New legislation a potential threat to press freedom
New York, October 10, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the press freedom implications of proposed Australian legislation that would give the federal police commissioner powers to unilaterally block Internet content that he or she “has reason to believe … is crime or terrorist related.” The Communications Legislation Amendment (Crime or Terrorism Related…
Three journalists released, three still held in detention
New York, October 10, 2007 — The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the continued detention of at least three Burmese journalists and expresses strong concern about recent news reports that government authorities have consulted media images to identify and detain people who participated in recent street protests. According to CPJ sources, Win Ko Ko…
Nepalese journalist abducted, Maoist leadership denies responsibility
New York, October 10, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the abduction of Nepalese journalist Birendra Shah, Bara district correspondent for Nepal FM, Dristi Weekly, and Avenues TV. Shah has been missing since Friday. Ram Dev Das, editor of the magazine Terai Khabar Patrika, told the Federation of Nepalese Journalists that he was with Shah…
Colombian journalist forced to flee following Uribe’s accusations
New York, October 9, 2007—Colombian reporter Gonzalo Guillén has been forced to flee his home in Bogotá after receiving more than 20 death threats following comments made by President Álvaro Uribe Vélez, the journalist said today. The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Uribe today to personally ensure that Colombian authorities conduct a prompt investigation…
Three media workers murdered in Mexican state of Oaxaca
New York, October 9, 2007—Three media workers for the Oaxaca-based daily El Imparcial del Istmo were shot and killed on Monday afternoon while driving in the southern state of Oaxaca in a vehicle bearing the paper’s logo. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the attack today and called on Mexican authorities to conduct a prompt…
Gunmen pour acid on radio station transmitter
New York, October 9, 2007—A private radio station in southwest Uganda was knocked off the air for several days after armed assailants poured acid on its transmitter last week in an attack believed to have been prompted by a program critical of the local government, according to local journalists and news reports. Life FM, one…
Pakistan TV camera operator dies in helicopter crash
New York, October 9, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists mourns the death of Pakistan TV camera operator Mohammed Farooq, who died Monday when the helicopter in which he was riding crashed near Mujhoi village, 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Muzaffarabad. Farooq was riding in a convoy of three helicopters taking Musharraf to a ceremony…
Philippine radio commentator shot, in critical condition
New York, October 9, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Philippine government to act quickly to apprehend the gunmen who shot and seriously wounded radio commentator Jose Pantoja on Monday in the city of Iligan, about 500 miles (800 kilometers) southeast of Manila. Pantoja was a “block time” broadcaster—an independent commentator who leased…
Prominent journalist sent to jail in libel case
ANGOLA: Proeminente jornalista é mandado para a prisão por ação de difamação Nova York, 5 de Outubro de 2007 – O proeminente diretor de um semanário privado de Angola foi mandado para a prisão na quarta-feira depois de ser sentenciado a oito meses de reclusão e multa de 18.7 milhões de kwanzas (US$ 250,000) por…