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Articles - Asia and Pacific

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Nepal

Plans for new constitution trigger attacks on media

Ethnic and religious groups hoping to get their demands reflected in the new constitution have been repeatedly attacking journalists who might stand in their way, report the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Freedom Forum and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Cambodia

Environmental activist killed during confrontation with military police

Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered an investigation into the death of a prominent anti-logging activist during a confrontation with military police.

Malaysia

Journalists targeted in rally for electoral reform

Security forces attacked both local and foreign journalists last week with tear gas and water cannons while cracking down on a rally for electoral reform in Kuala Lumpur, reports Malaysia's Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), as well as international IFEX members.

Vietnam

Three bloggers face 20 years in jail for spreading anti-state propaganda

Three well-known Vietnamese bloggers who are already being held in open-ended detentions have been charged with spreading anti-government propaganda and face up to 20 more years in jail, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Human Rights Watch.

Burma

Five reasons why IFEX members are sceptical about Burma's progress

Aung San Suu Kyi's landslide victory and other key media reforms in recent months have led many in the international community to go gaga for Burma. But IFEX members are cautiously optimistic - especially about the media freedom situation. Here are five reasons why.

Cambodia

Authorities rid city of dissent ahead of ASEAN summit

Cambodia's commitment to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) claim that the regional body is "people-oriented" rang hollow as authorities prevented a workshop on Burma's human rights situation from happening at an ASEAN conference in Phnom Penh, reports the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR).

Sri Lanka

State media outlets label journalists "traitors"

Sri Lankan authorities have openly threatened journalists who supported a UN resolution calling for an investigation into the country's abuse of international laws during its war with Tamil separatists, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights Watch, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Officials are calling these journalists "traitors" and one threatened to break their legs.

Indonesia

Papuan activists jailed for treason

Five men were sentenced to three years in jail in the Papua region for raising an outlawed separatist flag and declaring the region's independence, report Human Rights Watch and Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF).

China

New law allows secret detentions; take action for jailed Tibetan filmmaker

China has approved changes to its criminal code that give the police powers to hold journalists and others who discuss sensitive national issues in secret locations for up to six months without charge, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Freedom House, Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Japan

A year after Fukushima meltdown, residents kept in the dark about fallout

A year after the nuclear plant explosion rocked Fukushima, Kiyomi Yokota still worries about the health of his two girls, ages 3 and 8. He and his family live in Koriyama City, approximately 60 kilometres away from the plant. While the radiation hotline staff ensure him "there is no problem," tests he carried out himself reveal dangerously high radiation levels, reports Human Rights Watch.

Tibet (China) / China

Authorities put Tibet on virtual lockdown

In response to a growing number of ethnic Tibetans setting themselves on fire, China has imposed a media blackout on Tibet and the provinces of Sichuan and Qinghai, say Reporters Without Borders (RSF), PEN American Center and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Nepal

International mission finds impunity, worsening law reform

Despite initial "dramatic improvements" following the restoration of democracy in Nepal in 2006, journalists continue to get attacked with impunity, and legal provisions to protect free expression have actually deteriorated, an international mission to the country has found.

India

Investigative journalist and family murdered

A freelance journalist who had investigated illegal mining activity, his wife and their two children were found brutally murdered in their home in India's Madhya Pradesh state on 18 February, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI).

Saudi Arabia / Malaysia

Blogger faces charges of blasphemy, apostasy after Mohammed tweets

A Saudi blogger whose tweets about the Prophet Mohammed were deemed blasphemous and tantamount to apostasy has been deported from Malaysia back to Saudi Arabia, where he is certain to face trial and possibly the death penalty, report Malaysia's Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), Human Rights Watch and other IFEX members.

Fiji

Repeal of emergency rule has not led to media freedom, say IFEX members

Fiji's military leadership has lifted emergency rule - in place for nearly three years - but has swiftly imposed other restrictions on the media in its place, say the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Philippines

UN declares defamation conviction a free expression violation

In a case that could have global implications, the UN Human Rights Committee for the first time has found that jailing a writer for libel represents a violation of freedom of expression, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) in the Philippines and the International Press Institute (IPI).

Sri Lanka

Journalists worldwide commemorate Black January

A leading editor killed, a popular TV channel raided and accused by the state media of "unpatriotic" coverage of the war, a political columnist disappeared, and still other journalists forced to flee the country or close down their websites. All these incidents happened in the past four years in Sri Lanka, all in the month of January - leading journalists the world over to pick up the call from the Free Media Movement (FMM) and other Sri Lankan groups to commemorate "Black January" this year on 25 January.

Vietnam

In state-owned publishing industry, censorship reigns, says IPA

Publishing books and other materials in Vietnam is "a complex, opaque, at times irrational, and highly bureaucratic process," says the International Publishers Association (IPA) following a mission to the country.

Burma

IFEX members welcome release of journalists, bloggers

In a move showing the government's commitment to reform, Burma has released more than 650 prisoners in a presidential amnesty, including high-profile blogger Nay Phone Latt, five Democratic Voice of Burma journalists and leading musician-journalist Win Maw, report Mizzima News and other IFEX members. Of those released in this latest round of prison releases, 302 of them were political prisoners.

Pakistan

Inquiry unable to find culprits of journalist's murder

An official investigation into the killing of journalist Saleem Shahzad, who reported that Islamist militants had infiltrated the military, was unable to find his murderers, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Thailand

Journalist may have been killed for exposing land disputes

A Thai journalist and political activist who often exposed land disputes was shot dead in Phuket, Thailand, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the International Press Institute (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). According to Human Rights Watch, more than 20 environmentalists and human rights defenders have been killed in Thailand since 2001, and few of those responsible have been held to account.

Philippines

Journalist's killing encouraged by culture of impunity, says CMFR

Publisher and radio broadcaster Christopher Guarin was on his way home in General Santos City last week with his wife and nine-year-old daughter when he was shot and killed by two armed men on a motorcycle, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and other IFEX members. The telltale killing - just five days into the new year - is the latest indication of "the persistence of the culture of impunity that encourages the killing of journalists and media workers in the Philippines," says the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, of which CMFR is a founding member.

China

Dissidents who posted "subversive" articles online get up to 10 years in prison

Officials in China have handed down a 10-year jail sentence to Chen Xi, the second dissident in three days to be convicted of inciting subversion through articles he posted online, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Another democracy campaigner, Chen Wei, was sentenced to nine years on similar charges, report RSF as well as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International. They are some of the heaviest sentences for inciting subversion since the Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo was jailed for 11 years on Christmas Day 2009, say the groups.

India

Activist demanding information shot dead as government tries to ramp up cyber censorship

An activist with a long history of campaigning for transparency and accountability was shot dead by unknown gunmen at a time the government attempts to further clamp down on the free flow of information.

Thailand

Facebook users can get charged 15 years for posting content that insults monarchy

Facebook users could be charged for commenting on, sharing or clicking "like" on content deemed insulting to the Thai royal family, authorities announced on 24 November. The announcement came just a day after a 61-year-old man accused of sending insulting text messages was sentenced to 20 years in jail - the heaviest sentence ever handed down for a "lèse majesté" case, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and ARTICLE 19.

Indonesia

Soldiers kill Papuan independence demonstrators with military assault rifles

Indonesian soldiers violently broke up a peaceful gathering of approximately 1,000 pro-independence Papuans, killing at least three people, reports Human Rights Watch.

Tibet (China)

Monks burn themselves alive to protest police attacks, confinement and surveillance

Violent raids, arbitrary detentions and permanent police surveillance drove two former Tibetan monks to fatally set themselves on fire on 7 October, reports Human Rights Watch. The tragic deaths follow a pattern, with four others self-immolating this year alone in the Sichuan region.

Indonesia

New law can be used to spy on and criminalise journalists, dissidents

In addition to giving Indonesian security officials sweeping powers to spy on civilians, new legislation could also give authorities the right to imprison journalists for muckraking reporting, warns the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), a founding member of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

North Korea

RSF surveys increasing clandestine news networks and info-sharing tactics

An ever-porous information border around North Korea has allowed Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to put together a comprehensive report on the media situation in the world's most repressive dictatorship.

Burma

Hundreds of political prisoners freed, including famous comedian

The Burmese government has freed hundreds of prisoners, including the famous comedian Zarganar, and announced that it would free 6,000 more, report Mizzima News, the Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International (WiPC), Index on Censorship (Index), ARTICLE 19, Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Pakistan

Journalist tortured in "targeted killing"

The lifeless body of Faisal Qureshi, a Pakistani journalist who wrote for British online publication "The London Post", was found in his Lahore home on 7 October, report the International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Vietnam

Amnesty for two imprisoned writers but unjust sentences for many more

In Vietnam's annual tradition of giving amnesty to prisoners in recognition of independence day, the government passed over many of those most deserving of amnesty - prisoners of conscience, report Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Burma

Token Internet freedom gesture amid continued draconian jailings

Numerous IFEX members are stepping up pressure on the new government of Burma, which still detains approximately 2,000 political prisoners despite its interest in convincing the international community to end economic sanctions and support its chairing of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2014.

China

Journalist reporting on "gutter oil" stabbed to death

Two unemployed Chinese residents have been arrested today, 21 September, in the fatal stabbing of 30-year-old TV journalist Li Xiang. While police in the central city of Luoyang, Henan province, are calling the murder a robbery, IFEX members are urging Chinese authorities to investigate possible links between the killing and the journalist's investigative reporting.

Afghanistan

NATO admits to shooting dead BBC journalist

NATO has admitted shooting dead a BBC journalist in Afghanistan in July under the mistaken belief that he was a suicide bomber, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Somalia / Malaysia

Malaysian journalist killed by AU forces

A Malaysian journalist was killed and another wounded after African Union (AU) forces fired on a Malaysian humanitarian convoy in Mogadishu on 2 September, report the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Philippines

Radio broadcaster killed

A radio broadcaster who commented on corruption in his province was gunned down by two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle on 22 August in Enrique B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, Philippines, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

India

Another right to information activist shot dead

A woman activist who was a strong advocate of India's right to information law has been gunned down in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, making her the 13th right to information activist murdered in the past year, say Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and news reports.

Cambodia

Crackdown on critical groups confirms civil society fears of forthcoming NGO law

Organisations critical of a government project to rebuild a railway link that could displace thousands of families have been suspended or told to toe the government line, reports the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR). Critics say it's a sign of what's to come if a controversial bill that aims to regulate the country's non-governmental groups gets passed.

Burma

Artists under fire; "Irrawaddy" magazine remembers 1988 uprising

Inside Burma, a photojournalist is facing a possible 23 years behind bars, a political hip hop artist recently released from prison was banned from performing at a charity event, and a dance troupe is being forced to perform in front of a censorship board, reports Mizzima News. Outside the country, the exiled editor of "Irrawaddy" magazine marks the August anniversary of the 1988 uprising that was ruthlessly crushed by the same regime that continues to silence dissident artists and writers, reports Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Cambodia

Journalists and activists agitating for rights targeted

Two newspapers critical of the Cambodian ruling party were shut down permanently, while five men were convicted of "provocation" for distributing pamphlets critical of the state last week, reports the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR). In another part of the country, an outspoken land rights activist was shot at last month.

Awards / Malaysia

Cartoonist Zunar receives award for courage

Malaysian cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ul Haque (Zunar) has fiercely resisted state censorship, deployed creative strategies to keep his cartoons alive for the Malaysian public, and courageously fought all the institutions of state power that have worked against him. Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI) presented its annual Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning to Zunar on 7 July at a ceremony in St. Petersburg, U.S.

Afghanistan

Afghan project gives voice to women writers

Afghan women poets and writers have been given an international voice through the Afghan Women's Writing Project (AWWP), reports the latest issue of Sampsonia Way magazine, sponsored by the non-profit City of Asylum/Pittsburgh. Through a series of online writing workshops run remotely by American writers, Afghan women are able to publish their experiences in poems, essays and comments on the AWWP website.

Malaysia

Atmosphere "euphoric" despite arrests of protesters

As expected, the tens of thousands of peaceful protesters who took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur demanding electoral reform were met with police violence and arrests, report the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and ARTICLE 19. But the mood in Malaysia is "euphoric", says CIJ: the rally, defying a government ban, went down as the largest in Malaysian history.

Malaysia

Government fuelling tensions over rally for clean elections

A rally for free and fair elections in Malaysia hasn't even happened yet, but those who have been promoting or reporting on it are getting harassed and arrested, report the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Human Rights Watch and other IFEX members. The members have called on the Malaysian government to allow the 9 July march to proceed and journalists to cover the story without fear of reprisals.

Hong Kong (China)

Free expression deteriorating because of China's influence, says HKJA

Freedom of expression in Hong Kong continues to deteriorate because Beijing has been taking a "more aggressive" role in its policy toward the region, says the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) in a new report.

China

Ai Weiwei and other dissidents released, but questions remain

The release of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei last week was a welcome surprise, as was the release a couple of days later of his lesser-known associates, and that of renowned activist Hu Jia. But it also leaves troubling, unanswered questions about his arrest, detention and conditions of release - and what is happening to other jailed dissidents who do not have the benefit of an international campaign behind them, say IFEX members.

Afghanistan / France

French reporters freed after 18 months

Exactly 18 months after they were abducted in northeastern Afghanistan, French journalists Hervé Ghesquière and Stéphane Taponier and their Afghan interpreter have been released, say Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and news reports.

Mongolia

Parliament passes right to information law

After a five-year debate, Mongolia's Parliament passed a freedom of information law last week, joining nearly 90 other countries that provide legal protection for the right to information, report Globe International and other IFEX members.

India / Pakistan / Philippines

IFEX members call for journalists' protection following deadly week for media

It was another deadly week for journalists in Asia, with at least three journalists killed in separate incidents in Pakistan, India and the Philippines. With such abysmal records bringing the murderers of slain journalists to justice - all three countries rank in the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Impunity Index - the outlook is bleak for the latest victims, say IFEX members, who are calling for new ways to address journalists' safety and to counter impunity.

Pakistan

Journalist found dead after reporting links between Pakistani officials and militants

A prominent Pakistani journalist considered to be an expert on Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants was found dead on 31 May about 150km outside the capital, Islamabad, where he had been abducted two days earlier, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Freedom House and other IFEX members.

Pakistan

Tribal journalist targeted in bomb blast

An investigative journalist who often wrote about militants in Pakistan's Tribal Areas was killed last night in an apparently targeted bomb blast in Peshawar, report Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and other IFEX members.

Vietnam

Award-winning publisher arrested

Vietnamese underground publisher Bui Chat was in Buenos Aires last week to pick up an International Press Association (IPA) award for his "courage in upholding the freedom to publish." When he returned home, the Vietnamese authorities celebrated his prize by confiscating it, searching his home and arresting him, report IPA and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Thailand

Officials close down 13 radio stations ahead of elections

Authorities in Thailand shut down 13 radio stations in and around Bangkok for allegedly airing a speech that was considered defamatory to the royal family, report the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Japan

Media discouraged from reporting on tsunami, earthquake fallout, says CPJ

Freelancers in Japan says they and foreign and online media have been actively excluded from reporting on the nuclear threat and other calamities resulting from the earthquake and tsunami, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Thailand

Web developer's 13-year sentence highlights trend of targeting messenger

Thailand's criminal court has sentenced a web designer to 13 years in jail, 10 of them for lèse majesté - insulting the monarchy - and three for violating the country's stiff computer crime laws, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and ARTICLE 19 report.

Japan

ARTICLE 19 and RSF offer resources for reporters covering Japan crisis

IFEX members Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and ARTICLE 19 are offering resources for the Japanese and international media in the wake of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant explosions in Japan.

Pakistan

Another politician killed for opposing blasphemy law

Pakistan's minister responsible for protecting minority rights was gunned down last week in Islamabad, seemingly because of his support for reforms to Pakistan's blasphemy law, reports Freedom House.

China

Crackdown on dissidents harshest in recent years

Following a response to calls for a "Jasmine Revolution" in China, police have launched a massive security clampdown on activists in what some critics are calling the most severe in recent years, report PEN American Center, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Pakistan

Another journalist killed in Balochistan

Another journalist was killed in the volatile province of Balochistan, cementing Pakistan's position as one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists today, say the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Asia and Pacific

Violence against media widespread in Southeast Asian "democracies", says SEAPA report

Impunity, censorship and violence against journalists were rampant in the so-called established "democracies" of Southeast Asia in 2010, says "Caught in the Crossfire", a new report by the Southeast Asian Press Association (SEAPA). This trend will most likely continue into 2011, adds SEAPA.

India

Journalist who reported on health issues gunned down

A journalist who had received death threats after publishing a story about an operation gone wrong was shot dead last week outside his residence near Raipur district, India, report the International Press Institute (IPI), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Vietnam

Reporter dies following brutal attack

A Vietnamese journalist who was brutally attacked last week has died from his wounds, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Le Hoang Hung, a reporter with the "Nguoi Lao Dong" (Labourer) newspaper, succumbed to severe burns in a Ho Chi Minh City hospital over the weekend.

China

New IFJ report identifies more than 80 censorship orders in China in 2010

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has uncovered a series of orders issued by the Chinese authorities in 2010 that blocked information on public health, disasters, corruption and civil unrest, from defective vaccines to deadly explosions.

Sri Lanka

Press marks cruel anniversary

A year ago last January, Sri Lankan cartoonist Prageeth Eknelygoda mysteriously disappeared. Two years ago this month, independent TV station Sirasa was bombed with military precision - a couple of days before well-known editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was critical of his government's war against the Tamil Tigers, was killed. Today, none of the cases have been solved, and no one has been brought to justice. Sri Lanka's Free Media Movement (FMM) and other IFEX members have launched a series of campaigns and actions to commemorate one of Sri Lanka's "cruellest months for journalists."

Philippines

Reporter who spoke out against illegal mining gunned down

A radio broadcaster who spoke out against environmental abuse was shot dead this week in Palawan, a far-western island province in the Philippines. He was the second journalist killed under the new administration, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and other IFEX members.

Vietnam

Authorities rein in dissent ahead of Party Congress

Days before the opening of the Communist Party Congress, Vietnam issued a new executive decree that gives the authorities greater powers to penalise journalists, editors and bloggers who report on issues deemed sensitive to national security, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). IFEX members say it's just the latest of the many controls on dissent put in place before the week-long congress, which kicked off on 12 January.

Pakistan

TV reporter gunned down in Karachi

A reporter for Pakistan's largest private TV news channel was gunned down last week, shortly after covering gang violence in Karachi, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and other IFEX members.

Thailand

Emergency decree lifted but rights violations continue

Eight months after violent clashes between anti-government groups and state security forces, the Thai government has finally lifted the emergency decree on Bangkok and three nearby provinces, reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) - but rights activists have little faith that much will change.

Pakistan

Governor gunned down for opposing blasphemy law

Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab, was shot dead in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on 4 January by one of his own bodyguards who opposed reform of Pakistan's blasphemy law, report Freedom House and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Cambodia

New penal code used to trample on free expression

A Cambodian man who shared web articles with two of his colleagues was convicted on incitement charges and sentenced to six months in jail under a new penal code, reports Human Rights Watch, which called the use of the law "a huge step backward for free expression in Cambodia."

Indonesia

Editor found dead; journalists injured in office raid

An editor on Kisar, one of the eastern Maluku Islands in Indonesia, was found dead with bruises on much of his body on 17 December, report local IFEX member the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). In a separate incident, two journalists were injured when a group of members of the Kaili Youth Front (FPK) raided AJI's and Beritapalu.com's shared office in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on 30 December.

Pakistan

Three journalists die, two in twin suicide blasts

Two journalists who were covering an anti-terrorism strategy discussion at a council meeting in the northwest Pakistani border town Ghalanai were killed on 6 December in a double suicide bombing, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and other IFEX members.

China

Freedom House launches weekly China media bulletin

Did you hear how Li Changchun, China's fifth most powerful man, was named by U.S. diplomats as the brains behind the hacker attacks on Google's email systems last year? Or how China blacked out a Japanese news report on the Nobel Peace Prize this week? Find these stories - all in one place - in Freedom House's "China Media Bulletin", a new weekly digest of press freedom and censorship news on China and its neighbours.

Philippines

Still no justice one year later in Maguindanao massacre, says IFEX

One year on, the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), the world's largest network of free expression organisations, is calling for justice in the Maguindanao massacre. On 23 November 2009, at least 57 people, among them 32 journalists and media workers, were slaughtered on a grassy hilltop in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines while travelling in an election convoy. The event is not only infamous for being the deadliest act of violence committed against journalists ever recorded - but it also shines a light on the decades-long culture of impunity for the killers of journalists and other civilians in the Philippines, says IFEX. IFEX members worldwide marked the day as a Global Day of Action.

Pakistan

Body of journalist discovered in volatile Balochistan

The body of a journalist who disappeared last month in the volatile province of Balochistan was found last week, report Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Lala Hameed Baloch's bullet-ridden body was discovered on 18 November outside of Turbat with a note that read "Eid present for the Baloch people." According to PPF, eight other bodies were uncovered across the province during the three-day Eid festival.

Burma

Suu Kyi's release spotlights sham election, remaining political prisoners

Nearly eight years after being detained, Burma's most famous activist, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been freed. But her release comes just days after the Burmese junta declared victory in the country's sham elections, and when more than 2,000 other political prisoners remain locked up. IFEX members around the world that have been vigorously campaigning for Suu Kyi welcomed her release as the "first step" for freedom for Burma.

Vietnam

Crackdown on bloggers in run-up to Communist Party Congress

Police in Vietnam have been arresting bloggers in recent weeks in an apparent crackdown on dissent before a crucial Communist Party Congress, report Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). With a total of 17 cyber-dissidents in jail, Vietnam is the world's second biggest prison for cyber-dissidents after China, says RSF.

Singapore

British journalist convicted for condemning death penalty

The death penalty is still legitimate in Singapore - but apparently talking about it isn't. British journalist Alan Shadrake, who condemned Singapore's use of capital punishment in his new book, has been convicted for contempt, report Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and news reports. He will be sentenced on 9 November when he is likely to get jail time. Sign a petition calling on the government to drop the charges and allow Shadrake to leave the country.

Burma

Rights abuses surge ahead of historic election

On 7 November, the Burmese people will go to nationwide polls for the first time in 20 years. But contesting political parties will have seldom been seen or heard of in the state media. Independent websites have already been censored, and foreign journalists will not be allowed to cover the spectacle. Thirty-three IFEX members, including Mizzima News and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), are lobbying the governments of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting this week in Hanoi to put pressure on Burma to respect free expression - essential if the elections are to be seen as credible, they say.

China / Awards / International

Government blocks news of Nobel Peace Prize winner

The Chinese authorities are scrambling to block broadcasts of the news that this year's Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the country's most famous dissident, Liu Xiaobo, report Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Cambodia

Rainsy sentence blows apart pretence of democracy

The latest conviction of Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy on trumped up charges is a clear example of the country's deteriorating free expression situation and a government that is no longer interested in appearing democratic, say Human Rights Watch and ARTICLE 19. That the government is using the judiciary to silence dissent - and that such attacks are putting democracy at risk - is a key finding in a new report launched by ARTICLE 19, Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) and 15 other Cambodian and international organisations and unions.

Pakistan

Another journalist killed in Pakistan-Afghanistan border region

Another journalist was killed in mid-September in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, a northwest province of Pakistan that borders Afghanistan and is one of the world's most dangerous locales for journalists, according to the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Burma

Exiled news sites hit by cyber attacks ahead of election

Three exiled Burmese news websites were hacked on 27 September, the third anniversary of the military's mass killings during the "Saffron Revolution" and ahead of national elections in Burma, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Mizzima News and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The Mizzima News site was one of those hacked.

North Korea

Many journalists still held in prison camps

A former North Korean political prisoner has told Reporters Without Borders (RSF) that two North Korean journalists died in a prison camp in the north-eastern part of the county in 2001. Several journalists continue to be held in harsh conditions in these camps.

Pakistan

Senior journalist killed in volatile town

After working as a journalist for close to 30 years, Misri Khan Orakzai was shot dead on 14 September by three men waiting for him as he entered a press club in Hangu district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province (formerly known as the North West Frontier Province), report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Afghanistan

Television journalist slain

A prominent television journalist allied with opposition political groups was found stabbed to death outside his home in Kabul on 6 September, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Pakistan

Two media workers killed in bomb attack; journalist kidnapped and tortured

A suicide bomber detonated explosives at a Shiite procession in Quetta, Pakistan on 3 September, triggering chaos, killing two media workers and injuring eight other journalists, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). At least 64 people were killed and 185 injured. In a separate episode on 4 September in Islamabad, a journalist critical of the government was abducted and tortured.

China

Journalists beaten and detained for ignoring censorship orders

Defiant and resilient, Chinese journalists continue reporting on stories the regime would prefer to conceal. In their effort to inform the public, journalists are often assaulted and arrested, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Stories of a deadly aircraft crash that killed 42 people, a young woman gang-raped by individuals with links to the police, and environmental damage and human suffering in the aftermath of the construction of a dam are a few examples of the reportage that evade censorship. This culture of media repression has spread to private-sector companies targeting journalists, with authorities protecting companies at the expense of media freedom.

Pakistan

PPF and AMARC make appeal for community radio to help flood victims; journalist assaulted in Punjab

In a joint action, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) and the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) have appealed to the Pakistani government to allow emergency community radio stations to be established in areas that have suffered from the current floods in Pakistan. Meanwhile, violence against journalist is ongoing, including a recent assault on a reporter after he filmed the lynching of two brothers, report PPF, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). As well, PPF's website was hacked in August.

Indonesia

Journalist killed in vicious confrontation between villagers

An Indonesian journalist was hacked to death on 21 August while covering clashes between two villages, report the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and other IFEX members. The journalist's murder is a stark example of a culture of impunity as police watched the attack and did nothing.

Burma

Election laws rampant with free expression violations

The Burmese military government has announced its plans to hold elections for the first time in 20 years on 7 November 2010, six days before Aung San Suu Kyi's current house arrest comes to an end. But the junta simply plans to reinforce its military rule with an illegitimate election, say Human Rights Watch and ARTICLE 19. Both IFEX members are calling on the international community and the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to pressure the junta to release 2,000 political prisoners and repeal Internet censorship and all regulations of the media that interfere with freedom of expression.

Indonesia

Two environmental reporters found dead; threats to journalists escalate

One journalist's body was found in a river, another died mysteriously in his home, and a third has received a death threat written in blood. Indonesian journalists are under deadly pressure for reporting on environmental degradation and local politics, with threats escalating prior to local elections, report the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Pakistan

Media outlets and journalists under attack

A protester hurled shoes at Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari in Birmingham, UK, on Saturday, outraged by Zardari's inadequate response to the untold suffering of flood victims in Pakistan. The President's party took matters into its own hands and shut down media outlets carrying the story in Pakistan, with armed government supporters and police violently repressing press freedom, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Sri Lanka

TV station incinerated; political cartoonist remains missing

Under Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's reign, gunmen lob gasoline bombs at television stations, journalists are beaten and hospitalised, independent websites are blocked and repressive new media laws are created. Despite the end of the war last year, repression of the media has not eased, report the Free Media Movement (FMM), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In a joint action, 23 IFEX members have called on the government to investigate the disappearance of cartoonist and columnist Prageeth Eknaligoda - now missing for 200 days.

Nepal

Chairman of community radio broadcaster slain

A community radio owner was gunned down as he rode his motorcycle in a district west of Kathmandu on 22 July, report the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES), Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ, Freedom Forum and the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC). He is the third media owner to be killed in six months.

China

Government ramps up Internet control and leans on Hong Kong to erase dissent

In a series of surgical strikes against Internet freedom, Chinese authorities have imposed restrictions on micro-blogging services and shut down an estimated 60 blogs by prominent legal and political commentators, report Freedom House and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). China's influence is also reducing space for dissent and independent press in Hong Kong, says a new report by the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA).

Singapore

British author arrested for book on death penalty; film on political prisoners banned

The Singapore government's pattern of repressing free expression continues with the recent arrest of a British journalist for writing a book critical of the city-state's death penalty, and the ban of a film about ex-political prisoners by a Singaporean filmmaker, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Amnesty International.

Thailand

Battle against free expression moves from the streets to the Internet and radio stations

After dismantling street protests in May, Thai authorities continue to hunt down any opposition, eliminate remnants of red shirt support and silence critical journalists in the name of national security and the monarchy. Twenty-six community radio stations have been shut down under an indefinitely extended state-of-emergency decree, a popular online venue for political debate has been forced to close its message board, and an online crime agency is being set up to pursue violators of the Kingdom's lèse majesté law (insulting the monarchy), reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Kashmir (India) / India

Journalists barred from reporting on demonstrations; journalist slain

Weeks of anti-India street protests have left 15 people dead in Indian-controlled Kashmir and authorities are striking hard with a complete lockdown on local coverage of the unrest. Local journalists have been beaten by police and barred from covering the government crackdown on demonstrators, and thousands of police have been deployed in the region to enforce a curfew, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Authorities have also attempted to control the flow of information by shutting down publications and confiscating newspapers prior to distribution. At the same time, in two other states, a journalist was killed and an editor arrested.

Indonesia

Activists imprisoned for waving flags, says Human Rights Watch report

The Indonesian government should immediately release the more than 100 Papuan and Moluccan activists imprisoned for peacefully voicing political views, and change laws and policies to protect freedom of expression, says a new report by Human Rights Watch.

Fiji

New press law gives sweeping powers to military regime

New media legislation in Fiji permits government-appointed officials to arbitrarily seize media equipment and documents, force journalists to reveal their sources and fine media organisations up to $100,000 Fiji Dollars (around US $53,000), report the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and other IFEX members.

Philippines

Three journalists killed in one week

Three Filipino journalists have been murdered in the final days of outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's tenure, report the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other IFEX members. The President's reign has been emblematic of impunity and media murders.

Pakistan

TV journalist killed; press club attacked

A Pakistani journalist was shot dead on 28 May as he reported details of Taliban attacks on two mosques, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Ninety-four people were killed in the simultaneous attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers. In a separate incident, journalists at a press club came under attack for their coverage of local protests.

Bangladesh

Hundreds of police shut down pro-opposition newspaper

An opposition newspaper was forced to close in Bangladesh last week after the government cancelled its license to publish and sent 200 police to raid its printing press in the middle of the night, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), ARTICLE 19, the International Press Institute (IPI) and other IFEX members. The acting editor of the paper was arrested on fraud charges.

Vietnam

Authorities crush online dissent; activists detained incommunicado

In a two-pronged attack, Vietnamese authorities have detained, interrogated and at times physically abused at least seven independent bloggers in the past two months, simultaneously carrying out a series of insidious cyber attacks on websites critical of the government, reports Human Rights Watch. Meanwhile, rights defenders continue to face sham trials and severe prison sentences for organising for the rights of workers or supporting opposition political groups.

Mongolia

Mongolian journalists face numerous pressures, says Globe International 2009 Media Freedom Report

Mongolian journalists are struggling to practice their profession as they battle a lack of transparency and limited access to information, as well as physical assault, editorial censorship and fear of loss of employment for reporting the truth, says Globe International in its Media Freedom Report 2009.

Philippines

Government should pass FOI law, end impunity, say IFEX members

Before the Philippine leadership steps down in just a few weeks, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), along with 30 other IFEX members, is demanding that it make one last "crucial" move: to finally put the Freedom of Information Act into law. Meanwhile, on the sixth anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre, Manila's Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) is appealing to the President-Elect to tackle the longstanding issue of impunity.

Pakistan

Images of Mohammed provoke censorship

Caricatures of Prophet Mohammed on Facebook sparked outrage and censorship in Pakistan last week. Authorities embarked on a large-scale crackdown of the Internet, blocking up to 1,000 sites, including Facebook, YouTube and Flickr, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), ARTICLE 19 and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Thailand

Bangkok ablaze; two journalists killed and several others wounded

Downtown Bangkok has spiralled into a flaming battleground after close to two months of anti-government protests, with at least 39 dead, including two journalists killed in clashes, and hundreds wounded. Thai troops broke through the encampment of red shirts today, cracking down on the movement and triggering more violence, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and other IFEX members. The media have taken a heavy toll - several media outlets were targeted or closed down to protect staff, and other journalists have been shot and wounded. The government has imposed a night-time curfew across the country.

Philippines

Election campaign leaves trail of attacks on the press

The massacre of 32 Filipino journalists last November was a deadly start for election campaigning in the Philippines leading up to this week's presidential elections. In a recent series of election-related incidents, a radio journalist received a death threat, another journalist disappeared, and media workers have been beaten by followers of local political officials, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA). Outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo fostered a culture of impunity to hold onto power, with 137 journalists killed under her watch.

Pakistan

Journalists under threat from suicide bombs, abductions and censorship

Pakistani journalists continue to be pushed to the edge, by suicide attacks, kidnappings and murder, as well as government officials making direct attacks on critical journalists, reports the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF). Access to information has also been undermined with state orders to halt BBC Urdu-language broadcasts.

Asia and Pacific

World Press Freedom Day in Asia-Pacific

World Press Freedom Day is being observed at a crucial moment in Asia - during the violent, political crisis in Thailand where media workers are caught in the crossfire, upcoming elections in Burma and the Philippines, and national security concerns being used to override press freedom throughout the region from Vietnam to East Timor, says the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Pakistan

Cameraman and reporter killed in bomb blasts

In a series of ferocious suicide bombings, two Pakistani journalists were killed last week in northwest Pakistan, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and other IFEX members. Journalists are often victims of insurgent attacks and do not receive sufficient protection from authorities.

Thailand

Reuters journalist among 21 people killed in clashes

In the worst political violence in two decades in Thailand, a Japanese journalist was killed while covering battles between red shirt protesters and police military units, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other IFEX members. At least 21 people have been killed in clashes this past week; close to 900 injured. The state of emergency declared in Bangkok by the government has resulted in escalated censorship of opposition and independent media.

Bangladesh

Photos of extrajudicial killings banned

Art can be a powerful medium for ideas and information, to challenge repression. A photo exhibit about extrajudicial executions in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was banned on 22 March, report Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and ARTICLE 19. The ban was revoked a week later after the gallery owner, who received death threats, appealed the decision in court.

Thailand

Grenades hurled at state-run TV stations; government cracks down on websites

Thai media outlets and journalists are under attack as thousands continue to march Bangkok's streets in anti-government "Red Shirt" demonstrations, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and other IFEX members. The Prime Minister declared a state of emergency in the capital today. Grenades lobbed at two state-owned television stations on 27 March injured 11 people, and on 2 April a car belonging to an employee of a daily newspaper was set on fire. Press freedom is also being curbed in other ways with a journalist facing 50 years in prison for insulting the monarchy.

China

US companies refuse to bow to online surveillance

Two US companies are defying Chinese censors. Internet company GoDaddy announced on 24 March that it will no longer sell websites with Chinese domain names because of the extreme controls demanded by Chinese authorities, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Two days earlier, Google confirmed that it would no longer censor the Chinese version of its search engine, report RSF, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Human Rights Watch. Google will be redirecting viewers to its uncensored Hong Kong site.

Sri Lanka

Critics of the state under surveillance and attack

As Sri Lanka gears up for parliamentary elections on 8 April, a political reporter abducted two months ago remains missing and journalists who supported jailed opposition leader Sarath Fonseka during January Presidential elections are being hunted down for arrest, report Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Meanwhile, a controversial list of at least 30 journalists and human rights defenders to be kept under surveillance has emerged, underscoring threats to any critics of the regime, report the Free Media Movement (FMM), Index on Censorship and other IFEX members. Members of FMM are on the list.

Burma

Undercover reporters face multiple risks to bring stories to the world

Correspondents living in Burma detail the dangers of undercover reporting and the layers of censorship to which approved news gathering is subjected in first-hand reports published by Mizzima News.

Cambodia

Independent media under attack

Threats, intimidation and legal action from the Cambodian government have "whittled down" independent media in the country, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in a new report. And free expression restrictions in the new criminal code will severely reduce journalists' ability to report on corruption within the ruling elite and private sector abuses.

Mongolia

Globe issues report on defamation and censorship in Mongolia

Public figures in Mongolia routinely use defamation legislation against the media and journalists, says a new report by Globe International. Journalists often self-censor in order to survive.

Nepal

Media publisher slain; editors threatened

A Nepali publisher and chairman of a media organisation was shot and killed on 1 March, report the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Journalists and editors continue to face intimidation and threats despite the state's commitments to press freedom and journalist's safety, says the International Press Institute (IPI).

Asia and Pacific

AMARC reaffirms effort to use community radio as a vehicle for dissent and pluralism

Community radio broadcasters from 20 countries in the Asia Pacific region met in Bangalore, India, from 20-23 February to look at the challenges to community radio and reaffirm the necessity for marginalised communities to take charge of their own means of communication, reports the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC).

Pakistan

Reporter killed

A Pakistani journalist who reported on feuds between local groups was gunned down in Sindh province on 17 February, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Pakistan

Journalists injured in explosions

Eight Pakistani journalists were injured in a bomb blast in Karachi on 5 February, and four other journalists were assaulted by a mob immediately after the explosion, reports the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

Nepal

Media owner slain

A Nepali media owner was gunned down in his car in the centre of Kathmandu on 7 February, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Sri Lanka

Attacks on journalists on the rise after elections

Arrests and intimidation of Sri Lankan journalists continue in a post-election crackdown, especially on critics who sided with the opposition, report the Free Media Movement (FMM) and other IFEX members. Authorities have detained and questioned many journalists, blocked websites and expelled a foreign journalist, fostering a climate of fear.

China

Authorities ruthlessly censor independent reporting

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has released a new report that highlights the arbitrary manner in which Chinese authorities forbid reporting on numerous issues, manipulating the flow of information. The Chinese media are routinely pummelled with restrictions, leaving very little room for independent news gathering.

Vietnam

Dissidents hit with severe prison terms

Four Vietnamese bloggers, cyber-dissidents and human rights activists were sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison on 20 January, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and ARTICLE 19. The mock trial of dissidents occurred against a backdrop of relentless press freedom and free expression violations.

Sri Lanka

Propaganda and intimidation of critical media ensured President's victory

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa won the presidential elections on 26 January after state-owned media took an extreme partisan approach and openly favoured him with its coverage, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). There was widespread election-related violence with supporters of both major candidates attacking journalists, including the abduction of a political reporter, say IFEX members.

Philippines

Impunity and corruption behind murder of journalists

The massacre of 32 journalists in the Philippines last year is the result of an established culture of impunity and a flawed political system that relies on warlords, says a new report from a fact-finding mission led by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The report paints a picture of a history of power struggles and political patronage that threaten the media environment.

Asia and Pacific

SEAPA outlines press freedom battles for 2010

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) released a new report covering press freedom vulnerabilities throughout the region. After the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) shifts from Thailand to Vietnam in 2010, its approach to press freedom will have a crucial influence on issues like impunity, election coverage and access to the Internet, says the report.

China

Google makes free expression the focus of doing business

IFEX members have applauded Google's decision to stop censoring the Chinese version of its search engine and its new demand for unfettered Internet access. The company's stand for greater free expression came after it found China-based hackers had gone after the Google Mail accounts of Chinese human rights activists in highly sophisticated and targeted attacks.

Sri Lanka

Journalist released from prison; impunity protects editor's killers

Sri Lankan journalist J.S. Tissainayagam was released on bail this week, four months after receiving a 20-year prison sentence, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI). IFEX members have also highlighted that one year after Sri Lankan editor Lasantha Wickrematunge was killed, there has been no serious investigation of the case and a culture of impunity continues to curb free expression.

Burma

Reporter sentenced to 20 years in prison; junta diversifies censorship

A Burmese video reporter who challenged government policies in her work was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 31 December, report Mizzima News, the South East Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and other IFEX members. The junta has also stepped up its censorship regulations with the military controlling newspaper content, and film and video footage under greater scrutiny, reports Mizzima News.

Afghanistan

British journalist killed in explosion

A British journalist was killed by a roadside bomb on 9 January while travelling with a U.S. Marine Corps unit, report Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Afghanistan

Journalist killed in bomb blast; media workers abducted

A Canadian journalist was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on 30 December while travelling with four Canadian soldiers, reports Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE).

Pakistan

Press club attacked by suicide bomber

A suicide bomber detonated an explosive on the grounds of the Peshawar Press Club on 22 December, killing the bomber and at least four people, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and other IFEX members.

China

Dissident writer sentenced to 11 years in prison

Chinese dissident and acclaimed writer Liu Xiaobo was sentenced on 25 December to 11 years in prison and two years deprivation of political rights for exercising the right of free expression, reports the PEN American Center. Members of PEN gathered on the steps of the New York Public Library on New Year's Eve in a call for action to release Xiaobo.

Bangladesh

Government fails to respect the role of journalists, says IPI mission

Bangladeshi authorities lack the political will to bring to justice killers of journalists says the International Press Institute (IPI) after a press freedom mission on 1 to 6 December in Bangladesh. Many of the 16 journalists killed since 1998 were covering corruption, says IPI.

Philippines

Executive director of SEAPA honoured for his efforts to protect free expression

Roby Alampay, Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) was selected as one of the awardees of The Outstanding Young Men award in the Philippines.

Philippines

IFEX members demand justice for killed journalists

Last week's deadly attack on journalists in the Philippines is rooted in a culture of impunity that has become worse under the current regime, with a brutal intolerance for independent views. The shock of the recent massacre of at least 30 journalists and media workers has prompted 52 IFEX members to call on the authorities in the country to face the larger problems that restrict free expression.

Singapore

Heavy-handed use of libel suits chills free expression

Hard-hitting investigative journalism is virtually nonexistent in Singapore as the government restricts the work of local and foreign journalists by saddling them with defamation suits – silencing them with the threat or crippling them with exorbitant fines, report IFEX members. Meanwhile, other journalists are simply barred from working in the country.

Maldives

Victory for free press

An overwhelming vote by Maldives' parliament on 23 November supported a change to the penal code to abolish five legal provisions for criminal defamation, reports ARTICLE 19.

Philippines

Largest massacre of journalists ever takes place prior to elections

At least 21 journalists were killed in a massacre of more than 52 people after being abducted by armed men in the Philippines this week, reports the Manila-based Centre for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). This is the largest group of journalists killed in a single incident in the world. Many of the victims were beheaded and mutilated; some of the women were raped.

Asia and Pacific

Chinese dissidents barred from meeting with President Obama; calls for Aung San Suu Kyi's release

During U.S. President Barack Obama's first visit to Asia as president this month, Human Rights Watch urged him to call on the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to resolve issues of impunity and major restraints on freedom of expression throughout the region. As well, IFEX members called on the President to press for the release of imprisoned Chinese journalists and writers on his first official visit to the People's Republic of China.

Pakistan

Journalists targeted by insurgents and draconian state censorship

As the Pakistani state combats different insurgent groups, increased violence this year has led to a crackdown on media. Some radio stations have been ordered to not broadcast BBC Urdu-language programs and parliament is ratifying severe regulations to control how the conflict is covered, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and other IFEX members. Journalists are also caught between the military and extremists as they struggle to practice their profession.

North Korea / Awards

North Korean journalist wins human rights award

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy is honouring exiled North Korean journalist Kim Seong-Min with its 2009 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award. Seong-Min is the founder and director of Free North Korea Radio and is being recognised for his "courageous defiance" of the North Korean regime.

Sri Lanka

Journalists live in fear; culture of impunity entrenched

Two Sri Lankan editors received death threats on 22 October identical to the one received by journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge weeks before he was murdered in January, report IFEX members. The end of the war has not ensured the safety of the country's journalists

Asia and Pacific

Civil society gagged at ASEAN conference

Civil society representatives were barred from a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as government officials from Burma and Singapore, among others, sabotaged the conference in Thailand last week, reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Vietnam

Bloggers and writers sentenced to long prison terms

Dozens of dissidents have been arrested in Vietnam since September 2008 and, last week, nine Vietnamese bloggers and writers were charged with anti-government propaganda and sentenced to severe prison terms, reports Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN.

Cambodia

State muzzles critical voices; civil groups join forces

Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand on 23 September, Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy accused his government of targeting journalists and members of civil society in its repression of critical voices, reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA). Meanwhile, civil society groups in Cambodia are working to set up a media defense network that would provide legal aid to journalists.

Burma

Surge in political prisoners despite release of four journalists

Four Burmese journalists have been released from prison after Burma's military government announced on state-run television, on 17 September, that it will give amnesty to 7,114 prisoners. But there was no mention of the more than 2,200 political prisoners still languishing in prisons all over the country, reports Mizzima News. This came a day after Human Rights Watch released a report saying the junta has more than doubled the number of political prisoners in the past two years, including more than 100 in recent months.

Vietnam

Bloggers face severe repression due to policies on China

Bloggers and journalists in Vietnam continue to be arrested for writing critically about Vietnam's policies toward China, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). China and Vietnam, where flourishing blogging cultures have encountered severe monitoring and restriction, are among Asia's worst nations for persecuting bloggers, reports CPJ.

Hong Kong (China) / China

Journalists protest savage attacks on colleagues

A number of journalists from Hong Kong are among those who have been brutally assaulted and harassed in mainland China in the last two weeks as authorities continue to control independent coverage of ethnic violence as well as local crime, report the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Afghanistan

Journalist freed; another killed in raid

There was good news and bad news coming out of Afghanistan this past week. After being sentenced to 20 years in prison, journalist Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh was secretly pardoned by President Hamid Karzai weeks ago, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Press Institute (IPI).

Sri Lanka

Tamil journalist sentenced to 20 years of hard labour

Popular Tamil journalist J.S. Tissainayagam has been sentenced to 20 years hard labour on charges of supporting terrorism and inciting racial hatred, becoming the first journalist to be convicted under Sri Lanka's draconian anti-terrorism law, report Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and other IFEX members.

Thailand

Activist jailed for 18 years for insulting monarchy

An opposition activist in Thailand was sentenced to 18 years in jail last week for insulting the monarchy, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and international news media.

Afghanistan / Pakistan

Authorities enforce media blackout during elections; journalist critical of Taliban killed

Security forces obstructed, assaulted and detained journalists in Afghanistan last week, enforcing an official order to avoid broadcasting any violent incidents during the presidential election, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE). Meanwhile, in Pakistan's tribal areas, an Afghan journalist critical of the Taliban was killed, say the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and other IFEX members.

Sri Lanka

Death threat against activist sign of ongoing post-war repression

Last week, a popular Sri Lankan human rights activist received a death threat that is emblematic of the continuing clampdown on dissent in Sri Lanka during supposed reconstruction and peacetime, say ARTICLE 19 and Freedom House.

Philippines

Underfunded witness protection programme contributes to impunity

Journalists continue to be gunned down in the Philippines and witnesses look the other way due to fear of reprisals, say new reports by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).

Burma

Suu Kyi gets eighteen months' house arrest amid international outrage

Amid a flurry of protests around the world, Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to one and a half years of house arrest, report Mizzima News, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), ARTICLE 19 and other IFEX members.

North Korea / United States

Bill Clinton returns to U.S. with pardoned journalists

IFEX members the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Press Institute (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomed last week's release of U.S. journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were jailed since March in North Korea. Following rare talks with reclusive leader Kim Jong-il, who pardoned the women, former U.S. President Bill Clinton brought the journalists home on 5 August.

Philippines

Journalists document president's repressive legacy

Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo rhymed off her achievements in her final state of the union address on 27 July, but Filipino academics and journalists have revealed a starkly different view of the leader's two terms in office.

Sri Lanka

Media still under attack, says international press mission

The long war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended when the government declared victory this past May, but the assault on journalists in the country continues, according to the International Press Freedom Mission to Sri Lanka.

Cambodia

Officials target enemies with 'disinformation' laws

Freedom of expression is under attack in Cambodia, with government officials increasingly getting away with misusing criminal defamation, disinformation and incitement laws to crack down on critics, say the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), SEAPA partners, and Human Rights Watch.

Pakistan

Militants raze homes of two journalists

A Pakistani journalist's family watched helplessly as Taliban militants blew up their house in the middle of the night, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the International Foundation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Vietnam

Government arresting activists one by one

A young blogger and a seasoned pro-democracy activist are the most recent victims of Vietnam's clampdown on journalists and dissidents, report Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

China

Beijing backs off from filtering tool; Uighur protests blamed on Internet

China has indefinitely postponed the rollout of its much criticised Internet filtering tool, say the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and news reports.

Philippines

Another journalist gunned down

Police in the Philippines must step up investigations into journalist killings following the murder of a radio commentator last week, the fourth Filipino journalist to be killed in June, say the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Sri Lanka

Government resurrects draconian press council

Sri Lanka is planning to revive the now defunct Press Council amid continuing tension between the authorities and independent newspapers, report the Free Media Movement (FMM), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Afghanistan / Pakistan

U.S. and Afghan journalists escape Taliban captors

IFEX members Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed relief after a "New York Times" reporter and Afghan journalist escaped from their Taliban captors on 19 June, following more than seven months in captivity.

Philippines

Journalist killed; second in a week

Yet another Filipino journalist was killed last week by unidentified assailants, reports the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).

China

Beijing tells computer makers to install web blocking software

China is planning to force computer manufacturers to install software on all new personal computers that would filter out "unhealthy" information, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Philippines

Two reporters shot dead in unrelated incidents

Two Filipino journalists have been killed in separate attacks in the past week - one while covering a drug bust and the other after finishing his morning show at a local radio station.

North Korea / United States

U.S. journalists sentenced to 12 years hard labour

U.S. journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling have been sentenced to 12 years of hard labour in North Korea after a closed-door trial from 4 to 8 June, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

China

20 years after Tiananmen, government still stifling debate

Tomorrow (4 June) marks the 20-year anniversary of the massacre of unarmed civilians in Tiananmen Square, but in China, the day is expected to pass like any other.

Philippines

Journalist finds himself on army "hit list"

Last week a journalist the accused the Philippine Army of putting his name on a military "hit list", report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Burma

Aung San Suu Kyi on trial for breaking restrictions

Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was taken from her home last week and put in Insein Prison on a charge of breaching the conditions of her house arrest order. ARTICLE 19 and Human Rights Watch are demanding that the international community pressure the Burmese military government not to continue Suu Kyi's 13-year detention.

Pakistan

Journalists flee Swat Valley

Only a few journalists are left in Pakistan's restive Swat Valley to cover the government's military offensive against the Taliban, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), as well as news reports on the website of the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

Malaysia

Eighty arrested in standoff over control of Perak state

Last week the Malaysian government under new Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak arrested nearly 80 writers, opposition members and activists who were protesting the takeover of the northern state of Perak by the ruling federal government coalition Barisan Nasional, reports IFEX interim member the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) in Malaysia.

Thailand

Twenty-six IFEX members protest against lese majeste charges

RSF and 31 other human rights, press freedom and journalists' organisations, including 25 IFEX members, have issued a joint appeal to the Thai government to ensure that no one ever goes to jail for lese majeste - insulting the monarchy.

Awards / China

Jailed Chinese writer receives top PEN honour

A Chinese writer who has been in jail since December for authoring a petition for human rights has been awarded this year's PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award.

Asia and Pacific

World Press Freedom Day 2009 events in Asia-Pacific

The Federation of Nepali Journalists with UNESCO Kathmandu is gearing up to host its South Asian neighbours to discuss their shared experiences at a regional conference in Kathmandu on 3-4 May. Three themes are on the table: media freedom, including security and impunity, how the media contributes to dialogue, and the role of the media in countries in transition. Participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are coming to the celebration, which will also honour three prominent Nepali journalists with the "Press Freedom Fighter" award. See: http://www.fnjnepal.org/

Indonesia

"Time" magazine cleared of defaming Suharto

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and the Southeast Asian Press Association (SEAPA) welcomed the "landmark ruling" last week of the Indonesian Supreme Court in favour of "Time" magazine in a US$106-million defamation suit filed by former President Suharto.

South Korea

Financial blogger acquitted of spreading false news

A South Korean blogger has been acquitted of spreading false news on the Internet, reports Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Fiji

Foreign journalists deported, media censored in state of emergency

The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) are demanding that Fiji's military government stop deporting journalists and censoring the media after the government declared a 30-day state of emergency last week.

Thailand

Political crisis inflicts fresh blows on free expression

Both the government and opposition protesters targeted the press in Thailand's recent political drama, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

East Timor

Draft media laws seriously threaten free expression

A set of draft laws prepared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of the government of East Timor, while containing several positive legal protections, are rife with dangerous provisions that would undermine the media's ability to perform their vital role in the recently independent nation.

Thailand

IMPONEN A "BLOGUERO" 10 AÑOS POR DIFAMAR A LA MONARQUÍA

Sri Lanka

WICKREMATUNGE GANA PREMIO MUNDIAL A LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA DE UNESCO

Thailand

DIX ANS DE PRISON À UN BLOGUEUR POUR AVOIR DIFFAMÉ LA MONARCHIE

Sri Lanka

WICKREMATUNGE REMPORTE LE PRIX MONDIAL DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE, DÉCERNÉ PAR L'UNESCO

Thailand

BLOGGER GIVEN 10 YEARS FOR DEFAMING MONARCHY

A Thai engineer who allegedly sent online pictures that offended the royal family has been sentenced to 10 years in jail, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), ARTICLE 19, Index on Censorship and English PEN.

Sri Lanka

WICKREMATUNGE WINS UNESCO'S WORLD PRESS FREEDOM PRIZE

UNESCO's World Press Freedom Prize has been posthumously awarded to a Sri Lankan editor who was critical of his government's war against the Tamil Tigers and predicted his own murder.

Philippines

COMISIÓN DE SEAPA CONFIRMA LA PERSISTENCIA DE UNA CULTURA DE LA IMPUNIDAD

Pakistan

REPORTERO VETERANO BALEADO

Philippines

LA MISSION DE LA SEAPA CONFIRME L'EXISTENCE D'UNE ENVAHISSANTE CULTURE D'IMPUNITÉ

Pakistan

UN REPORTER CHEVRONNÉ EST ABATTU

Philippines

SEAPA MISSION CONFIRMS PERVASIVE CULTURE OF IMPUNITY

On 24 March 2005, Marlene Garcia-Esperat, a whistleblower-turned-journalist who exposed corruption in the government's Department of Agriculture, was gunned down in her home in full view of her children in Tacurong City, in southern Philippines. Her case was once heralded by IFEX members as the first time since 1986 that the people ultimately responsible for the murder of a journalist were identified. Now it has become symbolic of the struggle against impunity: the masterminds have continued to elude justice.

