2016
New Maldives criminal defamation law threatens press freedom
New York, August 10, 2016–Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom should veto a criminal defamation law the parliament passed yesterday, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The legislation threatens to stifle criticism and investigative reporting.
Libyan journalist abducted, threatened
An unidentified group of armed men abducted Aboubaker Al-Bizanti, a producer for Art Media Solutions (AMS), which produces local news coverage for the broadcaster Libya Al-Ahrar TV and other television stations, the night of August 7, 2016, and released him the following day, according to the journalist, his colleagues, and Libyan news websites.
Ecuador reprimands journalist, TV station for investigative reports
New York, August 9, 2016 – The Ecuadoran communications regulator should rescind all measures against the broadcaster Teleamazonas and journalist Janet Hinostroza, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Regulators yesterday sanctioned the station and the journalist for “media lynching” in relation to investigative reports into the government’s purchase of medical supplies.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines draft law would allow prison for defamation online
New York, August 8, 2016–Lawmakers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines should amend or scrap a draft cybercrime law that would allow for prison sentences of up to two years for defamation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Legislators are expected to consider the draft on Thursday, an opposition politician told CPJ.
Turkey Crackdown Chronicle: Week of August 7, 2016
Police detain 42 employees of state broadcaster The official Anatolia News Agency reported today that police detained 42 employees of state broadcaster TRT on suspicion of affiliation with the Hizment movement, which the Turkish government alleges orchestrated a July 15 failed military coup. Anatolia did not named the detainees or their positions at TRT but…
Burundi journalist Jean Bigirimana missing for two weeks
New York, August 5, 2016–The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about the welfare of Burundian journalist Jean Bigirimana. The journalist’s news outlet says he has not been seen or heard from since July 22. Bigirimana, a reporter with the independent weekly newspaper Iwacu, formerly with the pro-government radio station Rema FM, left his…
Oman detains second journalist from Azamn newspaper
New York, August 5, 2016–Omani authorities this week arrested a second journalist from the Azamn newspaper. Zaher al-Abri, an editor, was detained without formal explanation in Muscat on August 3, according to his colleague and a local human rights group. He was arrested the day after speaking with CPJ about the case of Ibrahim al-Maamari,…
Proposed law on contempt of court threatens press freedom in Singapore
Bangkok, August 5, 2016 – Singaporean lawmakers should scrap proposed legislation on what constitutes contempt of court in news reporting and public commentary, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The draft law’s penalties for violations, including possible prison terms for criticizing the judiciary, threaten to entrench more self-censorship in Singapore’s constrained media environment.