CPJ condemns two-year sentence of online journalist Li Jianping
New York, October 26, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the two-year prison sentence given to Internet writer Li Jianping on Wednesday, more than six months after he was tried on charges of “inciting subversion of state authority.” Li, who was initially accused of defaming national leaders through his writings, plans to appeal the verdict,…
In Somalia, transitional government detains three radio journalists.
New York, October 25, 2006—Security agents for Somalia’s transitional federal government arrested three radio journalists on Tuesday near the southern city of Baidoa, where the government is based. Transitional government security services were still holding Fahad Mohammed Abukar of Baidoa-based Warsan Radio, Mohammed Adawe Adam of Mogadishu-based Radio Shabelle, and Muktar Mohammed Atosh of Mogadishu-based…
Who will be Russia’s conscience?
Anna Politkovskaya was one of Russia’s greatest investigative reporters and one of the world’s leading experts on the conflict in Chechnya. At the time of her death, she was preparing to publish a story alleging that Chechnya’s Kremlin-backed prime minister, Ramzan Kadyrov, had been involved in torture.
Journalist flees home after death threats
New York, October 24, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed that a Colombian journalist has been forced into hiding following threats. Television host Otoniel Sánchez became the sixth journalist this year in Colombia to flee after being threatened or intimidated. Unidentified gunmen fired six shots at Sánchez’s house in the town of Cartago, Valle…
Kidnapped AP photographer freed
New York, October 24, 2006—Kidnappers released an Associated Press photographer late Tuesday, hours after he was seized at gunpoint in the Gaza Strip, the AP reported. Spanish photojournalist Emilio Morenatti, 37, was seen by an AP reporter at the office of a Fatah official after he was freed. The AP said no group claimed responsibility…
Vietnam: Two papers suspended for reporting on banknote problems
New York, October 24, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the suspension of two newspapers in Vietnam that reported on corruption and printing problems with the country’s new non-paper banknotes. The Ministry of Culture and Information slapped a one-month ban on two small newspapers and was considering disciplinary measures against other, more widely read newspapers…
Who will be Russia’s conscience?
Murder of crusading journalist spotlights dangers of the profession Joel Simon Published in Newark Star-Ledger October 22, 2006 Russian journalist Anna Polit kovskaya, who was murdered in her apartment building in Moscow on Oct. 7, was a fearless crusader, and, like many of her ilk, she was not always easy company. She received numerous international…
CPJ appeals FOIA denial on Al-Jazeera bombing
New York, October 20, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists has appealed the Pentagon’s refusal to release information about the U.S. bombing of Al-Jazeera television’s Baghdad bureau in 2003 which killed a reporter. The formal appeal sent on Thursday followed the revelation by Britain’s Channel 4 this week that former British Home Secretary (Interior Minister) David…
Afghanistan: As deadline looms, CPJ urges kidnappers to free journalist
New York, October 20, 2006—Ahead of the deadline set by the kidnappers of an Italian photographer in Afghanistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists appeals for his immediate safe release. Freelancer Gabriele Torsello was seized by five gunmen October 12. At first, the kidnappers set a deadline of Sunday night for their demands to be met.…
CPJ condemns ‘roundup’ of Philippine journalists in Arroyo case
New York, October 19, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the arrests of nine Philippine journalists with the English-language daily Malaya in connection with a criminal libel suit filed by Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Silvino Pampilo on Monday ordered the arrests of publisher Amado Macasaet; editors…