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.
CPJ urges Egypt to adopt more open press climate
Dear President el-Sisi: The Committee to Protect Journalists, an international press freedom organization, is writing to express its concern about the climate for press freedom in Egypt and to follow up on meetings we had last month with several high-level officials in your administration.
Radio journalists given hefty fines in Somalia, one still detained
Nairobi, March 3, 2015–A Somali court in Mogadishu on Sunday convicted one journalist of public incitement and two others of publishing false news and imposed harsh fines on them, according to news reports. The journalists are out of prison, but a fourth is still being detained, the reports said.
Journalist detained over Facebook post in Myanmar
Bangkok, March 2, 2015–A journalist in Myanmar was detained by police on Friday in connection with a satirical image he posted on Facebook about renewed hostilities between government forces and an ethnic rebel group in the country’s northeastern Shan State, according to news reports. Aung Nay Myo was released today without charge, the reports said.