Ethiopia frees New York Times journalists after five-day detention
New York, May 22, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is relieved by news that Ethiopian authorities released three New York Times journalists on Monday after detaining them for five days. Nairobi Bureau Chief Jeffrey Gettleman, photographer Vanessa Vick, and videographer Courtenay Morris were arrested May 16 by soldiers in the town of Degeh Bur, the…
Gunmen intercept minibus, kill Philippine photographer
New York, May 22, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Philippine government to undertake a thorough and timely investigation into today’s shooting death of freelance photographer Dodie Nuñez. Local media reports said Nuñez was shot by three men who used a motorcycle to intercept the minibus in which he was riding in the…
In southern Thailand, Time photographer wounded
New York, May 22, 2007—A freelance photographer on assignment for Time magazine in insurgency-hit southern Thailand was injured in a bomb blast today, according to news reports. Australian Philip Blenkinsop was among seven people injured by the improvised explosive device, which detonated in Yala province. The bomb was planted near the body of a man…
In Azerbaijan, new charge filed against imprisoned editor
New York, May 22, 2007—Azerbaijani authorities have filed a terrorism charge against Eynulla Fatullayev, the imprisoned editor of the independent Russian-language weekly Realny Azerbaijan and the Azeri-language daily Gündalik Azarbaycan, in the latest government action against the journalist and his publications. Fatullayev, a persistent government critic, is already in prison on a specious defamation charge…
Two journalists detained
MAY 21, 2007 Posted May 31, 2007 Aung Shwe Oo, Nippon News Network Sint Sint Aung,, Nippon News Network HARASSED The two journalists were detained on May 21 outside Rangoon while covering the docking of a North Korean ship suspected of delivering arms, according to a representative at the network’s Bangkok bureau. The representative spoke…
CPJ urges reversal of Iraq bomb coverage restriction
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned by the Iraqi Interior Ministry’s recent decision to limit journalists’ access to scenes of bomb attacks. We are further alarmed by the enforcement methods employed by Iraqi police last Tuesday, when officers turned away journalists by firing shots in the air.
Community radio stations come under fire
New York, May 21, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the harassment of three community radio stations in Thailand, including Confidante Radio FM 87.75, Taxi Driver Community Radio FM 92.75, and the Internet-based Saturday Voice Against Dictatorship. Officials from the prime minister’s public relations department (PRD) entered Confidante’s offices in Nonthaburi province on Thursday and…
Azerbaijani newspapers evicted, editor threatened
New York, May 21, 2007—Local authorities evicted the independent Russian-language weekly Realny Azerbaijan and the Azeri-language daily Gündalik Azarbaycan from their Baku offices on Sunday night, saying that the publications’ building violates safety regulations. The action comes amid a series of threats, attacks, and cases of harassment targeting the muckraking newspapers—including, most recently, an anonymous…
Russian investigators eye ’private life’ motive in Safronov probe
New York, May 21, 2007—Russian authorities are believed to be focusing on Kommersant reporter Ivan Safronov’s private life as the likely motive in his mysterious death in March, several Russian news outlets reported over the weekend. The Committee to Protect Journalists called on authorities today to give thorough consideration to Safronov’s sensitive professional work as…