Alerts
2007
Photographer killed, three other journalists injured in Pakistan attack
New York, May 3, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists mourns the death of freelance photographer Mehboob Khan, who was killed in an April 28 suicide bomb attack aimed at Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao. The minister escaped with minor injuries, but 28 people died in the attack at a political rally in the small town of…
In the Philippines, president’s husband withdraws 46 libel suits
New York, May 3, 2007—Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, has withdrawn 46 criminal libel suits he had filed against 11 journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed today’s news but said the suits should never have been brought. Withdrawal of the cases—which came because Arroyo was “grateful for surviving a…
Cairo court sentences Al-Jazeera producer to six months in jail
New York, May 2, 2007—On the same day the Committee to Protect Journalists cited Egypt for its deteriorating press conditions, a judge in Cairo convicted an Al-Jazeera producer on charges of “harming Egypt’s national interest” and “falsely depicting events” for her work on a documentary exposing police abuse. The court sentenced Howayda Taha Matwali, who…
Uzbek journalist sentenced to seven years in prison
New York, May 1, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists denounces the seven-year prison sentence handed down today to independent Uzbek journalist Umida Niyazova by a judge in Tashkent after a summary trial that was closed to the press and most of the public. Niyazova was convicted on charges related to her reporting on human rights…
Jordan blocks newspaper edition over story on ’secret’ Palestinian plan
New York, April 30, 2007—Jordanian authorities should lift their ban on today’s edition of an independent paper, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. Fahd al-Rimawi, editor of the weekly Al-Majd, told CPJ that security agents moved Sunday to prevent printing of the edition because of a front-page story about a “secret plan” to oust the…
Amid civil strife, another Tamil journalist killed in Sri Lanka
New York, April 30, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists deplores the slaying on Sunday of Selvarajah Rajeewarnam, a reporter for the Tamil-language daily Uthayan, and calls on the government to investigate and quickly bring his assailants to justice. Rajeewarnam was aboard a bicycle on assignment in Jaffna when he was shot by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen…
Police in St. Petersburg seize copies of opposition newspaper
New York, April 30, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the seizure on Sunday of thousands of copies of a special edition of Obyedinyonny Grazhdansky Front, the weekly newspaper of the United Civic Front (OGF), a Russian opposition group headed by the Kremlin critic and former chess champion Garry Kasparov. Confiscated by police…
In Uzbekistan, journalist’s trial resumes without notice
New York, April 30, 2007—Authorities in Uzbekistan today resumed without notice the trial of independent journalist Umida Niyazova in Serelisky District Court in the capital, Tashkent. The Committee to Protect Journalists denounces the failure to give notice to Niyazova’s counsel and family, which reflects an ongoing disregard for justice in the case. Niyazova, who reported…
CPJ delegation meets with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
New York, April 27, 2007—Meeting today with a delegation from the Committee to Protect Journalists, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his admiration and pledged his support for journalists working in dangerous situations around the world. “Tell them we will be behind them,” the secretary-general said. “I have big admiration and respect for their courage.” Ban…
In Guatemala, local reporters attacked while covering mob attack
New York, April 26, 2007—Guatemalan television journalist Rudy Toledo was shot and wounded, and three other local reporters were attacked Wednesday while covering a mob’s fatal attack on a purported gang member in the northeastern province of Quiché. A group of about 100 people shot and burned an individual believed to be a member of…