Government issues new list of banned media topics
New York, August 10, 2001—CPJ is disturbed by the Chinese government’s recent announcement that publications can be summarily closed down for reporting on any one of seven proscribed topics. The so-called Seven No’s policy was announced August 8 on national television. The banned topics include any criticism of government policies and any reporting that “harms…
Vineet Narain contempt trial postponed
New York, August 10, 2001—Yesterday’s scheduled contempt of court case against journalist Vineet Narain has been postponed due to violence in Jammu and Kashmir State, the trial venue. It is not known when the next hearing will be held. Narain is the founding editor of the New Delhibased investigative journal Kalchakra. He faces contempt charges…
AFP reporter barred from covering Pacific Forum summit
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned that your government has banned Michael Field, South Pacific correspondent for Agence France-Presse, from entering the country to cover the upcoming Pacific Forum summit. Leaders from 16 countries in the Pacific region are expected to attend the meeting, scheduled to begin on August 14.
IN MEXICO, TWO SUSPECTS ACQUITTED IN MURDER OF U.S. REPORTER
New York, August 9, 2001—On August 3, a Mexican judge acquitted the two men accused in the 1998 murder of American journalist Philip True. Juan Chivarra de la Cruz and his brother-in-law Miguel Hernández de la Cruz were charged with True’s murder in December 1998. Municipal Judge José Luis Reyes Contreras ordered their release despite…
CPJ monitor denied entry
In addition to state control, CPJ has documented intimidation and direct attacks against the independent media. London, August 8, 2001—The Belarusian embassy in London has denied a visa request by Emma Gray, a UK-based consultant with the Committee to Protect Journalists who intended to monitor press conditions in Belarus in advance of the September 9…
Vineet Narain’s contempt trial starts tomorrow
New York, August 8, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned about the safety of journalist Vineet Narain, whose contempt of court trial has been abruptly moved up to August 9. It was originally scheduled for September 3. Narain is the founding editor of the New Delhibased investigative journal Kalchakra. He faces contempt…
Journalist in hiding after local authorities threaten his arrest over coverage of tribal clashes
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned about the safety of Hayat Ullah, a correspondent for the Urdu-language daily Ausaf in Mirali, North Waziristan Agency. Hayat Ullah is currently in hiding after North Waziristan authorities ordered his arrest for reporting on clashes between local tribal groups.
United States: Reporter jailed for contempt
Dear Mr. Ashcroft: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is a New Yorkbased, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom around the world. We are deeply concerned about the prolonged detention of journalist Vanessa Leggett on contempt of court charges. We view Leggett’s incarceration as a gross violation of press freedom.
CPJ sends letter of inquiry to attorney general
New York, August 7, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists yesterday sent a letter of inquiry to Adolfo González Rodas, attorney general of Guatemala, expressing concern about the August 1 attack by police officers against four Guatemalan journalists who were covering demonstrations protesting a recent tax raise. According to local sources, when police moved to arrest…
U.S. REPORTER JAILED FOR CONTEMPT
New York, August 7, 2001—In a letter sent today to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, CPJ called for the release of free-lance writer Vanessa Leggett, who has spent the last two weeks in a Texas jail after refusing to turn over research materials about a high-profile murder case to federal prosecutors. CPJ believes that no…