IFEX – das weltweite Informationsnetz zur Presse-Freiheit, Sitz in Kanada – zum Tag der Presse-Freiheit – und über all die in Ausübung ihrer Arbeit getöteten Journalisten und MedienarbeiterInnen – auf Englisch – bitte sehr!
An: info@feminissima.de
Betreff: IFEX COMMUNIQUÉ VOL 14 NO 18 | 3 MAY 2005
Datum: Tue, 3 May 2005 21:24:41 -0400
—-| IFEX COMMUNIQUÉ VOL 14 NO 18 | 3 MAY 2005 | ——
The IFEX Communiqué is the weekly newsletter of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), a global network of 64 organisations working to defend and promote free expression. The Communiqué is also available in French and Spanish.
———-| Visit the World Press Freedom Day page on the IFEX website |————-
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/242/
— | INDEX | —
FREE EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT:
1. 3 May 2005: World Press Freedom Day
IFEX MEMBERS‘ WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY EVENTS:
2. Americas
3. Africa
4. Asia-Pacific
5. Middle East and North Africa
6. Europe and Central Asia
REGIONAL NEWS:
7. Sri Lanka: Journalist Murdered
8. Australia: Report Slams Press Freedom Record
9. Mexico: PEN Centres Join Anti-Impunity Coalition
„IN OTHER NEWS“…
10. INSI Launches Global Inquiry into Journalists‘ Deaths
11. World Press Freedom Day Events Elsewhere
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS:
12. Canadian Reporter, Romanian Cartoonist Win Press Freedom Awards
13. Zimbabwean Radio Station Named Free Media Pioneer
ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE IN THE PAST WEEK
——————————————————–
FREE-EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT
3 MAY 2005: WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
IFEX members and other free expression advocates around the globe celebrated World Press Freedom Day today – a day to remind the world of the crucial role a free press plays in strengthening democracies and fostering development.
Celebrated each year since 1993, when it was proclaimed by the United Nations, the day is an occasion to pay tribute to journalists who have been killed because of their work and to promote the importance of protecting the right to freedom of expression.
This year, UNESCO is holding a conference in Dakar, Senegal, from 1 to 3 May under the theme „Media and Good Governance.“ The conference examines the media’s role in covering elections and exposing corruption, the importance of the public’s ability to access government information and the issue of media ethics.
Independent, free and pluralistic media have a crucial role to play in the good governance of democratic societies by ensuring transparency and accountability, promoting participation and the rule of law, and contributing to the fight against poverty, says UNESCO Director General Koïchiro Matsuura.
Free and independent media also act as watchdogs against abuse of authority, providing citizens with the information they require to exercise their democratic rights, especially during elections. And media have an „essential contribution to make“ in informing the public about diseases such as HIV-AIDS and natural disasters, says Matsuura.
UNESCO today honoured Chinese journalist Chen Yizhong with the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize for his efforts to expose government secrecy. The US$25,000 prize is awarded each year to individuals and organisations that demonstrate courage in defending freedom of expression.
As the editor of „Nanfang Dushi Bao“ („Southern Metropolis Daily“), Cheng broke new ground in Chinese journalism, says UNESCO. In December 2003, „Nanfang Dushi Bao“ reported a suspected SARS case in the city of Guangzhou, the first new case in China since the epidemic was wiped out in July 2003. The government had not yet publicly released information about the case when the newspaper’s report was published. The newspaper also revealed that a college student was beaten to death while in police custody. Public outcry over the death led to the arrest of several local government and police officials.
The „South China Morning Post“ reports that Chinese authorities have barred Cheng from traveling to Dakar to accept the award. „I feel very regretful and apologetic,“ Cheng said in a statement posted on the Internet. He called on journalists in China to „speak the truth.“
The awarding of the prize comes at a time when journalists in many parts of the world face increasingly dangerous working conditions. They often face murder attempts, intimidation and harassment for reporting on political, social and economic issues, according to free expression experts at the UN, the Organization of American States, the African Commission on Human and Peoples‘ Rights and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
For more information about World Press Freedom Day, visit:
– UNESCO: http://tinyurl.com/7mvz2
– IFEX: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/242/
– Joint Statement by Free Expression Experts: http://www.osce.org/fom/item_1_14097.html
——————————————————–
IFEX MEMBERS‘ WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY EVENTS
Every year, IFEX members around the world mark World Press Freedom Day with activities to promote the right to freedom of expression and raise awareness of threats against journalists, writers and others who are targeted for exercising this right.
