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Reports 2012

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Somalia

At CPJ debrief, "New York Times" correspondent cites danger, reward

CPJ research shows that six journalists have been killed in Somalia in 2012 alone, and 42 have been killed in the last two decades, one of the highest tolls in the world.

Brazil

Government must ensure an end to violence against journalists and commit to media pluralism

ARTICLE 19 has called upon member states of the United Nations to highlight freedom of expression and information in Brazil at the country’s upcoming Universal Periodic Review on 25 May 2012.

El Salvador

Solidarity, a key to security, eludes press

El Salvador's new generation of journalists would do well to be proactive, to work together, and to speak as one on the issues that endanger them all, says CPJ.

International

New FAIFE Spotlight released on libraries and freedom of information

The article examines progress towards reorienting libraries towards effective participation in the freedom of information process.

Serbia

ANEM media monitoring report shows increased pressure on media during electoral campaign

The report also looked at the process of media privatization in Serbia as well as implementation of the broadcasting law.

Palestine

Violations of media freedoms in April 2012

In the report, MADA notes a significant decline in violations against journalists in April 2012.

Cambodia

CCHR Fundamental Freedoms Fact Sheet: Freedom of Information

This fact sheet provides an overview of the proposed freedom of information law that was delivered to the National Assembly in March 2012.

Turkey

One hundred journalists in prison on World Press Freedom Day

BIANET laments the poor state of press freedom in the country and says that recent judicial reforms that label some press crimes as "terrorism" will make the situation worse.

Kenya / China

China's media footprint in Kenya

The expansion comes as other, predominantly Western media houses are shrinking their media presence in East Africa.

Asia and Pacific

IFJ releases Press Freedom in the Pacific report

In partnership with PFF, IFJ released its first Press Freedom in the Pacific report at a press launch held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to celebrate World Press Freedom Day.

Pakistan

ARTICLE 19's submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

ARTICLE 19's submission outlines concerns on Pakistan’s compliance with its international human rights obligations in respect of freedom of expression and freedom of information, in particular violence against journalists and human rights defenders.

Nigeria

RSF report highlights daily abuses suffered by journalists

RSF examines the first quarter of 2012, turning the spotlight on one of the most dangerous countries in Africa for journalists.

Australia

Media Alliance releases report: "Kicking against the Cornerstone of Democracy"

The MEAA annual press freedom report is the most comprehensive survey of media law and regulation in Australia. The report covers all aspects from the recent debate over press regulation to shield laws for journalists and whistleblower protection, privacy, defamation, media ownership and spin.

Tunisia

Fleeting Words: An Anthology of Revolution launched for World Press Freedom Day

The anthology, part of IFEX-TMG's ongoing project, brings together journalistic articles, commentaries, prose and verse in Arabic written both during the Ben Ali regime and since its fall, and is illustrated with images of the revolution.

China

IFJ releases report on media freedoms in greater China

IFJ continues to receive complaints from media all over China that they have been subjected to various kinds of pressure that prevent them from carrying out their duties.

Zambia

ARTICLE 19's submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

ARTICLE 19's submission focuses on Zambia’s compliance with its international obligations in respect of freedom of expression.

Asia and Pacific

New Frontiers, New Struggles - SAMSN report on press freedom in South Asia, 2011-12

World Press Freedom Day 2012 comes at a time of momentous challenges for journalism in South Asia, says the report published by IFJ in collaboration with a range of partners in the region.

International

ARTICLE 19 launches Join the Debate, a new blog about free expression issues

To mark World Press Freedom Day, ARTICLE 19 staff and volunteers blog about the situation of free media, including new media.

Mexico

CPJ co-presents "The Silenced: Fighting for Press Freedom in Mexico"

CPJ, CAFOD and The Guardian have developed ‘The Silenced: Fighting for Press Freedom in Mexico’, a photo exhibition that will mark the courage and determination of ‘The Silenced’ and those who continue to fight to tell the truth about the Latin American drug cartels, despite the risks.

