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Alerts - 2011 - October-December

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Turkey

Journalists' trial moves forward

Nedim Sener and nine other journalists accused in the Oda TV case of aiding a coup plot remained in custody as their trial moved forward.

Azerbaijan

Youth activist's appeal rejected

Bakhtiyar Hajiyev's appeal to have his prison sentence replaced with conditional arrest was rejected after a hearing in which the activist's defence team was not present.

Morocco

Journalist barred from his office

Radwan Hifani was denied access to his office due to his publicly-expressed solidarity with Rachid Nini, the imprisoned editor-in-chief of "el-Masaa" newspaper.

Egypt

EOHR welcomes ban on virginity testing on detained women

During protests on March 9, Samira Ibrahim and 17 other girls were arrested and subsequently subjected to virginity testing.

Egypt

ANHRI condemns intimidation tactics used against "al-Fagr" newspaper

Over 25 people protested in front of the headquarters of "al-Fagr" newspaper, chanting curses and hurling insults against the newspaper and its editors and staff and threatening them with physical harm.

Azerbaijan

Jabbar Savalanli released under pardon decree

The activist was sentenced him to 2.6 years in jail on 4 May 2011.

Azerbaijan

Journalists assaulted while covering president's birthday celebration

"Azadlig" newspaper employees Ramin Deko, Vidadi Mammadov and Namig Jafarli, and Radio Liberty employee Maarif Chingizoglu, were physically assaulted and prevented from carrying out their work.

Egypt

Freedom House condemns raids on NGOs

Security force personnel raided the offices of several NGOs, including Freedom House, and held staff members incommunicado while seizing equipment and documents.

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED calls for High Council for Broadcasting and Communications to be dissolved

The ongoing interference by politicians and security agents in the realm of the media reflect the failure of the CSAC to protect the right to information, says JED.

Yemen

Journalists attacked during protests

At least eight journalists were attacked on 24 and 25 December by armed forces loyal to outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Russia

Newspaper comes under pressure after election of Communist Party mayor

The actions against the "Gorodskoi Vestnik" newspaper have included threats, expulsion of journalists from public events and removal of copies of the paper from newsstands.

Nepal

Journalists harassed, assaulted

Journalist Heman Yatri was assaulted due to his reporting on a domestic violence case.

Honduras

Journalist assaulted by National Police officers

In his journalism work, Leonel Espinoza has been focusing on topics such as cleansing within the National Police ranks and impunity in cases of murdered journalists.

Hungary

Journalists fired over ongoing hunger strike

The public broadcaster MTV fired Balazs Nagy Navarro and Aranka Szavuly, calling their protest against government manipulation of news content illegal and a "provocation".

Honduras

Police officer issues death threat against camera operator

Uriel Gudiel Rodríguez said the threat is related to footage that several media outlets have aired of the main suspect in a murder case.

Egypt

Protester sentenced to a year in prison

Gaber Sayed Gaber Abdel Haq was charged with distributing "publications against national peace and security".

Argentina

IAPA trusts that law regulating newsprint will be declared unconstitutional

The organisation characterised attempts by the government to control press freedom via a law regulating the manufacture and marketing of newsprint as "malicious".

Ethiopia

IFJ condemns jail term handed down to Swedish journalists

Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson were both sentenced to 11 years in jail after a court last week convicted them of entering the country illegally and supporting terrorism.

China

Chinese writer-dissident given nine-year prison sentence for online posts

Wei Chen, who was sentenced after a three-hour trial and deliberation, was arrested in February as part of a crackdown on dissidents and independent journalists.

Syria

ANHRI condemns ongoing killing, repression of peaceful protesters

On 26 December, security and military forces fired live ammunition at protesters, claiming the lives of 44 civilians in several areas, primarily in Homs and Hamah.

Sudan

ANHRI condemns arrest of rights activist

Ali Zain al-Abideen, a rights activist known for his critical opinions of the regime, was arrested on 23 December following the publication of a series of critical articles on the website Sudanese Online.

Yemen

Security forces loyal to President Saleh continue to kill civilians with impunity

On 24 December, the Republican Guard fired teargas canisters and live ammunition at protesters, killing at least seven and injuring many others.

Ecuador

Editor sentenced to three months in prison for libel

Jaime Mantilla Anderson was sentenced based on a series of reports about allegations of influence peddling and problems faced several years ago by Central Bank president Pedro Delgado.

Mauritania / Morocco

Moroccan journalist expelled

The authorities have given no reason for the expulsion of Abdelhafiz al-Baqali, who has been working in the capital for two years.

Egypt

IPA defends publishers against accusations from military government

Publisher Mohamed Hashem was accused of unlawfully supporting demonstrators in Tahrir square.

Zimbabwe

Detained MMPZ staff freed on bail; journalist questioned

While Fadzai December, Molly Chimhanda and Gilbert Mabusa were released on 16 December, they still face charges of "participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry".

North Korea

A leading press freedom predator dies

The death of Kim Jong-il turns attention to his declared successor, Kim Jong-un, whose policies on basic freedoms remain unknown.

Pakistan

Television anchor threatened

Hamid Mir, a senior anchor for the Geo News television network, received threatening messages after discussing topics on his talk show that were critical of the security establishment.

Bahrain

Blogger, activist Zainab Al-Khawaja released on bail

Zainab Al-Khawaja was released on bail on 20 December but still faces charges for her peaceful activities.

Syria

Journalist arrested while covering demonstration

Eyewitnesses say Mohamed Dahnoun was escorted away from a demonstration in the Al-Midan area of Damascus and detained in an unknown location.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Four journalists arrested in Kabambare released

While Senghor Fundi, Shabani bin Shabani, Augustin Mateso, and Moïse Mateso, were released, their radio station remains shuttered.

Azerbaijan

Editor of "Yeni Musavat" receives death threats for republishing article

An unknown caller threatened to kill editor Rauf Arifoglu after the newspaper reprinted an article from the Turkish newspaper "Milliyet".

Jordan

British rights activist barred from entering country

Mohamed Jameel was inexplicably arrested and deported to Britain after arriving, along with his family, at the Queen Alia International Airport.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Security forces attack, detain protesters and local residents; twenty-four killed since election results announced

Security force personnel have fired on people in the street who may have been protesting the election result, were preparing to protest or were simply bystanders.

Colombia

Journalist in Villavicencio, Meta, receives death threat

Héctor Gómez Arguello has been reporting on residents' complaints that a local aqueduct project was mismanaged.

Bahrain

Woman jailed for playing revolutionary music, participating in protests

Fadhila Al Mubarak was originally sentenced to four years in prison but the sentence was reduced to 18 months.

Hungary

Media authority refuses to renew radio station's licence

Klubrádió's prospective closure means the silencing of Hungary's only remaining independent radio station and a significant blow to media pluralism in the country, says ARTICLE 19.

Republic of Congo

Two Brazzaville newspapers suspended; CPJ calls for reversal

The months-long suspensions were imposed on "L'Amicale" and "La Voix Du Peuple" in reprisal for articles critical of government officials.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

IPI calls on politician to respect and support public broadcasters

The president of Republika Srpska, the Serb-controlled entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that it was not in the interests of the citizens to finance the broadcaster BHRT, which has been critical of his policies.

Maldives

Journalist detained, charges unclear

Ismail Kilath "Hilath" Rasheed was arrested because of his involvement in a "silent protest" for more religious tolerance that was held on Human Rights Day.

Guinea

Police pursue publisher over article critical of President Condé

Since the publication of the article, the police have been looking for El Hadj Thierno Mamadou Bah, who felt compelled to go into hiding.

Turkey

Dozens of journalists detained in police crackdown

The crackdown was part of the so-called KCK operation related to the Union of Kurdish Communities (KCK), the umbrella organisation that includes the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Bahrain

Government ministry rejects bar association election results

There are indications the government is trying to muzzle dissent by replacing the elected board of directors of the Bahrain Lawyers Society; many of the newly elected representatives were opposition members.

Somalia

NUSOJ slams arrest, detention of media director

NUSOJ believes that Abdullahi Hersi Adde, managing director of Radio Galkayo, is detained in relation to his journalism and reports broadcast by the station.

Ethiopia

Two Swedish journalists found guilty of "supporting terrorism", face 15 years in jail

WiPC has serious concerns about the fairness of the trial, which has seen political interference in the proceedings and the use of fabricated evidence.

Kyrgyzstan

Supreme Court upholds verdict in Askarov case

The Bishkek-based court denied the independent journalist's appeal of a lower court verdict sentencing him to jail for life.

Cambodia

CCHR releases analysis of the fourth draft of Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations

The organisation welcomes the improvements made to the LANGO, but also highlights existing areas of significant concern.

Nepal

Journalist attacked, press vehicles vandalised by protesters

Reporter Madhu Jung Pandey was covering a nationwide general strike called to protest the death of Shiva Poudel, President of the Tarun Dal organisation's wing in Chitwan District.

South Africa

Criminal probe targets AP, Reuters cameras on Mandela

Invoking the National Key Points Act, authorities described the presence of cameras outside the home of Nelson Mandela as a breach of his privacy and the law.

Nepal

Concern over pressure to withdraw charges against journalist's murderers

Freedom Forum has learned that the prime minister is under pressure to grant political amnesty to the UCPN-Maoist cadres accused of killing Dekendra Thapa in 2004.

China

Internet shut down and foreign journalists expelled from Wukan

Seven journalists from Hong Kong and Japan were forced to leave Wukan after they reported on village protests.

Kuwait

Bidun residents, media personnel detained following protest

Riot police fired tear gas canisters and used water hoses to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who gathered to demand citizenship rights.

Egypt

EOHR calls for protection of media personnel

A number of editors and talk show presenters have received death threats related to their campaigns against corruption.

Venezuela

Radio stations closed, equipment seized

The CONATEL has seized equipment from three radio stations in the state of Nueva Esparta, alleging that they were "operating clandestinely" without the proper permits.

Liberia

Clergyman assaults journalists, seizes camera

Welemongai Ciapha and Molinda Mulbah were assaulted as they tried to photograph Pastor Bethel Onyeneken, who was being taken to court on an accusation of theft.

International

Online freedoms threatened by another step towards treaty's adoption, says RSF

RSF, which defends freedom of information, repeatedly voiced its concerns about the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, calling on the negotiators "not to sacrifice online free speech and access to information for the sake of combating piracy and the counterfeiting of works protected by copyright".

Kazakhstan

Journalists prevented from covering violent clashes in Zhanaozen; ARTICLE 19 outlines necessary reforms

The absence of information following several the incidents exemplifies Kazakhstan's lack of progress in protecting and promoting the right to freedom of expression, says ARTICLE 19.

Egypt

Authorities crack down on protesters; media personnel targeted

Among those assaulted was Hassan Sharine, who repeatedly stated to the soldiers, who wounded his face and left him bruised, that he was a journalist.

Somalia

Leading journalist murdered in Mogadishu

It is believed that Abdisalan Sheik Hassan was killed for his coverage of disputes within the Transitional Federal Parliament.

Thailand

Red shirt activist Da Torpedo sentenced to 15 years for lèse majesté

Daranee "Da Torpedo" Charnchoensilpakul had previously been convicted and sentenced to 18 years during a closed-door trial, which the court later ruled was unconstitutional.

Russia

Impunity still reigns in beating of Oleg Kashin

One year after the attack, none of Kashin's assailants have been arrested and those who commissioned the crime remain unknown.

China

Government imposes media blackout on village protests

Authorities have censored all Chinese-language reporting on demonstrations in Lufeng protesting a death in police custody and political interference in local elections.

The Gambia

Authorities fail to find editor's killers after seven years

Deyda Hydara was shot to death on the night of December 16 2004, along with two of his female staff. His family has now filed a lawsuit at the ECOWAS Community Court to compel the government to conduct a full investigation into the matter.

Turkey

Singer faces two lawsuits, multiple investigations

Two lawsuits and seven investigations were opened against Kurdish singer Ferhat Tunc in connection to speeches he delivered during the run-up to the general election on 12 June 2011.

Palestine

ANHRI condemns ongoing harassment, arrests, detentions of media workers

In an ongoing series of harassment, ANHRI reports that a Palestinian photographer was injured in the foot by a tear-gas grenade, a journalist was detained and a blogger is under investigation.

