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Alerts - 2007 - October-December

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Somalia

Kidnappers release French cameraman

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - NUSOJ welcomes the release of French journalist Gwen Le Gouil who was kidnapped on 16 December 2007 by gunmen in Port town of Bossasso, the capital of Bari region in north-eastern Somalia.

International

CAPSULE REPORT: Press freedom and free expression decline in 2007, says SEAPA report

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 28 December 2007 SEAPA capsule report:

Syria

Two journalists face libel charges, one banned from writing for state media

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the repeated harassment of journalist Waddah Muhyiddin during the past few months. Muhyiddin, who specialises in investigating corruption, has been the target of four lawsuits and has been banned from writing for the state news media.

Spain

Judge acquits journalists of unjust criminal defamation charges

(WPFC /IFEX) - The following is a 21 December 2007 WPFC letter to Spanish Judge Francisco José Guerrero Suárez:

Uzbekistan

Severe restrictions on independent media "prevent any semblance of a competitive electoral process", says Human Rights Watch

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 21 December 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

China

Outspoken activist Hu Jia arrested in Beijing

(RSF/IFEX) - The arrest of leading human rights activist Hu Jia on 27 December 2007 at his Beijing home is condemned "with the utmost firmness" by RSF. Hu is accused of "subverting state authority," a charge often used by the Chinese government against dissidents.

Sri Lanka

France 24 journalists freed after being held for two days

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF welcomes the 26 December 2007 release of two French journalists employed by the French TV news channel France 24 - reporter Capucine Henry and cameraman Constantin Simon - who were arrested on the evening of 24 December in the southern district of Galle while traveling with a Tamil family. Henry has been told she can stay in Sri Lanka to do a report on a Bizet opera performance in Colombo.

Costa Rica

Two convicted in murder of journalist Parmenio Medina

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

Angola

Provincial radio reporter receives 30-day prison sentence for covering street vendors' protest

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the 30-day prison sentence passed by a criminal court in the southwestern city of Namibe on 28 December 2007 against Armando Chicoca, a correspondent of the privately-owned radio station Radio Ecclesia, following his arrest during a demonstration by street vendors six days earlier.

Sri Lanka

President sanctions broadcaster rather than media-abusing minister

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

Somalia

Mogadishu mayor closes radio station over interview with opposition

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the 26 December 2007 arbitrary closure of the privately-owned radio station Somaliweyn by the government of Banadir, the province that includes the capital Mogadishu, after the station broadcast an interview in which an exile politician explained why he was joining the radical, armed wing of the opposition. The closure is the latest in a series of coercive measures for which there has been no legal authority, RSF said.

Bahrain

Security forces assault journalists covering repression of protest

(BCHR/IFEX) - According to the Bahraini Journalists Association (BJA) and eye witnesses, on 25 December 2007, the Bahraini Security Forces (BSF) harassed and verbally and physically assaulted journalists Ali Al-Shehabi (of "Al-Al-Ayam" newspaper), Husain Al-Orrayed (of "Al-Waqt" newspaper) and Mohammed Al-Mukharraq (of "Al-Wasat" newspaper).

Burma

CAPSULE REPORT: Three months of quiet repression, arrests, censorship and propaganda

(RSF/IFEX) - The military government has constantly hounded Burma's journalists during the three months that have gone by since 27 September 2007, the day that Japanese video reporter Kenji Nagai was murdered by a soldier in Rangoon, report RSF and the Burma Media Association.

Sri Lanka

Government minister and supporters assault state television station news director over failure to broadcast his speech

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 27 December 2007 FMM press release:

Iran

Imprisoned journalist Emadoldin Baghi has heart attack; another jailed journalist released temporarily for medical treatment

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is extremely worried about the health of journalist and human rights activist Emadoldin Baghi, who was rushed to hospital after suffering a double heart attack in Tehran's Evin prison on 26 December 2007 and was returned to a general wing of the prison the following evening. He has been held in Evin for 74 days.

Lithuania

Regulatory body bans broadcast of "Voice of Russia" programme by private radio station in Vilnius

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 27 December 2007 WPFC letter to the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania:

Somalia

Journalist held without charge

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

Cambodia / Vietnam

Khmer Krom Buddhist monks violently assaulted while trying to present petition to Vietnamese embassy

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 21 December 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Ghana

Journalists harassed, given shocks by police while covering political party congress

(MFWA/IFEX) - Ato Abban and Issac Nettey, camera operators with TV3 Network Limited, an independent Accra-based television broadcaster, were assaulted by police personnel on security duty at the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Special Delegates' Congress at the University of Ghana on 22 December 2007.

Liberia

Journalists detained for photographing corpses at police station; camera confiscated

(CEMESP/IFEX) - National police in Monrovia, the capital, detained three journalists for photographing the removal of two decomposed human bodies from a police cell on 19 December 2007.

Saudi Arabia

Blogger arrested, his whereabouts unknown; news website and blog publishing service blocked by authorities

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the detention of blogger Ahmad Fouad Al-Farhan ( http://www.alfarhan.org ) since 10 December 2007. His family does not know where he is being held or what he is charged with. He said on his blog a few days before his arrest that he was expecting a summons from the interior ministry.

United States / China

Hacker attack on Boxun website crashes 2,000 blogs

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is outraged by a Distributed Denial of Service attack on the US-based Chinese news website Boxun that was probably organised by hackers based in China.

Philippines

Critical radio broadcaster killed

(CMFR/IFEX) - A radio broadcaster who was a vocal critic of local government corruption was killed by two men on motorcycle on 24 December 2007 around 10:00 am (local time) in Davao, a province south of Manila.

China

Two writers detained, dozens under guard as police attempt to prevent gathering

(PEN/IFEX) - The following is a 21 December 2007 PEN American Center press release:

Peru

Journalists denounce alleged murder plot by Shining Path guerilla group

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 19 December 2007, journalists José Saldaña, Daniel Grández and Ketty Vela told IPYS that they had found out, through a reliable source, that individuals alleged to be terrorists are following them in order to murder them. The journalists reside in Tocache, San Martín region, northeastern Peru.

Venezuela

Journalist threatened after being accused by president of being on the US payroll

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 20 December 2007, journalist Hernán Lugo Galicia, of "El Nacional" newspaper, told IPYS that he has received about ten e-mail messages containing death threats and accusing him of being part of an international conspiracy against President Hugo Chávez.

Nicaragua

Presidential security guards manhandle and briefly detain journalist

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - Journalist Jorge Loáisiga, who works for "La Prensa" newspaper was mistreated by presidential security guards on the night of 19 December 2007. The incident occurred at a public ceremony in Managua, the capital, attended by the president and several ambassadors. Loáisiga was trying to obtain comments from the United States ambassador when he was very roughly detained by the guards, who turned him over to the police. The journalist was handcuffed and being led away as a detainee, but the authorities stopped when other journalists and local residents protested.

Niger

Two French journalists charged with "undermining state security"

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged translation of an RSF alert:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Ban on some 30 broadcasters partially lifted

(JED/IFEX) - JED welcomes the decision by the new minister of communication and media, Emile Bongeli, to partially lift the two-month-old ban on some 30 private broadcasters based in Kinshasa.

Colombia

Journalist shot dead in Cúcuta not a suicide, concludes autopsy

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is deeply shocked by the fatal shooting of Rafael Bruno, 76, a photographer with the regional daily "La Opinión", on 19 December 2007 in the northeastern city of Cúcuta. The organisation extends its condolences to the victim's colleagues.

Iran

Journalist freed on bail, editor arrested for publishing false information and "disturbing public opinion", several others still held by authorities

(RSF/IFEX) - Yaghoub Salaki Nia, a journalist who had spent 50 days in Tehran's Evin prison without being charged, was freed on 19 December 2007 after payment of 80 million toumen (approx. 80,000 euros) in bail. Eleven other journalists are still detained in Iran, the Middle East's biggest prison for the press.

Colombia

"La Opinión" photojournalist killed in Cúcuta; police abuse other journalists

(CESO-IFJ/IFEX) - Photojournalist Rafael Bruno Bruno was found dead, shot in the head, at his home in the Bellavista neighbourhood of the city of Cúcuta, capital of the Norte de Santander department, in confusing circumstances on the evening of 19 December 2007.

Benin

Journalist arrested, physically assaulted by gendarmes

(MFWA/IFEX) - Bernard Oyekou, a cameraman of the privately-owned Le Gazette du Golfe media group was on 4 December 2007 arrested and physically assaulted by gendarmes at Ikpinle, Oueme, about 100 kilometres South-East of Cotonou, the capital of Benin.

Nepal

Army officer threatens journalists

(FNJ/IFEX) - Sagar Shrestha, a photojournalist with "Naya Patrika Daily", Rajesh Gurung, a photojournalist with "The Himalayan Times", and journalists Khagendra Panta and Dipendra Kunwar were verbally abused by an army officer when they went to a suspected burial site in Shivapuri National Park in Kathmandu on 20 December 2007.

Kyrgyzstan

Two journalists covering demonstration arrested, later released

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 20 December 2007, two journalists - Aizada Kutuyeva of the news agency 24.kg and Tolkun Namatbayeva of Agence France Presse - were arrested in the capital, Bishkek, while covering a demonstration against the outcome of parliamentary elections. Along with other protesters, they were taken to the city's Interior Department. They were released after the media outlets' management requested the Interior Ministry's help.

Russia

Government influence over media kept public uninformed during recent elections, says CJES

SOURCE: Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations (CJES), Moscow

Niger

Two French TV journalists detained in Niamey

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called for the release of two French TV journalists, reporter Thomas Dandois and cameraman Pierre Creisson, who were arrested on 17 December 2007 in Niamey. They work for Camicas Productions and were on assignment in Niger for the Franco-German TV station Arte.

Philippines

Second suspect in journalist's murder surrenders to police

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

Liberia

Journalists sued for libel by media executive for criticising his defence of police brutality against reporters

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

Peru

Disciplinary proceedings initiated against four judges for mishandling trial that absolved suspected masterminds of journalist's murder

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 17 December 2007, the judiciary's own disciplinary body (Oficina de Control de la Magistratura, OCMA) emitted a preliminary report stating that the Superior Court of Ucayali judges in charge of the trial for the 2004 murder of journalist Alberto Rivera Fernández, dragged out the trial and did not act in a diligent manner to ensure that it would take place within a reasonable period of time.

Finland

Court convicts photographer of "ignoring police orders" to leave demonstration he was covering

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

Indonesia

Government intent on weakening right to information bill, wants prison terms for "abuse" of information

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

Montenegro

Defendants prevented from testifying at preliminary hearing on lawsuit which may bankrupt newspaper; editor wrongly sued

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 19 December 2007 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Peru

Woman journalist reports constant death threats

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 19 December 2007, journalist Rosario Orihuela Laus, producer of television station Canal 4's programme "Al Rojo Vivo", reported to IPYS that, since August 2007, she has received more than fifteen death threats through her e-mail or anonymous calls to her cell phone, in which she has been insulted and warned that she will soon be murdered. She received the last e-mailed threat on 18 December. The incidents took place in the Huánuco region, in central Peru.

Venezuela

Newspaper interruption due to newsprint importer's operating circumstances, not currency controls, say officials

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 15 December 2007, "Diario del Caroní" newspaper returned to regular circulation after three days' of not publishing due to a lack of newsprint. During those three days, the newspaper appeared only on the Internet.

Bangladesh

Journalist, out on bail, facing hardship due to legal persecution, still suffering from torture-induced injuries; CPJ concerned about trial process

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ letter to Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed:

Indonesia

Defamation cases obstruct press freedom, shows AJI report

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 18 December 2007 IFJ media release:

China

Health of imprisoned writer Zhang Jianhong rapidly deteriorating

(WiPC/IFEX) - WiPC is alarmed about reports that the health of prominent writer Zhang Jianhong (a.k.a. Li Hong) is rapidly deteriorating. International PEN is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Zhang in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory, and on humanitarian grounds. It urges that he receives all necessary medical treatment pending his release.

Peru

Prior to death threats, journalists had covered police abuses, coca production issues; RSF questions threats were made by Shining Path

(RSF/IFEX) - Threats against four radio journalists, in leaflets signed "Shining Path" (Sendero Luminoso) that were left in a town in the central region of Huánuco on 15 December 2007, should be taken seriously even if the Shining Path guerrillas were not responsible for them, RSF says. Rife with crime and drug trafficking, Huánuco is a very dangerous region for journalists.

Montenegro

Former president files 1 million euro lawsuit against newspaper director, editor and publisher over critical comments

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a WAN letter to former Montenegro president and prime minister Milo Djukanovic:

Ukraine

IFJ demands withdrawal of award to judge who closed case against prime suspect in Gongadze murder

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 18 December 2007 IFJ media release:

Iraq

Internet videographer killed in disturbing circumstances

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF calls on the Iraqi authorities to investigate the disturbing circumstances in which Ali Shafeya Al-Moussawi, a correspondent of the news website Alive in Baghdad ( http://aliveinbaghdad.org ), was killed on 14 December 2007.

Russia

Dissident journalist, previously ordered released, now freed after 10 months forced confinement in psychiatric hospital

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders welcomes journalist Andrei Novikov's release on 18 December 2007 after being confined against his will to a psychiatric hospital in the northern city of Rybinsk for more than 10 months. He has nonetheless been told that he will have to report to the hospital twice a month until a medical commission re-examines him in six months' time.

Russia

Journalist barred from country previously threatened for reporting on corruption

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

Colombia

New death threats against "El Nuevo Herald" correspondent following articles implicating president in drug-trafficking

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 17 December 2007, journalist Gonzalo Guillén, the correspondent in Colombia of the Miami-based newspaper "El Nuevo Herald", received a new death threat, the most recent one in a spate of such threats that began on 14 December; the latest was sent to his cell phone. The callers made reference to two articles published by him on 13 and 15 December, in which he reported on the resignation of the anti-corruption czar, Rodrigo Lara Restrepo, son of former Minister for Justice, Rodrigo Lara Bonilla, murdered by the mafia in 1984.

Venezuela

Provincial daily on newsstands after three-day interruption for lack of newsprint; another newspaper urges simplification of currency controls

(RSF/IFEX) - "Correo del Caroní", the regional daily that is based in the eastern city of Ciudad Guayana and that is openly critical of the government, was back on sale in newsstands on 15 December 2007 after a three-day absence. Editor David Natera told RSF that the daily was able to resume printing after its supplier, DIPALCA, provided it with newsprint imported from Chile.

International

Frente al "alarmante deterioro" de libertad de prensa en el hemisferio, organizaciones de periodistas exigen respuestas

(CESO-FIP/IFEX) - Lo que sigue es un comunicado de prensa abreviado del CESO-FIP, con fecha del 3 de diciembre de 2007:

China

Held on trumped-up charges, Nanjing-based journalist finally gets to see lawyer

(RSF/IFEX) - Journalist Sun Lin denied charges of "illegal possession of firearms" and "disturbing the peace" when he finally received a visit from lawyer Mo Shaoping, on 14 December 2007, in prison, in the eastern city of Nanjing. Mo was refused a visit in September. The police have sent the findings of their investigation to prosecutors along with a request that Sun be brought to trial.

Chad

Editor charged, temporarily released; weekly ordered closed, say police

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 17 December 2007 RSF press release:

Peru

Radio journalists receive death threats in Aucayacu and Bellavista

(IPYS/IFEX) - In two separate incidents, a total of five journalists received death threats.

Comoros

Journalist goes into hiding after escaping arrest by Anjouan security forces

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 13 December 2007 RSF press release:

Colombia

Montería construction contractor assaults cameraman, steals footage, punches programme manager

(CESO-IFJ/IFEX) - When journalist and cameraman Milton Carmona Morelo, who works for Nortevisión television station's "Zona Franca" programme, was filming the Olympic Village (Villa Olímpica) in Montería, the capital of Córdoba department, for a story on the maintenance contracts and materials, he was assaulted and insulted by the engineer hired for the project, former mayor Amaury Sánchez Mejía. The incident occurred on 14 December 2007 at 5:30 p.m. (local time.)

China

Writer arrested after criticising Beijing Olympics

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the immediate release of dissident writer Wang Dejia, who was arrested at his home in Guilin, in the southern province of Guangxi, on 13 December 2007 and was charged with "subverting state authority." He uses the pen-name of Jing Chu.

International

Journalist deaths at highest level since 1994, shows CPJ year-end analysis

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

Syria

Wave of arrests against signatories of petition calling for "democratic change"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned a wave of arrests against signatories of a petition calling for "democratic change" in Syria and highlighted the continuing plight of journalist Michel Kilo, serving a three-year jail sentence also for signing a petition.

International

Struggle for free expression comes with deadly price tag, shows CJFE annual review

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

Nepal

Two editors threatened by student union leaders for covering reports of fraud

(FNJ/IFEX) - "Lokbarni Weekly" editor, Prem Prasad Paudel, and assistant editor, Prakash Chandra Bhattarai, have been threatened over recent days by the local leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) student union in Tanahu, a western district of Nepal.

Iraq

President of Kurdish region opposes restrictive new press bill

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

Belarus

Official's defamation lawsuit threatens independent newspaper with possible closure

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

Russia

RSF calls for truth in murder of editor Paul Klebnikov after retrial of two Chechens announced

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders fears that the retrial of two Chechens for the July 2004 murder of Paul Klebnikov, editor of the Russian version of the United States magazine "Forbes", will result at best in a "convenient" verdict for the Moscow authorities. Officials announced on 14 December 2007 that the "top secret" trial will start on 17 December, and will be held behind closed doors.

Zimbabwe

Proposed changes to problematic legislation will not advance freedom of expression, says MISA

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

Turkey

Court case against writer, editor and magazine owner dropped on technicality

(BIANET/IFEX) - The court case against sociologist Ismail Besikci, "Esmer" magazine owner Ferzende Kaya, and the magazine's editor, Mehmet Ali Izmir, has been dropped because of "lapse of time". The three had been charged under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code for "inciting hatred and hostility" because of an article Besikci wrote in the magazine. Sentences of four and a half years were being demanded for each of the defendants.

Pakistan

"So-called return to constitutional rule provides legal cover to laws that muzzle media," says Human Rights Watch

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 15 December 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Sudan

Two Egyptians sentenced to six months in prison after selling book on prophet's wife at Khartoum fair

(HRinfo/IFEX) - The following is a joint statement by HRinfo and 10 other organizations:

Russia

Journalist expelled allegedly over articles denouncing shady money transfer to political parties

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 December 2007 IFJ media release:

Somalia

French journalist kidnapped by armed men

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - NUSOJ strongly condemns the kidnapping of French journalist Gwen Le Gouil on 16 December 2007, by unidentified gunmen in the port town of Bossasso, the capital of Bari region in north-eastern Somalia.

Sri Lanka

Police interrogate journalist's wife under false pretences; harassment aimed at instilling fear in independent journalists, says FMM

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 16 December 2007 FMM press release:

Turkey

Writer receives 14-month suspended sentence over "Aktüel" magazine article

(BIANET/IFEX) - Writer Perihan Magden has been given a 14-month suspended prison sentence under Article 125 of the Penal Code for reporting on what people said about Aytac Akgül when Akgül was the governor of Yüksekova district, in the southeastern province of Hakkari. She has been convicted of insulting Akgül.

Liberia

Police forcefully close community radio station for 24 hours over coverage of labour dispute

(CEMESP/IFEX) - On 13 December 2007, the government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, unlawfully closed down Stone FM, a community radio station located in Harbel, approximately 35 miles from Liberia's capital, Monrovia.

Tunisia

Journalist Slim Boukhdir starts a new hunger strike in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned pressure exerted on jailed independent journalist Slim Boukhdir, who began a new hunger strike on 13 December 2007.

Chad

Managing editor detained at intelligence headquarters

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called for an explanation from the Chadian authorities for the dawn arrest and detention of Nadjikimo Benoudjita, managing editor of the privately-owned weekly "Notre Temps".

Nigeria

CAPSULE REPORT: CPJ notes pattern of impunity in violent murders and disappearances of journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ letter to Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua:

Colombia

Municipal court affirms journalist's right to information following mayor's refusal

(FLIP/IFEX) - A municipal court in Caloto, Cauca, has ordered the mayor of the same municipality to turn over public information to a journalist who had requested it. The judge also noted in her ruling that, when citizens make such requests for information of a public office, they do not even need to explain the purpose of their requests.

Colombia

Journalists threatened with death in pamphlet signed by paramilitary group

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 12 December 2007, the offices of the radio station Maravilla, in the city of Valledupar in Cesar department, received a pamphlet signed by the "Nuevas AUC-Cesar" ("AUC" is the acronym for the country's largest paramilitary umbrella organisation). The pamphlet contained a list of 24 residents of the city designated as "military targets", among them Enrique Camargo Plata, director of news programming for the radio station Radio Guatapurí, and Raúl Garrido Cantillo, a photographer with the departmental government.

