New York, February 15, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes news of the impending release of two Cuban independent journalists. Both were imprisoned during a massive crackdown against Cuban dissidents and the independent press almost five years ago. Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spain’s foreign minister, announced today that Cuban authorities would release seven prisoners. Imprisoned journalists…
By Joel SimonIn August 2008, when the Olympic torch is lit in Beijing, more than 20,000 journalists will be on hand to cover the competition between the world’s greatest athletes. Behind the scenes, another competition will be taking place. If the Chinese government has its way, this one will remain hidden. It will be a…
Preaching Without A ChoirBy Carlos LauríaAt June’s annual assembly of the organization of American states (OAS) in Panama, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged foreign ministers to send the group’s secretary-general, José Miguel Insulza, to investigate Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Frías’ decision to pull the plug on the country’s oldest private television station, RCTV.
CUBA July 31 marked a year without Fidel Castro, whose health remained a “state secret” even though it was the biggest story of the year. Cuba continued to prove itself one of the worst reporting environments in the world as three foreign journalists were expelled from the island and 24 Cuban reporters languished in prison.
New York, August 21, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes Monday’s release of independent Cuban journalist Armando Betancourt Reina, who had been imprisoned at the Cerámica Roja Prison in the central city of Camagüey since May 2006. Betancourt Reina, a reporter for the independent news agency Nueva Prensa Cubana, left prison Monday morning, reported the…
New York, July 6, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the 15-month prison sentence given Tuesday to independent Cuban journalist Armando Betancourt Reina on charges of public disorder. Betancourt Reina had been held without charge in a prison in the central city of Camagüey since May 2006.
June 22, 2007 José Luis García Paneque, Libertad IMPRISONED The health of García Paneque, the imprisoned director of the independent news agency Libertad, deteriorated considerably over the prior two months, his wife Yamilé Llánez Labrada told CPJ. García Paneque is being held at Las Mangas Prison in Granma province.
June 21, 2007 Normando Hernández González, Colegio de Periodistas Independientes de Camagüey IMPRISONED The health of imprisoned journalist Hernández González, director of the Colegio de Periodistas Independientes de Camagüey, worsened visibly between April and June, according to press reports and CPJ interviews.