2. AMERICAS
In Canada, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) held a lunchtime discussion in Toronto on 3 May with „Hamilton Spectator“ reporter Ken Peters on the right of journalists to protect their sources. Peters spoke to author and CBC Reporter Carol Off about the legal battle in 2004 which could have landed him in jail. CJFE also sponsored the 29 April screening of „Bearing Witness,“ a documentary film by Academy Award-winning director Barbara Kopple at the Hot Docs film festival in Toronto. See: http://www.cjfe.org/eng/about/events.html
PEN Canada highlighted the high number of journalists murdered in Mexico and the Philippines and called on governments to pursue justice. Since 1987, 48 journalists have been killed in Mexico. In the Philippines, at least 66 have died since 1986. In the vast majority of the cases, the perpetrators have gone unpunished. PEN Canada has joined a Mexican coalition of free expression groups to lobby for justice in the cases of murdered journalists (see Story #8 in this issue).
In Colombia, the Foundation for Press Freedom (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa, FLIP) released a survey which reveals that while the number of attacks against journalists (murders, threats, arrests) has not increased since May 2004, serious concerns remain about press freedom in the country. Self-censorship in the media is prevalent, a problem noted by the Organization for American States‘ Special Rapporteur on Free Expression during a fact-finding mission to Colombia in April 2005. See: http://www.flip.org.co/informes/especiales/comunicado%203%20de%20mayo.doc
In Guatemala, the Association of Guatemalan Journalists‘ Press Freedom Committee (Comisión de Libertad de Prensa de la Asociación de Periodistas de Guatemala, APG) said news media in the country continue to work in an environment marked by threats, intimidation and violence against journalists. According to Committee spokesperson Ileana Alamilla, press freedom has deteriorated under the government of President Óscar Berger.
In the United States, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released a list of what it called the most murderous countries in the world for journalists. The Philippines headed the list, followed by Iraq, Colombia, Bangladesh and Russia. CPJ says murder with impunity is the most urgent threat facing journalists worldwide. The organisation says the vast majority of journalists killed on duty worldwide in the past five years did not die in crossfire or while covering dangerous assignments. Instead, 121 of the 190 journalists who died were hunted down and murdered in retaliation for their work. See: http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2005/murderous_05/murderous_05.html
The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) issued its annual World Press Freedom Day message, saying many journalists in the Americas are paying a high price for doing their work. Since 3 May 2004, 16 have been killed, says IAPA, and in many cases the violence is perpetrated by criminal organisations, including drug traffickers. See: http://www.sipiapa.org/pressreleases/chronologicaldetail.cfm?PressReleaseID=1380
3. AFRICA
In Namibia, the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) launched its annual survey „So This Is Democracy? State of Media Freedom in Southern Africa.“ The survey assesses conditions in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe in 2004. This year, it features a regional review of gender in the media.
MISA said it recorded a dramatic drop in the number of press freedom in violations in Zimbabwe. This was due to the fact that laws introduced in the past three years, particularly the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, have effectively silenced independent media in the country. See: http://www.misa.org/sothisisdemocracy.html
In Zambia, MISA held a workshop in Lusaka to organise a campaign aimed at convincing African governments to abolish „insult laws.“ Participants included representatives of Journaliste en danger, the Media Foundation for West Africa, Media Rights Agenda and the World Press Freedom Committee.
Of Africa’s 53 countries, 48 have insult laws in their statute books, says MISA. These laws are often used to silence journalists who report critically on government officials or issues such as corruption and mismanagement. The Lusaka workshop is the first of a series of advocacy workshops in the region to create awareness of insult laws, broaden knowledge about their effects and devise an action plan to campaign for their removal from the statute books.
4. ASIA-PACIFIC
In Thailand, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and the Thai Journalists Association (TJA)
held a public forum in Bangkok on 3 May to discuss prospects for media reform in the country. „Media reform: What’s in it for you?“ engaged prominent personalities and journalists in critiques of the media and discussions about the need to involve the public in strengthening the press.
