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Alerts - 2010 - October-December

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Belarus

More newsroom raids as crackdown continues

Security agents raided offices shared by the weekly "Nasha Niva" and the Belarusian PEN Center, and politician Andrei Sannikov has reportedly been tortured in detention.

Croatia

Four suspects in brutal attack on "Jutarnji List" journalist Dusan Miljus captured

IPI is pleased to hear about the detention of the alleged perpetrators, but notes that the mastermind behind the attack still needs to be identified.

Tunisia

Two journalists arrested in relation to Sidi Bouzid riots

Mouldi Zouabi was detained while covering a gathering organised by lawyers at the Jendouba courthouse, while Ammar Amroussia was arrested by police in Gafsa.

Brazil

Newspaper files lawsuit against satirical blog

The Falha de São Paulo blog has been shut down and the "Folha de São Paulo" newspaper has launched a lawsuit against it for "illegal use of a brand name".

Ecuador

Magazine prevented from recovering information from seized hard drives

On two occasions, personnel from "Vanguardia" magazine have not been allowed to access information contained on confiscated computers, despite a judge's order allowing them to do so.

Turkey

Television station fined for broadcasting discussion on homosexuality

The Radio and Television Supreme Council fined the HabertUrk television station after it broadcast a discussion with an actor who plays a homosexual character on a television series.

Burma

Photographer sentenced to eight years in prison

According to Sithu Zeya's legal adviser, no evidence or testimony was presented at his trial and the judges reached their verdict based on a confession extracted under torture.

Ecuador

CONATEL determines that radio station critical of the government should be shut down

The owner of the station believes that the refusal to renew his broadcast licence is related to his criticism of the government.

Honduras

Another journalist gunned down, 10th in 2010, motive not yet known

Henry Suazo, a correspondent in La Ceiba for the HRN radio station, was gunned down as he left his home.

Bahrain

Court refuses to investigate detained activists' complaints of torture, attempts to assign new defence lawyers

With abundant indications that the defendants have been tortured, the court should take action to ensure the fairness of the trial, says ANHRI.

China / Tibet (China)

Several journalists receive harsh sentences one year after Liu Xiaobo's trial

Journalist Memetjan Abdulla was sentenced to life in prison for translating and posting articles on the plight of Uyghurs.

Honduras

Community radio station correspondents released, face legal action for "disobedience"

Elia Hernández and Elba Rubio, who had bruises on various parts of their bodies at the time of their release, are now facing criminal proceedings.

Belarus

CPJ demands end to assault on press

Government agents confiscated equipment from the offices of Evroradio, raided the Belsat television channel's premises and searched the home of journalist Irina Khalip.

China

Reporter dies 10 days after being beaten

Authorities dismissed journalism-related motives for the attack, but colleagues said Sun Hongjie often wrote stories critical of the local government.

Nepal

Attacks on journalists continue

Reporter Partha Mandal and his family were assaulted after he covered a story about illegal trade in Bhadrapur, in the district of Jhapa.

Hungary

Journalists question Hungary's leadership of Europe as media law provokes outrage

Parliamentarians in Budapest agreed to create a new media council which will have the power to fine newspapers if they don't provide "balanced coverage".

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist Robert Shemahamba released after 10 days in custody, another journalist reported missing

Dominique Kalonzo was reportedly involved in an altercation with National Intelligence Agency agents sent to arrest him and has subsequently gone missing.

Venezuela

Laws approved by legislature pose serious threats to free speech, civil society, says Human Rights Watch

One of the laws blocks human rights defenders from receiving international support and limits dialogue with foreign experts who are critical of the president's policies.

Thailand

Government lifts emergency decree in Bangkok, three provinces

The army commander-in-chief was quoted as having said that the emergency decree could be invoked again should the situation demand it.

Burma

Censor board limits publication of Suu Kyi stories, photos

Several journals have been refused permission to publish feature stories or interviews with the recently-released opposition leader.

Cambodia

New penal code undercuts free speech, says Human Rights Watch

Seng Kunnaka, an employee of the United Nations World Food Programme, was sentenced to six months in jail for sharing web articles with co-workers.

United States

Communication commission adopts weak Internet openness rules

The "net neutrality" rules set broad principles but provide limited protection to users and providers of information or services.

Mexico

Journalist's house, car shot at in Cárdenas, Tabasco

José Rosario Olán Hernández said that the magazine he edits has published articles criticising several municipal councillors and civil servants.

Tunisia

Police violently prevent journalists from covering Sidi Bouzid riots

Journalist Zouhayr Makhlouf was assaulted by the police in front of his home, while his daughter and wife were watching, for not complying with orders to not go to Sidi Bouzid.

Zimbabwe

First lady sues weekly for quoting WikiLeaks cable

"The Standard" newspaper quoted a US diplomatic cable that accused Grace Mugabe of involvement in diamond trafficking.

Nepal

Journalists attacked and threatened

"Kantipur" and "The Kathmandu Post" correspondent Devnarayan Saha was attacked and received a death threat after reporting on a student protest.

Uganda

Journalist assaulted at campaign rally

Drake Kizito was assaulted by supporters of member of parliament candidate Peter Claver Mutuluza at a campaign rally in the Mpigi district.

Venezuela

CPJ condemns two media laws

"These reforms, passed without any debate, are a clear attempt by the Venezuelan government to further its clampdown on critics and independent media," says CPJ.

Argentina

FOPEA concerned over serious police actions against photographer in Rosario

Police personnel detained, beat and issued death threats against Alejandro Guerrero.

Azerbaijan

Newspaper staff launches hunger strike to protest fine

"Khural" newspaper was ordered to pay $12,500 after it lost a lawsuit against a local official.

Belarus

Crackdown on the press continues, with journalists arrested, sentenced

Photojournalist Aleksandr Astafyev was sentenced to 10 days in jail and is currently on a hunger strike to protest the authorities' actions.

Venezuela

National Assembly approves legal reform allowing for regulation of Internet

Under the new provisions, broadcast and electronic media outlets could face heavy fines and suspensions.

The Gambia

Six years after journalist's murder, authorities urged to let media breathe

Deyda Hydara's murder and the promulgation of the 2004 laws ended an era in which the privately-owned media could stand up to the government, RSF said.

Syria

Human Rights Watch calls on authorities to free activist who criticised Iran

Ali Al-'Abdallah finished serving a 30-month sentence but was then charged for statements he made from his prison cell instead of being released.

Sudan

Police attack journalist, confiscate his equipment, delete photos

Security officers attacked BBC correspondent James Copnall as he was reporting on a demonstration and the ensuing arrests.

Ecuador

Magazine's equipment seized during police operation

"I hope for the good of the country that this is not some kind of reprisal against us and our editorial line", said the magazine's editor.

Palestine

Intelligence Service raids Pal Media headquarters, arrests two journalists

Intelligence Service personnel detained cameraman Akram Natshe and correspondent Mamdouh Hamamreh without providing an arrest warrant.

Rwanda

Presidential adviser should retract accusation against editor

Presidential security adviser Richard Rutatina accused editor Nelson Gatsimbazi of working with "enemies of the state" during a forum on human rights.

Sudan

Human rights activist detained for organising women's rights meeting

Security agents detained Abdul Bassit Mirghani after he tried to organise a solidarity march to protest the government's harsh treatment of women.

Egypt

Muslim cleric issues fatwa against potential presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei

ANHRI condemns the issuing of a fatwa that calls for ElBaradei to retract statements he has made or face imprisonment or death.

Bahrain

Authorities arrest prominent activist

Mohammed Hasan Jawad was arrested after he raised a banner showing pictures of arrested activists and human rights defenders.

Brazil

IACHR rules that State violated right to information of families of disappeared

"This is a victory for the right to know and the right to truth," ARTICLE 19 said.

Belarus

Dozens of journalists beaten, arrested in post-election crackdown

Security police have arrested at least 20 journalists and beaten at least 20 more according to local news reports.

China

Newspaper reporter in coma after beating in Xinjiang

Sun Hongjie's colleagues insist that it was not, as the police are claiming, an ordinary case of violent robbery or a brawl outside a bar.

Côte d'Ivoire

Pro-Ouattara newspapers back on newsstands in Abidjan

RSF nonetheless continues to be very worried about the media's ability to operate in the country.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist detained by intelligence officials

According to a local journalist, Robert Shemahamba is under arrest for having allowed his radio guests to criticise the Head of State's speech.

Côte d'Ivoire

Local and international media hit by battle between rival camps for control of news

Members of the Security Operations Command Centre turned their Kalashnikovs on a France 2 crew, who were forced to lie on the ground while their equipment was taken.

Armenia

Authorities deny licence for critical voice despite court judgment

A1+ television station's application for a broadcast licence has been denied for the 13th time, despite an ECHR ruling that previous denials violated freedom of expression.

Ghana

Court issues arrest warrant for radio journalist

Journalist Prince William Baffour was previously detained by police and charged with "publishing information with the intention to cause fear or harm to the public or to disturb the public peace."

Belarus

Writer and former Belarusian PEN President, Vladimir Neklyaev, arrested and beaten

Vladimir Neklyaev was kidnapped from the hospital where he was taken after being beaten by security agents during post-election protests; his whereabouts are unknown.

Belarus

Thousands protest flawed election; access to independent media blocked

Attempts by authorities to suppress voices of opposition during and after the election have extinguished any hope for a free and fair process, according to Freedom House.

Indonesia

Editor found dead under suspicious circumstances

Alfrets Mirulewan, chief editor of the "Pelangi Weekly", had been looking into allegations of unlawful fuel sales.

Moldova

Journalist sentenced to 15 years for espionage in Transdniester region

In a closed hearing, the Supreme Court of the unrecognised separatist Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic convicted Ernest Vardanian of high treason and ordered him to a penal colony.

Taiwan

Authorities refuse broadcasting license to Next TV, legislators threaten stricter Internet regulations

IPI expressed concerns about the National Communication Committee's failure to promote press freedom.

International

News media and websites censored and blocked for carrying leaked cables

"Attempts to block the dissemination of sensitive material that is already widely available on the Internet are doomed to failure and violate the right to be informed," says RSF.

Egypt

Palestinian filmmaker arrested just prior to debut of his film on situation in Gaza

State Security Intelligence officers arrested Abdullah Awad elGhool a day before he was to travel to the United Arab Emirates for the debut of his film at the Dubai Film Festival.

Venezuela

NGO director attacked, threatened

Individuals believed to be supporters of President Chávez struck and threatened to kill Carlos Correa, director of the freedom of expression organisation Espacio Público.

Tajikistan

Independent journalist arrested on defamation, insult charges

A local media association said they believe Makhmadyusuf Ismoilov was arrested in retaliation for his critical reporting on the government, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.

