Asia
2008
Philippine Supreme Court should intervene in murder case
Dear Chief Justice Puno, The Committee to Protect Journalists is gravely concerned about the recent ruling of a Cebu Court of Appeals to indefinitely suspend the murder trial of journalist Marlene Garcia-Esperat. The two suspects, Osmeña Montañer and Estrella Sabay, face allegations of plotting the March 24, 2005, murder.
Sri Lankan columnist badly beaten during abduction
New York, May 23, 2008—Prominent Sri Lankan columnist Keith Noyahr, who went missing late Thursday, returned home this morning after being severely beaten, according to the editor of his newspaper and news reports. Lalith Alahakoon, chief editor of English-language weekly The Nation, told CPJ by telephone this morning that Noyahr, who is also the paper’s…
Journalist gunned down in Pakistan
New York, May 22, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the fatal shooting of Express TV reporter Mohammed Ibrahim near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan today. Ibrahim, a reporter for the Express News channel, was gunned down by unknown men outside Khar, the main town of the Bajaur tribal area in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province,…
Philippines: Delay in trial of accused masterminds in journalist’s killing
Philippines: New York, May 21, 2008 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by delays in the trial of two government officials accused of ordering the 2005 murder of columnist Marlene Garcia-Esperat. The trial has been brought to an indefinite halt because of questions surrounding jurisdiction.
Afghan journalist begins death penalty appeal
New York, May 19, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes an appellate hearing Sunday in the blasphemy conviction of imprisoned journalism student Parwez Kambakhsh in Afghanistan. Kambakhsh, sentenced by a trial court to death, is asking an appeals panel to overturn his conviction. Kambakhsh’s brother, Yaqub Ibrahimi, who attended the hearing before a three-judge panel…
Several journalists arrested in Vietnam
Dear President Nguyen, The Committee to Protect Journalists is greatly concerned by the recent spate of arrests, detentions, and trials of journalists in Vietnam. Even though Article 69 of your country’s constitution broadly protects press freedom and freedom of expression, your government has continued to use criminal and national security laws to arbitrarily stifle these essential freedoms.
Chinese journalist sentenced to four years
New York, May 13, 2008—Qi Chonghuai, a journalist in China’s Shandong province who had written critically about local officials, was sentenced today to four years in prison for fraud and extortion in a trial that lasted 12 hours, according to his wife and lawyers. Access to the trial was limited, and reporters were not allowed…
Photojournalist killed in crossfire in Kashmir
New York, May 12, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists mourned the killing of photojournalist Ashok Sodhi in crossfire Sunday in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Sodhi, a photographer for local English-language Daily Excelsior, was killed when suspected militants exchanged fire with security forces from a house where they held several hostages, in Samba district near the border with…
Photojournalist killed in crossfire in Kashmir
New York, May 12, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists mourned the killing of photojournalist Ashok Sodhi in crossfire Sunday in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Sodhi, a photographer for local English-language Daily Excelsior, was killed when suspected militants exchanged fire with security forces from a house where they held several hostages, in Samba district near the border with…