Press Cuba to keep promise to free journalists
Dear President Rodríguez Zapatero: The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed that the Cuban government has yet to fulfill its promise to free all journalists imprisoned during the 2003 crackdown on dissent. We urge your government, which was a key party to the agreement to release the prisoners by November 2010, to hold President Raúl Castro to his word.
Two Ivorian journalists tortured
The French daily newspaper Le Figaro ran an AFP story on February 8, about two Ivorian journalists who have been detained without charge for 10 days amid reports that they have been tortured in custody. Le Figaro quotes CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita: “By detaining journalists Aboubacar Sanogo and Yayoro Charles Lopez Kangbé without due…
Watchdog: Egyptian military oppressing journalists
The Associated Press ran a story on February 8 about the most recent developments in Egypt. According to CPJ research the military has been increasingly involved in interfering with reporters’ work. AP quotes CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon: “The sudden change in policy regarding press credentials is simply the latest effort to restrict the work…
Guardian correspondent expelled from Russia
New York, February 8, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Russian authorities today to allow Luke Harding, Moscow correspondent for the U.K. Guardian, to return to Russia and resume his work. Harding, at left, was refused entry to Russia on Saturday.The journalist had temporarily returned to London in the fall to report on U.S.…
Sudanese security agents must free Al-Midan workers
New York, February 8, 2011–Sudanese security forces on Wednesday detained 12 employees of the pro-opposition weekly Al-Midan, according to local journalists and news reports. Two were released the same day, but 10 continue to be held incommunicado nearly a week later. The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the welfare of the newspaper employees…
CPJ’s Simon on Huffington Post: What is at stake in Egypt
CPJ’s executive director lays out “What Is at Stake With Egypt’s Media Crackdown” in a February 3 piece on the Huffington Post. Joel Simon writes: “With no witnesses, those undertaking the violence in Egypt will have a free hand to carry out their brutal campaign without restraint. Standing up for the rights of journalists at this…
Press freedom has its limitations in Bangladesh
In the last decade, the growth of print and electronic media and a new generation of journalists have changed the face of the media in Bangladesh. But there is a long way to go until there is true press freedom. Politicians, criminals, and businessman exert undue influence, and the industry itself lacks the professionalism to…
CPJ’s Abdel Dayem talks Egypt on Democracy Now!
CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Mohamed Abdel Dayem spoke to Democracy Now! on February 5 about the deteriorating environment for journalists in Egypt. He told host Amy Goodman that state news outlets have become something unrecognizable: “State-owned media are no longer engaged in the business of news,” Abdel Dayem said. “They are…
Police in India must drop charges against Tehelka reporter
New York, February 7, 2011–Authorities in Karnataka state should drop charges against Tehelka magazine correspondent K.K. Shahina that appear intended to discredit her reporting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police visited her residence in Kerala state twice in January and left notices for her to appear for questioning, leading her to fear she…