IFEX Digest | 23 - 29 May 2011

International

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Advancing the global business and human rights agenda (ARTICLE 19)

Africa

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Botswana

Freedom of information law must be strengthened, says ARTICLE 19 (ARTICLE 19)

Burundi

Online editor sentenced and released (WiPC)

Côte d'Ivoire

Opposition press resumes publishing; newspaper executive questioned amid reprisals against pro-Gbagbo media (RSF)

One journalist killed, several others in hiding (CPJ)
+ Pro-Gbagbo journalist murdered, newspaper hounded as reprisals continue (RSF)

Eritrea

CJFE protests over harsh detention of journalists (CJFE)

Ghana

Four lawyers blacklisted over judicial corruption allegations (MFWA)

Somalia

Offices of journalists' union robbed by armed men, staff threatened (IFJ)

Swaziland

MP proposes a law to censor foreign media (MISA)

Uganda

Security forces raid newspaper's offices, detain staff (HRNJ-Uganda)

Court dismisses case against radio journalist (HRNJ-Uganda)

President identifies news media as "enemies" of the state (RSF)

Zambia

IPI urges government to stop stalling on self-regulation (IPI)

Americas

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Argentina

Photographer assaulted by security guards (FOPEA)
+ Danish embassy urged to react after security guards assault young photographer (RSF)

Bolivia

Several laws restricting press freedom raise IAPA concern (IAPA)

Colombia

Seventh break-in at journalist's home, intelligence agency suspected (RSF)

Ecuador

Camera operators for state-owned TV station attacked during police operation (Fundamedios)

Journalist released (Fundamedios)

Camera operator detained, assaulted by police (Fundamedios)

Guatemala

"Los Zetas" gang allegedly behind threatening messages directed at the press (CERIGUA)

Provincial TV journalist found dead (CPJ)
+ Local news presenter killed after reported threats, reporter held on questionable grounds (RSF)
+ IAPA outraged at journalist's murder (IAPA)

Honduras

Newspaper manager shot by unknown assailants (C-Libre)
+ One media executive killed, another wounded (CPJ)

IAPA angered by journalists' murders, calls for prompt investigations (IAPA)
+ Contract-style killing of newspaper columnist in Aragua state (RSF)
+ Newspaper columnist shot to death in Venezuela (CPJ)
+ Journalist-activist shot dead in Venezuela (WiPC)

Mexico

Journalist's sentence overturned (CJFE)

Peru

Radio journalist "invited" to step down temporarily; programme host condemns censorship at TV station (IPYS)

Venezuela

Authorities attempt to seize warehouse owned by newspaper critical of the government (IPYS-Venezuela)
+ IAPA protests occupation, blocking of newspaper plant (IAPA)

IAPA angered by journalists' murders, calls for prompt investigations (IAPA)
+ Contract-style killing of newspaper columnist in Aragua state (RSF)
+ Newspaper columnist shot to death in Venezuela (CPJ)
+ Journalist-activist shot dead in Venezuela (WiPC)

Asia & Pacific

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Burma

Five journalists among political prisoners amnestied by government (RSF)
+ IFJ welcomes journalists' release from prison (IFJ)
+ Five detained journalists freed (Mizzima News)

Video coverage of Rangoon regional government press conferences banned (Mizzima News)

Human Rights Watch campaign wins top ad awards (Human Rights Watch)

China

Journalist sanctioned, activist disappears (CPJ)

India

Journalist arrested for revealing poor security storage of weapons (CPJ)

Mongolia

Editor held on spurious charges (Globe International)
+ Editor of daily paper held for two months (RSF)
+ IFJ concerned by ongoing detention of editor (IFJ)
+ Detention of editor continues as FOI Law passed (IFJ)

Nepal

Censor Board move curtails freedom of expression, says Freedom Forum (Freedom Forum)

IFJ backs calls for progress on constitutional reform (IFJ)

Pakistan

IFJ urges interior minister to report on attacks against journalists (IFJ)

