Immer mehr Journalisten sterben in Ausübung ihres Berufes:
—-| IFEX COMMUNIQUÉ VOL 15 NO 12 | 31 MARCH 2006 | ——
The IFEX Communiqué is the weekly newsletter of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), a global network of 72 organisations working to defend and promote the right to free expression. IFEX is managed by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (www.cjfe.org).
The IFEX Communiqué is also available in French (www.ifex.org/fr), Spanish (www.ifex.org/es), Russian (www.ifex.cjes.ru/) and Arabic (http://hrinfo.net/ifex/).
————–| Visit the IFEX website: http://www.ifex.org |——————
—-| Read about the IFEX Tunisia Campaign: http://campaigns.ifex.org/tmg |—–
—– | INDEX | ——
FREE EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT:
1. Nepal: Press Freedom Seriously Deteriorating, Says International Mission
REGIONAL NEWS:
2. Belarus: Scores of Journalists Detained After Elections
3. International: 65 Journalists Killed in 2005, Says IPI
4. Hong Kong: HKJA Voices Concerns over Free Expression
5. Egypt: Campaign Aims to Decriminalise Defamation Laws
UPDATES:
6. Iraq: American Journalist Freed
REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS:
7. Report Assesses Media Needs in Togo
8. IAPA Press Freedom in the Americas
CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EVENTS:
9. FLIP, IFJ Support Safety Training for Colombian Journalists
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS:
10. Index on Censorship Honours Courageous Free Speech Advocates
11. Lebanese Journalist Named World Press Freedom Prize Winner
12. Nominations Invited for Samir Kassir Press Freedom Award
ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE LAST WEEK
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FREE-EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT
1. 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.
The International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission visited Nepal from 20 to 25 March 2006, where it met with government officials, independent journalists and editors, and civil society advocates.
Six members of the mission were IFEX members – ARTICLE 19, the International Federation of Journalists, the International Press Institute, Reporters sans Frontières, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters and the World Press Freedom Committee. A representative of the IFEX Clearing House also accompanied the mission.
The mission was coordinated by International Media Support (IMS) and organised locally by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists in collaboration with 28 Nepalese organisations.
The mission found that continuing attacks on journalists and media outlets are having a devastating affect on independent media. It noted the increasing involvement of the Royal Nepalese Army and armed police forces in committing press freedom and free expression violations.
The mission also said new media laws governing public broadcasting and the regulation of media will further endanger the survival of independent media.
„The refusal of the government to respect freedom of expression and press freedom erodes 15 years of development for the media community in Nepal, undermining democratic and economic progress and the chances for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the country,“ the mission said in a statement.
During the mission, members called on the government to stop the arbitrary detention of journalists. They highlighted the case of Jaya Prakash Gupta, editor of „Sandhyakalin Upatyaka“, whom they visited in jail during the mission. Gupta was released from prison soon after the visit.
Members of the mission also met Shyam Shrestha, editor of „Mulyankan“ magazine, who is being held in Kathmandu, and Tej Narayan Sapkota, editor of „Yojana Saptahik“, who is being detained at Nakkhu Jail.
The visit to Nepal was a follow-up to the mission’s first visit to the country in July 2005, which was aimed at coordinating international support for the local media community.
Visit these links:
– International Mission’s Statement: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73192/
– Report of the Mission’s First Visit to Nepal: http://tinyurl.com/d65rk
– FNJ: http://www.fnjnepal.org/
– IMS: http://www.i-m-s.dk
– Website of the Mission: http://www.nepalpressfreedom.org/
– CEHURDES: http://www.cehurdes.org.np/
– Human Rights Watch Report on Nepal: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/03/28/nepal13078.htm
– U.N. Human Rights Office in Nepal: http://www.un.org.np/uploads/agencyprofiles/ohchr/ohchr.php?agencyID=63
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REGIONAL NEWS:
EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
2. BELARUS: SCORES OF JOURNALISTS DETAINED AFTER ELECTIONS
In Belarus, at least 20 local and foreign journalists are being held in jail after covering opposition protests in the wake of the recent presidential elections, report Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), the International Press Institute (IPI), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
The journalists were detained on 24 March 2006 when riot police entered October Square in the capital, Minsk, and removed a group of 200 opposition protesters. The protesters had been camped out on the square to challenge the results of the previous week’s presidential elections, which gave Aleksandr Lukashenko an unprecedented third term in office. International observers criticised the elections as being deeply flawed.
