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Alerts - 2009 - January-March

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Uruguay

WPFC urges House of Representatives to pass a bill decriminalising defamation

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 27 March 2009 WPFC letter to the House of Representatives:

Indonesia

Four Dutch journalists arrested in eastern province of Papua, detained for 12 hours

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrest of four Dutch journalists on 24 March 2009 in Jayapura, the capital of the eastern province of Papua, after covering a demonstration organised to greet the return of Nicholas Jouwe, one of the founders of the Papuan independence movement, the OPM, after 40 years in exile in the Netherlands. They were released the next day after being held for 12 hours.

Venezuela

Journalists' association secretary general, Ángel Perozo, receives threat

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 26 March 2009, Ángel Perozo, secretary general of the National Journalists' Association (Colegio Nacional de Periodistas, CNP), reported having received a phone call from an unidentified person threatening to send three people to attack him if he did not stop requesting that the government speed up the investigations of attacks against journalists of the State of Carabobo, in north central Venezuela.

Colombia

Warrant issued for arrest of magazine editor Alejandro Santos

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 27 March 2009 IAPA press release:

Turkey

Journalist Perihan Magden sentenced for insulting a singer and a songwriter, ordered to pay fine

(BIANET/IFEX) - Former "Radikal" newspaper journalist Perihan Magden has been convicted for insulting songwriter Arif Sirin (also known as Ozan Arif) and singer Ismail Türüt in the media. Magden has been ordered to pay a fine of 3,480 TL (approx. 1,550 euros). She has said that she will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Samoa

Four journalists attacked while covering high-profile trial of church leader

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 March 2009 IFJ media release:

South Korea

Journalists' union chairman Jong-Myun Roh held without charge; three union members released

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

Turkey

Reporter Abdurrahman Gök arrested, accused of "making terrorist propaganda"

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Dicle News Agency (DIHA) has condemned the police action against their reporter, Abdurrahman Gök, who was taken into police custody on 23 March 2009, in Siirt. His arrest was ordered the next day. He is accused of "making terrorist propaganda". Currently, four reporters from the agency are in prison.

Egypt

Author and publisher of "Metro", Egypt's first graphic novel, face up to two years in prison for material deemed "contrary to public morals"

(ANHRI/IFEX) - Human rights organizations have signed a statement expressing their condemnation of the trial of Magdi El-Shafei, author of the first Egyptian graphic novel, "Metro", and the publishing house that printed his book. El-Shafei and the publisher were brought before the Cairo Misdemeanours Court on charges of "publication and distribution of publications contrary to public morals." Both face up to two years in prison.

Côte d'Ivoire

"Le Répère" reporter faces prison sentence and fine if found guilty of criminal defamation; managing editor faces fine and newspaper suspension

(MFWA/IFEX) - Nanankoua Gnamantéh, a reporter with pro-opposition weekly newspaper "Le Répère", faces a prison sentence if found guilty of criminal defamation over an article he wrote in early March 2009.

Kazakhstan

CPJ calls on President Nazarbayev to stop politically motivated lawsuits against journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 March 2009 CPJ press release:

The Gambia

Charges against newspaper publisher Halifa Sallah dropped

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 26 March 2009, Lamin Camara, lawyer of Halifa Sallah, publisher of the pro-opposition Banjul-based "Foroyaa Newspaper", withdrew an application he filed at the Banjul High Court challenging the outrageous bail conditions imposed on his client by the Brikama magistrate court.

Mexico

Shots fired at home of editor Juan Antonio Zavala Hernández, of the weekly "Mi Ciudad"

(CEPET/IFEX) - On the morning of 28 March 2009, the home of Juan Antonio Zavala Hernández, editor of the weekly "Mi Ciudad" was shot at in the municipality of Romita, Guanajuato state, central Mexico. Nobody was injured in the incident.

Yemen

ARTICLE 19 concerned over recent attacks and threats against journalists and editors

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

Kazakhstan

Journalist Aziz Myrzabayev attacked, his camera stolen after filming police raid

(CJES/IFEX) - Aziz Myrzabayev, a journalist with the Otyrar television channel in Shymkent, South Kazakhstan province, took part in a police raid under editorial assignment in the early hours of 17 March 2009.

Colombia

IAPA concerned at plot to kill its president, Enrique Santos Calderón

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 27 March 2009 IAPA press release:

Somalia

Journalist Jama Ayanle Feyte sentenced to two years in prison for libel and dissemination of false information

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is shocked to learn of the severe two-year prison sentence handed down to journalist Jama Ayanle Feyte on 30 March 2009

North Korea

American cameraman Mitch Koss released; RSF and the International Women's Media Foundation launch joint petition calling for the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the International Women's Media Foundation (http:// www.iwmf.org ) have launched a joint petition calling for the immediate and unconditional release of reporters Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who have now been held in North Korea for an entire week.

China

Large number of detained writers suffering from serious illnesses, lack of medical care

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN continues to be alarmed about the large number of detained writers in China suffering from serious illnesses and lack of appropriate medical care. International PEN is particularly concerned about the thirteen cases of detained writers listed below. International PEN is calling for their immediate and unconditional release on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which China is a signatory.

Mexico

State officials involved in four cases of aggression towards journalists in Baja Caifornia Sur

(CEPET/IFEX) - Local legislators and the Journalists without Borders Collective (Colectivo Periodistas sin Fronteras) have demanded that Baja California Sur Governor Narciso Agúndez Montaño implement measures to ensure that journalists can carry out their work in the state. Thus far in 2009, four cases in which state officials have acted aggressively towards journalists have been documented in the northern Mexican state.

Mexico

Man sentenced to 38 years in prison for murder of radio journalist Amado Ramírez Dillanes

(RSF/IFEX) - Genaro Vázquez Durán has been sentenced to 38 years in prison for the April 2007 murder of Amado Ramírez Dillanes, a radio journalist and correspondent for the national TV station Televisa, in Acapulco, in the southern state of Guerrero. The authorities said it was a "crime of passion" but the motives have never been properly explained.

Paraguay

Journalists Rosendo Duarte and William Aquino face defamation charges in two separate cases brought against them by local politicians

(SPP/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated translation of a 26 March 2009 SPP statement:

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Journalist Slobodan Vaskovic threatened following reports about the Serbian Orthodox Church, angry citizens attack television crew and seize camera

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

South Africa

Government refuses to grant Dalai Lama visa to attend and speak at peace conference

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

Mexico

Journalist Miguel Ángel Casillas Báez receives multiple threats believed to be linked to his journalism work and support of human rights defenders

(ARTICLE 19/CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated translation of a 25 March 2009 ARTICLE 19 and CENCOS press release:

Nigeria

"The Punch" correspondent detained for refusing to disclose source, released on bail

(MRA/IFEX) - At about 2:00 pm (local time) on 25 March 2009, Olusola Fabiyi, the Abuja Chief Correspondent of the Lagos-based private daily, "The Punch", was detained by men of the Nigerian Police at the Force Headquarters in Abuja for refusing to write a statement on the source of a story. In the story, which was published in the paper on 23 March, the Action Congress (AC), one of Nigeria's opposition parties, alerted the public on an alleged plot to assassinate former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by an unnamed serving governor of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Kosovo (Serbia)

Reporter Marijana Simic and cameraman Bojan Kosanin assaulted by police officers

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 16 March 2009 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Kyrgyzstan

Cameraman Bakhadir Kenzhebayev beaten by unidentified attacker

(PAJ/IFEX) - The following is a statement by the Public Association "Journalists" (PAJ), an interim member of IFEX:

South Africa

Ruling party revives debate on media tribunal

(MISA/IFEX) - South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) says its view on establishing a media tribunal is "shifting". The party says that the South African media is historically hostile towards it, the online news agency News24 reported on 23 March 2009. News24 quoted ANC's spokesperson, Jessie Duarte, saying the media tribunal proposal is therefore under review.

Côte d'Ivoire

Judge orders release of French photojournalist Jean-Paul Ney, prosecutor appeals decision

(RSF/IFEX) - French freelance photographer Jean-Paul Ney, who has been held in custody for 15 months in connection with an alleged "plot" to undermine the country's peace process, told Reporters Without Borders on 24 March 2009 that the judge handling the case ordered his release on 20 March.

Pakistan

Senior reporter Raja Assad Hameed killed by unidentified assailants

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

Brazil

Five suspects arrested in connection with grenade attack on "Correio Popular" offices

(RSF/IFEX) - Five people were arrested on 25 March 2009 in connection with an attempted grenade attack on the headquarters of the Rede Anhanguera de Comunicação (RAC) press group in Campinas (in the southeastern state of São Paulo) on 21 January. All five are allegedly members of - or closely linked with - a crime organisation called the Capital's First Commando (PCC).

Fiji

Military leader calls for closure of "Fiji Times" newspaper; editor's home attacked by unknown assailants

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

Colombia

Arrest warrant issued for journalist Daniel Coronell for contempt of court

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 25 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Morocco

Independent newspaper "Al-Jarida al-Oula" fined twice over the same article for "defamation" and "insulting judiciary"

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Nigeria

Detained newspaper bureau chief Akin Orimolade released; criminal defamation charge dropped

(MRA/IFEX) - On 24 March 2009, Akin Orimolade, the Abuja bureau chief of "National Life" newspaper, regained his freedom after one week of detention, when a Magistrate's Court sitting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, rescinded a warrant of arrest issued for him and two others over a publication involving Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa state.

Sudan

WPFC protests illegal incarceration of Alhaj Warrag, editor-in-chief of "Ajras El-Hurriyya" independent newspaper

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2009 WPFC letter to President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir:

Venezuela

Journalists from state-owned media outlets assaulted during opposition rally

(RSF/IFEX) - On 19 March 2009, a television crew working for Venezolana de Televisión (VTV), the leading state-owned channel, was assaulted by opposition activists in Maracaibo, the capital of the northwestern state of Zulia. The incident took place during a rally in support of the mayor of Maracaibo, Manuel Rosales, who was the leading opposition challenger to President Hugo Chávez in the most recent presidential election, in 2006. The demonstration was prompted by a warrant issued for Rosales's arrest on corruption charges, which the opposition regards as a political reprisal.

South Korea

Journalist Chun Kaun Lee arrested, detained following government complaint

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the immediate release of Chun Keun Lee, a journalist employed by public TV station MBC, who was arrested on the evening of 25 March 2009 in Seoul on the orders of the prosecutor's office.

Brazil

IAPA calls for action on unpunished murder of journalist Reinaldo Coutinho da Silva

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2009 IAPA press release:

Zimbabwe

World Poetry Day commemorated; poet Julius Chingono briefly detained for performing poem deemed "offensive"

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 23 March 2009 MISA press release:

Venezuela

INTERPOL asked to capture individual accused of planning journalist Orel Sambrano's murder

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 12 March 2009, Venezuela's Public Prosecutor's Office asked the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to capture Walid Makled. The Department of Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigations has accused Makled of being the mastermind behind the murder of journalist and lawyer Orel Sambrano, which took place in January in Valencia, Carabobo state, in central Venezuela.

Venezuela

Military personnel briefly detain Globovisión journalist Carmen Elisa Pecorelli and cameraman Carlos Luis Caravallo; vice-minister prevents journalist Mariana Gómez from videotaping protest

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 11 March 2009, Globovisión television station journalist Carmen Elisa Pecorelli and cameraman Carlos Luis Caravallo were detained by a dozen members of the armed forces when they were filming outside the Los Tamarindos country estate, in the state of Aragua, central Venezuela. The Los Tamarindos estate was seized by officials from the National Land Institute (Instituto Nacional de Tierras, INTI) and the National Agricultural Research Institute (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas, INIA) after administrative proceedings concluded that the land, which has been used and managed by the private sector, belongs to the state.

Brazil

"O Povo" newspaper subject to temporary injunction

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - A 19 March 2009 judicial decision imposed a temporary injunction on the newspaper "O Povo", in Ceará state, prohibiting it from publishing an article. The newspaper also faces a daily fine of 10,000 BRL (approx. US$ 4,400). The decision signed by State Judge Benedito Helder Afonso Ibiapina is still in effect and includes other radio, television and Internet media outlets belonging to O Povo communication group.

Serbia

"Studio B" television station journalists and RTS cameraman assaulted during protest

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 25 March 2009 ANEM press release:

Iran

Journalist Roxana Saberi may remain in prison for prolonged period

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 25 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Zimbabwe

Court denies request to end detention of freelance photojournalist Shadreck Anderson Manyere

(MISA/IFEX) - On 24 March 2009, Harare magistrate Memory Chigwaza dismissed an application by freelance photojournalist Shadreck Anderson Manyere to reject the state's application to remand him further.

Togo

Newspaper editor Lucien Djossou Messan arrested on orders of ministry official

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 23 March 2009, Lucien Djossou Messan, managing editor of the privately owned newspaper "Le Combact du Peuple", was arrested and detained at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Lome, the capital of Togo.

China

Government blocks access to YouTube

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders deplores the blocking of video-sharing website YouTube (http://www.youtube.com) in China since 23 March 2009 because of content critical of the ruling Communist Party. The foreign ministry's spokesman said the same day: "Many people have the false impression that the Chinese government fears the Internet. In fact, it is just the opposite."

Qatar

Doha Centre journalist prevented from leaving the country

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is deeply concerned about a hardening in the attitude of the Qatari authorities towards the Doha Centre for Media Freedom after Hajar Smouni, head of research at the Centre and a former member of the Reporters Without Borders staff, was prevented from leaving Qatar on 24 March 2009.

Saudi Arabia

Shia reformist Nimr Bakir al-Nimr persecuted by security forces for criticising government policies

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The following is a 22 March 2009 ANHRI statement:

Ecuador

WPFC urges president to decriminalise defamation laws; journalist Freddy Aponte released from prison

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 23 March 2009 WPFC letter to President Rafael Correa Delgado:

Mozambique

Journalist Bernardo Carlos receives death threats from provincial governor

(MISA/IFEX) - MISA-Mozambique has received reports that Tete provincial governor, Ildefonso Muananthat, has threatened journalist Bernardo Carlos with death in apparent anger over his reporting. Carlos is a journalist with the daily publication "Noticias".

Ecuador

Editor Emilio Palacio threatened after criticising president's radio programme; camera operator José Vallejo assaulted by protesting taxi drivers

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 13 March 2009, Emilio Palacio, editor of the op-ed section of "El Universo" newspaper, received an e-mail in which he and his family are insulted and threatened. The message referred to one of his articles, published on 1 March 2009, in which he criticised President Rafael Correa's radio programme.

Sri Lanka

Tamil daily "Uthayan" target of grenade attack

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged by a grenade attack on the headquarters of the Tamil daily newspaper "Uthayan" in the northern city of Jaffna at about 11 p.m. (local time) on 24 March 2009. The grenade exploded in the ground floor of the building, causing considerable damage and injuring a guard.

Zimbabwe

"Bulawayo Chronicle" journalists charged with criminal defamation

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 23 March 2009 letter to Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai:

Mozambique

Political party supporters attack journalists at gathering

(MISA/IFEX) - MISA-Mozambican has condemned the physical attacks on journalists that took place on 20 March 2009 in the Port city of Beira. The journalists were attacked by supporters of Renamo, the main opposition party, while covering a political gathering of defectors from Renamo who have since launched a rival opposition party called Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM.) Renamo militants set themselves upon the journalists during an altercation between MDM and Renamo as the new party was symbolically indicating its parting from Renamo by returning the Renamo party flags and other materials at the party's headquarters in the Munhava suburb. No serious injuries were recorded.

Egypt

UN experts conclude blogger Kareem Amer is being arbitrarily detained, a violation of international human rights standards

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Philippines

Six journalists killed in 2008 according to CMFR's annual Press Freedom Report

(CMFR/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2009 CMFR press release:

Zimbabwe

Journalist and rights activist Jestina Mukoko further remanded

(MISA/IFEX) - Jestina Mukoko, the director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, was on 20 March 2009 remanded to 9 April to allow the state to prepare its indictment papers and formerly charge her at the next remand date.

Afghanistan

Television presenter Fahim Kohdamani arrested on charges of "anti-Islamic" broadcasting; journalist Ajmal Alamzai detained but released same day

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is disturbed by the arrests, on 23 March 2009 in Kabul, of two commercial TV presenters, Fahim Kohdamani of Emroz and Ajmal Alamzai of Ariana TV. Alamzai was released later the same day but Kohdamani is still being held.

Bolivia

Activist accused of assaulting journalists arrested at pro-government rally

(RSF/IFEX) - Self-proclaimed pro-government activist Adolfo Tito Cerrudo Dávila, who is facing two cases of assault against journalists, was arrested during a demonstration in La Paz on 16 March 2009 for failing to comply with the terms of a judicial order.

Egypt

Imprisoned blogger Dia Eddin Gad mistreated after refusing to join political party as condition for his release

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information vehemently condemns the administration of Katta Prison for taking retaliatory measures against Dia Eddin Gad, who has been there since he was detained on 6 February 2009. Gad has been locked in solitary confinement and deprived of sunlight. He was also deprived of medical care and was threatened with death. ANHRI fears that these retaliatory measures are due to his refusal, along with his family, to join the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). An official with the party proposed that Gad be released once he joins the NDP.

Mexico

Murder of newspaper director Robert Mora García remains unpunished five years after the crime

(CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is an abridged translation of a 19 March 2009 CENCOS press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED denounces attempts to silence the media during political crisis

(JED/IFEX) - The following is an abridged translation of a 20 March 2009 JED press release:

Malaysia

"Harakah" and "Suara Keadilan" opposition newspapers suspended for three months

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

International

CAPSULE REPORT: CPJ issues their 2009 Impunity Index, drawing attention to countries where journalists are killed and their murderers go free

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 23 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Turkey

Radio Dünya acquitted for second time on charges related to broadcasting Kurdish song

(BIANET/IFEX) - Radio Dünya, based in the province of Adana, has been acquitted for a second time on charges of "incitement to hatred and hostility" after the airing of a Kurdish song had landed it in court. The station's broadcasting editor, Mehmet Arslan, was also acquitted.

Turkey

Campaign to free Kurdish politician Leyla Zana launched

(BIANET/IFEX) - A group of rights activists has started a campaign against the 10-year prison sentence handed down to Kurdish politician Leyla Zana.

Algeria

Authorities harass "El Watan" editor Omar Belhouchet

(RSF/IFEX) - On 21 March, 2009, Reporters Without Borders wrote to Justice Minister Tayeb Belaiz and Minister of Postal Services, Information and Communication Technologies Hamid Bessalah, expressing incomprehension at the harassment of Omar Belhouchet, editor of the daily newspaper "El Watan." Belhouchet has been summoned 14 times by the judicial police in recent days for questioning about allegations of defamation.

South Korea

Four state television journalists held in Seoul police station

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the immediate release of four journalists and union activists employed by state-owned television news channel YTN. The press freedom organisation has spoken to one of them in the Seoul police station where they have been held since their arrest on 22 March 2009 for staging a peaceful sit-in in the office of YTN's director-general.

Tibet (China)

Tibetan writer Kunga Tseyang arrested

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrest of Tibetan writer Kunga Tseyang on 17 March 2009, and the re-arrest of Jigme Gyatso, a monk who helped Dhondup Wangchen make "Leaving fear behind," a 2008 documentary featuring interviews with more than 100 Tibetans, including monks and elderly people.

United States

RSF applauds new guidelines for Freedom of Information Act

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders praises Attorney General Eric Holder's comprehensive new guidelines regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). In his memo addressed to the heads of executive departments and agencies, he expressly rescinds the Bush administration's policy of withholding information and instead advocates an open approach in the administration of the FOIA.

Iran

CPJ calls for investigation into blogger's death following reports that prison officials denied him medical attention

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 19 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Palestine / Israel

Hamas and IDF criticise RSF report on conditions for media covering recent fighting in Gaza

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 19 March 2009 RSF press release:

United Kingdom

Criminal libel laws need to be repealed, says ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 20 March 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

East Timor

Draft media laws are good step forward, but must be revised, says ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 20 March 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Tunisia

CAPSULE REPORT: CPJ urges president to improve press freedom record on 53rd anniversary of country's independence

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 19 March 2009 CPJ letter to President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali:

Philippines

Reporter Dexter Joie Ganibe, cameraman Benedicto Ganelo detained after altercation at police station

(CMFR/IFEX) - A radio reporter and a television cameraman were released on 16 March 2009 after nearly 12 hours of detention in a police station in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. Quezon City is the largest of Metro Manila's cities in population and land area.

Somalia

Editor Mohamed Abdi Guled sentenced to five months in prison, concerns that the sentencing was "politically-motivated"

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is shocked by the five-month prison sentence handed down against a leading editor accused of unlawfully printing a newspaper and spreading lies.

Peru

Independent media outlets barred from covering opening of highway

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 17 March 2009, approximately thirty journalists from the Loreto and San Martín regions in northeastern Peru were prevented from covering the opening by Peruvian President Alan García Pérez of a highway that joins the two regions.

Côte d'Ivoire

Journalists Eddy Péhé, Nanankona Gnamantéh arrested following publication of article linking president to corruption

(MFWA/IFEX) - Two journalists of "Repère", a pro-opposition weekly newspaper, will appear before the Plateau Magistrate court in Abidjan on 24 March 2009 to answer a criminal charge of insulting the Ivorian head of state, Laurent Gbagbo.

Morocco

Human rights activist Chekib el-Khayari still detained, under investigation for "undermining" state institutions, accepting foreign funds; local authorities block peaceful meetings to mobilise support

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an abridged 19 March 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Nigeria

Editor Akin Orimolade detained and charged with "criminal defamation" after newspaper publishes story about state governor

(MRA/IFEX) - On 18 March 2009, Akin Orimolade, the Abuja Bureau Chief for the Lagos-based weekly newspaper "National Life", who disappeared mysteriously from Abuja on 17 March, was arraigned at Yenagoa Magistrate Court 4 in the Niger-delta state of Bayelsa. He was charged, along with two others who are still at large, with criminal defamation against Governor Timipre Sylva in the newspaper's 31 January edition.

Philippines

Radio broadcaster Elgin Damasco receives threatening phone messages

(CMFR/IFEX) - Radio broadcaster Elgin Damasco of dxDC-Radio Mindanao Network in Davao City received messages on his mobile phone on 16 March 2009, threatening him for his "biased" reporting. The radio broadcaster believes the threat came from the military since most of his exposés are about military abuses in Davao City. A spokesman of the regional military unit has denied the allegation. Davao City is located approximately 950 km from Manila.

The Gambia

"Foroyaa Newspaper" publisher released but faces new charges

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 19 March 2009, The Brikama Magistrate Court released on bail Halifa Sallah, publisher of the pro-opposition "Foroyaa Newspaper". Sallah was detained for about two weeks on three criminal charges, including "sedition" and "spying".

