CPJ condemns use of criminal defamation law
New York, May 6, 2005—Using antiquated criminal laws dating back to Indonesia’s colonial era, a district court in the city of Lampung on the island of Sumatra found two journalists guilty of criminal defamation and sentenced them to nine months in prison on Wednesday. The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the ruling and the…
Puntland shutters critical newspaper
New York, May 6, 2005—Puntland authorities have ordered the immediate closing of the weekly newspaper Shacab for allegedly inciting violence, according to CPJ sources. The decree, issued after a cabinet meeting on Thursday, cited the government’s constitutional responsibility to uphold the unity of Puntland. The decree was signed by Vice President Hassan Dahir Afqurac on…
Journalist charged, threatened after story on prophet
New York, May 6, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about official harassment and threats against Sudanese editor Mohamed Taha Mohamed Ahmed. Ahmed is being tried this month on criminal charges of insulting the Prophet Mohammed after publishing an April 21 article in the daily Al-Wifaq. The article, by the well-known Muslim historian Al-Maqrizi,…
حضرةالكتورمعن،
خطوة بالاتجاه الخاطئ بقلم: هاني صبرا يتعرض الصحفي المستقل، علي المرابط، من جديد لاعتداء السلطات المغربية. فقد أصدرت محكمة في الرباط، في تحرك مروع خلال الاسبوع الماضي، حكماً يحظر عليه ممارسة الصحافة لمدة عشرة أعوام، بعد أن أدانته بتهمة التشهير بحق منظمة مؤيدة للحكومة. إن هذا الحكم المجحف، هو نوع من العقوبة يمكن للمرء أن…
SOMALIA
MAY 5, 2005 Posted: May 17, 2005 Shacab CENSORED, HARASSED Authorities in the autonomous region of Puntland ordered the closing of the weekly newspaper Shacab for allegedly inciting violence, according to CPJ sources. The decree cited the government’s constitutional responsibility to uphold the unity of Puntland.
Publisher arrested after questioning first lady’s house sales
New York, May 5, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned this week’s arrest of a newspaper publisher, who was charged with criminal libel after his publication accused First Lady Stella Obasanjo of corruption. Omo-Ojo Orobosa, publisher of the weekly Midwest Herald, has been held since Monday, his lawyer, Festus Keyamo, told CPJ. Orobosa was…
In Peru, journalists convicted of criminal defamation
New York, May 5, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns yesterday’s verdict against Sally Bowen, a British freelance journalist who was tried on criminal defamation charges stemming from a single sentence about a high-profile businessman in a 2003 book. Judge Alfredo Catacora Acevedo found Bowen guilty of criminal defamation and ordered her and her publisher…