14 September 2004
Volume 13 - 2004 Issue 37 (14 Sept. 2004)
Nigeria
In a blow to freedom of expression in Nigeria, state security agents have raided the offices of two independent publications in the past week, confiscating equipment and arresting editorial staff. The move has prompted IFEX members to raise serious concerns over democracy in the country.
Iraq
On 12 September 2004, Mazen al-Tumeizi, a reporter for Al-Arabiya television, was killed while covering clashes in Baghdad, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Two other journalists were injured.
Argentina
In Argentina, free speech advocates' hopes of getting an access to information bill passed into law in the next two years could be dashed unless the proposed legislation is approved by the Senate in late November, reports the Argentine Association for the Defence of Independent Journalism (PERIODISTAS).
Democratic Republic of Congo
Press freedom in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has suffered major setbacks in the past year, stymied by a climate of violence and insecurity, ongoing government censorship and the use of outdated laws to imprison critical journalists, says a new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
West Africa
Media associations from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia have agreed to form a network to provide support for journalists in the Mano River sub-region of West Africa. The agreement came at the end of a three-day seminar in August 2004 sponsored by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
International
14 September 2004
Montenegro
ARTICLE 19 joined free expression activists from Southeast Europe last week for an international seminar in Montenegro aimed at supporting local efforts to push for more open governments.
Nepal
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) will send a delegation to Nepal in late September 2004 to lend support to Nepalese journalists and media personnel, who are facing an onslaught of attacks from both sides of a long conflict between Maoist rebels and army forces.
Hong Kong (China)
Beijing has created a "climate of fear" in Hong Kong under which freedom of expression and other human rights have deteriorated over the past year, says a new report by Human Rights Watch.
International
14 September 2004
International
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has awarded its 2004 MISA Press Freedom Award to a Botswana-based newspaper publisher in recognition of his efforts to promote indigenous language media and coverage of development issues.
International
UNESCO is inviting free expression organisations and journalists' associations to submit nominations for the 2005 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, which honours individuals or organisations for outstanding contributions to the promotion and defence of press freedom.
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