Pakistan

SENIOR REPORTER GUNNED DOWN

Pakistani authorities should not allow the murder last week of a veteran Pakistani reporter in Rawalpindi to go uninvestigated and unprosecuted, say the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Malaysia

GOBIERNO ACOSA A "BLOGUEROS" QUE CRITICAN A LA REALEZA

Afghanistan

RSF ENCUENTRA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA EN DESCENSO BAJO EL PRESIDENTE KARZAI

Malaysia

LE GOUVERNEMENT POURCHASSE LES BLOGUEURS QUI CRITIQUENT LA ROYAUTÉ

Afghanistan

RSF CONSTATE QUE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE DÉCLINE SOUS LE PRÉSIDENT KARZAÏ

Malaysia

GOVERNMENT HOUNDS BLOGGERS THAT CRITICISE ROYALTY

Eight people have been charged with criticising on the Internet Malaysia's Sultan of Perak, as the authorities stepped up a crackdown on bloggers, reports IFEX interim member the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) as well as Amnesty International.

Afghanistan

RSF FINDS PRESS FREEDOM IN DECLINE UNDER PRESIDENT KARZAI

Press freedom violations have risen sharply in recent weeks in Afghanistan, with the murder of a young Afghan stringer in Kandahar, the Supreme Court's confirmation of a 20-year jail sentence for a blasphemous student, and the closure of "Payman" newspaper as a result of government pressure, says a new report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Afghanistan

20 ANS POUR L'ÉTUDIANT JOURNALISTE « BLASPHÉMATEUR »

Pakistan

DEUX CHAÎNES DE NOUVELLES TÉLÉVISÉES SONT BLOQUÉES PENDANT LES MANIFESTATIONS DE PROTESTATION

Afghanistan

SENTENCIA DE 20 AÑOS A ESTUDIANTE PERIODISTA "BLASFEMO"

Pakistan

DOS CANALES DE NOTICIAS DE TV BLOQUEADOS DURANTE MANIFESTACIONES

Afghanistan

20 YEARS FOR "BLASPHEMOUS" STUDENT JOURNALIST

Afghanistan's Supreme Court has upheld a 20-year sentence for Parwez Kambakhsh, a student and part-time journalist who was charged with blasphemy after he emailed friends an article that critically analysed the portrayal of women in the Quran, report Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Pakistan

TWO TV NEWS CHANNELS BLOCKED DURING PROTESTS

The government ordered cable operators to block transmission signals for two of Pakistan's largest independent TV news broadcasters, "Geo News" and "Aaj TV", last Friday during protests, allege the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

China

EN EL 50º ANIVERSARIO DEL LEVANTAMIENTO, MIEMBROS DE IFEX PIDEN A CHINA LIBERAR A REPORTEROS

Afghanistan

PERIODISTA Y EXPRISIONERO DEL EJÉRCITO ESTADOUNIDENSE BALEADO

Sri Lanka

MIEMBROS DE IFEX EXIGEN LIBERACIÓN DE POPULAR PERIODISTA TAMIL

China

À L'OCCASION DU 50e ANNIVERSAIRE DU SOULÈVEMENT, LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX DEMANDENT À LA CHINE DE LIBÉRER LES REPORTERS

Afghanistan

UN JOURNALISTE ET ANCIEN DÉTENU DE L'ARMÉE AMÉRICAINE EST ABATTU

Sri Lanka

LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX EXIGENT LA LIBÉRATION D'UN POPULAIRE JOURNALISTE TAMOUL

Tibet (China)

ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF UPRISING, IFEX MEMBERS ASK CHINA TO FREE REPORTERS

The Chinese authorities celebrated 10 March, the 50th anniversary of Tibet's uprising against Chinese rule, by booting out foreigners, including journalists, from Kangding City, a Tibetan region of Sichuan. The order came after two homemade explosives were thrown at police vehicles in neighbouring Qinghai province.

Afghanistan

JOURNALIST AND FORMER U.S. MILITARY DETAINEE GUNNED DOWN

An Afghan reporter who worked as a fixer for the Canadian media and had previously been detained by the U.S. military has been gunned down in Kandahar, report Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Canadian news sources.

Sri Lanka

IFEX MEMBERS DEMAND RELEASE OF POPULAR TAMIL JOURNALIST

It has been a full year since popular Tamil journalist J.S. Tissainayagam, "Tissa", was detained in Sri Lanka. After being held five months without explanation, he was suddenly accused of promoting terrorism and held the unfortunate title of the first Sri Lankan journalist to be charged as a terrorist for doing his job.

Sri Lanka

GOBIERNO SECUESTRA AL MÁS IMPORTANTE PERIODISTA TAMIL

China

CHINA NO SUPERÓ EL RETO OLÍMPICO, DICE LA FIP

Sri Lanka

LE GOUVERNEMENT ENLÈVE UN ÉMINENT JOURNALISTE TAMOUL

China

LA CHINE N'A PAS RELEVÉ LE DÉFI OLYMPIQUE, DIT LA FIJ

Sri Lanka

GOVERNMENT ABDUCTS TOP TAMIL JOURNALIST

At a time when Sri Lankan journalists have come under increased attack, the editor of the only Tamil daily functioning from the Jaffna peninsula was abducted on 26 February while attending a funeral in Colombo, report local Sri Lankan journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and other IFEX members.

China

CHINA DID NOT MEET OLYMPIC CHALLENGE, SAYS IFJ

Did press freedom in China improve during the year of the Olympic Games, or did China renege on its promises? The Asia-Pacific branch of the International Federation of Journalists' (IFJ) looks at the restrictions slammed on foreign and domestic journalists in 2008 and their findings are pretty ugly.

Pakistan

UN JOURNALISTE EST TUÉ DANS LE SWAT

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE EST ABATTU DANS L'ÎLE DE MINDANAO

Australia

LE ROI ACCODE SON PARDON À UN ÉCRIVAIN AUSTRALIEN

Pakistan

PERIODISTA ASESINADO EN SWAT

Philippines

PERIODISTA MUERTO A TIROS EN MINDANAO

Thailand

TAILANDIA: REY INDULTA A ESCRITOR AUSTRALIANO

Pakistan

JOURNALIST KILLED IN SWAT

A journalist has been murdered in Pakistan's Swat Valley, the first violation of a truce called last week between government and local militant groups, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and other IFEX members.

Philippines

JOURNALIST SHOT DEAD IN MINDANAO

A popular radio host has been gunned down on the southern island of Mindanao, the first journalist to be killed this year in the Philippines, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other IFEX members.

Australia

KING PARDONS AUSTRALIAN WRITER

Harry Nicolaides, an Australian writer jailed in Thailand for defaming the monarchy, was granted a royal pardon on 19 February and has returned home, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International PEN's Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) and other IFEX members.

China

LE GOUVERNEMENT S'APPRÊTE À DRESSER UNE LISTE NOIRE DE « FAUX » JOURNALISTES

China

GOBIERNO PONDRÁ EN LISTA NEGRA A ERIODISTAS "FALSIFICADOS"

China

GOVERNMENT TO BLACKLIST "FAKE" JOURNALISTS

China is planning to create a blacklist to prevent journalists who break reporting rules from working, says the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Nepal

AU NÉPAL, LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE SE DÉTÉRIORE SOUS LA NOUVELLE DÉMOCRATIE, DIT LA MISSION INTERNATIONALE

Thailand

THAÏLANDE : ON PROTESTE CONTRE DES CHEFS D’ACCUSATION DE LÈSE-MAJESTÉ

Nepal

LIBERTAD DE PRENSA SE ESTÁ DETERIORANDO EN LA NUEVA DEMOCRACIA DE NEPAL, DICE MISIÓN INTERNACIONAL

Thailand

TAILANDIA: PROTESTA CONTRA CARGOS DE LESA MAJESTAD

Nepal

PRESS FREEDOM DETERIORATING IN NEPAL'S NEW DEMOCRACY, SAYS INTERNATIONAL MISSION

Last month, Uma Singh, a Nepali reporter, was stabbed repeatedly by a gang of around 15 unidentified men in her home in Janakpur, southern Nepal. To this day, no motive has been identified, although IFEX members fear she may have been targeted for her work. Some of her articles made waves in the region, particularly those in which she criticised the caste and dowry system or the ongoing violence in the Terai region, where armed groups have been fighting for the establishment of an autonomous Madhesi state.

Thailand

TAKE ACTION! PROTEST AGAINST LESE MAJESTE CHARGES

Thailand's new administration has stepped up its use of lese majeste charges to harass journalists and stifle free expression, leading at least one writer to go into exile because of the charges, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other IFEX members.

South Korea

UN BLOGUEUR QUI AVAIT PRÉDIT LA CRISE FINANCIÈRE MONDIALE EST ARRÊTÉ

South Korea

ARRESTAN A "BLOGUERO" QUE PREDIJO CRISIS FINANCIERA MUNDIAL

South Korea

BLOGGER WHO PREDICTED GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS ARRESTED

A financial blogger who predicted the global economic crisis in his blog has been arrested for spreading rumours, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and news reports.

Sri Lanka

UNE MISSION INTERNATIONALE DÉNONCE LA « CULTURE D’IMPUNITÉ ET D’INDIFFÉRENCE » QUI SÉVIT AU SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka

MISIÓN INTERNACIONAL REPUDIA "CULTURA DE LA IMPUNIDAD E INDIFERENCIA" EN SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka

INTERNATIONAL MISSION CONDEMNS "CULTURE OF IMPUNITY AND INDIFFERENCE" IN SRI LANKA

A leading editor is killed, a popular TV channel is raided and accused by the state media of "unpatriotic" coverage of the war, an editor and his wife are victims of murder attempts, and still other journalists are forced to flee the country or close down their websites. All this in just one month in Sri Lanka, whose press freedom situation continues to deteriorate - even more so because of government inaction, says a new report by an international press freedom mission to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka

EDITOR ABIERTO PREDIJO SU ASESINATO

Nepal

MUJERES PERIODISTAS ATACADAS EN TERAI

Sri Lanka

UN REPORTER INCISIF AVAIT PRÉDIT SON ASSASSINAT

Nepal

LES FEMMES JOURNALISTES SONT CIBLÉES À TERAI

Sri Lanka

OUTSPOKEN EDITOR PREDICTED HIS ASSASSINATION

A Sri Lankan editor who was critical of the administration's war against Tamil guerrillas and often wrote about government corruption was killed last week - just days after predicting his murder, report the Free Media Movement (FMM) and other IFEX members.

Nepal

WOMEN JOURNALISTS TARGETED IN TERAI

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and other IFEX members, as well as the United Nations human rights office in Nepal, have condemned the brutal murder of a journalist and women's rights activist, as well as death threats made against another woman reporter in the Terai region of southern Nepal.

China

PÉKIN DÉFEND LE DROIT DE BLOQUER LES SITES WEB

Thailand

UNE NOUVELLE COALITION SE DRESSE POUR DÉFENDRE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION EN LIGNE

China

BEIJING DEFIENDE DERECHO A BLOQUEAR SITIOS WEB

Thailand

NUEVA COALICIÓN DEFIENDE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN EN LÍNEA

China

BEIJING DEFENDS RIGHT TO BLOCK WEBSITES

IFEX members have condemned China's quiet return to blocking access to websites that were unrestricted during the Beijing Olympics.

Thailand

NEW COALITION STANDS UP FOR FREE EXPRESSION ONLINE

Amid the Thai authorities' excessive use of defamation laws and laws that restrict media coverage of issues involving the royal family, activists have launched a new civic coalition to promote and protect free expression online, reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Bangladesh

LES PARTIES ACCEPTENT D'APPUYER LES MÉDIAS LIBRES PENDANT LES ÉLECTIONS

Bangladesh

LOS PARTIDOS ACUERDAN APOYAR LA LIBERTAD EN MEDIOS DURANTE LAS ELECCIONES

Bangladesh

PARTIES AGREE TO SUPPORT FREE MEDIA DURING ELECTIONS

A recent International Press Institute (IPI) mission to Dhaka wheedled a promise from Bangladesh's main political parties to protect media in the run-up to and after the 29 December election.

Thailand

MEDIOS ATRAPADOS EN FUEGO CRUZADO EN CRISIS POLÍTICA EN TAILANDIA

Philippines

SEGUNDO LOCUTOR DE RADYO NATIN ASESINADO

India

TERCER REPORTERO BALEADO Y MUERTO EN OCHO DÍAS

Nepal

ENCUENTRAN RESTOS DE PERIODISTA DESAPARECIDO

Thailand

LES MÉDIAS DANS LES FEUX CROISÉS DE LA CRISE POLITIQUE EN THAÏLANDE

Philippines

UN DEUXIÈME COMMUNICATEUR DE « RADYO NATIN » ASSASSINÉ

India

UN TROISIÈME REPORTER ABATTU EN HUIT JOURS

Nepal

LES RESTES DU JOURNALISTE DISPARU SONT RETROUVÉS

Thailand

MEDIA CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE IN THAILAND'S POLITICAL CRISIS

The Thai Journalists Association (TJA), the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) are calling on two warring factions in Thailand to end their targeted attacks on reporters and media outlets and allow all journalists to freely report on the current political crisis.

Philippines

SECOND RADYO NATIN BROADCASTER KILLED

A Filipino radio broadcaster who had been receiving death threats was shot dead on 2 December by unknown assailants in the province of Northern Samar, about 500 kilometres south of Manila, report the Center for Media Freedom (CMFR) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). He is the second Radyo Natin (Our Radio) presenter killed in less than a month.

India

THIRD REPORTER SHOT DEAD IN EIGHT DAYS

A reporter who wrote extensively on crime and corruption was gunned down last week in northern India, the third journalist to be killed in eight days, report Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Nepal

REMAINS OF MISSING JOURNALIST FOUND

The skeleton believed to be that of missing Nepali journalist Jagat Prasad Joshi was found in a wooded area near his home in the west of the country, report the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The press freedom groups fear he may have been murdered.

Burma

JUNTA IMPONE SENTENCIAS DE CÁRCEL RIDÍCULAS EN ÚLTIMA OFENSIVA CONTRA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

India

DOS PERIODISTAS MUERTOS EN EL NOROESTE EN INCIDENTES INDEPENDIENTES

Burma

DANS SA DERNIÈRE VAGUE DE RÉPRESSION DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION, LA JUNTE DÉCERNE DES PEINES DE PRISON RIDICULES

India

DEUX JOURNALISTES SONT TUÉS DANS LE NORD-EST LORS D'INCIDENTS DISTINCTS

Burma

JUNTA HANDS DOWN RIDICULOUS PRISON SENTENCES IN LATEST CRACKDOWN ON FREE EXPRESSION

What do you get for helping survivors of Cyclone Nargis, which tore up Rangoon and the Irrawaddy Delta in May? Extreme jail time, apparently. A popular comedian active in Burma's democracy movement was sentenced to 45 years in jail on 21 November for criticising the junta's slow response to the cyclone, videotaping the damage and organising his own relief efforts - what IFEX members are calling a "historical low point" for free expression in Burma.

India

TWO JOURNALISTS KILLED IN NORTHEAST IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS

Two journalists were killed last week in northeast India, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Philippines

UN COMMUNICATEUR DE LA RADIO EST ABATTU À MINDANAO

Pakistan

LES JOURNALISTES COURENT DES RISQUES DANS LES RÉGIONS FRONTALIÈRES

Nepal

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX S'EFFORCENT D'OBTENIR L'ENCHÂSSEMENT DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION DANS LA CONSTITUTION

Philippines

LOCUTOR DE RADIO MUERTO A TIROS EN MINDANAO

Pakistan

PERIODISTAS EN RIESGO EN REGIONES FRONTERIZAS

Nepal

MIEMBROS DE IFEX TRABAJAN PARA INCLUIR LA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN EN CONSTITUCIÓN

Philippines

RADIO BROADCASTER GUNNED DOWN IN MINDANAO

A radio broadcaster who often criticised local corruption was shot to death on 17 November in Gingoog City, Mindanao, southern Philippines, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and other IFEX members.

Pakistan

JOURNALISTS AT RISK IN BORDER REGIONS

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and other IFEX members have voiced great concern about the deteriorating security situation in the border area of Pakistan.

Nepal

IFEX MEMBERS WORK TO GET FREE EXPRESSION WRITTEN IN CONSTITUTION

IFEX members in Nepal are campaigning to ensure that press freedom and freedom of expression are enshrined in the constitution.

Burma

UN BLOGUEUR EST INCARCÉRÉ POUR 20 ANS; UN POÈTE TIRE DEUX ANS

Afghanistan

UNE JOURNALISTE EST LIBÉRÉE; SON GUIDE ET SON CHAUFFEUR SONT DÉTENUS

Pakistan

UN REPORTER EST ABATTU DANS UNE ZONE DE CONFLIT

Malaysia

UN BLOGUEUR POPULAIRE EST REMIS EN LIBERTÉ

Burma

"BLOGUERO" ENCARCELADO POR 20 AÑOS; IMPONEN 2 AÑOS A POETA

Pakistan

BALEAN Y MATAN A REPORTERO EN ZONA DE CONFLICTO

Malaysia

LIBERAN A "BLOGUERO" POPULAR

Burma

BLOGGER JAILED FOR 20 YEARS, POET GETS TWO YEARS

A young Burmese blogger and a poet who disguised an attack on the country's military leader Than Shwe have received heavy jail sentences, report Mizzima News, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and other IFEX members.

Pakistan

REPORTER SHOT DEAD IN CONFLICT ZONE

Security forces shot dead a journalist in Swat Valley, northeast Pakistan, last week, making him the third journalist to be killed in Swat this year, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and other IFEX members.

Malaysia

POPULAR BLOGGER RELEASED

IFEX members welcome the release of blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who had been detained for nearly two months under Malaysia's draconian Internal Security Act (ISA).

Bangladesh

MIEMBROS DE IFEX SALUDAN LEY DE DERECHO A LA INFORMACIÓN

Sri Lanka

SITUACIÓN DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA EN SRI LANKA ESTÁ EMPEORANDO, DICE MISIÓN

Bangladesh

LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX SALUENT LA LOI SUR LE DROIT D'ACCÈS À L'INFORMATION

Sri Lanka

LA SITUATION DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE SE DÉTÉRIORE AU SRI LANKA, CONCLUT UNE MISSION

Bangladesh

IFEX MEMBERS WELCOME RIGHT TO INFORMATION LAW

IFEX members ARTICLE 19 and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcome Bangladesh's new right to information law, but say there is still room for improvement.

Sri Lanka

SRI LANKA'S PRESS FREEDOM SITUATION WORSENING, SAYS MISSION

The press freedom situation in Sri Lanka has noticeably deteriorated over the past year, marked by a continuation in murders, attacks, abductions, intimidation and harassment of the media, says an international press freedom mission to Sri Lanka.

China

ACTIVISTA GANA PREMIO A DERECHOS HUMANOS DE UE, A PESAR DE PRESIÓN DE BEIJING

China

EN DÉPIT DES PRESSIONS DE PÉKIN, UN MILITANT REMPORTE UN PRIX DE L'UE POUR LA DÉFENSE DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE

China

ACTIVIST WINS EU HUMAN RIGHTS PRIZE, DESPITE BEIJING PRESSURE

The European Parliament has awarded its prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to jailed Chinese activist Hu Jia, despite a warning from Beijing that selecting the political prisoner would damage EU-Chinese relations.

China

SE EXTIENDEN LIBERTADES, PERO NO LO SUFICIENTE, DICEN MIEMBROS DE IFEX

Afghanistan

EXIJA LA LIBERACIÓN DE PERIODISTA AFGANO SENTENCIADO A 20 AÑOS

Burma

COMEDIANTE BIRMANO GANA PREMIO UNA HUMANIDAD DE PEN CANADÁ

China

LES LIBERTÉS SONT ÉTENDUES, MAIS PAS ASSEZ, DISENT DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX

Afghanistan

EXIGEZ LA REMISE EN LIBERTÉ DU JOURNALISTE AFGHAN CONDAMNÉ À 20 ANS DE PRISON

Burma

UN COMÉDIEN BIRMAN REMPORTE LE PRIX « ONE HUMANITY » DU PEN CANADA

China

FREEDOMS EXTENDED, BUT NOT FAR ENOUGH, SAY IFEX MEMBERS

IFEX members cautiously welcomed China's last-minute decision to allow foreign reporters greater freedom, but urged Beijing to extend the same rights to domestic journalists.

Afghanistan

DEMAND RELEASE OF AFGHAN JOURNALIST SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS

An Afghan appeals court yesterday overturned a death sentence for a young journalist accused of blasphemy and instead sentenced him to 20 years in prison. Urgent international pressure is needed for his release, says the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN, which is asking you to send appeals to President Hamid Karzai and the Afghanistan ambassador in your country to intervene.

Burma

BURMESE COMEDIAN WINS PEN CANADA'S HUMANITY AWARD

Zarganar, the leading Burmese poet, comedian and activist who is currently being detained for criticising the Burmese junta's handling of the cyclone that hit the country in May, has been honoured with PEN Canada's 2008 One Humanity Award.

Burma

LES SITES WEB DES GROUPES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX EN TUNISIE ET EN BIRMANIE SONT ATTAQUÉS

Pakistan

LA PPF SOLLICITE DES MISES EN NOMINATION EN VUE DE L'ATTRIBUTION DE RÉCOMPENSES POUR LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE ET LE TRAITEMENT DES RAPPORTS HOMMES-FEMMES DANS LE JOURNALISME

Burma

ATACAN A SITIOS WEB DE MIEMBROS DE IFEX EN TÚNEZ Y BIRMANIA

Pakistan

PPF CONVOCA NOMINACIONES PARA PREMIOS DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA Y GÉNERO EN PERIODISMO

Burma

IFEX MEMBER WEBSITES IN TUNISIA AND BURMA UNDER ATTACK

The online news magazine Kalima, often touted as one of the only independent news sources in Tunisia, has suffered an attack that has completely destroyed its web content, reports the Observatory for the Freedom of Press, Publishing and Creation in Tunisia (OLPEC). Meanwhile, the websites of IFEX member Mizzima News, a Burmese news agency in exile, has also been hacked.

Pakistan

PPF CALLS FOR NOMINATIONS FOR PRESS FREEDOM AND GENDER IN JOURNALISM AWARDS

The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) invites nominations for the Aslam Ali award, which honours journalists or organisations that have made a notable contribution to the defence and promotion of press freedom in Pakistan. PPF is also calling for nominations for its Gender in Journalism Awards for outstanding reporting by a female journalist and gender sensitive reporting.

China

CHINA ESPÍA A LOS USUARIOS DE SKYPE

Sri Lanka

PERIODISTA MUERTO EN ESTALLIDO DE BOMBA

China

ÚNASE A LA CAMPAÑA POSTOLÍMPICA DE LA WAN POR LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA EN CHINA

China

LA CHINE ESPIONNE LES UTILISATEURS DU LOGICIEL SKYPE

Sri Lanka

UN JOURNALISTE PERD LA VIE DANS L'EXPLOSION D'UNE BOMBE

China

JOIGNEZ-VOUS À LA CAMPAGNE POST-OLYMPIQUE DE L'AMJ EN FAVEUR DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE EN CHINE

China

CHINA SPIES ON SKYPE USERS

A group of Canadian researchers has discovered that a Chinese version of the communications software Skype is being used to filter and record text chats that include politically charged words, such as "democracy", "Tibet" and "Communist Party". The finding by Citizen Lab, a University of Toronto research group that focuses on politics and the Internet, has provoked outcry among free expression and privacy advocates.

Sri Lanka

JOURNALIST KILLED IN BOMB BLAST

A journalist was killed last week when a suicide bomber blew himself up inside a crowded political party office in northern Sri Lanka, report the Free Media Movement (FMM) and four other local media organisations.

China

JOIN WAN'S POST-OLYMPIC CAMPAIGN FOR PRESS FREEDOM IN CHINA

At this year's Olympic Games, China proved to be an outstanding host, and won the most gold medals. But is China bold enough to take on an even bigger challenge: fulfilling the human rights commitments they made when they were awarded the Games? The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) hopes so, with its campaign calling on China to extend the relaxation of its media regulations for the Olympics that are due to expire on 17 October.

Thailand

LE REPORTER D'UN JOURNAL EST ASSASSINÉ

Thailand

ASESINAN A REPORTERO DE PERIÓDICO

Thailand

NEWSPAPER REPORTER KILLED

A journalist who frequently reported on local corruption in central Thailand was shot dead last week, reports the Thai Journalists Association (TJA).

Burma

MIEMBROS DE IFEX SALUDAN LA LIBERACIÓN DEL PERIODISTA U WIN TIN

Afghanistan

FUERZAS ESTADOUNIDENSES LIBERAN A REPORTERO AFGANO DETENIDO DURANTE 11 MESES

Burma

LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX SALUENT LA LIBÉRATION DU JOURNALISTE U WIN TIN

Afghanistan

LES FORCES AMÉRICAINES LIBÈRENT UN REPORTER AFGHAN DÉTENU DEPUIS 11 MOIS

Burma

IFEX MEMBERS HAIL RELEASE OF JOURNALIST U WIN TIN

IFEX members welcomed Tuesday's release of U Win Tin, the longest-serving political prisoner in Burma.

Afghanistan

U.S. FORCES FREE AFGHAN REPORTER HELD FOR 11 MONTHS

An Afghan reporter held for nearly a year without charge at U.S. military bases in Afghanistan has been released, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). He vowed to fight for justice, alleging his captors tortured him while in detention.

Afghanistan

IMPONEN A EX PERIODISTA Y MULÁ 20 AÑOS POR PUBLICAR TRADUCCIÓN DEL CORÁN

Malaysia

LE GOUVERNEMENT RECOURT À LA LOI SUR LA SÉCURITÉ POUR FAIRE TAIRE LES CRITIQUES

Afghanistan

UN ANCIEN JOURNALISTE ET UN MOLLAH SONT CONDAMNÉS À 20 ANS DE PRISON POUR AVOIR PUBLIÉ UNE TRADUCTION DU CORAN

Malaysia

GOVERNMENT USES SECURITY ACT TO SILENCE CRITICS

A prominent blogger, a journalist and an opposition politician were arrested under Malaysia's draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) last week, in what some IFEX members and activists are calling the start of a wider crackdown ahead of an anticipated opposition push to gain control of parliament.

Afghanistan

FORMER JOURNALIST, MULLAH GET 20 YEARS FOR PUBLISHING KORAN TRANSLATION

IFEX members ARTICLE 19 and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) are calling on Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai to intervene in the case of a former journalist and a mullah who were sentenced to 20 years in prison last week for publishing a translation of the Koran.

Sri Lanka

ARRÊTEZ LA GUERRE CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES DU SRI LANKA : LIBÉREZ TISSA DÈS MAINTENANT !

Thailand

L'ÉTAT D'URGENCE NE FERA QU'ACCROÎTRE LES TENSIONS, PRÉVIENNENT LES ASSOCIATIONS THAÏES DE DÉFENSE DES MÉDIAS

South Korea

CORÉE DU SUD : LE GOUVERNEMENT ÉTUDIE LA POSSIBILITÉ DE LIMITER L'INTERNET

Sri Lanka

¡ACTÚE! DETENGAN LA GUERRA CONTRA LOS PERIODISTAS DE SRI LANKA: LIBEREN A TISSA AHORA MISMO

Thailand

ESTADO DE EXCEPCIÓN AUMENTARÁ LAS TENSIONES, ADVIERTEN ASOCIACIONES DE MEDIOS TAILANDESAS

South Korea

COREA DEL SUR: GOBIERNO BUSCA RESTRINGIR INTERNET

Sri Lanka

STOP THE WAR ON SRI LANKAN JOURNALISTS: RELEASE TISSA NOW

Popular Tamil journalist J.S. Tissainayagam ("Tissa") is the first Sri Lankan journalist to be charged as a terrorist for doing his job. After being held five months without explanation, he was suddenly charged last month with promoting terrorism through a magazine he published for a brief period two years ago.

Thailand

STATE OF EMERGENCY WILL ESCALATE TENSIONS, THAI MEDIA ASSOCIATIONS WARN

The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) and other local press freedom groups are warning the Thai government against using the current state of emergency to justify restrictions on journalists.

South Korea

SOUTH KOREA: GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO RESTRICT INTERNET

The South Korean government is planning a series of restrictions on Internet use to prevent what the beleaguered administration of President Lee Myung Bak calls the spread of false information that prompts social unrest, reports the "International Herald Tribune".

Pakistan

PERIODISTA SECUESTRADO ASESINADO EN ATAQUE AÉREO

India

TOQUE DE QUEDA OBSTRUYE A MEDIOS DE CACHEMIRA; PERIODISTA BALEADO

Burma

GRUPO DE ACCIÓN DE BIRMANIA DEMANDA LIBERACIÓN DE PERIODISTAS

Malaysia

GOBIERNO BLOQUEA SITIO POPULAR DE NOTICIAS

Pakistan

UN JOURNALISTE QUI AVAIT ÉTÉ ENLEVÉ EST TUÉ DANS UN RAID AÉRIEN

India

LE COUVRE-FEU ENTRAVE LES MÉDIAS DU CACHEMIRE; UN JOURNALISTE EST ABATTU

Burma

LE GROUPE D'ACTION DE L'IFEX SUR LA BIRMANIE EXIGE LA LIBÉRATION DE JOURNALISTES

Malaysia

LE GOUVERNEMENT BLOQUE UN POPULAIRE SITE WEB DE NOUVELLES

Pakistan

ABDUCTED JOURNALIST KILLED IN AIR RAID

A local journalist held captive by the Taliban was killed in an air strike on militant hideouts in the Swat valley in Pakistan last week, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and other IFEX members.

Kashmir (India)

CURFEW HOBBLES KASHMIR MEDIA; JOURNALIST GUNNED DOWN

A cameraman was killed in the curfew-bound northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, and a near-total news blackout hit the main city of Srinagar last week. The nine-day curfew was lifted as the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan began on 2 September, but Indian authorities continued to ban gatherings of more than four people.

Burma

BURMA ACTION GROUP DEMANDS RELEASE OF JOURNALISTS

The Burma Action Group, made up of 22 members and partners of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), is appealing to international bodies to pressure for the immediate release of Burmese dissidents being held on "trumped up" charges by the Burmese junta.

Malaysia

GOVERNMENT BLOCKS POPULAR NEWS SITE

In an unprecedented move, the Malaysian government has ordered all of the country's 21 Internet service providers (ISPs) to block the controversial political blog Malaysia Today http://www.malaysia-today.net , report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and its Malaysian partner, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and local press reports.

Thailand

TURBA OCUPA TELEVISIÓN ESTATAL; BOMBAS MATAN A REPORTERO

China

LAS OLIMPIADAS NO SON UN ESCAPARATE PARA MANIFESTACIONES A FAVOR DEL TÍBET Y OTRAS MANIFESTACIONES

Thailand

LA POPULACE OCCUPE LA TÉLÉVISION D'ÉTAT; UN ATTENTAT À LA BOMBE TUE UN REPORTER

China

LES OLYMPIQUES N'ONT PAS ÉTÉ UNE FENÊTRE POUR LES MANIFESTATIONS EN FAVEUR DU TIBET ET AUTRES PROTESTATIONS

Thailand

MOB OCCUPIES STATE TV, BOMBING KILLS REPORTER

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) condemned a mob occupation of a state-run television station in Bangkok on 26 August 2008. The attack happened during a week of mounting anti-government protests, in which thousands of protesters have camped out at the prime minister's compound, calling for his dismissal.

China

OLYMPICS NO WINDOW FOR PRO-TIBET AND OTHER PROTESTS

While the 2008 Olympic Games went ahead as planned in Beijing, Chinese authorities squashed dissent and free expression of Chinese and foreigners, particularly when it involved Tibet.

Burma

SE CONMEMORA EL 20 ANIVERSARIO DEL "8-8-88"

Philippines

DOS PERIODISTAS DE RMN MUERTOS; LA IMPUNIDAD REINA

Thailand

REPORTERO INVESTIGADOR MUERTO EN SU CASA

China

CENSURA Y MANIFESTACIONES AL TIEMPO QUE SE INAUGURAN LOS JUEGOS OLÍMPICOS

Burma

CORRESPONSAL EN BIRMANIA GANA EL PREMIO AL VALOR 2008

Burma

ON SOULIGNE LE 20e ANNIVERSAIRE DU 8 AOÛT 1988

Philippines

DEUX JOURNALISTES DE RMN SONT TUÉS; L'IMPUNITÉ RÈGNE

Thailand

UN REPORTER D'ENQUÊTE EST TUÉ CHEZ LUI

China

CENSURE ET PROTESTATIONS À L'OUVERTURE DES JEUX OLYMPIQUES

Burma

UNE CORRESPONDANTE EN BIRMANIE REMPORTE LE PRIX DU « COURAGE EN JOURNALISME » DE 2008

Burma

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF "8-8-88" MARKED

The 20th anniversary of the tragic Burmese uprising that resulted in the killing of an estimated 3,000 people, the exile of thousands, the jailing of hundreds, and deteriorating human rights and democracy was marked on 8 August in Burma and around the world.

Philippines

TWO RMN JOURNALISTS KILLED; IMPUNITY REIGNS

Separate assaults killed two Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) broadcasters within four days in early August 2008. The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), a coalition of Thai, Indonesian and Filipino journalist and press freedom groups, said the deaths underscored a continuing crisis of impunity against journalists in the Philippines.

Thailand

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER KILLED AT HOME

A reporter for a Thai-language daily and TV station was shot dead while cooking inside his own house on 1 August 2008 in Nakorn Sri Thammarat province. Athiwat Chaiyanurat was a reporter for "Matichon" newspaper and stringer for the army-owned Channel 7.

China

CENSORSHIP AND PROTESTS AS OLYMPICS OPEN

The Beijing Olympics opened on 8 August 2008 amid a swirl of controversy about Chinese censorship of human rights websites and activists - and continuing protests by free expression advocates around the world.

Burma

CORRESPONDENT IN BURMA WINS 2008 COURAGE AWARD

The International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) has announced that Aye Aye Win, an Associated Press correspondent in Burma, will receive a 2008 Courage in Journalism Award.

China

CHINA Y EL COI DAN MARCHA A ATRÁS AL ACCESO A INTERNET OLÍMPICO

Cambodia

PARCIALIDAD DE LOS MEDIOS RESTA LEGITIMIDAD A ELECCIONES, DICE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Cambodia

INFRACCIONES A LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA A LA BAJA EN COLOMBIA, DICE LA FLIP

China

LA CHINE ET LE CIO FONT MARCHE ARRIÈRE SUR LA QUESTION DE L'ACCÈS À L'INTERNET PENDANT LES OLYMPIQUES

Cambodia

LE PARTI PRIS DES MÉDIAS ÔTE SA LÉGITIMITÉ À L'ÉLECTION, DIT HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

China

CHINA AND THE IOC BACKTRACK ON OLYMPIC INTERNET ACCESS

Beijing's Olympic organisers are reneging on their promises to give journalists full Internet access when covering the Games, blocking websites in the Main Press Centre and other venues where reporters will work, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and news reports.

Cambodia

MEDIA BIAS DELEGITIMISES ELECTION, SAYS HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Free and fair elections were out of reach for Cambodians last week, partly because of the ruling party's near-monopoly on broadcast media, say Human Rights Watch and other IFEX members.

Vietnam

DEMANDEZ LA LIBÉRATION DE DEUX DISSIDENTS VIETNAMIENS

Vietnam

PEDIDO DE LIBERACIÓN DE DOS DISIDENTES VIETNAMITAS

Vietnam

CALL FOR THE RELEASE OF TWO VIETNAMESE DISSIDENTS

This month, writer and Buddhist leader Thich Huyen Quang died at the age of 87 after spending the last 30 years of his life in prison or house arrest for campaigning for religious freedom and human rights. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) continues to call for the release of those currently detained in Vietnam for exercising their right to free expression, including two Vietnamese lawyers and cyber-dissidents who have been in jail for the past 16 months on charges of spreading propaganda against their country. Sign the RSF petition demanding their release.

Cambodia

PERIODISTA ASESINADO ANTES DE ELECCIONES

Japan

ACTIVISTAS ACUSADOS DE DENUNCIAR ESCÁNDALO CON CARNE DE BALLENA

Singapore

SINGAPUR OBTIENE CALIFICACIONES REPROBATORIAS EN DERECHOS HUMANOS, DICE ASOCIACIÓN DE BARRAS INTERNACIONALES

Cambodia

UN JOURNALISTE EST TUÉ À LA VEILLE DES ÉLECTIONS

Japan

DES MILITANTS SONT INCULPÉS APRÈS AVOIR DÉVOILÉ UN SCANDALE SUR LA VIANDE DE BALEINE

Singapore

SINGAPOUR N'OBTIENT PAS LA NOTE DE PASSAGE EN CE QUI CONCERNE LES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE, DÉCLARE L'ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE DU BARREAU

Cambodia

JOURNALIST KILLED AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

A journalist working for a pro-opposition newspaper was gunned down along with his son in Phnom Penh on 12 July, just weeks before the general election, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists (CAPJ).

Japan

ACTIVISTS CHARGED FOR EXPOSING WHALE MEAT SCANDAL

Two environmentalists have been charged with theft and trespassing nearly a month after being arrested for exposing a whale-meat smuggling ring involving the government-sponsored whaling programme, report ARTICLE 19, Greenpeace and news reports.

Singapore

SINGAPORE GETS FAILING GRADE ON HUMAN RIGHTS, SAYS INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION

Singapore may be one of the world's most successful economies, but when it comes to human rights, it gets a failing grade, says a new report by the International Bar Association Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI).

China

CORRA PARA ACTUAR A FAVOR DE LA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN ANTES DE LOS JUEGOS DE BEIJING

Philippines

PERIODISTA ASESINADO, SUS HIJAS SOBREVIVEN A ATAQUE

China

COURSE À L'ACTION EN FAVEUR DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION AVANT L'OUVERTURE DES JEUX DE PÉKIN

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE EST TUÉ, SES FILLES SURVIVENT À L'ATTENTAT

China

CHINA: RACE TO TAKE ACTION FOR FREE EXPRESSION AHEAD OF BEIJING GAMES

One hundred journalists and cyber-dissidents still in jail. Foreign journalists blocked and threatened despite Beijing's repeated promises to give them "complete freedom" ahead of the Olympics - both in Tibet and the earthquake-hit areas in Sichuan. Ongoing censorship online and elsewhere. With just one month left to the Beijing Games, IFEX members are asking that you turn up the heat and speak up for free expression in China. Find out what you can do now to add your voice to the protests.

Philippines

JOURNALIST KILLED, DAUGHTERS SURVIVE ATTACK

A journalist driving home with his two daughters was shot dead in the town of Sariaya in Quezon province, about 100 kilometres southeast of Manila, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other IFEX members.

Mongolia

PRESIDENTE DECLARA ESTADO DE EXCEPCIÓN EN MEDIO DE PROTESTAS ELECTORALES

Mongolia

LE PRÉSIDENT PROCLAME L'ÉTAT D'URGENCE EN RÉACTION AUX MANIFESTATIONS DE PROTESTATION APRÈS UN SCRUTIN

Mongolia

PRESIDENT DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AMID VOTE PROTEST

The president of Mongolia has introduced a four-day state of emergency in the capital Ulan Bator in response to violent protests over Sunday's allegedly "rigged" parliamentary elections that left five people dead, report IFEX member in Mongolia Globe International and news reports. Public gatherings have been banned, and all media except government-run outlets have been closed. There are fears of an online media ban.

Sri Lanka

MIEMBROS DE IFEX PIDEN ACCIÓN DE LA ONU

Burma

OTRO CUMPLEAÑOS PARA LA REPRESIÓN

Sri Lanka

LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX DEMANDENT UNE INTERVENTION DES NATIONS UNIES

Burma

UN AUTRE ANNIVERSAIRE DE NAISSANCE DANS LA RÉPRESSION

Sri Lanka

IFEX MEMBERS CALL FOR UN ACTION

Alarmed by statements from Sri Lankan authorities threatening journalists, 31 IFEX members and partners signed a joint letter on 20 June asking for United Nations action. The letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, initiated by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), says the statements "put journalists in grave danger."

Burma

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY OF REPRESSION

"The continued repression in Burma is a stain on the world's conscience," said ARTICLE 19 on the 63rd birthday of deposed democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The day, 19 June 2008, was her 4,618th under house arrest, and had to be celebrated alone, without a phone call, visit or letter.

China

AUTORIDADES RESTRINGEN INFORMES DE TERREMOTO

China

LES AUTORITÉS IMPOSENT DES RESTRICTIONS À LA COUVERTURE DU TREMBLEMENT DE TERRE

China

AUTHORITIES RESTRICT QUAKE REPORTING

The latest arrests of journalists and bloggers in China suggest the authorities are punishing those who criticise the government's handling of the earthquake, say IFEX members.

Afghanistan

ENCUENTRAN MUERTO A REPORTERO DE BBC

Afghanistan

UN REPORTER DE LA BBC EST TROUVÉ MORT

Afghanistan

BBC REPORTER FOUND DEAD

A journalist working for the BBC in Afghanistan was found dead a day after he was abducted in Helmand province.

Sri Lanka

LE GOUVERNEMENT NE PROTÈGE PAS LES JOURNALISTES

Sri Lanka

GOBIERNO NO ESTÁ PROTEGIENDO A LOS PERIODISTAS

Sri Lanka

GOVERNMENT NOT PROTECTING JOURNALISTS

Sri Lanka's journalists reporting on the ongoing war between the government and Tamil rebels have become the latest target of attacks - and the government shows little interest in protecting them, say the Free Media Movement (FMM) and other IFEX members.

Pakistan

BALEAN Y MATAN A REPORTERO EN ZONA TRIBAL

Afghanistan

¡ACTÚE! SALVE A UN REPORTERO EN EL CORREDOR DE LA MUERTE EN AFGANISTÁN

Pakistan

UN REPORTER EST ABATTU DANS UNE ZONE TRIBALE

Afghanistan

AGISSEZ ! SAUVEZ UN REPORTER EN ATTENTE DE SON EXÉCUTION EN AFGHANISTAN

Pakistan

REPORTER SHOT DEAD IN TRIBAL AREA

A Pakistani reporter was gunned down on 22 May as he was returning from an interview with a Taliban leader on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and other IFEX members.

Afghanistan

TAKE ACTION! SAVE A REPORTER ON AFGHANISTAN'S DEATH ROW

Sayed Parwiz Kambakhsh, a 23-year old journalism student from Afghanistan, was sentenced to death in January for blasphemy - in a trial held behind closed doors and without any lawyers defending him. Join the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and other concerned groups in demanding a fair and speedy determination of Kambakhsh's appeal, which has already been delayed twice.

Vietnam

MEDIOS DEL PAÍS CONDENAN ARRESTOS DE PERIODISTAS

Vietnam

LES MÉDIAS DU PAYS DÉNONCENT LES ARRESTATIONS DE JOURNALISTES

Vietnam

COUNTRY'S MEDIA CONDEMN JOURNALISTS' ARRESTS

The arrests of two local reporters last week for "abusing their power" by allegedly misreporting a major corruption scandal have led to an unusual confrontation between Vietnam's government and the country's state-controlled newspapers, says the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Burma

LA DEVASTACIÓN DEL CICLÓN SE AGRAVA POR LAS RESTRICCIONES A LA INFORMACIÓN

India

VETERANO PERIODISTA ASESINADO EN FUEGO CRUZADO

Malaysia

AUTORIDADES USAN LEY DE SEDICIÓN PARA SILENCIAR A CRÍTICOS

Burma

LA DÉVASTATION PROVOQUÉE PAR LE CYCLONE AGGRAVÉE PAR LES RESTRICTIONS À L'INFORMATION

India

UN JOURNALISTE CHEVRONNÉ PERD LA VIE DANS DES TIRS CROISÉS

Malaysia

LES AUTORITÉS SE SERVENT DE LA LOI SUR LA SÉDITION POUR MUSELER LES CRITIQUES

Burma

CYCLONE'S DEVASTATION AGGRAVATED BY RESTRICTIONS ON INFORMATION

The tragedy of the cyclone that killed as many as 100,000 people in Burma and left up to a million others homeless was in no doubt made worse by the military's severe restriction on news and its failure to alert the public, say the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Mizzima News and other IFEX members.

India

VETERAN JOURNALIST KILLED IN CROSSFIRE

A photojournalist was killed last week while covering a shootout in India's Jammu region, reports the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Malaysia

AUTHORITIES USE SEDITION ACT TO MUZZLE CRITICS

In the past week, Malaysia has been using threats of sedition - a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in jail - to silence critics and members of the opposition, say the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), its affiliate in Malaysia the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

China

JOURNÉE MONDIALE DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE : LA CHINE EMPÊCHE DES PARTICIPANTS D'ASSISTER À UNE CONFÉRENCE SUR LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Burma

LE RÉFÉRENDUM QUI APPROCHE EST UNE « ARNAQUE », DISENT LES GROUPES DE DÉFENSE DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

China

DÍA MUNDIAL DE LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA: CHINA EXPULSA A ASISTENTES DE CONFERENCIA DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Burma

PRÓXIMO REFERÉNDUM ES UNA "FARSA", DICEN GRUPOS DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Hong Kong (China)

CHINA BARS ATTENDEES FROM FREE EXPRESSION CONFERENCE

How telling it is that a noted editor and a Danish sculptor were denied entry to Hong Kong to take part in a free expression in China conference organised for World Press Freedom Day.

Burma

UPCOMING REFERENDUM A "SHAM", SAY FREE EXPRESSION GROUPS

Burma's military junta is going ahead with a 10 May constitutional referendum except in areas hit hardest by Cyclone Nargis.

Thailand

TESCO CONTINUA LA OLA DE DEMANDAS POR DIFAMACIÓN

China

¡ACTÚE! CONFRONTE A CHINA SOBRE DERECHOS HUMANOS CON LOS RELEVOS DE POESÍA DE PEN

China

LAS OLIMPIADAS SON "CATASTRÓFICAS" PARA LA LIBERTAD DE DE PRENSA EN CHINA, DICE GAO YU

Thailand

TESCO CONTINUE SA VOLÉE DE POURSUITES EN DIFFAMATION

China

AGISSEZ ! CONFRONTEZ LA CHINE SUR LES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE AU MOYEN DU « RELAIS DU POÈME », ORGANISÉ PAR LE PEN

China

LES OLYMPIQUES SONT UNE « CATASTROPHE » POUR LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE EN CHINE, DIT GAO YU

China

TAKE ACTION! CONFRONT CHINA ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS WITH PEN'S POEM RELAY

For those of us who wanted to stand up against China's crackdown on freedom of expression ahead of the Olympic Games but can't get close enough to the torch protests, there is another way, thanks to International PEN's "poem relay".

China

OLYMPICS "CATASTROPHIC" FOR PRESS FREEDOM IN CHINA, SAYS GAO YU

Gao Yu, a Chinese journalist jailed twice for her reporting, says that conditions for media in the run-up to the Olympics are "considerably more catastrophic" than they were when she was arrested 15 years ago.

Nepal

INFRACCIONES A LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA RODEAN LAS ELECCIONES, DICE MISIÓN INTERNACIONAL

Pakistan

GOBIERNO PROPONE PROYECTO DE LEY PARA ELIMINAR RESTRICCIONES A MEDIOS

Indonesia

NUEVA LEY DE INTERNET PENALIZA LA DIFAMACIÓN

Nepal

LES VIOLATIONS DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE ENTACHENT LES ÉLECTIONS, DIT UNE MISSION INTERNATIONALE

Pakistan

LE GOUVERNEMENT DÉPOSE UN PROJET DE LOI POUR LEVER LES RESTRICTIONS SUR LES MÉDIAS

Indonesia

UNE NOUVELLE LOI SUR L'INTERNET CRIMINALISE LA DIFFAMATION

Nepal

PRESS FREEDOM VIOLATIONS SURROUND ELECTIONS, SAYS INTERNATIONAL MISSION

As Nepal headed into the long-anticipated constituent assembly elections on 10 April, press freedom violations continued unabated across the country, say an international mission and local IFEX members the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES).

Pakistan

GOVERNMENT TABLES BILL TO REMOVE MEDIA RESTRICTIONS

Pakistan's coalition government has moved to repeal some of the draconian media restrictions imposed by President Pervez Musharraf last year, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), its local affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Indonesia

NEW INTERNET LAW CRIMINALISES DEFAMATION

Spreading defamatory information in Indonesia can land you up to six years in jail and a fine of 1 billion Rupees (US$15,765,400) under a new Internet law, says the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Malaysia

NOUVEL ESPOIR POUR LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE APRÈS UNE SURPRISE ÉLECTORALE

China

UN DÉFENSEUR DES DROITS EST CONDAMNÉ À LA PRISON AVANT LES OLYMPIQUES

Mongolia

LA CENSURE EST GÉNÉRALISÉE EN MONGOLIE, CONCLUT UNE ÉTUDE

Malaysia

NUEVA ESPERANZA PARA LIBERTAD CON TRASTORNO ELECTORAL

China

ACTIVISTAS DE DERECHOS SENTENCIADOS A CÁRCEL ANTES DE OLIMPIADA

Mongolia

CENSURA OMNIPRESENTE EN MONGOLIA, ENCUENTRA ESTUDIO

Malaysia

NEW HOPE FOR PRESS FREEDOM WITH ELECTION UPSET

The Malaysian government's unprecedented losses in national elections last month will hopefully provide the long-awaited drive for media reform, say Malaysia's Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

China

RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SENTENCED TO JAIL AHEAD OF OLYMPICS

IFEX members have condemned the three-and-a-half-year jail sentence given to prominent Chinese activist Hu Jia, which they say is a way for the authorities to take a high-profile activist out of action before the Beijing Olympics.

Mongolia

CENSORSHIP PERVASIVE IN MONGOLIA, STUDY FINDS

Attempts to pressure, influence and intervene in a journalist's work are evidence that censorship is a reality in Mongolia, says a new media freedom report by Globe International.

Sri Lanka

FIP INICIA CAMPAÑA PARA "DETENER LA GUERRA CONTRA LOS PERIODISTAS"

Sri Lanka

LA FIJ LANCE UNE CAMPAGNE POUR FAIRE « CESSER LA GUERRE CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES »

Sri Lanka

IFJ LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO "STOP THE WAR ON JOURNALISTS"

Sri Lanka has relinquished its role as "keeper of the peace" for failing to prevent attacks on journalists and to bring those responsible to account, say 40 organisations, the majority of them IFEX members. Led by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the 40 groups have joined forces in an international campaign to "stop the war on journalists" in the conflict-ridden country.

Indonesia

NUEVE ACTIVISTAS ARRESTADOS POR ONDEAR BANDERA

China

DES MANIFESTATIONS PERTURBENT LA CÉRÉMONIE D'ALLUMAGE DE LA FLAMME OLYMPIQUE; LA RÉPRESSION SE POURSUIT AU TIBET

Indonesia

NEUF ACTIVISTES ARRÊTÉS POUR AVOIR DÉPLOYÉ UN DRAPEAU

Indonesia

NINE ACTIVISTS ARRESTED FOR WAVING FLAG

Human Rights Watch is calling on the Indonesian government to release nine activists in West Papua who have been arrested for displaying the Papuan Morning Star flag and could face charges of rebellion.

China

LES AUTORITÉS FONT LE SILENCE SUR LA COUVERTURE INDÉPENDANTE DES SANGLANTES MANIFESTATIONS

Sri Lanka

LES EMPLOYÉS DE LA TÉLÉVISION D'ÉTAT EMPÊCHÉS D'ENTRER À LA STATION

China

AUTORIDADES IMPIDEN LA COBERTURA INDEPENDIENTE DE MANIFESTACIONES FATALES

Sri Lanka

EXPULSAN DE ESTACIÓN A EMPLEADOS DE TELEVISIÓN ESTATAL

Tibet (China)

AUTHORITIES BLACK OUT INDEPENDENT COVERAGE OF DEADLY PROTESTS

The Chinese authorities have made it nearly impossible for independent journalists to cover the protests in Tibet and in neighbouring provinces by imposing "suffocating restrictions" on the press, from expelling foreign reporters to censoring news coverage.

Sri Lanka

STATE TELEVISION EMPLOYEES SHUT OUT OF STATION

Employees of Sri Lanka's state-run television station were shut out from work yesterday (17 March) by the police and army after employees threatened to go on strike in protest of a series of attacks on them, according to the Free Media Movement (FMM), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and news reports.

China

PROTESTE POR LAS RESTRICCIONES A LAS MUJERES ESCRITORES EN CHINA, EN OCASIÓN DEL DÍA INTERNACIONAL DE LA MUJER

China

À L'OCCASION DE LA JOURNÉE INTERNATIONALE DES FEMMES, PROTESTEZ CONTRE LES RESTRICTIONS IMPOSÉES AUX ÉCRIVAINES EN CHINE

Afghanistan

AFGHAN JOURNALIST DECLARED ENEMY COMBATANT

An Afghan journalist working for a Canadian television network who has been held for four months without charge has been designated an "unlawful enemy combatant" by the U.S. military, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and news reports.

China

PROTEST RESTRICTIONS ON WOMEN WRITERS IN CHINA FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

In December, Hu Jia, one of China's most prominent human rights activists, once again made international headlines. He was arrested and later charged with inciting subversion against the Chinese government, his only crime to speak "honestly about the tightening chokehold on dissent ahead of the Olympic Games," said Human Rights Watch.

Burma

JUNTA SIGUE ATACANDO A MEDIOS

Burma

LA JUNTE CONTINUE DE S'ATTAQUER AUX MÉDIAS

Burma

JUNTA CONTINUES TO ATTACK MEDIA

Despite plans for a constitutional referendum in May and other promises of reform, the Burmese junta continues to crack down on the country's struggling independent media, say Mizzima News, Human Rights Watch and other IFEX members.

China

GOBIERNO CONTINÚA SU OFENSIVA PREOLÍMPICA CONTRA EL DISENSO

Pakistan

PERIODISTA VETERANO ASESINADO POR GRUPO SEPARATISTA

Sri Lanka

AUTORIDADES SON INEFICACES PARA PROTEGER PERIODISTAS, DICEN MIEMBROS DE IFEX

China

LE GOUVERNEMENT POURSUIT LA RÉPRESSION PRÉ-OLYMPIQUE DE LA DISSIDENCE

Pakistan

UN JOURNALISTE D'EXPÉRIENCE EST ASSASSINÉ PAR UN GROUPE SÉPARATISTE

Sri Lanka

LES AUTORITÉS SONT INCAPABLES DE PROTÉGER LES JOURNALISTES, DISENT DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX

China

GOVERNMENT CONTINUES ITS PRE-OLYMPIC CRACKDOWN ON DISSENT

There was real reason to celebrate during the Chinese New Year - three Chinese journalists were freed after years in prison on trumped-up charges. But officials have much further to go before fulfilling the human rights commitments they made upon being awarded the 2008 Olympics, say IFEX members.