Pakistan

Media regulatory authority threatens ban on live election coverage

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 12 December 2007 IFJ media release:

Iraq

Restrictive press bill passed by Kurdish Parliament, awaits president's approval

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

Botswana

Prominent businessman and politician harasses journalist over article

(MISA/IFEX) - On December 10, 2007, a prominent businessman and ruling Botswana Democratic Party councillor, Robert Muzila, is alleged to have verbally harassed "Mmegi" newspaper journalist Oarabile Mosikare over the telephone. Mosikare has since lodged a harassment complaint against Muzila with the Francistown Central Police station.

Afghanistan

Television producer attacked by gunmen; radio journalist assaulted by police; another journalist detained for a week

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 December 2007 IFJ media release:

Italy

"La Repubblica" reporter's home searched; RSF calls for European-level protection of sources

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has learned with anger that police searched the home of journalist Giuseppe d'Avanzo on 13 December 2007, a day after an article of his in the Rome-based daily "La Repubblica" revealed that former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is being investigated on suspicion of trying to corrupt senators. The Naples prosecutor's office confirmed the report.

Haiti

Two gang members get life sentences for journalist's murder; six other suspects still at large

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF hails the 12 December 2007 outcome of a two-day trial before a court of assizes in the southern town of Petit-Goâve, in which two members of a local militia known as Domi nan Bwa were given life sentences for the murder of Radio Echo 2000 journalist Brignol Lindor on 3 December 2001.

Sri Lanka

Journalists harassed, deterred from reporting by officials; trend of assaults on provincial reporters "deeply disturbing", says FMM

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

Malaysia

Minority rights activists detained without trial; Internal Security Act being used to silence dissent, says SEAPA

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Malaysian authorities have invoked a draconian law allowing detention without trial on five leaders of a movement which organised a recent rally to express disaffection over the plight of the marginalised minority ethnic Indians in the country.

Zambia

Authorities ban live call-in shows on radio station in Mongu

(MISA/IFEX) - The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS) has banned Radio Lyambai in Mongu from broadcasting call-in programmes.

Syria

Anti-corruption website harassed, closed by authorities as Internet freedom declines; website administrator sues government

(HRinfo/IFEX) - The Administrative Judiciary Court in Damascus has postponed until 5 February 2008 further hearings in the lawsuit filed by the administrator of the Al-Nazaha website ( http://www.alnazaha.org ) against the Syrian minister of communications, Amr Salem.

Palestine / Israel

Israeli troops raid three West Bank news media outlets, seize equipment and shut down TV station; journalist injured covering military operation

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the raids of three West Bank news media outlets carried out on 12 December 2007 by Israeli troops. One of the outlets, Nablus-based TV station Al-Afaq, had to stop broadcasting because the troops seized transmission equipment.

India

Online TV journalist arrested, tortured, accused of being "Maoist courier"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF calls on the central government to shed light on the reasons for the arrest of Pittala Srisailam, editor of the online television station Musi TV ( http://www.musitv.com ), on 4 December 2007, in the eastern state of Andhra Pradesh. Accused of being a Maoist "courier", Srisailam was going to interview one of the leaders of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) when he was arrested.

France / Vietnam

French journalist and activist freed after being held for 25 days, nine dissidents still detained

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders welcomes the release on 12 December 2007 of French journalist and activist Nguyen Thi Thanh Van after 25 days in detention. The French authorities confirmed that she has left Vietnam. She is due to arrive at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport at 10:35 a.m. (local time) on 13 December. Nguyen Thi Thanh Van was accused of "terrorism" by the Vietnamese authorities together with three US citizens who were released on 11 December.

Lebanon

On second anniversary of journalist Gebran Tueni's murder, RSF urges UN to extend international tribunal's mandate

(RSF/IFEX) - On the second anniversary of newspaper editor Gebran Tueni's murder, Reporters Without Borders has said the special international tribunal created by the United Nations to try those responsible for former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri's assassination should also have jurisdiction over the other car-bombings in Lebanon since October 2004.

International

UN, OSCE, OAS and ACHPR joint declaration on broadcasting diversity promotes greater access to information

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

Turkey

Prolongation of publisher's costly "insult" trial punishment for his work, says IPA

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

International

CAPSULE REPORT: ARTICLE 19 charts criminal defamation worldwide with launch of mapping tool

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an 11 December 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Mexico

Reporter harassed by former judge, his vehicle burned over photographs of drunk-diving incident

(CEPET/IFEX) - Juan Gabriel Reyes Robledo, a reporter and photographer for "5inco" newspaper, has filed a complaint that his vehicle was recently burned and that he has been the victim of harassment since mid-2007 by a former judge in the municipality of Río Bravo, in Tamaulipas state on Mexico's northeastern border. "El 5inco", or "El Cinco" as it is also known, is published in Reynosa, the largest city in Tamaulipas, and Reyes Robledo is its correspondent in Río Bravo.

Malaysia

Police arrest 26 people attempting to present a petition to Parliament

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 11 December 2007, Malaysian police arrested 26 people, including a teenager, who were part of a civil society delegation sent to Parliament to object to the rushed manner of a proposed constitutional amendment to extend the tenure of the Election Commission chair.

Egypt

Six new lawsuits brought against editor of "Sawt El-Omma" for insult, defamation

(HRinfo/IFEX) - HRinfo condemns the continuing wave of collective legal cases brought against journalists in Egypt, as six lawsuits for insult and defamation were brought before the Misdemeanors Court of El-Agouza on 10 December 2007 against journalist Wael El Ibrashi, chief editor of "Sawt El-Omma", an independent newspaper.

Indonesia

Columnist on trial for allegedly insulting Attorney General's Office

(AJI/IFEX) - AJI has called on the authorities to drop a criminal case against Bersihar Lubis, a columnist for the "Koran Tempo" daily, who has been on trial since 19 September 2007 for allegedly insulting the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

Australia

IPA concerned about Cricket Australia's attempt to control sales of images to book publishers

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

Guatemala

Young radio announcer murdered in Petén department

(CERIGUA/IFEX) - The body of Miguel Ángel Amaya Pérez, 23, a recently-hired announcer for Sabana radio station, was found in the town of Santa Elena, a municipality in the Petén department, 515 kilometers from Guatemala City, the capital, on 10 December 2007, at 5:00 p.m. (local time). He had been working for the station for only two months.

Venezuela

Problems with government currency exchange controls prevent regional opposition daily from publishing

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is concerned over an announcement that the "Correo del Caroní", a regional daily published in the eastern city of Ciudad Guayana, would not appear in newsstands on 12 December 2007 or on subsequent days because it has been unable to obtain US dollars to pay for imported newsprint.

Indonesia

Journalist arrested on criminal defamation charges

(AJI/IFEX) - AJI has condemned journalist Risang Bima Wijaya's detention without a warrant by the Bangkalan Resort Police on 9 December 2007 and his arrest by the Sleman Prosecutors' Office in Yogyakarta the next day.

Azerbaijan

Radio Liberty journalist released

(IRFS/IFEX) - Ilgar Nasibov, the Nakhchivan Radio Liberty correspondent who was on 6 December 2007 sentenced to three months of imprisonment, has been released. Nasibov himself told the Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety that the three-month prison sentence handed down to him on the basis of Nakhchivan City Police Department Chief Sabuhi Novruzov's legal action has been annulled, as Novruzov withdrew his lawsuit.

Mexico

Investigation of murder of journalist in Michoacán will be handled by federal authorities

(CEPET/IFEX) - The 8 December 2007 murder of state newspaper "La Opinión" journalist Gerardo Israel García Pimentel in Uruapan, Michoacán state, will be investigated by the national Attorney General's Office (Procuraduría General de la República, PGR). Michoacán is located in Mexico's southwest.

International

Independent newspapers must negotiate "minefield" of censorship and repression, concludes Arab Free Press Forum

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

Belarus

IPA, Norwegian PEN release joint report calling for increased monitoring of free expression

(IPA/Norwegian PEN/IFEX) - The following is a joint 10 December 2007 IPA/Norwegian PEN press release:

Lebanon / International

Lebanese journalist, free expression promoter wins 2007 Gebran Tueni Award

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a 9 December 2007 WAN press release:

Niger

Newspaper editor, founder released on bail

(MFWA/IFEX) - Ibrahim Souley and Soumana Idrissa Maiga, managing editor and founder respectively of the bi-monthly "L'Enquêteur", were arrested by the Niamey Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and held for 72 hours following a libel complaint filed against them by Ali Lamine Zeine, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.

France

"Le Monde" reporter faces five-year sentence and fine for publishing state secrets related to 9/11 hijackings

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

China

Writers demand release of jailed colleagues before Beijing Olympics

(PEN/IFEX) - The following is a 10 December 2007 PEN American Centre press release:

Turkey / International

IPI names Hrant Dink posthumously one of its World Press Freedom Heroes

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 10 December 2007 IPI press release:

International

Attendance at free press forum hampered by travel restrictions; participants denounce governments' "common strategy" to curb journalists' free expression

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a 10 December 2007 WAN press release:

Mexico

Owner of radio and television station abducted in Michoacán

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

Iraq / United States

CAPSULE REPORT: AP photographer latest in long list of journalists held by US military in Iraq for prolonged periods, says CPJ

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

Bahrain

Postal union activist suspended from job over media statement

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Postal Directorate of the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) suspended union activist Jamal Ateeq from his job for five days without pay for expressing his views in the local media.

Iran

Book censorship has tightened "dramatically", warns WiPC; writer jailed despite permission to publish

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

Ukraine

Journalist facing lawsuit over articles victim of suspicious attack in Kyiv

(IMI/IFEX) - On the night of 7 December 2007, Maksim Birovash, a special correspondent for "Business" newspaper, was assaulted by two unidentified persons, the on-line publication "Telekrytyka" reported. The attack comes as Birovash faces legal action over his reporting on the activities of a business consortium involved in the country's passport programme. The reporter suspects the attack is related to the lawsuit and writings of his related to the case.

Mexico

Local newspaper reporter gunned down in Michoacán state for motives not yet determined

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is outraged at the murder of reporter Gerardo Israel García Pimentel, who was shot approximately 20 times on 8 December 2007 in the car park of the hotel in which he lived in Uruapan, in the western state of Michoacán. He worked for a Michoacán-based daily, "La Opinión de Michoacán", covering agriculture and occasionally crime. A brother and a cousin of his are reportedly missing.

Nepal

Journalist beaten by police while covering their clashes with businessmen in Sunsari district

(FNJ/IFEX) - Birendra K. M, a local correspondent of "Rajdhani Daily" newspaper and "Sagarmatha Television" was beaten by police personnel of the Armed Police Force on 6 December 2007 at Inaruwa, in Sunsari, an eastern district of Nepal.

France

Investigative journalist spends two days being interrogated and pressured at intelligence agency's headquarters

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 7 December 2007 press release:

Philippines

Authorities pressure media outlets to hand over footage, are unrepentant about journalists' arrests

(CMFR/IFEX) - Following the arrest of over 30 journalists and media technicians who were covering the takeover of a hotel by a group led by a former military officer who is now a senator, a high-ranking government official told journalists on 5 December 2007 that they could be arrested again if they defied police orders while covering similar events.

Bolivia

Tax audit of news media appears politically motivated, says IAPA

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 7 December 2007 IAPA press release:

Honduras

Journalist flees country for second time following new death threats

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - On 23 November 2007, Geovanny García, a television journalist with Canal 13, fled the country out of concern for his safety for the second time in recent weeks.

Venezuela

Journalists assaulted, one injured by police while covering protest in Caracas

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 6 December 2007, members of the Metropolitan Police harassed and assaulted journalists working for the television stations Globovisión and Televen. The journalists were covering a protest held by the Fuerza Bolivariana de Motorizados (an organization of transportation workers who sympathise with the national government), as the demonstrators attempted to set fire to a crane in Plaza Venezuela, Caracas.

Burma

Military junta bans 19 writers and performers; poet questioned by authorities

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The Burmese regime has banned the work of 19 artists and writers, and some writers and poets are hiding from authorities because they are being pursued for taking part in the September 2007 uprising.

Morocco

Newspaper forced to alter front page for fear of censorship

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has expressed its concern when the printers of the "Journal Hebdomadaire" forced its management to change its front page photo and others inside for fear the edition would be seized if it was printed as it was.

Israel

Three journalists face prosecution for traveling to "enemy countries" without clearance

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 December 2007 IFJ media release:

Honduras

UN special rapporteur concerned about deterioration of freedom of expression

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 3 December 2007 PROBIDAD press release:

Venezuela

President accuses journalist of being in the pay of the United States, and CNN of promoting a campaign against him

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 5 December 2007, President Hugo Chávez accused journalist Hernán Lugo Galicia, of the newspaper "El Nacional", of being in the pay of the United States, and recommended that he "write fairy tales." The incident occurred after the journalist published a story stating that the army's high command had intervened and convinced Chávez to allow the broadcasting of preliminary results of the 2 December referendum on the government's constitutional reform proposal, which was defeated.

Senegal

Government official sends threatening note to journalist

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

Sudan

Death threats against RSF correspondent and four other journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced deep concern about death threats made on 4 December 2007 against Faisal El-Bagir of the privately-owned Arabic-language weekly "Al-Midan" and four journalists employed by the privately-owned Arabic-language daily "Al-Sahafa": Abdel Moneim Suleiman, Al-Haj Warraq, Al-Tahir Satti and Rabbah Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi. Bagir is also the Reporters Without Borders Sudan correspondent.

Burkina Faso

Killers of journalist Norbert Zongo still not brought to justice nine years after his death

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a WAN letter to President Blaise Compaore:

Taiwan

Car driven into group of journalists, three hurt

(RSF/IFEX) - A motorist drove into a group of journalists outside the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial in Taipei on 6 December 2007, knocking down EETV News cameraman Wang Rei-Zhang and slightly injuring two others. Wang was hospitalised in a critical condition. Hundreds of demonstrators, journalists and policemen had gathered outside the building, whose name is being changed to the Democracy Memorial.

Turkey

Greek journalist assaulted by nationalist militants in Istanbul

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 December 2007 media release from the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Somalia

Government minister says journalists expelled over critical articles; three suspended radio stations resume broadcast

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 December 2007 CPJ press release:

Azerbaijan

Radio journalist sentenced to prison on slander charge, faces risk of torture

(IRFS/IFEX) - IRFS severely condemns the arrest and conviction of Radio Liberty correspondent Ilgar Nasibov, who works in Azerbaijan's autonomous enclave of Nakhchivan. At 3:00 p.m. (local time) on 6 December 2007, Nasibov was called to the Nakhchivan City Court where Judge Ulvi Ismayilov sentenced him to three months' imprisonment.

Russia

Journalist, held for several months in psychiatric hospital against his will, ordered released

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced relief at a decision by a court in Rybinsk (400 km north of Moscow) to release journalist Andrei Novikov. The court ruled at the end of a hearing on 6 December 2007 that there are no grounds for continuing to keep him in the psychiatric hospital where he has been held against his will since 14 February 2007.

Colombia

Renewed death threats against journalists in Barrancabermeja and Popayán

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 22 November 2007, two journalists based in different departments of Colombia received death threats: Diro César González, director of the Barrancabermeja-based weekly "La Tarde", and Feibir Beltrán Luna, director of the Popayán-based Cauca Visión television station news programme "Cauca Noticias". Barrancabermeja is an oil port in Santander department and Popayán is the capital of Cauca department.

Serbia

Radio broadcast forcefully interrupted by political party militants; another station receives death threats

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

Bolivia

Journalists harassed during protest in Santa Cruz against national government

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 29 November 2007, a correspondent for the state-owned TBN television station in Santa Cruz and his camera operator were harassed by a group of youths who barricaded the streets during a "civic strike" - an attempt to slow down the public's movements and economic activities - held in opposition to the national government. A number of protests have recently been held around the country, in opposition to the approval of a new Constitution (see IFEX alerts of 30, 28, 29 November 2007 and others).

Niger

Editor and owner of newspaper arrested, detained after libel charge filed by government minister

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

International

RSF-Fondation de France prizes recognise Eritrean, Burmese, Iraqi, Egyptian and Chinese free expression defenders

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

International

CAPSULE REPORT: CPJ analyses global trends in imprisonment of journalists; one in six held without charge

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

Iran

Two journalists and women's rights defenders detained over online articles

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN protests the detention of journalists and women's rights defenders Maryam Hosseinkhah and Jelveh Javaheri on 18 November 2007 and 1 December 2007 respectively, for articles posted online.

Ghana

Teacher, previously demoted following media interview, reinstated

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 4 December 2007, Helen Abrokwa was reinstated as the head teacher of Padmore Street Primary School in Tema, in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The reinstatement came 10 weeks after she was demoted and transferred, allegedly for granting an interview to the media about low enrolment levels at her school.

Somalia

Authorities order expulsion of journalists seeking protection from violence

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - NUSOJ calls on Somaliland authorities to stop forcing out Somali journalists who fled from the mayhem and violence in Mogadishu - from targeted attacks on journalists and media in particular - and who sought protection in Somaliland because they were at risk of suffering grave human rights violations.

Turkey

Union representative on trial over article using Kurdish alphabet; Kurdish leader condemns those expressing opinions contradicting PKK line

(BIANET/IFEX) - In two separate cases, free expression is being suppressed in relation to Kurdish language, culture and politics. In one case, this suppression is the result of actions by Turkish authorities, in the other, of actions by a Kurdish political leader.

Pakistan

High Court approves of ongoing broadcasting suspensions imposed on four television stations

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

Colombia

Journalist receives another death threat, initiates lawsuit against president for endangering him

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 3 December 2007, journalist Gonzalo Guillén, a Colombian correspondent for the US-based newspaper "El Nuevo Herald", received a death threat by telephone. The message came from a cell phone.

Venezuela

Journalist's camera briefly seized by police in Mérida; reporters harassed in San Cristóbal during constitutional referendum

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 29 November 2007, several policemen insulted journalist Leonardo León and seized his camera in order to prevent him from covering the arrest of a citizen in the town of Mérida, northwestern Venezuela. León is a correspondent for "El Nacional" newspaper, and the host of ULA FM 107.7 radio station's programme "la Ciudad en la Radio".

Pakistan

Local newspaper reporter missing in Balochistan, intelligence services suspected of abduction

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is worried about Javed Lehri, who went missing in the Khuzdar region of Balochistan province on 29 November 2007. Lehri works for "Azadi", a daily based in the provincial capital of Quetta. His family and colleagues think the intelligence services are responsible for his disappearance.

Peru

América Televisión correspondent receives death threat; Radio Marañon and Nodalma TV journalists assaulted by teachers

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 2 December 2007, Radio Marañón's journalist Ángela Quino Pasache and its programmer José Arce, and camera operator Marco Gonzáles, of Nodalma TV television station's programme "El Espectador", were threatened by teachers belonging to a group called the National Commission for Reconstruction (Comisión Nacional de Reestructuración, CONARE), which is part of Peru's Education Workers' Union (SUTEP).

Venezuela

Proposed constitutional reform that would have weakened press freedom guarantees defeated in referendum

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for a calm and more peaceful debate on the media situation and civil liberties in Venezuela after a government-backed reform of 68 of the constitution's articles was narrowly rejected in a referendum on 2 December 2007.

Russia

Filmmaker flees city after assault by police; parents harassed, sued for defamation after discussing attack on their daughter

(RSF/IFEX) - The authorities in the Tatar capital of Kazan are harassing the parents of documentary filmmaker Natalia Petrova, who herself left the city after being attacked by police in September 2007, Reporters Without Borders said. Plain-clothes police arrested her parents at a polling station on 2 December, took them to a police station and did not release them until shortly before midnight.

Georgia

Acting president says suspended TV station can resume broadcasting

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hailed the 3 December 2007 statement by acting president Nino Burjanadze that she plans to ask the judicial authorities to lift a month-old broadcast ban on the independent television channel Imedi TV. "The danger that was the cause of Imedi TV's closure no longer exists," she said.

Ethiopia

Seven journalists flee country following release from prison; two radio signals jammed; issuing of publishing licences needlessly delayed

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:

Tunisia

Journalist Slim Boukhdhir sentenced to one-year prison sentence following unfair trial, says OLPEC

(OLPEC/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an OLPEC press release:

Americas / Argentina / International

Argentine Supreme Court to receive IAPA's 2008 Chapultepec Grand Prize for press freedom

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

Venezuela

Coverage of campaigns on constitutional reform referendum impeded; Chávez accuses CNN of encouraging his assassination

(IPYS/IFEX) - The work of various media outlets or journalists has been impeded or has met with negative reactions recently. President Hugo Chávez has accused CNN of encouraging his murder. The national electoral council forbade several media outlets from broadcasting advertisements for the controversial electoral reform proposal that the Chávez government had proposed, and also forbade an opposition television station from broadcasting an advertisement against the proposal. Demonstrators against the proposed reform mistreated a reporter from a state-owned television station when he tried to cover their demonstration in Caracas. As well, the day of the national referendum on the reform, two television crews were evicted from the electoral council headquarters in Zulia state although journalists from other private and state-owned media were allowed entry.

