weekend by several Turkish news media including the daily "Radikal" in its 7 July 2007 issue.

Turkey

Filtering company briefly blocks BIANET's website; other political news sites still blocked

(BIANET/IFEX) - A software company in Turkey recently blocked the BIANET website, http://www.bianet.com , acting not on a court order but instead from a list of "forbidden websites" allegedly based on a police list.

Morocco

CAPSULE REPORT: RSF urges government to modify new press law

(RSF/IFEX) - On 12 July 2007 Reporters Without Borders wrote to Prime Minister Driss Jettou voicing concern that a proposed overhaul of the press law currently being discussed by the government does not decriminalize press offences. The organisation called for significant changes in the current draft, which appears not to be the final version that will be submitted to parliament.

International

Centre monitoring free expression, journalists' working conditions opens in Morocco

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 July 2007 IFJ media release:

Malaysia

Authorities bar media from public hearings on crime; minister revokes ban on opposition coverage

(SEAPA/IFEX) - SEAPA protests the barring of journalists from an 11 July 2007 public hearing on crime set up by the Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights.

China

Authorities close popular print and electronic newsletter, threaten its editor with deportation

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 12 July 2007 IPI letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao:

Kazakhstan

Journalist, newspaper fined in two separate lawsuits over critical articles

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - Journalist Gennady Benditskiy and the newspaper he works for, "Vremya", have to pay a total of 1.7 million tenge (approx.US$14,000) to Justice Ministry officer Raikhan Useyev and lawyer Valeriy Alefirenko, following the courts' affirmation of their lawsuits.

The Gambia

Second journalist sacked at pro-government newspaper in less than a month

(MFWA/IFEX) - Seedy Bojang, a journalist working for the Banjul-based, pro-government "Daily Observer" newspaper, was on July 9, 2007 dismissed by the newspaper's management.

Turkey

Writer, publisher, and bookstore owner win free expression awards from publishers' union; 43 books on trial in 2006

(BIANET/IFEX) - The following is a 29 June 2007 BIANET press release:

Turkey

ECHR orders government to compensate prisoner for violating his right to communication

(BIANET/IFEX) - In a 3 July 2007 ruling, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) sentenced the Turkish government to paying 1,000 euros in compensation and legal expenses to prisoner Erdal Tan for having violated his right to communication.

Turkey

Historian takes Article 301 to ECHR to protest threat to academic research

(BIANET/IFEX) - Taner Akcam, a professor of history at Minnesota University, in the United States, who had been investigated for his claims of an Armenian genocide, has decided to take Article 301, which has put around 100 academics, journalists and writers on trial, to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to protest against the law's threat to academic research.

Peru

Journalist threatened for investigating national director of magistrates' academy

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 10 July 2007, "El Búho" weekly newspaper journalist José Luis Márquez reported having been threatened by several people after he investigated the alleged falsification of the academic marks of the director of the country's Academy of Magistrates (Academia Nacional de la Magistratura), Percy Chocano Núñez. The Academy of Magistrates is the body responsible for the training and accreditation of all magistrates belonging to the national courts and the Public Ministry, as well as for guiding them on ethical and legal matters. The events took place in Arequipa, in southwestern Peru.

Iran

Journalist arrested following his conviction; newspaper

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders deplores the arbitrary and repressive methods of a regime whose culture minister recently accused the media of promoting a "creeping coup" against the government. In early July 2007, judicial officials have ordered the suspension of the daily "Ham Mihan" and the permanent closure of the daily "Moshareket", while the news agency ILNA's future seems uncertain after government pressure forced its director, Masoud Heydari, to resign.

Ethiopia

Prosecutor seeks death penalty for four convicted journalists

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 July 2007 IFJ media release:

Mexico

Photographer assaulted, other press members treated abusively by striking teachers in Morelia

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is an 11 July 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Peru

Police hit journalists covering protest in Juliaca

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 4 July 2007, journalists Fidel Chaiña, of the newspaper "Los Andes", and Paty Condori, of an Internet-based media outlet's news programme, were hit by police officers when they were covering the teachers' union strike at the Maravillas bridge in the city of Juliaca, capital of Puno region, in southeastern Peru.

Niger

Newspaper suspended, three others warned over coverage of rebel group's activities

(MFWA/IFEX) - "Air Info", a bi-weekly privately-owned newspaper in Agadez, about 1,000 km from the capital Niamey, was suspended on 29 June 2007 by the media regulatory body (Conseil Supérieur de la Communication, CSC) for covering the activities of a rebel group in the northern part of Niger.

