Features 2008-2009
1 March 2009
Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia
From the symbols to the streets, campaigning gets creative in Central Asia
Cartoonists and writers are raising awareness of free expression issues in Central Asia this week by competing in essay and caricature contests launched by IFEX members and partners in the region to commemorate World Press Freedom Day.
1 January 2009
Kenya
The Media Institute takes action against the Kenya Communications Act 2008
Journalists, free expression advocates and media owners in Kenya got some bad news at the beginning of 2009, after they learned that President Mwai Kibaki had signed into law a contentious media bill that imposed new restrictions on the press. But thanks to an immediate and massive campaign launched by IFEX member the Media Institute and the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), President Kibaki directed the Attorney General and the Information Minister to review the bill and facilitate its return to parliament for debate.
1 October 2008
Mexico
IFEX members take action to protect journalists against violence in Mexico
Under the slogan "What you don’t know can hurt you”, ARTICLE 19 and the National Center for Social Communication (CENCOS) have launched the Permanent Campaign to Protect Journalists in Mexico on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
1 August 2008
Hong Kong (China)
Hong Kong and beyond: Committee to Protect Journalists' blogging makes an impact
CPJ’s Bob Dietz was on the ground in Hong Kong when John Ray, a reporter for ITV in England was hauled off by Chinese police while covering a peaceful protest in Beijing. He posted on the CPJ Blog about China’s “tough talk” the next day, as officials denounced the arrest of Ray and admitted he was working within the rules afforded him as a journalist. Though positive, Dietz wrote that it was “too little too late” and kept the pressure on Chinese and Olympic officials to respect media freedom.
1 May 2008
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Joint action by IFEX members incites government action
Sri Lanka has long been considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for practising journalists. In early 2008 this already perilous situation escalated, with the media suffering increasing cases of intimidation from the government. In May, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and more than 45 international organisations responded to the situation by launching the campaign, "Stop the War on Journalists in Sri Lanka". The campaign calls for the government to honour the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression by protecting and supporting its journalists.
1 March 2008
Nepal
International mission and local members fight back in face of media crackdown surrounding elections in Nepal
As Nepal headed into constituent assembly elections on 10 April, press freedom violations continued unabated across the country, despite a government promise earlier this year to "take seriously" the safety of media workers.
1 January 2008
Somalia
IFEX members collaborate and advocate to stop violence against Somalia's journalists
2007 was a brutal year for Somali journalists: nine reporters were killed, 53 media professionals were arrested, and five media houses were closed down, reports the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). Press freedom violations skyrocketed by over 85 percent from the previous year, as political unrest and civil war escalated.
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1 May 2012
IFEX Member Campaigns
BAHRAIN: One hundred organisations call to end assault on freedom of speech, and to free all detained human rights defenders and netizens
One hundred organisations appeal to authorities to release human rights activists in Bahrain from prison. They include Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, founder of IFEX member BCHR, his daughter Zaynab Al-Khawaja, and Nabeel Rajab, President of BCHR. Al-Khawaja’s life is at risk after more than three months on hunger strike.
18 May 2012 ETHIOPIA: Obama should raise press freedom in Africa food talks, says CPJ Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government downplays food crises by denying journalists access to sensitive areas and censoring independent coverage.
23 May 2012 PAKISTAN: Call for revision of National Human Rights Commission law President Asif Ali Zardari should not sign the bill until it is revised to authorise investigations of the military and the intelligence agencies for human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said.
23 May 2012 AZERBAIJAN: Eurovision must shine light on mistreatment of journalists, says IFJ Journalists and broadcasters descending upon Baku to report on Eurovision should also focus the media spotlight on the host’s treatment of their Azeri colleagues, says IFJ secretary-general.
23 May 2012
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