Mexico

Proposed electoral reform must protect people's right to know, IAPA tells Congress

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 30 November 2007 IAPA press release:

Brazil

New public television company only a first step to a true public broadcasting system, says ARTICLE 19

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

Russia

Reporters covering opposition candidates harassed, while state media lavish coverage on Putin

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged by the way news media were harassed to prevent them from reporting the activities of the opposition parties who took part in 1 and 2 December 2007 parliamentary elections and by the way the public TV stations systematically promoted Vladimir Putin's candidacy.

International

AMARC concerned by possible external interference in decision to appoint new IACHR Freedom of Expression Rapporteur

(AMARC/IFEX) - AMARC and two other organisations are concerned about alleged external interference in a proposal to select a new Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission (IACHR).

Ghana

ARTICLE 19 documentary calls for greater transparency in gold mining industry

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated 30 November 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Pakistan

Authorities move to arrest journalists' unions over pamphlets, placards condemning anti-media ordinances

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

Mexico

Supreme Court rules against journalist Lydia Cacho; RSF appalled

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has voiced deep dismay after Mexico's Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) ruled narrowly that there was "no serious violation of the individual rights" of freelance journalist Lydia Cacho when she was arrested and held in December 2005 on the orders of governor of Pueblo state, Mario Marín.

Philippines

Several journalists released after being held overnight; videotapes seized

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the arrests of several dozen journalists to prevent them from covering a failed coup attempt at a Manila hotel where around 30 soldiers had demanded the ouster of President Gloria Arroyo on 29 November 2007.

United Arab Emirates / Pakistan

UAE allows one Pakistani TV station to resume broadcasting but government continues to block signal; two radio stations still censored in Pakistan

(RSF/IFEX) - On 30 November 2007, Reporters Without Borders wrote to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf asking him to quickly rescind his ban on the Geo TV group's various television stations and two independent radio stations, Power99 FM and Mast Fm 103.

Pakistan

Journalist Riaz Mengal escapes from his kidnappers

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has greeted with relief the news that Riaz Mengal, a reporter with the newspaper "Intikhab", succeeded in escaping from kidnappers who abducted him on 4 October 2007 in the Khuzdar district of Baluchistan province.

Peru

Another suspected murderer of journalist captured

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 28 November 2007, the police captured Nazario Coronel Ramírez, a.k.a. "Chamaya", the alleged perpetrator of the murder of journalist Miguel Pérez Julca, which took place in March 2007 in the city of Jaén, northeastern Peru.

China

Journalist and blogger Zhai Minglei summoned, home searched

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned a 29 November 2007 search at the home of journalist and blogger Zhai Minglei, who was due the following day to answer an official summons linked to an investigation into the "illegal publication" of the magazine "Minjian" (Civil Society).

Bolivia

Journalists, media outlets harassed, threatened during protests in Cobija and Sucre

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 27 November 2007, supporters of a regional prefect who oppose the national government threatened journalists of the radio stations Digital and Pando for reporting negatively about the regional strike they organized, which began that day in the town of Cobija, northern Bolivia, according to information provided by the Governmental News Agency (Agencia Gubernamental de Noticia, ABI). The demonstrators arrived at the headquarters of both stations in order to intimidate the journalists.

Sudan

"Al-Sudani" journalists released after 11 days in detention

(RSF/IFEX) - Mahjoub Ourwa, the chairman of the independent Arabic-language daily "Al-Sudani", and Noureddine Medani, the newspaper's editor, were released on 29 November 2007 after spending 11 days in Omdurman prison, located north of Khartoum.

Somalia

Mogadishu mayor imposes "unacceptable and ridiculous" restrictions on news media, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - New draconian restrictions on the coverage of fighting between government forces and rebels by the few media still operating in the capital are "unacceptable," RSF said on 28 November 2007. The restrictions were ordered on 26 November by Mogadishu mayor Mohamed Omar Habeb, a former warlord and governor of the central city of Jowhar who is also known by the nom de guerre of "Mohamed Dhere."

Egypt

Journalist arrested; bloggers' e-mail and YouTube accounts suspended

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF strongly condemns the arrest of journalist Hossam el-Hendy at Helwan University, south of Cairo, as "an attempt to intimate all bloggers in Egypt" after officials there reported him to police for taking photos and sending messages about a demonstration on his mobile phone.

Palestine

Upsurge in attacks, arrests of journalists; two released on bail

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has strongly protested against an increase in physical assaults against journalists on the West Bank, eight of whom have been attacked by forces controlled by President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, since 23 November 2007.

China

Cyber-dissident receives five-year sentence , Olympic Games organisers conducting ID checks on all accredited journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an open letter to Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee:

Bolivia

Quechua-language radio station threatened by opponents of national government, suspends operations; government-media dialogues hailed

(RSF/IFEX) - Condemning physical attacks on journalists in Sucre and La Paz during rioting that followed the initial approval of a new Constitution on 24 November 2007, RSF hailed a dialogue which the government has started with the press as well as the appeals for responsibility made by some journalists' organisations.

Russia

ARTICLE 19 report shows defamation still used to shield public officials from criticism

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

South Africa

Provincial government attempts to silence criticism of health services by legislative member

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

Philippines

CMFR statement on the arrest of media personnel covering Peninsula Hotel incident

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

Mexico

Attempted murder of "right to know" activist at his home in Baja California

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 28 November 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Namibia

National broadcaster reprimands staff members accused of censorship, issues public apology

(MISA/IFEX) - On 28 November 2007, the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) issued a public apology following an incident in which a radio presenter restricted debate on topical political developments on a live radio call-in programme.

Philippines

Eyewitness in journalist's killing prevented from testifying in court

(CMFR/IFEX) - A crucial eyewitness in a journalist's killing was prevented from testifying in court on the strength of an arrest warrant served by the police for a cock-fighting offense allegedly committed by the witness in 1998.

The Gambia

MFWA files another lawsuit against government over illegal detention and torture of journalist Musa Saidykhan

(MFWA/IFEX) - The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has filed another suit at the Community Court of the Economic Committee of West Africa States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, Nigeria against the Gambian government over a case of illegal detention and torture of journalist Musa Saidykhan.

Russia

Critical editor of harassed newspaper assaulted, sentenced to pre-trial detention for defamation

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

Venezuela

Media harassment continues as press-threatening constitutional reform advances

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 28 November 2007 RSF press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Thirty-eight broadcasters remain suspended; minister threatens to shut down many of them permanently

(JED/IFEX) - The following is an abridged 21 November 2007 JED statement:

Namibia

MISA condemns presenter's decision to curb discussion of issues concerning two political parties during live radio call-in show

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 27 November 2007 MISA press release:

Turkey

Editor facing criminal charges over article on politician after being ordered to pay compensation in civil suit

(BIANET/IFEX) - A civil court has ruled that a website editor's article about a politician, published in a newspaper, was insulting and has ordered him to pay compensation. The editor is also now facing criminal charges that may net him three years in prison if convicted.

Tunisia

Journalist Slim Boukhdhir formally charged, denied release pending trial

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

Iraq

CORRECTION: Journalist fabricated claim that his family was massacred

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

Sri Lanka

Two more media workers killed in radio station bombing, bringing total to five; BBC broadcast censored; journalist threatened

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 28 November 2007 FMM press release:

Peru

Journalists assaulted, threatened by relatives of lawyer accused of rape

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 23 November 2007, América TV correspondents Alejandro Espinoza and Walter Anaya were struck and threatened by a group of relatives of Luciano López Espinosa, a lawyer accused of raping a minor. The incident took place in the town of Sihuas in the Áncash region of northwestern Peru.

Bahrain

Authorities reinforce sweeping media ban, Internet censorship on controversial report

(BCHR/IFEX) - A statement by the Higher Criminal Court on 27 November 2007 affirmed the permanence of the decision to stop publishing news or press comments on the "Al-Bandar report", although the prosecution of Salah Al-Bandar, the issuer of the report, was passed.

Colombia

National Police commander makes unwarranted accusations against journalist, endangering his safety

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 24 November 2007, General Óscar Naranjo, head of the national police, levelled accusations against Telesur international television station journalist William Parra which may put the journalist in danger.

Turkey

Journalists, politicians in court for referring to army's alleged use of chemical weapons against PKK

(BIANET/IFEX) - Trials of journalists and politicians for violations of the Turkish criminal code's controversial Article 301 are continuing, despite government assurances to the European Union (EU) that the article will be significantly modified or abolished.

Russia

Freedom of expression repressed ahead of parliamentary elections

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

India

Feminist Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin in government safe house following violent protests by Muslim extremists

(WiPC/IFEX) - International PEN's Writers in Committee is seriously concerned for the safety of Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin, who is in a government safe house following violent protests by Muslim extremists in Kolkata, West Bengal. PEN welcomes the efforts by the Indian authorities to provide her protection, and urges the Indian authorities to ensure her safe passage and return to her home in Kolkata, West Bengal, at the earliest opportunity.

Bolivia

Media attacked during constitutional reform protests

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

Vietnam

Appeals court confirms but reduces jail terms of two human rights lawyers convicted of spreading "anti-government propaganda"

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 28 November 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Sri Lanka

Three media workers killed in air strike on rebel radio station

(RSF/IFEX) - A Sri Lanka military air strike on 27 November 2007 on the Voice of Tigers, the radio station of the Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the country, was a "war crime," Reporters Without Borders said. Three of the station's staff, who had not been given any warning, and six other civilians, were killed in the bombardment by air force jets.

Somalia

Authorities arrest two journalists reporting on regional conflict

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - NUSOJ protests the 26 November 2007 arrest of journalists Abdiqani Hassan Farah and Mohammed Shakale in Las Anod town of Sool region.

Philippines

Suspect arrested in 2001 killing of provincial journalist

(CMFR/IFEX) - One of the two suspects in the 2001 killing of Aklan journalist Rolando Ureta was arrested at 7:45 a.m. (local time) in front of the municipal hall in Numancia, Aklan on 27 November 2007. Aklan is a province approximately 345 km south of Manila.

International / Belgium

IPI welcomes ECHR decision affirming journalists' right to protect sources

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

Haiti

Commissioner returns to country, accuses senator and police commissioner of blocking investigation into journalist's murder

(RSF/IFEX) - Joseph Guyler C. Delva, the president of an independent commission investigating the murders of journalists who was forced by repeated death threats to leave the country, returned to Port-au-Prince on 25 November 2007.

United Arab Emirates

CAPSULE REPORT: Freedom of expression violations continue despite end to imprisonment for press crimes

(HRinfo/IFEX) - The following is an abridged HRinfo report:

Tunisia

Journalist Slim Boukhdir arrested again

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has protested against the arrest of journalist Slim Boukhdir, who according to latest reports is being held at a police station in the suburbs of Sfax, 231 kilometres south of Tunis.

Peru

Critical radio journalist hit by striking unionists

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 16 November 2007, a group of demonstrators, members of the Public Works Construction Worker's Union (Sindicato de Trabajadores de Construcción Civil, STCC), hit journalist Mayra Azán Mestanza as she was covering a protest from inside the offices of the Punchana's District Council, in Loreto region of northern Peru.

Peru

Journalist accosted by armed men following death threat

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 24 November 2007, journalist Danilo Bautista Hernández narrowly escaped an apparent murder attempt by two armed men thought to be hired killers. The incident took place on the banks of the river Yuracyacu, in the Nueva Cajamarca district of San Martín region, in northeastern Peru. The assailants aimed a gun at him at close range, but were dissuaded from firing it when several local residents approached them after hearing the journalist's niece cry for help.

Mexico

Four assailants sentenced for assaulting three journalists in Ciudad Juárez

(CEPET/IFEX) - A judge has sentenced four of the people involved in the assault and robbery of three journalists from Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, northern Mexico, to terms ranging from three to nine years in prison.

Indonesia

ARTICLE 19 calls for clear steps to guarantee freedom of expression

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

Iraq

Eleven of editor's relatives murdered in Baghdad following Shiite militia threats against him

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is shocked by the murders of 11 close relatives of Dia al-Kawwaz, the Amman-based editor of the online newspaper "Shabeqat Akhbar al-Iraq", in an attack on his family home on 25 November 2007 in Baghdad. Kawwaz recently received telephone threats from Iraqi militia members.

Colombia

Demonstrators assault tabloid's journalists, stone radio station's offices in Santa Marta

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 22 November 2007, journalist María Paulina Martínez and photographer José Puentes, of the tabloid "Ajá y Qué", were attacked during a protest march of over 100 motorcycle-taxi drivers against a decree by the city of Santa Marta, in northern Colombia.

Brazil

Radio journalist covering criminal racquet, political corruption survives assassination attempt

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the recent murder attempt against João Alckmin, host of the programme "Showtime" on Rádio Piratininga, who was injured when an unknown assailant opened fire on him in São José dos Campos, in São Paulo state in southeast Brazil. His injuries are not life-threatening.

Pakistan

"Jang" newspaper correspondent gunned down in Sindh province

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is appalled by the murder of Zubair Ahmed Mujahid, a correspondent of the national daily "Jang", on 23 November 2007, in Mirpur Khas, in the southern province of Sindh. His elder brother told RSF he was "killed because of his articles criticising the situation of the poor" in the area.

Canada

School removes book from library following complaint about author's atheist background

(PEN Canada/IFEX) - The following is a 23 November 2007 PEN Canada press release:

Nepal

Police official assaults, threatens to kill journalist over coverage

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 24 November 2007, Govinda Ghimire, president of FNJ's Sunsari Chapter, was briefly abducted, beaten, and threatened with death by a police official. The incident took place in Itahari, Sunsari, an eastern district of Nepal.

Russia

Activist, three television journalists monitoring protest in Ingushetia briefly abducted, brutally beaten by armed men

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 24 November 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Australia

CAPSULE REPORT: RSF outlines what the next prime minister must do to improve press freedom

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

Niger

Magistrate rejects illegally-obtained evidence against RFI journalist; IFJ urges president to ensure his and another journalist's release

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 November 2007 IFJ media release:

Serbia

Two female journalists subjected to verbal attack after interviewing politician

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

Slovenia

Prime minister irate over journalists' petition regarding pressure on newsrooms, alleges political motives

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 November 2007 IFJ media release:

Turkey

Investigation into murders of publishing house employees overly focused on victims' "missionary activities"

(BIANET/IFEX) - The trial concerning the murder of three men working for Zirve Publications starts on 23 November 2007. Of the 32 investigation files, only eight are about the murders, while the rest relate to "missionary activities".

Venezuela

Ruling party National Assembly member hits journalist over book content cited on television

(IPYS/IFEX) - In the morning of 20 November 2007, Iris Varela, a ruling party member of the National Assembly, hit and insulted journalist Gustavo Azócar Alcalá, of Televisora Regional del Táchira (TRT) television station, after bursting into the station's recording studios.

China

Three Swiss journalists and Chinese camerawoman detained, released; government press attacks foreign media and RSF as Olympics approach

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the arrests of three foreign journalists and a Chinese camerawoman on 20 November 2007 in the northeastern province of Hebei and the central province of Hubei. "It is unacceptable that such practices are still taking place in China, despite the new regulations introduced in January for the Olympic Games," RSF said.

Malaysia

Government orders media not to cover rally supporting lawsuit against British government

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Malaysian's Internal Security Ministry has instructed the local press to refrain from reporting about a banned rally in the capital Kuala Lumpur on 25 November 2007, which is seeking the Queen of England's help in a class-action suit against Her Majesty's government.

Haiti

Two suspects arrested for Gonaïves radio station manager's murder

(RSF/IFEX) - Another gang member, Bernard Joseph, was arrested on 20 November 2007 in connection with the 16 May murder of Alix Joseph, manager and programme host of Radio-Télé Provinciale, in the northwestern city of Gonaïves.

United Arab Emirates

Owner of Majan.net website avoids prison on appeal

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF welcomes an appeal court decision overturning a 17-month jail sentence imposed in November 2006 on Mohammed Rashed Shehhi, owner of the website Majan.net ( http://majan.net/ ) for allegedly defamatory comments.

Macedonia / Serbia

SEEMO condemns recent attacks on media outlets, journalists

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

Kenya / Zimbabwe

Human rights commissioner urges legislative reforms to ensure freedom of expression ahead of elections

(MISA/IFEX) - The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) special reporter on the right to freedom of expression, Commissioner Pansy Tlakula, has urged Kenya and Zimbabwe to uphold the right to freedom of expression and access to information, which she said are prerequisites for free, fair and credible elections. The two countries hold elections in 2008

Turkey

Activist-lawyer receives criminal conviction over references to "Kurdistan"

(BIANET/IFEX) - On 16 October 2007, the Penal Court in Viransehir, in the province of Sanliurfa in southeastern Turkey, convicted human rights activist and lawyer Eren Keskin to one year in prison for saying: "If we look at the state statistics on perpetrators of sexual violence in Turkey and Kurdistan, then soldiers are in the majority; the reason there are so many is the war in Kurdistan."

Turkey

Journalist faces possible imprisonment in "confidentiality of sources" case

(BIANET/IFEX) - The prosecution in Beytüþþebap, in Sirnak province of southeastern Turkey, has charged Emin Bal for not informing legal authorities when people shouted "criminal" slogans at the funeral of a Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighter he was filming.

Azerbaijan

Prison sentence not the answer to unethical journalism, says IRFS

(IRFS/IFEX) - The following is a 22 November 2007 IRFS press release:

South Africa

Minister must follow due process to withhold information on "national security" grounds, says FXI

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is a 22 November 2007 FXI media release:

Palestine

Gaza Strip journalist receives death threats; TV station chief held overnight; bail imposed on detained reporter, cameraman

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF calls for the release of Al-Aqsa TV reporter Alaa Al-Titi and cameraman Ossayd Amarneh, held on unknown charges since 5 November 2007 in the West Bank city of Hebron (30 km south of Jerusalem). The organisation is also concerned about death threats received in Gaza by Imad Eid, the head of the Ma'an news agency.

Tibet (China)

Three Tibetans given harsh prison sentences for sending photographs abroad; another given eight-year sentence following speech

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF voiced outrage at harsh prison sentences for "espionage" of three to ten years handed down on 20 November 2007 to three Tibetans by the intermediate court in Kardze, Sichuan province, on the Tibetan border.

Yemen

Al-Arabiya satellite television station journalists prevented from covering social unrest

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF calls on the authorities to stop harassing journalists working for the Dubai-based satellite television station Al-Arabiya. Two of the station's journalists have been detained in the past three weeks after covering anti-government demonstrations.

Pakistan

Aaj television journalist abducted, brutally beaten in Karachi

(PPF/IFEX) - A journalist with a local television channel in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, was abducted and beaten by four armed law enforcement personnel on 20 November 2007. The kidnappers, after abducting and severely beating him, dumped him on a side street and threatened him with dire consequences if he reported the matter to anybody.

Venezuela

IAPA mission expresses deep concern over climate for press

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 20 November 2007 IAPA press release:

Mexico

One year after editor went missing, his family complains of lack of progress in the investigation

(RSF/IFEX) - On 20 November 2007, RSF joined the family of missing editor José Antonio García Apac to demand an explanation from the authorities about the complete failure of the investigation into his disappearance exactly one year ago.

Iraq / United States

US says long-detained AP photographer Bilal Hussein will be charged

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

Nepal

Investigation into journalist's abduction continues in context of ongoing violence against media

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an abridged 20 November 2007 IPI press release:

China / International

WAN awards 2008 Golden Pen of Freedom prize to persecuted Chinese journalist

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a 20 November 2007 WAN press release:

Venezuela

In Mérida, ULA TV workers interfere with station's operations; local residents threaten reporters, accuse them of distorting facts

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 30 October 2007, three workers of the University Channel (Canal Universitario, previously known as ULA TV), took over the station's headquarters and stopped another 36 workers from entering. The television station belongs to the Los Andes University (Universidad de los Andes, ULA), and is among the three most important in the city of Mérida, northwestern Venezuela.

Argentina

Journalists threatened by mayor and provincial legislator in San Pedro de Jujuy

(FOPEA /IFEX) - On 31 October 2007, public officials from the city of San Pedro de Jujuy threatened two journalists while they were taking photographs of the alleged removal of documents from the city hall. The city is located in the province of Jujuy in northwestern Argentina.

Peru

Mayor, municipal councillor acquitted of involvement in journalist's murder

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 14 November 2007, the First Criminal Bench of Ucayali's Superior Court acquitted the mayor of Pucallpa, Luis Valdez Villacorta, of the charges pending against him. The mayor had been accused of being behind the April 2004 murder of journalist Alberto Rivera Fernández, which took place in the Ucayali region, eastern Peru.

Uruguay

Senate approves Community Broadcasting Bill

(AMARC/IFEX) - In a groundbreaking move for freedom of expression in Latin America, on 14 November 2007 the Uruguayan Senate approved a Community Broadcasting Bill that formally acknowledges the existence of and regulates community radio and television stations. The draft law had previously been approved by the House of Representatives in May.