Cambodia

CCHR launches Harassment of Media 2008-2011 map

The information published on the map is public information on cases of restrictions or alleged restrictions of the right to freedom of expression involving the media.

Nepal

Freedom Forum media monitoring report, March - April 2012

A journalist's murder spread shock waves among the Nepali media, Freedom Forum reports.

International

Eritrea, North Korea, Syria top list of 10 most censored countries

CPJ's report details how censorship works in each nation and highlights some trends among the censored countries, including disputed legitimacy of leadership and lagging economic development.

Southern Africa

MISA launches annual state of media freedom report

The current edition of So This Is Democracy? documents numerous media freedom and freedom of expression violations that MISA recorded in Southern Africa during the course of 2011.

Kenya

Legal analysis: Draft Campaign Financing Bill

In the analysis, ARTICLE 19 emphasises that transparency in campaign financing is indispensible for embedding accountability and integral to the promotion of good governance and democracy.

Burundi

Escalation of political violence documented in new Human Rights Watch report

The report also highlights numerous cases in which individuals were threatened, forced into hiding, and murdered as a result of their perceived political leanings.

Palestine

Violations of media freedoms in March 2012

MADA is concerned about the deterioration in freedom of expression in the territories, in particular the safety of journalists and bloggers in response to their reporting or their writing on social networking sites.

International

Freedom House launches 2012 report on press freedom

According to the report, for the first time in eight years, global media freedom did not experience an overall decline, while the Middle East and North Africa saw dramatic if precarious gains in press freedom in 2011.

International

Global call to commemorate World Press Freedom Day

WAN-IFRA has just added an interview with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman to the package of editorial and advertising materials it is offering to media worldwide to commemorate World Press Freedom Day on 3 May.

Kosovo (Serbia)

IPI issues report on Kosovo media

Common features of Kosovo journalism are low professional standards, high turnover, economic challenges, an absence of investigative reporting and a silencing of sensitive issues, low wages and the absence of regular contracts, says the report.

Uganda

Press freedom continues to diminish, says new report

Attacks on journalists have escalated in the past six months despite the government's commitment to adhere to international human rights principles, with 32 cases of attacks since the review by the UN Human Rights Council, says HRNJ-Uganda.

International

Internet giants submit to external free expression scrutiny

The Global Network Initiative's annual report contains the results of the first independent external assessment of Yahoo, Microsoft, and Google's capacity to protect freedom of expression in the face of government demands that could restrict it.

Sri Lanka

ARTICLE 19's Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

While the government received and accepted a number of recommendations related to the right of freedom of expression during the first UPR cycle, none of these have been realised.

Serbia

ANEM's media monitoring report for January and February 2012

The thirtieth monitoring report analyses attacks and threats against journalists and looks at the implementation of new and existing legislation that affects the media.

Pakistan

In a climate of impunity, more danger ahead for journalists

The most recent report from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan includes a detailed chapter on freedom of expression, which ties growing suppression to rising incidence of violence and threats against news media.

Uganda

ARTICLE 19 legal analysis: Communications Regulatory Authority Bill

The Communications Regulatory Authority Bill is a major piece of legislation intended to consolidate and harmonise two existing and overlapping laws – the Uganda Communications Act and the Electronic Media Act.

The Gambia

New report highlights draconian media laws

ARTICLE 19 has found significant flaws in the laws regulating the media and free speech in the country, as well as persistent harassment and intimidation of journalists and human rights defenders.

International

Recent journalist deaths add to record total for 2012 so far

“We are witnessing, by a significant margin, the deadliest start to a year for the media in recent memory,” IPI Executive Director Alison Bethel McKenzie said. “As movements for democracy spread across the world, journalists – whose work is critical to any free society – are increasingly coming under violent attack.”