Côte d'Ivoire

IFJ calls on government to take urgent action after four media groups robbed

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 July 2007 IFJ media release

Iraq / United States

Reuters photographer, media driver killed in US air strike in Baghdad

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

Peru

Striking teachers threaten journalists in Huaraz, assault journalist in Lima, harass another in Andahuaylas

(IPYS/IFEX) - There have been several new acts of aggression by striking teachers toward journalists in different parts of the country.

Burma

Lawyer suspended two years for criticizing court

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a 6 July 2007 statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Bolivia

RSF calls for amendments to progressive but problematic decree on community radio stations

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 2 July 2007 RSF letter to the president of Bolivia:

Mexico

Radio Monitor forced off air after pressures from former president Fox result in its economic strangulation

(CENCOS/IFEX) - On 29 June 2007, after 33 years on air, Radio Monitor radio station broadcast its last programme, becoming the first national media outlet to disappear during the mandate of President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa. With this closure, both an avenue for freedom of expression and a source of work for journalists are being lost. The station broadcast from Mexico City, and its news programming was among the most popular in the country.

Eritrea

IPI concerned about ongoing detention of journalists, calls on aid donors to do more for human rights and press freedom

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 10 July 2007 IPI letter to European Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso, World Bank President Robert Zoellick, and British Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander:

Mongolia

Hunger strike called off after deal reached in conflict over management of public broadcaster

(Globe International/IFEX) - On 6 July 2007, six members of Mongolian National Public Radio and TV's (MNPRTV) Collective Board obtained the legal permission for a hunger strike and went to hospital for a health test. According to the Collective Board's statement, the hunger strike was to be staged to call for the dismissal of MNPRTV's National Board (the broadcaster's governing body). The board is alleged to have repeatedly violated the law on public service broadcasting, undermined the independence of the MNPRTV editor's office and violated journalists' professional rights.

Nepal

Journalist missing, reportedly abducted and killed by militant group

(FNJ/IFEX) - Kanchanpur-based journalist Prakash Singh Thakuri has been missing since 5 July 2007.

Mexico

Journalist receives death threats over embarrassing recording of aspiring PRI candidate in Puebla

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Mexico

Newspaper owner in Yucatán receives death threats, is target of murder plot by Mérida crime boss

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a 9 July 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Mongolia

Photojournalist assaulted by restaurant manager, his camera broken, after taking pictures in kitchen

(Globe International/IFEX) - On 24 June 2007, the manager of Chinggis 3 restaurant in Sukhbaatar District accused S. Tuul, a photojournalist with the newspaper "Social Mirror", of taking photos in the restaurant without permission, kicked him in the head and broke his camera.

El Salvador

Woman journalist jailed on spurious "terrorism" charge for covering a protest; Reuters photographer injured

(RSF/IFEX) - The detention of María Haydee Chicas, a journalist employed by a non-governmental organization, who was arrested along with 13 other people during a demonstration in the northeastern city of Suchitoto on 2 July 2007 and charged with "terrorism", is a "grave abuse of authority," RSF says, calling for her immediate release.

Thailand

CAPSULE REPORT: SEAPA reviews Internet censorship under junta rule

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 10 July 2007 SEAPA report:

China

Cyber-dissident who was tortured refuses to answer prosecutor in court

(RSF/IFEX) - The trial of cyber-dissident Guo Feixiong before court No. 11 in the southern city of Guangzhou was adjourned after three hours on the morning of 9 July 2007 because of his "unruly" behaviour in court and his refusal to answer questions from the prosecutor. No date has been set for another hearing. He is charged with illegal business activities.

Iran

Four years after journalist Zahra Kazemi's death, her lawyers expect a new trial

(RSF/IFEX) - On 10 July 2007, Reporters Without Borders said it hoped Iran's supreme court will rule in favour of a new investigation into the death of Iranian-Canadian photographer Zahra Kazemi from a beating while in custody four years ago. After hearing an appeal from the Kazemi family's lawyers on 2 July about the irregularities in an appeal court's verdict, the supreme court is supposed to issue a decision this week.

Russia

CPJ urges full disclosure as authorities rule out foul play in journalist's death

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Thailand

Ruling junta looking to outlaw dissent over draft Constitution; critical webmaster arrested, detained a day

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Thailand's military leaders are contemplating a law that will clamp down on organised opposition to a controversial draft of a new constitution.

