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…
Afghanistan: As deadline looms, CPJ urges kidnappers to free journalist
New York, October 20, 2006—Ahead of the deadline set by the kidnappers of an Italian photographer in Afghanistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists appeals for his immediate safe release. Freelancer Gabriele Torsello was seized by five gunmen October 12. At first, the kidnappers set a deadline of Sunday night for their demands to be met.…
CPJ condemns ‘roundup’ of Philippine journalists in Arroyo case
New York, October 19, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the arrests of nine Philippine journalists with the English-language daily Malaya in connection with a criminal libel suit filed by Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Silvino Pampilo on Monday ordered the arrests of publisher Amado Macasaet; editors…
Despite appeal, a Gabonese journalist is suddenly jailed
New York, October 18, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the release of a Gabonese journalist who was imprisoned today on defamation charges even as his appeal was still pending. The jailing comes three years after the sentence was first imposed—which a defense lawyer said contravenes Gabonese law—and follows a politically charged debate over…