Asia
2008
Sri Lanka arrests six in connection with news Web site
New York, March 11, 2008—Six people affiliated with the Sri Lankan news Web site OutreachSL have been detained by the Terrorist Investigation Division of the Sri Lankan police force in Colombo since last week, according to Agence France-Presse and local news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the government of Sri Lanka to charge…
Suspect in journalist’s murder reappears to face trial in the Philippines
New York, March 7, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the surrender of a suspect to police in the 2004 murder of Filipino broadcaster Herson Hinolan, but is concerned that the move comes shortly after the withdrawal of an important prosecution witness from the case. Alfredo Arcenio, a former mayor of the town of Lezo,…
Three reporters missing in Pakistan’s restive Baluchistan province
New York, March 6, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the fate of three reporters for Azadi, an Urdu-language daily in the unstable southwestern province of Baluchistan. Two have gone missing in the past several days, while the third disappeared on November 30. Reporter Hameed Baloch disappeared on Monday from the town of…
One journalist killed, two injured in suicide blast
PAKISTAN: New York, March 4, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists extends its condolences to the family and colleagues of Siraj Uddin, a correspondent for the daily Nation, who died in the February 29 suicide bombing in Mingora, Pakistan. The bombing, which took the lives of more than 40 people, took place at the funeral of…
News chopper denied airspace over rally
FEBRUARY 29, 2008 Posted March 5, 2008 ABS-CBN Television CENSORED An ABS-CBN helicopter seeking aerial views of a rally against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was prevented from approaching the area by an Air Transportation Office (ATO) notice declaring the area a no-fly zone for the three-hour duration of the protest, according to a local press…
CPJ testifies before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China
Washington, February 27, 2008—Conditions for domestic journalists remain poor in China despite the government’s promises to improve the press freedom environment before the Beijing Olympics, the Committee to Protect Journalists told the Congressional-Executive Commission on China today. Bob Dietz, CPJ Asia Program Coordinator, told the commission in Washington that China is holding at least 25…
Pentagon should disclose evidence, charges against Afghan journalist
New York, February 26, 2008—U.S. authorities should disclose evidence and specify charges against Afghan journalist Jawed Ahmad, who has been held by the military since late October, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. In a February 22 letter to CPJ, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said Ahmad had been designated an “unlawful enemy combatant” but…
Concern growing over Afghan journalist’s ongoing detention
New York, February 21, 2008—The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that the U.S. military is holding Canadian Television journalist (CTV) Jawed Ahmad, but refused to disclose any further information. The Committee to Protect Journalists is greatly concerned by Ahmad’s continuing detention at Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, in Afghanistan. Ahmad has been held…
Two journalists arrested by military junta
BURMA: New York, February 19, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemns Friday’s arrest of journalists Thet Zin and Sein Win Maung, respectively the editor and office manager for the Myanmar Nation weekly news journal. Both journalists were taken after police raided the publication’s office in Rangoon. As of this afternoon, Thet Zin and Sein…