The forum was part of a week-long series of events to raise public awareness about World Press Freedom Day and the importance of the right to freedom of expression. Activities included a broad-based publicity campaign in local newspapers and broadcast outlets, and links with university journalism students. See: http://www.seapabkk.org
In Fiji, the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) affirmed the importance of the media in promoting good governance in the region. In a World Press Freedom Day statement, President Apulu Lance Polu called on the Pacific Islands Forum – an intergovernmental agency – to involve the media in discussions about a regional plan aimed at improving governance. See: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66335/
The International Federation of Journalists‘ Asia-Pacific office released its third annual report on press freedom in South Asia. „Courage and Censorship – Journalists and Press Freedom in South Asia 2004-2005“ details the cases of 19 media workers who were killed between May 2004 and April 2005. The report was published on behalf of the South Asia Media Solidarity Network, a coalition of journalists‘ unions and press freedom organisations that aims to build solidarity among journalists‘ organisations and other groups in the region. See: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/sapf2005mr.html
5. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
In Egypt, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies and the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights co-hosted a panel discussion in Cairo on 3 May entitled „Arab Journalism Under Siege.“ Representatives of press freedom groups spoke about urgent concerns in Egypt, Tunisia and other Arab countries and participants were invited to put forward ideas for addressing the crisis.
The Algerian Centre for the Promotion of Press Freedom (Centre algérien de défense de la liberté de la presse, CALP) called attention to what it called grave threats to press freedom in Algeria.
„The year 2004 can be considered a particularly difficult year marked by the imprisonment of journalists, the intensification of judicial harassment against them and the economic pressures on the media,“ the group said in a statement.
CALP called on the government to free Mohamed Benchicou, the managing editor of the newspaper „Le Matin“ („The Morning“) who was jailed in June 2004 for publishing articles about alleged government corruption (http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/65667).
6. EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
In Belgium, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) launched a new report on the impact of the war on terrorism on civil liberties, saying the right to freedom of expression is being sacrificed by democratic states in the name of security. The 52-page report, co-authored with Statewatch, includes an analysis of current policy developments and a survey of 20 selected countries. It concludes that around half of the minimum standards set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are being undermined by the war on terrorism. See: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=3107&Language=EN
Norwegian PEN hosted a speaker’s event in Oslo on 3 May, featuring Tunisian journalist and human rights activist Sihem Bensedrine, Rodney Pinder of the International News Safety Institute and David Hansen of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Speakers talked about freedom of expression violations in Tunisia and the issue of journalists‘ safety in the context of war and terrorism. The event also covered the topic of government employees who blow the whistle on corruption or mismanagement. Support for the event came from organisations including Fritt Ord and UNESCO. See: http://www.norskpen.no/pen/PressefrihetensDag.html
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN marked 3 May by inviting PEN Centres around the world to write letters in support of three writers and journalists who have been attacked for expressing their views on the Internet. See: http://internationalpen.org.uk/dev/Upload/3%20May%20background.doc
In Austria, the International Press Institute (IPI) called on governments worldwide to stop „suffocating“ the news media and to allow journalists to work freely. IPI said governments everywhere employ overt and covert methods to hinder the media, including, press laws, false arrest and imprisonment, physical violence, and denial of access to officials. See: http://www.freemedia.at/Protests2005/pr_WPFD2005.htm
In France, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) issued a „Blacklist“ of Press Freedom Enemies, bringing attention to individuals who have committed crimes or offences against journalists or media and have gone unpunished. See: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=13657
RSF also released a report indicating that the war in Iraq has been the deadliest for journalists since Vietnam in the 1960s. Fifty-six journalists and media assistants have been killed and 29 kidnapped since fighting began in March 2003, the group says. See: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=13652
The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) launched its yearly World Press Freedom Day package, inviting newspapers around the world to download essays, opinion pieces, interviews, infographics, editorial cartoons, photographs and advertisements for publication on
3 May.
This year’s package, focused on the theme „Impunity: Getting Away With Murder,“ also included video clips for broadcast and for posting on newspapers‘ websites. Materials were available in English, French, Spanish, German and Russian.
See: http://www.worldpressfreedomday.org
——————————————————–
REGIONAL NEWS:
7. 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).