Sri Lanka

Newspaper delivery person missing, believed abducted

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

Nepal

Maoist cadres briefly detain, harass and threaten to kill journalist

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 20 November 2007, Pradip Kumar Mandal, a reporter for "Janapriya Weekly", a Janakpur-based newspaper, was attacked and threatened with death by Maoist cadres. The incident took place in Siraha, an eastern district of Nepal.

Sri Lanka

Arsonists destroy publishing house of critical newspapers

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

Haiti

Head of commission probing murders of journalists flees country after being threatened and followed

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is concerned that a leading Haitian journalist, Joseph Guyler C. Delva, had to leave the country on 9 November 2007, after getting repeated death threats since 25 October and then being followed.

Mexico

Attorney General retracts allegation that disappeared TV Azteca journalists had ties to drug traffickers

(CEPET/IFEX) - The Office of the Attorney General of the state of Nuevo León, in northeast Mexico, issued a statement on 8 November 2007 denying that there is any evidence linking Gamaliel López Candanosa, a missing TV Azteca reporter, to drug cartels, which Attorney General Luis Carlos Treviño Berchelmann had implied was the case when he appeared before a committee of the Nuevo León state Congress on 7 November.

Pakistan

Mass arrest of journalists during protests in Karachi, several beaten, injured

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

Iraq

Journalist arrested, may face "terrorist activity" charges; another released; Kurdish regional government forbids reporters to visit PKK bases

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has urged the Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq to lift a prohibition on visits by journalists to the bases of the Turkish armed separatist group, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). RSF also called for the release of a correspondent of the satellite television station Kolsat who was arrested on 19 November 2007 in Mosul, 80 km west of Erbil, the regional capital.

Turkey

Mother, supporters of killed student leader acquitted of "praising crime" through battle cry at graveside memorial

(BIANET/IFEX) - Thirty years ago, Ertugrul Karakaya, a leader of the Student Representative Council at the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) in Ankara, was shot dead by gendarmerie on the university campus.

Sudan

Two newspaper editors detained for refusing pay fine

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the arrests on 18 November 2007 of Mahjoub Ourwa, the chairman of the independent, Arabic-language daily "Al-Sudani", and Noureddine Madani, the newspaper's editor, for refusing to pay a court-ordered fine for allegedly libelling the national intelligence service in a report about the arrests of four journalists.

International

WAN's half-year report finds more than 100 journalists killed in 2007

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a 19 November 2007 WAN press release:

South Korea

New press passes limit journalists' free access to government buildings, says IPI

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 19 November 2007 IPI letter to South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun:

Iraq

TV journalist kidnapped, released after three days; death threats against reporter in Diwaniya; journalist's home blown up in Baquba

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF hails the release early during the day on 19 November 2007 of journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi, of the satellite television station Al-Baghdadiyah, who was kidnapped three days prior in central Baghdad. According to news agency reports, he was freed unharmed with no ransom being paid.

Turkey

Prosecutor drops criminal charges against journalist who wrote about soldiers' dissatisfaction

(BIANET/IFEX) - Following a complaint of the General Staff, "Sabah" journalist Umur Talu was investigated for an article in which he had reported on the dissatisfaction of sergeants within the army.

Turkey

Military bans print, broadcast coverage of trial of soldiers previously taken hostage by separatist group

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Gendarmerie Public Order Corps Command Military Court in Van, in southeast Turkey, has put in place a broadcast and print ban concerning the investigation of the eight soldiers taken hostage by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) on 21 October 2007 and released two weeks later.

Pakistan

Widow of slain North Waziristan journalist murdered

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is shocked by the murder of the widow of Hayatullah Khan, a journalist slain last year. She was killed in the early hours of 17 November 2007 by a bomb planted next to her bedroom outside her home in Mir Ali, in the Tribal Area of North Waziristan.

United Arab Emirates / Pakistan

Station owner harassed, financial losses severe as ban on television stations continue

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

Cambodia

Government confiscates new magazine over critical articles; fearing arrest, editor and distribution director go into hiding

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Cambodian Ministry of Information has confiscated a new magazine for allegedly violating the constitutional provision protecting the monarchy, though local reports said other "sensitive" articles featured in the magazine could have triggered the action.

Malaysia

Members of ruling political party assault photographer at opposition press conference

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A photographer from a local daily was allegedly assaulted by members of the dominant ruling political party, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), while covering a press conference organised by an opposition Member of Parliament on 16 November 2007.

South Africa

Growing trend of employers silencing criticisms as three workers disciplined, one dismissed

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is a 19 November 2007 FXI press release:

Cambodia

Journalists charged with theft, arrested briefly after taking pictures of illegal farm

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 17 November 2007, three journalists from the "Voice of Peace" newspaper in Kampong Thom province were arrested for alleged theft after they took pictures of an illegal farm rearing snakehead fish in the district of Kampong Svay, Kampong Thom province, bordering Tonle Sap (Great Lake).

Sri Lanka

Proofreader of persecuted newspaper feared abducted

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

Nepal

Two journalists receive death threat from police official following critical coverage

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 16 November 2007, Ram Kumar Elan, correspondent of "Naya Patrika Daily", and Girija Adhikari, publisher of "Sama Weekly", received a death threat from Jaya Bahadur Khadka, a deputy inspector general with the National Investigation Regional Office of Hetuda, in Makawanpur, a district neighboring Kathmandu.

Mexico

Reynosa mayor threatens "Reforma" newspaper journalist

(CEPET/IFEX) - Miguel Domínguez Gallegos, the "Reforma" newspaper correspondent in Reynosa, a city in Tamaulipas state, was verbally attacked by Francisco Javier García Cabeza de Vaca, the acting mayor of the city, which is located in Mexico's northeast. The incident took place during an 11 November 2007 event at which local members of the National Action Party (Partido Acción Nacional, PAN) protested the kidnapping of one of their candidates for city council in the 11 November elections held across the state.

Turkey

Diyarbakir broadcaster harassed over Kurdish-language programming; radio station on trial over song

(BIANET/IFEX) - Gün TV, a local station in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, is the only channel to have broadcast Kurdish programmes for the past year and a half. However, the channel, which is legally allowed to broadcast four hours a week in Kurdish, has faced many difficulties, both over its news and music programmes.

Vietnam

RSF calls for release of French journalist arrested while "peacefully promoting freedom of expression"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the arrest of three activists of the pro-democracy party Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform Party), including Frenchwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Van, a renowned freedom of expression activist.

United Arab Emirates / Pakistan

Two Pakistani television channels broadcasting from Dubai ordered off the air

(PPF/IFEX) - The government of Pakistan pressured the government of United Arab Emirates to close down two leading private television networks on 16 November 2007. According to Geo TV, the authorities in Dubai had asked the network's administration to close down its operations by midnight (local time) on 16 November. The network further said no reason had been given for the move. A senior member of the network said that the channel had been ordered to go off the air as a result of the continued deadlock between the Pakistani authorities and the broadcasters, following the imposition of emergency measures in the country.

Cyprus

Ultra-nationalists threaten writer, journalist over stories promoting tolerance, human rights

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 November 2007 media release of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Brazil

Judge grants "provisional" injunction prohibiting newspaper from publishing articles about congress representative

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

Venezuela

Two journalists assaulted, one injured, in Barinas; Globovisión television station again harassed

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 8 November 2007, journalist Jorge Eliécer Patiño and photographer Luis Alberto Barrios, of the newspaper "El Diario de los Llanos", were attacked by members of the police's Special Operations Group (Grupo de Operaciones Especiales, GROES) when they were covering a protest march against the government's proposed constitutional reform by students of the Santa María University in the city of Barinas.

International

Freedom of expression should be at core of Internet governance debates, says WPFC

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 15 November 2007 joint statement by WPFC, the Center for Democracy & Technology and the International Association of Broadcasting:

East Timor / Australia / Indonesia

Coroner says death of "Balibo Five" was premeditated war crime by Indonesian army

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails the work of New South Wales coroner Dorelle Pinch, who issued an inquest report on 16 November 2007 that establishes with great detail that the Indonesian army was responsible for the death of five British, Australian and New Zealander journalists in East Timor in 1975. The report clearly shows they were eliminated because they knew too much about Indonesia's invasion of East Timor, which was just getting under way.

Serbia

Entrepreneur harasses newspaper over critical stories, threatens legal action

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 16 November 2007 ANEM statement:

Nepal

Journalists barred from taking photographs of Maoist cadres destroying local resident's house

(FNJ/IFEX) - Journalists Thakur Singh Tharu and Surendra Kafle, from Banke, in mid-west Nepal, were not allowed to take photographs of Maoist cadres destroying the house of a local resident in Naubasta village on 15 November 2007.

Peru

Reporters assaulted while filming authorities' examination and removal of murder victim's body

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 15 November 2007, camera operator Ernesto Delgado Vargas and reporter Helena Ortiz Terán, of TV Mundo Canal 53 television station, were assaulted by the relatives of a murdered woman. The incident took place in the district of Paucaparta, Arequipa region, when they were covering procedures carried out by the prosecutor and the police at the preliminary inspection and removal of the body from the site where it was found.

Somalia

Proposed new media law undermines freedom of expression, says NUSOJ

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The Somaliland Ministry of Information has drafted and proposed a new media law that undermines internationally accepted standards of freedom of expression.

International

New journalists' federation calls on African Union, UN to act against states violating media rights

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 15 November 2007 IFJ media release:

Turkey

Issue of newspaper confiscated for "anti-military" article

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Gaziantep First Criminal Court of Peace has ordered the confiscation of the 32nd issue of the local "Coban Atesi" (Shepherd's Fire) newspaper after it published journalist Berkant Coslun's article entitled "Mother, Don't Send Me to the Army". The newspaper stands accused of "damaging the public image of military service."

Cuba

Journalists denied permission to emigrate

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 16 November 2007 IAPA press release:

Mexico

Journalist threatened and punched following coverage criticising PAN senator

(CEPET/IFEX) - Journalist Víctor Rubén Hernández Guerrero, director of "Semana Ahora" weekly newspaper, has filed a criminal complaint in Durango, northern Mexico, against businessman Javier Quiñónez Ruiz, for assault and threats. He is also concerned that a senator belonging to the National Action Party (Partido Acción Nacional, PAN) - Senator Rodolfo Dorador Pérez Gavilán, who represents the state of Durango in the national Senate - is behind the incident.

Haiti

Four arrested in murder of journalist Brignol Lindor as trial nears

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has welcomed the arrest of four individuals suspected of killing radio journalist Brignol Lindor, of Radio Echo 2000, on the eve of a trial set to begin on 3 December 2007, six years to the day after he was hacked to death in the southwestern town of Petit-Goâve. Six other suspects ordered arrested early this month remain at large. RSF regretted such last-minute moves and warned against a hasty trial that might gloss over the responsibility of certain people for Brignol's death.

Mexico

Witness testifies in court that defendant did not shoot journalist Amado Ramírez

(RSF/IFEX) - Salvador Cabrera, one of the five witnesses of the 6 April 2007 fatal shooting of Televisa correspondent Amado Ramírez in Acapulco, in the southern state of Guerrero, told an Acapulco court on 15 November that the accused killer, Genaro Vázquez Durán, was not the person who shot him.

Iran

One journalist held incommunicado in south, three others get prison sentences in north; Kurdish journalist begins hunger strike

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrest of Abolfazl Abedini Nasr of the weekly "Bahar Khozestan" by ministry of intelligence officials in the southern city of Ahvaz on 13 November 2007. It is not known where he is being held. In a separate development, three newspaper journalists have been given prison sentences in the north of the country.

Peru

Radio journalist in Huánuco region hit and threatened by municipal official after broadcasting allegations of mayor's corruption

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 14 November 2007, journalist Jhon Rupay Machaguay was hit and threatened by Gustavo Sotomayor Quipusco, municipal manager of the district of Mariano Dámaso Berún, in the province of Leoncio Prado, Huánuco region, central Peru. Rupay hosts the Radio FM 98 programme "La Verdad en la Noticia".

Peru

Two journalists accused by police of defamation; one of them also convicted of defaming former mayor, ordered to pay damages

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 30 October 2007, journalists José Bazán and Jaime Vásquez Valcárcel were accused of defamation by police officers Ismael Vásquez Colchado and Julio Carrasco Peña, of the Criminal Investigations Division of the National Police. According to the lawsuit, the journalists accused the policemen of being involved in a September 2007 robbery at a company in the Loreto region, northeastern Peru. The plaintiffs are asking for 1 million soles (approx. US$330,000) in damages.

Somalia

Freelance photographer arrested while covering demonstration; NUSOJ expresses grave concern for press freedom

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) expresses its deep concern over the increasing dangers confronted by Somali journalists and the growing clampdown on the operations of the media in Mogadishu.

Turkey

MP faces loss of parliamentary immunity for speaking Kurdish

(BIANET/IFEX) - Hamit Geylani, independent Member of Parliament for Hakkari, has protested attempts to have his parliamentary immunity lifted for speaking Kurdish during the election campaign.

Venezuela

Photographers wounded and media vehicles attacked during fight among students over proposed constitutional reform

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 7 November 2007, photographers Simón Clemente and Julio César Suárez, of the newspaper "2001", and Gustavo Ortiz of the newspaper "El Carabobeño", were wounded while covering the fight between opposing groups of students who either approve of or oppose the constitutional reform proposal, at the main campus of the Central University of Venezuela (Universidad Central de Venezuela, UCV) in Caracas.

Pakistan

Three more journalists arrested; cable distribution of four TV stations restored, but one station forced to censor itself

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders notes that cable TV operators have resumed distribution of the Pakistani television channels Aaj TV and Dawn TV and two foreign news channels, BBC and CNN. The organisation condemns the requirement imposed on Aaj TV to drop two of its talk shows before the resumption of broadcasting was allowed.

Iran

Journalist's sentence reduced from three years to six months; another detained journalist ailing, requires medical treatment

(RSF/IFEX) - On 13 November 2007, an appeal court in Sanandaj, in Iran's Kurdish northwest, reduced journalist Ako Kurdnasab's sentence from three years to six months in prison after it overturned his conviction on a spying charge but upheld his conviction for "trying to overthrow the government by means of journalistic activities."

Spain

Two cartoonists convicted of insulting the Crown, fined heavily

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the conviction of two cartoonists on charges of insulting the Spanish crown in a front-page cartoon in the weekly "El Jueves" in July 2007 that showed Crown Prince Felipe having sex with his wife, Princess Letizia. The court fined cartoonists Guillermo Torres and Mantel Fontdevilla 3,000 euros each.

Paraguay

"ABC Color" journalists threatened; president describes critical media as "enemy of the country"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has deplored the "outrageous" charge by President Nicanor Duarte Frutos that opposition media were "enemies of the country" and expressed concern about growing intimidation of local media outlets in the run-up to national elections scheduled for April 2008.

United States / China

Yahoo! settles lawsuit by families of jailed Chinese cyber-dissidents

(RSF/IFEX) - On 14 November 2007, Reporters Without Borders hailed the announcement that the United States Internet company Yahoo! has settled a Californian lawsuit brought by the families of journalist Shi Tao and pro-democracy activist and blogger Wang Xiaoning, who were convicted and imprisoned on information which Yahoo! gave the Chinese authorities.

Zimbabwe

Editor pleads not guilty to charges of practicing journalism without a licence

(MISA/IFEX) - The trial of Bright Chibvuri, the editor of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) magazine, "The Worker", which was scheduled to continue in the southwestern border town of Plumtree on 5 November 2007, was postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing strike by some of the country's magistrates.

Peru

Radio stations and journalists threatened, harassed in La Joya and Otuzco

(IPYS/IFEX) - Radio stations and their journalists in two different regions of Peru have recently been threatened or harassed for attempting to cover news in their areas.

International

CAPSULE REPORT: Artists and arts still censored by authorities, religious institutions, society

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 13 November 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Canada

In defamation case, Ontario Appeals Court affirms media's right to publish in public interest

(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is a 14 November 2007 CJFE press release:

Zimbabwe

Chair of media commission retained despite bias against publisher applying for licence

(MISA/IFEX) - The government has controversially retained Dr. Tafataona Mahoso as the chairperson of the restructured state-controlled Media and Information Commission (MIC) which will look into the Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe's (ANZ) application to be duly licensed despite court findings on his bias against the publishing company.

Nepal

Twenty-five journalists arrested during peaceful demonstration

(FNJ/IFEX) - Police interfered and arrested 25 journalists at a demonstration organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Kathmandu chapter from the Southern Gate of Singhadurbar, Nepal Government's Secretariat, on 15 November 2007, at 9:30 a.m. (local time).

International

End culture of "government snooping" on media, says IFJ, as survey backs concern over protection of sources

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

Peru

Journalist in Chiclayo receives death threat after report on police officer; woman reporter assaulted in Tingo María

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 7 and 10 November 2007, journalist Víctor Balcázar Porras received two e-mailed death threats. The threats also targeted his family and warned the journalist that he is being followed. Balcázar Porras works for "Destape" magazine and is the director of the http://www.destape.net website. He told IPYS that the threats were sent after he reported on the website that police officer Carlos Valencia Aguirre had beaten his wife. The news was also reported by other media outlets. The incident took place in Chiclayo, Lambayeque region, northwestern Peru.

Turkey

Two Trabzon police officers who knew about plot to murder journalist are charged with abuse of authority

(RSF/IFEX) - Two police officers in the north eastern city of Trabzon have been charged in connection with their failure to report what they knew about plans to kill Hrant Dink, the Turkish-Armenian editor of the weekly "Agos", prior to his murder in Istanbul in January 2007, the Turkish press reported on 8 November. Most people on trial for Dink's murder are from Trabzon.

Peru

Journalist accuses Wari mayor of organising murder attempt

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 11 November 2007, journalist José Ramírez, a contributor to the newspaper "La Primera", reported having been ambushed earlier the same day on the Wari district's main road by a group of officials of that district, including the mayor, Edward Vizcarrra Zorrilla. The incident took place when he was returning from a commission hearing.

Malaysia

Tamil daily's photojournalist in coma after beating; colleague receives death threat for critical reporting

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Two journalists from a local Tamil daily, "Malaysia Nanban", have recently been the victims of either physical violence or death threats, allegedly over their work, reports local media watchdog Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).

Nepal

Police officer threatens to kill journalist who exposed corruption

(FNJ/IFEX) - R. K. Patel, correspondent of Radio Birgunj "Prateek daily", published from Birgunj, was threatened to be killed by Prasani Kishori Yadav, a police officer working in Amarpatti Police Post at Birgunj, a district headquarters of Parsa, located in the central region of Nepal, on 13 November 2007.

Algeria

Journalist held overnight in police station following publication of article about links between security forces and organised crime

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrest of Noureddine Boukraa, the national daily "Ennahar"'s bureau chief in the city of Annaba (600 km east of Algiers), who was detained on 12 November 2007 in connection with an article about alleged corruption within the local security services and was held overnight.

Russia

Authorities shutter "Novaya Gazeta"'s Samara edition

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

Somalia

Two more radio stations shut down for "coverage undermining the government"

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

Colombia

CAPSULE REPORT: Working conditions, "the main obstacle to press freedom", reveals survey of journalists

(CESO-IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated 5 November 2007 CESO-IFJ press release:

International

Council of Europe delays finalising access to information convention to resolve weaknesses in draft

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 13 November 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Turkey

Editor on trial again for "breaching secrecy"

(BIANET/IFEX) - Faruk Cakir, editor-in-chief of the "Yeni Asya" newspaper, is to be tried for two articles entitled "Council of State to Expand Case" and "Investigation of Council of State is Being Expanded". He is accused of violating the secrecy of an investigation.

Kyrgyzstan

Loss of government funding will lead to closure of state-run newspapers in Batken region, diminish free expression, says Adil Soz

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The following is a joint statement by Adil Soz and newspaper journalists and editors in Batken region regarding the authorities' intention to stop funding state-run newspapers:

Mexico

Circulation obstructed of "Proceso" magazine edition containing investigation of former First Lady's business dealings

(CEPET/IFEX) - Issues of the 28 October 2007 edition of "Proceso" magazine disappeared from the stands in the state of Guanajuato after a few individuals bought up almost all the copies of the publication, in an apparently concerted effort to prevent the public from reading the magazine's cover story, entitled "The Bribiesca towers". The story is about the business dealings of former first lady Marta Sahagún - Vicente Fox's wife - and her sons with a Guanajuato-based businessman. Guanajuato is a state located in central Mexico.

International

Oslo-based radio station Democratic Voice of Burma wins Norwegian PEN's Ossietzky Prize for free expression

(PEN/IFEX) - The following is a 13 November 2007 Norwegian PEN press release:

Mexico

Tamaulipas State Electoral Council orders media to "abstain from defaming" candidates, parties during local elections

(CEPET/IFEX) - The Tamaulipas State Electoral Council issued a ruling ordering media to abstain from disseminating campaign publicity that defames or slanders candidates, political parties and institutions, or that incites violence, during the elections for local mayors and state legislative representatives scheduled for 11 November 2007. The Council's decision is in itself a form of prior censorship, despite the fact that it also referred to freedom of expression as a fundamental right.

