Photojournalists face deportation in Thailand
Bangkok, January 21, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about the charges and threatened deportation of Thailand-based freelance photojournalists John Sanlin, a Burmese passport holder, and Pascal Schatterman, a Belgian national.
Yemeni journalist who covers Al-Qaeda given jail sentence
New York, January 19, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the sentencing on Tuesday of prominent Yemeni journalist Abdulelah Hider Shaea on charges of aiding Al-Qaeda. Shaea, at left, who developed expertise on Islamist groups including Al-Qaeda during his career, was given five years in prison. In conjunction with numerous journalists and rights activists in…
Prominent Afghan reporter attacked with acid
New York, January 19, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists is greatly concerned about the acid attack on Afghan journalist and author Razaq Mamoon, which left him disfigured. Local and international media reports say Mamoon was attacked as he was walking outside his apartment in Kabul on Tuesday evening.
In Tunisia, one journalist still jailed, another killed
New York, January 18, 2011–Tunisia’s transitional government should immediately release Fahem Boukadous, a television reporter imprisoned last year in reprisal for his work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. CPJ also offered condolences to the family and colleagues of French photographer Lucas Mebrouk Dolega, who died of head injuries suffered while covering the civil…
In Belarus, two more independent journalists jailed
New York, January 18, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists deplores the ongoing imprisonment of independent journalists in Belarus and urges authorities to cease their crackdown and release all jailed reporters and editors. On Monday, authorities in Minsk and the eastern city of Mogilev jailed two more independent reporters on politicized charges.
Ecuador must return property seized from newsmagazine
New York, January 18, 2011–Ecuadoran authorities have been holding computers and equipment belonging to the critical newsmagazine Vanguardia since a police raid on its offices a month ago. The Committee to Protect Journalists has concluded the seizure was reprisal for the magazine’s editorial positions and calls on authorities to return the property.
As Ben Ali’s regime falls, 3 Tunisian journalists freed
New York, January 14, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists is heartened by news reports that three jailed Tunisian journalists have been freed as the repressive regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has fallen. CPJ calls on the new interim Tunisian government to release one other journalist believed to be still in custody.
CPJ condemns Israeli security for humiliating screening
New York, January 14, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the humiliating treatment of several journalists by security personnel assigned to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. CPJ calls on the prime minister to ensure that similar episodes are avoided in the future.