He was an experienced reporter, a columnist for the „Daily Mirror“ and a founder of the news website TamilNet. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Sivaram wrote sympathetically about the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebel group. Police searched his house twice last year looking for weapons, but did not find anything to incriminate him. RSF notes that several pro-government media outlets accused Sivaram of being an LTTE spy.
Since last spring, a bitter feud between the LTTE and a breakaway faction led by Colonel Karuna has led to more violence in Sri Lanka. Both sides have brutally targeted each other’s alleged supporters, including journalists. Peace talks between Tamil rebels and the government have stalled since a ceasefire agreement was signed in February 2002.
RSF says Sri Lankan authorities have a record of failing to bring the killers of journalists to justice. „The government, headed by Chandrika Kumaratunga, has protected killers of journalists, particularly Tamil militia of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party, elements in the presidential guard and members of Col. Karuna’s Tamil militia.“
See:
– FMM Alert: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66282/
– RSF Offers 9 Recommendations for Improving Press Freedom: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10956
– CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2005/Sri29apr05na.html
– IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=3106&Language=EN
– Sivaram Memorial Fund: http://www.tamilnet.com/contribute/
8. AUSTRALIA: REPORT SLAMS PRESS FREEDOM RECORD
Anti-terrorism legislation, cuts to public broadcasting and increasing government secrecy in Australia are putting press freedom in dire straits, according to a new report by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA).
„Turning Up The Heat: The Decline of Press Freedom in Australia 2001-2005“ documents how governments, law enforcers and individuals have contributed to increased „media management“ – ultimately tipping the balance against the public interest and democratic values.
„Journalists have been like the proverbial frog in a pot of cold water that is slowly brought to the boil. We do not notice the incremental changes, until it is too late,“ says MEAA Secretary Christopher Warren. „Taken as a whole, the attacks on journalists and increasing government restrictions have posed a major threat to Australian press freedom since September 11, 2001,“ he said.
The report was launched at MEAA’s 2005 Press Freedom Dinner on 30 April. For more information, contact MEAA: alerts@alliance.org.au
Visit: http://www.alliance.org.au
9. MEXICO: PEN CENTRES JOIN ANTI-IMPUNITY COALITION
PEN Canada and the PEN American Centre are throwing their support behind a Mexican campaign to stop the killing of journalists in the country, dubbed one of the most dangerous in the Americas for media.
„Ni Uno Más“ („Not One More“) is a coalition of non-governmental organisations that seeks to pressure Mexican authorities into bringing the killers of journalists to justice and raising awareness of impunity. Local participating groups include the Centre for Journalism and Ethics (Centro de Periodismo y Ética Pública, CEPET), Freedom of Information Mexico (Libertad de Información México, LIMAC) and the Manuel Buendía Foundation.
Since 1987, 48 journalists have been killed in Mexico, according to the Inter American Press Association (IAPA). Only a handful of those cases have been properly investigated. In the past month, two journalists have been murdered in Mexico, while a third has disappeared. All of them were known for reporting on the activities of powerful drug cartels (see: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/65942/).
See:
– Campaign Website: http://www.cepet.org/cndeclara.htm
– PEN Canada: http://www.pencanada.ca/news/newsdetail.php?newsitem=43
– PEN Canada Report on Impunity: http://www.pencanada.ca/publications/PEN_imp_report_E.pdf
– IAPA Report: http://www.sipiapa.org/pulications/report_mexico2005.cfm
– IFEX Alerts on Mexico: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/97/
——————————————————–
„IN OTHER NEWS“…
10. INSI LAUNCHES GLOBAL INQUIRY INTO JOURNALISTS‘ DEATHS
The International News Safety Institute (INSI) has launched an inquiry aimed at examining the reasons behind the rising death toll of journalists world-wide and offering solutions for reducing violence against news gatherers.
Headed by Richard Sambrook, Director of BBC Global News, the Inquiry will assess the legal, professional and practical issues related to the protection of journalists in dangerous situations. It will hear from journalists around the world who have been personally targeted by violence while reporting in their home countries and during foreign assignment. It will also seek information from governments, military and non-governmental organisations. A report detailing the Inquiry’s findings is expected to be completed at least one year from now.
