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Alerts - 2008 - October-December

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Tunisia

Security agents intimidate reporters attempting to cover demonstration, two journalists assaulted

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

Nepal

"Kantipur" newspaper journalist receives death threat; newspapers' offices vandalised; journalists in Bhaktapur threatened

(FNJ/IFEX) - On the last day of 2008, the Federation of Nepali Journalists' (FNJ) Media Monitoring Unit has noted several disappointing incidents of attacks and threats against the media in different parts of Nepal. After extensive efforts made by the FNJ to further press freedom, there has been some progress with the government towards a commitment in this respect. However, most of the media rights violations are still committed by those affiliated with the ruling parties in the government and the Constituent Assembly. In addition, incidents in which journalists have received threatening telephone calls from unidentified individuals are on the rise. The FNJ urges the government to take responsibility for the security of journalists and to promptly investigate these incidents and punish those responsible.

Iran

Nobel laureate targeted for second time in ten days as officials remove documents and computers from her office

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 30 December 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Spain

Basque radio and television station attacked by terrorist group

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

Nepal

Government and FNJ sign agreement to safeguard press freedom, security of journalists and media houses

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 28 December 2008, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the government signed a ten point agreement in Kathmandu. After signing the agreement, the FNJ halted its ongoing protests against recent attacks on the media.

Kazakhstan

Opposition journalist stabbed in Almaty

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 December 2008 CPJ press release:

Azerbaijan

Babak region resident sentenced to 18 months in prison for defamation

(IRFS/IFEX) - On 3 December 2008, during a hearing conducted in the Nakhchivan City Court, 58-year-old Novruz Aliyev, a resident of the village of Gahab, in the Babak region, was found guilty of defamation under article 147.2 of the Republic of Azerbaijan Criminal Code. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The lawsuit against Aliyev was brought by Ahmad Ahmadov, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic's interior minister.

Philippines

Journalist assaulted while covering car accident

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 22 December 2008, a television reporter in Iloilo City filed charges against a woman involved in a car accident. The reporter, Charlene Belvis, of GMA-7 television station, was covering the car accident when the woman allegedly assaulted her. Iloilo City is located approximately 455 kilometres from Manila.

Palestine / Israel

Two cameramen injured, IDF tightens restrictions further affecting the media

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 December 2008 CPJ letter to Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak:

Bahrain

Authorities prevent direct access to online forums

(BCHR/IFEX) - The http://bahrainonline.org and http://shaheed-bh.org websites are well known state-targeted public forums in Bahrain. Recently, for more than the tenth time since their launch, the authorities have prevented direct access to these public sites inside Bahrain. The administration teams of the websites have had to resort to providing different addresses for the public to access the sites.

Pakistan

Fatwa and violence against journalists in Tribal Areas

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is extremely worried by threats and physical attacks against Pakistani journalists in the northwestern Tribal Area of Bajaur, where fighting is continuing between the Taliban and the security forces. A fatwa has been issued against two journalists and a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at a press club.

Zimbabwe

Abducted journalist and rights activist appears in court, faces possible death penalty on terrorist plot charge

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the "unacceptable behaviour" of the Zimbabwean authorities in kidnapping journalist and human rights activist Jestina Mukoko on 3 December 2008, holding her incommunicado and now accusing her and several other members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of a terrorist plot to overthrow President Robert Mugabe. She faces a possible death sentence.

Nepal

Television correspondent and radio technician assaulted; publisher prevented from printing newspapers

(FNJ/IFEX) - The FNJ has recently witnessed a number of media rights violations, attacks, threats and obstruction of major media houses, including Himalmedia, APCA Nepal and Kantipur Publications. Media violation rates have not decreased even as the FNJ, the Alliance for Press Freedom and other professional and human rights activists' alliances conduct protests against the media attacks.

Indonesia

Journalist receives death threat in Aceh

(AJI/IFEX) - On 27 December 2008, a northern Aceh journalist, Ahmad Hayat Fauzi, reported that he had received a death threat from an anonymous caller in association with an article he wrote in the "Aceh Independent" newspaper about the inappropriate disbursement of cattle and paddy seeds by the local government in Langkahan.

Russia

Critical show taken off the air; broadcast regulator terminates NTV and RTR programming to several villages

(GDF/IFEX) - In the Republic of Khakassia, problems began piling up for journalists after a recent administration reshuffle. The Abakan-based news agency Chance On-Line has reported that Alexei Kirichenko's analytical show "Kiricheshki" was taken off the air on TNT-Abakan on 15 December 2008 in connection with the appointment of a new governor, Viktor Zimin.

Russia

Reporter threatened after criticising local authorities; reporters barred from covering visit by Federation Council head

(GDF/IFEX) - According to reports by "Arsenyevskiye Vesti" newspaper, after a series of critical publications about the performance of local authorities, reporter Alexandra Nabokova has been receiving anonymous threats. Nabokova is a correspondent for "Arsenyevskiye Vesti" in the maritime territory of Dalnerechensk.

Palestine / Israel

Photographer dies of wounds sustained in Israeli air attack in northern Gaza

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

Palestine / Israel

Israeli fighter planes destroy television station offices

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

Thailand

Police official files third complaint against journalist for allegedly insulting monarchy

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

International

Zimbabwean playwright wins inaugural freedom of expression art prize, Burmese comedian receives imprisoned artist prize

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 23 December 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Iraq

Forty-five journalists complete safety training course

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

Bolivia

IAPA submits investigations of two unsolved journalists' murders to the IACHR

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 23 December 2008 IAPA press release:

Russia

Journalist threatened, beaten after reporting on local government and press freedom issues

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 23 December 2008 CPJ press release:

Zimbabwe

Disciplinary committee orders editor's reinstatement

(RSF/IFEX) - The independent weekly newspaper "The Standard" reported on 20 December 2008 that the disciplinary committee of the government-owned press group Zimpapers cleared Bhekinkosi Ncube, the editor of one of its magazines, "Umthunywa," of all charges and ordered his reinstatement.

Brazil

Journalist's convicted murderer granted partial release for "good behaviour"

(RSF/IFEX) - On 3 November 2008, Rio de Janeiro judicial authorities decided to put convicted murderer Claudino "Xuxa" dos Santos Coelho on a "semi-release" programme for "good behaviour", according to the newspaper "Extra". Xuxa, an alleged drug trafficker, was sentenced in 2005 to 23 years and six months in prison for the June 2002 murder of TV Globo reporter Tim Lopes. As he was arrested in August 2002, he has already completed one third of his sentence. Under the programme, he would be allowed out of prison by day as long as he returns at night. But according to "Extra", he has already violated this requirement.

Nepal

Two media outlets threatened, newspaper's offices attacked

(FNJ/IFEX) - The Nepalese media has witnessed a series of attacks on media workers and media outlets over the past several days, most of them at the hands of ruling party unions. Just one day after an attack on the Himal Media group, Maoists' unions have threatened two other media houses: APCA Nepal and Kantipur publications.

Algeria

Court hands down three-month sentences to two journalists in defamation case

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

Ecuador

Government uses television slots to criticise journalist

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 17, 18 and 19 December 2008, the government interrupted the "Contacto Directo" television programme, which airs on Ecuavisa, to broadcast messages against programme host Carlos Vera. A few days before, Vera had criticised the performance of the Housing Department in the construction of houses in Manabí and Guayas provinces.

Peru

Magistrate throws journalist out of his office, accuses radio station of "harassing" him

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 4 December 2008, Wilbert Mercado Arbieto, head of the District Magistracy Office (Oficina Distrital de la Magistratura, ODICMA) of the Superior Court of Justice, threw journalist Genaro Alvarado Tuesta, of the La Voz de la Selva radio station, out of his office. The judge refused to provide an interview to the station, accusing it of "harassing" his administration. The incident took place in Iquitos, Loreto region, northeastern Peru.

Russia

Journalists detained, beaten at rally

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 December 2008 CPJ press release:

International

CAPSULE REPORT: Human rights violations continue as the world commemorates 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

(CIHRS/IFEX) - The following is a 22 December 2008 CIHRS press release:

Brazil

Journalist attacked by security guard

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - On 18 December 2008, journalist Sergio Gobetti, who works for the "O Estado de São Paulo" newspaper, was assaulted by a security guard at the National Assembly building. Gobetti was trying to enter the building to cover the Brazilian Budget Plan vote when he was approached by a security guard who claimed that he did not have his identification visible.

Venezuela

Journalists and camera operators assaulted at Carabobo state legislative council headquarters

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 9 December 2008, a group of journalists was assaulted as they left the headquarters of the Carabobo State Regional Legislative Council, in Valencia (central Venezuela). The attackers are believed to have been supporters of Venezuela's United Socialist Party (Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela, PSUV), who accused the journalists of misinforming the public. The journalists had intended to cover the suspension of a meeting due to arguments between members of congress who want to be appointed to higher positions following elections that were held on 23 November.

Iran

AIDS doctors held for six months for "communicating with an enemy government"

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

India

Journalist Lenin Kumar Roy and two assistants freed on bail

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced its relief after journalist and writer Lenin Kumar Roy and his two assistants were granted bail by a judge in Bhubaneswar district on 17 December 2008, after spending 10 days in custody. They were only released the following morning.

China

Jailed activist Hu Jia awarded Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought from European Parliament; his wife sends message of "hope for an open China"

(RSF/IFEX) - Zeng Jinyan, the wife of jailed human rights activist Hu Jia, thanked European parliamentarians for their support in a video message played on 17 December 2008 to a plenary session of the European parliament during the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought award ceremony. Hu is this year's winner of the prize, awarded by the European Parliament (http://www.dailymotion.com/rsf_internet/video/13024651 ).

Nepal

Media group's premises and employees attacked; journalists assaulted during protest rally

(FNJ/IFEX) - The premises of the Himal Media group, based in Hattiban, Lalitpur, a region in central Nepal, were attacked by two groups led by the Maoist-allied All Nepal Communications, Printing and Publication Workers' Union (ANCPPWU) and the All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union (ANHRWU) at noon (local time) on 21 December 2008. The vice-president of the ANCPPWU's Lalitpur branch, Ramesh KC, and the ANHRWU's president, Ramesh Babu Pant, were leading the groups during the attack.

Egypt / Saudi Arabia

ANHRI calls for action in case of Egyptian Internet activist detained in Saudi Arabia

(ANHRI/IFEX) - On 21 December 2008, ANHRI said that the administrative judiciary court will review its recently filed claim on 20 January 2009. On 2 December, ANHRI filed a claim against the Egyptian president demanding the dismissal of the Egyptian minister of foreign affairs and the ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This action was brought in response to their failure, thus far, to take any action that might force the Saudi government to reveal the reasons behind the kidnapping of Yousif Ashmawi, an Egyptian internet activist who was arrested on 24 August without any reason being given and with no regard for justice.

Turkey

Trial of professors charged with "inciting hatred and hostility" postponed until April, Justice Ministry to decide if case will proceed

(BIANET/IFEX) - The 28th Criminal Court of First Instance of Ankara sent the case file for Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Kaboglu, former head of the Human Rights Advisory Board of the Prime Ministry (BIHDK), and Prof. Dr. Baskin Oran, head of the subcommittee of the same board, to the Ministry of Justice to obtain permission for their prosecution under Article 301. The lawsuit was filed for "inciting hatred and hostility" by using the term "Türkiyelilik" (to be from Turkey) instead of "Turks" in a Minority Rights and Cultural Rights Report prepared by these two academics.

Montenegro

ARTICLE 19 urges parliament to adopt draft law on public service broadcasting

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

Bolivia

Newspaper editors threatened after reporting on possible links between individuals close to the president and alleged smuggling operation

(IPYS/IFEX) - Since 9 December 2008, Raphael Ramírez and Juan Carlos Véliz, editors of the "La Prensa" newspaper, have constantly been receiving telephone calls in which the callers threaten to beat them up or warn that they knows which journalist was the author of a report about goods that were smuggled to Brazil. The report implied that a number of people in President Evo Morales's circle might be involved in the smuggling. The threats against the editors were reported by the editor-in-chief of "La Prensa", Carlos Morales.

Ghana

Ruling party supporters assault opposition cameraman

(MFWA/IFEX) - Babs Hammer, a cameraman for Ghana's former president Jerry John Rawlings, was reportedly attacked on 14 December 2008 by members of the entourage of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). The cameraman was targeted for filming Akufo-Addo without his permission.

Turkey

Kurdish politicians accused of "doing propaganda for a terrorist organization", face prison sentences

(BIANET/IFEX) - Prosecutor Mustafa Sahin has called for prison sentences for the mayor of Diyarbakir province in eastern Turkey, Osman Baydemir, and the Democratic Society Party (DTP) representative in the province, Nejdet Atalay, for describing the members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) as "guerrillas". The accused say they were simply expressing the pain they felt over watching people from both sides get killed in the conflict.

Turkey

Journalist sentenced to one year and three months in prison for opposing imposition of "terrorist" label on Kurdish group

(BIANET/IFEX) - At a press conference held together with his lawyer, Anyt Baba, at the Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association, journalist Veysi Sarysozen protested the prison sentence handed down to him for his criticism of the imposition of the "terrorist" label in describing the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Iran

Human rights group stopped from celebrating 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 21 December 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Somalia

Radio station in Islamist-controlled town forced off the air

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 19 December 2008 CPJ press release:

United States

Murder of Chauncey Bailey could have been avoided, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced outrage on learning that a delay in a police raid on Your Black Muslim Bakery - a business and community organisation based in Oakland, California, which was suspected of criminal activity - could have cost "Oakland Post" editor Chauncey Bailey his life.

Bolivia

Dynamite blast damages opposition senator's radio station

(RSF/IFEX) - A dynamite charge was set off in the early hours of 18 December 2008 in front of the Atlántica radio station, which is owned by opposition senator Guido Guardia, in the eastern city of Santa Cruz. The blast created a sizeable crater in the ground and caused considerable damage to the outside of the station but did not result in any injuries. The radio station is located inside the compound where Guardia lives. Death threats were issued against the senator in a note left near the site of the explosion.

Tunisia

TV reporter sentenced in absentia to six years in prison for covering demonstrations

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has learned that a court in Gafsa (350 km south of Tunis) sentenced reporter Fahem Boukadous in absentia on 11 December 2008 to six years in prison on a charge of "forming a criminal association liable to attack persons and their property" for covering demonstrations in the Gafsa mining region.

Guinea

Managing editor of paper, general administrator of media group arrested; two newspaper vendors harassed by military officer

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 18 December 2008, Thiernodjo Dayedio Diallo, managing editor of "La Verité", was arrested and detained at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police in Guinea.

Egypt

Detained blogger's family harassed by authorities; another blogger jailed

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrests of three bloggers - Reda Abderrahman Ali ( http://www.elaphblog.com/page.aspx?U=459&page=2 ), Mohammed Adel ( http://43arb.info/meit ) and Abdelaziz Mogahed ( http://elmogahed02.blogspot.com ) - in the past seven weeks because of what they posted online.

Malaysia

Political party president threatens journalist, pictures erased from photographer's camera

(CIJ/IFEX) - The following is a statement by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), an interim member of IFEX:

Colombia

Investigación periodística revela que la mayoría de asesinatos de periodistas quedan impunes

(SIP/IFEX) - Lo que sigue es un comunicado de prensa de la SIP:

China

More websites blocked; journalist assaulted after taking photographs of industrial accident

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

Croatia

Journalist loses contract, prohibited from appearing on radio and television programmes

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

Ukraine

Newspaper could face criminal charges, have its registration withdrawn

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a 17 December 2008 WAN and World Editors Forum letter to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko:

International

CAPSULE REPORT: For sixth straight year, Iraq deadliest nation for press according to CPJ's end-of-year analysis

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

Mexico

Police threaten radio journalist, point gun at his head

(CEPET/IFEX) - Fernando Mora Rosas, a reporter with the news programme "Panorama Informativo" broadcast by the national radio channel Grupo Acir, was threatened by police from the Juárez municipality of Nuevo León, in northern Mexico. The police officers handcuffed him and threatened to kill him while pointing a gun at his head.

Mexico

Newspaper files complaint against mayor for issuing death threats, assaulting a reporter

(CEPET/IFEX) - The weekly "Mi Ciudad" and Carlos Durán Rangel, a reporter and photographer for the newspaper, have filed a complaint against Felipe Durán Muñoz, mayor of the Romita municipality in Guanajuato state and a member of the National Action Party (Partido Acción Nacional, PAN). The mayor is accused of issuing death threats, causing injury and damaging equipment.

Mexico

Special prosecutor rules out possibility of link between journalists' murders and their work

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders voiced astonishment at a 16 December 2008 public statement by the special prosecutor for crimes against journalists, Octavio Alberto Orellana Wiarco, ruling out the possibility that two young female journalists from Oaxaca state were killed because of their work.

Haiti

Policeman ordered to pay damages to journalist he assaulted

(RSF/IFEX) - On 16 December 2008, a court in the southeastern town of Jacmel convicted police officer Bastien Novembre of assaulting Radio Express reporter Fritzer Philogène and ordered him to pay Philogène 100,000 gourdes (approx. US$2,500) in damages. If Novembre, a member of the elite Departmental Unit for Maintaining Order (UDMO), fails to pay he could go to prison for one year. A report by his superiors also recommended disciplinary measures.

North Korea

No information on army colonel arrested more than two years ago for filming execution

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the North Korean authorities to release information about the fate of Col. Kim Sung Chul, an army officer who has been held since October 2006 when he was identified as the person who clandestinely filmed the video of a public execution that was shown on Japan's Asahi TV.

Zimbabwe

Third reporter abducted in 10 days

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is very disturbed by the abduction of freelance photojournalist Shadreck Manyere and attempted abduction of Obrian Rwafa, a reporter with the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), in separate incidents on 13 December 2008. The incidents took place just 10 days after the kidnapping of journalist and human rights activist Jestina Mukoko, who is still missing.

Bangladesh

IPI preliminary mission report demonstrates need for dialogue with politicians and among the media, highlights issues of greatest concern

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

Bolivia

President accused of avoiding private media, only providing information to state-owned television station; vice minister tries to intimidate journalist

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 12 December 2008, President Evo Morales avoided speaking to private media outlets during an official event at the National Police Academy (Academia Nacional de Policías, ANAPOL) in La Paz. According to reporters, the president's spokespersons made them believe that Morales would hold a press conference in a certain hall, when in fact he was providing information to the state-owned television station in a different room.

Kenya

Parliament launches vicious attack on media, president urged not to sign proposed media bill into law

(Media Institute/IFEX) - On 16 December 2008, Kenya's Parliament launched a scathing attack on the media and vowed to ensure it is "tamed." One member after another tore into the media, apparently angered by the all-out campaign against a controversial Bill recently passed by Parliament that seeks to give the government power to control media content. The onslaught was started by Bura MP Danson Mungatana who rose to complain about being labelled as Enemy No.1 of the media for supporting the Bill that seeks to control the content, manner and scheduling of radio and TV programmes.

Brazil

Newspaper fined for publishing reader's letter

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 5 December 2008, the State of Rio Grande do Sul's Court of Justice, in the city of Caxias do Sul, southern Brazil, ratified a sentence against the "Pioneiro" newspaper and businessman Airton Zanandrea for having "damaged the honour" of Judge Sérgio Fusquine Goncalves by publishing a letter in which Zanandrea criticised the judge in November 2007.

Malawi

Joy Radio allowed to resume broadcasting

(MISA/IFEX) - Joy Radio station resumed broadcasting on 16 December 2008, 30 days after the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) revoked its broadcasting license for non-compliance with the Communications Act and its licence agreement.

Russia

Journalists arrested while covering protest

(GDF/IFEX) - A dissenter's march was held in Moscow on 14 December 2008. Authorities had not given approval for the march to be staged in the center of the city, so in response to the march OMON (the special police force) severely clamped down on the protesters detaining over 100 people and reporting their "effective control over attempts to commit acts of hooliganism".

Madagascar

Government closes TV station owned by political rival

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the government's closure of Viva TV on the night of 13 to 14 December 2008, after the station broadcast a message by former president Didier Ratsiraka. The authorities accused the station, owned by the mayor of Antananarivo, of broadcasting statements liable to "disturb public order and security." Ratsiraka has lived in exile in Paris since 2002.

India

Journalist and two assistants arrested over book exposing violence against minorities in Orissa State

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the 8 December 2008 arrest of Lenin Kumar Roy, author and editor of the quarterly review "Nishan", in Bhubaneswar, Orissa State, over a book in which he accuses Hindu extremists of waging a campaign of violence against minorities in the Kandhamal district.

Argentina

Journalist assaulted, detained by police

(FOPEA /IFEX) - FOPEA condemns the inexcusable verbal and physical attack on and unjustified detention of Leonardo Vallejos, a journalist with Radio Fénix. Those responsible were the La Rioja 4th division provincial police in the Argentinean central-western province of La Rioja.

China

Government blocks access to foreign websites again, reversing recent gains

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the Chinese government's censorship of the websites of certain foreign news media such as Voice of America ( http://www.voanews.com ) and the BBC ( http://www.bbc.co.uk ) and certain Chinese media based outside mainland China, which have been rendered inaccessible inside China since the start of December 2008.

Namibia

Legislative body calls for investigation into newspaper's readers' page

(MISA/IFEX) - In a news article published in "The Namibian" newspaper on 9 December 2008, Margret Mensah, the chairperson of Namibia's Legislative body, the National Council, is reported to have called on the Ombudsman Office to investigate "The Namibian"'s sms (text message) readers' page and radio chat show programmes as to whether they are being used to demonise Namibian leaders. "The Namibian" publishes sms messages from readers on various topics in Namibia.

Jordan

ANHRI's executive director denied entry to Jordan, detained and deported

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information reports that Jordanian intelligence prevented Gamal Eid, ANHRI's executive director, from entering Jordan on the night of 15 December 2008 and detained him for six hours at Amman's Alia airport before deporting him to Cairo.

