29 October 2002
Volume 11 - 2002 Issue 42 (29 Oct. 2002)
International
Sixteen journalists from around the world have been short-listed for the 2002 Lorenzo Natali Prize for reporting on human rights, democracy and development, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has announced.
International
Organisations and individuals wishing to submit nominations for the 2003 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize should hurry ? the deadline is 31 October.
International
North Korea, China, Burma, Turkmenistan and Bhutan have the worst press-freedom records in the world, according to a new global survey released by Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). "Press freedom is a dead letter and independent newspapers do not exist. The only voice heard is that of a media tightly controlled and monitored by the government," RSF says of these countries.
South Africa
Calling it a major victory for freedom of expression and editorial independence, the Free Expression Institute (FXI) has welcomed recent changes to a proposed broadcasting law that have calmed critics' fears of increased government interference in South Africa's public broadcaster.
Zimbabwe
Free-expression groups and independent journalists' associations in Zimbabwe, including the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), have agreed to set up a Media and Freedom of Expression Support Fund to assist journalists who have been denied accreditation as a result of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).
International
Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) has appealed to the United Nations Security Council to call for an investigation into press-freedom violations in Côte d'Ivoire, saying attacks on journalists in the last six weeks are serious violations of humanitarian law and should be tried under the International Criminal Court (ICC).
International
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (African Commission) has adopted a landmark declaration of principles on free expression in Africa which ARTICLE 19 says will set the stage for recognition of the media's important role in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) initiative and in the African Union.
Uzbekistan
Don't be fooled by Uzbek President Islam Karimov's recent gestures to improve freedom of expression in the country and his declaration that the press is "free." It's all part of a media strategy aimed at silencing Western critics while continuing to repress journalists and human rights activists, says the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
International
Two more journalists have been killed in the last two weeks, bringing the total number to four since 13 October, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) says.
Russia
Amidst the fallout from last week's hostage crisis in Moscow, which killed 117 people, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) are calling attention to growing restrictions on Russian media, including a new law restricting the media from reporting on anti-terrorist operations and publishing statements by terrorist groups.
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