Investigative reporter detained in Bangladesh
New York, October 24, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the detention of Bangladeshi reporter Jahangir Alam Akash, who was taken from his home in the northwestern city of Rajshahi by members of an elite government task force on Tuesday night. Akash, a reporter for the Bengali-language daily Dainik Sangbad, was jailed on…
In Burma, wife of journalist released from prison
New York, October 23, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes today’s release of Khin Mar Lar, the wife of award-winning Burmese journalist and documentary filmmaker Thaung Tun (also known as Nyein Thit), who is still in hiding. Khin Mar Lar was detained on September 25, when security agents raided her home in the central city of…
One journalist dead, several injured in two bombing attacks in Pakistan
New York, October 19, 2007 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is saddened that ARY One World TV cameraman Muhammad Arif was among the more than 130 people killed in the Thursday bombing in Karachi, according to the official Associated Press of Pakistan. We send our condolences to his wife and six children. Several others…
Pakistani journalist shot in Karachi; circumstances unclear
New York, October 18, 2007–The Committee to Protect Journalists is distressed to learn of the shooting death of Azar Abbas Haidri, a staff reporter for The Post, the Islamabad-based, English-language daily. Azar’s body was found in Karachi early Tuesday morning. He had gone there to celebrate the Muslim Eid holiday with his family. “We offer…
In Burma, wife of former CPJ award winner arrested
New York, October 15, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the arrest of Khin Mar Lar, the wife of award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker Thaung Tun. Khin Mar Lar was arrested on September 25 in her family home in Amarapura, a suburb of Mandalay, by police looking for Thaung Tun, according to the U.S. Campaign…
Growing concern for missing journalist in Nepal
New York , October 12, 2007 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is increasingly concerned about the fate of missing journalist Birendra Shah as political pressure mounts in Nepal to find him. CPJ called for the release of Shah, who reports for Nepal FM, Dristi Weekly, and Avenues TV, on Wednesday. He was abducted by…
In Pakistan, reporter goes missing following threats
New York, October 11, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned for the safety of missing Pakistani journalist Riaz Mengal, a reporter for the regional newspaper Intikhab in Khuzdar, in the southwestern province of Baluchistan. Mengal did not return home on October 4 and has not been seen since, according to a CPJ source and…
New legislation a potential threat to press freedom
New York, October 10, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the press freedom implications of proposed Australian legislation that would give the federal police commissioner powers to unilaterally block Internet content that he or she “has reason to believe … is crime or terrorist related.” The Communications Legislation Amendment (Crime or Terrorism Related…