Maldivian reporter gets life in prison; CPJ seeks thorough review
New York, April 20, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is disturbed by the Maldivian government’s prosecution of journalists working for Minivan News, a media group affiliated with the opposition Maldivian Democracy Party. Minivan Daily reporter Abdullah Saeed, known as Fahala, was sentenced on Wednesday to life imprisonment on a drug charge, which colleagues believe was…
Vietnam: Government harasses two journalists
New York, April 20, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the harassment of Vietnamese journalists Duong Phu Cuong and Nguyen Huy Cuong, who were detained and interrogated on the morning of April 17 at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport. They were released later the same day, and it’s unclear if Vietnamese authorities…
China’s jailed e-journalists
Hu Jintao and Bill Gates will have had a lot to talk about Tuesday, when the Chinese president visited Microsoft’s Redmond campus. With the mainstream Chinese media heavily censored, the Internet has become a vital outlet for independent journalism, critical writing and information. The authorities are ruthless in their suppression of criticism of their rule in any medium. China has jailed more writers and journalists than any other country, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Hu urged to reverse repressive media policies
Dear President Hu: The Committee to Protect Journalists is greatly concerned that your government’s media-control policies have led to the unjust imprisonment of journalists and the stifling of press freedom in China. Chinese journalists tell CPJ that they are under growing intimidation from propaganda authorities to adhere to government censors’ rules.
Journalists continue fight against detentions, repressive media law More than 200 Nepalese journalists arrested, dozens in custody
New York, April 18, 2006—More than 200 Nepalese journalists have been detained since April 4 while participating in pro-democracy protests to demand press freedom or while covering the nationwide demonstrations, according to information compiled by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ). The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the immediate release of the 31 journalists…
CPJ urges Bush to raise curbs on press freedom with visiting Chinese president
Dear President Bush: In advance of your April 20 meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, the Committee to Protect Journalists, an independent organization dedicated to defending our colleagues worldwide, urges you to ensure that the issue of press freedom is part of the bilateral discussions that will take place during the visit.
As strikes continue in Nepal, attacks on journalists reported
New York, April 14, 2006—Thirteen journalists were arrested today in Baglung, west of Kathmandu, while protesting against media restrictions during the seventh day of a nationwide strike, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists reported. Others detained during the past week, including veteran journalist Kanak Mani Dixit, remain in police custody.
China: Writer Li Jianping tried for online pro-democracy articles
New York, April 12, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is outraged by the prosecution of Internet writer Li Jianping on charges of “inciting subversion” for articles criticizing Communist Party leaders and Chinese government actions. Li was tried today in a proceeding that lasted less than three hours, according to Agence France-Presse. “How can China, one…
Pakistan: CPJ calls on Pakistani and U.S. authorities to reveal all information about missing journalist
New York, April 11, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on U.S. and Pakistani authorities to reveal all information they have on abducted Pakistani journalist Hayatullah Khan after his brother claimed he was being held by the United States. Khan was seized by unidentified gunmen in the lawless North Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan…
Nepal: Security forces target journalists covering crackdown
New York, April 10, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists deplores the use of force against journalists covering pro-democracy demonstrations across Nepal in which at least three people have died. Police in Kathmandu today beat four journalists affiliated with the independent news group Kantipur in what news editor Guna Raj Luitel said was retribution for critical…