Philippines

Authorities must investigate bombing of radio station, says IFJ (IFJ)
+ Radio station bombing linked to illegal numbers game (CMFR)

IFJ seeks withdrawal of contempt claim in massacre case (IFJ)

Taiwan

TV satellite operator refuses to continue relaying New Tang Dynasty signal (RSF)

Thailand

A year after riots, journalists still face safety concerns and impunity issues (SEAPA)

Vietnam

CJFE condemns continued detention of blogger Nguyen Van Hai (CJFE)

Sentencing of high profile activist opens landmark struggle, says Human Rights Watch (Human Rights Watch)

Europe & Central Asia

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Azerbaijan

Journalist Eynulla Fatullayev granted amnesty in honour of 28 May holiday (IPI)
+ Imprisoned journalist Eynulla Fatullayev pardoned (IRFS)
+ Wrongfully imprisoned journalist freed (Human Rights Watch)
+ Eynulla Fatullayev freed after four years in prison (WiPC)
+ Newspaper editor freed on presidential pardon after four years in prison (RSF)
+ False Eynulla Fatullayev profiles posted on Facebook (IRFS)
+ WPFC welcomes release of Fatullayev (WPFC)
+ Recently released journalist receives compensation from government (IRFS)

Belarus

Writers and journalists sentenced to prison terms (WiPC)

Cyprus

IPI condemns continuing violence against journalists in Northern Cyprus (IPI)

France

Uzbek president's daughter sues French news website for libel (RSF)
+ Human Rights Watch urges Germany to use visit to press Uzbekistan on human rights (Human Rights Watch)

Russia

Dagestan court acquits "Chernovik" journalists (CPJ)
+ "Chernovik" journalists cleared of charges of extremism (GDF)

Turkey

Websites targeted by cyber attacks after supporting anti-censorship demonstrations (RSF)
+ Bianet.org hit by massive cyber attack (BIANET)
+ Cyber attack on "Birgün" daily website (BIANET)
+ Cyber attack on Yuksekova news site (BIANET)
+ Cyber attack on ANF news agency (BIANET)

United Kingdom

Panel review calls for limits on "super-injunctions" (ARTICLE 19)
+ "Super-injunctions" illegitimate limit to free speech (ARTICLE 19)

Uzbekistan

Embattled reporter prevented from leaving the country (CPJ)

Dissident freed but unjust conviction intact (Human Rights Watch)

Uzbek president's daughter sues French news website for libel (RSF)
+ Human Rights Watch urges Germany to use visit to press Uzbekistan on human rights (Human Rights Watch)

Middle East & North Africa

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Bahrain

Violent media intimidation in Yemen and Bahrain (CPJ)
+ Amid international indifference, targeted repression continues in Bahrain and Yemen (RSF)
+ IFJ condemns brutal assault of journalist by police in Bahrain (IFJ)
+ Formula One should take account of rights crisis in Bahrain (Human Rights Watch)

BCHR report documents government's attempts to stifle online free expression (BCHR)

Egypt

EOHR calls on Supreme Military Council to release protesting students (EOHR)

EOHR files civil claim on behalf of victims of 25 January revolution (EOHR)

ANHRI condemns Muslim Brotherhood's incitement against planned peaceful demonstrations (ANHRI)

Iran

WiPC mourns the death of journalist and critic Siamak Pourzand (WiPC)

Iraq

Star journalist sued by head of electoral commission (RSF)

Concern over growing effort to silence media in Kurdistan (Human Rights Watch)

Israel

Writer and academic detained without charge (WiPC)

Investigate killings during border protests (Human Rights Watch)

Morocco

Cultural television programme suspended (ANHRI)

Palestine

Writer and academic detained without charge (WiPC)

Yemen

Government forces shell TV station, news agency, and online newspaper (CPJ)

Violent media intimidation in Yemen and Bahrain (CPJ)
+ Amid international indifference, targeted repression continues in Bahrain and Yemen (RSF)
+ IFJ condemns brutal assault of journalist by police in Bahrain (IFJ)
+ Formula One should take account of rights crisis in Bahrain (Human Rights Watch)