Azerbaijan

Detained journalist risks up to six years' imprisonment if charged, says CPJ

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

Angola

Newspaper editor released provisionally pending outcome of appeal

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders welcomes the provisional release on 9 November 2007 of Felisberto da Grâça Campos, the editor of the weekly "Semanario Angolense", pending the outcome of his appeal against the eight-month sentence he received on 3 October on charges of defaming, insulting and denigrating a former minister.

Rwanda

Woman journalist is cleared of genocide charges and released after 11 years in detention

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has learned with great relief that Tatiana Mukakibibi, a former presenter and producer with state-owned Radio Rwanda, was finally acquitted of genocide charges by a "gacaca" popular tribunal in the southern district of Ruhango on 6 November 2007 after 11 years in pre-trial detention. Aged 42, Mukakibibi was reunited with her family on 10 November.

Venezuela

Three media outlets accused of inciting violence, social destabilization; journalists assaulted in Mérida

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 9 November 2007, Globovisión television station was accused of inciting the public to commit violence through their coverage of the violent acts against journalists and students during a 7 November march against the constitutional reform. The accusation was filed at the Public Prosecutor's Office by a member of Venezuela's United Socialist Party (Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela, PSUV), Adán Navas, and several pro-government students of the School of Social Work of Venezuela's Central University (Universidad Central, UCV).

China

Government crackdown on "fake" journalists ahead of Olympics a pretext to block critical reporters, says CPJ

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

Bolivia

Five journalists assaulted by drunken youths in Sucre; RSF objects to president's comments about the press

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF firmly condemns attacks on five journalists on 9 November 2007 by opponents of a constituent assembly sitting in Sucre. Claims by President Evo Morales in the past few days that "the media" are systematically opposing his government are all the more regrettable, the organisation noted, as the victims of the violence are employed by both state and privately-owned media.

Malaysia

Thousands in rare rally call for electoral reforms; with mainstream media bound, Internet tells their stories

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Thousands of Malaysians overcame barriers both natural and man-made to join a rare rally in capital city Kuala Lumpur on the afternoon of 10 November 2007, to petition to the Agong (Supreme Monarch), Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, calling for free and fair elections.

Burma

Member of banned comedy group released from prison

(Mizzima/IFEX) - After more than a month in Mandalay's Ohbo prison, Par Par Lay is a free person again. Burmese authorities released the prominent comedian on 30 October 2007.

Senegal

Authorities release four journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders welcomes the release on 9 November 2007 of all of the four journalists imprisoned in Senegal - Moussa Guèye, the editor of the privately-owned daily "L'Exclusif", Pape Moussa Doukar, one of his employees, Pape Moussa Gaye, the editor of the privately-owned daily "Le Courrier du Jour", and El Malick Seck, the editor of the news website http://www.Rewmi.com.

Somalia

Army unit raids privately-owned radio station, orders its immediate closure

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders firmly condemns the arbitrary closure of Mogadishu's embattled Radio Shabelle by the security forces on 12 November 2007, as a major sweep got under way against Islamist insurgents in the nearby Bakara market.

Venezuela

Reporters assaulted while covering protests in Barquisimeto against constitutional reform

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 7 November, "El Informador" newspaper journalist Gerardo Morón, was beaten by a group of hooded persons when he covered the march which had been organized by university students in Barquisimeto, state of Lara, to protest against the constitutional reform.

India

Media access to West Bengal's Nandigram area curtailed; IFJ deplores intimidation of journalists

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

Pakistan

27 IFEX members express concern about state of emergency measures against the media during political crisis

(PPF/IFEX) - The following is a letter from PPF and 26 other IFEX members to President Pervez Musharraf:

Venezuela

Electoral Council interferes with broadcast of publicity about proposed constitutional reform

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 18 October 2007, the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral, CNE) opened administrative proceedings against Globovisión television station because, according to the CNE, Globovisión had broadcast 12 advertisements about the proposed constitutional reform prior to the CNE's 24 October ruling on the frequency with which such advertisements could be broadcast. The penalties for this misdemeanor may include a prison sentence and fines of up to US$15,000. The electoral body has still not made a decision about the case.

United Arab Emirates

Court overturns journalists' convictions on libel charges; website owner fined, given suspended sentence

(RSF/IFEX) - On 8 November 2007, Reporters Without Borders welcomed a Dubai appeal court's decision to overturn the convictions of Shimba Kassiril Ganjadahran, the former editor of the English-language "Khaleej Times", and one of his reporters, Mohsen Rashed, on charges of libel. The two journalists had been sentenced on 24 September to two months in prison for a story about a Dubai woman's lawsuit against her husband that led to his imprisonment.

Yemen

Journalist faces possible death penalty over photos "liable to undermine army morale"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has urged the authorities to stop the prosecution of Abdulkarim Al-Khaiwani, a freelance journalist and former editor of the now closed weekly "Al-Shoura", on a charge of "publishing information liable to undermine army morale" under article 126 of the criminal code, for which the maximum penalty is death.

Pakistan

Police raid press club in Sindh province; journalists and activists unite in protests

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

Venezuela

Computer stolen from "New York Times" correspondent's home

(IPYS/IFEX) - Between 20 and 21 October 2007, a number of unidentified persons entered the home of journalist Simón Romero, a "New York Times" correspondent in Venezuela, and stole a computer that contained a number of documents connected to his work. The motive for the theft is unknown, but common delinquency has been ruled out as neither money nor other valuables were taken from the house which is located in the municipality of Chacao, in Caracas.

Azerbaijan

Editor assaulted, detained pending trial for "causing minor bodily harm" and "hooliganism"; distribution of "Khural" newspaper prevented

(IRFS/IFEX) - On 11 November 2007, at the Yasamal District Court, presided by judge Tahir Ismayilov, a hearing on the pre-trial detention of "Azadlig" newspaper's chief editor Genimet Zahid was conducted. Zahid was brought to the court at about 8 p.m. (local time). At the end of the over one-hour long court process, which was closed to everyone except for Zahid's lawyers, Rashid Hajili and Osman Kazimov, Zahid was sentenced to two months pre-trial detention. During the hearing, none of the defence lawyers' petitions was granted. While leaving the court, Zahid told bystanders that his arrest had been ordered by the government and was politically-motivated.

Egypt

Jailed blogger tortured after uncovering case of corruption inside prison

(HRinfo/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights information and Hisham Mubarak Centre for Law has sent a communiqué to the Egyptian Prosecutor-General, demanding that he investigate the torture of Karim Amer. Karim, an Egyptian blogger sentenced to prison for four years for "vilifying religions" and "defaming" the president, was tortured on the order and under the supervision of an investigation officer in Borg Alarab prison. Karim was also ordered into a solitary cell, where he was assaulted again and had one of his teeth broken. This incident came on the day marking one year since Karim was sent to jail.

Pakistan

"Daily Telegraph" journalists ordered out of country after editorial criticising emergency rule

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is 10 November 2007 IFJ media release:

Tunisia

Human rights defenders prevented from attending overseas conference

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an 11 November 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Turkey

Government ban on broadcasts about PKK attack overturned; prime minister criticises decision

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Union of Judges and Prosecutors (YARSAV) has reacted to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's comments on the decision by the State Council's 13th Chamber to stop the ban on broadcasts relating to the 21 October 2007 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) attack in Daglica, Hakkari, calling the prime minister's comments "lacking in legal judgement, deliberate and extremely unfortunate".

Malaysia

Government tells media not to report on rally for electoral reforms

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Malaysian authorities have instructed the local media not to give coverage to a rally calling for free and fair elections, to be held on 10 November 2007 in the capital city Kuala Lumpur, reports the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), a SEAPA partner in Malaysia. [Editor's note: the rally took place on 10 November and was broken up by police.]

Croatia / International

Journalists summoned to international court for publishing allegedly confidential information on war crimes trial

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 November 2007 IFJ media release:

Georgia

Four television journalists beaten by police; CPJ urges government to lift news restrictions, allow Imedi and Kavkaziya TV stations to reopen

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

China

Police disrupt "Economist" reporter's interview with demobilised soldiers and question him

(RSF/IFEX) - On 6 November 2007, two plainclothes police officers disrupted an interview with demobilised soldiers by "Economist" reporter James Miles and his assistant Jin Dan from the British weekly's Beijing bureau in Yantai, Shandong province, eastern China. The two had been followed by an unmarked car as soon as they arrived in Yantai the previous day. Two police officers who had been watching them from the start of the two-hour interview with the three veterans then interrupted them and said they were from the Immigration Bureau, and asked to see the British journalist's passport. Once at his hotel, Miles showed them his passport and press card when five other police officers arrived. He was questioned about the interview and the police officer asked to see documents handed over by the veterans, which the journalists refused. Police did not insist and then left.

Iran

Supreme Court upholds death sentence for Kurdish journalist; decision should be "taken very seriously," says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the death sentence for Kurdish-Iranian journalist Adnan Hassanpour for "spying." The ruling was issued on 22 October 2007, but was not revealed until this week.

Pakistan

Un photographe blessé par la police de Rawalpindi; un autre du journal "Nation" arrêté; des journalistes interdits d'accès au club de presse de Peshawar

(RSF/IFEX) - Les mesures répressives prises par le gouvernement et l'armée depuis le 3 novembre 2007 visent tout particulièrement les avocats, les juges, les opposants, les militants des droits de l'homme et les journalistes. Cinq photographes et cameramen ont été libérés le 6 novembre à Karachi, dont Imtiaz Alam, journaliste et directeur de l'organisation de défense de la liberté de la presse South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), qui a été détenu pendant plus de 30 heures.

Afghanistan

Three journalists arrested after visiting Taliban-controlled area

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the action of the Afghan authorities in holding three journalists for two days after they visited an area controlled by the Taliban in the south of the country. The three journalists - Abdul Wadood Hejran of the privately-owned TV station Ariana, Aziz Ahmad Tassal of the journalists' organisation IWPR and BBC stringer Aziz Ahmad Shafe - were arrested on 7 November 2007. They were freed on 9 November after the Information Ministry intervened on their behalf. They had gone to the Musa Qala district in Helmand province.

Pakistan

Photographer injured by Rawalpindi police; "Nation" photographer arrested; journalists denied access to Peshawar press club

(RSF/IFEX) - The crackdown launched by the government and army on 3 November 2007 is above all targeting lawyers, judges, opposition politicians, human rights activists and journalists. Five photographers and cameramen were released in Karachi on 6 November, while Imtiaz Alam, a newspaper journalist and head of the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), was released in Lahore after being held for more 30 hours.

Tibet (China)

Advocate of religious freedoms convicted of subversion; children detained for pro-Dalai Lama graffiti beaten, released

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

Germany

Proposed amendment to telecommunications law threatens journalists' ability to protect sources' confidentiality

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an 8 November 2007 IPI press release:

Nepal

Murdered journalist's body found

(FNJ/IFEX) - The body of murdered journalist Birendra Kumar Shah was found at around 2:00 p.m. (local time) on 8 November 2007 in Dumarwana village, near Tangiya colony in Bara district, about 160 kilometres south of Kathmandu.

Philippines

Politician, his wife and daughter assault radio journalist in broadcast booth

(CMFR/IFEX) - A radio journalist claimed that he was attacked in his broadcast booth by a local politician, his wife and their daughter on 24 October 2007 in Compostela Valley. The broadcaster was on air at the time. Compostela Valley is a province approximately 900 kilometres south of Manila.

Sri Lanka

Villagers assault TV crew after alleged incitement by police officer; opposition leader admonishes reporter for not publishing statement

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is an 8 November 2007 FMM press release:

Mongolia

Security guard confiscates journalist's videotape

(Globe International/IFEX) - During an investigation of Darkhan Aimag's water-filtering plant, Orkhon TV journalist Munkhtur Damdinbazar's car was stopped by a guard from the security company Darkhan SB, who ordered him to hand over his videotape.

Mauritania

Editor of "al-Aqsa" jailed for one year in "poorly conducted" trial, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the outcome of the trial of Abdel Fattah Ould Abeidna, managing editor of the privately-owned paper "al-Aqsa", sentenced, on 7 November 2007, to one year in jail for "false accusation" of a businessman whom he accused him without proof of being a drug-trafficker.

Philippines

Two radio broadcasters escape ambush

(CMFR/IFEX) - A gunman riding pillion on a motorcycle shot at two "block time" radio broadcasters after they emerged from their radio station on 25 October 2007 in Digos, Davao del Sur, a province approximately 680 kilometres south of Manila. The Philippines had its baranggay (village) elections on 29 October.

Colombia

Community radio station journalist threatened in Coveñas; IFJ concerned about authorities' lack of action

(CESO-IFJ/IFEX) - On 6 November 2007, at 10:30 a.m. (local time), after she finished her programme on Sensación Estéreo community radio station, journalist Olga Bru received two threatening phone calls warning her she would be sorry if she stayed in the Caribbean coastal town of Coveñas, located in the department of Sucre.

Iran

One journalist imprisoned, two publications suspended

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders regrets that Iran continues to snub appeals from the international community on human rights, as one journalist was imprisoned and two publications suspended.

Peru

Journalists threatened by coca growers' leader, ask for protection

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 5 November 2007, twelve journalists from the town of Tocache, in San Martín region, northeastern Peru, asked the local government for protection and filed a complaint with the Provincial Prosecutor's Office after receiving threats. Sergio Gonzáles Zapata, head of the coca growers' association "Saúl Guevara Díaz", apparently threatened the journalists during an association meeting held in advance of a strike which began on 2 November. The leader accused the reporters of misinforming the public and urged the farmers who were at the meeting to attack them.

Senegal

Journalist arrested for allegedly offending president; another faces defamation charges after publishing book accusing national lottery employees of embezzlement

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 7 November 2007 IFJ media release:

Georgia

Government bans non-state news broadcasts; police beat journalists, ombudsman; television stations raided, shut

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

Palestine

Hamas imposes restrictions on journalists in Gaza Strip; authorities make arrests in West Bank

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has strongly protested against new restrictions imposed by Hamas on journalists in the Gaza Strip and the arrest of two journalists working for Hamas-run television by security forces controlled by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

Pakistan

World Editors Forum board member arrested in Lahore, taken to undisclosed location during crackdown

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a 7 November 2007 WAN press release:

Pakistan

Media mogul receives death threats by Taliban for publishing photographs of women

(PPF/IFEX) - The All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) have condemned the intimidation and threats directed against Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, owner and chief executive of Jang Group, the country's largest media group. Rahman is the chairman of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and former president of APNS and CPNE.

Afghanistan

Murder investigation stalled five months after death of community radio director Zakia Zaki

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

Burma

Internet service restored but access slow

(Mizzima/IFEX) - Internet service has been restored in Burma but access is at a snail's pace. The service, which has been sporadic since the September protests, is again accessible, but Internet surfers in Burma said they are forced to wait hours before they are able to send an e-mail.

Pakistan

Journalists boycott government functions in defiance of crackdown

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 November 2007 IFJ media release:

Mongolia

Globe launches project to draft laws protecting journalists' sources, decriminalising defamation

(Globe International/IFEX) - The following is a 6 November 2007 Globe International press release:

Iraq

Abducted reporter freed

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 November 2007 CPJ press release:

Chile

AMARC welcomes proposed community radio bill but calls for some modifications to address significant deficiencies

(AMARC/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 2 November 2007 AMARC press release:

Syria

Leftist leader faces life in prison for peacefully expressing his opinion

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 7 November 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Tunisia

President's 20-year rule a textbook case of press censorship, says RSF

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

Poland

Two newspaper editors to be held in police custody for 48 hours prior to libel trial

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned legislation that enabled a Warsaw court on 30 October 2007 to order that the editor of the national weekly "Gazeta Polska", Tomasz Sakiewicz, and his deputy, Katarzyna Hejke, should be held in police custody for two days prior to the start of a libel trial on 14 December in order, the court said, to ensure they attend.

Sri Lanka

Photojournalists from non-State media prevented from covering budget speech

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

International

CAPSULE REPORT: SEEMO alarmed at deteriorating press freedom situation in several countries in the region

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 6 November 2007 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Netherlands

News agency's computer system hacked by civil servants; IPI calls for independent investigation

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 6 November 2007 IPI press release:

Malawi

Joy TV station ordered to stop broadcasting

(MISA/IFEX) - On 29 October 2007, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) ordered Joy TV to immediately stop all television broadcasts until the station is issued appropriate radio and broadcasting licenses.

Sudan

Journalists and human rights defenders repeatedly summoned to national security services offices

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 6 November 2007 press release:

Venezuela

Journalist wounded by explosion, cameraman assaulted by opponents of constitutional reform proposed by President Chávez

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 25 October 2007, Ávila TV television station journalist Paulina Moreno was wounded by an explosive device while she was covering a forum about the constitutional reform proposed by President Hugo Chávez, held at the Caracas Pedagogical Institute. The constitutional proposal will be voted on in a national referendum in December. Ávila TV belongs to the Caracas municipal council and is considered pro-government in its editorial line.

Australia

Report shows free speech under attack

(MEAA/IFEX) - The following is a 5 November 2007 MEAA media release:

Peru

Radio station threatened with arson, destruction of broadcasting tower; station suspects mayor involved

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 28 and 29 October 2007, the manager of Radio Panorama, Armandina Casafranca Montes, reported to IPYS that unidentified individuals phoned the radio station and threatened to burn and destroy its broadcasting tower situated on the San José hill, in the city of Andahuaylas in the Apurímac region, southeastern Peru.

Senegal

Third journalist arrested in a month as government sets police on its press critics

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called for the immediate release of Pape Amadou Gaye, the publisher of the privately-owned daily "Le Courrier du Jour", and said it would like an explanation for a sudden wave of arrests of journalists for "insulting the president." Detained by plain-clothes police on 1 November 2007, Gaye was charged and placed in pre-trial detention on 6 November.

Nepal

Journalists threatened with death, attacked by Maoists in Rukum district

(FNJ/IFEX) - Maoists threatened and attacked three journalists in Rukum in response to news published recently in the local weekly "Jantidhara".

Azerbaijan

Newspaper editor sentenced to two and a half years in prison for articles about police

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

Mexico

Journalists from cultural publication accosted, one of them brutally beaten by police officers in Cuernavaca

(CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is a 1 November 2007 CENCOS press release:

United States

University of Johannesburg professor denied entry to US, FXI denounces "ideological exclusion" preventing critical debate among academics

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is a 6 November 2007 FXI press release:

Turkey

"Cumhuriyet" newspaper dismisses writer after he criticises draft constitution, urges peaceful resolution of Kurdish conflict, on television

(BIANET/IFEX) - Journalist and writer Erdogan Aydin has been dismissed from the "Cumhuriyet" newspaper after taking part in a discussion programme on Roj television station recently.

Pakistan

BBC and AFP correspondents, ARY television staff and relatives among dozens arrested, attacked in media crackdown

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF firmly condemns a crackdown by the security forces on the privately-owned news media. Dozens of journalists have been detained, attacked or prevented from working. Transmission equipment has been seized from several broadcast media. New regulations on newspapers and broadcast media promulgated on 3 November 2007 are a death warrant for some of the privately-owned TV and radio news stations that emerged in recent years.

Iraq

CPJ urges Kurdish leaders to investigate recent assaults on journalists, remove vague prohibitions from press bill

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 November 2007 CPJ press release:

Pakistan

Five journalists among nine people arrested in Karachi for protesting police raid on largest newspaper group

(PPF/IFEX) - Police in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, raided and threatened to seal the printing press of the Jang Group, Pakistan's largest media house, on 5 November 2007, after the management refused to follow verbal orders from government officials to stop printing the daily "Awam", one of the group's evening newspapers.

Azerbaijan

As elections approach, 27 IFEX members urge president to allow erection of memorial to slain journalist

(IRFS/IFEX) - The following is a joint letter from 27 IFEX members to President Ilham Aliyev:

Azerbaijan

In letter to US State Department official, IRFS warns of mounting pressure against media and increasingly dangerous work environment for journalists

(IRFS/IFEX) - The following is a 2 November 2007 IRFS letter to U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried:

Turkey

Confidentiality of journalists' sources targeted in ongoing crackdown

(BIANET/IFEX) - The following is a 2 November 2007 BIANET capsule report:

France

RSF notes its concern about threats to press freedom as Europe marks "Stand up for Journalism" day

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

Nepal

Abducted journalist murdered, reveal Maoists after national protests by FNJ; two journalists injured, one seriously

(FNJ/IFEX) - Maoists have finally admitted that their cadres kidnapped and killed FNJ member Birendra Shah, who had been missing since 5 October 2007. A report of the Maoist committee investigating the abduction was released at a press conference held on 5 November; it states that journalist Shah was killed on the same day of his abduction.