Democratic Republic of Congo

CAPSULE REPORT: CPJ alarmed by nationwide pattern of attacks, urges presidential action

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 June 2007 CPJ letter to Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila:

South Africa / International

Repeatedly threatened cartoonist sued for defamation, wins award for courage

(CRN/IFEX) - The following is a 6 July 2007 CRN press release:

Palestine / Israel

RSF calls for investigation after Hamas TV cameraman badly wounded by Israeli gunfire

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the Israeli army's actions in firing on a Palestinian cameraman employed by the Hamas-owned satellite TV station Al-Aqsa as he was covering an Israeli incursion into the central part of the Gaza Strip on 5 July 2007. The cameraman was seriously injured and had to have both legs amputated.

Colombia

Journalist brutally assaulted while covering political event in Barranquilla

(FLIP/IPYS/IFEX) - On 4 July 2007, journalist Javier Manjarrés, director of Emisoras Unidas radio station's news programme "Actualidad", was assaulted by supporters of the political party Polo Democrático Alternativo (PDA) at the end of a press conference held by the party's president, Carlos Gaviria Díaz. The incident took place at 11:00 a.m. (local time) at the El Prado hotel, in the city of Barranqilla, northern Colombia.

Azerbaijan

Appellate court ratifies prison sentence of "Senet" newspaper journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Dominican Republic

Radio journalist's home shot upon; sports TV journalist receives death threats

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF calls for a response from the government after the increased threat of violence to Dominican Republic journalists was confirmed by a shooting attack on the home of radio host Héctor Abreu in the southwestern town of Tamayo on 6 July 2007, and threatening phone calls to television producer Juan Cadena in the capital came to light the same day.

Lesotho

Weekly's survival threatened by state advertising boycott ordered by government

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about the survival of the privately-owned weekly "Public Eye" following an order from the government to all state and parastatal agencies at the start of June 2007 not to buy any more of its advertising space.

Guatemala

Photographer murdered in Guatemala City, APG calls for investigation

(APG/IFEX) - APG condemns the murder of photographer Jorge Alejandro Castañeda Martínez on 5 July 2007, in zone 11 of the capital, Guatemala City. The photojournalist worked for several print media outlets, and was also recently working for the capital city's municipal government, where he completed his assignments with absolute professionalism.

Somalia

Radio Shabelle raided four times in 48 hours, troops threaten to kill staff, following coverage of military abuses

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Burma

Junta frees activist detained over prayer vigil for Suu Kyi

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a 3 July 2007 statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Iran

Pro-reform newspaper, online news agency shut down by authorities

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

Mexico

Reporter tortured and threatened with death by Sinaloa police

(CENCOS/IFEX) - On 29 June 2007, Luis Fernando Nájera, a reporter for "El Debate de Culiacán" daily newspaper and "Ríodoce" weekly newspaper, was assaulted and threatened. The incident occurred when he was covering a raid by a rapid-action team of masked ministry police on a home in the city of Mochis, in the municipality of Ahome in Sinaloa, a northern state. He had taken a photograph of a person being beaten by the police during the raid.

Pakistan

Religious extremists burn five music shops for "promoting obscenity, destroying religious values"

(PPF/IFEX) - Five music shops were burnt on 4 July 2007 in the bazaar of Miramshah, the main town in the restive Pakistan's Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) that border Afghanistan.

Palestine / Israel

Cameraman shot by Israeli forces while covering Gaza clashes

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Cuba

Independent journalist sentenced to 15 months after being held for over a year without charges

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Swaziland

Editor investigated for contempt of Parliament following critical reporting of House of Assembly

(MISA/IFEX) - On July 4, 2007, Parliament in Swaziland sought to sanction the editor of the privately owned "Times of Swaziland" Sunday newspaper for expressing himself about the affairs of the House of Assembly in a recent commentary in his publication.

Ecuador

President stops giving press conferences, calls for "strong" laws to deal with "corrupt and mendacious" press

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF deplores President Rafael Correa's verbal attacks on the press and above all his decision not to give any more news conferences. The aggressivity of some of the news media towards him is undeniable, but he should try to defuse the tension between the press and the government, RSF said.