Democratic Republic of Congo

CAPSULE REPORT: RSF releases report on investigation into the murder of journalists in Bukavu

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an 18 March 2009 RSF press release:

Guinea

Journalist Saa Momori Koundouno brutalised, briefly detained while covering clash between soldiers and youth group

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 12 March 2009, Saa Momori Koundouno, a reporter with Radio Djigui, a privately-owned Conakry-based radio station, was violently assaulted and briefly detained by soldiers of the Red Berets Unit from Camp Yaya Diallo, the headquarters of the military government.

United States

PEN presses for end to ideological exclusion as Muslim academic Tariq Ramadan appeals against ban

(PEN/IFEX) - The following is an 18 March 2009 PEN American Center press release:

Mexico

Organizaciones de la sociedad civil participan en sesión de las Mesas de Diálogo por la Transparencia en el Distrito Federal

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - Lo que sigue es un comunicado de prensa de ARTICLE 19, con fecha del 18 de marzo de 2009:

Burundi

News website editor Jean-Claude Kavumbagu acquitted of defamation after six months in detention

(JED/IFEX) - On 18 March 2009, Jean-Claude Kavumbagu, editor of the Net Press news website, was acquitted of defaming Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza and released from Mpimba central prison, where he has been detained since 11 September 2008. The decision to release the editor was made the night before, but the procedure took 24 hours.

Botswana

"Politically sensitive" stories removed from university student newspaper

(MISA/IFEX) - Parties involved in the production of "UB Horizon", a student community newspaper of the University of Botswana, have confirmed to MISA Botswana that at least two articles were removed from the newspaper at the time of printing because they were viewed as "politically sensitive".

International

CAPSULE REPORT: Press freedom in the Americas declining, says IAPA

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 16 March 2009 IAPA special report:

North Korea

U.S. journalists Laura Ling, Euna Lee and local guide reportedly detained by North Korean border guards

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

Egypt

Misdemeanors Court sets hearing for journalist Kamal Murad sentenced in absentia

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The following is a 15 March 2009 ANHRI statement:

Turkey

CAPSULE REPORT: BIANET annual report records rise in threats against free expression in 2008

(BIANET/IFEX) - The following is a 16 March 2009 BIANET press release:

Tibet (China)

Security officials re-arrest Tibetan filmmaker Jigme Gyatso

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 18 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Tunisia

Issue of "As-Sada" magazine banned, journalist Abdallah Zouari briefly detained in wave of increased police harassment against the press

(RSF/IFEX) - On 17 March 2009, Reporters Without Borders wrote to interior and local development minister Rafik Belhaj Kacem, voicing deep concern about a recent increase in police harassment aimed at silencing all those who dare to criticise the government. The letter urged authorities to stop resorting to such intimidating and repressive practices.

Mexico

Police assault and threaten journalists Federico Vite López, Álvaro Solís Castillo and Miguel Ángel Andrade Torres

(CEPET/IFEX) - Federico Vite López, Álvaro Solís Castillo and Miguel Ángel Andrade Torres, reporters with the newspapers "Intolerancia", "El Columnista" and "Cambio", respectively, were assaulted by police when they identified themselves as journalists, in Puebla state, central Mexico.

China

Government issues new restrictions on news assistants of foreign correspondents, creates journalist "blacklist"

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an 18 March 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Russia

Editor Maxim Zolotarev assaulted by three unidentified men

(GDF/IFEX) - On 12 March 2009, Maxim Zolotarev, editor of "Molva Yuzhnoye Podmoskovye" newspaper, was assaulted by three unidentified men in the town of Serpukhov, near Moscow. He described the incident in his web blog stressing that "I am happy I survived."

Pakistan

Kidnappers threaten to kill journalist Khadija Abdul Qahar if ransom of $2 million is not paid

(PPF/IFEX) - On 18 March 2009, kidnappers holding the Canadian woman journalist, Khadija Abdul Qahar, in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal agency threatened to kill her if their demand of a $2 million ransom is not met by 30 March.

Iran

Blogger Omidreza Mirsayafi dies in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is deeply shocked at the death, in a Tehran prison, of blogger Omidreza Mirsayafi and calls for the immediate opening of an investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy. His lawyer, Mohamed Ali Dadkhah, was informed of the blogger's death by a doctor, Hesem Firozi, who is himself imprisoned. The young blogger had been depressed and no longer able to cope with prison conditions. The doctor said, "The death of this young blogger is entirely due to a failure to provide assistance." Omidreza Mirsayafi was devastated at the prison authorities' refusal to grant him leave.

Mauritania

Online Journalist Abou Abbass Ould Brahim released after three days in detention, website allowed to reopen

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has learned that writer and journalist Abou Abbass Ould Brahim, the editor of the news website Taqadoumy ( http://www.taqadoumy.com ), was released on 18 March 2009 after being held for three days in the Mauritanian capital and that the website was allowed to reopen 24 hours after the Nouakchott prosecutor's office ordered its closure.

Turkey

Gün TV in Diyarbakir barred from broadcasting news programme for six days

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Gün TV channel in Diyarbakir province has been barred from broadcasting its 7:30 p.m. news programme for six days after it was accused by the provincial election board of favouring the Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) on its channel. Gün TV is a local television station which broadcasts in the southeastern province and surrounding area.

Afghanistan

RSF releases report of fact-finding mission on state of press freedom under Karzai's rule

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 16 March 2009 RSF press release:

Cuba

European Union envoy urged to seek release of jailed Cuban journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - CPJ sent a letter on 17 March 2009, on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the Cuban crackdown against the dissidence, to European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel asking him to seek the release of imprisoned journalists.

Venezuela

Globovisión reporters assaulted and thrown out of medical centre in Guacara

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 4 March 2009, Globovisión TV station journalist Janeth Carrasquilla, camera operator Saúl Arias and his assistant, Jesús Baptista, were hit and thrown out of a medical centre by a Health Department official. The incident occurred while the news team was attempting to cover the murder of a student in the municipality of Guacara, to the east of the State of Carabobo, in north-central Venezuela. The official's name is not known.

Sierra Leone

Newspaper editor David Jabati physically assaulted

(MFWA/IFEX) - David Jabati, editor of "The Exclusive", a Freetown-based independent newspaper, was violently assaulted on 13 March 2008 by angry supporters of the ruling All People's Congress Party (APC) at the headquarters of the opposition Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP).

International

ARTICLE 19 urges UN member states to amend draft resolution on freedom of expression

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 17 March 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Dominica

ARTICLE 19 highlights key concerns in draft broadcasting law

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 17 March 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

China

Journalism professor Wang Keqin and his student attacked, prevented from visiting jailed human rights lawyer's wife

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the physical attack which Beijing University journalism professor Wang Keqin and one of his students sustained when they tried to visit the wife of imprisoned human rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng in Linyi country (in the northeastern province of Shandong) on 8 March 2009.

Ecuador

Photographer Roni Zambrano stopped from photographing military base; member of parliament threatens to sue "El Universo" newspaper

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 11 March 2009, Luis Alvarado Loor and Roni Zambrano, a journalist and a photographer with "Diario Súper", were stopped from carrying out their work in the San Eduardo Naval Base, in the city of Guayaquil.

Brazil

Photographer Fabiano Rocha attacked outside mayor's home in Rio de Janeiro suburb

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns an attack on photographer Fabiano Rocha of the Rio de Janeiro daily "Extra" on 11 March 2009, while he was preparing a report on the poor state of the roads in the Rio de Janeiro suburb of São Gonçalo. Rocha was photographing the street where Mayor Aparecida Panisset lives (which is well maintained), when he was accosted by the bodyguards of the mayor's brother, Márcio Panisset, who took his camera from him.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Three human rights activists and one CNTV cameraman arrested for attempting to organise peaceful march

(JED/IFEX) - Journaliste en danger (JED) demands the unconditional release of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire, executive director of the organisation Voix des Sans Voix (Voice of the Voiceless) and assistant director Dolly Ibefo Mbunga, as well as Donat Tshikaya, member of Réseau National des Droits de l'Homme en RD Congo (RENADHOC, a national human rights network) and Coco Tanda, a cameraman for the private television station Canal Numérique Télévision (CNTV).

Tibet (China)

Internet writer Kunchok Tsephel Gopey Tsang detained without charges

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Kunchok Tsephel Gopey Tsang, a Tibetan internet writer, who has reportedly been held without charge since 26 February 2009. The WiPC fears that Kunchok Tsephel Gopey Tsang 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.

International / Yemen

Journalist Abdul Karim Al Khaiwani receives Amnesty International Special Award for Human Rights Journalism under Threat

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 March 2009 IFJ media release:

Senegal

Oxy Jeunes, Afia FM and Djoloff FM community radio stations suspended for broadcasting political programmes

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns a decision by the National Council for Broadcasting Regulation (CNRA) on 14 March 2009 to suspend three community radio stations based in the Dakar suburbs for two months for violating the rules governing their operations by covering political issues relating to the current local election campaign.

Singapore

"Wall Street Journal" editor Melanie Kirkpatrick faces "contempt of court" charges following publication of articles about judiciary

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders deplores high court judge Tay Yong Kwang's decision to give the attorney-general a green light to start contempt of court proceedings against Melanie Kirkpatrick, the deputy editor of the "Wall Street Journal"'s editorial page, in connection with two editorials and an op-ed piece about the Singaporean judiciary published in the newspaper's Asia edition in June and July 2008.

Mozambique

Government condemns attacks on press, identifies MISA as a strategic partner

(MISA/IFEX) - The Mozambican government "firmly and vehemently condemns all acts that attack press freedom," declared Deputy Education Minister Luis Covane on 12 March 2009, Mozambique's news agency AIM reports.

Iraq

"Hawlati" newspaper, former editor fined for defaming president; "Awene" newspaper editor also fined, faces criminal charges for defaming tribal leader

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Bahrain

Authorities block links posted on BCHR Facebook page

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) is alarmed by the widening scope of a censorship and internet blocking campaign, led by Mai Al-Khalifa, Minister of Information and member of the ruling family, targeting dissident voices about Bahrain. This campaign has extended to social networking sites such as Facebook, blocking any discussions the authorities consider subversive.

Romania

Call for withdrawal of Civil Code modifications said to infringe on access to information, press freedom

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 16 March 2009 media release by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Dominican Republic

Drug traffickers issue death threats to journalist and television producer Manuel Vega

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters sans frontières calls on the authorities to take death threats made against journalist and television producer Manuel Antonio Vega seriously. Vega has regularly denounced drug trafficking in the Dominican Republic and should be afforded the protection necessary to carry out his work safely.

Malaysia

Six people charged with "insulting" royalty online

(CIJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 March 2009 statement by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), an interim member of IFEX:

Zimbabwe

Human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa faces possible arrest for "contempt of court"

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Bahrain

L'activiste des droits de l'homme Abdulhadi Alkhawaja menacé d'emprisonnement pour "incitation à la haine contre le régime" et "propagation de nouvelles fausses et tendancieuses"

(ANHRI/IFEX) - Les organisations de défense des droits de l'homme, soussignées, affirment leur soutien et leur solidarité avec Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, défenseur des droits de l'homme, ancien directeur du centre de Bahreïn pour les droits de l'homme et représentant régional de Front Line, fondation internationale pour la protection des défenseurs des droits de l'homme.

Yemen

President commits to press freedom, access to information

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

Mexico

National Human Rights Commission concludes that journalist Lydia Cacho Ribeiro was tortured, her freedom of expression rights violated

(CEPET/IFEX) - Mexico's National Human Rights Commission (Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos, CNDH) has issued a recommendation to the governors of the states of Puebla and Quintana Roo calling on them to conduct an investigation into the actions of police officers who arrested journalist Lydia Cacho Ribeiro in December 2005. The CNDH came to the conclusion that the journalist was tortured and her basic individual rights were violated. In a public statement, the CNDH also said that Cacho Ribeiro's detention constituted an indirect method used to hinder freedom of expression.

Egypt

CAPSULE REPORT: CPJ calls on president to halt campaign against bloggers

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 March 2009 CPJ letter to Egyptian President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak:

China

Cyber-dissidents Yang Zili and Zhang Honghai released after eight years in prison

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails the release of cyber-dissident Yang Zili, the founder of the "Garden of Ideas" website http://www.lib.126.com . He was released from Beijing No. 2 prison on 12 March 2009 on completing an eight-year sentence on a charge of subverting the state.

Pakistan

Government orders cable carriers to drop independent news broadcasters, some services restored

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Mauritania

Reporters Abdallahi Ould Tfagha Moctar and Mohamed Lemine Ould Moustapha briefly detained

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 11 March 2009, Abdallahi Ould Tfagha Moctar and Mohamed Lemine Ould Moustapha, reporters for Sahara Media, a Nouakchott-based independent newswire service, were arrested by Mauritania National Security personnel, allegedly for filming the entrance to the Nouakchott civil prison.

Bahrain

Union members Rola Al-Saffar and Ibrahim Al-Demistani face defamation charges

(BCHR/IFEX) - The High Criminal Court, presided over by Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khalifa, a member of the ruling family, has said that it will come to a decision on 24 March 2009 regarding the case brought by officials from the Bahrain Ministry of Health against Rola Al-Saffar, the president of the Bahrain Nursing Association (BNA), and Ibrahim Al-Demistani, the BNA's secretary.

Madagascar

More journalists attacked, five newspapers cease publishing as political crisis continues

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has expressed its renewed concern after five newspapers stopped publishing and several journalists were threatened and physically assaulted during the political upheaval of the past few weeks.

Tunisia

Ex-political prisoner Sadok Chorou re-imprisoned for giving media interviews

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 12 March 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Moldova

Criminal proceedings launched against Albasat TV in run-up to elections

(IJC/IFEX) - State prosecutors initiated criminal proceedings against Albasat TV a few days after police raided the television station's headquarters on the morning of 25 February 2009, allegedly for the purpose of "conducting an investigation".

International

IAPA celebrates 15th anniversary of Declaration of Chapultepec

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 12 March 2009 IAPA press release:

South Africa

State broadcaster SABC responds to allegations that it manipulated news for political purposes

(MISA/IFEX) - On 11 March 2009, the SABC denied allegations that its head of news, Snuki Zikalala, manipulated content for political purposes. "The Mail and Guardian" online reports that the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) had earlier accused the public broadcaster and Zikalala of manipulating content at a hearing by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa's (ICASA) Complaints Compliance Committee in Sandton. SABC counsel Ishmael Semenya said Zikalala was entitled to ask that certain commentators not be used in terms of "editorial independence" Zikalala had supplied reasons for his decisions, and they were not "irrational", Semenya added.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Three independent radio and television stations in Likasi face closure following mayor's orders

(JED/IFEX) - On 11 March 2009, the mayor of Likasi, Denis Kalondji Ngoy, ordered the closure of Community Radio of Katanga (RCK) and Radiotélévision Likasi 4 (RTL4). The mayor's decision was supported by the provincial authorities of Katanga. On 12 March, journalists from the two independent media outlets, who had been threatened and pressured for several days, finally agreed to comply with the mayor's decision. A third media outlet, All Gospel Radio (RPE) also received orders to close. RPE host Gilbert Nawezi has been ordered off the airways since last week.

Peru

Group linked to individual involved in illegal land sales threatens camera operator and journalists César Hildebrandt and Rebeca Diz of RBC Televisión

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 8 March 2009, journalist César Hildebrandt, director and host of RBC Televisión's "El Perro del Hortelano" programme, said that he, along with his camera operator and journalist Rebeca Diz, had received threats after broadcasting a series of reports about Germán Cárdenas, an individual allegedly involved in illegal land transfers. The reports highlighted links between Cárdenas and the ruling political party's highest circles. The incident took place in Lima.

The Gambia

Publisher Halifa Sallah faces criminal charges, including "sedition"; Magistrate Court grants bail but poses absurd conditions

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 11 March 2009, the Brikama Magistrate Court in The Gambia granted bail to Halifa Sallah, publisher of the pro-opposition "Foroyaa Newspaper", who has been in detention since his arrest on 8 March.

Mexico

IAPA presents investigation into the disappearance of journalist Alfredo Jiménez Mota to the IACHR

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 12 march 2009 IAPA press release:

Bolivia

Residents of Achacachi prevent journalists from covering occupation of former vice-president's lands

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 7 March 2009, journalists from several media outlets said that a group of villagers from nine communities in the settlement of Huatajata who occupied and looted a rural property owned by former Bolivian vice-president, Víctor Hugo Cárdenas, prevented them from carrying out their work. Huatajata is located in the municipality of Achacachi, in the department of La Paz.

Colombia

Journalist Denis Contreras, photographer Luis Rodríguez assaulted for criticising local mayor in Puerto Colombia

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 8 March 2009, journalist Denis Contreras and photographer Luis Rodríguez, of "El Heraldo" newspaper in Barranquilla, were assaulted and threatened by a group of people connected with the tourism industry in Puerto Colombia, Atlántico. The assailants were apparently not pleased with some of the paper's articles on a historic wharf which had recently collapsed, in part because of neglect.

Iraq

IFJ condemns "disproportionate" sentencing of shoe-throwing journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi

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

Mexico

Journalist Dalia Patiño González questioned and harassed by police chief after investigating his department

(CEPET/IFEX) - Reporter Dalia Patiño González, of the "Puntual" newspaper, was questioned and harassed by the director of the Auxiliary Police in Puebla state, central Mexico. The reporter has been looking into the affairs of the police department, in particular the contracts the department was awarded by the state.

Macedonia

"Shqip Media" newspaper journalists stopped and searched by police on their way to cover election campaign

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

Botswana

News media publishers decline invitation to participate in state media council

(MISA/IFEX) - News media publishers gathered on 10 March 2009 and resolved not to respond to the current invitations from the government regarding the formation of the Interim Committee of the Media Council as dictated by the newly enacted Media Practitioners Act.

International

ARTICLE 19 campaigns for "no" vote on proposed religious defamation resolution

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 10 March 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Serbia

Justice minister urged to resolve 10-year old case of murdered editor Slavko Curuvija

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is an 11 March 2009 joint statement by IPI and South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Fiji

Police search "Fiji Times" newspaper and Fiji TV

(PINA/IFEX) - Fiji's media freedom is under threat again after police searched two media organisations for airing politically-sensitive stories.

Bahrain

Former president of Bahrain Center for Human Rights charged with "instigating hatred and disrespect"

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

Afghanistan

Twenty-year sentence upheld for journalist Parwez Kambakhsh; Human Rights Watch fears for his safety

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 10 March 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Madagascar

Viva broadcaster raided by security forces, several other media outlets face broadcasting challenges during political crisis

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Iraq

Al-Baghdadia TV correspondent and cameraman killed in suicide attack in Abu Ghraib

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Turkey / International

IPI urges European Union leaders to make press freedom priority in ongoing membership talks with Turkey

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 9 March 2009 IPI press release:

Russia

Journalist Vadim Rogozhin hospitalised following serious attack

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Afghanistan

Young journalist Jawed Ahmad gunned down in Kandahar

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is dismayed to learn that Jawed Ahmad, an Afghan journalist who worked for Canadian media, including the broadcaster CTV News, was gunned down on 10 March 2009 by two men in a vehicle as he was getting out of his own car in the centre of the southern city of Kandahar. Ahmad, also known as Jojo Yazemi, died on the spot. His body was taken to a nearby hospital where members of his family and friends have gathered by his side.

Egypt

Blogger Mohammed Adel released

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) reports that the state security prosecution has decided to release blogger Mohammed Adel (whose blog is nicknamed "dead", http://43arb.info/meit/ ), after he suffered 110 days of kidnapping, arrest and accusations in the hands of the state security, in case no. 1414 for the year 2008 at the Supreme State Security Court.

Burma

Journalists alarmed as censors go digital

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The media in Burma are alarmed at the plan of the junta's Press Scrutiny and Registration Board - better known as the Censors' Board - to censor the digital copies of articles to be published in Burmese journals and magazines.

Libya

Political prisoners Jamal al-Haji and Faraj Humaid released after spending two years in prison

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 10 March 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Argentina

Journalist Javier Mandirola assaulted, detained briefly by police after attempting to take photographs of an officer assaulting another person

(FOPEA /IFEX) - FOPEA condemns the actions against Javier Mandirola, a journalist with the "El Territorio" newspaper, based in Posadas, Misiones province, who was beaten by police officers and arrested early on the morning of 8 March 2009 after attempting to take photographs of an officer who was assaulting documentary maker Nicolás Amadio in front of a pub located at the intersection of Buenos Aires and Bolívar streets in the province's capital city.

Iran

CJFE calls on Iran to release Iranian-Canadian blogger Hossein Derakhshan, who is being held on unspecified charges

(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is a 6 March 2009 CJFE letter to Bahram Ghasemi, Chargé d'Affaires of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Canada:

Algeria

Journalist Nedjar Hadj Daoud provisionally released but still facing six-month jail sentence

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Bahrain

Journalist Lamees Dhaif summoned to Public Prosecutor's Office, faces charges under Penal Code

(BCHR/IFEX) - BCHR expresses its concern over the aggressive attitude of the local authorities towards journalists, writers and columnists, as many of them are prosecuted for exercising their professional right to report on issues of public interest.

Sri Lanka

Poobalasingam Book Depot manager arrested for distributing Tamil magazine

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the release of the manager of the Poobalasingam Book Depot bookshop in Colombo, who was arrested by anti-terrorism police at his home in the Colombo suburb of Wellawatte on 5 March 2009 for sending copies of "Ananda Vikadan", a Tamil weekly magazine published in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, to another branch of the same bookshop in Jaffna, in the north of Sri Lanka.

Tibet (China)

On 50th anniversary of Tibetan uprising, CPJ calls for China to release Tibetan journalists and allow foreign reporting

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Peru

Press workers barred from entering Chimbote police headquarters

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 6 March 2009, the Chief of Chimbote's Police Division (División Policial de Chimbote, DIVIPOL), Colonel Guillermo Vía Domínguez, prohibited the press from entering the division's headquarters, which house the emergency squadron and the police's inspection office, among others. Vía Domínquez said that the division headquarters are like his home, and permission must be requested and granted prior to entry. The incident took place in the city of Chimbote, Áncash region, in northwestern Peru.

Swaziland

High Court judge dismisses defamation case against "Times of Swaziland" newspaper

(MISA/IFEX) - On 6 March 2009, the High Court of Swaziland dismissed an E500,000 (approx. US$50,000) lawsuit against the privately-owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper.

United States

Authorities confirm CIA destroyed 92 videotapes detailing interrogations of detainees held at secret prisons

(RSF/IFEX) - Federal authorities confirmed on 2 March 2009 that 92 videotapes detailing the interrogation of detainees at secret prisons were destroyed in 2005 by the CIA. Reporters Without Borders asks that the new Obama administration lead an investigation into this infringement upon the American people's constitutional rights and punish those who are responsible.

Guatemala

Director of CERIGUA warns of possible actions against the organisation

(CERIGUA/IFEX) - CERIGUA's director, Ileana Alamilla, has warned of several incidents that the organisation has taken note of that could be part of a plan to undermine freedom of expression.