Burma

Top UN diplomat threatened with expulsion following release of mildly critical statement

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 2 November 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Pakistan

Draconian curbs imposed on media following state of emergency declaration

(PPF/IFEX) - Draconian curbs were imposed on the Pakistani media as part of the state of emergency declared by President General Pervez Musharraf on 3 November 2007.

United Kingdom

IFJ supports UK health service whistleblower facing disciplinary action for talking to magazine about health policy

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 November 2007 IFJ media release:

Algeria

Controversial book by independent journalist banned

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 November 2007 IFJ media release:

United States / China

Yahoo! to testify before Congress: a chance for transparency and accountability on business practices in China, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has asked Yahoo! to take advantage of the 6 November 2007 Congress hearing to set the record straight on the company's collaboration with the Chinese authorities. Congress is investigating sworn statements Yahoo! made during a February 2006 Congress hearing regarding its role in cyberdissident Shi Tao's arrest and conviction on a charge of "illegally divulging state secrets abroad," for which he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Honduras

Suspect in radio journalist's murder arrested, released and then re-arrested

(RSF/IFEX) - Germán David Almendárez Amador was arrested for the second time on 28 October 2007 on suspicion of fatally shooting journalist and comedian Carlos Salgado of Radio Cadena Voces on 18 October. Aged 29, Almendárez had been arrested two days earlier, but was released a few hours later for lack of evidence.

Brazil

State prosecutor threatens to shut down Google subsidiary over offensive content

(RSF/IFEX) - On 2 November 2007, RSF secretary-general Robert Ménard wrote to the Sao Paulo state prosecutor, Rodrigo Cesar Rebello Pinho, asking him to safeguard freedom of speech on 13 November, when an attempt at conciliation between the Brazilian judicial authorities and Google's Brazilian subsidiary is due to take place.

Turkey

Labour Party politician convicted for allegedly "praising a crime and criminals"

(BIANET/IFEX) - After saying, "The death of soldiers, and the death of Kurdish martyrs pains us", Tunceli's Province Chair of the Labour Party (EMEP), Hüseyin Tunc, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, converted into a 1,500 YTL fine (approx. 1,260 US$).

Turkey

Student on trial for threatening publisher with death over coverage of Dink killing

(BIANET/IFEX) - Necati Abay, publisher and spokesperson for the Platform of Solidarity with Imprisoned Journalists, wrote an article entitled "Another Journalist Has Been Murdered, the 'Good Kids' killed Hrant Dink" shortly after Dink's murder on 19 January 2007.

Honduras

Radio station director, television reporter flee country following death threats

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - Dagoberto Rodríguez, director of Radio Cadena Voces (RCV) radio station, fled the country with his family on 1 November 2007 after being informed by police that a death squad intended to kill him within 72 hours.

Nepal

Journalist assaulted, her mother and brother injured, after covering school dispute in Baglung district

(FNJ/IFEX) - Bhasa Sharma, treasurer of FNJ's Baglung district chapter, was attacked by a group of youths led by Khim Bahadur Purja, of Sukhaura village, Baglung district, in central Nepal, on 23 October 2007. The group broke into Sharma's house at night and beat her. They also attacked her with a "khukuris" - a sharp weapon. Her mother, Harimaya Sharma, and brother, Pawan, sustained injuries in the assault.

Sri Lanka

Draft legislation prohibiting news reporting on proposed military operations withdrawn

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 31 October 2007 FMM press release:

Burma

Internet access once again cut off

(Mizzima/IFEX) - After about two weeks of slow Internet line recovery, users in Rangoon said on 1 November 2007 that access to the World Wide Web has been cut off once again.

Mongolia

Parliamentary security guard deletes photographs from journalist's camera

(Globe International/IFEX) - A parliamentary security guard has violated the freedom of the media by trying to censor a reporter's work.

Haiti

Prominent journalist receives death threats

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

Iran

Journalist Ali Farahbakhsh released on "conditional bail"

(WiPC/IFEX) - International PEN's Writers in Prison Committee welcomes the release of journalist Ali Farahbakhsh on 9 October 2007, although remains concerned that he has not been fully acquitted. PEN reiterates its calls for his full and unconditional release, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Iran is a signatory.

Colombia

Government tries to suspend security measures for journalist despite recent murder contract and paramilitary threats

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is concerned about the continuing threats to Claudia Julieta Duque, a UNICEF consultant and correspondent of Radio Nizkor (a station operated by the human rights group Equipo Nizkor), and about government doubts as to whether she should continue to receive special protection.

Guinea

Editor and newspaper suspended for one month following publication of article that is "likely to affect the honour of the army"

(MFWA/IFEX) - On October 2007, Mady Conde, associate managing editor of "La Nouvelle", a bi-monthly independent Conakry-based newspaper, was banned from engaging in any journalistic activity for one month by the National Communication Council (CNC), a media regulatory authority.

Russia

Prosecutors open probe into 2003 death of Moscow reporter

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

Mexico

Federal officials drop parallel investigation of US journalist's murder despite evidence army-issued weapons were used

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 October 2007 CPJ letter to President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa:

Niger

Newspaper editor charged with criminal association, transferred to Agadez prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Ibrahim Manzo Diallo, the editor of "Aïr Info", a privately-owned fortnightly paper, based in the northern city of Agadez, was charged on 29 October 2007 with "criminal association" and was placed in pre-trial detention in Agadez prison, where he is being held with common criminals. No date has been set for a trial as the case is still being investigated, his lawyer said.

Colombia

Magazine director receives fourth death threat in one month

(CESO-IFJ/IFEX) - "La Verdad" magazine director Pedro Antonio Cárdenas, whose daughter was the target of an attempted kidnapping on 24 October 2007, received another death threat on 29 October at 10:49 a.m (local time). A male voice told him to remember that both Cárdenas and his family were military targets. This is the fourth death threat that the journalist has received in October.

Niger

Newspaper editor receives threatening phone call

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 26 October 2007, Hamadou Boulama, editor-in-chief of "Alternative", a bi-monthly Niamey-based independent newspaper, received an anonymous phone call in the newspaper's office, threatening his life.

Kazakhstan

Several opposition newspapers harassed by authorities

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech "Adil Soz" expresses its deep concern over the recent mass repression against independent media in Kazakhstan. Websites http://www.zonakz.net, http://www.geo.kz, http://www.kompromat.kz and internet radio station http://www.inkar.info remain blocked since 23 October 2007. The website http://www.kub.kz was removed from the Kazakh segment of the internet without justification (see IFEX alert of 30 October 2007).

Democratic Republic of Congo

Onze journalistes brièvement interpellés et battus par la police pour avoir tenté de couvrir une manifestation de l'opposition à Kinshasa

(JED/IFEX) - Onze journalistes travaillant pour divers médias à Kinshasa ont été brièvement interpellés et battus, mardi 30 octobre 2007 vers 11H00 (heure locale) à Kinshasa/Kasa-Vubu, par la police nationale alors qu'ils tentaient de couvrir une manifestation "non autorisée" de l'opposition.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Eleven journalists briefly detained and beaten by police for covering opposition demonstration in Kinshasa

(JED/IFEX) - Eleven journalists working for various media outlets in Kinshasa were briefly detained and beaten, on 30 October 2007, in Kinshasa/Kasa-Vubu, by the police while covering an "unauthorised" demonstration of the opposition.

Guatemala

"El Periódico" journalists receive death threats for investigating Patriot Party members' alleged ties to organised crime

(APG/IFEX) - Since 24 October 2007, journalists Enrique Castañeda and Hilda Mérida, of the morning newspaper "El Periódico", have been receiving death threats. They believe the threats are in response to an investigation they have been carrying out in recent weeks of members of the Patriot Party (Partido Patriota, PP) who have been publicly linked to organised crime in the country. The PP's candidate for the presidency, General Otto Pérez Molina, is competing in the run-off election scheduled for 4 November.

Sri Lanka

Journalist shot and wounded; website receives threats following politician's critical speech

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

Spain

Editor of closed newspaper financially ruined by court rulings on Partido Popular politicians' lawsuits

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the court decisions that forced the weekly "La Realidad" to close in 2001, brought its editor, Patxi Ibarrondo, to financial ruin and helped to destroy his health. The court rulings were issued on libel lawsuits filed by representatives of the conservative Popular Party (Partido Popular, PP) in the northern region of Cantabria.

Azerbaijan

Outspoken editor Eynulla Fatullayev sentenced to eight and a half years in prison

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

Peru

Court agrees to hear IPYS action against Congress for violating transparency and access to public information laws

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 24 October 2007, Lima's 37th Civil Court agreed to hear the habeas data action filed by IPYS against Peru's Congress after the Congress refused to hand over a copy of the records of a secret plenary session it held on 6 September.

El Salvador

Journalists assaulted by police and demonstrators during clashes in Santa Ana department

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - Three journalists have been assaulted during clashes between the police and local residents in the Santa Ana department.

Zimbabwe

Charges against journalist Gift Phiri dropped

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN welcomes the acquittal of The Zimbabwean reporter Gift Phiri, who had been on trial since April 2007 for working as a journalist without official accreditation and "publishing false news". However concerns remain for the safety of Phiri and a number of other print journalists in Zimbabwe following the recent circulation of a purported government "black list".

Chad

French journalists charged with "kidnapping minors" and "fraud"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced disappointment and dismay on learning that French photo-reporters Marc Garmirian of the Capa news agency and Jean-Daniel Guillou of the Synchro X agency were formally charged, on 29 October 2007, in the eastern city of Abéché with "kidnapping minors" and "fraud" along with members of Arche de Zoé (Zoé's Ark), the French charity whose activities they were covering.

Tibet (China)

Authorities release Tibetan monk jailed 18 years for publishing literature critical of occupation

(PEN/IFEX) - The following is a 29 October 2007 PEN American Center press release:

Sri Lanka

Journalist's twin brother killed in apparent case of mistaken identity

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 27 October 2007 FMM press release:

Cyprus

Protestors threaten journalists over coverage of Kurdish matters

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 October 2007 media release of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Bahrain

Journalist and editor fined in defamation case

(BCHR/IFEX) - On 28 October 2007, the Supreme Criminal Court of Appeals convicted journalist Hesham Al-Zayani and the editor-in-chief of "Akhbar Al-Khaleej" newspaper of smear and defamation against the President of Arabian University, Dr. Rafia Ghabbash. They were fined a liability of BD 1000 (approx. US$2,650) in addition to court fees. The initial conviction was made on the basis of article no. 15 of the 1976 Penal Code and no. 47 of the 2002 Press Code.

Nepal

Journalist deliberately targeted for attack by hooligans

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 23 October 2007, Rameshowr Bohara, special correspondent for "Himal Khabar Patrika", was attacked by a group of hooligans while he was on his way home to celebrate Dashain, a Hindu festival, in Dhodhari village, Bipatpur, located in Baridaya, a mid-western district of Nepal.

Kazakhstan

Government blocks critical websites

(Freedom House/IFEX) - The following is a 25 October 2007 Freedom House press release:

Turkey

Three French journalists temporarily detained at border, their equipment confiscated

(BIANET/IFEX) - Three French journalists were arrested and temporarily detained by Turkish authorities as they attempted to enter northern Iraq through the Habur border gate at around 9:00 a.m. (local time) on 24 October 2007. When one of the journalists refused to hand over his camera, he was treated violently.

Egypt

Journalists convicted amid wave of libel cases

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

Colombia

Government orders media to restrict dissemination of information on security situation during municipal elections

(IFJ/IFEX) - Due to disturbances during the electoral process, the national government issued Decree 3950 on 12 October 2007, containing special measures to "maintain public order". The decree ordered, among other things, that on the day of the municipal elections, which took place on 28 October throughout the country, the media restrict the information it disseminated regarding the state of public order to that information confirmed by national government sources.

Iraq

Young editor of fledgling newspaper murdered in Baghdad

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

Colombia

Journalists attacked by bodyguard in Granada, ex-senator in Bucaramanga and congressman in Cartago

(IFJ/IFEX) - In three separate incidents, journalists in Granada, Bucaramanga and Cartago were physically or verbally attacked recently by politicians or individuals working for them.

Canada

Journalist Stephanie Nolen wins PEN Canada/Paul Kidd Courage Prize

(PEN Canada/IFEX) - The following is a 26 October 2007 PEN Canada press release:

Nigeria

Journalists harassed by governor of northern state for criticising lavish spending

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged by the way governor Ali Modu Sheriff of the northern state of Borno has hounded journalists since mid-October 2007. After criticising his lavish spending, James Garuba of the "Tribune", Michael Olabode of "This day", another privately-owned daily, and several other reporters were arrested twice in a week by the State Security Service (SSS), the main domestic intelligence agency, and then placed under its daily control.

Venezuela

National Assembly approves constitutional reform allowing restrictions on access to information during states of emergency

(RSF/IFEX) - On 25 October 2007, the National Assembly approved, almost unanimously (160 in favour, 7 abstentions), a constitutional reform increasing the president's powers and enabling him to decree an unlimited state of emergency without needing the Supreme Court's approval (article 338).

Chad

Two journalists arrested while covering French association's attempt to fly Darfur orphans to France

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called for the unconditional release of reporter Marc Garmirian of the Capa news agency and photographer Jean-Daniel Guillou of the Synchro X agency, who have been held since 25 October 2007 in the eastern town of Abéché with members of the French association Arche de Zoé (Zoé's Ark) following an abortive attempt to evacuate African children to France. Garmirian and Guillou were just covering this controversial operation as journalists.

Colombia

Photographer and his assistant murdered in Cali

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 21 October 2007, hired killers shot to death photographer Carlos Alberto Jaramillo and his assistant, Julio César García. The crime took place in the neighbourhood of Los Alcázares, in northern Cali, when the journalists were setting off in a car in order to cover a cycling competition. Jaramillo, 50, was shot several times in the face and chest. He died immediately. García, 43, was taken to hospital where he also died.

Egypt

"El-Wafd" journalist receives one-month prison sentence

(HRinfo/IFEX) - On 28 October 2007, yet another Egyptian journalist was sentenced to jail. The Assiut criminal court sentenced Yonis Darwish, an Assiut-based correspondent for the opposition newspaper "El-Wafd", to one month in prison.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Thirty-eight broadcasters banned

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

Pakistan

Producer and reporter for independent television network injured in mortar shell attack in Swat district

(PPF/IFEX) - A producer and a reporter working for Aaj TV, an independent television network, were injured by shrapnel on 28 October 2007, when a rocket landed close to where they were filming clashes between Pakistan's security forces and religious militants, near the town of Mingora, in the Swat district of the North West Frontier Province. Ten militants were killed and thirty five people, including paramilitary soldiers, were injured in the fighting.

Bangladesh

Investigative reporter beaten in custody, sent to prison hospital with injuries

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

China

Detained journalist reportedly beaten by police during interrogation

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

Rwanda

Media group halts publishing in protest over government harassment; plot exposed to arrest journalist on trumped up charges; two journalists facing trial

(Media Institute/IFEX) - Rwanda's biggest independent private media group has suspended publication of its titles citing continued state blackmail and intimidation.

Niger

"Aïr Info" correspondent arrested and placed in custody in Agadez with his editor

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called for the immediate release of Daouda Yacouba of the privately-owned fortnightly "Aïr Info", who was arrested on 25 October 2007 at his home in the northern town of Ingall and was taken to the provincial capital of Agadez. There he was placed in a cell with the newspaper's editor, Ibrahim Manzo Diallo, who was arrested on 9 October. A third Niger journalist, Moussa Kaka, has been held in Niamey since 20 September.

Sri Lanka

Authorities' withdrawal of radio network's broadcasting licence "arbitrary and drastic," says FMM

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

Colombia

Attempted kidnapping of Tolima journalist's daughter in Bogotá; radio station director in Tolima receives death threat

(IFJ/IFEX) - Two men tried to kidnap Nancy Beatriz Cárdenas, daughter of journalist Pedro Antonio Cárdenas, the director of "La Verdad", on 24 October 2007 in southern Bogotá, the Colombian capital. "La Verdad" is a magazine based in the city of Honda, Tolima department, in south-central Colombia. In a separate development, another journalist, José Joaquín Chávez, director of radio station Acción F.M. Estéreo, has been receiving death threats since 18 October, in Anzoátegui, also located in the department of Tolima.

Bangladesh

Investigative reporter detained on dubious charges, allegedly in reprisal for reporting

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

Niger

Media regulatory body threatens to close radio and television stations

(MFWA/IFEX) - The High Communications Council (CSC), the media regulatory body, has threatened to withdraw the licence of any radio or television station that allows journalists to criticise the CSC.

Thailand

Intelligence services tell Burmese media outlet to close temporarily as authorities allegedly plan crackdown on exile organisations

(Mizzima/IFEX) - Thai intelligence services told at least one Burmese media outlet based in Thailand to temporarily close its offices, allegedly because the Thai government is planning to launch a nation-wide crackdown on "illegal" Burmese groups based in Thailand.

Peru

District councilor assaults journalist, accuses him of assault

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 23 October 2007, journalist Carlos Monja Timaná, of the newspaper "El Ciclón", was insulted and slapped by María Yarlaqué Chávez, councilor of the district José Leonardo Ortiz in the Lambayeque region of northern Peru. The councilor surprised the journalist while he was conducting a street interview.

Finland

IPI condemns arrest, detention and trial of photographer over coverage of 2006 police action

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

Bolivia

Six journalists injured in police action in Santa Cruz; "media again the victim of political tensions", says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is concerned by the physical attacks on six journalists at Viru Viru airport in the eastern department of Santa Cruz during an operation on 18 and 19 October 2007 by police and troops to oust demonstrators in the pay of the Santa Cruz government. Public and privately-owned media were again the victims of political tensions and growing violence, especially in Santa Cruz.

Colombia

Two more journalists flee country due to death threats

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

Mexico

Journalist warned of murder plot against him, allegedly organised by mayor

(CEPET/IFEX) - Ernesto de la Cueva Bello, reporter and editor of the cultural section for the state of Mexico edition of the daily newspaper "Milenio", announced in an open letter that he fears for his life after having been informed that the mayor of Metepec, Óscar González Yáñez, has ordered his murder.

Kyrgyzstan

Prominent journalist killed in southern Kyrgyzstan

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

Mexico

Electoral tribunal rules against magazine in one of two lawsuits by political party in Reynosa

(CEPET/IFEX) - A federal electoral court (Tribunal Electoral del Poder Judicial de la Federación, TEPJF) has ordered the magazine "Hora Cero" to abstain from publishing material "that offends or denigrates, or undermines the reputation or dignity" of Gerardo Peña Flores, the National Action Party (Partido Acción Nacional, PAN) candidate for the mayoralty of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, in northeastern Mexico.

Iran

Journalist Emadoldin Baghi subjected to mental and physical mistreatment since arrest

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about the conditions in which journalist Emadoldin Baghi has been held since his arrest on 14 October 2007. Facing new charges of "propaganda against the government" and "publishing secret government documents," he has been subjected to mental and physical mistreatment.

Sri Lanka

Journalist arrested following minister's dubious allegation

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

Niger

Journalists protest state media crackdown

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

Liberia

Judge threatens journalists with contempt charges, jail over coverage

(CEMESP/IFEX) - On 22 October 2007, Chief Justice Johnnie Lewis threatened to imprison journalists for committing such "infractions" as "misspelling his name", "giving him wrong and inappropriate titles" and "attaching his photos to stories that have nothing to do with him in their papers."

Turkey

Government censors coverage of PKK attack to allegedly protect "people's morale and psychology"

(BIANET/IFEX) - The government has cited Article 25 of Law 3984 of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) in order to introduce a broadcasting ban on the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) attacks in the Daglica region of Hakkari in which 13 soldiers died on 21 October 2007. The article is called "Banning of Publications/Broadcasts".

United States

House committee approves Global Online Freedom Act

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders welcomes the 23 October 2007 decision by the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee to approve the proposed Global Online Freedom Act (GOFA). Drafted in February 2006 by a Republican Representative from New Jersey, Christopher Smith, this bipartisan bill would prevent US Internet sector companies from collaborating with repressive governments. It will now go before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Tunisia

Human rights activist prevented from travelling to support Egyptian journalist in trial

(HRinfo/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information has condemned the denial of the right to travel and movement inflicted upon former prisoner of conscience, lawyer Mohamed Abbu by the Tunisian authorities. He was prohibited from travelling to Cairo to attend the trial of Ibrahim Essa, editor in chief of the independent "Aldostur". The trial is set to take place on 24 October 2007.