Argentina

IAPA renews its rejection of interference by government in newsprint production

Five committees of the Chamber of Deputies at an extraordinary session yesterday approved a bill declaring the manufacture, commercialization and distribution of newsprint for newspapers to be of public interest.

Nepal

Maoist party member threatens local journalist over story

A cadre from the ruling UCPN-Maoist in Dailekh district threatened to kill Govinda KC over a news story he wrote about a troubled local woman in the December 10 issue of the paper.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Radio station shuttered, four journalists in custody

The journalists are accused of resuming operations at the station without the authorisation of Kabambare administrator Ernest Isaac Miyambo after it was shuttered on 18 November.

Bahrain

Police use teargas, stun grenades to disperse protesters on highway outside capital

Zainab Al Khawaja, known on twitter as @angryarabiya, blogger and daughter of prominent human rights activist, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, was among the arrested.

Serbia

ANEM concerned about proposed Cinematography Act

The change in the funding structure under the new act is aimed at helping the movie industry but instead risks killing off independent media outlets and may ultimately lead to a media blackout, says the organisation.

Ecuador

Tribunal dismisses charges against magazine

The magazine had been prosecuted for having allegedly broken the 48-hour electoral silence rule prior to an election by publishing an editorial that referred to the questions included in the popular consultation and referendum of 7 May 2011.

Russia

Journalists' house burgled, dog poisoned

Yakov Samokhin and Eleonora Solomennikova believe the incident was a warning for them to stop reporting on environmentally and politically sensitive topics.

Venezuela

Court rejects Globovisión journalists' intervention against US$2.1 million fine

The TV station's legal department says the fine is a breach of its right to freedom of speech.

Honduras

Members of presidential guard, police suppress journalists' protest; two members of C-Libre assaulted

More than 50 journalists, most of them women, held a peaceful protest calling for justice in the cases of 24 journalists who have been assassinated since 2003 and the ongoing attacks on free expression.

Iran

RSF condemns ongoing crackdown on journalists, media

Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, arrested in December 2010 and sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment, has been on hunger strike since 12 December in protest against the conditions of his detention.

Russia

Journalist and human rights activist killed in Dagestan

Hadzhimurad Kamalov, founder of "Chernovik" newspaper, was shot and killed outside the newspaper's offices on Memorial Day, a day dedicated to commemorating the assassination of journalists in the country.

Ukraine

Former president must be prosecuted in Gongadze murder, says CPJ

A court ruling to scrap the case after former president Leonid Kuchma for allegedly ordering journalist Georgy Gongadze's murder is a blow to press freedom, said the organisation.

Nepal

Government expels UN human rights watchdog

ARTICLE 19 condemns the Nepali government's decision not to renew the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, fearing that the free expression situation will be far worse if the watchdog leaves.

Benin

Benin press regulators halt publication of daily "Le Béninois libéré"

The newspaper was accused of publishing "inflammatory articles and discourteous comments aimed at destroying the republic and damaging relations between Benin and the other members of the Conseil de l'Entente."

Azerbaijan

"Khural" editor receives death threat

An unknown individual called the paper's editor, Anar Makhmudoglu, on his mobile phone and threatened to hurt the journalist and his children.

Brazil

Journalists threatened in Belém and Altamira

Lucio Flavio Pinto was threatened by a local businessman after writing about him in "Jornal Pessoal".

Ecuador

Judge shelves case against native leader

Although the national public administration secretary granted Monica Chuji a pardon, she says that because she didn't commit any crime, she has no need for the pardon.

Egypt

Rights organisations condemn military court's sentencing of blogger

Following his second trial before a military court, Maikel Sanad was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and a fine.

Peru

Journalist reports being assaulted by municipal councillors he is investigating

Iván Julca Mendoza was assaulted by seven individuals, among them two councillors he is investigating in a case of alleged influence peddling.

Brazil

Journalist threatened by politician's brother

Claudio Dantas, who worts for Revista Istoé, was researching a story on the sudden enrichment of the governor of Brasilia's family.

Lebanon

Film banned for allegedly "endangering public security"

The film, "Beirut Bil Layl", was well received when it premiered at the Locarno International Film Festival.

Peru

Journalist assaulted by individuals associated with mayor; another reports receiving death threats

Robert Santillán Ñontol has reported receiving death threats for having questioned the actions of environmental leaders who are protesting against the Conga mining project.

Croatia

IPI condemns new death threats against journalist

The Commission of the Croatian Bishops' Conference asked the president to withdraw a human rights award given to Drago Hedl because it was not satisfied with his reporting. This announcement was followed by death threats against Hedl.

Zambia

Harassment by US embassy security prompts boycott threat by local journalists

In a petition delivered to US Ambassador Mark Storella,journalists complained of physical and verbal abuse by embassy security.

Jamaica

IPI endorses Press Association of Jamaica letter to prime minister

The Press Association of Jamaica is concerned about negative comments and veiled threats made against media workers who are reporting on the country's upcoming elections.

Hungary

IFJ condemns political manipulation at public TV stations

A union president is on hunger strike to defend the public's right to independent information.

Honduras

Security analyst who spoke out against organised crime assassinated

Making full use of his right to freedom of expression, Alfredo Landaverde took on the topics of drug trafficking, organised crime and police corruption.

Zimbabwe

Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe personnel denied freedom

Although a judge granted bail to Molly Chimhanda, Fadzai December and Gilbert Mabusa, the state invoked a legal provision that has resulted in their continued detention.

Bahrain

Government urged to provide adequate protection to all human rights defenders

Human rights defenders Lamis Dhaif, Nabeel Rajab, Mohammed Al-Maskati, and Yousef Al-Mahafdha have received a threat via Twitter from a former colonel known to be very close to the authorities.

India

IFJ calls for transparency in case of arrested journalist

Jigna Vora has been accused of involvement in the murder of senior investigative journalist Jyotirmoy Dey.

Syria

Photographer and film producer Guevara Nemer detained

Immigration authorities arrested Nemer as she was on her way to the United Arab Emirates to attend the Dubai Film Festival.

Egypt

Previously acquitted journalists now jailed in libel case

Fatima Al-Zahra and Sally Hassan were sentenced to two months and one month of imprisonment, respectively, on charges of libel, slander, and violation of private life brought forward by Yusuf Al-Badri.

Peru

Journalist receives two-year suspended prison sentence

Luis Torres Montero was sentenced for having allegedly defamed politician Rafael Rey in a satirical column published by "La Primera" newspaper.

Malawi

Government recommends review of draconian laws

The Law Commission has been asked to review certain laws recently passed in Parliament, including Section 46 of the Penal Code, which empowers a minister to ban publications deemed unsuitable for the public good.

South Sudan

Newspaper editor receives death threat

Dengdit Ayok, the deputy editor of "Destiny" newspaper, received a death threat via email after publishing an article that was critical of the country's president.

United States

Freedom House endorses Global Online Freedom Act

The bill, which would hinder the ability of U.S. companies to sell surveillance and censorship technologies to repressive governments, is crucial to the promotion of global internet freedom.

Somalia

Journalists' association leader harassed, briefly detained

Hassan Mohamed Yusuf was detained after the Somaliland Journalists Association condemned a recent announcement by the attorney general.

Tunisia

Fundamentalists disrupting college campuses

Demonstrators who are demanding imposition of their own interpretation of Islam in the curriculum and in campus life have interrupted classes, prevented students from taking exams, confined deans in their offices, and intimidated women professors.

Kenya

Journalist threatened for his reporting

Robert Wanyonyi received death threats after he reported on a melee between police and local villagers that left as many as seven people dead.

Tajikistan

Journalist spared punishment in partial court victory

The Sughd regional court upheld a decision by a lower court in Taboshar which found Ismoilov guilty of defamation, insult and inciting hatred, while sparing him the penalties originally imposed by the lower court.

Uganda

Police block demonstration by friends, family member of slain journalist

Friends and family of Charles Ingabire submitted a request for police protection to hold the demonstration but they were repeatedly turned down.

Mexico

"Noroeste" correspondent threatened

Luis Peraza Ibarra had recently reported on construction project that could raise the value of the local mayor's property.

Pakistan

Copies of newspaper torched, correspondent threatened

Niaz Ali Shah, a correspondent for "Mashriq" newspaper, was warned not to file a news item regarding corruption by the Labor minister.

Côte d'Ivoire

Court frees detained pro-opposition journalists

A criminal court in Abidjan acquitted César Etou, Boga Sivori, and Didier Dépry for "lack of evidence". Damage claims sought against the three were also dismissed by the court.

United States

After three decades on death row, Mumia Abu-Jamal won't be executed

The Supreme Court declined to consider the district attorney's bid to uphold Abu-Jamal's death sentence, effectively commuting the sentence to life imprisonment.

Pakistan

Journalist flees country after attempted abduction

Afnan Khan had received repeated death threats from unknown callers, which he had informed authorities about on several occasions, but no one had bothered to provide him with protection.

Peru

Journalists assaulted by police while covering demonstration

The journalists were covering an action against the building of an extension for a prison, which left one person dead and a number of wounded in the province of Cañete.

India

Activist, anti-corruption crusader shot dead in Bihar

Shri Ram Vilas Singh, considered a "guru" on right to information issues, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at 9 a.m. on 8 December.

Thailand

Thai-born US citizen jailed for lèse majesté posts

Joe Gordon's alleged crime was translating sections of a banned biography of the Thai monarch and posting them online while living in the United States.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Main opposition television station muzzled in Kinshasa and Mbuji-Mayi

RLTV's station in Mbuji-Mayi was besieged by a heavily-armed police unit on 5 December and remained occupied as of 8 December.

Honduras

Radio journalist gunned down in Tegucigalpa

"We are deeply troubled by the murder of journalist Luz Marina Paz Villalobos. Honduran journalists continue to be killed with impunity, and the government's failure to guarantee minimal safety is fostering a climate of lawlessness that is seriously restricting the work of the press," said CPJ.

Hong Kong (China)

Journalist Chang Ping yet to receive work permit

RSF fears there has been direct political interference by the Beijing authorities in order to prevent Ping from taking up his post with a newspaper that Chinese officials have had in their sights for years.

France

IFJ welcomes legal victory on protection of journalists' sources

The Appeal Court ruled yesterday that judge Philippe Courroye, who initiated a procedure to identify information leaks in the "Woerth-Bettencourt" case in September 2010, had infringed the law on protection of sources by trying to access detailed phone records of three journalists working at the daily newspaper "Le Monde".

Saudi Arabia

Editor-in-chief of "Okaz" newspaper dismissed

Muhammad Al-Tunisi was dismissed after publishing a report about the use of a stimulant-containing plant in Jazan.

Lebanon

ANHRI condemns interrogation of author

George Al-Alam was interrogated regarding a book he published about torture he underwent while imprisoned at the Ministry of Defense prison.

Angola

Police, security agents injure at least 14 demonstrators

The demonstrators were protesting the 32-year rule of President José Eduardo dos Santos, whom they blame for rampant corruption, widespread poverty and political repression.

Zimbabwe

Unlawful detention and harassment of Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe personnel

Molly Chimhanda, Fadzai December and Gilbert Mabusa were arrested after distributing a film calling on the media to promote a peaceful electoral process.

Venezuela

Police attack mayoral candidate's press team in Caracas

Police hit photographer Jesús Urea, shocked him with taser guns and confiscated his camera and memory card.

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED urges government to take action in response to death threats received by journalist from pro-opposition TV station

Eliezer Thambwe received a series of anonymous death threats by phone following his hosting of a television programme called "Support for Etienne Tshisekedi".

Cambodia

Community activists report judicial harassment in Kep Thmey village

Chan Dara and Chan Sophanna have faced intimidation from local authorities whle protesting against a development project that threatens residents' economic and cultural livelihoods.

Russia

Respect right to peaceful protest, says Human Rights Watch

Riot police detained more than 300 demonstrators at a major rally in Moscow to protest what they contend are fraudulent parliamentary election results.

Sierra Leone

Two pastors assault newspaper editor; community radio journalists attacked

Editor Abdul Karim Fonti Kabia was assaulted by pastors of the Baptist Convention Church after publishing a story about the church's leader.

Palestine

Ministry of Interior attempts to ban social media conference

Members of the investigative security services came to the venue and ordered an immediate end to the conference under the pretence that they did not hold a licence from the Ministry of the Interior and declared the event illegal.

Venezuela

Journalist's Twitter account hacked after reporting on military

Sebastiana Barráez said that she believed the aggression was a response to investigations she published about the alleged murders of peasants of the Alto Apure region committed by a group of members of the military.