The Gambia

Editor tortured under dictatorship of President Jammeh wins case at ECOWAS Court

The regional court ruled that the arrest of Musa Saidykhan and subsequent detention by the authorities were illegal and violated his right to personal liberty and a fair hearing.

Thailand

Government urged to respect netizens' rights

The Thai Netizens Network said the government has been using the emergency decree to justify its censorship of more than 10,000 websites.

Swaziland

Criminal defamation case against "Nation" magazine, editor postponed

A case in which the privately-owned "Nation" magazine and its editor, Bheki Makhubu, have been charged with criminal defamation was postponed until 2011.

Mongolia

Newspaper and journalist face legal action over publication of human trafficking allegations

The "Zuunii Medee" newspaper and journalist Bolormaa Damdinsuren are facing a lawsuit and criminal charges respectively for accusing a businessman of buying teenaged girls.

Tonga

Government and media must support complaints process, says PFF after shutdown of radio station

PFF believes that an open and transparent media complaints process could have kept 12 media workers employed and a controversial FM radio station on the air.

Turkey

"Taraf" newspaper contributor on trial for interviewing leader of refugee group

The hearing in Nese Duzel's case was one of 37 involving "Taraf" newspaper employees in the Kadikoy Court on 10 December.

Colombia

Journalists assaulted, threatened in Pereira, Risaralda

Carol Viviana Usquiano and Daniel Restrepo were threatened and assaulted while covering a hearing in a criminal case at the Justice Department headquarters.

Cuba

Like Nobel ceremony, Sakharov Prize ceremony has empty chair

Guillermo "El Coco" Fariñas Hernández has not been allowed to leave Cuba.

Pakistan

Authorities must act to stop Balochistan murders, says IFJ

Mohammad Khan Sasol, a correspondent with "Daily Balochistan Times" and DawnNews TV, is the sixth journalist to be reported killed in Balochistan this year.

Sierra Leone

Minister orders arrest of several newspaper journalists

Abdul Rahman Kamara, Razrok Wurie, Sheik Unisa Thoronka and Alfred Koroma have been released on bail.

Papua New Guinea

PFF calls on government officials to reinstate senior news editor, let media do its work

Dorah Masseung was "relieved" of her duties after officials alleged the National Broadcasting Corporation had been "biased in its reporting on current political activities."

Peru

IAPA deplores court ruling against press freedom

The court ruling prohibits the press from publishing telephone conversations without permission from a judge or the people involved.

Venezuela

Media reforms would be a blow to freedom of expression

One proposed bill would expand broadcast regulations to the Internet, while a second would force Globovisión off the air.

International

WikiLeaks and internet companies

ARTICLE 19 is concerned by the political pressure authorities are exerting on internet companies, to force them to deny provision of services to WikiLeaks without prior authorisation from a court.

Iran

Authorities jail seven journalists, sentence another, send Blogfather back to prison

Veteran journalist Mashallah Shamsolvaezin has been sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Burkina Faso

Call to combat impunity on 12th anniversary of journalist's murder

On the 12th anniversary of newspaper editor Norbert Zongo's murder, RSF urges authorities to relaunch the investigation into his death.

China

Police witness assault on journalists, refuse to investigate

A group of journalists travelled to Zhao Lianhai's house to investigate rumours he had been released on medical parole.

Kuwait

Local Al Jazeera office shut down

The broadcaster's office was closed and its journalists' licences revoked after it reported on a security raid against opposition MPs.

Philippines

Massacre victim's family watched by unknown men

The Nunez family reportedly saw two men on a motorcycle outside their Cagayan de Oro home several times.

Turkey

Writer sentenced to 10 months in prison

Writer Nevin Berktas was convicted on charges of "propaganda for an illegal organisation".

Haiti

RSF urges supporters of political factions to refrain from turning media into hostages

RSF is concerned about the dangers for Haitian and foreign journalists in the turmoil that has shaken the country since the widely disputed general election.

Lebanon

Five years after journalist's assassination, no progress made in investigation

On 12 December 2005, Lebanese journalist and MP Gebran Tueni was killed by a car bomb on his way to work.

Iraq

Journalist killed, media prevented from working

Omar Rassim al-Qayssi died of injuries he received in a car bomb.

Belarus

Journalists, media outlets harassed in run-up to presidential vote

Authorities must stop harassing independent media outlets and journalists and allow them to cover the presidential elections without fear of reprisal, CPJ said.

Azerbaijan

Opposition journalist attacked

Ramid Ibragimov, a reporter for the newspaper "Bizim Yol", was beaten up while taking photographs for an article on a controversial building project.

Lebanon

Newspaper website hacked after posting WikiLeaks documents

Beirut-based "Al-Akhbar" is the only Lebanese newspaper that has published original WikiLeak documents about Arab countries.

Peru

Journalists attacked in Chiclayo

The journalists were attacked when they tried to interview a political candidate after his defeat in the regional elections.

Turkey

Two newspaper editors on trial

Mustafa Kemal Celik and Ercan Atay are both facing charges of "praising a crime and a criminal" after they published news relating to the PKK.

Peru

Mayoral candidate threatens journalist

Flavio Flores Silva reported that a Brazilian company might have given money to the candidate's party.

Colombia

Journalist threatened in Sabana de Torres, Santander

Ramón Sandoval Rodríguez, the editor of "El Sabanero", thinks the death threats are related to the newspaper's recent investigation of corruption in the municipal government.

Tunisia

Taoufik Ben Brik's son harassed and threatened by police officers

The police officers threatened to shave the head of the 14 year-old boy and force him to enroll in the military.

Thailand

Reuters reports government finds military involved in journalist death

Investigators now believe that troops may have been responsible for the shooting death of Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto.

Angola

New state security law restricts freedom of expression, says Human Rights Watch

According to Human Rights Watch, the new law falls short of Angola's international legal obligations.

Jordan

Former parliamentary candidate arrested, detained for peaceful expression

Tahir Nassar, who unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the 9 November elections, was charged with "stirring up sectarian strife" in his election manifesto.

China

Media group bans journalists from speaking of Xiaobo case

The country's largest and influential media groups warned journalists not to make mention of 2010 Nobel Peace Laureate Liu Xiaobo.

Russia

Court overturns journalist's defamation conviction

The Khimki City Court has overturned the defamation conviction of editor Mikhail Beketov, a verdict that had been condemned in Russia and abroad.

Egypt

Grim day of violent attacks on the media in second round of polling

RSF recorded numerous cases of deliberate obstruction of journalists trying to cover the second round of legislative elections.

Russia

CPJ calls for clear information on progress in solving Togliatti murders

Investigations into the murders of Valery Ivanov and Aleksei Sidorov, editors of the "Tolyattinskoye Obozreniye" newspaper, have repeatedly stalled.

Venezuela

Sentence against journalist annulled

An appeals court overturned a decision that sentenced Francisco "Pancho" Perez to more than three years in jail and disqualified him from practicing journalism.

Saudi Arabia

News website blocked after posting story on WikiLeaks documents

The news website "Elaph" published documents revealing that a Saudi diplomat had urged the United States to attack Iran.

Libya

CPJ alarmed by news agency's decision to shut down operation in Libya

Libya Press informed its reporters that it could no longer offer protection for them because of "intensified security harassment".

El Salvador

ARTICLE 19 applauds adoption of Access to Public Information Law

President Mauricio Funes was urged to immediately sign and implement the legislation.

Turkey

Former women's magazine editor arrested, faces 21 years in prison

Berivan Eker, former editor-in-chief of "Renge Heviya Jine", was arrested on charges of "spreading propaganda for an illegal organisation".

Venezuela

Banking authorities approve dissolution of Globovisión shareholding company

The decision means that Hugo Chávez's government now controls one fifth of the station's shares.

Sri Lanka

Reporters covering attack on opposition politician assaulted

Lanka E News journalist Shantha Wijesuriya and Sirasa TV airport correspondent Premalal were attacked by a group of persons purported to be airport employees.

Uganda

Anglican bishop assaults photojournalist

Brian Luwagga was photographing the bishop at the Masaka High Court when the bishop grabbed him by the collar, demanding to know who had given him permission to photograph him.

Burma

Military authorities ban artists for backing Suu Kyi, satirising government officials

No end date was given on the ban that prevents eight radio stations from interviewing or broadcasting the works of more than 11 performers.

Saudi Arabia

University professor held over Internet article about royal family

Mohammed Abdallah Al-Abdulkarim was arrested after posting an article about King Abdallah bin Abdulaziz health problems and differences in the royal family over the succession.

Azerbaijan

Council of Europe Committee calls on government to release Eynulla Fatullayev

Said the Committee: "Fatullayev remains behind bars and there are still questions being asked about the legality of his imprisonment since April 2007."

Bahrain

BCHR president detained at airport, his equipment searched

BCHR President Nabeel Rajab was on the way to Greece when he was detained at the Bahrain airport by national security officers.

Iran

Four journalists arrested; dozens deteriorating in prison

In addition to the arrests, CPJ is concerned about the health of many others, including Issa Saharkhiz, a founding member of the now-defunct Association of Iranian Journalists.

Yemen

Opposition newspaper banned

The authorities seized all copies of "elThowry" newspaper after the paper reported on the arrest and assault of a number of citizens who were celebrating Independence Day.

Tunisia

Authorities urged to drop charges against Mouldi Zouabi

The journalist faces assault charges related to an April 2010 episode and defamation charges related to a 2009 story criticising the Tunisian Boy Scouts.

Turkey

IPA Freedom to Publish Prize winner Irfan Sanci acquitted

IPA welcomes the acquittal, hoping this will lead to other publishers' acquittals and a significant decrease in freedom to publish trials in Turkey.

Nepal

Journalist gets death threat from civil servant

Journalist Naxal Kishor Yadav said he was threatened while covering a story about "massive corruption" at the District Education Office in Dhanusha.

Cambodia

CPJ urges Cambodia to ensure release of Japanese photographer

Undercover police detained Japanese photographer Go Takayama and charged him with "producing pornography for the purpose of distributing pornographic content".

Malawi

ZBS online editor freed

Gabriel Kamlomo was acquitted of charges of "publishing false information likely to cause public alarm".

Ecuador

Journalist kidnapped, threatened with death

Sports writer Guido Manolo Campaña was kidnapped while he was working on an investigation in the coastal region of Esmeraldas.

Pakistan

Two journalists dead, one injured in twin suicide blasts

The journalists were covering a meeting at the administrative offices when two suicide bombers blew themselves up, killing 50 people and injuring 120 others.

India

IFJ condemns criminal charges against magazine reporter

Criminal proceedings were launched against K.K. Shahina, a reporter with the weekly news magazine "Tehelka" following a controversial article.

Brazil

Convicted trafficker alleged to have ordered journalist's murder from inside prison

Radio presenter Francisco Gomes de Medeiros' murder was carried out on the orders of a jailed drug trafficker, news reports said.