The Gambia

Journalist, previously detained for alleged espionage, now missing

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 October 2007 IFJ media release:

South Korea

Government cuts Internet connections in press rooms to force reporters into new briefing centres; IPI board member protests press freedom restrictions

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

Bahrain

Three writers for banned Internet site convicted of criminal defamation, fined

(BCHR/IFEX) - On 21 October 2007, the Higher Criminal Court convicted three Bahraini writers of insult and defamation, fined them 200 Bahraini Dinars (approx. US$530) and charged them 51 BD (approx. US$135) in damages, in addition to court fees.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Two journalists beaten on order of government minister

(JED/IFEX) - The following is an abridged open letter from JED to Congolese Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga:

Iraq

Radio Free Europe correspondent missing, likely kidnapped, her driver shot dead

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders said it was extremely worried by the disappearance of an Iraqi correspondent of the United States-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). Her driver's body was found after she went missing on 22 October 2007 in Baghdad. Two RFE/RL correspondents have already been killed since the start of the year.

Burma

Authorities free two more journalists held since September 2007

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association welcome the release of two journalists who were arrested during protests in September 2007.

Somalia

CAPSULE REPORT: Killings, arrests shatter independent media; Human Rights Watch urges transitional government to protect journalists

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 22 October 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Burma

News photographer missing, eight other journalists still detained

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about a news photographer's disappearance and condemned the continuing detention of eight journalists, three of whom were arrested at the beginning of the wave of demonstrations by Buddhist monks and the ensuing crackdown. The organisation fears more arrests.

Pakistan

Several more journalists injured in bomb blasts during rally welcoming former prime minister

(PPF/IFEX) - A cameraman for a local national television channel was killed and at least twelve journalists were injured in bomb blasts in the crowded procession to welcome former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on her return to Karachi, Pakistan after eight years of self imposed exile.

Iraq

Armed group puts bounty on state TV reporter's head

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called on the Iraqi authorities to urgently establish a programme for protecting journalists after an armed group put a price on the head of public TV station Al-Iraqiya's correspondent in Diyala, an eastern province where at least six journalists have been murdered.

Azerbaijan

Authorities refuse to relocate imprisoned journalist despite health risks

(IRFS/IFEX) - Imprisoned satirist and journalist Sakit Zahidov, of "Azadlig" newspaper, was transferred back to Prison No. 14 on 20 October 2007 from the Chief Medical Department of the Justice Ministry's Penitentiary System, Zahidov's wife, Rena, told IRFS. According to her, when she spoke with Zahidov, he vowed he would start a hunger strike immediately if he was transferred back to Prison No. 14.

Turkey

Twelve suspects to face trial in murder of publishing house employees

(BIANET/IFEX) - Twelve suspects, five of whom are in detention, face trial for the 18 April 2007 murder of three employees of a publishing house.

Somalia

Five journalists arrested, one still detained; radio station shut down

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders issued an urgent appeal to the international community for energetic measures towards the Somali government on behalf of the country's journalists after the murder in Mogadishu of Bashir Nur Gedi, the head of the Shabelle press group on 19 October 2007. Gedi is the eighth journalist to be slain this year in Somalia and the third leading media owner to be killed by unidentified gunmen in the capital (see IFEX alert of 19 October 2007).

Somalia

Threatened staff of prominent radio station, "trapped" at office for a week, fear leaving following boss's assassination

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 19 October 2007 CPJ press release:

Somalia

Media executive of prominent radio station assassinated in Mogadishu

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is deeply shocked by the assassination of a media executive of a prominent and popular radio station in Mogadishu.

Azerbaijan

Local authorities in Ganja confiscate edition of newspapers over crime reporting

(IRFS/IFEX) - Journalist Afgan Mukhtarli, who is currently on a work-related trip to the city of Ganja, told IRFS that the 18 October 2007 edition of the newspaper for which he works, "Yeni Musavat", had been banned in Ganja. According to Mukhtarli, all copies of "Yeni Musavat" were confiscated from newspaper kiosks at the order of the head of the Ganja Executive Administration, Eldar Azizov, and the City Police Chief Garib Hasanov. The newspaper edition was banned due to its coverage of recent crimes in Ganja, Mukhtarli said, adding that on 19 October it was back on newsstands.

Pakistan

Cameraman killed in bomb blast during rally to welcome former prime minister Benazir Bhutto

(PPF/IFEX) - A cameraman for a local national television channel was among the 138 people killed in bomb blasts in the crowded procession to welcome former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on her return to Karachi, Pakistan after eight years of self imposed exile. The two bomb blasts that occurred just after midnight on 19 October 2007 also injured a number of journalists who had to be treated for shrapnel wounds.

Colombia

Editor receives death threats, newspaper's offices attacked by protestors in Santa Marta

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 11 October 2007, a group of students from Santa Marta University, protesting a court ruling against the university's former rector, attacked the offices of the newspaper "Hoy Diario del Magdalena". They stoned the building and wrote denunciatory graffiti on its walls. Later, the editor of the newspaper, Ulilo Acevedo Silva, received a new death threat.

Bahrain

Film banned

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Hollywood film "The Kingdom", which explores the "war on terror" through a fictional story happening in Saudi Arabia, has been banned in Bahrain. This act was confirmed by the Publication and Press Directorate of the Ministry on Information without indicating the reasons behind the censorship order.

Thailand

Charges against two Internet users "dropped", but chilling effect on online free expression remains, says SEAPA

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The case against two Internet users who were the first to be charged under Thailand's new Computer-Related Offences Commission Act continue to be shrouded in secrecy as the state prosecutors did not proceed with charges upon the deadline for filing them on 12 October 2007.

Turkey

Various writers, activists, journalists still facing prosecution under Article 301

(BIANET/IFEX) - Despite pressure from the EU and human rights activists internationally and domestically, the prosecution of journalists, writers and activists under the infamous Article 301 continues.

Honduras

Journalist murdered following threats, government harassment of critical radio station

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF feels revulsion at the murder of Carlos Salgado, a satirical journalist on Radio Cadena Voces (RCV), who was shot dead 18 October 2007 in Tegucigalpa.

Nigeria

Publisher arrested, charged with sedition over story critical of governor

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

Pakistan

Journalist shot dead in Karachi, circumstances unclear

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

Azerbaijan

Journalist subjected to further harassment and threats; regional authorities confiscate newspaper following critical reporting

(IRFS/IFEX) - IRFS is extremely concerned by the recent threats against "Yeni Musavat" newspaper's Nakhchivan correspondent, Hakim Eldostu Mehdiyev. Meanwhile, authorities in four regions of Azerbaijan have confiscated all copies of "Bizim Gundem" for four consecutive days.

United States

House of Representatives approves shield law; RSF urges Senate to stand by more ambitious version despite threat of presidential veto

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails a House of Representatives vote on 16 October 2007 approving, by a very large majority, a proposed Free Flow of Information Act that would protect journalists from having to reveal their confidential sources to federal courts.

Algeria

Journalist sentenced to jail; another summoned on defamation charges; a third harassed by authorities for critical reporting

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

Azerbaijan

Magazine editor faces libel suit; journalist seeks asylum for fear of harassment

(IRFS/IFEX) - On 17 October 2007, in the press center of the Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety (IRFS), "Korrupsiya va Jamiyyet" Magazine Chief Editor Mammad Ahmedoglu conducted a press conference on the pressure his publication is facing as well as pending lawsuits. Ahmedoglu said that ethnically Nigerian Great Britain citizen Adeola Agbabiaka filed a lawsuit on 19 September in the Yasamal District Court over the article "Judge's Oath and Appetite", published in the 9th edition of the magazine. The lawsuit was accepted for consideration the same day it was submitted. The plaintiff is seeking the institution of a 300,000 AZN fine (approx. US$353,000) against the publication and the publication of a refutation, and the institution of a criminal case, due to the alleged violation of article 147.2 (libellous accusation about serious or particularly serious crimes) and 148 (insult) of the Republic of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code.

International

Press freedom still facing serious setbacks, says IAPA

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

Burma

Leading comedian and poet Zargana released

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN welcomes the release of poet and comedian Zargana, who is said to be well though exhausted after his three-week detention. Zargana is among many pro-democracy activists reported to have been arrested in the ongoing government crackdown in Burma, including fellow comedian U Par Par Lay, who is believed to remain detained. International PEN reiterates its concern for the safety of Burmese writers and that their works continue to be censored. PEN calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those currently detained in Myanmar in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Chad

Authorities issue state of emergency, including blanket suppression of media

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 October 2007 CPJ press release:

Kosovo (Serbia)

Voice of America female journalist attacked, threatened for "bias in favour of Albanians"

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

Malaysia

Opposition activists risk prosecution for refusing to reveal sources of video behind judicial scandal

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Two opposition activists in Malaysia who made public a video that indicated possible interference in top judicial appointments risk prosecution for refusing to comply with an order to reveal their sources.

Mexico

Guerrero state governor's brother brings defamation case against journalists over article on alleged corruption

(CEPET/IFEX) - On 25 September 2007, Alberto Torreblanca Galindo, brother of the governor of Guerrero state, filed charges of "defamation" and "moral injury" against journalists Ezequiel Flores Contreras, Hugo Pacheco León, Jesús Saavedra Lezama, Mónica Martínez and Teresa de la Cruz, of the newspaper "El Sur".

Peru

Editor, two journalists and a cartoonist convicted of criminal defamation

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 18 September 2007, Judge Haydee Monzón, of the First Criminal Transitory Court of Lima, convicted the editor of the newspaper "La República", Gustavo Mohme Seminario, as well as cartoonist Carlos Tovar Samanez ("Carlín") and journalists Ángel Páez and Edmundo Cruz, of aggravated defamation. The ruling imposes a two-year suspended prison sentence and the payment of 50,000 soles (US$ 16,000) in civil damages to the plaintiff, Gladys Barboza Peña, a career official in the Department of the Interior.

Venezuela

RSF concerned that proposed constitutional amendments will violate press freedom

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an RSF letter to the vice-president of the National Assembly of Venezuela:

Burma

Authorities censor writers who participated in protests, monitor Internet use

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The Burmese military junta has prevented the publication of the writings of several prominent writers who use pseudonyms, and who were involved in Swan offerings to monks during the protests of September 2007.

South Africa

Photographer harassed, his camera seized; another briefly detained for covering police dispute

(MISA/IFEX) - On 16 October 2007, a police officer manhandled "The Star" photographer Matthews Baloyi and confiscated equipment belonging to him, while chief photographer Chris Collingridge was arrested for taking down the registration number of a private car used by a police officer. Collingridge was later released.

Egypt

Government's failure to shed light on editor's disappearance "deplorable", says CPJ report

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

Sri Lanka

State security forces bar media access, delete journalists' photographs

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

Honduras

President denounces existence of media oligopolies that limit freedom of expression

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - During the recent 63rd General Assembly of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), Honduran President Manuel Zelaya denounced the existence of media oligopolies in this Central American country, oligopolies which, according to him, limit the rights of Hondurans to information and to freedom of expression.

Syria

Authorities should end repression of human rights groups and activists, says Human Rights Watch report

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

Bahrain / Gender

Women's rights defender forbidden from appearing in media

(BCHR/IFEX) - BCHR has expressed its concern about the news revealed by Ms Ghada Jamsheer, a women's rights activist and president of the Bahrain Women's Petition, of the existence of a formal decision preventing her from appearing in any of the Bahraini media. Ms Jamsheer stated that the ban includes radio, television and all local newspapers.

Kazakhstan

Adil Soz, other NGOs issue joint statement on shortcomings of proposed media law reforms

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The following is joint statement by Adil Soz and eight other freedom of expression organisations to members of the Kazakh Parliament, in response to media law amendments proposed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and Information:

Turkey

Istanbul authorities attempt to close gay rights organization

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

Senegal

Journalist jailed, another in hiding

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2007 CPJ press release:

Iraq

Three newspaper workers killed on road to Kirkuk; IFJ calls for international action as media killings reach "shocking proportions"

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

International

RSF's Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2007: Eritrea ranked last for first time while G8 members, except Russia, recover lost ground

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

Liberia

Government demands proof of registration from media outlets before paying advertising debts

(CEMESP/IFEX) - Media houses in Monrovia have begun complaining that government agencies are refusing to pay their legitimate advertisement debts until they produce evidence of legal existence.

Afghanistan

Two radio journalists receive death threats; journalists' murderer executed

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

International

Council of Europe specialists refuse to consider proposals to improve draft treaty on access to documents

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

India

Media in Manipur shut down following death threats by outlawed militant group

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

Turkey

High-school student given suspended sentence for threatening "Agos" newspaper

(BIANET/IFEX) - A 19-year old man has been given a two-year suspended sentence for sending an e-mail threat to the "Agos" newspaper.

Burma

Police arrest wife of journalist-filmmaker in hiding

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

Nepal

Concern grows for missing journalist

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

Thailand

IFJ supports Parliament's decision not to extend lèse majesté laws

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

Turkey

Professor faces workplace sanctions, criminal charges, possible imprisonment for comments on Ataturk

(DSKG/IFEX) - Professor Atilla Yayla has faced workplace sanctions and harassment in the press, and now faces criminal charges for comments made on Turkish history in a panel discussion.

Haiti

Police arrest another gang member suspected in journalist Jacques Roche's murder

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders welcomes the arrest of Wensley Boshomme, a gang member also known as "Zachary Occeda" and "Bertold," who is suspected of participating in the July 2005 murder of Jacques Roche, the head of the arts and culture section of the daily "Le Matin".

Tajikistan

Editor, two journalists face criminal libel charges over concert review

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

Bahrain

Internet censorship continues as authorities block website of popular civic organization

(BCHR/IFEX) - BCHR has learned that the Bahraini authorities have taken measures to block access by people in Bahrain to the website of the HAQ movement ( http://www.haaq.org ).

Iran

Revolutionary court detains leading human rights advocate and journalist Emadeddin Baghi

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders strongly condemns the arrest of journalist Emadeddin Baghi on a charge of "propaganda against the government." Baghi is a leading advocate of the rights of prisoners of conscience in Iran.

Iraq

Iraqi "Washington Post" reporter shot dead in Baghdad; freelance reporter killed in north

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is appalled by the murders of Salih Saif Aldin, an Iraqi reporter employed by the "The Washington Post" bureau in Baghdad, and freelance journalist Dhi Abdul-Razak al-Dibo. Their deaths bring to 205 the number of journalists and media assistants killed in the course of their work in Iraq since the start of the United States-led invasion in March 2003.

Uzbekistan

Independent journalist beaten, warned against reporting in Tashkent

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

Serbia

Politicians' commandeering of national television network threatens principle of public broadcasting, says EFJ

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 12 October 2007 media release from the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Mexico

Protesting unionists occupy publishing house, detain and threaten employees, threaten to kill journalist in Oaxaca

(CEPET/IFEX) - On 12 October 2007, about 40 members of the peasants' and workers' union Unión General Obrera Campesina y Popular (UGOCP) of Oaxaca, armed with metal bars, sticks and machetes, forced their way into the offices of the publisher Publicaciones Nava in Cuenca del Papaloapan. For more than two hours they detained nine employees, and threatened to strip and to kill them.

Turkey

Editor, license owner of "Agos" magazine convicted of "insult to Turkishness"

(WiPC/IFEX) - On 11 October 2007, the Sisli Criminal Court in Istanbul sentenced Arat Dink, the editor of the Armenian Turkish magazine, "Agos", and the magazine's licence owner, Sarkis Serkopyan, to one-year suspended prison terms. They were convicted under the notorious Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code on charges of "insult to Turkishness". International PEN protests the convictions, which are in direct denial of the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed under international legislation to which Turkey is a signatory. It is further alarmed at the continuing trials and sentences of other writers and journalists similarly charged under Article 301.

Mongolia

Individual convicted of criminal defamation over article, television broadcast critical of public officials

(Globe International/IFEX) - On 31 August 2007, Mongolian citizen N. Demberel was sentenced to four months' imprisonment after a judge found him guilty of criminal defamation. On 11 October, this sentence was commuted to a fine.

El Salvador

Suspect arrested in murder of journalist Salvador Sánchez Roque

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - On 11 October 2007, the National Civil Police announced the capture of José Alfredo Hernández, suspected murderer of radio journalist Salvador Sánchez Roque, who was killed on 20 September.

Ghana

Teacher demoted by educational authority for granting interview to the media

(MFWA/IFEX) - MFWA adds its voice to those of concerned Ghanaian organisations in condemning the Ghana Education Service (GES) for gagging and punishing teachers who provide information concerning their work and their schools to the media and the public.

Somalia

Authorities free Radio Simba manager and reporter

(RSF/IFEX) - Abdullahi Abdi Farah, the manager of privately-owned Radio Simba, and Mohamed Farah, one of his journalists, were released late on 11 October 2007 after being held all day. Their station was allowed to resume broadcasting, Reporters Without Borders has learned from Omar Faruk Osman, the secretary-general of its partner organisation, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). No charges are being brought against them.

Burma

More journalists imprisoned as police round-up goes on

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association have expressed their concern for the physical safety of 15 journalists, writers and comedian-columnists now imprisoned in Burma as police raids continued.

Burma

Censorship board cracks down on cartoonist, actors who supported September protests

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

Honduras

Draft law to decriminalise defamation should apply to all citizens, not just journalists, says C-Libre

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - On 9 October 2007, Rodolfo Irías Navas, representative of the Partido Nacional party, presented a draft law to Congress, designed to protect journalists and media owners from criminal charges related to their work. The proposed law does not protect citizens at large from criminal prosecution for expressing their opinions, noted legal experts who are members of C-Libre.

Philippines

Suspects charged with attempted murder of radio broadcaster

(CMFR/IFEX) - Charges of attempted murder have been filed against two suspects in the 8 October 2007 shooting of radio journalist Jose Cagalawan Pantoja in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, a province in southern Philippines.

Colombia

Another journalist receives death threat after being publicly berated by president

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ letter to Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez:

Swaziland

Newspaper editor cleared of contempt charges

(MISA/IFEX) - On 10 October 2007, "Sunday Times" editor Mbongeni Mbingo was cleared of contempt charges brought against him by the House of Assembly.

Somalia

Minister harasses press freedom organization

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed its "astonishment" at "hostile statements" made by information minister, Madobe Numow Mohamed, towards its partner organisation in Somalia, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), on 3 and 6 October 2007.

Senegal

Police abduct, beat newspaper editor, seek journalist over article about president

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the kidnapping of Moussa Gueye, the editor of the privately-owned daily "L'Exclusif", who was arrested, beaten and taken off to an unknown location by plain-clothes police on 8 October 2007 after being lured into a trap. His abduction came just hours after he published a story headlined "President's nighttime escapade."

Somalia

Radio station manager, journalist arrested, station closed after broadcasting rebel leader's suicide bombing claim

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF calls for the release of Abdullahi Ali Farah, the manager of the privately-owned, Mogadishu-based radio station Radio Simba, and Mohamed Farah, one of his journalists, who were arrested on 11 October 2007 after broadcasting an interview with the head of the military wing of the Islamic Courts.

Jordan

Ex-legislator sentenced to two years in prison for online criticism of government corruption

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is outraged by the two-year prison sentence imposed by a state security court on 9 October 2007 on former parliamentarian Ahmad Oweidi Abbadi, for "attacking the state's prestige and reputation" by criticising government corruption on his party's website.

Burma

Junta makes Internet accessible again for day use, but service sporadic

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The following is a 10 October 2007 statement from Mizzima News, an interim member of IFEX:

Burma

One more journalist released, three still held in detention

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

United States

Military says detained journalist's training with Al-Jazeera is evidence of "involvement in terrorism"

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

Moldova

Authorities ban Romanian television station

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

China

Authorities abduct, arrest, torture, violently intimidate dissidents ahead of Party Congress

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

Australia

Proposed new legislation empowering police to block Internet a potential threat to press freedom, says CPJ

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

Cambodia

Radio Free Asia tackles tough stories despite threats says CPJ in special report

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

Mexico

CENCOS calls on authorities to end monopolistic practices in broadcast sector

(CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is a 9 October 2007 CENCOS press release:

South Africa

FXI, other organizations concerned over proposed board for public broadcaster, question group's "commitment to freedom of expression"

(FXI/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an FXI press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Two Ugandan journalists released following six-day detention in Goma

(JED/IFEX) - Paul Harera Sebikali and Robert Isaur, Ugandan journalists with the independent weekly "The Monitor" published in Kampala (capital of Uganda), were released on 9 October 2007 at 8:00 p.m. (local time), by Colonel Delphin Kayimbi, assistant commander of the 8th Military District in Goma, capital of the province of North Kivu, in eastern DR Congo. No charges were held against them.

Mexico

Newspaper staff stops working out of fear, following killings and threats in Oaxaca

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

Pakistan

Journalist feared kidnapped following death threats in Balochistan

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed deep concern about the disappearance of Riaz Mengal, of the newspaper "Intikhab" based in Khuzdar, Balochistan province in south-western Pakistan.

The Gambia

Journalist, Amnesty International officials released on bail, still face charges

(MFWA/IFEX) - Yaya Dampha, a journalist with the bi-weekly "Foroyaa", a Banjul-based pro-opposition newspaper, and two Amnesty International (AI)-UK officials, Tania Bernath, AI director for Africa, and Ayodele Ameen, campaign officer for West Africa, were released on bail on 8 October 2007, after 48 hours in detention.

