Another Sri Lankan journalist attacked
New York, June 1, 2009–The general secretary of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Poddala Jayantha, was abducted in Sri Lanka today, beaten, and dropped by the side of a road in a Colombo suburb, according to a release by the association and two colleagues who spoke to him.
Tiananmen briefing: Gate to press freedom closed in 1989
The events of 1989, which culminated on June 3 and 4 when the army opened fire on civilians trying to block its approach to the main site of protests at Tiananmen, the “gate of heavenly peace,” are dismissed as riots in official state media accounts. Propaganda officials interpret references to the events as a sign…
As Cairo speech nears, concerns for Obama
Dear Mr. President: The Committee to Protect Journalists is writing ahead of your scheduled speech in Cairo on June 4 to bring to your attention important matters that are crucial to the long-term success of your stated goal of engaging the people–and not just the regimes–of the Arab and Muslim worlds.
Families of Ling, Lee urge talks to resolve detentions
New York, June 1, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on all parties to pursue diplomatic efforts to gain the release of detained U.S. journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who are facing trial in North Korea this week. The families of the two journalists spoke out this morning on U.S. television to urge diplomatic…
CPJ urges talks to free journalists held in North Korea
We released a statement today after the families of two U.S. journalists being held in North Korea spoke publicly for the first time. The families of Current TV journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee appeared on NBC’s “Today” show this morning. Our statement follows:
Euna Lee, Laura Ling families to speak out
With a June 4 criminal trial date looming for what North Korea calls “hostile acts,” the families of Euna Lee and Laura Ling have decided to speak out about the two journalists’ detention in Pyongyang. The two women have been held since March 17. In a Facebook announcement, the families told supporters: “Our families have…
In Sudan, vast censorship and a repressive press bill
New York, May 29, 2009–Sudanese media have suffered multiple blows in recent months as parliament considers a harshly repressive press bill and authorities impose an exceptional level of censorship, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
In seeking reprisals against media, Chávez hurts democracy
New York, May 29, 2009–President Hugo Chávez Frías is damaging Venezuelan democracy by continuing to threaten private media with reprisals and making unwarranted accusations against the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
CPJ hails conviction in 2003 journalist murder in Brazil
New York, May 28, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes Wednesday’s conviction in the June 2003 murder of Brazilian journalist Nicanor Linhares but calls on the authorities to ensure that all those involved in the killing of the radio host are brought to justice.