Iraq / United States

IFJ calls for journalist's release, warns his safety may be threatened in prison

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

Zimbabwe

Authorities accuse journalists of "propaganda assault," threaten to ban foreign media

(MISA/IFEX) - The Permanent Secretary for Information and Publicity George Charamba and President Robert Mugabe's spokesperson have threatened to ban accredited foreign bureaus or local reporters working for foreign news organisations after accusing them of embarking on a propaganda assault on Zimbabwe.

Fiji

New Zealand reporter detained at airport, deported

(PINA/IFEX) - ONE News Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver was detained at Fiji's Nadi Airport on the night of 15 December 2008 as she flew in to cover the latest developments on the deteriorating diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Fiji.

Swaziland

Journalists prevented from covering traditional ceremony, equipment confiscated by police

(MISA/IFEX) - Journalists covering a recent Incwala first fruits traditional ceremony in Swaziland had it tough as the media reported sporadic incidents where journalists, both local and foreign, were harassed, banned and had their equipment confiscated by the police whilst covering the event.

International

In joint statement, four special mandates on freedom of expression condemn "defamation of religions" resolutions

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 15 December 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Mozambique

Contrary to reports, journalist Carlos Cardoso's killer still on the run

(RSF/IFEX) - Contrary to initial claims by the Mozambican police, Aníbal António dos Santos Junior, "Anibalzinho", the convicted killer of journalist Carlos Cardoso, was not recaptured after escaping from prison for the third time on 7 December 2008 and is still on the run.

Zimbabwe

ZBC reporter abducted, assaulted, but manages to escape

(MISA/IFEX) - Obrian Rwafa, a news assignment editor with the state-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), was on 13 December 2008 allegedly abducted and severely assaulted by unknown assailants in Harare.

Burkina Faso

Police summon heads of Collective against Impunity two days after march on 10th anniversary of journalist's murder

(RSF/IFEX) - On 15 December 2008, Reporters Without Borders voiced its surprise after police in the capital Ouagadougou summoned the leaders of the Collective against Impunity in Burkina Faso, two days after it organised a march to mark the 10th anniversary of the murder of the editor of the "L'Indépendant".

Burkina Faso

Protesters rename Ouagadougou avenue after slain journalist on 10th anniversary of murder

(RSF/IFEX) - On 13 December 2008, Reporters Without Borders marked the 10th anniversary of journalist Norbert Zongo's murder by organising a protest in which stickers were used to rename one of the capital's avenues after Zongo. The editor of the weekly "L'Indépendant", Zongo and three companions were murdered in the southern town of Sapouy on 13 December 1998.

International

WAN report presents growing list of abuses against freedom of expression

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a 15 December 2008 WAN press release:

Kyrgyzstan

Journalists frequently summoned for questioning by authorities

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The following is a joint Adil Soz and Public Association "Journalists" (PAJ) alert:

Tunisia

Journalist Lotfi Hidouri released without charge

(OLPEC/IFEX) - The following is a 12 December 2008 OLPEC press release:

Pakistan / International

Pakistani editor awarded WAN's Golden Pen of Freedom

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

Pakistan

RSF urges government to investigate military intelligence over Mengal affair

(RSF/IFEX) - Pakistani businessman Munir Mengal, a member of the Balochi minority who was arrested for planning to launch a Balochi satellite TV station and held for 22 months by military intelligence and the police, has talked to Reporters Without Borders about his ordeal. He was interviewed in the European country where he has found refuge.

The Gambia

Journalists still live in fear four years after journalist Hydara's murder

(RSF/IFEX) - On 15 December 2008, Reporters Without Borders expressed its disgust at the obstruction and bad faith of Gambian authorities, who have allowed continuing impunity for the killers of Deyda Hydara, co-founder of the privately-owned daily "The Point", four years after his murder on 16 December 2004.

Brazil

Four new arrests in investigation into abduction of newspaper employees

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders welcomes the progress being made in the investigation into the abduction and torture of two journalists employed by the regional "O Dia" newspaper and their driver in the Rio de Janeiro shanty town of Batan on 14 May 2008.

Sri Lanka

Court rules that alleged confession made by journalist was voluntary, admissible as evidence in his trial

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

China

Second reporter arrested after investigating suspected corruption in Shanxi province

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders strongly condemns the arrest of Guan Jian, a reporter with the Beijing-based weekly "Wangluo Bao" (Network News), while investigating allegations of corrupt real estate transactions in Taiyuan, the capital of the northern province of Shanxi. Guan was arrested on 1 December 2008 and has been held incommunicado ever since.

Azerbaijan

Columnist allegedly assaulted by chairman of liberation organisation

(IRFS/IFEX) - On 12 December 2008, "Yeni Musavat" columnist Zamin Haji (Hajiyev) was allegedly beaten by the chairman of the Karabakh Liberation Organisation (KLO), Akif Nagi. Zamin Haji told IRFS that he called Akif Nagi "eke" (the word for brother in Uzbek) in his article, which displeased Akif Nagi. "Akif demanded that I stop writing about him," said Zamin Haji. "I told him that I will write about him as long as he is engaged in public activities, at which point Akif Nagi hit me in the face with his fist. My glasses broke as a result of the blow."

Bolivia

Cameraman assaulted

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 21 November 2008, journalist Carla Flores and camera operator Carlos Saavedra, of the Red Bolivisión television network, were physically and verbally assaulted in the La Paz Public Prosecutors' Office by a female relative of an individual who died during violent demonstrations that took place in Pando on 11 September. The assault took place when a group of journalists were waiting for the prosecutor in charge of the case.

Venezuela

Photographer wounded during swearing in of new mayor

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 9 December 2008, photographer Hugo Angulo, who works for the Municipal Chamber of Libertador, in the State of Mérida, was hit in the chest with a stone during a confrontation between supporters of the outgoing mayor, Carlos León, of Venezuela's United Socialist Party (Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela, PSUV), and supporters of the new mayor, Lester Rodríguez, who was elected on 23 November. The incident took place as Rodríguez was being sworn in.

International

IAPA releases three reports on crimes against journalists

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an 11 December 2008 IAPA press release:

Lebanon

Crime remains unsolved two years after journalist's murder

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 December 2008 CPJ press release:

India

IFJ renews commitment to journalists in danger zones

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

Kenya

Journalists arrested for protesting against new Communications Act

(Media Institute/IFEX) - Kenyan police arrested several journalists and a large number of civil society activists on 12 December 2008 as they broke up a protest against the passage of the Communications Act, which allows the government to interfere with the independence of the media.

Kenya

Government enacts draconian law to regulate media content, gives authorities broad powers of surveillance

(Media Institute/IFEX) - The media in Kenya was stunned as Kenya's Parliament defiantly enacted a draconian law on 10 December 2008 that will empower the Minister for Internal Security to take over media houses and confiscate equipment on grounds of state security. The president has two weeks within which he can decline to sign the law and can send it back to parliament with his reasons. If he does nothing then the law is automatically passed.

Ecuador

Editor of weekly newspaper sentenced to 10 months in prison for libel

(IPYS/IFEX) - Journalist Milton Chacaguasay Flores, the editor and owner of the weekly newspaper "La Verdad", was sentenced to ten months in prison for committing libel against Judge Silvio Castillo. The sentence was issued by a criminal court in the province of El Oro on 15 November 2008. The journalist was arrested on 30 November and imprisoned in the Social Rehabilitation Center in Machala, southern Ecuador.

Burma

Opposition journalist freed after six weeks in detention; two others moved to remote jails

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association welcome the 11 December 2008 release of Ohn Kyaing, a former journalist and member of the opposition National League for Democracy, who was arrested at his home on 1 October and held in Rangoon's Insein prison.

Somalia

Radio station staff receive death threats, station is shut down; two journalists beaten by soldiers

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is protesting the shutting down of Radio Markabley in the Bardhere District of Gedo Region in southwest Somalia by the Regional Islamic Administration.

Gabon

Journalist who was beaten by president's men leaves hospital but still fears for his safety

(RSF/IFEX) - Journalist Habib Papy Boudendji, known as Habib Bilalou, of the satirical weekly "Le Nganga", left hospital on 10 December 2008 after treatment for serious injuries from a brutal beating by soldiers within the presidential palace overnight on 5-6 December. In one of his articles, carried by "Le Nganga" on 27 November, he pointed the finger at the head of state's eldest daughter and director of the presidential cabinet, Pascaline Bongo, in an alleged embezzlement case.

Haiti

Journalist sentenced to one-month prison term for allegedly defaming senator

(RSF/IFEX) - One of Haiti's best known journalists, Joseph Guyler C. Delva, was sentenced to a month in prison by a Port-au-Prince criminal court on 10 December 2008 for defaming Sen. Rudolph Boulos. Delva is still free pending the outcome of an appeal. Boulos sued Delva after he said Boulos had a US passport. This would preclude him from being a senator as the 1987 constitution bans dual nationality.

United States

Illinois governor allegedly tried to silence "Chicago Tribune" editorial staff

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is concerned by allegations that Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich tried to pressure the "Chicago Tribune" newspaper. Blagojevich was arrested on 9 December 2008 along with his chief of staff, John Harris, for what US attorney Patrick Fitzgerald described as "a political corruption crime spree."

Sri Lanka

BBC World Service, "Sunday Leader" newspaper censored

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders deplores the latest cases of government censorship of international and local news media. In the past few days, the BBC World Service has been jammed by the state-owned Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC) and one of the country's most outspoken newspapers, the "Sunday Leader", has been forbidden to refer to the president's brother.

Peru

Journalists receive death threats from protesters

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 9 December 2008, journalists from several media outlets in the city of Juanjuí told IPYS that they had received death threats, in addition to threats concerning possible attacks on their workplaces. The individuals behind the threats accused the journalists of failing to support a violent protest taking place that day, which left 14 wounded. Juanjuí is located in the San Martín region of northeastern Peru.

Botswana

Parliament presses ahead with Media Practitioners Bill despite criticism

(MISA/IFEX) - On 10 December 2008, the Botswana Parliament pressed ahead with passing of the controversial Media Practitioners Bill. The bill, which faced fierce objections and an outcry from the media and the public in general, is now at the parliamentary committee stage before the final vote.

Colombia

Journalists assaulted by market vendors in Ibagué

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 10 December 2008, two journalists were assaulted by market vendors who were being evicted from a public space in the centre of the city of Ibagué, Tolima department. The incident took place at approximately 6:45 p.m. (local time). Throughout the day, riot police had been evicting the vendors, which resulted in a number of confrontations that were being covered by local journalists.

Sri Lanka

Cartoonist threatened; editors removed from their positions after publishing army chief's comments

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

China

Further details emerge about detained journalist

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 December 2008 CPJ press release:

Mexico

Special prosecutor's office for protection of journalists is failing to accomplish objective for which it was created, says CENCOS

(CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is an abridged translation of a 9 December 2008 CENCOS press release:

Peru

President says jailed TV host should be freed

(RSF/IFEX) - On 10 December 2008, President Alan García indicated he thought jailed TV presenter Magaly Medina should be released. He told a group of Medina supporters he thought the two months she has spent in prison were "sufficient" and that he would discuss the matter with justice minister Rosario Fernández.

Ecuador

Television programme cancelled over criticism of government

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has expressed concern over the sidelining of journalist Javier Molina of TV station Cablenoticias, which has been state-run since July 2008. Molina was the host of the political programme "Sobremesas de entorno". The journalist received three warnings from the new government-appointed management after the station was taken over, ordering him to modify his editorial line. After Molina complained on air about this on 19 November, the programme was pulled from the schedule, with the management referring to "simple programming changes". "Sobremesas de entorno" is the third programme to be cancelled since the state Deposit Guarantee Agency (AGD) seized control of three privately-owned media. On 1 December, Cablenoticias cancelled the programme "Mano a mano", hosted by journalist Francisco Pinoargotti. Another satirical programme "Buenos muchachos", also hosted by Pinoargotti, disappeared from Gama TV on 24 November.

Syria / Saudi Arabia

Saudi blogger, director of Syrian media center prevented from traveling to free press forum

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

Tunisia

TMG protests travel restrictions, arrest of human rights activists

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

Eritrea

On 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, many journalists still detained without charges, says ARTICLE 19

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

Iraq

US military refuses to comply with court order to free Reuters photographer

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders deplores the US military's refusal to comply with the Iraqi central criminal court's order to release Reuters photographer Ibrahim Jassam.

Israel

As world marks 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Gaza blockade continues, ban on foreign media reinstated

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

Taiwan

Government interference puts strain on public media

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

International

IAPA announces campaign for raising awareness of the importance of freedom of expression

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

Colombia

Protective measures for journalists at risk cannot interfere with their freedom of expression rights, says constitutional court

(FLIP/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated version of a 9 December 2008 FLIP alert:

Mexico

Authorities accused of failing to investigate disappearance of television reporters

(CEPET/IFEX) - The Mexican National Human Rights Commission (Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos, CNDH) has sent a recommendation to the Nuevo León state governor regarding the negligence, delaying and failure of the local authorities to properly investigate the May 2007 disappearance of reporter Gamaliel López Candanosa and cameraman Gerardo Paredes Pérez. At the time of their disappearance, López Candanosa and Paredes Pérez were working for the TV Azteca television station.

Mexico

ARTICLE 19 Mexico launches nationwide campaign for protection of journalists

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

Thailand

CAPSULE REPORT: New citizens group to lobby for amendments to Computer-Related Crime Bill, promote self-regulation as a way to protect cyber liberty

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 9 December 2008 SEAPA report:

Sudan

Declaration on deteriorating state of freedom of expression, media freedom issued by media stakeholders

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 9 December 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Angola

Former VOA journalist sentenced to 12 years in prison for "crimes against the state"

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

Slovenia

Journalist could face one year in prison in defamation case filed by mayor

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a press release by the International Press Institute (IPI):

Gabon

Reporter for satirical weekly badly beaten by president's bodyguards

(RSF/IFEX) - Habib Papy Boubendji, also known as Habib Bibalou, an investigative journalist with the satirical weekly "Le Nganga", was badly beaten by soldiers inside the presidential compound in Libreville on the night of 5 December 2008, Reporters Without Borders has learned from several sources. He is now in intensive care in a military hospital near the capital where only his wife is allowed to visit him.

China

TV reporter arrested for accusing prosecutor of abuse of authority

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders urges the central government to conduct an investigation into a TV reporter's arrest at her Beijing home on the night of 4 December 2008 by policemen sent by a provincial prosecutor, who is accusing her of corruption.

Turkmenistan

Human rights activist, who had helped distribute information about Turkmenistan to the world, amnestied after being imprisoned for alleged "embezzlement"

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 9 December 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Nepal

Community radio station overtaken, staff locked out by smugglers

(FNJ/IFEX) - Ramaroshan FM, the only FM community radio station in Achham, a far western district of Nepal, was padlocked on 7 December 2008 by hooligans.

Mexico

Suspected killer of journalist detained

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 9 December 2008 IAPA press release:

Brazil

Jury trial for ex-mayor accused of ordering journalist's murder in 2003

(RSF/IFEX) - The Superior Tribunal of Justice (STJ), one of Brazil's highest federal courts, ruled on 4 December 2008 that Maria Arivan de Holanda Lucena, the former mayor of Limoeiro do Norte, in the northeastern state of Ceará, should be tried before an ordinary court for the 2003 murder of Nicanor Linhares Batista, the owner of Radio Vale do Jaguaribe, a radio station based in the town.

Venezuela

Community-based radio station's transmitter destroyed after airing criticism of local mayor

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 20 November 2008, unidentified persons destroyed the main transmitter of community based radio station Radio Minumboc, located in the municipality of Carache in the State of Trujillo, western Venezuela.

China

Leading PEN member detained on eve of Human Rights Day; fellow activist detained and released

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

Jordan

CAPSULE REPORT: Despite advances on access to information and press freedom, government's negative attitude towards the media has not changed, says AAI

(AAI/IFEX) - The following is a 6 December 2008 AAI statement:

Mozambique

Killer of journalist Carlos Cardoso re-arrested after third prison escape

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced relief at the re-arrest on 8 December 2008 of the killer of journalist Carlos Cardoso, 36 hours after he made his third escape from Maputo's high security prison.

Turkey

Court sentences former parliamentarian to 10 years in jail for speeches sympathetic to Kurdistan, imprisoned Kurdish leader

(BIANET/IFEX) - On 4 December 2008, the 5th High Criminal Court of Diyarbakir sentenced Leyla Zana, a former member of the Democracy Party (DEP), to 10 years in prison for "being a member of a terrorist organization" under article 314/2 of the Turkish Penal Code. The court, headed by Judge Dündar Örsdemir, decided that Zana's activities had reached "the point of acting as a member of the terrorist organization Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)."

Ecuador

Television programme cancelled because of report critical of president

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 25 November 2008, Francisco Pinoargotti, director and presenter of Gama TV's program "Buenos Muchachos", which includes entertainment, satire and black humor, said that his program was cancelled arbitrarily following orders issued by the new state-appointed co-manager of the station, Carlos Alvarado.

Turkey

Two journalists face lengthy jail sentences over writings about prosecutor

(BIANET/IFEX) - The prosecutor in Gerger, in the southeastern province of Adiyaman, has asked for a sentence of 13 years and two months for journalist Haci Bogatekin, who has already served 109 days in prison for voicing his opinion about Prosecutor Sadullah Ovacikli's possible close connections to Fethullah Gülen, a well-known Islamic community leader in Turkey.

Iraq

Kurdish president pardons doctor who was jailed for writing about homosexuality

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders welcomes the 7 December 2008 release of physician and freelance journalist Adel Hussein from prison in Erbil (330 km north of Baghdad) under a pardon granted by the president of Iraq's Kurdistan region at the start of every religious festival.

Kashmir (India)

Journalists injured in attack by police and security personnel

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

Sri Lanka

Media group prohibited from publishing information on defence secretary for two weeks

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 December 2008 IFJ media release:

Thailand

Issue of "The Economist" magazine withheld over critical article on Thai king

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Thai distributor of "The Economist" banned the 6-10 December 2008 issue of the magazine because it contained an article critical of the country's monarch, news reports said.

Zimbabwe

Police detain and question news correspondent

(MISA/IFEX) - On 3 December 2008, John Nyashanu, a correspondent with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), and three other people suspected to be his workmates were picked up by riot police in Harare and taken to the Harare Central Police Station, where they were questioned and released without charges.

Namibia

South African journalist held overnight; RSF calls on information minister to withdraw charges

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders wrote to information and communications technology minister Joel Kaapanda on 5 December 2008 to call for the withdrawal of all charges against South African TV journalist Bonita Nuttall, who was arrested on 28 November for doing a report in Namibia after entering the country on a tourist visa.

International

Cuban journalist, North Korean radio station and two Burmese bloggers win 17th annual RSF Prize

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged 4 December 2008 RSF press release:

International

In new report on human rights in the Arab world, CIHRS notes increase in repression of reformists, human rights defenders and the independent press

(CIHRS/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 5 December 2008 CIHRS press release:

Bahrain

Journalist prosecuted for alleged sedition, slander, false reporting

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has learned that Maryam Al-Shoroogi, a journalist and writer from "Alwasat" newspaper, was summoned on 1 December 2008 by the Public Prosecution (PP) Office on charges of publishing an article which harms unity and introduces discrimination sedition between citizens in Bahrain.

Turkey

Court fines newspaper, columnist over disclosure of sensitive information in article

(BIANET/IFEX) - An Ankara civil court has fined "Birgun" newspaper and its columnist, Fikri Saglar, on charges of having attacked the personal rights of former chief of staff, General Yasar Buyukanit, and his wife, Filiz Buyukanit, in a column by Saglar entitled, "Was Buyukanit given a file?"

Burma

Imprisoned blogger Zarganar transferred to remote prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association strongly condemn comedian and blogger Zarganar's transfer, on 4 December 2008, from Insein prison, near Rangoon, to Myitkyina prison in the northern state of Kachin. After an initial sentence of 45 years in prison and then an additional 14-year sentence, his transfer to a remote northern prison is tantamount to a third heavy sentence.

South Africa

Broadcast journalists claim intimidation from political parties

(MISA/IFEX) - Journalists from the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said they are experiencing intimidation as the country draws closer to the most bitterly contested elections in recent history, wrote Jocelyn Newmarch in "Business Day" of 5 December 2008. The elections are due to take place in 2009.

China

Tibetan traditional printer sentenced to seven years in prison

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 5 December 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Pakistan

Shots fired by Swat Valley soldiers kill journalist's sister

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is saddened by the news that the sister of journalist Shireen Zada of Express News TV was killed inside their home in Mingora, in the northwestern Swat Valley, on 5 November 2008 by shots apparently fired by military personnel.

Bolivia

AMARC welcomes inclusion of articles concerning communication in new draft Constitution

(AMARC/IFEX) - AMARC-Latin America and the Caribbean (AMARC-ALC) expresses its support for various articles in the new draft Bolivian Constitution. During a seminar on local radio policies and legislation, which took place between 19 and 21 November 2008 in La Paz, various members of AMARC-ALC took the opportunity to analyse and exchange opinions on the proposed Constitution, focusing on articles relating to freedom of expression.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Court hands down 10 and nine-month sentences to editor, assistant, after more than nine months in detention

(JED/IFEX) - On 27 November 2008, Kinshasa's N'Djili court handed down 10 and nine-month sentences, respectively, to Nsimba Embete Ponte, editor of the Kinshasa-based, independent bi-weekly l'"Interprète", and his assistant, Davin Tondo Nzovuanga. The court's decision was only made public a week later. The two men were arrested by state security agents in March and held in secret detention for three months at a national intelligence agency detention centre along the Congo River, before being transferred to a Kinshasa prison in early June. Taking into account the time spent in detention already, Tondo will be released later this month and Nsimba Embete in January 2009.

