Government controls on news compromise vote in Tajikistan
New York, November 3, 2006—Repression of opposition and independent news media has compromised the fairness of Monday’s presidential election, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. President Imomali Rakhmonov seeks a third, seven-year term in the balloting. “We’re greatly concerned that Tajik authorities have deprived citizens of independent and diverse sources of news at a…
Pakistani journalist slain; CPJ urges investigation
New York, November 1, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges an immediate, high-level investigation into today’s murder of Mohammad Ismail, Islamabad bureau chief for Pakistan Press International (PPI). Ismail’s body was found this morning near his home in Islamabad with “his head completely smashed with some hard blunt object” according to Mazhar Abbas, secretary-general of…
Iraqi presenter, driver murdered in Baghdad
New York, October 30, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Sunday’s murder in central Baghdad of a presenter and a driver for the Iraqi state television channel Atyaf. Unidentified gunmen killed Naqshin Hamma Rashid, 30, and her driver Anis Qassem as the two were driving to work near Haifa Street in the morning, according to…
China: Beijing court denies open hearing in Ching Cheong appeal
New York, October 30, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Chinese authorities’ denial of an open appeal hearing in the espionage case of Ching Cheong, a Hong Kong reporter for The Straits Times sentenced to five years in prison in August. Instead, the court will review documents behind closed doors before ruling on Ching’s appeal.
CPJ condemns two-year sentence of online journalist Li Jianping
New York, October 26, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the two-year prison sentence given to Internet writer Li Jianping on Wednesday, more than six months after he was tried on charges of “inciting subversion of state authority.” Li, who was initially accused of defaming national leaders through his writings, plans to appeal the verdict,…
In Somalia, transitional government detains three radio journalists.
New York, October 25, 2006—Security agents for Somalia’s transitional federal government arrested three radio journalists on Tuesday near the southern city of Baidoa, where the government is based. Transitional government security services were still holding Fahad Mohammed Abukar of Baidoa-based Warsan Radio, Mohammed Adawe Adam of Mogadishu-based Radio Shabelle, and Muktar Mohammed Atosh of Mogadishu-based…
Journalist flees home after death threats
New York, October 24, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed that a Colombian journalist has been forced into hiding following threats. Television host Otoniel Sánchez became the sixth journalist this year in Colombia to flee after being threatened or intimidated. Unidentified gunmen fired six shots at Sánchez’s house in the town of Cartago, Valle…
Kidnapped AP photographer freed
New York, October 24, 2006—Kidnappers released an Associated Press photographer late Tuesday, hours after he was seized at gunpoint in the Gaza Strip, the AP reported. Spanish photojournalist Emilio Morenatti, 37, was seen by an AP reporter at the office of a Fatah official after he was freed. The AP said no group claimed responsibility…
Vietnam: Two papers suspended for reporting on banknote problems
New York, October 24, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the suspension of two newspapers in Vietnam that reported on corruption and printing problems with the country’s new non-paper banknotes. The Ministry of Culture and Information slapped a one-month ban on two small newspapers and was considering disciplinary measures against other, more widely read newspapers…
CPJ appeals FOIA denial on Al-Jazeera bombing
New York, October 20, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists has appealed the Pentagon’s refusal to release information about the U.S. bombing of Al-Jazeera television’s Baghdad bureau in 2003 which killed a reporter. The formal appeal sent on Thursday followed the revelation by Britain’s Channel 4 this week that former British Home Secretary (Interior Minister) David…