Pakistan TV camera operator dies in helicopter crash
New York, October 9, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists mourns the death of Pakistan TV camera operator Mohammed Farooq, who died Monday when the helicopter in which he was riding crashed near Mujhoi village, 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Muzaffarabad. Farooq was riding in a convoy of three helicopters taking Musharraf to a ceremony…
Philippine radio commentator shot, in critical condition
New York, October 9, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Philippine government to act quickly to apprehend the gunmen who shot and seriously wounded radio commentator Jose Pantoja on Monday in the city of Iligan, about 500 miles (800 kilometers) southeast of Manila. Pantoja was a “block time” broadcaster—an independent commentator who leased…
In Burma, concerns mount over missing journalists
New York, October 4, 2007— The Committee to Protect Journalists is increasingly concerned about the welfare of at least three Burmese reporters who went missing during the government’s crackdown on street protesters last week. A fourth reporter, Tokyo Shimbun’s Min Zin, was released from government custody on Wednesday. CPJ calls on the Burmese authorities to…
In Nepal, concerns raised over Maoist actions
Dear Dr. Bhattarai: The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned by the use of violence and intimidation by members of Maoist-affiliated organizations to disrupt the circulation of newspapers produced by Kantipur Publications, Nepal’s largest private news company. Shalik Ram Jamkattel, a Maoist parliamentarian and chairman of the powerful All Nepal Trade Union Federation, has also issued a public threat to forcibly shut down Kantipur Television within days if the group’s demands are not met.
SRI LANKA: CPJ urges president to halt attacks on correspondent
Dear President Rajapaksa: The Committee to Protect Journalists is greatly concerned by your government’s unwarranted attacks in various media on Iqbal Athas, associate editor and defense correspondent for The Sunday Times. Officials representing your government have effectively equated Athas’ critical journalism with terrorism, a wholly inappropriate position.
Chinese writer held on vague subversion charge
New York, October 2, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the recent arrest of freelance writer Lü Gengsong on subversion charges and calls for his immediate release. Lü’s wife, Wang Xue’e, received notice on Sunday of her husband’s arrest on charges of “inciting subversion of state power,” according to Chinese human rights groups and news…
One journalist detained, three missing in government crackdown
New York, October 1, 2007— The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about reports that one journalist has been detained and another three have gone missing in the wake of the ongoing crackdown on anti-government protests in Burma. On Friday, Min Zaw, a reporter with the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper, was arrested at his home in…
Police attack journalists in Islamabad
September 29, 2007 Posted October 1, 2007 More than 20 journalists ATTACKED Police used tear gas and batons against a group of more than 20 journalists outside the Election Commission in the Supreme Court building in Islamabad. Police said they were trying to clear a path for officials leaving the building. The journalists were covering…