Kuwait

Short story collection banned

"Naked Thoughts" by author Yusuf Khalifa has been banned by the authorities since 2007 for "abusing the ethics of society".

Mexico

Director of community radio station detained

Juan José Hernández was detained after Radio Diversidad began broadcasting without a license; the station had applied for permission several times but the authorities did not respond to the request.

Russia

Political debate disrupted by cyber-attacks and arrests

Websites critical of the government were paralysed both prior to and during the elections, while a number of opposition journalists and bloggers were briefly detained in the days preceding the vote.

Nepal

Journalist's attackers sent to jail

Two men who attacked the Sankhuwasabha-based reporter, Kishor Budhathoki, have been given a five-year jail term.

Hong Kong (China)

IFJ condemns interference with editorial independence

The IFJ welcomed a decision by the Hong Kong Legislative Council to investigate alleged interference in Asia Television Ltd (ATV) by senior management.

Belarus

International delegation denied entry in Minsk

The delegation had planned to visit members of PEN Belarus, the Belarusian Writers Union, the Belarusian Association of Journalists and local writers and publishers.

International

Lucrative surveillance market fed by desire to hunt down dissidents, reveal WikiLeaks Spy Files

The criminal cooperation between western high-tech companies and authoritarian regimes is receiving renewed attention after the WikiLeaks site posted documents shedding light on the international market in mass surveillance and interception tools.

Tajikistan

BBC correspondent's conviction upheld on appeal despite pardon

The Supreme Court confirmed a three-year sentence imposed on Urinboy Usmonov by a lower court on 14 October for having contacts with the Islamist party Hizb-ut Tahrir.

Iraq

News media torched, journalists attacked and arrested in outbreak of violence

Since the violence began shortly after Friday prayers on 2 December, six news media outlets have been torched and at least 15 journalists have been physically attacked or detained for questioning.

Zimbabwe

"Daily News" journalist arrested

Reporter Xolisani Ncube and editor Stanely Gama are likely to be charged with criminal defamation under the Criminal Law Act.

Syria

Blogger arrested at border on her way to media conference

Razan Ghazawi is a media coordinator, poet and blogger. Her arrest is yet another part of the government's campaign to silence critical voices, says ANHRI.

Russia

Freedom House condemns authorities' harassment of independent election monitor

"The campaign against Golos is yet another reason to raise serious questions about the legitimacy, openness, and competitiveness of Russia's parliamentary election," says Freedom House.

Mexico

Threats against Olga Wornat and her colleague continue

According to ARTICLE 19, there have been virtually no attempts to stop the threats or protect the journalists.

Honduras

Armed men fire shots at daily's offices

The editor-in-chief of "La Tribuna" believes the attack is linked to reports the daily has published on the assassination of two university students.

Venezuela

Authorities drag heels in investigation of two burglaries at offices of free speech NGO

During the second robbery, video recordings that were evidence of the first burglary at Espacio Público were stolen, along with computer equipment.

Russia

Voronezh authorities suspend publication of newspaper

"My – Grazhdane" was founded in 2001. The paper publishes materials on the most important socio-political events taking place in Russia.

Bahrain

Photographer sentenced to three years in jail

Hassan Matooq, a pediatric nurse and amateur photographer, was arrested and tortured while in detention, and then sentenced by a military court for taking pictures of the protests.

Somalia

Journalists arrested in Mogadishu clampdown

Transitional Federal Government police personnel arrested three Radio Banadir journalists, releasing two of them two days later.

Uganda

Prison warders detain visiting journalists

The four journalists had taken photographs of the poor sanitary conditions at the prison when they were detained and their cameras confiscated.

Zambia

Journalists assaulted

Journalists were verbally and physically assaulted when they attempted to cover a hearing in a court case involving a former minister of labour and social security.

Venezuela

Construction Workers' Union issues threats, encourages censorship in state of Barinas

Union leaders threatened radio presenter José Luis Machín Machín in an attempt to get him to stop interviewing people who are critical of their members.

Uganda

Editor of Rwandan newspaper killed in Kampala

Charles Ingabire, who edited the online newspaper "Inyenyeri", was a vocal critic of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

Peru

Two journalists assaulted during sixth day of protests in Cajamarca

Ronald Arcila, of Canal N, and Luis Mego Díaz, of América TV, were assaulted while they were covering the general strike against the Conga mining project.

Ghana

Journalists attacked by angry mob

Angry youth mounted roadblocks, dug trenches and burnt tyres to protest the poor condition of the Takoradi main habour road. A number of journalists were caught in the violence.

Russia

Authorities tighten control of all media in run-up to elections

Censorship measures are targeting both traditional media, which are closely scrutinized, criticized and threatened, and the Internet, now recognized as playing a key role in political debate. Russia has 51 million Internet users, more than any other country in Europe.

Mexico

IAPA welcomes move to decriminalise defamation

The Senate approved the repeal of Articles 1 and 31 of the Press Offenses Law, ending punishment by imprisonment for defamation, libel and slander.

Thailand

Security forces blamed for fatal shooting of Japanese cameraman in 2010

The Thai deputy prime minister announced that eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence points to security forces' involvement in the April 2010 fatal shooting of Hiroyuki Muramoto in Bangkok.

Kashmir (India)

CJFE concerned about security forces' attacks on journalists

In an open letter to the Indian authorities, CJFE expresses its concern over recent attacks against journalists in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Peru

Mob vandalises newspaper office in Huancayo

Individuals believed to be relatives of police officers targeted "El Sol de los Andes" because it had reported on links between the local police and criminal gangs.

Africa / Niger

Nigerien president endorses Table Mountain declaration, calls for repeal of criminal defamation

The vast majority of African nations continue to jail journalists and close media houses on charges of defamation or for "insulting" authorities or their policies. The practice prevents legitimate public discourse and critical writing and leads to self-censorship.

Somalia

Journalist union leaders harassed, interrogated

On 29 November, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) summoned NUSOJ's Organizing Secretary, Abdiqani Sheik Mohamed, to their offices in Mogadishu, where he was asked more than 300 questions regarding NUSOJ, its officers and their activities.

Zimbabwe

Retired colonel launches defamation suit against local newspaper

The US$100,000 defamation suit arose from a story published in "The Masvingo Mirror" referring to Colonel Claudius Makova's alleged interests in Bikita Minerals and implication in acts of violence.

Ukraine

Newspaper photographer murdered in Kiev

Although a criminal investigation into the case has been opened, a spokesperson for Vitaly Rozwadowskiy's newspaper, "2000", says the paper does connect Rozwadowskiy's murder to his work.

Egypt

Protester released after spending eight months in jail

Nassary Hassan had been sentenced to three years in jail in March 2011 for protesting in the city of Hurghada.

Pakistan

Cable operator association bans BBC broadcasts

The announcement that all foreign news programmes would be banned comes shortly after the BBC aired a documentary that was critical of Pakistan's role in the war on terror.

Côte d'Ivoire

"Notre Voie" journalists charged for insulting President Ouattara

César Etou, Boga Sivori and Didier Dépry are charged with "incitement to theft, looting and destruction of the property of others through the press" and could face harsh prison sentences.

Azerbaijan

Supreme Court upholds jail sentence against activist Jabbar Savalanli

Local and international human rights organizations believe that the criminal case against Savalanli was a politically motivated response to his activities on social networking sites.

Vietnam

Appeal court reduces blogger's jail sentence but upholds three years of house arrest

The appeal court judge said he had taken account of Pham Minh Hoang's "recognition" of "his errors," his request for clemency and his pledge to sever all ties with Viet Tan, an outlawed pro-democracy party.

Uzbekistan

Journalist released after five years' detention in psychiatric hospital

There are concerns that Dzhamshid Karimov's health may have suffered due to the forced administration of psychotropic medicines during his detention.

Burundi

Intelligence agents arrest radio reporter for allegedly aiding rebels

Hassan Ruvakuki's arrest may have been prompted by Bonesha FM's broadcast of an interview with a Burundian citizen who identified himself as commander of a new rebel group in eastern Burundi.

Mexico

Weekly goes offline after cyber attack

Ríodoce, one of the few publications to cover crime and drug trafficking in Mexico, was dropped by its host server after it was the target of a large DDOS attack.

Peru

Journalist reports being the victim of an attempted poisoning

Marco Bonifacio Sánchez said he does not know who would want to harm him but noted that he has recently broadcast serious allegations about local police officers.

Honduras

IAPA condemns threats, intimidation launched against media

IAPA has added its support to a request by the National Human Rights Commissioner that the government investigate complaints of threats so as to ensure the safety of journalists and guarantee freedom of the press.

Ecuador

Native leader sentenced to one year in prison, fined for offending government official

Vinicio Alvarado filed a complaint against Mónica Chuji after she referred to him as "nouveau riche" in an interview.

Israel / Palestine

Authorities urged to lift travel ban on human rights defender

Shawan Jabarin was prevented from leaving the West Bank to receive a prestigious human rights prize from the Danish PL Foundation, participate in a European Union forum on human rights, and attend a Human Rights Watch advisory committee meeting in New York City.

Peru

Journalists and media outlets targeted while covering protests against mining project

Reporters have been repeatedly assaulted while attempting to cover events associated with one of the most important general strikes in Peru's recent history.

China

Three journalists assaulted

Wang Xiangqian was kicked by a State Bureau staff member in Nanyang city while querying the Bureau's public expenditure.

Malaysia

Authorities urged to allow lawyers' rally to proceed

Lawyers are marching out of concern that the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association are under threat from a proposed law.

Russia

Human Rights Watch calls on St. Petersburg legislature to halt consideration of "draconian homophobic bill"

The discriminatory bill is a blatant attack on free expression and a thinly disguised attempt to silence Russia's LGBT community, said Human Rights Watch.

Thailand

Authorities threaten new penalties for Facebook users

The government announced on 24 November that Facebook users could be charged under lese majeste laws for commenting on, sharing, or clicking 'like' on content deemed insulting to the royal family; individuals found guilty can be sentenced to up to 15 years imprisonment for each offence.

Cambodia

Four activists arrested during demonstration

The activists are members of the Boeng Kak Lake community and are facing eviction under a land redevelopment plan.

Kashmir (India)

Journalists assaulted by police in Kashmir

Four journalists were reportedly assaulted by Central Reserve Police Force personnel while covering protests that took place after Friday prayers in the city of Srinagar.

The Gambia

On election day, president displays contempt for press freedom

President Yahya Jammeh rejected international criticism over the country's press freedom record and implied that journalists are only a very small percentage of the population that cannot be protected at the expense of others.

Chile

Community media under attack

The Agro TV community television station suffered an attack that resulted in the collapse of its broadcast tower and the destruction of most of its equipment.

Turkey

Ban on underwear and condom brand websites lifted after protests

A central Internet filtering system, designed "to protect minors from harmful content on the Internet", came into effect on 22 November.

Côte d'Ivoire

Opposition journalists detained for insulting President Ouattara

César Etou and Boga Sivori were arrested in connection with an article that claimed President Ouattara had acquired luxury Mercedes Benz cars for himself and members of his cabinet.

Bangladesh

Editor released on bail

(Media Watch/IFEX) - Ekramul Haq, editor of http://sheershanews.com , was released on bail on 25 November 2011, nearly four months after his arrest on extortion charges.

Liberia

Opposition "blacklist" targets media houses

The "blacklist" comes on the heels of a symbolic "coffin parade" by CDC partisans. The party has staged various actions in Monrovia over the last thirty days to urge President Sirleaf to resign.

Iran

Human Rights Watch calls on authorities to protect health, safety of jailed cleric

Hossein Kazemeini Boroujerdi, an outspoken religious critic, has been detained with violent cellmates and is not receiving treatment for several serious illnesses.

Nepal

Newspaper office vandalised

The "Nigarani Dotcom" office was vandalised by a group of students along with two teachers who were angered over a report published in the paper.

Zambia

Government pledges to implement freedom of information bill

The Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism said the law, once implemented, will contribute in changing the culture of secrecy that characterises Zambian public institutions.

Vietnam

Overturn democracy activist's sentence, says Human Rights Watch

Peaceful blogger Pham Minh Hoang was punished because he wrote about social and political issues in the country and was sentenced to three years in prison and three years on probation.