Pakistan

SENIOR JOURNALIST KILLED BY SEPARATIST GROUP

A journalist was killed in a Pakistan border town, report Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Sri Lanka

AUTHORITIES INEFFECTIVE IN PROTECTING JOURNALISTS, SAY IFEX MEMBERS

Six IFEX members have told the Sri Lankan authorities that they are grossly ineffective in protecting journalists, and are even to blame for further endangering their lives.

Philippines

LES MÉDIAS S'ADRESSENT AUX TRIBUNAUX POUR COMBATTRE LE HARCÈLEMENT DU GOUVERNEMENT

China

AGISSEZ ! APPEL À LA CHINE POUR QU'ELLE LIBÈRE UN MILITANT DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE

Philippines

MEDIOS USAN DEMANDAS PARA COMBATIR ACOSO GUBERNAMENTAL

China

¡ACTÚE! LLAMADO PARA QUE CHINA LIBERE A ACTIVISTA DE DERECHOS HUMANOS

Philippines

MEDIA USE LAWSUITS TO FIGHT GOVERNMENT HARASSMENT

In an extraordinary show of unity, more than 100 journalists in the Philippines have filed two lawsuits to halt government threats against the media and prevent future arrests of journalists covering emergency situations, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

China

TAKE ACTION! CALL FOR CHINA TO RELEASE HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is asking you to sign a petition calling for the release of a Chinese human rights activist who has been held incommunicado in Beijing for more than a month.

Nepal

MISIÓN INTERNACIONAL PREOCUPADA POR SEGURIDAD DE PERIODISTAS

Afghanistan

PERIODISTA SENTENCIADO A MUERTE POR BLASFEMIA

Pakistan

GEO TV VUELVE AL AIRE

Nepal

LA MISSION INTERNATIONALE S'INQUIÈTE DE LA SÉCURITÉ DES JOURNALISTES

Afghanistan

UN JOURNALISTE EST CONDAMNÉ À MORT POUR BLASPHÈME

Pakistan

« GEO TV » DE RETOUR EN ONDES

Nepal

INTERNATIONAL MISSION CONCERNED ABOUT JOURNALISTS' SAFETY

Following recommendations by an international media mission to Nepal, the Nepali government has promised to "take seriously" the safety of media workers - especially during the upcoming elections in April.

Afghanistan

JOURNALIST SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR BLASPHEMY

A young journalist from Afghanistan has been sentenced to death for blasphemy, report Reporters Without Borders and local news sources.

Pakistan

GEO TV BACK ON AIR

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has ordered popular TV channel Geo News and its sports channel back on the air, but only after some programmes were removed, report Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and local news reports.

Pakistan

UNAS ELECCIONES JUSTAS SON IMPOSIBLES SIN MEDIOS LIBRES, DICEN MIEMBROS DE IFEX

Afghanistan

REPORTERO NORUEGO ASESINADO EN KABUL

Nepal

EDITOR BALEADO POR MILITANTES

Philippines

MEDIOS PUEDEN SER ACUSADOS POR DESOBEDECER A GOBIERNO, ADVIERTE NUEVA CIRCULAR

Pakistan

IMPOSSIBLE D'AVOIR DES ÉLECTIONS ÉQUITABLES SANS MÉDIAS LIBRES, DISENT LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX

Afghanistan

UN REPORTER NORVÉGIEN ASSASSINÉ À KABOUL

Nepal

UN RÉDACTEUR EST ABATTU PAR DES MILITANTS

Philippines

LES MÉDIAS POURRAIENT ÊTRE MIS EN ACCUSATION S'ILS DÉSOBÉISSENT AU GOUVERNEMENT, PRÉVIENT CELUI-CI DANS UN NOUVEL AVIS

Pakistan

FAIR ELECTIONS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT FREE MEDIA, SAY IFEX MEMBERS

Fair and free elections will not be possible in Pakistan next month without a free media, which does not exist because of continuing media restrictions imposed by President Pervez Musharraf, say Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and other IFEX members.

Afghanistan

NORWEGIAN REPORTER MURDERED IN KABUL

A Norwegian journalist was one of at least six people killed in an alleged Taliban attack on a luxury hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the International Press Institute (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Nepal

EDITOR SHOT DEAD BY MILITANTS

A journalist in a southern Nepalese border town was shot to death by armed militants on 13 January, report the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Philippines

MEDIA MAY BE CHARGED FOR DISOBEYING GOVERNMENT, WARNS NEW ADVISORY

Journalists in the Philippines are outraged over a new media advisory threatening them with criminal charges if they "disobey orders" during emergencies, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Malaysia

LE GOUVERNEMENT INVOQUE LA LOI SUR LA SÉCURITÉ POUR RÉPRIMER LES MANIFESTATIONS DE PROTESTATION

Malaysia

GOBIERNO INVOCA BANDO DE SEGURIDAD PARA SUPRIMIR MANIFESTACIONES

Malaysia

GOVERNMENT INVOKES SECURITY ACT TO SUPPRESS PROTESTS

The Malaysian authorities should immediately release five ethnic Indian leaders being held under the country's Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for detention without trial, say the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), its local partner the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), and Human Rights Watch.

Sri Lanka

ATAQUE AÉREO MATA A CINCO PERSONAS EN ESTACIÓN DE RADIO REBELDE

Philippines

DIECISIETE PERIODISTAS ARRESTADOS MIENTRAS CUBRÍAN INTENTO DE GOLPE DE ESTADO

Pakistan

GEO NEWS OTRA VEZ AL AIRE

Sri Lanka

UNE FRAPPE AÉRIENNE CONTRE UNE STATION DE RADIO REBELLE TUE CINQ PERSONNES

Philippines

DIX-SEPT JOURNALISTES ARRÊTÉS PENDANT QU'ILS COUVRAIENT UNE TENTATIVE DE COUP D'ÉTAT

Pakistan

« GEO NEWS » DE RETOUR EN ONDES

Sri Lanka

AIR STRIKE KILLS FIVE AT REBEL RADIO STATION

Sri Lankan military jets bombed the radio station of the Tamil Tigers last week, killing five media workers, report Free Media Movement (FMM) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Philippines

SEVENTEEN JOURNALISTS ARRESTED WHILE COVERING ATTEMPTED COUP

Police arrested and detained 17 journalists last week who were reporting on an attempted coup by rebel army soldiers in Manila, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Pakistan

GEO NEWS ON AIR AGAIN

Pakistani channel Geo News resumed satellite broadcasting from Dubai on 29 November, following "fruitful discussions" between the channel and U.A.E. authorities.

Pakistan

PERIODISTA ASESINADO; CONTINÚAN MANIFESTACIONES CONTRA RESTRICCIONES A MEDIOS

Sri Lanka

IMPORTANTE TALLER DE IMPRESIÓN SE INCENDIA; MÁS TRABAJADORES DE LOS MEDIOS SECUESTRADOS

Afghanistan

INSI BRINDA CAPACITACIÓN EN SEGURIDAD A PERIODISTAS LOCALES

Pakistan

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ; LES PROTESTATIONS CONTINUENT CONTRE LES LIMITES IMPOSÉES AUX MÉDIAS

Sri Lanka

UNE IMPORTANTE IMPRIMERIE EST RASÉE PAR LES FLAMMES; D'AUTRES TRAVAILLEURS DES MÉDIAS SONT ENLEVÉS

Afghanistan

L'INSI DONNE DE LA FORMATION EN SÉCURITÉ AUX JOURNALISTES LOCAUX

Pakistan

JOURNALIST SLAIN; PROTESTS AGAINST MEDIA CURBS CONTINUE

A reporter for a leading paper was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the southern province of Sindh last week, report Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the International Press Institute (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Sri Lanka

LEADING PRINTING PRESS GOES UP IN FLAMES; MORE MEDIA WORKERS ABDUCTED

The printing press of three opposition newspapers in a suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka was burned down last week, report the Free Media Movement (FMM) and international press freedom groups.

Afghanistan

INSI PROVIDES SAFETY TRAINING FOR LOCAL JOURNALISTS

Coping with kidnapping. Passage through checkpoints. Hostile crowd situations. These are just some of the aspects the International News Safety Institute (INSI) covered this month in its first-ever safety training to Afghan journalists working in dangerous conditions.

China

L'AMJ INAUGURE SA CAMPAGNE « PÉKIN 2008 » TANDIS QUE LA RÉPRESSION DES MÉDIAS BAT SON PLEIN

Pakistan

LA VEUVE D'UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉE; MOUCHARRAF POURSUIT SA RÉPRESSION CONTRE LES MÉDIAS

China

WAN PRESENTA CAMPAÑA "BEIJING 2008" EN MEDIO DE REPRESIÓN DE MEDIOS CONSTANTE

Pakistan

VIUDA DE PERIODISTA ASESINADA; CONTINÚA OFENSIVA DE MUSHARRAF CONTRA MEDIOS

China

WAN LAUNCHES "BEIJING 2008" CAMPAIGN AMID CONTINUING MEDIA REPRESSION

The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) has called on all participants in next summer's Beijing Olympics, from the athletes and their sponsors, to the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and their media partners, to "speak out about China's human rights abuses" and hold the government to its promises of reform.

Pakistan

JOURNALIST'S WIDOW SLAIN; MUSHARRAF'S CRACKDOWN ON MEDIA CONTINUES

The wife of a journalist killed last year who had herself become an advocate for journalists' safety was murdered in a targeted bomb attack last week in Pakistan, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Pakistan

REPORTEROS EXTRANJEROS EXPULSADOS MIENTRAS SE ESTRECHA CONTROL SOBRE PRENSA

Malaysia

MANIFESTACIONES A FAVOR DE LA DEMOCRACIA SIGUEN ADELANTE A PESAR DE LOS OBSTÁCULOS

Mongolia

GLOBE PROMETE PROTEGER PERIODISTAS

Australia

CULTURA DEL SECRETO Y LEYES OBSTACULIZAN ESFUERZOS DE PERIODISTAS PARA ACCEDER A INFORMACIÓN EN AUSTRALIA, SEGÚN HALLAZGO DE INFORME

Pakistan

LES REPORTERS ÉTRANGERS SONT EXPULSÉS TANDIS QUE LA MAINMISE SUR LA PRESSE SE RENFORCE

Malaysia

EN DÉPIT DES OBSTACLES, DES PROTESTATIONS SE FONT ENTENDRE EN FAVEUR DE LA DÉMOCRATIE

Mongolia

GLOBE INTERNATIONAL SE JURE DE PROTÉGER LES JOURNALISTES

Australia

EN AUSTRALIE, LE SECRET ET LES LOIS ENTRAVENT LES EFFORTS DES JOURNALISTES POUR ACCÉDER AUX RENSEIGNEMENTS, CONCLUT UN RAPPORT

Pakistan

FOREIGN REPORTERS EXPELLED AS LEASH ON PRESS TIGHTENS

Three U.K. reporters from "The Daily Telegraph" have been expelled from Pakistan after an "offensive" editorial was published last week, adding to the political crisis in the country. Twenty-seven IFEX members, in a joint action led by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), are calling for an end to the state of emergency and the resulting restrictions on and harassment of journalists.

Malaysia

DEMOCRACY PROTESTS GO AHEAD DESPITE OBSTACLES

Tens of thousands of Malaysians marched to the Sultan's National Palace on 10 November in Kuala Lumpur calling for electoral reforms, despite police beatings, government censorship of the march in the mainstream media, and heavy rain, reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and its local partner, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).

Mongolia

GLOBE VOWS TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS

Last month, Mongolian citizen N. Demberel was convicted under the criminal law of defamation and fined nearly 10 million Tugrugs (US$8,450) - 130 times the amount of a minimum-wage, monthly salary in Mongolia. His crime? He had written an article and broadcast a TV show that criticised public officials, the "red-eyed oligarchy", in his country.

Australia

SECRECY AND LEGISLATION HAMPER JOURNALISTS' EFFORTS TO ACCESS INFO IN AUSTRALIA, REPORT FINDS

The "Report of the Independent Audit into the State of Free Speech in Australia" makes for disturbing reading. The hefty report chronicles an increasing culture of secrecy and legislation limiting freedom of expression in the country, according to Australia's Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and ARTICLE 19.

Pakistan

MUSHARRAF AMORDAZA MEDIOS DURANTE ESTADO DE EMERGENCIA

Nepal

REPORTERO DESAPARECIDO ASESINADO POR MAOISTAS

China

MONJE DISIDENTE LIBERADO DESPUÉS DE 18 AÑOS

Pakistan

MOUCHARRAF MUSÈLE LES MÉDIAS PENDANT LA DURÉE DE L'ÉTAT D'URGENCE

Nepal

UN REPORTER PORTÉ DISPARU ASSASSINÉ PAR LES MAOÏSTES

China

UN MOINE DISSIDENT EST LIBÉRÉ APRÈS 18 ANS

Pakistan

MUSHARRAF MUZZLES MEDIA DURING STATE OF EMERGENCY

President Pervez Musharraf has declared emergency rule and slammed down severe restrictions on Pakistan's news media as they try to cover the country's political crisis, report Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), ARTICLE 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights Watch, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Nepal

MISSING JOURNALIST MURDERED BY MAOISTS

A member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) who went missing on 5 October was killed by members of the Maoist party, report FNJ and the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES).

Tibet (China)

DISSIDENT MONK RELEASED AFTER 18 YEARS

A monk who was jailed for publishing literature critical of China's occupation of Tibet has finally been released after 18 years, reports PEN American Center. Ngawang Phulchung, a senior monk in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa and an honorary member of PEN, was released on 29 October, six months before his sentence was due to expire.

Burma

UN COMÉDIEN REMIS EN LIBERTÉ PARLE

Burma

COMEDIANTE LIBERADO HABLA DE SU ENCARCELAMIENTO

Burma

RELEASED COMEDIAN SPEAKS OUT

Over the past week, at least 75 people, including two journalists, who were arrested during the September protests in Burma have been released from Insein prison, reports Burmese-run news agency Mizzima News. The IFEX Burma Action Group has called upon the UN to help exiled reporters and publicly investigate the cases of missing, jailed and murdered journalists. Meanwhile, one activist who was recently released speaks out about his detention.

Burma

"MOVEMENT SIMMERS UNDER ASHES": INTERVIEW WITH BURMESE COMEDIAN ZARGANAR

Mizzima News interviews renowned comedian, actor and director Zarganar ("Tweezers") who was released from detention on 17 October. He was arrested on 25 September in connection with offering alms the day before to the protesting monks in their ex-communicative boycott of the junta at Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon.

Pakistan

UN PERIODISTA MUERTO Y VARIOS LESIONADOS EN LOS ATAQUES CON BOMBAS EN KARACHI

Burma

RÉGIMEN MILITAR ABRE COMUNICACIONES, PERO MANTIENE UNA ESTRECHA VIGILANCIA

Philippines

DENUNCIAR LA CORRUPCIÓN ES UNA TAREA MORTAL

Pakistan

UN JOURNALISTE PERD LA VIE ET PLUSIEURS AUTRES SONT BLESSÉS DANS LES ATTENTATS À LA BOMBE DE KARACHI

Burma

LE RÉGIME MILITAIRE ROUVRE LES COMMUNICATIONS, MAIS LES SURVEILLE D'UN OEIL ATTENTIF

Philippines

DÉNONCER LA CORRUPTION, UNE OCCUPATION MORTELLE

Pakistan

ONE JOURNALIST DEAD, SEVERAL INJURED IN KARACHI BOMBINGS

Among the 138 people killed by bombings in Karachi on 18 October 2007 was Muhammad Arif, a cameraman for ARY One World TV, according to the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and the official Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Arif, who leaves behind a young wife and six children, had delayed his transfer to ARY's London office to cover former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's return from eight years of exile.

Burma

MILITARY REGIME OPENS COMMUNICATIONS, BUT KEEPS TIGHT WATCH

As tumultuous protests that rocked Burma in September 2007 subsided, the military regime is relaxing censorship and other restrictions, but continues to control the Internet and detain prisoners.

Philippines

EXPOSING CORRUPTION A DEADLY TASK

Nearly 90 percent of the journalists slain in the line of duty during the Arroyo administration (which came to office in 2001) were exposing corruption, says "Philippine Press Freedom Report 2007", a study published by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). Others were killed for reporting on and criticising illegal gambling and the drug trade in their localities.

Burma

CONTINÚA OFENSIVA A PESAR DE CONCESIONES; EL MUNDO PROTESTA

Burma

LA RÉPRESSION CONTINUE; EN DÉPIT DES CONCESSIONS, LE MONDE PROTESTE

Burma

CRACKDOWN CONTINUES DESPITE CONCESSIONS; WORLD PROTESTS

Dozens of marches around the world supported the people of Burma on the weekend, but the country's military government continued to arrest pro-democracy activists while seemingly relaxing its iron-grip on communications, report Mizzima News, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Burmese exile-run news sources and news reports.

Burma

LA ESPERANZA SE MENGUA MIENTRAS EJÉRCITO APLASTA MANIFESTACIONES Y COMUNICACIONES

India

ENCUENTRAN A CUATRO PERIODISTAS CULPABLES DE DESACATO A LA AUTORIDAD

Burma

L'ESPOIR S'ÉVANOUIT TANDIS QUE L'ARMÉE MET UN TERME AUX PROTESTATIONS ET AUX COMMUNICATIONS

India

QUATRE JOURNALISTES RECONNUS COUPABLES D'OUTRAGE

Burma

HOPE FADING AS MILITARY STAMPS OUT PROTESTS, COMMUNICATIONS

Burma's protests against the military junta and declining living standards have escalated from peaceful demonstrations and military warnings to bloody confrontations that have left an unknown number of people dead, including a Japanese journalist, report Mizzima News, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and Burmese exile-run news sources. Authorities have also cut off the Internet and mobile phones that have played a crucial role in documenting the protests and getting information out of the notoriously closed regime.

India

FOUR JOURNALISTS FOUND GUILTY OF CONTEMPT

An Indian High Court has sentenced four journalists to jail for publishing stories critical of the judiciary, report the Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRN), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Burma

EN DÉPIT DES RESTRICTIONS, ONT LIEU À TRAVERS LE PAYS LES PROTESTATIONS LES PLUS IMPORTANTES DEPUIS DEUX DÉCENNIES

Burma

LAS MAYORES PROTESTAS EN DOS DECENIOS CUNDEN EN EL PAÍS A PESAR DE LAS RESTRICCIONES

Burma

BIGGEST PROTESTS IN TWO DECADES ROLL ACROSS COUNTRY DESPITE RESTRICTIONS

The Burmese junta has stepped up censorship and violence against journalists who are trying to cover the rare mass protests gaining momentum across the country, while deepening their own propaganda in state media, report Mizzima News, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), ARTICLE 19, other NGOs and Burmese exile-run news sources.

Bangladesh

ATAQUES A MEDIOS MIENTRAS SE INTENSIFICA CRISIS POLÍTICA

Indonesia

SUHARTO GANA CASO DE DIFAMACIÓN DE $100 MILLONES CONTRA REVISTA "TIME"

Bangladesh

ATTAQUES CONTRE LES MÉDIAS TANDIS QUE S'ACCENTUE LA CRISE POLITIQUE

Indonesia

SUHARTO REMPORTE UNE POURSUITE DE 100 MILLIONS DE DOLLARS CONTRE LE MAGAZINE « TIME »

Bangladesh

ATTACKS ON MEDIA AS POLITICAL CRISIS INTENSIFIES

Emergency laws that have been in place in Bangladesh since March continue to create an atmosphere ripe for harassment and violence - including for the country's journalists, say Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Indonesia

SUHARTO WINS $100M LIBEL CASE AGAINST "TIME" MAGAZINE

Indonesia's highest court has ordered "Time" magazine to pay former President Suharto more than $100 million in damages for a story that accused him and his family of amassing billions during his rule, report the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Singapore

¡ACTÚE! INSTE A SINGAPUR A LIBERAR A DEFENSOR DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS CHEE SOON JUAN

Singapore

AGISSEZ ! PRESSEZ SINGAPOUR DE LIBÉRER LE MILITANT DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE CHEE SOON JUAN

Singapore

TAKE ACTION! URGE SINGAPORE TO RELEASE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER CHEE SOON JUAN

Human rights defender and pro-democracy activist Chee Soon Juan has been sentenced to jail for three weeks in Singapore for refusing to pay a fine slapped on him for trying to leave the country unauthorised and while bankrupt. Amnesty International Canada has organised an appeal for his release.

Burma

INUSITADAS MANIFESTACIONES PROVOCARON ARRESTO DE ACTIVISTAS Y OFENSIVA CONTRA LA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Burma

DES PROTESTATIONS PEU COMMUNES DÉCLENCHENT L'ARRESTATION DE MILITANTS ET LA RÉPRESSION DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Burma

RARE PROTESTS SPARK ARREST OF ACTIVISTS AND CRACKDOWN ON FREE EXPRESSION

Protests against soaring fuel prices held in Burma's capital Rangoon last week - including the largest rally in a decade - have sparked the arrest of at least 70 activists and a crackdown on the media and lines of communication, report Mizzima News, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and news reports.

Nepal

MISIÓN INTERNACIONAL EXIGE PONER FIN A ATAQUES A LA PRENSA

Nepal

LA MISSION INTERNATIONALE EXIGE LA FIN DES ATTAQUES CONTRE LA PRESSE

Nepal

INTERNATIONAL MISSION DEMANDS END TO ATTACKS ON PRESS

Despite the recent passage of the Right to Information Act and steps taken to protect journalists, attacks on the media continue unabated in Nepal, an international monitoring coalition has concluded.

China

MIEMBROS DE IFEX CRITICA A CHINA EN PERIODO PREVIO A OLIMPIADAS

Sri Lanka

ESTUDIANTE PERIODISTA BALEADO FRENTE A SU CASA

Burma

ANUNCIO PARÓDICO SUSCITA NUEVAS REGLAS DE CENSURA

China

EN PRÉVISION DES JEUX OLYMPIQUES, LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX METTENT LA CHINE SUR LA SELLETTE

Sri Lanka

UN JOURNALISTE ÉTUDIANT EST ABATTU DEVANT CHEZ LUI

Burma

UNE FAUSSE PUBLICITÉ ENTRAÎNE DE NOUVELLES RÈGLES DE CENSURE

China

IFEX MEMBERS PUT CHINA UNDER FIRE IN RUN UP TO OLYMPICS

Chinese police temporarily detained about a dozen journalists yesterday after they covered a Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) press conference demanding greater press freedom in China ahead of next year's Olympics.

Sri Lanka

STUDENT JOURNALIST GUNNED DOWN IN FRONT OF HOME

A student journalist was gunned down in front of his home in Jaffna, report the Free Media Movement (FMM) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Burma

SPOOF AD SPARKS NEW CENSORSHIP RULES

An ad placed in English-language "Myanmar Times" newspaper that carried a hidden message calling the country's military ruler a "killer" has prompted a slew of new rules for media outlets, report Mizzima News and local news reports.

Philippines

UNE NOUVELLE LOI ANTITERRORISTE EST CONTESTÉE DEVANT LES TRIBUNAUX

Indonesia

UN AVANT-PROJET DE LOI SUR LES ÉLECTIONS GÉNÉRALES CRIMINALISE LA PRESSE

Philippines

NUEVA LEY ANTITERRORISMO CUESTIONADA EN TRIBUNALES

Indonesia

PROYECTO DE LEY SOBRE ELECCIONES GENERALES PENALIZA LA PRENSA

Philippines

NEW ANTI-TERROR LAW CHALLENGED IN COURT

More than 20 petitions have been filed before the Philippines Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of a new anti-terror law that came into effect on 15 July, reports the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).

Indonesia

DRAFT BILL ON GENERAL ELECTIONS CRIMINALISES PRESS

On the heels of a court ruling this month that declared criminal defamation against the government unconstitutional, articles in a draft bill would criminalise news reports and journalism during general elections, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) has found.

Indonesia

DECLARAN INCONSTITUCIONAL DIFAMACIÓN PENAL CONTRA GOBIERNO

Nepal

PARLAMENTO APRUEBA PROYECTO DE LEY DE DERECHO A LA INFORMACIÓN

Indonesia

LA DIFFAMATION CRIMINELLE CONTRE LE GOUVERNEMENT EST JUGÉE INCONSTITUTIONNELLE

Nepal

LE PARLEMENT ADOPTE UN PROJET DE LOI SUR LE DROIT D'ACCÈS À L'INFORMATION

Indonesia

CRIMINAL DEFAMATION AGAINST GOVERNMENT RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL

The Indonesian Constitution Court has ruled that criminal defamation against the government is unconstitutional and therefore no longer binding, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and Human Rights Watch report.

Nepal

PARLIAMENT PASSES RIGHT TO INFORMATION BILL

IFEX's Nepalese members the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) and the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomed the Parliament-Legislature's unanimous passage of the Right to Information bill on 18 July.

Thailand

LE CONTENU POLITIQUE SUR LE WEB EST MENACÉ; LANCEMENT D'UN OUTIL DE CONTOURNEMENT

Thailand

CONTENIDO POLÍTICO EN LA WEB AMENAZADO; LANZAN HERRAMIENTA PARA BURLAR AMENAZA

Thailand

POLITICAL CONTENT ON THE WEB UNDER THREAT; CIRCUMVENTION TOOL LAUNCHED

A prominent Malaysian blogger detained under the Official Secrets Act for comments on his blog accusing a minister of corruption is the latest victim of an emerging clampdown on online expression in the country and region, reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Burma

JUNTA LIBERA A 52 ACTIVISTAS DETENIDOS DESDE MAYO

Burma

LA JUNTE LIBÈRE 52 MILITANTS DÉTENUS DEPUIS MAI

Burma

JUNTA RELEASES 52 ACTIVISTS DETAINED SINCE MAY

Following international pressure, on 2 July 2007, Burma's military rulers released the last of 52 activists arrested in May for participating in a prayer vigil for pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) says 51 were released on 27 June, but prominent HIV activist Phyu Phyu Thin, who carried out a five-day hunger strike, was held longer, reports SEAPA and Mizzima News.

Sri Lanka

GOBIERNO TRATA DE VOLVER A INTRODUCIR LEYES PENALES DE DIFAMACIÓN

China

¡ACTÚE! PUBLIQUE UN PENDÓN A FAVOR DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS EN CHINA

Sri Lanka

LE GOUVERNEMENT TENTE DE RAMENER LA DIFFAMATION PÉNALE

China

AGISSEZ ! AFFICHEZ UNE BANNIÈRE EN FAVEUR DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE EN CHINE

Sri Lanka

GOVERNMENT TRIES TO REINTRODUCE CRIMINAL DEFAMATION

The Sri Lankan government is intent on bringing back criminal defamation laws, the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) report.

China

TAKE ACTION! POST A BANNER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA

As part of its "Beijing 2008" campaign, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) is calling on media and Internet communities everywhere to print ads or post website banners of the Olympic rings made up of handcuffs - to draw attention to China's lax attitude to human rights in the face of hosting the 2008 Olympics.

Philippines

UN REPORTER DE LA RADIO EST TUÉ DANS UNE EMBUSCADE

Sri Lanka

LES JOURNALISTES AU SRI LANKA SONT MOINS EN SÉCURITÉ, CONSTATE UNE MISSION DE RETOUR D'UNE DEUXIÈME VISITE

Philippines

ASESINAN A PERIODISTA DE RADIO EN UNA EMBOSCADA

Sri Lanka

PERIODISTAS EN SRI LANKA ESTÁN MENOS SEGUROS, ENCUENTRA MISIÓN EN NUEVA VISITA

Philippines

RADIO REPORTER KILLED IN AMBUSH

A radio reporter was killed and two of his companions were wounded in a shooting spree in the southern Philippines yesterday, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and other IFEX members.

Sri Lanka

JOURNALISTS IN SRI LANKA LESS SAFE, MISSION FINDS ON RETURN VISIT

Sri Lankan journalists are increasingly worried about their safety, and the government has done little to protect them - even further endangering their lives, the International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Sri Lanka has found on its return visit to the country.

Pakistan

DIEZ MIEMBROS DE IFEX CONDENAN INTENTOS GUBERNAMENTALES DE AMORDAZAR A LOS MEDIOS

Pakistan

DIX MEMBRES DE L'IFEX CONDAMNENT LES TENTATIVES DU GOUVERNEMENT POUR MUSELER LES MÉDIAS

Pakistan

TEN IFEX MEMBERS CONDEMN GOVERNMENT'S ATTEMPTS TO MUZZLE MEDIA

Ten International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) members led by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) are urging President Pervez Musharraf to revoke all orders that have curbed media freedom in Pakistan since he suspended a Supreme Court chief justice in March.

Afghanistan

MUJERES PERIODISTAS SE ESTÁN VOLVIENDO BLANCOS EN ZONAS DE CONFLICTO

China

CONTINÚA LA CENSURA DESPIADADA DE LA MASACRE DE TIANANMEN

Vietnam

CIBERDISIDENTE LIBERADO ANTES DE VISITA PRESIDENCIAL A ESTADOS UNIDOS

Afghanistan

DANS LES ZONES DE CONFLIT, LES FEMMES JOURNALISTES DEVIENNENT DES CIBLES

China

LA CENSURE IMPLACABLE DU MASSACRE DE LA PLACE TIAN'ANMEN SE POURSUIT

Vietnam

UN CYBERDISSIDENT EST REMIS EN LIBERTÉ À LA VEILLE DE LA VISITE PRÉSIDENTIELLE AUX ÉTATS-UNIS

Afghanistan

WOMEN JOURNALISTS BECOMING TARGETS IN CONFLICT AREAS

Two Afghan reporters and an Iraqi journalist who received numerous death threats for her work covering sectarian violence were killed last week, in a string of attacks against women journalists in conflict areas, report ARTICLE 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR).

China

RELENTLESS CENSORSHIP OF TIANANMEN MASSACRE CONTINUES

A newspaper in southwest China has sacked three of its editors and four advertising staff over an ad paying tribute to mothers of protesters killed in the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, report Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontiers, RSF) and Reuters news agency.

Vietnam

CYBER-DISSIDENT FREED BEFORE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO U.S.

Vietnam has released one of its best known cyber-dissidents from prison under a presidential amnesty, two weeks before its president visits the United States, reports Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

China

LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE EN ÉTAT DE SIÈGE EN PRÉVISION DES JEUX OLYMPIQUES DE 2008

Afghanistan

UNE JOURNALISTE EST ABATTUE

China

LIBERTAD DE PRENSA ATACADA ANTES DE JUEGOS OLÍMPICOS DE 2008

Afghanistan

REPORTERA BALEADA

China

PRESS FREEDOM UNDER ATTACK AHEAD OF 2008 OLYMPICS

The Chinese government is backtracking on new rules that allow greater freedom to foreign journalists ahead of the Beijing Olympics, and is continuing to deny comparable freedoms to Chinese journalists, say Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Afghanistan

WOMAN REPORTER GUNNED DOWN

A female television reporter was shot dead last week in Afghanistan, reports the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Shokiba Sanga Amaaj, a reporter and presenter for the Pashtu-language channel, Shamshad TV, was shot by gunmen at her home on the night of 1 June.

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE EST TUÉ ET D'AUTRES SONT MENACÉS À LA SUITE DES ÉLECTIONS

Burma

DES MILITANTS EXIGENT LA LIBÉRATION DE SUU KYI

Bhutan

AGISSEZ ! APPUYEZ LES MÉDIAS DU BHOUTAN EN EXIL

Philippines

PERIODISTA ASESINADO, OTROS AMENAZADOS TRAS ELECCIONES

Burma

ACTIVISTAS EXIGEN LIBERACIÓN DE SUU KYI

Bhutan

¡ACTÚE! APOYE A LOS MEDIOS EXILIADOS DE BHUTÁN

Philippines

JOURNALIST KILLED, OTHERS THREATENED FOLLOWING ELECTIONS

In the wake of Philippine local and legislative elections, a photojournalist was killed in an ambush on his way home from work, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and local press reports.

Burma

BURMA: ACTIVISTS DEMAND SUU KYI'S RELEASE

Tension rose in Rangoon over the weekend following the extension of renowned democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi's detention for a fifth successive year, report ARTICLE 19, Mizzima News and local press reports.

Bhutan

TAKE ACTION! SUPPORT BHUTAN'S EXILED MEDIA

Journalists in Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal need your support. An estimated one sixth of the Bhutanese population, particularly the Lhotshampa minority, was forcibly evicted from the country during the early 1990s, with many of them now living in refugee camps in Nepal and India. Back in Bhutan, almost all of the media is controlled by the state.

Vietnam

SEMAINE NOIRE POUR LES CYBERDISSIDENTS

India

TROIS EMPLOYÉS D'UN JOURNAL SONT TUÉS DANS UN INCENDIE CRIMINEL

Thailand

UNE PROPOSITION DE LOI VISE À LIMITER L'EXPRESSION EN LIGNE

Vietnam

SEMANA OSCURA PARA CIBERDISIDENTES

India

TRES EMPLEADOS DE PERIÓDICOS MUERTOS EN ATAQUE INCENDIARIO

Thailand

LEY PROPUESTA BUSCA RESTRINGIR LIBRE EXPRESIÓN EN LÍNEA

Vietnam

DARK WEEK FOR CYBER-DISSIDENTS

Six cyber-dissidents were sentenced to harsh prison sentences in the past week in what Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières, RSF) is calling the worst crackdown since 2002.

India

THREE NEWSPAPER EMPLOYEES KILLED IN ARSON ATTACK

Three employees of a Tamil daily were killed last week during a protest against a survey published in the newspaper, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Thailand

PROPOSED LAW SEEKS TO CURB ONLINE EXPRESSION

Doctoring a person's picture that damages his/her reputation can lead to three years in jail and a US$18,000 fine, while damaging a computer's information system "related to the country's national security" can land you 10 years in prison under a new cyber crime bill passed nearly unanimously last week, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and ARTICLE 19.

Maldives

UN MINISTRE DIT QU'IL ABANDONNERA LES CHEFS D'ACCUSATION CONTRE DES REPORTERS DÉTENUS

Philippines

L'ÉPOUX DE LA PRÉSIDENTE RETIRE SES POURSUITES EN DIFFAMATION

Maldives

MINISTRO DICE QUE RETIRARÁ CARGOS CONTRA REPORTEROS DETENIDOS

Philippines

MARIDO DE PRESIDENTA RETIRA DEMANDA POR DIFAMACIÓN

Maldives

MINISTER SAYS HE WILL DROP CHARGES AGAINST DETAINED REPORTERS

During a conference celebrating World Press Freedom Day (3 May) in the Maldives, Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed announced he would lessen or drop criminal charges against some journalists currently facing sentences or in detention, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Philippines

PRESIDENT'S HUSBAND WITHDRAWS LIBEL SUITS

Less than a week after he was released from hospital following heart surgery - and on World Press Freedom Day - the husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dropped all libel charges he had filed against Filipino journalists, reports the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and other IFEX members.

China

CHINA (HONG KONG): CAMPAÑA DE FIRMAS EN LÍNEA PARA SALVAR RTHK

China

CHINE (HONG KONG) : CAMPAGNE DE SIGNATURES EN LIGNE POUR SAUVER RTHK

China

CHINA (HONG KONG): ONLINE SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE RTHK

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) and other non-governmental organisations need your autograph in their online campaign to save the popular broadcaster Radio and Television Hong Kong (RTHK).

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ, UN AUTRE EST BLESSÉ DANS DEUX ÉCHANGES DE FEU DISTINCTS

Sri Lanka

UN RÉDACTEUR TAMOUL EST ASSASSINÉ CHEZ LUI

China

DURES PEINES IMPOSÉES À DES DISSIDENTS OUIGHOURS

India

UNE AGENCE DE NOUVELLES BIRMANE ROUVRE SES PORTES

Philippines

PERIODISTA ASESINADO, OTRO HERIDO EN TIROTEOS SEPARADOS

Sri Lanka

EDITOR TAMIL MUERTO EN SU CASA

China

IMPONEN SEVERAS SENTENCIAS A DISIDENTES UIGHURES

Burma

AGENCIA DE NOTICIAS BIRMANA VUELVE A ABRIR

Philippines

JOURNALIST KILLED, ANOTHER WOUNDED IN SEPARATE SHOOTINGS

A murdered radio reporter and another journalist ambushed by gunmen last week are two of the latest victims of politically motivated attacks on journalists, activists and opposition leaders in the Philippines, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and other press freedom groups. Most of these types of attacks go unpunished.

Sri Lanka

TAMIL EDITOR KILLED IN HIS HOME

The editor of a Tamil magazine was shot dead in his home in northern Sri Lanka, report the Free Media Movement (FMM), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

China

HARSH SENTENCES IMPOSED ON UIGHUR DISSIDENTS

Just days after ARTICLE 19 and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) reported that an Uighur activist was sentenced to nine years in prison last week for disseminating "secessionist" articles over the Internet, a Canadian-Uighur activist was given life in jail, according to media reports.

India

BURMESE NEWS AGENCY REOPENS

Thanks largely to pressure from international press freedom organisations and Burma support groups, the Burmese news agency shut down by Indian authorities last week was allowed to reopen just two days later.

India

AUTORIDADES DE INDIA ALLANAN AGENCIA DE NOTICIAS BIRMANA

India

PETICIÓN PARA PROTEGER A TASLIMA NASRIN

India

DESCENTE DES AUTORITÉS INDIENNES DANS UNE AGENCE DE NOUVELLES BIRMANE

India

PÉTITION POUR PROTÉGER TASLIMA NASRIN

Burma

INDIAN AUTHORITIES RAID BURMESE NEWS AGENCY

New Delhi authorities yesterday raided and sealed off the headquarters of IFEX interim member Mizzima News Agency, a leading source of independent news on Burma run by exiled Burmese journalists, reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA). Mizzima is a partner of SEAPA.

Bangladesh

PETITION TO PROTECT TASLIMA NASRIN

A petition is being circulated urging the Indian government to protect Taslima Nasrin, an exiled Bangladeshi author, after an Indian Muslim group offered a 500,000 Rupee (US$11,800) bounty for her beheading.

Pakistan

DES MILITANTS ASSASSINENT LA FAMILLE D'UN REPORTER

Afghanistan

LE REPORTER QUI A ÉTÉ ENLEVÉ A ÉTÉ TUÉ, DISENT LES TALIBANS

Pakistan

MILITANTES ASESINAN A FAMILIA DE REPORTERO

Afghanistan

ASESINAN A REPORTERO SECUESTRADO, DICEN LOS TALIBANES

Pakistan

MILITANTS KILL REPORTER'S FAMILY

The family of a reporter who helped fellow journalists visit the site of a fresh conflict between local tribesmen and foreign militants was massacred in their home, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Afghanistan

ABDUCTED REPORTER KILLED, SAYS TALIBAN

An Afghan journalist and translator was killed on 8 April, a month after he was kidnapped, a spokesperson for the Taliban said.

Thailand

EN DÉPIT DES PROMESSES DE DÉMOCRATIE, LES DISSIDENTS SONT MENACÉS

Vietnam

UN PRÊTRE MILITANT EST CONDAMNÉ À HUIT ANS DE PRISON POUR AVOIR RÉPANDU DE LA « PROPAGANDE »

Afghanistan

UNE CAMPAGNE DE PHOTOS DE RSF REND HOMMAGE À UN CHAUFFEUR ASSASSINÉ

Thailand

A PESAR DE PROMESAS DE DEMOCRACIA, LOS DISIDENTES SE ENFRENTAN A AMENAZAS

Vietnam

SACERDOTE ACTIVISTA RECIBE OCHO AÑOS DE CÁRCEL POR DIFUNDIR "PROPAGANDA"

Afghanistan

CAMPAÑA FOTOGRÁFICA DE RSF RINDE TRIBUTO A CONDUCTOR ASESINADO

Thailand

DESPITE PROMISES OF DEMOCRACY, DISSIDENTS FACE THREATS

Although Thailand's Prime Minister has refused to declare a state of emergency in Bangkok, the government continues to crack down on dissidents and the right to free expression using censorship and other means.

Vietnam

ACTIVIST PRIEST GETS EIGHT YEARS FOR DISSEMINATING "PROPAGANDA"

A priest in Vietnam has been jailed for eight years on charges of distributing "propaganda" against the country, reports International PEN and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Afghanistan

AFGHANISTAN: RSF PHOTO CAMPAIGN PAYS TRIBUTE TO SLAIN DRIVER

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) is urging local and international media to pay homage to murdered Afghan driver Syed Agha by publishing his photograph.

Afghanistan

UN JOURNALISTE/TRADUCTEUR EST TOUJOURS CAPTIF

Afghanistan

PERIODISTA LOCAL Y TRADUCTOR SIGUEN EN CAUTIVERIO

Afghanistan

LOCAL JOURNALIST/TRANSLATOR STILL IN CAPTIVITY

Free expression groups worldwide have joined Afghan journalists in demanding the release of the independent journalist and translator who was kidnapped by the Taliban at the same time as a now-freed Italian journalist.

Bangladesh

PERIODISTAS PERSEGUIDOS DURANTE CAMPAÑA CONTRA CORRUPCIÓN

Bangladesh

DES JOURNALISTES SONT PERSÉCUTÉS PENDANT UNE CAMPAGNE DE LUTTE CONTRE LA CORRUPTION

Bangladesh

JOURNALISTS PERSECUTED DURING ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) are calling for the release of several journalists imprisoned during a crackdown on corruption by Bangladesh's interim government.

Cambodia

GRUPOS DE DERECHOS HUMANOS MARCHAN A FAVOR DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Cambodia

DES GROUPES DE DÉFENSE DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE MARCHENT EN FAVEUR DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Cambodia

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS MARCH FOR FREE EXPRESSION

The Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC) is leading a 314-kilometre march for freedom of expression, non-violence and political tolerance in Cambodia ahead of commune council elections that start next week, reports the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Burma

LIBERAN A REPORTEROS QUE CUBRÍAN MANIFESTACIÓN

Pakistan

MISIÓN PIDE ACCIONES GUBERNAMENTALES EN "CRISIS DE SEGURIDAD"

Burma

DES JOURNALISTES QUI COUVRAIENT UNE RARE MANIFESTATION SONT ARRÊTÉS

Pakistan

UNE MISSION D'EXPLORATION DEMANDE L'INTERVENTION DU GOUVERNEMENT POUR RÉGLER LA « CRISE DE SÉCURITÉ »

Burma

REPORTERS COVERING DEMONSTRATION RELEASED

Three reporters were arrested on 22 February 2007 while covering a rare demonstration against Burma's military junta in Rangoon, but were released after five hours, Mizzima News reports. Correspondents Myat Thura of the Japanese Kyodo news agency, Sint Sint Aung of Nippon TV and May Thagyan Hein of "Myanmar Dhana" economic magazine were detained and reportedly interrogated as to how they knew about the demonstration in advance.

Pakistan

MISSION CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION ON "CRISIS OF SAFETY"

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), supported by a coalition of press freedom and journalists' organisations, has demanded that Pakistan's government respond to growing incidents of violence against journalists and deteriorating press freedom.

Indonesia

DES MILITANTS PAPOUS INCARCÉRÉS POUR AVOIR MANIFESTÉ LEUR DISSIDENCE DE FAÇON PACIFIQUE

Indonesia

ACTIVISTAS DE PAPÚA ENCARCELADOS POR DISENSO PACÍFICO

Indonesia

PAPUAN ACTIVISTS IMPRISONED FOR PEACEFUL DISSENT

Indonesia continues to keep at least 18 Papuan political opponents in jail for peaceful acts of freedom of expression and opinion, Human Rights Watch said in a report, "Protest and Punishment: Political Prisoners in Papua," released on 21 February 2007.

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE EST ABATTU

Philippines

EDITOR BALEADO

Malaysia

NIEGAN A CIUDADANOS ACCESO A INFORMACIÓN AMBIENTAL

Malaysia

DES CITOYENS SE VOIENT NIER L'ACCÈS À DES RENSEIGNEMENTS SUR L'ENVIRONNEMENT

Philippines

EDITOR GUNNED DOWN

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) are calling for an inquiry into the latest killing of a journalist in the Philippines, one of the world's most dangerous countries for the media.

Malaysia

CITIZENS DENIED ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

The Malaysian government has come under harsh criticism from free expression groups for encouraging a "culture of secrecy" that prevents citizens from accessing important information about environmental problems.

Pakistan

FIP, FMM Y RSF SE UNIRÁN A MISIÓN A PAKISTÁN

East Timor

JUEZ DE INSTRUCCIÓN ABRE INVESTIGACIÓN SOBRE ASESINATOS DE BALIBO

Pakistan

LA FIJ, LE FMM ET RSF VONT PARTICIPER À UNE MISSION AU PAKISTAN

Australia

LE CORONER OUVRE UNE ENQUÊTE SUR LES MEURTRES DE BALIBO

Sri Lanka

LE CONFLIT ALIMENTE LA RÉPRESSION DE L'INFORMATION

Sri Lanka

CONFLICTO IMPULSA MEDIDAS CONTRA INFORMACIÓN

Pakistan

IFJ, FMM, RSF TO JOIN MISSION TO PAKISTAN

A delegation of media advocacy groups, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Free Media Movement (FMM) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), is planning to visit Pakistan from 21 to 25 February 2007 to discuss press freedom concerns with government officials.

Australia

CORONER OPENS INQUIRY INTO BALIBO MURDERS

A coroner's court in New South Wales, Australia has opened an investigation into the murder of Brian Peters, one of five journalists killed by Indonesian forces in the lead-up to the invasion of East Timor in 1975, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). The inquiry may help shed light on the murders, which have gone unpunished for more than 30 years.

Sri Lanka

CONFLICT FUELS INFORMATION CLAMPDOWN

In Sri Lanka's Jaffna Peninsula, where fighting between government forces and the rebel Tamil Tigers has resumed since the collapse of a ceasefire in April 2006, news and information about the conflict have become increasingly restricted.

China

UN REPORTER EST BATTU À MORT SUR LE SITE D'UNE MINE ILLÉGALE

China

GOLPEAN A REPORTERO HASTA MATARLO EN MINA ILEGAL

Bangladesh

ESTADO DE EMERGENCIA SUSCITA INQUIETUDES POR LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

China

REPORTER BEATEN TO DEATH AT ILLEGAL MINE

The owner of a mine in the northern Chinese province of Shanxi has been arrested in connection with the death of a newspaper employee who was severely beaten on 9 January. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) are investigating the murder to determine whether it was directly related to the victim's work as a journalist.

Bangladesh

STATE OF EMERGENCY PROMPTS PRESS FREEDOM CONCERNS

A state of emergency has been declared in Bangladesh, under which constitutional protections, including freedom of the press, have been partly suspended, report Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, Freedom House, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Indonesia

AUMENTAN ATAQUES CONTRA PRENSA

Burma

DOS PERIODISTAS LIBERADOS DE LA CÁRCEL

Indonesia

LES ATTAQUES CONTRE LA PRESSE SE MULTIPLIENT

Burma

DEUX JOURNALISTES LIBÉRÉS DE PRISON

Philippines

PERIODISTA MUERTO A CUCHILLADAS

Indonesia

ATTACKS ON THE PRESS INCREASE

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI) has called on the Indonesian government to do more to protect press freedom following the release of a report that showed attacks on the press increased in 2006 compared to the previous year.

Burma

TWO JOURNALISTS RELEASED FROM JAIL

Two journalists have been released from prison in Burma after being pardoned by the military dictatorship, report Mizzima News, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), International PEN's Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE EST POIGNARDÉ MORTELLEMENT

Philippines

JOURNALIST STABBED TO DEATH

Authorities in the Philippines are being urged to investigate the slaying of radio broadcaster Andres Acosta to determine whether he was killed because of his work. Acosta was stabbed to death on 20 December 2006 in the town of Batac, reported the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Philippines

LES MEURTRES DE JOURNALISTES CONTINUENT

Philippines

ASESINATOS DE PERIODISTAS SIGUEN AUMENTANDO

Philippines

JOURNALIST SLAYINGS CONTINUE TO MOUNT

In the world of journalism, the Philippines has developed an unenviable reputation as being one of the most dangerous countries. According to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), 61 journalists have been killed in the past two decades.

Fiji

LÍDERES DE GOLPE DE ESTADO SE HACEN DE CONTROL DE MEDIOS

Fiji

LES DIRIGEANTS DU COUP D'ÉTAT S'ASSURENT DE LEUR MAINMISE SUR LES MÉDIAS

Fiji

COUP LEADERS SEIZE CONTROL OF MEDIA

Fiji's press is under siege following a military coup on 4 December 2006 that toppled the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, report the International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

China

L'AMJ DÉCERNE LA PLUME D'OR DE LA LIBERTÉ À UN JOURNALISTE CHINOIS EMPRISONNÉ

Nepal

ESTACIÓN DE RADIO NEPALESA GANA PREMIO AMARC

China

PREMIOS PLUMA DORADA DE LA LIBERTAD DE WAN A PERIODISTA CHINO ENCARCELADO

China

TEMORES POR LIBERTAD DE PRENSA EN PERIODO PREVIO A OLIMPIADA DE 2008

Nepal

NEPALESE RADIO STATION WINS AMARC PRIZE

Radio Sagarmatha, the pioneering Kathmandu-based community radio broadcaster, has been awarded the AMARC International Solidarity Prize 2006 in recognition of its outstanding work in defence of human rights and democracy in Nepal.

India

SOCIEDAD CIVIL OBTIENE ACCESO A ESPECTRO RADIAL

Australia

UN LIVRE SE PENCHE SUR LA SITUATION DE LA DÉMOCRATIE EN AFRIQUE AUSTRALE

China

ON CRAINT POUR LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE À L'APPROCHE DES OLYMPIQUES DE 2008

India

LA SOCIÉTÉ CIVILE OBTIENT L'ACCÈS AUX ONDES

China

PRESS FREEDOM FEARS IN RUN-UP TO 2008 OLYMPICS

As China prepares to host the next Summer Olympic Games in Beijing in August 2008, a growing number of IFEX members are expressing concern that media coverage of the event will be restricted by authorities and that local journalists who report on politically sensitive issues could be targeted during, and after, the Games.

India

CIVIL SOCIETY GAINS ACCESS TO AIRWAVES

The Indian government has approved a new policy enabling non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to apply for community radio licenses for the first time, reports the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC).

Maldives

OFENSIVA DE AUTORIDADES CONTRA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN ANTES DE MARCHA DE OPOSICIÓN

Singapore

SINGAPUR AMENAZA CON CONTROL MÁS ESTRECHO SOBRE INTERNET Y LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Maldives

LES AUTORITÉS RÉPRIMENT LA LIBRE EXPRESSION AVANT LA TENUE D'UN RASSEMBLEMENT DE L'OPPOSITION

Singapore

SINGAPOUR MENACE DE CONTRÔLER PLUS SÉVÈREMENT L'INTERNET ET LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Maldives

AUTHORITIES CRACK DOWN ON FREE EXPRESSION PRIOR TO OPPOSITION RALLY

Authorities in the Maldives launched a sweeping crackdown on freedom of expression and opposition activists in the lead-up to a major demonstration planned for 10 November 2006, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontieres, RSF).

Singapore

SINGAPORE THREATENS TIGHTER CONTROL OVER INTERNET AND FREE EXPRESSION

Singapore, a city-state where high levels of economic development contrast with some of the world's strictest controls on free expression and assembly, plans to tighten laws governing the Internet and public gatherings. The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) have expressed concern about the proposed amendments, which are part of a penal code review.

Pakistan

LIBERTAD DE PRENSA EN DECADENCIA; PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Nepal

PERIODISTAS SE ENFRENTAN A AMENAZAS A PESAR DE RETORNO A DEMOCRACIA

Pakistan

LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE SE DÉTÉRIORE, UN JOURNALISTE EST TUÉ

Nepal

EN DÉPIT DU RETOUR À LA DÉMOCRATIE, DES JOURNALISTES REÇOIVENT DES MENACES

Philippines

LES ASSASSINS D'UN CHRONIQUEUR SONT RECONNUS COUPABLES, MAIS LES COMMANDITAIRES COURENT TOUJOURS

Philippines

ASESINOS DE COLUMNISTA FUERON CONDENADOS, PERO AUTORES INTELECTUALES SIGUEN LIBRES

Sri Lanka

MISIÓN INTERNACIONAL ENCUENTRA QUE SITUACIÓN DE SEGURIDAD DE PERIODISTAS SE ESTÁ DETERIORANDO

Pakistan

PRESS FREEDOM DETERIORATING, JOURNALIST KILLED

The brutal murder of a journalist in Islamabad, Pakistan, and a spate of attacks on other journalists in recent months have prompted calls of concern from the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Nepal

JOURNALISTS FACE THREATS DESPITE RETURN TO DEMOCRACY

More than six months after a popular uprising toppled the authoritarian rule of King Gyanendra of Nepal and restored democracy, journalists continue to face threats and attacks despite the government's efforts to protect press freedom, says the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ).

Malaysia

LEYES REPRESIVAS COARTAN LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Malaysia

DES LOIS RÉPRESSIVES ENCHAÎNENT LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Malaysia

REPRESSIVE LAWS SHACKLE PRESS FREEDOM

Decades of repressive laws and ownership by Malaysia's ruling political parties have created a climate of self-censorship in news rooms and severely hampered the media's ability to play its role as the public's watchdog, said the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) in report released last week.

Philippines

COLUMNIST'S MURDERERS CONVICTED, BUT MASTERMINDS STILL FREE

On 6 October 2006, a court in the city of Cebu convicted three men for the murder of journalist Marlene Garcia-Esperat. The decision was welcomed by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE).

Sri Lanka

INTERNATIONAL MISSION FINDS DETERIORATING SECURITY SITUATION FOR MEDIA

A delegation representing the International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission found a "serious deterioration in the security situation" for the media during its 9 to 11 October 2006 fact-finding and advocacy mission in Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan

DEUX JOURNALISTES ALLEMANDS SONT TUÉS

Afghanistan

PERIODISTAS ALEMANES ASESINADOS

Afghanistan

GERMAN JOURNALISTS KILLED

The International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontieres, RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have urged Afghan authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the murders of two German freelance journalists who were shot dead on 7 October 2006.

Philippines

LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX DÉNONCENT LES POURSUITES EN DIFFAMATION INTENTÉES CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES

Philippines

MIEMBROS DE IFEX DEPLORAN DEMANDAS POR DIFAMACIÓN CONTRA PERIODISTAS

Philippines

IFEX MEMBERS DECRY LIBEL ACTIONS AGAINST JOURNALISTS

Hundreds of free expression advocates and more than 25 local and international organisations, including seven IFEX members, have signed a petition calling on congressional representatives in the Philippines to abolish a libel law they say is being used to shield powerful figures from public scrutiny.

