Imprisoned Internet journalist on hunger strike
New York, September 6, 2005 The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about the health of journalist Zhang Lin, who has been hospitalized since beginning a hunger strike last week to protest his imprisonment, local sources said. Zhang’s lawyer Mo Shaoping told CPJ that he would visit Zhang this week in Bengbu, in…
CPJ condemns attacks on Tamil media
New York, September 6, 2005 – The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a spate of attacks on the Tamil-language newspaper Sudar Oli, including the killing of a printing press security guard and assaults on reporters. “We call on the authorities to investigate these vicious attacks and bring those responsible to justice,” said CPJ Executive Director…
CPJ calls for investigation into disappearance of Indonesian journalist
New York, September 2, 2005—A journalist on the island of Nias off the western coast of Sumatra is missing 16 days after he left home to report on a murder. The Committee to Protect Journalists is probing the disappearance of Elyuddin Telaumbanua, a reporter for the daily Berita Sore, and called today for a thorough…
CPJ speaks with jailed journalist
New York, September 1, 2005—Journalist Michaël Didama, speaking from his prison cell in the Chadian capital N’Djamena, today denounced his detention as illegal and called on local and international journalists to keep up pressure for the release of all four reporters jailed by the government since July. “This is a crackdown on the press. There…
Radio Liberty reporter barred from Beslan anniversary
New York, September 1, 2005— The Committee to Protect Journalists voiced outrage at the unrelenting harassment of reporter Yuri Bagrov who was prevented by Russian police today from covering the first anniversary of the Beslan school hostage tragedy. Bagrov, a North Caucasus correspondent for the U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, told CPJ he was…
Reuters cameraman freed but U.S. still holds other journalists
New York, August 31, 2005—The U.S. military in Iraq today released a Reuters cameraman held for three days without charge, but it continued to hold another Reuters freelancer and at least four other journalists on unspecified charges. Reuters said Haidar Kadhem was freed in Baghdad where he was detained on Sunday after coming under fire,…
Zimbabwean journalist acquitted in important test case
New York, August 31, 2005—A magistrate in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, acquitted a journalist today on criminal charges of working without accreditation for the now-banned Daily News, according to his lawyer. Observers say the ruling in favor of Kelvin Jakachira could set an important precedent for several other former Daily News journalists facing the same charge.…
Government to allow private broadcasting
New York, August 30, 2005—President Lansana Conté signed a decree on August 20 allowing private broadcasting in Guinea, one of the last countries in Africa along with Zimbabwe and Eritrea to ban it. The law, which had been held up for nearly 14 years, enables private citizens and organizations to broadcast but excludes political parties…
Reporter jailed for “insulting” security officer
New York, August 30, 2005—An Uzbek court sentenced a reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to six months in prison for insulting a security officer, the radio said today. Nosir Zokirov, an Uzbek who has worked for the radio’s local language service for eight years, was summoned to court in the eastern city of Namangan…
U.S. detains cameraman, only known witness
New York, August 29, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed shock and alarm today after an Iraqi soundman on assignment for the Reuters news agency was shot by U.S. forces in Baghdad on Sunday. CPJ also called for the immediate release of a Reuters cameraman wounded in the shooting and still being detained by U.S.…