Journalist shot and killed in run-up to elections
New York, July 14, 2008–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the murder of journalist Khem Sambo and calls upon Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to immediately launch an independent investigation into the killing. CPJ is concerned that Sambo may have been targeted in reprisal for his reporting on government corruption. A journalist with the opposition-aligned…
CPJ mourns death of New York Times reporter in Baghdad
New York, July 13, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply saddened by the killing today of a New York Times journalist in Baghdad. Khalid W. Hassan, 23, a reporter and interpreter, was shot and killed in the south central Seiydia district, the newspaper reported.
Ethiopian press bill flawed, needs revision
Dear Mr. President, The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned that the pending Mass Media and Freedom of Information Proclamation, passed by the Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives on July 1, does not fully incorporate public input, including that of local journalists and legal experts. The bill is flawed as a result, and we urge you to reject it and send it back to lawmakers for revision.
Al-Jazeera journalist fined over reporting social unrest
New York, July 11, 2008—A Rabat court fined Hassan Rachidi, Al-Jazeera’s Morocco bureau chief, 50,000 dirhams (nearly $6,000) for maliciously “publishing false news” likely to “disrupt public order and spread panic among people.” Under Article 42 of Morocco’s 2002 Press Law, Rachidi had faced a sentence of a month to a year in prison and…
RFE/RL unable to reach reporter
TURKMENISTAN: New York, July 11, 2008—A contributing reporter for the Turkmen Service of the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) who was forcibly held for two weeks in two different psychiatric facilities has now had his phone disabled, according to RFE/RL. Bowing to international pressure, authorities freed Sazak Durdymuradov on July 3. A security officer…
CPJ seeks investigation into Israeli border case
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists is writing to express alarm about the treatment of an award-winning Palestinian journalist who said he was abused by Israeli Shin Bet agents at the Allenby Bridge border crossing between Israel and Jordan late last month.
Belarus considers restrictive media law
Dear Mr. President, As an independent, nonpartisan organization defending press freedom worldwide, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on you to veto a severely restrictive draft media law, which will further curb press freedom conditions in Belarus. The bill was adopted by the upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament on June 28 and now awaits your consideration.
Government seizes two TV outlets and closes a radio station
New York, July 8, 2008–Ecuadoran government agents seized two private television stations early this morning and shuttered a critical radio station late Monday night. The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by allegations that the actions were politically motivated. Members of the government’s Deposit Guarantee Agency (AGD), backed by dozens of police officers, seized the…
Governo intervém em duas televisões e fecha uma estação de rádio
Nova York, 8 de julho de 2008–Agentes do governo equatoriano intervieram em duas estações privadas de televisão nesta manhã e fecharam uma estação de rádio crítica na noite de segunda-feira. O Comitê para a Proteção dos Jornalistas (CPJ) está preocupado com as acusações que sugerem que tais ações tiveram motivações políticas.
Cameroon broadcaster’s equipment held by police
New York, July 8, 2008–Cameroonian authorities have lifted a ban on three private broadcasters summarily closed in connection with their critical coverage in February, but police are withholding equipment seized from one station, according to local journalists and news reports.