In Yemen your journalism ID is a liability
In a commentary in the Guardian on September 29, CPJ’s Mohamed Abdel Dayem describes how new media restrictions, erected under the cover of state security, will snuff out what little remains of press freedom in Yemen. Dayem quotes a Yemeni journalist: “In Yemen, you conceal your identity as a journalist. Your journalism ID is a…
In Yemen, brutal repression cloaked in law
In the past two years, the Yemeni government has taken legislative and administrative steps to further restrict free expression. Coupled with longstanding tactics of violent repression, President’s Saleh administration is creating the worst press climate in two decades. A CPJ Special Report by Mohamed Abdel Dayem
Audio report: Yemen repression cloaked in law
In our special report, “In Yemen, brutal repression cloaked in law,” CPJ discusses the Yemeni government’s escalating censorship tactics. Here, CPJ’s Mohamed Abdel Dayem highlights the violent closing of Al-Ayyam, an independent daily, and the charges leveled against its staff. Listen to the mp3 on the player above, or right click here to download. (2:04)…
‘Blogfather,’ columnist get heavy prison terms in Iran
New York, September 28, 2010–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the government’s ongoing offensive against critical journalists in Iran. A Revolutionary Court today sentenced blogger Hossein Derakhshan, left, to 19 and a half years in prison, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran quoted the Farsi news website Mashreq as saying. And on Monday, Iranian authorities informed the lawyer of Issa…
CPJ calls on the UAE to end journalist’s 13-month ordeal
New York, September 28, 2010–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in Dubai to allow for due process in the criminal defamation trial of Mark Townsend, a freelance journalist and regular contributor to The Washington Times. The trial is set to begin on Wednesday.
Ognianova: Kazakhstan’s broken promises
In a September 22 commentary in the Guardian of London, CPJ’s Nina Ognianova details Kazakhstan’s broken promises to reform its repressive press policies. Kazakhstan made the pledges in exchange for gaining chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, or OSCE. In the Guardian, Ognianova calls on OSCE members to “remember and adhere…
Malaysian cartoonist faces sedition charges
Bangkok, September 27, 2010–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the arrest of Malaysian cartoonist Zulkifli Awar Ulhaque, also known as Zunar, a contributor to the popular news site Malaysiakini and author of a new collection of political cartoons.
Cuban journalist released, exiled; 16 now free
New York, September 27, 2010–Imprisoned Cuban journalist Miguel Galván Gutierrez was released from jail and flown to Madrid on Saturday as part of a July agreement between the Havana government and the Catholic Church. Sixteen journalists jailed in the 2003 Black Spring crackdown have now been freed and exiled as part of the agreement.
Burma’s exile media hit by cyber-attacks
Bangkok, September 27, 2010–The Committee to Protect Journalists is gravely concerned by cyber-attacks against three exile-run Burma news outlets, Irrawaddy, Mizzima News, and the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB). The distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks have shut Irrawaddy’s main website while temporarily blocking access to Mizzima’s site.
Mission Journal: Calderón sees a national threat
Mexican President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa had a message to deliver and it wasn’t about press freedom. After hearing the concerns presented by a joint delegation from CPJ and the Miami-based Inter American Press Association last week, the president wanted us to know something: He didn’t go looking for a fight against the drug cartels.