Pakistan

ÁREA DE TERREMOTO SUFRE REPRESIÓN INFORMATIVA

Pakistan

LA ZONE FRAPPÉE PAR LE TREMBLEMENT DE TERRE SUBIT DES RESTRICTIONS AU CHAPITRE DE L'INFORMATION

Pakistan

AGRESIONES CONTRA PERIODISTAS SUSCITAN ALARMA

Nepal

VENTANA DE OPORTUNIDAD PARA LIBERTAD DE MEDIOS, DICE MISIÓN INTERNACIONAL

Pakistan

LES ATTAQUES CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES SOULÈVENT L'INQUIÉTUDE

Nepal

LA CONJONCTURE EST FAVORABLE À LA LIBERTÉ DES MÉDIAS, DIT LA MISSION INTERNATIONALE

Pakistan

EARTHQUAKE-HIT AREA SUFFERS INFORMATION CLAMPDOWN

In the Pakistani-controlled territory of Azad Kashmir, one of the most closed in the world until a massive earthquake in October 2005 attracted international media attention, authorities keep tight controls on freedom of expression, says Human Rights Watch.

Thailand

IFEX MEMBERS RAISE CENSORSHIP FEARS FOLLOWING COUP

Almost one week after a bloodless military coup in Thailand toppled a government led by controversial Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, free expression groups have raised fears over the uncertain situation facing freedom of expression in the country.

Pakistan

ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS RAISE ALARM

A series of attacks on journalists in Pakistan in the past week, including a murder, have prompted the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) to express serious concerns over press freedom in the country.

Nepal

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR MEDIA FREEDOM, SAYS INTERNATIONAL MISSION

Nepal has taken important steps in restoring media freedom and democracy in the six months since the fall of King Gyanendra's regime, but much remains to be done to ensure that freedom of expression is fully respected, an international delegation of free expression groups has concluded.

Indonesia

MAYORÍA DE PERIODISTAS ESTÁN MAL PAGADOS: INVESTIGACIÓN DE AJI

Fiji

PLANTEAN INQUIETUDES ACERCA DE LEY DE RADIO Y TELEVISIÓN

Indonesia

LA MAJORITÉ DES JOURNALISTES EST EXTRÊMEMENT SOUS-PAYÉE, CONCLUT UNE ÉTUDE DE L'AJI

Fiji

UN PROJET DE LOI SUR LA RADIODIFFUSION INQUIÈTE

Indonesia

MAJORITY OF JOURNALISTS VASTLY UNDERPAID: AJI SURVEY

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI) has found in a country-wide survey of Indonesian media that more than 50 per cent of journalists are unable to cover their basic needs with their salary and are forced to take on other jobs to support themselves.

Australia

ANTI-TERRORISM LAWS THREATEN TO MUZZLE PRESS

Press freedom in Australia has declined dramatically over the past 12 months, with new laws threatening to cast a chill on journalists who report on terrorism, a new report by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) has concluded.

Fiji

Radio en una maleta contrarresta marginación de voces de mujeres

Vietnam

CRECE CENSURA DE INTERNET

Sri Lanka

PERIODISTA ASESINADO MIENTRAS AUMENTAN ATAQUES A MEDIOS

Fiji

Une station de radio dans une mallette fait sortir la voix des femmes de la marginalité

Vietnam

LA CENSURE DE L'INTERNET S'APPESANTIT

Sri Lanka

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ TANDIS QUE LES ATTENTATS CONTRE LES MÉDIAS PRENNENT DE L'AMPLEUR

Fiji

CONCERNS RAISED OVER BROADCASTING BILL

Fiji's parliament has tabled a bill that, if passed, would give the government powers to control broadcast media, warn the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), ARTICLE 19 and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Fiji

Suitcase Radio Brings Fijian Women's Voices out of the Margins

22 August 2006

Vietnam

INTERNET CENSORSHIP GROWING

Internet censorship in Vietnam is increasing, with authorities using more sophisticated filtering technologies to deny citizens in the country access to websites that contain information deemed politically sensitive, warns the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Sri Lanka

JOURNALIST MURDERED AS ATTACKS ON MEDIA INCREASE

Attacks on journalists and media outlets appear to be increasing in Sri Lanka's Jaffna peninsula amidst heavy fighting between security forces and the separatist Tamil Tiger (LTTE) rebels. In the past two months, two journalists have been killed, two newspaper distributors murdered, and the warehouse of a newspaper burned down, report Free Media Movement (FMM), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Indonesia

BANDAS Y MALEANTES PLANTEAN LAS MAYORES AMENAZAS A LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

China

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ARREMETE CONTRA CORPORACIONES POR CENSURA DE INTERNET

Indonesia

LES DIFFÉRENTES MAFIAS ET LES HOMMES DE MAIN PRÉSENTENT LES MENACES LES PLUS GRAVES À LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

China

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CRITIQUE SÉVÈREMENT LES ENTREPRISES D'EXPLOITATION DE L'INTERNET POUR LEUR COMPLICITÉ DANS LA CENSURE

Philippines

BROADCASTER GUNNED DOWN

Philippine authorities have been urged to thoroughly investigate the murder of broadcaster Armando "Rachman" Pace, who was gunned down by unidentified assailants in Digos City on the southern island of Mindanano on 18 July 2006.

China

REPORTER BEATEN TO DEATH BY POLICE OFFICER

A police officer has been arrested in the province of Guizhou, China for beating to death a reporter on 18 July 2006, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Afghanistan

CAMERAMAN KILLED IN SUICIDE BOMB ATTACK

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the death of an Afghani cameraman who was fatally injured in a suicide bomb attack in Kandahar on 22 July 2006, reported the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Indonesia

MOBS, THUGS POSE BIGGEST THREATS TO PRESS FREEDOM

Mob violence and thuggery were the leading causes of violence against the Indonesian press in 2005, a report by the Alliance for Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI) has found.

China

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH SLAMS CORPORATIONS OVER INTERNET CENSORSHIP

Human Rights Watch has called on the United States, the European Union and other governments to pass legislation prohibiting Internet companies from storing personal user information on servers in China. In a new report, the watchdog criticises western corporations for being complicit in actively censoring political material in China without telling users.

China

SITIOS WEB CERRADOS EN MEDIO DE OFENSIVA CONTRA INTERNET

China

DES SITES WEB SONT FERMÉS EN PLEIN MILIEU D'UNE VAGUE DE RÉPRESSION DE L'INTERNET

China

WEBSITES SHUT DOWN AMID INTERNET CRACKDOWN

China's Communist party has launched a new crackdown on the Internet, with at least seven websites shut down in the past few weeks following a recent pledge by authorities to "take effective measures to place chat forums, blogs and search engines under control," says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Pakistan

FUNCIONARIOS PROMETEN INVESTIGAR ASESINATOS DE PERIODISTAS

Pakistan

DES OFFICIELS PROMETTENT DE REVOIR LES MEURTRES DE JOURNALISTES

Pakistan

OFFICIALS PROMISE TO REVIEW JOURNALIST MURDERS

A Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) delegation has won pledges from Pakistani officials to review government investigations into the deaths of seven journalists who have been killed for their work in the past four years, and to examine official records of 20 other cases of attacks on journalists.

Maldives

UNE MISSION INTERNATIONALE REND PUBLIC UN RAPPORT SUR LA SITUATION DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION AUX MALDIVES

Philippines

UN COMMUNICATEUR EST ABATTU

China

REPORTER EST BATTU À MORT PAR UN POLICIER

Afghanistan

UN CAMÉRAMAN EST TUÉ DANS UN ATTENTAT SUICIDE

Philippines

LOCUTOR BALEADO

China

REPORTERO MUERTO A GOLPES POR OFICIAL DE POLICÍA

Afghanistan

CAMARÓGRAFO ASESINADO EN ATAQUE CON BOMBA SUICIDA

Maldives

INTERNATIONAL MISSION ISSUES REPORT ON FREE EXPRESSION IN THE MALDIVES

An international fact-finding mission to the Maldives has called on the government to end the arbitrary arrest, harassment and intimidation of journalists and dissidents, and to bring its media laws into line with international free expression standards.

Malaysia

PROSCRIBEN 18 LIBROS SOBRE ISLAM Y RELIGIÓN

China

ESTÁ EN JUEGO FUTURO DE EMISORA PÚBLICA

Malaysia

DIX-HUIT LIVRES SUR L'ISLAM ET LA RELIGION SONT INTERDITS

China

L'AVENIR D'UN RADIODIFFUSEUR PUBLIC EST EN JEU

Malaysia

18 BOOKS ON ISLAM AND RELIGION BANNED

Since mid-June, Malaysian authorities have banned 18 books on Islam and religion on the grounds that they could "disrupt peace and harmony," report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and ARTICLE 19. The Ministry of Internal Security has now banned more than 45 books since 2003.

China

PUBLIC BROADCASTER'S FUTURE AT STAKE

At a time when the space for media freedom in Hong Kong is contracting and many previously independent newspapers have toned down their coverage of sensitive matters, the need for a truly independent public broadcaster is more vital than ever, says the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HJKA). Yet press freedom advocates fear possible moves to turn government-owned Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) into an organ of state propaganda.

Sri Lanka

PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Laos

INSTAN A NUEVO LÍDER A RELAJAR CENSURA

Afghanistan

DIRECTRICES DE MEDIOS AMENAZAN LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Sri Lanka

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

Laos

LE NOUVEAU DIRIGEANT EST PRIÉ INSTAMMENT DE RELÂCHER LA CENSURE

Afghanistan

LES LIGNES DIRECTRICES SUR LES MÉDIAS MENACENT LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Sri Lanka

JOURNALIST MURDERED

Free Media Movement (FMM), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières) warn that free expression conditions in Sri Lanka appear to be deteriorating amidst escalating violence in the country, which claimed the life of a journalist on 2 July 2006.

Laos

NEW LEADER URGED TO EASE CENSORSHIP

Laos is known as one of the most isolated and information-starved countries in Southeast Asia. Ruled by the People's Revolutionary Party (PPRL) since 1975, its media is tightly controlled by authorities. All mass media outlets are state-owned, and Internet access is highly controlled and monitored. Visa regulations discourage foreign journalists from entering the country and those that do must be escorted by government agents.

Afghanistan

MEDIA GUIDELINES THREATEN PRESS FREEDOM

In what has been called the biggest threat to the independence of the media and free expression since the ousting of the Taliban in 2001, Afghanistan's intelligence agency has issued a list of guidelines urging journalists to curtail their reporting on the country's deteriorating security situation.

Japan

TRIBUNAL SUPERIOR AFIRMA DERECHO DE PERIODISTAS DE PROTEGER FUENTES

Burma

ESTRICTAS PENAS DE CÁRCEL SUBRAYAN ESTADO REPRESIVO

Australia

LE FXI EXAMINE L’ACCÈS À L’INFORMATION EN AFRIQUE AUSTRALE

Japan

LA HAUTE COUR CONFIRME LE DROIT DES JOURNALISTES DE PROTÉGER LEURS SOURCES

Burma

DE LOURDES PEINES DE PRISON JETTENT LA LUMIÈRE SUR UN ÉTAT

Japan

HIGH COURT AFFIRMS JOURNALISTS' RIGHT TO PROTECT SOURCES

A Tokyo High Court has recognised the importance of protecting journalists' right to keep their sources confidential, reports the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Burma

HARSH JAIL TERMS HIGHLIGHT REPRESSIVE STATE

Burma, officially known as Myanmar, has a reputation for being one of the world's worst violators of human rights, including freedom of expression. It has one of the strictest media censorship regimes, and journalists and writers are often given harsh prison terms for criticising authorities.

Burma

AGISSEZ ! BIRMANIE : LA LAURÉATE DU PRIX NOBEL EN RÉSIDENCE SURVEILLÉE

Pakistan

UN JOURNALISTE PAKISTANAIS PORTÉ DISPARU EST TROUVÉ MORT; UN REPORTER INDIEN EST TUÉ

Philippines

DEUX JOURNALISTES SONT ABATTUS

Vietnam

DE NOUVELLES RÈGLES QUI VISENT À CONTRER UNE PRESSE DEVENUE IMPATIENTE

Burma

¡ACTÚE! BIRMANIA: PREMIO NOBEL EN ARRESTO DOMICILIARIO

Philippines

DOS PERIODISTAS BALEADOS

Pakistan

ENCUENTRAN MUERTO A PERIODISTA PAKISTANÍ DESAPARECIDO; REPORTERO INDIO ASESINADO

Vietnam

NUEVAS REGLAS BUSCAN OBSTACULIZAR PRENSA ENTUSIASTA

Burma

TAKE ACTION! BURMA: NOBEL LAUREATE UNDER HOUSE ARREST

20 June 2006

Philippines

TWO JOURNALISTS GUNNED DOWN

Philippine authorities have been urged to investigate the killing of a couple in Kidapawan on the southern island of Mindanao to determine whether both were killed because of their work as journalists.

India

MISSING PAKISTANI JOURNALIST FOUND DEAD; INDIAN REPORTER KILLED

More than six months after being abducted in Pakistan's North Waziristan province, journalist Hayatullah Khan has been found dead, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Vietnam

NEW RULES AIM TO STYMIE EAGER PRESS

Vietnam's ruling Communist Party will introduce new press regulations in July 2006 that stiffen penalties for journalists who report on sensitive issues, including corruption, says the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA). The move is apparently aimed at stemming the rise of more aggressive reporting following the party's move in recent years to show more openness and transparency.

Indonesia

PERIODISTAS PIDEN AYUDA POR TERREMOTO

China

AUTORIDADES IMPONEN RESTRICCIONES A COBERTURA DE LOS MEDIOS EN MANIFESTACIONES RURALES

Indonesia

APPEL À L'AIDE DES JOURNALISTES À LA SUITE DU TREMBLEMENT DE TERRE

China

LES AUTORITÉS RESSERRENT LA COUVERTURE MÉDIATIQUE DES PROTESTATIONS QUI SE DÉROULENT DANS LES CAMPAGNES

Indonesia

JOURNALISTS APPEAL FOR EARTHQUAKE AID

In the aftermath of an earthquake that devastated central Java in Indonesia on 27 May 2006, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) are appealing for donations to support media workers affected by the disaster.

China

AUTHORITIES PUT SQUEEZE ON MEDIA COVERAGE OF RURAL PROTESTS

As China's economic boom continues at breakneck speed, widening unrest is spreading in rural areas as villagers stage protests against corruption, land seizures and environmental degradation, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The government recorded 87,000 such incidents in 2005.

Pakistan

UN OPÉRATEUR DE CAMÉRA PERD LA VIE

Pakistan

CAMARÓGRAFO MUERTO

Pakistan

CAMERA OPERATOR KILLED

A camera operator in southeast Pakistan's Sindh district has been killed while covering a gunfight between tribesmen near the town of Larkana, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Philippines

OTRO PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Philippines

UN AUTRE JOURNALISTE ASSASSINÉ

Nepal

LE PARLEMENT ABOLIT LA LOI RÉPRESSIVE SUR LES MÉDIAS

Nepal

PARLAMENTO DECRETA ABOLICIÓN DE LEY DE MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN REPRESIVA

Philippines

GRAVE INQUIETUD POR SEGURIDAD DE PERIODISTAS

Indonesia

REPORTERO ASESINADO

Philippines

ON EST GRAVEMENT PRÉOCCUPÉ PAR LA SÉCURITÉ DES JOURNALISTES

Indonesia

UN REPORTER EST ASSASSINÉ

Philippines

ANOTHER JOURNALIST KILLED

Yet another journalist has been killed in the Philippines. On 22 May 2006, Fernando "Dong" Batul was shot six times by two gunmen on motorcycles as he drove to work in Puerto Princessa on Palawan Island, reported the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Batul was the third journalist killed in the country in the past month.

Nepal

PARLIAMENT ABOLISHES REPRESSIVE MEDIA LAW

Barely two weeks after massive public protests in late April forced Nepal's King Gyanendra to end his autocratic rule and restore parliament, lawmakers have voted to repeal a media law widely criticised as being overly restrictive on freedom of expression, report the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Philippines

SERIOUS CONCERN FOR JOURNALISTS' SAFETY

The safety of journalists in the Philippines continues to be cause for serious concern, with a press photographer and columnist shot dead and two reporters targeted in assassination attempts in the past three weeks.

Indonesia

REPORTER KILLED

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI) has sent a fact-finding mission to the village of Tarokan in East Java, Indonesia, to investigate the murder of newspaper reporter Herliyanto, found dead on 29 April 2006.

Nepal

LA FNJ DOCUMENTE LES VIOLATIONS DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE AU NÉPAL

Maldives

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX SE JOIGNENT À UNE MISSION DE DÉFENSE DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Nepal

FNJ DOCUMENTS PRESS FREEDOM VIOLATIONS IN NEPAL

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has released a new report documenting how press freedom suffered in the last year under the authoritarian rule of King Gyanendra.

Maldives

IFEX MEMBERS JOIN PRESS FREEDOM MISSION

Maldives may be celebrated among tourists as a prime beach destination, but its citizens see a darker side.

China

HONG KONG : DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX DEMANDENT AVEC INSTANCE LA REMISE EN LIBERTÉ D'UN REPORTER

Nepal

DES JOURNALISTES EN PREMIÈRE LIGNE DES PROTESTATIONS EN FAVEUR DE LA DÉMOCRATIE

China

MIEMBROS DE IFEX PIDEN LIBERACIÓN DE REPORTERO DETENIDO

Nepal

PERIODISTAS EN PRIMERA LÍNEA DE MANIFESTACIONES EN FAVOR DE DEMOCRACIA

China

IFEX MEMBERS URGE RELEASE OF DETAINED REPORTER

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) led eight other IFEX members and more than 400 local journalists last week in demanding the release of reporter Ching Cheong, who has been detained in mainland China for a year on charges of spying.

Nepal

JOURNALISTS AT FOREFRONT OF PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTESTS

Victory celebrations are being held in Kathmandu, Nepal after King Gyanendra bowed to massive public pressure and announced on 24 April 2006 that he would re-instate the country's parliament.

Indonesia

LE MAGAZINE « PLAYBOY » DÉCLENCHE DE VIOLENTES

China

BUSH PRIÉ DE SOULIGNER LES VIOLATIONS DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION LORS DE SES ENTRETIENS AU SOMMET

Indonesia

REVISTA "PLAYBOY" SUSCITA MANIFESTACIONES VIOLENTAS

Mongolia

JUICIOS POR DIFAMACIÓN ATACAN A MEDIOS

China

INSTAN A BUSH A DESTACAR ABUSOS CONTRA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN EN CUMBRE

Nepal

DOCENAS DE PERIODISTAS ARRESTADOS Y GOLPEADOS DURANTE MANIFESTACIONES

Indonesia

"PLAYBOY" MAGAZINE SPARKS VIOLENT PROTESTS

In Indonesia, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) has expressed concern over threats of violence directed against the local publishers of "Playboy" magazine following the publication's launch two weeks ago.

Mongolia

DEFAMATION LAWS TARGET MEDIA

In Mongolia, politicians are increasingly taking advantage of punitive defamation laws to silence journalists who report on sensitive issues such as government corruption, reports Globe International.

China

BUSH URGED TO HIGHLIGHT FREE EXPRESSION AT SUMMIT TALKS

Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have called on U.S. President George W. Bush to put freedom of expression on the agenda when he meets with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Washington, D.C. for bilateral talks on 20 April 2006.

Nepal

DES DIZAINES DES JOURNALISTES SONT ARRÊTÉS ET PASSÉS À TABAC LORS DE MANIFESTATIONS DE PROTESTATION

Philippines

PERIODISTA MUERTO A TIROS

Thailand

EMPRESAS DE MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN ATACADAS POR MANIFESTANTES A FAVOR DEL GOBIERNO

Australia

NUEVA LEY DE ESPIONAJE PLANTEA GRAVE AMENAZA A LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE EST ABATTU

Thailand

LES MÉDIAS SONT ATTAQUÉS PAR DES PARTISANS DU GOUVERNEMENT

En Thaïlande, une série d'attaques contre les médias critiques dans les jours qui ont précédé l'élection du 2 avril 2006 a suscité des appels inquiets de l'Association des journalistes thaïlandais (TJA), de l'Alliance de la presse de l'Asie du Sud-Est (Southeast Asia Press Alliance, SEAPA), du Reporters sans frontières (RSF), de la Fédération internationale des journalistes (FIJ) et du Comité pour la protection des journalistes (CPJ).

Nepal

DOZENS OF JOURNALISTS ARRESTED, BEATEN DURING PROTESTS

Scores of journalists have been arrested and beaten in the past week during nation-wide demonstrations against the autocratic rule of Nepal's King Gyanendra, prompting calls of concern by IFEX members.

Australia

UNE NOUVELLE LOI SUR L'ESPIONNAGE POSE UNE GRAVE MENACE POUR LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Philippines

JOURNALIST SHOT DEAD

IFEX members are calling on Philippine authorities to determine whether a journalist shot dead on 2 April 2006 in Tarlac City, the Philippines, was killed because of his work.

Thailand

MEDIA OUTLETS ATTACKED BY PRO-GOVERNMENT PROTESTERS

In Thailand, a series of attacks on critical media outlets in the days leading up to the 2 April 2006 elections prompted calls of concern from the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

China

HONG KONG : LA LIBRE EXPRESSION PRÉOCCUPE LA HKJA

Nepal

LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE SE DÉTÉRIORE GRAVEMENT, CONCLUT UNE MISSION INTERNATIONALE

Nepal

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX SE JOIGNENT À UNE MISSION INTERNATIONALE AU NÉPAL

Australia

NEW SPYING LAW POSES SEVERE THREAT TO PRESS FREEDOM

The Australian Senate has approved a bill that would give authorities powers to intercept phone calls, e-mails and text messages of citizens, a move seen by the Media, Arts and Entertainment Alliance (MEAA) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) as a serious threat to press freedom.

China

HONG KONG: HKJA EXPRESA INQUIETUDES POR LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Nepal

LIBERTAD DE PRENSA SE ESTÁ DETERIORANDO GRAVEMENTE, DICE MISIÓN INTERNACIONAL

Nepal

MIEMBROS DE IFEX SE UNEN A MISIÓN INTERNACIONAL A NEPAL

Thailand

DECISIÓN DE TRIBUNAL MARCA VICTORIA PARA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

China

HKJA VOICES CONCERNS OVER FREE EXPRESSION

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) has expressed concerns over the future of public broadcasting in the Chinese territory and the government's plans to enact legislation that could potentially threaten the confidentiality of journalists' sources.

Nepal

PRESS FREEDOM SERIOUSLY DETERIORATING, SAYS INTERNATIONAL MISSION

Press freedom conditions in Nepal have significantly deteriorated in the last eight months, marked by ongoing attacks on journalists and harassment by government authorities and Maoist rebels, an international mission to the country said earlier this week.

Pakistan

ASLAM ALI PRESS FREEDOM AWARD

The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is seeking nominations for a new award that honours journalists or organisations that have made a notable contribution to the defence and promotion of press freedom in Pakistan.

Nepal

IFEX MEMBERS JOIN INTERNATIONAL MISSION TO NEPAL

This week, six IFEX members are participating in an international mission to Nepal to draw attention to the serious press freedom and free expression violations that are continuing to occur in the country.

Thailand

COURT DECISION SIGNALS VICTORY FOR FREE EXPRESSION

In what is being hailed as a landmark ruling that will strengthen freedom of expression and press freedom in Thailand, a court has found media advocate Supinya Klangnarong and the newspaper "Thai Post" not guilty of criminal defamation.

Australia

UN LIVRE DOCUMENTE LA CONCENTRATION DE LA PROPRIÉTÉ DES MÉDIAS EN AFRIQUE AUSTRALE

Philippines

L'INQUIÉTUDE DEMEURE APRÈS LA LEVÉE DE L'ÉTAT D'URGENCE

Philippines

CONTINÚAN INQUIETUDES DESPUÉS DE LEVANTAMIENTO DE ESTADO DE EMERGENCIA

Philippines

CONCERNS REMAIN AFTER STATE OF EMERGENCY LIFTED

One week after suspending civil liberties in the Philippines to quell an alleged coup attempt, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lifted a state of emergency on 3 March 2006. While welcoming the move, IFEX members expressed concern that last week's events have left press freedom in a more vulnerable state.

China

UN RAPPORT JETTE LA LUMIÈRE SUR LES MÉTHODES DE CENSURE

China

INFORME LANZA LUZ SOBRE MÉTODOS DE CENSURA

Pakistan

Boletín cubre problemas de la Libertad de Expresión en Pakistán rural

China

MUERE UN PERIODISTA EN UN ASALTO; CONTINÚAN LAS DURAS MEDIDAS CONTRA LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN

Nepal

MIEMBROS DE IFEX LAMENTAN EL AÑO DE LA REPRESIÓN

Pakistan

Un bulletin de liaison couvre les questions liées à la libre expression dans le Pakistan rural

China

UN JOURNALISTE MEURT À LA SUITE D'UNE AGRESSION; LA RÉPRESSION DES MÉDIAS SE POURSUIT

Nepal

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX DÉCRIENT UNE ANNÉE DE RÉPRESSION

China

REPORT SHEDS LIGHT ON CENSORSHIP METHODS

A new report by Freedom House offers insights into how Chinese authorities are using increasingly sophisticated methods to censor the country's media outlets. The report, "Speak No Evil: Mass Media Control in Contemporary China," reveals how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses these mechanisms to pressure journalists into avoiding politically sensitive stories.

Pakistan

Newsletter Covers Free Expression Issues in Rural Pakistan

7 February 2006

China

JOURNALIST DIES FROM ASSAULT; MEDIA CRACKDOWN CONTINUES

Journalists at "Taizhou Wanbao", a newspaper in the eastern Chinese city of Taizhou, are calling for criminal charges to be laid against local traffic police officers, following the death of editor Wu Xianghu on 2 February 2006.

Nepal

IFEX MEMBERS DECRY YEAR OF REPRESSION

One year after Nepal's King Gyanendra sacked the country's parliament, imposed martial law and assumed executive powers, freedom of expression in the Himalayan kingdom is severely threatened and continues to deteriorate, an international coalition of free expression organisations has declared.

Philippines

DEUX JOURNALISTES SONT ABATTUS

Sri Lanka

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ TANDIS QUE LA TRÊVE SE DÉGRADE

Philippines

DOS PERIODISTAS BALEADOS

Sri Lanka

PERIODISTA ASESINADO EN MEDIO DE DETERIORO EN TREGUA

Philippines

TWO JOURNALISTS GUNNED DOWN

Investigations are underway in the Philippines to examine whether two journalists murdered last week were targeted because of their work, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Sri Lanka

JOURNALIST MURDERED AMID DETERIORATING TRUCE

Subramaniyam Sugirdharajan, a journalist at the Tamil-language newspaper "Sudaroli", was gunned down by unidentified assailants in the port city of Trincomalee on 24 January 2006, a day after writing an article about abuses committed by Tamil political organisations, report Free Media Movement (FMM), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

India

PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Cambodia

SE INTENSIFICA OFENSIVA CONTRA CRÍTICOS DEL GOBIERNO

Bangladesh

MILITANTES ISLÁMICOS ATACAN A PERIODISTAS

India

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

Australia

AFRIQUE AUSTRALE : LA FIJ ET LE FXI REMETTENT SUR PIED UNE ASSOCIATION RÉGIONALE DE JOURNALISTES

Cambodia

LA RÉPRESSION DES CRITIQUES DU GOUVERNEMENT PREND DE L'AMPLEUR

India

JOURNALIST MURDERED

On 6 January 2006, Prahlad Goala, a reporter who recently wrote about illegal forestry operations in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, became the first journalist murdered this year, reported the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Bangladesh

DES MILITANTS ISLAMIQUES VISENT LES JOURNALISTES

Cambodia

CRACKDOWN ON GOVERNMENT CRITICS INTENSIFIES

IFEX members are calling attention to Cambodia, where authorities have recently arrested three human rights activists and launched at least nine criminal defamation lawsuits in an attempt to silence government critics and political opponents.

Bangladesh

ISLAMIC MILITANTS TARGET JOURNALISTS

In Bangladesh, widely considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for the press, 2005 was a year in which Islamic militants increasingly targeted journalists, say Media Watch, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

East Timor

LE NOUVEAU CODE PÉNAL CRIMINALISE LA DIFFAMATION

China

BEIJING IMPOSE L'EMBARGO SUR LES NOUVELLES CONCERNANT DES COUPS FEU TIRÉS DANS UN VILLAGE

East Timor

NUEVO CÓDIGO PENAL PENALIZA LA DIFAMACIÓN

China

BEIJING IMPONE APAGÓN INFORMATIVO SOBRE TIROTEOS EN ALDEA

East Timor

NEW PENAL CODE CRIMINALISES DEFAMATION

Journalists in East Timor are voicing alarm over a new penal code recently signed into law under which individuals who publish statements deemed to defame public officials can be imprisoned, reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

China

BEIJING IMPOSES NEWS BLACKOUT ON VILLAGE SHOOTINGS

China is preventing its citizens and the international community from finding out what happened in the southern village of Dongzhou, where as many as 20 protesters may have been killed by security forces on 6 December 2005, say Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Sri Lanka

UN ESTUDIO EXAMINA LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN Y LIBERTAD DE PRENSA EN SRI LANKA

Indonesia

LA ALIANSI JURNALIS INDEPENDEN ELIGE A NUEVO PRESIDENTE Y SE COMPROMETE A PROMOVER LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA Y EL PERIODISMO RESPONSABLE

Philippines

SE HACE JUSTICIA AL ASESINATO DE PERIODISTA

Sri Lanka

UNE ÉTUDE SE PENCHE SUR LA LIBERTÉ DES MÉDIAS ET DE LA PRESSE AU SRI LANKA

Indonesia

L'AJI ÉLIT UN NOUVEAU PRÉSIDENT ET PREND L'ENGAGEMENT DE PROMOUVOIR LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE ET LE JOURNALISME RESPONSABLE

Philippines

JUSTICE A ÉTÉ RENDUE EN RAPPORT AVEC LE MEURTRE D'UN JOURNALISTE

Sri Lanka

STUDY EXAMINES MEDIA AND PRESS FREEDOM IN SRI LANKA

The Centre for Policy Alternatives, a Sri Lankan think tank, and International Media Support of Denmark have published the second volume of their series assessing the state of media and press freedom in the country.

Indonesia

AJI ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT, VOWS TO PROMOTE PRESS FREEDOM & RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM

Violent attacks on journalists and criminal defamation lawsuits aimed at silencing critical media are threatening press freedom in Indonesia, says the new president of the Association of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI).

Philippines

JUSTICE ACHIEVED IN JOURNALIST'S MURDER

In what IFEX members have hailed as a significant victory for press freedom in the Philippines and a testament to the courage of individuals who stand up for justice, a judge has sentenced a former police officer to jail for the murder of journalist Edgar Damalerio.

Pakistan

PERIODISTAS AFECTADOS POR TERREMOTO NECESITAN AYUDA URGENTE: PPF

Maldives

MALDIVAS: DEFENSORA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS ENCARCELADA

Bangladesh

PERIODISTA MUERTO POR ESTRANGULAMIENTO

Philippines

DOS PERIODISTAS MUERTOS EN UNA SEMANA

Indonesia

MEDIOS DE ACEH PROTAGONIZAN RETORNO TRAS TSUNAMI

Indonesia

LES MÉDIAS D'ACEH REVIENNENT EN FORCE APRÈS LE TSUNAMI

Pakistan

LES JOURNALISTES FRAPPÉS PAR LE TREMBLEMENT DE TERRE ONT UN URGENT BESOIN DE SOUTIEN, DIT LA PPF

Maldives

AGISSEZ ! ÎLES MALDIVES : UNE MILITANTE DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE EST EMPRISONNÉE

Bangladesh

UN JOURNALISTE EST ÉTRANGLÉ À MORT

Philippines

DEUX JOURNALISTES TUÉS EN UNE SEMAINE

Indonesia

ACEH'S MEDIA STAGE COMEBACK AFTER TSUNAMI

The tsunami that wreaked havoc on Asian coastal communities in December 2004 had a particularly harsh impact on media in the war-torn Indonesian region of Aceh. Roughly 100 of the region's 1,000 journalists lost their lives and 70 were forced to live in camps, according to one estimate.

Pakistan

EARTHQUAKE-HIT JOURNALISTS NEED URGENT SUPPORT: PPF

A Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) mission to the earthquake-devastated areas of north-west Pakistan has found that journalists suffered terrible losses and require urgent support to rebuild local media.

Maldives

TAKE ACTION! MALDIVES: HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER IMPRISONED

22 November 2005

Bangladesh

JOURNALIST STRANGLED TO DEATH

IFEX members have called for an investigation into the death of Bangladeshi journalist Gautam Das, who was found strangled to death in his office in Faridpur on 17 November 2005.

Philippines

TWO JOURNALISTS KILLED IN A WEEK

In the Philippines, two radio journalists were killed in the space of three days last week, prompting the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) to express concern about media safety in the country.

Sri Lanka

FMM LANZA SITIO WEB PARA VIGILAR LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Sri Lanka

LE FMM INAUGURE UN SITE WEB POUR SUIVRE DE PRÈS LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Sri Lanka

FMM LAUNCHES WEBSITE TO MONITOR PRESS FREEDOM

As Sri Lankans go to the polls to elect a new president on 17 November 2005, Free Media Movement (FMM) has launched a new website to monitor attacks on press freedom and freedom of expression in the country. It comes amid an escalation of assaults against journalists covering the elections.

Bangladesh

PERIODISTAS DE BANGLADESH PIDEN APOYO INTERNACIONAL

Burma

SEAPA APOYA A PERIODISTAS BIRMANOS EXILIADOS

Thailand

MIEMBROS DE IFEX PIDEN INVESTIGACIÓN DE MUERTE DE PERIODISTA

Bangladesh

APPEL DES JOURNALISTES BANGLADAIS À UN APPUI INTERNATIONAL

Burma

LA SEAPA SE PORTE À L'APPUI DES JOURNALISTES BIRMANS EN EXIL

Thailand

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX EXIGENT UNE ENQUÊTE SUR LE MEURTRE D'UN JOURNALISTE

Sri Lanka

À L'APPROCHE DES ÉLECTIONS, LES ATTAQUES CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES PRENNENT DE L'AMPLEUR

Burma

UN EXPERT DES NATIONS UNIES DÉNONCE VIGOUREUSEMENT L'OCCIDENT POUR SA DIPLOMATIE INEFFICACE TANDIS QUE SÉVIT UNE CRISE DES DROITS

Bangladesh

BANGLADESHI JOURNALISTS APPEAL FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

The Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) is appealing to press freedom groups around the world to send messages of solidarity to their colleagues at a national convention that will be held in Dhaka on 11 November 2005 to discuss the challenges facing journalists in the country.

Burma

SEAPA SUPPORTS EXILED BURMESE JOURNALISTS

A coalition of exiled Burmese journalists and press associations has agreed to strike up a committee to provide support to Burmese colleagues in Thailand, India, Bangladesh and China, following a two-day conference funded by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Thailand

IFEX MEMBERS URGE PROBE INTO JOURNALIST'S MURDER

Questions are being raised about the motive behind the murder of Thai newspaper publisher Santi Lamaneenil, whose bullet-riddled body was found outside the beach resort of Pattaya on 2 November 2005, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance, the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Sri Lanka

AGRESIONES CONTRA PERIODISTAS AUMENTAN EN PERIODO PREVIO A ELECCIONES

Burma

EXPERTO DE ONU CRITICA A OCCIDENTE POR DIPLOMACIA INEFICAZ EN MEDIO DE CRISIS DE DERECHOS

Sri Lanka

ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS ESCALATE IN LEAD-UP TO ELECTIONS

Free Media Movement, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) are calling attention to an apparent escalation of attacks against journalists and media outlets in Sri Lanka as the country heads towards parliamentary elections on 17 November 2005.

Burma

U.N. EXPERT BLASTS WEST FOR INEFFECTIVE DIPLOMACY AMID RIGHTS CRISIS

The international community is not doing enough to pressure Burma's military regime into curbing widespread and systematic human rights violations, says a U.N. human rights expert assigned to monitor conditions in the country.

Cambodia

LE PREMIER MINISTRE ENTREPREND DE RÉPRIMER LES CRITIQUES

Cambodia

PRIMER MINISTRO LANZA OFENSIVA CONTRA CRÍTICOS

Cambodia

PRIME MINISTER LAUNCHES CRACKDOWN ON CRITICS

In what may be the most severe assault on dissent in Cambodia in years, Prime Minister Hun Sen has launched a crackdown on government critics, ordering the arrests of a prominent radio station director and several other civil society leaders, report the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists (CAPJ), the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Human Rights Watch, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and ARTICLE 19.

Singapore

ENVIADO ESTADOUNIDENSE REPRENDE A SINGAPUR POR REPRIMIR LIBERTAD DE PALABRA

Singapore

SINGAPOUR SUBIT LES REMONTRANCES DE L'ENVOYÉ AMÉRICAIN PARCE QU'ELLE RÉPRIME LA LIBRE PAROLE

Pakistan

LA PPF DÉPÊCHE UNE MISSION POUR ÉVALUER LES DOMMAGES PROVOQUÉS PAR LE TREMBLEMENT DE TERRE

China

BEIJING AUMENTA CONTROL DE INTERNET

Singapore

SINGAPORE CHASTISED BY U.S. ENVOY FOR REPRESSING FREE SPEECH

The Singaporean government has come under criticism by a departing U.S. ambassador, who questioned in a recent speech whether it made sense to limit political expression in an Internet-dominated era, reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Pakistan

PPF SENDS MISSION TO ASSESS EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE

In the wake of the devastating earthquake in northern Pakistan on 8 October 2005 which claimed more than 40,000 lives, the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) has embarked on a three-week mission to investigate how journalists and media outlets have been affected by the disaster.

China

BEIJING RESSERRE SON EMPRISE SUR L'INTERNET

Nepal

LES AUTORITÉS BLÂMÉES DE LA MORT D'UN JOURNALISTE; LE ROI RESSERRE SON EMPRISE SUR LES MÉDIAS

Nepal

CULPAN A AUTORIDADES DE MUERTE DE PERIODISTA; REY ESTRECHA CONTROL SOBRE MEDIOS

China

BEIJING RAMPS UP CONTROL OF INTERNET

Beijing has introduced new measures to control what citizens in China write and read on the Internet, issuing what Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) calls the "11 Commandments" for online news.

Nepal

AUTHORITIES BLAMED FOR JOURNALIST'S DEATH; KING TIGHTENS GRIP ON MEDIA

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) are holding Nepalese authorities responsible for the death of Maheshwar Pahari, an imprisoned reporter who died of tuberculosis on 4 October 2005 after being denied proper medical treatment.

Bangladesh

UN RÉDACTEUR BANGLADAIS REMPORTE LE PRIX RAMON MAGSAYSAY

Philippines

LE CMFR OFFRE DES SOLUTIONS POUR METTRE FIN À LA VIOLENCE CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES

Bangladesh

EDITOR DE BANGLADESH GANA PREMIO RAMON MAGSAYSAY

Philippines

CMFR OFRECE SOLUCIONES PARA PONER FIN A VIOLENCIA CONTRA PERIODISTAS

Philippines

CMFR OFFERS SOLUTIONS FOR ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALISTS

Safety training, strong legal resources, improved media ethics and active press councils that include citizens would help end the murders of journalists in the Philippines, says the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR).

Bangladesh

BANGLADESHI EDITOR WINS RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD

Matiur Rahman, the founder and editor of Bangladesh's largest circulation Bangla-language newspaper, "Prothom Alo" ("First Light"), has been named the winner of the 2005 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts.

Philippines

ORGANISMO DE VIGILANCIA DE LOS MEDIOS DEMUESTRA PODER DE DIARIOS DE INTERNET

China

YAHOO ATACADO POR ENCARCELAMIENTO DE PERIODISTA

Thailand

PÉTITION D'APPUI À UN MILITANT DE LA RÉFORME DES MÉDIAS

Philippines

UN CHIEN DE GARDE DES MÉDIAS ILLUSTRE LE POUVOIR DES BLOGUES

China

LA SOCIÉTÉ YAHOO! FORTEMENT CRITIQUÉE À CAUSE DE L'EMPRISONNEMENT D'UN JOURNALISTE

Thailand

THAILAND: PETITION TO SUPPORT MEDIA REFORM ACTIVIST

13 September 2005

Philippines

MEDIA WATCHDOG DEMONSTRATES POWER OF BLOGGING

The Philippines has one of the most vibrant media landscapes in Southeast Asia, with at least 20 daily newspapers, more than a dozen tabloids, six national television networks, an all-news cable station and dozens of radio stations.

China

YAHOO ASSAILED OVER JAILING OF JOURNALIST

Yahoo! has come under fire from press freedom and human rights groups after it was revealed that the Internet service provider's subsidiary in Hong Kong provided information to Chinese authorities, which was used to convict and jail a journalist.

Australia

UNE CONFÉRENCE DU MISA PRÉCONISE L'INSTAURATION DE NORMES D'ÉTHIQUE POUR LES MÉDIAS RÉGIONAUX

Maldives

MIEMBROS DE IFEX LAMENTAN ARRESTOS DE PERIODISTAS Y MANIFESTANTES

Nepal

NÉPAL : LA FIJ LANCE UNE PÉTITION DE SOUTIEN AUX JOURNALISTES

Maldives

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX DÉNONCENT L'ARRESTATION DE JOURNALISTES ET DE PROTESTATAIRES

Maldives

IFEX MEMBERS DECRY ARRESTS OF JOURNALISTS, PROTESTERS

IFEX members are calling attention to censorship in the Maldives, where writers and journalists are among more than 100 people who have been arbitrarily detained and allegedly beaten and tortured following peaceful protests against the government in the capital, Malé.

Philippines

LES JOURNALISTES PHILIPPINS DE LA RADIO SOUTIENNENT TOUS LE POIDS DES MEURTRES, DIT LE CPJ

Sri Lanka

UN JOURNALISTE EST ABATTU

Philippines

PERIODISTAS RADIOFÓNICOS FILIPINOS SUFREN EL GRUESO DE ASESINATOS: CPJ

Sri Lanka

PERIODISTA MUERTA A TIROS

Philippines

PHILIPPINE RADIO JOURNALISTS BEAR BRUNT OF MURDERS: CPJ

Radio commentators in rural Philippines are being gunned down in record numbers, a symptom of corruption and a weak judicial system, concludes a new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Sri Lanka

JOURNALIST SHOT DEAD

Free Media Movement (FMM), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) are calling for an immediate inquiry into the murders of journalist Relangi Selvarajah and her husband, who were gunned down by unidentified assailants on 12 August 2005 in Bambalapitiya.

China

UN JOURNALISTE EST REMIS EN LIBERTÉ; D'AUTRES SONT DÉTENUS

Nepal

L'AMARC DEMANDE UN APPUI POUR LES STATIONS DE RADIO ASSIÉGÉES

China

PERIODISTA LIBERADO, OTROS DETENIDOS

Nepal

AMARC PIDE APOYO PARA ESTACIONES DE RADIO ASEDIADAS

Afghanistan

Des journalistes de la radio afghane reçoivent de plus en plus de menaces

Afghanistan

Periodistas afganos se enfrentan a demandas en aumento

China

JOURNALIST RELEASED, OTHERS DETAINED

Wu Shishen, a Chinese journalist sentenced to life in prison in 1993 for "illegally divulging state secrets abroad," has been granted an early release, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Nepal

AMARC URGES SUPPORT FOR BELEAGUERED RADIO STATIONS

The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) has launched a global campaign to support independent radio stations in Nepal, where authorities have barred broadcasters from airing news and public affairs programmes.

Afghanistan

Afghan Journalists Face Increasing Threats

2 August 2005

Thailand

ESTADO DE EMERGENCIA PREOCUPA A PERIODISTAS

Pakistan

POLICÍA ALLANA PERIÓDICOS Y ARRESTA A PERIODISTAS Y DISTRIBUIDORES

Thailand

L'ÉTAT D'URGENCE INQUIÈTE LES JOURNALISTES

Pakistan

LA POLICE EFFECTUE DES DESCENTES CONTRE DES JOURNAUX ET ELLE ARRÊTE DES JOURNALISTES ET DES CAMELOTS

Thailand

STATE OF EMERGENCY WORRIES JOURNALISTS

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has imposed a state of emergency that empowers him to censor media reports on three Muslim-dominated, conflict-ridden provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattini, reports Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontiéres, RSF).

Pakistan

POLICE RAID NEWSPAPERS ARRESTING JOURNALISTS AND VENDORS

Four journalists working for Islamist newspapers in Pakistan were arrested last week after Karachi police raided their offices as part of the country's stepped-up fight against extremism, reports Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

China

HONG KONG: LIBRE EXPRESIÓN AMENAZADA

Nepal

DELEGACIÓN INTERNACIONAL EXPRESA SERIA INQUIETUD

China

LA LIBRE EXPRESSION EST MENACÉE

Nepal

UNE DÉLÉGATION INTERNATIONALE EXPRIME SA VIVE INQUIÉTUDE

Hong Kong (China)

FREE EXPRESSION UNDER THREAT

Eight years after Britain handed over Hong Kong sovereignty to China in 1997, freedom of expression in the territory is under increasing threat, say the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) and ARTICLE 19.

Nepal

INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION EXPRESS GRAVE CONCERN

Twelve international organisations, including eight IFEX members, have called on all sides of the Nepalese conflict to end attacks and harassment of journalists in the country.

Nepal

HUIT GROUPES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX SE JOIGNENT À UNE DÉLÉGATION INTERNATIONALE AU NÉPAL

Nepal

OCHO MIEMBROS DE IFEX SE UNEN A DELEGACIÓN INTERNACIONAL A NEPAL

China

RSF DÉNONCE LA POURSUITE DE LA RÉPRESSION CONTRE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Sri Lanka

LA FIJ LANCE UN MANUEL SUR LA COUVERTURE DU CONFLIT AU SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka

FIP PRESENTA MANUAL SOBRE INFORME DE CONFLICTOS EN SRI LANKA

Philippines

LOCUTOR DE RADIO ASESINADO

Pakistan

LA PAKISTAN PRESS FOUNDATION (FUNDACIÓN PAQUISTANA DE PRENSA, PPF) CREA UNA RED DE MONITOREO DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Nepal

EIGHT IFEX MEMBERS JOIN INTERNATIONAL MISSION TO NEPAL

Eight IFEX members are visiting Nepal this week as part of an international mission to highlight concerns with authorities over the deteriorating state of free expression in the country and to strengthen links between media and free expression advocates.

Tibet (China)

RSF DECRIES CONTINUING CRACKDOWN ON FREE EXPRESSION

As Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, marked his 70th birthday last week, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) released a report criticising China for continuing to crack down on press freedom and access to information in Tibet.

Philippines

UN ANIMATEUR DE LA RADIO EST ASSASSINÉ

Philippines

RADIO HOST MURDERED

If the rising death toll of journalists in the Philippines is any indication, 2005 is turning out to be another dangerous year for media in the country. On 3 July 2005, Rolando Morales became the fifth journalist killed this year after gunmen ambushed him in General Santos City on the island of Mindanao, reported the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Pakistan

LA FONDATION DE LA PRESSE DU PAKISTAN MET SUR PIED UN RÉSEAU DE SURVEILLANCE DE

Pakistan

PAKISTAN PRESS FOUNDATION BUILDS PRESS FREEDOM MONITORING NETWORK

Journalists in Pakistan have reportedly filed dozens of access to information requests in the past six months as a result of workshops on press freedom organised by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

Cambodia

ARTICLE 19 PROMEUT L'ACCÈS À L'INFORMATION AU CAMBODGE

Cambodia

ARTICLE 19 PROMUEVE ACCESO A LA INFORMACIÓN EN CAMBOYA

Vietnam

MIEMBROS DE IFEX PLANTEAN INQUIETUDES POR LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Cambodia

ARTICLE 19 PROMOTES ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN CAMBODIA

Free expression advocates in Cambodia have called on the Cambodian government to draft and enact an access to information law, saying it would enhance the credibility of the government and provide a crucial tool for fighting corruption and poverty.

Vietnam

IFEX MEMBERS RAISE FREE EXPRESSION CONCERNS

As Vietnam's prime minister, Phan Van Khai, met in Washington, D.C. on 21 June 2005 for an historic state visit with US President George W. Bush, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) used the occasion to highlight concerns about censorship and other human rights abuses in Vietnam.

China

L'ÉTAU CHINOIS SE RESSERRE SUR L'INTERNET

Nepal

LE ROI MUSÈLE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

China

CHINA ESTRECHA CONTROL SOBRE INTERNET

Nepal

REY AMORDAZA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

China

CHINA TIGHTENS GRIP ON INTERNET

China is moving to curb expression on the Internet, and Microsoft is apparently collaborating, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Nepal

KING MUZZLES PRESS FREEDOM

Despite the lifting of a state of emergency in Nepal in April 2005, freedom of expression in the country continues to be severely restricted under the iron-fisted rule of King Gyanendra. Public protests are forbidden in the center of the capital, Kathmandu, and a new media law, now under review, will make permanent a temporary ban on radio news broadcasts.

China

CHINE : UN JOURNALISTE DE HONG KONG EST DÉTENU

China

¡ACTÚE! CHINA: PERIODISTA DE HONG KONG DETENIDO

China

TAKE ACTION! CHINA: HONG KONG JOURNALIST DETAINED

7 June 2005

India

INDIA REFUERZA DERECHO DEL PÚBLICO A SABER

India

L'INDE RENFORCE LE DROIT DU PUBLIC DE SAVOIR

India

INDIA STRENGTHENS PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW

India has enacted a new access to information law that will make it easier for citizens to obtain government information, reports the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Passed on 12 May 2005, the Right to Information Act replaces an earlier law that had been criticised by civil society activists for being weak.

Afghanistan

ASSASSINAT D'UNE PRÉSENTATRICE DE LA TÉLÉVISION

Afghanistan

PRESENTADORA DE TV ASESINADA

Afghanistan

TV PRESENTER KILLED

Shaima Rezayee, a former television presenter for Tolo TV in Afghanistan, was shot and killed in her home in Kabul on 18 May 2005, reported the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). She was the first journalist killed in the country since 2001.

Sri Lanka

LES DIRIGEANTS DU FMM REÇOIVENT DES MENACES DE MORT

Philippines

LE DIRECTEUR D'UNE PUBLICATION EST ASSASSINÉ; ARROYO CRÉE UN FONDS DE DÉFENSE DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Sri Lanka

LÍDERES DE FMM RECIBEN AMENAZAS DE MUERTE

Philippines

EDITOR ASESINADO; MACAPAGAL ARROYO INICIA FONDO DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Sri Lanka

FMM LEADERS RECEIVE DEATH THREATS

Free Media Movement (FMM), IFEX's member organisation in Sri Lanka, says two of its leaders have received death threats from an extremist group that claims responsibility for the April 2005 murder of a well-known journalist.

Philippines

EDITOR MURDERED; ARROYO LAUNCHES PRESS FREEDOM FUND

Yet another journalist in the Philippines has been murdered. On 10 May 2005, Philip Agustin was gunned down in the village of Paltic, north of Manila, becoming the fourth journalist slain this year, reported the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Nepal

MIEMBROS DE IFEX LAMENTAN CRISIS CONSTANTE

Philippines

PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Nepal

LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX DÉNONCENT LA CRISE QUI PERDURE

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

Nepal

IFEX MEMBERS DECRY CONTINUING CRISIS

Amidst a bloody conflict between government forces and Maoist rebels in Nepal, journalists continue to face unprecedented restrictions and attacks from both sides, according to new reports by IFEX members.

Philippines

JOURNALIST MURDERED

Press freedom groups call the Philippines one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists. In 2004, six were killed because of their work - the highest since 1986 when democracy was restored in the country, according to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). This year, three journalists have already been murdered, including radio broadcaster Klein Cantoneros, who was gunned down in Dipolog City, Mindanao, on 4 May 2005.

Australia

UN RAPPORT CRITIQUE VERTEMENT LE BILAN DU PAYS EN MATIÈRE DE LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Sri Lanka

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

Australia

INFORME CRITICA HISTORIAL DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Sri Lanka

PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Sri Lanka

JOURNALIST MURDERED

IFEX members are calling for an investigation into the death of journalist Darmaratnam Sivaram, whose bullet-riddled body was found in a field in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 29 April 2005. Sivaram, 47, was abducted after leaving a restaurant on 28 April, reports Free Media Movement (FMM).

Nepal

UN RÉDACTEUR EN CHEF MEURT DE SES BLESSURES; LA CRISE DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE SE POURSUIT

Philippines

LES CHIENS DE GARDE DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE SONT TRAITÉS D'« ENNEMIS DE L'ÉTAT »

China

UN JOURNALISTE CHINOIS SE VOIT DÉCERNER LE PRIX DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE DE L'UNESCO

China

PERIODISTA CHINO GANA PREMIO MUNDIAL A LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA UNESCO

Nepal

EDITOR MUERE DE HERIDAS DE BALA; CONTINÚA CRISIS DE DERECHOS HUMANOS

Philippines

ORGANISMOS DE VIGILANCIA DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA CALIFICADOS DE "ENEMIGOS DEL ESTADO"

Nepal

EDITOR DIES FROM GUNSHOT WOUNDS, HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS CONTINUES

Khagendra Shrestha, editor and publisher of the Nepalese newspaper "Dharan Today," has died following a shooting by unidentified gunmen in eastern Nepal, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Philippines

PRESS FREEDOM WATCHDOGS BRANDED "ENEMIES OF THE STATE"

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) has joined organisations in the Philippines in demanding an explanation from the government following news that authorities have been spying on press freedom groups and branding several of them "enemies of the state."

China

CHINESE JOURNALIST AWARDED UNESCO PRESS FREEDOM PRIZE

Cheng Yizhong, the former chief editor of a muckraking newspaper in southern China that made waves for exposing government secrecy, has been awarded the 2005 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

Malaysia

DES BLOGUEURS SONT HARCELÉS PAR LES AUTORITÉS

Philippines

UN DÉNONCIATEUR EST ASSASSINÉ

Malaysia

ESCRITORES DE BLOGS ACOSADOS POR AUTORIDADES

Philippines

DENUNCIANTE INTERNA ASESINADA

Malaysia

BLOGGERS HARASSED BY AUTHORITIES

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is raising concerns over what appears to be growing harassment of individuals who use online blogs to express views and share information in Malaysia. The IFEX member says the government's policing of the Internet is reaching a critical stage that needs to be recognised and confronted by free expression advocates.

