Obama urged to press Hu for release of jailed Chinese journalists
Yahoo News ran a story on the letter CPJ sent to U.S. President Barack Obama this week. In the letter CPJ urges Obama to ensure that upcoming talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao include China’s persistent record of censorship and media repression. Yahoo News quotes part of the letter written by CPJ Executive Director Joel…
CPJ condemns Israeli security for humiliating screening
New York, January 14, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the humiliating treatment of several journalists by security personnel assigned to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. CPJ calls on the prime minister to ensure that similar episodes are avoided in the future.
Saudi online media regulations alarmingly restrictive
Dear Minister al-Khuja: The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about new regulations for online media you issued on January 1. The rules contain several provisions that can be used to restrict coverage. The provisions are vaguely worded, contain numerous loopholes, and grant the Ministry of Culture and Information blanket powers without providing online media protection against abuse. Most alarmingly, the new regulations would also subject online media to the kingdom’s already existing highly repressive press law.
Chinese reporter’s death came days before Hu’s U.S. tour
CPJ has written to President Obama asking him to raise press freedom issues when Hu Jintao comes to the U.S. next week. China’s practice of restricting and imprisoning reporters domestically has serious implications for the U.S.-China relationship, and a concerning case last month suggests it may be getting worse.
Ugandan magazine questioned over Museveni cartoon
New York, January 13, 2011–Police in Kampala arrested the director and editor of the monthly newsmagazine Summit Business Review on Tuesday in connection with a caricature of President Yoweri Museveni that appeared on the cover of the October issue.Director Samuel Sejjaaka and Editor Mustapha Mugisha were released on bond but face continued interrogations, Sejjaaka told…
Geo TV reporter Wali Khan Babar gunned down in Karachi
New York, January 13, 2011–Geo TV reporter Wali Khan Babar was shot and killed in Karachi this evening, shortly after covering gang violence in the city, according to several Pakistani journalists. At least two assailants intercepted Babar’s car at 9:20 p.m., shooting him multiple times in the head and neck, Geo TV Managing Director Azhar…
Journalists continue to be detained and tried in Belarus
New York, January 13, 2011–As a part of the ongoing crackdown in Belarus on independent reporters, the Belarusian security service (KGB) has detained journalist Andrzej Poczobut, a Grodno correspondent for the largest Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza, and freelance reporter Irina Charniauka in Minsk, local press reported today. Poczobut was also summarily tried and fined