Journalists from at least five foreign countries are among those being detained. They include Canadian reporter Frédérick Lavoie, Nino Giorgobiani and cameraman Giorgi Laghidze of the Georgian Broadcasting Corporation, Ukrainian journalist Andrij Lubka, Polish journalist Dzmitry Hurnevich of Radio Polonia, and Oleg Kozlovsky and Eduard Glezin, who work for the Russian newspaper „Pravoye Delo“. Another journalist, Pavel Sheremet, who reports for Russia’s Channel One television network, was handcuffed, blindfolded, and beaten by the police.
More than 150 opposition protesters have also been jailed in the wake of the election results. Most, including the detained journalists, have been sentenced to jail terms of between 10 and 15 days on charges of hooliganism.
Since coming to power in 1994, President Lukashenko has steadily eroded civil and political rights and waged an assault on independent media, notes Human Rights Watch. According to Freedom House, Belarus has one of the world’s most repressive regimes.
Visit these links:
– WAN: http://www.wan-press.org/article9615.html
– IPI: http://www.freemedia.at/Protests2006/pr_Belarus15.03.06.htm
– CJFE: http://www.cjfe.org/releases/2006/28032006belarus.html
– CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2006/europe/belarus24mar06na.html
– RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=16849
– IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=3796&Language=EN
– Human Rights Watch: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/01/18/belaru12217.htm
– Freedom House: http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=70&release=342
– Belarus Association of Journalists: http://baj.ru/indexe.htm
– OSCE Report on Belarus Elections: http://www.osce.org/documents/html/pdftohtml/18437_en.pdf.html
– Charter 97: http://67.18.131.22/eng/news/
3. INTERNATIONAL: 65 JOURNALISTS KILLED IN 2005, SAYS IPI
Sixty-five journalists were killed worldwide in 2005, with the conflict in Iraq accounting for one-third of the deaths, the International Press Institute (IPI) has found in its recently published 2005 World Press Freedom Review.
The Review, which assesses the state of press freedom in more than 100 countries, notes that the world’s most dangerous country for journalists is Iraq, where 23 were killed last year.
Regionally, the most dangerous is the Middle East and North Africa, with 26 journalists killed last year, followed by Asia, where 20 journalists were murdered because of their work. The Philippines was named the world’s most hazardous non-conflict zone, with nine journalists murdered.
In the Americas, IPI noted some progress in press freedom with the repeal of „desacato“ or „insult“ laws in Chile, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama, but stressed that with 11 journalists killed in the region last year, safety fears were still a major concern.
Access the 2005 World Press Freedom Review here:
http://service.cms.apa.at/cms/ipi/freedom-new.html
ASIA-PACIFIC
4. HONG KONG: 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.
In a report to the U.N. Human Rights Committee, which is currently reviewing Hong Kong’s treaty obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), HKJA says evidence of growing Chinese influence in Hong Kong’s affairs can be seen in two recent developments affecting the media.
The role of Hong Kong’s only public broadcaster, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), is currently being reviewed by a government-appointed committee made up primarily of representatives from the private media sector – a conflict of interest, said HKJA. The government has also signaled that RTHK’s editiorial independence should be reined in because it does not currently „serve the national interest.“ HKJA said serving the national interest in this context could be equivalent to RTHK acting as a mouthpiece of the government.
HKJA also expressed concern that a proposed law that would give the government powers to spy on and intercept individuals‘ communications could threaten the confidentiality of journalists‘ sources. The group said journalistic material should only be intercepted if there is a grave threat to Hong Kong’s security.
