Philippine journalist murders far from solved, mission finds
Manila, Philippines, June 26, 2005—Despite Philippine government claims that it has solved more than half of journalist murders since 1986, a joint mission by the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance has found that the official definition of “solved cases” is misleading, that justice has not been served in the vast…
Police occupy journalists’ union in Kogi State
New York, June 24, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the actions of police in Nigeria’s central Kogi State, where officers have occupied the local chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, harassed local journalists, and detained the local union chairman, according to local journalists and the Lagos-based press freedom group Media Rights…
Russian court imposes prison term in defamation case
New York, June 24, 2005—An arbitration court in the southern Russian city of Saratov convicted Eduard Abrosimov, a journalist and adviser to former regional governor Dmitry Ayatskov, of criminal defamation on Wednesday and sentenced him to seven months in a prison colony for defaming public officials in two articles published last year in national and…
In Burundi, journalist who said president depressed is freed on bail
New York, June 23, 2005—Radio and online journalist Etienne Ndikuriyo was released on bail today after spending more than a week in jail for writing a story about the health of President Domitien Ndayizeye. Criminal charges are pending, and he has been ordered to report to a judge once a week, according to his lawyer,…
Nepalese authorities harass journalists for reporting on the military
New York, June 23, 2005—Nepalese authorities continue to harass and intimidate journalists who independently cover military activities. Local newspapers report that two editors were interrogated this week and urged to disclose their sources for stories involving the Royal Nepalese Army. Police today questioned Kishor Karki, editor of Blast Time, a daily newspaper based in the…
Opposition photojournalist dies six months after dispute
New York, June 22, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply saddened by the death on Sunday of Alim Kazimli, photo correspondent for the Baku-based opposition newspaper Yeni Musavat (New Equality). Despite a lengthy hospital stay and home medical treatment for a December 2004 stroke that left him partially paralyzed, the 51-year-old Kazimli died several…
Three journalists jailed on criminal charges
New York, June 22, 2005—Chadian authorities have jailed three journalists since yesterday in the capital, N’Djamena, on criminal charges stemming from critical reporting, sources told the Committee to Protect Journalists. Today, authorities arrested and jailed Michaël Didama, publication director of the private weekly Le Temps. According to local sources, Didama was charged with defamation and…
Opposition photojournalist dies
New York, June 22, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply saddened by the death on Sunday of Alim Kazimli, photo correspondent for the Baku-based opposition newspaper Yeni Musavat (New Equality). Despite a lengthy hospital stay and home medical treatment for a December 2004 stroke that left him partially paralyzed, the 51-year-old Kazimli died several…
Internet journalist tried on subversion charges
New York, June 21, 2005—Freelance Internet journalist and dissident Zhang Lin pleaded not guilty to charges of inciting subversion of state authority at his trial today at the Intermediate People’s Court of Bengbu in central China’s Anhui Province. Today’s trial concluded within five hours, defense lawyer Mo Shaoping told the Committee to Protect Journalists. The…
Al-Arabiya correspondent seriously injured in shooting
New York, June 21, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Saturday’s shooting in Baghdad of Jawad Kadhem, an Iraqi correspondent for the Dubai-based satellite channel Al-Arabiya. Kadhem was seriously injured in the attack, which was believed to be the work of insurgents. Najib Bencherif, Al-Arabiya’s head of correspondents in Dubai, told CPJ that the shooting…