Europe and Central Asia

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From the Communiqué

17 March 2010

Turkey

Editors face jail terms of 10 to 525 years

A Turkish newspaper editor accused of spreading propaganda for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was hit with a prison sentence on 2 March that is close to 11 years, reports the IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET). He and another journalist were also charged for writing critically about public officials. Meanwhile, another editor is facing a 525-year prison sentence for publishing information about the PKK, reports the International Press Institute (IPI). And even outside its borders, Turkish authorities wield influence in curbing press freedom, says BIANET.

17 February 2010

Turkey

Security law used to punish editor with 21-year prison sentence

A Kurdish editor was sentenced to over 21 years in prison on 9 February by a Turkish court for publishing reports and pictures of the banned Turkey Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), report the Istanbul-based IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET), the International Press Institute (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

28 January 2010

Russia

Journalist dies after being savagely assaulted by police

A Russian journalist was recently beaten to death in police custody, reports the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

20 January 2010

Cyprus

Media executive slain

The chief executive officer of a leading Cypriot media company was shot dead on 11 January in the capital, Nicosia, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI).

20 January 2010

United Kingdom

Libel law reform needed

Libel law in the United Kingdom has been used to protect the wealthy and powerful from criticism as the "high costs involved and the scale of damages have chilled free speech," says a recent report by English PEN and Index on Censorship. The cost of libel action in England and Wales is 140 times higher than the European average.

13 January 2010

Bulgaria

Notorious crime journalist slain

A journalist who had written articles and a book on crime figures was gunned down on 5 January in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Index on Censorship and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Campaigns and Advocacy

16 March 2010

France/Eritrea

Radio Erena: an independent news source for Eritrea

Based in Paris and run by exiled Eritrean journalists, Radio Erena has been operating for the past nine months.

12 March 2010

Uzbekistan

UN review should highlight atrocious record

Human Rights Watch calls for the release of imprisoned activists and an end to rights abuses.

9 March 2010

Turkey

Columnists protest against Prime Minister's warning to media

Turkish columnists have published a joint statement responding to Prime Minister Erdogan's call to "control newspaper bosses and columnists."

2 March 2010

Ukraine

ARTICLE 19 and International Media Support call on new president to stand for freedom of expression

The president was urged to take immediate steps to ensure that Ukraine adopts a law on public service broadcasting in compliance with European and international standards.

2 March 2010