Texas journalist released from jail
New York, January 4, 2002—After a record-breaking detention of more than five months, free-lance writer Vanessa Leggett this morning walked out of the Texas jail where she was held for refusing to turn over research materials about a high-profile murder case to federal prosecutors. Leggett, 33, is currently writing a book about the 1997 murder…
37 journalists killed for their work in 2001
New York, January 3, 2002–A total of 37 journalists were killed worldwide as a direct result of their work in 2001, a sharp increase from 2000 when 24 were killed, according to CPJ research. At least 25 were murdered, almost all with impunity. The dramatic rise is mainly due to the war in Afghanistan, where…
37 periodistas asesinados por su trabajo en el 2001
Nueva York, 3 de enero de 2002 — Un total de 37 periodistas fueron asesinados en todo el mundo como resultado directo de su labor en el 2001, un brusco incremento en relación con el año 2000, cuando 24 fueron asesinados, según las investigaciones del Comité para la Protección de los Periodistas (CPJ, por sus…
black mark
New York, December 25, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is outraged by the prison sentence handed down today to journalist Grigory Pasko by the Military Court of the Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok. The court found Pasko guilty of treason and sentenced him to four years in prison, according to local news reports and CPJ…
CPJ responds to Israel Defense Forces report on journalist shootings
FPA STATEMENT The IDF has completed what it describes as “an accounting” of the outstanding cases in which journalists were shot in the territories. We are pleased that the IDF has reaffirmed its commitment to the freedom of the press, the safety of journalists and their freedom of movement.
CPJ condemns destruction of Palestinian radio facility
New York, December 13, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned Israel’s destruction of the Voice of Palestine radio station broadcasting headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The Associated Press reported that Israeli missiles hit the building’s main transmitter, knocking the station off the air.
Foreign Correspondents Association created
New York, December 13, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists applauds the creation on December 7 of the Zimbabwe Foreign Correspondents Association (ZFCA), which has vowed to challenge a restrictive new press law in court. The draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill would allow only Zimbabwean citizens to work for foreign media. A…
Killers of Indonesian journalist convicted of “crimes against humanity”
New York, December 12, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) welcomes yesterday’s announcement that the killers of journalist Agus Muliawan were among those convicted of “crimes against humanity” in connection with the violence that surrounded East Timor’s August 1999 vote for independence from Indonesia. The Special Panel for Serious Crimes of the District Court in…
Moscow authorities free Tajik journalist
Atovullo told CPJ, “This is a big victory for journalists in the entire post-Soviet region.” New York, July 12, 2001—Dododjon Atovullo, the Tajik journalist and opposition activist who was detained in Moscow last week while Russian authorities considered extraditing him to Tajikistan, was released today and has returned to Germany, where he is currently living…
British reporter attacked by Afghan refugees
New York, December 10, 2001—On December 8, Robert Fisk, Middle East correspondent for the London daily Independent, was severely beaten by Afghan refugees in the village of Kila Abdullah in western Pakistan. Fisk, his Independent colleague Justin Huggler, driver Amanullah, and translator Fayyaz Ahmed were driving past Kila Abdullah, near the Afghan border, when their…