Philippines

WHISTLEBLOWER MURDERED

Philippine authorities have created a task force to investigate the murder of Marilyn Garcia Esperat, an anti-corruption campaigner and newspaper columnist gunned down in Tacurong, Mindanao, on 24 March 2005.

Philippines

LE CMFR LANCE UNE REVUE DU JOURNALISME REMISE À NEUF

Bangladesh

LES JOURNALISTES COURENT DES RISQUES

China

LES ÉTATS-UNIS RESTENT SILENCIEUX SUR LE DOSSIER DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE

Philippines

CMFR LANZA RESEÑA PERIODÍSTICA RENOVADA

Bangladesh

PERIODISTAS EN RIESGO

China

ESTADOS UNIDOS GUARDA SILENCIO SOBRE EXPEDIENTE DE DERECHOS HUMANOS

Philippines

CMFR LAUNCHES REVAMPED JOURNALISM REVIEW

The Philippines' only media monitoring publication, the "Philippine Journalism Review", has a new name and image to reflect the changing times. Published by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility's (CMFR), "PJR Reports" comes in a new broadsheet-style format that is more visually dynamic and accessible to readers.

Bangladesh

JOURNALISTS AT RISK

Index on Censorship is calling on free expression advocates worldwide to write letters urging the Bangladeshi government to condemn death threats against three journalists and ensure their protection.

China

US SILENT ON HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD

Human Rights Watch has criticised the United States and the international community for deciding not to introduce a resolution at the UN Commission on Human Rights condemning China for its poor human rights record.

Nepal

LA RÉPRESSION QUI S'ABAT SUR LES JOURNALISTES PREND DE L'AMPLEUR

Philippines

LES MÉDIAS SUBISSENT LES PRESSIONS D'UNE CAMPAGNE ANTITERRORISTE

Nepal

EMPEORA OFENSIVA CONTRA PERIODISTAS

Philippines

MEDIOS BAJO PRESIÓN EN CAMPAÑA ANTITERRORISMO

Nepal

CRACKDOWN ON JOURNALISTS WORSENS

More than 30 days after King Gyanendra of Nepal dissolved parliament and declared a state of emergency across the country, censorship and attacks on journalists have worsened, say IFEX members.

Philippines

MEDIA UNDER PRESSURE IN ANTI-TERRORISM CAMPAIGN

As Philippine military forces step up their offensive against armed rebel groups in the country, authorities are pressuring journalists not to give such groups access to the media, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Sri Lanka

LE GROUPE FMM TENTE D'OBTENIR DU SOUTIEN POUR LES MÉDIAS TOUCHÉS PAR LE TSUNAMI

Cambodia

L'AUTOCENSURE PREND DE L'AMPLEUR DANS UN CLIMAT D'INCERTITUDE POLITIQUE

Sri Lanka

FMM SOLICITA APOYO PARA MEDIOS AFECTADOS POR TSUNAMI

Cambodia

AUTOCENSURA CRECIENTE EN MEDIO DE INCERTIDUMBRE POLÍTICA

Sri Lanka

FMM SEEKS SUPPORT FOR MEDIA AFFECTED BY TSUNAMI

The Free Media Movement (FMM) is appealing for international support to help rural journalists in Sri Lanka recover from the devastating effects of the December 2004 tsunami. The IFEX member recently completed field visits to areas affected by the disaster and found that many provincial journalists were in need of basic equipment to carry out their work.

Cambodia

SELF-CENSORSHIP GROWING AMID POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY

In Cambodia, political uncertainty is having a ripple effect in the media, with self-censorship among journalists on the rise, warns the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA). Journalists say the recent decision by the National Assembly to strip three opposition party members of parliamentary immunity is making media outlets think twice about how they cover political issues.

Nepal

DES GROUPES D'ASIE DU SUD PROTESTENT CONTRE L'« ASSAUT DIRIGÉ CONTRE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE »

Bangladesh

UN REPORTER PERD LA VIE DANS UN ATTENTAT À LA BOMBE

Thailand

AVEC LA VICTOIRE DE THAKSIN, UN NUAGE LOURD PLANE SUR LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Nepal

GRUPOS DEL SURESTE ASIÁTICO PROTESTAN POR "ATAQUE CONTRA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA"

Bangladesh

ATAQUE CON BOMBA MATA A REPORTERO

Thailand

VICTORIA DE THAKSIN PROYECTA SOMBRA SOBRE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Nepal

SOUTH ASIAN GROUPS PROTEST "ASSAULT ON PRESS FREEDOM"

IFEX members in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have joined international calls of concern over the ongoing state of emergency in Nepal, where constitutional protections of free speech and freedom of the press remain suspended.

Bangladesh

BOMB ATTACK KILLS REPORTER

A newly formed coalition of journalists in Bangladesh plans to hold demonstrations throughout the country next week to protest attacks on journalists, following a bomb attack on 5 February 2005 that killed a reporter and injured three others in the southwest city of Khulna.

Thailand

THAKSIN VICTORY CASTS DARK CLOUD OVER PRESS FREEDOM

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and Human Rights Watch have expressed concerns about the future of democracy in Thailand, following the landslide victory of Thaksin Shinawatra and his Thai Rak Thai Party in the 6 February 2005 general election.

China

UNE DISSIDENTE OUIGHOURE EMPRISONNÉE REMPORTE UNE RÉCOMPENSE NORVÉGIENNE POUR LES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE

Indonesia

Radio 68H contribue à la reconstruction des médias dans la province d'Aceh, dévastée par le tsunami

China

AGISSEZ ! CHINE : RSF INAUGURE UNE CAMPAGNE POUR LIBÉRER UN JOURNALISTE EMPRISONNÉ

Pakistan

DEUX JOURNALISTES SONT TUÉS

Nepal

LES JOURNALISTES SONT VISÉS PAR LA RÉPRESSION DE L'INFORMATION

China

DISIDENTE DE ETNIA UIGHUR ENCARCELADA GANA PREMIO NORUEGO DE DERECHOS HUMANOS

Indonesia

Radio 68H ayuda a reconstruir medios en Aceh, devastado por tsunami

China

¡ACTÚE! CHINA: RSF LANZA CAMPAÑA PARA LIBERAR A PERIODISTA ENCARCELADO

Pakistan

DOS PERIODISTAS MUERTOS

Nepal

PERIODISTA BUSCADO EN OFENSIVA CONTRA MEDIOS

China

JAILED UIGHUR DISSIDENT WINS NORWEGIAN HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD

A jailed dissident from China's remote Xinjiang province, who is seen as a prominent symbol of the Uighur ethnic minority's struggle for human rights, has been awarded a major prize by Norway's Thorolf Rafto Foundation for Human Rights.

Indonesia

Radio 68H Helps Rebuild Media in Tsunami-Devastated Aceh

8 February 2005

China

CHINA: RSF LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO FREE JAILED JOURNALIST

8 February 2005

Pakistan

TWO JOURNALISTS KILLED

Pakistan's tribal areas bordering Afghanistan are not the safest areas for journalists. In the province of South Waziristan, authorities routinely bar reporters from entering and journalists who report on the activities of al-Queda supporters are often harassed and threatened. On 7 February 2005, two journalists were shot and killed by armed assailants, report Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Nepal

JOURNALISTS TARGETED IN INFORMATION CLAMPDOWN

While Internet and telephone connections in Nepal have been restored following a state of emergency declared by King Gyanendra on 1 February 2005, authorities are continuing to censor media outlets and arrest dissidents, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Pakistan

PRIX DES RAPPORTS HOMMES-FEMMES DANS LE JOURNALISME

China

Pékin intervient pour limiter la « révolution des blogues »

Philippines

LA PRÉSIDENTE ANNULE UNE RENCONTRE AVEC UNE MISSION DE LA FIJ

Nepal

L'ÉTAT D'URGENCE MET EN PÉRIL LA CIRCULATION DES INFORMATIONS

China

Beijing maniobra para aplastar "revolución del blog"

Philippines

PRESIDENTE DESAIRA A MISIÓN DE FIP

Nepal

ESTADO DE EMERGENCIA PONE EN PELIGRO FLUJO DE INFORMACIÓN

China

Beijing Moves to Curb "Blogging Revolution"

1 February 2005

Philippines

PRESIDENT SNUBS IFJ MISSION

A fact-finding mission to the Philippines led by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has found that a "widespread culture of violence tolerated by senior government authorities" is behind the high numbers of journalists killed in the country.

Nepal

STATE OF EMERGENCY IMPERILS INFORMATION FLOW

Nepal has been plunged into a political crisis following a state of emergency, with communications with the outside world cut off and martial law imposed in the country.

Indonesia

LES RESTRICTIONS IMPOSÉES AUX MÉDIAS MENACENT L'AIDE AUX VICTIMES DU TSUNAMI

Indonesia

RESTRICCIONES DE MEDIOS AMENAZAN ESFUERZOS DE AYUDA A VÍCTIMAS DE TSUNAMI

Indonesia

MEDIA RESTRICTIONS THREATEN TSUNAMI RELIEF EFFORTS

As relief efforts continue in Asian communities devastated by the December tsunami, ARTICLE 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) are warning that restrictions on media are threatening to impede efforts to provide effective assistance.

China

ON EMPÊCHE LES MÉDIAS DE COUVRIR LE DÉCÈS D'UN DIRIGEANT COMMUNISTE

China

IMPIDEN A MEDIOS INFORMAR DE MUERTE DE EXLÍDER COMUNISTA

China

MEDIA BARRED FROM COVERING DEATH OF FORMER COMMUNIST LEADER

Fearing possible protests, China's Communist Party has ordered television stations and newspapers not to report on the death this week of former leader Zhao Zhiyang, who was purged for opposing the 1989 crackdown on democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square. The order comes amid a new wave of censorship against government critics, say International PEN and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Burma

CUATRO PERIODISTAS SON LIBERADOS DE PRISIÓN, PERO NUEVE PERMANECEN TRAS LAS REJAS

Indonesia

PERIÓDICO SOBREVIVE AL DESASTRE DEL TSUNAMI

Burma

QUATRE JOURNALISTES LIBÉRÉS DE PRISON, NEUF AUTRES RESTENT DERRIÈRE LES BARREAUX

Indonesia

UN JOURNAL SURVIT AU TSUNAMI

Burma

FOUR JOURNALISTS FREED FROM PRISON, NINE REMAIN BEHIND BARS

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and PEN Canada have welcomed the recent release of four Burmese journalists from prison but are urging authorities to free eight others who remain behind bars, including award-winning editor U Win Tin.

Indonesia

NEWSPAPER SURVIVES TSUNAMI DISASTER

In Aceh, Indonesia, one of the areas worst hit by the tsunami that devastated coastal communities in South Asia, the journalists and support staff of "Serambi Indonesia" refuse to succumb to tragedy. Despite the deaths of half its staff, the newspaper - the only independent daily in Aceh - is continuing to publish, reports the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

Indonesia

PARMI LES VICTIMES DU TSUNAMI, DES JOURNALISTES

Indonesia

PERIODISTAS ENTRE LAS VÍCTIMAS DEL DESASTRE DEL TSUNAMI

Indonesia

JOURNALISTS AMONG VICTIMS OF TSUNAMI DISASTER

Dozens of journalists and media workers were among the victims of last week's devastating tsunami disaster that has so far claimed the lives of over 150,000 people in South Asia, including staff members of "Serambi Indonesia," the only daily newspaper in the Indonesian province of Aceh, report IFEX members.

Australia

LE MISA PUBLIE UN NOUVEAU MANUEL SUR LES LOIS RELATIVES AUX MÉDIAS EN AFRIQUE AUSTRALE

Afghanistan

LA FIJ APPUIE UNE INITIATIVE EN FAVEUR DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Nepal

LES DÉFENSEURS DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE ET LES JOURNALISTES COURENT DE GRAVES DANGERS

Afghanistan

FIP APOYA INICIATIVA DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Nepal

DEFENSORES DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS Y PERIODISTAS EN GRAVE RIESGO

Afghanistan

IFJ SUPPORTS FREE EXPRESSION INITIATIVE

In Afghanistan, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is supporting plans to hold a national conference aimed at promoting the protection of journalists and freedom of expression.

Nepal

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, JOURNALISTS AT GRAVE RISK

Human Rights Watch has joined calls for the UN to bolster monitoring efforts in Nepal, where a bloody conflict between security forces and Maoist rebels is putting human rights defenders and journalists at grave risk.

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

Thailand

LES LOIS SUR LA DIFFAMATION VIOLENT LES NORMES INTERNATIONALES, DIT ARTICLE 19

Philippines

PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Thailand

LEYES DE DIFAMACIÓN VIOLAN NORMAS INTERNACIONALES: ARTICLE 19

Philippines

JOURNALIST MURDERED

Yet another journalist has been murdered in the Philippines. On 28 November 2004, the body of Stephen Omaois was found in a garbage can on the outskirts of the northern city of Tabuk, reported the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

Thailand

DEFAMATION LAWS VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS: ARTICLE 19

Thailand's reputation in Asia as a champion of free expression is being tarnished by defamation laws that are increasingly being used to silence public debate, says ARTICLE 19. In a legal analysis, the IFEX member says the laws violate international standards on freedom of expression and should be reformed.

Malaysia

ARTICLE 19 CONTRIBUE À PROMOUVOIR L'ACCÈS À L'INFORMATION EN MALAISIE

Burma

BIRMANIE : SIGNEZ UNE PÉTITION POUR FAIRE LIBÉRER UN JOURNALISTE

Laos

LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE SOUS LA LOUPE DES CONGRESSISTES AU SOMMET DE L'ASEAN

Philippines

2004, ANNÉE FATALE POUR LES JOURNALISTES

Malaysia

ARTICLE 19 AYUDA A PROMOVER EL ACCESO A LA INFORMACIÓN EN MALASIA

Burma

BIRMANIA: FIRME UNA PETICIÓN PARA PEDIR LIBERACIÓN DE PERIODISTA

Laos

LIBERTAD DE PRENSA BAJO ESCRUTINIO EN CUMBRE ASEAN

Philippines

2004 ES UN AÑO MORTAL PARA PERIODISTAS

Malaysia

ARTICLE 19 HELPS PROMOTE ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN MALAYSIA

In Malaysia, free expression advocates are coming together to campaign for access to information legislation, thanks in part to the efforts of ARTICLE 19. The IFEX member recently helped organise a groundbreaking workshop in Kuala Lumpur in which civil society groups agreed to forge a coalition to promote citizens' rights to obtain government information.

Burma

TAKE ACTION! BURMA: SIGN A PETITION TO URGE JOURNALIST'S RELEASE

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) invites free-expression supporters to sign an online petition calling for the release of jailed Burmese journalist U Win Tin. U Win Tin, who is serving a 20-year sentence for "subversion," is also a senior aide to opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Laos

SEAPA, RSF HIGHLIGHT LACK OF PRESS FREEDOM

With Laos hosting the 10th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this week, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) are calling attention to press freedom conditions in one of the most restrictive countries in the region.

Philippines

2004 A DEADLY YEAR FOR JOURNALISTS

Far from the international media's gaze, journalists in the Philippines are experiencing one of the worst years on record for attacks against the press. As many as 12 journalists have been murdered this year, including photographer Allan Dizon, who was gunned down in Cebu City on 27 November.

Burma

L'AMJ ET RSF EXIGENT LA LIBÉRATION D'UN JOURNALISTE

Burma

WAN Y RSF INSTAN A LIBERACIÓN DE PERIODISTA

Burma

WAN, RSF URGE JOURNALIST'S RELEASE

U Win Tin's hopes of being a free man after 15 years in prison appear to be fading, following news that the Burmese journalist and dissident may not be on the list of 9,000 prisoners who are being released from jail, report the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Nepal

AUTORIDADES REFUERZAN LEY ANTITERRORISMO

Nepal

LES AUTORITÉS DURCISSENT LA LOI ANTITERRORISTE

Nepal

AUTHORITIES TOUGHEN ANTI-TERRORISM LAW

Forced disappearances and torture by Nepal's security forces are likely to increase as a result of the king's decision to toughen a controversial anti-terrorism law, warns Human Rights Watch.

North Korea

COREA DEL NORTE CALIFICADA COMO EL PEOR PAÍS PARA LOS PERIODISTAS

Burma

PARTIDARIOS DE LA LÍNEA DURA INICIAN OFENSIVA CONTRA PUBLICACIONES

North Korea

LA CORÉE DU NORD SE CLASSE AU DERNIER RANG COMME LE PIRE PAYS DU MONDE POUR LES JOURNALISTES

Burma

LES TENANTS DE LA LIGNE DURE RÉPRIMENT DES PUBLICATIONS

North Korea

NORTH KOREA RANKED WORLD'S WORST COUNTRY FOR JOURNALISTS

It is no accident that Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) has ranked North Korea as the world's worst country for journalists for the past three years. In a country whose leaders believe the duty of all journalists is to publicise the "greatness" of President Kim Jong-il and demonstrate the "superiority of North Korean socialism," independent reporting is virtually non-existent.

Burma

HARDLINERS CRACK DOWN ON PUBLICATIONS

In Burma, where a military junta rules the country with an iron fist, conditions for the press are set to worsen following the recent ouster of Burma's prime minister Khin Nyunt, report the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Tonga

LA PINA VOIT DANS UNE DÉCISION DU TRIBUNAL UNE VICTOIRE DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Philippines

UN ANIMATEUR DE LA RADIO EST ASSASSINÉ

Tonga

PINA SALUDA FALLO DE TRIBUNAL COMO VICTORIA PARA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Philippines

REPORTERO ASESINADO

Tonga

PINA HAILS COURT RULING AS VICTORY FOR PRESS FREEDOM

Tonga's highest court has ruled that controversial amendments to media laws passed by the government in 2003 are unconstitutional, a decision hailed by the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).

Philippines

REPORTER MURDERED

The death toll in the Philippines continues to mount. On 19 October 2004, radio host Eldy Gaginales was shot dead, becoming the eighth journalist killed this year, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

China

ARTICLE 19 TISSE DES LIENS EN CHINE AVEC DES JOURNALISTES D'ENQUÊTE

Malaysia

LES AUTORITÉS MENACENT LES SITES WEB DE RÉPRESSION

China

ARTICLE 19 FORJA ALIANZAS CON PERIODISTAS DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN CHINA

Malaysia

AUTORIDADES AMENAZAN INICIAR OFENSIVA CONTRA SITIOS WEB

China

ARTICLE 19 SUPPORTS INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN CHINA

As China's media adjusts to the economic reforms that are changing the way the news is being reported, ARTICLE 19 is forging ties with journalists in the country to promote freedom of expression and investigative reporting.

Malaysia

AUTHORITIES THREATEN CRACKDOWN ON WEBSITES

The Malaysian government has threatened to use national security legislation to shutter a website it says is spreading "views ridiculing Islam," a move that could cast a chill on Internet users in the country, warn the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Philippines

UN REPORTER EST ABATTU, LE SEPTIÈME DEPUIS JANVIER 2004

Bangladesh

UN RÉDACTEUR EN CHEF SAUVAGEMENT ASSASSINÉ

Philippines

REPORTERO BALEADO; 7 ASESINADOS DESDE ENERO DE 2004

Bangladesh

EDITOR ASESINADO SALVAJEMENTE

Philippines

REPORTER GUNNED DOWN, 7 KILLED SINCE JAN 2004

2003 was thought to be the worst year for journalists in the Philippines. A record seven were murdered, according to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). This year is proving to be just as dangerous. On 29 September 2004, Romeo Binungkal became the seventh journalist killed since January.

Bangladesh

EDITOR SAVAGELY MURDERED

On 2 October 2004, Dipankar Chakrabarty, editor of the daily newspaper "Durjoy Bangla" in the northwestern city of Sherpur, was savagely hacked to death by unidentified assailants, report Media Watch, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

India

LE NOUVEAU GOUVERNEMENT S'APPRÊTE À ABROGER LA LOI SUR LA LUTTE CONTRE LE TERRORISME

South Korea

LA FIJ FAIT PRESSION EN FAVEUR DE L'ABROGATION DE LA LOI SUR LA SÉCURITÉ NATIONALE

India

NUEVO GOBIERNO ABANDONARÁ LEY ANTITERRORISMO

South Korea

FIP INSTA A REVOCAR LEY DE SEGURIDAD NACIONAL

India

NEW GOVERNMENT TO SCRAP ANTI-TERRORISM LAW

India's new government, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has promised to follow through on its election pledge to repeal the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), report Human Rights Watch and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

South Korea

IFJ URGES REPEAL OF NATIONAL SECURITY LAW

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is adding its voice to growing pressure on the South Korean government to repeal a national security law, which human rights groups say is being widely misused to detain people who pose no threat to the country.

Philippines

ARRESTATION DE SUSPECTS DANS LES MEURTRES DE REPORTERS

Indonesia

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX ÉREINTENT UN JUGEMENT SUR LA DIFFAMATION

Philippines

ARRESTAN A SOSPECHOSOS DE ASESINATO DE REPORTEROS

Indonesia

MIEMBROS DE IFEX CRITICAN FALLO POR DIFAMACIÓN

Philippines

SUSPECTS IN REPORTERS' MURDERS ARRESTED

Hopes of breaking the impunity surrounding the murders of journalists in the Philippines have been raised in recent weeks with the arrest of suspects in the killing of three journalists, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Indonesia

IFEX MEMBERS SLAM DEFAMATION RULING

Press freedom in Indonesia has suffered a distressing setback with the decision of a Jakarta court to sentence the editor of "Tempo" magazine to a year in prison for defamation. The ruling has drawn an outcry from international free expression organisations, including 18 IFEX members who signed a joint statement condemning the decision.

China

UN RAPPORT DE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CONSTATE L'EXISTENCE D'UN « CLIMAT DE PEUR » À HONG KONG

Nepal

LA FIJ S'APPRÊTE À ENVOYER UNE DÉLÉGATION AU NÉPAL

China

INFORME DE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ENCUENTRA "CLIMA DE TEMOR" EN HONG KONG

Nepal

FIP ENVIARÁ DELEGACIÓN A NEPAL

Hong Kong (China)

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH REPORT FINDS "CLIMATE OF FEAR" IN HONG KONG

Beijing has created a "climate of fear" in Hong Kong under which freedom of expression and other human rights have deteriorated over the past year, says a new report by Human Rights Watch.

Nepal

IFJ TO SEND DELEGATION TO NEPAL

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) will send a delegation to Nepal in late September 2004 to lend support to Nepalese journalists and media personnel, who are facing an onslaught of attacks from both sides of a long conflict between Maoist rebels and army forces.

Thailand

LA TJA MARQUE SES 50 ANS PAR UNE EXPOSITION SUR LA PRESSE

China

TANDIS QUE LA CHINE OUVRE SON ÉCONOMIE, LES JOURNALISTES FONT FACE À DE NOUVELLES MENACES

Thailand

TJA CELEBRA 50 AÑOS CON FERIA DE PRENSA

China

PERIODISTAS SE ENFRENTAN A NUEVAS AMENAZAS CON LA APERTURA DE LA ECONOMÍA EN CHINA

Thailand

TJA MARKS 50 YEARS WITH PRESS FAIR

The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year by holding the largest ever press fair involving print and broadcast journalists in the country.

China

JOURNALISTS FACE NEW THREATS AS CHINA OPENS UP ECONOMY

While censorship, detentions, imprisonment and legal actions against journalists in China are a familiar story, new dangers have surfaced as the country's media becomes more market-oriented: violent attacks from individuals or groups implicated in journalists' reports on corruption and crime.

China

Human Rights Watch lance un nouveau site web de la Chine

Bangladesh

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

Maldives

GOBIERNO INICIA OFENSIVA CONTRA DISIDENTES DE INTERNET

Bangladesh

PERIODISTA ASESINADO

China

CHINA OLYMPICS WATCH

As China looks ahead to hosting the Olympic Games in 2008, Human Rights Watch has launched a new website to raise awareness of key issues it believes will be under the international spotlight, including freedom of expression.

Maldives

MALDIVES: INTERNET DISSIDENTS DETAINED UNDER HARSH CONDITIONS

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is inviting press freedom advocates to write letters to the Maldives government and raise concerns over the treatment of four individuals who are being harshly detained following street demonstrations in the capital, Malé.

Maldives

GOVERNMENT CRACKS DOWN ON INTERNET DISSIDENTS

While the islands that make up the Maldives are world renowned as a tourist destination, few know that this Asian country is one of the most repressive in terms of censorship, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontierès, RSF).

Bangladesh

JOURNALIST KILLED

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontierès, RSF) is calling on Bangladeshi authorities to investigate the murder of journalist Kamal Hossain, who was killed in the city of Manikchhari on 22 August 2004.

Sri Lanka

UN JOURNALISTE EST TUÉ

Indonesia

LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX PROTESTENT CONTRE DES LOIS SÉVÈRES SUR LA DIFFAMATION

Nepal

LES REBELLES MAOÏSTES TUENT UN JOURNALISTE

Philippines

LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX DEMANDENT LA FIN DE L'IMPUNITÉ

Sri Lanka

PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Indonesia

MIEMBROS DE IFEX PROTESTAN POR ESTRICTAS LEYES DE DIFAMACIÓN

Nepal

REBELDES MAOISTAS ASESINAN A PERIODISTA

Philippines

MIEMBROS DE IFEX INSTAN A PONER FIN A IMPUNIDAD

Sri Lanka

JOURNALIST KILLED

Kandasamy Iyer Balanadarajah, a journalist and media spokesperson for the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), was gunned down on 16 August 2004 by two unidentified assailants, report Free Media Movement and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontierès, RSF). He became the second journalist killed in Sri Lanka this year.

Indonesia

IFEX MEMBERS PROTEST HARSH DEFAMATION LAWS

IFEX members are putting Indonesia's harsh defamation laws under the international spotlight, urging the government to bring them in line with international standards on freedom of expression. The attention comes as three journalists face charges that could land them in jail for allegedly libeling a well-known Indonesian businessman.

Nepal

MAOIST REBELS KILL JOURNALIST

In the ongoing armed conflict between government forces and Maoist rebels in Nepal, an increasing number of journalists covering the civil war are being targeted, report the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Philippines

IFEX MEMBERS URGE END TO IMPUNITY

IFEX members are calling for an end to a "culture of impunity" in the Philippines in which dozens of journalists have been killed in the past two decades without anyone being brought to justice. In the past two weeks, four alone have been murdered and a fifth one shot.

Philippines

UN DEUXIÈME JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ EN UNE SEMAINE

Philippines

SEGUNDO PERIODISTA ASESINADO EN UNA SEMANA

Maldives

ÎLES MALDIVES : CONTRIBUEZ À OBTENIR LA LIBÉRATION D'UN CYBERDISSIDENT INCARCÉRÉ

Vietnam

TROIS CYBERDISSIDENTS CONDAMNÉS

Philippines

UN COMMUNICATEUR EST ASSASSINÉ

Philippines

SECOND JOURNALIST KILLED IN A WEEK

Less than a week after radio broadcaster Roger Mariano was murdered by unknown assailants in the Philippines, a second journalist has been killed and another shot, prompting authorities to suggest that reporters carry firearms for protection, report IFEX members.

Vietnam

TRES CIBERDISIDENTES SENTENCIADOS

Philippines

LOCUTOR ASESINADO

Vietnam

THREE CYBER-DISSIDENTS SENTENCED

July has been a busy month for Vietnam's censors. Three writers have been convicted for advocating freedom of expression and political reform, report Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontiers, RSF) and the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC).

Philippines

BROADCASTER KILLED

On 31 July 2004, unidentified assailants shot and killed Roger Mariano, a broadcast journalist, in the northern province of Ilocos Norte in the Philippines, reports the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). He became the third journalist to be killed this year.

India

En Inde, un mouvement de base lutte pour le droit à l'information

China

LA CHINE INTERVIENT POUR SURVEILLER LA MESSAGERIE TEXTUELLE

Sri Lanka

UN RAPPORT DE RSF DÉNONCE L'IMPUNITÉ

India

Movimiento de base indio combate por derecho a la información

China

CHINA MANIOBRA PARA VIGILAR MENSAJES DE TEXTO

Sri Lanka

INFORME DE RSF LAMENTA IMPUNIDAD

China

PÉKIN RESSERRE LA VIS

India

Indian Grassroots Movement Fights for Right to Information

In Rajasthan, India, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) is something of a pioneer. A grassroots movement made up of peasants and workers, the organiasation has won remarkable victories in the fight to defend the right to access information, reports freedominfo.org.

China

CHINA MOVES TO MONITOR TEXT MESSAGING

The Chinese government has approved a company's bid to sell technology that allows text messages sent by mobile phones to be monitored, raising fears that authorities are stepping up efforts to further clamp down on free expression, say Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE).

Sri Lanka

RSF REPORT DECRIES IMPUNITY

Attacks on journalists in eastern Sri Lanka have reached alarming levels in recent weeks, with a reporter murdered and a dozen others facing death threats, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Burma

BIRMANIA: FIRME PETICIÓN PARA APOYAR A PERIODISTA DEPORTIVO ENCARCELADO

China

CHINA (HONG KONG): BEIJING APRIETA LAS TUERCAS

Burma

TAKE ACTION! BURMA: SIGN PETITION TO SUPPORT JAILED SPORTS JOURNALIST

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières) has launched an online petition to support jailed Burmese journalist Zaw Thet Htwe. The editor of sports magazine "First Eleven," Zaw Thet Htwe was sentenced in May 2004 to three years in prison on spurious charges of "attempting to assassinate leaders of the military junta."

Hong Kong (China)

BEIJING TIGHTENS THE SCREWS

Seven years after Hong Kong's reunification with China, fears over Beijing's interference in the affairs of the Special Administrative Region are being realised, and that does not bode well for freedom of expression, according to a new report by the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) and ARTICLE 19.

Thailand

LES TACTIQUES « À LA BERLUSCONI » MENACENT LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Bangladesh

UN JOURNALISTE CHEVRONNÉ EST ASSASSINÉ

China

CHINA: FIRME PETICIÓN PARA LIBERAR A DISIDENTES DE INTERNET ENCARCELADOS

Thailand

TÁCTICAS "ESTILO BERLUSCONI" AMENAZAN LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Bangladesh

VETERANO PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Thailand

''BERLUSCONI-STYLE" TACTICS THREATEN PRESS FREEDOM

In Thailand, independent journalists and press freedom advocates are facing a "Berlusconi-style" government that is mixing politics and media ownership at the highest level, say the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Bangladesh

VETERAN JOURNALIST ASSASSINATED

The southwestern city of Khulna in Bangladesh has been dubbed the "valley of death" by local journalists for a good reason. On 27 June 2004, Humayun Kabir, editor of the daily newspaper "Janmabhumi," died after assailants threw bombs at his home, becoming the sixth journalist in four years to be killed there because of his work, says the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Philippines

PERIODISTA RADIOFÓNICO ASESINADO; DENUNCIAN IMPUNIDAD

Philippines

UN RADIOJOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ; L'IMPUNITÉ EST DÉNONCÉE

Philippines

RADIO JOURNALIST MURDERED; IMPUNITY DENOUNCED

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) expressed outrage at the murder on 18 June 2004 of Eliseo "Eloy" Binoya, a Filipino radio journalist whose outspoken political commentary on local Radyo Natin in Malongon had apparently led to a recent physical attack and numerous death threats.

Vietnam

LIBERAN A CIBERDISIDENTE ENFERMO; OTROS SEIS SIGUEN EN PRISIÓN

Sri Lanka

INTERFERENCIA POLÍTICA SABOTEA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Sri Lanka

L'INGÉRENCE POLITIQUE SABOTE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Vietnam

AILING CYBER-DISSIDENT FREED; SIX OTHERS STILL IN PRISON

Lê Chi Quang, arrested in February 2002 for posting online essays critical of the Vietnamese government, was released from prison on 14 June 2004. Reporters sans frontières (RSF) says that the cyber-dissident's severe kidney problems, untreated in prison, appear to have been the reason for his release.

Sri Lanka

POLITICAL INTERFERENCE SABOTAGES FREE EXPRESSION

Sri Lanka's Free Media Movement (FMM) has issued a report analysing the overall situation of the media in that country over the past year. Covering the period from May 2003 to April 2004, the "Media Situation Report" appeared in Colombo on 3 May 2004, World Press Freedom Day. It was co-authored by INFORM, a human-rights group.

Sri Lanka

UN REPORTER D'EXPÉRIENCE EST ABATTU

Sri Lanka

REPORTERO VETERANO BALEADO

Sri Lanka

VETERAN REPORTER GUNNED DOWN

The Free Media Movement (FMM) is organising a demonstration this week to protest the killing of journalist Aiyathurai Nadesan, a senior reporter shot dead last week in the eastern town of Batticaloa, Sri Lanka.

Australia

LE MISA SERA L'UNE DES DEUX ORGANISATIONS HÔTESSES D'UN SOMMET SUR L'ÉGALITÉ DES SEXES DANS LES MÉDIAS

Bangladesh

LES JOURNALISTES FONT PREUVE DE COURAGE EN COUVRANT L'ACTUALITÉ

Bangladesh

PERIODISTAS MUESTRAN VALOR AL INFORMAR LAS NOTICIAS

Bangladesh

JOURNALISTS DISPLAY COURAGE IN REPORTING THE NEWS

In Bangladesh, it takes real courage to be a journalist, says the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Politicians linked to criminal organisations routinely employ henchmen to beat up those who report on corruption while police stand by. What's more, a bitter rivalry between the country's two dominant political parties has forced the media into taking sides.

China

CHINA: AYUDE A LIBERAR A PERIODISTA UIGHUR ENCARCELADO

China

TRES PRESENTADORES DE RADIO RENUNCIAN POR AMENAZAS

Indonesia

CAMARÓGRAFO LIBERADO

Nepal

PERIODISTAS SE ENFRENTAN A "REPRESIÓN SIN PRECEDENTES", DICE CEHURDES

China

CHINE : AIDEZ À FAIRE LIBÉRER UN ÉCRIVAIN OUIGHOUR

China

TROIS ANIMATEURS DE LA RADIO CONTRAINTS DE DÉMISSIONNER SOUS LES MENACES

Indonesia

UN CAMÉRAMAN EST REMIS EN LIBERTÉ

Nepal

LES JOURNALISTES FONT FACE À UNE « RÉPRESSION SANS PRÉCÉDENT », DIT LE CEHURDES

China

TAKE ACTION! CHINA: HELP FREE JAILED UIGHUR WRITER

25 May 2004

Hong Kong (China)

THREATS FORCE 3 RADIO HOSTS TO QUIT

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and Freedom House are voicing concerns over press freedom in Hong Kong in the wake of recent resignations of three popular radio show hosts because of threats.

Indonesia

CAMERAMAN RELEASED

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) are breathing a big sigh of relief following news that Indonesian cameraman Fery Santoro has been released from detention by rebels in Aceh.

Nepal

JOURNALISTS FACE "UNPRECEDENTED REPRESSION," SAYS CEHURDES

Amid Nepal's ongoing conflict between Maoist rebels and government forces, journalists are being subjected to repression on an unprecedented scale, says a new report by the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES).

Nepal

DES CENTAINES DE JOURNALISTES ARRÊTÉS

Burma

DES LAURÉATS DU PRIX NOBEL DEMANDENT LA LIBÉRATION D'UNE DISSIDENTE

Burma

PREMIOS NOBEL PIDEN LIBERACIÓN DE DISIDENTE

Nepal

CIENTOS DE PERIODISTAS ARRESTADOS

Nepal

HUNDREDS OF JOURNALISTS ARRESTED

As many as 300 journalists in Nepal have been arrested in recent days as public calls for a return to a multi-party democracy continue to mount, report the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

Burma

NOBEL LAUREATES CALL FOR DISSIDENT'S RELEASE

Fourteen Nobel prize winners, including Vaclav Havel, Toni Morrison and José Saramago, have joined International PEN in calling on Burmese authorities to release jailed opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other imprisoned writers.

Philippines

RESTER VIVANTS : UN MANUEL OFFRE DES CONSEILS DE SÉCURITÉ AUX JOURNALISTES PHILIPPINS

China

LE CPJ ET RSF CONDAMNENT LES LOURDES PEINES DE PRISON INFLIGÉES À DES RÉDACTEURS EN CHEF

Nepal

ON DEMANDE D'URGENCE UN RÔLE DE SURVEILLANCE POUR LES NATIONS UNIES

Philippines

SOBREVIVIENDO: MANUAL OFRECE CONSEJOS DE SEGURIDAD PARA PERIODISTAS FILIPINOS

China

CHINA: EDITORES DETENIDOS Y ACUSADOS

China

CPJ Y RSF CONDENAN PROLONGADAS PENAS DE CÁRCEL IMPUESTAS A EDITORES

Nepal

PIDEN PAPEL DE VIGILANCIA DE ONU

Philippines

STAYING ALIVE: HANDBOOK OFFERS SAFETY TIPS FOR FILIPINO JOURNALISTS

In the Philippines, journalism has become one of the most dangerous professions. With a record seven journalists killed in the line of duty in 2003, what can media professionals do to protect themselves? A new handbook published by the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists (FFFJ) seeks to answer just that question.

China

TAKE ACTION! CHINA: EDITORS DETAINED AND CHARGED

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) invites you to write or fax a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao, protesting the arrest and detention of journalists Cheng Yizhong, Yu Huafeng and Li Minying, all of whom have been charged with embezzling funds.

China

RSF, CPJ CONDEMN LENGTHY JAIL TERMS IMPOSED ON EDITORS

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have condemned the recent jailing of three journalists in China on corruption charges, saying it is an attempt by authorities to silence critical voices.

Nepal

U.N. MONITORING ROLE URGED

Governments should authorise the U.N. to assist the Nepalese government in investigating human rights violations in the conflict-ridden country, says Human Rights Watch.

Burma

UN JOURNALISTE EST LIBÉRÉ APRÈS DIX ANS DE PRISON

Burma

PERIODISTA LIBERADO TRAS DIEZ AÑOS DE CÁRCEL

Burma

JOURNALIST FREED AFTER TEN YEARS IN JAIL

Burmese journalist and poet Kyi Tin Oo has been released from prison after serving a ten-year sentence, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) says.

China

UN PHOTOGRAPHE SUD-CORÉEN SORT DE PRISON

China

FOTÓGRAFO DE COREA DEL SUR SALE DE CÁRCEL

China

SOUTH KOREAN PHOTOGRAPHER RELEASED FROM JAIL

Chinese authorities have granted South Korean photographer Seok Jae-Hyun an early release from prison in response to pressure from the South Korean government and international press-freedom groups, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Sri Lanka

EDITORES AMENAZADOS; PERIÓDICOS CONFISCADOS Y QUEMADOS

Pakistan

GOBIERNO SUSPENDE PUBLICIDAD Y PRESIONA A PERIÓDICOS QUE TIENEN POSTURA CRÍTICA

Sri Lanka

DES ÉDITEURS SONT MENACÉS, DES JOURNAUX SONT CONFISQUÉS ET BRÛLÉS

Pakistan

LES GOUVERNEMENTS RETIENNENT LA PUBLICITÉ, POUR FAIRE PRESSION SUR LES JOURNAUX CRITIQUES

Sri Lanka

EDITORS THREATENED; NEWSPAPERS CONFISCATED, BURNED

The Free Media Movement (FMM) in Colombo condemned a threatening phone call made on 10 March 2004 to Siri Ranasingha, editor-in-chief of the "Lankadeepa" newspaper, by Wimal Weerawansa, propaganda secretary of the Peoples Liberation Front (JVP). The politician hoped to get a political advertisement supposedly damaging to him withdrawn from the newspaper. He has since apologized for the phone call.

Pakistan

GOVERNMENTS WITHHOLD ADVERTISING, PRESSURING CRITICAL NEWSPAPERS

On 12 March 2004 the International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries, expressed its concern about the government's use of advertising restrictions to pressure Pakistani newspapers into curtailing their criticism of officials.

Malaysia

Malasia: Ciberactivistas asiáticos señalan éxitos y fracasos

Thailand

MEDIOS INDEPENDIENTES BAJO PRESIÓN POLÍTICA EN AUMENTO

Bangladesh

DELEGACIÓN DE CPJ INSTA A GOBIERNO A PONER FIN A VIOLENCIA CONTRA LOS MEDIOS

Malaysia

MALAISIE : LES CYBERMILITANTS D'ASIE CONSTATENT QUELQUES SUCCÈS, ET DES ÉCHECS AUSSI

Thailand

LES MÉDIAS INDÉPENDANTS SUBISSENT DE PLUS EN PLUS DE PRESSIONS POLITIQUES

Bangladesh

UNE DÉLÉGATION DU CPJ PRESSE LE GOUVERNEMENT DE METTRE FIN À LA VIOLENCE CONTRE LES MÉDIAS

Malaysia

MALAYSIA: ASIAN CYBERACTIVISTS NOTE SUCCESSES AND FAILURES

In a recent book published in Kuala Lumpur, three co-authors examine political activism on the Internet in Asia, taking stock of some of the successes and failures of cyberactivists who challenge the various censorship regimes in the continent's countries.

Thailand

INDEPENDENT MEDIA UNDER INCREASED POLITICAL PRESSURE

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and other press-freedom groups have expressed concern over recent incidents of political interference in Thailand's independent media.

Bangladesh

CPJ DELEGATION URGES GOVERNMENT TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST MEDIA

A delegation from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on the government of Bangladesh "to vigorously investigate and prosecute all those who murder, assault, or threaten the country's journalists, in order to end a long cycle of violence against the media, and enable journalists to do their jobs safely."

Tonga

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX S'ALARMENT DES RESTRICTIONS IMPOSÉES AUX MÉDIAS

China

RESTRICTIONS ACCRUES DU GOUVERNEMENT À L'EXPRESSION SUR INTERNET

Tonga

MIEMBROS DE IFEX ALARMADOS POR RESTRICCIONES A MEDIOS

China

GOBIERNO AUMENTA RESTRICCIONES A EXPRESIÓN EN INTERNET

Tonga

IFEX MEMBERS ALARMED AT MEDIA RESTRICTIONS

The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), has joined three other IFEX members in protesting significant new restrictions on press freedom in the Kingdom of Tonga. Also questioning the new laws is a member of the Tongan royal family.

China

GOVERNMENT STEPS UP RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNET EXPRESSION

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) has condemned the sentencing of five members of China's Falun Gong spiritual movement to lengthy prison terms for posting material on the Internet.

Nepal

FUERZAS DE SEGURIDAD MATAN A PERIODISTA

Pakistan

PAKISTAN : SIGNEZ UNE PÉTITION D'APPUI À UN REPORTER QUI RISQUE L'EMPRISONNEMENT À VIE

Nepal

UN JOURNALISTE EST ABATTU PAR LES FORCES DE SÉCURITÉ

Pakistan

SIGN A PETITION TO SUPPORT REPORTER FACING LIFE IMPRISONMENT

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans Frontières, RSF) invites you to join more than 2,400 journalists and media workers in signing a worldwide petition calling for the release of jailed Pakistani journalist Khawar Mehdi Rizvi.

Nepal

SECURITY FORCES KILL JOURNALIST

Padma Raj Devkota, editor of the newspaper "Bhurichula" in western Nepal, was killed on 7 February 2004 during what Nepalese security forces called "a routine military operation,"

Bangladesh

20 JOURNALISTES REÇOIVENT DES MENACES DE MORT

Philippines

UN ANIMATEUR DE LA RADIO EST ABATTU

China

CHINA: FIRME UNA PETICIÓN PARA APOYAR A FOTÓGRAFO SUDCOREANO ENCARCELADO

Bangladesh

20 PERIODISTAS RECIBEN AMENAZAS DE MUERTE

Philippines

PRESENTADOR DE RADIO BALEADO

Bangladesh

20 JOURNALISTS RECEIVE DEATH THREATS

While Bangladesh enjoys a free press, with more than 73 newspapers in the nation's capital and 50 satellite channels nationwide, it is also one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, reports the "IPI Global Journalist."

Philippines

RADIO HOST GUNNED DOWN

IFEX members are expressing alarm about press-freedom conditions in the Philippines, following the murder last week of a radio host and a grenade attack on another's home.

China

UNE DÉCISION PRISE CONTRE UN MOINE MET EN LUMIÈRE LA RÉPRESSION DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

China

CASO CONTRA MONJE DESTACA OFENSIVA CONTRA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Tibet (China)

CASE AGAINST MONK HIGHLIGHTS FREE EXPRESSION CLAMPDOWN

The persecution of a highly respected Tibetan monk who faces a death sentence on unproven charges highlights the restriction of Tibetans' free-expression rights all over China, says a new report by Human Rights Watch.

China

La société Microsoft participe-t-elle à la censure de l'Internet en Chine?

Pakistan

UN MAIRE ABAT UN JOURNALISTE

China

Ayuda Microsoft a la censura de Internet en China?

Pakistan

ALCALDE MATA A PERIODISTA

China

Is Microsoft Aiding Internet Censorship in China?

3 February 2004

Pakistan

MAYOR KILLS JOURNALIST

Police in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province are investigating the whereabouts of the mayor of Manshera after he shot and killed a journalist who accused him of running an illegal liquor business.

Philippines

CMFR ENCABEZA TALLER SOBRE INFORMES DE CORRUPCIÓN

Philippines

LE CMFR DIRIGE UN ATELIER SUR LA COUVERTURE DES AFFAIRES DE CORRUPTION

Philippines

CMFR LEADS WORKSHOP ON CORRUPTION REPORTING

In Indonesia and the Philippines, corruption continues to hamper democratic development despite the relatively recent emergence of press freedom, says the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). That makes it all the more important for media to carry out quality investigative reporting and pursue access to information.

Bangladesh

UN JOURNALISTE PERD LA VIE DANS UN ATTENTAT À LA BOMBE

Bangladesh

ATAQUE CON BOMBA MATA A PERIODISTA

Bangladesh

BOMB ATTACK KILLS JOURNALIST

A Bangladeshi reporter fell victim to a bomb attack last week in the city of Khulna, becoming the first journalist to be murdered this year, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Australia

Parution d'une nouvelle étude sur les lois sur les médias en Afrique australe

Sri Lanka

DES JOURNALISTES ÉCHANGENT LEURS EXPÉRIENCES SUR LA COUVERTURE DES CONFLITS

China

LA RADIO ÉTRANGÈRE, LIEN VITAL POUR LES AUDITEURS

Nepal

PERIODISTAS COMPARTEN RELATOS DE EXPERIENCIAS DE INFORMAR DE CONFLICTOS

China

RADIO EXTRANJERA ES MEDIO DE CONTACTO PARA PÚBLICO

Sri Lanka

NEPAL/SRI LANKA: JOURNALISTS SHARE CONFLICT-REPORTING STORIES

Journalists and press-freedom advocates from Nepal and Sri Lanka, including Free Media Movement (FMM), took part in a recent project to exchange experiences on conflict reporting, writes the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA).

Tibet (China)

FOREIGN RADIO A LIFELINE FOR LISTENERS

Tibet may be one of the most isolated and politically repressive places in the world, but foreign radio broadcasts offer hope for a populace that refuses to accept Chinese propaganda, reports the "IPI Global Journalist."

Indonesia

LA FIJ ET L'AJI RÉCLAMENT UNE ENQUÊTE DES NATIONS UNIES SUR LA MORT

Thailand

L'ANNÉE DE TOUS LES REPORTAGES SANS DANGER?

Indonesia

FIP Y AJI PIDEN INVESTIGACIÓN DE ONU DE MUERTE DE PERIODISTA

Thailand

¿EL AÑO EN QUE INFORMAMOS SIN PELIGRO?

Indonesia

IFJ, AJI URGE UN PROBE INTO JOURNALIST'S DEATH

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI) are appealing to the United Nations to launch an investigation into the death of kidnapped journalist Ersa Siregar, who was killed on 29 December 2003 during a clash between separatist rebels and government forces in Aceh, Indonesia.

Thailand

2003 - THE YEAR OF REPORTING TIMIDLY?

For journalists in Thailand, 2003 was a year where the media resorted to self-censorship and avoided criticism of the government, according to the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) in its annual survey of press freedom.

Burma

DES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX PROTESTENT CONTRE LA CONDAMNATION À MORT D'UN JOURNALISTE

Tonga

DE NOUVELLES LOIS SUR LES MÉDIAS MENACENT LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Burma

MIEMBROS DE IFEX PROTESTAN POR SENTENCIA DE MUERTE A PERIODISTA

Tonga

NUEVAS LEYES DE MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN AMENAZAN LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Burma

IFEX MEMBERS PROTEST JOURNALIST'S DEATH SENTENCE

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnali Independen, AJI), Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and ARTICLE 19 have added their voices to an international protest against Burmese authorities for issuing a death sentence against journalist Zaw Thet Htwe.

Tonga

NEW MEDIA LAWS THREATEN FREE EXPRESSION

The Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) have raised concerns that constitutional amendments signed by Tonga's King Taufaahau Tupou IV will effectively snuff out freedom of expression in the island nation.

South Korea

UN RADIODIFFUSEUR PUBLIC EST MENACÉ, DIT LA FIJ

Burma

LA CONDAMNATION À MORT D'UN JOURNALISTE CONSTITUE UNE NOUVELLE « TROUBLANTE »

South Korea

DIFUSORA PÚBLICA AMENAZADA, DICE LA FIP

Burma

SENTENCIA DE MUERTE PARA PERIODISTA ES "PERTURBADORA"

South Korea

PUBLIC BROADCASTER THREATENED, SAYS IFJ

The future of South Korea's leading public broadcaster could be threatened if an opposition party proposal to amend the country's broadcasting law is approved, warns the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Burma

DEATH SENTENCED FOR JOURNALIST "DISTURBING"

In what exiled Burmese journalists call a "disturbing" development, authorities in Burma have sentenced the editor of a sports magazine to death for treason, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Indonesia

ASSAUT CONTRE LES MÉDIAS EN ACEH

Philippines

UN SEPTIÈME JOURNALISTE ASSASSINÉ CETTE ANNÉE

Indonesia

MEDIOS ATACADOS EN ACEH

Philippines

SÉPTIMO PERIODISTA ASESINADO ESTE AÑO

Indonesia

MEDIA UNDER FIRE IN ACEH

The Indonesian government is preventing journalists from reporting on its military incursion into Aceh, where grave human rights violations are taking place, says a report released by Human Rights Watch.

Philippines

SEVENTH JOURNALIST KILLED THIS YEAR

2003 is turning out to be the worst year ever for journalists in the Philippines, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Nepal

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH DEMANDE AVEC INSTANCE LE SUIVI INTERNATIONAL DE LA CRISE

Nepal

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INSTA A VIGILANCIA INTERNACIONAL DE CRISIS

Nepal

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH URGES INTERNATIONAL MONITORING OF CRISIS

Human Rights Watch has joined six human rights groups in calling on the international community to monitor the worsening human rights situation in Nepal, where dozens of journalists have been arrested and attacked since the collapse of peace talks last August between Maoist rebels and the government.

Philippines

LA PRÉSIDENTE OFFRE UNE PRIME POUR LES ASSASSINS DE JOURNALISTES

Sri Lanka

LE FMM ET L'IIP DEMANDENT AVEC INSTANCE UNE RÉFORME DE LA RADIODIFFUSION

Philippines

PRESIDENTE OFRECE RECOMPENSA POR ASESINOS DE PERIODISTAS

Sri Lanka

FMM E IPI INSTAN A LA REFORMA DE DIFUSIÓN

Philippines

PRESIDENT OFFERS BOUNTY FOR JOURNALISTS' KILLERS

The government of the Philippines has offered a 1 million Peso (US$18,000) reward for the capture of individuals who have murdered journalists in the past five years, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) reports.

Sri Lanka

FMM, IPI URGE BROADCASTING REFORM

In the wake of a state of emergency declared last week in which Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga replaced the heads of the country's state broadcasters with her supporters, the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the International Press Institute (IPI) are calling for the establishment of independent public service broadcasters.

Indonesia

NUEVOS DIRIGENTES DE AJI DARÁN PRIORIDAD A CAPACITACIÓN EN PERIODISMO Y NORMAS LABORALES

China

ESCRITORES DE INTERNET ENCARCELADOS APELAN CASO

Nepal

AUMENTA VIOLENCIA CONTRA PERIODISTAS

Indonesia

LES NOUVEAUX DIRIGEANTS DE L'AJI ENTENDENT ACCORDER LA PRIORITÉ À LA FORMATION JOURNALISTIQUE ET AUX NORMES DE TRAVAIL

China

DES RÉDACTEURS SUR INTERNET QUI SONT INCARCÉRÉS INTERJETTENT APPEL DE LEUR CAS

Nepal

LA VIOLENCE CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES PREND DE L'AMPLEUR

Indonesia

AJI'S NEW LEADERS TO PRIORITISE JOURNALISM TRAINING AND LABOUR STANDARDS

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI) has elected two new leaders, who say they will make journalism training and labour standards a priority for the Indonesian press-freedom organisation.

China

JAILED INTERNET WRITERS APPEAL CASE

A court in Beijing, China, has opened an appeal hearing into the case of four Internet writers sentenced earlier this year to prison terms of 8-10 years, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Nepal

VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALISTS ESCALATING

In Nepal, where ceasefire talks between Maoist rebels and the government broke down in August 2003, violence against journalists is on the rise, say IFEX members monitoring the country.

Philippines

ARTICLE 19 ET LE CMFR PORTENT DEVANT L'ONU LEURS PRÉOCCUPATIONS EN MATIÈRE DE LIBRE EXPRESSION

Cambodia

UN JOURNALISTE DE LA RADIO EST ASSASSINÉ

Philippines

ARTICLE 19 Y CMFR PLANTEAN INQUIETUDES DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN A ONU

Cambodia

PERIODISTA RADIOFÓNICO ASESINADO

Philippines

ARTICLE 19, CMFR BRING FREE-EXPRESSION CONCERNS TO UN

While the Philippines has a long-held reputation for respecting freedom of expression and press freedom, recent developments are a cause for concern, say ARTICLE 19 and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CFMR). The IFEX members have submitted a report outlining their concerns to the UN Human Rights Committee, which opened its 79th session in Geneva this week.

Cambodia

RADIO JOURNALIST MURDERED

Chuor Chetharith, the deputy editor-in-chief of a radio station in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, was shot and killed by two unidentified men on 18 October, prompting the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) the Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) to call for an immediate investigation.