HKJA’s report to the U.N. Human Rights Committee can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/lsfso
Visit these links:
– IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?index=3658&Language=EN
– ARTICLE 19’s Model Public Service Broadcasting Law: http://www.article19.org/pdfs/standards/modelpsblaw.pdf
– U.N. Human Rights Committee: http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/hrcs86.htm
– ICPPR: http://www.ohchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
5. EGYPT: CAMPAIGN AIMS TO DECRIMINALISE DEFAMATION LAWS
In Egypt, a coalition of editors, professors, human rights activists and union leaders have announced plans to launch a national campaign aimed at abolishing jail sentences for press offences, reports the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR).
The campaign will focus on pressuring the government to deliver on its promise of decriminalising defamation. It will also seek to strengthen constitutional rights to freedom of expression and to repeal the 25-year old Emergency Law, which gives authorities wide powers to shut down media outlets in the name of national security.
The participants in the campaign recently met at a seminar organised by EOHR, which examined a draft proposal by the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate to decriminalise the country’s defamation laws.
For the past two years, President Hosni Mubarak has been promising to abolish jail sentences for press offenses but so far, no action has been taken. Many IFEX members have been calling on the president to follow through on his commitment. In February, 26 members issued a joint statement at the IFEX General Meeting in Brussels, expressing serious concern over the delay.
Visit these links:
– EOHR: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73172/
– IFEX Joint Action on Egypt’s Criminal Defamation Laws:
http://www.ifex.org/eng/content/view/full/72553/
– CPJ Report on Egypt: http://www.cpj.org/attacks05/mideast05/egypt_05.html
– RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=13304
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UPDATES
6. IRAQ: AMERICAN JOURNALIST FREED
On 30 March 2006, American freelance reporter Jill Carroll was released by her captors in Baghdad, Iraq, reported the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). She had been held hostage for nearly three months.
Carroll was reported to be in good health and said she was treated well during her captivity. She is recovering in the secure Green Zone area of Baghdad, which houses the U.S. embassy. Carroll and her interpreter, Allan Enwiyah, had been abducted on 7 January in the Adil neighbourhood of Baghdad by a group calling itself the Revenge Brigade. Enwiyah was shot dead. Carroll was reporting on assignment for „The Christian Science Monitor“.
According to CPJ, armed groups have kidnapped at least 39 journalists since April 2004 when insurgents began targeting foreigners. Although most have been released, six have been killed.
Three other reporters – Marwan Ghazal and Reem Zaeed of Iraqi Samaria TV and Ali Abdullah Fayad, a reporter for the newspaper „al-Safir“, remain missing, notes RSF. Ghazal and Zaeed were kidnapped in Baghdad on 1 February. Fayad was abducted in Kut, southeast of the capital, on 21 March.
Visit these links:
– IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=3805&Language=EN
– RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=16885
– CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/regions_06/mideast_06/jill_carroll_page.html
– List of Abducted Journalists in Iraq: http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/Iraq/iraq_abducted.html
– Christian Science Monitor: http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0331/p01s01-woiq.html
– INSI: http://www.newssafety.com/stories/insi/iraq170306.htm
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REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS
7. REPORT ASSESSES MEDIA NEEDS IN TOGO
Journalists in Togo face serious challenges in reporting the news, including intimidation and harassment from authorities, and a lack of expertise and resources in skills training, a report by four media support groups has found.
Entitled „Supporting the Media in Togo: A Review of the Media Landscape for the Post-Electoral Transition Period“, the report is co-authored by Media Rights Agenda, the Media Foundation for West Africa, the International Federation of Journalists‘ Africa office, in collaboration with the Danish organisation International Media Support.
It sets out the findings of a joint assessment mission the four organisations conducted in Togo in January 2006 on behalf of the Partnership for Media and Conflict Prevention in West Africa. The Partnership encourages regional and international collaborations to support media development and press freedom in the region.