Ecuador

Twitter user receives warning from government official

National Assembly President Fernando Cordero was reacting to criticisms by Betty Escobar, an Ecuadorian citizen living in the United States.

Pakistan

Reporter injured in shootout; journalists threatened

Ehsan Kohati, a reporter for Waqt News TV, is in stable condition after he was shot while covering a rally in Karachi.

Philippines

Broadcaster wounded in ambush

James Michael Licuanan, a reporter and anchor at Bombo Radyo Cagayan de Oro, was injured after two men shot on a motorcycle shot him while he was on his way home from work.

Western Europe

Landmark digital free speech ruling at European Court of Justice

The court stated that web filtering systems used to prevent illegal downloading on peer-to-peer networks was incompatible with fundamental human rights.

Yemen

Concern over new attacks on protesters in defiance of UN order

Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that pro-government gunmen killed at least five anti-Saleh protesters who were participating in a peaceful march on 24 November in Sanaa.

Djibouti

Two radio reporters freed conditionally after being held for four days, tortured

Farah Abadid Hildid and Houssein Robleh Dabar were taken before an investigating judge at the Supreme Court, where they were charged with encouraging an illegal demonstration and insulting the president.

Egypt

Media urged to prioritise safety after another sexual assault on woman reporter

Caroline Sinz and her cameraman, Salah Agrabi, were in the the area of Tahrir square when they were attacked by a group of young people, then assaulted by a crowd of men.

Pakistan

Senior journalist receives death threats

Mohammad Malick believes the threats were a reaction to columns he was written on the "Memogate issue" that were critical of government policies.

Egypt

Two American journalists arrested, one remains in custody

Mona Eltahawy was freed in Cairo on the morning of 24 November, 12 hours after she was arrested, and was sexually harassed during her detention.

Morocco

Police question over 100 people in advance of parliamentary vote

The rate of voter participation is being closely watched because it is seen as a gauge of public enthusiasm for the reforms that King Mohammed VI initiated during 2011.

Papua New Guinea

Recent defamation cases highlight complaints process and ethics

Another defamation suit filed against a PNG media organisation has raised questions on why public complaints are not being taken up with the national media complaints committee.

Bahrain

Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report confirms punitive campaign against protesters

The report describes abuses by the security, military and judicial branches, including actions against protesters that led to deaths, injuries, arbitrary arrests and unfair trials.

Maldives

Government shuts down blog in climate of growing religious intolerance

According to Ismail Khilath Rasheed, the Islamic affairs ministry had his blog in its sights because he is a Sufi Muslim, not a Sunni like most Maldivians, and has always been critical of religious fundamentalism.

Venezuela

Court urged to acquit editor following his conditional release

Leocenis García had been held for nearly three months for publishing a photo montage that poked fun at six female government officials.

Azerbaijan

Writer-journalist Rafig Tagi dies in hospital days after violent knife attack

IRFS believes Tagi was targeted for his journalistic work and could have been saved had he been supplied with the necessary treatment after surviving the assassination attempt.

Uganda

Newspaper offices raided, guard killed

Unidentified assailants raided the "Eddoboozi" newspaper's headquarters and made off with a large number of computers.

Djibouti

Opposition radio reporters arrested again, concern about mistreatment

It is believed that Farah Abadib Hildid and Houssein Robleh Dabar were arrested to prevent them from reporting on an opposition leaflet calling for a "Day of Anger" protest.

Côte d'Ivoire

Jailed journalist denied bail, others summoned and threatened

Hermann Aboa has been held in custody for four months and faces six charges that could lead to life in prison.

Hong Kong (China)

IFJ supports demands for accountable institutions in Hong Kong

IFJ joins its affiliate, the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), and other media organisations in calling on the government to uphold the spirit of the Hong Kong Code on Access to Information.

Belarus

Conviction of rights defender a blow for rule of law, says Human Rights Watch

The organisation views the sentencing of Ales Bialiatski to four and half years in prison on tax evasion charges as a move to silence someone who helped victims of abuse.

South Africa

Parliament passes controversial Protection of State Information Bill

The bill as passed is in need of serious revision and, if implemented, will curtail freedom of expression and the right to access information, says Human Rights Watch.

Brazil

President signs access to information law

The implementation of the law will require a national campaign and trainings at the federal level to overcome a culture of secrecy within the public bodies of the executive branch, says ARTICLE 19.

Fiji

Regime's bullying of media continues with contempt case

A "contempt" case was filed against the "Fiji Times" after it published an interview containing comments about the judiciary that offended the attorney general.

Thailand

Citizen sentenced to 20 years for lese majeste text messages

Ampon Tangnoppakul had been denied bail, resulting in a detainment of over eight months during which his health deteriorated.

Venezuela

Freedom of expression NGO robbed

On 17 November, office supplies and electronic equipment, including eight desktop and two laptop computers, were stolen from the offices of the NGO Espacio Público.

Ecuador

News crew threatened by hospital security personnel

The news crew was threatened after the Ecuavisa television station reported on complaints about the medical care provided in the hospital's emergency department.

Iran

Authorities unleash another wave of arrests, repression

Ali Akbar Javanfekr, director of the official Iranian News Agency and its print affiliate "Iran", was sentenced to one year in prison and a three-year ban on practicing journalism on charges of publishing material contrary to Islamic law.

Uganda

Journalists face ongoing threats, harassment

Journalists Stephen Komakech and Ronald Ssembuusi each received threats after reporting on corruption in the government.

South Africa

Zuma spokesman files complaint against weekly

"Mail & Guardian" journalists Sam Sole and Stefaans Brümmer are investigating the president's alleged role in a US$5 billion international arms deal that became embroiled in scandal.

Turkey

Journalists sent back to detention

The court denied requests to release Nedim Şener and other journalists from pre-trial detention while another panel reviews a motion to recuse the presiding judge for bias.

Egypt

At least 17 journalists assaulted during clashes

Maher Iskandar was shot in the left leg while filming clashes in Tahrir Square and was taken to a field hospital in close proximity to the central Cairo square.

Ecuador

Radio broadcaster sentenced to six months in prison

Carlos Ignacio Cedeño was sentenced after being found guilty on an allegation of having defamed Doctor Melitón García on his radio programme.

Peru

Radio reporter shot in Cajamarca province

Robert Jennier Carrasco Huamán, a reporter for "Habla el Pueblo", was seriously injured after he was shot in the back by two men on a motorcycle.

Syria

Formerly missing journalist now on trial; activists accused of inciting protests

Activist and blogger Hussein Ghrer was referred from the State Security Administration to civil justice after writing on his blog, "We don't want a country where we get imprisoned for uttering a word."

Nepal

Editor assaulted over news report

Manchhiring Tamang, editor of the "Everest Time Monthly" and "Employment News Daily", was covering a meeting when he was attacked.

Ethiopia

Dawit Kebede joins country's exiled journalists

The managing editor of "Awramba Times" was forced to leave the country after he received a tip about alleged government plans to re-imprison him.

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED denounces wave of radio closures in Katanga province

Station directors for five community radio stations were summoned to a meeting with the territorial administrator during which they were told to immediately get their papers in order by paying a sum US$15,000.

Egypt

IPI alarmed over attacks on journalists

Several journalists were injured during the military crackdown on anti-military protesters.

Peru

Politician's sister threatens and assaults journalist

The incident took place after Miguel Meza Nieto published a series of reports about Raúl Barreto Topalaya, the Peruvian National Party's coordinator in Junín.

Syria

Cameraman found dead, last seen being arrested

Ferzat Jarban was filming anti-regime protests in al-Qasir in Homs governorate when authorities arrested him on Saturday 19 November.

Azerbaijan

Journalist stabbed after writing article critical of Iranian government

IRFS believes that the plot is probably linked to the journalist's professional work - the last article written by Rafig Tagi was titled "Iran and the Inevitability of Globalization".

Russia

Rural residents under "information blockade" during elections

Opposition parties in Omsk region say they have been denied equal access to airtime which they say is preventing local residents from accessing information about candidates and denying them their electoral rights.

Mexico

Investigative journalists receive death threats

Edgar Monroy and Olga Wornat have received threats that are linked to an investigation they have been conducting into Felipe Calderón's performance as president of Mexico.

Egypt

Twenty-two demonstrators killed, hundreds injured

ANHRI condemns the brutal repression of the peaceful protests, calls on the military to hand over power and bring the minister of interior to trial.

Ecuador / Venezuela

New laws could undermine free speech, warns IAPA

IAPA expresses concern over a Communication Law being debated in Ecuador's National Assembly and a proposed law which would regulate how community media operate in Venezuela.

Panama

Radio commentator who spoke out against corruption assassinated in Coclé

Darío Fernández Jaén, a former governor of the province of Coclé, had reported on alleged land title irregularities via a programme on his radio station, Radio Mi Favorita.

Zimbabwe

"Standard" editor targeted by minister, local businessman

A day after Nevanji Madanhire was granted bail on charges of criminal defamation police officers visited the "Standard"'s publisher, Alpha Media Holdings, to question him again on a different matter.

Spain

IFJ protests restrictions on media during election campaign

In addition to restrictions imposed by the electoral authority, the main political parties are reportedly preventing television crews from filming their election meetings.

Russia

Newspaper harassed over critical article

Officials are threatening to sue the newspaper "Moi Gorod - Kostroma" for slander after it published an article criticising the regional security department.

India

TV station handed down excessively punitive fine for libel

The "Times Now" has been fined approximately 15 million euros for mistakenly showing the picture of the wrong judge in its news programme about a fund controversy.

Argentina

Misiones radio station off the air following arson attack

The station owner believes the incident is linked to its critical coverage of local mayor Nelson Carvalho.

International

Arrest warrant against former ICTY spokeswoman

The Hague-based court earlier imposed a 7,000 euro-fine on Florence Hartmann after ruling that she "knowingly and wilfully interfered with the administration of justice". The fine has now been converted into a seven-day prison term.

Turkey

Lawsuit filed against government-proposed Internet filtering system

The Alternative Information Association and BIANET argue that the filtering proposal constitutes illegal censorship and violates the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

Mongolia

Publicist and his wife ordered to pay compensation to minister for defamation

The couple was found guilty of "insulting the reputation" of the Minister of Nature, Environment and Tourism, Mr. L. Gansukh, by the Sukhbaatar District Court.

New Zealand

Police demand media divulge sources

Radio New Zealand has refused demands to hand over unpublished news material related to a meeting between Prime Minister John Key and a candidate in the country's general election.

Germany / Greece

Greek criminal case against German journalists sparks concern

A case was launched against the publisher of "FOCUS" magazine and several journalists after the German magazine criticised Greece over the debt crisis.

Democratic Republic of Congo

RLTV broadcast suspension lifted

The broadcast regulator suspended the station on 7 November 2011 after it aired comments by opposition candidate EtienneTshisekedi in which he encouraged his supporters to "break down the prison doors and free the opposition prisoners."

Mexico

Two newspaper employees missing

Osvaldo García Íñiguez, a regional circulation manager for "El Financiero", along with his driver, José de Jesús Ortiz Parra, disappeared after reportedly being followed by police cars.

Jordan

ANHRI condemns attacks on media outlets, failure of security forces to provide protection

A group of protestors stormed Aljazeera's office in Amman one day after the headquarters of the Jordanian newspaper "Al-Ghad" were attacked.

Bolivia

Journalist stabbed

Leopoldo Ibarra sustained eight stab wounds and a beating for what he says was retaliation for his coverage of local trade organisations.

Liberia

CEMESP cautiously welcomes re-opening of four media houses

Judge James Zotaa found the media outlets guilty of propagating hate messages but rescinded the petition to close the stations.

Australia

RSF concerned about proposed new media regulations

Proposals include giving the press council the power to penalise newspapers by imposing fines of up to $30,000 AUD and to submit the press to tighter controls, such as the introduction of licences.

Burundi

Summonses, threats and harassment part of everyday life for privately-owned media

"Attacks on press freedom have increased since the massacre in Gatumba at the end of September and have become almost daily in recent days," says RSF.

Tanzania

Newspaper ordered to pay damages in defamation case

The "RAI" newspaper and columnist Prince Bagenda have been fined approximately US$9,000 in total.

Syria

RSF urges foreign media to take utmost care to protect local sources

While foreign reporters arrested face a few days in detention and then deportation, Syrians pay a much higher price for their involvement.