Australia

L'Open Society sollicite des propositions pour des projets de TCI en Afrique australe

China

UN CYBERDISSIDENT EST REMIS EN LIBERTÉ

Australia

AFRIQUE AUSTRALE : LE MISA FAIT PRESSION AUPRÈS DE LA SADC À PROPOS DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Nepal

UN REPORTER EST ASSASSINÉ

Pakistan

UN JOURNALISTE EST ABATTU

China

CIBERDISIDENTE LIBERADO DE PRISON

Nepal

REPORTERO ASESINADO

Pakistan

PERIODISTA MUERTO A TIROS

China

CYBER-DISSIDENT RELEASED FROM PRISON

Chinese authorities have released Internet writer Qi Yanchen from prison, more than a year earlier than expected, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) has learned. Qi was released from Prison No. 4 in Beijing's Shijiazhuang district on 1 May 2003 after serving more than two years of a four-year sentence.

Nepal

REPORTER MURDERED

The Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) have condemned the murder of Sajana Chaudhari, a journalist who was shot and killed on 27 September by security forces in Kailali distrit, western Nepal.

Pakistan

JOURNALIST SHOT DEAD

Pakistani journalist Ameer Bux Barohi was shot and killed on 3 October by three unidentified men in Shikarpur, reported the Pakistan Press Foundation, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

Japan

ASESINAN A PERIODISTA INDEPENDIENTE

India

PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Burma

WIPC INICIA CAMPAÑA PARA LIBERAR A ESCRITORES ENCARCELADOS

Japan

UN JOURNALISTE PIGISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

India

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

Burma

LE WiPC LANCE UNE CAMPAGNE POUR FAIRE LIBÉRER LES ÉCRIVAINS EMPRISONNÉS

Japan

FREELANCE JOURNALIST MURDERED

In Japan, where violent attacks against journalists are very rare, the body of freelance reporter Satoru Someya was found near a pier in Tokyo Bay on 12 September, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) report.

India

JOURNALIST KILLED

Parmanand Goyal, a journalist for the daily newspaper "Punjab Kesari" in Kaithal, India, was shot and killed on 18 September, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Burma

WiPC LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO FREE JAILED WRITERS

The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN has launched a month-long letter-writing campaign aimed at putting pressure on the Burmese military junta to free opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and nine imprisoned writers in Burma.

Bangladesh

PROYECTO DE LEY AMENAZA PRIVACIDAD EN INTERNET

Bangladesh

DES PROPOSITIONS DE MODIFICATION À LA LOI SUR LES TÉLÉCOMMUNICATIONS MENACENT LA VIE PRIVÉE SUR INTERNET

Bangladesh

DRAFT LAW THREATENS INTERNET PRIVACY

Bangladesh's telecommunications regulatory agency is reportedly drafting amendments to legislation giving authorities more powers to monitor Internet traffic and e-mail in the name of national security and anti-terrorism, warns Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Nepal

LES REBELLES MAOÏSTES TUENT UN JOURNALISTE

Philippines

UN AUTRE JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

Nepal

NEPAL: REBELDES MAOISTAS ASESINAN A PERIODISTA

Philippines

OTRO PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Nepal

MAOIST REBELS KILL JOURNALIST

Maoist rebels in Nepal have killed a journalist following a breakdown in ceasefire talks, report the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Gyanendra Khadka, a reporter for the Rastriya Samachar Samiti news agency, died on 7 September after rebels entered a school in Sindhupalchowk district, where the journalist was attending a parents' meeting.

Philippines

ANOTHER JOURNALIST KILLED

Another journalist in the Philippines has been killed this week, the third in as many weeks, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Australia

L'ASSEMBLÉE ANNUELLE DU MISA S'ATTAQUE À LA PAUVRETÉ ET AU SIDA

Sri Lanka

DES JOURNALISTES DÉBATTENT DE LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Philippines

UN AUTRE JOURNALISTE EST TUÉ; LES MEMBRES DE L’IFEX DÉNONCENT LA CULTURE D’IMPUNITÉ

Sri Lanka

PERIODISTAS SE UNEN PARA ANALIZAR CUESTIONES DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Philippines

OTRO PERIODISTA ASESINADO; MIEMBROS DE IFEX DEPLORAN CULTURA DE LA IMPUNIDAD

Sri Lanka

JOURNALISTS UNITE TO DISCUSS PRESS-FREEDOM ISSUES

As peace talks in Sri Lanka continue, Free Media Movement (FMM) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) are working together to promote unity among the country's diverse ethnic media. Last week, the organisations held a conference in Varuniya, bringing together journalists from the country's twelve national, ethnic and provincial media organisations to

Philippines

ANOTHER JOURNALIST KILLED AS IFEX MEMBERS DECRY CULTURE OF IMPUNITY

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) call the Philippines one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) says 37 journalists have been killed there because of their work since 1986 and no one has been convicted in any of the murders. This week, another journalist joined the list.

Philippines

ASESINAN A PERIODISTA CONOCIDO POR SUS INFORMES CRÍTICOS

Philippines

ASSASSINAT D'UN JOURNALISTE CONNU POUR SES REPORTAGES CRITIQUES

Philippines

JOURNALIST KNOWN FOR HIS CRITICAL REPORTING KILLED

Noel Villarante, a journalist with radio station DZJV and the newspaper "Laguna Score", was shot dead on 19 August in Santa Cruz, in Laguna Province, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE PHILIPPIN REMPORTE LE « NOBEL DE L'ASIE »

Tonga

LES PROPOSITIONS DE RESTRICTIONS DES MÉDIAS INQUIÈTENT DE PLUS EN PLUS

Tonga

PREOCUPACIÓN EN AUMENTO POR RESTRICCIONES A MEDIOS PROPUESTAS

Tonga

MOUNTING CONCERN OVER PROPOSED MEDIA RESTRICTIONS

Concerns are mounting in Tonga over moves by the government to restrict press freedom, including a new law aimed at shutting down the country's only independent newspaper, reports the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).

Malaysia

LEY DE SEDICIÓN INFRINGE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN, DICE ARTICLE 19

Australia

LE MISA ORGANISE DES ATELIERS SUR LES RAPPORTS HOMMES-FEMMES ET LA RADIODIFFUSION

Malaysia

LA LOI SUR LA SÉDITION BRIME LA LIBERTÉ D'EXPRESSION, DIT ARTICLE 19

Malaysia

SEDITION ACT BREACHES FREE EXPRESSION, SAYS ARTICLE 19

Malaysia's 1948 Sedition Act, used widely by Malaysian authorities to crack down on opposition figures, activists and critical media, is in "serious breach" of freedom of expression and should be repealed, said ARTICLE 19 in a legal analysis released last week.

Sri Lanka

UN RAPPORT COUVRE LA SITUATION DES MÉDIAS PENDANT LA GUERRE AU SRI LANKA

Bangladesh

LES ATTAQUES CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES ALARMENT LES MEMBRES DE L'IFEX

Sri Lanka

Informe investiga medios en un sri lanka devastado por la guerra

Bangladesh

ATAQUES CONTRA PERIODISTAS INQUIETAN A MIEMBROS DE IFEX

Sri Lanka

Report Surveys Media in War-Torn Sri Lanka

29 July 2003

Bangladesh

ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS ALARM IFEX MEMBERS

In Bangladesh, a series of recent threats and attacks on journalists has spurred the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) to write letters to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia urging prompt investigations.

Nepal

LE CEHURDES LANCE UN GUIDE EN NÉPALAIS POUR LES JOURNALISTES

Indonesia

UN RAPPORT DU CPJ FAIT LA CHRONIQUE DES RESTRICTIONS À LA PRESSE EN ACEH

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE EST ABATTU

Nepal

CEHURDES PRESENTA GUÍA NEPALESA PARA PERIODISTAS

Indonesia

INFORME DE CPJ DESCRIBE RESTRICCIONES A PRENSA EN ACEH

Philippines

PERIODISTA BALEADO

Nepal

CEHURDES LAUNCHES NEPALESE GUIDE FOR JOURNALISTS

Journalists and human rights activists in Nepal, one of the most dangerous places in Asia for journalism, now have a valuable tool to report free-expression violations, thanks to the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES).

Indonesia

CPJ REPORT CHRONICLES PRESS RESTRICTIONS IN ACEH

It seems the Indonesian government is taking a page out of the United States' "handbook" on managing the media during wartime. So suggests the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in a special report released last week. Written by CPJ Asia consultant, A. Lin Neumann, "Out of Sight" chronicles the measures the Indonesian government has taken to restrict coverage of the military conflict in Aceh.

Philippines

JOURNALIST GUNNED DOWN

Bonifacio Gregorio, a reporter and columnist for the weekly newspaper "Dyaryo Banat" in Tarlac, central Philippines, was shot and killed on 8 July by an unknown assailant, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

China

LE GOUVERNEMENT CÈDE AUX PRESSIONS À PROPOS DE LA LOI SUR LA SÉCURITÉ

Indonesia

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH MET EN GARDE CONTRE UN RETOUR À L'AUTORITARISME

Hong Kong (China)

GOVERNMENT BOWS TO PRESSURE OVER NATIONAL SECURITY LAW

People power has scored a victory in Hong Kong. Following massive protests earlier this month - the largest since 1989 - the Hong Kong government has delayed plans to push through a national security law that poses grave threats to free expression, reports the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA).

Indonesia

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH WARNS OF RETURN TO AUTHORITARIANISM

In Indonesia, the repressive dictatorship of Suharto may have ended five years ago, but the ghosts of authoritarian rule are re-emerging, warns Human Rights Watch. In a report released last week, the group says that under President Megawati Sukarnoputri, who took power on 23 July 2001, a quietly growing trend is emerging of regressive policies aimed at curtailing political dissent in Indonesia.

Australia

UNE CONFÉRENCE DU MISA SE PENCHE SUR LES MÉDIAS ET LE DÉVELOPPEMENT EN AFRIQUE

Australia

LE FXI ET LE MISA VONT PARTICIPER À UN SÉMINAIRE SUR LE SOMMET MONDIAL SUR LA SOCIÉTÉ DE L'INFORMATION

Laos

ON S'ATTEND QUE LES JOURNALISTES SERONT LIBÉRÉS

Laos

JOURNALISTS EXPECTED TO BE FREED

Following an international outcry led by IFEX members and other press-freedom groups, the government of Laos has indicated that it will release two foreign journalists and an interpreter from prison on 14 July, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

China

LA HKJA PARTICIPE À UNE GRANDE MANIFESTATION DE PROTESTATION CONTRE LA LOI SUR LA SÉCURITÉ NATIONALE

Hong Kong (China)

HKJA JOINS MASSIVE PROTEST AGAINST NATIONAL SECURITY LAW

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) joined 500,000 citizens in Hong Kong on 1 July in a massive demonstration against Article 23, a proposed national security law many IFEX members say poses a grave threat to freedom of expression in the territory. The 1 July protest was the largest demonstration in Hong Kong since 1989, when 1 million took to the streets to protest the Tiananmen Square crackdown, notes the "Washington Post."

Indonesia

JOURNALIST'S BODY FOUND, ANOTHER REACHES SAFETY

The body of Mohamad Jamal, a camera operator for Indonesia's state-run television station TVRI, has been found nearly one month after he was kidnapped in the strife-torn province of Aceh, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

Malaysia

Malaysia: Journalist Released From Jail

17 June 2003

Hong Kong (China)

HKJA, ARTICLE 19 SLAM NATIONAL SECURITY LAW

Six years after Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, fears about China's potential influence on the territory's freedoms are about to be realised, according to a new joint report released 8 June by the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) and ARTICLE 19.

Burma

FREE EXPRESSION TAKES BIG STEP BACKWARD

Freedom of expression in Burma took a "serious step backward" last week after the military junta detained National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi, shut down the opposition party's countrywide offices and sentenced several NLD members to lengthy prison terms, report ARTICLE 19, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC).

Hong Kong (China)

IFEX MEMBERS LOBBY AGAINST HONG KONG LAW

Freedom House, Human Rights Watch and the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) are joining forces to oppose a draft national security law many say poses grave threats to freedom of expression in Hong Kong. HKJA is visiting the United States this week as part of a delegation of leading Hong Kong pro-democracy legislators and activists who want to raise international awareness of the threats posed by the law.

China

INTERNET DISSIDENTS ISSUED HARSH JAIL TERMS

The Chinese government's continued clampdown on Internet free expression has spurred international condemnation after four men were sentenced to prison last week for 8-10 years on subversion charges. The Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) are calling for the immediate release of Xu Wei, Jin Haike, Yang Zili and Zhang Honghai, calling the verdict ridiculous and a clear breach of international human rights standards.

Indonesia

JOURNALISTS UNDER FIRE IN ACEH

In Indonesia, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have raised the alarm over a series of attacks on journalists covering the military conflict in Aceh province and what they say is mounting evidence of the Indonesian military?s moves to restrict reporting there.

Philippines

JOURNALIST MURDERED, TWO OTHERS TARGETED

The murder of a radio announcer and assassination attempts on two journalists in the Philippines in the past two months have drawn attention to the dangers many face in this country in reporting the news.

Pakistan

Pakistan: Internews/Green Press Report on Press Freedom

20 May 2003

China

INTERNET IS A TRAP, SAYS RSF

The Internet is supposed to be a space for free expression. In China, however, it has become a trap, with Communist authorities employing sophisticated surveillance and meting out stiff prison

Nepal

LE CEHURDES ET RSF EXIGENT LA LIBÉRATION DES JOURNALISTES EMPRISONNÉS

Nepal

CEHURDES Y RSF PIDEN LIBERACIÓN DE PERIODISTAS ENCARCELADOS

Nepal

CEHURDES, RSF CALL FOR RELEASE OF JAILED JOURNALISTS

The Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) are calling on the Nepalese government and Maoist rebels to release all remaining journalists imprisoned in the country following commitments made by both sides as part of negotiations to end the civil war.

China

LE PEN LANCE UNE CAMPAGNE DE DÉFENSE DE LA LIBERTÉ D'EXPRESSION

China

PEN INICIARÁ CAMPAÑA DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

China

PEN TO LAUNCH FREE-EXPRESSION CAMPAIGN

As China's new president, Hu Jintao, takes office this month, the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) is launching a letter-writing campaign to focus attention on free expression violations there, including the jailing of Tibetan writers, increased Internet censorship and a proposed national security law in Hong Kong threatening press freedom.

Sri Lanka

COMISIÓN DE IPI RECONFORTADA POR CONDICIONES DE LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Sri Lanka

MISSION DE L?IIP TROUVE ENCOURAGEANTE LA SITUATION DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Sri Lanka

IPI MISSION CHEERED BY PRESS-FREEDOM CONDITIONS

An International Press Institute (IPI) delegation, recently returned from Sri Lanka in February, is recommending removing the country from its Watch list after finding what it calls a "warm atmosphere of hope and progress on press freedom" in the country. The watch list monitors press freedom in democratic countries IPI considers to be in danger of sliding into repression.

Australia

DES MISES EN NOMINATION EN VUE DE L?ATTRIBUTION DU PRIX NAT NAKASA 2003

Sri Lanka

DES GROUPES DE JOURNALISTES METTENT SUR PIED UN INSTITUT DE LA PRESSE

China

LA LOI SUR LA SÉCURITÉ POSE UNE GRAVE MENACE À LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Sri Lanka

GRUPOS DE PERIODISTAS INICIAN INSTITUTO DE PRENSA

China

LEY DE SEGURIDAD PLANTEA GRAVE AMENAZA A LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Burma

FREEDOM FORUM AWARDS $1 MILLION PRIZE TO BURMESE OPPOSITION LEADER

The US-based Freedom Forum has awarded Burmese opposition leader and Nobel peace prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi its US$1-million "Free Spirit" prize in recognition of her pro-democracy efforts, reports the BBC. It is the first time in the prize's 10-year history that the organisation has awarded it to an individual.

Sri Lanka

JOURNALISTS' GROUPS LAUNCH PRESS INSTITUTE

The Free Media Movement (FMM) has teamed up with the Editor's Guild and the Newspaper Society to launch a new press institute aimed at improving journalism standards and promoting media self-regulation. The initiative is the result of three years of discussions between the organisations in consultation with international media organisations and experts.

Hong Kong (China)

SECURITY LAW POSES GRAVE THREAT TO FREE EXPRESSION

A proposed national security law to be fast-tracked for legislative debate in Hong Kong this week poses a grave threat to freedom of expression despite recent revisions that came in response to massive public outcry, say the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Thailand

PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Vietnam

PEN INTERNACIONAL INICIA CAMPAÑA DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Australia

LE MISA S?ALARME DE LA SITUATION DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Thailand

ASSASSINAT D?UN JOURNALISTE

Vietnam

LE PEN LANCE UNE CAMPAGNE DE DÉFENSE DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Vietnam

PEN LAUNCHES FREE-EXPRESSION CAMPAIGN

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) has kicked off a month-long campaign to draw attention to free expression violations in Vietnam, focusing on 10 writers currently in prison or under house arrest.

Thailand

JOURNALIST MURDERED

The Thai Journalists Association and Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA) have joined the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in urging Thai authorities to bring to justice those responsible for the killing of a reporter last week in the beach resort province of Phuket.

Cambodia

ACCUSATIONS PORTÉES CONTRE DES JOURNALISTES ENVOIENT UN SIGNAL DE MAUVAIS AUGURE

Cambodia

CARGOS CONTRA PERIODISTAS ENVÍAN SEÑAL OMINOSA

Cambodia

CHARGES AGAINST JOURNALISTS SEND OMINOUS SIGNAL

As Cambodia prepares for national elections in July, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have expressed concern that the recent arrest of two journalists in Cambodia in the wake of anti-Thai riots is sending an ominous signal to the international community about the country's press-freedom situation.

India

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

Pakistan

LES GROUPES DE DÉFENSE DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE S?INQUIÈTENT DES AGRESSIONS

Pakistan

GRUPOS DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA ALARMADOS POR ATAQUES

India

PERIODISTA ASESINADO

India

JOURNALIST MURDERED

In India-controlled Kashmir, a dozen journalists have been killed since the start of separatist violence in 1989, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). Another was added to the total last week.

Pakistan

PRESS-FREEDOM GROUPS ALARMED AT ATTACKS

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) have called attention to press-freedom conditions in Pakistan, where a writer has been murdered and two journalists attacked in the past five weeks.

Bangladesh

SALEEM SAMAD EST LIBÉRÉ

Bangladesh

LIBERAN A SALEEM SAMAD

Bangladesh

SALEEM SAMAD RELEASED

Bangladeshi free-lance journalist Saleem Samad has been released from prison after being detained for 50 days, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Malaysia

DESCENTE DE LA POLICE CONTRE UN QUOTIDIEN EN LIGNE INDÉPENDANT

Malaysia

POLICÍA ALLANA DIARIO INDEPENDIENTE EN LÍNEA

Malaysia

POLICE RAID INDEPENDENT ONLINE DAILY

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) have expressed alarm following news this week that Malaysian police raided the offices of "Malaysiakini," the country's leading online independent newspaper and a frequent critic of the government.

Philippines

DES GROUPES DE MÉDIAS EXIGENT LA FIN DE L?IMPUNITÉ

Thailand

2002, ANNÉE DE « COOPTATION », DIT LA TJA

Thailand

2002 UN AÑO DE "INVITACIÓN": TJA

Philippines

GRUPOS DE MEDIOS INSTAN A PONER FIN A IMPUNIDAD

Pakistan

PPF SEEKS ENTRIES FOR JOURNALISM AWARDS

The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is inviting Pakistani journalists to apply for the UNESCO-PPF Gender in Journalism Annual Awards which recognise excellence in gender sensitive reporting and outstanding reporting by a female journalist.

Philippines

MEDIA GROUPS URGE END TO IMPUNITY

The Philippine government has pledged to renew an investigation into the murder of radio journalist Edgar Damalerio amidst pressure from media organisations and watchdogs to end the impunity surrounding the killing of journalists, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Thailand

2002 A YEAR OF "CO-OPTATION:" TJA

The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) has dubbed 2002 the "year of media co-optation" – a year in which government attacks against the press became more subtle and sophisticated.

Bangladesh

RSF ET LE CPJ EXPRIMENT LEUR INQUIÉTUDE À PROPOS DES JOURNALISTES INCARCÉRÉS

Bangladesh

RSF Y CPJ EXPRESAN INQUIETUD POR PERIODISTAS ENCARCELADOS

Bangladesh

RSF, CPJ EXPRESS CONCERN OVER JAILED JOURNALISTS

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontièrs, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have expressed grave concern over the fate of two Bangladeshi journalists jailed and charged with "anti-state activities" for working with a British documentary crew.

Nepal

LE CADAVRE D?UN JOURNALISTE EST DÉCOUVERT

Vietnam

CONDAMNÉ À 12 ANS DE PRISON DANS LE CADRE D?UNE NOUVELLE CAMPAGNE DE RÉPRESSION

Vietnam

"CYBER-DISSIDENT" JAILED 12 YEARS AMIDST FRESH CRACKDOWN

The Vietnamese government has imposed the heaviest prison term ever on an individual for internet activities, sentencing Nguyen Khac Toan to 12 years in prison, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) says. The heavy sentence comes amidst a recent wave of arrests and trials of pro-democracy advocates who are simply exercising their freedom of speech, Human Rights Watch (HRW) notes.

Nepal

JOURNALIST'S BODY DISCOVERED

The ongoing civil conflict in Nepal has claimed yet another journalist’s life. On 12 December, the body of Ambika Timsina was found in Pathari in the southeastern province of Koshi, say the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontieres, RSF). He was kidnapped the previous day by eight unidentified men.

China

L'ATTENTION SUR LE SORT DES JOURNALISTES ET DES CYBERDISSIDENTS EMPRISONNÉS

China

DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA SEÑALAN CASOS DE PERIODISTAS ENCARCELADOS Y CIBERDISIDENTE

China

PRESS-FREEDOM GROUPS CALL ATTENTION TO JAILED JOURNALISTS AND CYBER DISSIDENTS

The state of free expression in China was in the spotlight again last week as press-freedom groups raised concerns over the plight of as many as 30 journalists and other individuals jailed for publishing or distributing information deemed offensive to authorities.

Bangladesh

RSF LANCE UNE PÉTITION POUR OBTENIR LA LIBÉRATION DE JOURNALISTES DÉTENUS

Indonesia

DES PROJETS DE LOI SUR LA LUTTE CONTRE LE TERRORISME ET SUR LA RADIODIFFUSION INQUIÈTENT LES DÉFENSEURS DE LA LIBERTÉ D'EXPRESSION

Nepal

CEHURDES ENCABEZA ACCIÓN LEGAL EN FAVOR DE PERIODISTAS

Bangladesh

RSF PUBLICA PETICIÓN PARA LIBERAR A PERIODISTAS DETENIDOS

Indonesia

Y PROYECTOS DE LEY DE DIFUSIÓN PREOCUPAN A DEFENSORES DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Bangladesh

RSF LAUNCHES PETITION TO FREE DETAINED JOURNALISTS

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) has launched an online petition drive calling for the release of three journalists who have been secretly detained in Dhaka, Bangladesh and are accused of sedition or "anti-state activities." Under the charges, the journalists could be put to death if found guilty.

Indonesia

ANTI-TERRORISM, BROADCASTING BILLS WORRY FREE EXPRESSION ADVOCATES

As Indonesia deals with the aftermath of the Bali terrorist attack which killed close to 200 people in October, the government has introduced two bills which critics say threaten the country's fledgling free press, report the Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI), ARTICLE 19 and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Pakistan

DE NOUVELLES LOIS FONT SOUFFLER UN CLIMAT DE CRAINTE SUR LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

India

UN ÉDITEUR SUCCOMBE AUX BLESSURES SUBIES DANS UN ATTENTAT

China

DES GROUPES DE DÉFENSE DE LA LIBRE EXPRESSION S'UNISSENT DANS LEUR OPPOSITION À LA LOI SUR LA SÉCURITÉ NATIONALE

Pakistan

NUEVAS LEYES ENFRÍAN LA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

India

EDITOR MUERE DE HERIDAS DE BALA

China

GRUPOS DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN SE UNEN CONTRA LEY DE SEGURIDAD NACIONAL

Pakistan

NEW LAWS CAST CHILL ON FREE EXPRESSION

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has approved three new media laws ARTICLE 19 warns will result in significant self-censorship amongst the country's press. The organisation says the Press Council Ordinance, Registration Ordinance and Defamation Ordinance are "clearly aimed at controlling the media" and serve to undermine Pakistan's process of democratic transition.

Hong Kong (China)

FREE-EXPRESSION GROUPS UNITE AGAINST NATIONAL SECURITY LAW

As international pressure mounts over the impact on free expression of a proposed national security law in Hong Kong, 19 IFEX members issued a joint appeal last week urging Hong Kong authorities to scrap repressive provisions and release the draft legislation for public comment.

India

EDITOR DIES FROM SHOT WOUNDS

Ram Chander Chaterpatti, the editor of a newspaper in India's northern state of Haryana, died on 23 November from wounds sustained a month earlier when he was shot by a suspected member of a religious sect. Chaterpatti, 52, was shot four times outside his home on 24 October by an unidentified man reported to be part of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). He died in a New Delhi hospital.

Philippines

LEYES ANTITERRORISMO PROPUESTAS AMENAZAN LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Philippines

LES LOIS ANTITERRORISTES QUI SONT PROPOSÉES MENACENT LA LIBRE EXPRESSION

Philippines

PROPOSED ANTI-TERRORISM LAWS THREATEN FREE EXPRESSION

Three anti-terrorism bills recently introduced into the Philippine Congress have elicited calls of alarm from the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), ARTICLE 19 and FORUM-ASIA. The groups say the proposed bills would unduly restrict freedom of expression, and give authorities wide-ranging powers to intercept and monitor individuals' telephone conversations and e-mail communications.

East Timor

DES ACCUSATIONS EN RAPPORT AVEC LE MEURTRE D?UN JOURNALISTE NÉERLANDAIS

Nepal

SIX JOURNALISTES SONT REMIS EN LIBERTÉ

China

IL FAUT S'ATTENDRE AU MÊME RÉGIME SOUS LE PROCHAIN DIRIGEANT, DIT INDEX

East Timor

TRIBUNAL ACUSA A OFICIALES DE ASESINATO DE PERIODISTA HOLANDÉS

Nepal

SEIS PERIODISTAS LIBERADOS

China

DEL NUEVO LÍDER SE PUEDE ESPERAR MÁS DE LO MISMO

Afghanistan

INFORME DE RSF EXAMINA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA UN AÑO DESPUÉS

East Timor

COURT INDICTS OFFICERS FOR DUTCH JOURNALIST'S MURDER

A special court in East Timor has indicted two Indonesian army officers for the 1999 murder of Dutch journalist Sander Thoenes, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Thoenes, a correspondent for the "Financial Times" and the "Christian Science Monitor," was murdered on 21 September 1999 while reporting on the violence that erupted after East Timor declared independence from Indonesia.

Nepal

SIX JOURNALISTS RELEASED

Nepalese authorities have released six journalists from prison, including three who wrote for a pro-Maoist publication, reports the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES).

China

EXPECT MORE OF THE SAME FROM NEW LEADER, SAYS INDEX

Don't expect China's soon-to-be new leader, Hu Jintao, to loosen the Communist Party's tight restrictions on freedom of expression. If there are to be positive changes, they will likely be cautious and aimed more at meeting the government's economic imperatives than expanding political, social or intellectual diversity, reports Index on Censorship (INDEX).

Afghanistan

RSF REPORT EXAMINES PRESS FREEDOM ONE YEAR LATER

One year after the collapse of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, press freedom in the war-ravaged country has been generally positive, says a new report released this week by Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). Independent radio stations are sprouting, women's magazines have been launched for the first time in years and the capital, Kabul, has 150 publications alone.

China

EDITOR LIBERADO DE PRISIÓN

China

UN ÉDITEUR EST LIBÉRÉ DE PRISON

China

PUBLISHER RELEASED FROM PRISON

Chen Ziming, a Chinese publisher jailed for his role in the 1989 pro-democracy protests, has been released from prison, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Although he is free to move about, authorities continue to watch him closely.

Thailand

DE LA PRESSE / LES RADIODIFFUSEURS COMMUNAUTAIRES S?ORGANISENT

Thailand

A LIBERTAD DE PRENSA / RADIOEMISORAS COMUNITARIAS SE ORGANIZAN

Thailand

RALLY AGAINST PRESS FREEDOM RESTRICTIONS / COMMUNITY RADIO BROADCASTERS ORGANISE

Representatives of Thailand's leading newspapers and media associations, including the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), have called on the government of Thaksin Shinawatra to abolish a 1941 law they say is the biggest obstacle to press freedom in the country, reports the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

China

INTERNATIONAL PEN CALLS ATTENTION TO REPRESSION OF UIGHURS

International PEN (PEN) has expressed alarm at the Chinese government's repressive measures against ethnic Uighur people in northwest China, including imprisoned writer Tohti Tunyaz, amidst criticism from Amnesty International (Amnesty) that authorities are using the "war on terrorism" as a pretext to further repression.

China

UN ÉDITEUR SUR INTERNET EST REMIS EN LIBERTÉ

Burma

ABRIRÁ SUS PRIMEROS CIBERCAFÉS

China

LIBERAN A EDITOR DE INTERNET

China

LEY DE SEGURIDAD NACIONAL PROPUESTA AMENAZA LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

China

INTERNET PUBLISHER RELEASED

Internet publisher and outspoken AIDS activist Wan Yanhai has been released from detention following an international outcry over his arrest, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Burma

BURMA TO OPEN FIRST INTERNET CAFES

Burma's military junta has announced that it will allow Internet cafes to operate for the first time in the country, with an important caveat: users will only be able to access 1,800 websites, reports the "Straits Times." From November, 10 Internet cafes are slated to be opened ? five in the capital, Yangon, and five in the northern city of Mandalay, according to the "Myanmar Times."

Hong Kong (China)

PROPOSED NATIONAL SECURITY LAW THREATENS FREE EXPRESSION

Free-expression groups in Hong Kong are warning that the government's plan to enact a draft national security law that would criminalise subversion, sedition and the leaking of state secrets could be the "biggest threat to press freedom" since the territory's 1997 handover to China.

Pakistan

RSF DÉNONCE LES NOUVELLES LOIS SUR LA PRESSE

Indonesia

LES OBSERVATEURS DÉNONCENT LE PROJET DE LOI SUR L'INTERDICTION DES ÉMISSIONS RADIODIFFUSÉES PROVENANT DE L'ÉTRANGER

Pakistan

RSF CONDENA NUEVAS LEYES DE PRENSA

Indonesia

PROYECTO DE LEY QUE PROHÍBE DIFUSIONES EXTRANJERAS

Pakistan

RSF DECRIES NEW PRESS LAWS

The Pakistani government has drawn the ire of the country's biggest press groups following the adoption of three new press laws that create stiffer penalties for defamation and establish a media council under the control of the state, writes Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Indonesia

CRITICS SLAM PROPOSED LAW BANNING FOREIGN BROADCASTS

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), ARTICLE 19 and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have expressed alarm at an Indonesian government proposal to pass a law that would ban foreign radio and television programs and encourage state interference in public broadcasting.

Australia

UN RAPPORT DU MISA MONTRE QUE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE EST REMISE EN QUESTION

China

LES AUTORITÉS BLOQUENT L'ACCÈS' AUX MOTEURS DE RECHERCHE; LA DÉTENTION D'UN ÉDITEUR SUR LE WEB EST CONFIRMÉE

Bangladesh

UN RADIODIFFUSEUR INDÉPENDANT EST FORCÉ DE SE RETIRER DES ONDES

Afghanistan

LA CONFÉRENCE SUR LES MÉDIAS ADOPTE UNE DÉCLARATION HISTORIQUE

China

BLOQUEAN ACCESO A SISTEMAS DE BÚSQUEDAS / SE CONFIRMA DETENCIÓN DE EDITOR EN WEB

Bangladesh

OBLIGAN A EMISORA INDEPENDIENTE A SALIR DEL AIRE

Afghanistan

CONFERENCIA DE MEDIOS ADOPTA DECLARACIÓN HISTÓRICA

China

BLOCK ACCESS TO SEARCH ENGINES / DETENTION OF WEB PUBLISHER CONFIRMED

Free-expression campaigners have come up against the "great firewall of China" again, only this time it's a new problem. In the past two weeks, the Chinese government has shut off local access to two popular search engines, Google and AltaVista, drawing calls of concern from Human Rights Watch (HRW), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Bangladesh

INDEPENDENT BROADCASTER FORCED OFF THE AIR

In what Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) calls a dramatic step backward for media pluralism, a recent ruling by Bangladesh's Supreme Court has paved the way for the government to take the country's only private broadcaster, Ekushey Television (ETV), off the air. On 29 August, the court upheld a lower court ruling stating that ETV's broadcasting licence had been obtained illegally under the previous Awami League government.

Afghanistan

MEDIA CONFERENCE ADOPTS HISTORIC DECLARATION

An international conference on press freedom in Afghanistan has adopted an historic declaration calling on the Afghan government to enshrine the right to freedom of expression in the Constitution, introduce access-to-information legislation and transform the state broadcaster into a public-service outlet, reports ARTICLE 19.

Afghanistan

DES MEMBRES DE L?IFEX PARTICIPENT À UN COLLOQUE SUR LES MÉDIAS

Afghanistan

MIEMBROS DE IFEX ASISTEN A SEMINARIO DE MEDIOS

Afghanistan

IFEX MEMBERS ATTEND MEDIA SEMINAR

ARTICLE 19, the World Association of Newspapers, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Press Institute and the World Press Freedom Committee are taking part in an international seminar in Afghanistan this week aimed at encouraging the local government to adopt legislation favouring press freedom and media pluralism, reports UNESCO.

China

SPJ APOYA LLAMADO POR LEY DE LIBERTAD DE INFORMACIÓN

Bangladesh

ENCUENTRAN CUERPO DE PERIODISTA ASESINADO

China

LA SPJ APPUIE L'APPEL EN FAVEUR D'UNE LOI SUR LA LIBERTÉ DE L'INFORMATION

Bangladesh

ON A RETROUVÉ LE CADAVRE D?UN JOURNALISTE ASSASSINÉ

Hong Kong (China)

SPJ SUPPORTS CALL FOR FREEDOM-OF-INFORMATION LAW

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) joined Hong Kong journalists last week in calling for a freedom-of-information law amidst controversy over the government's refusal to release details of its contract with a multinational company. Speaking on a radio talk show panel with former legislator Christine Loh and Francis Moriarty, chair of the Foreign Correspondents' Club Press Freedom Committee, SPJ's Robert Leger said a freedom-of-information law would help "hold government more accountable to give citizens power to pry information that ? the government might not want them to have because it is embarrassing to them."

Bangladesh

BODY OF SLAIN JOURNALIST FOUND

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) is demanding a full investigation into the death of Bangladeshi journalist Syed Farroque Ahmed, whose body was found in Srimangal, south-eastern Bangladesh, on 3 August.

Afghanistan

LA SOCIÉTÉ CIVILE EXIGE DES MÉDIAS LIBRES ET PLURALISTES

Afghanistan

SOCIEDAD CIVIL PIDE MEDIOS LIBRES Y PLURALES

Afghanistan

CIVIL SOCIETY CALLS FOR FREE AND PLURALISTIC MEDIA

Civil society representatives in Afghanistan are calling on the Afghan government to transform the state-run broadcaster into a public-service media outlet, adopt an access-to-information law and remove restrictive provisions in the press law, reports ARTICLE 19.

Burma

SERIA PREOCUPACIÓN POR LA SALUD DE U WIN TIN; FOTÓGRAFA LIBERADA

Burma

DE SANTÉ DE U WIN TIN EST EXTRÊMEMENT PRÉOCCUPANT; UN PHOTOGRAPHE EST RELÂCHÉ

Burma

GRAVE CONCERN FOR U WIN TIN'S HEALTH; PHOTOGRAPHER RELEASED

One of Burma's most well-known political prisoners, journalist U Win Tin, is gravely ill and needs urgent medical attention, say Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Burma Media Association (BMA). The groups are demanding his immediate release from prison amidst reports that his already poor health has sharply deteriorated since early July.

Bangladesh

SE TEME QUE PERIODISTA SECUESTRADO ESTÉ MUERTO

Bangladesh

ON CRAINT QU?UN JOURNALISTE ENLEVÉ NE SOIT MORT

Bangladesh

KIDNAPPED JOURNALIST FEARED DEAD

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) fear Shukur Hossain, a Bangladeshi crime reporter kidnapped by unknown assailants on 5 July, may be dead. Hossain, a reporter for the Khulna-based newspaper "Anirban," was kidnapped from his home in the village of Ula by a group of armed men suspected of belonging to the outlawed Biplobi Communist Party (BCP), the groups say.

Vietnam

NUEVOS CONTROLES A INFORMACIÓN EN MEDIO DE ESCÁNDALO DE CORRUPCIÓN

Vietnam

CONTRÔLES SUR L?INFORMATION AU MOMENT OÙ ÉCLATE UN SCANDALE DE CORRUPTION

Vietnam

NEW CONTROLS ON INFORMATION AMID CORRUPTION SCANDAL

The Vietnamese government has renewed its efforts to control information and curtail free expression, report the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

Nepal

UN JOURNALISTE EMPRISONNÉ SERAIT MORT APRÈS AVOIR ÉTÉ TORTURÉ

Nepal

SE INFORMA QUE PERIODISTA ENCARCELADO FUE TORTURADO Y MUERTO

China

DESPUÉS DE LA REUNIFICACIÓN, LA SITUACIÓN DE LIBRE EXPRESIÓN ES "PREOCUPANTE"

Nepal

IMPRISONED JOURNALIST REPORTEDLY TORTURED AND KILLED

The Nepalese government is under pressure this week from the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) to respond to widespread media reports that Krishna Sen, editor of the daily "Janadisha," was tortured and killed in custody. Sen was arrested on 20 May and has been detained ever since. Authorities accused him of being a high-ranking leader of the outlawed Maoist rebel movement, CPJ says. "Janadisha" is considered supportive of the Maoists.

Hong Kong (China)

FIVE YEARS AFTER RE-UNIFICATION, FREE-EXPRESSION SITUATION "WORRISOME"

Five years after the handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China, there are worrying signs that the government of Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa is permitting an "erosion of freedom of expression and associated rights by failing to take seriously their protection," say the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) and ARTICLE 19. The groups issued their joint annual report on free expression in Hong Kong yesterday, the tenth they have collaborated on since 1992.

Sri Lanka

LE FMM SALUE L?ABOLITION DES LOIS SUR LA DIFFAMATION

Sri Lanka

FMM SALUDA ABOLICIÓN DE LEYES DE DIFAMACIÓN

Sri Lanka

FMM WELCOMES ABOLITION OF DEFAMATION LAWS

Nearly 10 years of campaigning by the Free Media Movement (FMM) to have restrictive defamation laws lifted in Sri Lanka have borne fruit. On 18 June the Sri Lankan Parliament passed a law removing criminal defamation laws from the statute books. Welcoming the announcement, FMM says the law is "the first major legislation in over two decades to strengthen freedom of expression." Introduced during British colonial rule, the laws have been used since the 1970s by governments to harass the press and impose serious restrictions on journalists, FMM adds.

East Timor

SUSPENDEN INVESTIGACIÓN DE ASESINATO DE PERIODISTA HOLANDÉS

China

AUTORIDADES CIERRAN MÁS DE 2000 CIBERCAFÉS

Bangladesh

: PELIGRA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA: INFORME DE RSF

East Timor

ABANDON DE L?ENQUÊTE SUR LE MEURTRE D?UN JOURNALISTE NÉERLANDAIS

China

FERMETURE PAR LES AUTORITÉS DE PLUS DE 2000 CAFÉS INTERNET

Bangladesh

LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE EST EN DANGER, DIT UN RAPPORT DE RSF

China

AUTHORITIES SHUT DOWN MORE THAN 2,000 INTERNET CAFES

Chinese authorities have imposed a blanket ban on all of Beijing's Internet cafes after a fire in an unlicensed establishment killed 24 students in Lanjisu district. The fire broke out the night of 15 June at the Internet café, which had opened a month ago and did not have a licence, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). It had only one exit, accessible by a narrow staircase.

East Timor

PROBE INTO DUTCH JOURNALIST'S MURDER DROPPED

The family of Dutch journalist Sander Thoenes, murdered in 1999 by Indonesian troops in East Timor, has appealed to the international community for assistance following the Indonesian government's decision to end legal proceedings against the case's prime suspect. On 13 June, the government said it was dropping the case because there was "insufficient evidence" to prosecute Camillo dos Santos, an Indonesian army officer formally identified as the prime suspect earlier this year by several eyewitnesses, writes Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Bangladesh

PRESS FREEDOM IN DANGER: RSF REPORT

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) has issued a report declaring Bangladesh the country with the highest number of attacks against journalists. Based on a one-week fact-finding mission to the country last March, the report says in the last eight months alone, 145 journalists have been physically assaulted or received death threats while 16 press clubs and newsrooms have been brutally attacked. "The issue of safety in general has now reached dramatic heights," says a Dhaka-based European diplomat interviewed by RSF.

Kiribati

PROYECTO DE LEY

Kiribati

UN PROJET DE LOI ?ÉTOUFFE? LA LIBRE EXPRESSION, DIT LA PINA

Kiribati

PROPOSED BILL "STIFLES" FREE EXPRESSION, SAYS PINA

The government of Kiribati has introduced a bill which would give it more powers to shut down newspapers, a move the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) says is intended to stifle freedom of expression. If passed, the draft law would amend the Newspaper Registration Act prohibiting media outlets and publishers from printing anything that "offends against good taste or decency or is likely to incite to crime or lead to disorder or be offensive to public feeling," reports PINA. The amendment also requires them to present content with "accuracy and impartiality."

Japan

LES MÉDIAS REDOUTENT LE PROJET DE LOI SUR LA PROTECTION DE LA VIE PRIVÉE

Japan

MEDIOS TEMEN PROYECTO DE LEY DE PROTECCIÓN DE PRIVACIDAD

Japan

MEDIA FEAR PRIVACY PROTECTION BILL

A proposed privacy protection bill currently being debated in Japan's Diet (House of Representatives and House of Councillors) is drawing fierce opposition from the media establishment who fear it may curb journalists' freedom to obtain information and conduct investigative reporting, says the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Burma

UN JOURNALISTE EST LIBÉRÉ APRÈS ONZE ANS DE PRISON

Burma

PERIODISTA LIBERADO DESPUÉS DE 11 AÑOS DE CAUTIVERIO

Burma

JOURNALIST RELEASED AFTER 11-YEAR IMPRISONMENT

Burmese journalist Sein Hlaing, publisher of the magazine "Pe-Phu-Hlwar," has been released from prison. He was one of nine political prisoners – all members of the opposition National League for Democracy – freed last week by the Burmese military regime, say Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Hlaing was released three years early, having served 11 years of a 14-year jail term. Speaking to RSF, Hlaing said he was in good health and thanked the human-rights organisations who have been campaigning for his release.

Philippines

PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Nepal

2001 FUE UN "AÑO TRÁGICO" PARA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA, DICE CEHURDES

Philippines

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

Nepal

2001, ?ANNÉE TRAGIQUE? POUR LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE, DIT LE CEHURDES

Philippines

JOURNALIST MURDERED

On 13 May, Philippine journalist Edgar Damalerio was shot and killed by two unidentified individuals on motorcycle while driving home from work. He is the second journalist killed in the southern Philippines since January, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Nepal

2001 A "TRAGIC YEAR" FOR PRESS FREEDOM, SAYS CEHURDES

The year 2001 will go down as one of the worst for press freedom in Nepal's recent history, says the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES). Amid a state of emergency, hundreds of journalists were detained – some reportedly tortured – while the army engaged in a war with Maoist rebels. Meanwhile, over two dozen journalists continue to be held without charge.

Burma

DES MÉDIAS DE BIRMANIE DEMANDE LA REMISE EN LIBERTÉ DE JOURNALISTES EMPRISONNÉS

Burma

BMA PIDE LIBERACIÓN DE PERIODISTAS ENCARCELADOS

Burma

BMA CALLS FOR RELEASE OF IMPRISONED JOURNALISTS

The Burma Media Association (BMA) marked 3 May by launching an Internet campaign in support of imprisoned journalists in the country. The organisation says at least 36 media workers are still detained in Burma while two are being kept under house arrest. Despite the release of a few journalists last year, "press freedom … in Burma is deteriorating," BMA says.

Nepal

LE CEHURDES LANCE UN RAPPORT ANNUEL

Nepal

CEHURDES PRESENTA INFORME ANUAL

Singapore

AUTHOR LAUNCHES BOOK ON INTERNET SURVEILLANCE

Singaporean author and human rights advocate James Gomez will launch his new book "Internet Politics: Surveillance and Intimidation in Singapore" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, examining how the the Internet is used by the government to conduct surveillance and by the citizens to practice "counter-surveillance."

Nepal

CEHURDES LAUNCHES ANNUAL REPORT

As in previous years, the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES) will mark 3 May by releasing its annual survey of free expression and press freedom in Nepal. This is the fifth year that CEHURDES has published the report "Status of Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Nepal." The group had also planned to hold a workshop to publicise the report and call attention to the press freedom crisis that has gripped the country in the last six months. However, it has cancelled the event for safety concerns.

China

LEY ANTITERRORISMO AMENAZA A LIBRE EXPRESIÓN

Malaysia

PERIODISTA EN HUELGA DE HAMBRE CONTRA LEY DE SEGURIDAD REPRESIVA

India

REPORTERO POLICÍACO ASESINADO

China

LA LOI ANTITERRORISTE MENACE LA LIBERTÉ D?EXPRESSION

Malaysia

FAIT LA GRÈVE DE LA FAIM CONTRE UNE LOI RÉPRESSIVE SUR LA SÉCURITÉ

India

ASSASSINAT D?UN CHRONIQUEUR JUDICIAIRE

China

ANTI-TERRORISM LAW THREATENS FREE EXPRESSION

China's recently-amended anti-terrorism legislation contains provisions that could be used to further suppress freedom of expression, warns Amnesty International.

India

CRIME REPORTER MURDERED

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) is demanding an investigation into the death of Paritosh Pandey, following news that the crime reporter for the Hindi-language newspaper "Jansatta Express" was shot and killed in his home in the northern Indian city of Lucknow last week. Pandey was watching television when several individuals entered his home and shot him five times, says RSF. He died instantly.

Malaysia

JOURNALIST ON HUNGER STRIKE AGAINST REPRESSIVE SECURITY LAW

The Malaysian government is under growing pressure to release journalist Hishamuddin Rais, one of six opposition critics who have begun a hunger strike to protest against their year-long arbitrary detention. Rais, a contributor to the independent online newspaper Malaysiakini.com, and five other dissidents were imprisoned in April 2001 after the government accused them of plotting to "overthrow the government," says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

Philippines

PERIODISTA ESTUDIANTE ASESINADA

Bangladesh

PROYECTO DE LEY "ESTRANGULA" LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Philippines

UNE ÉTUDIANTE EN JOURNALISME PERD LA VIE

Bangladesh

UN PROJET DE LOI QUI ?ÉTOUFFE? LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Bangladesh

DRAFT BILL "CHOKES" PRESS FREEDOM

A new bill introduced in Bangladesh's Parliament, which provides for jail sentences up to seven years for journalists who criticise government officials and judges, is causing alarm among local journalists. The proposed law classifies anyone other than members of parliament (MPs) and staff as "strangers" in the house and prohibits journalists from reporting on "sensitive" parliamentary topics, says the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

Philippines

STUDENT JOURNALIST KILLED

Calling the Philippine island of Mindanao one of the world's most dangerous places for journalists and human rights activists, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) is urging President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to launch an investigation into the recent murder of a student journalist.

India

PARLAMENTO APRUEBA POLÉMICA LEY ANTITERRORISMO

Nepal

LEY ANTITERRORISMO PROPUESTA AMENAZA DERECHOS CONSTITUCIONALES

India

LE PARLEMENT ADOPTE LA LOI ANTITERRORISTE, QUI SUSCITE LA CONTROVERSE

Nepal

LA PROPOSITION DE LOI ANTITERRORISTE MET EN DANGER LES DROITS CONSTITUTIONNELS

India

PARLIAMENT PASSES CONTROVERSIAL ANTI-TERRORISM LAW

A rare joint session of the Indian Parliament passed the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) last week, provoking fears that the new law will be misused by security forces, the BBC reports. Under the law, police officers can detain suspects for up to 90 days without trial and wiretap telephone calls. At present, India's criminal code allows for detention without trial for a maximum of 24 hours.

Nepal

PROPOSED ANTI-TERROR LAW THREATENS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

A new anti-terrorism law to be tabled in Nepal's parliament could mean the end of the civil and political rights granted by the country's constitution, according to a new report from Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). Four months after Nepal's King Gyandendra declared a state of emergency on 26 November 2001, over 100 journalists have been arrested in the country and at least 30 are still in detention, the group says. RSF recently completed a fact-finding mission to Nepal, meeting with government officials, journalists, press-freedom groups and human-rights organisations including the Center for Human Rights and DemocraticStudies (CEHURDES).

Afghanistan

LE PROJET DE LOI SUR LES MÉDIAS COMPORTE DE ?SÉRIEUSES FAILLES?

Bangladesh

HUIT JOURNALISTES REÇOIVENT DES MENACES DE MORT

Bangladesh

OCHO PERIODISTAS RECIBEN AMENAZAS DE MUERTE

Afghanistan

PROYECTO DE LEY DE MEDIOS TIENE "GRAVES FALLAS"

Bangladesh

8 JOURNALISTS RECEIVE DEATH THREATS

In Bangladesh, at least eight journalists have been the targets of death threats in the last two weeks, Media Watch reports. On 5 March and 7 March, Mohammed Abu Taleb and ATM Mamunur Rashid, two journalists from the daily newspaper "Ittefaq," received death threats for articles they had written. Taleb, in particular, had reported on an attack involving a former opposition leader (now prime minister), says Media Watch. Other journalists threatened with death included Moktar Hossain of the daily "Bhorer Dak," Tareq Murtaza and another colleague of the daily "Manavzamin,"Bakhtiar Islam Munna, also with "Ittefaq," Tuhin Aronnaya of "Prothom Alo" and Emran Farooq Masum, reporter for "Jugantor." In the cases of Munna and Murtaza, they were targeted by members of the student wings of Bangladesh's two main political parties, Media Watch notes.

Afghanistan

DRAFT MEDIA LAW CONTAINS "SERIOUS FLAWS"

A proposed media law currently being drafted in Afghanistan contains "serious flaws" which, if enacted, would have a harmful effect on freedom of expression, warns the International Press Institute (IPI). In a letter to the head of Afghanistan's interim government, Hamid Karzai, the group says the draft Law of the Press needs a "radical re-assessment" for a number of reasons. It allows only Afghani citizens to print publications, a restriction that would weaken the local media, IPI argues. It says a ban on foreign investment in Afghan media could leave local outlets too weak to withstand potential government pressure during the transition period and beyond.

Pakistan

EDITOR RENUNCIA POR PRESIONES POLÍTICAS; REVISTAS RELIGIOSAS PROHIBIDAS

Thailand

REPORTEROS EXTRANJEROS SE QUEDAN; PERIODISTAS EXIGEN INVESTIGACIÓN

Thailand

LES CORRESPONDANTS ÉTRANGERS RESTENT; LES JOURNALISTES EXIGENT UNE ENQUÊTE

Pakistan

SOUS LES PRESSIONS POLITIQUES; DES MAGAZINES RELIGIEUX SONT SUSPENDUS

Thailand

FOREIGN REPORTERS STAY; JOURNALISTS DEMAND INQUIRY

The Thai government has reinstated the visas of "Far Eastern Economic Review" journalists Rodney Tasker and Shawn Crispin, allowing them to stay in the country for the time being. The decision follows the magazine's public apology to the Thai Parliament last week for "any offence caused" from a 10 January article which referred to differences between King Bhumibol and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, reports the BBC. After the article was published, Tasker and Crispin were placed on a blacklist of individuals deemed threats to national security and threatened with expulsion [See IFEX "Communiqué" #11-8]. ">http://communique.ifex.org/articles.cfm?system_id=4163">#11-8].

Pakistan

EDITOR RESIGNS UNDER POLITICAL PRESSURE; RELIGIOUS MAGAZINES BANNED

The resignation of an influential editor at one of Pakistan's leading English-language newspapers allegedly due to political pressure has elicited alarm from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). CPJ says Shaheen Sehbai, editor of "The News", circulated a letter among colleagues and friends in which he said he was resigning due to pressure from the government. Sehbai said Pakistani officials had pressured the newspaper's publisher, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, to fire him and three other reporters, identified as Kamran Khan, Amir Mateen and Rauf Klasra, says CPJ.

East Timor

ARTICLE 19 PLANTEA INQUIETUDES POR NUEVA CONSTITUCIÓN

Malaysia

¿FUTURO DE MALAYSIAKINI.COM INCIERTO?

Bangladesh

PERIODISTA BALEADO; OTROS DOS ATACADOS

East Timor

LA CONSTITUTION PRÉOCCUPE ARTICLE 19

Bangladesh

UN JOURNALISTE EST ABATTU; DEUX AUTRES SONT VISÉS

Malaysia

L?AVENIR DE MALAYSIAKINI.COM EST-IL INCERTAIN?

Malaysia

MALAYSIAKINI.COM'S FUTURE IN DOUBT?

The future of Malaysia's leading independent online news service, Malaysiakini.com, could be in doubt if the government decides to include the Internet in its changes to a media-licensing law, INDEX on Censorship (INDEX) and the Digital Freedom Network (DFN) report. Although an official from the Energy, Communications and Multimedia Ministry stated recently that the government has no intention of regulating internet sites, Malaysiakini.com's editor-in-chief Steven Gan has expressed scepticism, says DFN. Gan believes officials in other ministries have other plans, including introduction of revisions to the media licensing system.

East Timor

ARTICLE 19 RAISES CONCERNS OVER NEW CONSTITUTION

East Timor's proposed Constitution gives the government wide scope to potentially restrict the right to freedom of expression, ARTICLE 19 warned in an analysis last week. Although the group says it welcomes the process towards East Timor's adoption of a constitution ahead of the presidential elections and eventual independence, it says the draft constitution is "seriously deficient" in protecting human rights, including freedom of expression.