Botswana

Photojournalist attacked by football club official

(MISA/IFEX) - On 3 December 2008, journalists in Botswana petitioned the Botswana Football Association (BFA) over the reported assault of one of their colleagues, photojournalist Kebofhe Mathe, by the chairperson of Mochudi Centre Chiefs football club, Mr. Earnest Molome.

Venezuela

Reporters harassed and threatened by police during demonstration

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 2 December 2008, journalist Andrés Astudillo and photographer Rafael Salazar, of the "El Tiempo" newspaper, were harassed and threatened by three policemen who noticed that the reporters had photographed them hitting a group of demonstrators during a violent protest at a university in the State of Anzoátegui, northwestern Venezuela.

Honduras

IAPA concerned over government's plan to create a national news media watchdog group

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 5 December 2008 IAPA press release:

Israel

Foreign journalists allowed entry to Gaza Strip for the first time in a month

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is pleased to learn that the Israeli defence ministry began allowing foreign journalists to enter the Gaza Strip again on 4 December 2008. The press freedom organisation wrote to Defence Minister Ehud Barak on 19 November asking him to lift the ban that had been in forced since 5 November.

Peru

Radio programme cancelled after host criticises member of congress

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 30 November 2008, the "Combate" programme broadcast by La Capullana radio station and hosted by journalist Esteban Lijap Hidalgo was cancelled in mid broadcast. The incident took place in the city of Sullana, Piura region, northern Peru.

Russia

Police raid of human rights group office an attempt "to silence critical voices," says Human Rights Watch

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 4 December 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

International

CAPSULE REPORT: Majority of African journalists are detained without charge, says CPJ

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 4 December 2008 CPJ press release:

Haiti

Seven years after Lindor murder convicted killers still at large

(RSF/IFEX) - Justice has still not been fully rendered in the case of Brignol Lindor, a young radio journalist who was murdered in a particularly barbaric manner in the southwestern town of Petit-Goâve seven years ago, despite the fact that two individuals implicated in his murder were given life sentences in December 2007, Reporters Without Borders said.

International

CAPSULE REPORT: CPJ survey shows online journalists now jailed more than those in other media

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 4 December 2008 CPJ press release:

Swaziland

Security forces threaten to disrupt media workshop

(MISA/IFEX) - On 3 December 2008, state police stormed a MISA training workshop for media personnel and threatened to disrupt it if they were not allowed to monitor it.

Lebanon

Slander charges against rights activist dismissed, other actions pending

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 4 December 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Russia

Journalists assaulted, equipment broken, confiscated

(GDF/IFEX) - In the Yubileiny District of Krasnodar late on 24 November 2008, a woman with a baby carriage and her husband were hit by a Hyundai Sonata while crossing the street. When a crew of reporters for the TV/Radio Company "Krasnodar" arrived to cover the accident, the men sitting in the Sonata demanded that Mikhail Zakhozhiy, the cameraman, switch off his camera. They then hit him several times in the face, confiscated the cassette and damaged the video camera.

Fiji

Interim government seeking jail terms for newspaper bosses

(PINA/IFEX) - Fiji's interim government has asked the court to jail the publishers and editors of two of the country's daily newspapers for six months each and impose a fine of $1 million (approx. US$539,000) over their publication of a letter that criticised the High Court's validation of the 2006 military coup, reports Fiji Live.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Provincial governor accuses Radio Okapi journalist of collusion with rebels

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

Venezuela

Journalist declared "war objective", her home is target of teargas bombs

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 1 December 2008, unidentified persons threw tear gas bombs and pamphlets and fired into the air outside the building where journalist Marta Colomina lives in Caracas.

Argentina

RSF concerned over wave of attacks on media in northwestern Argentina

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has expressed concern over the state of press freedom in northwestern Argentina after recent threats and attempts at censorship, including some criminal acts. These incidents point to serious problems for journalists in the region who choose to speak freely, especially about local authorities, RSF said.

Sri Lanka

Media organisations express concern over opposition leader's remarks to reporter

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a statement by FMM and four other Sri Lankan media organisations, known as the Five Media Collective:

Peru

Journalist's radio programme cancelled after he criticises local authorities; arrest warrant issued for editor found to be "in contempt of court"

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 28 November 2008, Radio Atlántida's news programme "Tribuna Libre" was cancelled as it was being broadcast live. According to programme director and host Richard Panduro Cashú, the cancellation was linked to pressure exerted by Iván Vásquez, the regional president of Loreto, northeastern Peru. Panduro had criticised Vásquez in his programme.

Zimbabwe

Prominent journalist and human rights activist kidnapped from her home

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced deep disquiet after journalist and human rights activist Jestina Mukoko was abducted from her home near the capital, Harare, at dawn on 3 December 2008.

International

Council of Europe criticised for adopting "second-rate" treaty on access to information

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 3 December 2008 joint press release by ARTICLE 19, Access Info Europe and Open Society Justice Initiative:

Brazil

ARTICLE 19 calls for new legislation on broadcast licensing, complete overhaul of system

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 2 December 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Slovenia / International

Slovenian journalist and writer to receive SEEMO human rights award

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 3 December 2008 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Morocco

Another large fine imposed on embattled Arabic-language daily

(RSF/IFEX) - Rachid Nini, the publisher of the "Al-Massae" newspaper, was fined another 600,000 dirhams (approx. 54,000 euros) by a Casablanca court on 1 December 2008 for allegedly libelling a prominent lawyer. The judgment increases the likelihood that Morocco's leading Arabic-language daily will be forced to close.

International

Freedom House leader awarded WPFC's first annual press freedom advocacy prize

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 3 December 2008 WPFC press release:

Somalia

Journalist held in Somaliland freed after two weeks

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders notes the release, on 18 November 2008, of freelance journalist Hadis Mohammed Hadis, after being held for two weeks at the Criminal Investigation Department in Hargeisa, capital of the breakaway region of Somaliland in northern Somalia.

Malaysia

Municipal authorities consider filing complaint against journalist, newspaper for "unfavourable" reporting

(CIJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 December 2008 statement by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), an interim member of IFEX:

Iraq / United States

Court orders release of Iraqi journalist, charges withdrawn

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 December 2008 IFJ media release:

Senegal

Court refuses bail for jailed editor

(MFWA/IFEX) - An Appeal court in Dakar on 2 December 2008 rejected the bail application filed by lawyers of El Malick Seck, jailed editor-in-chief of the privately-owned "24 Heures Chrono" newspaper.

Egypt / International

Egyptian journalist wins Arab newspaper award

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a 2 December 2008 WAN press release:

Bolivia

Bomb blast damages newspaper offices

(RSF/IFEX) - On 1 December 2008, a dynamite bomb went off at around 1:00 a.m. (local time) at the offices of "El Potosí", a privately owned daily based in the southwestern city of Potosí. The blast caused no injuries but resulted in damages to the station entrance and its computer equipment.

Peru

Journalist assaulted, receives death threat; two other journalists expelled from state property

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 25 November 2008, journalist Jorge Moncada, of the newspaper "El Ciclón", said that he was hit and threatened inside the paper's headquarters by two members of the Police's Criminal Investigation Division (II-DIRTEPOL), so that he would reveal the source of the information he published about the murder of a well-known lawyer from Chiclayo, in the Lambayeque region, northwestern Peru. María Altamirano Guzmán, a key witness in the murder, also participated in the assault.

Turkey

Journalist acquitted of charges of "securing and spreading secret documents"; another investigative journalist faces charges

(BIANET/IFEX) - Nazif Iflasoglu, a reporter from the daily "Radikal", has been acquitted of the accusation of "securing and spreading secret documents". He had faced the charges for publishing an article about the strategy of the Follow-Up Committee at the Prime Ministry regarding its fight against the radical Muslim Hizbullah Organization.

France

Journalist humiliated, arrested, released after several hours in alleged libel case

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has protested at the "unacceptable and humiliating" treatment of journalist Vittorio de Filippis, managing editor of the daily "Libération" from May to December 2006, who was arrested at his home in the early morning on 28 November, detained and subjected to body searches before being taken before a Paris judge.

Sudan

Human rights defenders arrested, held without charge, Human Rights Watch concerned they are being harassed for speaking out against abuses

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 26 November 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Bangladesh

Main political parties, interim government and election commission commit to an open media environment during elections, says IPI press freedom mission

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 2 December 2008 IPI press release:

Turkey

Journalists' associations call for removal of accreditation ban put into effect by prime minister's office

(BIANET/IFEX) - Sultan Özer, a member of the Discipline Committee of the Turkish Journalists Union (TGS) and diplomacy reporter for the daily "Günlük Evrensel", petitioned the Administrative Court of Ankara for the removal of an accreditation ban put into effect by the Prime Ministry against some journalists. She wants to be allowed to take part in a meeting between the Prime Ministry and the Council of Ministers.

Colombia

Journalists threatened, attacked during protests

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 26 November 2008, various journalists were threatened, intimidated and attacked in Mocoa, the capital of Putumayo, while they were covering protests by citizens against the shutdown of investment companies involved in illegal businesses known as "pyramid schemes".

Afghanistan

Two kidnapped journalists released by captors

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

China

Media barred from reporting on taxi strike

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

China

Internet writer and activist detained

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Guo Quan, Internet writer and activist, who has reportedly been held on charges of "inciting subversion" since 13 November 2008. The WiPC fears that Guo Quan may be held for his online writings, and if so, calls for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.

Philippines

Radio journalist shot to death after receiving death threats

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 2 December 2008, another radio broadcaster was gunned down by unknown assailants in the town of San Roque, Northern Samar. Northern Samar is approximately 479 km from Manila.

Ecuador

Journalist sentenced to six months' imprisonment for slander; governor prevents reporter from taping quarrel among political leaders

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 25 September 2008, journalist Freddy Aponte Aponte, of the radio station Luz y Vida, based in the city of Loja, was sentenced to sixth months' imprisonment by the III Criminal Bench of the National Court of Justice. He is accused of having slandered Loja's former mayor, José Bolívar Castillo Vivanco, who on 25 November demanded from the judges US$1 million in damages for the same case.

United Kingdom

Journalist wins court fight over protection of sources

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 1 December 2008 IFJ media release:

United Kingdom / Thailand

Journalist settles multi-million libel suit with retail giant Tesco

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A Thai journalist facing a multi-million Baht libel suit filed by Tesco Lotus has reached an agreement with the retail giant to settle the case, media reports said.

China

"Christian Science Monitor" reporter arrested, questioned by police

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders urges the Chinese government to rein in the authorities in the central province of Henan, where a reporter for a US national newspaper was arrested and a Belgian TV crew were arrested and beaten in separate incidents in the past five days.

Thailand

SEAPA appeals for calm as PAD supporters target journalists, television vehicle at airport

(SEAPA/IFEX) - As the political crisis in Bangkok escalates, Thai journalists are increasingly finding themselves caught in the crossfire between two warring political factions and their respective supporters, with reports of harassment, shootings, and physical attacks targetting media offices and practitioners.

Iraq

Doctor jailed in Kurdistan for writing about homosexuality

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the release of Adel Hussein, a doctor who was sentenced to six months in prison on 24 November 2008 in the Kurdish city of Erbil for writing an article about homosexuality for the independent weekly "Hawlati". He was found guilty of "offending public decency" under article 403 of the Criminal Code.

Thailand

Media under fire as political conflict intensifies

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 1 December 2008 CPJ press release:

Thailand

Thai media groups call on opposing political factions to stop violence against journalists

(TJA/IFEX) - The following is a 1 December 2008 statement from the Thai Journalists' Association (TJA):

Mexico

Journalists face legal action, harassment for investigations into corruption

(CEPET/IFEX) - The following is an abridged translation of a 1 December 2008 CEPET statement:

Mauritania

Newspaper editor jailed in Nouakchott after being extradited from Dubai

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the imprisonment of Abdel Fettah Ould Abeidna, the editor of the privately-owned Arabic-language weekly "Al-Aqsa", on 30 November 2008 in Nouakchott on a criminal libel charge. Abeidna was immediately jailed on his arrival from Dubai, from where he was extradited.

India

Newspaper columnist among victims of massacre in Mumbai

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

Kenya

Government proposes draconian law for regulating media content, says Media Institute

(Media Institute/IFEX) - A new law that, if passed, will allow the Kenyan government to determine the content, style, manner and schedule of broadcasting, has drawn fierce resistance from the media industry.

Kazakhstan

Draft amendments to media laws a small step forward, but offer no path to real change, says Human Rights Watch

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 1 December 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Zambia

Police drop charges against station manager

(MISA/IFEX) - On 26 November 2008, the Zambia Police dropped charges against Radio Icengelo's station manager, Fr. Frank Bwalya, citing security reasons. Bwalya was due to appear at the Kitwe magistrate court on 27 November to answer charges of broadcasting information intended to cause divisions in communities. The police allege this information was broadcast between 1 and 12 November in a post-election radio programme that Bwalya hosted on Radio Icengelo.

Zambia

Minister of Information says government has no choice but to regulate media through statutory means

(MISA/IFEX) - On 25 November 2008, the newly appointed Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha, said the government had no choice but to regulate the media through statutory means because the press had failed to self regulate.

Sri Lanka

Journalist beaten by Eravur police

(FMM/IFEX) - FMM is outraged that Eravur police officers beat journalist Mohamed Hussein with batons because he was covering the suddenly imposed dawn to dusk curfew in Batticaloa on 29 November 2008. The assault and harassment of Hussein is not only a violation of freedom of expression rights but also a violation of basic human rights. Hussein is associated with the Kalmunei media house, run by Inter News.

Venezuela

Telecommunications commission begins legal proceedings against Globovisión television station for allegedly violating electoral law

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Border deplores the legal irregularity and purely political intent of a 27 November 2008 administrative move against the privately owned Globovisión television station for allegedly violating the country's electoral law. The organisation said the move was clearly an attempt to cancel the station's broadcasting licence.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Media workers assaulted by political party activists in Kinshasa

(JED/IFEX) - In a 26 November 2008 letter to Antoine Gizenga, national secretary of the Unified Lumumbist Party (Parti lumumbiste unifié, PALU), copied to the justice minister and public prosecutor, among others, JED strongly denounced "the attack on media professionals at the PALU headquarters in Kinshasa/Matete after being invited by telephone to cover a public demonstration by the party." JED said it was "particularly shocked that these serious violations of press freedom come from a party that fought for a long period in opposition and suffered the torment of repression during the dictatorship as a result of its demands for democracy in the DR Congo, and which, now that it is in power, gives the unfortunate impression of acting as a predator against democracy and press freedom."

Peru

Journalist assaulted

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 18 November 2008, journalist Miguel Rojas Panduro, director and host of Amazonía Televisión - Canal 23's programme "Tú decides", was insulted and struck by Elmer Richard Navarro Huayllahua. A few days earlier, Navarro Huayllahua's former partner had appeared on the programme publicly accusing him of domestic violence and failing to pay child support. The incident took place in the city of Iquitos, Loreto region, northeastern Peru.

Argentina

Radio station is target of arson attack

(FOPEA /IFEX) - On 26 November 2008, a fire that appears to have been set intentionally affected the facilities of Radio Uno radio station in the town of Joaquín V. González, in the southern part of Salta province, northwestern Argentina. The attack, which occurred at 2:00 a.m. (local time), forced the station off the air and resulted in damages to equipment totalling 20,000 pesos (approx. US$ 5,900), according to the station's owner, journalist Daniel Barboza. Barboza said the station would be ready to resume broadcasting on 1 December.

Sri Lanka

Government censors BBC Sinhala and Tamil programmes airing opposition viewpoints on ongoing war

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a statement by FMM and four other Sri Lankan media organisations, known as the Five Media Collective:

Colombia

Journalist brutally assaulted by town councillor

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 28 November 2008, in the northeastern city of Barrancabermeja, Santander province, journalist Rosberg Perilla of "Enlace TV" was assaulted by town councillor Nelson Riaño Galvis.

United Kingdom / Somalia

IFJ welcomes court action over killing of BBC journalist

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 November 2008 IFJ media release:

Nepal

Missing journalist's remains found, murder suspected

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

Malawi

Police stop march in support of Joy Radio, station authorities appeal to Supreme Court over revoked license

(MISA/IFEX) - On 26 November 2008, police stopped a march by concerned listeners of Joy Radio who wanted to deliver a petition to the district commissioner calling for the radio station to be allowed to go back on air.

China

Belgian TV journalist and his crew assaulted while reporting on AIDS

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced dismay after Belgian journalist, Tom Van de Weghe, and his team from Flemish public television VRT were attacked and robbed by men recruited by the authorities in Henan province, central China as they reported on AIDS in China.

Botswana

Management cuts short radio station programme

(MISA/IFEX) - Radio Botswana presenter, Mmoloki Mothibi, was forced to bring an early end to his morning show on 17 November 2008, on instructions from the station director, Mr. Mogomotsi Kaboyamodimo. The discussions on the programme of that day were based on the recalling of a ruling party Member of Parliament, Hon. Pono Moatlhodi.

Pakistan

Journalists arrested, held for more than five hours after Taliban press conference

(RSF/IFEX) - At least 15 Pakistani journalists returning from a press conference held by Taliban leader Hakeemullah Mehsud in the Orakzai tribal region in the north-west were arrested by the military on 26 November 2008.

Germany

Parliament defeats anti-terrorism law that would have required journalists to reveal their research material and sources

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

Nigeria

Publisher and three editors charged with criminal defamation, injurious falsehood

(MRA/IFEX) - On 27 November 2008, the government of Nigeria arraigned the publisher of the Abuja-based privately owned "Leadership" daily newspaper, Sam Ndah Isaiah, and three other editorial staff, daily editor Abdulrazak Bello Barkindo, Sunday editor Lara Olugbemi and ex-associate editor Simon Imobo-Swan, at an Abuja magistrate court. They were accused of "conspiracy, joint illegal acts, defamation of character, injurious falsehood and printing, engraving and distributing of matter known to be defamatory contrary to sections 79, 392, 393, 394, and 395 of the Penal Code."

Sri Lanka

Public Performance Board censors film

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a press release by FMM and other media organisations:

Ukraine

Journalists launch hunger strike over suspected attempt by politician to take control of TV station

(IMI/IFEX) - The staff of Channel 34 in the city of Dniepropetrovsk launched a hunger strike on 24 November 2008 at 10:00 p.m. (local time). The employees of the Dniepropetrovsk Tele-visual Service (also known as Channel 34) are protesting the liquidation of the company and the firing of its management. The journalists announced the hunger strike on air, according to the national weekly "PIK Ukrainy".

Singapore

"Wall Street Journal Asia" found in contempt of court and fined

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns a Singapore high court ruling on 25 November 2008 finding the Hong Kong-based "Wall Street Journal Asia" in contempt of court and fining it 25,000 Singapore dollars (approx.12,700 euros) for publishing two editorials and a letter by an opposition leader questioning the country's judicial system. The newspaper is owned by Dow Jones & Co.

Moldova

Proposed secrecy law threatens openness, says ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 27 November 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Thailand

Satellite television provider's head office attacked with grenades, guns

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Early in the morning on 28 November 2008, unidentified individuals fired two 40mm grenades at the head office of satellite television services provider ASTV in an apparent attempt to destroy the satellite transponder dishes on the building's roof, media reports said.

International

CAPSULE REPORT: IPI and SEEMO concerned about potential for further violence in southeast Europe

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

Burma

Comedian, journalist sentenced to additional prison time under Electronic Law

(Mizzima/IFEX) - Internet users in Burma have claimed that they feel threatened when surfing the Web as a result of the long prison terms given to those charged under the Electronic Law.

Argentina

Truck drivers block distribution of newspapers and magazines

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 26 November 2008 IAPA press release:

Mexico

Sinaloa state government approves initiative to classify threats and attacks on journalists as "serious crimes"; correspondent kidnapped for brief period

(CEPET/IFEX) - The Sinaloa state congress has approved an initiative to classify threats and attacks on journalists and media outlets as "serious crimes". The initiative was unanimously approved as an urgent measure taking into account the current state of insecurity in the northeastern Mexican state.

Sierra Leone

Radio station vandalised, staff members threatened with death

(MFWA/IFEX) - An angry mob from Tombo, a rural town 40 km from Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, on 24 November 2008 besieged the premises of Voice of Peninsular, a community radio station in the town and destroyed the station's broadcasting equipment.

Egypt

Second blogger detained at secret location

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called on the Egyptian authorities to reveal the charges against two bloggers who are being held at secret locations in defiance of their basic rights.

Tunisia

Reporter at Kalima Radio arrested and violently assaulted

(OLPEC/IFEX) - The following is a 24 November 2008 OLPEC press release:

Brazil

IAPA takes 13-year-old case of unpunished murder of journalist to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 26 November 2008 IAPA press release:

International

Ignoring public opinion, Council of Europe set to adopt contentious treaty on access to information

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 26 November 2008 joint press release by ARTICLE 19, Access Info Europe and Open Society Justice Initiative:

Malaysia

Labour activist acquitted of charges of "publishing false news"

(CIJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 November 2008 statement by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), an interim member of IFEX:

Lebanon

Journalist seriously injured during pro-Syrian rally

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders says it is sickened by a 27 November 2008 attack on television journalist Omar Harqous of the channel Future News. The station is owned by the Courant du Futur party, headed by Saad Hariri.

Iran

One journalist held incommunicado, another stabbed

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrest of Bahman Totonchi, a former contributor to the weekly "Karfto", on 18 November 2008, in Sanandaj, the capital of the northwestern province of Kurdistan. The organisation has also learned that a journalist was stabbed and seriously wounded in a neighbouring province after writing about gas shortages in the region.