Pakistan

IFJ condemns "cold-blooded" murder of journalist

Altaf Chandio, the president of the Mirpurkhas press club and bureau chief for the AWAZ television station, was gunned down outside his house.

Tunisia

Lebanese newspaper's website blocked after publishing WikiLeaks documents

The "Al-Akhbar" newspaper's website was blocked after it published correspondence between the Tunisian and US foreign affairs departments.

Egypt

Television station ordered to stop broadcasting; complaint filed against another station

ANHRI condemns the double standard demonstrated by the government in it harassment of elFara'een, whose breaches were no different than those committed by the state-owned channel.

Nepal

Maoist supporter issues death threat against journalist

A UCPN-Maoist supporter threatened to kill Rana Bahadur after he published a story alleging the involvement of Maoist cadres in illegal activities.

Côte d'Ivoire

Broadcasting regulator suspends local transmission of international news stations

"This abrupt decision limits Ivorians' access to news at a time when a great deal is happening in their country," RSF said.

Argentina

Two radio stations off the air following robbery, vandalism

FOPEA condemns the actions that have left a Radio Nacional affiliate and one of Argentina's most prominent community radio stations unable to broadcast.

Colombia

Álvaro Uribe settles scores with the press on air as new cases are filed against the ex-head of state linked to "Dasgate"

Forty people have filed complaints against former president Alvaro Uribe in connection with his alleged role in "Dasgate".

Nepal

Online journalist attacked after receiving e-mail threats

Even after the November 16 attack, Shreedeep Rayamajhi has continued to receive e-mails suggesting threats on his life.

Bahrain

Four activists on trial for holding up pictures of detainees

Four people have been charged with "inciting hatred against the regime" after they held up photos of detained activists.

Zimbabwe

Shortwave radio sets seized in rural areas

Police have for some time been confiscating shortwave radio sets from people caught listening to programmes made by Zimbabwean journalists in exile.

Armenia

Imprisoned activist and editor attacked, placed in strict-regime jail

"We are concerned about reports that Nikol Pashinian was abused in retaliation for his critical commentary on prison conditions," said CPJ.

United States

IFJ condemns "desperate and dangerous" backlash over WikiLeaks

IFJ accuses the United States of attacking free speech after it put pressure on the WikiLeaks host server to shut down the site.

Tonga

Former broadcaster's victory at the polls offers new momentum to media freedom in Pacific, says PFF

Signs that Tonga's new leadership will review the longstanding entry ban on New Zealand journalist Michael Field are being welcomed by PFF.

Malaysia

Plans for cyber sedition law bode ill for free expression, says CIJ

CIJ is disturbed by the government's intention to pass a law that would criminalise freedom of expression online.

Iraq

News media targeted by Al-Qaeda and other terror groups

RSF and JFO appeal to the leaders of Al-Qaeda to immediately call off plans to attack public institutions and news media and to stop targeting civilians, including journalists.

Zimbabwe

Editor arrested and released on bail, faces 20 years in prison

Nevanji Madanhire of "The Standard" weekly paper faces 20 years in prison on charges of publishing falsehoods.

Egypt

Military court sentences blogger to six months in prison

Ahmed Hassan Basiouny is accused of disseminating defence secrets online and "disclosing information relating to the Egyptian armed forces."

Philippines

IFJ receives new information about shooting

Police now say they are uncertain about the cause of radio commentator Randy T. Makiputin's injuries, with two eyewitnesses alleging the broadcaster crashed his motorcycle.

Turkey

Prosecutor sues reporter over contents of recently published book

Reporter Ilhan Tasci, author of the recently published book "Justice in a gown", faces a possible fine of up to €7,500.

Turkey

Journalist jailed after attending symposium organised by outlawed political party

Ibrahim Acikyer's lawyers' argued that their client attended the symposium as a journalist and followed the event for professional reasons.

Pakistan

Senior journalist attacked for his reporting

Niaz Bhatti, a reporter for the daily "Ibrat" newspaper, was beaten and left unconscious after an attack by several gang members.

Turkey

Students receive 15-month suspended prison sentences; case of detained protesters goes to trial

Eighteen students from Istanbul Technical University were sentenced for protesting a visit by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ecuador

Journalist accused of terrorism assaulted a second time

Juan Alcívar's assailant said he was going to kill him "if he continued to speak ill" of the mayor of the town of La Concordia.

Brazil

One journalist wounded, fugitive murderer of TV Globo reporter Tim Lopes arrested in Rio military operation

Reuters photographer Paulo Whitaker sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder during the police operation against drug traffickers.

Zimbabwe

Editors face arrest

Nevanji Madanhire is wanted in connection with a story about the postponement of police promotional examinations, while it is not known why police are looking for Walter Marwizi.

Senegal

Court convicts police officer for assaulting journalists

One of four police officers charged with assaulting two sports journalists in 2008 was given a one-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay damages.

Iran

Lawyer remains in solitary confinement in Evin Prison, fears mount for her safety

Nasrin Sotoudeh is imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression.

Guatemala

Journalist threatened for publishing article on arms theft

Luis Ángel Sas has received death threats that make reference to an article he wrote about stolen army weapons that ended up in the hands of the Los Zetas crime group.

Philippines

IFJ demands arrests for latest shooting

Local police have yet to establish whether the attack on Randy Makiputin was related to his work with Radyo Abante.

Ecuador

Journalists receive death threats

Hugo Gavilánez says the threats he has received are linked to his outspoken stance against crime, broadcast on Canal Uno television's news programmes.

Zambia

Opposition party supporters threaten to kill "Post" reporter

According to "The Post", supporters of the United Party for National Development (UPND) were bitter about the manner in which the newspaper had been covering the party.

Zimbabwe

"Standard" journalist released

Reporter Nqobani Ndlovu had been arrested in a connection with a story in "The Standard" newspaper on police promotional examinations.

Macedonia

Premises of A1 TV headquarters allegedly blocked by police in Skopje

The police reportedly blocked the station entrance, preventing the free movement of journalists and med staff and without offering an explanation.

Egypt

Elections marred as journalists arrested and harassed on voting day

Security officers arrested and briefly detained at least 10 journalists and harassed and restricted dozens of others on voting day.

Argentina

Shots fired at Radio FM Cerrillos in Salta

This is the second time the radio station has been targeted this year.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Two journalists detained for reporting prison escape

Lambert Yuma and Chris Lumbu were arrested on 28 November at the Likasi prosecutor's office and charged with "breaching state security".

Zambia

Authorities threaten to revoke radio station's licence

Radio Lyambai denied allegations that it was planning to host an opposition leader to discuss a controversial issue on one of its programmes.

Bahrain

Authorities block opposition leader's Facebook page

BCHR expressed concern over the ongoing targeting of bloggers and social media networks.

Trinidad and Tobago

Talk show host on public broadcaster taken off his programme

Fazeer Mohammed's removal after a challenging interview with the Foreign Affairs minister raises concerns about political influence in the network's decision.

Burma

More publications suspended following Aung San Suu Kyi's release

At least 10 publications have been sanctioned for "paying too much attention" to the release of Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Norway

IPA's Norwegian member offers US$81,000 reward for information on publisher's 1993 shooting

The Norwegian Publishers Association is offering the reward following the reopening of the investigation into the 1993 shooting of William Nygaard.

China / Mongolia

Tension in Inner Mongolia surrounding activist's imminent release, supporters harassed

RSF urges the authorities not to delay the release of journalist and human rights activist Hada, who will complete a 15-year jail sentence in December.

Egypt

Satellite broadcasters harassed, BBC programme cancelled: government actions leading to rigged elections, says ANHRI

Satellite broadcasters have been ordered to produce live broadcasts only from specific locations when covering the upcoming elections.

Trinidad and Tobago

Government admits that secret intelligence agency has been spying on journalists

The agency has been illegally tapping phones and intercepting e-mails for the past 15 years without the public's knowledge.

Botswana

Photojournalists harassed by police

Two photojournalists were arrested and released after "cutting a deal" with a police officer, whereby they were forced to delete pictures depicting police harassment.

Egypt

Tough measures used to gag media in run-up to parliamentary elections

RSF is worried about what may have happened to Attia Mohamed Mahmoud Abu-l-Ela, a freelance journalist employed by the Al Jazeera bureau in Cairo.

Egypt

Court clears journalist facing 15-year jail sentence

A court prosecutor had called for a 15-year jail sentence for Allam Abdel Ghaffar, though he was never given a chance to defend himself in court.

Peru

IAPA welcomes creation of special tribunals to deal with serious crimes against journalists

The IAPA's incoming president said the decision represents a significant step forward against the impunity surrounding crimes against journalists.

Cameroon

Two journalists released conditionally after nine months in prison

President Paul Biya ordered the release of Robert Mintya and Serge Sabouang.

Turkey

CNN Turk fined by broadcasting regulator

The fine was applied after one of the station's programmes touched on topics relating to the Kurdish question.

Côte d'Ivoire

Presidential election campaign turns ugly as French journalist attacked

Laurent Despas was beaten and had his finger broken while covering violent clashes between students and young opposition supporters in Abidjan.

Turkey

Prosecutor alleges that use of the letter "q" by sociologist and lawyer constitutes a criminal act

Ismail Besikci and Zeycan Balci Simsek are facing time in prison after publishing an article that included a word using the Kurdish spelling with a "q" rather than the Turkish version with a "k".

Turkey

Journalists face prison sentences on charges of "distributing propaganda for an illegal organisation"

Nese Duzel and Adnan Demir are facing prison sentences based on the publication of interviews with two executives of an umbrella organisation that includes the outlawed PKK.

Turkey

Sports writer faces indictment on defamation charge

Hincal Uluc is alleged to have insulted football club director Adnan Sezgin on a television programme and in an article published in "Photomatch" newspaper.

United Arab Emirates

Independent news site blocked less than a year after its launch

According to ANHRI, the Emirates Local News site was blocked after it posted news that the government wanted to conceal from its citizens.

United States

Two journalists arrested at "School of the Americas" protest

Journalists Kaelyn Forde and Jon Conway were detained for covering a protest at a U.S. military training centre at Fort Benning, Georgia.

China

Woman sentenced to one year of forced labour over ironic tweet

Cheng Jianping was arrested for retweeting a satirical comment about China-Japan tensions and anti-Japanese demonstrations in China.

Turkey

Concern over ongoing judicial persecution of pro-Kurdish politicians

A number of Turkish politicians have been jailed for talking about Kurdish issues; BIANET says that 19 representatives of one political party are facing a total of 2,473 years in prison.

Nepal

CEHURDES condemns attack, looting at FM radio station

A group of masked men barged into the offices of Jana Awaz FM, threatened the staff and seized some computing and sound equipment.

Turkey

Writer Nevin Berktas arrested in connection with controversial book

Berktas is being tried on charges of "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization", related to her book published in April 2000 by Yediveren Publishing.