United States

Journalists detained, obstructed from covering Occupy Wall Street protests

"We are alarmed by New York law enforcement's treatment of journalists covering the eviction of Occupy Wall Street today," said Carlos Lauria, CPJ senior coordinator for the Americas.

Rwanda

Three journalists arrested in the span of a week

Joseph Bideri was arrested following the publication of a series of articles in his newspaper regarding a case of embezzlement in the construction of the Rukarara hydro-electric dam.

Venezuela

RSF calls for release of editor, now on hunger strike; five radio stations suspended

CONATEL ordered the stations' closure and had their broadcast equipment seized for alleged "clandestine and illegal use of the radio waves."

China

Investigative journalist forced to resign

Yang Haipeng was forced to resign for publicising an apparent injustice in proceedings of Shanghai's Minhang District People's Court, a week before his wife was sentenced to four years imprisonment for corruption.

Philippines

Newspaper executive shot dead by motorcycle gunman

An unidentified gunman shot Alfredo "Dodong" Velarde Jr., the circulation manager for "Brigada News", in front of the newspaper's office in General Santos City.

Kyrgyzstan

Two media owners sentenced in absentia

Khalil Khudaiberdiyev of Osh TV and Dzhavlon Mirzakhodzhayev of Mezon TV, who both fled the country in 2010, were sentenced to 20 and 14 years in jail, respectively.

Bolivia

Radio and television stations destroyed by mayor's supporters

A group of residents from the community of Choré dismantled and destroyed equipment belonging to the Yapacaní community radio station and Canal 8 television station.

United States

PEN American Center calls for press freedom at Occupy Wall Street sites

Police barred reporters from several news outlets from covering the clearing of Zuccotti Park in New York City, which has been occupied by protesters for over two months.

Mexico

Newspaper facilities attacked in Coahuila

This is the second time that "El Siglo de Torreón" has been targeted since 2009.

Senegal

ARTICLE 19 calls for free flow of information in discussions on water privatisation

The terms under which the government contracts the provision of water services are being discussed without consultation with affected stakeholders, says the organisation.

Ecuador

Journalist who appeared before IACHR reportedly drugged

Christian Zurita, who is facing a lawsuit for co-writing the book "El Gran Hermano", is presumed to have been drugged with a substance known as scopolamine.

Iran

Three journalists arrested; families of journalists continue to be harassed

Two Kuwaiti journalists, Adel Al-Yahya and Raed Al-Majed, were arrested on charges of spying and entering the country illegally.

Mexico

Individual assassinated in Nuevo Laredo for allegedly moderating online forum

Members of an organised crime group apparently carried out the murder, accusing the victim of publicising information about criminal activities.

Turkey

Draft bill risks stifling Internet freedom

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc announced that plans were under way to include online media under the mandate of the Press Law. The Alternative Information Association has criticised the process by which the bill is being developed, and its scope.

Somalia

Police raid NUSOJ office, briefly detain union leader

NUSOJ believes the raid on its office and the arrest of organising secretary Abdiqani Sheik Mohamed constitute part of a plan to intimidate the union's leaders and disrupt its work.

Egypt

Blogger's detention extended; another activist summoned

Egyptian human rights organisations have condemned a military court decision to extend blogger Alaa Abd El-Fattah's detention for an additional 15 days.

Switzerland

Hyperlink liability disproportionately infringes on free expression, says ARTICLE 19

Since hyperlinks remain constant as the content of the linked-to website varies over time, imposing liability for hyperlinks would be to impose liability for material over which the hyperlinking website provider has no control, argues ARTICLE 19.

Nigeria

Journalist arrested over articles about alleged football corruption

Olajide Fashikun was arrested after writing a series of articles about a letter bearing the allegedly forged signature of the president of FIFA. While he has been released, the offices of the newspaper were ransacked and his laptop and hard drive were seized.

Turkey

Two journalists killed in second earthquake

After following up on developments in the government's rescue efforts, Cem Emir and Sebahattin Yılmaz returned to their hotel and were filing reports for DHA when the latest quake occurred.

China

IFJ concerned over threatened magazine closure

"Jinghua" magazine was ordered to stop all investigative reporting amid calls by senior government officials for stricter media monitoring.

Peru

Constitutional court rules against "El Comercio" newspaper

IPYS says the ruling goes against the right of reply and freedom of expression.

Ethiopia

Authorities charge six journalists with terrorism

Two of the journalists, Eskinder Nega and Fasil Yenealem, were imprisoned on anti-state charges for coverage critical of the government's brutal repression of pro-democracy protests following the disputed 2005 election.

Honduras

Two journalists receive death threats

Unidentified callers threatened to kill Arnulfo Aguilar and Luis Galdamez even though both journalists have been granted precautionary measures by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Ecuador

CPJ to hold authorities accountable for threats

"We hold the Ecuadoran government accountable for the safety of Fundamedios staff and executive director César Ricaurte," says CPJ.

United Arab Emirates

Activists planning hunger strike

The activists said the hunger strike will continue until authorities release them unconditionally and end all judicial proceedings against them.

Egypt

ANHRI calls on university administrators to respect students' freedom of expression

The administration of the German University in Cairo suspended classes for a week and prevented student access to the university from 12 to 18 November in order to impede planned student demonstrations.

Venezuela

TV journalists attacked in front of National Guard officers

Globovisión reporter Daniel Guillermo Colina, a camera operator and an assistant were covering a protest in Caracas when several people pushed and kicked them.

Pakistan

Explosion rocks CD market in Swabi

No one was hurt in the blast but six shops were completely destroyed and two others were damaged.

Chile

Three news websites hacked, newspaper publisher bombed

A bomb explosion outside the Copesa building on the night of 1 November shattered some windows but caused no injuries. The building houses "La Tercera", one of Chile's leading dailies.

Peru

Journalist handed suspended prison sentence

Teobaldo Meléndez Fachín was found guilty of defamation after he published articles about alleged misuse of public funds.

United States

Student journalists arrested in Atlanta

Alisen Redmond and Judith Kim were taken into custody while reporting on the Occupy protests and held for 14 hours.

Kuwait

Bloggers investigated for anti-monarchy posts

Hamad Al-Alian and Tarek Al-Materi had been detained earlier this month but were granted temporary release on the occasion of Eid. They have now been charged with "prejudice to the monarchical entity" on Twitter.

Bahrain

Authorities raid blogger's house, detain him for over 24 hours

Poet and blogger Jaafar AlAlawy was arrested by security forces on the morning of 8 November and taken into detention for questioning. It is still unclear why he was held.

Israel

"Haaretz" reporter Uri Blau facing up to seven years in prison

The journalist is facing a charge of "holding classified information without authorisation and without intention to harm the security of the state."

Vietnam

Two citizen journalists jailed for illegally broadcasting to China

Members of the Falun Gong religious movement, Vu Duc Trung and Le Van Thanh had been broadcasting programmes from the radio station The Sound of Hope Networkover a distance of 800 km from their farm in the town of Thach Loi, east of Hanoi.

Liberia

Fire destroys radio station

A mysterious fire has gutted the studios of the ELWA radio station in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.

Bolivia

Journalist's son flees the country following threats

Journalist Mónica Oblitas has been receiving threats since reporting on a corruption case in April 2011.

Philippines

Appeal for key suspect in Ampatuan massacre trials rejected

Zaldy Ampatuan sought to be removed from the list of suspects in exchange for testimony against his father, Andal Ampatuan Sr, and brother Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Malaysia

Government urged to ensure rights of all citizens to freedom of association, expression

Human Rights Watch is urging the government to immediately rescind a police-imposed ban on a "sexual diversity" festival and adopt measures to protect all Malaysians from discrimination.

Sierra Leone

Edition of newspaper seized by police

The seized edition of the paper included an article critical of Alhaji Allie Batorma Sheriff, former chair of the opposition Sierra Leonean People's Party, who has now defected to the ruling All People's Congress.

Sri Lanka

Web censorship targeting critical voices

IFJ condemns the new registration rules for websites hosting any manner of content on the country, which has led to the blocking of several sites.

Argentina

Arson attack on "La Verdad" newspaper in Junin

A preliminary investigation indicates that the fire may have been deliberately set because several rags doused in kerosene were found on the premises.

Guatemala

Journalists assaulted, face restrictions while covering second electoral round

Héctor Cordero, a correspondent for Guatevisión, was assaulted by a politician's bodyguard and will have to remain in hospital for 10 days.

Kenya

Draft Data Protection Bill critically limited, says ARTICLE 19

ARTICLE 19 calls on the Constitution Implementation Commission to revise the bill to be in line with acceptable international standards on the right to freedom of expression and information.

Honduras

Journalists fired from online magazine Revistazo.com

Eleana Borjas and Claudia Mendoza say they were dismissed because they disagreed with the magazine's new editorial mandate.

International

ARTICLE 19 calls for stronger rules on net neutrality in US and EU

ARTICLE 19 calls on governments worldwide to implement rules that fully protect universal access to, and openness of, the Internet.

Israel

Authorities deport three journalists, two others still held

The authorities pressured the journalists to sign a document recognising they had entered the country illegally and banned them from returning for 10 years.

Kazakhstan

Reporter sentenced to "restriction of freedom"

Valery Surganov was convicted on a defamation charge, and was given a curfew and banned from leaving Almaty without police consent, among other restrictions.

Cyprus

IPI condemns police pressure on publication in Northern Cyprus

In the latest in a series of actions against the "Afrika" newspaper, police forcibly entered the publication's premises and removed a banner hanging from its balcony.

South Sudan

Authorities urged to free two journalists, reopen their newspaper

The arrests were prompted by an article by Dengdit Ayok criticising President Salva Kiir Mayardit, to which the Information Ministry had reacted by suspending the newspaper.

Nepal

Journalist concerned for his safety after criminal gang seeks him out

The gang went looking for Sher Bahadur KC after he published a news report on the arrest of a man on the police's Most Wanted list.

Mexico

Armed men attack newspaper offices; deteriorating conditions for journalists in Veracruz

According to "El Buen Tono" newspaper employees, the assailants entered the daily's building, poured gasoline throughout several areas and then set them on fire.

Ecuador

Municipal official threatens to pull radio station's advertising

Journalists at Radio Satelital refused to stop broadcasting information that embarrassed the mayor of Loja.

Peru

Journalist shot after reporting on police corruption

Feliciano Gutiérrez Suca was shot in the left leg, presumably in an effort to silence his reporting about corruption among police officers in the Puno region.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Cameraman attacked by supporters of the presidential party

Freddy Kalume was severely beaten on 7 November by PPRD supporters during clashes between them and supporters of the UDPS opposition party.

Brazil

Abraji mourns death of cameraman

Cameraman Gelson Domingos died after being shot in the chest while covering a police operation in the slum of Antares, Santa Cruz, on the west side of Rio de Janeiro.

Liberia

Seven media outlets suspended on eve of presidential elections

The government has suspended seven television and radio stations that are perceived to be pro-opposition media outlets, accusing them of disseminating hate speech.

United States

Journalists arrested while covering Occupy Wall Street protests in multiple cities

The latest incidents include the arrests of "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" photographer Kristyna Wentz-Graff during a demonstration at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and freelance journalist Susie Cagle in Oakland.

Peru

Protesters assault journalist, damage and seize equipment

A group of protesters who oppose the Conga mining project attacked journalist Edwin Alzamora Vásquez, an employee of the mining project's communications department.

Peru

Public servant assaults journalists

Mayra Azan and Henry Sánchez were assaulted by Andrés Salas Del Águila because they videotaped him using government property for an event organised by his relatives.

Democratic Republic of Congo

RLTV signal cut following inflammatory remarks by presidential candidate

RLTV's signal was cut following broadcast of a programme during which opposition candidate Etienne Tshisekedi proclaimed himself president - three weeks ahead of the scheduled 28 November elections.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Radio host fears for his safety following threats

Robert Shemahamba went into hiding after his radio show, "Couleurs dominicales", resulted in several anonymous threats and a summons from the public prosecutor's office.

Pakistan

IFJ welcomes establishment of Press Council of Pakistan

The council, which was established by the Press Council Ordinance in 2002, is now active and has held its first meeting.

Israel

Journalists arrested aboard flotilla

Several journalists were arrested after a group of soldiers boarded two humanitarian aid ships sailing toward Gaza and forced them to redirect to the Israeli port of Ashdod.

