One journalist released, 42 still behind bars
New York, November 30, 2004—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the November 27 release of dissident journalist Liu Jingsheng, imprisoned since 1992 for “spreading counterrevolutionary propaganda.” But with 42 journalists still behind bars—including four imprisoned in 2004 alone—China remains the world’s leading jailer of journalists. CPJ called on the Chinese government to reverse its long…
Jakarta court delays Tempo verdict as international observers crowd courtroom
Jakarta, Sept. 7, 2004—Under intense scrutiny from the international media and press advocates from around the world, a court yesterday delayed its verdict in a criminal defamation case widely seen as a grave threat to press freedom in Indonesia. No official reason was given for delaying a verdict in the trial of Tempo editor Bambang…
CPJ APPOINTS TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS
New York, May 19, 2004—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today announced the appointment of two new board members: Andrew Alexander, Washington, D.C., bureau chief for Cox Newspapers, and Norman Pearlstine, editor-in-chief of Time Inc. “I am pleased to welcome Andy and Norman to CPJ’s board. They each bring extensive international experience, impressive management skills,…
CPJ APPOINTS TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS
New York, May 19, 2004—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today announced the appointment of two new board members: Andrew Alexander, Washington, D.C., bureau chief for Cox Newspapers, and Norman Pearlstine, editor-in-chief of Time Inc. “I am pleased to welcome Andy and Norman to CPJ’s board. They each bring extensive international experience, impressive management skills,…
2003 prison census: 138 journalists jailed
There were 138 journalists in prison around the world at the end of 2003 who were jailed for practicing their profession. The number is the same as last year. An analysis of the reasons behind this is contained in the introduction on page 10. At the beginning of 2004, CPJ sent letters of inquiry to…
Attacks on the Press 2003: Table of Contents
PREFACE By Ted Koppel INTRODUCTION by Ann Cooper REGIONAL ANALYSES Africa | Americas | Asia | Europe and Central Asia | Middle East and North Africa AFRICA Africa Analysis | Angola | Burundi | Cameroon | Central African Republic | Democratic Republic of Congo | Eritrea | Ethiopia | Gabon | The Gambia | Ivory Coast |…
Attacks on the Press 2003: Introduction
By Ann CooperIn real-time images, the war in Iraq splashed across television screens worldwide in March, with thousands of journalists covering the U.S.-led war against Saddam Hussein and his regime. The conflict and its aftermath had a far-reaching impact on the press and its ability to report the news, with the reverberations felt in some…
Attacks on the Press 2003: Asia Analysis
Across Asia, press freedom conditions varied radically in 2003, from authoritarian regimes with strictly regulated state-controlled media in North Korea and Laos, to democratic nations with outspoken and diverse journalism in India and Taiwan. Members of the media throughout the region struggled against excessive government interference, outdated press laws, violent attacks, and imprisonment for their…
Attacks on the Press 2003: India
Although India is the world’s largest democracy, with a diverse and expanding media, government authorities remained sensitive to criticism in the press in 2003. Officials harassed journalists through lawsuits, using restrictive laws governing criminal defamation, contempt of court, and national security to silence reporters’ accounts of corruption. Meanwhile, violence in the disputed state of Kashmir…
Attacks on the Press 2003: Vietnam
The already dire situation for Vietnamese journalists deteriorated in 2003, with attacks increasing against reporters covering crime and corruption. Those who used the Internet to distribute independent news and opinion faced harsh prison sentences and increasing surveillance. The traditional media remained under the tight regulation of government censors.