India

Journalist investigating drug trafficking gunned down in Bihar state

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged by the 26 November 2008 murder of Vikas Ranjan, the Hindi-language daily "Hindustan"'s correspondent in Samastipur district, in the northeastern state of Bihar. Ranjan had been investigating local drug trafficking during the past few weeks.

Thailand

Two grenades fired at TV station

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns a grenade attack on Bangkok-based opposition satellite TV station ASTV early on the morning of 24 November 2008. The station is owned by Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and is often used as a coordination centre by PAD activists seeking the government's removal.

Egypt

Blogger arrested, detained in unknown location

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) has condemned the security forces' arrest of blogger Mohamed Adel, who runs Meit blog ( http://43arb.info/meit ). Adel has been kidnapped and held in an unknown place since 20 November 2008.

Somalia

Two foreign journalists kidnapped

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is shocked by the kidnapping of two foreign journalists in the commercial city of Bossasso in Puntland, northeast Somalia.

Burma

CAPSULE REPORT: Free speech crackdown accelerates, say ARTICLE 19 and Index on Censorship

(ARTICLE 19/Index on Censorship/IFEX) - The following is a 21 November 2008 joint statement by ARTICLE 19 and Index on Censorship:

Liberia

Journalist's camera confiscated by chief justice, later returned to him

(CEMESP/IFEX) - On 20 November 2008, the chief justice of Liberia, Johnny Lewis, ordered a camera belonging to a local journalist seized and confiscated after the journalist attempted to take a photograph of Lewis.

Egypt

Editors and journalists face prosecution in connection with publication ban on murder case

(ANHRI/IFEX) - ANHRI has expressed concern over the harassment and intimidation of Egyptian journalists after the editors of the "Al- Masry Al-Youm" and "Al-Wafd" newspapers, in addition to three other journalists, were summoned to appear in court on 4 December 2008. The summonses were issued in connection with a ban that has been placed on the publication of any material concerning the Susan Tamim murder case.

France

Legislating "historical facts" undermines intellectual freedom, says report

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

Iran

Blogger reportedly arrested on allegations of spying for Israel

(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is a 25 November 2008 CJFE press release:

International

New Privacy International report reveals counter-terrorism effects on media

(Privacy International/IFEX) - The following is a 25 November 2008 statement by Privacy International, an interim member of IFEX:

International

First congress of Federation of African Journalists a historic milestone, says IFJ

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 November 2008 IFJ media release:

Germany

IFJ condemns increasing surveillance of journalists and trade unions

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 November 2008 IFJ media release:

Brazil

IAPA calls for journalist's murderer to be brought to justice

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 25 November 2008 IAPA press release:

Nepal

Three journalists receive death threats; another attacked, his equipment destroyed; others verbally harassed

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

Croatia

Journalist finds electronic device under his car, fears bomb threat

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

Sri Lanka

Journalist's family receives threats warning that he will be killed if ransom is not paid

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

Somalia

Radio director arrested for broadcasting court ruling

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - NUSOJ condemns the arrest of journalist Hilal Sheik Shuayb, the director of the privately-owned Warsan Radio station in Baidoa, southwestern Somalia.

Bolivia

Leader of pro-government group under house arrest after new attack on journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders voiced its relief after Adolfo Cerrudo, a leader of the radical pro-government Popular Civic Committee, was placed under house arrest on 14 November 2008. He took part in physical assaults, along with 200 other committee members, against a score of journalists outside San Pedro de La Paz prison, who were there to cover the investigation into the ousted governor Leopoldo Fernández on 29 October. Cerrudo is under investigation for threatening to rape a journalist of the privately owned daily "La Razón". At the time, he was under a legal injunction preventing him from approaching members of the media as a condition of his bail.

International

On its 25th anniversary, AMARC reflects on its achievements and ongoing challenges for community radio stations

(AMARC/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 7 November 2008 AMARC press release:

Nepal

CAPSULE REPORT: Series of attacks on media organisations hints at "sustained and deliberate assault on freedom of expression"

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 24 November 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Swaziland

CAPSULE REPORT: Anti-terrorism law an excuse to suppress freedom of expression, says ARTICLE 19

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

Ecuador

Journalists' work hampered by Congress security

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 20 November 2008, a group of journalists and camera operators were watched and made uncomfortable by Parliament security personnel when they were attempting to cover a meeting that was taking place in one of the offices of the National Assembly's Legislative and Auditing Commission (Comisión de Legislación y Fiscalización), better known as the "Congresillo", in Quito, Ecuador's capital city.

Nepal

Five journalists receive death threats; driver of TV van injured in attack; journalist harassed while doing research

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

Slovakia

Radio broadcaster fined for libel, "truth distorting"

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 24 November 2008 press release by the International Press Institute (IPI):

Namibia

New bill on communication interception infringes on free expression, says MISA

(MISA/IFEX) - The Namibian chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, (MISA Namibia), has noted with grave concern the provision for Interception of Electronic Communications in the draft Information Communication Bill. It is recognised worldwide that wiretapping and electronic surveillance is a highly intrusive form of investigation that should only be used in limited and unusual circumstances. Major international agreements on human rights protect the right of individuals from unwarranted invasive surveillance. We therefore submit that the proposed law will infringe on the rights and civil liberties of Namibian citizens:

Malaysia

Human Rights Watch urges government to drop charges of "publishing false news" held against labour activist

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 22 November 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Venezuela

National Guard prevents Globovisión journalist from carrying out her work

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 21 November 2008, National Guard officers prevented Lisette Villafranca, a Globovisón television station journalist, from entering part of the Santa Cruz del Este neighborhood in Baruta, Miranda state, east of Caracas, when she was attempting to document the damages caused recently by severe rainfalls.

Uruguay

Government approves 38 community radio broadcasting licences

(AMARC/IFEX) - AMARC is celebrating the Uruguayan government's approval of licences for 38 community radio stations. This includes the licencing of several historic community-based stations that have been broadcasting without authorisation due to the lack of an adequate legal framework. AMARC also welcomes the application of open and transparent procedures for the awarding of new commercial broadcasting licences and expresses its satisfaction with the inclusion of citizen participation mechanisms throughout the process.

Uzbekistan

Poet Yusuf Juma ill-treated in prison

(WiPC/IFEX) - WiPC is concerned by reports that the Uzbek poet, Yusuf Juma, who was arrested in December 2007 and sentenced to five years imprisonment, is suffering ill-treatment in prison. The WiPC is seeking assurances of Juma's well-being, clarification of the reasons for Juma's detention and assurances that he is not being held in denial of his right to freedom of expression.

Afghanistan

CBC fixer, driver released

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

Ecuador

Journalist threatened after refusing to hand over information

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 13 November 2008, journalist Daisy Pico, a correspondent for the "Diario Expreso" newspaper, said she is being threatened and harassed by Mauricio Montesdeoca Martinetti. Montesdeoca Martinetti has been identified in police reports as being the person known by the pseudonym of "El Justiciero" ("The Avenger"). He has been accused of being a hired killer and is alleged to have assassinated suspected criminals in the province of Manabí.

Colombia

Two journalists receive death threats

(FLIP/IFEX) - Two journalists, Jazmín Romero, a reporter for the "Vanguardia Liberal" newspaper, and Mario Ruiz, of the local Pase TV television station, were recently threatened in the municipality of Socorro, Santander, in northeastern Colombia.

France

Journalist from state-owned television station France 3 asked to reveal sources for report about Moroccan arrest warrants

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is exasperated to learn that Joseph Tual, a journalist with the French state-owned TV station France 3, was questioned on 20 November 2008 by a court in Lille on suspicion of "violating professional confidentiality" in a report about new developments in the investigation into the 1965 disappearance of Moroccan opposition politician Medhi Ben Barka in Paris.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Five Raga TV journalists released after being held for 24 hours; one still missing

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders notes the release of five journalists from the privately-owned Raga TV who had been held for 24 hours at an undisclosed location. The journalists were freed on 20 November 2008.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Radio Okapi journalist gunned down near his home in Bukavu

(JED/IFEX) - JED expresses deep regret and outrage at the murder of 34-year-old Radio Okapi journalist Didace Namujimbo on 21 November 2008. According to early reports received by the organisation, Namujimbo, who was on his way home from the station, was killed by a bullet to the neck fired at point-blank range at about 9:30 p.m. (local time), shortly after he was dropped off by a MONUC (UN Mission in the Congo) vehicle on the main road in his neighbourhood. His body was found the next morning by passersby about 50m from his home.

India

Journalist murdered in Assam State

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 November 2008 IFJ media release:

Sri Lanka

Journalist released after eight-day detention

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

China

Journalist given three-year sentence for "inciting to subversion"

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 21 November 2008 CPJ press release:

Uganda

Editor summoned for questioning by police over magazine's political coverage

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 20 November 2008 CPJ press release:

Mexico

Attackers apprehended in Radio Calenda case

(AMARC/IFEX) - On 14 November 2008, several of the individuals involved in an attack on members of Radio Calenda, a community radio station in Oaxaca, were apprehended. In 2006, the station's members were assaulted by local authorities, as is documented in the report "Freedom of the Press in Mexico: the shadow of impunity and violence" ("Libertad de Prensa en México: la sombra de la impunidad y la violencia"), written by the International Mission for the Documentation of Attacks on Journalists and the Media. The report stated that:

Colombia

Judge issues order for arrest of "Semana" magazine editor

(FLIP/IFEX) - A criminal court judge has issued an arrest warrant for "Semana" magazine editor Alejandro Santos after coming to the conclusion that the magazine has failed to completely carry out a previous court order. The arrest warrant calls for Santos' detention for three days and also applies a fine equivalent to six months of salary at minimum wage. The decision came as a result of a complaint originally filed by Judge José Alfredo Escobar Araújo, of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (Consejo Superior de la Judicatura). Escobar Araújo began the proceedings against "Semana" after the magazine published an article entitled "The 'patrons' of justice" on 28 April 2008. In fulfillment of two previous rulings, the magazine had twice published corrections of the article.

Burma

Comedian and blogger "Zarganar" sentenced to 45 years in prison; sports journalist Zaw Thet Htwe gets 15 years

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

India

Trainee journalist gunned down in Manipur for unknown motives; local media stage protests

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged by the fatal shooting on 17 November 2008 of Konsam Rishikanta, a young trainee journalist employed by the "Imphal Free Press", a privately-owned English-language daily based in Imphal, the capital of the northeastern state of Manipur.

Serbia

Television station editor receives death threat from local officials

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following in an ANEM press release:

Malawi

Charges against journalist dismissed

(MISA/IFEX) - The Magistrate's Court in Lilongwe acquitted Nation Publications journalist Maxwell Ng'ambi of the charge of providing false information to a public officer. Ng'ambi was arrested on 17 May 2008 at Maula Prison where he was suspected of planning to interview a former speaker and minister of education, Sam Mpasu, who is serving a jail term.

Paraguay

Football player assaults and issues death threats against "Popular" newspaper journalists

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the actions of football player Marcos Lazaga, of the Olympia Club, who assaulted journalist Gabriela León and destroyed photographer Oscar González's camera. León and González both work for the "Popular" newspaper.

Israel

Foreign reporters prevented from entering Gaza Strip for more than two weeks

(RSF/IFEX) - On 19 November 2008, Reporters Without Borders wrote to Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak protesting against a ban that has prevented dozens of foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip via the Eretz crossing since 6 November. The heads of some of the world's biggest news media groups also wrote on the same day to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asking him to lift the ban.

Thailand

Opposition lawmakers propose new bill with respect to online defamation

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 18 November 2008, draft legislation aimed at penalising people making defamatory remarks online against the monarchy was proposed by a group of members of parliament (MP) from the opposition Democrat Party, media reports said.

Burma

Fearing for her safety following harassment by security forces, writer joins husband into exile

(Mizzima/IFEX) - Popular Burmese writer Hnin Pan Ein and her son fled to Thailand on 14 November 2008 to join her husband, a former political prisoner, after being frequently intimidated and harassed by Burmese authorities.

Pakistan

Reporter dismissed for refusing to recant statement critical of local authorities

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

Somalia

Galkayo-based radio station back on the air, director released but ordered to report to court

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails the reopening on 18 November 2008 of Radio Galkayo, a privately-owned station in the northeastern city of Galkayo, and the release of its director, Hassan Mohamed Jama, after three days in detention. Jama has nonetheless been ordered to report to a Galkayo court on 20 November at 9 a.m. (local time).

Venezuela

Students attack newspaper's vehicle; supporters of candidate for governor reprimand journalists for their reporting

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 18 November 2008, Santa María University students attacked a vehicle owned by "De Frente" newspaper, in the town of Barinas, southern Venezuela.

Malawi

Radio station shut down for a second time

(MISA/IFEX) - The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has shut down Joy Radio for the second time after the High Court in Blantyre lifted an injunction the radio station obtained on 17 October 2008. The injunction restrained MACRA from closing the station on accusations of breaching licence conditions, failing to comply with the provisions of the Communications Act and for effectively transferring its ownership into the hands of politicians.

Nicaragua

Radio stations vandalised, TV station vehicles damaged, journalists injured and threatened

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

Venezuela

IAPA calls on government to ensure free, unregulated reporting during election campaign

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 19 November 2008 IAPA press release:

Sri Lanka

FMM concerned over imprisoned journalist's health

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 19 November 2008 FMM press release:

Russia

Court closes journalist's murder trial to public

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 19 November 2008 CPJ press release:

Indonesia

Filmmaker refused permission to shoot in Central Java

(AJI/IFEX) - Local officials of Karanganyar District in Surakarta, a city in Java, Indonesia, refused to allow a film director to shoot a movie and even issued threats against the crew over accusations that the movie's script is filled with communist ideas.

Papua New Guinea

Government bans newspaper from reporting on 2009 budget

(PINA/IFEX) - President of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Media Council Joe R. Kanekane has called for increased dialogue between the government, newsmakers and the media.

Burma

Sentenced blogger and poet transferred to remote prisons

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association condemn the transfers of blogger Nay Phon Latt and poet Saw Wai to prisons far from Rangoon.

Armenia

Investigative journalist severely beaten, remains in hospital

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 19 November 2008 CPJ press release:

United States

Appeals court dismisses contempt order against journalist

(RSF/IFEX) - On 17 November 2008, a US court of Appeals dismissed the contempt order placed against "USA Today" reporter Toni Locy. Locy had been subpoenaed after Army scientist Steven Hatfill sued the government for leaking his name to the press in connection with the 2001 anthrax attack investigation.

Zimbabwe

African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to decide on case challenging certain provisions of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

(MISA/IFEX) - The legal secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) has completed its draft decision in a case brought before it against the Zimbabwean government challenging provisions of the draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

Ecuador

Radio station closed down after being accused of instigating people to protest

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 13 November 2008, Radio Ritmo radio station, which is based in the province of Santa Elena, western Ecuador, was closed down after the Telecommunications Superintendence (Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones, SUPERTEL) acted on a resolution by the National Radio and Television Council (Consejo Nacional de Radiodifusión y Televisión, CONARTEL) which called for the return of the station's frequency to state ownership. According to CONARTEL, in November 2007 the station infringed article 58, chapter IV, of the Radio and Television Broadcasting Law by instigating the population to participate in demonstrations in favour of converting the canton of Santa Elena into Ecuador's 24th province.

United Arab Emirates

Newspaper suspended and fined after reporting on horse-racing scandal

(ANHRI/IFEX)- On 19 November 2008, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemned an order handed down on 18 November by the Abu Dhabi court of appeal suspending the "Emarat Alyoum" newspaper for defamation. The court also fined the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Sami Al-Alraymi, 20,000 dirham (approx. US$5,400) and the newspaper 500,000 dirham (approx. US$136,000).

Swaziland

TV cameraman harassed, camera confiscated

(MISA/IFEX) - Phesheya Sibiya, a cameraperson employed by the privately-owned Channel Swazi television station, was harassed and had his camera confiscated by a traditional group performing "sacred" rituals for King Mswati III.

Yemen

Blogger faces harassment, threats following critical posts

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information has strongly condemned the harassment and threats against engineer Nashwan Abdu Ali Ghanim, whose blog on Katib website http://helal08.katib.org is now blocked in Yemen by the state security. The threats and harassment are based on his articles about the consequences of a terrorist operation targeting the U.S. embassy in Yemen, in which he accused certain political and military leaders of being involved in the attacks.

Mexico

Journalist who attempted to cover confrontation between drug traffickers detained, faces judicial proceedings

(CEPET/IFEX) - Roberto Tepepexteco Hipólito, a reporter for the "El Debate de los Calentanos" newspaper, has been imprisoned for two months after having been detained by military personnel when he was on his way to cover a confrontation between opposing gangs of suspected drug traffickers in Arcelia, Guerrero, southern Mexico.

International

Council of Europe accused of secrecy over convention on transparency

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 17 November 2008 joint press release by ARTICLE 19, Access Info Europe and Open Society Justice Initiative:

Bolivia

Photographer receives death threats after photographing pro-government groups; governor accuses newspaper of taking money in exchange for publishing false information

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 31 October 2008, Pedro Laguna, a photographer for the "La Razón" newspaper, received four text messages with death threats against him and his family, warning him to stop taking pictures of the "collision groups" that support President Evo Morales.

Taiwan

Police ask journalists for information on protest, photographs of demonstrators

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

Azerbaijan

Editor sentenced to six-month jail term for defamation, convicted deputy editor in hiding

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 18 November 2008 CPJ press release:

Peru

Journalist assaulted by regional president's advisor

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 11 November 2008, Raúl Palacios Rivas, a journalist for the "Diario de Chimbote" newspaper, was struck by Jorge Burgos Guanilo, the personal adviser to Ancash's regional president. At the time of the incident, Palacios Rivas was covering the arrival of Ministers' Council President Yehude Simon, at the Chimbote airport in northwestern Peru.

Nepal

Media offices burned, vandalised; television station office, journalists attacked

(FNJ/IFEX) - The numbers of attacks on Nepalese media houses and media personnel are increasing. Such attacks and threats targeted at media by various groups - both known and unknown - hinder not only the media and media personnel from performing their duties but also restrict people's right to information. Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) always believes in the necessity of complete media freedom for the development of democracy, and the country as a whole. FNJ has recorded all these incidents of attacks on media as media rights violations and asks the government to be serious about the security of journalists and people's right to know.

Germany

German Football Federation launches attack against investigative journalist

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

Canada

CJFE commemorates journalist on 10-year anniversary of his death, calls for his murder to be punished

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

Brazil

Family of assassinated journalist harassed, possibly for their participation in murder investigation

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

Sudan

Seventy journalists arrested at demonstration against government censorship

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

Swaziland

Critical journalists could be viewed as "supporting terrorists" and arrested, warns attorney general

(MISA/IFEX) - On 17 November 2008, Swaziland's Attorney General, Majahenkhaba Dlamini, warned that journalists who report critically against the government would be viewed as supporting "terrorists" and arrested.

Mexico

Local officials attack photojournalist with stones

(CEPET/IFEX) - Jorge Peña Acosta, a photojournalist for "Diario de Yucatán", was attacked with stones by state government officials in Mérida, the capital city of Yucatán state, in southern Mexico, while he was taking photographs on assignment.

Niger

Two journalists given suspended prison sentences for "defamation"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned three-month suspended prison sentences handed down for libel against the weekly "L'Evénement" journalists Moussa Aksar and Sani Aboubacar.

Burma

Musician Win Maw sentenced to six years in jail for "sending false news abroad"

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN strongly protests the six-year prison sentence handed down to leading Burmese musician Win Maw. International PEN calls for his immediate and unconditional release, as well as of all those currently detained in Myanmar in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Mexico

Journalist flees to the United States after receiving death threat

(CEPET/IFEX) - Jorge Luis Aguirre, director of the online newspaper "La Polaka," has left Mexico with his family and fled to the United States after receiving death threats in his home city of Ciudad Juárez, in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua.

Bolivia

TV station dynamited

(RSF/IFEX) - Television station Canal 13 of the San Francisco Javier de Sucre state university was dynamited in the early hours of 17 November 2008 for reasons that are still unknown. There were no casualties but the building was damaged in the attack. The station's director, Roger Gonzales, told Reporters Without Borders that windows had been blown out and some film equipment destroyed. He pointed out that Canal 13 suffered an earlier attack a year ago when unknown gunmen fired shots at the front of the building. An investigation into this attack did not produce any results.

Nigeria

Newspaper editors, publisher harassed and detained by security service and police

(MRA/IFEX) - For about a week, the publisher and editorial managers of the Abuja-based private daily "Leadership", have faced a series of harassments from both the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria's intelligence police and the regular police.

Algeria

Provincial reporter sentenced to two months in prison two years after leaving newspaper

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the two-month prison sentence which an appeal court in Saida (440 km southwest of Algiers) imposed on journalist Hassan Bourras on 28 October 2008 in addition to the fine of 40,000 dinars (460 euros) to which he was originally sentenced.

Bahrain

Minister of Information replaced following TV programme critical of ruling elite corruption

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has learned that the Bahraini Minister of Information, Jihad Bu-Kamal, has been replaced by Shaikha Mai Al-Khalifa, a member of the royal family, after a talk-show program criticising the ruling elite of corruption was aired on TV.

Pakistan

Journalists get serious threats, two TV stations' transmissions disrupted

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

Nicaragua

Photographers, reporter injured while trying to report on demonstrations; IAPA concerned with continued post-election attacks

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 17 November 2008 IAPA press release:

Sri Lanka

Minister indicted on charges of assaulting journalists

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

Philippines

Broadcaster shot dead over critical reports

(CMFR/IFEX) - A broadcaster was shot on 17 November 2008 by a killer onboard a motorcycle in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, a province about 785 kilometres south of Manila. He was the fifth Filipino journalist killed in the line of duty in 2008.

Mexico

Grenades thrown into newspaper office

(CEPET/IFEX) - In the early hours of 17 November 2008, two grenades were thrown into the offices of "El Debate" newspaper in Culiacán, Sinaloa state, northern Mexico. No one was injured as a result of the attack.

