2007
CPJ urges Chávez to allow RCTV to stay on the air
Mr. President: The Committee to Protect Journalists is writing to express serious concern about Venezuela’s commitment to free expression in the wake of your government’s unprecedented decision not to renew the broadcast concession of the country’s oldest private television station, RCTV, which expires Sunday.
In clearing soldiers in 2004 Iraq shooting, U.S. report leaves contradictions unaddressed
New York, May 24, 2007—A U.S. military report that exonerated U.S. troops in the killings of two Al-Arabiya journalists at a Baghdad checkpoint in 2004 failed to address contradictory witness reports, including statements from Al-Arabiya employees that at least two U.S. soldiers fired directly on the journalists’ vehicle, newly declassified records show. The report, disclosed…
DRC broadcaster closed after drawing governor’s ire
New York, May 23, 2007—Authorities in the central diamond mining town of Mbuji-Mayi closed down a private broadcaster on Sunday in connection with comments critical of the provincial governor that aired on two programs last week, according to local journalists and press freedom group Journaliste en Danger (JED). Police sealed the studios of Radiotélévision Debout…
CPJ troubled by Cambodian prime minister’s remarks to RFA reporter
New York, May 23, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is troubled by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s threatening comments to a Radio Free Asia reporter on Thursday. Um Sarin, a radio reporter with Radio Free Asia (RFA), told CPJ that Hun Sen referred to him as “insolent” and “rude” after being queried outside the National…
Grenades damage journalist’s house
MAY 22, 2006 Posted May 30, 2007 Nasrullah Afridi, Daily Mashriq THREATENED, ATTACKED Unidentified assailants lobbed two hand grenades at Afridi’s house in Bara, the main town of Khyber Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, damaging the surrounding wall and veranda. No one was injured in the attack.
Provincial journalist convicted of defamation
MAY 22, 2007 Rocío Vásquez Goicochea, Investigando Chimbote LEGAL ACTION The Fifth Criminal Court of Lima convicted Vásquez, director of the weekly Investigando Chimbote in the northeastern Áncash region, of defamation, the journalist told CPJ. Vásquez was handed a one-year suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay 3,000 soles (US$900) as civil reparation to local…
Ethiopia frees New York Times journalists after five-day detention
New York, May 22, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is relieved by news that Ethiopian authorities released three New York Times journalists on Monday after detaining them for five days. Nairobi Bureau Chief Jeffrey Gettleman, photographer Vanessa Vick, and videographer Courtenay Morris were arrested May 16 by soldiers in the town of Degeh Bur, the…
Gunmen intercept minibus, kill Philippine photographer
New York, May 22, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Philippine government to undertake a thorough and timely investigation into today’s shooting death of freelance photographer Dodie Nuñez. Local media reports said Nuñez was shot by three men who used a motorcycle to intercept the minibus in which he was riding in the…