Authorities in Crimea should allow Ukrainian outlets to broadcast freely
New York, March 24, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in Crimea to allow television and radio outlets based in Ukraine to broadcast in the region, following a statement made by Sergey Aksyonov, the Russia-appointed prime minister in Crimea, indicating that Ukrainian broadcasters that have been taken off the air will not be…
CPJ welcomes Indian Supreme Court decision protecting online speech
Manila, March 24, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the judgment by the Indian Supreme Court today that struck down as unconstitutional Section 66A of the country’s Information Technology Act. Section 66A criminalized, among other types of speech, the transmission of “grossly offensive” information, as well as information for the purpose of causing “annoyance” or…
Acclaimed journalist Marques de Morais on trial for defamation in Angola
On Tuesday, less than a week after receiving an award for his journalism from the London-based freedom of expression group Index on Censorship, veteran journalist Rafael Marques de Morais will stand trial in Angola on charges of criminal defamation.
Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy
What to make of Singapore’s first and former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who died Monday morning in the city-state? Under the banner of the People’s Action Party, Lee held government power for three decades. After stepping away from the prime minister’s office in 1990, he held positions of senior minister and later “minister mentor”…
Turkish parliament passes restrictive Internet bill
New York, March 20, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed at the passage of a bill late Thursday by Turkish Parliament. The bill will allow Turkish cabinet members to ban websites deemed harmful to national security without a court order and will allow the country’s telecommunications authority to impose hefty fines on websites that…
Myanmar convicts two journalists on defamation charges
New York, March 19, 2015–Two journalists in Myanmar were convicted of defamation on Wednesday and sentenced to two months in jail, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the convictions and calls on authorities in Myanmar to reverse the sentences on appeal.
In blocking websites, France abandons role as guardian of free speech
Attempts by the French government this week to use vague legislation to block five websites for “condoning terrorism” would be troubling anywhere, but it is especially tragic coming from the country that gave us the champion of free speech and tolerance, Voltaire.
In Algeria, editor sentenced to three years on blasphemy charges
On February 24, 2015, a court in the city of Oran sentenced Mohamed Sharki in absentia to three years and a fine of 200,000 Algerian dinars (US$2,000) on charges of blasphemy, according to news reports and the regional human rights group, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI). The journalist, who appealed the sentence,…
In Russia, last key suspect charged in 2000 murder of Igor Domnikov
New York, March 11, 2015–Moscow investigators today charged former regional governor Sergei Dorovskoi in the 2000 attack on Novaya Gazeta journalist Igor Domnikov that led to the journalist’s death, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the move and calls on authorities to move quickly and thoroughly to resolve the case.
Nigeria police detain, charge journalists for reporting on oil tycoon
Nigerian police arrested Emmanuel Fateman, assistant editor of the Abuja-based National Waves magazine, and Joseph Jolayemi, a graphics editor for the magazine, on December 16, 2014, and held them without charge for more than two months, according to news reports.