The report provides an overview of the country’s print and broadcast media, and the conditions under which journalists work. It also assesses media laws and policies, and offers recommendations for improving press freedom conditions in Togo. The report is expected to provide a basis for collaborative work by the Partnership and the media community in Togo.
To read the report, visit:
http://mediarightsagenda.org/ujitogo.html
8. IAPA REPORTS EXAMINE PRESS FREEDOM IN THE AMERICAS
The latest reports on the state of press freedom in 25 countries in the Americas region are now available on the Inter American Press Association (IAPA)’s website. IAPA recently held its mid-year meeting in Quito, Ecuador, where hundreds of media professionals met to discuss important issues affecting news media in the region.
Visit: http://www.sipiapa.com/pulications/anualrep2006.cfm
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CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
9. FLIP, IFJ SUPPORT SAFETY TRAINING FOR COLOMBIAN JOURNALISTS
In Colombia, where a long-running conflict has made the country one of the most dangerous in the world for journalists, the Foundation for Press Freedom in Colombia (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa, FLIP) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have been partnering with the International News Safety Institute (INSI) and the British security consultancy AKE Ltd. to deliver safety training for media organisations.
Since February 2006, 52 journalists have received training in basic first aid, pre-assignment planning, hostage crisis response and other skills aimed at reducing the risks they face while reporting. The trainings have also allowed participants to share their experiences of dealing with dangerous situations.
Since 1990, 119 journalists have been killed in Colombia, and journalists all over the country continue to receive threats on a daily basis, according to INSI. In response to the threats, journalists in the country are establishing a national association to defend their rights and promote safety. Since 2003, INSI has trained close to 100 journalists in Colombia through a special project supported by the British embassy in Bogotá.
FLIP’s contributions to journalists‘ safety include a handbook containing scenarios and suggestions on what steps to take in dangerous situations, codes of ethics developed by journalist organisations worldwide and a listing of local contacts to which journalists can appeal for assistance.
For more information, visit:
– INSI: http://www.newssafety.com/stories/insi/colombia.doc
– FLIP: http://www.flip.org.co/Comunicados/2003/com09_03_2.htm
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AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
10. INDEX ON CENSORSHIP HONOURS COURAGEOUS FREE SPEECH ADVOCATES
A Chinese Communist Party official, an Iranian filmmaker, a Tunisian journalist and a Zimbabwean lawyer were among several individuals honoured last week at Index on Censorship’s 2006 Freedom of Expression Awards.
The awards recognise people who have made a significant contribution to free expression over the past year. Twenty-five individuals and organisations were shortlisted.
The Index on Censorship Award for Whistleblowing went to Huang Jingao, communist party official in Southern China who was sentenced to life in prison in November 2005 for using the Internet to denounce high-level official corruption. Bahman Ghobadi won the Index Film Award for depicting the horrors of the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq in the film „Turtles Can Fly“.
Tunisian journalist Sihem Bensedrine was awarded the Index/Hugo Young Journalism Award for bringing attention to human rights abuses in her home country. She has been jailed for her opinions and faces regular harassment from the Tunisian authorities. Zimbabwean lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa won the Index Law Award for her work in defending journalists in Zimbabwe, despite frequent threats to her safety.
A new prize, the T.R. Fyvel Book Award, was given to French journalist Jean Hatzfield for his books „Into The Quick of Life: The Rwandan Genocide: The Survivors Speak“ and „A Time for Machetes: The Rwandan Genocide: The Killers Speak“.
For more details, including pictures of the award winners, visit:
http://www.indexonline.org/en/news/articles/2006/1/index-on-censorship-free-expression-awards-2.shtml
11. LEBANESE JOURNALIST NAMED WORLD PRESS FREEDOM PRIZE-WINNER
May Chidiac, the Lebanese journalist who lost a hand and a leg when her car was bombed last September, has been named the winner of the 2006 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.