Pakistan

Baloch journalist kidnapped and found dead a month later

Abdul Hameed Hayatan's critical reporting on the authorities and his support for the Baloch National Movement may have been the motive for his abduction and murder.

Colombia / Panama

Panamanian asylum for former Colombian intelligence chief an "insult to DASgate victims," says RSF

María del Pilar Hurtado is one of three former DAS chiefs who face disciplinary sanctions in connection with the phone-tapping of journalists and human rights activists.

Kuwait

Journalist sentenced to year in jail; faces more than a dozen cases

"I know the peril of this article," wrote journalist Mohammed Abdulqader al-Jassem, in a story critical of the prime minister, "the interest and dignity of my country are more important to me than my own life."

Palestine

Political divisions make reporting nearly impossible for journalists

RSF urges the political authorities in both the West Bank and Gaza to release all the journalists held illegally and stop using them as pawns in their dispute.

Iraq

CPJ calls on authorities to investigate murder of Al-Mosuliya journalist

Reporter Mazen Mardan al-Baghdadi was gunned down in front of his home.

Egypt

Journalist detained on drug charges in Alexandria

Youssef Shaaban, a reporter for the online newspaper "Al-Badil", was arrested while covering street protests in Alexandria.

Guinea

News media prevented from working because of post-election violence

Most journalists in the capital have been staying indoors for fear of being targeted in a wave of post-election violence.

Mexico

Disappearances of four Michoacán journalists still unsolved

During a recent visit to the state, RSF found that the investigations into the disappearances had ground to a halt.

Kosovo (Serbia)

TV Klan Kosova host threatened by former parliamentarian

The "Debate Zone" programme, hosted by Baton Haxhiu, was cancelled on 9 November 2010 due to the alleged threats made by former Member of Parliament Gani Geci.

Zimbabwe

Bill would restrict public access to official information, says RSF

The proposed law's sole aim seems to be to place additional obstacles in the way of access to information and thereby hamper the work of the media.

Ecuador

Newspaper's offices attacked

The offices of the "El Universo" newspaper were attacked by unidentified individuals who shattered the glass in one of the building's front doors.

Russia

Journalist living "under siege" in Volgodonsk

The harassment campaign against Natalia Shelimova began after she published a story saying that members of a local crime ring are making their way into the ruling elite.

Venezuela

News crews assaulted by group of labourers

The assault took place when the media personnel were covering a story about heavy rains that had caused extensive damages in the municipality of Morán.

Zimbabwe

"The Standard" journalist arrested

Nqobani Ndlovu was arrested in connection with a story alleging that police promotional examinations had been cancelled.

Azerbaijan

Blogger Emin Milli released

The news of Milli's release came a day after fellow blogger Adnan Hajizade was granted parole.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Radio station reopened after 48 days of arbitrary closure

The decision to reopen Radio Bandundu FM was taken after a meeting between the provincial governor and a delegation of journalists from the radio station.

Namibia

"Informanté" editor resigns following threats

The newspaper's management denied allegations that they had fired Max Hamata, claiming instead that he had resigned.

Ecuador

Camera operator threatened during protest at border

Andrés Ramírez was harassed by a local resident who prevented him from carrying out his work and threatened him with a firearm.

Iran

World's youngest detained blogger on trial

Navid Mohebbi, 18, is being tried behind closed doors before a revolutionary court in the northern city of Amol.

Uganda

Missing Radio Simba journalist released after eight days in detention

Journalist Arafat Nzito was released from detention following the intervention of HRNJ-Uganda.

Iran

Two German reporters charged with espionage

The reporters were arrested while conducting an interview with the son of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, a woman convicted of adultery and sentenced to death by stoning.

Azerbaijan

Blogger Adnan Hajizade released

Hajizade, who had seven months and 21 days remaining in his sentence, was granted a conditional release by Judge Sahibkhan Mirzayev.

Senegal

Unfair libel trial ends in heavy fine, suspended jail sentence for leading journalist

Abdou Latif Coulibaly and two of his colleagues have been fined 30,000 euros and given one-month suspended jail sentences in a libel case dating to 2007.

Zimbabwe

Police question "Newsday" journalist

The police wanted Dumisani Sibanda to disclose the whereabouts of the author of a story about the police force.

United Kingdom

Order to shut down police monitoring website illegal, says ARTICLE 19

The hosting company for the Fitwatch website was contacted by a police inspector who demanded that the site be taken down.

Palestine

MADA welcomes the release of journalist Tariq Abu Zaid; condemns threats against another journalist in Gaza

President Mahmoud Abbas decided to release Abu Zaid well before the completion of his year and a half-long prison sentence.

Zimbabwe

Journalists assaulted by youths during incident at church

The journalists were taking photographs of a violent incident between a pastor and a congregant when several youths assaulted them.

Bahrain

Activist sentenced to one year in prison for distributing information on human rights violations

Hassan Abdullah Al-Qassem was arrested in September and charged with "distributing leaflets inciting hatred against the regime".

Egypt

Blogger Kareem Amer released from prison

PEN American Center said Amer should never have been arrested or imprisoned in the first place.

United States

Decision against filing charges in CIA video destruction case deals new setback to right to information

The decision is all the more incomprehensible, notes RSF, as the CIA previously acknowledged that it destroyed 92 interrogation videos.

Nepal

Journalist abducted, brutally assaulted and threatened

Journalist Sushil Dhungana was abducted by five persons on motorcycles who cut his fingers with a blade.

Namibia

"Informanté" editor under threat for publishing article on former president's illness

Max Hamata fears for his safety following the publication of an article that reported that former president Sam Nujoma had been flown to South Africa for medical treatment.

Iran

One blogger freed on bail, another denied parole

Blogger Mehdi Khazali was released on bail pending trial while the parole request of jailed blogger Mohammad Pour Abdullah was rejected.

Singapore

CPJ condemns jail sentence against writer critical of death penalty

The Singapore High Court sentenced British author Alan Shadrake to six weeks in prison and fined him US$15,400 over his book criticising the nation's judiciary.

Palestine

Photographers detained; journalists threatened, interrogated

Correspondent Nasr Abu Alfoul received three telephone calls from someone claiming to be from the internal security service in Gaza.

Peru

Journalist accused of participating in land takeover, sent to prison

Journalist Eduardo Cenepo Eljarrat said that the prosecutor was acting in retaliation for the criticisms he made against his office.

Egypt / Tunisia

Disinformation campaign by Tunisia's government in Egyptian newspapers

The newspaper advertisements were in the form of articles and did not clearly state that they were written in Tunisia by the Tunisian media.

Ethiopia

Editor released; his son jailed

Edezin Mohamed, editor of "Al-Quds" newspaper, was released after serving one year in prison, while his son Akram Ezedin has just been arrested.

Peru

Journalist assaulted, forced to drink contaminated water

Local activists assaulted journalist Antonio Mollehuanca and forced him to wear a sign that said "I am a traitor of the people".

Saudi Arabia / Egypt

Egyptian activist arrested in Saudi Arabia

Usama Mishref, coordinator of the National Assembly for Change, was arrested while travelling from Riyadh to Mecca to launch a campaign about democratic reform in Egypt.

Nepal

Radio journalist receives death threat

Unidentified callers threatened to kill "Ujjyalo FM" journalist Madan Thakur and his family.

Saudi Arabia

Journalist sentenced to public lashing

Reporter Fahd al-Jukhaidib wrote about protests over electricity shortages.

Mexico

Two reporters flee the country after receiving death threats

A reporter and a photographer with "El Diario" left Mexico after receiving death threats connected to a photograph they published.

Zambia

Victory for two journalists as political supporter jailed for assault

MMD youth chairperson Chris Chalwe was sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour for common assault.

Burma

Junta uses Internet upgrade to centralise and reinforce online controls

Billed by the military government as a huge step forward, the new infrastructure will almost certainly be used to reinforce surveillance and repression of Internet users, RSF said.

Chile

Authorities shut down three community radio stations

Police officers shut down Radio Felicidad, Tentación and Radio 24, seizing the last two stations' broadcasting equipment.

Kyrgyzstan

Askarov's appeal denied; his health deteriorating due to beatings

An appeals court has upheld the life sentence given in September 2010 to reporter and researcher Azimjon Askarov and six of his co-defendants.

Burma

Suu Kyi release spotlights remaining political prisoners, says Human Rights Watch

Aung San Suu's Kyi's release comes soon after the 7 November elections in Burma that the ruling junta designed to entrench military rule with a civilian façade.

Nepal

Government fails to prosecute journalists' murderers

Even though family members of slain journalists Dekendra Thapa and Birendra Shah have identified the perpetrators, the government has not brought the guilty to justice.

New Zealand

Search and Surveillance Bill undermines journalists' rights, says IFJ

If the bill proceeds in its present form, it will force the country's journalists to answer police questions or hand over documents such as media sources and notes, IFJ said.

Brazil

Attack against newspaper printing press

Unidentified assailants took "Correio Mariliense"'s main computer and set fire to parts of the building.

Somalia

NUSOJ condemns suspension of journalists from their work

The mayor of Bossasso announced that he was suspending two journalists from their work for "reporting news against the people of Puntland and the government."

Australia

New threats to journalists' sources as police secretly access reporter's telephone records

The police carried out the operation in an attempt to identify Justin O'Brien's source for a report about a police raid on the home of Darwin mayor Graeme Sawyer.

Libya

Twenty journalists arrested, then released

Twenty journalists and reporters from the Libyan Press news agency were detained by security officers.

Russia

Investigation into attack on editor Mikhail Beketov reopened

A probe into the near-lethal attack was reopened immediately following an international outcry over the editor's recent sentencing on a defamation charge.

Azerbaijan

Editor Eynulla Fatullayev remains jailed despite ECHR call for his release

Judge Ramiz Rzayev sentenced Eynulla Fatullayev to more than two years in prison on tax evasion charges.

Brazil

Police rule out work-related motive in journalist's murder in Rio de Janeiro province

The suspect is a former member of the military police who had been wanted in the past for suspected robbery, drug-trafficking, two murders and forming an armed organisation.

Burma

Japanese journalist and two Burmese journalists freed

Toru Yamaji, head of the Tokyo-based APF news agency, was arrested for entering the country without a visa.

Mexico

Gunmen attack offices of daily newspaper in Acapulco

The editor of "El Sur" said that although it would be easy to attribute the attack to organised crime groups, the possibility of a political motive should also be investigated.

Turkey

News website founder sentenced to 11 months in prison

Cem Buyukcakir was sentenced for having published a reader comment that implied that President Abdullah Gul had Armenian ancestry.

Turkey

Prime minister files lawsuit against newspaper and editor

The lawsuit was filed after "Hurriyet" newspaper criticised government policies on the construction of hydroelectric power plants in the Ikizdere Valley.