Syria

Human Rights Watch urges UK foreign secretary to press Syrian government to release activists detained for exercising freedom of expression and association

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 16 November 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

International

African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights expresses concern over freedom of expression violations

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 16 November 2008 MISA press release:

Pakistan

Two publications banned on allegations of spreading "anti-state feelings"

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

Sri Lanka

Radio station general manager arrested by security forces, remains detained

(FMM/IFEX) - Mr. A.R.Vaama Loshan, 32, General Manager of Vettri FM Radio, a Tamil radio station, was arrested by the Terrorism Investigations Division (TID) on 14 November 2008. He worked as a radio journalist for nearly 10 years before joining Vettri FM as GM in early 2008.

Zambia

MPs call for regulation of media

(MISA/IFEX) - On 13 November 2008, the Members of Parliament (MPs) called for the regulation of media organisations through the use of statutory instruments as opposed to self-regulation because of the alleged biased media coverage of the just ended presidential by-election.

Egypt

State security forces prevent blogger from running for student union

(ANHRI/IFEX) - In a 16 November 2008 statement, ANHRI denounced the interference of state security forces in student union elections at Sinai University, which is a private institution. The name of Amr Salama, a student and blogger, was struck from the list of candidates' names, even though all his documents were in order and his name had been included on the final list.

Somalia

Radio Galkayo shut down, station director arrested

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - On 16 November 2008, NUSOJ condemned both the shutting down of Radio Galkayo radio station by the Puntland police and the arrest of journalist Hassan Mohammed Jama, the director of Radio Galkayo.

Egypt

Media barred from reporting on trial of individuals accused of murdering Lebanese artist

(ANHRI/IFEX) - ANHRI's Legal Aid Unit for Freedom of Expression utterly rejects the decision issued by the president of the criminal court in south Cairo at a trial session held on 16 November 2008. This ruling upheld a previous decision to ban the media and the publication of any information from the trial of the individuals accused of murdering Lebanese artist Susan Tamim. All note-taking is prohibited, except for the court record and the publication of any final decision made by the court at the end of the trial.

Brazil

Newspaper's circulation reduced after it publishes articles criticising mayor

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - Since 6 November 2008, the "Jornal Atual" newspaper, which is based in the inland town of Itaguaí, in Rio de Janeiro State, has suffered a significant reduction in its distribution. According to the newspaper's owner, Marcelo Godinho, approximately 15 street newsstand vendors have refused to put the newspaper out for sale to their customers. All of the newsstands in question belong to the same owner, known as "Rodolfo", who is a close friend of the town's mayor, Carlos Busatto.

Argentina

Journalist stabbed during street protest

(FOPEA/IFEX) - The Argentine Journalism Forum (Foro de Periodismo Argentino, FOPEA) condemns the assault on journalist Fabricio Glibota on 14 November 2008. The incident took place while Glibota was carrying out his work in the city of Resistencia, the capital of the northern province of Chaco, and is one of the worst attacks against the press to occur in Argentina this year.

South Africa

SABC journalists allegedly intimidated by political party representatives, opposition parties concerned over SABC board's appearance before Parliamentary Portfolio Committee

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

Peru

Army and communications ministry cancel radio signal, seize broadcasting equipment

(IPYS/IFEX) - In the early morning of 12 November 2008, a group of soldiers, accompanied by police agents, a prosecutor and a representative from the Transport and Communications Ministry (Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones, MTC), burst into the headquarters of Radio Caplina radio station, cancelled its broadcasting signal and seized all of its equipment.

Burma

Female journalist sentenced to two years for taking photos of Cyclone Nargis victims

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association are outraged by the two-year sentence passed on 14 November 2008 on Ein Khaing Oo, a 24-year-old journalist with the weekly "Ecovision Journal", for taking photos of Cyclone Nargis victims. Ein Khaing Oo was arrested in Rangoon in June 2008.

Pakistan

Japanese and Afghan journalists shot, wounded in Pakistan

(PPF/IFEX) - A Japanese journalist and his Afghan colleague were shot and wounded on 14 November 2008 in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's restive North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Jordan

King says journalists should not be jailed for their work

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

Azerbaijan

Often-persecuted editor being followed

(IRFS/IFEX) - According to information received by the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), the assistant editor-in-chief of "Gundalik Baki" newspaper, Uzeyir Jafarov, is being followed. Habil Valiyev, the editor-in-chief and founder of "Gundalik Baki", told IRFS that Jafarov was followed on the evening of 11 November 2008 on his way home. "As he was going home, Jafarov noticed someone leaning against a car he had parked on the side of the road in front of the editorial office," said Valiyev. "The same person distanced himself from the car when he saw Jafarov. Jafarov, paying no attention to this, got in his car and left for home. The person got into a different car and followed him. This unidentified individual followed Jafarov all the way to his house."

Niger

Editor, reporter held in defamation case

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrests of Moussa Aksar, the editor-in-chief of the privately-owned weekly "L'Evénement", and one of his journalists, Sani Aboubacar, on 12 November 2008 on a charge of libelling the head of the state power company. Their arrests came a day after another newspaper editor got a three-month suspended sentence after 12 days in pre-trial custody.

Zambia

Radio station manager detained overnight, charged and released

(MISA/IFEX) - On 13 November 2008, Fr Frank Bwalya, station manager of the Catholic radio station Radio Icengelo in Kitwe, was released from detention after a night at Kalulushi Police station and has been slapped with three charges for disturbing the country's peace as a result of a special post-election radio programme he has been running for two weeks.

Nicaragua

Journalist stabbed, beaten in Managua

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 13 November 2008 IAPA press release:

Russia

Environmental journalist assaulted and seriously injured

(CJES/IFEX) - Mikhail Beketov, an environmental journalist and editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Khimkimskaya Pravda", has been assaulted. The journalist sustained multiple fractures and a serious head injury. He is currently hospitalised in critical condition.

Russia

Court orders newspaper to refute information, apologise and pay moral damages in defamation case

(CJES/IFEX) - On 10 October 2008, the Ufa Oktyabrsky District Court issued a ruling in the defamation lawsuit filed by Justice Rosa Gilyazitdinova against the newspaper "Chas Pik. Na Magistrali". The court ordered the newspaper to refute information contained in the article "Lessons of Courtesy" and apologise to Gilyazitdinova, chair of the Arbitration Court of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The court also ordered the newspaper to pay Gilyazitdinova 10,000 rubles (approx. US$365) in moral damages.

Zimbabwe

Rising prices of telephone services limit communication and freedom of expression

(MISA/IFEX) - MISA Zimbabwe notes with great concern the appalling state of fixed and mobile telephone networks in Zimbabwe.

Iraq

Court of appeal overturns editor's prison sentence

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 November 2008 CPJ press release:

Mexico

Crime reporter shot and killed in Ciudad Juárez

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 November 2008 CPJ press release:

China

New press accreditation rules may restrict journalists' work

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

Tunisia

Independent TV reporter wanted by police for coverage of unrest in mining region

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the withdrawal of the charges brought against Fahem Boukadous, a reporter for the independent Tunisian television station Al-Hiwar Attounsi. Boukadous, who went into hiding on 5 July 2008, is wanted by the authorities on charges of "belonging to a criminal association" and "spreading reports liable to disrupt public order" for his coverage of protests earlier this year in the Gafsa mining region, 350 km south of Tunis, and because he put foreign news media in contact with labour leaders in the region.

Peru

Radio station's electricity cut off after it criticises mayor's administration

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 6 November 2008, journalist Javán Vásquez Huancahuari, of the radio station Estudio Antena Uno, said that mayor Juan de Dios Tello ordered that the electricity at the station's broadcasting plant be cut off after the media outlet's press team criticised his administration. The incident occurred in the district of Celendín, Cajamarca region, northeastern Peru.

Brazil

Military police lieutenant turns on cameraman filming police attack on voters

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - After a month-long investigative effort, the Bahia State Military Police has confirmed the aggression perpetrated by Lieutenant Marcelo Moura against a Bahian television team. According to a source from the police's Social Communication Department, Moura, who was suspended after the incident, is waiting for his punishment to be established by a military court of law.

Indonesia

Free expression advocate could face prison for libel and defamation

(AJI/IFEX) - A freedom of expression advocate was charged with libel and defamation by the South Sulawesi Regional Police Office in Indonesia.

Burma

Jailed poet in critical condition following forcible injection

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association are appalled to learn that detained poet Aung Than, a member of the opposition National League for Democracy, was probably infected with the HIV virus when he was forcibly injected in Insein prison hospital in 2006. Several people, including the poet's mother, have told the two organisations that he is now in a critical condition.

Pakistan

Canadian web-publisher, two Pakistani colleagues kidnapped in tribal areas

(PPF/IFEX) - Khadija Abdul Qahar, a Canadian publisher of a web magazine, and two of her Pakistani colleagues were kidnapped on 11 November 2008 in the tribal areas of Pakistan where she was gathering material for a documentary.

Nepal

Two journalists assaulted by protest organisers; another journalist goes missing

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 12 November 2008, Dinesh Thapa, a member of FNJ's Sindhupalchowk chapter, and Netra Paudel, a news correspondent for "Sindhu Prabaha" weekly, were attacked by organisers of a protest at the Araniko highway, in Sindhupalchowk district, central Nepal.

Zambia

CAPSULE REPORT: MISA concerned over rise in media freedom violations during presidential by-election

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 7 November 2008 MISA-Zambia statement:

Greece

Politician's advisor fired for advocating minority rights

(GHM/IFEX) - The following is a 9 November 2008 GHM press release:

Pakistan

Journalist murdered after reporting on drug-related crime; television correspondent and cameraman temporarily detained

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

Ecuador

Security measures implemented by National Assembly commission restrict work of journalists

(IPYS/IFEX) - Journalists from various media outlets have protested against new security measures that have been implemented since 22 October 2008 by the National Assembly's Legislative and Auditing Commission, better known as the "Congresillo".

South Africa

FXI calls on president to release report on enquiry into official's fitness to hold office

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

Tibet (China)

CAPSULE REPORT: Repression continues, foreign media still unable to investigate, according to RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 7 November 2008 RSF press release:

Brazil

Photographer arrested on orders from police commissioner

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 10 November 2008, Police Commissioner Ademir Braz de Souza ordered the arrest of Paulo Schmidt, a photographer for Cidade AM radio station, when he was taking pictures of an automobile accident in the city of Brusque, Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil.

Colombia

Police officer destroys journalist's camera in Armenia; former city councillor damages camera operator's equipment in Villavicencio

(CESO-IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 November 2008 statement from the Solidarity Centre of the International Federation of Journalists (CESO-IFJ):

Tunisia

CAPSULE REPORT: As Ben Ali marks 21st anniversary as president, RSF stresses that Tunisia continues to be one of region's most authoritarian countries

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 7 November 2008 RSF press release:

Mexico

Police detain photographer for eight hours, assault and threaten him

(ARTICLE 19/CENCOS/IFEX) - On 8 November 2008, Federal Preventive Police (Policía Federal Preventiva, PFP) officers detained photographer Israel García Gurrola, who works for the "La Voz de la Frontera" newspaper, in the city of Mexicali, Baja California, northern Mexico. García Gurrola was detained when he was taking photographs of various PFP vehicles as they travelled around Mexicali as part of the federal government's operations against organised crime. This is another in a long list of incidents in which journalists have been arbitrarily assaulted and detained by government security forces this year.

Russia

Newspaper receives warning, could face suspension for "extremism"

(CJES/IFEX) - The newspaper "Arsenyevskiye Vesti" has received an official warning from the prosecutor's office of the Vladivostok Frunzensky district, which accused it of disseminating materials containing elements of extremism. The warning was issued over an article entitled "One Nation - One Constitution" published in the 3-9 September 2008 edition of "Arsenyevskiye Vesti".

Sri Lanka

Government delays new broadcast regulations after criticism

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the government pressure that led to the debate programme "Ira Anduru Pata" being cut short as it was being broadcast live on the evening of 4 November 2008 on state TV station Rupavahini. It ended a discussion of a new broadcasting law by three guests, including Free Media Movement convener Uvindu Kurukulasuriya.

Sri Lanka

Government authorities censor live TV discussion on new broadcasting regulations

(FMM/IFEX) - FMM has expressed its shock and disbelief that government authorities shamelessly ordered the state-controlled TV station, SLRC, to stop a live TV programme related to freedom of expression in Sri Lanka. On 4 November 2008, SLRC abruptly stopped a live TV discussion on the recently-imposed Private Television Broadcasting Station Regulations without giving any reasons to the audience.

Malaysia

Two journalists and a blogger arrested, later released as police violently break up rally

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the brutality by riot police who broke up a peaceful demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on 8 November 2008. Some 22 people were arrested during the day, including two journalists and a blogger.

Colombia

Journalist receives death threat in Sucre; another journalist sued for defamation and slander

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 23 October 2008, journalist María Victoria Bustamante, of the legal section of "El Meridiano de Sucre" newspaper, received death threats from unidentified persons, through several phone calls. The events took place in the municipality of Sincelejo, Sucre department, northern Colombia.

Guinea

Radio station suspended indefinitely

(MFWA/IFEX) - The National Communications Council (CNC), the media regulatory body in Guinea, on 4 November 2008 ordered the management of Familia FM, a community radio station in Conakry, to cease transmission for allegedly broadcasting information that the CNC claimed could "disturb the public peace" of the country.

Argentina

Court orders early release of individual convicted for plotting journalist's murder

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 November 2008 IFJ media release:

Egypt

Blogger's health deteriorates in prison; another blogger marks second anniversary in prison

(ANHRI/IFEX) - On 8 November 2008, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) released a statement expressing its deep concern about the harassment suffered by Kareem Amir in the Borg Al Arab prison in the Alexandria desert, and also about the sharp deterioration in the health of prisoner-of-conscience Mosaad Abu Fajr, who was unable to stand during a visit by ANHRI lawyers to the prison on 6 November.

Fiji

Editor faces contempt charges; IFJ urges wide consultation on new media law

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

Iran

Web journalist sentenced to six months in prison; moderate weekly suspended a day after Ayatollah Khamenei threatens media

(RSF/IFEX) - The moderate weekly "Shahrvand Emrouz" was suspended on 5 November 2008 at the behest of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance after publishing four issues in a row with portraits of politicians seen as potential presidential candidates. In a separate development, an online woman journalist has been sentenced to six months in prison on a national security charge.

International

IPI launches worldwide campaign calling for justice for journalists

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 10 November 2008 press release by the International Press Institute (IPI):

Burma

Prison court sentences blogger to 20 years, poet gets two-year sentence

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association are appalled by the combined sentence of 20 years and six months in prison passed on 10 November 2008 by a special court in Insein prison on blogger Nay Phone Latt. The poet Saw Wai was sentenced to two years in prison for a poem containing a coded criticism of Gen. Than She, head of the military junta.

Saudi Arabia

Blogger detained, beaten, arrested

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The following is a 9 November 2008 ANHRI press release:

Nepal

Two journalists held, assaulted

(FNJ/IFEX) - Abadesh Jha, the vice-president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists' (FNJ) Saptari chapter, and Sanatan Mandal, a news correspondent for News Today, were attacked on 5 November 2008 at around 8:00 pm (local time) by an unidentified group at the Tiffin Room Hotel, in Biratnagar-14, Morang, eastern Nepal.

Azerbaijan

Persecuted author declared a "wanted person"

(IRFS/IFEX) - Anar Niftaliyev (also known as Mahmudoglu), the author of "One Lifetime Struggle", has been declared a "wanted person". Niftaliyev told the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) that this decision was made because he did not give the court his copies of "One Lifetime Struggle".

Afghanistan

Canadian journalist held hostage released, but Afghan fixer and driver still detained

(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is a 10 November 2008 CJFE press release:

Colombia

Magazine editor could face jail sentence over article

(FLIP/IFEX) - In spite of the fact that "Semana" magazine has issued two corrections concerning information it published on allegations about the influence a particular individual has within Colombia's high courts, a judge reviewing a complaint against the magazine has deemed them insufficient. As a result, Alejandro Santos Rubino, the editor of the magazine, could be sentenced to time in jail.

Tunisia

Two websites victims of hacking attacks

(OLPEC/IFEX) - The following is a 6 November 2008 OLPEC press release:

Somalia

Journalist arrested by security forces

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has denounced the arrest of freelance journalist Hadis Mohammed Hadis in Hargeisa and is calling for his immediate and unconditional release.

Guatemala

Human rights activist's house attacked by armed men

(CERIGUA/IFEX) - On 30 October 2008 at 8:00 p.m. (local time), several heavily armed men in an unidentified vehicle fired more than 50 bullets of various calibers at the home of Arturo Albizures, a member of Asociación COMUNICARTE, in the Salud Pública neighbourhood of Guatemala City's Zone 17.

Ghana

Former president's guards assault newspaper journalist

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 8 November 2008, Wisdom Peter Awuku, a reporter for the "Daily Guide", an Accra-based privately-owned newspaper, was allegedly assaulted by three men guarding a house belonging to Ghana's former president, Jerry John Rawlings, in Vume, a town near Sogakope in the Volta Region.

Zimbabwe

Police reportedly intend to arrest media lawyer

(MISA/IFEX) - MISA Zimbabwe has received reports regarding the police's intensions to arrest human rights lawyer Harrison Nkomo, who was representing Phillip Warington Taylor, a British journalist who recently skipped bail.

Pakistan

Journalist shot dead by security forces

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

Democratic Republic of Congo

Belgian reporter, interpreter and driver released, another journalist previously reported as dead found alive

(JED/IFEX) - The following is an abridged translation of a JED press release:

Ghana

Journalist assaulted by MP's aide

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 1 November 2008, Eric Amoh, a reporter for Ghana News Agency (GNA), a state-owned news wire service, was allegedly assaulted by Martin Ako, an aide to the Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central, Kofi Adda.

Mexico

Police burst into newspaper office, harass journalists

(CEPET/IFEX) - Armed police burst into the office of the newspaper "El Mexicano" in the city of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, in northern Mexico. They were looking for columnist and contributor Mario Héctor Silva to demand that he reveal his sources.

Bahrain

Freedom of expression threatened by enforcement of Article 134 of Penal Code, says ARTICLE 19

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

Thailand

Suspects arrested in murders of two "Matichon" journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails the arrests of suspects in the fatal shootings of two provincial correspondents of the Bangkok-based daily "Matichon" - Jaruek Rangcharoen on 27 September 2008 in the central province of Suphan Buri, and Ahiwat Chainurat on 1 August in the southern city of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Malaysia

Leading blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin released

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails the 7 November 2008 release of online journalist Raja Petra Kamaruddin, founder and editor of the Malaysia Today website ( http://mt.m2day.org/2008/ ). Also known as "RPK", he had been detained since 12 September under section 8 of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which permits detention without trial for two years.

Netherlands

EFJ welcomes draft law on protection of sources, but expresses disappointment at gaps in legislation

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

South Africa

University begins disciplinary proceedings against two professors for voicing criticisms of vice chancellor to the media

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

Malawi

Journalists threatened with arrest for non-cooperation with anti-corruption body

(MISA/IFEX) - The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has warned that it will soon start arresting journalists who make corruption allegations but refuse to cooperate during investigations, on charges of obstructing justice and hiding evidence. On 6 November 2008, ACB Director Alex Nampota said the bureau has been unable to investigate many alleged corruption cases published or broadcast in the media because reporters have not been forthcoming with information to help during investigations.

Peru

Congress pledges to make legislature comply with Law on Transparency and Access to Public Information

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 6 November 2008 IAPA press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist killed in stampede following attack on village

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 November 2008 IFJ press release:

Nepal

Enshrine press freedom and freedom of expression in the constitution, says FNJ

(FNJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 November 2008 FNJ press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Belgian journalist, interpreter and driver held by militia; radio station pillaged, two journalists missing

(JED/IFEX) - JED expresses serious concern for the safety of journalists and media personnel, both Congolese and foreign, caught in the crossfire between the National Congress for the Defence of the People (Congrès national pour la défense du peuple, CNDP) of deposed general Laurent Nkunda and the Maï Maï militias of the Coalition of Congolese Patriotic Resistance (Patriotes résistants congolais, PARECO) in Rutshuru, 70 km from Goma, the capital of North-Kivu province in eastern DRC.

Mexico

Reporter is victim of smear campaign launched by government official

(CEPET/IFEX) - Mexico, 5 November 2008 (CEPET). Manuel Appendini Carrera, a correspondent for "Reforma" newspaper, is the victim of a campaign by the spokeswoman for the Aguascalientes state government in northern Mexico. A piece that appeared in five of the state's newspapers labeled Appendini Carrera a liar after he reported on the local soccer team's excessive advertising.

India

Government warns media against "publication of certain objectionable material"

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

Brazil

Journalist detained for distributing letter about judge prosecuting her case

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 30 October 2008, journalist Beth Prata was detained for distributing, in the streets, a letter criticizing the conduct of Judge João Carlos Corrêa, who is prosecuting her in several defamation and slander cases against Prata. Prata works for Radio Búzios FM Online and the newspaper "Sol de Búzios". She was released on 31 October thanks to a writ of habeas corpus presented by her attorney.

Philippines

Radio journalist receives death threats; army colonel harasses and threatens reporter

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

Iraq

Journalist sent to jail, fined for critical reporting

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 November 2008 CPJ press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Correspondent for German newspaper kidnapped in conflict-ridden region

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a press release by the International Press Institute (IPI):

Peru

Journalist threatened with gun by municipal official

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 23 October 2008, Radio Felicidad journalist Abel Vargas Cari, director of the program "Prensa Regional", reported that he was assaulted and threatened with a gun by Róger Pinedo Flores, a municipal official from Aguaytía, in the province of Padre Abad, in the Ucayali region of southeastern Peru.