International

CPJ's Impunity Index: Getting away with murder

Unsolved journalist murders have risen sharply in Mexico and Pakistan, continuing an alarming trend in both countries; in contrast CPJ did chart improving conditions in Colombia, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Peru

Joint submission to UN Universal Periodic Review

ARTICLE 19, APRODEH, IPYS and Suma Ciudadana note that during the first UPR cycle, the Peruvian Government received a number of recommendations related to freedom of expression issues.

Benin

ARTICLE 19's submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

The submission outlines areas where the country has failed to meet its legal obligations to protect freedom of expression.

Ghana

ARTICLE 19's submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

ARTICLE 19 notes that only a few freedom of expression issues have been addressed during the first cycle of the UPR.

South Sudan

Independence has not brought freedom for press

Journalists routinely face harassment, intimidation and violence for pursuing stories that tackle everything from corruption to security concerns.

Guatemala

ARTICLE 19 submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

The report outlines areas where the country has failed to meet its legal obligations to protect freedom of expression.

Angola

Opposition begins to speak up

"We are a simulated democracy. Angola is really a dictatorship," said Elias Isaac, country director for the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (Osisa).

Ecuador

Fundamedios reports increased hostility towards media in first quarter of 2012

Attacks against the media, journalists and members of the public who were exercising their right to free expression increased, in comparison with the same time period in previous years.

Cambodia

CCHR Fundamental Freedoms Fact Sheet: Freedom of Information

The government has declared its commitment to the right to freedom of information; however, the right to access information, the availability of information, and demand for information are far from entrenched in Cambodian society.

Mali

Concern for journalists, serious setback for media freedom

"The nationwide chaos and ensuing grave problems have dealt a serious setback to press freedom," RSF said.

France

Presidential candidates ignore serious breaches of freedom of information

Litigation and prosecution of journalists have been an everyday occurrence in the past few years. “As soon as a journalist or a blogger touches on a sensitive subject, he or she must be prepared to tangle with the law,” says RSF.

West Africa

Free expression and law in 2011

ARTICLE 19 outlines the major legal developments relating to freedom of expression and information in West and Central African countries.

Turkey

OSCE study confirms nearly 100 journalists currently in prison

The updated figure appears to confirm Turkey, an OSCE member state and candidate for membership in the European Union, as one of the world’s leading jailers of journalists – by some accounts ahead even of notorious press-freedom offenders Iran and China.

Central and Eastern Africa

Free expression and law in 2011

ARTICLE 19 outlines the main legal developments regarding freedom of expression and information in East Africa.

Asia and Pacific

Free expression and law in 2011

ARTICLE 19 highlights the major legal developments relating to freedom of expression and the right to information throughout the region.

Bahrain

Press freedom situation worsens as authorities attempt to whitewash actions

The authorities have hired Western PR firms to help project a favourable image of the regime in the Western media.

Tunisia

Internet regulation reform vital, says ARTICLE 19

While the Internet may be partly free in practice since the ousting of President Ben Ali, the repressive laws that formed part of the censorship apparatus of his government remain. There is therefore a real danger that free speech on the Internet may be stifled again as long as they are still on the statute book.

Tunisia

Protecting free expression and free information in the new Constitution

ARTICLE 19 hopes that international and regional standards and comparative examples indicating the best practices of states on the protection of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of information will provide a useful source of reference for drafters of the new Tunisian Constitution.

Bahrain

Vital reform commitments unmet, finds Human Rights Watch

Some of the BICI’s most serious concerns, like accountability for crimes such as torture and relief for people wrongly imprisoned have not been adequately addressed, says Human Rights Watch.

Nepal

Freedom Forum media monitoring report, February - March 2012

While press freedom violations were down, fear among journalists remained unabated, according to Freedom Forum.

Bahrain

BCHR documents human rights violations post-BICI Report

The report honours the past and current sacrifices made by human rights defender Abdulhadi Alkhawaja and all those who paid a high price for demanding human rights.