Ukraine

Police unlawfully seize files and equipment from human rights organisation

The authorities should return materials and equipment seized from human rights activist Dmytro Groisman and the organisation he leads, says Human Rights Watch.

United States

RSF asks for new sentencing hearing in Mumia Abu-Jamal case

RSF strongly supports the petition submitted by defenders of the journalist, who has already spent half of his life on death row.

Spain

IFJ backs protests against restrictions on Moroccan journalists in Melillia

The actions were reportedly designed to hinder the work of journalists following recent coverage of a clampdown on Moroccans living in Melillia.

Russia

Beketov convicted of criminal defamation, his assailants still at large

Mikhail Beketov, who is in a wheelchair and unable to speak two years after a near-lethal attack, was wheeled into the courtroom for the verdict.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Second journalist sentenced in absentia

Kambale Maghaniryo was sentenced to a 24-month prison term after he was found guilty of making slanderous allegations.

Turkey

Reporter faces prison term after publishing allegations about military official's actions

Mehmet Baransu is facing five to 10 years in prison on charges of "disclosing information related to the security and political interests of the state".

Indonesia

Former "Playboy" editor does not deserve to be in prison, says RSF

Erwin Arnada was arrested a month ago to begin serving a two-year sentence for indecency that was imposed under pressure from an Islamist organisation.

Colombia

FARC guerrilla group threatens journalist, allegedly orders assassination of radio programme host

Jineth Bedoya Lima was threatened by the FARC after the launch of her new book about a guerrilla leader known as "Mono Jojoy".

Europe and Central Asia

Freedom of expression needs better protection in digital communications, says ARTICLE 19

Hosting companies are currently required to take down information as soon as they are informed that it may be unlawful, or face liability.

China

Jail sentence for activist who set up website about tainted milk powder

Zhao Lianhai was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for creating a website about the effects on young children of contaminated milk powder.

Vietnam

Human Rights Watch calls on government to release legal activist Cu Huy Ha Vu

Cu Huy Ha Vu's arrest is part of an ongoing campaign against lawyers and activists who defend human rights and challenge official misconduct, says the organisation.

Liberia

Newspaper editor harassed by Supreme Court

Rodney Sieh, editor of "Front Page Africa", was insulted and harassed by the court after his newspaper published a critical article submitted by a reader.

Kyrgyzstan

New assault in violence-ridden court case

The authorities were urged to investigate the assault on a group of defendants, including well known human rights defender Azimzhan Askarov, and take steps to protect them.

Morocco

CPJ calls on Moroccan authorities to allow Spanish journalists to work freely

CPJ is alarmed by an increasing climate of hostility for Spanish journalists, highlighted by official measures to prevent them from covering clashes in the Western Sahara.

Morocco

IFJ condemns spate of attacks on journalists

Spanish reporters Antonio Parra and Edouardo Marin were set upon by some members of the public as they were taking photos at the trial of seven Sahrawi activists.

Cuba

Government breaks promise by keeping three "Black Spring" journalists in prison

The journalists still held are refusing to go into exile, which is the Castro regime's condition for their release.

Egypt

Blogger beaten by state security officer, held illegally despite completion of sentence

Kareem Amer has been illegally held for five days, as he was due to be released on 5 November 2010 after completing his four-year sentence.

Palestine

One journalist released, another still in prison

MADA welcomed the release on bail of Quds TV correspondent Mamdouh Hamamrah but at the same time called for the release of Aqsa TV correspondent Tareq Abu Zaid.

Yemen

IFJ calls for release of two journalists held in military detention

Reporter Abdelelaah Shaie and cartoonist Kmal Sharaf appeared again before the court where they challenged its jurisdiction over journalism matters.

Namibia

Court dismisses defamation lawsuit against tabloid

A police inspector had sued "Informanté" tabloid over a 2008 story entitled "Top cop accused of favouring love interests".

Malawi

Court injunction allows newspaper group to continue publishing "The Weekend Times" pending judicial review

The ban on "The Weekend Times" was based on the fact that the paper was not registered with the National Archives of Malawi in line with the Printed Publications Act.

Hungary

Government criticised over media secrecy law

The parliament passed another element of a media reform package which will force journalists to identify their sources in stories involving national security and public safety.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist sentenced in absentia to eight months in prison

Achille Kadima Mulamba was found guilty of defamation by the Peace Tribunal of Kinshasa/Gombe.

Uganda

Radio Simba journalist goes missing

According to an eye witness, journalist Arafat Nzito was whisked away by four men in a vehicle with tinted windows.

Zimbabwe

Arrest warrant issued against UK-based Zimbabwean editor

The warrant was issued against Wilf Mbanga, editor of "The Zimbabwean" newspaper, in connection with a story linked to the death of a senior Electoral Commission official.

Russia

Reporter and environmental activist beaten in separate incidents

Anatoly Adamchuk, of the independent weekly "Zhukovskiye Vesti", had covered a contentious highway project that would go through a forest in the Moscow suburb of Khimki.

Syria

Proposed law would step up censorship of online media, says RSF

RSF calls on the authorities to abandon an Internet communications bill that was drafted at the behest of the prime minister.

Burundi

Two newspaper journalists held for 48 hours

Elyse Ngabire and Dieudonné Hakizimana were not given access to their lawyer during their arbitrary detention.

Sudan

Government's intolerance of dissenting opinions and reprisals against human rights defenders raise concern

Abdelrahman Mohamed Al-Gasim was reportedly arrested by National Intelligence and Security Services agents while he was on the way to attend a committee meeting.

Mexico

Journalist killed in Tamaulipas during stand-off between army and drug traffickers

It is unclear if reporter Carlos Alberto Guajardo was caught in the crossfire or directly targeted.

Burma

Japanese journalist, two Burmese reporters arrested

Toru Yamaji was reportedly taken by helicopter to the Burmese capital for questioning by military intelligence.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Radio journalist released on bail after 24 days in detention

JED once again demands the reopening of Radio Bandundu FM, illegally closed on a verbal order from the provincial governor.

Somalia

NUSOJ welcomes release of journalist after 86 days in detention

The release of journalist Abdifitah Jama Mire came after calls for his release from journalists and free expression advocates worldwide.

Peru

Ruling party supporter attacks photojournalist

Journalist David Vexelman Fleishman was covering a protest against the nomination of an APRA party presidential candidate.

Guinea

Online journalist held incommunicado, violently assaulted

Thierno Souleymane Diallo was violently assaulted and detained by members of the red berets after he photographed their brutal assault on a taxi driver in Conakry.

Azerbaijan

In latest humiliation, newspaper editor appears in court inside cage

Eynulla Fattulayev was only told about the hearing the same morning instead of being notified two weeks in advance, as required by Azeri law.

Ecuador

Journalist receives death threat

Holger Guerrero believes that the threat may have been linked to his criticisms of the former director of the Police Hospital.

China

PEN American Center concerned about increased pressure on PEN members

The pressure appears to be part of a campaign to limit information about the awarding of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo.

Russia

Famous "Kommersant" reporter brutally attacked outside his Moscow home

Oleg Kashin sustained fractures to the jaw, legs and fingers, and a concussion.

Mexico

Community radio journalist sentenced to two years in prison

Héctor Camero was convicted of using, developing and exploiting radio frequencies without authorisation.

International

Citizen Lab develops Internet initiative to shed light on RIM's concessions to governments

RSF welcomes a new website, Project RIM Check, that is intended to shed light on government surveillance of BlackBerry smartphone services.

Egypt

Blogger finds himself unemployed for "being absent from work without an excuse" during time he was in prison

ANHRI calls on the government to ensure that the harassment of Hani Nazeer is halted and that he be allowed to return to his job.

Sudan

Two journalists arrested in the past week

RSF strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of journalist Gafar Alsabki Ibrahim during a raid on "Alsahafa" newspaper's offices.

Syria

Jailed rights defender assaulted, punished in prison

Human rights organisations are calling for an independent investigation, including an examination of prison officials' possible complicity.

Pakistan

CJFE concerned by reports of Canadian journalist Khadija Abdul Qahaar's death

Canadian media sources reported that Qahaar, who was kidnapped in 2008, may have died "following a prolonged illness."

Turkey

TV station faces crippling fine

The Radio and Television Supreme Council is threatening to fine Kanal D after it broadcast a news segment about the deaths of 11 soldiers.

Malaysia

Cartoonist Zunar goes to court to challenge ban on his books

Political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anawar Ulhaque, better known by the pen name of Zunar, has brought a legal action challenging a government ban on two of his cartoon books.

Venezuela

Journalist briefly detained by police

The incident took place in a subway station in Caracas after journalist Cristian Fuentes took several photographs in order to publish them on a blog.

Iran

IFJ condemns arrest of journalists' union leader

Mohammadreza Moghise was arrested on 22 October and has not been heard from since.

Brazil

Shots fired at television station headquarters

Several unidentified individuals fired shots at the headquarters of TV Macapá, a Rede Globo relay station in the state of Amapá.

Uganda

Voice of Kigezi radio staff instigate violence against "New Vision" journalist

The hate campaign was in retaliation for a news story written by Goodluck Musinguzi about two Ugandans who had been arrested and detained in Rwanda.

Turkey

Authorities urged to ensure YouTube stays unblocked

An Ankara court lifted a two-and-a-half-year-old ban but a subsequent court decision could result in YouTube being blocked again.

Gabon

Managing editor released from prison

Jean-Yves Ntoutoume was released after paying the remaining balance of a fine.

Singapore

British author convicted of contempt in Singapore court

Alan Shadrake wrote a critical book on Singapore's courts and the death penalty.

Algeria

"Freed" dissident kept in near-isolation

The Polisario Front should allow Mostapha Selma Sidi Mouloud to freely contact his family, says Human Rights Watch.

Uganda

Court dismisses case against politician who assaulted photojournalist

The Buganda road court dismissed the case against Hajji Hassan Basajjabalaba after the prosecution reported that investigations into the assault are ongoing.

Mexico

Journalist receives death threat after writing article on drug trafficking

Jorge Alejandro Medellín wrote an article about alleged links between organised crime and members of the military and justice department in Chihuahua.

Zimbabwe

Two journalists arrested

Journalists Andrison Manyere and Nkosana Dhlamini were detained while covering a constitutional information gathering meeting and held overnight at the Waterfalls police station.

Egypt

Opposition supporters arrested while distributing election flyers

ANHRI expressed concern over the authorities' apparent bias towards the National Democratic Party at the expense of opposition candidates.

Sudan

Radio station's Khartoum office raided and shut down, 13 staff members arrested

Angered by Radio Dabanga's coverage of the Darfur conflict, officials decided to close the station's Khartoum office.

Philippines

Journalists threatened during election coverage

ABS-CBN TV reporter Trini Velasco received the death threat during the network's coverage of elections in Marawi City.

