August 2014 - Page 7 of 8 - Committee to Protect Journalists

Journalists surround Bangladeshi Attorney General Mahbubey Alam following a verdict at the International Crimes Tribunal court premises in Dhaka on January 21, 2013. (AFP/Munir uz Zaman)

Restrictive broadcast policy in Bangladesh raises concerns

August 6, 2014 6:13 PM EDT

This week, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet approved a restrictive policy governing Bangladesh’s broadcast media. While the policy calls for the creation of an independent commission to oversee electronic media–a positive step, in principle–it’s unclear how and how quickly the commission will be formed. Meanwhile, the policy restricts what can be broadcast, raising red flags.

Freelance journalist in hiding over reports on South Sudan

August 6, 2014 4:03 PM EDT

Nairobi, August 6, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in South Sudan to ensure the safety of a freelance journalist who has been in hiding since late July. Abraham Agoth told CPJ that he fled his home in the northern state of Bahr el Ghazal on July 28, fearing arrest.

Oman holding blogger Muawiyah Alrawahi at psychiatric hospital

August 5, 2014 4:51 PM EDT

New York, August 5, 2014–CPJ is concerned for the welfare of critical Omani blogger Muawiyah Alrawahi, who disappeared last month after being summoned by intelligence officials, according to human rights groups. A photo appeared on Twitter in recent days showing Alrawahi at the psychiatric department of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, with his legs shackled, according…

A fighter watches as smoke rises after rockets fired by one of Libya's militias struck a fuel tank in Tripoli on August 2. (Reuters/Hani Amara)

Libya’s Alassema TV suffers several attacks; journalists abducted

August 5, 2014 4:24 PM EDT

New York, August 5, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a recent series of attacks on privately owned Alassema TV in Libya, including the abduction on Friday of three journalists who are still missing.

Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir was hit by six bullets in April and, more recently, a new round of threats. (AP/Anjum Naveed)

Q&A: Pakistan’s Hamid Mir speaks about climate for press freedom following attack

August 5, 2014 3:39 PM EDT

In April, Geo News senior anchor Hamid Mir was shot multiple times shortly after a CPJ delegation met with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who pledged to take several steps to improve journalist security. The investigation into the attack has yielded no accountability. And since the attack, two arrest warrants have been issued by courts in…

Villagers flee Pakistani tribal areas in North Waziristan following a massive crackdown on militants by the Pakistan army. (AP/B.K. Bangash)

A message from the Pakistan Taliban

August 4, 2014 6:04 PM EDT

CPJ received an email message from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan– the Pakistan Taliban–this morning. Signed by the “Media commission, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Mohmand agency,” the message was addressed to CPJ and our colleagues at Reporters Without Borders.

A woman hangs accreditations of journalists killed in recent years while covering the news in Mexico, at a protest in Guadalajara on February 23, 2014. (Reuters/Alejandro Acosta)

Mexican radio station director’s son killed in attack

August 4, 2014 5:51 PM EDT

Mexico City, August 4, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the attack on Saturday on community radio station director Indalecio Benítez that resulted in the death of his 12-year-old son.

Nixon is gone, but his media strategy lives on

August 4, 2014 5:11 PM EDT

On the anniversary of the Watergate scandal, the Atlantic referenced CPJ’s report on the Obama administration and the press. Read the full article here.

In this May 12, 2014 photo, forensic workers examine the scene where an activist for missing persons was gunned down by unknown assailants in Culiacan, Mexico. (AP/El Debate, Dulce Mercado)

CPJ calls on Mexican authorities in Sinaloa to repeal restrictive law

August 4, 2014 5:05 PM EDT

Mexico City, August 4, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the state congress in Sinaloa to repeal a law passed on Wednesday that would severely restrict the ability of the press to report on crime scenes and criminal investigations. Local congressmen presented a bill on Friday that would repeal the law, according to an…

Another journalist held by pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine

August 1, 2014 3:32 PM EDT

New York, August 1, 2014–Pro-Russia separatists in the eastern Lugansk region of Ukraine abducted at least one journalist on Thursday, according to a local press freedom group and news reports.