CPJ alarmed by threats against journalists and press freedom group
New York, June 14 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by a spate of threats of violence this month against Colombian journalists and nongovernmental organizations, including the press freedom group Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP). An unknown group calling itself Frente Democrático Colombia Libre (Free Colombia Democratic Front) sent e-mails on June…
Publisher released after two years in prison
New York, June 14, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release today of Mohamed Benchicou, publisher of a newspaper critical of the Algerian government, who was jailed two years ago for allegedly violating currency regulations. “We are relieved that our colleague Mohamed Benchicou is once again a free man, but his release doesn’t alter…
Journalist freed on bail, another remains in prison
New York, June 14, 2006—A court in the Democratic Republic of Congo today freed radio journalist Pierre-Sosthène Kambidi on bail pending appeal of a defamation conviction, according to his lawyer and the Kinshasa-based press freedom group Journaliste en Danger (JED). Kambidi was arrested June 8 in the town of Tshikapa, and sentenced to three months…
French radio correspondent expelled
New York, June 14, 2006—Radio France Internationale’s correspondent in Rwanda was forced to leave the country on Saturday after the authorities refused to renew her visa, according to an RFI statement released yesterday. The government gave no explanation for the expulsion of Sonia Rolley, according to RFI Africa Director Henri Perilhou. RFI condemned the decision…
For journalists, Iraq is a continuing danger
Liz Halloran U.S. News & World Report June 12, 2006 http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/060612/12mediatakes.htm It’s been more than 16 months since CNN’s former chief news executive Eason Jordan made what even he now regards as inarticulate comments about the U.S. military’s role in the deaths of journalists working in Iraq.
Journalist given three months’ jail for defamation
New York, June 12, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a three-month prison sentence given to a radio journalist in the Democratic Republic of Congo for defaming a local police chief. Pierre-Sosthène Kambidi, of private radio station Concorde FM in the central town of Tshikapa, was sentenced on June 10, his lawyer said. Kambidi was…
Independent reporter released on bail
New York, June 12, 2006—A court in the Gambia freed a reporter on bail today, more than two months after he was detained by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), local sources told the Committee to Protect Journalists. Lamin Fatty of the Banjul-based The Independent will go on trial June 22 on charges of publishing “false…
India: Veteran journalist escapes assassination attempt
New York, June 12, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the attempted murder of senior Indian journalist Shujaat Bukhari, a correspondent in Kashmir for The Hindu newspaper. Bukhari told CPJ his life was spared because his attacker’s gun jammed. Bukhari was forced at gunpoint by two men into a motor rickshaw on the…
Pressures build on Saudi media
Sebastian Usher BBC News June 9, 2006 http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/5057106.stm The media in Saudi Arabia has begun to broach topics such as religious extremism, women’s rights and unemployment that were once strictly off limits. The changes have provided new insight into what has long been one of the most closed and conservative societies in the world.
Journalist acquitted but media prosecutions continue
New York, June 9, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the acquittal of a Turkish newspaper columnist by an Istanbul court on Thursday, but remains deeply concerned by the ongoing criminal prosecution of journalists in Turkey. Murat Belge of the daily Radikal was acquitted on charges of attempting to influence the outcome of judicial proceedings…