IFEX Digest | 9 - 13 July 2010

International

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Gambian editor Pap Saine named IPI World Press Freedom Hero (IPI)

Africa

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CPJ, African groups call for press freedom commitment (CPJ) Archbishop Desmond Tutu urges African heads of state to repeal insult and criminal defamation laws (WAN-IFRA)

Liberia

Senator threatens lives of newspaper staff (CEMESP)

Nigeria

Gunmen abduct journalists, demand US$1.6 million ransom (MRA)
+ IFJ condemns kidnapping of Nigerian Journalists' Union officials (IFJ)
+ Four journalists held hostage in Niger delta region (RSF)

Rwanda

Editor arrested after criticising Kagame government (CPJ)
+ Offensive against media continues with arrest of fortnightly's editor (RSF)

ARTICLE 19 submits report to UN Universal Periodic Review (ARTICLE 19)

Senegal

Minister's loyalists assault journalist, threaten him with death (MFWA)

Sudan

Authorities shut down three newspapers (ANHRI)
+ CPJ condemns censorship of Sudanese paper (CPJ)
+ RSF writes to President Omar al Bashir about the return of censorship (RSF)

The Gambia

Four years on, journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh still "missing" (MFWA)

Musa Saidykhan's torture case adjourned to 21 September (MFWA)

Zambia

Twenty-three IPI World Press Freedom Heroes urge authorities to reverse journalist's conviction on contempt of court charges (IPI)

Americas

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Cuba

Six journalists released, 16 to follow (WiPC)
+ PEN president Appiah reacts to the release of Normando Hernández González in Cuba (PEN American Center)
+ Jailed Cuban journalists to be flown to Spain (CPJ)
+ RSF correspondent Ricardo González Alfonso freed (RSF)
+ IAPA calls release of Cuban journalists important but lacking (IAPA)
+ José Luis García Paneque, Léster Luis González Pentón, and Normando Hernández González arrive safely in Spain (IPI)

Church says government will release political prisoners (CPJ)
+ Release of Cuba political prisoners is only a first step (Freedom House)
+ Three journalists among first to be released (CPJ)
+ IPI applauds release of journalists, other dissidents (IPI)
+ Sign of opening in announced imminent release of political prisoners? (RSF)

Mexico

Multimedios media group targeted in grenade attack in Monterrey (CEPET)

Radio journalist found dead in Nuevo León; cameraman killed in Chihuahua (CEPET)
+ Two more journalists shot dead in continuing media bloodshed (RSF)
+ IAPA soundly condemns two more murders in Mexico (IAPA)
+ Mexican reporter abducted and shot dead in Nuevo León (CPJ)

IAPA condemns murder of seventh Mexican journalist (IAPA)

CJFE condemns the murder of three more journalists (CJFE)

IAPA welcomes creation of new prosecutor’s office in Mexico to handle crimes against journalists (IAPA)

Mexico restructures prosecution of press crimes (CPJ)

Paraguay

SPP concerned over censorship in Ciudad del Este (SPP)

United States

Soldier charged for leaking video showing US army helicopter attack (RSF)

Venezuela

Public prosecutor requests warrant for arrest of Globovisión shareholder (IPYS)

Asia & Pacific

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Bangladesh

Re-open shuttered newspaper; free editor (Human Rights Watch)

Burma

Media outlets expect drop in junta propaganda (Mizzima News)

China

Journalist assaulted while reporting on building's collapse (IFJ)

IFJ Press Freedom in China Campaign Bulletin - July 2010 (IFJ)

Indonesia

Police file criminal defamation charges against magazine (AJI)

Arson attack on "Tempo" magazine is an attack on freedom of expression (ARTICLE 19)

Kashmir (India)

Assault undermines claim of restored press rights in Kashmir, says IFJ (IFJ)
+ India must stop restricting journalists in Kashmir (CPJ)

Blaming the messenger no solution to Kashmir disturbances, says IFJ (IFJ)
+ IFJ urges Indian government to let Kashmir journalists speak (IFJ)

Nepal

ARTICLE 19 and Freedom Forum submission to UN Universal Periodic Review (ARTICLE 19)

Philippines

Ending killings should top Aquino's agenda (Human Rights Watch)

Sri Lanka

One year on, independent news website remains blocked (RSF)

Thailand

Independent news website to close down message board due to restrictive online environment (SEAPA)

Europe & Central Asia

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Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan court sentences journalist to a further 30 months in prison (IPI)

IRFS statement on Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade (IRFS)

Kazakhstan

Imprisoned journalist goes on hunger strike (CPJ)

Russia

CPJ calls on authorities to disclose information on Klebnikov murder (CPJ)

ARTICLE 19 condemns conviction of art curators (ARTICLE 19)
+ Halt prosecution of exhibition organisers (ARTICLE 19)
+ Reverse judgement against human rights defender (Human Rights Watch)

A year later, no prosecution in Estemirova murder (Human Rights Watch)
+ Chechen human rights advocate remembered (ARTICLE 19)
+ CPJ seeks thorough, fair investigation into Estemirova murder (CPJ)
+ Three years on, Natalya Estemirova's murder unsolved (CPJ)

Serbia

Adopted law on electronic communications a threat to freedom of expression, says IPI (IPI)

Turkey

Singer sentenced to 10 months in prison for statements made at concert (BIANET)

Blocking of YouTube maintained for dubious reasons (RSF)
+ Court insists on YouTube censorship (BIANET)
+ YouTube ban finalised (BIANET)

Journalist receives suspended prison sentence (BIANET)

Ukraine

New law will prevent journalists from publishing personal information (IMI)

Middle East & North Africa

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Egypt

EOHR calls for applying the International Convention Against Torture on the issue of Khalid Said (EOHR)

Iran

Seven years after Zahra Kazemi's death in detention, impunity continues (RSF)

Iraq

Freelance journalist receives death threats (CPJ)

Kuwait

Journalist acquitted; activist released (ANHRI)

Palestine

Authorities bar three West Bank dailies from circulating in Gaza Strip (MADA)
+ CPJ urges Gaza to allow entry of newspapers (CPJ)

Syria

Two journalists facing military court trial (CPJ)

Awards

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Gambian editor Pap Saine named IPI World Press Freedom Hero (IPI)