Uruguay

Government approves access to public information law

(AMARC/IFEX) - On 17 October 2008, the Uruguayan government approved an access to public information law (Ley de Acceso a la Información Pública N°18.381) which had previously been unanimously approved by the Uruguayan parliament in early October. The complete text of the law can be found at: http://www.presidencia.gub.uy/_web/leyes/2008/10/EC1028-00001.PDF (Spanish only).

Sudan

Hunger strike held to protest proof censorship; journalist arrested for publishing censored material

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) said in a statement on 5 November 2008 that journalists in Sudan have organized a sit-in and went on a hunger strike from the morning of 4 November until ten o'clock (local time) on 5 November in protest against the censorship of press proofs imposed by intelligence officers in charge of checking newspapers and excluding topics banned by the government.

Guinea

Security forces open fire on protesters, killing at least four

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

Nepal

One year after journalist's murder, the individuals responsible for his death still have not been brought to justice

(WiPC/IFEX) - The following is a 5 November 2008 WiPC press release:

Ecuador

Protestors assault, attempt to kidnap cameraman

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 15 October 2008, Red Telesistema (RTS) network camera operator Germán Vera, was assaulted by a group of squatters when he was covering a confrontation between them and the tenants of Hacienda Mercedes, located in Guayas province, western Ecuador. The journalist went to the area after the state took over the land claiming it was linked to a financial group that owes the state money.

United States

New investigation into Chauncey Bailey murder to take place

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 4 November 2008 CPJ press release:

Nepal

Journalists threatened by businessmen

(FNJ/IFEX) - During the last week of October, a month which is traditionally one of festivity and celebration, the FNJ recorded a series of free expression violations and attacks on journalists.

Burma

Military government censors send directive with rules, sanctions for independent media

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and its partner organisation, the Burma Media Association, have obtained a copy of a directive which the military government's censorship office recently sent to the Burmese media spelling out 10 rules for editors and the sanctions they will incur for not respecting them.

Venezuela

Journalist kidnapped for several hours

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 5 October 2008, the host of Radio Perijá's "Contacto con la realidad" programme, Carlos Farías, was kidnapped for several hours by three unidentified armed individuals in La Villa del Rosario, municipality of Rosario de Perijá, Zulia state. Farías' assailants pushed him into a van and drove around the area while they assaulted and threatened him.

Bolivia

Police officer held in preventive detention for assaulting camera operator

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 24 October 2008, police officer David Leytón Alborta was placed in preventive detention for having assaulted a camera operator in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, eastern Bolivia. The decision calling for preventive detention of the police officer was made by judge Roque Leaños after he evaluated evidence presented by the Santa Cruz Press Workers' Federation.

Taiwan

Journalist injured in arrest, detention

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 November 2008 IFJ media release:

Niger

Newspaper editor charged with libel, denied bail

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the release of Zakari Alzouma, the editor the independent weekly "Opinions", who has been detained since 30 October 2008 in Niamey as a result of a libel complaint by the interior minister and whose case will not be heard for another week.

Syria

Journalist Michel Kilo granted early release from prison, but has yet to be freed

(RSF/IFEX) - In a 2 November 2008 decision, a Damascus appeal court judge overturned a criminal court's refusal in August to release imprisoned writer and journalist Michel Kilo on completion of three-quarters of a three-year sentence. However, Kilo has not been freed and the attorney general of the Damascus prosecutor's office appealed on 4 November against the decision "in the interests of the law."

Turkey

Writer, singer sued for allegedly alienating people from military service

(BIANET/IFEX) - In two separate incidents, a writer and transsexual singer are being sued for allegedly alienating people from military service.

Croatia

Police charge five suspects in death of two newspaper staff

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 November 2008 CPJ press release:

Ethiopia

Editor convicted over misidentification of judge

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 November 2008 CPJ press release:

International

Civil society groups call on Council of Europe to send draft Convention on Access to Official Documents back for redrafting

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an ARTICLE 19, Open Society Justice Initiative and Access Info Europe appeal:

Azerbaijan

National Broadcasting Council unveils plans to take three foreign radios stations off FM band by 2009

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has sent a letter to the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, appealing to him to intervene after the National Broadcasting Council announced it planned to take three foreign radios stations off the FM band by 2009. The stations targeted are the BBC, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America.

Somalia

Suicide bomb attack injures three journalists

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - A suicide bomb attack on 29 October 2008 outside the Ethiopian consulate in Hargeisa, Somaliland, injured three journalists who were walking in front of the consular premises.

Jordan

Editor released on bail but still faces up to three years in jail

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders urges the state security court to withdraw its case against Fayez Al-Ajrashi, editor-in-chief of the privately owned weekly "El-Ekhbariya", who was released from Al-Juweida prison (15 km south of Amman) on 2 November 2008 after paying 3,000 dinars (approx. 3,300 euros) in bail. Al-Ajrashi is still facing charges of "inflaming sectarian strife" and "sowing national discord."

Paraguay

Correspondent threatened by peasant farmers fighting for land rights

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the issuing of a threat against Alberto Núñez, a correspondent for Nation Group Communications (Grupo Nación de Comunicaciones) in the department of San Pedro. According to Núñez, on 31 October 2008, he was threatened by five peasant farmers who were fighting for land rights and had been detained by police at the Capiibary 17th Division Police Station.

Yemen

Yemen-based Iraqi journalist detained, interrogated for 10 hours on trumped-up charges

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) denounces the prosecution of Nizar Al-Abadi, an Iraqi journalist who has been living in Yemen since 1991. ANHRI also condemns the actions of the public prosecutor, the press and publishers who are acting on behalf of the state security forces against journalists working within the law and the regulations of their profession.

Zimbabwe

Foreign journalist arrested for allegedly practicing journalism without accreditation

(MISA/IFEX) - On 30 October 2008, British journalist Phillip Warington Taylor was arrested by members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) at Harare International Airport on allegations of practicing journalism in Zimbabwe without accreditation.

Algeria / Morocco / Tunisia

French weekly "L'Express" censored for "attack on Islam"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced its dismay at the Moroccan communications ministry's 31 October 2008 announcement of a distribution ban on the international edition of the French weekly "L'Express" for "attacking Islam."

Zambia

Editor harassed by police at election centre; reporter ejected from ruling party rally

(MISA/IFEX) - Julius Sakala, the news editor for Phoenix Radio station, was harassed and manhandled by police on 31 October 2008 as he tried to access the Mulungushi International Conference Centre the election management centre for the Zambian presidential by-election that recently took place.

Brazil

Blogger's building broken into by Civilian Police after he wrote about sports administration scandals

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - The deputy secretary of the São Paulo State Department for Public Security, Guilherme Bueno, has applied to the general superintendent of the Civilian Police with a request for the delivery of all information concerning a case involving blogger Paulo Cezar de Andrade Prado, the author of "Paulinho's Blog" ( http://blogdopaulinho.wordpress.com ), which specializes in sports coverage. According to Prado, the building where he lives, in the capital of São Paulo State, was broken into on the afternoon of 20 October 2008 by two detectives assigned to the 78th Police Precinct.

Ethiopia

Leading newspaper editor beaten unconscious outside son's school

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns a violent attack on leading journalist Amare Aregawi on 31 October 2008 in Addis Ababa. Aregawi, who edits "The Reporter", a large-circulation daily published in both Amharic and English-language versions, sustained serious head injuries in the attack.

Niger

Newspaper editor detained on defamation charge

(MFWA/IFEX) - Zakari Alzouma, the editor of "Opinions," a Niamey-based independent weekly newspaper, is being held by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Niger police following his arrest on 29 October 2008.

Nigeria

Security forces detain another blogger, second in two weeks

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 31 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Bolivia

Pro-government activists attack journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the government and judicial authorities to take action in response to two incidents of physical attacks by members of the Popular Civic Committee - a radical group that claims to support the government - against journalists with privately-owned and community media in La Paz on 28 and 29 October 2008. Vice-President Alvaro García Linera has condemned the violence and promised an investigation.

Chile

Supreme Court upholds defamation decision, hands down suspended sentence, fine and payment for damages

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

Turkey

BIANET threatened with banning of its Internet site

(BIANET/IFEX) - The following is a 29 October 2008 BIANET press release:

Tanzania

Media organisations, journalists march for media freedom

(MISA/IFEX) - The Africa Press Agency reports that journalists from various media houses have demonstrated their displeasure at the suppression of press freedom in Tanzania during a protest march on 29 October 2008 in Dar es Salaam.

Nigeria

Reporter freed after 11 days of detention but authorities refuse to return his passport

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails the release of journalist Jonathan Elendu of the news website Elendu Reports ( http://www.elendureports.com ) on 29 October 2008. He was held for 11 days at the headquarters of the State Security Service in the capital, Abuja.

Botswana

Government reintroduces Media Practitioners Bill, MISA concerned about journalists' rights

(MISA/IFEX) - MISA-Botswana has expressed concern at the republishing of the Media Practitioners Bill after its withdrawal in August 2008 to give space for more consultation. The bill was brought back despite the fact that no such consultations on the proposed law have taken place between government and media stakeholders. The Government published the contested media bill in the latest Government Gazette. This means that the bill will be up for debate in the coming parliamentary session. This is despite the fact that the Minister of Communication, Science and Technology promised consultations with the media before reintroducing the bill. The bill, among contentious issues, seeks to register journalists as well as set up a statutory media council to enforce a code of conduct on journalists.

International

New voluntary standards an important first step to protect free expression on the internet, says Human Rights Watch

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 29 October 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Zimbabwe

Sports reporter assaulted at football match

(MISA/IFEX) - On 26 October 2008, Makomborero Mutimukulu, a sports reporter with the state-owned weekly "The Sunday Mail", was assaulted by three bouncers soon after a CBZ Football Association Cup quarter-final match between the Dynamos Football Club and the Gunners Football Club. Mutimukulu said the bouncers accused him of "writing nonsense" as they assaulted him.

Sri Lanka

FMM concerned about implications of new private television broadcasting regulations

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 30 October 2008 FMM special report:

Azerbaijan

Newspaper founder sentenced to pre-trial detention

(IRFS/IFEX) - On 30 October 2008, "Ideal" newspaper founder Nazim Guliyev was sentenced to pre-trial detention and an arrest warrant was issued for him during a hearing in the Nasimi District Court, under the chairmanship of Judge Emin Mehdiyev.

Peru

Thugs infiltrate protest, assault journalists and attack radio station headquarters

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 30 October 2008, a group of demonstrators assaulted journalists Rodolfo Pastor, a correspondent for the weekly "El Búho" in Arequipa, and Jorge León, of the television station Perú TV, in an attempt to snatch their cameras from them. After struggling with the journalists, the demonstrators hit them with sticks and stones. The incident took place in the city of Tacna, southern Peru, on the border with Chile, during a violent protest aimed at getting the Peruvian Congress to approve a bill that would modify the distribution of mining royalties.

Bolivia

Parents of schoolchildren hinder work of television station personnel

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 17 and 20 October 2008, a group of parents of schoolchildren who attend the Santo Domingo Savio school in Cochabomba, central Bolivia, stopped personal from the UNITEL network's local television station from entering the school's facilities as a protest against a report which showed a young woman saying that drugs are used inside the school.

Morocco

Appeal court upholds heavy damages award against leading Arab-language daily

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is stunned by a Rabat appeal court's 30 October 2008 ruling to uphold a lower court's decision in March ordering Rachid Nini, editor of the daily newspaper "Al-Massae", to pay a total of 6 million dirhams (approx. 550,000 euros) in damages and a fine of 120,000 dirhams (approx. 11,000 euros) in a libel case.

Sri Lanka

International Press Freedom Mission to Sri Lanka expresses concern over deterioration of press situation in recent months

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 29 October 2008 statement of the International Press Freedom Mission to Sri Lanka, which is composed of:

Jordan

Editor-in-chief held in detention

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Swaziland

Journalists barred from attending meeting on legislators' pay

(MISA/IFEX) - On 29 October 2008, Swazi journalists were kicked out of a meeting in which the newly-elected and appointed Members of Parliament discussed their pay. The journalists had been allowed to cover the earlier discussions, but when the legislators began to discuss their pay, the media was shown the door.

Turkey

Two journalists receive prison sentences for writing about Kurdish Workers Party

(BIANET/IFEX) - The following is a 28 October 2008 BIANET press release:

Zambia

Ruling party official orders station to stop running opposition political adverts, threatens to revoke license

(MISA/IFEX) - On 20 October 2008, James Kapita, provincial chairperson of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), instructed the Solwezi FCC radio station programme manager to stop running political adverts for opposition parties and threatened to revoke the radio station's license once the ruling party won the presidential by-election.

Brazil

Reporter beaten up over corruption article

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - The Brazilian Association for Investigative Journalism (ABRAJI) and the Rio Grande do Sul State Professional Newspersons' Union have both condemned the aggression suffered by Graciliano Rocha, a correspondent for the Brazilian newspaper "Folha de S. Paulo" in the city of Porto Alegre. ABRAJI calls the attack "an attempt against freedom of expression and the Brazilian democracy" and insists that an investigation be opened and punishment given. The Newspersons' Union of Rio Grande do Sul also presented its complaint and stated that the attack "was aimed toward slashing out at the freedom of information".

Mexico

Proposed local law causes controversy over protection of journalists

(CEPET/IFEX) - 27 October 2008, Mexico. Representatives of the Colima state journalists' union in central Mexico consider that the proposed law on "Protection of Journalists", which was analysed in the local congress, could be set up as an element of censorship and control over news work.

Iran

Appeal court upholds 11-year jail term for Kurdish journalist

(RSF/IFEX) - A Tehran appeal court has upheld the 11-year prison sentence that was imposed on journalist Mohammad Sadegh Kabovand for creating a human rights organisation in Iran's Kurdish northwest. Under Iranian law, sentences of more than 10 years in prison cannot be the subject of appeals to the Supreme Court.

Eritrea

State TV journalist secretly sentenced to five years of forced labour in 2006

(RSF/IFEX) - Daniel Kibrom, a journalist employed by Eritrea's state-owned Eri TV, has been held since October 2006 in a prison camp in the south of the country, where he is serving a sentence of five years of forced labour for trying to cross the border into Ethiopia, Reporters Without Borders has learned from a former prison interrogator who fled the country in 2007.

Nigeria

Blogger arrested over critical posts, held incommunicado

(WiPC/IFEX) - The following is a 29 October 2008 WiPC press release:

China

Authorities impose media coverage restrictions on financial crisis

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 October 2008 IFJ media release:

Uganda

Investigative journalist, arrested, charged with "promoting sectarianism" and "incitement to violence"

(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is a 29 October 2008 CJFE letter to High Commissioner George Marino Abola:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Global TV station manager released

(JED/IFEX) - Global TV station manager Daudet Lukombo was acquitted by a Kinshasa court on 28 September 2008 and released from prison. Lukombo was arrested on 12 September following a raid on the privately-owned Kinshasa station.

Mexico

Columnist accuses interior governance secretary of censoring him

(CEPET/IFEX) - Columnist Eduardo López Betancourt has said that the Radio Centro group, one of the most important radio station networks in Mexico, has censored him based on "instructions from the interior governance secretary, Juan Camilo Mouriño Terrazo."

Mexico

Magazine owner denied government advertising after commenting on corruption

(CEPET/IFEX) - Tulio Ortiz Uribe, the owner and editor of "La Tijereta" magazine, which circulates in the southern part of Baja California, northern Mexico, has announced that the government is refusing to give him advertising contracts and has suspended payments owed to the magazine for past advertising.

Nicaragua

Women's rights advocates subjected to official investigations into their work, suffer intimidation from unknown sources

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 28 October 2008 Human Right Watch press release:

Iran

Women's rights advocate harassed, prevented from leaving the country

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 28 October 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Peru

Journalist receives intimidating telephone calls for commenting on corruption

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 14 October 2008, journalist Judith Ato denounced having received threatening messages on her cell phone after she made comments on the "Petrogate" case, which revealed the existence of influence trafficking within the government.

Uganda

Journalist fights off abduction attempt after receiving threatening calls

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

United States

Bay Area journalists find more troubling irregularities in Chauncey Bailey murder investigation

(RSF/IFEX) - The Chauncey Bailey Project, a cooperative effort among San Francisco Bay Area journalists to investigate the August 2007 murder of "Oakland Post" editor Chauncey Bailey, has revealed important new information about the case in a series of articles posted on the project's website, http://www.chaunceybaileyproject.org .

Zimbabwe

Journalists barred from covering talks

(MISA/IFEX) - Several journalists were barred from covering the SADC Troika-mediated talks held in Harare on 27 October 2008 as part of efforts to break the impasse over the allocation of ministerial positions in accordance with the terms of an agreement for an inclusive government signed by the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations.

Venezuela

Teargas bomb thrown at building where Globovisión journalist lives

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the morning of 16 October 2008, an unidentified individual threw a teargas bomb at the building where Leopoldo Castillo, the host of Globovisión TV station's program "Aló ciudadano", lives.

Syria

Court hands down 36-month sentences to Damascus Declaration journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is deeply outraged by the sentences of two and a half years in prison which a Damascus court passed on 29 October 2009 on three Syrian journalists and nine other pro-democracy activists - all members of the Damascus Declaration National Council.

Mexico

IAPA calls for authorities to solve unpunished murders of journalists

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 28 October 2008 IAPA press release:

Egypt

Two bloggers arrested for "taking advantage of prevailing atmosphere of democracy to overthrow the regime", another expelled from university campus

(ANHRI/IFEX) - On 28 October 2008, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) announced that the Egyptian security forces have arrested two more bloggers. The arrests of Abd Altawab Mahmoud, who runs the blog "Alhayat Alsa'ida" ( http://ragabhpl.blogspot.com ), and Khalifa Ebaid, who runs the blog "Ana Mathoon" in Fayoum city, have increased the numbers of bloggers currently in custody to three. Another blogger has been expelled from his university campus.

Pakistan

IFJ calls for protection for front-line journalists

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

Turkey

Google's blog services censored; RSF calls for Law 5651 to be amended

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the censorship of Google's blog services, Blogger ( http://www.blogger.com ) and Blogspot ( http://www.blogspot.com ), by a magistrate's court in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir as a result of a complaint by the Turkish TV station Digitürk. The station claims that video footage over which it has exclusive rights has been posted on blogs hosted by these services.

South Africa

Swazi journalist harassed, his photos deleted by police while covering border protest

(MISA/IFEX) - On 27 October 2008 Sisho Magagula, a journalist with the state-owned "Swazi Observer" newspaper was harassed and had his digital camera confiscated and prints deleted by South African police while covering a border blockade protest by Swazi and South Africa trade unions. This harassment took place at the Swaziland and South Africa border post of Oshoek.

Azerbaijan

Poet Sakit Mirza Zakhidov assaulted in prison, deprived of full treatment for heart condition

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN is seriously concerned for the well-being of dissident poet Sakit Mirza Zakhidov, following reports that he was taken out of a prison medical centre prematurely and was assaulted upon his return to Penitentiary #14 in Baku, where he is serving a three-year sentence. International PEN calls for these allegations to be fully and independently investigated. International PEN seeks assurances of Sakit Mirza Zakhidov's well-being and calls for his immediate and unconditional release if imprisoned in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Azerbaijan is a state party.

Azerbaijan

"Azadlig" newspaper employee says attempt made to murder him

(IRFS/IFEX) - "Azadlig" newspaper correspondent Seymur Haziyev has told IRFS that an attempt was made to push him in front of a train in a metro station.

Mexico

ARTICLE 19 releases statement on Sexual Diversity and the Right of Freedom of Expression

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 24 October 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Chile

Journalist attacked and threatened after reporting on drug trafficking

(RSF/IFEX) - Javiera López, who has reported on local drug trafficking for the privately-owned station NorTV, was punched and kicked by thugs on her way home in the northern city of Iquique on 23 October 2008. She had previously received repeated death threats by telephone, but said she never took them seriously. The attack came soon after she did a report on the drug situation in Jorge Inostroza, an outlying area of the city.

Bangladesh

IFJ calls for due process in trial of journalist Jahangir Alam Akash

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

France

Plan to "modernise" statutes of AFP news agency threatens to undermine its independence and credibility, says IFJ

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 October 2008 media release from the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Peru

Radio station ransacked in anti-government protest

(RSF/IFEX) - The studios of local station Radio Sicuani, in the Canchis province of the southern region of Cuzco, were ransacked on 24 October 2008 by about 30 demonstrators wielding sticks and stones who burst into the building, smashed or stole equipment and forced the station off the air. Fortunately, the attack did not result in any victims.

Algeria

Journalist given three-month suspended sentence

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 October 2008 IFJ media release:

Uruguay

Government ministers sign bill to decriminalise various elements that limit freedom of expression

(AMARC/IFEX) - On 29 September 2008, during a meeting of the Council of Ministers (Consejo de Ministros), President Tabaré Vázquez and all his ministers signed a bill that will modify Law 16099, known as the Press Law, and articles 138, 173 and 336 of the Criminal Code in order to eliminate the crimes of "insult" and "defamation" in cases of public interest and the crime of "insulting national symbols", among others.

Burma

Ministry of Information aims to increase control of information

(Mizzima/IFEX) - Information Minister Brigadier General Kyaw San has notified all government departments to inform him in advance if there is any information that they wish to withhold so that his ministry can cooperate with the department concerned in controlling such information.

Mauritania

Detained ex-minister faces seven-year prison sentence

(MFWA/IFEX) - Isselmou Ould Abdelkader, an independent researcher who is being detained for criticising the country's military regime, was charged on 26 October 2008 with two counts of allegedly "lying" and "undermining the morale of the army".

Ghana

Two newspaper journalists attacked

(MFWA/IFEX) - Mark-Anthony Vinorkor and Samuel Tei Adano, a reporter and photographer, respectively, for the state-owned newspaper "Daily Graphic", were violently attacked by security personnel working for the state-run Tema Development Corporation (TDC) on 22 October 2008.

