Middle East & North Africa
2008
Military clears troops in death of Reuters cameraman
New York, August 13, 2008–The Israeli government should carry out an independent investigation into the killing of Reuters cameraman Fadel Shana, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. CPJ also called on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to work with journalists and media groups to ensure that journalists operating in the Gaza Strip are able to…
Still no word, five years after editor disappeared
New York, August 11, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists is dismayed by the failure of the Egyptian authorities to shed light on the disappearance of a prominent journalist, five years ago today, in one of the most secure districts in Cairo. Reda Helal, a senior editor at Egypt’s leading state-owned daily Al-Ahram, mysteriously vanished on…
Hormatallah released from “cemetery for the living”
The release of Mustafa Hormatallah, a Moroccan editor at the independent weekly Al-Watan Al An, prompted a memorable scene on July 25 as he exited Akacha Prison in Casablanca, Morocco’s most populous and business-oriented city. Scores of well-wishers including relatives, friends, and representatives of the of the National Syndicate of the Moroccan Press and human…
Kurdish journalists under increasing threat
Dear President Barzani, The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about the wave of threats against journalists in northern Iraq in the last few weeks. CPJ has documented an alarming number of cases recently, ranging from the murder of a journalist to an attack on another by a mob to at least three death threats directed at journalists in less than a month.
CPJ alarmed by reports that Palestinian journalist was abused in custody
New York, August 1, 2008–The Committee to Protect Journalists is very concerned about the treatment of a Palestinian cameraman who was released Thursday after five days in the custody of security agents from the Hamas-led government in Gaza. Hamas security agents arrested Sawah Abu Seif, a cameraman with German broadcaster ARD TV, in his home…
Hamas should halt censorship; Fatah also faulted
New York, July 29, 2008–The Hamas-led government in Gaza should immediately halt a wave of censorship and harassment of Palestinian media outlets and journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. CPJ also called on the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority to end its longstanding obstruction of certain media outlets in the West Bank On Tuesday, for…