Sub-Saharan Africa censors Mideast protests
As news of Middle Eastern and North African protests swirl around the globe, satellite television and the Internet prove vital sources of information for Africans as governments fearful of an informed citizenry and a free press such as in Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, and Zimbabwe impose total news blackouts on the developments.
Documenting sexual violence against journalists
The news of the sexual assault against CPJ board member and CBS correspondent Lara Logan hit us hard on Tuesday. At CPJ, we work daily to advocate on behalf of journalists under attack in all kinds of horrific situations around the world. Because of Lara’s untiring work with our Journalist Assistance program, she’s well known…
CPJ calls on Uganda’s Museveni to respect press freedom
In partnership with the Ugandan Human Rights Network for Journalists, CPJ has written a letter to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni asking him to respect press freedom and end a wave of attacks against journalists in the run-up to the February 18 general elections. At least 10 journalists have been attacked in election-related incidents since the…
Nairobi Attacks launch probes investigative reporting
At CPJ’s book launch of our annual survey of press freedom conditions across the world, Attacks on the Press, today in Nairobi, we focused on the growing theme of challenges to investigative journalism in Africa, with a particular look at East Africa. The subject certainly resonated with the local and foreign journalists here.
Attacks on the Press 2010: Africa Analysis
Across Continent, Governments Criminalize Investigative Reporting By Mohamed Keita Across the continent, the emergence of in-depth reporting and the absence of effective access-to-information laws have set a collision course in which public officials, intent on shielding their activities, are moving aggressively to unmask confidential sources, criminalize the possession of government documents, and retaliate against probing…
Attacks on the Press 2010: Angola
Top Developments • Legislation criminalizes coverage that insults president, state institutions. • Three top papers purchased by mysterious corporation. Coverage grows timid. Key Statistic 2: Journalists killed in 2010, one a Togolese sports reporter, killed in soccer team ambush. President José Eduardo dos Santos led one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, but he faced criticism…
Attacks on the Press 2010: Cameroon
Top Developments • Authorities unleash reprisals when journalists question oil company deal. • Nation mourns the death of pioneering journalist Pius Njawé. Key Statistic 4: Journalists jailed for leaked document. One dies in custody, a second alleges he was tortured. When four newspaper journalists jointly sent questions to a top presidential adviser in late 2009,…
Attacks on the Press 2010: Democratic Republic of Congo
Top Developments • Government arrests several journalists on defamation charges. • Journalists fear repression as 2011 presidential election approaches. Key Statistic 2: Weeks that reporter Tumba Lumembu was held incommunicado by intelligence agents. On the defensive over criticism of its human rights record and its handling of the conflict with rebels in eastern Congo, President…
Attacks on the Press 2010: Ethiopia
Top Developments • Editor Dawit Kebede honored with International Press Freedom Award. • Authorities jail critical journalists, jam VOA Amharic broadcasts. Key Statistic 7: Hours that two newspaper editors were interrogated as Zenawi gave speech on freedom of choice. The ruling Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front, or EPRDF, imprisoned journalists, jammed foreign broadcasters, and blocked…
Attacks on the Press 2010: Nigeria
Top Developments • Two journalists murdered, another assaulted in ethnic violence. • Secrecy surrounds death of President Yar’Adua. Key Statistic 7: Journalists kidnapped in restive southern region. All are freed. Official secrecy surrounded the heart ailment that eventually claimed the life of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, sparking a debate over what constituted public information. Nigeria…