In Ethiopia, four journalists released from prison
New York, August 20, 2007—Four imprisoned Ethiopian journalists of now-defunct Amharic-language weeklies were released on conditional pardon on Saturday along with 27 opposition activists, according to news reports and local journalists. The four journalists had been given heavy prison sentences earlier this month in connection with their coverage of deadly post-election unrest in 2005.
Opposition activist released from forced psychiatric hospitalization
New York, August 20, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes today’s release of opposition activist Larisa Arap, who was forcibly held in a Russian psychiatric hospital. Arap’s detention on July 5 came soon after the publication of her interview on the treatment of patients at the Murmansk regional psychiatric hospital in northern city of Apatity—the…
SOMALIA: In central Hiran province, governor detains three journalist
AUGUST 18, 2007 Posted September 7, 2007 Abdi Moalim Aden, Radio Hiraan Voice HARASSED Elmi Mohammed Waare, Radio Hiraan Voice Sawda Hussein, Radio Hiraan Voice IMPRISONED Authorities in the central Hiraan province capital of Beledweyne detained two reporters and an executive of private Radio Hiraan Voice over coverage of a press conference of Gov. Yusuf…
In Kenya, journalists protest media bill compelling disclosure of sources
New York, August 16, 2007—Hundreds of journalists marched silently Wednesday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi with their mouths gagged to protest a bill that would restrict press freedom. The law, which would force editors to name their sources if a story led to a court cases, was sent to President Mwai Kibaki last week for review.
Taliban fighters raid radio station
AUGUST 17, 2007 Posted August 20, 2007 Yawali Ghag radio station ATTACKED At around 2 a.m., a group of about 12 Taliban fighters attacked the office of the Yawali Ghag community radio station in Wardak province, just west of Kabul, according to local journalists. The fighters assaulted the station’s guard, bound him, and briefly held…
In DRC, police disrupt photojournalists’ march honoring slain colleague
New York, August 16, 2007—A peaceful march today led by photojournalists in DRC’s capital, Kinshasa, to demand justice for last week’s assassination of freelance photojournalist Patrick Kikuku Wilungula was interrupted and dispersed by police, according to press freedom group Journaliste en Danger and local journalists.
In Kenya, journalists protest media bill compelling disclosure of sources
New York, August 16, 2007—Hundreds of journalists marched silently Wednesday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi with their mouths gagged to protest a bill that would restrict press freedom. The law, which would force editors to name their sources if a story led to a court cases, was sent to President Mwai Kibaki last week for review.
Authorities issue arrest warrant for journalist who has reported on corruption
AUGUST 14, 2007 Posted August 16, 2007 Leoncenis García, Reporte LEGAL ACTION On the afternoon of July 14, the Venezuelan Public Ministry announced in a statement that a Caracas court had issued an arrest warrant for García at its request. The statement said García, a reporter for the Caracas-based economic daily Reporte, was wanted for…