Unknown Palestinian group claims it killed BBC correspondent
New York, April 16, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists remains deeply concerned for the safety of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, abducted in Gaza five weeks ago, following an uncorroborated claim made by a previously unknown Palestinian militant group that they had killed him. On Sunday morning, the Brigades of Tawhid and Jihad (Brigades of Unity…
In Gaza, CPJ appeals for BBC correspondent’s immediate release
New York, April 12, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists joins today’s international actions appealing for the immediate release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, who was abducted in the Gaza Strip one month ago. “It is deeply troubling that a month after the kidnapping of our colleague Alan Johnston his abductors remain silent,” CPJ Executive Director…
Iraqi AP photojournalist held by U.S. without charge for a year
New York, April 10, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the United States to release Bilal Hussein, an Iraqi photojournalist for The Associated Press, who has been held in a U.S. prison in Iraq for a year without charge. Hussein, a Pulitzer Prize winner, was taken by U.S. forces on April 12 in the…
Tunisian authorities repeatedly harass prominent journalist
New York, April 9, 2007—A prominent Tunisian correspondent and press freedom advocate was physically prevented from attending and covering a ceremony, the latest in a series of harassing incidents over the last three years. On Friday evening, Lotfi Hajji, head of the Tunisian Journalists Syndicate (SJT), was prevented from attending and covering a reception at…
Courts, press law undermine Moroccan press freedoms
Casablanca, Morocco, April 6, 2007—A delegation from the Committee to Protect Journalists voiced concern today about a troubling pattern of punitive judicial sanctions that have threatened Morocco’s independent press. Over the last two years, Moroccan courts have levied stiff criminal penalties and civil damages against independent news publications, effectively banishing two of the country’s most…
Iraqi journalist found murdered; reporter abducted in Baghdad
New York, April 5, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the murder of an abducted Iraqi journalist who was found dead by Iraqi police in Baghdad. Radio Free Iraq reporter Khamail Khalaf, who was kidnapped April 3 from Baghdad’s Yarmouk district, was found dead in Baghdad’s Jamia neighborhood today, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty…
Deputy director of Iraqi TV channel killed in truck bomb attack
New York, April 5, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns today’s suicide truck bomb attack on the Iraqi satellite channel Baghdad TV that killed the station’s deputy director, injured 12, and caused severe structural damage to the building in Baghdad’s Jamia district. A suicide attacker driving a garbage truck packed with explosives blasted near the…
BBC correspondent still missing in Gaza after 22 days
New York, April 3, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists today renewed its call for the release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, seized in Gaza more than three weeks ago, amid intensifying pressure by Palestinian journalists on government officials to do more. Despite reports that the Hamas-led Palestinian government had identified Johnston’s abductors and expected him…
In Iraq, 11 media workers jailed for month without charge
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned that 10 current employees and one former employee of the independent production company Wasan Media have been held by the Interior Ministry for more than a month without charge.