Brazil

IPI releases report on plight of country's regional media

The report reveals that while the media environment in the globalised metropolises appears increasingly healthy, journalists working outside the centres of federal power continue to be targeted by drug cartels, powerful local politicians, and others who fear the consequences of investigative reporting.

Azerbaijan

Freedom of expression situation is "alarming", say international rights organisations

Azerbaijan's appalling free-expression record is of international concern because the country is hosting the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest and the Internet Governance Forum.

Tunisia

ANHRI and Tunisian Centre for Freedom of the Press conclude first training workshop on Internet serving freedom of expression

ANHRI and Tunisian Centre for Freedom of the Press concluded their first workshop held in Gafsa in March 2012. The workshop titled “Internet serving freedom of expression” comes within the framework of a series of workshops to be held in the coming period in cities across Tunisia as part of the project of the IFEX Tunisia Monitoring Group (IFEX-TMG).

Mexico

ARTICLE 19 releases report on press entitled "Forced Silence"

The report revealed increases in attacks on journalists in 2011, showing that the authorities are still not doing their job.

Cambodia

CCHR releases report on freedom of expression and academic freedom

In light of the recent announcement by the Research Department at RULE, namely a list of prohibited thesis topics for the current academic year, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights examines the right to freedom of expression in the context of academic freedom.

Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, it's not the media that spreads the news

In places like Zimbabwe the need for "outsider" critique is essential: solipsistic regimes create complex narratives about betrayal and patriotism; no more so than in Zimbabwe. Whether material originates from "inside" or "outside" the regime can be important in establishing its veracity.

Somalia / Kenya

The plight of journalists who flee Al-Shabaab

Kenya represents a beacon of regional press freedom, and the majority of regional journalists are able to continue to work in the media field without harassment.

Senegal

Who knew? Senegalese arrest, prosecution can be swift

The quick arrest and prosecution of a man who assaulted three journalists outside their newspaper's office in the capital Dakar last month serves as an instructive contrast between the handling of an ordinary crime and the handling of abuses against journalists in the line of duty - cases which are usually politicised, stalled, or both.

Malawi

A bad weekend for Malawian journalists

No media outlet critical of President Bingu Wa Mutharika or the ruling Democratic Progressive Party was spared by the government this past weekend. The broadside included a public campaign to discredit the media as well as threats of fines and arrests of critical journalists.

Syria

On first anniversary of uprising, tenacity of press noteworthy

A CPJ review of the journalist fatalities found substantial evidence that two local journalists, Ferzat Jarban and Basil al-Sayed, were directly targeted by government forces.

Somalia / Kenya

NUSOJ report reveals rights abuses at radio station

The report highlights violations of journalists' rights, such as the victimising of staff who lost their jobs after refusing to compromise their professional ethics. It features the case of Farah Lamaane, a former RBK senior editor who was forced to resign after complaining of unwarranted interference with editorial independence by the station's management.

Kenya

CPJ underlines hazards of reporting all sides of the Lamu port story

Many journalists in eastern Africa have faced the wrath of authorities for their criticism of government development projects, CPJ found.

China

IFJ Press Freedom in China Campaign Bulletin - March 2012

IFJ issues its March 2012 bulletin on the state of press freedom in China.

Nepal

Freedom Forum electoral coverage report - February 2012

(Freedom Forum/IFEX) - This report looks at the coverage of electoral matters and political issues from 16 January to 15 February 2012.

Nepal

Freedom Forum media monitoring report, January-February 2012

There were 11 incidents of press freedom violations during the period from 16 January to 15 February 2012, according to Freedom Forum

Americas

ARTICLE 19 reviews free expression and the law in 2011

According to ARTICLE 19's statement, in 2011 only a few countries in the region proposed changes to their constitutions which substantially affect freedom of expression.

Bahrain

Human Rights Watch reports on unfair trials targeting peaceful demonstrators, activists

The egregious violations of fair trial rights in political cases do not just reflect the poor practices of individual prosecutors and judges, but serious, systemic problems with the country's criminal justice system, said the organisation.

