Chinese reporter accused of fabricating story held on unclear charges
New York, July 23, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for greater transparency in the arrest of a Chinese reporter accused of fabricating news. Police arrested Beijing TV reporter Zi Beijia last week and are holding him in criminal custody following accusations that he faked a report on contaminated steamed buns, according to state news…
In the Philippines, new anti-terror law threatens journalists
New York, July 18, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists expresses its grave concern about new anti-terrorism legislation recently enacted in the Philippines. A top justice ministry official has said that in certain circumstances it would allow the government to wiretap journalists. While the Human Security Act (HSA) specifically prohibits the surveillance and interception of communications…
In Nepal, e-mail claims journalist killed during abduction
New York, July 11, 2007—A freelance reporter remained missing in Nepal today, nearly a week after he was abducted from his home in the western district of Kanchanpur, according to international and local news reports. On Monday, a group calling itself the National Republican Army Nepal (NRAN) claimed in an e-mail that it had killed…
Pakistani journalist killed in mosque clashes; three others wounded
New York, July 7, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists mourns the death of Javed Khan, a photographer for the Islamabad-based daily Markaz and a cameraman for U.K.-based DM Digital TV. Khan was shot in the chest and neck on Tuesday while caught in crossfire between government forces and the students of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque)…
Pakistani journalist killed in mosque clashes; three others wounded
New York, July 5, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists mourns the death of Javed Khan, a photographer for the Islamabad-based daily Markaz and a cameraman for U.K.-based DM Digital TV. Khan was shot in the chest and neck on Tuesday while caught in crossfire between government forces and the students of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque)…
Radio commentator slain in Cebu
New York, July 5, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges justice in the killing of journalist Geruncio “Oscar” Mondejar, who was shot by unidentified gunmen in the city of Mandaue, in the central Philippine province of Cebu early Sunday. Two unidentified gunmen aboard a motorcycle shot Mondejar, a commentator and technician at the local radio…
Government moves to re-enact criminal defamation law
New York, July 5, 2007—Amid an accelerating government attack on media in Sri Lanka, the Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about a proposal to reintroduce a criminal defamation law that, if implemented, could include two-year prison penalties. Justice Minister Dilan Perera introduced the resolution at a June 27 Cabinet meeting. According to media reports,…
Web journalist detained twice, threatened by security agents
JULY 4, 2007 Posted September 25, 2007 Kamran Mir Hazar—Salaam Watandar, KabulPress DETAINED, HARASSED, THREATENED Mir Hazar, Web master and journalist for the national radio news program Salaam Watandar and chief editor of the Web site KabulPress, was detained twice by Afghan secret police, put under surveillance, and warned not to continue writing articles criticizing…
Economics newsletter ordered to shut down
JULY 4, 2007 Posted July 17, 2007 China Development Brief CENSORED Beijing authorities ordered publishers of the Chinese edition of China Development Brief to cease publication, and they barred employees from maintaining the newsletter’s English language Web site, according to its British founder and editor, Nick Young. China Development Brief, a monthly founded in 1996,…