Sri Lanka

CAPSULE REPORT: CPJ urges Sri Lankan ambassador to investigate media attacks

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Liberia

Police beat, handcuff journalist Nathaniel McClain for photographing police

(CEMESP/IFEX) - On 6 March 2009, journalist Nathaniel McClain of the "Renaissance" newspaper in Monrovia was handcuffed and beaten by some officers of the Liberian National Police.

Malaysia

Protestors arrested during march to royal palace

(CIJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 March 2009 statement by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), an interim member of IFEX:

Thailand

Prime Minister rejects calls for reform of lèse-majesté law but says it should not be abused

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 5 March 2009, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva turned down an international call for the reform of lèse-majesté law but hinted some amendment to the enforcement of the law could be considered to allow for expression of academic opinions.

United States

New evidence in murder case of "Oakland Post" reporter Chauncey Bailey implicates Yusuf Bey IV

(RSF/IFEX) - More than a year-and-a-half after the murder of "Oakland Post" reporter Chauncey Bailey, new evidence incriminating Yusuf Bey IV, the former head of Your Black Muslim Bakery, has come to light. Suspected of being the crime's mastermind, he has nonetheless not been charged yet.

The Gambia

Publisher of pro-opposition "Foroyaa Newspaper" Halifa Sallah arrested and detained without charge

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 8 March 2009, Halifa Sallah, publisher of pro-opposition "Foroyaa Newspaper" was arrested and detained at a police station in Serrekunda, The Gambia's second largest city. Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources reported that the police have not given any reasons for his arrest and subsequent detention.

Philippines

Radio broadcaster Nilo Labares seriously injured in murder attempt after reporting on illegal gambling, two suspects surrender to police but deny involvement

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 9 March 2009, two individuals suspected of being involved in an attempt to murder a Cagayan de Oro-City based radio broadcaster surrendered to the local police. Both suspects, however, denied involvement in the murder attempt.

Bolivia

Two individuals arrested following investigation into sabotage of radio station; mayor of Santa Cruz assaults journalist Marcia Cedeño

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders today noted the arrest on 3 March 2009 of two suspects, Juan Carlos and Saul Herrero Abrego, in the investigation into the sabotage of Radio Rurrenabaque radio station, on 4 September 2008, in the department of Beni, northeastern Colombia. The two brothers are reportedly members of the Beni Civic Committee that abducted and held a journalist from the public radio network Red Patria Nueva during a wave of violence in the autonomous regions (see the release of 15 September 2008 - http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=28550 ).

Turkey

Journalists Mustafa Balbay and Neriman Aydin arrested in connection with case about overthrowing the government

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Ankara bureau chief of "Cumhuriyet Daily", Mustafa Balbay, and online "Toplumsal Haber" columnist, Nerima Aydin, were taken under custody for a second time in relation to the Ergenekon case, involving accusations of overthrowing the government. Both were sent to Metris prison. Turkey's Society of Journalists (TGC), Contemporary Journalists' Association (ÇGD) and Turkey's Union of Journalists (TGS) expressed concern over government pressure on the media.Journalists' organizations condemned the arrests and expressed concern regarding the lawfulness of the ongoing investigation.

Oman

Journalist Ali al-Zwaidi on trial, facing possible year-long prison sentence for publication of article on corruption

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information has expressed great concern over the trial of the Omani journalist and internet activist Ali al-Zwaidi who allegedly violated article 61 of the Omani communications law. The crime carries a sentence of up to a year in prison and a fine of one thousand Omani riyals (approx. US$2,600).

Colombia

Cúcuta Municipal Police repeatedly harass local journalists

(FLIP/IFEX) - A worrisome situation has arisen since October 2008 in the city of Cúcuta, Norte de Santander department, in northeastern Colombia, where journalists have been insulted and assaulted when they are covering judicial issues.

Somalia

New Deputy Prime Minister makes threatening statements against independent media

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders strongly condemns Deputy Prime Minister Abdirahman Ibbi's recent statements on Radio Garowe criticising Somalia's independent news media and threatening to combat them. Ibbi is both deputy premier and minister of fisheries and marine resources in the new national unity government.

Morocco

Journalist, blogger Hassan Barhoum sentenced to six months in prison and fined for denouncing corruption

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information condemns the harsh ruling by Tetuan misdemeanors court against journalist and blogger Hassan Barhoun for allegedly circulating false news. On 6 March 2009, in a hasty trial that took only one hearing session, the court sentenced him to six months in prison and a 5,000 Moroccan dirham fine (approx. US$570). Some lawyers withdrew from the session while other lawyers could not fully submit their pleas, casting doubt upon the justice of the court.

Bolivia

Journalist Pedro Pérez receives death threats after being assaulted by individuals involved in illegal land sales, three others assaulted in same incident

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 3 March 2009, journalist Pedro Pérez, press chief and news anchor for Canal 15 RTV television station, reported having received death threats via his cell phone and text messages after he was beaten up on 9 February by individuals involved in illegal land sales. The assault took place when Pérez was covering the evacuation of urban lands that had been illegally occupied in the city of Montero, eastern Bolivia.

Yemen / Gender

ARTICLE 19 report says women journalists subjected to censorship, slanderous attack

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 6 March 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Zimbabwe

Prime Minister promises reform in government attitude to freedoms of expression, association and assembly

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 5 March 2009 MISA press release:

Iran

CPJ circulates petition for release of American journalist Roxana Saberi

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Kenya

CPJ calls for investigation into journalist Francis Kainda Nyaruri's murder

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 March 2009 CPJ letter to the president, H.E. Mwai Kibaki:

Turkey

IPA urges European Union to support independent publishers in Turkey

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

Eritrea

RSF calls on European Union to suspend development aid in light of fresh crackdown on journalists

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has called on the European Union (EU) not to hand over aid worth 122 million euros to Eritrea, after a serious deterioration in conditions for political prisoners and as authorities have launched a new wave of arrests of journalists.

Serbia

Journalist Radoman Iric temporarily prevented from attending press conference

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 5 March 2009 ANEM statement:

Peru

Journalists Lilian Luna Villafuerte and Humberto De la Cruz assaulted by official; journalist Roberto Chalco harassed by police after being critical of rising level of insecurity in region

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 3 March 2009, journalist Lilian Luna Villafuerte, a correspondent for the "La República" newspaper, was hit in the stomach by Edie Reynaldo Pacheco Arredondo, a National Penitentiary Institute (Instituto Nacional Penitenciario, INPE) official. The incident took place while Villafuerte was covering a story about the dismissal of five INPE workers accused of raping four inmates at the women's prison in Cusco, in southern Peru. The journalist told IPYS that she was taking photographs inside the Public Prosecutor's Office when Pacheco Arredondo pushed her and hit her in the stomach.

Belarus

Journalist Andrzej Poczobut harassed, denied press accreditation

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Nepal

Copies of newspapers and magazine set on fire and dumped in canal by protestors in Khanar

(FNJ/IFEX) - Copies of "Kantipur", the "Kathmandu Post" and "Nepal Magazine" were torched on 2 March 2009 in Khanar, Sunsari District, by a group identifying themselves as activists of the Tharu Welfare Council. The van which was carrying the newspapers for distribution was also seized. The council had called for a three day general strike in Terai, starting on 2 March, protesting a recent government decision affecting the Tharu people.

Martinique / France

Offices of Tac Presse TV production company raided by police following of documentary containing racist comments

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is shocked by a raid on the TV production company Tac Presse in a Parisian suburb, on 2 March 2009, in connection with a documentary about Martinique in which a member of the French Caribbean island's white business elite, Alain Huyghues-Despointes, made racist comments.

Guinea-Bissau

Armed forces briefly silence broadcast media after murder of president and chief of staff

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is relieved to learn that Guinea-Bissau's broadcast media were allowed to resume operating shortly after midday on 2 March 2009 after being ordered off the air the previous night following the murder of the armed forces' Chief of Staff, which was followed in turn on 2 March by the murder of President Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira.

Mexico

IAPA warns of setback in attempt to make crimes against journalists a federal offence

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 3 March 2009 IAPA press release:

Mexico

Journalist José Luis Ortega Vidal seriously injured in accident after being chased by armed former municipal official

(ARTICLE 19/CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated translation of a 5 March 2009 ARTICLE 19 and CENCOS press release:

Philippines

Court of Appeals turns down bid by president's spouse to stop class suit against him

(CMFR/IFEX) - The Court of Appeals (CA) in Manila turned down a reconsideration motion filed by presidential spouse Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo to stop the hearing of the class suit filed against him by 36 journalists and three media organizations.

Pakistan

Journalists barred from covering senate elections

(PPF/IFEX) - On 4 March 2009, journalists were barred from covering the proceedings of senate elections from the press gallery of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Assembly.

Thailand

Website moderator Chiranuch Premchaiporn arrested for alleged violation of Computer Crimes Act

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Officers from the Royal Thai Police arrested Prachatai website moderator Chiranuch Premchaiporn after raiding the independent website's office on 6 March 2009. Chiranuch was charged with violation of the Computer Crimes Act. Prachatai is among the most independent and popular websites in the kingdom. Sources who requested anonymity claimed that for the past few months, Prachatai has received "requests" from the military to remove from its website articles and commentaries on the monarchy and the military.

Bangladesh

IPI calls on new government to investigate past crimes against journalists

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 5 March 2009 IPI press release:

Côte d'Ivoire

Several copies of "Le Nouveau Réveil" newspaper destroyed following article linking high-ranking officials to corruption

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 4 March 2009, several copies of the weekly "Le Nouveau Réveil" newspaper were seized from the newsstands and destroyed by two unidentified persons in Cocody and Yopougon, two suburbs of Abidjan, capital of Côte d'Ivoire.

China

Health of detained dissident writers Guo Qizhen and Wang Guilan alarmingly deteriorating

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is concerned about the health of two imprisoned dissident writers, Guo Qizhen and Wang Guilan. "We urge the Chinese authorities to release them so that they can receive treatment," the press freedom organisation said.

Russia

Journalist Oleg Salnikov receives death threats after writing about extremist organisation

(GDF/IFEX) - Oleg Salnikov, author of the article "Ordinary Fascism Attempts to Take Root on These Isles" published by the newspaper "Gubernskiye Vedomosti", has been receiving death threats. The story about an extremist organization led by two former law enforcement officers was also posted on the website of the Sakhalin-Kurily news agency, triggering a torrent of death threats to the author and his family.

Azerbaijan

Ministry of Interior withdraws lawsuit filed against human rights defender Leyla Yunus

(IRFS/IFEX) - The Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) applauds the Azerbaijani Ministry of Interior's decision to withdraw Minister Ramil Usubov's lawsuit against human rights defender Leyla Yunus. The withdrawal of this lawsuit was announced in a court hearing held on 2 March 2009.

Nepal

"Jana Kranti Dainik" daily offices vandalised, documents burned; journalist Keshav Bhandari beaten while covering student union clash

(FNJ/IFEX) - The attention of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has been drawn to a serious act of vandalism in Mahendra Nagar against the paper "Jana Kranti Dainik" by Youth Force, a sister organization of CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal - Unified Marxist Leninist).

Liberia

Journalist Clarence Jackson expelled from courtroom

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 2 March 2009, Clarence Jackson, a reporter for Star Radio, an independent radio station, was driven out of the Gbarnga First Instance court in central Monrovia, allegedly on the orders of Liberia's Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Philip A.Z. Banks, following a complaint filed by the presiding magistrate.

Moldova

IJC releases first report on media coverage of parliamentary elections

(IJC/IFEX) - The following is a 25 February 2009 IJC press release:

Namibia

Namibian Broadcasting Corporation cancels chat shows

(MISA/IFEX) - MISA-Namibia has expressed surprise at a ban on chat shows by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). In a statement on 3 March 2009, Andrew Kanime, Acting Director General of the NBC, announced that the National Chat Show programmes hosted in the morning shall cease. Members of the public used to phone in to express views on and discuss a number of issues. The government and the ruling party, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), argue that the shows are being abused to attack the party and government leaders. An arm of the ruling party, the SWAPO Elders Council, and the NBC called for a review of the chat shows in 2008.

Thailand

Swiss TV reporter Christoph Müller arrested, later released but not allowed to leave country

(RSF/IFEX) - Christoph Müller, a leading Swiss TV reporter and producer, was handcuffed and arrested on arrival in Thailand on 27 February 2009. He was freed on bail 24 hours later but the police confiscated his passport and he is not allowed to leave the country until further notice.

Iran

U.S. journalist Roxana Saberi held at Evin prison

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Argentina

Journalist Ximena Marenco threatened in La Rioja, RSF condemns the authorities' failure to act on her behalf

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF calls on the authorities in the province of La Rioja (northwestern Argentina) to implement security measures for Ximena Marenco, a journalist for the privately-owned Radio Fénix radio station, who has been receiving threats.

Tunisia

Human rights lawyer and activist Mohamed Abbou again barred from leaving the country

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

Zambia

Photojournalist Thomas Nsama assaulted by supporters of ruling party

(MISA/IFEX) - On 28 February 2009, supporters of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) beat up "The Post" photojournalist Thomas Nsama. The incident occurred at Chipata International Airport in Zambia's Eastern province. Nsama had gone to the airport to cover the arrival of Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa's African National Congress (ANC), who was visiting the province. The photojournalist was beaten after the arrival of Zambian President Rupiah Banda.

Palestine

Television journalist Samer Khuaira released; his colleague Ahmad Bekawi still in prison

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Burma

Political prisoners freed but regime blocks development of human rights agreement at ASEAN Summit

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

Egypt

Imprisoned blogger Mohammed Adel's hunger strike raises concern for his wellbeing

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) expressed deep concern for the life of blogger Mohammed Adel, who is in the Tora Farm Prison. Adel went on a hunger strike to protest against being placed in solitary confinement and his mistreatment by prison authorities, who have not been allowing him to leave his cell.

Zimbabwe

Journalist and rights activist Jestina Mukoko released after three months in detention

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails the release of journalist and human rights activist Jestina Mukoko on 2 March 2009 and urges the authorities to free freelance photographer Shadreck Manyere, who is still being held.

Egypt

Security forces detain Internet activist Rami al-Swisi, third in less than a month

(ANHRI/IFEX) - ANHRI has condemned the security forces' detention of Facebook activist Rami al-Swisi. Security forces personnel broke into al-Swisi's home in Haram, Giza at 3:30 a.m. (local time), on 2 March 2009. They searched the activist's home and took some of his personal property, including his cell phone, laptop and wallet. They then took him in a Toyota car, with license plate number 403767, to an unknown location.

Malaysia

CAPSULE REPORT: Debate on royal powers draws attacks and threats; bloggers Ahiruddin Attan and Jed Yoong questioned by police

(CIJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 March 2009 report by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), an interim member of IFEX:

Swaziland

Newspaper columnist Mfomfo Nkambule fined for criticising king

(MISA/IFEX) - On 28 February 2009, Mfomfo Nkambule, a weekly columnist with the privately-owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper, was fined an undisclosed number of cattle by his chief for criticizing King Mswati III in his articles as the authorities continue to harass the writer for his views.

Algeria

Ghardaïa court confirms six-month prison term against "El Waha" editor for defamation

(CALP/IFEX) - On 2 March 2009, Nedjar Hadj Daoud, editor of the regional weekly "El Waha", was arrested at his newspaper's head office and taken to prison after being found guilty of defaming a municipal government employee. Hadj Daoud's paper has been banned since 2006 and he has been named in more than 25 defamation lawsuits.

Serbia

Sava Congress Centre prohibits press conference of Gay-Straight Alliance; SEEMO concerned about pressures exerted on media outlets

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 3 March 2009 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Algeria

Journalist Abdelouahab Souag fined over articles critical of cleric

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is 3 March 2009 IFJ media release:

Kyrgyzstan

Political reporter and commentator Syrgak Abdyldayev stabbed in Bishkek

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 3 March 2009 CPJ press release:

Azerbaijan

Editor Faramaz Novruzoglu receives anonymous death threats

(IRFS/IFEX) - Faramaz Novruzoglu (Allahverdiyev), editor and head consultant for "Nota" newspaper, has received anonymous death threats. The IRFS was informed by Novruzoglu that unknown individuals called him and threatened him and his family members. Novruzoglu believes that these calls are related to his recent series of articles about the Antiterrorism Center of the Ministry of National Security (NSM), published in "Nota".

Ghana

Court exonerates "Daily Guide" newspaper of defamation charges

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 27 February 2009, an Accra High Court exonerated Western Publications Limited, publishers of the Accra-based privately-owned "Daily Guide" newspaper, on libel charges brought against it by Ghana's Foreign Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni.

The Gambia

"The Point" newspaper office stormed by police; editor Pape Saine charged with "obtaining Gambian citizenship registration by false pretence" in a separate incident

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 20 February 2009, three police officers stormed the offices of the privately-owned "The Point" newspaper in Banjul and briefly detained all staff members present.

International / United States

RSF highlights situation of journalists in countries deemed "diplomatic priorities" for new US administration

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 26 February 2009 RSF press release:

International

WiPC releases report detailing attacks on writers, journalists for second half of 2008

(WiPC/IFEX) - The following is a 27 February 2009 WiPC press release:

Morocco

Anti-corruption journalist and blogger Hassan Barhoun arrested

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) expressed concern that the arrest of blogger and journalist Hassan Barhoun on 26 February 2009 may be an attempt to punish the journalist and cover up reports of corruption exposed through his YouTube initiative Journalists Without Limits. In the reports, Barhoun links official figures to a drug baron in Tetuan, Morocco.

Iran

U.S. journalist Roxana Saberi held in Iran without charge for over a month

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 March 2009 CPJ press release:

International

WiPC marks International Women's Day by celebrating work of four women writers under threat

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

Zimbabwe

MISA calls on new government ministers to fulfil international obligations on freedom of expression

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 27 February 2009 MISA press release:

Liberia

Government halts publication of the "New Broom" over allegations of non-registration

(CEMESP/IFEX) - The government of Liberia has, "with immediate effect," halted the publication of the "New Broom", a weekly local newspaper owned and operated by journalist Roland Worwee.

Sudan

Authorities freeze bank account of Khartoum Centre for Human Rights and Environmental Development in renewed attack on freedom of expression

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 27 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Peru

Former mayor assaults and threatens journalist Wilfredo Narváez

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 24 February 2009, the former mayor of the district of Padre Felipe Luyando, Ghunter Loffose Grijalva, assaulted and issued a death threat against journalist Wilfredo Narváez, of the Canal 98 television station. The district of Padre Felipe Luyando is located in Tingo María, in the Huánuco region of central Peru.

Philippines

Journalist Ronaldo Doong escapes murder attempt, hospitalised with injuries

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is shocked by an attempt to murder "Radyo Ukay" presenter Ronaldo Doong near Digos City, on the southern island of Mindanao, on 28 February 2009. Doong and a friend were heading to Digos City from Magsaysay on a motorcycle when two apparent hit men on another motorcycle blocked their way and aimed a gun at them.

Guatemala

Mayor incites citizens to assault journalists; journalist and camera operator forcibly removed from event celebrating opening of municipal stadium

(CERIGUA/IFEX) - Three journalists were assaulted by residents of the municipality of Malacatancito, Huehuetenango, when they attempted to take photographs of an alleged criminal who was being handed over to the authorities by the municipality's mayor, Irene Hidalgo.

Senegal

Journalist El Malick Seck loses appeal, faces three-year sentence for defaming president and his son

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 23 January 2009, El Malick Seck, managing editor of "24 Heures Chrono", lost his petition when an appeals court confirmed the three-year sentence meted out to him.

Egypt

Court fines five journalists for violating ban on media coverage of murder trial

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Somalia

Mohamed Abdi Guled, editor of weekly "Yool," arrested following publication of article

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the 26 February 2009 arrest of Mohamed Abdi Guled, editor of the privately-owned weekly "Yool" appearing in Hargeisa, by police in the breakaway autonomous region of Somaliland in northern Somalia. The journalist is being held on the premises of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Sudan

Freelance journalist Zouhir Latif deported following sudden arrest

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the deportation of Tunisian journalist Zouhir Latif on 1 March 2009. Latif, who has political refugee status in Britain, was put on a flight bound for London following his arrest on 27 February.

Sri Lanka

Newspaper editor Nadesapillai Vithyatharan severely beaten in prison

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 1 March 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Greece

Offices of "Apogevmatini" newspaper attacked by gang of masked men

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 February 2009 IFJ media release:

Moldova

Police raid headquarters of Albasat TV station, allegedly for the purpose of "conducting an investigation"

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 February 2009 IFJ media release:

Kyrgyzstan

Russian human rights activist Vitalii Ponomarev deported, barred over report on religious persecution, torture

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 27 February 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Azerbaijan

Journalist Eldaniz Elgun receives anonymous death threats over banned novel

(IRFS/IFEX) - Independent journalist Eldaniz Elgun reported to the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety on 27 February 2009 that he has received death threats over his banned novel.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

SEEMO condemns accusations made by secretary general of political party against BETA news agency and correspondent Ljiljana Kovacevic

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a letter to Republika Srpska Prime Minister Milorad Dodik by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Uzbekistan

Independent journalists Dilmurod Saiid and Kushodbek Usmon arrested in separate incidents on "trumped-up charges"

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Guatemala

"elPeriódico" newspaper calls for investigation into government censorship of the press via discriminatory allocation of government advertising

(CERIGUA/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated translation of a 16 February 2009 CERIGUA alert:

Botswana

State-owned media supports controversial Media Practitioners Act

(MISA/IFEX) - On 24 February 2009 the "Daily News", a government newspaper, ran a rebuttal of the Media Practitioners Act petition which was initiated by MISA and signed by various international media and freedom of expression organizations.

Sri Lanka

Defense Ministry allegation that detained editor Nadesapillai Vithyatharan was connected to an LTTE attack on Colombo points to more government repression of critical reporting, says CPJ

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 26 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Tibet (China)

On first anniversary of major Tibetan protest government should open areas to journalists, independent monitors, says Human Rights Watch

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 25 February 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Venezuela

Arrest warrants issued for two suspects in murder of journalist Orel Sambrano

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 16 February 2009, officials from the Department of Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigations (Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas, CICPC) detained Rafel Segundo Pérez Martínez, former policeman in Carabobo, accused of being the brains behind the murder of journalist Orel Sambrano, which took place on 16 January in the city of Valencia, State of Carabobo, central Venezuela.

Peru

Regional government workers assault reporters Marco Sánchez and Reynaldo Poma; copies of bulletin that covered university corruption allegations seized by security guard

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 24 February 2009, Radio Uno reporters Marco Sánchez and Reynaldo Poma were harassed and assaulted by a group of individuals who work for the Tacna regional government. The incident took place when the reporters were covering an attempt at dialogue between the region's authorities and students and workers from the Tacna Center for Agricultural Training (Centro de Formación Agrícola de Tacna, CFAT) after complaints surfaced about a series of irregularities in the institution's administration. On 23 February, Radio Uno broadcast the CFAT students and workers' allegations of financial mismanagement at the institute, which is administered by the Tacna regional government. Tacna is located in southern Peru.