Bangladesh

JOURNALIST GUNNED DOWN; TWO OTHERS TARGETED

Unidentified assailants shot and killed journalist Harunur Rashid (alias Khokan) on the evening of 2 March as he drove to the offices of his newspaper "Dainik Pubanchal" in Khulna, southwest Bangladesh, report Media Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). Rashid, a senior reporter for the daily, was driving his motorcycle to the newspaper's office in Iqbalnagar when he was struck in the chest by gunfire. He was rushed to a local hospital but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival, says Media Watch. Rashid, an active member of the Khulna Journalists Union and Khulna Press Club, leaves a wife and two children.

Thailand

ORDENAN DEPORTACIÓN DE PERIODISTAS EXTRANJEROS

Australia

ENMIENDAS AL CÓDIGO PENAL AMENAZAN LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Australia

LES MODIFICATIONS DU CODE PÉNAL MENACENT LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Thailand

DES JOURNALISTES ÉTRANGERS SONT CONDAMNÉS À ÊTRE DÉPORTÉS

Thailand

FOREIGN JOURNALISTS ORDERED DEPORTED

For the first time in decades, Thailand – whose press is considered one of the freest in Asia – has ordered the expulsion of two foreign journalists, saying they are a "threat to national security," report the Thai Journalists' Association (TJA), the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). TJA and SEAPA are condemning the move as a "witch hunt" and an "unwarranted attack on free expression," saying it will have a "far-reaching negative impact on Thailand's international image as a democratic … country."

Australia

CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENTS THREATEN PRESS FREEDOM

The Australian government's proposal to amend the country's Criminal Code has come under fire from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its local affiliate Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), who say it threatens whistle blowers and journalists and "stifle[s] public debate."

Afghanistan

GARANTIT LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE; LANCEMENT D?UNE REVUE FÉMININE

China

DE PÉKIN CONTRE LE TERRORISME; LE CPJ EXIGE LA LIBÉRATION D?UN JOURNALISTE

Burma

NATIONS UNIES; LE CPJ PUBLIE UN RAPPORT SPÉCIAL SUR LA SITUATION DE LA PRESSE

Afghanistan

NUEVA LEY GARANTIZA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA; INICIAN REVISTA PARA MUJERES

China

GUERRA CONTRA EL TERRORISMO DE BEIJING; CPJ INSTA A LIBERAR A PERIODISTA

Burma

DURANTE VISITA DE ONU; CPJ PUBLICA INFORME ESPECIAL SOBRE CONDICIONES DE PRENSA

Afghanistan

NEW LAW GUARANTEES PRESS FREEDOM; WOMEN'S MAGAZINE LAUNCHED

Afghanistan's interim government has signed into law a new bill guaranteeing press freedom, bringing to an end years of censorship and repression of free speech under the former Taliban regime, reports the BBC. The leader of Afghanistan's interim government, Hamid Karzai, says "People can have their newspapers, people can have their radios and they can write things, they can criticise us as much as they want."

China

HRW CRITICISES BEIJING 'S WAR ON TERRORISM; CPJ URGES JOURNALIST'S RELEASE

As United States President George W. Bush prepares to arrive in China for an official visit this week, Human Rights Watch (HRW) is urging him to "reject Beijing's attempts to use the fight against terrorism to justify serious human rights abuses." In a recently-released report assessing China's human rights record over the past year, HRW says Chinese authorities have been tightening restrictions on freedom of expression and the Internet. In the aftermath of 11 September 2001, China has claimed that its crackdown on "peaceful expression of so-called 'separatist' views is part of the war against terrorism," adds HRW. The organisation says Bush should urge China to allow United Nations and independent human rights monitors into Tibet and Xinjiang without restrictions.

Burma

DURING UN VISIT; CPJ ISSUES SPECIAL REPORT ON PRESS CONDITIONS

In what Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) calls a "goodwill gesture" timed to coincide with the visit of a United Nations Human Rights envoy to Burma,

Australia

IMPIDEN A MEDIOS AUSTRALIANOS ACCESO MÁS CERCANO A CAMPAMENTO DE ASILADOS

Australia

ON EMPÊCHE LES MÉDIAS DE S'APPROCHER DAVANTAGE D'UN CAMP DE CHERCHEURS D'ASILE

Australia

MEDIA BARRED FROM CLOSER ACCESS TO ASYLUM CAMP

The Australian government has been roundly criticised by press freedom groups after it arrested a local journalist and barred thirty others from gaining closer access to the Woomera detention camp where nearly 370 asylum seekers are on a hunger strike. The asylum seekers, mostly from Afghanistan, are protesting the poor conditions of the camp and the government's delay in processing their asylum applications.

Nepal

CEHURDES SIGUE PROTESTANDO CONTRA CIERRE DE MEDIOS

Afghanistan

SEMANARIO INDEPENDIENTE VUELVE A LOS PUESTOS DE PERIÓDICOS

Cambodia

ES NECESARIA ASISTENCIA EN DERECHO INTERNACIONAL PARA GRUPOS DE PRENSA

Vietnam

PARTIDO COMUNISTA INCREMENTA ACOSO A DISIDENTES

Nepal

LE CEHURDES CONTINUE DE PROTESTER CONTRE LA FERMETURE DES MÉDIAS

Vietnam

LE PARTI COMMUNISTE INTENSIFIE SES MESURES DE HARCÈLEMENT CONTRE LES DISSIDENTS

Cambodia

LES GROUPES DE PRESSE ONT BESOIN D'AIDE INTERNATIONALE

Afghanistan

UN HEBDOMADAIRE INDÉPENDANT RÉAPPARAÎT DANS LES STANDS

Nepal

CEHURDES CONTINUES TO PROTEST MEDIA SHUTDOWN

As Nepal's state of emergency enters its third month, the government continues to shut down journalists' and human rights groups' attempts to monitor events on the ground, says the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES). The organisation says a number of reports have surfaced about the killing of more than a dozen civilians in Dang, Rolpha and other areas, but notes that the media have been prohibited from going to those areas. It expresses concern about the "possible misuse of authority of security personnel." Since the state of emergency was declared on 26 November 2001, over 48 journalists have been interrogated, harassed or arrested by police forces, says CEHURDES. Under the state of emergency, nearly all constitutionally-guaranteed rights including free expression and press freedom, have been suspended. [See IFEX "Communiqu%26#233;" #10-48].">http://communique.ifex.org/articles.cfm?system_id=3845">"Communiqué" #10-48].

Cambodia

INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED FOR PRESS GROUPS

The Cambodian press must forge links with international organisations to improve its ability to carry out effective monitoring of press freedom abuses and advocacy work, concludes a workshop recently conducted by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

Vietnam

COMMUNIST PARTY STEPS UP HARASSMENT OF DISSIDENTS

Amidst an "escalation in the harassment of Vietnamese dissidents," the Vietnamese government has recently signed a decree ordering police to "confiscate and destroy publications that do not have official approval," reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Signed on 8 January, the decree targets various publications for confiscation, including the memoirs of Vietnam's most well-known dissident, Tran Do, and hard-copy editions of an Internet forum containing articles supportive of political reform. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) notes that Tran Do is a retired general and former senior Communist Party official who has been advocating reform.

Afghanistan

INDEPENDENT WEEKLY BACK ON THE STANDS

Afghanistan's first independent news weekly to hit the streets in five years has returned. Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and Index on Censorship say "Kabul Weekly" is the first publication of its kind to be published since the collapse of the Taliban regime. Written in Pashto, Dari, English and French, the weekly came out on 24 January, with a print run of 2,500 copies. RSF says the newspaper was quickly sold out in the capital. The editor in chief, Faheem Dashty, tells the organisation that his staff of 10 journalists is "extremely enthusiastic and determined to report the news without fail."

Thailand

2001 THE YEAR OF MEDIA INTERFERENCE, SAYS TJA

The Thai government should "stop interfering in the press to ensure its freedom," urges the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) in its year-end report on the situation of the press. Calling 2001 "the year of media interference," the organisation says the government of Prime Minister Thaksin attempted to interfere with news reporting five times during the course of the year. This resulted in the cancellation of a number of programmes on state-owned radio and television, according to TJA.

Indonesia

AJI CALLS PRESS SITUATION DISMAL IN 2001

The situation of the press in Indonesia in 2001 was dismal, marked by the continuous threat of violence against journalists and the prevalence of low wages which lead to bribery, concludes a year-end report recently released by the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI). The organisation counted 95 cases of violence against journalists last year, of which 38 were committed by police, government and military forces. Of the 95 cases, less than 5 per cent of their suspects were brought to trial. The threat of violence has led to self-censorship in the media, says AJI.

Indonesia

L'AJI QUALIFIE DE LUGUBRE LA SITUATION DE LA PRESSE EN 2001

Thailand

2001 A ÉTÉ L?ANNÉE DE L?INGÉRENCE DANS LES MÉDIAS, DIT LA TJA

Indonesia

AJI CALIFICA DE SOMBRÍA LA SITUACIÓN DE LA PRENSA EN 2001

Thailand

2001 FUE EL AÑO DE INTERFERENCIA CON LOS MEDIOS, DICE TJA

Cambodia

CAMBODIAN JOURNALISTS GATHER FOR FREE EXPRESSION WORKSHOP

Cambodia's many journalist associations are set to gather together next week for a workshop on free expression and press freedom issues in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, thanks to organisational help from the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA) and funding support from the World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC) and IFEX's Development Outreach programme.

Nepal

DESCUBREN CUERPO DE PERIODISTA

Vietnam

"CIBERDISIDENTE" CONDENADO A 12 AÑOS EN MEDIO DE NUEVOS ATAQUES

East Timor

CORTE DE ONU CONDENA A ASESINOS DE PERIODISTA

East Timor

LE TRIBUNAL DES NATIONS UNIES CONDAMNE LES ASSASSINS D?UN JOURNALISTE

East Timor

UN COURT CONVICTS JOURNALIST'S KILLERS

In what marks the first successful prosecution for crimes against humanity in East Timor, a special tribunal created by the United Nations (UN) has convicted members of an army-backed militia group for the murders of journalist Agus Muliawan and several church and aid workers, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Afghanistan

FREE EXPRESSION GROUPS RELEASE ACTION PLAN FOR AFGHAN MEDIA DEVELOPMENT

Nine free expression groups including ARTICLE 19, the International Federation of Journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters sans frontières have called on the international community to ensure that a commitment to respect freedom of expression is a key part of all political and development aid negotiations over the future of Afghanistan. "A crucial prerequisite for peace and stability, and democracy, in Afghanistan is the creation of an inclusive media environment based on respect for the international guarantee of freedom of expression," say the groups, which also include Internews, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, International Media Support, Media Action International and Oxford University.

Afghanistan

ARTICLE 19 EVALÚA ESTADO DE LOS MEDIOS

Nepal

LIBERTAD DE PRENSA SUPRIMIDA POR ESTADO DE EMERGENCIA

Afghanistan

ARTICLE 19 ÉVALUE LA SITUATION DES MÉDIAS

Nepal

SOUS COUVERT D?ÉTAT D?URGENCE

Afghanistan

ARTICLE 19 ASSESSES STATE OF THE MEDIA

Human rights and media NGOs should play a role in ensuring that freedom of expression concerns are dealt with during the current negotiations over the future of post-conflict Afghanistan, say ARTICLE 19 and International Media Support (IMS).

Indonesia

AJI'S OFFICES ATTACKED; MURDER PROBE URGED

The offices of the West Papua (Irian Jaya) chapter of Indonesia's Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) have been attacked by unknown assailants, following journalists' investigations into the recent assassination of a prominent pro-independence leader, reports the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).

Nepal

PRESS FREEDOM SUPPRESSED UNDER STATE OF EMERGENCY

Press freedom violations "in the name of maintaining peace and security" during the state of emergency in Nepal have drawn calls of alarm from the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters sans frontières (RSF).

Afghanistan

OCTAVO PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Afghanistan

UN HUITIÈME JOURNALISTE TUÉ

Afghanistan

EIGHTH JOURNALIST KILLED

Swedish television cameraman Olaf Stromberg was shot and killed on the night of 26 November after armed gunmen broke into a house where he was staying in the city of Taloqan, reports the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Stromberg, an employee of Sweden-based TV4, is the eighth journalist to die while covering the war in Afghanistan. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Stromberg was awoken at 2 o'clock in the morning by three armed men who attempted to enter the house where he and three other Swedish journalists were staying. When Stromberg resisted the assailants' attempts to enter, he was shot at through the door and hit in the chest. TV4 colleagues say he died a short while later.

Afghanistan

BOMBAS ESTADOUNIDENSES GOLPEAN LA OFICINA EN KABUL DE AL YAZIRA

Afghanistan

LES BOMBES AMÉRICAINES TOMBENT SUR LES BUREAUX DE LA CHAÎNE AL-JAZIRAH À KABOUL

Afghanistan

JOURNALISTS' DEATH TOLL RISES TO SEVEN; US BOMBS HIT AL JAZEERA'S KABUL OFFICE

The death toll of journalists in Afghanistan has risen to seven in the past week, following the murder of four reporters on 19 November, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). According to RSF, the reporters have been identified as Maria Grazia Cutuli of the Italian daily "Corriere della Serra", Julio Fuentes of Spanish newspaper "El Mundo", and two Reuters cameramen ? Australian Harry Burton and Afghan-born Azizullah Haidari.

Afghanistan

GUERRA CAUSA PRIMERAS VÍCTIMAS EN MEDIOS

Afghanistan

LA GUERRE FAIT SES PREMIÈRES VICTIMES CHEZ LES JOURNALISTES

Afghanistan

WAR CLAIMS FIRST MEDIA CASUALTIES

The war in Afghanistan claimed its first media casualties last week when three reporters were killed in an ambush by Taliban forces, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). On 11 November, Radio France International reporter Johanne Sutton, Radio Television Luxembourg journalist Pierre Billaud and Volker Handloik, a freelance reporter for Germany's "Stern" magazine, were killed when the armoured personnel carrier (APC) on which they were traveling was fired upon.

Afghanistan

LES TALIBANS RELÂCHENT LE JOURNALISTE DE ?PARIS MATCH?

China

UN LAURÉAT DU CPJ EST CONDAMNÉ À NEUF ANS DE PRISON

China

GANADOR DE PREMIO CPJ SENTENCIADO A PENA DE CÁRCEL DE NUEVE AÑOS

Afghanistan

TALIBÁN LIBERA A PERIODISTA DE "PARIS MATCH"

China

CPJ AWARD WINNER SENTENCED TO NINE-YEAR JAIL TERM

Jiang Weiping, a winner of the Committee to Protect Journalists' (CPJ) 2001 International Press Freedom Award, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for "revealing state secrets," "instigating to overthrow state power" and "illegally holding confidential documents," reports CPJ. According to CPJ sources, the Dalian Intermediate Court in the province of Liaoning handed down the sentence, but it was unclear whether Jiang was found guilty on all charges. None of his relatives were allowed to attend the trial, which was held in secret on 5 September.

Afghanistan

TALIBAN RELEASES FRENCH JOURNALIST

Taliban authorities have released "Paris Match" journalist Michel Peyrard after an investigation concluded that he was not a spy, reports Reporters sans frontières (RSF). The journalist had been arrested along with two Pakistani colleagues on 9 October after they illegally entered Afghanistan to report on the US bombing campaign. According to RSF, Mukkaram Khan, a correspondent for the Pakistani newspaper "Nawa-i-Waqt", and Irfan Qureshi are still being detained, although a Taliban official said they would be released on 4 November. At press time, it is not known whether that pledge has been followed through. [See IFEX Communiqué #10-41]. ">http://communique.ifex.org/articles.cfm?system_id=3679">#10-41].

Mongolia

NUEVO DOCUMENTAL PONE EN TELA DE JUICIO DECLARACIONES SOBRE PRENSA LIBRE

Sri Lanka

ELECCIONES INMINENTES SUSCITAN INQUIETUDES POR LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Mongolia

CONTESTE LES AFFIRMATIONS AU SUJET DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Sri Lanka

À VENIR SUSCITENT DE L?INQUIÉTUDE AU SUJET DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Mongolia

NEW DOCUMENTARY CHALLENGES FREE PRESS CLAIMS

A new documentary film examining the state of Mongolia's media landscape is raising questions about whether or not the country's press is as free as the government says it is, according to a Transitions Online (TOL) story cited by International Journalists' Network (IJNet). Entitled "Yellow Press: Friends or Enemies?" the film was released in September by Mongolian filmmaker Rentsen Batsaikhan.

Sri Lanka

UPCOMING ELECTIONS SPUR PRESS FREEDOM CONCERNS

As Sri Lanka heads towards general elections in December, the Free Media Movement (FMM) is putting the government "on notice" for violating a section of the constitution that prevents publicly owned media from promoting candidates or political parties. In a letter to the Commissioner of Elections, FMM says the government has failed to prevent four media companies from violating the 17th amendment to the Constitution since it approved the new amendment on 3 October.

Singapore

ENFRIAMIENTO POLÍTICO OBLIGA AL CIERRE DE ORGANISMO DE VIGILANCIA DE LOS MEDIOS

Bangladesh

VEINTENAS DE PERIODISTAS AGREDIDOS DESPUÉS DE ELECCIONES

Bangladesh

DE NOMBREUX JOURNALISTES SONT AGRESSÉS APRÈS LES ÉLECTIONS

Singapore

LE CLIMAT DE PEUR FORCE LA FERMETURE D?UN GROUPE DE SURVEILLANCE DES MÉDIAS

Singapore

POLITICAL CHILL FORCES CLOSURE OF MEDIA WATCHDOG

Citing a lack of financial backing due to the perceived sensitivity of its media monitoring activities, Singapore's three month-old MediaWatch Community (MWC) closed its doors in September, according to channelnewsasia.com. The fledgling organisation was formed in March by a group of former journalists and intellectuals to promote better media standards, improve media literacy and "encourage fair representation for alternative views" in the press, according to the "Straits Times".

Bangladesh

SCORES OF JOURNALISTS ATTACKED AFTER ELECTIONS

Journalists were the targets of numerous attacks in Bangladesh last week, following elections which saw a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led coalition sweep to power, reports Media Watch. As many as eight separate incidents involving attacks on individuals or groups of journalists were counted – at least four of which were perpetrated by members of the BNP's student wing Chattra Dal.

Tibet (China)

BEIJING JAMS TIBETAN RADIO SERVICE

The Voice of Tibet (VOT), an independent Oslo-based radio station whose daily programmes provide listeners in Tibet with a "lifeline to the free world," is again being targeted by the Chinese government, reports the Norwegian Forum for Freedom of Expression (NFFE). According to the VOT Foundation in Oslo, Communist Party officials have intensified efforts to jam the station's short wave signal since late 1999, with high-ranking authorities reportedly stating that the VOT "should be silenced once and for all."

Afghanistan

FREE EXPRESSION GROUPS URGE GOVERNMENTS TO EASE PRESSURE ON REPORTERS COVERING AFGHAN WAR

"Journalists are being bullied and harassed by all sides in a conflict that calls for professionalism and independence from media ? not propaganda and censorship," declared the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) last week, following numerous reports of arrests and detentions of journalists in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Calling for governments to lift pressure on journalists who are attempting to report on the conflicts in those countries, IFJ, Reporters sans frontières (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) drew attention to the cases of six journalists who are currently being detained.

Bangladesh

AU COURS DU DERNIER DROIT DE LA CAMPAGNE ÉLECTORALE

Bangladesh

OCHO PERIODISTAS AGREDIDOS EN PERÍODO PREVIO A LAS ELECCIONES

Bangladesh

EIGHT JOURNALISTS ATTACKED IN RUN-UP TO ELECTION

Amidst election campaign violence that has claimed the lives of up to 140 people in Bangladesh, eight journalists were attacked by terrorists on 26 September 2001 in the northern town of Pabna, according to a report by Media Watch.

China

HISTÓRICO ACUERDO DE MEDIOS MARGINA CUESTIONES DE DERECHOS HUMANOS

China

PORTANT SUR LES MÉDIAS RESTE MUET SUR LES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE

China

LANDMARK MEDIA DEAL SIDELINES HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES

A landmark media deal currently being negotiated between China and two of the world's largest media companies - AOL Time Warner and News Corporation - "sidelines human rights and press freedoms, and shows disregard for the plight of journalists and programme makers languishing in Chinese jails," warns the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

South Korea

IPI INCLUYE PAÍS EN "LISTA DE OBSERVACIÓN

Pakistan

RÉGIMEN DE MUSHARRAF USA LEYES DE BLASFEMIA PARA SILENCIAR MEDIOS

South Korea

L?IIP INSCRIT LE PAYS SUR SA ?LISTE DE SURVEILLANCE?

Pakistan

LE RÉGIME MUSHARRAF RECOURT AUX LOIS SUR LE BLASPHÈME POUR MUSELER LES MÉDIAS

South Korea

IPI PLACES COUNTRY ON "WATCH LIST"

The International Press Institute (IPI) has placed South Korea on its "IPI Watch List," after sending a delegation last week to meet with three jailed newspaper executives who have been detained by the government on charges of tax evasion and embezzlement.

Pakistan

MUSHARRAF REGIME USES BLASPHEMY LAWS TO SILENCE MEDIA

The regime of General Pervez Musharraf has been actively invoking controversial blasphemy laws to restrict press freedom, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

Papua New Guinea

PIDEN INVESTIGACIÓN DE MEDIOS DESPUÉS DE PRESIONES DEL GOBIERNO A PERIODISTAS

Papua New Guinea

ON RÉCLAME UNE ENQUÊTE DES MÉDIAS APRÈS DES PRESSIONS DU GOUVERNEMENT AUPRÈS DES

Papua New Guinea

MEDIA INQUIRY URGED AFTER GOVERNMENT PRESSURES JOURNALISTS

In what appears to be a worsening trend, the Media Council of Papua New Guinea has been urged to launch an investigation into a recent spate of incidents in which journalists have been pressured by the government to avoid politically sensitive stories. Former newspaper editor Franzalbert Joku issued the call recently after the state-owned National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) suspended news director Joe Ealadona for political reasons, according to the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).

South Korea

PROPIETARIOS DE PERIÓDICOS ARRESTADOS POR SUPUESTA EVASIÓN FISCAL

South Korea

DES PROPRIÉTAIRES DE JOURNAUX SONT ARRÊTÉS POUR ÉVASION FISCALE PRÉSUMÉE

South Korea

NEWSPAPER OWNERS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED TAX EVASION

The executives of South Korea's three "big dailies" have been arrested for alleged tax evasion totaling a combined Won12.9 billion (US$10.08 million), according to a Financial Times report. Those arrested on 17 August were Bang Sang-hoon, president and publisher of "Chosun Ilbo," Cho Hee-joon, ex-chairman of "Kookmin Ilbo" and Kim Byung-kwan, a major shareholder of "Dong-a Ilbo". The arrests come on the heels of a government probe launched in February aimed at cracking down on tax fraud in the media industry.

Nepal

CONCERNANT UN ARTICLE DE JOURNAL SUR LE MASSACRE DE LA FAMILLE ROYALE

Indonesia

SUSPEND SA PUBLICATION; LES REBELLES PAPOUS LIBÈRENT LES CINÉASTES BELGES

Indonesia

REBELDES DE PAPÚA LIBERAN A CINEASTAS BELGAS

Nepal

GOBIERNO RETIRA CARGOS DE SEDICIÓN POR ARTÍCULO SOBRE MUERTES REALES

Nepal

GOVERNMENT DROPS SEDITION CHARGES OVER ARTICLE ON ROYAL DEATHS

Charges of sedition against four journalists over an article about last June's royal palace massacre have been dropped, reports the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES). On 17 August, the government announced withdrawal of the charges against Yubaraj Ghimire, editor of the national daily "Kantipur", and three executives of Kantipur Publications: Kailash Sirohiya, Hem Raj Gyawali and Binod Raj Gyawali. In June, Ghimire, Sirohiya and Binod Raj Gyawali were arrested and detained for ten days after publishing an article by Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai, who challenged official accounts of the 1 June massacre of royal family members.

Indonesia

LARGEST NEWSPAPER SUSPENDS PUBLICATION; PAPUA REBELS RELEASE BELGIAN FILMMAKERS

The largest daily newspaper in Indonesia's conflict-ridden Aceh province, "Serambi Indonesia", suspended publication on 11 August under pressure from the separatist Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, GAM), report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters sans frontières (RSF). GAM leaders were angered by a 10 August article about the massacre of 31 villagers in eastern Aceh. CPJ notes that the police hold GAM responsible for the killings, while GAM blames Indonesian security forces. GAM accuses "Serambi Indonesia" of siding with the government in its coverage of the massacre. "I have forbidden [the newspaper] to publish lies," a GAM spokesman told The Associated Press, according to CPJ and RSF. "People here say that they will burn down the newspaper office and kill the workers." The newspaper has not produced an issue since 10 August and it is unclear when publication will resume, says CPJ. In June, "Serambi Indonesia" was forced to suspend operations temporarily after receiving threats from GAM. [See IFEX "Communique" #10-27.]">http://communique.ifex.org/articles.cfm?category=1%20Regional%20News&volume=10&issue_no=27%26amp;lng=english#3354">IFEX "Communique" #10-27.]

Bangladesh

PERIODISTAS ASEDIADOS POR VIOLENCIA

Bangladesh

ÉPIDÉMIE DE VIOLENCE CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES

Bangladesh

JOURNALISTS PLAGUED BY VIOLENCE

Journalists in Bangladesh continue to be subjected to extremely violent attacks from political activists, according to reports from Media Watch(MW), Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Indonesia

LA NOUVELLE PRÉSIDENTE POURRAIT RÉTABLIR LES CONTRÔLES DE LA PRESSE

Indonesia

NUEVA PRESIDENTA PUEDE REVIVIR CONTROLES DE PRENSA

Indonesia

NEW PRESIDENT MAY REVIVE PRESS CONTROLS

Indonesian journalists are concerned that Megawati Sukarnoputri, sworn in as president on 23 July, may reinstate the Ministry of Information, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The ministry was used to censor and control the media during former President Suharto's authoritarian rule. On 27 July, journalists across the country began protests to prevent any attempt to revive the ministry. The protests followed local and international media reports that members of Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle favour the reintroduction of bureaucratic controls on the press. CPJ notes that the abolition of the Ministry of Information, coupled with a liberal print media law passed in the fall of 1999, has led to a dramatic expansion of Indonesia's media, "with hundreds of lively publications emerging to explore the political and social changes sweeping the country."

Afghanistan

TALIBÁN PROHÍBE INTERNET - Y TAMBIÉN EL LÁPIZ LABIAL

Burma

DESPUÉS DE SIETE AÑOS; OTROS DOCE SIGUEN ENCARCELADOS

Afghanistan

LES TALIBANS INTERDISENT L?INTERNET ET LE ROUGE À LÈVRES AUSSI

Burma

APRÈS SEPT ANS DE DÉTENTION; DOUZE AUTRES SONT TOUJOURS EN PRISON

Afghanistan

TALIBAN BANS INTERNET, AND LIPSTICK TOO

The governing Taliban has ordered a ban on the Internet in territories under its control, according to Reporters sans frontières (RSF). The Pakistan-based press agency Afghan Islamic Press announced the decision on 13 July. The foreign affairs minister says the ban will prevent access to "vulgar, immoral and anti-Islamic" content. Currently, only a small number of Afghans and foreigners working for international organisations have Internet access through Pakistani phone lines, notes RSF. In Kabul, civil servants, have reportedly already been ordered to terminate all Internet connections. "After banning television, music and most of the media, the Taliban yet again prevent the Afghan people from receiving information from outside," says RSF. In a September 2000 report, RSF concluded that "absolutely no press freedom exists" in Afghanistan under the Taliban [see IFEX "Communique" #9-39].">http://communique.ifex.org/articles.cfm?category=1%20Regional%20News&volume=9&issue_no=39%26amp;lng=english#2348">IFEX "Communique" #9-39].

Burma

JOURNALIST RELEASED AFTER SEVEN YEARS; TWELVE MORE STILL IN JAIL

Journalist San San Nweh has been released after more than seven years in jail, according to Reporters sans frontières (RSF), the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN. On 18 July, Burma's military junta announced that eleven members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) had been released from prison, among them San San Nweh and dissident writer Aung Khin Sint. The NLD is led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. In 1990, the party won the general elections, but the junta refused to honour the results and cede power, notes CPJ.

Indonesia

PERIODISTAS SE ENFRENTAN AL TERROR EN ACEH; FIP OBTIENE GARANTÍA DE SEGURIDAD

Indonesia

LA FIJ OBTIENT DES GARANTIES DE SÉCURITÉ

Indonesia

JOURNALISTS FACE TERROR IN ACEH; IFJ SECURES SAFETY GUARANTEE

Being a journalist in Indonesia's conflict-ridden province of Aceh means that "you are damned if you do and damned if you don't," according to the June issue of "Alert", published by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), which includes the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) as a member. The cover story, entitled "Terror in Aceh", notes that groups involved in Aceh's armed conflict seek favourable media coverage and journalists whose reporting is deemed to damage their public image are seen as enemies. As a result, media that aim for balanced reporting can end up becoming the enemy of both sides. "Ten pieces of pleasant news are quickly forgotten, while one piece of unpleasant news will always be remembered," notes the article.

Pakistan

DE PERIÓDICO SENTENCIADO A MUERTE; PERIODISTAS DETENIDOS POR "BLASFEMIA"

Pakistan

À MORT; DES JOURNALISTES SONT DÉTENUS POUR

Pakistan

NEWSPAPER OWNER SENTENCED TO DEATH; JOURNALISTS DETAINED FOR "BLASPHEMY"

Rehmat Shah Afridi, owner of the English-language daily "Frontier Post" and the Urdu-language daily "Maidan", has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani Anti-Narcotics Court, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and Reporters sans frontières (RSF). On 27 June, Afridi was condemned to death and fined 2,000,000 rupees (approximately US$31,275) over two narcotics cases. The journalist and two other accused, both sentenced to life in prison, are expected to appeal, says PPF.

Laos

SONT PRÉVUES POUR LES PERSONNES QUI TRANSMETTENT DE "FAUSSES INFORMATIONS"

Laos

NEW PENALTIES FOR PROVIDING "FALSE INFORMATION" PLANNED

The government of Laos intends to define the "truths" that the media should report and introduce new penalties for journalists who provide "false information" about the country, report the International Press Institute (IPI) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). On 8 June, Information and Culture Minister Phandouangchit Vongsa told Reuters news agency that his ministry was amending present laws to "promote the standards" of the media, reports IPI. "We need to raise the professionalism of the Laotian media . . . their reporting must be responsive to the [ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party's] long-term target to bring the country out of poverty by 2020," Phandouangchit said. The minister also stated that new media guidelines would define which "truths" should be reported for the benefit of the country.

Laos

PLANEAN NUEVAS PENAS POR PROPORCIONAR "INFORMACIÓN FALSA"

Malaysia

COALICIÓN GOBERNANTE ESTRECHA CONTROL DE PROPIEDAD DE MEDIOS

China

REPRESIÓN DE MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN EN PROVINCIA DE HENAN

China

AUX JEUX OLYMPIQUES; RÉPRESSION DES MÉDIAS DANS LA PROVINCE DE HENAN

Malaysia

LA COALITION AU POUVOIR RESSERRE SON EMPRISE SUR LA PROPRIÉTÉ DES MÉDIAS

Malaysia

RULING COALITION TIGHTENS OWNERSHIP GRIP ON MEDIA

The acquisition of two Chinese-language dailies by the Malaysia Chinese Association (MCA), the second-largest political party in the ruling National Front coalition, is cause for concern, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). On 31 May, the MCA's investment arm, Huaren Holdings, acquired a 72.35% stake in Nanyang Press Holdings, publisher of "Nanyang Siang Pau" and "China Press". CPJ does not normally take positions on media ownership issues, but it fears that this particular takeover could threaten the editorial independence of the newspapers, which are two of the country's three top-selling Chinese-language newspapers. CPJ is urging the MCA to ensure that both newspapers retain their editorial independence.

China

RSF CAMPAIGNS AGAINST BEIJING OLYMPIC BID; MEDIA REPRESSION IN HENAN PROVINCE

China deserves a gold medal for human rights violations, not the privilege of hosting the Olympics, according to Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), Solidarity with China and the Committee to Support the Tibetan People. The three organisations are appealing to International Olympic Committee (IOC) members to say no to Beijing's bid for the Olympic Games. They will also launch an international campaign to alert the public of the "abnormality" of Beijing's Olympic candidacy.

Nepal

DE TRAICIÓN POR ARTÍCULO ACERCA DE MUERTES REALES

Philippines

MÁS PERIODISTAS MUERTOS; ATAQUE CON BOMBA A ESTACIÓN DE RADIO

Philippines

JOURNALISTES ASSASSINÉS; ATTENTAT À LA BOMBE CONTRE UNE STATION DE RADIO

Nepal

À CAUSE D?UN ARTICLE SUR LES DÉCÈS SURVENUS DANS LA FAMILLE ROYALE

Philippines

MORE JOURNALISTS KILLED; BOMB ATTACK ON RADIO STATION

Three Philippine journalists have been killed and a radio station bombed within a period of a few days. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) report that Joy Mortel, a reporter for "Mindoro Guardia", was killed in her home in Barangay Talabanhan, Occidental Mindoro on 31 May. Chito Acbang, a former commentator for the Radio Mindanao Network station in Bongabong Town, Oriental Mindoro, was also found slain in late May. CPJ says it is investigating the circumstances leading to the two deaths.

Nepal

THREE JOURNALISTS CHARGED WITH TREASON FOR ARTICLE ON ROYAL DEATHS

Three journalists have been arrested and charged with treason following the publication of an article by a Maoist rebel leader about the massacre of royal family members, report the Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Press Institute, the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and Reporters sans frontières (RSF).

South Korea

FISCALE NE CONSTITUE PAS UNE MENACE ET ACCORDE SON APPUI À LA RÉFORME DES MÉDIAS

Philippines

UN TROISIÈME JOURNALISTE ASSASSINÉ EN SIX MOIS À MINDANAO

South Korea

FIP DICE QUE INVESTIGACIÓN DE IMPUESTOS NO ES UNA AMENAZA Y APOYA

Philippines

TERCER PERIODISTA ASESINADO EN MINDANAO EN LOS ÚLTIMOS SEIS MESES

South Korea

IFJ SAYS TAX PROBE NOT A THREAT, SUPPORTS MEDIA REFORM

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is calling on South Korean press owners to support calls for media reform and rejects claims that a tax probe of major newspapers is an attempt to muzzle the critical voice of the independent press. IFJ's position differs from that of other IFEX members who have expressed concerns about the tax probe and proposed media reforms [See IFEX "Communique" #10-21 and #10-15.]">http://communique.ifex.org/articles.cfm?category=1%20Regional%20News&volume=10&issue_no=21&lng=english#3206">IFEX "Communique" #10-21 and #10-15.]

Philippines

THIRD JOURNALIST KILLED IN MINDANAO IN LAST SIX MONTHS

Candelario "Jun" Cayona, a journalist with radio station DXLL, was murdered on 30 May in Zamboanga on Mindanao Island in the southern Philippines, report the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), Reporters sans frontières (RSF), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Cayona was shot several times by two assailants as he was on his way to work, states CMFR. No one has claimed responsibility for the assassination, says CMFR, but police say they have already identified suspects in the case.

South Korea

IPI PREOCUPADO POR PRESIÓN SOBRE MEDIOS

South Korea

L?IIP S?INQUIÈTE DES PRESSIONS EXERCÉES SUR LES MÉDIAS

South Korea

IPI CONCERNED OVER PRESSURE ON MEDIA

The International Press Institute (IPI) is deeply concerned over "what appears to be an ongoing attempt to muzzle the critical voice of the independent press in South Korea." However, a Korean government minister has rejected IPI's proposals to resolve the conflict between the government and the independent media.

Sri Lanka

AMENAZAS DE CONTROLES MÁS ESTRECHOS DESPUÉS QUE PERIODISTA RESULTO HERIDA

Singapore

NUEVA RESTRICCIÓN A DIFUSORAS EXTRANJERAS

Bangladesh

VIOLENCIA CONTRA PERIODISTAS COBRA OTRA VIDA

Sri Lanka

PLUS SERRÉS APRÈS UN INCIDENT DANS LEQUEL EST BLESSÉE UNE JOURNALISTE ÉTRANGÈRE

Singapore

DE NOUVELLES RESTRICTIONS CONTRE LES RADIODIFFUSEURS ÉTRANGERS

Bangladesh

LA VIOLENCE CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES FAIT UNE AUTRE VICTIME

Singapore

NEW RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN BROADCASTERS

A new law, approved by Singapore's Parliament on 19 April, that curbs foreign broadcasters' coverage of local issues has alarmed the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and ARTICLE 19. The government will now have broad power to restrict or suspend foreign broadcasters, such as the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Cable News Network (CNN), and the Hong Kong-based Chinese Television Network for "engaging in domestic politics," says CPJ. The organisation adds that foreign print media are already subject to similar legislation.

Sri Lanka

TIGHTER CONTROLS THREATENED AFTER JOURNALIST WOUNDED

The Sri Lankan government is threatening tighter controls on foreign journalists after American journalist Marie Colvin was seriously wounded on 16 April, report the Free Media Movement (FMM), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Reporters sans frontières (RSF). Colvin, a correspondent for the British "Sunday Times", was caught in a shootout between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and government forces, says FMM. She received wounds to her head, eyes, chest, and arms, and is recovering in hospital in the capital, Colombo, where she is reportedly in satisfactory condition, says RSF. Colvin, one of the patrons of RSF's UK branch, was named Best Foreign Correspondent at the British Press Awards in March.

Bangladesh

VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALISTS CLAIMS ANOTHER LIFE

A recent wave of extremely violent attacks against Bangladeshi journalists continues, resulting in one journalist's death and the amputation of another's leg, according to Media Watch (MW) and Reporters sans frontières (RSF).

South Korea

USAN AUDITORÍA TRIBUTARIA CONTRA MEDIOS CRÍTICOS

Thailand

ASESINAN A DIRECTOR DE ESTACIÓN DE RADIO

Thailand

LE DIRECTEUR D?UNE STATION DE RADIO EST ASSASSINÉ

South Korea

LA VÉRIFICATION FISCALE CIBLE LES MÉDIAS CRITIQUES

Thailand

RADIO STATION DIRECTOR MURDERED

Withayut Sangsophit, director of the radio station Home Media and host of a political news programme, was murdered on 10 April in Surat Thani in southern Thailand, according to Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). Sangsophit was shot seven times by two or three unidentified assailants in front of the radio station, reports RSF. The organisation says police are investigating whether his death is linked to his role as president of a co-operative, where he dismissed several employees in the last four months, or to his work with the radio station. Sangsophit recently denounced financial irregularities in the construction of a new municipal rubbish dump. He had been under police protection for more than three months, after receiving death threats unless he stopped denouncing corruption among the authorities, reports RSF. In September 1999, a bomb was planted in front of the radio station, and about a month later, a mixture of excrement and tar was thrown at the windows of his company, says RSF.

South Korea

TAX AUDIT TARGETS CRITICAL MEDIA

A large-scale tax audit of South Korean media outlets, which has concentrated mainly on media critical of the government, does not bode well for the "press reforms" announced recently by President Kim Dae-jung, according to Reporters sans frontières (RSF). The organisation fears that the tax probe could threaten news diversity as the election period nears.

Philippines

PROHIBICIÓN DE PELÍCULA, EXHORTA A UNA REVISIÓN DE LA LEY DE CENSURA

Philippines

D?UN FILM ET DEMANDE INSTAMMENT LA RÉVISION DE LA LOI SUR LA CENSURE

Philippines

CMFR PROTESTS FILM BAN, URGES REVIEW OF CENSORSHIP LAW

The decision by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in March to ban the film "Live Show" is based on an outdated law unworthy of a free people, according to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). The film shows people performing sexual acts on stage in Manila's nightclubs in exchange for money, reports the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The Roman Catholic Church pushed the government to suspend the already-released film, but supporters of the movie say it highlights the poverty which forces women into prostitution, notes the BBC.

Bangladesh

LES AGRESSIONS CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES SE MULTIPLIENT À L?APPROCHE DES ÉLECTIONS

Bangladesh

AUMENTAN LOS ATAQUES CONTRA PERIODISTAS AL ACERCARSE LAS ELECCIONES

Bangladesh

ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS INCREASE AS ELECTION NEARS

At least three reporters and two photojournalists were assaulted by police and activists from both opposition and ruling parties in a number of separate incidents on 1-2 April during an opposition-led general strike, reports Media Watch. The incidents in the capital Dhaka come shortly after a 29 March open letter from Reporters sans frontières (RSF) to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, noting a disturbing increase in the number of attacks on journalists and abuses of freedom of expression. As general elections in June grow nearer, RSF is calling on the prime minister to put her expressed commitment to press freedom into practice.

Malaysia

ATACAN A PRENSA INDEPENDIENTE Y EXTRANJERA "ANTIPATRIÓTICAS"

Malaysia

ATTAQUES CONTRE LA PRESSE INDÉPENDANTE

Malaysia

"UNPATRIOTIC" INDEPENDENT AND FOREIGN PRESS ATTACKED

Recent harassment of the independent online news service Malaysiakini.com, reported by the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), the Free Media Movement (FMM), and the International Press Institute (IPI), coincides with government threats and actions against foreign publications.

Sri Lanka

LE FMM DÉNONCE LA CAMPAGNE MENÉE CONTRE LES MÉDIAS INDÉPENDANTS

Sri Lanka

FMM DENUNCIA CAMPAÑA CONTRA MEDIOS INDEPENDIENTES

Sri Lanka

FMM DENOUNCES CAMPAIGN AGAINST INDEPENDENT MEDIA

Sri Lankan state media are engaged in a "mud-slinging campaign" against the Free Media Movement (FMM) in an attempt to suppress news from the International Press Institute (IPI) annual assembly, according to FMM. The chair of the state-owned Lake House newspaper company attended the IPI meetings, which took place from 26 to 29 January in New Delhi, India. Yet the state media have failed to report that IPI decided to keep Sri Lanka on its "watch list" for another six months, says FMM [See IFEX "Communiques" #10-5 and #10-4]. Instead, they have spread misleading information about FMM's participation in the assembly and inaccurately reported that the Lake House chair prevented attempts to denigrate Sri Lanka at the meeting, according to FMM. The organisation believes that the distortion of the IPI proceedings and the attacks on FMM are "yet another example of the slander campaign being carried out by the state against the Sri Lanka media."">http://communique.ifex.org/articles.cfm?category=3%20Other%20News%20from%20the%20IFEX%20Community&volume=10&issue_no=5&lng=english#2769">IFEX "Communiques" #10-5 and #10-4]. Instead, they have spread misleading information about FMM's participation in the assembly and inaccurately reported that the Lake House chair prevented attempts to denigrate Sri Lanka at the meeting, according to FMM. The organisation believes that the distortion of the IPI proceedings and the attacks on FMM are "yet another example of the slander campaign being carried out by the state against the Sri Lanka media."

Philippines

OTRO PERIODISTA ASESINADO EN PAGADIAN

Philippines

UN AUTRE JOURNALISTE EST TUÉ À PAGADIAN

Philippines

ANOTHER JOURNALIST KILLED IN PAGADIAN CITY

Mohammad Yusop, a radio broadcaster for RXID, a member of the Islamic Radio Broadcasting network, was shot in the head and killed on 24 February in Pagadian City on Mindanao island, according to Reporters sans frontières (RSF). Two unidentified individuals reportedly shot the journalist while he was returning home on his motorcycle. No one has claimed responsibility for the murder and the police have launched an inquiry.

Indonesia

JOURNALIST FOUND DEAD IN ACEH

Rusli Radja, from the weekly magazine "Pena Lestari", was found dead in eastern Aceh in north-eastern Indonesia on 18 February, according to Reporters sans frontières (RSF). Local witnesses said the body showed signs of torture. RSF notes that more than 5,000 people have been killed in the past ten years in Aceh, where separatist movements are at war with the government.

Pakistan

PERIODISTAS PODRÍAN ENFRENTARSE A PENA DE MUERTE POR

Thailand

SUSCITAN TEMORES POR LIBERTAD DE PRENSA AL TOMAR POSESIÓN NUEVO PRIMER MINISTRO

Pakistan

DES JOURNALISTES PASSIBLES DE LA PEINE DE MORT POUR "BLASPHÈME"

Thailand

ENTRE LES CONGÉDIEMENTS SONT INTERVENUS DANS LE MONDE DE LA TÉLÉVISION

Pakistan

JOURNALISTS COULD FACE DEATH PENALTY FOR "BLASPHEMY"

Five employees from the "Frontier Post" newspaper have been arrested for blasphemy and could face the death penalty, while the paper's offices were also attacked by Islamic demonstrators, according to the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The events raise concern about the press freedom situation in Pakistan, particularly in the North-West Frontier Province.

Thailand

TV FIRINGS RAISE PRESS FREEDOM FEARS AS NEW PM TAKES CHARGE

The firings of 23 journalists at iTV television on 7 February raise serious questions about press freedom under Thailand's newly elected prime minister, say the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) is a member, and Reporters sans frontières (RSF). Thaksin Shinawatra, who took office as prime minister on 9 February, is the founder of Shin Corporation which controls iTV. In January, prior to their dismissal, the journalists had publicly raised concerns over Shin Corporation's interference in news coverage during the recent general election, reports SEAPA. The station's employees said that critical coverage of Thaksin and his political party, Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais), was being muted by management.

China

CPJ EXAMINA LA GRAN MURALLA PROTECTORA DE CHINA

China

LE CPJ EXAMINE LA GRANDE MURAILLE QUE LA CHINE ÉRIGE CONTRE L?INTERNET

China

CPJ EXAMINES THE GREAT FIREWALL OF CHINA

While China is one of the world's fastest-growing Internet markets, the Chinese government remains determined to control this new communication technology, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in "The Great Firewall", a special report examining China's Internet struggle. CPJ finds "ample evidence that students, entrepreneurs, and even state employees were using the Internet as freely as they possibly could." China's leaders, on the other hand, have been ambivalent: "they want the economic benefits of e-commerce, but they fear the political consequences of an open information economy."

Indonesia

LES PROTESTATIONS SONT EFFICACES, DIT UN JOURNALISTE REMIS EN LIBERTÉ

Indonesia

PROTESTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE SAYS LIBERATED JOURNALIST

Journalist Oswald Iten, jailed for 12 days in Indonesia, says international action helped bring about his release, reports the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). Iten, a reporter for the Zurich-based "Neue Zürcher Zeitung," was jailed on 2 December, leading to international protests from governments and press freedom groups. "My release is proof that such interventions do really matter and show results," Iten says in a letter to WAN. Iten was held in the municipal jail of Jayapura, Irian Jaya, on a charge of illegal journalistic activity. Most of his fellow prisoners in the crowded cell were Papuans fighting for West Papua's independence from Indonesia. Iten believes that the jail superintendent intended to make an example of him, demonstrating that the policy of zero tolerance toward the Papuan independence movement also applied to foreigners. The charges against Iten could have led to a prison sentence of up to five years. "But after 12 days, the man's calculations were upset when Jakarta issued an order for my deportation," writes Iten. The journalist's disturbing account of "incredible brutality" in the jail can be found at http://www.nzz.ch.">http://www.nzz.ch/english/background/background2000/background0012/bg001222west_papua.html">http://www.nzz.ch.

Indonesia

PERIODISTAS VIVEN EN PELIGRO A PESAR DE NUEVA LIBERTAD

Indonesia

LES JOURNALISTES VIVENT DANGEREUSEMENT, MALGRÉ DE NOUVELLES LIBERTÉS

Indonesia

JOURNALISTS LIVING DANGEROUSLY DESPITE NEW FREEDOMS

Journalism is becoming increasingly unsafe in Indonesia, according to the Alliance of Independent Journalists' (AJI) end-of-year note and a report from the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) entitled "100 Attacks on Indonesian Journalists." Ironically, this comes at a time when press freedom is on the rise. Between January and mid-October 2000, 118 cases of violence and pressure toward the press were documented by AJI. Members of the public with grievances against the press are increasingly engaging in violence. In many cases, violence is perpetrated by private security forces and militias. In one case last May, the office of the "Jawa Pos" was invaded by the Banser NU, the paramilitary youth wing of the influential grassroots Muslim organisation Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), resulting in the daily's Sunday edition going unpublished. In another incident in June, the office of the tabloid "Bijak" in Padang was invaded and destroyed by students and lecturers of the Padang State University who were dissatisfied with a published article. SEAPA reports that the lack of confidence in the legal system, along with the cost and delays involved in legal proceedings, are among the reasons why people are choosing "street justice" over legal recourse.

Vietnam

HRW DICE QUE LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA SUFRE

Vietnam

HRW ISSUES REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND PRESS FREEDOM

On 15 December, Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a report on the state of human rights and freedom of expression in Vietnam. According to the report, the twenty-fifth anniversary of Vietnam's reunification saw the government maintaining tight control over freedom of expression and other basic rights. The restrictions on free expression include the following: authorities continued to take strong action against those who criticized the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) or spoke out in favour of democratic change; a wide range of political subjects remained off-limits to the media; peaceful critics of the government continued to have few outlets for independent expression; the domestic media remained under strict state control and published scarcely any criticism of the government; foreign journalists were warned against contacting dissidents and foreign publications were occasionally censored; and Internet access remained tightly controlled. Furthermore, provisions in the 1999 Press Law, which allowed media outlets to be sued for defamation whether the information they publish is accurate or not, were applied for the first time in September 2000.

Burma

SEULS LES GÉNÉRAUX JOUISSENT DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

China

LA CENSURE DE L?INTERNET S?ACCENTUE

Vietnam

À LA VEILLE DE LA VISITE DE CLINTON, LES LIBERTÉS SONT TOUJOURS ABSENT

Burma

SÓLO GENERALES DISFRUTAN LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

China

SE INTENSIFICA CENSURA DE INTERNET

Vietnam

LIBERTADES SIGUEN AUSENTES EN VÍSPERAS DE VISITA ESTADOUNIDENSE

Burma

GENERALS ALONE ENJOY PRESS FREEDOM

Independent journalists have been continuing to exercise their profession in Burma, despite working in conditions that the "Irrawaddy" magazine (Vol.8, No.9, September 2000) calls "some of the severest censorship that the world's press has ever seen." In the editorial "Free Burma, Free Media", the author reviews Burma's press freedom record over the decades, noting that "in the 1950s, Burma was one of the most promising countries in Southeast Asia in terms of press freedom and journalistic professionalism." However, since the first military coup in 1962, press freedom has steadily declined and now only really exists for the military. The generals are "free to use the media to slam the democratic opposition... to promote their xenophobic worldview and to drill it into the minds of the Burmese people that only the military can act as the nations savior," says the author.

Vietnam

FREEDOMS STILL ABSENT ON EVE OF U.S. VISIT

As President Bill Clinton prepares to visit Vietnam on 16 November, Human Rights Watch (HRW) urges him to prioritise human rights and free expression issues in his discussions with authorities. While Vietnam has recently made some progressive moves towards greater freedoms with its release of many political detainees, the government "continues to seriously curtail fundamental freedoms - particularly freedom of expression by dissidents and freedom of association by independent religious groups and trade unions," says HRW. Among its other recommendations, HRW urges the US government to demand that Vietnam immediately release all political and religious prisoners, and "end its censorship and control over the domestic media, including the Internet and electronic communications, recognizing that a free press is essential in promoting civil and political rights." In particular, HRW suggests that the Vietnamese government amend or repeal its 1999 Press Law and its 1993 Law on Publications, both of which "limit the right of the domestic and foreign press to report independently and accurately without penalties or censorship."

China

INTERNET CENSORSHIP INTENSIFIES

On 6 November, the Chinese government endorsed a new regulation that controls the content on Chinese news web sites and Internet chatrooms, state Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). "With this new law, China now has one of the most restrictive legal mechanisms in the world to control the free flow of information over the Internet," states RSF Secretary General Robert Ménard. Under the regulation, all individuals must request permission from the Information Office under the State Council's jurisdiction before disseminating any news, including any foreign media news, on a website. The official Chinese news agency Xinhua notes that "nobody can spread information that is in contradiction with the Constitution, that threatens State security, undermines the unity between ethnic groups and spreads heretic ideas, pornography, violence." RSF adds that individuals identified with websites or chatrooms that publish "subversive information" will be held responsible through administrative sanctions, fines or jail sentences. According to WAN, China has shut down a number of websites and blocked access to some foreign news sites, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Yahoo! and CNN.

Pakistan

ATAQUE CON BOMBA A OFICINAS DE MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN

Pakistan

ATTENTAT À LA BOMBE CONTRE LES BUREAUX D?UN GROUPE DE PRESSE

Pakistan

BOMB ATTACK ON MEDIA OFFICES

On 6 November, three people were killed and at least three others were injured in the bombing of offices of the Nawa-e-Waqt group, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters sans frontières (RSF). The Nawa-e-Waqt group publishes the Urdu-language daily "Nawa-i-Waqt", "The Nation" and several other publications, however, only the advertising staff remained in the building as the journalists moved out a few years ago after previous arson and rocket attacks. Among the people killed were "Nawa-i-Waqt" advertising manager Najamul Hasan Zaidi and an unidentified woman who was carrying the bomb on her person. "This new attack against a press organ in Karachi, six months after the criminal burning of the "Business Recorder", represents a deterioration of security conditions for journalists there," states RSF.

Sri Lanka

VETERANO PERIODISTA ASESINADO

Sri Lanka

UN JOURNALISTE D?EXPÉRIENCE EST ASSASSINÉ

Sri Lanka

VETERAN JOURNALIST ASSASSINATED

On 19 October, Tamil journalist Mylvaganam Nimalarajan was murdered in his home in Jaffna, report the Free Media Movement (FMM), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Unidentified assailants shot Nimalarajan through the window before also throwing a grenade into the house, a move which injured the journalist's parents and nephew. A correspondent for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as well for numerous electronic and print media groups based in the country’s south, Nimalarajan was "a courageous journalist of the highest caliber who had remained in Jaffna through a series of political changes," remarks FMM. Despite receiving threats in an increasingly dangerous political environment, Nimalarajan stayed committed to reporting on the situation in Jaffna, the "epicentre" of the country’s 17-year civil war between government troops and Tamil separatists. Nimalarajan’s work was "a particularly crucial source of information," notes CPJ, since the government has denied journalists regular access to the country’s conflict zones.