Liberia

Newspaper faces US$5 million lawsuit

The "New Broom" newspaper reported on alleged corruption in the president's office.

Bahrain

Detained human rights activists allege mistreatment at opening of trial

"Independent experts should be allowed access in order to evaluate their state of health and the mistreatment allegations," RSF said.

Pakistan

Journalists attacked, mistreated by security personnel

In separate incidents, journalist Faisal Shoukat Ali Rajput and a Dunya channel news team each reported harassment by security officers.

Brazil

Newspaper owner killed in Paraíba do Sul

José Rubem Ponte de Souza, the owner and president of "Entre-Rios" paper, was shot in the head while he was sitting in a bar with some friends.

Somalia

Radio journalist wounded in shooting

Five masked assailants with pistols attacked journalist Hassan Mohamed Abikar while he was on his way home in the Afgoi district.

Malawi

Publication and circulation of newspaper banned by National Archives

According to reports broadcast on various radio stations, the ban was issued because the paper is not registered with the National Archives of Malawi.

Iraq

TV station's closure may be linked to critical programming

Al-Baghdadia TV's bureau chief in Cairo said the authorities were using the coverage of an attack on a church as an excuse for the station's closure.

Iraq

Al-Baghdadia TV station's offices closed, two employees arrested

The authorities closed the station's offices in Baghdad, Kerbala and Basra in connection with its coverage of a hostage-taking in a Baghdad church.

Uganda

Keep election campaign free of abuses, stop intimidation of media, Human Rights Watch urges

The government was urged to ensure that in the lead-in to the election, those responsible for any violence are held accountable and the media can operate free of harassment.

India

Manipur journalists shut down newspapers to protest threats from armed groups

The All-Manipur Working Journalists' Union declared the mass closure after cadres of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) demanded publication of a statement by the party's putative leader.

Russia

"Novaya Gazeta" receives warning from registration authority

The paper was accused of promoting extremist views following an article on an investigation into the murder of a lawyer and a journalist.

Turkey

Kurdish politician who praised PKK leader sentenced to 20 months in jail

Kurdish politician Hatip Dicle was sentenced by a Diyarbakir court for praising the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party.

Sudan

Human Rights Watch calls for end to continuing repression of Darfur activists

Recent arrests of a number of activists are part of a wider pattern of stifling expression about ongoing human rights abuses in Darfur.

Botswana

Freelance photojournalist arrested, detained

Lefoko Mogapaesi was arrested and detained while reporting on a high-profile case.

Peru

Blogger given unprecedented maximum sentence

Journalist José Alejandro Godoy was sentenced to a suspended three-year prison term, a fine of 300,000 soles and 120 days of community service.

Nepal

Journalist gets death threat from leader of revolutionary group

The head of the JMM revolutionary group threatened journalist Narma Dev Yadav following a news report about the JMM.

Morocco

Authorities suspend Al-Jazeera operations indefinitely

The government withdrew accreditations from Al-Jazeera staff, according to CPJ.

China

Beijing Security Bureau confiscates magazine

According to Radio Free Asia, Fan Yafeng, who is in charge of the magazine, said the printing company advised him that security bureau officers raided the printing premises and removed all the magazines.

Cambodia

Cambodian court reduces detained journalist's prison term

Imprisoned journalist Ros Sokhet was ordered released by the Appeal Court, almost a year after he was arrested on disinformation charges, media reports said.

Philippines

Mindanao massacre survivor reports intimidation

Aquiles Zonio told colleagues he saw two unidentified men loitering and taking photographs outside his home for three successive days.

Burma

Military moves to seal off country for 7 November election

As censorship is tightened, new jail sentences are being passed on Burmese journalists and foreign reporters are being banned from covering the elections.

Gabon

Editor arrested for not paying six-year-old fine

Jean-Yves Ntoutoume was arrested for not paying the entire amount of an excessive fine, in relation to a defamation case.

Philippines

Protect whistle-blowing soldier, victims' families and human rights defenders, says Human Rights Watch

Former Sergeant Esequias Duyogan, who is scheduled to testify in a hearing implicating soldiers in the murder of six men, has been threatened and harassed.

Colombia

Journalist assaulted by police officers in Barranquilla

Fabio Ortiz Pabón was covering a debate at the Atlántico state assembly when he was assaulted and threatened by security personnel.

Tunisia

Website blocked soon after its launch

The government gave no specific reason for the blocking of the website of the Tunisian Observatory for Union Rights and Freedoms.

Mexico

In newly released video, kidnapped lawyer makes questionable allegations about murders of two journalists

In the video, Mario Ángel González accuses the former Chihuahua state attorney general of ordering the murder of journalists Armando Rodríguez Carreón and Enrique Perea Quintanilla.

Swaziland

RSF adresses letter to prime minister to denounce threats to columnists

Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini suggested that newspapers should be required by law to obtain the government's permission before publishing any column.

Burma

Jailed blogger manages to send poems written in his cell

RSF appeals to the military government to release Nay Phone Latt, a young blogger who has been detained since January 2008.

Democratic Republic of Congo

RSF calls on authorities to free ailing journalist Tumba Lumembu

A reporter for the newspaper "La Tempête des Tropiques", Lumembu was abducted by ANR agents and has been detained in Kinshasa for the past six weeks.

Malaysia

CIJ condemns intimidation of lawyer, blogger, news site

CIJ is concerned over investigations by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission into reports on a speech by the prime minister.

Maldives

Journalists attacked by riot police

The Maldives Journalists' Association said the journalists were reporting on a protest organised by the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party.

Burma

Junta accused of slowing, cutting Internet services ahead of elections

Internet users are having their connections cut regularly and when working, they slow to a crawl, according to cybercafé owners and surfers.

Egypt

Journalist and editor sentenced to one year in prison on libel charge

Abdelhalim Qandil and Ahmed Abulkheir were sentenced in relation to their reporting on the wedding of film director Akram Farid el-Sobky.

Iraq / United States

RSF calls for transparency following Wikileaks revelations

Pressure to prevent Wikileaks from releasing "classified" US military documents about the Iraq war is contrary to the principle of access to information, RSF says.

Peru

Mayor's supporters assault journalists

The journalists were assaulted while reporting on a demonstration in support of the mayor.

Mexico

IAPA urges IACHR to act on unpunished murder of Mexican newsman

The IAPA re-submitted the case to the IACHR after discovering major irregularities in the legal proceedings while carrying out a new investigation.

Colombia

Journalist and indigenous activist assassinated

Rodolfo Maya Aricape was the secretary of the López Adentro council and also worked for the Payumat radio station, where he reported on the conditions in his community.

Pakistan

Journalist flees country to avoid repercussions for his reporting

Journalist Hafiz Imran said he worries that returning to Pakistan would mean getting arrested by the police who were displeased with his reporting.

Brazil

Journalist resigns during live broadcast of television show

News anchor Paola Beringhs publicly resigned after accusing TV Brasil Central of political censorship.

Tanzania

Government threatens to deregister two newspapers

The Tanzanian government has threatened to deregister the "Mwananchi" and "MwanaHalisi" newspapers for publishing materials with the intention of inciting chaos.

Philippines

Broadcaster threatened in southern Philippines

Manny Agustero, of dxIF-Bombo Radyo, received four threatening calls after an on-air discussion about alleged illegal gambling operations.

Yemen

Journalists increasingly feel the burden of preposterous charges, arbitrary arrests and physical attacks, says RSF

RSF is concerned about the continuous attacks on journalists, especially by members of the security forces.

Nepal

Journalists assaulted by police officials while covering festival celebrations

Journalists Sachin Pokharel and Baidhnath Yadav were assaulted and insulted while they were covering news for a special programme on the festival of Dashain.

Tunisia

ANHRI denounces ongoing police harassment of Tunisian League for Human Rights

League members suffer personal assaults as well as restrictions on their personal activities and their right to express, participate and organise.

Bahrain

BCHR concerned over book ban

The authorities have not given any reasons for banning a book by author Nader Kadim and canceling his book launch.

France

IFJ denounces latest attack on protection of sources

"The law on protection of sources has been grossly violated in France, apparently on the orders of the highest leaders of this country," said IFJ.

Vietnam

Popular woman blogger arrested over blog entry about senior party official

If convicted Le Nguyen Huong Tra could be facing up to seven years in prison.

Kyrgyzstan

Detained Uzbek journalist suffers stroke

The Kyrgyzstan-based Uzbek journalist, Ulugbek Abdusalamov, has suffered a serious stroke whilst under arrest in hospital.

Burma

Private publications instrumental in opposition political parties' election campaigns

Amid the country's notoriously heavy censorship, the local independent media have been able to exercise relative fairness in reporting ahead of the November 2010 elections.

China

Authorities refuse to register human rights lawyer as missing person

RSF is deeply concerned by the lack of transparency in the case of Gao Zhisheng, who has been missing since April.

China

Journalists prevented from reporting on protests

Six foreign journalists were detained and told they could not report on the protests because the authorities were concerned about their personal safety.

Uganda

Radio stations back on the air, operating licences still pending

Although radio stations CBS 88.8 FM and 89.2 FM have reopened, they are still in discussions with the Broadcasting Council to have their licences reinstated.

Uzbekistan

Two journalists found guilty of slander in separate cases

Journalist Abdumalik Boboyev was found guilty on three counts but given the "mildest possible sentence".

Tajikistan

Independent newspaper temporarily off the stands, may be facing censorship

A number of printing houses have cited various reasons for refusing to print "Farazh", the paper's editor-in-chief reports.

Palestine

MADA calls for immediate release of journalist Mamdouh Hamamreh

Hamamreh, who is being held in a civilian prison, was arrested and charged with libel and slander.

Philippines

Government official threatens journalists, media excluded from public hearing

Vice Mayor Dexter David of Porac town allegedly said, "I'm going to shoot you! I'm not kidding!" to DWGV-AM broadcasters Arnel Panganiban and Gary Bernardo.

Nepal

TV journalist receives death threats following report on local administration

Kedar Koirala had reported on a case involving the Kavre District Administration Office on the weekly television program "Off the Beat".

Russia

Journalist on trial for slander receives numerous threats

Mikhail Beketov, editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Khimkinskaya Pravda", is currently on trial and is accused of slandering the mayor of Khimki.

Angola

Popular radio commentator injured in stabbing

António Manuel Manuel Da Silva is the third journalist since September who has been attacked for criticising the government, CPJ said.

Egypt

Journalist sentenced to 15 years in prison

ANHRI condemns the sentence against Allam Abdel Ghaffar and urges the authorities to better regulate access to information in order to facilitate press work.

Serbia

Police protection provided for TV B92 journalist after threats

A suspended police officer has threatened journalists Sonja Kamenkovic and Ivan Popovic on several occasions.

Sri Lanka

Trial starts against leading opposition newspaper

Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa – who is the brother of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa – is suing the "Sunday Leader" for about 6.5 million Euros.

