The significance of Umar Cheema’s abduction
With all the problems in Pakistan–the flooding in the country that might be the worst ever; the increasingly devastating sectarian and separatist violence that has taken the lives of hundreds of Pakistanis and at least four journalists–focusing on what happened to Umar Cheema, a reporter for The News, might seem almost a sidebar story. But it’s not. It’s something much larger.
Simon: Japan should stand up for press freedom
On September 8, the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun ran an op-ed by CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. Here is the English translation: Japan should stand up for press freedomBy Joel Simon Japan’s government has supported press freedom at home and defended Japanese journalists reporting in conflict…
Angolan radio presenter gunned down
New York, September 8, 2010–Following Sunday’s murder in Angola of Alberto Graves Chakussanga, a radio journalist with a station critical of the ruling MPLA government, authorities must conduct a thorough and transparent investigation exploring all possible leads and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Second TV anchor gunned down in two days in Iraq
New York, September 8, 2010–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Iraqi authorities to thoroughly investigate the murder of Safa al-Din Abdel Hamid, an Al-Mosuliya television presenter who was shot this morning in front of his Mosul home by gunmen firing from a speeding car, according to news accounts.
Journalist found dead in Belarus; CPJ calls for investigation
New York, September 8, 2010–Belarusian authorities must thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Aleh Byabenin, founder and director of the Minsk-based pro-opposition news website Charter 97, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.Byabenin’s brother and several friends found the journalist hanging from a stairway in his summer house outside the capital city of Minsk…
15th Cuban journalist freed, exiled to Spain
New York, September 8, 2010–Víctor Rolando Arroyo Carmona, a Cuban journalist imprisoned since March 2003, was freed and flown to Madrid today, bringing to 15 the number of editors and reporters released following July talks between the government of President Raúl Castro and the Catholic Church.
Men in police uniforms abduct and beat Pakistani journalist
New York, September 8, 2010–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Pakistani government to thoroughly investigate the kidnapping and beating of Umar Cheema, a correspondent of the English-language daily The News in Islamabad. Men in police uniforms seized Cheema while he was driving in a suburb of Islamabad on Saturday, according to local and international media reports.
TV anchor stabbed to death outside his Kabul home
New York, September 7, 2010–A well-known TV anchor was found stabbed to death outside his home in Kabul on Sunday, according to international news reports. Sayed Hamid Noori worked for the state network Radio Television Afghanistan and was active in the National Union of Afghan Journalists. In 2004, he served as the spokesman for an opponent…