Chidiac is a popular television presenter whose news bulletins and Sunday programmes – Naharkoum Saïd and Bonjour – on LBC (Lebanese Broadcasting Corp.) are among the most widely watched in Lebanon. On 25 September 2005, she was seriously wounded when a bomb attached to the bottom of her car detonated in Beirut. Two other Lebanese journalists – Samir Kassir and Gebran Tueni – were killed in similar attacks last year.
Chidiac will be awarded the prize on 3 May in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where UNESCO will be holding its World Press Freedom Day celebrations. The prize is worth US$25,000, and is supported by the Guillermo Cano Foundation, UNESCO, and James and David Ottaway.
For more information, visit: http://www.unesco.org/webworld/wpfd/2006
12. NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR SAMIR KASSIR PRESS FREEDOM AWARD
The Samir Kassir Foundation and the EU Commission in Lebanon invite journalists and students from the Middle East and North Africa region to submit entries for the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press, a new prize aimed at promoting media freedom and the rule of law.
The award is named after the former Lebanese columnist and academic who was assassinated in June 2005 for criticising Syria’s influence in Lebanon.
There are two award categories: Journalists and Young Researchers.
The first category is open to journalists working in print, radio, television or online who are citizens of the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Syria and Tunisia. Candidates must submit work that has been published or broadcast between 1 January 2005 and 15 April 2006 by a media outlet in one of the above countries or in any of the EU member states. The article or report must be related to the theme of the rule of law.
The winner of the award will receive a cash prize of 15,000 EUR (US$18,200).
The Young Researchers award is open to students born after 2 June 1980 who are citizens of the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Syria and Tunisia. They must be registered at a public or private university in any of the above countries or in any of the EU member states.
Candidates must submit a dissertation or thesis, published in 2004 or 2005, that addresses one of two themes: press freedom and the rule of law. The winner will receive a cash prize of 10,000 EUR (US$12,100).
The deadline for submitting entries is 15 April 2006.
For complete details, visit: http://prixsamirkassir.org/ or contact coordination@prixsamirkassir.org
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ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE DURING THE PAST WEEK
20 MARCH 2006
South Africa – FXI welcomes acquittal of two Soweto activists on a charge of „illegal gathering“ (FXI) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73023/
Nepal – Journalist Bhawana Prasain freed after being held for 35 days and tortured (RSF) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73025/
Zimbabwe – ANZ licensing decision falls to minister, following judge’s ruling that media commission chairman is biased (MISA) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73027/
Zimbabwe – Draft bill seeks to allow government monitoring of telephone, e-mail, postal communications (MISA) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73028/
Iraq – Murder top cause of journalist deaths in Iraq, CPJ finds; local journalists increasingly targeted (CPJ) – capsule report
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73029/
Honduras – „Transparency Law“ bill suffers major setback with National Party’s introduction of new, pro-censorship „transparency“ bill (PROBIDAD) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73030/
Belarus – Newspaper run seized, two Polish journalists barred entry, TV operator pressured to drop Russian broadcaster in on-going pre-election media crackdown (CPJ) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73031/
Morocco – CPJ calls on King to probe government-organized protests against magazine (CPJ) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73034/
Iran – Journalist Akbar Ganji released
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73035/
Nigeria – Broadcast journalist arrested and detained overnight (MRA) – alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73036/
Guinea – Journalist detained, questioned, insulted by police (MFWA) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73038/
Kenya – Minister queried by parliamentary committee over government role in raids on Standard Group media outlets (AFMF) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73039/
Tunisia – Harassment of journalist’s family continues (
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73040/
China – Journalist sentenced to ten years in prison for online anti-government articles
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73044/
Turkmenistan – Authorities release two Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalists (CPJ) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73046/
21 MARCH 2006
Jordan – Committee rejects provision in draft law prohibiting imprisonment of journalists
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73047/
Democratic Republic of Congo – ICC asked to investigate militia leader’s role in AFP assistant’s disappearance in 2003 (RSF/JED) – alert update/joint action
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73048/
Belarus – Press attacks continue on election weekend and beyond (CPJ) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73050/
Ecuador – Ecuador signs press freedom declaration (IAPA) – press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73052/
Bangladesh – IFJ concerned about violations of media freedom, violence and harassment of journalists (IFJ) – capsule report
