Gambia VP touts tourism, downplays human rights issues
The Gambia has an image problem: Dubbed the “Smiling Coast of Africa,” it is a tourist destination, but its government has one of the region’s worst records of human rights abuses. On Tuesday, at an African tourism promotion event in New York City, Gambian Vice-President Isatou Njie-Saidy headed a delegation working toward improving the negative…
Iran frees hikers, many journalists remain imprisoned
New York, September 21, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the news that U.S. journalist Shane Bauer and his friend Josh Fattal were released today on US$1 million bail by the Iranian government after two years in Tehran’s Evin Prison, according to news reports.
In Burma, transition neglects press freedom
The articles by the AP, AFP, and Democratic Voice of Burma are just a few examples of the world wide attention the CPJ’s special report on the highly restricted state of press freedom in Burma. Despite promises of reform from the newly elected civilian government, the press in Burma remains one of the most heavily…
South Africa’s ruling ANC pulls secrecy bill
New York, September 20, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists is relieved by Monday’s decision by the parliamentary majority of South Africa’s ruling party to withdraw a controversial bill from consideration pending further consultation with public interest groups over its contentious clauses.
Video report: Burma’s undercover heroes
In “Burma’s undercover heroes,” CPJ’s Shawn Crispin describes the vital work being done by reporters for the Democratic Voice of Burma. Working undercover in a highly restricted nation, these journalists are the eyes and ears for the rest of world. They work at great risk of imprisonment and harassment. (2:30) Read our accompanying special report,…