Kenya

ARTICLE 19 publishes analysis of Publication of Electoral Opinion Polls Bill

ARTICLE 19 has analysed the Kenyan Publication of Electoral Opinions Bill, 2011 from the perspective of international and comparative standards on freedom of expression and freedom of information.

Palestine

Violations of media freedoms in the occupied Palestinian territories in 2011

MADA identified a total of 206 violations of media freedoms, with the murder of Italian journalist Vittorio Arrigoni in Gaza representing the most serious violation of the year.

Tibet (China) / China

Blackout imposed by Chinese authorities

RSF is alarmed at the blackout imposed on the provinces of Sichuan and Qinghai, as well as the autonomous region of Tibet, preventing all media coverage of protest movements.

Palestine / Israel

Palestinians facing wave of detentions, attacks

Since the beginning of 2012, at least five journalists working in the Palestinian Territories have been subjected to arbitrary arrest and a further two have seen their detention periods extended.

International

Local censorship goes global as media under siege, says CPJ report

"In a globalized information age, censorship is a transnational violation that must be emphatically countered," said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon.

Sri Lanka

National reconciliation efforts must address journalists' concerns, says IFJ

The IFJ notes that the report of an official commission appointed by the president as part of the process of national reconciliation was published late in 2011 and has led to some debate.

Egypt

One year after Mubarak: interview on press freedom with "Egypt Independent" managing editor Lina Attalah

"The more problematic form of censorship is self-censorship," said the managing editor during an interview with IPI.

Palestine

Violations of media freedoms in January 2012

(MADA/IFEX) - Ramallah, February 2012 - The New Year did not begin well for journalists in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) with widespread violations in January, particularly towards the end of the month. Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched an extensive campaign of violence and harassment against journalists, with incidences of journalists being targeted with rubber coated steel bullets, live rounds and tear gas projectiles, extension of arrests and issuing of one exclusion order.

Americas

Regional media under siege in Latin America

One of the most significant obstacles to press freedom in Latin America is the autocratic regional and local authorities who view investigative reporting as a threat to their otherwise unchecked power.

Turkey

A year of struggle for journalists

In 2011, journalism and rights organisations in Turkey and worldwide urged for the release of imprisoned journalists, called for the abrogation of the Anti-Terror Law, observed trial hearings and requested amendments to lengthy detention periods, says a new BIANET report.

Uganda

HRNJ-Uganda report points to deterioration in media freedom

The organisation documented 107 cases of attacks on journalists in 2011, compared to 58 in 2010 and 38 in 2009.

Syria

Restrictions on independent media must end, says IPI

The absence of independent media reporting in Syria severely hinders the world's understanding of what is taking place there, said IPI.

Yemen

Human Rights Watch reports on use of excessive force against peaceful protesters in Taizz

In the report, the organisation calls on the US, EU and Persian Gulf states to acknowledge that the immunity granted to President Saleh and his aides has no legal effect outside Yemen.

South America

GALI report reveals public officials are the worst free expression offenders in the Andean region

According to the report, the aggressions reached their climax towards the middle of the year, sometimes a bit before or a bit later, due to specific situations such as general elections in Peru or the lawsuit for millions of dollars against the newspaper "El Universo" in Ecuador.

Turkey

BIANET releases media monitoring results for 2011

A total of 104 journalists and 30 media workers were imprisoned in 2011, says BIANET, a large jump from 30 journalists in 2010.

Colombia

Criminal gangs intimidate, silence Córdoba journalists

The gangs, known in Spanish as bandas criminales or "bacrim," are the offspring of right-wing paramilitary death squads that fought the country's Marxist guerrillas and trafficked cocaine.

Nepal

Freedom Forum releases report on press freedom violations

The report is a result of media monitoring from 16 December 2011 to 15 January 2012.