Sudan

Newspaper's proofs seized by intelligence office

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemns outright the removal of seven proofs from "Ajras Al Hurriya" newspaper by an intelligence officer responsible for proof censorship. The incident took place on 23 October 2008. This action so outraged the newspaper that it suspended its circulation for the day as a protest against the blatant censorship.

Egypt

Student denied university housing as punishment for opinions expressed on his blog

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemns the exclusion of blogger Ahmed Abdel Kawi from the lists of students eligible for university housing, despite his meeting all the necessary conditions, because he has voiced his opinions publicly on his blog ( http://akeedinegypt.blogspot.com ).

China

Government imposes new surveillance system for Internet cafes

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the Chinese government's latest measure to reinforce surveillance of Internet café users. Café customers will henceforth have to have their mugshot taken and their ID card swiped by a customer registration device to be installed in all of Beijing's estimated 1,500 Internet cafés by the end of the year.

Colombia

"Noticias Uno" correspondents threatened in Medellín and Quibdó

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 17 and 18 October 2008, "Noticias Uno" correspondents Fernando Cifuentes and Leonardo Montoya, who are based in Medellín (Antioquia) and Quibdó (Chocó) respectively, received threatening telephone calls from lawyer Leonel Torres as a result of investigations the media outlet is conducting into allegations of irregularities in the lawyer's activities. Torres is the nephew of Édgar Ulises Torres, the president of the Chamber of Representatives' Accusations Commission (Comisión de Acusación de la Cámara de Representantes).

Peru

Journalist threatened for reporting on corruption allegations; reporter beaten while covering protest

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 23 October 2008, journalist Manuel Rosas Mattos reported having received, during the early hours of that day, an anonymous telephone call warning him about a plan to attack a group of journalists, himself among them. The plan was allegedly plotted by officials from the municipality of Maynas, Loreto region, northeastern Peru.

Egypt

News company fined, equipment confiscated over coverage of anti-government protests

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) firmly denounces the 26 October 2008 sentence issued by the Court of Misdemeanors in Boulaq , Cairo, against Nader Gohar, director of the Cairo News Company (CNC). The sentence handed down excessive fines and ordered the confiscation of equipment belonging to a French television company which used to share the CNC's headquarters.

Guatemala

Graphic artist at daily "El Periódico" killed in crossbow attack

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced its horror at the murder of graphic artist Abel Giron Morales, aged 29, of the privately-owned national daily "El Periódico". Giron died after being hit in the chest by an arrow fired from a crossbow.

Azerbaijan

Detained journalist harassed in prison

(IRFS/IFEX) - The Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) is concerned about the pressure being placed on the imprisoned editor-in-chief of the "Gundalik Azerbayjan" and "Realny Azerbayjan" newspapers, Eynulla Fatullayev, and his placement in a punishment cell.

Morocco

Schoolboy jailed for failing to respect the king

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The following is a 25 October 2008 ANHRI press release:

Philippines

Broadcaster cleared of libel charges after seven-year legal battle

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

Nepal

Journalist attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified suspects

(FNJ/IFEX) - Ram Mani Upadhyaya, editor of "Basudha" fortnightly and a member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Dhanusha chapter, was attacked and seriously injured by an unidentified group of people armed with sharp weapons on 24 October at around 8:30 pm. The incident happened in his shop near Pidariya Mayi's temple at Janakpur municipality-4, Dhanusha district, in the central region of the country.

China

Human rights activist awarded freedom of thought prize, Human Rights Watch calls for his release

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 23 October 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Bangladesh

ARTICLE 19 welcomes new right to information law

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 24 October 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Peru

Television programme cancelled; journalists assaulted and harassed by regional president and his supporters

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 13 October 2008, the owner of Canal 21 television station, Jorge Donayre Lozano, cancelled the "Hora Zero" programme when its host, journalist Raúl Celis, was interviewing Fernando Tunjar Wong, a councillor from the Maynas Provincial Municipality, about a request that Wong step down from his position.

Mauritania

Television host dismissed, station director arrested following live debate

(MFWA/IFEX) - Isselmou Ould Abdelkader, an independent researcher and former minister, was arrested on 21 October 2008 in Nouakchott by members of the combined unit of the national gendarmerie following a complaint lodged against him by Mauritania's defence minister.

Egypt

Journalist removed from his position after writing article that criticised the government

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

Croatia

Journalist and newspaper marketing director killed in car bombing

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

Greece

Investigative journalist brutally assaulted

(GHM/IFEX) - The Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) condemns the 23 October 2008 assault on journalist Makis Nodaros, in his home town of Lechaina in Elia (Western Greece). The Elia regional correspondent for the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia", the Patras daily "Imera", the Patras television station Teletime, and the Patras radio station Radio Gamma, and also the host of a daily programme for the Elia radio station Ionian FM, was attacked by two unidentified men at around 11 a.m. (local time) on 23 October as he was returning home after his daily radio programme. They approached him, asked him if he was Makis Nodaros, and then punched and kicked him many times, even after he fell down and was bleeding. The two assailants tried to break his laptop, stole his mobile phone, and then fled on a motorcycle they had hidden near where the incident took place. He was offered first aid treatment at the regional medical center and was diagnosed with head, hand and foot wounds, and later returned home.

Egypt

Security forces conduct aggressive campaign against bloggers

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The following is a 23 October 2008 ANHRI press release:

Sri Lanka

IPI concerned over interference with newspaper's distribution

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 23 October 2008 IPI letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa:

Nepal

Newspaper staff attacked, office damaged

(FNJ/IFEX) - The Janakpur-based "Terai Times" and its journalist Kamal Sah and computer operator Jaya Kumar Chaudhari were attacked by an unidentified group of individuals on 20 October 2008 at the newspaper's office in Janakpur, Dhanusha, a Terai district located in the central region of Nepal.

Ethiopia

Journalists detained, charged over misidentification

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 23 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Tunisia

Journalist Naziha Rjiba facing trial; weekly "Muwatinoun" seized

(OLPEC/IFEX) - The following is a 23 October 2008 OLPEC press release:

Serbia

Newspaper sentenced to pay damages to judge

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 23 October ANEM press release:

Jordan

Journalist received death threats and imprisoned after publishing book of poems

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) denounces the campaign undertaken by the Jordanian Mufti and Muslim Brotherhood against journalist and poet Islam Samhan following the release of his first work of poetry, "Elegant as a Shadow," in March 2008. The Mufti has accused Samhan of apostasy because of the content of some of his poetry. Both the Mufti and the Muslim Brotherhood claim that some of the lines insult Islam. ANHRI also condemns the order issued by Jordan's public prosecutor to imprison Samhan for fifteen days while an investigation is under way.

Vanuatu

Government threatens to introduce bill restricting media freedom

(PINA/IFEX) - The Vanuatu government has warned it will be introducing a bill to curb media freedom in Vanuatu if local media outlets continue to publish biased and unfair opinions on government development policies, reports Radio Vanuatu.

Italy

Author writes about mafia, receives death threats

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN is concerned by reports that members of the mafia in Italy who were denounced in Roberto Saviano's novel "Gomorra" have reportedly announced he will be assassinated by Christmas. Saviano has told the press that he is leaving Italy as a consequence. For the last two years, he has been living under permanent police protection.

Lesotho

Journalist sentenced to two years in jail with option of a fine for sedition

(MISA/IFEX) - On 22 October 2008 the High Court of Lesotho sentenced broadcast journalist Thabo Thakalekoala to two years in prison for sedition or alternatively a fine of M200 (US$18).

Palestine / Israel

Palestinian journalists attacked by Israeli settlers and soldiers

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 October 2008 IFJ press release:

Lesotho

Harvest FM radio station back on air

(MISA/IFEX) - On 22 October 2008, Harvest FM hit the airwaves again after three months of suspension by the broadcasting regulator. Station manager Malichaba Lekhoaba appeared on the morning "Rise and Shine programme" to give a background on the recent run-in the radio station had with the broadcasting regulator.

Sri Lanka

Human rights activists, lawyers receive death threats, FMM concerned about repercussions against those who defend journalists accused of terrorism

(FMM/IFEX) - The Free Media Movement (FMM) is deeply disturbed by the contents of a letter posted to leading human rights defenders and lawyers, as well as given to all court registrars to be handed over to lawyers who appear for human rights cases.

International

Peace guarantees press freedom, not economic prosperity, says RSF in 2008 world press freedom index

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 22 October 2008 RSF special report:

Serbia

Media organisations concerned over adoption of statute authorising Belgrade to establish media outlets

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 22 October 2008 joint press release by ANEM and other media organisations:

Sri Lanka

Government Intelligence fabricating reasons to discredit and arrest journalists, says FMM

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a 22 October 2008 FMM press release:

Nicaragua

RSF concerned about deteriorating state of public freedoms

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 21 October 2008 RSF letter to President Daniel Ortega:

Iraq

Interior Ministry initiatives to protect journalists herald bid to end impunity, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 21 October 2008 RSF press release:

Afghanistan

Publisher sentenced to 20 years in prison for publishing Dari translation of Qur'an without Arabic script

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

Burma

Journal correspondent released, charges withdrawn

(Mizzima/IFEX) - Saw Myint Than, chief correspondent of the "Flower" journal, detained for over a month for covering a double murder in Thigangyun, Rangoon, was released from custody on the evening of 21 October 2008 after the charges against him were withdrawn.

Paraguay

Journalists assaulted by lawyer

(SPP/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated version of a 21 October 2008 SPP press release:

United States

Supreme Court urged to reinstate death penalty against former Black Panther and radio journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced shock at the US authorities' determination to secure the death penalty against ex-radio presenter and Black Panther militant Mumia Abu-Jamal, a symbol of the struggle against capital punishment. Abu-Jamal has spent 26 years on death row.

China

Government announces new regulations for foreign media, Human Rights Watch calls for the new rules to be extended to Chinese reporters

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

Mexico

Two members of civil society organisation arrested in connection with journalist Bradley Will's assassination

(CEPET/IFEX) - Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno, a member of the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca, APPO), has been brought before a judge on accusations that he shot and killed journalist Bradley Will.

International

Journalists from Sudan, Zimbabwe and Canada honoured with CJFE's annual press freedom awards

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

Philippines

Journalists receive threatening text message

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

United Arab Emirates

Deliberate blocking, "accidental" blocking and filtering all pose threat to online free expression, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is concerned about online free expression in the United Arab Emirates following recent comments by leading Internet sector officials. The spokesman for the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), which oversees the UAE's Internet, said on 17 October 2008 that the authority was considering "deliberately blocking" access to part of the social networking website Facebook.

Azerbaijan

CAPSULE REPORT: Monitoring shows state media failed to cover election campaign properly, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 16 October 2008 RSF press release:

Egypt

Journalists denied union membership in reprisal for their critical reporting

(AHNRI/IFEX) - The following is a 20 October 2008 joint press release by ANHRI and the Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement (EACPE):

Samoa

Newspaper stops covering gun-probe inquiry due to media restrictions

(PINA/IFEX) - Samoa's only daily newspaper, the "Samoa Observer", has decided to stop covering a Commission of Inquiry into alleged gun smuggling because of media restrictions.

Brazil

Electoral judge orders website to remove report on Worker's Party candidate

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - Luiz Marinho, a former minister in Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government and a Worker's Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores, PT) candidate for re-election in the city of São Bernardo do Campo (São Paulo), has obtained a judicial injunction ordering the Folha Online website to remove a report from its digital archive. The report was published in 2005 and its contents were not contested at the time of publication. However, now, during the electoral period, the "São Bernardo de Todos" (São Bernardo for All) Coalition requested that the report be removed from the website alleging that the "opponents were using the contents to politically harm [Marinho]".

Pakistan

Two journalists injured in bomb blast at newspaper offices in Pakistan

(PPF/IFEX) - Two journalists, including a photojournalist, received minor injuries on October 20 when a bomb went off outside the offices of local newspapers in Quetta, the capital city of Pakistan's southern province of Balochistan that borders Afghanistan.

Azerbaijan

Journalist beaten in prison, prevented from completing medical treatment

(IRFS/IFEX) - The Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) condemns the premature transfer of imprisoned "Azadlig" newspaper journalist/satirist Sakit Zahidov from medical treatment back to Prison #14 and the beating of Zahidov upon his return to prison.

Algeria

Journalist Mohamed Benchicou has book banned by police for second year running

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) has condemned a recent Algerian police order which prevents the publication of respected Algerian journalist Mohamed Benchicou's book, "The Free Man's Journal" ("Journal d'un homme libre"). The injunction has prevented the journalist from presenting his book at the 13th International Book Fair in Algiers, which is to take place from 27 October to 5 November 2008.

Mozambique

Two journalists threatened by leaders of opposition party

(MISA/IFEX) - According to a report in the 17 October 2008 daily issue of "Noticias", two journalists based in Beira, Mozambique's second largest city, were threatened on 15 October by leaders of the opposition political party, Renamo. The two journalists, Moisés Saela and Francisco Raiva, work for Radio Mozambique and Stv, a local independent Mozambican television station, respectively.

Afghanistan

Journalism student given 20-year jail term

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

Rwanda

Radio reporter freed after being held for 14 years on genocide charge

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has learned that Dominique Makeli, a former reporter with state-owned Radio Rwanda who had been held since 1994 on a vague, genocide-related charge, was released on 13 October 2008.

Kazakhstan

Analysis of draft Law on Publishing Activities released by ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 20 October 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Moldova

Reporter harassed by guards at military court; cameraman prevented from filming by president's bodyguards

(IJC/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2008 joint press release by IJC and other Moldovan media organisations:

Burma

Rangoon-based humour magazine's October issue postponed due to heavy censorship

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The Rangoon-based humour magazine, "Pyaw Pyaw Shwin Shwin" had to postpone publication of its October 2008 issue as the censor board rejected one-fourth of its contents.

Iran

Journalist Emadeddin Baghi released from Evin prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is relieved that Emadeddin Baghi, a journalist and human rights activist with serious health problems, has been released from Tehran's Evin prison. A leading campaigner for the rights of prisoners of conscience, he nonetheless faces possible re-imprisonment in two other cases currently before the courts. His release reduces the number of journalists detained in Iran to nine, six of whom are in Evin.

Malawi

Radio station resumes broadcasting following suspension of its licence

(MISA/IFEX) - Joy Radio Station, which had its broadcasting licence suspended on 17 October 2008, has resumed broadcasting after a High Court injunction preventing the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) from revoking its licence.

Zimbabwe

Journalists thrown out of Zim talks venue

(MISA/IFEX) - On 15 and 16 October 2008, two locally based foreign correspondents were ordered to leave the hotel lobby of the Rainbow Towers during the ongoing talks between the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations in Harare because they are not accredited under the terms of the repressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

Syria

Detained cyber-dissident charged, faces up to 15 years in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the charges of "spreading mendacious information aimed at weakening national sentiment," seeking to "stir up sectarian strife" and "attacking the president" that have been brought against Habib Saleh, a cyber-dissident who was arrested without explanation in a market in his home town of Tartus on 6 May 2008.

Palestine

Hamas government reinforces control over Gaza Strip media through new accreditation system

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is concerned about a new system of accreditation that Ismael Haniyeh's government has announced for all telecommunications companies, Internet service providers, broadcast media and news agencies based in the Gaza Strip, which has been controlled by the Islamist party Hamas since June 2007.

Zimbabwe

State media editors under surveillance

(MISA/IFEX) - In August 2008, editors working for the state-controlled Zimbabwe Newspapers Group (Zimpapers) were put under surveillance to check their commitment to the policies of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party.

Nicaragua

Police raid NGO's premises, seize documents and computers

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 17 October 2008 CPJ letter to President Daniel Ortega:

Nepal

Bus driver attacks journalist over critical story

(FNJ/IFEX) - Yubaraj Gautam, a journalist of "Sandakpur Daily", was beaten up by a local bus driver on 18 October 2008 in Pasupatinagar, Ilam, an eastern district of Nepal.

Russia

Access to opposition websites restricted in Bashkortostan

(GDF/IFEX) - Internet providers have restricted access to the website http://www.ufagub.com from the territory of Bashkortostan. On 8 October 2008, the website was only accessible from mobile phones. On 9 October, the same thing happened to the website http://www.ufagub.org . Web administrators have stated they have nothing to do with this information blockade.

Iran

Journalist imprisoned on spying charge goes on hunger strike to press for right to appeal; Kurdish journalist sentenced to one year in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced its concern about the state of health of journalist Mohammad Hassin Falahieh Zadeh who has been on hunger strike since 5 October 2008, taking only sugared water.

Kazakhstan

Region's most popular blog service blocked

(RSF/IFEX) - Kazakhstan's two main Internet Service Providers (ISPs), KazakhTelecom and NurSat, have been blocking access to the popular blog service LiveJournal since 10 October 2008 without explaining why, Reporters Without Borders said on 15 October. The reason seems to be a LiveJournal blog ( http://rakhataliev.livejournal.com ) by the president's former son-in-law, Rakhat Aliev, that criticises the government.

Singapore

Court fines opposition party for defaming prime minister and his father; leaders should end the practice of using defamation suits to silence critics, says Human Rights Watch

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 17 October 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Colombia

Mayor verbally assaults journalists

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 10 October 2008, the mayor of Sabanalarga (Atlántico), Carlos Roca Roa, verbally assaulted journalist Evelin Coba Vides, editor of the "La Libertad" daily, in Barranquilla. Roca was protesting against the publication on the same day of an article about a penalty imposed on his municipality for failing to submit a report to the National Planning Department (Departamento Nacional de Planeación, DNP) on the distribution of bonuses in 2007.

Colombia

French photographer and documentary filmmaker briefly detained, documentary filmmaker expelled

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about the Colombian approach to free circulation of news during social unrest after the arrest of French photographer Damien Fellous, and two other French nationals, one of whom was preparing to make a documentary.

Philippines

Murder charges filed against alleged masterminds in killing of journalist

(CMFR/IFEX) - Murder charges against the alleged masterminds in the 2005 killing of journalist Marlene Esperat have been filed before a local court in Sultan Kudarat. Sultan Kudarat is approx. 968 km from Manila.

Cambodia

Journalists and human right activists obtain information alleging that police chief may have been involved in journalist's murder

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has urged Prime Minister Hun Sen to quickly create an independent commission of enquiry into the July murder of opposition journalist Khim Sambo following several reports that national police chief Hok Lundy could have been involved, and that the Cambodian police are covering up the crime.

Saudi Arabia

Women's rights website blocked by telecommunications authority

(RSF/IFEX) - The Saudi Telecommunications Authority has blocked access to the Voice of Saudi Women website ( http://www.saudiwomen.net ) for opposing government policy. Reporters Without Borders joins the Saudi Human Rights Commission and the Saudi Human Rights Association, as well as the website's members and visitors, in condemning the measure.

China

Central Propaganda Department issues further restrictions on reporting on tainted milk scandal

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 October 2008 IFJ press release:

India

Political activists attempt to storm newspaper office

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 17 October 2008 IFJ media release:

Sierra Leone

Media advocacy group receives death threats

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

Nigeria

Radio journalist killed in ambush

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Peru

Gossip journalist and producer serving jail time for defamation

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

Colombia

Media outlets concerned over potential blocking of their websites, suspicious electrical cuts take place at radio station

(FLIP/IFEX) - Several community-based media outlets, belonging to indigenous groups in the department of Cauca, have said that their websites have been blocked and suspicious cuts of electricity services have taken place at a radio station in the same area. The incidents took place at the same time as demonstrations by the indigenous population which have resulted in confrontations with security forces. Journalists who have been covering the demonstrations have expressed their concern over the risks that they confront on an ongoing basis.

Azerbaijan

Photojournalist threatened

(IRFS/IFEX) - According to the http://www.ria.az website, on 15 October 2008, at approximately 4 p.m. (local time), two unknown people threatened Reporter Information Agency (RIA) photojournalist Ulviyya Akhundova.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Community radio journalist held by security services for two days

(JED/IFEX) - Franck Masunzu, a journalist and host of a local community radio show in the town of Walikale, in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was released early in the afternoon of 14 October 2008 after being held for two days by the local office of the Agence Nationale des Renseignements (ANR), the state intelligence agency.

Venezuela

Students attempt to prevent distribution of regional paper

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 7 October 2008, more than 50 students from the University of Zulia stopped two buses that were going to distribute "Panorama", the newspaper with the largest readership in Maracaibo, western Venezuela, from leaving the warehouse for three hours. According to the students, the action was in protest against the unfair coverage given by the paper to the murder of the president of the university's Federation of Student Centers (Federación de Centros Universitarios, FCU), Julio Soto, who was shot to death recently by hired assassins.

Mauritania

Cameraman assaulted by trade unionists; newspaper editor assaulted by police

(MFWA/IFEX) - Mohamed Ould Moustapha, a cameraman with the local Mauritanian office of the Qatari television network Al Jazeera, was assaulted on 8 October 2008 by trade union activists in Nouakchott.

Bangladesh

Government challenged over torture of editor in Sylhet

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called on the interim government to order an investigation into the torture and abuse of power against journalist Noor Ahmed in Sylhet, north-eastern Bangladesh.

United States

Journalist arrested during Republican National Convention faces over one year in prison for parole violations

(RSF/IFEX) - On 15 October 2008, Reporters Without Borders asked a judge to show clemency for journalist Jason Nicholas, independent photographer for the "New York Post", currently in jail in Rikers Island, NY for parole violation. Nicholas was scheduled for another parole hearing in front of an administrative judge on 15 October. He was one of over 40 journalists arrested while covering the Republican National Convention on 1 September. While most charges against other journalists in St. Paul have been dropped, Nicholas has not yet been cleared of charges of "obstruction to the legal process".