Members of the Inquiry include representatives of IFEX members, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Press Institute, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, the International Federation of Journalists and the World Association of Newspapers.
The Inquiry will hold its first hearings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 10 May 2005 and in Doha, Qatar on 23 May. Future sessions are planned for Latin America, Africa, the United States and Europe.
INSI invites anyone with information on, or has experience of attacks on journalists and other news media workers to contact the following members of the Inquiry: Richard Sambrook: richard.sambrook@bbc.co.uk (Tel. +44 20 7557 2057) or INSI Director Rodney Pinder: rodney.pinder@newssafety.com (Mobile +44 7734 709 267).
Visit: http://www.newssafety.com/stories/insi/inquiry02.htm
11. WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY EVENTS ELSEWHERE
The following is a list of links to 3 May events held by other organisations around the world:
– International Network of Street Papers: http://www.street-papers.org
– Internews: http://www.internews.org/wpfd/2005/wpfd_2005.html
– South East Europe Media Organization: http://www.seemo.org/
– National Union of Journalists of the Philippines: http://www.nujp.org/
– Central Asia and Southern Caucasian Freedom of Expression Network: http://www.cascfen.org
– Freedom of Expression Week in Romania: http://www.cji.ro/html/en/html/zlp.htm
– Bangladesh Seminar on Media and Good Governance: http://www.bnnrc.net/
– Observatorio Control Interamericano de los Derechos de los Migrantes:
http://www.observatoriomigrantes.org
——————————————————–
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
12. CANADIAN REPORTER, ROMANIAN CARTOONIST WIN PRESS FREEDOM AWARDS
The National Press Club of Canada today presented its World Press Freedom Award to Juliet O’Neill, an „Ottawa Citizen“ reporter whose home was raided by police in January 2004 after she wrote about the controversial deportation to, and alleged torture of, a Canadian in Syria.
O’Neill had written a front-page story about a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigation of Maher Arar, a Syrian-born Canadian deported by the United States to Syria, where he was imprisoned and, he states, tortured. Police were seeking the identity of a source who allegedly leaked classified documents to O’Neill from Arar’s security file.
The NPC says the nature of the searches, a dramatic and invasive showcase involving 20 RCMP officers, „shattered the assumption of press freedom in Canada.“
The NPC also awarded Romanian cartoonist Mihai Ignat first prize in its annual International Competition for Editorial Cartoonists. Chosen from 425 submitted cartoons under the theme „Freedom of Expression and the Electoral Process,“ Ignat’s winning entry illustrates how women, in many situations, still are frustrated in their attempts to vote. Second and third prizes were respectively awarded to Issam Hassam of Syria and Bernard Boutin of France.
For more information, see: http://www.pressclub.on.ca/
13. ZIMBABWEAN RADIO STATION NAMED FREE MEDIA PIONEER
SW Radio Africa, a London-based radio station, has won the International Press Institute’s (IPI) 2005 Free Media Pioneer Award in recognition of its efforts to give a voice to the voiceless in Zimbabwe.
Launched in December 2001, the station is a rare and independent source of information for the listeners in Zimbabwe and half a million Zimbabwean exiles in London, says IPI. SW Radio Africa’s main aim is to give a „voice to the voiceless“ by fostering a dialogue with its Zimbabwean audience, who call in – often at great risk – to air their opinions and give first-hand accounts of the deteriorating situation in the country.
In the run-up to the March 2005 parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe, the government tried to prevent SW Radio Africa from being heard in the country, jamming their signals on several frequencies.
The Free Media Pioneer Award is given annually to individuals or organisations that have fought against great odds to ensure freer and more independent media in their country or region. The award is co-sponsored by Freedom Forum.