Bangladesh

Journalist Farid Alam forced to leave country after receiving death threats from Islamist group

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the death threats made against TV journalist Farid Alam by the underground Islamist group Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) on 3 February 2009, two days after the publication of Alam's book "Islamic Militancy: Bangladesh Context."

Zambia

Issuing of broadcasting licences put on hold; government said to be working on establishment of new regulatory body

(MISA/IFEX) - The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS) has with immediate effect stopped issuing broadcasting licenses to new applicants, saying it is working towards the establishment of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) that will soon take over the licensing function of all broadcasters in the country. MISA-Zambia initiated the IBA process through research and policy submissions and has been calling for this process to be finalized.

Peru

Journalist Cecilia Valverde receives death threats after reporting on allegations of corruption

(IPYS/IFEX) - Since 20 February 2009, journalist Cecilia Valverde, presenter of Radio Armonía's programme "Veroka Noticias", has been receiving anonymous phone calls on her cell phone during which she is insulted and threatened with death. This has been taking place in the district of Pacasmayo, La Libertad region, in northern Peru.

Pakistan

CJFE urges authorities to work for swift release of Canadian journalist Khadija Abdul Qahaar, held by Taliban since November 2008

(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is a 25 February 2009 CJFE press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

RTNC journalist acquitted on charges of "making damaging allegations" against former director of the broadcaster

(JED/IFEX) - JED applauds the 19 February 2009 release of Bwamputu Akienzin Zéphyrin, a correspondent for the public broadcaster RTNC in Bandundu province, western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Zéphyrin had been facing charges of making damaging allegations against a former RTNC director.

Malawi

Closure of Mzimba Community Radio Station likely politically motivated, says MISA

(MISA/IFEX) - On 25 February 2009, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has temporarily closed Mzimba Community Radio Station, based in the northern part of the country, on grounds that the station did not comply with the regulatory body's rules and regulations as stipulated in the Communications Act.

Moldova

CAPSULE REPORT: IJC releases report on situation of the press in 2008

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

Turkey

Intellectuals rally in support of sociologist Ismail Besikci after threatening message is posted on armed group's website

(BIANET/IFEX) - The following is a 25 February 2009 BIANET statement:

Turkey

Radio Dunya acquitted after facing charges for broadcasting Kurdish folk song; other charges still pending

(BIANET/IFEX) - According to broadcasting editor Mehmet Arslan of Radio Dunya, a case brought against the station for playing the Kurdish folk song "Mihemedo" in 2007 has ended in acquittal. However, another case against the station is still in court.

Russia

Research center director Alexander Verkhovsky threatened by ultranationalists

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 25 February 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Sri Lanka

Editor of Tamil daily "Sudar Oli" arrested without warrant in Colombo

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is extremely shocked by the 26 February 2009 arrest of N. Vithyatharan, the editor of "Sudar Oli", a Colombo-based Tamil daily that is part of the Uthayan press group. He was forcibly arrested while attending the funeral in Colombo of a relative of the group's chairman. The media minister told the organisation that he was being "treated well" by the police.

Greece

Journalist Abdulhalim Dede attacked during live broadcast

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 25 February 2009 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Egypt / Sudan

Sudanese government launches media campaign against CIHRS over controversial documentary on Darfur

(CIHRS/IFEX) - The following is an abridged 25 February 2009 CIHRS press release:

Serbia

Editor Vladimir Vjestic threatened by entrepeneur

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 24 February 2009 ANEM press release:

Pakistan

Newspaper owner and writer Jan Muhammad Dashti injured in gunfire attack

(PPF/IFEX) - Jan Muhammad Dashti, poet, writer and proprietor and editor of the Urdu daily "Asaap", and his driver were seriously wounded on 23 February 2009 when unidentified gunmen opened fire on his vehicle in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's Balochistan province. The motive for the attack seems to be sectarian extremism.

Syria

Human Rights Watch says Supreme State Security Court should be abolished, report documents prosecution of defendants on vague charges that criminalise freedom of expression

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 24 February 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Burma

Permit application denied for Tawphayalay Aung Zay Memorial literary award event

(Mizzima/IFEX) - Organizers of the Tawphayalay Aung Zay Memorial literary awards were forced to change their venue on 24 February 2009 after Burmese authorities (The Township Peace and Development Council or TPDC of Kyauktada Township in Rangoon ) refused their request to use a local hotel as the venue for the event.

Tunisia

Human rights activists Mohammed Abbou, Abdel Wihab Miatir and Radia Nasrawy briefly detained, prevented from attending human rights symposium

(ANHRI/IFEX) - On 22 February 2009, ANHRI condemned the decision of the Tunisian security forces to resort to a cheap trick in order to prevent three lawyers and human rights activists from participating in a symposium entitled, "Political and Human Rights Activism in Tunisia, 2009." The traffic police detained them for several hours, allegedly to document an infraction, while the three activists were on their way to Benzert, only releasing them after they had missed the symposium.

Mexico

Radio reporter Luis Daniel Méndez Hernández murdered in Veracruz state, motive unknown

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is dismayed by radio reporter Luis Daniel Méndez Hernández's murder on 23 February 2009 while he was attending a carnival in Huayacocotla, in the southeastern state of Veracruz. Méndez Hernández, a correspondent for "Enlaces Noticias", a news programme broadcast on several frequencies by the Radiorama Tuxpan news agency, was shot four times in the back.

China

IFJ report on press freedom in China highlights "significant shortcomings"

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

Turkey

"The God Delusion" publisher faces charges of "inciting people to hatred"

(BIANET/IFEX) - The chief public prosecutor in Istanbul's Sisli district has brought an action against publisher Erol Karaaslan of Kuzey Publications for "inciting people to hatred and hostility or denigration."

Venezuela

Mayor's bodyguards assault journalist Jorge Amorín and cameraman Pedro Quezada

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 13 February 2009, Ávila TV reporter Jorge Amorín and Venezolana de Televisión camera operator Pedro Quezada were harassed and assaulted by bodyguards working for Manuel Rosales, the mayor of Maracaibo and leader of the opposition Un Nuevo Tiempo party. The incident took place when Amorín and Quezada attempted to interview Rosales in Caracas. Venezolana de Televisión and Ávila TV are both state-owned media outlets.

Colombia

Journalists' telephones wiretapped by security department

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 24 February 2009 IAPA press release:

Nepal

Copies of "Bypass" daily set on fire; flood victims vandalise Kantipur publications vehicle, seize newspaper copies

(FNJ/IFEX) - On 21 January 2009, supporters of the Madheshi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) set fire to copies of "Bypass" daily, published in Birgunj. The incident occurred in the town of Ghantaghar Chowk, in Birgunj. The newspaper was accused of publishing false news about the party. The daily was torched by Rekadevi and Biraj Yadav, leaders of the party's youth wing.

Kenya

PEN President Philo Ikonya, PEN member Fwamba N C Fwamba arrested for participating in peaceful protest, assaulted; concern Ikonya was targeted for her outspokenness

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN protests the arrest and alleged police assault of Philo Ikonya and Fwamba N C Fwamba, President and member of Kenyan PEN respectively, in Nairobi on 18 February 2009. The writers were reportedly arrested while taking part in a peaceful protest and severely beaten while in police custody. Ikonya and Fwamba, who both required hospital treatment following the attack, have been denied the right to lodge an official complaint against the police officer who assaulted them. The WiPC reminds the Kenyan authorities of its duty to protect its citizens, including their right to freedom of expression, assembly and peaceful protest, as well as freedom from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It calls on the authorities to conduct a full and impartial investigation into the alleged police assault as a matter of urgency and to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Jamaica

Journalist Ricardo Makyn arrested for taking photos of police officer who shot, wounded man

(RSF/IFEX) - Police arrests of two journalists in one week were an abuse of power, Reporters Without Borders said, calling for a full investigation of the two cases. Those arrested by police in Kingston were: Julian Richardson, financial journalist for the daily "Jamaica Observer" and Ricardo Makyn, a photographer for the daily "The Gleaner".

Philippines

CMFR expresses concern over Right of Reply bills

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

Brazil

Supreme Court grants extension for suspension of 1967 press law

(RSF/IFEX) - The Federal Supreme Court (STF) has made a "preliminary" decision to extend a suspension of 22 clauses - including 20 articles - of the draconian 9 February 1967 press law for another 30 days. The clauses at issue that allow prison sentences for offences of "defamation", "denigration" and "insult", were suspended for the first time for a period of six months, by the country's highest jurisdiction on 27 February 2008, because of their incompatibility with the principles of the 1988 democratic constitution.

Ecuador

"Mi Pueblo" weekly's headquarters target of shooting, may be connected to criticisms of government

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 17 February 2009, unknown assailants fired shots at the headquarters of the weekly "Mi Pueblo". According to witnesses, the attack took place at approximately 3:00 A.M. (local time) and the aggressors fled in a vehicle. There were no casualties. The incident took place in the center of the Duran neighborhood, in Guayaquil. Twelve bullet shells were found, along with a message signed by the "La Mafia" gang, which has carried out this type of attack before.

Swaziland

"Swazi Observer" newspaper successfully challenges court decision restricting it from reporting on church leadership dispute

(MISA/IFEX) - On 20 February 2009, the semi-private "Swazi Observer" newspaper successfully challenged a High Court ruling which had restrained the newspaper from reporting on a leadership dispute in the Jericho Church, an indigenous Christian denomination.

Serbia

"Borba" newspaper harassed for publishing information deemed to be a "state secret"; ANEM calls for clearer definition of "confidential information"

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 23 February 2009 ANEM press release:

Botswana

Preliminary survey results demonstrate support for press freedom, MISA-Botswana hopes government will realise that recently enacted media law is not in line with popular opinion

(MISA/IFEX) - The preliminary results of an Afro Barometer Survey, released on 20 February 2009, indicate that a majority of people in Botswana support press freedom and critical speech.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist Bienvenu Yay sentenced to six-month imprisonment for defaming former governor

(JED/IFEX) - On 20 February 2009, Bienvenu Yay, an independent journalist and the Mbandaka correspondent for the Kinshasa-based, private television station Congoweb TV, was handed down a six-month sentence and ordered to pay US$2,500 in damages for slandering José Makila, deposed governor of Équateur province. Mbandaka is located in the northeastern province of Équateur.

Azerbaijan

IRFS journalist Idrak Abbasov briefly detained, mistreated by National Security Ministry personnel in Nakhchivan

(IRFS/IFEX) - The Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) is extremely concerned about the health and well-being of its journalist and researcher Idrak Abbasov. Abbasov has been hospitalised with heart problems since 20 February 2009, when he returned to Baku from Nakhchivan. Abbasov said that he was subjected to physical and psychological pressure by the National Security Ministry (NSM) in Nakhchivan.

Venezuela

Former police officer arrested on suspicion of participating in journalist Orel Zambrano's murder

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails the progress being made in the investigation into the January 2009 murder of journalist Orel Zambrano, the editor of the political weekly "ABC", in Valencia, in the central state of Carabobo. One of the two suspected killers, former Carabobo state police officer Rafael Segundo Pérez, was arrested on 17 February.

Zimbabwe

New deputy minister promises to restore media freedom

(MISA/IFEX) - The newly appointed Media, Information and Publicity Deputy Minister, Jameson Timba, has promised to restore media freedom in Zimbabwe by immediately allowing closed publications to reopen and freeing the airwaves in accordance with Article 19 of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), which states that the government shall ensure the immediate processing by the appropriate authorities of all applications for registration and re-registration under both the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

Ghana

Live breakfast programme on Ghana TV interrupted following complaint of bias against ruling party

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 20 February 2009, the director-general of the state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), William Ampen-Darko, ordered an abrupt end to a live discussion programme on Ghana Television (GTV)'s "Breakfast Show" following a complaint of bias against the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Philippines

Radio journalist Ernesto Rollin gunned down in Mindanao

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged by the 23 February 2009 murder of Ernesto Rollin, a presenter on local radio DxSY-AM in Ozamiz City, in Misamis Occidental province (on the southern island of Mindanao). Rollin was the first journalist to be killed this year in the Philippines, but the 99th since the return to democracy in 1986.

Venezuela

Military official briefly detains journalist Audy Sánchez during referendum vote; officials obstruct work of journalist Dagoberto Parra Gonzáles and photographer Carlos Gálviz

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 15 February 2009, journalist Audy Sánchez, of the "El Expreso" newspaper, was detained by a Plan República officer when he was covering the referendum for a constitutional amendment that would allow for the re-election of Venezuela's president and other officials on an indefinite basis. Plan República is a military body responsible for providing security during elections. The incident took place in an elections centre located at the José Luis Afanador School, in the parish of La Sabanita, in Ciudad Bolívar, southeastern Venezuela.

Australia / Thailand

Australian author Harry Nicolaides receives royal pardon on lese majeste conviction, released from Thai prison

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Australian author Harry Nicolaides, who imprisoned in Thailand on lese majeste charges, was granted a royal pardon on 19 February 2009, media reports said.

Burma

Detained blogger Nay Phone Latt granted reduced prison term

(Mizzima/IFEX) - On 20 February 2009, a court in Rangoon reduced the prison term of blogger Nay Phone Latt by eight and a half years, leaving him to serve 12 years. The news was relayed to Mizzima by Aye Aye Than, the blogger's mother.

China

Movements of leading intellectuals restricted during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit

(PEN/IFEX) - The following is a 21 February 2009 PEN American Center press release:

Zambia

National Constitutional Conference adopts progressive media provisions from draft Constitution

(MISA/IFEX) - On 18 February 2009, the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) Executive Committee adopted many of the progressive articles in the draft Mung'omba Constitution of 2005, paving the way for improved recognition of press and freedom of expression rights in Zambia.

Brazil

Journalist Roberto Gomes Barbosa assaulted after reporting on irregularities in actions of mayor's office

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 12 February 2009, TV Liberal and Radio Continental journalist Roberto Gomes Barbosa reported that he was assaulted by Marcos Soares, a Government Secretariat official in the Campos de Goytacazes mayor's office, in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Peru

Journalist Weston Jackson Ibarra Méndez receives death threats; municipal workers assault several reporters

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 19, 20 and 22 January 2009, journalist Weston Jackson Ibarra Méndez, the editor-in-chief of the "Zona Crítica" magazine, received death threats from a former student leader, Joel Minaya Serna, and his companion, Jonny Haro Mendoza. In addition to issuing the death threats, Minaya Serna and Haro Mendoza also destroyed the journalist's video camera. These incidents took place in the city of Huaraz, in the Áncash region, northwestern Peru.

Turkey

Fine on Dogan Media Group could be an attempt to silence them, says IPI

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 20 February 2009 IPI press release:

South Africa

Parliament adopts amended broadcasting bill

(MISA/IFEX) - On 17 February 2009, the South Africa National Assembly adopted the Broadcasting Amendment Bill, having made the changes that were necessary to bring it in line with the constitution, after President Kgalema Motlanthe had referred the bill back to the lawmakers, said South African media reports.

Bahrain

ARTICLE 19 concerned about upcoming trial of activists Hasan Mushaima, Mohamed Habib Al-Muqdad and Abdul-Jalil Alsingace

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

China

Jailed dissident editor Wang Rongqing denied family visits in hospital

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is shocked that a relative of Wang Rongqing, the jailed editor of a pro-democracy magazine, was prevented from visiting him in hospital on 10 February 2009 although he is in very poor health. "The authorities are breaking the law by not allowing prisoners of conscience their right to family visits," Reporters Without Borders said. "We urge the government to allow Wang's relatives to visit him in hospital without delay."

Philippines

Arrest warrants issued for suspects in journalist Arecio Padrigao's murder, one detained

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 16 February 2009, a Philippine court issued arrest warrants for two suspects in the 2008 murder of radio broadcaster Arecio Padrigao in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, a province about 785 km south of Manila.

Sri Lanka

Retransmission of Makkal TV obstructed by military; website editor Sandaruwan Senadheera questioned for several hours over article

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders urges the Sri Lankan authorities to stop obstructing local retransmission of Makkal TV, a station based in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Jaffna residents told Reporters Without Borders that the local retransmission of this popular TV station has been banned since 18 February 2009.

Nauru

Government considers adding freedom of information provisions to constitution

(PINA/IFEX) - The following is an 18 February 2009 PINA statement:

Vietnam

IPA protests three-month ban imposed on Da Nang publishing house

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

Guinea

Radio journalists Ibrahima Sadio Bah, Amadou Diouldé Diallo suspended indefinitely for "violating the station's editorial policy"

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 10 February 2009, Ibrahima Sadio Bah and Amadou Diouldé Diallo, two senior sports journalists of the state-owned Radio Télévision Guinéenne (RTG) were suspended indefinitely by the RTG's management for allegedly violating the station's editorial policy.

Ecuador

Photographer Ángelo Chamba threatened by prosecutor, assaulted by policeman

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 11 February 2009, "Diario Hoy" photojournalist Ángelo Chamba was threatened by prosecutor Luis Ramiro Sánchez and assaulted by a policeman while he was covering the arrest of journalist Lourdes Garzón and her brother. Garzón had been accused of preventing the arrest of her brother. The incident took place in Quito, Ecuador's capital city.

Peru

Journalist Julio César Vásquez Calle receives death threat after reporting on his detention and torture during peaceful march in 2005

(AMARC/IFEX) - AMARC expresses its concern over reports of torture made by journalist Julio César Vásquez Calle, of Radio Cutivalú in Peru, and 28 members of indigenous communities, stating that they were tortured in August 2005 by police officers and security guards from the mining company Majaz.

Libya / Uganda

Ugandan tabloid "Red Pepper" charged with defaming Libyan president, editor objects to harassment

(Media Institute/IFEX) - The editors of Uganda's "Red Pepper" tabloid have been charged with criminal defamation for publishing a story alleging that Libyan President Col. Muammar Gadaffi was having an adulterous relationship with Best Kemigisha, the Queen Mother of King Oyo Nyimba of Tooro Kingdom.

Russia

Three suspects acquitted in murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya

(CPJ/IFEX) - New York, February 19, 2009 - Three defendants in the October 2006 murder of Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya walked free out of the Moscow District Military Court today after a jury unanimously acquitted them of helping to organize the crime, according to local news reports. The state prosecution said it will appeal the verdict.

Egypt

Dissident Ayman Nour released following concerns over his health

(Freedom House/IFEX) - The following is an 18 February 2009 Freedom House press release:

Eritrea

IPI calls for release of journalists detained for years without due process

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 19 February 2009 IPI press release:

Russia

Information Centre deputy director Galina Kozhevnikova receives threatening e-mail

(CJES/IFEX) - Galina Kozhevnikova, deputy director of the information and analytical center Sova, received a threatening e-mail from a nationalist organization. The authors of the letter call on her to stop her anti-fascist activities and to "stop talking."

Philippines

Reporter and cameraman Harold Feliciano receives death threat

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 10 February 2009, an unidentified man threatened to kill Harold Feliciano, a television reporter, in Roxaz City, Capiz. Capiz is a province located approximately 411 km from Manila.

International

WiPC launches "Freedom to write in the Americas" campaign

(WiPC/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 17 February 2009 WiPC press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Head of telecommunications service in Bukavu issues communiqué forbidding radio and television stations from broadcasting "subversive" messages

(JED/IFEX) - In a 17 February 2009 letter to Paul Kabingwa Bundya Musombo, director of the Bukavu provincial division of the Postal, Telephone and Telecommunications Service (PTT), JED expressed "total disapproval" of a 16 February 2009 communiqué addressed by the director to the heads of radio and television stations in Bukavu and denounced the "absurd" and uselessly provocative character" of the statement.

Pakistan

Journalist Imtiaz Alam injured in attack, believes it to be linked to his criticisms of terrorism

(PPF/IFEX) - Senior journalist Imtiaz Alam, the secretary general of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), was attacked by unidentified men on 18 February 2009.

Palestine

Detained cameraman Isam Al Remawi released after two weeks in jail

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 18 February 2009 IFJ media release:

Morocco

Human rights activist Chekib el-Khiari held incommunicado after discussing sensitive issues on television, police search his home

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an 18 February 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Mexico

Youths harass, assault journalist Verónica Villalvazo

(ARTICLE 19/CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated translation of a 16 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 and CENCOS press release:

Sudan

Human Rights Watch report says government is censoring media, cracking down on rights activists and journalists

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an 18 February 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Burma

Comedian Zargana's prison sentence reduced to 35 years

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) has learned that the 59-year prison sentence handed down to leading comedian and poet Zargana has been commuted by 24 years. He must now serve 35 years in prison for his peaceful opposition activities and criticism of the government. International PEN continues to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Zargana, and of all those currently detained in Burma in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, protecting the right to freedom of expression.

Venezuela

RSF releases inventory of president Chávez's broadcast speeches, points to polarisation of the media

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 13 February 2009 RSF press release:

Mexico

ARTICLE 19 reports on the "ineffectiveness" of the Office of the Special Prosecutor of Crimes Against Journalists

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 16 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Nepal

CAPSULE REPORT: CPJ concerned about rise in unpunished attacks, urges government to address climate of impunity

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 17 February 2009 CPJ letter to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal:

Tanzania

Information minister accuses three newspapers of writing "defamatory" reports

(MISA/IFEX) - On 13 February 2009, the Tanzanian minister of information, sports and culture ordered three newspapers to provide reasons why they published what he calls "defamatory" news reports. The newspapers in question are "Taifa Letu", "Sema Usikize" and "Taifa Tanzania".

Belarus

Divisive new media law increases barriers for independent media outlets despite return of two exiled newspapers, says IFJ

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 17 February 2009 IFJ media release:

United Kingdom

Photojournalists protest increased restrictions as amendments to Counter Terrorism Act come into force

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 17 February 2009 media release from the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Pakistan

Journalist Musa Khankhel shot to death

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

Indonesia

Body of missing journalist Anak Agung Prabangsa found, CPJ calls for investigation into his death

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

Zimbabwe

Detained peace project director Jestina Mukoko to be transferred to clinic for medical treatment, following magistrate's ruling

(MISA/IFEX) - On 13 February 2009, Harare Magistrate Gloria Takundwa ruled for the further detention of Zimbabwe Peace Project director Jestina Mukoko into the custody of the Avenues Clinic for medical treatment as recommended by a state doctor who said she was very ill.

Philippines

Judge revokes warrant for arrest of suspect in journalist Dennis Cuesta's murder

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 12 February 2009, a judge in the Philippines lifted the warrant of arrest he himself had issued against the alleged killers of radio broadcaster Dennis Cuesta.

Vietnam

Journalist Huynh Nguyen Dao released while concerns mount for imprisoned internet writer Vu Van Hung

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN is seriously concerned about reports that professor and internet writer Vu Van Hung is in failing health and has been removed from his prison cell to an unknown location. International PEN seeks information about Vu Van Hung's whereabouts as a matter of urgency and seeks assurances of his well being. It urges that he be given full access to all necessary medical care and family visits.

