Ling, Lee pardoned in North Korea, reports say
New York, August 4, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes media reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has pardoned and ordered the release of imprisoned journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee after former U.S. President Bill Clinton arrived in Pyongyang today.
Pro-government militants attack Venezuela’s Globovisión
New York, August 3, 2009–A group of more than 30 armed pro-government militants riding motorcycles stormed the premises of private broadcaster Globovisión today and set off tear gas, local press reports said. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the attack and called on authorities to provide Globovisión and its staff members the necessary protection to…
In Iran, more journalists arrested and freed
New York, July 31, 2009–Iran’s official news agency claimed that a prominent filmmaker arrested Thursday has been released, but there is no independent confirmation. Two other documentarians detained at the same time remain in custody, according to international news reports.
Journalists face trial in Iran as arrests continue
New York, July 30, 2009–After more than a month of detention, several journalists may face trial beginning on Saturday on charges of “sending pictures to enemy media.” Three documentary filmmakers were arrested today, bringing the total of journalists currently held in Iranian jails to 42, the highest count in the world.
Bill punishing ‘media crimes’ in Venezuela a serious setback
New York, July 30, 2009–A bill by Venezuela’s attorney general that punishes “press crimes” with prison terms is an unprecedented step in the crusade by President Hugo Chávez Frías’ administration to curtail media freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Democratic Republic of Congo bans RFI
New York, July 30, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists called on authorities today in the Democratic Republic of Congo to lift a ban on the FM broadcasts of Radio France Internationale (RFI) across the Central African country. The government silenced the station in response to its coverage of the ongoing conflict in the east, RFI…
Iran claims photographers cooperated with ‘enemy’
New York, July 29, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists rejects the alleged confessions by two detained Iranian photographers held incommunicado in Iran since their arrests earlier this month. The two allegedly confessed to sending pictures to the “enemy” following the country’s disputed June 12 presidential elections, according to the official Iranian News Agency (IRNA).
Reporter found dead near Acapulco
New York, July 29, 2009–Mexican authorities found the brutally beaten body of a journalist partially buried near the southwestern resort city of Acapulco Tuesday afternoon, according to local news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists called today on Mexican authorities to thoroughly investigate the killing, and to put an end to the ongoing violence against…