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73055/
Tunisia – WPFC welcomes release of detainees, condemns on-going imprisonment, attacks on freedom of expression and assembly (WPFC) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73057/
Jordan – AAI report on media in Jordan for 2005 (AAI) – capsule report
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73058/
Colombia – Journalist dies of injuries from February murder attempt in Montería (FLIP) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73059/
22 MARCH 2006
Belarus – Czech reporter beaten, three Belarusians detained in election aftermath (CPJ) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73090/
Venezuela – Journalist faces defamation charges (IPYS) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73091/
Venezuela – Journalist under house arrest for defamation (IPYS) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73093/
Iraq – Eighty-six journalists and media assistants killed and 38 kidnapped during three years of war: RSF report (RSF) – press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73095/
Americas – Journalists from the Americas face serious obstacles to the free exercise of the profession, concludes IAPA (IAPA) – capsule report
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73097/
Iraq / United States – CBS cameraman faces trial in Iraq (CPJ) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73099/
Japan – High Court decision protects journalists‘ right to keep sources confidential (IFJ) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73101/
Brazil – Local and regional media subjected to more violence and threats than national media (RSF) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73102/
China – Blogger and documentary filmmaker held for the past month http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73104/
Botswana – MISA calls for expeditious licensing of three new national commercial radio stations, community stations (MISA) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73105/
Nigeria – Beatings, threats, arrests, unfair dismissal, censorship – journalists see no improvement (RSF) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73107/
Nepal – „Detention of journalists must stop,“ say members of the International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission (FNJ) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73109/
Iraq – Kurdish journalist detained, assaulted, faces prosecution for article criticising regional political parties (CPJ) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73110/
Botswana – Government purchase of advertising space in media will not be regulated, assures minister (MISA) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73111/
Zimbabwe – Government’s media commission to allow journalists to regulate their own profession (MISA) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73112/
23 MARCH 2006
Algeria – Draconian decree „amounts to censorship,“ says CPJ; appeals court upholds Hakim Laalam’s prison sentence (CPJ) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73113/
Indonesia – Seven journalists assaulted by police and students in Papua (SEAPA) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73114/
Ethiopia – Court drops charges against five Voice of America journalists (CPJ) – alert update http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73115/
Philippines – A year after journalist Marlene Esperat’s murder, instigators still not arrested (RSF) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73117/
Benin – Editor arrested and released; faces high treason charges for article (MFWA) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73121/
Sierra Leone – Editor arrested (MFWA) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73122/
Peru – Radio journalist receives new death threat (IPYS) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73123/
Peru – Journalist threatened in Huaraz (IPYS) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73131/
24 MARCH 2006
Egypt/Tunisia – HRinfo sets up press observatory to monitor Tunisian coverage in Egyptian press (HRInfo) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73134/
Belarus – Belarus PEN vice-president and another journalist imprisoned; detainees reportedly beaten (WiPC) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73135/
Ecuador – Army detains journalists, suspends broadcasts by radio station (IPYS) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73136/
Colombia – Senator urges his supporters to boycott regional newspaper (FLIP) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73137/
Mexico – Taumalipas government official threatens webpage editor (IPYS) – alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73140/
Peru – Journalist assaulted during presidential candidate’s meeting (IPYS) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73142/
Colombia – Media crew assaulted during student demonstration in Pereira (FLIP) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73144/
Venezuela – Two journalists released; time to reconsider controversial press laws, says RSF (RSF) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73146/
Benin – Journalists denied access to press conference (MFWA) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73148/
Argentina – On 30th anniversary of coup, a tribute to the 98 journalists missing or killed during the military dictatorship (RSF) – press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73149/
Belarus – Police arrest journalists, block coverage in rally crackdown (CPJ) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/73151/
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