Pakistan

Abducted journalist found dead, tortured in Balochistan

IFJ supports calls for an inquiry into the killing of Javed Naseer Rind in what was the most dangerous area of the most dangerous country in the world for journalists in 2010.

Togo

RSF condemns exorbitant damages award against weekly

"L'Indépendant Express" was ordered to pay 300,000 euros in damages to the plaintiff.

India

IFJ welcomes debate on media regulation, calls for civility and respect

IFJ affiliates and partners in India, many of which are represented on the PCI, have expressed their intent to make this term of the media watchdog a meaningful one.

Bangladesh

Newspaper editor freed after three months, immediately re-arrested

The Dhaka High Court's order for Mohammad Ekramul Haque to be released on bail was carried out on 1 November, but he was immediately re-arrested on the basis of a new complaint.

Equatorial Guinea

Concern over politically motivated arrest of opposition member ahead of referendum

The Obiang government has sought to silence those opposed to the upcoming referendum to approve constitutional changes.

Liberia

Politician files US$10 million libel suit against newspaper

The former chair of the Liberty Party was angered by a "Liberian Journal" article covering a major robbery case in which he is implicated.

Sri Lanka

Death threats against newspaper editor

The threatening letter Frederica Jansz received on 27 October was prompted by her 2009 interview with Gen. Sarath Fonseka, a former army commander and presidential candidate.

India

IPI condemns newspaper blockade in Kerala state

The blockade was orchestrated by the trade-union wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which was apparently angered at reports by the papers.

Russia

Journalist beaten and robbed

Sergey Avdeyev was beaten in the presence of police officers for taking pictures of an illegally operating barbeque restaurant in Yekaterinburg's Leninsky district on 22 October.

Ethiopia

Court drops one of three charges against Swedish journalists

An Addis Ababa court has dropped a charge of "participating in terrorist activity" against Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye of the Kontinent news agency; the journalists continue to be tried on charges of "supporting a terrorist group" and "entering Ethiopia illegally".

China

Central government must prevent media harassment, says IFJ

The IFJ urges the Public Security Bureau of China to direct the police of Hengshui city to investigate the harassment of Cai Sheng and Wang Shaoyang.

Ecuador

Government makes false accusations against Fundamedios in retaliation for its appearance before the IACHR

Following the hearing, Fundamedios has been targeted in radio and TV broadcasts, accusations by government officials and threats by the government's supporters.

Yemen

Media workers caught in clashes between loyalist troops and opposition forces

Jamal Ezz Al-Din barely escaped an attempt on his life while he was reporting on an opposition rally in Sanaa on 20 October, accompanied by cameraman Taha Al-Muammari.

Americas

Explosive device blows up outside newspaper office in Chile; IAPA angered at attacks on media, journalists

The IAPA called for safeguards for those covering the news.

Honduras

Lead suspect in journalist's killing cleared

Marco Joel Álvarez Barahona is the second person to be quickly absolved of David Meza Montesinos's murder after a single hearing, without any proper examination of evidence.

Liberia

Newspaper risks being shut down over US$1.5 million fine

The court order emanates from a story by "Frontpage Africa" newspaper on alleged fraud committed by former agriculture minister Dr. J Chris Toe.

India

Call for investigation of alleged torture of detained journalist

When Lingaram Kodopi appeared in court on 1 November, he met with members of his family and informed them that he had been beaten while in custody and forced to sign a number of blank sheets of paper.

Eritrea

RSF concerned over fate of Dawit Isaac

Unconfirmed reports that Isaac has died in detention have been circulating since 27 October. On the basis of the information available, RSF does not think he has died, but it does not know where the authorities are holding him.

Israel

IFJ backs opposition to "gagging" press bill

If the bill is passed, defendants in libel cases could face up to 60.000 Euro in damages from just under 10.000 Euro under the existing law.

France

IFJ condemns violent attack against satirical weekly

The offices of "Charlie Hebdo" were almost completely destroyed by a criminal fire caused by a molotov cocktail; the attack happened on the day the magazine published a special edition called "Sharia Weekly" to "celebrate the victory" of the Islamist party Ennahda in Tunisia.

Somalia

Puntland authorities suspend two TV networks

The Puntland president has suspended Universal TV and Somali Channel TV in the area controlled by his government, accusing the networks of being an obstacle to the security of Puntland.

Rwanda

Supreme Court urged to overturn journalists' convictions

On the eve of an appeal by journalists Agnès Uwimana Nkusi and Saïdati Mukabibi, ARTICLE 19 has submitted an amicus brief to the court elaborating upon international human rights law on freedom of expression and the media.

Angola

Armed men threaten journalist in Cabinda

Journalist José Manuel Gimbi has gone into hiding after several armed men raided his home and threatened him with unspecified harm.

Honduras

Unknown assailants shoot journalist

Reporter Edy Andino was shot in the leg while he was on his way home from work in San Pedro Sula.

Argentina

Reporters' van shot at in Cordoba

Journalist María Gracia Martín and camera operator Raúl Vicessi were covering a story when a young man pulled out a gun and pointed it at them.

Nepal

Journalist receives death threat

Sushil Pokhrel received death threats over an article he published regarding unsystematic town planning in Pyuthan.

Syria

Journalists, blogger missing

Hussein Ghrer disappeared after leaving his home on October 24; the circumstances of his arrest, his condition, and his whereabouts are unknown.

Egypt

Military officials jail critical blogger

Alaa Abd el-Fattah objected to questioning by military prosecutors and demanded any case be handled by civilian authorities; the military prosecutor responded by ordering his detention for 15 days pending investigation.

Colombia

FLIP concerned over actions against journalists in period leading up to elections

The organisation views the actions against journalists as particularly worrisome since they affect the ability of citizens to obtain information and vote in an informed manner.

Turkey

Prominent publisher, academic taken into police custody

Ragip Zarakolu and Büşra Ersanlı were detained on 29 October as part of the police's Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) operation. They remain in detention.

Azerbaijan

Editor of "Khural" newspaper arrested

Avaz Zeynalli was sentenced to three months of pre-trial detention after a criminal case was launched against him.

Somalia

NUSOJ demands end to assaults on journalist, media freedoms in Somaliland

Several journalists have been assaulted by police and a number of House of Representatives members are poised to introduce a bill that could further limit media freedoms.

Israel

Whistle-blower gets four and a half years, has 45 days to appeal

Anat Kam did her military service as a clerk in the office of then Central Military Region Chief Gen. Yair Naveh. She used her position to copy 2,085 documents and pass them on to "Haaretz" reporter Uri Blau.

Guatemala

Members of local security committee threaten journalist

Lucía Escobar says she was threatened after publishing an article about the forced disappearance of a person in the town of Panajachel, in western Guatemala.

Bangladesh

Editor granted bail after three months in detention

The IFJ believes the multiple charges against Mohammad Ekramul Haq, the editor of Sheersha News web portal and the weekly newspaper Sheersha Kagoj, are suggestive of a political vendetta.

Iraq

New wave of abuses and intimidation against the media

On 25 October, the provincial council of Al-Qadisiya decided to close the radio station Al-Sada, the only independent broadcaster in the province, on the grounds that its programmes contained music which was "contrary to local morality".

Peru

Journalist Paul Garay acquitted

A division of the Supreme Court of Lima acquitted the journalist of the defamation charges for which he had been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Palestine / Israel

Escalation of settler attacks on journalists

In two separate incidents, an Al-Jazeera crew and four Palestinian journalists were attacked by settlers throwing stones; the latest attack resulted in one journalist being treated at a hospital for severe head contusions.

Syria

List of detained bloggers and journalists gets longer amid pro-regime rallies

British journalist Sean McAllister, who was detained by authorities in Damascus for five days last week while working undercover on a report for Channel 4 News, has offered some grim insights into the mistreatment and torture of government opponents in Syrian prisons.

Russia

Government eager to use Net surveillance software currently in test phase

If the authorities decide, using very vague criteria, that a website has "extremist" content, the site will be given three days to remove it. If it fails to comply, it will be sent two further warnings and then it will be closed down.

Argentina

Journalist's killers convicted

Rodolfo Walsh was tortured and killed by the military dictatorship in 1977.

Sri Lanka

Network chairman, general manager receive death threats

TNL Chairman Shan Wickremesinghe believes the threats may be linked to a recent programme aired by Isira Radio, exposing the connection between the drop in the share market and the drug mafia.

Australia

Immigration minister restricts media access to detention centres in wake of detainee death

Journalists who want to visit an immigration detention centre must now sign a "deed of agreement" that regulates what the journalists can report and sets out a system of prior approval for all photos, video and audio footage before it is published or broadcast.

Indonesia

Human Rights Watch calls for independent investigation into Papua violence

In a crackdown by the security forces on a peaceful pro-independence demonstration in Jayapura, at least three people were killed and dozens were injured.

Kyrgyzstan

New president should uphold human rights, end media restrictions, says Human Rights Watch

The election law, passed in 2010 by the interim government, bans retransmission of any of the foreign broadcast media that contains "electoral propaganda" and any content "attacking the honor, dignity and reputation of candidates" during the campaigning period, which began on September 25.

Nigeria

Newspaper bureau chief harassed

Michaela Moye was reportedly filming the demolition of "illegal" buildings when she was chased from the scene by members of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board.

Sudan

Detained Eritrean journalist faces possible forced repatriation

Jamal Osman Hamad was summoned by security forces in Khartoum on 24 October and is being held at an unknown location in the capital. His mobile phone has been switched off since his arrest and none of his colleagues or members of his family have been able to obtain any news of him.

Vietnam

Dissidents mentioned in "Guardian" article flee country

Nguyen Thu Tram and Nguyen Ngoc Quang were quoted in the newspaper's article titled "Vietnam cracks down on online critics ahead of Communist congress," published in January 2011, in which they revealed the severe measures taken by the government to maintain control over public opinion.

Egypt

Situation for netizens worsens

In one of the latest cases, Ayman Youssef Mansour was sentenced by a Cairo court on 22 October to three years of forced labour on a charge of deliberately insulting, attacking and mocking Islam on Facebook.

Palestine / Israel

MADA condemns extension of journalist's detention

Israeli authorities extended the administrative detention of Nawaf Al-Amer, held since 28 June 2011, for four additional months.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist released after 72 hours in detention

Odon Mwamba was released on 26 October 2011 following JED's call to abbot Twité asking him to request that the journalist be released immediately and to await the court's ruling on the matter.

Turkey

Writer and academic arrested

Although no charges have been formally declared, it is believed that Deniz Zarakolu is being held as the result of his peaceful exercise of the right to free expression.

Kazakhstan

Television crew assaulted after covering labour strike

The assailants seized a notebook computer, extensive video footage and a backpack with reporting equipment during the attack on Orken Bisen and Asan Amilov.

Ukraine

Opposition TV channel disappears from the airwaves

Employees of Krug, the only opposition channel in Odessa, suspect that municipal authorities are using technical issues an an excuse to prevent them from broadcasting.

Brazil

Senate approves Freedom of Information Law

The text of the law was modified at the Chamber of Deputies and has waited for the approval by the Senate since May 2010.

Taiwan

IFJ calls for end to criminal defamation

In the claim, the politician successfully applied for the provisional seizure of a third of journalist Lin Chau-yi's monthly salary as collateral against possible future damages.

Philippines

Arson attack on church-owned radio station

Much of the equipment belonging to Catholic Media Nework station dzVT was destroyed in the blaze, and damages are estimated at approximately US$230,000.

Thailand

Authorities censor website devoted to flood news

Local news reports said the state-run Flood Relief Operations Command had issued a new requirement that Thaiflood submit its reports to the government for approval before publication.

Morocco

Appeal court upholds editor's prison sentence

On 24 October, an appeal court upheld Rachid Nini's one-year prison sentence and 1,000 dirham fine.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Opposition television station evicted from its headquarters

Congo Média Channel Télévision was evicted from its headquarters on 24 October by police officers who illegally occupied its premises.

Peru

Journalist fired after criticising mayor

Yanina Póveda Mercedes had been critical of the Cajabamba mayor's administration, denouncing alleged irregularities by the municipal police and in the sale of construction materials.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Journalist detained on criminal defamation charges

Odon Mwamba was arrested on 23 October and has been detained on charges of criminal defamation against Abbot Twité, rector of the Lubumbashi grand seminary.

Turkey

News agencies agree to "comply with publication bans" following closed-door meeting with prime minister

The agencies are the main source of news for newspapers and television channels and their statement has created concerns over whether the news is going to be "controlled right from the start".