Venezuela

Journalists attacked by political party supporters

PSUV supporters turned against the journalists when they realised they were being filmed.

Brazil

Murdered journalist had received death threats

Francisco Gomes received anonymous death threats shortly after he published an article on vote-tampering in which local politicians bought votes for crack cocaine.

Azerbaijan

Journalist harassed in Absheron region

Jafar Talibov was reporting on a confrontation at a school when he was detained and his tape recording was seized by a local official.

China

Two Tibetan writers released conditionally

Tagyal was released on bail and Kalsang Tsultrim was released on condition that he not participate in political activities.

The Gambia

Politically motivated ban on preacher's activities lifted

A previous ban on Bakawsu Fofanah engaging in religious activities in the country was lifted after a stern warning from President Jammeh.

Peru

Radio station set on fire in Atalaya

According to a local politican, Radio Libertad was targeted because it planned to broadcast an interview he had given to Radio Programas del Perú.

Vietnam

Blogger's detention prolonged illegally, two other bloggers arrested

Nguyen Hoang Hai completed a two year jail-sentence but he is still being held and has reportedly been transferred to a different prison.

Mexico

Photographer assaulted by police officers

Miguel Jaramillo was taking pictures of a shootout when more than 10 hooded police officers threw him to the ground and began kicking him.

Iraq

Journalist faces libel suit after writing about sports complex irregularities

Ziyad Al-Ajily published an article in which he quoted an engineering report denouncing the project.

Palestine

Journalist arrested and held without explanation

Israeli forces raided the house of Raed el-Sherif, a journalist at Manbar el-Horriya radio station, and escorted him to an undisclosed location.

Nigeria

AMARC welcomes community radio breakthrough

The move is a crucial breakthrough for the Community Radio Coalition, which has been campaigning for such a move since Nigeria returned to multi-party democracy.

Philippines

Suspect in killing of journalist surrenders

Voltaire Mirafuentes alleged he was coerced by the Davao del Sur governor and the Matanao town mayor to kill publisher-editor Nestor Bedolido.

Azerbaijan

ECHR upholds decision on release of Eynulla Fatullayev

The journalist's lawyer reported that the government's appeal to the Grand Chamber had been rejected and that this final judgment had been heard in court.

Swaziland

Government tightens grip on media

The government has announced a major crackdown on newspaper columnists who criticise the country and its leadership.

Lesotho

Political opposition leader threatens to shoot journalist

Reporter Caswell Tlali was threatened while seeking comment on a criminal case involving a close family member of the opposition leader.

Burma

Editor sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment

Nyi Nyi Tun was arrested on suspicion of having connections with a series of bomb blasts that rocked Rangoon in October 2009.

India

Journalists attacked in Uttar Pradesh state

In one of the incidents, reporter Mohammad Abdul Waheed Chishti was assaulted at a press conference by supporters of an Islamic cleric.

Sierra Leone

Journalist beaten by police, briefly detained

Kadijatu Savage was reportedly violently beaten and briefly detained before being released the intervention of her managing editor.

Sri Lanka

Journalists attacked by police while reporting on student demonstration

FMM denounced the attack on the journalists and on the university students who were calling for the release of six fellow students.

Brazil

Journalist shot to death in Rio Grande do Norte

Police have arrested a man who reportedly confessed to the murder of Francisco Gomes.

Somalia

Private radio station bombed in Puntland

A section of the station's offices was completely burned down, but fortunately all staff remained unhurt.

Kuwait

TV station owner facing possible death penalty over comedy programme that parodied MPs

Scope TV was also overrun by a mob of some 150 people brandishing knives and pistols, according to RSF.

Sri Lanka

Ten years of impunity for killers of Jaffna-based journalist

RSF reiterates its hope that the government will finally relaunch the police investigation into journalist Mayilvaganam Nimalarajan's death.

Bahrain

Activists arrested and tortured for transmitting photographs; others targeted after family members speak out about human rights

Hussein Al-Dirazi and Mohammed Mushaimea complained of cruel treatment and torture during their detention on charges of "transmitting photos that would bring harm to Bahrain".

Tajikistan

Internet service providers block access to websites

A source at Telecom Technology said the company received an order from the Transport and Communications Ministry to block user access to several sites.

Ecuador

Journalist assaulted during police operation

Andrea Romero was assaulted while she was covering a police operation at a market in Quito.

Zimbabwe

"Midlands Observer" journalist released

Flata Kavinga's lawyer said the police are contemplating charging him with practicing journalism without accreditation.

Madagascar

More than 80 broadcasters closed on orders given by authorities

Under the guise of a so-called "consolidation of the broadcast landscape," the government is censoring a multitude of small private stations.

Indonesia

Book banning law ruled unconstitutional by Constitutional Court

The court stated that allowing the attorney general unchecked power to ban books was "the approach of an authoritarian state, not one based on law."

Colombia

Columnist receives death threat in Cartagena, Bolívar

Claudia Ayola Escalón received an e-mail message that said, "The time has come for you to pay for your writings."

Colombia

Congress to question former president about illegal phone-tapping

The House of Representatives has initiated a procedure that could result in the former president being questioned about his presumed involvement in the wiretapping.

Côte d'Ivoire

RSF begins monitoring media's coverage of presidential election campaign

RSF welcomed the lottery to determine the order in which the presidential candidates will be given space in the public newspaper "Fraternité Matin".

Uzbekistan

Journalist's conviction threatens freedom of speech, says Human Rights Watch

Vladimir Berezovskii was convicted on charges of criminal defamation and insult, while another journalist, Abdumalik Boboev, also faces defamation charges.

Brazil

Journalist attacked in Sao Paulo

Journalist Ademir Feliciano was beaten while working on his website.

Rwanda

Opposition party leaders targeted

The political parties of detainees Victoire Ingabire and Bernard Ntaganda have been critical of the government and were not allowed to run in recent presidential elections.

Afghanistan

Intelligence agency tries to force journalist to act as an informant before arresting him

In an audio recording, Hojatullah Mujadadi said he had been summoned several times for questioning by NDS officials, who asked him to fill out a cooperation agreement form.

Canada

CJFE condemns free speech limits imposed on activist

Alex Hundert's bail conditions include prohibitions on posting anything on the Internet and on participating in demonstrations.

Peru

Journalist's home burglarised

According to the journalist, the burglars were looking for materials related to his investigations about possible cases of corruption involving the Cajamarca regional police.

Peru

Political party supporters threaten journalists

Several journalists were threatened by supporters of the Movimiento Esperanza Región Amazónica political party at the Maynas electoral office, in Loreto province.

China

Former Communist Party officials call for freedom of speech

IPI welcomed the bold move and called on authorities to act.

Slovenia

Journalist reports alleged death threat from mayor's son

Reporter Jaka Elikan had been conducting investigations into Electa, a company owned by prominent businessman Jure Jankovic.

Iran

One blogger sentenced to heavy jail term, another arrested

Hossein Ronaghi Maleki was given a 15-year sentence while website editor Mehdi Khazali was arrested.

Uganda

Police arrest journalist's attackers, subsequently release them on bond

The Masaka district police commander said the suspects were arrested and released on bond two hours later, after recording a statement.

Ecuador

Journalist who is facing legal proceedings assaulted by public servant

Journalist Juan Alcívar was assaulted by Miguel Ángel Moreta, a trustee for the municipality of La Concordia, and his companion Consuelo Landeta.

Turkey

Two journalists face imprisonment following publication of books about the Ergenekon organisation

Ahmet Sik and Ertugrul Mavioglu have been charged with "violating the secrecy of an investigation" following the publication of their books.

Turkey

Three journalists indicted following publication of critical article

A "Star" newspaper reporter and two editors are being prosecuted in relation to a critical article about the release of detainees accused of plotting a coup d'état.

Egypt

Four TV stations closed in rising crackdown on free expression

Successive government decisions are restricting media freedom in the run-up to parliamentary elections, ANHRI said.

Egypt

ANHRI expresses concern over new restrictions on text messaging

According to a recent decision by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, all group SMS messages will have to be reviewed by the authorities prior to their dissemination.

China

Arrests, censorship and propaganda in reaction to Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize

According to the Independent Chinese PEN Centre, at least 40 human rights activists and journalists have been held or questioned for trying to celebrate Liu's award.

Turkey

Prosecutor calls for 20-year prison sentence against editorial manager of women's magazine

The prosecutor said the magazine was a publication arm of the outlawed PKK, responsible for spreading propaganda.

Bahrain

ANHRI affirms need for monitoring of election coverage as authorities continue imposing restrictions

The monitoring of elections is indispensable given the government controls all media outlets, says ANHRI.

Cuba

Cuba frees another journalist jailed in 2003 crackdown

Journalist Alfredo Felipe Fuentes was freed from prison and exiled to Spain as part of an agreement between the Havana government and the Catholic Church.

Mexico

Community radio station in Chiapas forcibly shut down

The officials who raided the station and seized equipment did not identify themselves, nor did they present any documentation to justify their actions.

United Arab Emirates

RSF concerned about lack of transparency in BlackBerry deal

"Transparency is needed so that smartphone users can trust BlackBerry technology and freedom of information can be guaranteed in the UAE," says RSF.

Philippines

IFJ demands investigation into threats against safety office staff

Two threatening messages were sent to staff of the NUJP Mindanao Safety Office in Cagayan de Oro.

Palestine

IFJ accuses Hamas over shutdown of journalists' union office in Gaza

"The action by the Hamas government is a violation of journalists' rights and a slap in the face of Palestinians," said IFJ.

Iran

Iran must disclose identities of detained Germans, says CPJ

CPJ calls on authorities to immediately disclose the names of the two men arrested and described as journalists in several news reports.

Iran

IFJ condemns expulsion of "El País" correspondent

"Ángeles Espinosa is being expelled purely because she is a witness to the impact of the regime's policies," says IFJ.

Turkey

Magazine editor faces up to seven and a half years in prison

Aziz Ozer, editorial manager of "Guney" magazine, is charged with "spreading propaganda for the PKK", the militant Kurdistan Workers Party.

Zimbabwe

Journalist detained while covering demonstration

Police reportedly want to charge Flata Kavinga, a journalist with the Kwekwe-based "Midlands Observer", with practicing journalism without accreditation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Political party places reporting ban on TV channel

Alternativna Televizija received a memo prohibiting it from accessing and even reporting from the election locations.

Uzbekistan

Russian journalist faces jail on defamation and insult charges

Vladimir Berezovsky is facing up to six months in jail, up to three years of corrective labor, or a fine of up to US$12,000 if convicted on the charges.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Provincial governor orders community radio station's closure

Radio Bandundu was raided by a group of police officers led by Governor Richard Ndambu Wolang, who ordered the station's immediate closure.