Azerbaijan

New terrorism charge brought against opposition editor already serving 30-month sentence for defamation

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Eritrea

Journalist, one of nine arrested in November 2006, dies in attempt to flee to Sudan

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders voiced deep sadness on learning that Paulos Kidane, a journalist with the Amharic-language service of state-owned Eri-TV and radio Dimtsi Hafash (Voice of the Broad Masses), died in June 2007 in an attempt to flee on foot across the border into Sudan.

Afghanistan

Intelligence agencies hold magazine editor and website editor

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the arrests of two journalists by intelligence officers in the past six days. Both Mohammad Asif Nang, editor of the government magazine "Peace Jirga", and Kamran Mir Hazar, editor of the Kabul Press ( http://kabulpress.org ) website, had been critical of the government.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist detained and her camera seized while covering ceremonies marking anniversary of national independence

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged translation of RSF's alert:

Gabon

Editorial critical of president lands publisher in prison

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Yemen

Critical online editor severely beaten by security agents, faces vague terrorism charges and possible death penalty

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Nepal

Journalists assaulted, threatened over article about police corruption; another threatened over article about abusive teacher

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 3 July 2007, the news editor of "Samyantra" weekly, Bhojraj Basnet, and the publication's editor, Ambika Bhandari, were assaulted and threatened by two police officers over a 2 July news article. The incident took place in Belbari, Morang, an eastern district in Nepal.

Kyrgyzstan

Termination of state funding threatens survival of regional newspapers

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - State-controlled newspapers in Batken, the only source of information for people in the region, may be shut down soon, following the government's decision to cancel the status of the region.

Colombia

Senior intelligence chiefs suspended or resign over scandal on tapping of journalists' and politicians' telephones

(RSF/IFEX) - On 25 June 2007, the Colombian authorities announced the suspension for three months of five senior police and intelligence officials suspected of illegally tapping the telephones of journalists, opposition politicians and even current government officials.

Venezuela

Journalist's car blown up in Caracas following his resignation due to threats

(RSF/IFEX) - Journalist Roger Santodomingo's car mysteriously exploded and caught fire outside his Caracas home on 4 July 2007, just a few days after he resigned as editor of the news and opinion website Noticiero Digital because of threats to his seven-year-old son, Simón. The car was completely gutted by the fire.

Sri Lanka

FMM responds to president's comments on media freedom, proposes policy, legislative reforms

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 4 July 2007 FMM press release:

China

Imprisoned Internet journalist allegedly beaten in detention, denied adequate care as health deteriorates

(WiPC/IFEX) - WiPC (PEN) is alarmed by reports that Internet writer Guo Qizhen has been ill treated in detention. PEN is also concerned that he has been denied access to family visits and adequate health care, in violation of Chinese and international law.

Greece

Draft media law contains provisions damaging to press freedom, says IPI

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 4 July 2007 letter by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate, to Hellenic Parliament President Anna Benaki-Psarouda:

Nepal

Journalist beaten, robbed and threatened over reports on corruption; another threatened over wood smuggling story

(FNJ/IFEX) - Ramhari Pandey, a reporter for "Naya Patrika" daily, was attacked by a group of unidentified people on 4 July 2007 at around 10:30 p.m. (local time) in Chabahil, in the capital, Kathmandu.

Portugal

New legislation threatens journalists' right to protect sources, says EFJ

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 July 2007 media release from the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Russia

CPJ concerned about health of imprisoned editor

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 July 2007 CPJ press release:

Colombia

Paramilitary group member confesses to murder of Barrancabermeja journalist

(FLIP/IFEX) - A demobilised member of paramilitary group, Pablo Emilio Quintero Dodino, alias "Bedoya", has confessed to the 6 April 2003 murder of journalist José Emeterio Rivas Rivas, which took place in the city of Barrancabermeja, Santander department, northern Colombia. He did so in recent testimony before a judge of the "Justice and Peace" Unit of the Prosecutor's Office, in Medellín, the capital of Antioquia department. (Under the special "Justice and Peace" process, members of paramilitary groups are offered substantial sentence reductions in return for confessing to their crimes and agreeing to demobilise.)

Sierra Leone

Newspaper editor freed on bail pending trial after court set tough conditions for release

(RSF/IFEX) - Philip Neville, the editor of the privately-owned "Standard Times" daily newspaper, was released from Pademba Road prison late on 3 July 2007 after paying bail. No date has yet been set for his trial.

