CPJ welcomes lifting of censorship, urges press access to conflict areas
New York, June 6, 2001 — In a letter sent today to Sri Lankan president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, CPJ welcomed her government’s recent decision to lift censorship restrictions on the Sri Lankan media. The letter also urged the president to lift access restrictions that still impede reporting on the country’s long-running civil war. In addition…
Government bans political TV program
New York, June 6, 2001 — A weekly television talk show was banned yesterday after only three broadcasts because callers criticized Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. On June 5, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) chairman Gideon Gono wrote to the show’s sponsor saying that the live phone-in television program had been cancelled for “policy” reasons. The program,…
Local press freedom group launches emergency network
New York, June 5, 2001 — At a recent seminar in Guatemala City, the local press freedom organization Centro para la Defensa de la Libertad de Expresión (CEDEX) encouraged journalists from all over Guatemala to report attacks on the press in their areas. Journalists in Guatemala often face violent threats in response to their work,…
CPJ condemns military trial of Lebanese-American correspondent
June 5, 2001 — CPJ today condemned the military trial of a New York-based Lebanese reporter who has been charged with “dealing with the enemy” because she participated in the same panel discussion as an Israeli official. Raghida Dergham, the New York bureau chief for the London-based daily Al-Hayat and a noted commentator on Arab…
Postponement of Pasko trial criticized by defense, CPJ
Vladivostok, June 4, 2001 — The postponement Monday of a new trial against Russian environmental journalist Grigory Pasko was denounced by his defense team and CPJ representatives in front of the Vladivostok courthouse and at a later press conference. Defense lawyer Anatoly Pishkin said the delay was an attempt by Pacific Ocean Fleet prosecutors “to…
CPJ Delegation In Vladivostok to Support Journalist Grigory Pasko
New York, June 1, 2001 — CPJ representatives who traveled to Russia to show support for embattled investigative reporter Grigory Pasko are in Vladivostok to meet with the journalist and his defense team over the weekend in preparation for his upcoming trial. Pasko faces charges of treason and revealing state secrets for leaking information to…
CPJ Condemns Bombing of Opposition Paper in Turkish enclave
New York, May 31, 2001 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today condemned last week’s bomb attack against the printing facility of an opposition daily newspaper in northern Cyprus. On May 24, a bomb blast ripped through the printing office of the daily Avrupa, causing significant damage. Agence France-Presse, citing eyewitnesses, said unidentified assailants…
Radio journalist murdered
New York, May 31, 2001 — CPJ condemns the recent murder of radio commentator Candelario Cayona in Zamboanga City. At about six a.m. on May 30, three unidentified men ambushed Cayona as he left home on his motorcycle to host a morning program at radio station DXLL. He died on the spot from four gunshot…
Newsweek reporters detained by militant faction
New York, May 31, 2001 — CPJ is concerned about the recent detention of two journalists from Newsweek magazine by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. On the early afternoon of May 29, according to international news reports, Newsweek Jerusalem bureau chief Joshua Hammer and photographer Gary Knight were interviewing Palestinian militants in the town…
CPJ Delegation Arrives in Russia to Support Grigory Pasko Press Conference Scheduled for June 4 in Vladivostok As Second Trial of Journalist Begins
New York, May 29, 2001 — Two representatives of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) arrived in Moscow today on their way to Vladivostok to support Russian journalist Grigory Pasko, who is facing a second trial on charges of treason and revealing state secrets. CPJ board member Peter Arnett and Europe program consultant Emma Gray…