United States

World Press Freedom Committee submits statement to House Subcommittee on "libel tourism"

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 12 February 2009 WPFC statement:

Uzbekistan

Call for release of writer Mamadali Makhmudov, imprisoned for 10 years, journalist Muhammad Bekjanov

(WiPC/IFEX) - On 19 February 2009, Uzbek writer and activist Mamadali Makhmudov will have been imprisoned for ten years, making him one of the longest serving detained writers on the records of International PEN's Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC). Another individual arrested in the same case, Muhammad Bekjanov, also remains detained. They have suffered dire prison conditions and ill health throughout. The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is calling for their release.

Bahrain

Authorities deny application for public sit-in

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Bahraini authorities informed a group of individuals requesting permission to stage a public sit-in that their application was not approved and furthermore instructed them that it should be withdrawn, because it was submitted at such a late date. Four registered political groups (Alwefaq, Waad, Amal and Al-Ekha'e) had called for the sit-in to protest the latest security measures taken by the authorities, which have resulted in a series of house arrests of activists and the prosecution of well known dissident figures.

China

Uighur historian Tohti Tunyaz released from prison after serving 11-year sentence

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN welcomes the release of Uighur historian and writer Tohti Tunyaz (pen-name: Tohti Muzart) at the end of his eleven-year prison sentence. International PEN calls upon the Chinese authorities to drop all remaining restrictions against Tohti Tunyaz so that he can rejoin his family in Japan, in accordance with Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.

Greece

Gunmen open fire on private television station TV Alter

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

Guatemala / Argentina

Court orders Argentine government to provide state advertising contracts to "Perfil" newspaper; Guatemalan government suspends all state advertising in print media

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 12 February 2009 IAPA press release:

Bahrain

Special Forces prevent scholar Abdulhadi Al-Mokhouder from speaking at mosque

(BCHR/IFEX) - BCHR is concerned to learn that heavily armed members of the Special Forces (SF) were deployed on 13 February 2009 to besiege the Al-Sadeq mosque in Manama in order to prevent Mr. Abdulhadi Al-Mokhouder, a young scholar and reformist, from leading Friday evening prayers and delivering a speech to the public. The SF, composed of non-Bahrainis, prevented the caretaker from opening the mosque and blocked the car park to any visitor intending to pray in the Shia mosque.

Mexico

Photographer Jean Paul Ibarra Ramírez murdered, reporter Yenni Yuliana Marchán Arroyo seriously injured in Guerrero

(CEPET/IFEX) - At approximately 10:00 p.m. (local time) on 13 February 2009, photojournalist Jean Paul Ibarra Ramírez, of the "El Correo" newspaper, was shot to death in Iguala, Guerrero, southeastern Mexico. Reporter Yenni Yuliana Marchán Arroyo, of the "Diario 21" newspaper, who was accompanying Ibarra Ramírez, was seriously injured.

Russia

New challenges in Politkovskaya murder trial, DVD featuring suspected killer lost in court

(GDF/IFEX) - Hearings in the murder case of "Novaya Gazeta" journalist Anna Politkovskaya continue at the Moscow District Military Court.

Yemen

Singer and comedian Fahd al Qarni to face renewed charges of "insulting the president"

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 16 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Thailand

Security forces raid office, intimidate staff of NGO that reports on human rights abuses

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 13 February 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Bolivia

Residents of the community of Quila Quila assault reporters in Sucre; former official's supporters harass, assault journalists in La Paz

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 9 February 2009, journalist Gonzalo Ibáñez, the director of the "De cabo a rabo" programme, and his camera operator, Rimar Bejarano, were beaten with whips by residents of the indigenous community of Quila Quila, who had been holding a vigil for more than a week in front of the Chuquisaca government buildings to demand approval of their application for legal status. The incident took place in the town of Sucre, southern Bolivia.

Argentina

Buenos Aires Supreme Court reinstates life imprisonment sentence against former police officer involved in photographer José Luis Cabezas's killing

(FOPEA /IFEX) - FOPEA welcomes the ruling of the Buenos Aires Supreme Court reinstating the life imprisonment sentence against former Pinamar police commissioner Alberto Gómez for his involvement in the 25 January 1997 murder of photographer José Luis Cabezas. This ruling revoked a previous decision by an appeals court that had reduced the original life sentence handed down in 2002 to 24 years in prison.

Brazil

Pastor and security guards briefly detain photographer Gustavo Magnusson inside church

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 4 February 2009, Gustavo Magnusson, an Anhanguera Communications Network (Red Anhanguera de Comunicación, RAC) photographer, was detained inside the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God by the church's pastor and security guards. The pastor and security guards told Magnusson to hand over the photographs he took when part of the church's roof caved in as 200 parishioners were praying. The incident took place in the town of Campinas, Sao Paulo state.

Burkina Faso

Journalists from magazine "Reporter" and newspaper "l'Événement" receive anonymous death threats for criticising government officials

(MFWA/IFEX) - Several journalists of the "Reporter", an independent monthly magazine, as well as journalist Newton Ahmed Barry of privately-owned weekly newspaper "l'Événement" have received death threats via e-mail for allegedly criticising three top government officials.

Turkey

Public prosecutor files an appeal of singer Bülent Ersoy's acquittal

(BIANET/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an 11 February 2009 BIANET statement:

China

CPJ concerned over decision to establish list of reporters who break reporting rules

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 February 2009 CPJ press release:

India

"The Statesman" newspaper editor Ravindra Kumar, publisher Anand Sinha charged over religious article

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Paraguay

Community radio director Martín Ocampos Páez killed

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a translation of a 13 February 2009 IFJ media release:

Nepal

Government grants compensation to journalist Meena Sharma Tiwari for detention and torture

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 12 February 2009 IPI press release:

International

IFJ condemns statement by European Commission's security services hinting that journalists may provide cover for potential spies

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 12 February 2009 media release from the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Malaysia

Thousands of copies of "Suara Keadilan" and "Harakah" newspapers confiscated because they provided alternative coverage of conflict in Perak state

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

Egypt

ARTICLE 19 and ANHRI concerned over draft broadcast law

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 12 February 2009 joint press release by ARTICLE 19 and the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information:

Venezuela

Journalists threatened by strikers in Anzoátegui; reporters José Belisario and Juan José Sayago assaulted after football match

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 29 January 2009, unionized workers from the Mitsubishi Motor Company (MMC) harassed and threatened journalists from several media outlets, accusing them of providing biased coverage of a strike they are carrying out against the company. The MMC headquarters are located in the city of Barcelona, in the State of Anzoátegui, northeastern Venezuela.

Venezuela

Media owners cancel programmes after being pressured by local authorities, journalist Carlos Sulbarán resigns from his position; photographer Orlando Alviárez harassed, his camera seized

(IPYS/IFEX) - During the first week of January 2009, three media programmes were cancelled, two by the Telellano television station and one by Paraíso Stereo 102.9 FM. The owners of the two media outlets, both of which belong to the same group of companies in Barinas state, western Venezuela, said that the decision to close the programmes came as a result of pressure from the local authorities, led by Governor Adán Chávez.

Turkey

Journalists Gokcer Tahincioglu and Kemal Goktas face up to three years in prison for "acquiring classified information"

(BIANET/IFEX) - Two journalists, the daily "Milliyet"'s Gokcer Tahincioglu and "Vatan" newspaper's Kemal Goktas, are on trial for allegations related to articles revealing the unlawful authorization of security forces, police, the gendarmerie and the national intelligence service to monitor all electronic communication between citizens.

Bahrain

Human rights activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, banned from leaving country, faces up to ten-years' imprisonment for delivering speech

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights is very concerned after learning of a travel ban against its former president, Mr. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, and the unjustifiable charges and unfair trial against him for delivering a speech highlighting human rights issues and expressing his opinion on the political situation in Bahrain.

United Kingdom

Dutch politician and filmmaker Geert Wilders banned from travelling to United Kingdom as a result of his controversial film "Fitna"

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

Ghana

Sports journalists Rashidatu Kadiri, Dorcas Oparibea assaulted by police officer

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 11February 2009, Rashidatu Kadiri of Atlantis Radio and Dorcas Oparibea of Top Radio were assaulted by a policeman at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra, while they were covering a mid-week league game between Accra Hearts of Oak and Ashantigold.

International

Seventy journalists killed worldwide in 2008, according to WAN

(WAN/IFEX) - The following is an 11 February 2009 WAN press release:

Ecuador

Reporter Adolfo Caiminagua Herrera detained for taking photograph of police officer

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 25 January 2009, a correspondent for the "Diario de Opinión" newspaper, Adolfo Caiminagua Herrera, was detained and mistreated by several police officers when he was covering the closure of the pro-government Alianza País movement's primary elections. The incident took place in a school in the municipality of Pasaje, in the province of Machala in southern Ecuador.

Ukraine

Several Rezonans-TV journalists assaulted by security guard while covering protest rally

(CJES/IFEX) - On 5 February 2009, a group of journalists from the Dnepropetrovsk journalistic investigations studio Rezonans-TV were assaulted by a security guard from the limited liability company Agroavrora in the village of Pridneprovskoye, Nikopolsky district.

Vietnam

Detained writer Ho Thi Bich Khuong ill-treated, in poor health

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN is seriously concerned about reports that leading Internet writer, poet, human rights defender and member of the pro-democracy group Bloc 8406, Ho Thi Bich Khuong, has been ill-treated and is in poor health. She is serving a two-year sentence for publishing reports on overseas websites. International PEN is calling for her immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and seeks assurances of her well being. It urges that she be given full access to all necessary medical care as a matter of urgency, and that she be allowed family visits.

Argentina

Official threatens journalist Mario Otero, other San Luis journalists who criticise his children

(FOPEA /IFEX) - FOPEA is concerned about an incident involving journalist Mario Otero, presenter of the programme "Nada Secreto", which is transmitted on Radio Universidad de San Luis (in the capital of San Luis province in central west Argentina). Otero was insulted and threatened with death on 9 February 2009 in the middle of the street in the centre of the capital by the president of a local council Oscar Di Sisto, who is also a member of the ruling party.

Mexico

Grupo Zeta company lawyer, police and public officials attempt to search "Contralínea" magazine offices

(ARTICLE 19/CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is an 11 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 and CENCOS press release:

International

A "climate of fear" endangers press freedom, emphasises CPJ in its annual report "Attacks on the Press"

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Taïna Community Radio pillaged, burned down in midst of military conflict

(JED/IFEX) - On 11 February 2009, Taïna Community Radio was pillaged and burned down between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. (local time) during clashes between the Armed Forces of the DRC (Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo, FARDC) and sections of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). Other than the destruction of property, no casualties were reported as the radio station was empty during the conflict. Taïna Community Radio belongs to the Community Reserve of Taïna, a project supported by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kasugho, located approximately 50 km from Lubero, in the Lubero territory, and approximately 100 km from Butembo, in North Kivu province.

Venezuela

National Guard personnel assault photographer José González during demonstration in Anaco; military and police officers seize reporter Wilmer Escalona's camera in Valencia, erase photos

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 4 February 2009, José González, a photojournalist for the daily "Mundo Oriental", was assaulted by members of the National Guard while he was covering a demonstration by public transport drivers. The incident took place in the city of Anaco, Anzoátegui state, northeastern Venezuela.

Bahrain

Activist Abduljalil Alsingace's blog blocked by authorities

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) confirms that the authorities have taken measures to effectively block local access to the electronic blog of Abduljalil Alsingace, ( http://alsingace.katib.org ). This is the first blog, a personal homepage, to be blocked by an administrative ministerial order, as part of a censorship campaign initiated over a month ago by the newly appointed Minister of Information, Mai Al-Khalifa, a member of the ruling family.

Brazil

President Lula submits bill which would decriminalise unlicensed community radios

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 10 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

United States

"Detroit Free Press" reporter David Ashenfelter threatened with contempt for refusing to reveal sources

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is urging the judge presiding over the 11 February 2009 hearing against "Detroit Free Press" reporter David Ashenfelter not to hold the journalist in contempt of court for refusing to identify confidential sources.

Mexico

ARTICLE 19 welcomes international condemnation of dangers facing journalists in Mexico

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an 11 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Swaziland

Church moves to ban several media outlets from reporting on leadership dispute

(MISA/IFEX) - On 10 February 2009, the Jericho Church, an indigenous Christian denomination, moved an application at the High Court of Swaziland to ban the media from reporting on the split that has rocked the Church as a result of a leadership dispute.

Russia

Deputy head of human rights research centre receives death threat from neo-Nazi group

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 11 February 2009 CPJ press release:

South Africa

Unidentified "Pretoria News" journalist shot and wounded during police standoff at university

(MISA/IFEX) - An unidentified "Pretoria News" journalist was shot six times by the police during a standoff between the police and students at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria on 11 February 2009. Several people were injured when police fired a barrage of rubber bullets at hundreds of students protesting at the university. The journalist was rushed to hospital by paramedics.

Paraguay

Correspondent Aldo Lezcano assaulted, receives death threat; journalist Richard Villasboa and camera operator Blas Salcedo assaulted, expelled from penitentiary

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the death threat and assault against Aldo Lezcano, a correspondent for the daily "ABC Color" in Ybycuí, as well as the assault suffered earlier by Richard Villasboa and Blas Salcedo, of the Canal 13 television station.

Sudan

Canadian-Egyptian journalist Heba Aly expelled from country

(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is a CJFE letter to the Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to Canada, Faiza Hassan Taha:

Sierra Leone

Four female journalists kidnapped, subjected to public humiliation by supporters of female genital mutilation

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 7 February 2009, four female journalists were taken hostage in Kanema, approx. 200 km from Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, by members of a traditional female group called the Bondo Society. The group contested the journalists' reporting of female genital mutilation (FGM) practices in the county.

Mexico

CAPSULE REPORT: ARTICLE 19 submits report on freedom of expression in Mexico to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 9 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Zimbabwe

Prison officers disrupted treatment of detained journalist Anderson Shadreck Manyere, court is told; opposition leader and PM designate speaks on journalist's plight

(MISA/IFEX) - On 9 February 2009, the magistrates' court heard how prison officers had whisked detained freelance photojournalist Anderson Shadreck Manyere from the Avenues Clinic in Harare on 6 February before he had been accorded full medical treatment.

Zambia

Photojournalist Abel Mabwe and reporter Mutuna Chanda assaulted, interrogated by police; minister defends media's right to cover constitutional reform process

(MISA/IFEX) - On 6 February 2009, 11 plainclothes police officers beat up and pepper sprayed "The Post" photojournalist Abel Mambwe and detained him together with reporter Mutuna Chanda after he took a photograph of them assaulting a "pirate" taxi driver. Mambwe was pepper sprayed in the left eye, manhandled and handcuffed before being bundled into a minibus the plainclothes officers were using. The police accused Mambwe of disobeying police instructions by refusing to hand over his camera. The police forcibly took the camera, in the process beating Chanda who tried to rescue Mambwe. The duo was later taken to the Kitwe District Traffic Police Station where they were interrogated.

The Gambia

Journalist Pap Saine re-arrested by police on charges of "false publication and broadcasting"

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 9 February 2009, Gambian Police Force officers rearrested Pap Saine, managing editor of the Banjul-based "The Point" newspaper, subjected him to several hours of interrogation and charged him with another offence of "false publication and broadcasting" at the serious crime unit.

Zimbabwe

Media urged to shun hate language, work towards national healing; state media journalists, senior managers placed on EU sanctions list, accused of having undermined freedom of expression

(MISA/IFEX) - Zimbabwe's public and private media has been urged to shun hate language and work towards promoting national healing as Zimbabwe takes baby steps towards the implementation of an inclusive Government.

Egypt

Bloggers Philip Rizk and Dia' Eddin Gad arrested, detained, Philip Rizk freed after five days in detention, Dia' Eddin Gad still held

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls for the release of pro-Palestinian blogger Dia' Eddin Gad, who has been held since 6 February 2009, and hails the release, on 10 February, of Philip Rizk, another blogger who was arrested the same day for expressing support for the Palestinians in their conflict with Israel.

Peru

Journalist Julio Vásquez Calle threatened after publishing photos showing evidence of police involvement in torture; journalist Pedro Valencia harassed while trying to cover story on negligence in hospital care

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 5 February 2009, free lance journalist Julio Vásquez Calle received a threatening telephone call from an unidentified individual who warned him that if he failed to withdraw accusations he had made in one of his reports he would be imprisoned. The journalist's family was also mentioned in the threats against him. The caller referred to accusations made by Vásquez on 13 January, when he published photographs that showed evidence of police involvement in acts of torture committed against approximately 30 residents of the villages of Ayabaca, Huancabamba and Pacaipamba, which are located in the Piura region. The alleged torture took place in August 2005, in a camp owned by the Majaz mining company (now Río Blanco Cooper S.A.). The villagers were protesting against the work being conducted by the mine. Their case is being investigated by the authorities.

Colombia

CAPSULE REPORT: FLIP 2008 annual report reveals decrease in violations of press freedom

(FLIP/IFEX) - The following is a 9 February 2009 FLIP press release:

Venezuela

Leader of pro-government group once again threatens RCTV director Marcel Granier and Globovisión; President Chávez condemns the threats, calls for his arrest

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Peru

Journalists Ranforte Lozano, Nobel Pandero and Cirilo Vásquez fear for their lives after being accused of collaborating with leader of terrorist organisation

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 6 February 2009, unidentified individuals distributed pamphlets accusing several journalists in the town of Aucayacu of collaborating with "comrade Artemio", a leader of the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso, SL) terrorist group. Aucayacu is the capital of the José Crespo y Castillo district, in Huánuco region, an area where drug traffickers and members of the SL who are still active operate.

Iran

Internet journalists Omid Memarian, Roozbeh Mirebrahimi, Shahram Rafizadeh and Javad Gholamtamimi sentenced to prison terms, fines and flogging

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 10 February 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Argentina

FOPEA stresses importance of access to information in court cases involving human rights violations, calls on tribunal to allow wider media coverage of the Jorge Olivera Róvere trial

(FOPEA /IFEX) - The following is an abridged translation of a FOPEA statement:

Mexico

Authorities close the Uékakua community radio station, second community radio station closed in less than a week in Michoacán; AMARC condemns excessive use of force

(AMARC/IFEX) - On 29 January 2009, at approximately 1:30 p.m. (local time), 100 police officers and personnel from the Federal Investigations Agency (Agencia Federal de Investigaciones, AFI) and the Communications and Transport Secretariat (Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes, SCT) arrived in the indigenous community of Ocumicho, in the municipality of Charapan, Michoacán state, in order to close the Uékakua community radio station.

International

Former ICTY spokesperson Florence Hartmann faces charges for "disclosing information", ARTICLE 19 urges tribunal to uphold international freedom of expression standards, strike careful balance between confidentiality and transparency

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

Czech Republic

Journalist Sabina Slonkova fined for refusing to disclose names of confidential sources

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

Nicaragua

IAPA insists justice be upheld in cases of murdered journalists Carlos Guadamuz and María José Bravo

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 6 February 2009 IAPA press release:

Thailand

Political writer Giles Ungpakorn goes into exile over lese majeste charges

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Swaziland

Journalist Mantoe Phakathi faces gender discrimination, prevented from covering opening of Parliament; media threatened with sedition charge if they criticise King's address

(MISA/IFEX) - On 6 February 2009, Mantoe Phakathi, a female journalist with the privately-owned "Nation" magazine, was harassed and barred from covering the state opening of the Swazi Parliament for no other reason other than that she is female.

Somalia

IFJ opposes call by UN special envoy to suspend news reporting from Somalia

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 February 2009 IFJ media release:

Mexico

Home of "El Debate" newspaper editor Moisés García Castro targetted in gun attack in Sinaloa

(RSF/IFEX) - The home of Moisés García Castro, editor of the daily newspaper "El Debate", in Guasave, Sinaloa state, northwestern Mexico, was the target of a machine-gun attack on the night of 9 February 2009. Police found impact damage from 12 bullets fired from an AK-47 type weapon. The gunmen were not identified and the motive for the attack is also unknown. Garcia has now been placed under police protection on orders from the state governor. Reporters Without Borders said it hoped that an investigation would bring rapid results and that the intervention of the authorities would avoid a repetition in Guasave of the kind of murderous violence experienced by journalists in Ciudad Juárez, northern Mexico.

United Kingdom

Twenty years after fatwa was pronounced against writer Salman Rushdie, freedom of expression remains threatened, says ARTICLE 19

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 7 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Tunisia

Four journalists including one working for Radio Kalima detained, questioned for several hours; issue of weekly "Ettarik Al-Jadid" seized; six-years sentence against journalist Fahem Boukadous upheld

(OLPEC/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of an 8 February 2009 OLPEC press release:

Malaysia

Editor Raja Petra Lamarudin on trial for sedition; minority rights activists still in prison; UN should call for repeal of the Internal Security Act, says Human Rights Watch

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 9 February 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Philippines

Concerns rise that journalist Aries Rufo will be forced to reveal sources as he is summoned to testify in court

(CMFR/IFEX) - The following is a 9 February 2009 joint statement by CMFR and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP):

Venezuela

Journalist Adriana Ciccalione and photographer Jairo Nieto threatened for reporting on youth's death

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 31 January 2009, journalist Adriana Ciccalione and photographer Jairo Nieto, of the newspaper "El Impulso", were threatened by an individual who, they were told, is the relative of a young man who died in the Las Veritas neighbourhood located north of the town of Barquisimeto in central Venezuela.

Swaziland

Government threatens new publications with closure

(MISA/IFEX) - At least two publications which recently came into the Swazi media scene have been threatened with closure for failure to register with government. By law, all publications in Swaziland, including newspapers and magazines, are required to register with the government. Registration is accompanied by a bond of US$100.

Mexico

Cameraman Francisco Bocanegra Herrera detained on mayor's orders, municipal authorities harass reporter Margil Guerra

(ARTICLE 19/CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is a 3 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 and CENCOS alert:

Pakistan

Journalist Noor Hassan abducted, questioned about interviews with internally displaced persons and Taliban spokesman

(PPF/IFEX) - Noor Hassan, a reporter for the Royal News television channel, was abducted on 8 February 2009 in Swat, the epicentre of fundamentalist militant insurgency in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP). He was released the next morning in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan.

Mexico

Police officers raid weekly's offices, issue death threats against journalists, assault and detain reporters Juan Ojeda and Jesús Damas Ruíz

(ARTICLE 19/CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is a 5 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 and CENCOS alert:

Republic of Congo

Online journalist killed in mysterious fire

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Sierra Leone

Media advocate Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai receives death threats after criticising government

(MFWA/IFEX) - Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, the executive director of Society for Democratic Initiatives (SDI), a Sierra Leone media advocacy organisation, received death threats on 6 February 2009 over his alleged criticism of the ruling All People's Congress (APC) government.