Philippines

New anti-terror law could be used to wiretap journalists

(CMFR/IFEX) - The Justice Secretary of the Philippines told reporters on 4 July 2007 that through the country's Anti-terror law, which could take effect on 15 July, the media may be wiretapped based on mere suspicion of involvement in terrorism.

France

Four journalists summoned by judicial police in Montpellier; RSF repeats demand for the inviolability of the right to protect sources to be inscribed in law

(RSF/IFEX) - On 4 July 2007, Emilien Jubineau and Cédric Métairon, journalists with the television station France 3 Sud, as well as Jean-Pierre Lacan and Vincent Damourette of the daily "Midi Libre", were summoned to the Montpellier branch of the French judiciary police regional service (Service régional de la police judiciaire, SRPJ). All four had covered the actions of the Regional Committee of Wine Action, a group of radical wine producers, against the premises of the Hérault wine cooperative and the Narbonne Winemakers House on the night of 2 to 3 July. Police officers questioned them to discover who informed them of the actions. The two France 3 journalists have been summoned, respectively, on 14 and two occasions about similar cases.

Peru

Huaraz provincial official strikes radio journalist for critical question

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 22 June 2007, Radio Miramar radio station journalist Marcelo Sánchez Oliva was assaulted by Huaraz's provincial councillor, Leonor Salazar, when he was attempting to interview her.

Burma

Journalist U Win Tin spends 18th year in prison; denied early release for refusing to renounce political activity

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 4 July 2007, Burma's most famous journalist, U Win Tin, will have spent 18 years in prison for having displeased the Burmese junta.

Colombia

Four Ecuadorian reporters detained, expelled by military, their footage destroyed

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 26 June 2007, four Ecuadorian reporters were detained and expelled from Colombia, charged with entering the country illegally and videotaping in forbidden areas. The journalists, of ECUAVISA TV station, were arrested by Colombian military personnel near a bridge that runs over the San Miguel river, which marks the border between the two countries. The journalists had gone there to investigate the murder of an Ecuadorian farmer whose family accuses Colombian soldiers of the killing.

Venezuela

National Guard members prevent RCTV reporters from covering stadium inauguration

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 19 June 2007, RCTV television station journalist Yamile Jiménez and camera operator Jesús Molina were prevented by members of the National Guard (Guardia Nacional) from covering the inauguration of the Pueblo Nuevo Olympic Stadium in San Cristóbal, southern Venezuela. The guards allowed all other public and private media outlets to attend the ceremony and did not explain to the RCTV reporters why they were forbidden entry.

Malaysia

Government commission prohibits private broadcasters from covering opposition leaders

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Malaysian government has warned private broadcasters to refrain from granting coverage to opposition leaders, according to an independent news site in the Kuala Lumpur capital.

Venezuela

Political militants threaten to kill cameraman, damage his vehicle

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 16 June 2007, a group of supporters of Venezuela's United Socialist Party (Partido Socialista Unidos de Venezuela, PSUV) threatened freelance cameraman Marcelo Otárola with death and damaged his car as he was attempting to cover the collection of signatures calling for the removal from office of pro-government mayor Franklin Gonzáles, of the municipality of Padre Pedro Chien, state of Bolívar, in southern Venezuela.

Nepal

Protesting cab drivers attack photojournalist with bricks

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 2 July 2007, Bibhusanraj Shakya, a photojournalist with the Kathmandu-based daily newspaper "Rajdhani", was attacked by cab drivers at the Repumardini petrol pump run by the Nepali army, in Bhadrakali, Kathmandu.

The Gambia

Journalist harassed by suspected intelligence agents, forced into hiding

(MFWA/IFEX) - Modou Lamin Jaiteh, Banjul correspondent for the Pan African News Agency (PANA), an African news wire service based in Senegal, and a former staff reporter of "The Point" newspaper, based in Banjul, has gone into hiding for fear of his life.

The Gambia

Newspaper journalist fired over article on President Jammeh's HIV/AIDS cure

(MFWA/IFEX) - Lamin Dibba, a journalist for the pro-government "Daily Observer" newspaper, was dismissed on 22 June 2007 by management of the media company that owns the paper.

Thailand

Military bars media from Hmong refugee camp, issues coverage "guidelines"

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Thai military has barred media access to a refugee camp in Ban Huay Nam Khao, a mountainous village north of the country, the only one housing some 7,000 Hmong who fled from neighbouring Laos.

