CPJ seeks reversal of journalist’s ‘state secret’ conviction
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the harsh 10-year prison sentence handed to journalist Shi Tao on charges of “illegally providing state secrets to foreigners” after an unfair trial last week. Shi plans to submit an appeal in advance of a May 10 deadline. We call on authorities to drop the state secrets charge against him, which your government has used with disturbing frequency to imprison journalists, and to ensure Shi’s immediate and unconditional release.
CPJ condemns use of criminal defamation law
New York, May 6, 2005—Using antiquated criminal laws dating back to Indonesia’s colonial era, a district court in the city of Lampung on the island of Sumatra found two journalists guilty of criminal defamation and sentenced them to nine months in prison on Wednesday. The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the ruling and the…
Web log shuts down after government threat of legal action
New York, May 5, 2005—The threat of legal action has prompted Singaporean blogger Jiahao Chen to shut down his site and post an apology for comments criticizing a government agency and its chairman. The Committee to Protect Journalists said today it is alarmed that the threat of defamation lawsuits is being used to inhibit criticism…
INDONESIA
MAY 4, 2005 Posted: May 17, 2005 Darwin Ruslinur, KoridorBudiono Saputro, Koridor LEGAL ACTION Using antiquated criminal laws dating back to Indonesia’s colonial era, a district court in the city of Lampung on the island of Sumatra found the two journalists guilty of criminal defamation and sentenced them to nine months in prison. Darwin Ruslinur,…
PHILIPPINES
MAY 4, 2005 Posted: May 5, 2005 Klein Cantoneros, DXAA-FM KILLED—UNCONFIRMED Cantoneros, a radio broadcaster known for denouncing corruption, died after being shot as many as seven times by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Dipolog City on the southern island of Mindanao. The Committee to Protect Journalists is investigating the circumstances of the case to determine whether…
Philippine radio journalist slain
New York, May 4, 2005—A radio broadcaster known for denouncing corruption died today after being shot as many as seven times by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Dipolog City on the southern island of Mindanao. Klein Cantoneros succumbed to his injuries at around 11 p.m., according to the ABS-CBN news Web site. The Committee to Protect Journalists…
CHINA
MAY 3, 2005 Posted: May 3, 2005 Cheng Yizhong, Nanfang Dushi Bao and Nanfang Tiyu HARASSED Chinese authorities refused to allow Cheng to receive a United Nations press freedom award on May 3. Cheng, who was imprisoned for five months in 2004 after his aggressive investigative journalism angered local officials, was ordered not to attend…