Thai prime minister intensifies threats against television commentator
Bangkok, November 18, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed grave concern today about the Thai government’s escalating harassment of journalist and television commentator Sondhi Limthongkul. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra filed a defamation lawsuit against Sondhi on Thursday, the third such suit against the journalist, this one seeking 1 billion baht (US$25 million) in damages.
BANGLADESH
NOVEMBER 17. 2005 Updated: November 29, 2005 Gautam Das, Samakal KILLED—CONFIRMED Das, a reporter for the Dhaka-based daily Samakal was found strangled to death in his bureau office in the town of Faridpur, 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of the Bangladeshi capital, according to news reports.
Bangladeshi reporter found strangled to death
New York, November 17, 2005—A reporter for the Dhaka-based daily Samakal was found strangled to death in his bureau office today, according to news reports. Journalists in the town of Faridpur, 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of the Bangladeshi capital, have launched protests demanding that authorities find and prosecute the killer of Gautam Das. The…
PAKISTAN
NOVEMBER 14, 2005 Posted: December 2, 2004 Mast FM 103 CENSORED The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PERMA) raided the Karachi-based Mast FM 103, seizing its transmission equipment and halting its broadcasts, according to press reports. The station was accused of violating the ban on the rebroadcast of foreign news, in this case a BBC…
CPJ disturbed by court’s failure to check repression of the media
New York, November 11, 2005 —Nepal’s Supreme Court today rejected media petitions for the suspension of a draconian new law that bans FM radio news broadcasts and curbs critical newspaper coverage. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a final ruling on the constitutionality of the law, which the government issued in October, in the…
In Thailand, criminal charges threaten community radio stations
Bangkok, November 9, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists is gravely concerned about the Thai government’s criminal prosecution of a community radio station operator. Hearings concluded today in a criminal case filed by the state-run Public Relations and Post and Telegraph departments against radio journalist Satien Chanthorn on charges of illegally possessing broadcast equipment and violating…
CHINA
NOVEMBER 7, 2005 POSTED: December 2, 2005 Cheung Kin-bao, Ming Pao ATTACKED A parcel bomb exploded in the offices of the Hong Kong daily Ming Pao, injuring two people. A gift box, which was hand delivered to the office of Chief Editor Cheung Kin-bao, exploded when Cheung’s secretary opened it, The Standard reported. She was…
CPJ condemns bomb attack on newspaper
New York, November 7, 2005 —The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a bomb attack today on the offices of the Hong Kong daily Ming Pao, which injured two people. A gift box, which was hand delivered to the office of Chief Editor Cheung Kin-bao, exploded when Cheung’s secretary opened it, The Standard reported. She was…
Media law called “unconstitutional” in Supreme Court hearing
New York, November 7, 2005—Nepal’s beleaguered independent media are urging the Supreme Court to strike down a government law curbing press freedom as unconstitutional. In a landmark case, the Court is expected to rule by the end of the week on the petition by nine media groups to block an ordinance issued in October that…