Visit: http://www.freemedia.at/Protests2005/pr_SWRadioAfrica.htm
——————————————————–
ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE DURING THE PAST WEEK
25 APRIL 2005
Iraq – AP cameraman killed, photographer wounded (RSF) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66198/
Togo – Radio station suspended for one month (CPJ) – press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66200/
Greece – Austrian author acquitted on appeal in blasphemy case (WiPC/IPA) – press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66201/
Iran – Several journalists summoned and charged; journalist Akbar Ganji gravely ill after five years in prison (RSF) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66202/
Algeria – Several journalists sentenced to prison; IFJ condemns repression of the independent press (IFJ) – press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66213/
Bangladesh – French filmmaker released (RSF) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66221/
26 APRIL 2005
Iraq – Cameraman detained without charge; AP photographer released from hospital (CPJ) – press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66223/
Kazakhstan/Russia – Exiled editor of Kazakh opposition weekly detained for two days (CPJ) – press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66225/
Ghana – Radio reporter brutally beaten (MFWA) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66226/
Uzbekistan – Journalist severely beaten; IPI worried by claims of government „black list“ (IPI) – press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66227/
Vietnam – Dissident writers Nguyen Thanh Giang and Tran Khue harassed (CPJ) – press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66228/
Fiji Islands – PINA concerned over police action against television station (PINA) – alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66229/
Saudi Arabia – Human Rights Watch calls on Bush to press for Saudi dissidents‘ release (Human Rights Watch) – press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66230/
United States – Federal Appeals Court confirms earlier ruling against two journalists (RSF) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66231/
27 APRIL 2005
Norway – Oslo-based Tamil journalist victim of death threats and harassment (RSF) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66252/
Nepal – Publisher arrested (CPJ) – press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66254/
Pakistan – Pakistani journalist acquitted of treason charges (CPJ) – press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66255/
Democratic Republic of Congo – Six journalists abducted by militiamen in Katanga province (JED) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66256/
Colombia – Ibagué radio journalist receives death threats (FLIP) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66259/
Kazakhstan – Newspaper, journalists convicted of defamation and fined (Adil Soz) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66258/
Sudan – American photographer detained (CPJ) – press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66260/
Serbia and Montenegro – SEEMO alarmed over Foreign Affairs Ministry’s analysis of media situation in Montenegro (IPI) – press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66262/
28 APRIL 2005
China – Internet writer tried on anti-state charges (CPJ) – press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66263/
Iraq – Five journalists arrested in past two weeks (RSF) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66264/
Belarus – Two Russian journalists jailed after opposition rally (CPJ) – press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66265/
International – IPI names SW Radio Africa „Free Media Pioneer 2005“ (IPI) – press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66267/
Tunisia – IFEX members call on Tunisian government to stop confiscating books at airport (IFEX-TMG) – press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66269/
Nigeria – Two journalists assaulted by thugs (MRA) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66273/
Latvia – IPI concerned over draft Latvian Law on Public Service Broadcasting Organisations (IPI) – action alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66275/
Bahrain – RSF denounces new website registration measure as threat to free expression (RSF) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66276/
Peru – IAPA calls for action in unpunished murder of American journalist (IAPA) – press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66278/
Sri Lanka – Tamil net editor abducted (FMM) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66280/
Iraq/United States – IFJ angered over reports that US soldiers have been cleared of responsibility in Italian secret agent’s death (IFJ) – press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66281/
29 APRIL 2005
Sri Lanka – Body of abducted journalist found (FMM) – press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66282/
Nepal – CPJ special report: Nepal after the coup, a country silenced (CPJ) press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66283/
International – Freedom House study finds decline in global press freedom (Freedom House) – press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66284/
Australia – MEAA releases first report into Australia’s press freedom record (MEAA) – press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66285/
Philippines – Five officials named as new suspects in columnist’s murder (CMFR) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66286/
Iran – Journalist arrested and jailed; Reza Alijani’s health deteriorating sharply after two years in prison (RSF) – alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66287/
Turkmenistan – IFLA/FAIFE alarmed over closure of libraries (IFLA/FAIFE) – press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66289/
Sierra Leone – Reporter manhandled, harassed (MFWA) – alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66290/
——————————————————-
The „IFEX Communiqué“ is published weekly by the IFEX Clearing House. IFEX is managed by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) on behalf of the network’s 64 members.
The views expressed in the „IFEX Communiqué“ are the responsibility of the sources to which they are attributed.
The „IFEX Communiqué“ grants permission for its material to be reproduced or republished as long as it is credited as the source.
Contact: „IFEX Communiqué“ Editor: Geoffrey Chan: communique@ifex.org
Mailing Address: 489 College St. #403, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1A5 Canada, Tel: +1 416 515 9622; Fax: +1 416 515 7879.