Egypt

Military court charges graffiti artist

Ali Al-Halaby will face charges in a military court, despite promises by Military Council leaders that such hearings for civilians would be ending.

Uganda

Television reporter injured while covering demonstration, another briefly detained

Julius Ssenkandwa was struck in the head and injured when a stone was thrown at him while he was covering the arrest of opposition leader Kiiza Besigye.

Burma

Censor board authorises publication of interviews with exiled media figures

"The government is trying to sell their image. It is the first impression people will have (. . .) They want to make it appear that they've abolished all things of the past and are now doing their best," said one Rangoon editor.

Brazil

Journalist's murder not work related

Police have confirmed that the murder of Auro Ida was a "crime of passion" organised by his girlfriend's ex-husband.

Egypt

TV host suspends show in protest

Yosri Fouda decided to suspend his show "Akher Kalam", broadcast on ONTV, for an indefinite period in protest against "the deterioration of media freedom".

Yemen

Al-Saeeda headquarters destroyed by gunfire, station executive killed

Clashes between armed pro-Saleh supporters and pro-democracy supporters claimed the life Al-Saeeda Finance Chief Fouad Abdul-Jabbar Al-Shumeiry and injured Monitoring Chief Mohammed Ghani Debwan on 22 October.

Ecuador

Journalist prevented from leaving the country to attend IACHR session

Wilson Cabrera, a Radio Station Voz de la Esmeralda Oriental journalist, was prevented from leaving the country to attend a IACHR hearing on freedom of Expression in Ecuador.

Bahrain

Human Rights Watch calls for medics' convictions to be overturned, freedom of speech charges to be dropped

Medical staff convicted by a military court of alleged serious crimes during anti-government protests have been subjected to torture in detention, says the organisation.

Pakistan

Journalist's home attacked with explosives in South Waziristan tribal area

Jawed Noor said he received death threats prior to the attack and noted that militant groups in the area do not want journalists to publish news against them.

Nigeria

Journalist killed in Maiduguri

Cameraman Alhaji Zakariya Isa was killed by three gunmen suspected to be members of the radical Islamic sect locally known as Boko Haram.

Iran

Journalist, poet and activist Faranak Farid released on bail

While WiPC welcomes the journalist's release, it continues to call for any charges against her to be dropped, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory.

China

Beijing court throws out appeal by jailed cyber-dissident Wang Lihong

Wang Lihong's trial is a worrying signal from the government, which is stepping up its control of the Internet, and in particular micro-blogging sites such as Sina Weibo.

Philippines

Reporter alleges harassment by former anti-drugs chief

Rey Pasaporte reportedly received threats over a report about the former director's alleged involvement in the release of a suspected drug lord.

United States

Journalist in legal fight with Obama administration over sources

US District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema quashed the latest subpoena submitted by the Obama administration in a bid to force James Risen to testify about his confidential sources; the administration has appealed the ruling.

Senegal

Activist sentenced to two years in prison for defaming president

Malick Noel Seck was sentenced to two years imprisonment over his protest letter to the Constitutional Council asking it to reject the third term candidacy of the incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade.

Iraq

Series of new attacks and acts of intimidation against journalists

In one of the latest cases, unidentified gunmen fired on Al-Iraqiya TV reporter Abd Al-Hasan Al-Rukaabi as he was driving between the southern city of Nasriyah and the nearby town of Al-Refai on 19 October.

Mexico

Assailants break into journalist's home in Durango

The break in appears to have been orchestrated to intimidate Betsy Hidalgo Rosales who had recently tweeted some critical articles.

Mauritius

Journalist jailed, others fined for contempt of Supreme Court

The convictions stem from press coverage of a disbarred lawyer who represented a car leasing company in a fraud lawsuit against the local subsidiary of Barclays.

Syria

ANHRI condemns censorship of novel by Arab Writers Union

Charging the novel of being "seditious" and "glorif[ying] the Persian race and belittl[ing] other races," the Arab Writers Union banned the distribution of the novel "Sayed Al-Hawma", written by Abdul-Nasser Al-Ayed.

Azerbaijan

Authorities confiscate newspaper's equipment

IRFS objected to the confiscation of computers and other equipment from the "Khural" newspaper office, some of which did not belong to the paper.

Canada

Supreme Court's hyperlink decision a victory for freedom of expression on the Internet

The Court recognized that the Internet cannot provide access to information without hyperlinks and observed that the potential "chill" effect could be devastating if authors or publishers were held responsible for the content on the page the hyperlink leads to.

Ukraine

Unidentified assailant shoots journalist in Mykolayiv

The editor -in-chief of the newspaper where Oleksandr Vlashenko works said the attack may be linked to the journalist's reporting on corruption involving local authorities.

Egypt

Civil society organisations condemn acts of violence, extrajudicial killings in Maspero incident

Peaceful protesters demanding rights for Coptic citizens were attacked, resulting in at least 25 deaths and 300 injuries, some critical.

Sri Lanka

Access to anti-government website blocked

A journalist told CPJ the shutdown may stem from Lanka eNews' coverage of a shootout involving parliamentarians close to Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa.

The Gambia

Jailed lawyer pardoned

Moses Richards was serving a two-year prison sentence for sedition and another six months for "giving false information" to the office of President Jammeh.

Thailand

Government acknowledges effect of lèse-majesté on free expression

During a recent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session in Geneva, the Thai delegation stated that it was keen to prevent further abuse of the law and and had set up a committee to advise the government on the use of lèse-majesté.

Indonesia

Police arrest 300 protesters in Papua

After Papuan Peoples' Congress members read a declaration of independence from Indonesia, security forces shut down the gathering, beating and arresting protesters.

Venezuela

US$2 million dollar fine could bankrupt Globovisión

The National Telecommunications Commission announced that it will fine Globovisión for its coverage of riots that took place in the El Rodeo prison in July.

Ukraine

Draft law proposes closure of media outlets for broadcast of violent images

IMI is concerned that the vagueness of the bill's wording could result in increased pressure on the independent media.

Ecuador

Investigative journalist sued by president receives threat from unidentified individual

Investigative journalist Juan Carlos Calderón received a threatening telephone call from an unidentified individual who warned him that he "will be next."

Chile

More media freedom violations feared as protests continue

The concern is justified by the many cases of abuses committed by security force personnel at previous demonstrations, says RSF.

Senegal

Opposition activist charged for libeling President Wade

Malick Noel Seck had earlier petitioned the constitutional court not to accept the candidacy of incumbent President Wade for the 2012 presidential election.

Somalia

NUSOJ condemns bombing of radio station

Radio Galkayo staff who were on the premises during the bomb attack said no one was injured but the building suffered damage.

Malawi

Journalists must be allowed to investigate death of activist, says RSF

Robert Chasowa was found dead on the campus of Malawi University Polytechnic on 24 September in circumstances that are far from clear.

Brazil

Favela reporters censored by army, wave of attacks on regional journalists

Three serious cases of violence against journalists in different regions were reported within a few days of each other in early October.

Ecuador

Former columnist faces second lawsuit for slander

The Guayas Third Criminal Division has accepted a lawsuit for slander filed by the state-controlled TV station Ecuador TV against Emilio Palacio, accused of having committed slander against the station when calling it a "fascist media outlet".

Philippines

Broadcaster shot dead

Datu Roy Bagtikan Gallego, who often criticised mining operations and spoke in defence of tribal rights, was shot dead in an ambush on a highway.

Serbia

Radio-Television Prima's studio vandalised

ANEM condemns economic pressure and open threats against media outlets in the run-up to local and parliamentary elections.

Saudi Arabia

ANHRI condemns ongoing stifling of freedom of expression by authorities

The team of "Mal3ob 3lena" is detained for airing an episode on poverty, while the trial of activist Waleed Aboul-Khair is ongoing.

Liberia

Journalist attacked in Monrovia

Smith Toby of Truth FM believes he was targeted because his broadcasts angered members of the opposition parties.

Serbia

IPI condemns renewed pressure on journalists

A local politician allegedly threatened Vojkan Ristic for publishing a story linking the former's political party to a major corruption scandal.

Peru

Drunken congressman attacks journalists

After the incident, Congressman Rubén Coa Aguilar fled through the back door with two women who were accompanying him.

Cambodia

Human rights defenders and journalist summoned to court to answer two-year-old "incitement" charges

The charges against Ratha Visal arise from his journalistic work covering a land dispute in Patang village for Radio Free Asia.

Kazakhstan / Kyrgyzstan

Three men found guilty in journalist's death

Gennady Pavlyuk, who wrote under the pseudonym Ibrahim Rustambek, died after he was bound in tape and pushed out of the window of an apartment building in Almaty.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Headquarters of private media outlet attacked

Armed individuals entered the premises of Info Lingala on the night of 13 October, destroying a part of the building's roof and damaging equipment.

Nepal

Journalist receives death threat after reporting on business malpractice

Arjun Shrestha said two Sitaram Milk employees arrived at his home in Koteshwor, Kathmandu and said, "We will finish you off because your news about Sitaram Milk will ruin our business."

Yemen

Another journalist killed as Saleh regime steps up violence against protesters

Abd Al-Ghani Al-Bureihi was fatally shot when security forces opened fired on protesters during a massive demonstration in Sanaa.

Liberia

Pro-opposition media attacked

Love FM and Love TV stations are off the air after an arson attack destroyed a room where an old transmitter was kept.

Paraguay

Politicians accused of masterminding journalist's murder still at large

The important political posts held by the suspected masterminds behind the killing of Merardo Romero seem to account for the lack of progress in the investigation, says RSF.

Ukraine

Parliament urged to reject bill that would censor information about homosexuality

The bill is incompatible with Ukraine's international obligations and could deny people information they need for their health and safety, Human Rights Watch said.

Singapore

Activist filmmaker under investigation for organising event

Martyn See was questioned by the police for possibly having contravened the Public Order Act by organising a public assembly without a permit.

Niger

Two newspaper journalists detained over report on judicial corruption

Zakari Alzouma and Ayouba Karimou were arrested and detained for about six hours on 7 October 2011.

United States

Reporters arrested, roughed up while covering Occupy Wall Street protests

Many journalists have found themselves being prevented from covering the movement's activities.

Azerbaijan

Court proceedings against journalists' attackers continue

The four defendants have been charged under the Criminal Code with "hooliganism committed by a group of persons and inflicting intentional minor bodily harm".

Indonesia

Parliament passes controversial intelligence bill

Civil society organisations say the bill poses a serious threat to journalistic freedoms and civil liberties while contradicting existing legislation.

Burma

Three writers released under amnesty

Two writers and one journal office administrator were included among political prisoners released on 12 October 2011 under the country's presidential amnesty.

Ghana

Newspaper reporter receives death threats

Thugs threatened to "shoot and kill" Fred Tettey Alarti-Amoako, "anytime, anywhere they meet him," following the publication of an article critical of the paramount chief Nana Bosomprah.

Nigeria

Police release "The Nation" newspaper editors

"The Nation" newspaper editors Lawal Ogienagbon, Dapo Olufade, Yomi Odunuga and Yusuf Alli were released without having been charged with any offence.

Bulgaria

IPI condemns attack on journalist

An explosive device was detonated underneath a car belonging to Sasho Dikov, a sports journalist and political commentator who has been critical of the government.

Tajikistan

Journalists convicted, released from prison

CPJ is relieved by the release of Urinboy Usmonov and Makhmadyusuf Ismoilov, but condemns their convictions on extremism and insult, among other charges.

France

IFJ concerned by threats against journalists after television report on Palestine

A broadcast on the question "Is a Palestinian state possible?" drew a hostile reaction from some viewers, including verbal attacks on the programme's presenters.

Guyana

TV station suspension delayed

IPI welcomed news that the suspension of CNS TV6 would not prevent the station from broadcasting in the run up to the 28 November elections, but the group maintained its call on President Jagdeo to lift the ban entirely.

Brazil

Unidentified individual fires shots at journalist's car

Sérgio Ricardo Almeida da Luz has been investigating an allegedly illicit increase in the assets of a federal public official.

Palestine

IFJ accuses Hamas of political interference after takeover of Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate office in Gaza

A group of journalists believed to be close to Hamas took over the office of the journalist's union under the watchful eye of police.

United States

Old law used in controversial new way to get information for WikiLeaks investigation

The US government tops the list of countries that request information about users, with 4,601 requests received by Google in the second half of 2010.