Colombia

Journalist receives 24 death threats following president's critical comments

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

Niger

Editor of sole newspaper in Agadez arrested at airport, accused of being RFI correspondent

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF calls for the immediate release of Ibrahim Manzo Diallo, managing editor of the privately-owned bi-monthly "Aïr Info", published in Agadez, northern Niger, who was arrested on 9 October 2007 at Niamey airport as he prepared to board a plane for France.

Uganda

Gunmen pour acid on radio station transmitter following complaints, warnings by government officials

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

Democratic Republic of Congo

Two Ugandan journalists on a mission in Goma arrested for trying to communicate with dissident general

(JED/IFEX) - Paul Harera Sebikali and Robert Isaur, Ugandan journalists with the independent weekly "The Monitor" published in Kampala (capital of Uganda), have been detained since 3 October 2007 at the Intelligence Agency of the 8th Military District in eastern DR Congo. They are accused of being "in contact with the dissident General Laurent Nkunda."

Brazil

Campaign launched to support transparency in the attribution of broadcasting licences

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an 8 October 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Burma

Junta re-opens Internet access only during curfew hours

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

International

Petition launched for right to publish news photographs following restrictive court ruling

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

Mexico

Newspaper's director receives death threat, following killing of three other staff

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

International

Stronger access to information treaty needed, says broad coalition including ARTICLE 19

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

Colombia

IAPA dismayed at early release of journalist's murderer

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

Cambodia

Newspaper suspended for refusing to publish ministry's version of event

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Cambodian Ministry of Information has suspended for a month the "Khmer Amatak" newspaper for refusing to publish a correction the ministry requested over a controversial article in the newspaper.

Ukraine

Editor of independent daily resigns in response to "political censorship"

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

Iran

One journalist released, four sentenced

(RSF/IFEX) - On 8 October 2007 Reporters Without Borders welcomed the release of journalist Soheil Assefi, who spent more than two months in preventive detention in Tehran's Evin jail, but stressed the poor state of press freedom in Iran where four other journalists have been given jail terms and a daily paper shut down.

Sri Lanka

Official warns that criticism of military will be considered treasonous

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

Gabon

Two newspapers suspended

(JED/IFEX) - On 8 October 2007, the National Communication Council (Conseil national de la communication, CNC), Gabon's media regulatory body, suspended two newspapers: "La Nation", a privately-owned bi-monthly based in the capital, Libreville, and "Le Gri-Gri International", a satirical, privately-owned bi-monthly published in Paris, but distributed in Gabon.

China

Authorities target Internet in media crackdown prior to Party Congress

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

Thailand

Legislative Assembly to extend laws restricting media coverage of royal family, advisors

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

Philippines

Radio commentator shot, in critical condition

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

Colombia

Two journalists beaten by mob of political militants following articles alleging corruption

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 3 October 2007, Miltón Otero and Julio Daniel Otero, photographer and editor, respectively, of the fortnightly paper "El Observador", were beaten by a mob comprised of supporters of the political coalition Colombia Democrática. The attack was led by former mayor José Bentín Figueroa and the teacher Rafael Figueroa Flórez, and took place when the journalists were taking pictures of the Town Hall as they waited to interview the new mayor. The event took place in the municipality of Chinú, in the department of Córdoba, in northern Colombia.

Peru

Journalist convicted of defamation; journalists assaulted by striking workers in Yurimaguas

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 4 August 2007, the First Transitory Criminal Bench of the Supreme Court convicted journalist Juan Carlos Tafur of aggravated defamation, over articles published when he was editor of the newspaper "Correo". The court suspended the journalist's prison sentence in exchange for his compliance with certain rules of conduct. The court set civil reparations at 50,000 soles (approx. US$ 16,000) in favour of the plaintiff.

Pakistan

Military officer in tribal areas threatens journalist with kidnapping, death

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced grave concern about the safety of Sailab Mehsud, working for the newspaper "The News" and for Al-Jazeera in Dera Ismail Kahn, south of Peshawar, after a Pakistani military intelligence officer insulted him and threatened him with death.

Mexico

Three newspaper workers murdered in Oaxaca, following weeks of threats

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

Philippines

Reporter pressured by Senate to reveal sources

(CMFR/IFEX) - A committee of the Philippine Senate has summoned a national daily reporter in connection with her investigation into a leak in the proceedings of an executive session held on 26 September 2007.

Sri Lanka

Documentary crew detained briefly, expelled from country

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

Nigeria

Authorities release two German journalists charged over filming in oil-rich river delta

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 October 2007 CPJ press release:

Syria

Three activists detained incommunicado for online commentary; another held, released; Human Rights Watch condemns Internet censorship

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an 8 October 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Serbia

Violent attempts to halt broadcasting of TV interview leave guard injured, equipment damaged

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is an 8 October 2007 ANEM statement:

Nepal

Journalist abducted, whereabouts unknown

(FNJ/IFEX) - Birendra Shah, a Bara-based journalist affiliated with Nepal FM, "Dristri Weekly" and Avenues TV, was abducted by an unidentified group on 5 October 2007 from the Pipara Bazaar in Kalaiya, the district headquarters of Bara, in central Nepal. His whereabouts are still unknown.

Egypt

Two activists imprisoned for promoting Shi`a minority rights, criticising torture

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 6 October 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

The Gambia

Journalist, two Amnesty International officials arrested, accused of espionage

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 6 October 2007, Yaya Dampha, a journalist with the bi-weekly "Foroyaa", a Banjul-based independent newspaper, was arrested by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) together with two Amnesty International (AI)-UK officials, Tania Bernath, acting director for Africa and Ayodele Ameen, a campaign officer for West Africa. Their driver, Lamin Barrow, was also arrested.

Peru

Police officers assault camera operator covering a business meeting in Chiclayo

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 4 October 2007, Carlos Quiroga, camera operator for Canal 21 Universal television station, was beaten by plainclothes policemen while he covered a meeting of businesspersons in La Mercedes market in the city of Chiclayo, in Lambayeque region, northern Peru.

Burma

Six journalists currently held, three others released; authorities trying to track down "citizen journalists"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association have condemned the continuing detention of a total of six journalists who have been arrested since the start of the pro-democracy demonstrations. They also condemned the crackdown that has followed the protests and said they feared that more journalists could be arrested.

Angola

Journalist jailed for eight months for "damaging former minister's reputation"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has expressed shock as a criminal court in Luanda jailed journalist and editor Felisberto da Grâça Campos for eight months and fined him US$250,000 for allegedly insulting a former minister.

Honduras

Court declares inadmissible lawsuit against five journalists for "damage to reputation"

(RSF/IFEX) - Several Honduran judges have unanimously rejected complaints made against five journalists for "damaging his reputation", by the director of the Honduran telecommunications company, Hondutel, Marcelo Chimirri.

South Africa

FXI welcomes Constitutional Court judgment in "nose stud" case

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

Turkey

Writer sentenced for allegedly "insulting the state security forces" in newspaper article

(BIANET/IFEX) - On 27 September 2007, a penal court in Istanbul decreed that writer and film director Umur Hozatli had "insulted the state security forces in the press" (Article 301/2 of the Turkish Penal Code) and sentenced him to a six-month imprisonment term. This was then reduced to five months, and the sentence was converted to a 20 YTL fine per day, which results in a total of 3,000 YTL (approx. 1,770 euros).

Uganda

Three journalists face sedition charges over article on alleged military control of police

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

Turkey

Thirty-nine television programmes censored in one month; European Court condemns punishment in two cases as violations of freedom of expression

(BIANET/IFEX) - As the Press Council notes the censorship of various news programmes in the month of September 2007, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) finds fault with Turkish court rulings in the case of two citizens.

Mexico

Political magazine accuses government of using official advertising to pressure media

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is a 4 October 2007 statement from CEPET, an interim member of IFEX:

Colombia

Journalist flees country for fear of life following threats, president's statements

(FLIP/IFEX) - FLIP is concerned about the recent statements by President Álvaro Uribe about journalist Gonzalo Guillén, who has now left the country for fear of his life.

Burma

Journalist Min Zin released, three others still missing

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

United States

Former BBC captive Alan Johnston voices support for Al-Jazeera cameraman detained in Guantanamo

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

Thailand

Police ban, confiscate book on democracy, monarchy

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Thai police have banned and confiscated copies of a book by a respected and well-known social critic, alleging that the material "may cause unrest and degrade good morals" in Thai society.

Russia

Another suspect charged but investigation into murder of journalist Politkovskaya "not encouraging", says CPJ

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

Dominican Republic

Proposed election campaign reforms regulating news media threaten freedom of expression, says IAPA

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

Nepal

Unionists agree to stop interference with newspapers' publication as agreement signed

(FNJ/IFEX) - An agreement was reached between Kantipur Publications and workers affiliated to All Nepal Communication, Printing, and Publications Workers' Union (ANCPPWU) on 4 October 2007 at the offices of the newspaper "Kantipur" in Tinkune, Kathamandu.

Peru

Radio journalist receives death threat following report on "narco-terrorism"

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 2 October 2007, Radio Libertad journalist Angélica Reyes, who hosts the programme "Dialogando con el pueblo", received a death threat through the transmission cabin telephone while she was broadcasting her programme live. The incident took place in Tocache, in San Martín region of northeastern Peru.

Afghanistan

Journalist arrested, beaten and detained briefly in line of duty

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

Brazil

Four suspects arrested in shooting of crime reporter, authorities rule out targeted attack

(RSF/IFEX) - Four youths, including two minors, were arrested on 27 September 2007 on suspicion of involvement in the 19 September shooting of Amaury Ribeiro Junior, "Correio Braziliense" crime reporter in a Brasilia suburb. The person who fired the shots that wounded Ribeiro is still being sought. The two minors are being held in a centre for reeducation of adolescents.

Nepal

Journalist abducted in Dodhara

(FNJ/IFEX) - Pappu Gurung, a reporter for "Abhiyan" daily newspaper and the radio station Mahakali FM, was abducted by a group of six people on 3 October 2007 from Dodhara, Kanchanpur, a far western district of Nepal.

Nepal

Members of Maoist-affiliated union continue to intimidate, issue threats of violence and murder against newspaper group

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 October 2007 CPJ letter to Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Deputy Leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai:

Israel

Syrian journalist Ata Farahat held for past two months

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is very worried about the prolonged detention of Syrian journalist Ata Farahat, the Golan Heights correspondent of the daily newspaper "Al-Watan" and Syrian public television. The organisation wrote to justice minister Daniel Friedman on 1 October 2007 requesting his release.

Guinea

Journalists punched, barred from independence ceremony

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 2 October 2007, Ibrahima N'diaye, a journalist of the privately-owned Nostalgie FM radio station, was clubbed and punched together with other journalists by Red Berets of the Presidential Security Battalion of Guinea.

Sri Lanka

Draft rights bill profoundly flawed, its freedom of expression provisions inadequate, says FMM

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

Peru

Two army officers sentenced for 1988 murder of journalist Hugo Bustíos

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 2 October 2007, the National Criminal Bench, presided over by Judge Clotilde Cavero Nalvarte, sentenced Víctor La Vera Hernández, commander and military chief of Huanta, Ayacucho, and Captain Amador Vidal Sanbento to 17 and 15 years in prison, respectively, for the murder of journalist and correspondent for "Caretas magazine", Hugo Bustíos, which took place on 24 November 1988 in that area of Peru's highlands.

Colombia

President's comments could endanger recently-threatened journalist, says CPJ

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

Philippines

Newspaper columnist receives death threat following her criticism of government

(CMFR/IFEX) - A newspaper columnist critical of the Arroyo government has received a death threat via email warning her that her criticism of the regime may cost her life.

Peru

IPYS demanda al Congreso por violar ley de transparencia y acceso a la información

(IPYS/IFEX) - Lo que sigue es un comunicado de prensa del IPYS, con fecha del 28 de septiembre de 2007:

Peru

Suspect arrested in case of journalist Antonio de la Torre's murder

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

Sri Lanka

Government unleashes another attack on journalist for his coverage of defence-related matters

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 2 October 2007 FMM press release:

Burma

As junta cuts off communications, refugees crucial source of information, says SEAPA

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 2 October 2007 SEAPA press release:

Macedonia

SEEMO deeply concerned as two journalists assaulted, video footage seized

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 2 October 2007 letter by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate, to Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski, Assembly President Ljubisha Georgievski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski:

Turkey

Journalists harassed, one receives death threat, over coverage of controversial song and Hrant Dink's murder

(BIANET/IFEX) - Various journalists have become the target of aggressive insinuations and direct threats, including a death threat, due to their coverage of a controversial song and video clip considered to portray the murderers of journalist Hrant Dink as heroes.

Côte d'Ivoire

President Gbagbo demands "outrageous compensation" following publication of articles accusing him of corruption

(MFWA/IFEX) - Lawyers of Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo are seeking exorbitant compensation for defamation from five journalists of two pro-opposition dailies which if granted by the court, could result in the newspapers getting bankrupt.

Liberia

Authorities announce media restrictions for coverage of president; three journalists face legal action for article criticising the courts

(CEMESP/IFEX) - The Government of Liberia, through the Executive Mansion Press Bureau and the Ministry of Information has imposed what has been described as "media censorship" on the independent media in Liberia.

China

Writer arrested, detained on vague subversion charge following critical online articles

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

International

CJFE announces recipients of 10th annual International Press Freedom Awards

(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is a 1 October 2007 CJFE press release:

Burma

With Internet still disconnected, concern mounts about fate of monks and civilian detainees

(RSF/IFEX) - Although fixed-line phones and some mobiles are still working, the complete absence of Internet in Burma is making it harder and harder to send photos and video footage about the situation in Rangoon and the rest of the country. Nothing is being reported about what is happening to the thousands of prisoners of conscience.

Pakistan

Government sanctions three officers, including Islamabad police chief, following attacks on journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders urged President Pervez Musharraf to react firmly after at least 30 journalists were wounded by police trying to stop them from covering a crackdown on demonstrations in Islamabad and Peshawar by lawyers opposing the president's candidacy at upcoming elections.

Nepal

Maoist-affiliated union continues to harass, intimidate media workers to prevent circulation of newspapers

(FNJ/IFEX) - A Maoist-affiliated trade union prevented the printing of "Kantipur Daily" and "The Kathmandu Post" on 30 September 2007.

Egypt

Eight new charges brought against editor

(HRinfo/IFEX) - In an unprecedented scene familiar only to those who lived under extinct dictatorships, Ibrahim Essa's trial took place, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said, raising concerns about the pre-trial procedures that preceded his trial for allegedly publicizing false news about the president's health. Essa is the editor of the independent newspaper "Al-Dostur".

Zimbabwe

Police arrest two actors and a journalist during performance of satirical play about the country's political situation

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has accused the Zimbabwean authorities of escalating repression after they arrested two actors and a journalist on the evening of 28 September 2007 during the performance of a satirical play about the country's political situation.

Venezuela

INFORME CÁPSULA: IPYS publica estudio sobre censura y autocensura

(IPYS/IFEX) - Lo que sigue es un comunicado de prensa del IPYS, con fecha del 27 de septiembre de 2007:

Turkey

Recording of police conversation reveals prior knowledge of journalist Hrant Dink's murder

(BIANET/IFEX) - As the murder trial of journalist Hrant Dink continued on 1 October 2007, a recording of the suspect Erhan Tuncel speaking to police intelligence officer Muhittin Zenit has emerged, though the prosecution has yet to procure it.

Slovenia

Four hundred journalists sign petition denouncing intolerable pressure in newsrooms

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

Colombia

Television crew assaulted while investigating alleged housing fraud in Bogotá

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 27 September 2007, a crew of journalists from the television news programme Caracol Noticias was assaulted by two people as they were investigating a case of alleged fraud in the sale of homes for low-income families. The journalists were pelted with stones and threatened with a blunt weapon. The incident took place in the capital city, Bogotá.

Paraguay

Journalist investigating corruption harassed by public official's security guard

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 26 September 2007, the Paraguayan Journalists' Forum (FOPEP) condemned an act of intimidation directed against "ABC Color" journalist Mabel Rehnfeldt on that same day by a security guard of Víctor Bernal, director of the Itaipú Bi-national (Paraguay - Brazil) Hydroelectric Plant.

Venezuela

Broadcast journalist with oppositional station receives death threat

(IPYS/IFEX) - The night of 26 September 2007, unidentified persons left a bag with the message "Motherland, socialism or death for you, Bicha", outside the house of journalist Berenice Gómez, also known as "La Bicha" (in reference to the name of a programme she hosts). The incident tookplace in the locality of San Antonio de los Altos, in the state of Miranda.

Turkey

Journalist on trial for criticising government

(BIANET/IFEX) - "The state made mistakes. When and where? Yesterday, in the East and South-East. Then in Istanbul. In Maras and Sivas. Today in Trabzon, Istanbul, Mersin and in the South-East."

Honduras

Journalist shot at, another threatened, six more face lawsuit for reporting on alleged corruption

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns a month-long wave of press freedom violations in Honduras, including a shooting attack on television journalist Geovanny García on 7 September 2007, threats against newspaper reporter Martín Ramírez after he wrote about organised crime, and lawsuits by the head of the state telecommunications company Hondutel brought on 28 September against six journalists who reported on allegations of corruption.

Burkina Faso

Fire destroys radio presenter's car

(MFWA/IFEX) - Sam S K Le Jah, a presenter with Ouaga FM, a private radio station in Ouaga 2000, a suburb of Ouagadougou, escaped death on 28 September 2007, when his car parked outside the station caught fire and was completely destroyed.

International

IFJ applauds initiatives promoting freedom of information

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 September 2007 IFJ media release:

Burma

At least four journalists arrested in Rangoon, including Japanese daily's correspondent

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association call for the immediate release of Min Zaw, the Burmese correspondent of the Japanese daily "Tokyo Shimbun", and three young Burmese journalists, who are apparently being held incommunicado by the security forces. Their arrests bring the number of journalists detained in Burma to 10. At least a thousand people have been arrested since demonstrations began in August 2007.

Colombia

Community radio journalist in Sabanalarga warned of murder plot against him

(FLIP/IPYS/IFEX) - On 21 September 2007, journalist Geovanny Álvarez Castro, co-director and host of the programme "La Verdad" on the community-based radio station 101.6 FM in Sabanalarga, Atlántico department, in northern Colombia, was informed by police that an attempt on his life was imminent.

Colombia

New death threat against television programme director Hollman Morris

(FLIP/IFEX) - On the night of 27 September 2007, journalist Hollman Morris, director of "Contravía" television programme, received a new death threat in his personal e-mail. The message, containing the comment, "for being a squealer, for being a guerrilla, it's coming soon," arrived with an attached electronic document containing a photograph of the journalist marked with an "x". The threat was sent from an e-mail address of a group apparently calling itself the "Colombian Patriotic Front" ("Frente Patriótico Colombiano").

Somalia

Newspaper's provincial correspondent held by police

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the release of reporter Ahmed Aadan Dhere, who was arrested on 27 September 2007 in the city of Berbera, in the west of the northern breakaway state of Somaliland, and has been held ever since at Berbera police headquarters. Dhere is the correspondent of "Haatuf", a privately-owned daily based in the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa.

International

ARTICLE 19 highlights FOI developments around the world on International Right to Know Day

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 28 September 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Pakistan

Police violently repress protesting journalists, seriously injuring five

(PPF/IFEX) - Over two dozen journalists were injured on 29 September 2007 when police resorted to teargas and a baton-charge against them outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in an effort to clear the way for state dignitaries. Five journalists are stated to be in serious condition.

Turkey

Cartoonist convicted, fined for satirising mayor

(BIANET/IFEX) - On 21 September 2007, the Kocaeli Second Penal Court sentenced cartoonist Muhammet Sengöz to 11 months and 20 days' imprisonment for a satirical cartoon published in the "Free Kocaeli" newspaper. Kocaeli is a province to the east of Istanbul.

Jordan

Jailed dissident denied bail

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 28 September 2007 Human Rights Watch press release:

Burma

Evidence emerges of intentional shooting of Japanese cameraman

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

Tunisia

Le correspondant d'Al-Jazira pris à partie par les forces de l'ordre

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters sans frontières est scandalisée par le traitement réservé à Lotfi Hajji, correspondant de la chaîne satellitaire Al-Jazira, qui a été malmené par des policiers en civil à quatre reprises en l'espace d'une semaine.

Tunisia

Police repeatedly manhandle Al-Jazeera correspondent

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged that Lotfi Hajji, the correspondent of the Qatar-based satellite TV news station Al-Jazeera, was manhandled by plain-clothes police four times between 20 and 27 September 2007.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist detained briefly in Kinshasa by censorship commission

(JED/IFEX) - Oboul Okwess, a journalist with Numerica TV, a private broadcaster based in the capital, Kinshasa, was briefly detained on 28 September 2007 by three judicial police officers possessing a summons and acting on behalf of the national censorship commission.