In Hong Kong, Kevin Lau’s resiliency reflected in new independent media
A Hong Kong court on Friday sentenced two men to 19 years in prison for the attack on journalist Kevin Lau Chun-to. The brutal knifing, of which the mastermind has still not been identified, came at a time when Beijing is increasingly bearing down on the island, and was seen by many as an attack…
CPJ welcomes arrests in 2010 disappearance of Sri Lankan journalist Prageeth Eknelygoda
New York, August 24, 2015–At least four Sri Lankan army officers were arrested on Monday and accused of involvement in the January 2010 disappearance of Prageeth Eknelygoda, a political cartoonist and columnist, according to news reports. Another army officer and two civilians were arrested earlier this month, reports said. The arrests come following a pledge…
India threatens to suspend TV news channels
India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on August 7, 2015, issued legal notices to three privately owned TV news channels, accusing them of violating broadcast regulations in coverage that was “disrespectful” to the country’s president and “tended to denigrate” the judiciary, according to news reports.
Hong Kong journalist faces charges in Thailand
Bangkok, August 23, 2015–A Hong Kong journalist faces up to five years in prison in Thailand for carrying protective body armor without a license, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the legal harassment of Hok Chun Kwan and calls on Thai authorities to drop the allegations immediately.
Azerbaijani prosecutor requests nine-year jail term for Khadija Ismayilova
New York, August 21, 2015–A state prosecutor today called for Azerbaijani investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilova to be sentenced to nine years in prison, according to pro-government news agency Trend. The request was made during a hearing in the Baku Court of Serious Crimes that was closed to independent journalists and rights activists, the regional press…
Ivory Coast authorities suspend a critical daily for one month
The government-run National Press Council on August 10, 2015, suspended for one month the privately owned daily Aujourd’hui, according to news reports. The council said the suspension was in connection with a series of articles the paper published between July 16 and July 31, 2015.
Pakistani government mandates guidelines for broadcasters
New York, August 21, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the sweeping nature of guidelines from Pakistan’s Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for on-air news coverage and commentary on the nation’s television and radio channels. The Electronic Media (Programs and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015 was made public Thursday in Pakistan and is…
CPJ condemns killing of South Sudanese journalist
Nairobi, August 20, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the killing of Peter Julius Moi, a reporter for business weekly The Corporate and independent bi-monthly New Nation, who was shot in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, Wednesday, according to reports.
CPJ welcomes conviction in 2013 murder of Brazilian photographer
São Paulo, August 20, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the conviction and sentencing Wednesday of Alessandro Neves Augusto for the murder of Walgney Assis de Carvalho, a freelance photographer shot dead in Minas Gerais state in 2013, and urges authorities to continue investigating to find the mastermind.