China

Hong Kong, Macau no longer enjoy more relaxed press regulations introduced during Olympic Games

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders deplores the fact that the more relaxed regulations for the press that were introduced for the Olympic Games will no longer apply to Hong Kong and Macau journalists visiting the mainland although they have been maintained for foreign journalists.

Kazakhstan

Pro-opposition journalist Bakhytzhan Nurpeisov attacked, hospitalised with multiple injuries

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Somalia

Journalist Hassan Bulhan Ali seriously injured in attack during tribal reconciliation meeting

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns the violent attack on journalist Hassan Bulhan Ali, the director of Radio Abudwaq, in the town of Abudwaq, in Galgadud region, Central Somalia.

Mexico

Community radio station dismantled in Michoacán despite having official letter from president regarding its licensing

(CENCOS/IFEX) - On 24 January 2009, Federal Investigations Agency (Agencia Federal de Investigación (AFI) officers and officials from the Communications and Transport Secretariat (Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes, SCT) dismantled the Eiámpiti community radio station, in San Juan Nuevo Parangaricutiro, Michoacán state, western Mexico.

Madagascar

Reporter Ando Ratovonirina fatally shot while covering anti-government demonstration as security forces open fire on protestors

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is shocked to learn that Ando Ratovonirina of privately-owned Radio et Télévision Analamanga (RTA) was shot dead while covering an anti-government demonstration outside the presidential palace in Antananarivo on 7 February 2009. The 25-year-old reporter and cameraman was among the scores of people who were killed or wounded when security forces opened fired on the protesters.

Palestine / Israel

Al-Jazeera journalists detained by IDF, allege assault, confiscation of materials on board ship near Gaza

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Brazil

Federal judge closes investigation into journalist Vladimir Herzog's murder in 1975

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - Federal Justice Paula Mantovani Avelino has issued an order calling for the closure of the investigation into the death of journalist Vladimir Herzog. Herzog died while Brazil was under military rule (1964-1984). Justice Avelino's decision rejects requests by state prosecutors who have argued that Herzog's murder could be considered a crime against humanity.

Bahrain

Women's rights activist Ghada Jamsheer threatened, media ban continues, her home reportedly put under surveillance by state security agents

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 5 February 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Burma

Journalists Khin Maung Aye, Htun Htun Thein released after completing three month sentence

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association welcome the release on 4 February 2009 of journalists Khin Maung Aye and Htun Htun Thein of the privately-owned weekly "News Watch" after completing the three-month sentence they had received from a Rangoon court for "contempt of court."

Philippines

Judge orders arrest of former police inspector, several others for 2008 murder of radio broadcaster Dennis Cuesta

(CMFR/IFEX) - On 3 February 2009, a General Santos City court ordered the arrest of a former police inspector and several others for the August 2008 killing of radio broadcaster Dennis Cuesta. General Santos City is located 1,049 km southeast of Manila.

Brazil

Journalists Maria Manso and Ronaldo de Sousa harassed, prevented from covering collapse of church roof

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - On 18 January 2009, newspaper teams were prevented by church members from approaching the main building of the international Renascer em Cristo (Reborn in Christ) Church, located in São Paulo, soon after the building's roof caved in. Nine people died and 114 were wounded as a result of the collapse of the roof.

Niger

Journalist Boussada Ben Ali convicted of "disseminating false information likely to disturb public order", sentenced to three month imprisonment

(MFWA/IFEX) - Boussada Ben Ali, managing editor of "L'Action", a Niamey-based independent weekly newspaper accused of "disseminating false information likely to disturb public order" has been convicted of the offence on 6 February 2009 and sentenced to a three month imprisonment.

Swaziland

Four radio licence applications disqualified by government regulator

(MISA/IFEX) - The process to award four community radio licences, approved by the Swazi government in October 2008, has plunged into controversy and uncertainty.

Namibia

Director-General of Namibian Broadcasting Corporation dismissed; MISA concerned over defamation cases facing media

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a 5 February 2009 MISA press statement:

Russia

Pro-opposition editor Yuri Grachev attacked in Moscow region

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Azerbaijan

Election Monitoring Centre founder Anar Mammedli seeks legal action to unblock his website

(IRFS/IFEX) - The founder of the Election Monitoring Center, Anar Mammedli, has filed a lawsuit in the Sabayil District Court against the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

China

Authorities postpone trial of cyber-dissident Huang Qi charged with "illegal possession of state secrets" in attempt to "silence him at all costs", says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders deplores the way the authorities are handling the case against Huang Qi, a cyber-dissident who has been held in Chengdu (the capital of Sichuan province) since 10 June 2008 on a charge of "illegal possession of state secrets." His family and lawyers were told on 2 February 2009 that the trial would start the next day, but the hearing was postponed and a new date has not been announced.

Russia

Journalists banned from covering reading of Altai governor's report; accreditation requests denied

(CJES/IFEX) - According to CJES, the Altai Territory's administration has demonstrated that it divides the region's journalists into "chosen ones" and those who are not worthy of receiving information on the region. Several journalists were recently barred from a meeting in the territory's Legislative Assembly, where the governor reported on the territory's achievements in 2008.

South Africa

President refuses to sign bill on films and publications, returns it to parliament

(MISA/IFEX) - President Kgalema Motlanthe has reportedly refused to sign the Films and Publications Amendment Bill, questioning its constitutionality and returning it "untouched" to Parliament.

Mauritania

Former legislator Isselmou Ould Abdelkader granted bail after three months in prison for criticising military regime

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 3 February 2009, the Supreme Court granted bail to Isselmou Ould Abdelkader, a former legislator, after he spent over three months in prison for criticising the country's military regime.

Zambia

National Constitution Conference executive committee issues proposal to ban media from covering its proceedings

(MISA/IFEX) - On 2 February 2009, the Executive Committee of the National Constitution Conference (NCC) proposed that the media in Zambia be banned from covering proceedings of the NCC, a body mandated to examine, debate and adopt proposals for the alteration of the constitution.

Eritrea

Journalist Dawit Isaak held without trial for almost eight years, believed to be seriously ill

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

Brazil

Defamation case against journalists Renata Modesto and Marcos Junqueira reopened

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 26 January 2009, journalists Renata Modesto and Marcos Junqueira, of the "Comercio da Franca" newspaper, were notified by the city of Franca's Court of Justice that it would comply with a request issued by Prosecutor Claudemir Aparecido de Oliveira to reopen proceedings against them for the crime of defamation. The city of Franca is located in the State of Sao Paulo.

Argentina

Political commentator Nelson Castro's contract cancelled, allegedly as a result of government pressure

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 3 February 2009 IAPA press release:

International

CAPSULE REPORT: Asia eclipses Middle East in violence against journalists, according to IPI's 2008 review

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

Kazakhstan

"Taszhargan" newspaper and journalist Almas Kusherbayev ordered to compensate government official in defamation case

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - On 16 January 2009, a court ordered the Kazakh opposition newspaper "Taszhargan" and one of its reporters to pay US$25,000 in compensation in a defamation case.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Editor Bakir Hedziomerovic and journalist Avdo Avdic receive death threats after reporting on alleged links between politicians and organised crime

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

Botswana

Government establishes public relations offices to address problem of constricted information flow with media

(MISA/IFEX) - On 27 January 2009 the Botswana government convened a meeting of Public Relations (PR) Officers in government departments to find out why information flow is constricted. This follows complains by the media and civic society that government is increasingly carrying out business in secrecy and that the media was increasingly finding it difficult to solicit information. The Public Relations Officers are a new phenomenon having been appointed recently. Writing in an editorial, leading Botswana national newspaper, Mmegi, says this process would, "go a long way in addressing the problem of constricted information flow"

Somalia

Journalist Said Tahlil Amhed killed in Mogadishu, second Somali journalist murdered in 2009

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) strongly condemns the brutal assassination of Said Tahlil Ahmed, director of HornAfrik Radio in Mogadishu, on 4 February 2009 at around 2:45 p.m. (local time).

New Zealand

Government launches Official Information Act implementation plan

(PINA/IFEX) - Cook Islands has launched the country's Official Information Act (OIA) implementation plan, reports "Cook Islands News".

Namibia

SWAPO supporters urge "The Namibian" to stop publishing "destructive" SMS messages

(MISA/IFEX) - Supporters of Namibia's ruling South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) party, under the umbrella body of the SWAPO Elders Council, have criticised "The Namibian" newspaper and radio stations for what they allege to be insults and criticism levelled against the party's leaders, current President Hifikepunye Pohamba and former president Sam Nujoma. Party supporters say they want "The Namibian" to stop publishing readers' text messages and radio stations to stop airing chat shows and phone-in programmes. "The Namibian" reported on 2 February 2009 that SWAPO supporters claimed they had instructed the minister of information "to take measures to stop the dangerous radio programmes and chat shows before the situation gets out of control."

Colombia

Journalists Hollman Morris, Leonardo Acevado and Camilo Raigozo temporarily detained by army, asked to hand over their work

(FLIP/IFEX) - Journalists Hollman Morris, director of the "Contravía" television programme and a correspondent for foreign media outlets and cameraman Leonardo Acevado and journalist Camilo Raigozo of the weekly "Voz," were temporarily detained and harassed by members of the army who demanded that they hand over their journalistic material.

The Gambia

"The Point" editor arrested on charges of "spreading false information"

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 2 February 2009, following an article which appeared in the Banjul-based "The Point" newspaper, Pap Saine, editor and co-publisher, together with senior reporter Modou Sanyang, were arrested by officers of the Gambia Police Force and detained at the serious crime unit of the police headquarters in Banjul, the capital. Sanyang was cautioned and released. However Saine, who is not in good health, was kept at the crime unit until about 11:00 p.m. (local time) and was charged with "publishing and spreading false information." He denied the charges. Pap Saine is to appear before the court on 3 February.

Turkey

Crowd attacks journalists taking photos at government rally after Prime Minister assails media

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 2 February 2009 IPI press release:

Indonesia

Defamation charges against media advocate Upi Asmaradhana forwarded to attorney general's office; "defamation should be considered a civil matter instead of a criminal one", AJI says

(AJI/IFEX) - On Friday, 30 January, South Sulawesi Regional Police forwarded its investigation documents regarding the case of Upi Asmaradhana to the local Attorney General Office.

Swaziland

Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini assures media houses they will enjoy press freedom

(MISA/IFEX) - Swaziland's Prime Minister, Sibusiso Dlamini, notorious for harassing and closing down media houses during his previous term as prime minister between 1993 and 2003, has assured journalists that they will enjoy media freedom during his new term. Dlamini was recently re-appointed by the king - titles only need to be capitalized when a name follows.

Egypt

Court strikes down jail time but upholds fines against editors Ibrahim Eissa, Adel Hamouda, Wael el-Abrashi and Abdel Halim Kandil

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 February 2009 CPJ press release:

Venezuela

Pro-government group admits to carrying out attack on home of RCTV manager Marcel Granier, issues death threats against media executives

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 30 January 2009 IAPA press release:

Azerbaijan

Correspondents in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic receive death threats; IRFS correspondent assaulted

(IRFS/IFEX) - On 30 January 2009, Elman Abbasov and Hakimeldostu Mehdiyev, correspondents for the IRFS in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and Malahet Nasibova, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Turan News Agency Nakhchivan correspondent, addressed a letter of complaint to the Nakhchivan City Police Department and the republic's Ministry of the Interior regarding threatening calls made to their mobile telephones. In the appeal, they asked law enforcement bodies to investigate the calls and to identify and charge those responsible. They also called for measures that will ensure the personal safety of IRFS Nakhchivan correspondents and the security of the IRFS editorial office, housed at the Resource Center for Democracy and Development of NGOs.

Mexico / United States

Mexican journalist Emilio Gutiérrez Soto freed, US authorities urged to grant his request for asylum

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders welcomes Mexican journalist Emilio Gutiérrez Soto's release on 29 January 2009 in the Texan border city of El Paso and urges the US authorities to grant him political asylum as he would be in great danger if he had to return to Mexico. Gutiérrez had been held by the US immigration department ever since he crossed the border seeking asylum on 15 June 2008.

Pakistan

Journalist Kamal Asfar, brother of murdered journalist Aamir Wakil, escapes assassination attempt

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has urged the Pakistani authorities to act immediately to protect Kamal Asfar, a journalist for the "Ash-Sharq" (The East) magazine, who escaped a murder attempt on 1 February 2009. His brother, journalist Aamir Wakil, was killed in Rawalpindi on 24 January.

China

Concerns rise over wellbeing of missing human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng in light of previous torture in detention

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

Kenya

Journalist Francis Nyaruri found beheaded following articles exposing police corruption

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 30 January 2009 CPJ press release:

Tunisia

Police raid Radio Kalima studios, confiscate equipment; journalist missing

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

Peru

Journalist César Gonzáles assaulted after denouncing irregularities in regional president's administration

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 26 January 2009, journalist César Gonzáles, the host of Canal 19 television station's "60 Minutos" programme, was assaulted outside the television station's headquarters by a group of supporters of Ucayali's regional president, Jorge Velásquez. The incident took place in Pucallpa, Ucayali region, southeastern Peru.

Nicaragua

La SIP expresa preocupación por reducción de espacios de libertad de expresión

(SIP/IFEX) - Lo que sigue es un comunicado de prensa abreviado de la SIP, con fecha del 27 de enero de 2009:

Burma

RSF launches petition calling for the release of bloggers Nay Phone Latt and Zarganar

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders urges the international community not to forget Nay Phone Latt ( http://www.nayphonelatt.net/ ), a Burmese blogger who was arrested on 29 January 2008 and was sentenced on 10 November to 20 years and six months in prison, or Zarganar, one of Burma's best known comedians, who is serving a 59-year jail sentence in appalling conditions for criticising the military government online.

Ukraine

Resolution calls for further action to prosecute former officials who may have been behind journalist Giorgiy Gongadze's killing

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 29 January 2009 IPI press release:

Cameroon

Four journalists imprisoned since September 2008 for critical reporting

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

Iran

Authorities step up control of Internet, block access to websites, including RFI and Deutsche Welle

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the wave of censorship that has hit many Iranian and foreign Farsi-language websites since 24 January 2009. Most of the sites contain articles critical of the government and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose term expires on 12 June. International news media websites have also been blocked since 26 January.

Iraq

Journalists covering provincial elections harassed in several polling stations

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 January 2009 CPJ press release:

International

IFJ welcomes ombudsman's decision against European Commission for failure to record all documents in public register

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 January 2009 IFJ media release:

Tunisia

Police officer threatens Omar Mestiri, managing editor of web magazine Kalima, with knife

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 January 2009 CPJ press release:

South Korea

Blogger Park Dae-sung arrested for posting financial predictions

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

Tunisia

Radio Kalima under siege, journalist Dhafer Otay held and released

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 January 2009 CPJ press release:

Yemen

Previously pardoned journalist Abdel Karim Al Khaiwani ordered to serve 6-year prison sentence

(ANHRI/IFEX) - ANHRI strongly denounces the 26 January 2009 decision by Yemen's Special Terrorist Court upholding the initial sentence against prominent journalist Abdel Karim Al Khaiwani to six years in prison, originally levelled against him in June 2008. This decision is contrary to the presidential pardon the journalist received in September, and formal assurances from the Minister of Justice and other judicial officials that the case had been closed.

Thailand

Government threatens legal action against community radio stations

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Thai government will take legal action against community radio stations tagged as being used for political purposes, media reports said.

Russia

Office search freezes "Soglasiye I Pravda" newspaper's operations

(GDF/IFEX) - Pyotr Lipatov, editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Soglasiye I Pravda" (SP) based in the town of Klin, in the Moscow Region, has sent the GDF a message saying that after a series of critical publications about local police commanders in November 2008, a group of OBEP (special police force against economic crime) officers arrived at the SP office in late December, with a warrant "to inspect the newspaper's financial, economic, business and trade performance".

Zambia

Court bans "The Post" newspaper from covering former president's corruption case

(MISA/IFEX) - On 28 January 2009, Ndola High Court Deputy Registrar Jones Chinyama banned "The Post" newspaper from covering former president Fredrick Chiluba's case currently before the Magistrate's court. The ban came on the heels of a story published in "The Post" on 28 January, which sought to interpret the meaning of Chiluba's intention to give an unsworn statement in court.

Turkey

In the two years since journalist Hrant Dink's murder, nobody has been brought to justice

(BIANET/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated version of a 19 January 2009 BIANET press release:

Serbia

Radio programme journalist Svetlana Lukic's car demolished, Pescanik internet site hacked

(ANEM/IFEX) - The following is a 28 January 2009 ANEM press release:

Niger

Newspaper editor Boussada Ben Ali still detained after court adjourns case

(MFWA/IFEX) - Boussada Ben Ali, managing editor of "L'Action", an independent Niamey-based newspaper will continue to stay in detention until the Niamey Tribunal court hears his case on 2 February 2009.

Thailand

Issue of "The Economist" magazine banned as authorities continue to crackdown on free expression under guise of protecting king

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the 27 January 2009 decision by the Thai government to ban distribution of the 22 January issue of the London-based "Economist" magazine because of an article ( http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12992577 ) entitled

International

Burying news hurts crisis response, says IPI, while urging World Economic Forum participants to commit to press freedom

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 27 January 2009 IPI press release:

Palestine / Israel

ARTICLE 19 calls on the BBC to reconsider decision to refrain from broadcasting Disaster Emergency Committee appeal for Gaza

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 26 January 2009 ARTICLE 19 statement:

Palestine

Al-Quds TV correspondents, Wafa cameraman detained; another al-Quds TV correspondent interrogated

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 27 January 2009 CPJ press release:

Vanuatu

Four police officers arrested for assault on publisher Marc Neil-Jones

(PINA/IFEX) - Police in Vanuatu say four police officers have been charged with the attack on the publisher of the "Vanuatu Daily Post", Marc Neil-Jones, who suffered a broken nose and black eye.

Burma

Burmese censorship board restricts publication of US President Obama's inaugural speech

(Mizzima/IFEX) - Burmese journals were prevented from printing the full text of US President Barack Obama's inaugural speech, and were limited to reporting on the occasion as a news item with restrictions on the type of information they were allowed to disseminate.

Bahrain

Activists imprisoned for writing slogans and posting portraits to commemorate torture victims

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has learned that three young men aged 19 and 20 were summoned on 8 January 2009 to renew their detention for an extra 15 days on charges of writing graffiti and sticking posters on the walls of the Ras Rumman area in the capital, Manama.

Fiji

Newspaper publisher Rex Gardner deported in latest crackdown on media

(PINA/IFEX) - The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) strongly condemns the actions of the interim Fiji government in its continued targeting of the Fijian media by deporting "Fiji Times" publisher Rex Gardner.

Zimbabwe

Magistrate orders investigation into alleged torture of photojournalist Anderson Shadreck Manyere

(MISA/IFEX) - On 26 January 2009, the matter of freelance photojournalist Anderson Shadreck Manyere, who is held on allegations of banditry, was heard before Harare Magistrate Gloria Takundwa. The judge ordered police to investigate and present a report on allegations that Manyere was tortured while in unlawful detention. Manyere was kidnapped and held incommunicado for more than three weeks.

Turkey

Signatories of apology campaign will not be prosecuted

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has rejected a call to open a case under Article 301 against the apology campaign for events of 1915.

Argentina

Journalist and writer Griselda Gómez receives threats in Córdoba; journalist Gustavo Heredia threatened while covering trial in San Luis

(FOPEA /IFEX) - On 15 January 2009, Griselda Gómez, a writer and journalist for "La Mañana" newspaper, based in the city of Córdoba, capital of Córdoba province in central Argentina, received two threatening phone calls. The paper's security personnel answered the calls made by an individual who identified himself as "Colonel Jiménez" and "Captain Gigena".

Turkey

Broadcasters' premises searched by police; groups concerned about increasing pressure on the press and freedom of expression

(BIANET/IFEX) - The Turkish Journalists' Trade Union (TGS) and the Contemporary Journalists' Association (ÇGD) have expressed their worry about violations of basic rights in the Ergenekon investigation.

Ecuador

Mayor's supporters attempt to assault journalist Cléber Barahona

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 7 January 2009, nearly one hundred supporters of the province of Pastaza's mayor, Óscar Ledesma, burst into Radio Mia seeking to assault journalist Cléber Barahona, who was interviewing Ledesma at the time. The mob was expelled quickly by the station's personnel. Pastaza is in eastern Ecuador.

Afghanistan

"Payman" news editor freed after eight days in detention

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hails the 21 January 2009 release of Nazari Paryani, the news editor of the daily "Payman", after eight days in detention in Kabul over an allegedly blasphemous article that was published by mistake. Paryani was freed provisionally and still faces possible prosecution. Reporters Without Borders calls for all charges against the paper to be dropped.

Brazil

Grenade thrown at "Correio Popular" headquarters following publication of report about kidnapper; police threaten to arrest journalists to stop them from reporting on traffic accident

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 21 January 2009, unidentified individuals threw a grenade at the headquarters of the newspaper "Correio Popular", in the town of Campinas, State of Sao Paulo. The grenade did not explode or cause any damage.

Bhutan

Journalist Shantiram Acharya arrested, sentenced to seven and a half years in prison

(CEHURDES/IFEX) - The Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) condemns the imprisonment of Shantiram Acharya, a young Bhutani journalist, by the Bhutanese authorities.

Senegal

Jailed editor El Malick Seck again convicted of defaming top Senegalese officials

(MFWA/IFEX) - For the third time in four months, El Malick Seck, managing editor of "24 Heures Chrono", a privately-owned, Dakar-based newspaper, has been convicted of defaming top Senegalese government officials.

Liberia

CEMESP releases annual report on freedom of expression

(CEMESP/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 22 January 2009 CEMESP press release:

Venezuela

Government withdraws official advertising contracts from "opposition" newspapers

(IPYS/IFEX) - Representatives of the dailies "La Prensa" and "La Noticia" reported on 9 January 2009 that the Barinas state regional government has given orders stating that no official advertising should be published in their newspapers, which have been classified as being in opposition to the government. Barinas is located in central Venezuela.

Bolivia

Judge orders arrest of man who threatened journalists

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 21 January 2009, criminal court judge Margot Pérez ordered the immediate arrest of social agitator Adolfo Cerrudo for having failed to comply with previous court rulings. Cerrudo has been charged with committing several acts of aggression against journalists, including threatening to rape a reporter for the "La Razón" newspaper.

Niger

"L'Action" editor remanded in custody following complaint brought by finance minister

(MFWA/IFEX) - Boussada Ben Ali, managing editor of "L'Action", an independent Niamey-based newspaper, was arrested on 23 January 2009 and held at the Criminal Investigation Department of the police following a complaint lodged against him by the minister of finance and economic planning, Mahamane Ali Lamine Zein. Ben Ali was remanded in prison custody by the Niamey Tribunal on 26 January and is to reappear in court for judgment on 27 January.