Burma

PERIODISTA CERCA DE LA MUERTE EN PRISIÓN

Burma

UN JOURNALISTE EMPRISONNÉ EST À L'ARTICLE DE LA MORT

Burma

JOURNALIST NEAR DEATH IN PRISON

Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and Daniel Cohn-Bendit, along with the association "MPs for Burma", are campaigning against the continued imprisonment of and "criminal attitude" towards Soe Thein, a journalist and Member of Parliament (MP) for opposition party National League for Democracy (NLD). Soe Thein's family attests that he is "close to death," suffering from stomach disease and a recent heart attack. According to RSF, Soe Thein was admitted to a hospital in Rangoon in September, only after he had a heart attack in his prison cell. He had a first heart attack in July 1997, but was refused treatment, says RSF. Accused of writing texts about "peaceful resistance" for the NLD, Soe Thein was detained in 1996 under the State Protection Law, which provides for indefinite periods of detention without trial. Soe Thein's bad health is "the result of the harsh detention conditions of political prisoners in Burma, and the criminal attitude of the authorities, which refuse to treat sick prisoners properly," asserts RSF.

Afghanistan

"ABSOLUTAMENTE SIN LIBERTAD DE PRENSA" BAJO TALIBAN

Afghanistan

?ABSOLUMENT AUCUNE LIBERTÉ DE PRESSE? SOUS LE RÉGIME DES TALIBANS

Afghanistan

"ABSOLUTELY NO PRESS FREEDOM" UNDER TALIBAN

A new report by Reporters sans frontières (RSF) documents the extreme restrictions on press freedom in Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban. One of the Taliban militia?s first moves after taking control of the capital, Kabul, in September 1996 was to lock up the premises of national television and ban all TV broadcasts.

Solomon Islands

MEDIOS AMORDAZADOS DURANTE CRISIS ÉTNICA

Indonesia

ACADÉMICO DE ACEH ASESINADO, CONTINÚAN VIOLACIONES E IMPUNIDAD

Solomon Islands

LES MÉDIAS MUSELÉS PENDANT UNE CRISE ETHNIQUE

Indonesia

UN UNIVERSITAIRE D?ACEH EST ASSASSINÉ DANS UN CLIMAT D?IMPUNITÉ

Solomon Islands

MEDIA MUZZLED DURING ETHNIC CRISIS

During a crisis that has received little international coverage, the Solomon Islands government has limited the local media's ability to cover issues pertaining to ethnic tensions within the country, reports the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).

Indonesia

ACEH ACADEMIC MURDERED AS VIOLATIONS AND IMPUNITY CONTINUE

On 16 September, academic Safwan Idris was assassinated by unknown assailants while in his home in Banda Aceh, reports Human Rights Watch (HRW). Idris, a prominent academic in the Aceh region of the country, was part of the Independent Investigation Commission set up by the Indonesian government to investigate past military atrocities and other gross human rights violations in Aceh, says HRW. According to HRW, unconfirmed reports suggest that the assailants may have been Affiliated with the Mobile Brigade police forces in Banda Aceh. Members of the HRW Academic Freedom Committee call for a thorough investigation into the murder and warn that "if the Indonesian government doesn't investigate his murder, that will send a dangerous signal that Jakarta is not committed to a peaceful solution in Aceh."

Sri Lanka

LEVANTAN PARCIALMENTE REGLAMENTOS DE CENSURA, CONTINÚA VIOLENCIA

Sri Lanka

LEVÉE PARTIELLE DE LA CENSURE; LA VIOLENCE SE POURSUIT

Sri Lanka

CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS PARTIALLY LIFTED, VIOLENCE CONTINUES

The Sri Lankan government has temporarily lifted some of its censorship bans imposed earlier this year, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the European Journalism Centre (EJC) based on information from Associated Press (AP). On 8 September, the government announced that until the parliamentary elections on 10 October, “journalists will not be subject to restrictions on stories related to national security and public interest,” reports AP. The order came into effect on 5 September, says CPJ. The withdrawal, however, is only partial, since journalists are still prohibited from reporting on “military operations, deployment of troops and comments on the performance of the security forces in the country’s 17-year civil war.” The censorship regulations were first imposed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s administration in May, after the rebel LTTE forces made critical military advances. Local journalists note that “few political and economic stories can be written in Sri Lanka without alluding to a war that has sapped the country’s resources.”

Australia

REGRESA CENSURA

Philippines

PERIODISMO DE INVESTIGACIÓN CRECE Y ES RECONOCIDO

Australia

RETOUR DE LA CENSURE

Philippines

LE JOURNALISME D?ENQUÊTE PROGRESSE ET EST RÉCOMPENSÉ

Australia

CENSORSHIP MAKES A COMEBACK

More censorship laws have been passed since John Howard was elected Prime Minister of Australia in 1996 than have ever been passed in the country's history, states Phillip Adams in the latest issue of "Index On Censorship" (04/2000) entitled "This Sporting Life". In a collection of papers on censorship in Australia compiled by Adams, a group of authors explore the history of censorship in Australia, and how censorship has been and continues to be used to uphold social intolerance present in Australian society. Adams recounts how commonplace censorship was for the first half of the twentieth century, including the banning of a wide range of literature, art and films. For nearly 70 years starting in 1901, the government also "censored" Aborigine residents from the census, stripping them of their citizenship and human rights, says Adams. While the tide turned to a more tolerant and inclusive state in the 1960s and 1970s, many of the advances made in the following decades have been peeled back since Howard's election to office.

Philippines

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM GROWS AND IS REWARDED

While journalism in the Philippines has greatly improved in its coverage of a wide range of social issues since 1986, the growth of investigative journalism in the country has been "the most significant gain of Philippine journalism" since this time, says Luis Teodoro, editor of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility's (CMFR) publication, "Philippine Journalism Review". This development is particularly commendable given that journalists often compromise their work for the political and economic interests of the media ownership. While there is no media ownership monopoly in the Philippines, Teodoro notes that "commercial interest has... become the primary driving force in the way the news is presented as well as in how news is defined." He warns that this is a dangerous situation "because it provides an argument in favour of control, either through government regulation, economic intimidation, or what has [been] referred to as corporate strangulation." These challenges must be met with journalists' self-regulation and a critical public, says Teodoro. Teodoro's article, "Overview: The Press as Arena of Compromise", can be viewed on CMFR's website: http://cmfr.com.ph.">http://cmfr.com.ph">http://cmfr.com.ph.

Laos

BIENTÔT DES CHANGEMENTS POLITIQUES?

Thailand

LES JOURNALISTES SONT EXCLUS DE LA COMMISSION SUR LA RADIODIFFUSION

Laos

¿ENFILADO AL CAMBIO POLÍTICO?

Thailand

PERIODISTAS EXCLUIDOS DE COMISIÓN DE DIFUSIÓN

Laos

BOUND FOR POLITICAL CHANGE?

Economic pressures along with political dissent from both within and outside of the country may force government reforms, says Bertil Lintner in the "Irrawaddy" (Vol. 8, No. 6, June 2000), a publication of the Irrawaddy Publishing group (IPG), formerly known as the Burma Information Group. Increasingly, groups within Laos have been openly challenging the current regime's authoritarian political system. On 26 October 1999, the government moved quickly to quash a pro-democracy demonstration by teachers and students in Vientiane - the first of its kind in the regime's 25 years of power, says Lintner. Protesters were demanding "political reform, the release of all political prisoners; and a return to the 1974 coalition government, which included communist as well as neutralist forces," reports the "Irrawaddy". Authorities followed the protests with a series of political seminars, where participants were required to review the ruling communist party's doctrines. In addition, local community leaders gathered young people to advise them against the counter revolutionaries' messages and ideas.

Thailand

JOURNALISTS EXCLUDED FROM BROADCAST COMMISSION

Eleven journalists' associations, including the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), are protesting the a new broadcast regulatory commission that will exclude journalists. The groups claim that media owners and operators have stacked the government-formed commission and warn that their interests will not be represented by them. After decades of state-controlled radio and television, the 1997 reform constitution was a welcome change that "opened the door for public participation in the broadcasting industry," says the TJA. Under the constitution, "historic" legislation was passed, which led to the creation of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), "an independent body which will reallocate frequencies and regulate the airwaves."

India

TERCER PERIODISTA ASESINADO EN LAPSO DE TRES SEMANAS

India

UN TROISIÈME JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ EN TROIS SEMAINES

India

THIRD JOURNALIST KILLED IN THREE-WEEK PERIOD

On 20 August, Thounaojam Brajamani Singh, editor of the daily "Manipur News" and president of the Manipur State Journalists' Association, was shot and killed by two strangers, states Reporters sans frontières (RSF). The journalist was with another media employee when he was shot at point blank range. The perpetrators did not attempt to shoot or harm the other media worker. While the police have not yet identified a motive for the murder, Brajamani Singh had received anonymous death threats on 15 August, says RSF. One day prior to his murder, Brajamani Singh urged "the people who had made the threats to either stop or make themselves known" in an editorial.

Cambodia

MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN SE ENFRENTAN A DESAFÍOS NUEVOS Y VIEJOS

Cambodia

LES MÉDIAS DEVANT DES DÉFIS, TANT ANCIENS QUE NOUVEAUX

Cambodia

MEDIA FACES NEW AND OLD CHALLENGES

Despite its grisly history of persecution and harassment under the Khmer Rouge, years of civil war and coup d'états, the Cambodian media is today "lively and largely fearless," says Lin Neumann in an article published on the websites of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA). From 1975 to 1979, in its bid to impose radical agrarian socialism, the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot killed most of Cambodia's intellectuals and almost all journalists. Neumann notes that only ten journalists working prior to that time are known to be still living. After Pol Pot was ousted by a Vietnamese invasion in 1979, the country continued in struggle through civil war for another 12 years. In 1991, peace accords granted the United Nations (UN) the roles of peace keeping and establishing a free press. At this time, the press was in "dire straits," says Neumann. With no media infrastructure in Cambodia, newspapers were sent to Thailand to be printed. In 1997, the press underwent another upheaval with a coup by communist leader Hun Sen, which led to the withdrawal of the UN and the fleeing of dozens of pro-opposition journalists.

Australia

LE CPJ DEMANDE PLUS DE LIBERTÉS DANS LES PAYS DE LA COMMUNAUTÉ POUR LE DÉVELOPPEMENT DE L'AFRIQUE AUSTRALE (SADC)

Philippines

QUELQUES JOURNALISTES SONT REMIS EN LIBERTÉ

Philippines

SOME JOURNALISTS RELEASED FROM CAPTIVITY

A German reporter and two Filipino journalists who were kidnapped by the Muslim guerrilla group Abu Sayyaf were released respectively on 27 and 30 July, reports the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Filipino camera worker Val Cuenca and researcher/writer Maan Macapagal were abducted on 24 July by the guerrilla group while covering the hostage crisis on the Southern Philippines island of Jolo. The German reporter Andreas Lorenz was captured by armed rebels on July 2 while also covering the crisis. On 23 April, Abu Sayyaf kidnapped 21 individuals from a resort on the Malaysian island of Sipadan, says CPJ. According to CPJ, the guerrilla group "is a loose association of several hundred Muslim guerrillas fighting for a separate Islamic state in the southern Philippines."

Burma

PERIODISTAS SIGUEN EN PRISIÓN, UNIVERSIDADES ABIERTAS

Burma

DES JOURNALISTES SONT TOUJOURS EMPRISONNÉS; RÉOUVERTURE DE UNIVERSITÉS

Burma

JOURNALISTS STILL IN PRISON, UNIVERSITIES OPENED

Individuals everywhere are encouraged to sign the Reporters sans frontières (RSF) online petition for the release of Burmese journalist and novelist San San Nweh. San San Nweh continues to serve her ten-year prison sentence, received in 1994, for "producing and sending anti-government reports to international radio stations and foreign journalists passing through the country," says RSF. Held in the harsh prison conditions of the Insein prison in Rangoon for five years, San San Nweh participated in the 1988 pro-democracy movement in Burma through the publication of two magazines, "Gita Pade-tha" and "Ein-met-hpu". Her husband and daughter were also imprisoned. The petition can be viewed and signed at RSF's website: http://www.rsf.fr.">http://www.rsf.fr">http://www.rsf.fr.

Bangladesh

PERIODISTA BALEADO Y MUERTO EN OFICINA

Bangladesh

UN JOURNALISTE EST ABATTU DANS UN BUREAU

Bangladesh

JOURNALIST SHOT AND KILLED IN OFFICE

On 16 July, Shamsur Rahman Kebol, a special correspondent with the daily "Janakantha" and a contributor to the Bengali service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), was shot dead in Jessore, a town on Bangladesh's south-western border, report Media Watch, Reporters sans frontières (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). The journalist was working at his office when two unidentified men entered and fired two bullets at him, hitting him in the heart and the head.

China

TAIWÁN INFORMA ACERCA DE UNA PRUEBA CLAVE PARA LIBERTAD DE MEDIOS

China

LES REPORTAGES SUR TAÏWAN CONSTITUENT UN TEST DÉCISIF POUR LA LIBERTÉ DES MÉDIAS

China

TAIWAN REPORTING A KEY TEST OF MEDIA FREEDOM

Media coverage of Taiwan has become the key test of media freedom in Hong Kong, according to the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) and ARTICLE 19. On 2 July, the two organisations released their eighth annual joint report, entitled "Patriot Games: Hong Kong's media face to face with the Taiwan factor." According to the report, "the past year under review has seen several disturbing

Sri Lanka

EN DÉPIT D?UNE DÉCISION DU TRIBUNAL

Sri Lanka

REINTRODUCEN CENSURA A PESAR DE FALLO DE TRIBUNAL

Sri Lanka

CENSORSHIP RE-INTRODUCED DESPITE COURT RULING

Sri Lanka re-introduced censorship measures aimed at local and foreign media on 4 July, reports the International Press Institute (IPI). According to IPI, "the new regulations will make it possible for the government to censor war-related news and other reports considered to be 'against national security'." The government also confirmed the re-appointment of Ariya Rubasinghe as the chief censor. The new measures were "strongly condemned" by IPI.

Philippines

ALGUNOS PERIODISTAS LIBERADOS DE CAUTIVERIO

China

CONTRE L?INCARCÉRATION D?UNE PERSONNE QUI MILITE SUR INTERNET

China

EXHORTAN A COMPAÑÍAS A PROTESTAR POR DETENCIÓN VINCULADA CON INTERNET

China

COMPANIES URGED TO PROTEST INTERNET DETENTION

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on foreign companies involved in developing China's Internet to protest the detention of Huang Qi, who had maintained an Internet website exposing human rights abuses in China. Huang has been detained since 3 June in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. He has been accused of "subversion" and could face life in prison.

China

FOTOGRAFÍAS DOCUMENTAN REPRESIÓN EN TÍBET ORIENTAL

China

DES PHOTOGRAPHIES QUI DOCUMENTENT LA RÉPRESSION DANS L?EST DU TIBET

Tibet (China)

PHOTOGRAPHS DOCUMENT REPRESSION IN EASTERN TIBET

China's ongoing repression and violations of basic human rights in Tibet are clearly documented in a recently-released Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Aperture report. (Aperture is a charitable educational foundation devoted to photography and related visual arts.) "Tibet Since 1950: Silence, Prison, or Exile" contains over one hundred photographs, essays by journalists and scholars and interviews with Tibetan exiles. The report shows how the Chinese government continues to subject the Tibetan people to "arbitrary arrest, torture, unfair trials, the secular takeover of religion, and the absence of freedom of association, expression, and assembly." The photographs included in the report span the last half century and include some secretly-taken photographs of Chinese prisons in Eastern Tibet which have never been published in the West before.

Vietnam

ACTIVISTAS PIDEN LIBERACIÓN DEL DISIDENTE HA SY PHU

Sri Lanka

PROTESTA CONJUNTA DE FMM PIDE DEROGAR LEYES DE CENSURA

Vietnam

DES MILITANTS DEMANDENT LA REMISE EN LIBERTÉ DU DISSIDENT HA SY PHU

Sri Lanka

DEMANDE L?ABOLITION DES LOIS SUR LA CENSURE

Vietnam

ACTIVISTS APPEAL FOR RELEASE OF DISSIDENT HA SY PHU

The continued persecution of biologist and Vietnamese dissident Ha Sy Phu has been met with outcry from members of the international community, Vietnamese activists in exile and Vietnamese activists within the country. Put under house arrest on 12 May, Ha faces from seven years' imprisonment to the death penalty under the charge of treason for his participation in drafting an open appeal for greater democracy, report Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE). A biologist, former vice-director of the Vietnamese Institute of Science, and a member of a group of intellectual dissidents, Ha has long been the target of government attack. He is most known for his work promoting democracy and critiquing the government. Ha was first arrested and imprisoned without trial in December 1995 for "revealing state secrets," when he was found "in possession of a letter from then-Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet to the Politburo, calling for political and economic reforms," says HRW. He was sentenced for one year in prison in August 1996. Since his release in 1997, he has been living under house arrest, has been subjected to several raids on his house and has had his computer and other belongings confiscated by authorities.

Sri Lanka

FMM JOINT PROTEST CALLS FOR REPEAL OF CENSORSHIP LAWS

While the government recently repealed censorship restrictions placed on foreign media in Sri Lanka, bans on local media persist and continue to be the "the most repressive laws ever promulgated in the country," report Free Media Movement (FMM), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters sans frontières (RSF). Along with the declared state of emergency, the censorship regulations have "caused the entire democratic process in this country to grind to a halt," say the signatories of an FMM initiated joint protest. The statement, signed by over 40 political parties, trade unions and civil society groups, further urges the government to immediately repeal the emergency regulations, and to "restore normalcy to the lives of ordinary citizens."

Burma

RSF EXAMINA UNA LARGA HISTORIA DE REPRESIÓN

India

LEYES AMENAZAN DERECHOS DE MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN

Burma

RSF PASSE EN REVUE LA LONGUE HISTOIRE DE LA RÉPRESSION

India

UNE LOI MENACE LES DROITS DES MÉDIAS

India

LEGISLATION THREATENS MEDIA RIGHTS

A recently passed law on Internet use and a draft bill on the prevention of terrorism, presently pose threats to journalistic freedoms and rights, report Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and several press freedom activists in India. On 17 May, the Lower House adopted a law on Internet use (the Information Technology Bill) after very limited discussion, says RSF. The legislation allows police to search cybercafés without a warrant and close down a cybercafé if the police concludes that "an electronic crime might be committed there." While the bill was amended so that cybercafé owners do not have to keep a record of their customers and the web sites visited, "anyone who runs an anti-Indian web site - a very vague notion that includes pornographic and subversive web sites - faces a maximum sentence of five years in jail," states RSF.

Burma

RSF REVIEWS LONG HISTORY OF REPRESSION

Burma has witnessed "ten years of contempt for press freedom" under the rule of the military junta, which continues to flagrantly violate human rights and free expression, states Reporters sans frontières (RSF). Holding power since 1988, the junta refused to recognise the May 1990 elections in which the National League for Democracy (NLD), under the head of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won a landslide victory with over 80% of the popular vote. Since this time, the junta "has violated the rights of Burmese and foreign journalists to practice their profession freely" through murder, torture, severe jail sentences, threats and censorship, reports RSF. In the past ten years, four journalists were killed by Burmese security services.

Fiji

LA PINA FAIT L?ÉLOGE DES MÉDIAS LOCAUX QUI FONT FACE À DES PRESSIONS

Fiji

PINA ELOGIA MEDIOS LOCALES DE FRENTE A PRESIONES

Fiji

PINA COMMENDS LOCAL MEDIA IN FACE OF PRESSURES

"Fiji's independent news media are operating as normal and without censorship even though martial law has been declared and an interim military government has taken over running the country," reports the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA). On 29 May, the Fijian Military Forces assumed power under the head of Commodore Frank Bainimarama. Bainimarama says that the military has taken over with "much reluctance" due to "the rapid breakdown in law and order" since the attempted coup on 19 May, notes PINA. The military also took control due to the stalemate reached in negotiations to free former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and parliamentarians still being held by attempted coup leader George Speight.

Vietnam

HISTORIAL DE DERECHOS HUMANOS SIGUE INCUMPLIENDO

Sri Lanka

GOBIERNO IMPONE LEY DE CENSURA

Sri Lanka

LE GOUVERNEMENT IMPOSE SA LOI SUR LA CENSURE

Vietnam

LES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE SONT TOUJOURS EN PANNE

Vietnam

HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD CONTINUES TO FALL SHORT

Vietnam's human rights performance continues to fall far short of international standards despite economic and social changes since the late 1980's, says Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a recently released report entitled "Vietnam: Silencing of Dissent". While the report notes some of the positive changes that have taken place in recent years in Vietnam as the country has opened up more to the international community, it stipulates that significant human rights problems remain. Freedom of expression, free association, and other basic rights continue to be seriously constrained and Vietnam's domestic media remains under strict state control, says the report.

Sri Lanka

GOVERNMENT IMPOSES CENSORSHIP LEGISLATION

The day before World Press Freedom Day, the government of Sri Lanka imposed a new set of regulations that impose severe reporting restrictions on journalists and media groups, report the Free Media Movement (FMM) of Sri Lanka, Reporters sans frontières (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and ARTICLE 19. These are "the most draconian [regulations] ever imposed on the media in Sri Lanka," says CPJ, based on reports from local journalists. The regulations were imposed after the rebel LTTE forces made critical military advances, says CPJ. According to ARTICLE 19, authorities claim that extending reporting restrictions will help to resolve the country's crisis in Jaffna. FMM also notes that these measures will be in force for the three months leading up to Sri Lanka's general elections in August.

China

MEDIOS INDEPENDIENTES PERSEVERAN A PESAR DE LA REPRESIÓN

China

LES MÉDIAS INDÉPENDANTS PERSÉVÈRENT MALGRÉ LA RÉPRESSION

China

INDEPENDENT MEDIA PERSEVERES DESPITE REPRESSION

Despite the severe repression of the media in China and Tibet, approximately 20 clandestine publications have been in existence since 1980 in Tibet alone, says a recently released Reporters sans frontières (RSF) report on press freedom in Tibet. These publications are each written out by hand and about 100 copies are published at great risk to their writers, distributers, and readers. Tibet continues to suffer the systematic repression of any individuals who express views supportive of autonomy, states the report. In 1999 alone, of the 615 Tibetans in prison for "purely political reasons", 62 were serving sentences of more than ten years, and ten are believed to have died due to torture, RSF records based on the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. Individuals can receive a four year prison term for writing "Free Tibet" or other pro-autonomy graffiti on walls.

Papua New Guinea

MEDIOS CRECEN Y FLORECEN

Papua New Guinea

LES MÉDIAS CROISSENT ET PROSPÈRENT

Papua New Guinea

MEDIA GROWING AND THRIVING

The media in Papua New Guinea is thriving and managing to reach the country's diverse population, reports Erin Phelan in PINA Pacific Media NIUS, the online news service from the UNESCO / Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Pacific Journalism Development Centre. While threats against journalists and media workers exist, Phelan notes that "the general consensus is that media freedom is respected" and that the country boasts one of the healthiest press freedom records in the region. Journalists, who are covering a wide range of political, social and economic issues, have a wide and supportive audience from citizens all over the country, says Phelan. The media has this far reach even though there are over 800 indigenous languages spoken and high illiteracy levels in the country. Papua New Guinea also has a media council, composed of a diverse group of media workers, which meets regularly to discuss media freedom and improving media standards. The council is drawing from Fiji's example to come up with a media code of ethics. The media council has also played a key role in protecting media rights against government's threats.

China

UNE RÉSOLUTION SUR LES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE; AUTRES NOUVELLES

China

RSF Y HRW EXHORTAN A UE A FIRMAR RESOLUCIÓN; OTRAS NOTICIAS

Malaysia

LA RÉPRESSION RAVIVE LA CRAINTE DE CENSURE SUR INTERNET

Malaysia

OFENSIVA CAUSA NUEVOS TEMORES DE CENSURA DE INTERNET

Malaysia

CRACKDOWN RENEWS FEARS OF INTERNET CENSORSHIP

rns for the country's print media, but also for the country's future Internet policies, reports malaysiakini.com. On 2 March, "Harakah" was granted a publication license for only two issues per month instead of two per week as it formerly held, reports the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). Under Malaysia's Printing Press and Publications Act, newspapers must apply for publication licenses every year. While the Energy, Communications and Multimedia Ministry has twice stated that "Harakah"'s publication restrictions will also apply to its Internet edition, the Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung, has stated publicly that "there would be no censorship of the Net." Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy, Communications and Multimedia Ministry also stated that the restrictions imposed on "Harakah" would have no repercussions for Internet-based media groups such as malaysiakini.com. The lack of consensus and clarity between Ministries on this issue leaves groups such as malaysiakini.com concerned about the government's Internet policies.

Australia

INTENSIFICATION DE LA CENSURE ET DU CONTRÔLE DE L'INTERNET

Pakistan

LES MÉDIAS VIVENT DES MOMENTS DIFFICILES

Australia

SE INTENSIFICAN LA CENSURA Y LOS CONTROLES DE INTERNET

Pakistan

MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN ATRAVIESAN TIEMPOS DIFÍCILES

Australia

CENSORSHIP AND INTERNET CONTROLS INTENSIFY

An Internet censorship law, in effect as of 1 January, has forced Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) to relocate its website to the United States, reports the Global Internet Liberty Campaign (GILC) "Alert" based on reports from EFA. The Commonwealth Government's Internet Censorship legislation was initially introduced in June 1999 as an amendment to the Broadcasting Services Act. While EFA states that the legislation is an improvement from the drafted legislation, it maintains that these "restrictions are still onerous, privacy-intrusive and will chill freedom of speech." The legislation includes a complaints system through which citizens can lodge complaints about Internet content, and the establishment of an independent body which "provide[s] advice to the community about managing children's access to the Internet."

Pakistan

MEDIA ENDURES THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES

Despite much media repression under the rule of the former, democratically elected government, and challenges under the military dictator, many journalists continued to carry out their work, says a recently published report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). "Pakistan - The Press for Change", written by CPJ Asia Programme Coordinator Kavita Menon, reviews the "brutal tactics" used by the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's regime to silence the press. Under Sharif's rule, journalists who did not tow the government line faced censorship, heavy fines, the blocking of publishing supplies, threats, harassment, beatings, and detention, says the report. As a result, Menon notes that many journalists did not regret the deposing of Sharif by General Pervez Musharraf in October 1999. "Many journalists felt that democracy in Pakistan was endangered long before the coup," writes Menon. The report, however, also raises concerns about the freedom of the press under Musharraf.

Malaysia

LES NOUVEAUX MÉDIAS DÉFIENT LA RÉPRESSION

Malaysia

MEDIOS ALTERNATIVOS SE ENFRENTAN A OFENSIVA CONTRA MEDIOS

Malaysia

ALTERNATIVE MEDIA CHALLENGES CRACKDOWN ON MEDIA

Increasingly, Malaysian journalists who criticise the government or support the opposition have faced a media crackdown, say ARTICLE 19, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International (AI) and Malaysiakini.com. Malaysiakini.com notes that all non-governmental media in Malaysia has been labelled as "pro-opposition." This attack on the media has accompanied an overall crackdown on the country’s opposition. In January, a number of opposition leaders, attorneys, activists and prominent government critics were arrested, says HRW. According to AI, the government charged these individuals under a number of restrictive laws, including the Sedition Act and the Official Secrets Act (OSA). ARTICLE 19 also notes the fear that, under the 1984 Printing Presses and Publications Act, a number of newspapers may not have their publishing permits renewed.

Fiji

GOBIERNO PROMULGARÁ PROYECTO DE LEY DE LIBERTAD DE INFORMACIÓN

Fiji

LE GOUVERNEMENT ENTEND LÉGIFÉRER SUR LA LIBERTÉ DE L?INFORMATION

Fiji

GOVERNMENT TO ENACT FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL

On 3 February, the Fiji Islands government announced that it intends to pass proposed freedom of information bills in the next six months, reports the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA). The result of a 1996 review of all media legislation in Fiji commissioned by the previous government, the proposed freedom of information bill would replace the Official Secrets Act and Press Correction Act from British colonial times. The legislation would grant the public the right "to correct errors in information about them held by the government." The government would also be required to publish information on the functions of its various agencies, and PINA reports that "the ombudsman may also be given the responsibility to review the government's information practices." Attorney-General Anand Singh, who made the announcement, stated that the laws will be based partly on Australian and New Zealand's freedom of information acts. The freedom of information law would apply to "all government ministries, departments and offices.... [except] the indigenous-Fijian Bose Levu Vakaturaga (council of chiefs), the president and his office, government-owned businesses, the court system, and commissions of inquiry," says PINA.

China

MALGRÉ LES CONTRÔLES, L'USAGE D'INTERNET SE RÉPAND

Burma

NOUVELLES RESTRICTIONS À L'UTILISATION D'INTERNET

Afghanistan

TALIBÁN SIGUE SILENCIANDO A MEDIOS

Afghanistan

LES TALIBANS CONTINUENT À MUSELER LES MÉDIAS

Sri Lanka

EDITOR ASESINADO

Sri Lanka

ASSASSINAT DU DIRECTEUR D?UNE PUBLICATION

Sri Lanka

EDITOR MURDERED

On 9 November, Atputharajah Nadarajah, chief editor of the "Thinamurasu", and his driver were killed by "an unidentified gunman," states Reporters sans frontières (RSF). The perpetrators and the motive for the crime remains unknown. Nadarajah was also a member of parliament for the Jaffa district for the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), which belongs to the ruling People's Alliance Coalition. RSF states that his weekly Tamil-language paper had recently changed, "veering towards Tamil nationalism and supporting the Tamil Tigers."

Sri Lanka

GOBIERNO EXPANDE REGLAMENTOS DE CENSURA

Sri Lanka

LE GOUVERNEMENT ÉTEND LA CENSURE

Sri Lanka

GOVERNMENT EXPANDS CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS

On 6 November, the Sri Lankan government issued an immediate ban prohibiting "the publication, broadcast or transmission of sensitive military information" surrounding the civil war between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The ban was instated after news reports alleged that "as many as 1,000 government troops were killed by LTTE forces" during a wave of attacks against the government in the Wanni region of northern Sri Lanka. The announcement did not specify if the ban also applies to foreign media workers in Sri Lanka.

China

RSF DÉNONCE LE DOSSIER DE JIANG ZEMIN EN MATIÈRE DE LIBERTÉ D?EXPRESSION

China

RSF DENUNCIA HISTORIAL DE LIBERTAD DE PRENSA DE PRESIDENTE JIANG

China

RSF DENOUNCES PRESIDENT JIANG'S PRESS FREEDOM RECORD

Reporters sans frontières (RSF) took the opportunity of President Jiang Zemin's European visit to publicly denounce China's repressive treatment of journalists, which RSF reports has intensified in the past year. Since Jiang's appointment to the presidency, 48 Chinese journalists have been jailed, 75 Chinese and foreign journalists have been arrested, and 21 foreign journalists have been forced to leave the country for their work - "usually because they had been conducting investigations which the government ruled were 'illegal.'" Those arrested have faced extreme prison sentences, deplorable prison conditions and have been denied basic rights. Ten journalists are still in prison.

Pakistan

ESTADO DE EMERGENCIA PODRÍA AMENAZAR LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Pakistan

L?ÉTAT D?URGENCE POURRAIT METTRE EN DANGER LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Pakistan

STATE OF EMERGENCY COULD THREATEN PRESS FREEDOM

While press freedom has not yet been seriously threatened in Pakistan, many fear what the repercussions of the 12 October military coup and General Pervez Musharraf's declared state of emergency might mean to the media, reports the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF). The Pakistan army staged a coup on 12 October immediately following Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's unanticipated dismissal of Chief of Army Staff General Musharraf. On 16 October, General Musharraf became Chief Executive of Pakistan and declared a state of emergency, suspending the constitution. Owais Aslam Ali, Secretary General of the PPF states, "Although no steps have been taken against the media up to now by the new setup, the imposition of the state of emergency gives the government the means to curtail media freedom." The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) warns that in "the absence of constitutional protections guaranteeing civil liberties, including freedom of speech and of the press, the right of journalists to report freely on the momentous political developments at hand may be sharply curtailed."

Malaysia

DECLINA AMBIENTE PARA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA

Malaysia

DÉTÉRIORATION DES CONDITIONS DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Malaysia

DECLINING CLIMATE FOR PRESS FREEDOM

The Malaysian government continues to control press freedom, reports Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) based on information received from sources in Malaysia. In anticipation of a forthcoming general election, the Malaysian government announced that while opposition parties

Sri Lanka

UN JOURNALISTE EST TUÉ

Indonesia

LA VIOLENCE SE POURSUIT CONTRE LES JOURNALISTES AU TIMOR ORIENTAL

China

LES AUTORITÉS CHINOISES VISENT LES TIBÉTAINS DE L'EST

Indonesia

CONTINÚA VIOLENCIA CONTRA PERIODISTAS EN TIMOR ORIENTAL

Sri Lanka

PERIODISTA MUERTO

China

EASTERN TIBETANS TARGETED BY CHINESE AUTHORITIES

China is intolerant of Tibetan political activity, says a report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW)on 8 September. The report, entitled "Profiles of Tibetan Exiles," is based on interviews with manyeastern Tibetan refugees in India and follows the lives of five Tibetans (from areas that China has named autonomous "prefectures or counties") who were detained by Chinese security forces.

Indonesia

VIOLENCE AGAINST JOURNALISTS CONTINUES IN EAST TIMOR

The majority of United Nations workers and journalists have now been evacuated out of East Timor as violence continues to escalate. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reports, ?The majority of people taking refuge in the UN compound in Dili have been evacuated...journalists havebeen told they cannot remain...[and]...the IFJ office was ransacked by militia at the weekend.? Some journalists have remained, however, and have been under harsh attack, in what Reporters san frontières (RSF) is calling a forced ?news black-out.? Some have disappeared, while others have beendetained, threatened and injured. The IFJ compares East Timor to Pol Pot?s Cambodia, while RSF reports that the Indonesian government?s evacuation order to journalists amounts to ?a death threat against journalists,? reporting that ?a short time ago, two journalists were shot and injured in an incident in which it appears that they were deliberately targeted by militia members.? While the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) reported one of the four missing journalists safe in East Timor on 10 September, they confirmed that the whereabouts and safety of the other threejournalists, along with four activists, remain unknown. AJI demands that martial law be revoked, that the missing journalists be released, and that the presence and safety of journalists in East Timor beguaranteed. RSF urges that the press be allowed into East Timor ?so that militias and the Indonesian army not be allowed to continue their abuses with complete impunity, sheltered from the eyes of theinternational community.?

Sri Lanka

JOURNALIST KILLED

On 7 September, Rohana Kumara, chief editor of the Sri Lankan newspaper Satana, was gunned down in Colombo, according to the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The assailants remain unidentified, however CPJ reports that a group of men entered Kumara’s house just hours before his death and threatened his wife to reveal Kumara’s whereabouts.

Malaysia

EST L?INDICE DU PROGRÈS DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

China

LA HKJA S'INQUIÈTE DE LA PROPOSITION D'INSTAURER UN "CONSEIL DE PRESSE"

Hong Kong (China)

HKJA CONCERNED OVER PROPOSED PRESS COUNCIL

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) is concerned about the Law Reform Commission's proposed creation of a statutory press council to handle "complaints about breaches of a press code on privacy-related matters."

Indonesia

SE ABRE EN TIMOR ORIENTAL OFICINA PARA SEGURIDAD DE MEDIOS

Philippines

PRESIDENTE IMPLICADO EN BOICOT PUBLICITARIO A PERIÓDICO

Indonesia

LE BUREAU DE SÉCURITÉ POUR LES JOURNALISTES OUVRE SES PORTES AU TIMOR ORIENTAL

Philippines

LE PRÉSIDENT EST IMPLIQUÉ DANS LE BOYCOTT DE LA PUBLICITÉ DANS UN JOURNAL

Samoa

LIBEL CHARGES AGAINST SAMOA OBSERVER DROPPED

On 13 August, the "Samoa Observer" reported that the Supreme Court suspended the criminal libel action by the late Samoan Prime Minister, Tofilau Eti Alesana, against the paper's publisher and a former editor, according to the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).

Indonesia

SAFETY OFFICE FOR MEDIA OPENS IN EAST TIMOR

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has opened the Safety Office for Media in East Timor (SOMET) in Dili. The project was carried out in conjunction with the Alliance of Independent Journalists in Indonesia (AIJ) and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) in Australia. SOMET functions as a solidarity center for journalists who come to the region. The office has created a guide for visiting media staff and also provides assistance in securing accommodation, translators and drivers. East Timor continues to be a dangerous place for both local and foreign journalists. On 30 August, residents of East Timor will vote in a United Nations sponsored referendum on autonomy/independence.

Australia

CONSIDERAN "DRACONIANO" PROYECTO DE CENSURA DE INTERNET

Australia

LA LOI SUR LA CENSURE DE'INTERNET EST QUALIFIÉE DE "DRACONIENNE"

Australia

INTERNET CENSORSHIP BILL CALLED

An Internet censorship bill in Australia is "the most draconian to date in the developed world," according to Danny Yee in the latest issue of "Index on Censorship" (Vol. 4/1999). The Internet Services Providers (ISPs): the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Bill 1999 was passed by the Senate in May. Danny Yee writes that the bill will come into force on 1 January 2000. The bill will allow film and video classifications to be used on the Internet "on the grounds that the Internet is like pay television and should be regulated accordingly," says "Index". The Australian Broadcasting Authority, which regulates TV content, will also regulate the Internet. "ISPs will be required to take down prohibited content hosted within Australia and to block access to it if located overseas," says Yee. Content will be blocked if it "offends against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults," or if it "instructs" on criminal or violent matters. While Yee says access will be doubtlessly limited to many users, "the machinations of government are no match for the ingenuity of serious netheads."

Sri Lanka

LES LOIS SUR LES MÉDIAS SERONT RÉFORMÉES

Sri Lanka

REFORMARÁN LEYES DE MEDIOS

Sri Lanka

MEDIA LAWS TO BE REFORMED

Sri Lanka's parliament plans to review the country's media laws, reports the Free Media Movement (FMM). Parliament will debate a motion on the 'Necessity of Reformation of Media Laws in the Country'. FMM says, "Freedom of speech and of the media is a fundamental requirement in a democratic society. The media has to play an independent and responsible role in disseminating accurate information without fear or favour, on issues of public interest." Welcoming media law reform, FMM notes that a government-appointed committee headed by R.K.W. Goonesekera called for the "changes in the existing law, in keeping with international obligations imposed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."

Indonesia

SUR LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE

Cambodia

MEDIOS LIBRES EMERGEN DESPUÉS DE AÑOS DE REPRESIÓN

Cambodia

APRÈS DES ANNÉES DE RÉPRESSION, LA PRESSE LIBRE REVIENT

Cambodia

FREE PRESS EMERGING AFTER YEARS OF REPRESSION

Cambodia's small English-language press is contributing to free expression in the country, reports the International Press Institute's "IPI Report" (Second Quarter 1999.) Born under the auspices of the United Nations in the early 90s after decades of war, the "Cambodia Daily" and the "Phnom Penh Post" are the only two United States-owned independent newspapers in Southeast Asia. David Lamb writes that readership for both of the English-language papers comprises government officials, diplomats, journalists, investors, policy-makers and English-speaking Cambodians, both in the country and abroad.

China

RECUERDAN A PERIODISTAS EN ANIVERSARIO DE PLAZA TIANANMEN

Pakistan

AUTORIDADES ACOSAN A PERIODISTAS

China

DES JOURNALISTES SE SOUVIENNENT DE LA PLACE TIAN?ANMEN

Pakistan

LES JOURNALISTES SONT HARCELÉS PAR LES AUTORITÉS

China

JOURNALISTS REMEMBERED ON TIANANMEN SQUARE ANNIVERSARY

In the ten years since the Chinese army crushed the student revolt in Tiananmen Square, Beijing on 4 June 1989, Reporters sans frontières (RSF) says 56 Chinese journalists have been imprisoned, and over 40 foreign journalists arrested in China. "Newspapers, some of which were in the front line during that period, are still suffering the consequences of the censorship and repression brought in after what became known as the 'Beijing Spring'," says RSF. RSF says 43 of those Chinese journalists played a direct role in the events and five are still in jail: Yu Dongyue, an art critic with The News of Liuyang, Hu Liping, a journalist with the Beijing Daily, Chen Yanbin and Zhang Yafei, joint editors of the underground magazine Tielu, and Liu Jingsheng, a journalist with the underground magazine Tansuo. RSF also notes that a leading figure in the student revolt, Gao Yu, a journalist with Economic Weekly was released on 15 February 1999 after spending over five years in prison, but she is not allowed to leave Beijing without permission or talk to foreign media. RSF remarks, "Like her, many journalists who were arrested or victims of sanctions after June 1989 are still the paying the price of their commitment to the democracy movement." Some live in exile, such as Wang Juntao and Wang Dan, while others, such as Chen Zeming, are under house arrest. RSF says, "About 20 journalists have been forced to resign, retire, or change jobs, and 50 or so have been victims of sanctions."

Pakistan

AUTHORITIES HARASS JOURNALISTS

In the wake of months of harassment of journalists in Pakistan, Reporters sans frontières (RSF) reports that authorities are allegedly establishing a "special media cell" to target the media. According to the 1 June issue of the daily Frontier Post, "the federal government has decided to establish a special media cell comprising officials from the police, the Intelligence Bureau and the Federal Investigation Agency to punish independent journalists critical of government policies." The daily reports, "The modus operandi of the special cell would be to abduct a 'defiant' journalist and subject him to physical torture at some 'safe houses' and release him after 24 or 36 hours." The newspaper lists other forms of harassment planned, "including intimidation, anonymous threats, arrests on charges of drunkenness". The paper also released a list of 31 journalists, several of whom have been victims of harassment or attacks recently.

Fiji

NUEVO LÍDER PROMETE NO PONER EN PRÁCTICA LEYES DE MEDIOS

Vietnam

LEY ESTRECHA CONTROL DEL ESTADO SOBRE MEDIOS; ESCRITOR LIBERADO

Fiji

LE NOUVEAU DIRIGEANT PROMET DE NE PAS APPLIQUER LES LOIS SUR LES MÉDIAS

Vietnam

UN ÉCRIVAIN EST REMIS EN LIBERTÉ

Fiji

NEW LEADER PROMISES NOT TO IMPLEMENT MEDIA LAWS

On 21 May, Mahendra Chaudhry, the new prime minister of the Fiji Islands, promised not to pass any laws against the media or impose media licensing, according to the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA). However, "The Fiji Times" also reports that Chaudhry accused the media of bias during the elections and claimed they needed to be better educated. He said, "I think the media should be fair. We won't bring in any legislation, no licensing, but I hope there will be training in media organisations." Chaudhry said news media during election time are responsible to the people and not to company shareholders, and he said the new government would examine the best way to give up 44 percent of government shares in Fiji's second daily newspaper, the "Daily Post". PINA notes, "The previous government, dominated by indigenous Fijians, caused a controversy by buying these shares and becoming the main shareholder in the "Daily Post" three months before the general election." Chaudhry said it was not the government's job to run a newspaper.

Vietnam

LAW TIGHTENS STATE CONTROL OF THE MEDIA; WRITER RELEASED

The Vietnamese government has passed a new law tightening state control of the media, including the Internet, reports the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). Vietnam's National Assembly recently passed a new press law giving the Ministry of Culture and Information sole responsibility for all media outlets, including the Internet, says WAN. Under one provision, compensation is reportedly to be paid "to anyone hurt by a report, even if it was accurate." WAN notes that the government controls all publications, as well as radio and television broadcasts. Timothy Balding, Director General of WAN, says, "By tightening its already tight control over the media, Vietnam is moving in the opposite direction of countries which recognize that establishing free media is a good investment for political, economic and social stability."

Burma

INFORME DE ARTICLE 19 AFIRMA QUE LOS MILITARES PRACTICAN "SEVERA" CENSURA

Burma

SELON UN RAPPORT D'ARTICLE 19, L'ARMÉE EXERCE UNE CENSURE SÉVÈRE

Burma

ARTICLE 19 REPORT SAYS MILITARY PRACTICES "SEVERE" CENSORSHIP

Censorship under the military rulers in Burma (Myanmar) is among the world's most severe, says ARTICLE 19 in "Acts of Oppression", a report published earlier this month when the United Nations Commission on Human Rights was meeting to examine the situation in Burma. According to the report, "under successive military governments, the law in Burma has been used as an instrument for the suppression of rights, particularly with respect to freedom of expression. Vague and sweeping censorship laws shut out any criticism whatsoever of the ruling elite." In an 15 April press release, Andrew Puddephatt, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19 said, "The international community has failed most singularly to address the appalling human rights situation in Burma. It will take more than handwringing to get the military government back to barracks."

Philippines

PRENSA INDEPENDIENTE

Philippines

LA PRESSE INDÉPENDANTE

Philippines

CRIMINAL LIBEL CASE THREATENS INDEPENDENT PRESS

The government of the Philippines launched a criminal libel suit against the independent press which indicates a disregard for press freedom, say the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). On 9 March, President Joseph Ejercito Estrada filed a 101 million peso (US$2.6 million) libel suit against the "Manila Times", its executives and journalists in response to an article published on 16 February. The story reported that, by witnessing the signing of a deal between the government-run National Power Corporation and the Argentine engineering firm IMPSA Asia Ltd., the President had become an "unwitting ninong" (godfather) to the allegedly improper contract. President Estrada announced he would drop the case on 8 April, but only after "Manila Times" publisher Robina Gokongwei-Pe issued a front-page apology for the offending article, saying that it "was never intended to malign or impugn the sterling reputation (the President has) built up over several years of dedicated public service."

Vietnam

L'ARRESTATION D'UN ÉCRIVAIN DISSIDENT SUSCITE LA PEUR

India

TROIS JOURNALISTES ASSASSINÉS CETTE ANNÉE

Vietnam

DISSIDENT WRITER'S ARREST PROVOKES FEARS OF CRACKDOWN

The arrest and detention of dissident writer Nguyen Thanh Giang in Vietnam has provoked fears of a widespread crackdown on dissidents, report the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Giang, a prominent geologist whose articles on corruption within the Communist Party have frequently been published on the Internet and in newspapers published by Vietnamese living in exile, was arrested by police on 4 March in Hanoi. HRW says Giang may be sentenced for "crimes against national security" under Article 82 of the Criminal Code, reportedly for possessing "anti-socialist propaganda," which could incur a long prison term. His whereabouts remain unknown and there is concern for his safety. Giang, whose writings include "Human Rights, the Thousand Year Aspiration" (1996), was forced to resign from his job in 1995, summoned for questioning repeatedly by the police and was detained for three days in March 1998.

India

THREE JOURNALISTS MURDERED THIS YEAR

Three journalists have been murdered in India this year, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). On 20 March, Anil Rattan, a free-lance journalist and former correspondent for the Hong Kong-based magazine "AsiaWeek", was found dead in his apartment. Police say that Rattan's body was discovered in his bathroom on 20 March "in a highly decomposed condition," and estimate that he was killed around 18 March. CPJ reports, "According to police reports, Rattan had been stabbed several times and strangled either with a length of wire found lying near the body or with his undershirt." On 13 March, police found the body of Irfan Hussain, a sometimes controversial political cartoonist for the English-language news magazine "Outlook", near a highway in New Delhi. His body showed signs of extreme torture.

Vietnam

ARRESTO DE ESCRITOR PROVOCA TEMORES DE OFENSIVA CONTRA DISIDENTES

India

TRES PERIODISTAS ASESINADOS ESTE AÑO

Indonesia

PERIODISTAS ATACADOS EN TODO EL PAÍS

Indonesia

LES JOURNALISTES SONT AGRESSÉS PARTOUT DANS LE PAYS

Indonesia

JOURNALISTS ATTACKED ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Journalists have been attacked recently across Indonesia, report the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). On 11 March, journalists were hurt in Jakarta, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, and Sawahlunto Sijunjung, West Sumatra. In February, journalists were threatened in East Timor. AJI reports that three photographers and a journalist, along with numerous students, were among those injured when students at a protest rally clashed violently with security personnel in Jakarta on 11 March.

Pakistan

PERIODISTAS AMENAZADOS POR PARTIDARIOS DEL TALIBÁN

Pakistan

LES PARTISANS DES TALIBANS MENACENT DES JOURNALISTES

Pakistan

JOURNALISTS THREATENED BY TALIBAN SUPPORTERS

Journalists in northern Pakistan have been threatened by supporters of Afghanistan's Taliban regime, report Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN. Most recently, RSF reports that Waliullah Saleem, director of the Peshawar based Sahaar News Agency, received several death threats from unidentified people. On 10 January 1999, he gave an interview to Radio Tehran analyzing the reasons for the murders of several exiled Afghanis in northern Pakistan. Two days later, he was threatened by an unidentified caller who told him "to keep silent or [they] will silence him." Saleem also gave an interview to the Voice of America about illegal timber trafficking by Taliban supporters in the province of Kunar (Afghan border of the North West Frontier Province.) Shortly afterward some friends told him not to go to the province because he would be in danger. RSF says, "Saleem did not name any individual or group for the threats but he hinted that the Taliban or radical Arab groups - reacting to another story he wrote - might be involved in this harassment."

Bangladesh

PERIODISTAS Y OFICINAS DE PERIÓDICOS ATACADOS

Bangladesh

ASSAUT CONTRE DES JOURNALISTES ET MÉDIAS

Bangladesh

JOURNALISTS AND NEWSPAPER OFFICES ATTACKED

Newspaper offices and journalists have become the target of political activists again in Bangladesh, reports Media Watch. Leading opposition parties, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Jatyo Party (JP), Jamat-e-Islami and Islami Okkyo Jote, called a three-day national general strike from 9 to 11 February 1999. During the strike, two newspaper offices were attacked, four vehicles carrying journalists were burned, four photojournalists were assaulted -including one who was shot - and five other journalists were stopped from carrying out their work. On 9 February, a group of strike supporters in the capital Dhaka trying to set fire to a rickshaw shot a photojournalist of the "Bhorer Kagoj" newspaper, Masud Parvez Anis, when he tried to take a picture of them. On the same afternoon, in Dhaka, strike supporters attacked offices of the "Daily Star" newspaper, one of the country's most respected English language dailies. After five other journalists were assaulted by opposition activists, local journalists reacted by boycotting "news of the opposition parties until they apologised for their supporters' actions," says Media Watch.

Pakistan

LA RÉPRESSION DES ÉDITEURS DE JOURNAUX SOULÈVE L?INDIGNATION

Pakistan

CAMPAÑA CONTRA EDITORES CAUSA INDIGNACIÓN

Pakistan

CRACKDOWN ON PUBLISHERS CAUSES OUTRAGE

A government crackdown on the Jang Publishing Group, Pakistan's largest newspaper publishing company, which seems to be in retaliation for critical stories published in the group's newspapers, has caused outrage around the country and the world, report the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters sans frontières (RSF). RSF says journalists believe the Jang group has been suffering harassment from officials since August 1998 mainly as a result of revelations of corruption within Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government. The group's bank accounts have been frozen until they agree to pay a fine of 2 billion rupees (US$47 million; 35 million euros) for "tax evasion," which is alleged to be a trumped up charge. More than a dozen journalists who work for Jang newspapers have been intimidated and threatened - some with physical harm, some with dismissal. Some have also had their phones tapped. The government has also stationed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) personnel and police around the Jang Group's dailies, "Jang" and "The News", and confiscated newsprint in an attempt to prevent publication.

China

HOMBRE SENTENCIADO EN CASO DE CENSURA DE INTERNET

China

UN HOMME EST CONDAMNÉ DANS UNE AFFAIRE DE CENSURE DU RÉSEAU INTERNET

China

MAN SENTENCED IN INTERNET CENSORSHIP CASE

On 20 January, Lin Hai, a software entrepreneur charged with attempting to overthrow the state by providing e-mail addresses to a dissident Chinese magazine, was sentenced to two years in prison, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Human Rights Watch (HRW). At his December trial in Shanghai, Lin was accused of "inciting the overthrow of state power" by giving 30,000 e-mail addresses of Chinese residents to "VIP Reference", a United States-based on-line pro-democracy magazine. According to CPJ, "He is the first person imprisoned in China on charges of subversion growing out of Internet use." Lin's wife, Xu Hong, has been barred from seeing Lin since his arrest and detention on 25 March 1998. His short trial on 4 December was closed to the public.

Fiji

LEY DE INFORMACIÓN REEMPLAZARÁ LEY DE SECRETOS OFICIALES

Bangladesh

MEDIA WATCH INFORMA ACERCA DEL ESTADO DE LOS MEDIOS EN 1998

Fiji

UNE LOI SUR LES RENSEIGNEMENTS REMPLACERA CELLE SUR LES SECRETS OFFICIELS

Bangladesh

RAPPORT DE MEDIA WATCH SUR LA SITUATION DES MÉDIAS EN 1998

Fiji

INFORMATION ACT TO REPLACE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT

The Fiji Islands will replace the Official Secrets Act with a new Official Information Act, reportsthe Pacific Islands News Association (PINA). The public was invited to make submissions and ata Fiji Media Council meeting on 21 December 1998, "the country's newspapers, magazines,radio and television stations decided they would each make their own submissions," says PINA."The proposed freedom of information laws will cover almost all government ministries,departments and offices," says PINA, except the indigenous Fijian Bose Levu Vakaturaga(council of chiefs), the President and his office, government-owned businesses, the court system,commissions of inquiry, and the Fiji Intelligence Service.

Bangladesh

MEDIA WATCH REPORTS ON STATE OF THE MEDIA IN 1998

Two journalists were killed and twenty were injured in Bangladesh in 1998, according to Media

Vietnam

PLUS DE LIBERTÉ POUR LES JOURNALISTES, MAIS LA CRAINTE DES LOIS DEMEURE

Burma

HRW DEMANDE AUX NATIONS UNIES DE PRENDRE DES MESURES EN FAVEUR DES DROITS

Vietnam

JOURNALISTS FREER BUT STILL COWED BY LAWS

Most journalists in Vietnam refuse to challenge the government's tight grip on the media, reports the International Press Institute in "IPI Report" (Third Quarter 1998), despite the move towards a free-market economy that started in 1989.

Burma

HRW CALLS ON UN TO TAKE ACTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

United Nations member states should pressure the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in Burma (called Myanmar by the dictatorship) to release political prisoners and lift freedom of expression restrictions, says Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Burma

HRW PIDE A ONU EMPRENDER ACCIÓN RESPECTO A DERECHOS HUMANOS

Vietnam

PERIODISTAS MÁS LIBRES PERO TODAVÍA INTIMIDADOS POR LEYES

Indonesia

DES JOURNALISTES SONT BLESSÉS ET MENACÉS

Indonesia

PERIODISTAS LESIONADOS Y AMENAZADOS