#FreeThePress: Gao Yu
Press Uncuffed #FreeThePress Spotlight Medium: Internet Charge: Anti-State Imprisoned: August 24, 2014 Gao Yu China 582 days in prison RELEASED Gao Yu was released on November 26, 2015 on medical parole after her sentence was reduced from seven to five years on appeal, according to news reports. Gao, a reporter and columnist, was detained by…
In Hong Kong, Kevin Lau’s resiliency reflected in new independent media
A Hong Kong court on Friday sentenced two men to 19 years in prison for the attack on journalist Kevin Lau Chun-to. The brutal knifing, of which the mastermind has still not been identified, came at a time when Beijing is increasingly bearing down on the island, and was seen by many as an attack…
India threatens to suspend TV news channels
India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on August 7, 2015, issued legal notices to three privately owned TV news channels, accusing them of violating broadcast regulations in coverage that was “disrespectful” to the country’s president and “tended to denigrate” the judiciary, according to news reports.
Hong Kong journalist faces charges in Thailand
Bangkok, August 23, 2015–A Hong Kong journalist faces up to five years in prison in Thailand for carrying protective body armor without a license, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the legal harassment of Hok Chun Kwan and calls on Thai authorities to drop the allegations immediately.
Azerbaijani prosecutor requests nine-year jail term for Khadija Ismayilova
New York, August 21, 2015–A state prosecutor today called for Azerbaijani investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilova to be sentenced to nine years in prison, according to pro-government news agency Trend. The request was made during a hearing in the Baku Court of Serious Crimes that was closed to independent journalists and rights activists, the regional press…
Ivory Coast authorities suspend a critical daily for one month
The government-run National Press Council on August 10, 2015, suspended for one month the privately owned daily Aujourd’hui, according to news reports. The council said the suspension was in connection with a series of articles the paper published between July 16 and July 31, 2015.
Pakistani government mandates guidelines for broadcasters
New York, August 21, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the sweeping nature of guidelines from Pakistan’s Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for on-air news coverage and commentary on the nation’s television and radio channels. The Electronic Media (Programs and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015 was made public Thursday in Pakistan and is…
CPJ condemns killing of South Sudanese journalist
Nairobi, August 20, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the killing of Peter Julius Moi, a reporter for business weekly The Corporate and independent bi-monthly New Nation, who was shot in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, Wednesday, according to reports.
Hasina government must do more to protect Bangladesh’s bloggers
Asif Mohiuddin’s stab wounds are still visible two years on. In January 2013, the outspoken Bangladeshi blogger narrowly escaped death after he was attacked near his office by knife-wielding assailants. His attackers stabbed him nine times on his neck, head, and back, narrowly missing his spine.