Pakistan

Journalist Aamir Wakil killed in Rawalpindi; Samaa TV studios attacked by protesters; RSF urges government to bring climate of violence under control

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders urges the Pakistani authorities to adopt energetic measures following the murder of a journalist and an attack on a privately-owned TV station in the past 48 hours. On 24 January 2009, Aamir Wakil, 40, a married man with four children, was murdered close to his home in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad. On 26 January, an angry crowd ransacked the studios of Samaa TV in the southwestern city of Quetta.

Equatorial Guinea

Four journalists from state broadcaster RTVGE dismissed for failing to praise regime's "merits"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is dismayed by Deputy Information Minister Purita Opo Barila's arbitrary decision, announced on 19 January 2009, to dismiss four journalists from state radio and TV broadcaster RTVGE for "insubordination" and "lack of enthusiasm."

Peru

Mayoral candidate locks journalists in her house to prevent them from reporting on a protest

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 21 January 2009, Ana Yuffra, a candidate for mayor in the district of San Juan Bautista, locked several journalists in her house to prevent them from reporting on a group of protesters who were demonstrating at the house, accusing her of having defrauded them. San Juan Bautista is located in the province of Maynas, Loreto region, northeastern Peru.

Swaziland

Columnist Mfomfo Nkambule continues to suffer harassment as result of his criticisms of the king

(MISA/IFEX) - The harassment of former member of parliament and cabinet minister, now opposition figure, Mfomfo Nkambule is continuing as traditional authorities summoned him to one of King Mswati's palaces where he was threatened because of his critical views on governance issues in Swaziland, the world's last remaining absolute monarchy. On 24 January 2009, Nkambule, a popular weekly columnist who writes for the privately-owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper was, once again, asked to stop criticising King Mswati.

Venezuela

Photographer Rafael Garanton wounded, other journalists threatened during protest

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 21 January 2009, Rafael Garanton, a photographer for the "El Carabobeño" newspaper, was assaulted by supporters of President Hugo Chávez who turned on a group of students, members of the national journalists' association and the general public, who were marching in protest against the lack of security in the city of Valencia, Carabobo state, central Venezuela.

Sri Lanka

Journalist Upali Tennakoon victim of murder attempt, several others forced to flee country; news website closes for fear of reprisal

(RSF/IFEX) - The editor of the privately-owned weekly "Rivira", Upali Tennakoon, and his wife were attacked and wounded by four men on motorcycles as they drove to work on the morning of 23 January 2009 near Colombo. At the same time it was learned that at least five journalists have fled the country or gone into hiding and a news website had ceased operations because of threats.

Venezuela

Journalist Horacio Contreras receives death threats after criticising mayor's administration

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 21 January 2009, journalist Horacio Contreras, the manager of Studio 102.7 FM radio station, reported that he has been receiving death threats on his telephone. The incidents took place in the state of Mérida, western Venezuela.

Mexico

Federal judge grants injunction to man accused of killing American journalist Brad Will

(CENCOS/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated translation of a 21 January 2009 CENCOS alert:

Colombia

Court sentences masterminds behind killing of journalist José Emeterio Rivas

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 22 January 2009 CPJ press release:

Swaziland

Further delays to issuing of radio licences, short-listed radio stations told to reapply

(MISA/IFEX) - Applicants short-listed for the four radio licences approved by the government in 2008 may have to wait longer for the licences. This is because the process may have to start afresh, according to the regulator, the Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC).

Russia

CAPSULE REPORT: Media rights violations registered by GDF's Monitoring Service in 2008, legal claims against journalists and media particularly worrisome

(GDF/IFEX) - The following is a 19 January 2009 GDF press release:

United Arab Emirates

ANHRI concerned over passage of media regulation law

(ANHRI/IFEX) - ANHRI has followed with deep concern and disappointment the passage of the law for regulation of the media by the Federal National Council during its last session on 20 January 2009. ANHRI feels that this has been done without regard for differing opinions and a total rejection of concerned media professionals and interested parties within the community. These concerns have been repeatedly voiced since the legislation was leaked to a local newspaper and published on 22 September 2008. The newspaper received a warning from the national council for media as a consequence.

Azerbaijan

Journalists Sabuhi Mammadli and Ervin Mirza face lawsuit filed by assistant police chief

(IRFS/IFEX) - Assistant Chief Mammadmusa Huseynov, of the Davachi Region police department, sued "Yeni Musavat" newspaper employees Sabuhi Mammadli and Ervin Mirza. Mammadli told the IRFS, "Mammadmusa Huseynov filed a special lawsuit against us in the Binagadi District Court under articles 147 (libel) and 148 (insult) of the Criminal Code."

Egypt

Blogger Tamer Mabrouk fined for reporting on environmental pollution, working conditions at chemicals company

(ANHRI/IFEX) - On 20 January 2009, the Al Zohor court of misdemeanors fined blogger Tamer Mabrouk, author of the "hakika masriyah" blog, LE 2,500 (approx. US$450). A further LE 40,000 (approx. US$7,240) was awarded in compensation to the Trust Chemicals Company in a libel case filed by the company in June 2008.

Sierra Leone

Youth party leader orders dismissal of radio journalist Gibril Gorttor

(MFWA/IFEX) - In a 20 January 2009 letter, the chairman of the youth wing of the ruling All People's Congress (APC) in the District of Kambia in northern Sierra Leone, Sorieba Yillah, ordered the dismissal of Gibril Gorttor, a reporter for Kollenten 92.4 FM, a community radio station in the area, for his alleged critical reports on party activities.

Venezuela

Government supporters assault photojournalist Cecilia Rodríguez; political party leader threatens journalist Beatriz Adrián

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 20 January 2009, Cecilia Rodríguez, a photojournalist for the "El Nuevo País" newspaper, was assaulted while she was covering a rally involving supporters of the pro-government Venezuelan Popular Unity (Unidad Popular Venezolana, UPV) political party, along with members of the group known as "La Piedrita". The rally was in support of a constitutional amendment to allow for the re-election of Venezuela's president and other public officials on an indefinite basis. A referendum on the proposed amendment is scheduled for 15 February. The incident took place in Plaza Morelos, Caracas.

Venezuela

Unidentified individuals throw teargas canisters into home of TV station manager Marcel Granier

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 19 January 2009, unidentified individuals threw teargas canisters into the home of Marcel Granier, general manager of the RCTV International TV station in Caracas.

Russia

Voronezh magazine editor threatened following publication of article on local politician

(GDF/IFEX) - Leonid Astashov, editor of the independent political magazine "Profi", has received repeated threats since he published an article entitled, "A story from outer space, or some little-known facts from Ivan Lachugin's life," in the December 2008 issue of the magazine. Lachugin is the Duma deputy for Voronezh, in southwestern Russia.

Ghana

Journalist Bismark Bebli attacked at opposition party rally

(MFWA/IFEX) - Bismark Bebli, political reporter of "The Chronicle", an Accra-based independent newspaper, was attacked on 18 January 2009 by irate supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), while covering a post-election rally at Abeka Lapaz, a suburb of Accra. Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)?s correspondent reported that the supporters heckled and insulted the journalist, destroying his notebook in the process. He was rescued by another party supporter, Augustine Mills, who took Bebli to safety.

Swaziland

Court rules in favour of "Times of Swaziland" newspaper in censorship case

(MISA/IFEX) - On 20 January 2009 an attempt to censor the privately-owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper failed when the High Court of Swaziland dismissed an application brought by a woman who sought to stop the newspaper from publishing photographs of her.

Fiji

"Fiji Times" fined over article, newspaper publisher and editor receive suspended prison sentences

(PINA/IFEX) - On 22 January 2009, Fiji's oldest newspaper was fined FJD$100,000 (US$54,000) by the High Court over its publication of a letter that criticised the court's validation of the 2006 military coup, reports Fiji Live.

Vietnam

Journalist Nguyen Viet Chien granted early release as part of presidential amnesty marking Lunar New Year

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN welcomes the release on 17 January 2009 of journalist Nguyen Viet Chien as part of a Presidential amnesty to mark the Lunar New Year. Nguyen Viet Chien had served eight months of a two-year prison sentence for reporting on corruption. International PEN remains alarmed about freedom of expression in Vietnam, and reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those currently detained in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression.

Spain / Morocco

WPFC submits written comments before European Court of Human Rights in the case of Spanish journalist José Luis Gutiérrez

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 15 January 2009 WPFC press release:

Thailand

CAPSULE REPORT: SEAPA report examines media reform challenges facing newly-installed PM

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 21 January 2009 SEAPA report:

Bolivia

CAPSULE REPORT: On eve of constitutional referendum, RSF urges politicians and media to act responsibly

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 19 January 2009 RSF report:

United Kingdom

ARTICLE 19 provides submission to inquiry into press standards, libel and privacy laws

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 19 January 2009 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Kosovo (Serbia)

Cameraman assaulted, journalist rushed to hospital amid growing concerns over current media environment

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 21 January 2009 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Bangladesh

Journalist Atiqullah Khan released from prison

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 20 January 2009 IPI press release:

Ecuador

Radio Inti Pacha journalist faces charges of "inciting rebellion" after indigenous communities stage nationwide anti-mining protests

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has demanded an explanation from the authorities about the reasons and circumstances of the 20 January 2009 arrest of community journalist Francisco Farinango in Ñaño Loma, in the Pichincha region of northern Ecuador.

Peru

Journalist Luis Rivas shot while covering squatters' eviction

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 20 January 2009, journalist Luis Rivas, a correspondent for the newspaper "La República," was shot in the right leg while he was covering the eviction of 1,500 squatters who had illegally settled in the Bosque de Pómac historic sanctuary, in the Lambayeque region of northern Peru.

Venezuela

Television cameras banned from National Assembly plenary sessions

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 15 January 2009, the National Assembly's leadership decided to ban the admittance of TV cameras to the press box in the building's plenary hall. The measure was announced by Member of Parliament Iván Zerpa, who pointed out that all TV stations will have to use the images provided by the state-run Asamblea Nacional Televisión (ANTV), which will be the only station allowed to videotape the sessions.

Malaysia

CAPSULE REPORT: Media watchdog slams federal government for lack of media reforms

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

Iran

As his health deteriorates, imprisoned activist and journalist Mohammad Sadegh Kaboudvand given award for persecuted writers

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 21 January 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Ecuador

Newspaper continuously harassed by President Rafael Correa

(IPYS/IFEX) - Since 2007, the Guayaquil-based "El Universo" newspaper has been harassed by Ecuador's president, Rafael Correa. Correa has not only publicly alleged that the newspaper makes mistakes and publishes inaccurate information, but he has also discredited and insulted it, accusing it of lacking objectivity because it opposes the government.

Afghanistan

Journalist unfairly held in custody, says RSF

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has protested against the decision of the Afghan prosecutor general to continue the detention of journalist Nazari Paryani, head of news pages for the daily "Payman".

Nigeria

Journalist escapes attack on her home by armed men

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced its concern after armed men burst into the apartment block of Janet Mba, editor of the magazine "The Scroll" in Arepo in Ogun State in south-western Nigeria on 15 January 2009. She escaped the attack because she managed to call the police before they could strike.

International

Uncertain future for region's journalists, says SEAPA

(SEAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 21 January 2009 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) press release:

Palestine / Israel

Following ceasefire, CPJ urges Israeli government to lift ban and allow international journalists to report on events in Gaza

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 17 January 2009 CPJ letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert:

Malaysia

CIJ calls on authorities to investigate bribery of journalists

(CIJ/IFEX) - The following is a 19 January 2009 statement by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), an interim member of IFEX:

Thailand

Government wants to ban 10,000 websites for contravening lese majeste laws, instead of 400

(SEAPA/IFEX) - On 19 January 2009, Thailand's Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said that websites containing information considered as lese majeste are increasing, media reports said.

Russia

Murder of human rights lawyer shows that "those who speak out against abuses" put their lives at risk

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

Brazil

Judge bans broadcast of report on accident

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 11 January 2009, Judge Pedro Sakamoto forbade TV Record News station from broadcasting a report about a traffic accident which took place on 8 January in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso state, in western Brazil. The ruling responded to a request made by Daniel Lima Ramalho, copilot of a car that crashed against a motorbike, wounding a father and his son.

Zimbabwe

Broadcaster's bid to fire journalists fails

(MISA/IFEX) - Zimbabwe's Retrenchment Board has ruled against the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings' (ZBH) bid to retrench six of its journalists who were suspended in June 2008 on allegations of "acting in a manner inconsistent with the fulfillment of the implied conditions" of their contracts.

Albania

Newspaper's eviction seen as sign of growing political pressure exerted by government against critical voices in media

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

Zimbabwe

Song banned for allegedly criticising ruling party

(MISA/IFEX) - A song composed by Tongai Moyo, a popular Zimbabwean musician, has reportedly been denied air play by the state-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), which has sole monopoly of the country's airwaves.

Kazakhstan

Radio journalist attacked by unknown group, sustains concussion

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - Yermek Boltay, a journalist with the radio station "Azattyk" (Kazakhstan's service of radio "Svoboda") was beaten at about 21.00 p.m. (local time) in the entrance of his house on 18 January 2009. He said that there were 4-5 attackers and that one of them asked him for cigarettes and money. Boltay refused and the man hit Boltay on his head with a bottle. Then strangers begun to beat him. The attackers then left but did not take money and valuables. Emergency doctors diagnosed him with a brain concussion and moderate damage.

Turkey

Two years after editor's murder, infamous insult law still in force

(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a 19 January 2009 IPI press release:

Egypt

Court rejects judge's case against ANHRI and two bloggers

(ANHRI/IFEX) - On 31 December 2008, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) and the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre welcomed a historic decision by the Dokki Court of Misdemeanors.

Malawi

Radio station wins case against regulatory body

(MISA/IFEX) - The Malawi High Court has declared that the decision by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to revoke Joy Radio's license was unconstitutional, ultra vires and unreasonable, effectively dismissing all cases that MACRA had brought against the private radio station. According to this ruling, it means there is no case between Joy Radio and MACRA.

Mexico

Police arrest magazine editor facing series of lawsuits for publishing information about corruption allegations

(CEPET/IFEX) - Miguel Badillo Cruz, the editor of "Contralínea" and "Fortuna" magazines, was arrested by police near his home in Mexico City on the morning of 16 January 2009. The editor has been charged with "insult to authorities" (desacato) by a judge in Jalisco state.

Vanuatu

Newspaper publisher attacked

(PINA/IFEX) - The publisher of Vanuatu's "Daily Post" newspaper, Marc Neil-Jones, has been attacked in the capital of Port Vila.

Peru

Municipal official threatens journalist for coverage of environmental damage

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 14 January 2009, the general manager of the Maynas Provincial Municipality, Rafael Saavedra, burst into La Voz de la Selva radio station's broadcasting booth and threatened journalist Mary Pérez, telling her to stop reporting on damages caused to the Allpahuayo Mishana nature reserve by a neighbouring garbage dump. The incident took place in Iquitos, northeastern Peru.

Tajikistan

Journalist assaulted in Kulyab

(GDF/IFEX) - Abdumumin Sherkhonov, the editor-in-chief of the "Pazhvok" (Echo) newspaper and a freelance reporter for "Radio Ozodi" (Tajik Service of Radio Liberty), was beaten up in the city of Kulyab, southern Tajikistan, on 5 January 2009.

Macedonia

Orthodox Church notifies television stations and newspaper that they will need approval before filming or photographing monasteries and churches

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

China

Would-be Olympics protester sentenced to three years in jail

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 16 January 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Australia / Thailand

Court sentences Australian author to three years in prison

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A Thai court has sentenced an Australian author to three years in prison for insulting a member of the royal family, media reports said.

Azerbaijan

Correspondents harassed, assaulted in Sadarak region

(IRFS/IFEX) - On 16 January 2009, IRFS Nakhchivan regional correspondents Hakimeldosu Mehdiyev, Elman Abbasov and Mehman Mehdiyev and Radio Liberty and "Turan" information agency correspondent Malahat Nasibova went to the village of Heydarabad in the Sadarak region to investigate recent incidents that have taken place there. They wanted to visit the residence of Ismayil Huseynova, who was forcibly placed into a psychiatric hospital by police and was only recently released.

Venezuela

Journalist assassinated in Valencia, recently covered drug trafficking cases

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is dismayed by the 16 January 2009 fatal shooting of Orel Zambrano, the editor of the political weekly "ABC", in Valencia, in the north-central state of Carabobo. Zambrano was also vice-president of the privately-owned Radio América 890 AM radio station and a columnist for the regional daily "Notitarde", as well as being a lawyer.

Somalia

Local journalist released by kidnappers while Canadian reporter, Australian photojournalist still in captivity

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcomes with profound relief the safe release of Abdifatah Mohamed Elmi after 146 days in captivity by kidnappers who abducted him with Canadian journalist Amanda Lindout and Australian journalist Nigel Brenan on 23 August 2008.

Afghanistan

RSF urges government to make press freedom a priority

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 15 January 2009 RSF press release:

Zimbabwe

Foreign currency billing system, deprivation of right to communicate and free expression

(MISA/IFEX) - The government of Zimbabwe has granted cell phone networks permission to bill subscribers in foreign currency. Subscribers across the three networks Telecel, Econet Wireless and Net One will be paying US$0.28 cents per minute and US$0.26 cents per minute for pre-paid and contract lines, respectively.

Zimbabwe

Photojournalist denied bail despite health problems

(MISA/IFEX) - On 16 January 2009, Harare High Court Judge Tedious Karwi dismissed a bail application by freelance photojournalist Anderson Shadreck Manyere, who is charged with alleged acts of banditry in contravention of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (CODE).

Botswana

Government passes repressive media law

(MISA/IFEX) - The Government of Botswana has gone ahead and passed the controversial Media Practitioners Law, which was assented to by the executive on 22 December 2008 and gazetted on 31 December. This follows a rushed enactment by Parliament in the same month, in which members of Parliament were denied the opportunity to further subject the bill to debate.

Russia

Author charged with slander and invasion of privacy for publishing book critical of president

(CJES/IFEX) - The Investigations Department of the Russian prosecutor's office of the Republic of Tatarstan has brought charges against Irek Murtazin, former head of the Tatarstan president's press service. Murtazin is charged with slander, invading the privacy of Tatarstan's President Mintimer Shaimiyev and fanning hatred and a feud via the mass media.

Guatemala

Government offers letter of regret to family of journalist murdered nearly 30 years ago

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 15 January 2009 IAPA press release:

United States / China

Yahoo!'s new CEO urged to make defending freedom of expression on the Internet one of the company's priorities

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders congratulates Carol Bartz for her 13 January 2009 appointment as Yahoo!'s new CEO, replacing Jerry Yang. Secretary-general Jean-François Julliard seized the opportunity to write to Bartz to express the organisation's concerns about Yahoo!'s policies in China, mentioning the case of journalist Shi Tao of the "Dangdai Shang Bao" business daily.

Swaziland

Pressure groups demand access to state media

(MISA/IFEX) - On 12 January 2009, Swaziland's pressure groups, comprising political parties, trade unions and other civic organisations, petitioned the prime minister, Sibusiso Dlamini, on a number of issues, including access to state media. Pressure groups are currently banned from state media.

Saudi Arabia

Political activist and writer Matrook Al-Faleh released from prison

(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN welcomes the release on 10 January 2009 of leading reformist and academic Professor Matrook Al-Faleh, who had been held without charge since 19 May 2008, apparently for his writings and activism in support of political prisoners in Saudi Arabia. He is said to be in good health.

Argentina

Vandals cut cables supporting radio station's antenna, station unable to broadcast on AM frequency

(FOPEA /IFEX) - FOPEA condemns the vandalism suffered by LT6 Radio Goya radio station, in Corrientes province, northeastern Argentina, on the morning of 12 January 2009, when unidentified individuals cut the cables that supported the radio station's antenna, causing it to fall. As a result, the station can no longer broadcast on its AM frequency.

Armenia / Azerbaijan

Television crews come under gunfire in Agdam region

(IRFS/IFEX) - According to information provided to IRFS by Lider television station correspondent Habil Aslanoglu, on 14 January 2009, at approximately 4:30 p.m. (local time), employees of the Azad Azerbaijan (ATV) and Lider television stations came under gunfire on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in the Agdam region of Azerbaijan. In addition to Aslanoglu himself, the other media personnel affected by the incident were ATV correspondent Hafiz Huseynoglu, ATV camera operator Eldaniz Valiyev and Lider camera operator Ilgar Salmanoglu.

Peru

Terrorism charges laid against left-wing investigative journalist after he reports on individuals with alleged links to the FARC

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders would like to know exactly why Raúl Wiener, the head of the investigative section of the left-wing daily "La Primera", has been charged with a "crimes against public peace" and "terrorism" after revealing that the same charges had been brought against 13 leading Peruvian leftists with alleged links to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC).

Mauritania

Journalist detained, police destroy photos

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 13 January 2009, Sidi Mohamed Ould Abderrahmane, a journalist with the independent news wire service Agence Nouakchott d'Information, was detained by police.

Palestine / Israel

Four Palestinian journalists killed since the start of military operations in Gaza

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 14 January 2009 CPJ press release:

Venezuela

Journalist survives assassination attempt in Portuguesa state

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned a murder attempt against Rafael Finol, a political correspondent for the privately-owned daily "El Regional" in Acarigua, Portuguesa state, central-western Venezuela.

Palestine / Israel

Building housing news organisations hit by Israeli missiles

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

Saudi Arabia

Blogger arrested after posting opinions, announcing his conversion to Christianity

(ANHRI/IFEX) - According to information obtained by ANRHI, Saudi authorities detained Hamoud Bin Saleh on 13 January 2009 and blocked his blog, Masihi Saudi - http://christforsaudi.blogspot.com , due to his opinions and the announcement on his blog that he had converted from Islam to Christianity.

Bahrain

Minister calls for ban on websites

(BCHR/IFEX) - On 14 January 2009, local newspapers disclosed a ministerial order by the new minister of culture and information and a member of the royal family, Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, addressed to all telecommunications companies and Internet service providers, calling on them to prevent access to websites that were banned by the ministry.

Thailand

Academic charged with "insulting the monarchy" in book on military coup

(SEAPA/IFEX) - A Thai political scientist charged with insulting the monarchy called for a campaign on 13 January 2009 to abolish the country's lese majeste law, media reports said.

Azerbaijan

Minister sues activist for slander

(IRFS/IFEX) - The Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) strongly condemns the lawsuit filed against Institute for Peace and Democracy director Leyla Yunus by the minister of the interior, Ramil Usubov, and considers this step the beginning of a campaign of repression to silence human rights defenders.

Kazakhstan

Detained editor-in-chief goes on hunger strike

(Adil Soz/IFEX) - The editor-in-chief of the "Alma-Ata Info" newspaper, Ramazan Yesergepov, who was arrested on 6 January 2009, has gone on a hunger strike and has thus far refused to provide information to the authorities, according to his wife, Raushan Yesergepova.

