2006
Two Pakistani journalists charged after months in custody
New York, June 22, 2006—Authorities filed criminal cases against Geo TV correspondent Mukesh Rupeta and freelance cameraman Sanjay Kumar today, more than three months after the two disappeared in Jacobabad in south Pakistan’s Sindh province. The two journalists were accused of filming a Pakistani air force base in violation of the Official Secrets Act, and…
Pakistan: CPJ urges probe into journalist killings
Washington, June 21, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists met with Pakistan’s new ambassador to the United States today to press for an investigation into the killing of Hayatullah Khan and other journalists. Ambassador Mahmud Ali Durrani said he would convey CPJ’s concerns to his government when he visits Islamabad at the end of the week.
Author Suskind alleges Afghan bombing of Al-Jazeera was deliberate
New York, June 21, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply troubled by allegations contained in author Ron Suskind’s new book, The One Percent Doctrine, that U.S. forces deliberately targeted Al-Jazeera’s Kabul bureau in November 2001. “On November 13, a hectic day when Kabul fell to the Northern Alliance and there were celebrations in the…
Radio journalist arrested without charge or explanation
New York, June 21, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the arrests of Ogulsapar Muradova, an Ashgabat-based correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and her three children. Muradova, arrested on Sunday, is being held without charge at Ashgabat Interior Ministry (MVR) headquarters. Her three adult children—Maral, Berdy and Sona—were taken into custody on Monday,…
Journalist’s car set on fire
June 20, 2006 Posted: July 17, 2006 Manuel Acuña López, ¡Por Esto! HARRASSED Acuña’s car was set on fire while parked inside the garage beside his home. Acuña, a journalist for the Mérida-based daily ¡Por Esto!, has reported on government corruption in Mérida and criticized local authorities.
CPJ board elects Joel Simon new executive director
New York, June 20, 2006–Members of the board of the press freedom advocacy organization the Committee to Protect Journalists elected Joel Simon executive director today. CPJ Chairman Paul Steiger said Simon will bring “energy, intelligence and experience to CPJ and journalists around the world at this critical time for press freedom.” Simon worked as a…
CPJ condemns detention of National Geographic photographer
New York, June 20, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the four-day detention of veteran freelance photographer, Ed Kashi, who was on assignment for U.S. magazine National Geographic in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. Kashi, a U.S. citizen, was arrested June 16 along with his Nigerian fixer, Elias Courson, while photographing an oil facility in…
Philippines: Husband and wife radio broadcasters gunned down
New York, June 20, 2006—Two unidentified gunmen shot and killed part-time radio broadcaster George Vigo and his wife Mazel on the island of Mindanao on June 19. The Committee to Protect Journalists is investigating the motives behind the attack. The two were walking home from a public market when they were shot by men on…
CPJ urges president to probe attacks on press
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists is troubled by a recent string of attacks on journalists in Liberia, some of which were carried out by government security forces. The Press Union of Liberia wrote to you on May 30 to express concern about these attacks and call for an investigation. However, despite an Information Ministry statement the following day affirming the government’s commitment to press freedom, there has been no evidence of an investigation into these incidents nor any public effort to punish those responsible.
Radio station closed, journalists harassed
New York, June 19, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the closure of a radio station in Somalia, and the brief detention by militiamen of two of its journalists, over a report of an alleged Ethiopian incursion. Somalia’s weakened transitional government, which is based in Baidoa, 155 miles (250 kilometers) northwest of the…