Uganda

Radio reporter survives lynching

Bwekumbule Frank, a reporter for the Masaka-based Top Radio, was beaten by a mob who accused him of interfering in family matters.

Russia

Outspoken journalist attacked for criticising city administration

Ernest Staratelev was attacked in his apartment building where he was beaten and stabbed him 15 times.

Somalia

Radio director arrested by Al-Shabaab militants

Radio Mandeeq director Hassan Mohamud Halane was arrested after returning from a workshop conducted by an international aid organisation.

Ecuador

IAPA denies allegations in teleSUR report

Congressman Eduardo Zambrano claimed in a teleSUR interview that the IAPA had been involved in actions against President Rafael Correa.

Ukraine

ARTICLE 19 welcomes Council of Europe resolution on Ukraine's democratic development

ARTICLE 19 urges the Ukrainian government to address PACE's concerns without delay, specifically in relation to the right to freedom of expression.

Democratic Republic of Congo

RFI back on the air after 15-month signal interruption

RFI's signal was shut down by the government after it accused the station of "initiating a campaign to demoralise the armed forces."

Turkey

More than 1,000 people sign petition calling on authorities to drop trial against Kurdish singer

Singer Ferhat Tunc is facing up to 15 years in prison in connection with a speech he made at a cultural festival.

Argentina

Senate passes right to information bill

The proposal is now being reviewed by Congress's lower house, the Chamber of Deputies.

Ukraine

Journalist ordered to compensate member of parliament

Channel 5 journalist Olga Snisarchuk was ordered to pay US$2,500 to a member of parliament after referring to him as a "defector" in a news story.

Fiji

Spin and silence reign as Fiji clampdown on free speech continues, says PFF

Netani Rika, long-serving editor of the "Fiji Times", was reportedly forced to leave his job because of extraordinary pressure.

China

News blackout on Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize

"TV and radio stations, newspapers and websites have completely ignored what is an historic news item for China," RSF said.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Newspaper journalist detained by intelligence agency

Pressed by MONUSCO, the ANR admitted it was holding journalist Tumba Lumembu.

Bahrain

Blogger Abdeljalil Al-Singace mistreated in detention

Al-Singace has a perforated eardrum as a result of a blow to the head he received following his arrest and is now partially deaf, according to RSF.

Ecuador

Journalists assaulted while covering an accident

Ramiro Moreira, of Majestad TV, and a Teleamazonas news team were assaulted while reporting on an accident in Santo Domingo de Los Tsáchilas.

Somalia

Somaliland authorities suspend broadcasts of popular London-based TV network

The London-based privately-owned Universal TV network was accused of failing to "execute its media duties impartially".

Croatia

Concerns grow about anonymous death threats to newspaper staff

The threats appear to have been prompted by the cover page of the weekly "Novosti", which refers to an incident in which two Croatian military aircraft collided and crashed.

Saudi Arabia

Website blocked, editor detained over misprint

The "al-We'aam" website mistakenly attributed information in an article to the wrong news agency and promptly corrected it - nonetheless, editor Turki al-Ruki was arrested.

Russia

Circle of suspects widens in Politkovskaya case

"This time we are making sure to thoroughly investigate all leads in the case," said Senior Investigator Petros Garibyan, who heads a team of detectives charged with solving journalist Anna Politkovsaya's murder.

Panama

Defamation conviction draws outcry

Although President Ricardo Martinelli said he would pardon the journalists, CPJ said that lawmakers should repeal all criminal penalties for defamation.

Egypt

Press freedom deteriorates in pre-election Egypt

"Oblique threats and backroom deals that are not visibly linked to the government have started silencing some of Egypt's most critical independent voices," CPJ noted.

Egypt

Editor dismissed, concerns about future of outspoken newspaper

"It is certain that there is an intent to silence the newspaper," ANHRI said.

Pakistan

Television news team attacked while covering questionable practices at factory

Armed men opened fire on journalists from the TV channel Express News, who were reporting on the factory for their weekly programme "Consumer Crime".

Peru

Journalist assaulted by police officers

The incident occurred while Ana María Yesquén was taking photographs of two policemen attacking a local reporter.

Bolivia

Senate constitutional committee approves new law with two controversial articles

IAPA expresses its full support for journalists and news media outlets that have recently held demonstrations to demand greater guarantees of press freedom.

Iran

Internet censors target ayatollahs, feminists and students

The government is reinforcing and extending its online censorship and repression, RSF says.

Senegal

Several journalists assaulted by police while covering demonstration

Najib Sagne's camera and Moussa Thiam's dictaphone were confiscated by police officers when the journalists resisted gram: arrest.

Côte d'Ivoire

Prime minister calls for fair access to public media for presidential candidates

The success of the upcoming presidential election will require fair and equitable media coverage of the campaign, RSF said.

Australia

Media Alliance welcomes draft shield laws

The two new draft laws promise to strengthen the legal protection of media workers in Australia, a country that lacks a bill of rights and where journalists have been open to prosecution for refusing to reveal confidential sources.

Serbia

"Blic" newspaper correspondent physically assaulted

Gvozden Zdravic was photographing the courthouse in Aleksandrovac when the mayor's driver ran out of the courthouse and punched him several times in the head.

United States

In new blow to FOIA, Supreme Court refuses to consider illegal phone tap case

President Obama initially undertook to ensure respect for the public's right to information but his administration abruptly reversed its stance, RSF said.

Egypt

Governement shuts down TV station

EOHR says the government's decision to shut down El Badr channel is a violation of freedom of expression and opinion.

Pakistan

Lawyers assault journalists in Lahore

The lawyers, who were staging a demonstration, accused the media of portraying a negative image of them.

Pakistan

Paramilitary personnel ransack TV station's office in Balochistan

Paramilitary Frontier Corps personnel attacked the bureau office of VSH News TV, a privately-owned TV station located in Balochistan province.

Uganda

Court dismisses case against journalist

Magistrate Mathias Tumwijukye has dismissed sedition charges that were laid against journalist Robert Kalundi Sserumaga.

Russia

Interior Ministry orders cancellation of television programme

The "Spravedlivost" programme, hosted by State Duma Deputy Andrei Makarov, has been cancelled on orders from the Interior Ministry.

Russia

Courts told to refrain from ordering media outlets to pay excessively high damages

The Supreme Court's deputy chairman said the awarding of excessively high moral damages leads to "doubts about impartiality."

Liberia

President signs freedom of information law

Liberia is the first West African country to have a freedom of information law.

Sudan

A few weeks after banning BBC, government refuses to renew licence of Monte Carlo Radio's Arabic-language service

ANHRI believes the move is part of an effort to silence media outlets that do not comply with the government's policies before an upcoming referendum.

Burundi

Radio station staff arrested, harassed

RSF condemned the recent harassment of RPA employees by the authorities.

Mexico

Shots fired at "El Debate" newspaper building in Mazatlán

Several assailants fired at least 23 shots at the building, damaging the exterior.

Turkey

District governor sues newspaper

A court ordered the seizure of copies of the "Cine Ugur" newspaper and a block on access to its website based on a compensation claim filed by the Cine district governor.

Turkey

Ninth case filed against journalist Ismail Saymaz

The "Radikal" newspaper reporter faces prison sentences totalling 79 years due to the publication of articles criticising the authorities.

Mozambique

Parliament to debate freedom of information bill

MISA spent over three years in lengthy consultations, drafting a bill to establish the necessary procedures so that the right of the public to information becomes a reality.

The Gambia

Preacher banned indefinitely from delivering sermons in mosques and lecturing during religious ceremonies

Bakawsu Fofanah is an ardent critic of the Supreme Islamic Council leadership. He had earlier been banned from preaching on the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Service.

Uganda

Six charged in case of murdered journalist

The suspects are accused of the brutal murder of reporter Paul Kiggundu, who was mobbed to death by commercial motorcyclists.

Turkey

Leading Kurdish politician convicted

Selahattin Demirtas was punished for a statement he made about the detention conditions of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the militant Kurdistan Workers Party.

Kazakhstan

ARTICLE 19 calls on parliament to adopt Law on Access to Public Information

Kazakhstan is one of the few member states of the OSCE without an access to information law, according to ARTICLE 19.

Iraq

Bomb kills journalist in latest attack on the profession

Cameraman Tahrir Kadhem Jawad was killed on his way to work by a bomb placed under his car.

Ecuador

Mayor files new lawsuit against journalist

Journalist Juan Alcívar has been accused of terrorism and the mayor has requested that he be fined US$200,000.

Austria

Court order raises concerns about press freedom, says IPI

Austrian editors and journalists joined in protest against state interference in the media.

Ecuador

Private media may only broadcast "indefinite and uninterrupted" national programme as ordered by the government

All of the country's private radio and TV stations had to interrupt their news programmes as they reported on the situation caused by the police uprising.

Morocco

Magazine succumbs to financial pressure from advertising boycott

"Nichane" magazine has been forced to close after pro-government companies refused to buy advertising space because they disagreed with its editorial line.

Vietnam

French-Vietnamese blogger charged with trying to topple government

Pham Minh Hoang was arrested in August and is now charged with "activities aimed at overthrowing the government" and membership of a "terrorist organisation".

Egypt

ANHRI disapproves of refusal to publish book on Muslim Brotherhood

The Islamic Studies Institute and state security have vetoed the publication of a book on the Muslim Brotherhood, alleging the content will "confuse citizens."

Guatemala

Journalist tortured and killed

Journalist Víctor Hugo Juárez was found murdered on 27 September 2010 and appeared to have been tortured and strangled.

Ecuador

Journalists attacked amid widespread protests

Following widespread police protests and rumours of a possible coup attempt, Fundamedios has reported on more than a dozen incidents in which journalists have been assaulted and injured.

Kosovo (Serbia)

New bomb attack on home of radio journalist

An explosive device was thrown into the courtyard of the house belonging to Caslav Milisavljevic, editor-in-chief of Radio Kosovska Mitrovica.

Bahrain

Bahrain imposes de facto ban on travel against human rights defenders

Three human rights defenders, including the director of IFEX member BCHR, were prevented from leaving the country, even though there are no official travel bans against them.

Turkey

"Güney" magazine editor on trial for "spreading PPK propaganda"

The magazine said it would "not be intimidated by this sort of attack and would not compromise its editorial line."

Colombia

Two former congressmen implicated in journalist's murder

The Attorney General's Office named former Congress members Francisco Ferney Tapasco González and his son, Dixon Ferney Tapasco Triviño as instigators in Orlando Sierra Hernández's murder.

Togo

President withdraws defamation charges against three newspapers

President Gnassingbé has withdrawn five legal suits he had filed against three Lomé-based newspapers for alleged defamation and insult.

International

Danger of international accord on repressive policies in final ACTA talks, says RSF

The wording of the section on the Internet has been softened but still gives governments the option to introduce repressive provisions, including filtering.