Serbia

ANEM's December 2011 media monitoring report

The twenty-ninth Monitoring Report contains a legal analysis and assessment of the most important occurrences in the media sector in Serbia in December 2011.

Ethiopia

EFJA calls for concerted global efforts to stop abuses

Following a spate of convictions of journalists on trumped up charges, EFJA calls for action from democratic governments around the world, as well as civil liberty and freedom advocates.

International

Arab Spring protests deserve strong international support, says Human Rights Watch report

Many democracies have allowed their ties with repressive allies to temper their support for human rights in the Arab Spring protests, according to the annual review of human rights practices around the globe.

China

Press freedom suffered significant setbacks in 2011, says IFJ report

As the scent of the Jasmine Revolution in the Middle East and North Africa drifted towards China, central authorities tightened restrictions on the press, and stepped up intimidation of journalists.

International

Freedom House survey highlights significance of Arab uprisings

In its annual survey of political rights and civil liberties, the organisation concluded that even as the Arab Spring triggered unprecedented progress, it also provoked a backlash, repercussion of which have been felt across the Middle East, Eurasia and Africa.

Somalia

Attacks on the press up in 2011, says NUSOJ annual report

The targeting of journalists is increasingly politically motivated and systemic, says NUSOJ.

Vietnam

IPA report criticises censorship

In its first report on the freedom to publish conditions in Vietnam, IPA concludes that the screening of books is a complex, opaque, at time irrational, and highly bureaucratic process.

Yemen

Journalists see light at end of tunnel, but dangers remain

Reporters are still afraid for their safety as media and media workers continue to be prosecuted, IPI found.

Egypt

Newly elected Parliament urged to dismantle tools of repression

Reforming laws that curb freedom, shield official abuse should top Parliament's agenda, says Human Rights Watch.

Bahrain

Athletes targeted for exercising their rights as country prepares for the Formula One

On 13 December 2011, the Criminal Court sentenced racing champion Mohamed AlKhunaizi to two years' imprisonment on charges of illegal gathering and inciting hatred against the regime.

Cambodia

Ahead of elections, CCHR reports on the right to vote

Elections in the past however have been marred by allegations of undue influence or coercion inhibiting the free expression of the electors' will.

Palestine

Violations of media freedoms in December 2011

Violations by Israeli forces against journalists in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) rose in number in the month of December, with journalists being frequently targeted with tear gas grenades.

Ecuador

Fundamedios records 156 aggressions against the media in 2011

According to the records, most of the aggressions were initiated by public officials; 18.59% of these by the President.

International

IPI reports on deadly trends for journalists in 2011

Of the 103 journalists killed in 2011 because of their work, 36 lost their lives in Latin America, confirming a trend of increasing violence against journalists in the Western hemisphere that IPI and other international groups have sought to address for some years.

International

The Arab world is the most dangerous region for journalists, says WAN-IFRA

According to the organisation's annual report, 64 journalists and other media workers were killed world-wide because of their professional activities in 2011, with nearly half of them killed in Pakistan, Iraq, Libya and Yemen.

Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia

Press freedom overview reveals ongoing violations in South East Europe

SEEMO registered 684 violations in 2011 and noted that the source of threats and pressures was diverse, including politicians; business groups, often linked to mafia-style business dealings and others.

Peru

Decriminalisation of press offences a major issue in 2012

Decriminalization is urgent in Peru, where a promising reform of the criminal code approved in July 2011 has not yet been enacted.

International

IFJ presses UN for action on media killings after violence claims 106 lives of journalists and media staff in 2011

IFJ blames governments' failure to uphold their international obligations for the ongoing violence targeting media.

Turkey

BIANET releases third quarter media monitoring report

BIANET outlines the press freedom violations that took place from July to September 2011.

Americas

IAPA reviews state of press freedom in 2011

IAPA concluded that this was one of the most “challenging and tragic” years for the countries of the Americas and reaffirmed its commitment to confront the next challenges.