2012
Tunisian media: One year after the revolution
The doses of freedom that the Tunisian revolution injected into national media have not been sufficient to revive it after decades of systematic destruction. It is not surprising that our evaluation of media one year after the tyrant fell reveals more negativity and pessimism.
Uganda’s radio closures uncover lack of independence
Ugandan police have shuttered 13 broadcasters since December, accusing them of misusing power supplies and equipment belonging to the state-run Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC). The widespread allegations of corrupt deals between the state broadcaster and ostensibly private stations reveal more than illicit transactions–they expose a lack of independence within Uganda’s broadcast sector.
In Senegal, two journalists get suspended prison terms
New York, January 20, 2012–Two Senegalese journalists with the private daily Le Quotidien were handed suspended prison sentences this week in a criminal libel case over their coverage of an armed insurgency in a separatist province, according to news reports.
Chinese writer sentenced for ‘anti-government thoughts’
New York, January 20, 2012–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the harsh sentence given to Chinese writer and activist Li Tie, whose online writings calling for political reform were cited as evidence of “subversion of state authority.”
Three Iranian journalists arrested in fresh crackdown
Iran lead the pack of countries with the most imprisoned journalists in 2011, holding 43 behind bars. This week Iran added to its reputation with the arrest of at least three prominent journalists: Marzieh Rasouli, Parastoo Dokouhaki, and Sahamoddin Bourghani. Decrying what he calls a “revolving prison door,” routinely releasing journalists while arresting others, CPJ’s…
Minority media rights, terrorism laws at issue in Roj TV case
French satellite provider Eutelsat announced yesterday it is suspending Kurdish satellite station Roj TV after a Danish court last week levied a hefty fine against the satellite station for promoting terrorism. Eutelsat’s decision comes despite Roj TV’s appeal before the Danish High Court, which is pending. The case has implications for how media content is…
Online publishers, developers sentenced to death in Iran
Politically-related Iranian prosecutions often take place in near secrecy, with unclear charges morphing and changing over time. It doesn’t get any easier to work out the motivations of prosecutors when the charges are connected to technology.