Palestine / Israel

Israeli prosecutors charge two Palestinian journalists for broadcasting information subject to military censorship

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

Guinea

Cameraman detained briefly, his film destroyed

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 29 December 2008, freelance cameraman Alpha Bah was arrested and detained briefly at Alpha Yaya Diallo Camp in Conakry by a member of the ruling National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) for allegedly working against the interests of the regime.

Mexico

Mayor burns copies of newspaper, detains vendor

(CEPET/IFEX) - On 11 January 2009, the mayor and local police of the town of San Pedro Jicayán, in the state of Oaxaca, burnt 1,000 copies of a newspaper and detained a newspaper vendor for several hours. The newspaper "Noticias Voz e Imagen" had published information that reflected poorly on the administration of Mayor Leonardo Silva Palacios.

Jordan

Al Jazeera bureau chief assaulted by police while covering demonstration

(AAI/IFEX) - On 9 January 2008, Yasser Abu Hilaleh, the Al Jazeera network's bureau chief in Amman, was beaten by riot police while covering a demonstration in Rabia. Abu Hilaleh, who was reporting on the protest involving clashes between demonstrators and the Gendarmerie Forces, was approached by two individuals dressed in civilian clothing who asked him to leave the scene and threatened to assault him.

Egypt / Gender / Tunisia

Egyptian rights organisations outraged over publication of advertisement "defaming the name and reputation" of Tunisian activist

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The following is a 30 December 2008 press release by ANHRI, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) and other Egyptian human rights organisations:

Brazil

Court rescinds semi-release for journalist's convicted killer

(RSF/IFEX) - A Rio de Janeiro court that oversees sentence implementation has reversed a decision to put Cláudio Orlando "Ratinho" de Nascimento, one of the convicted killers of Rede Globo television reporter Tim Lopes, on a semi-release regime that let him out of prison by day to visit relatives and friends. The prison administration granted "Ratinho" semi-release in December 2008 as he had fulfilled the legal requirement by completing a sixth of his sentence with good behaviour. But Judge Rafael Estrela quashed the decision on the grounds that he escaped while serving a previous sentence for another crime.

Russia

Journalist dies in hospital after being shot in the head with rubber bullets

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 13 January 2009 CPJ press release:

Gabon

Two journalists released provisionally, still face trial on "propaganda" charges

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders notes that Gaston Asseko, the technical director of radio Sainte-Marie, and the three leading civil society members held in the same case were released provisionally on 12 January 2009 as was a police officer who was arrested with them. "Tendance Gabon" editor Léon Dieudonné Kougou, who was arrested with Asseko on 30 December 2008, was released provisionally on 7 January.

Saint Vincent and Grenadines

Photographer detained for six hours for taking pictures of fire

(RSF/IFEX) - The three leading weekly newspapers of Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines - "The News", "Searchlight" and "The Vincentian" - published editorials on 9 January 2009 criticising the police and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves' government for the arrest of Jeff Trotman, a journalist of Guyanese origin who has worked for "The Vincentian" since 1997.

Nepal

Four people arrested in connection with journalist's murder; another female journalist receives death threats

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 12 January 2009 CPJ press release:

Mexico

Molotov cocktails thrown at Oaxaca newspaper editor's home

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns an attack on the home of Carlos Velasco Molina, editor of the weekly "El Correo de Oaxaca", in the southwestern city of Oaxaca in the early hours of 9 January 2009. Two Molotov cocktails were thrown at his house, starting a fire but causing no injuries. Fearing the possibility of violence, Velasco had moved his family to a different location a few weeks ago.

International

Freedom retreats in much of the world in 2008, says Freedom House annual report

(Freedom House/IFEX) - The following is a 12 January 2009 Freedom House press release:

Swaziland

Newspaper columnist harassed, apologises to King

(MISA/IFEX) - On 12 January 2009, Mfomfo Nkambule, a popular columnist with the privately owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper, succumbed to persistent harassment by state police and traditional authorities and publicly apologised to King Mswati III for his recently published series of articles which were highly critical of the king and his leadership style.

Gabon

One journalist released, a second transferred to prison despite medical concerns

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 January 2009 CPJ press release:

Bahrain

Activist prevented from speaking at mosque after criticising ruling elite

(BCHR/IFEX) - For two weeks in a row, reforms activist Hasan Mushaima has been prevented from reaching the Al-Sadeq mosque in the capital city of Manama, where he used to deliver a speech after the Friday evening prayers. Heavily armed foreign mercenaries were deployed to take over the area of the mosque, preventing its caretaker from opening it for prayers and blocking those who attend the mosque from entering its parking lot.

Liberia

Sports journalist assaulted by police officer

(CEMESP/IFEX) - On 8 January 2009, a Liberia National Police officer physically assaulted a sports journalist who was covering a football match at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia.

Nepal

Journalist and women's rights activist brutally murdered

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced shock and horror at the brutal murder of journalist and human rights activist Uma Singh, 26, a correspondent for the "Janakpur Today" daily and Radio Today FM.

Palestine / Israel

Israeli military bombs building housing news organisations

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 10 January 2009 IFJ media release:

Argentina

Journalist assaulted, receives death threat in Quilmes

(FOPEA /IFEX) - On 29 December 2008, at approximately 8:00 p.m. (local time), journalist Roberto Carrigall, editor of the "El Mástil Digital" online newspaper, in Quilmes, Buenos Aires, was threatened and physically and verbally assaulted by two individuals with probable links to Marcelo Iglesias, a former Quilmes transit system official. Iglesias was director of the transit system when Sergio Villordo, of the Peronist Party (Partido Justicialista), was the mayor of Quilmes.

Brazil

Newspaper team threatened in Bahia, prevented from leaving area where they were covering a story

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - On 29 December 2008, a reporter and a photographer from the "A Tarde" newspaper were prevented from leaving a hospital parking lot in Simões Filho, a city in the Bahia state countryside. They were blocked by two municipal security guards for over thirty minutes. They went to the hospital to investigate a complaint about the hospital's facilities that was filed by surgeon Rogério Mendes.

Zimbabwe

Tortured, kidnapped journalist remanded in custody

(MISA/IFEX) - Freelance photojournalist Anderson Shadreck Manyere, who is being charged with banditry, was, on 9 January 2009, remanded in custody to 23 January after Harare magistrate Olivia Mariga threw out defence applications for a refusal of remand.

Ethiopia

Parliament enacts new law on NGOs, Human Rights Watch concerned over restrictions on freedom of expression and association

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an 8 January 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Spain

AMARC concerned over proposed broadcasting legislation in Canary Islands that excludes community radio stations

(AMARC/IFEX) - On 19 December 2008, the Canary Islands government publicised a proposed broadcasting law which fails to recognise the existence of community radio stations and contains no mention of whether non-profit groups will be able to gain access to broadcasting frequencies.

Cameroon

Journalist sentenced to three years imprisonment for "spreading false news"

(RSF/IFEX) - On 9 January 2009, Reporters Without Borders condemned a three-year prison sentence handed down to Lewis Medjo, managing editor of the weekly "La Détente libre", and urged the authorities to allow him bail. He has been in Douala central prison in the west of the country since 22 September 2008.

Palestine / Israel

Two Israeli channels, BBC permitted brief access to Gaza strip; IFJ denounces "cynical attempt to ensure that media tell the story from the Israeli side only"

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

Peru

Radio journalists the most frequent target of aggression, says IPYS report

(IPYS/IFEX) - The following is an abridged version of a 5 January 2009 IPYS press release:

Vietnam

Two newspaper editors fired as government stifles dissent and criticism

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is an 8 January 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

China

Opposition magazine editor sentenced to six years in prison for "subverting state authority"

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders deplores the six-year prison sentence that a court in Hangzhou (in the eastern province of Zhejiang) passed on 8 January 2009 on leading dissident Wang Rongqing for continuing to organise the China Democracy Party after it was banned, publishing an opposition magazine and posting many outspoken articles online. Convicted of "subverting state authority," Wang is in poor health, his family says.

Pakistan

Security guards assault television news reporter

(PPF/IFEX) - On 6 January 2009, Ahmad Faraz, a crime reporter for Pakistan's leading television network "Geo News", was assaulted by security personnel from the EME Society, which is governed by the Defence Housing Authority, in Lahore.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Newspaper editor released after serving 10-month sentence for "insulting the head of state"

(JED/IFEX) - Nsimba Embete Ponte, editor of the Kinshasa-based bi-weekly "L'Interprète", was released from prison on 7 January 2009 after serving a 10-month sentence.

Ecuador

Investigation reveals irregularities in the granting of broadcasting frequencies

(AMARC/IFEX) - On 22 December 2008, the Coordinator for Popular and Educational Radio in Ecuador (Coordinadora de Radios Populares y Educativas del Ecuador, CORAPE) presented its investigation entitled "From media concentration to the democratisation of the broadcasting spectrum", which reveals numerous irregularities in the way that radio and television licences were granted to nine business groups between 2003 and 2008. The report can be found at (spanish only): http://legislaciones.item.org.uy/index?q=node/871 .

Turkey

Editor faces five years in prison for "revealing information on state security"

(BIANET/IFEX) - Demir, an editor for the Istanbul-based national daily "Taraf", has been charged with "revealing information on state security". He could face 5 years behind bars if found guilty by Istanbul's 13th High Criminal Court.

Turkey

Publisher ordered to pay fine instead of going to jail for "defaming and belittling the state"

(BIANET/IFEX) - Fatih Tas, the former owner of Aram Publishers, was charged with "defaming and belittling the state" and sentenced to five months in prison by an Istanbul criminal court for publishing a biography of Nazim Babaoglu, a Kurdish journalist who disappeared while in police custody. The court, however, converted the sentence to a fine of TRY 1,650 (approx. US$1,100).

Zimbabwe

Government imposes steep new fees on foreign media

(MISA/IFEX) - The government has gazetted steep new fees under the repressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The move will see foreign-based media houses fork out more than US$30,000 in application and permission to operate fees.

Sri Lanka

Outspoken newspaper editor shot dead in Colombo

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged by the murder of "Sunday Leader" editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, who was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle as he drove to work on the morning of 8 January 2009 in Colombo.

Iran

Human Rights Watch releases report on freedom of expression in Kurdish areas, urges end to repression

(HRW/IFEX) - The following is a 7 January 2009 Human Rights Watch press release:

Thailand

Government blocks thousands of websites that "insult the monarchy", plans to block hundreds more

(SEAPA/IFEX) - Thai authorities have blocked 2,300 websites for allegedly insulting the country's monarchy, with 400 more awaiting a court order to restrict them, media reports said.

Kazakhstan

Editor taken from hospital by government agents, held incommunicado

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 7 January 2009 press release:

International / Belgium

Belgian prosecutors dismiss complaint brought by European Anti-Fraud Office against journalist

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 January 2009 media release of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), an IFJ regional group:

Azerbaijan

Journalist injured during protest, camera confiscated, broken

(IRFS/IFEX) - On 7 January 2009 "Yeni Musavat" newspaper correspondent Afgan Mukhtarli faced pressure when police dispersed a group of religious people who had gathered in front of the Israeli Embassy to Azerbaijan to protest the incidents in Gaza. According to Mukhitarli, the protest, which was conducted without permission from Baku City Executive Power, was dispersed by the Yasamal District Police Department. Police used force against the media representatives and other participants.

Mexico

TV network studios target of grenade attack

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders hopes for quick results from the investigation into a 6 January 2009 armed attack in Monterrey (in the northeastern state of Nuevo León), in which gunmen threw a grenade and opened fire on the regional studios of the privately-owned national TV network Televisa and left a message criticising media coverage of drug trafficking. The national Attorney General's Office (Procuraduría General de la República, PGR) is leading the investigation.

Swaziland

Columnist censored, threatened after criticizing the king

(MISA/IFEX) - On 5 January 2009, Mfomfo Nkambule, a columnist with the privately-owned "Times of Swaziland" newspaper was censored by state police who interrogated him concerning his weekly articles which are often critical of the king and his leadership.

Brazil

Another of journalist's convicted murderers gets partial release

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is shocked by the 30 December 2008 announcement that Cláudio Orlando "O Ratinho" do Nascimento, like Claudino "Xuxa" dos Santos Coelho before him, has been granted a partial release for "good behaviour." The two men, known members of a Rio de Janeiro gang, were sentenced in 2005 to 23 years and six months in prison for the June 2002 murder of TV Globo reporter Tim Lopes.

Peru

Unidentified individuals buy up copies of newspaper to prevent public from learning about fuel trafficking allegations

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 3 January 2009, a group of unidentified individuals bought up copies of the "Perú 21" newspaper from newsstands in the district of Chosica, east of Lima, to stop the public from learning about allegations of fuel trafficking involving authorities and 27 police officers in the district.

Algeria / Israel / Palestine

Cameraman dies as result of air strike while filming in Gaza

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

International

Iraq, India and Mexico most dangerous places for journalists in 2008, says IFJ

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 31 December 2008 IFJ media release:

Gabon

Two journalists detained for reporting on embezzlement charges against the president

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is deeply disturbed by the detention of two journalists and three leading civil society members at the Libreville headquarters of the criminal investigation police. The five have been held for the past week - longer than the legal period for police custody - without any explanation being given. Other journalists have recently been questioned in connection with the case.

International

CAPSULE REPORT: Better figures in 2008 mask a hostile climate for journalists, more Internet repression, says RSF

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

Egypt

Newspaper forced to remove article critical of president

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) fiercely condemns officials from Al-Ahram Press for their refusal to print the latest edition of the opposition weekly "Sout al-Ummah," until its editor, Dr. Abdel Halim Kandil, had removed his article criticising the president and Egypt's stance on the crisis in Gaza.

Brazil

Journalist and newspaper win in lawsuits brought against them by Universal Church

(ABRAJI/IFEX) - Every lawsuit that has been brought by members of the Universal Church against journalist Elvira Lobato, who works for the "Folha de São Paulo" newspaper, has thus far been won by the journalist.

Pakistan

Newspaper correspondent's home destroyed by blast in Swat Valley

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the federal and provincial authorities to provide emergency aid to Hameedullah Khan, a correspondent of the "Dawn" newspaper and Dawn TV in the Swat Valley (in North-West Frontier Province), whose home in the village of Shakar Darra has been destroyed by an explosion.

Burma

Press Scrutiny Board censors magazine cover design, forces media outlets to publish propaganda

(Mizzima/IFEX) - The January issue of the "Myanmar Thit" monthly magazine, which was resubmitted with a new cover design after its earlier version with a portrait of the late UN secretary general U Thant was rejected, has yet to be cleared by the Press Scrutiny Board (censor board), the Rangoon-based media circle said.

International

2008 a year of contrasts for the press and freedom of expression, says IAPA president

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 29 December 2008 IAPA press release:

International

CPJ report shows worldwide total of work-related deaths of journalists is down

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 January 2009 CPJ press release:

Palestine / Israel

Reporter detained, media targeted by military forces

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 6 January 2009 IFJ media release:

Ghana

Journalists driven out of press conference

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 30 December 2008 a group of journalists from Accra and Kumasi were on driven out of a press conference organized by Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party (NPP)'s presidential candidate.

Palestine / Israel

Palestinian news media targeted by Israel in Gaza

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

Zimbabwe

Journalists facing treason charges need medical attention before legal proceedings, say lawyers

(MISA/IFEX) - Lawyers representing Zimbabwe Peace Project director Jestina Mukoko and freelance photojournalist Shadreck Manyere on 5 January 2009 argued for the suspension of proceedings against their clients at the Magistrates' Courts pending the outcome of an appeal filed with the High Court before Justice Mary-Ann Gowora.

Tunisia

Plusieurs journalistes victimes d'attaques et intimidations par les autorités alors qu'ils couvraient des manifestations

(OLPEC/IFEX) - Ci-dessous, un communiqué de presse de l'OLPEC daté du 31 décembre 2008:

Sri Lanka

TV and radio station target of arson attack causing extensive damage

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

India

Two journalists held by authorities on defamation charges

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

Iraq / United States

Journalist critically injured following shots by US military

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 January 2009 CPJ press release:

Philippines

Journalist survives attempt on his life following attack by unidentified gunmen

(CMFR/IFEX) - A Filipino radio broadcaster survived an attack by unknown gunmen in Kalibo town, Aklan on 2 January 2009. Kalibo is the capital of Aklan, a province approximately 356 km south of Manila.

Somalia

Two journalists kidnapped in Somalia released

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The following is a 4 January 2009 joint statement by NUSOJ and Reporters Without Borders:

Somalia

CAPSULE REPORT: Life and livelihood of journalists in danger, says NUSOJ Annual Report

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The following is 28 December 2008 NUSOJ press release:

Uruguay

Senate approves modifications to Press Law

(AMARC/IFEX) - The Uruguayan Senate has approved a bill that provides for modifications to several articles of the country's press law, in addition to articles in the Criminal Code. The modifications include significant elements affecting defamation and the offence of "insult to authorities" (desacato).

Tunisia

Journalist Slim Boukhdhir faces new harassment, intimidation by authorities

(OLPEC/IFEX) - The following is a 25 December 2008 OLPEC press release:

Cuba

CPJ renews its call for the immediate release of jailed journalists

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 31 December 2008 CPJ letter to Raúl Castro Ruz:

Peru

IPYS files complaint against judge who sentenced journalist

(IPYS/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated version of a 26 December 2008 IPYS press release:

Swaziland

Journalist attacked, threatened with death

(MISA/IFEX) - On 26 December 2008, Ackel Zwane, a news editor for the privately-owned newspaper "The Swazi Observer", was attacked by a knife-wielding man who managed to cut him once, claiming that the journalist wrote negatively about his father, a well-known church bishop in Swaziland.

Indonesia

CAPSULE REPORT: 2008 not a bright year for press freedom, says AJI

(AJI/IFEX) - The year 2008 was not a bright year for press freedom in Indonesia. Ten years after reform was introduced, press freedom in the country was again threatened by various new acts of legislation. During 2008, a series of new laws relating to the press was passed by the government, including Law No. 10 Year 2008 on General Elections, Law No. 11 Year 2008 on Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE), Law No. 14 Year 2008 on Freedom to Access Public Information (KMIP) and Law No. 44 Year 2008 on Pornography.

Azerbaijan

Journalist's request for release from prison rejected

(IRFS/IFEX) - On 29 December 2008, in Prison #10, under the chairmanship of Narimanov District Judge Elshana Valiyeva, a hearing was held to consider the possibility of an early release for "Azadlig" newspaper satirist and journalist Sakit Zahidov. Zahidov's defence lawyer Isakhan Ashurov told the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety that the hearing took place in the service room of the "Hearings on the case were biased," said Ashurov. "The judge stated that the lawsuit against Sakit Zahidov was not fulfilled because he does not consider himself guilty of the crime he committed."

Venezuela

Globovisión station target of teargas attack by radical group

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the 1 January 2009 teargas attack on the Caracas headquarters of privately-owned television news station Globovisión. Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by La Piedrita, a radical group based in the west Caracas slum of 23 de Enero that has also claimed responsibility for previous attacks on news media critical of President Hugo Chávez's government.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Censorship, self-censorship greatest threats to press freedom in 2008, says JED

(JED/IFEX) - The following is an abridged 23 December 2008 JED press release:

Philippines

Journalist jailed for libel released from prison

(CMFR/IFEX) - A Davao broadcaster was released on 23 December 2008 after spending almost two years in prison in Davao del Norte following his conviction on charges of libel. Davao is a province located approximately 946 km south of Manila. Libel is a criminal offence in the Philippines.

Azerbaijan

IRFS condemns decision to cease FM broadcasts of foreign radio stations, calls for decision to be reversed

(IRFS/IFEX) - The Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) resolutely condemns the 30 December 2008 decision of Azerbaijan's National Television and Radio Council (NTRC) to cease the FM broadcasts of Azerbaijan's three foreign radio broadcasters, Radio Free Europe (RFERL), Voice of America (VOA) and the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), as of 1 January 2009, and also condemns the government of Azerbaijan for embracing this decision.

Kenya

President ratifies "reactionary and repressive" media law

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is stunned to learn that President Mwai Kibaki signed the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill 2008 into law on 2 January 2009. "This is a major step backwards in the history of press freedom in Kenya," Reporters Without Borders said. "We have for weeks been joining Kenyan journalists in denouncing this bill's reactionary and repressive nature. We do not understand President Kibaki's decision, which will seriously undermine civil liberties in his country."

Ghana

Two radio journalists assaulted by political party supporters, another by police officer

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 28 December 2008, Alex Kobina Mensah, a journalist with Joy FM, an Accra-based independent radio station, was allegedly assaulted by supporters of Ghana's main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in Ashaiman, a town in the Greater Accra Region. The NDC supporters apparently were displeased with a report prepared by Mensah.

Ghana

Three journalists receive death threats, several others attacked, harassed by political party supporters

(MFWA/IFEX) - On 31 December 2008, Metropolitan Television (Metro TV), an Accra-based independent television station, filed a complaint at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service about threats and physical attacks on its personnel by supporters of the two main political parties in the country.

Pakistan

Newspaper offices stormed by armed men, staff told to be prepared for "extreme consequences"

(PPF/IFEX) - On 1 January 2009, over thirty armed men belonging to the Sindh Nationalist Front (SNF) political party stormed the offices of the Sindhi-language daily "Awami Awaz" and threatened its staff.

Somalia

Radio reporter gunned down by member of pro-government militia

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders is outraged by the 1 January 2009 murder of Radio Shabelle reporter Hassan Mayow Hassan, who was gunned down by a member of a pro-government militia in Afgooye, 30 kilometres south of Mogadishu.

Azerbaijan

Journalists face criminal lawsuit brought against them by politician

(IRFS/IFEX) - On 30 December 2008, in the Binagadi District Court chaired by Judge M. Kazimov, a hearing was conducted into a lawsuit brought by the chairman of the Adalat Party, parliamentarian Ilyas Ismayilov, against journalist Faramaz Novruzoglu (Allahverdiyev), an advisor for "Nota" newspaper, and Ilham Tumas (Agayev), the editor-in-chief of "24 Saat" newspaper. The lawsuit is based on articles 147 and 148 of the Criminal Code, referring to insult and libel.

Ecuador

Reporter receives death threats, flees region, IACHR intercedes in case

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders welcomes a decision by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to grant protection to reporter Marlon Torres of Radio Sucumbíos, in the northeastern province of Sucumbíos. Harassed and threatened since 9 November 2008 and the target of a murder attempt on 22 December, Torres fled from Sucumbíos on Christmas Eve after learning that a price had been put on his head, the Andean Foundation for the Observation and Study of the Media (Fundación Andina para la Observación y Estudio de los Medios, Fundamedios) reported. A year earlier, Torres also had to leave the Shushufindi district as a result of his reporting on political disputes in the area. The IACHR has asked the justice ministry to aid in protecting Torres.