Taylor government takes control of all national broadcasting
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists is gravely concerned about your government’s refusal to lift the ban on nationwide shortwave broadcasts by Radio Veritas. On July 2, Minister of Post and Telecommunications Emma Wuor informed Radio Veritas that it was no longer allowed to broadcast on shortwave radio, leaving KISS FM and Radio Liberia International–both of which you own as part of your Liberia Communications Network–as the only stations that can air political news countrywide. Currently, Radio Veritas broadcasts on an FM frequency that only covers the capital, Monrovia.
Independent television station head flees country
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an independent organization of journalists dedicated to the defense of our colleagues around the world, is deeply concerned by the criminal charges of forgery against TV ALC director Shukhrat Babadjanov.
Chiluba government cracks down on press as elections near
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply disturbed by a recent string of press freedom abuses in Zambia, and by your government’s increased monitoring of state-funded media. Given the hostile climate that local journalists now face, we have little confidence that they will be able to work effectively during the run-up to general elections scheduled for later this year.
Soldier assaults Egyptian TV crew at West Bank checkpoint
New York, August 14, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is gravely concerned about yesterday’s attack on an Egyptian television crew by an Israeli soldier in the West Bank, although we are pleased that the soldier involved has been disciplined. On the morning of August 13, Tarek Abdel Jaber and Abdel Nasser Abdoun, a reporter…
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…