Pakistan

One cameraman shot dead, another critically wounded, other journalists injured during clashes in Islamabad

(PPF/IFEX) - One photojournalist was killed and several injured on 3 July 2007 while covering clashes between law enforcement agents and the students of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Pakistan's capital city, Islamabad. The administration and students of Lal Masjid have been engaged in confrontations with the government since January.

Philippines

Radio commentator dies after being shot in Mandaue City

(CMFR/IFEX) - A radio broadcaster died while undergoing treatment after he was shot by unidentified gunmen in Mandaue City, Cebu, a province in central Philippines.

Palestine

Journalist Alan Johnston freed after 114 days as hostage

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is overjoyed at the news that British journalist Alan Johnston was released in the early hours of 4 July 2007 in Gaza as a result of the intervention of senior Muslim clerics and negotiations between Hamas and his kidnappers. The BBC correspondent had been held hostage for 114 days.

Iraq

Two Baghdad TV journalists kidnapped, murdered, in separate incidents; body of "Nineveh" reporter found in Mosul

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the murders of two Baghdad TV journalists who were kidnapped in separate incidents in the past month. Baghdad TV, which is owned by the (Sunni) Iraqi Islamic Party, was the target of an armed attack just three months ago that killed two of its employees.

Cuba

Imprisoned journalist Normando Hernández González suffering from serious health problems

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 29 June 2007 IAPA press release:

Peru

Land grabbers shoot at journalists, wound community members protecting them

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 28 June 2007, a group of land traffickers shot at several journalists in order to deter them from reporting on an unlawful invasion of agricultural lands in the community of San Julián, district of Motupe, in northwestern Peru. At the time of the attack, the reporters were being protected by several of the community's members, eight of whom were wounded. Those injured have been admitted in the district's medical facility. The community members had denounced the invasion of their lands to the media.

Mexico

Journalist Rafael Ortiz Martínez still missing; Coahuila governor blames drug traffickers

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 27 June 2007 IAPA press release:

Israel

Whistleblower sent back to jail for giving interviews to press

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

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist assaulted during presidential procession

(JED/IFEX) - JED has expressed outrage over the 30 June 2007 savage beating of journalist Ernest Mukuli, a reporter with the Catholic broadcaster Radio Télévision Amani (RTA) in Kisangani, the main city in Oriental province, northeastern DRC. The incident occurred during festivities marking the 47th anniversary of Congolese independence.

Tunisia

Recent attacks on journalists unaddressed at meeting between Egyptian official and Tunisian ambassador

(HRinfo/IFEX) - HRinfo has expressed its deep sorrow about the results of the meeting held between Dr. Botros Botros Ghaly, chair of the National Council for Human Rights, and Abd el Hafeez el Herqam, the Tunisian ambassador, on 1 July 2007.

Azerbaijan

President Aliev says police will not be punished for beating up journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned comments made by President Ilham Aliev to a group of police academy graduates on 2 July 2007. Aliev told the group that he had "banned sanctions" against policemen responsible for violence against journalists covering the November 2005 legislative elections. "I will always support the police," he said.

Armenia

Proposed laws would curb media freedoms and effectively ban regional radio station, says Human Rights Watch

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 29 June 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Somalia

Newspaper editor threatened by security agents following brief detention of arson attack suspect

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 June 2007 CPJ press release:

Somalia

TV reporter freed after being held for three days

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is relieved to learn that reporter Abdirahman Musse Omar of the privately-owned television station SLTV was released on 1 July 2007 after appearing before a court in Hargeisa, the capital of the northern breakaway territory of Somaliland. The authorities are not pressing any charges against Omar, who was arrested on 28 June on the orders of Hargeisa's mayor.

Philippines

Journalists face criminal libel suit for alleging governor's involvement in attempt on their lives

(CMFR/IFEX) - Two journalists who survived an attempt upon their lives now face a lawsuit filed by the man they suspect to be behind the ambush.

Morocco

Politicised court cases, media law, harassment undermine press gains, says CPJ report

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

Iran

Three more journalists imprisoned; another arrested and released on bail

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has learned of the arrests of three more Iranian journalists, one of them on 1 July 2007. They bring the number of journalists detained in Iran to six.

Bahrain

Two journalists arrested, questioned, briefly detained by police following ban of rally

(BCHR/IFEX) - The following is a statement from BCHR, an interim member of IFEX:

China

Seven men sentenced to jail over killing of investigative reporter covering illegal coal mine

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 June 2007 IFJ media release: