2007
In Peru, radio commentator slain in front of family
New York, March 19, 2007—Two hooded gunmen shot and killed a popular Peruvian radio commentator in front of his wife and children on Saturday night, according to news reports. Eyewitnesses quoted by the Lima daily La República said the attackers opened fire on Miguel Pérez Julca as the journalist and his family were nearing the…
In Gaza, BBC correspondent still missing after a week
New York, March 19, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists today renewed its call for the release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston who was abducted in the Gaza Strip one week ago. “We’re deeply concerned that Alan Johnston has been missing for a week now, and we appeal to those holding our colleague to release him…
Iraqi news presenter, driver abducted in Baghdad
New York, March 19, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the abduction of an Iraqi news presenter and his driver by armed men in Baghdad on Saturday. Around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, four masked gunmen seized Karim Manhal, a news presenter and editor for the privately owned Radio Dijla, and the station’s driver, Thamir Sabri,…
Taliban release Italian reporter, fate of translator unknown
New York, March 19, 2007— The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes news that Italian daily La Repubblica reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo has been released today by Taliban kidnappers after two weeks in captivity. CPJ is alarmed by Taliban claims that Mastrogiacomo’s Afghan translator Ajmal Naskhbandi was not released, despite earlier reports that he was also freed.…
Independent journalist receives death threat in Ukraine
New York, March 19, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by a death threat made by a local businessman against independent bi-weekly Rivne Vechirne reporter Vlad Isayev for his critical articles. Isayev was threatened as he covered a dispute between local businessman Anatoly Pekhotin and the owners of a private parking lot in the…
SOMALIA: Journalist freed after being held incommunicado for nine days
UPDATE March 18, 2007 Original Alert: January 14, 2007 Hassan Sade Dhaqane, HornAfrik radio IMPRISONED Dhaqane, a reporter of private HornAfrik radio, was released without charge after being held incommunicado by security forces of Somalia’s transitional federal government for nine days, local journalists told CPJ. Local media organized to demand his release, they said.
ZIMBABWE: Reporter trainee detained, fired for asking questions
MARCH 17, 2007 Posted June 12, 2007 Tapiwa Chininga, New Zimbabwe Inter-Africa News Agency HARASSED, LEGAL Chininga, a reporter-in-training for the state New Zimbabwe Inter-Africa News Agency, was arrested after seeking comments from police officials about a security crackdown following a March 11 opposition rally in the capital Harare, according to news reports.
Pakistani police raid Geo TV; president later apologizes
New York, March 16, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Pakistani government to appoint an independent judicial commission to investigate and report on today’s outrageous assault by uniformed police on the offices of Geo TV and the Daily Jang in Islamabad. Riot police used tear gas and batons as they swept through the…
Exiled Burmese journalist arrives in United States
New York, March 16, 2007—Fleeing death threats, Burmese journalist Maung Maung Kyaw Win, 58, and his family arrived this week in the United States with assistance from the Committee to Protect Journalists and other colleagues. “Even though I am really happy to be here, the media is still being held hostage and the military junta…
In Afghanistan, new demands for abducted journalist after driver was killed
NEW YORK, March 16, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by a report that kidnappers of La Repubblica reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo have killed his Afghan driver and made additional demands for his release. According to the Pajhwok Afghan News agency, the country’s largest independent wire service, Mastrogiacomo’s driver Sayed Agha was killed for “spying…