IFEX Digest | 1 - 6 July 2010

Africa

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Guinea

Authorities promulgate two new progressive media laws (RSF)

Rwanda

Pre-election violence and intimidation must stop, ARTICLE 19 said (ARTICLE 19)

Somalia

Two journalists arrested, one wounded in Mogadishu (NUSOJ)
+ Government harassing journalists as fighting rages (CPJ)

"New York Times" correspondent facing arrest over child soldier interviews flees Somalia (IPI)

Americas

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Bolivia

Demonstrators attack journalists (IPYS)

Colombia

Colombian intelligence official held in journalist's murder (CPJ)
+ Former intelligence chief charged in connection with Garzón murder 11 years ago (RSF)

Ecuador

IAPA assails official anti-press propaganda campaign (IAPA)

Guatemala

Investigative reporter threatened (CPJ)

Mexico

Grenade launched against newspaper building (CEPET)

Two journalists slain in the war-wracked state of Guerrero (CPJ)

Husband and wife journalists shot dead in Guerrero (WiPC)

Panama

Veteran journalist jailed for article on environmental damage (WiPC)

Asia & Pacific

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China

Two Polish journalists "blacklisted", denied visas (IPI)

IFJ denounces punishment of journalist for publicising ban (IFJ)

Attacks and unwarranted investigation of journalists (IFJ)

Fiji

Media decree entrenches regime's control (IFJ)

India

Editor's arrest underlines need for defamation law reform, says IFJ (IFJ)

Indonesia

Molotov cocktails thrown at magazine's office (AJI)
+ Molotov cocktail attack on Jakarta-based magazine "Tempo" (RSF)
+ Indonesian media group demands swift police action on arson attack against magazine office (AJI)
+ IFJ calls for investigation of attack on magazine (IFJ)
+ Arson attack on "Tempo" magazine is an attack on freedom of expression (ARTICLE 19)

Malaysia

CIJ criticises government agency's interrogation of journalists (CIJ)

Nepal

Radio journalist abducted, unconfirmed reports suggest he has been freed (CEHURDES)
+ Concern over missing Nepal radio reporter (CPJ)
+ IFJ demands action over abduction of journalist in Nepal (IFJ)
+ IFJ relieved by release of abducted journalist (IFJ)

Pakistan

Police assault reporter in Lahore (PPF)

IFJ condemns killing of journalist in Pakistan (IFJ)

Philippines

IFJ provides action plan to end impunity to newly-elected President Aquino (IFJ)

Thailand

Royal pardon for Internet user serving 10-year sentence for lèse majesté (RSF)

Threats to media continue as government extends emergency decree for 90 days (SEAPA)

Europe & Central Asia

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Azerbaijan

IRFS appeals to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ahead of her visit to Azerbaijan (IRFS)

Human rights organisations welcome PACE resolution, call for sustained monitoring efforts (ARTICLE 19)

Georgia

Reporter accuses Georgian authorities of trying to poison him during NATO meetings in Brussels (CJES)

Hungary

Ruling party announces postponement of media package elements criticised by journalists (IPI)

Turkey

Journalists on trial for reporting on politicians' secret conversations (BIANET)

TV station censored after programme guest comments on Armenian genocide (BIANET)

Politician sentenced to one year in jail for statements made on TV (BIANET)

Editors facing prison sentences over Ergenekon reporting (BIANET)
+ Journalist's trial adjourned until March 2011 (BIANET)

OSCE calls for lifting of ban on YouTube and Google (BIANET)
+ Campaign in defence of online free expression (RSF)

Kurdish politician under investigation for issuing call to refuse military service (BIANET)

Blockage of YouTube spreads to Google services (BIANET)

Middle East & North Africa

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Bahrain

Reporter charged with violating gag order (CPJ)
+ Journalist Al-Sawad summoned and interrogated (BCHR)

Egypt

"El-Wafd" journalists fined; "El-Shaab" editor sentenced to one year in prison (EOHR)
+ Magdi Ahmad Hussein receives one year in prison in a 14-year-old publication crime (ANHRI)
+ Egyptian court imposes sentence in 1996 defamation case (CPJ)

Iran

ARTICLE 19 fears imminent execution of political prisoner (ARTICLE 19)

Leading journalist released on bail; trial continues (WiPC)

Kuwait

Political activist fined, sentenced to three months in jail (ANHRI)

Syria

Growing crackdown on journalists and government critics (RSF)

United Arab Emirates

Authorities block access to online magazine (RSF)