Nigeria police arrest six journalists
New York, October 12, 2011–Police in Nigeria arrested six journalists and one staff member from independent daily The Nation on Tuesday concerning the publication of a purported private letter from former head of state Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan about administrators of government agencies, local journalists reported.On the front page of its October 4…
Attacks on press swell in Egypt; journalist dead
New York, October 12, 2011 — A demonstration Sunday against religious persecution by Coptic Christians and their supporters turned into fatal confrontations between the military and civilians that left dozens dead, including a journalist. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns raids on two television studios and the cutting of electricity, telephone, and Internet service to…
Angolan editor given one-year suspended prison term
New York, October 12, 2011–An Angolan judge handed a suspended prison term and a fine to the editor of an independent newspaper on Monday in connection with stories that alleged corruption and abuse of power by five senior officials close to President José Eduardo Dos Santos, according to news reports and local journalists. Judge Manuel Pereira…
Blogger released in mass amnesty in Burma
Bangkok, October 12, 2011 – The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes today’s release of Burmese blogger and comedian Maung Thura, but reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of at least 13 other journalists on CPJ’s imprisoned list.
Zenawi calls jailed Swedish journalists terror accomplices
New York, October 11, 2011–Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s public accusations on Monday against two imprisoned Swedish journalists compromise the presumption of their innocence and predetermine the outcome of their case, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The journalists were arrested in Ethiopia in July and charged with terrorism for associating with armed separatists.In…
Gambian minister should disclose Manneh’s fate
New York, October 11, 2011 – An official of the Gambian government publicly indicated knowledge of the whereabouts of missing journalist Ebrima “Chief” Manneh, according to news reports. The government, which has repeatedly denied any involvement in Manneh’s 2006 disappearance, must immediately disclose the details of his status, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Guyana president suspends television station
New York, October 6, 2011–Guyanese president Bharrat Jagdeo has suspended television station CNS6 from broadcasting for four months in the period leading up to the presidential elections, according to local news reports. The suspension stemmed from a May 4 broadcast that aired comments about a local bishop who is a close associate of the president,…
Reporter gets five years in Turkmenistan
New York, October 5, 2011 — The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the sentencing today of Dovletmurad Yazguliyev, a local correspondent for the Turkmen service of the U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), to five years in prison on charges of inciting a relative’s suicide attempt.