Middle East & North Africa
2001
CPJ appeals for release of journalist
New York, April 10, 2001 — As Iranian newspaper editor Mashallah Shamsolvaezin marked the end of his first year in prison, CPJ today presented more than 350 petitions to the government of Iran calling for his immediate release and the release of at least six other Iranian journalists currently jailed for their work. The petitions…
CPJ concerned about ongoing restrictions on journalists
New York, October 9, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about the Palestinian National Authority’s recent restrictions on journalists operating in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. CPJ has learned that Palestinian authorities today barred foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip in an apparent effort to thwart negative coverage following yesterday’s bloody…
SYRIA LEGALIZES PRIVATE NEWSPAPERS
New York, September 28, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists is disturbed by harsh content restrictions contained in the new press decree announced by President Bashar al-Assad on September 22. “While CPJ welcomes the legalization of private media in Syria, which had been banned since 1963, the aggressive restrictions appear to negate the positive aspects of…
CPJ congratulates press freedom awardee Shamsolvaezin on his release
New York, September 27, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today welcomed the release from prison of Iranian editor Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, who was freed on September 12 after spending 17 months in prison. In an e-mail sent to Shamsolvaezin, CPJ executive director Ann Cooper wrote: “We were happy to learn of your release from prison…
Tabloid editor sentenced to three years in prison
New York, September 20, 2001-An Egyptian State Security Court has convicted tabloid editor Mamdouh Mahran of undermining public security, publishing scandalous photos, insulting religion, and causing civil turmoil. On September 16, Mahran, editor of the controversial weekly newspaper Al-Nabaa, was sentenced to three years in prison and fined 200 Egyptian pounds (about US$50). The charges…
CPJ protests harassment of journalists covering West Bank celebrations of U.S. terrorist attacks
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) strongly protests recent acts of censorship and intimidation carried out by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) against journalists covering celebrations among some Palestinians of last Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Army takes legal action against newspaper
New York, September 4, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today expressed its deep concern about the Lebanese army’s recent lawsuit against two journalists working with the leading Lebanese daily newspaper Al-Nahar. On August 31, Al-Nahar was informed that the army had taken legal action against Joseph Nasr, the paper’s editor, and Raffi Madian, an…