In China, one journalist freed, another expected to be released soon
New York, September 14, 2007— The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes reports than Zhao Yan, a Chinese research assistant for The New York Times, is expected to be freed on Saturday morning, according to the Times. If released, Zhao will have served his combined three-year sentence in prison and pretrial detention on a fraud conviction,…
Outrage as 14-year-old son of Pakistani journalist beaten for his father’s reporting
New York, September 14, 2007— The Committee to Protect Journalists is outraged by the assault on Hassan Sharjil, the 14-year-old son of prominent journalist Shakil Ahmad Turabi, editor-in-chief of the South Asian News Agency. Hassan was beaten by a man outside his school today in Islamabad as he was dropped off for classes at around…
CPJ fears for Sri Lankan journalists as cease-fire ends
Dear President Rajapaksa, As your government prepares to withdraw from its 2002 cease-fire agreement with Tamil separatists, the Committee to Protect Journalists is greatly concerned by reports that members of your government have tried to intimidate journalists in the Sri Lankan media in recent weeks. In at least two instances, an official used the word “traitor” against a journalist, which is decidedly inflammatory in a country that has seen civil war rage since 1983.
CPJ condemns attacks on Pakistani journalists by security forces
Dear President Musharraf: The Committee to Protect Journalists is greatly concerned by emerging reports of brutal attacks on Pakistani journalists by security personnel during the Monday morning arrival of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad. According to reporters at the scene, the violence went far beyond the pushing and shoving that can occur at such breaking news events.
Satellite news channel shut for seven days
September 6, 2006 Posted: September 11, 2007 Chrono Satellite Broadcast (CSB) News SHUTDOWN The Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) ordered CSB to close for seven days. BTRC said a document applying for a frequency in October 2006 was forged in order to meet a filing deadline. BTRC officials and security personnel walked in to the…
Journalist stabbed by unknown assailant
NEW YORK, September 4, 2007 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is gravely concerned about the recent violent attack against journalist Joel Abilay, a radio reporter for Radio GMA (RGMA) in Cadiz City of the province of Negros Occidental. According to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and local media reports, Abilay was stabbed…
In China, a jailed Internet writer is mistreated, denied access to family
New York, August 31, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned by reports that imprisoned writer and activist Guo Qizhen has been mistreated in custody, may not be receiving adequate medical attention, and has been denied access to his family. In an interview with CPJ, Guo’s wife, Zhao Changqing, said that she has been…
Sri Lankan journalist, still in jeopardy, says government never offered protection
New York, August 31, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists remains concerned about the safety of Sri Lankan journalist Iqbal Athas, who has come under threat after writing an August 12 article about alleged government misconduct in the procurement of MiG-27 fighter jets from Ukraine. Athas said that he has been harassed and followed by unknown…
Government shuts down newspaper for one month
AUGUST 24, 2007 Posted August 29, 2007 Makkal Osai CENSORED The government ordered the month-long closure of Makkal Osai, a Tamil-language newspaper, for publishing a picture of Jesus holding a cigarette and what appears to be a can of beer. The Internal Security Ministry suspended the paper’s publication permit after the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC),…
Burmese authorities move to restrict news coverage of protests
New York, August 29, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is gravely concerned about the Burmese government’s restriction of news coverage of recent nationwide protests over an August 15 government decision to end fuel price subsidies. According to the Burma Media Association (BMA), plainclothes police and pro-government groups brandishing crude weapons have threatened, harassed, and physically…