Egypt

Court imposes heavy fines on two weekly journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Burma

Mizzima websites suspended after hacking attempts

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The websites of Mizzima News, an independent Burmese multi-media group based in New Delhi, have been crippled since 9 October 2008 when the group's hosting server suspended the sites after they attracted several hacking attempts.

Zambia

Court refuses to grant newspaper editor's appeal

(MISA/IFEX) - On 8 October 2008, the Lusaka High Court refused to grant "The Post" newspaper editor-in-chief Fred M'membe leave to appeal to the Supreme Court against the ruling that allowed acting President Rupiah Banda to commence contempt of court proceedings against him.

Libya

Political prisoner Idris Boufayed released

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 10 October 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Ethiopia

Draft law on NGOs continues to threaten civil society and independent voices

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 13 October 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

Russia / France

Lawyer for slain journalist's family falls ill, possibly poisoned

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Greece

Macedonian journalists briefly detained while covering protest against army training site near Greek-Macedonian border

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2008 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Nicaragua

Political and judicial harassment of NGOs threatens freedom of expression, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF strongly condemns a newly-launched interior ministry investigation into 17 non-governmental organisations for alleged "embezzlement" and "money-laundering" and fears it could jeopardize the right to inform and freedom of association, two basic constitutional rights.

China

CAPSULE REPORT: Limited gains for media freedom during Olympics threatened if special regulations lapse, says IFJ

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 October 2008 IFJ capsule report:

Fiji

IFJ urges government to ensure that media is not impeded in reporting on landmark court decision

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 October 2008 IFJ media release:

Afghanistan

Mounting delays in appeal trial add to ordeal of journalist fighting death sentence for "blasphemy"

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 October 2008 IFJ media release:

Venezuela

Pro-government group tosses tear gas grenades into newspaper office

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2008 IAPA press release:

Tibet (China)

Writer detained without charges

(WiPC/IFEX) - The following is a 15 October 2008 WiPC press release:

Moldova

Cameraman arrested and beaten by police

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an 11 October 2008 letter to Moldovan authorities by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Russia

Police ordered to compensate journalist for illegal detention

(CJES/IFEX) - The Kostroma Sverdlovsky District Court has granted a lawsuit filed by journalist Anna Skudayeva against the Russian Interior Ministry claiming her April 2007 detention was illegal.

Mexico

Murdered journalist received threat prior to his assassination

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Ecuador

Cameraman struck with stones while covering demonstration in Guayaquil

(IPYS/IFEX) - On the morning of 7 October 2008, Eduardo Molina, a cameraman for the Red Telesistema (RTS) television network, was struck with stones as he covered a confrontation between students at the Aguirre Abad School and police in Guayaquil, western Ecuador. The students were protesting because an expansion of their school that had been promised by the prefect of Guayas province, Nicolás Lapentti, has not yet been built. The police suppressed the demonstration using teargas.

Saudi Arabia

Egyptian Internet activist detained without charges

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemns the Egyptian security apparatus and their Saudi counterparts for co-operating in the detention of Egyptian Internet activist and programmer Yousif Al-Ashmawi for two months without trial or charge in Al Hayer Prison in Riyadh.

Venezuela

Members of pro-government group assault Globovisión television crew; minister announces restrictions on official advertising for some media outlets

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF today welcomed the reaction of authorities who condemned an attack by members of the pro-government militant group "La Piedrita" on a film crew from the privately-owned Globovisión television station while they were covering a demonstration. The same group attacked the television station's headquarters on 22 September 2008. On 10 October, the militants attacked and tried to seize film equipment from the journalists during a demonstration in the 23 de Enero district of the capital Caracas, the bastion of "La Piedrita". Metropolitan police quickly intervened and the Communications and Information Minister, Andrés Izarra, publicly slammed the "political infantilism" of the militants. Interior and Justice Minister Tarek El Aissami also strongly condemned the attack.

Guatemala

Journalist who was granted police protection threatened near his home

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF today voiced its alarm after investigative journalist and press freedom activist José Pelicó received a death threat from submachine gun-toting individuals near his home. Pelicó is supposed to be receiving police protection.

Bangladesh

IFJ welcomes right to information action in Bangladesh

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

Vietnam

Graft-busting reporter sentenced to two years in jail while another receives two-year re-education sentence

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

Palestine

Al-Aqsa cameraman released on condition he sever ties with station

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the hounding by the Palestinian Authority of Ossayd Amarneh, a cameraman for Al-Aqsa TV, who was released from jail on 8 October 2008 but forced to sign a promise to stop working for the channel under threat of being returned to prison. Al-Aqsa TV is owned by the Islamist movement Hamas.

Bolivia

Police evict journalists from public building, push and threaten them

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 2 October 2008, Consuelo Aruquipa and Abraham Silva, journalists for the ATB television network who were trying to cover an occupation of the Bolivian postal service's (Empresa de Correos de Bolivia, ECOBOL) offices by peasant farmers in the city of La Paz, were assaulted by police officers in charge of the building's security.

Zimbabwe

Journalists without accreditation cards barred from attending opposition press conference

(MISA/IFEX) - Several journalists were on Thursday 9 October 2008 barred from entering the Prime Minister Designate, Morgan Tsvangirai's Strathaven home in Harare for a press conference.

International

Journalists still face death penalty in many countries, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 9 October 2008 RSF press release:

Sudan

Editor detained for three days, released on bail, charged with criminal defamation

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Radio Okapi reporter threatened by armed forces officers; JED expresses concern for media workers as new fighting breaks out in the eastern region

(JED/IFEX) - JED is extremely concerned about the safety of Radio Okapi's Bunia correspondent Jean-Paul Basila, who has been the object of recent threats by officers with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC). Bunia is located in the Ituri region, in the north east of the country, where the FARDC have been facing off with a new militant group in recent weeks. JED calls on the UN Mission in the Congo (MONUC), which operates Radio Okapi, to do everything possible to protect Basila.

Tanzania

Push for reform gathers momentum as coalition submits media services bill

(MISA/IFEX) - On 8 October 2008, Tanzania's Freedom of Information Bill Coalition Campaign submitted a draft Media Services Bill to the Minister of Information and Culture, Hon. George Mkuchika, at his offices in the capital Dar es Salaam. The draft is part of civil society efforts to advocate for media policy changes in Tanzania.

Tanzania

Newspaper suspended for "seditious" article; security forces summon editor for questioning

(MISA/IFEX) - The Tanzanian government has suspended "Mwanahalisi" newspaper for its alleged practice of running stories with the intention of "inciting public hatred" against the president and contributing to misunderstanding within the president's family.

Botswana

Government giving editorial directives to state media, warns MISA

(MISA/IFEX) - The "Mmegi" newspaper of 9 October 2008 has reported that the state-owned media is being given editorial directives to advance government positions on civic issues such as its fight against alcohol abuse.

South Korea

Government interference at TV station leads to firings, suspensions of employees

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 October 2008 IFJ media release:

Colombia

Journalist assaulted and threatened in Putumayo

(FLIP/IFEX) - On Sunday 5 October 2008, Mishelle Johana Muñoz, a journalist and announcer for the program 'Latina Estéreo' in the city of Puerto Asís, Putumayo, was brutally beaten by a person who entered the facilities. Several days prior, Muñoz had received threats that demanded that she stop supporting the national campaign to increase the sentences for people who sexually abuse children.

Uzbekistan

Journalist sentenced to 10 years in prison

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Mexico

Owner of "La Noticia" newspaper in Michoacán kidnapped and found dead

(ARTICLE 19/CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is a 10 October 2008 joint press release by CENCOS and ARTICLE 19:

Pakistan

Cameraman suffers serious injuries while reporting on clash at college

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 October 2008 IFJ media release:

Tunisia

Kalima website targeted; police attack OLPEC secretary general

(OLPEC/IFEX) - The following is a 10 October 2008 OLPEC press release:

Lesotho

Defunct weekly issued hefty fine in defamation case

(MISA/IFEX) - A defunct Lesotho weekly, "The Mirror", its editor and EPIC Printers were slapped with a M50 000 (USD $8 000) fine by the High Court of Lesotho on 29 September 2008 for defaming Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.

France

Sarkozy proposals on press raise concerns over media independence

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 October 2008 IFJ media release:

Iraq

Journalist murdered in Kirkuk

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Sri Lanka

University fires employee for alleging provincial elections were rigged

(FMM/IFEX) - The Free Media Movement (FMM) registers is deep disquiet over the indictment of the General Secretary of Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), Mr. Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, by the Kelaniya University. Mr. Tennakoon, who is a staff member at the university, was indicted on 6 October 2008 and immediately relieved of all responsibilities, presumably for serving as the spokesperson of CaFFE and alleging that the Eastern PC polls were rigged. The statement issued by CaFFE notes that it is "? convinced this interdiction amounts to political victimisation, in no uncertain terms."

Serbia

IPI/SEEMO supports amendments to draft law on personal data protection

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 9 October 2008 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Niger

Journalist Moussa Kaka released after more than one year in prison

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is 7 October 2008 IFJ media release:

Uzbekistan

Seminar on media freedom good step, but action needed as well, says ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an 8 October 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Syria

U.S. journalists thought missing held for questioning by officials

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

Taiwan

Government interference in state-owned media escalates

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

Philippines

Businessman threatens to sue Davao newspaper

(CMFR/IFEX) - The chief executive officer of a local mining company has threatened to file a P100 million (approx. US$2.13 million) libel suit against a Davao newspaper.

Syria

Distribution of Saudi-owned newspaper suspended amid tension between Arab regimes

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns Syria's ban on distribution of the pan-Arab daily "Al-Hayat" since 29 September 2008. The ban on the newspaper, which is Saudi-owned, comes amid a freeze in relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia that began after a bombing in Damascus in September.

France / Côte d'Ivoire

Witness claims pressure from French presidency in case of kidnapped journalist

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders said it was mystified to learn at a meeting with the French investigating judges in the Guy-André Kieffer abduction case that a witness has claimed to have been put under pressure from within the French presidency not to testify before the judges.

Thailand

Reporters injured during political clashes in Bangkok

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is an 8 October 2008 press statement from the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), a founding member of SEAPA:

Slovenia

Prime minister initiates criminal proceedings against Finnish journalist

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

Cameroon

Songwriter sentenced to three years in prison

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC protests the three-year prison sentence and exorbitant fine imposed on the well known singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga (real name Pierre Roger Lambo Sandjo) on 24 September 2008 for allegedly taking part in anti-government riots. Mbanga is known as an outspoken critic of the government, both as a songwriter and an opposition party member. The WiPC fears that the sentence is connected to his critical lyrics and, as such, is in violation of his right to freedom of expression. It calls on the Cameroonian authorities to release Mbanga immediately and unconditionally.

Egypt

Editor previously sentenced to prison granted presidential pardon

(EOHR/IFEX) - The following is a 8 October 2008 EOHR press release:

Philippines

Davao City broadcasters receive death threats

(CMFR/IFEX) - Two Davao City-based radio broadcasters have received death threats after reporting on alleged extortion activities involving local government officials. Davao City is approximately 978 km from Manila.

International

Council of Europe passes resolution on indicators for media in a democracy

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 6 October 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Syria

Authorities block ANHRI's website

(ANHRI/IFEX) - ANHRI has denounced the full blockage of its website in Syria by the Public Institution for Telecommunication on 29 September 2008. The Institution had previously blocked a page on the same website dedicated to information on Syrian human rights. It also blocked ANHRI's blogs website, http://www.katib.org , on 25 September.

Saudi Arabia

Human Rights Watch calls for release of unlawfully detained political activists

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 3 October 2008 Human Rights Watch press release:

International

IAPA observes four trends in freedom of expression in the last six months

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 7 October 2008 IAPA press release:

China

Open letter to WHO director about contaminated milk powder scandal

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 1 October 2008 RSF letter to World Health Organisation Director General Margaret Chan:

Dominican Republic

RSF concerned about freedom of expression statistics and authorities' failure to act

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has learned with concern of the figures compiled by the National Union of Press Workers (Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Prensa, SNTP) on cases of threats, intimidation and abusive prosecutions against journalists since the beginning of 2008. Published in the national daily "El Nuevo Diario" on 5 October, the figures unfortunately confirm an increase in violence against the media, which RSF itself had already noted.

Iraq / United States

Seriously injured Iraqi journalist to receive treatment in US

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 7 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Russia

Two years after journalist's murder, three suspects will go to trial

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 October 2008 CPJ press release:

Armenia

Amendments to broadcasting law will prevent TV station from returning to air

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 6 October 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Brazil

Journalist reportedly targeted in bomb attack; bandits obstruct the circulation of newspapers in two more cities

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - Similar to the "Extra" newspaper case in the city of Rio de Janeiro on 28 September 2008, bandits have obstructed the circulation of newspapers containing reports related to electoral candidates in another two Brazilian cities. In addition, a journalist has suffered an attack with a homemade bomb in the northern part of the country.

Thailand

Local newspaper editor gunned down, fourth journalist murdered this year

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged by the murder of Wallop Bounsampop, editor-in-chief of "Den Siam", a local newspaper based in Chonburi province (south of Bangkok), on 5 October 2008. The motive is not yet known but some of his articles on local politics had earned him enemies. He is the fourth journalist to be murdered in Thailand since the start of the year.

Kenya

Ex-journalist facing charges for "spreading false information", detained for six days

(RSF/IFEX) - Andrew Mwangura, an ex-journalist and East Africa coordinator of the Seafarers Assistance Programme (SAP), is facing charges for "spreading false information" after he contradicted the official version put out by the Kenyan government about the destination of Ukrainian cargo ship, the "Faina", seized by pirates off the Somali coast on 25 September 2008 as it was heading for the Kenyan port of Mombasa.

The Gambia

NIA questions newspaper editor over "strange" telephone calls

(MFWA/IFEX) - Ousman Kagbo, editor-in-chief of "Business Digest", an independent Banjul-based newspaper, was questioned by the notorious and much-feared National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on 3 October 2008, after it was alleged he'd received "strange" telephone calls from persons whom the authorities claimed were a threat to the security of the Gambia.

Bahrain

Oil company whistleblower dismissed for denouncing corruption, communicating with media, says BCHR

(BCHR/IFEX) - BCHR is alarmed to learn that Abbas Al-Omran, a unionist and labour rights defender, was dismissed by his employer, the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), which is engaged in the oil industry and under the control of the local oil and gas authorities. The BCHR believes that the dismissal is linked to Al-Omran's communications with the local media, blowing the whistle on corruption in the company.

Montenegro

IPI and SEEMO concerned over proposed amendments to Public Service Broadcasting Law

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

International

WPFC strongly critical of proposal on "defamation of religion"

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 2 October 2008 WPFC press release:

Sri Lanka

Journalist killed in bomb blast

(FMM/IFEX) - The following is a press release from five Sri Lankan media organisations, including FMM:

Zimbabwe

MISA submits recommendations on proposed ICT bill

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

Nigeria

Reporter receives death threats from church members, asks security service for protection

(MRA/IFEX) - Mrs. Ibiene Rowland Ogundu, a reporter and programme presenter with Rivers State Television (RSTV) in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria, on 2 October 2008 petitioned the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria's intelligence agency, in Port Harcourt over threats to her life from the presiding pastor and members of a Port Harcourt-based church, Salvation Ministries (aka Home of Success). The threats followed a documentary she made entitled "Prosperity, Right Here, Right Now".

United States

State Department to issue visas to two Cuban correspondents

(RSF/IFEX) - On 2 October 2008, the United States State Department announced that it would after all issue United States entry visas to two New York-based Cuban journalists, Tomás Granados Jiménez and Ilsa Rodríguez Santana, who were initially refused visas when they tried to return to the United States after a holiday in Cuba.

France

Two regional newspapers raided

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is "exasperated" by the raids carried out by police and judicial officials on two daily newspapers in the western city of Poitiers on 30 September 2008 for allegedly violating the confidentiality of a judicial investigation into a murder case.

Sri Lanka

Military spokesperson asks newspaper to change photo caption

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

Burma

Journalist and opposition member Ohn Kyaing arrested again

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association call for the immediate release of well-known former journalist Ohn Kyaing, who was arrested at his home on 1 October 2008. A member of the National League for Democracy, the main opposition party led by Aung San Suu Kyi, he was freed in 2005 after spending 15 years in prison for writing "seditious pamphlets."

Thailand

Candidate for governor punches and kicks television anchorman

(SEAPA/IFEX) - According to media reports, on 2 October 2008, a candidate for Bangkok's gubernatorial post punched and kicked a television anchorman after a heated televised interview.

Philippines

Correspondents shot at in disputed Maguindanao area

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 1 October 2008, three Mindanao-based correspondents were reportedly shot at in Maguindanao during a supposed clash between the Philippine army and alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) separatist group. However, the MILF has said that it had no troops in the area at the time of the incident and accused the army of shooting at the correspondents so they would stop taking photographs. Maguindanao is located approximately 900 kilometres from Manila.

Germany

IPI concerned at draft legal amendments that threaten protection of sources

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 1 October 2008 IPI press release:

Philippines

Journalists' suit against president's husband to proceed

(CMFR/IFEX) - The Philippine Court of Appeals has denied a motion by the husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to quash a case filed against him by journalists in response to his numerous libel suits. The Court of Appeals also lifted a writ of preliminary injunction and directed the trial court to continue with the hearing.

China

WAN calls on government to extend relaxation of media regulations put in place for Olympics

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is a 1 October 2008 WAN press release:

Mexico

National Human Rights Commission detects irregularities in investigation into assassination of journalist Bradley Will

(CEPET/IFEX) - The Mexican National Human Rights Commission (Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos de México, CNDH) has published recommendations directed at the Oaxaca government, the Oaxaca state Congress and the national and state Attorney General's Offices after having detected irregularities in the investigation into the assassination of journalist Bradley Will on 27 October 2006. Will was shot and killed in the community of Santa Lucía del Camino while covering conflicts that were taking place in the Oaxaca state, southern Mexico.

Venezuela

Outspoken columnist wounded in gun attack

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for a thorough investigation into a shooting attack in which newspaper columnist Eliécer Calzadilla was seriously injured in Ciudad Bolívar, in the eastern state of Bolívar, on 27 September 2008. Calzadilla, who writes for the "Correo del Caroní", a regional daily based in the nearby city of Puerto Ordaz, is in stable condition.

Israel

Authorities remain silent about imprisonment of Syrian journalist Ata Farahat

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned the "unacceptable silence" of the Israeli authorities about Syrian journalist Ata Farahat, who has been held in custody for more than a year without any explanation.

Burma

Weekly journal suspended for one month by censor board, another weekly faces two-month suspension

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The publishing licenses of two Rangoon-based weekly journals have been suspended for alleged violation of the policy and regulations of the Press Scrutiny Board (censor board).

Burma

Websites of exiled Burmese news agency hacked

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The websites of Mizzima News, an independent Burmese news agency based in New Delhi, India, were hacked, rendering the websites inaccessible on the early morning of 1 October 2008.

Senegal

Minister sues jailed newspaper editor for defamation

(MFWA/IFEX) - El Malick Seck, jailed editor-in-chief of the privately-owned newspaper "24 Heures Chrono", will appear in a Dakar court on 28 October 2008 to answer defamation charges brought against him by the country's Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Tidiane Sy.

Kazakhstan

Newspaper correspondent faces libel charges

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 18 September 2008, a Petropavlovsk City Court heard a case of libel charges brought against Victor Miroshnichenko, a correspondent for "Vremya" newspaper in the North Kazakhstan region. The journalist faces charges under Article 129, p. 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

China

Human Rights Watch calls for release of jailed rights activist, expresses concern for his health

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

Montenegro

Police prevent reporters from photographing demonstration, confiscate cameras and other equipment

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

United States

Two Cuban reporters denied visas

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 September 2008 CPJ press release:

Zambia

High Court restrains newspaper from publishing "libellous words" against acting president

(MISA/IFEX) - On 27 September 2008, the Lusaka High Court granted acting President Rupiah Banda an injunction restraining the "Post" newspaper and any of its agents from publishing libellous words against him.

Mexico

In new report, CPJ points to spike in disappearances of journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 September 2008 CPJ press release:

United States

Senate urged to pass legislation shielding American authors from foreign court libel judgements

(Freedom House/IFEX) - The following is a 30 September 2008 Freedom House press release:

Russia

Court reverses sentence against journalist, sends case for new trial; regional authority files request to close newspaper

(CJES/IFEX) - The Saratov Regional Court has reversed a sentence issued by a first instance court and a court of appeals against Salimzhan Gaisin, the deputy editor-in-chief of the "Saratovsky Reporter" newspaper. Gaisan was sentenced to 180 hours of community work on a charge of "slander in the mass media". In September 2007, a criminal case was opened against Gaisin based on Article 129 of the Russian Criminal Code. The case was launched after parliamentarian Alexei Berezovsky alleged that an article by Gaisin entitled, "Medvezhya Khvatka", which translates as "A Bear's Grip", contained false and defamatory information about him.

Brazil

Armed men buy 30,000 copies of newspaper to obstruct its circulation

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - On 28 September 2008, a group of armed men bought 30,000 copies of the "Extra" newspaper in the Baixada Fluminese region of Rio de Janeiro state, in order to stop the newspaper from reaching the public. The newspaper's front page carried a story entitled, "Campaigning members of congress lie in order to safeguard salary of R$13,000 [approx. US$6,800]." The article alleged that members of congress who are candidates in upcoming municipal elections in Brasil, scheduled for 5 October, have been absent from their congressional work in Rio de Janeiro and have fabricated other commitments as reasons for their absences in order to avoid having their salaries reduced.

United Kingdom / Greece

IPA condemns politically-motivated attacks on book publishers, bookshops in Athens, attempted firebombing of London-based publishing house

(IPA/IFEX) - The following is a joint IPA and International Booksellers Federation (IBF) press release: