IFEX Digest | 6 - 10 August 2010

International

---

Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji named 59th IPI Press Freedom Hero (IPI)

Africa

---

Benin

Authorities "gag" media on corruption allegations involving President Boni Yayi (MFWA)

Sudan

Government bans BBC Arabic, tightens grip on the press (CPJ)

Uganda

Journalist's home searched (HRNJ-Uganda)

Americas

---

Brazil

Editor assaulted in Rondônia state (ABRAJI)

Journalist's convicted murderer openly dealing drugs in Rio (RSF)

Colombia

Missing photojournalist reappears (FLIP)

Mexico

CPJ welcomes arrests in Mexican journalists' abductions (CPJ)
+ Three suspects arrested in Mexico journalist kidnappings (IPI)
+ Three alleged cartel members arrested for last month’s abductions in Durango (RSF)
+ IAPA praises official diligence in arrest of journalists’ kidnappers (IAPA)

Uruguay

IAPA labels call for imprisonment of journalist, seizure of his book a "surprising step backward" (IAPA)

Venezuela

Bomb attack damages newspaper building (IPYS-Venezuela)

Government supporters damage television station building's facade (IPYS-Venezuela)

Radio programme taken off the air due to political interests (IPYS-Venezuela)

Authorities expropriate land belonging to newspaper for "public use" (IPYS)

Asia & Pacific

---

China

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

Authorities ban reporting on deadly mudslide (IFJ)

Business reporter taken off "most wanted" list (RSF)

Uyghur journalist and editor sentenced (WiPC)

Indonesia

IFJ condemns court ruling on Balibo ban (IFJ)

ARTICLE 19 helps ensure effective implementation of Freedom of Information Law (ARTICLE 19)

How was investigative reporter pushed to kill himself? (RSF)

Malaysia

Civil society groups call for review of Selangor state's freedom of information bill (CIJ)

Demonstrators arrested during peaceful vigils for Internal Security Act's repeal (RSF)

Nepal

Constituent Assembly member threatens journalists (Freedom Forum)

Situation report: few leads in investigation of Nepal radio operator's murder (IFJ)

Pakistan

Media face retaliation over critical coverage of president's European visit (PPF)
+ IFJ urges reopening of blocked television broadcasts (IFJ)
+ Amid massive flooding, Pakistan shuts down two stations (CPJ)
+ Broadcasting of two TV stations suspended, copies of national dailies burned (RSF)

Sri Lanka

Twenty-three IFEX members call on authorities to investigate disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda (IFJ)

Alliance of Media Organisations organises protest calling on authorities to investigate journalist's disappearance (FMM)

Tibet (China)

Authorities insist on surveillance and filtering software in all Internet cafés, companies (RSF)

Europe & Central Asia

---

Azerbaijan

ANS TV conducts smear campaign against Fatullayev (IRFS)

Serbia

Journalist's attackers arrested (ANEM)

Seemingly positive media developments a step in right direction, says IPI (IPI)

Middle East & North Africa

---

Egypt

Activists arrested for demanding democratic reform (ANHRI)

Iran

Evin Prison hunger strike highlights inhumane conditions (CPJ)
+ Stop abuse of political prisoners (Human Rights Watch)
+ Prisoner abuse in Iran demands international outcry (Freedom House)

Iraq

Kurdistan Democratic Party targets paper that alleged oil smuggling (CPJ)

Jordan

Government blocks dozens of independent news websites (ANHRI)

Palestine

Political tension continues to take its toll on journalists in Gaza and West Bank (RSF)

MADA condemns police beating of journalist (MADA)

Committee formed to investigate actions against television and radio station; Alnajah press office director detained (MADA)

Awards

---

Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji named 59th IPI Press Freedom Hero (IPI)