2005
Reuters cameraman freed but U.S. still holds other journalists
New York, August 31, 2005—The U.S. military in Iraq today released a Reuters cameraman held for three days without charge, but it continued to hold another Reuters freelancer and at least four other journalists on unspecified charges. Reuters said Haidar Kadhem was freed in Baghdad where he was detained on Sunday after coming under fire,…
Zimbabwean journalist acquitted in important test case
New York, August 31, 2005—A magistrate in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, acquitted a journalist today on criminal charges of working without accreditation for the now-banned Daily News, according to his lawyer. Observers say the ruling in favor of Kelvin Jakachira could set an important precedent for several other former Daily News journalists facing the same charge.…
SIERRA LEONE
JULY 28, 2005 Posted August 31, 2005 Harry Yansaneh, For Di PeopleKILLED – UNCONFIRMED An attack on newspaper editor Harry Yansaneh contributed to his death from kidney failure two months later, a judicial inquest found on August 26. A magistrate ordered the arrest of Member of Parliament Fatmata Hassan, three of her children, and two…
SRI LANKA
August 30, 2005 Posted: November 8, 2005 Sudar OliATTACKED Staff and offices of the Tamil-language newspaper Sudar Oli came under a spate of attacks. On August 29, two men lobbed grenades into the building housing its printing press, killing a guard and injuring two other staff members. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse condemned the attack as…
UZBEKISTAN
AUGUST 30, 2005 Posted September 2, 2005 Nosir Zokirov, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty IMPRISONED Nosir Zokirov, a reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was sentenced to six months in prison for insulting a security officer. Zokirov, an Uzbek who has worked for the radio’s local language service for eight years, was summoned to court in…
Government to allow private broadcasting
New York, August 30, 2005—President Lansana Conté signed a decree on August 20 allowing private broadcasting in Guinea, one of the last countries in Africa along with Zimbabwe and Eritrea to ban it. The law, which had been held up for nearly 14 years, enables private citizens and organizations to broadcast but excludes political parties…
Reporter jailed for “insulting” security officer
New York, August 30, 2005—An Uzbek court sentenced a reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to six months in prison for insulting a security officer, the radio said today. Nosir Zokirov, an Uzbek who has worked for the radio’s local language service for eight years, was summoned to court in the eastern city of Namangan…
U.S. detains cameraman, only known witness
New York, August 29, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed shock and alarm today after an Iraqi soundman on assignment for the Reuters news agency was shot by U.S. forces in Baghdad on Sunday. CPJ also called for the immediate release of a Reuters cameraman wounded in the shooting and still being detained by U.S.…
Inquest says editor’s death was manslaughter
New York, August 29, 2005—An attack on newspaper editor Harry Yansaneh contributed to his death from kidney failure two months later, a judicial inquest found on Friday. A magistrate ordered the arrest of Member of Parliament Fatmata Hassan, three of her children, and two other men for suspected manslaughter after the weeklong inquest, local journalists…