CPJ alarmed by contempt charges against two journalists
New York, October 13, 2005 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned by contempt of court charges filed against two reporters for the Melbourne-based Herald Sun who refused to divulge the source for a report on government plans to cut war veteran benefits. Gerard McManus and Michael Harvey could face jail if convicted.…
Prime minister muzzles popular radio broadcaster
New York, October 12, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the arrest of the head of Cambodia’s only independent radio station on charges of criminal libel filed by Prime Minister Hun Sen. Police detained Mam Sonando, owner and manager of Beehive radio (Sombok Khmum), yesterday at his home outside the capital Phnom Penh. The…
CAMBODIA
OCTOBER 11, 2005 Posted October 14, 2005 Mam Sonando, Beehive Radio (Sombok Khmum) Legal Action, Imprisoned Authorities arrested Sonando, the head of Cambodia’s only independent radio station on charges of criminal libel filed by Prime Minister Hun Sen. Sonando, owner and manager of Beehive radio (Sombok Khmum) was detained at his home outside the capital…
Editor goes on trial for blasphemy
New York, October 11, 2005—The editor of a monthly magazine about women’s rights went on trial today in Kabul’s provincial court on blasphemy charges for publishing articles purported to offend Islam. The prosecutor asked the court to “severely punish” Ali Mohaqiq Nasab, editor of the monthly Haqooq-i-Zan (Women’s Rights), as “a lesson for him and…
Reporters attacked while covering political dispute in Chinese village
New York, October 11, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by a series of violent attacks on journalists trying to cover the ongoing tensions between local authorities and residents in the village of Taishi in the southern Guangdong province. On Friday, two journalists, South China Morning Post reporter Leu Siew Ying and Radio France…
CPJ condemns Nepal’s repressive media law
New York, October 11, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the restrictive media law implemented on October 9 by Nepal’s King Gyanendra. Local journalists report that the ordinance codifies severe restrictions on the press that were announced when the king sacked the multi-party government and claimed absolute authority on February 1. “These extremely repressive amendments…
In Thailand, media activist testifies about climate of fear’
Bangkok, Thailand, October 11, 2005—In her closing testimony today, media activist Supinya Klangnarong said a criminal defamation case brought against her by the telecommunications giant Shin Corp. has given rise to a “climate of fear” among journalists and activists in Thailand. But the presiding judge refused to include that portion of her testimony in the…
NEPAL
OCTOBER 9, 2005 Posted October 17, 2005 All journalists CENSORED A restrictive media law was implemented by Nepal’s King Gyanendra. Local journalists said the ordinance codifies severe restrictions on the press that were announced when the king sacked the multi-party government and claimed absolute authority on February 1.
CHINA
OCTOBER 7, 2005 Posted October 18, 2005 Leu Siew Ying, South China Morning Post Abel Segretin, Radio France Internationale ATTACKED Benjamin Joffe-Walt, Guardian HARASSED Leu and Segretin were struck and threatened by unidentified men and then detained by police as they tried to enter the village of Taishi in the southern Guangdong province. They had…
May justice prevail in Thai courts
Freedom of expression is on trial in the young democracy of Thailand, where state agencies, politicians and politically connected businesses have targeted the news media with an alarming string of criminal and civil court actions that seek prison terms and exorbitant monetary damages.