Alerts
2013
Turkish editor convicted of insulting the president
Istanbul, April 25, 2013–An Istanbul court convicted a Turkish editor of “publicly insulting the president” and sentenced him to a conditional term of 14 months in prison, according to news reports. Ali Örnek would be jailed if he repeats the perceived offense sometime in the next five years under amendments to Turkey’s criminal code introduced…
Censors ban political documentary in Thailand
Bangkok, April 25, 2013–Thailand’s Ministry of Culture has banned the locally produced documentary Fah Tam Pan Din Soon (Boundary) on grounds that it could “mislead and disrupt public order,” according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the censorship order and calls on ministry officials to reverse the arbitrary decision.
Swaziland must overturn editor’s 2-year sentence, fine
New York, April 23, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Swaziland’s appeals court to overturn last week’s conviction of an editor for “contempt by scandalizing the court” in relation to two articles criticizing the country’s chief justice.
More journalists attacked in Cairo, Alexandria clashes
New York, April 23, 2013–At least 13 journalists were attacked amid clashes between supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and the opposition Friday in Cairo and Alexandria. Demonstrators supporting the Muslim Brotherhood were calling for reform of Egypt’s judiciary, while opposition groups were protesting the Brotherhood and the government it leads.
Burundi Senate passes harsh amendments to press law
New York, April 23, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the passage in the Senate of highly restrictive amendments to Burundi’s Press Law and calls on President Pierre Nkurunziza to reject the bill when it comes to him for confirmation.
Authorities must investigate murder of Somali journalist
Nairobi, April 22, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Somali authorities to keep their promise to prosecute journalists’ killers by investigating the murder of Mohamed Ibrahim Raage. Two unidentified gunmen shot Mohamed around 5:30 p.m. Sunday near his home in Mogadishu’s Dharkenley district, according to local journalists.
Journalist missing in Veracruz for 3 months
Mexico City, April 22, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Mexican authorities to fully investigate the disappearance of journalist Sergio Landa Rosado in the state of Veracruz. Landa, who covers the crime beat for the local daily Diario Cardel, has been missing since January, according to news reports.
Radio journalist gunned down in the Philippines
New York, April 22, 2013–Authorities in the Philippines should thoroughly investigate today’s murder of a radio journalist, identify the motive, and bring the perpetrators to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Mario Vendiola Baylosis was killed by two unidentified gunmen in the town of Kabasalan in the southern province of Zamboanga Sibugay, according…
Ethiopia transfers editor Woubshet Taye to remote prison
New York, April 22, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists protests Ethiopian authorities’ transfer of independent newspaper editor Woubshet Taye to a remote prison several hours away from his family’s home. Woubshet has been imprisoned since June 2011 on vague terrorism charges that CPJ has determined to be unsubstantiated.
Three international journalists asked to leave Bahrain
New York, April 19, 2013–The Bahraini government ordered three journalists from the British television network ITV to leave the country today, according to news reports citing an ITV spokesman. The journalists, who were also briefly detained on Thursday, are in the process of leaving the country.