Colombia

Journalist given 20-month suspended prison sentence on defamation charge

Luis Agustín González was sued by politician Leonor Serrano de Camargo over an editorial that questioned her bid for election to Congress.

Peru

Thugs assault, threaten investigative journalist

Carlos Camacho Sánchez believes the assault is related to a series of reports he prepared that included corruption allegations against the mayor of the district of Jesús María.

Bahrain

ANHRI condemns court decision to fine four journalists

The Supreme Criminal Court fined Mansour Al-Jamry, editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Al-Wasat," and three of his colleagues $US2650 for "publishing news that defamed the image of Bahrain abroad" during last February's protests.

Morocco

ANHRI condemns attack on headquarters of newspaper

Thirty female protesters and children, backed by 3 figures known for their hostility to the 20 February movement, tried to storm the headquarters of the independent daily newspaper "Akhbar Al-Youm."

International

BlackBerry gives way to pressure from governments

RIM recently reached secret agreements with several countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, after their governments threatened to suspend its mobile phone services.

Tibet (China)

Heavy-handed security exacerbates grievances, desperation in Tibetan monasteries

According to Human Rights Watch, "Security measures designed to curtail the right to free expression, association, and religious belief in Tibetan monasteries are not legitimate".

Peru

Journalists receive death threat after investigating local councilor

Luis García Heras and Sandro Malca Baca produced journalistic reports showing how councilor Estrella Pizarro had allegedly favored a particular events promoter that received a contract to organize a dance.

Angola

Journalist fined and given one-year suspended prison sentence

William Tonet was convicted of criminal libel despite the public prosecutor withdrawing the charges and demanding the acquittal of the journalist, a request that the judge ignored.

Ecuador

SUPERTEL dismisses charges against seven radio stations

The head of SUPERTEL, Fabién Jaramillo, said the case was dropped after it was verified that the stations had done nothing illegal.

Russia

Southern Urals media community concerned over dismissal of editors

Some journalists believe the purpose of the dismissals was to appoint persons loyal to the current administration prior to upcoming state Duma elections.

Burma

Comedian Zargana and at least 120 other political prisoners released

The release of the political prisoners should be followed by reforms to ensure respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, says Human Rights Watch.

Nigeria

Four newspaper editors arrested

The raid and arrests are believed to be over a story that appeared on the cover page of "The Nation" newspaper.

Tunisia

Authorities shut down TV station, extremists try to burn down another

A judge called for Tunisia TV's closure after it aired an interview with a Tunisian Communist Labor Party leader, in violation of election regulations.

Lebanon

Iranian film director denied entry

Security services considered Nader Daoudi's film about the Iranian revolution to be "hostile" and banned it from the official competition in the Beirut International Film Festival.

Turkey

Politician facing 10 years in jail for "pro-Kurdish propaganda"

Hatip Dicle from the Labour, Peace and Democracy Block is facing prison sentences of a total of 10 years on charges related to a book he wrote in 2008 and a speech he made in 2009.

Italy

Investigative reporters, websites threatened once again by proposed "gag law"

The bill aims to curb the publication of police wiretaps in news media and would force websites to publish corrections.

Ghana

Police arrest two demonstrators

Arrested for allegedly organising a demonstration without police permission, Hajia Sherifatu Sulley and Hajia Fati Alhassan were granted bail.

United States

IAPA criticises boycott of Univisión debate by US presidential candidates

IAPA president says that "what deeply concerns us is not only the decision to boycott a news media outlet but that the decision has been made by people who in the future could assume the same attitude from a seat in the White House."

Egypt

Journalist, activist killed in clashes, private television stations raided

Reporter Wael Yunna and activist Mina Daniel were killed during clashes between the military and protestors speaking out against perceived religious discrimination.

Bulgaria

IPI condemns use of hate speech and "online lynching" to target award-winning journalist

Mirolyuba Benatova has come under a barrage of verbal abuse and has been bombarded with ethnic and political insults on Facebook after reporting on ethnic violence in the village of Katunitsa.

Turkey

Kurdish singer sentenced to one year in prison

Folk singer Raziye Kizil has been subjected to ongoing judicial harassment for singing Kurdish folk songs; she currently faces a total of 10 years in prison on related charges.

Egypt

Human Rights Watch calls on judicial authorities to investigate violence against Coptic Christians

The organisation called for the investigation to specifically address the killing of at least 17 demonstrators who appear to have been run over by military vehicles.

Uzbekistan

UN Human Rights Committee decision advances free expression

ARTICLE 19 welcomes the committee's conclusion that the procedure for registering the NGO Democracy and Rights violated freedom of expression and association rights.

Somalia

Journalist killed in Mogadishu suicide bomb attack

Radio reporter Abdiaziz Ahmed Aden had been sent to the capital to report on ongoing military operations against Al-Shabaab militants.

Azerbaijan

Deputy defence minister sues newspaper over criticism of army

Chingiz Mamedov has filed a defamation lawsuit against "Yeni Musavat" newspaper and has called for the authors of the critical articles to be prosecuted.

Singapore

Opposition party under investigation for organising video conference with former detainees

The police allege that the Singapore Democratic Party allowed "fugitives from justice" to interfere with domestic politics because former detainees Francis Seow and Tang Fong Har participated in a political discussion via video conference.

Cuba

Hablemos Press journalist to be expelled from Havana yet again in new crackdown

Calixto Ramón Martínez Arias is awaiting deportation from the capital for the ninth time in less than two years, to his hometown of Camagüey.

Chile

Bill would criminalise protests, turn journalists into police informers

The bill, which emerged following a wave of protests by students and others, would violate basic rights by criminalising the expression of opinions in public.

Pakistan

Journalist killed in Lahore

According to one of his brothers, Faisal Qureshi had received death threats from men claiming to be from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement political party.

Philippines

Newspaper editor gunned down

Johnson Pascual, editor-in-chief of "Prime News" newspaper, was driving in his van when he was shot twice by two men on a motorcycle.

Zambia

Journalist concerned over false reports of his arrest

The Zambian Watchdog news website, for which reporter George Zula works, is under investigation for allegedly leaking an e-mail that had serious political consequences.

Mexico

Women journalists were killed in robbery, says prosecutor

Two suspects arrested for the killing of Ana María Marcela Yarce Viveros and Rocío González Trápaga reportedly confessed they attacked the women as part of a robbery scheme.

Burundi

Government urged to strengthen support for national human rights commission

The support is especially crucial because the UN Human Rights Council has ended the mandate of its independent expert on the human rights situation, says Human Rights Watch.

Kenya

Freedom of expression standards should guide the fight against "counterfeit" mobile phones, says ARTICLE 19

In a country where mobile phones have enabled Kenyans to track the price of commodities, plan farming around the weather, or uncover corruption, a denial of service to as many as 20 per cent of mobile phones in the country would be a disproportionate response to the problem of counterfeit phones, argues ARTICLE 19.

Uganda

Radio station succumbs to pressure, suspends political talk show

Kitara FM radio station has reportedly suspended its political talk show after it sparked controversy by discussing the manner in which an army deserter was arrested.

Kazakhstan

Media organisations concerned about draft broadcasting law

Adil Soz and seven other media organisations say that parts of the proposed "Law on Television and Radio Broadcasting" do not conform with international access to information standards.

Palestine

CORRECTION: Hamas restricts foreign journalists' access to Gaza Strip

Henceforth, every foreigner, including journalists, wanting to enter the Gaza Strip via the Rafah and Erez crossings will have to apply in an advance to the interior ministry in Gaza.

Peru

Journalist assaulted by mayor

Silvana Núñez was assaulted by the mayor of Chala, Agustín Condori, after she videotaped him drinking in a restaurant during working hours.

Ukraine

TVi channel receives official warning, could lose licence

IMI noted that TVi's suspension would have a serious impact on pluralism in TV broadcasting in the country.

Iran

More arrests of journalists and intellectuals, families threatened

Relatives and friends of at least 10 Iranians who work for BBC Persian Television in London have been harassed by authorities following the broadcast of a documentary about the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Turkey

Translator and publisher indicted, facing up to three years in jail

Funda Uncu and Hasan Basri Ciplak are facing charges of "publishing obscenities" for translating and publishing the book "Olum Pornosu"; the work is the Turkish translation of American author Chuck Palahniuk's book "Snuff".

Cambodia

Community activists in two provinces subjected to judicial harassment

Six Boeung Kak Lake community members who have represented residents in a land dispute have received summonses for allegedly "insulting" a commune chief.

French Polynesia (France)

PFF calls on government to reconsider media shutdown

Closing down state media outlets is a short-sighted reaction to cost cutting pressures, says PFF.

United States

New rules with limited protection for Net neutrality about to take effect

RSF considers some initiatives covered in the rules on Net neutrality published in the Federal Register to be encouraging, but feels there are also several shortcomings.

Argentina

Radio and TV station's antenna vandalised, knocked down

Norte Visión owner Daniel Longarela said he is very concerned over the incident since it forms part of a trend of attacks that have become more serious in nature over time.

Yemen

Two more journalists killed in Saleh regime violence

Abdel Hakim Al-Nour was killed during a military offensive in Taiz province while Abdel Majid Al-Samawi died in a Sanaa hospital from a gunshot wound he received more than a week ago.

India

IFJ calls for full inquiry into death of investigative journalist

The police appear to be treating Ramesh Singla's death as accidental, but IFJ is calling for them to consider possible links to his work, especially as he reported on the topic of illegal mining.

Turkmenistan

Reporter Dovletmurad Yazguliyev sentenced to five years in prison

The journalist was charged with inciting a relative to commit suicide but colleagues believe he is being punished for his work, including reports on arms storage explosions.

Palestine

Hamas restricts foreign journalists' access to Gaza Strip

Henceforth, every foreign journalist wanting to visit the Gaza Strip will have to apply in advance to the interior ministry in Gaza.

Ecuador

Official telecast used to discredit TV journalist, interrupt her programme

A government telecast interrupted the "La Mañana 24 Horas" programme, hosted by Janet Hinostroza.

Liberia

Director of state-owned broadcaster suspended

Ambrose Nmah was suspended indefinitely over the broadcasting of a press conference in which the leader of the main opposition party allegedly verbally assaulted President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Colombia

Valledupar journalist warned of plan to attack her

Journalist Ana Maria Ferrer had reported on irregularities in the mining industry and royalty payments; she is also a correspondent for FLIP.

Guyana

President orders TV station off the air ahead of elections

President Jagdeo suspended CNS Channel Six for a four-month period following a comment made by an opposition parliamentarian during a programme.

Algeria

New media bill needs further improvement, says ANHRI

While the penalty of imprisonment has been abolished in the case of media crimes, several articles of the bill still restrict freedom of expression and opinion.

Saudi Arabia

Authorities detain rights activists, protesters' family members

In an effort to pressure their sons to turn themselves in to authorities, security forces detained Hassan Al Zayed and Said Abdul-Aal.

Bangladesh

Media freedom threatened by wave of violence and harassment

"By allowing harassment and violence to become so widespread, the government is directly contributing to the decline in media freedom," says RSF.

Egypt

Protesters detained, face military trial

ANHRI calls for an end to the practices of detaining activists and referring them to military prosecution.

Serbia

IPI condemns continuing political pressure on Hungarian minority media

According to IPI, the National Council of the Hungarian Ethnic Minority, created to protect the interests of the biggest national minority in Vojvodina, appears to represent the interests of one political party.

Ukraine

IPI urges authorities to allow ATN TV to transmit again

Political pressure and administrative decisions in Kharkov region have resulted in the independent channel going off the air.

China

Activist under house arrest regularly beaten by police; famous human rights lawyer still missing

Forced disappearance and mistreatment have become common in China; the authorities have now drafted legislation that would legalise the practice.

Argentina

Arson attack destroys radio station in Buenos Aires province

The owner of 93.3 FM in Zarate says that security cameras show a masked man pouring liquid outside the building and then setting it on fire.

Kazakhstan

Authorities harass independent online TV station, close studio

Harassment of Stan TV and the independent news agency Namystan intensified after they covered an unprecedented strike by oil workers in the western province of Mangystau that was violently suppressed by the authorities.

Solomon Islands

"Island Sun" newspaper faces compensation demand

The newspaper says the compensation demand for US$10,000 is a form of harassment against journalists and the media.