Vietnamese blogger jailed on tax evasion charges
Bangkok, October 4, 2013–Vietnamese blogger Le Quoc Quan was sentenced to prison on Wednesday for tax evasion, a charge that government authorities frequently use to stifle critical voices. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the appellate court to reverse the politically motivated ruling and urges Vietnamese authorities to end state persecution of Vietnam’s independent…
Broadcast journalist held without charge in Gambia
Abuja, Nigeria, October 3, 2013–Gambian authorities should immediately release Fatou Camara, a journalist who has been held incommunicado since September 17, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The government has not disclosed Camara’s whereabouts or any charges against her, according to news reports.
Sudan orders news outlets to toe government line
New York, October 1, 2013–Amid violent protests in Sudan last week, authorities asked journalists to refrain from publishing news that they said would “disturb the public,” according to news reports. Several journalists were subsequently detained and multiple outlets shut down, news reports said.
Gunmen kill Colombian vendor who collaborated on story
Bogotá, October 1, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Saturday’s murder of a Colombian newspaper vendor who had collaborated with journalists on exposing misbehavior by guards at a local prison, and calls on authorities to investigate.
Tanzania suspends two leading newspapers
Nairobi, September 30, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a decision by Tanzanian authorities to suspend two leading private Swahili dailies on accusations of sedition. The government issued a statement on Friday suspending Mwananchi and MTanzania for 14 and 90 days respectively.
Photographer covering Greenpeace protest held in Russia
New York, September 27, 2013–Russian authorities should immediately release a freelance photographer who was detained nine days ago while covering a Greenpeace demonstration, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. A court on Thursday ordered Denis Sinyakov to be held for two months pending an investigation into accusations of piracy, news reports said.
Spanish journalist missing in Syria
New York, September 24, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the immediate release of Spanish journalist Marc Marginedas in Syria. The special correspondent for the Barcelona-based El Periódico was kidnapped by rebel jihadi fighters on September 4 near the city of Hama, the paper reported Monday, citing unnamed sources.
Journalists attacked by masked assailants in Cambodia
Bangkok, September 24, 2013–At least seven journalists were assaulted by a mob of masked men on Sunday while covering a land rights protest in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, according to journalists and local news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the attack and calls for an independent investigation that leads to the…