IFEX Digest | 27 June - 3 July 2011

International

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Mexican journalist Luis Horacio Nájera awarded journalism fellowship in Canada (CJFE)

Africa

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Experts meet in Addis Ababa to discuss draft APAI declaration (MISA)

Ethiopia

Two journalists detained, held without charge (CPJ)
+ Two journalists arrested as pressure mounts on privately-owned media (RSF)
+ Journalist illegally detained (CPJ)
+ Two journalists detained incommunicado without charge (WiPC)
+ Authorities accuse two jailed journalists of terrorism plot (CPJ)

Namibia

MISA condemns suspension of "Informante" newspaper journalist (MISA)

Senegal

Human rights activists brutally attacked during demonstration (Human Rights Watch)
+ Previously attacked human rights defender in hiding (MFWA)

Somalia

NUSOJ concerned by partisan use of media (NUSOJ)
+ NUSOJ appeals to new prime minister to improve media freedom (NUSOJ)

Militias shut two radio stations (CPJ)

Sudan

Contrived legal proceedings mounted against journalists (CPJ)
+ Jailed editor facing possible death penalty or life imprisonment (RSF)
+ ANHRI condemns confiscation of newspaper, ongoing harassment of the press (ANHRI)
+ "Rai al-Shaab" editor and "Al-Sahafa" journalist now face death penalty (WiPC)

Put human rights first (Human Rights Watch)

The Gambia

Islamic preacher held incommunicado for four days, released without charge (MFWA)

Uganda

Television journalist assaulted, detained by police (HRNJ-Uganda)

Uganda holds a National Validation Meeting for the UN UPR Mechanism (HRNJ-Uganda)

Zimbabwe

Two "Standard" journalists arrested (IPI)
+ Two "Standard" journalists arrested on libel charge in new threat to independent media (RSF)

Americas

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IPI to hold 2012 World Congress in Trinidad and Tobago (IPI) IPI alarmed by press freedom developments in the Caribbean and Latin America (IPI)

Argentina

Neuquén radio journalist under threat (FOPEA)
+ Death threats, attacks on Neuquén radio journalist (RSF)

IAPA condemns censorship of Colombian daily, attempt to search Argentine newspaper's offices (IAPA)

Brazil

Blogger and politician Ednaldo Figueira gunned down, motive unclear (RSF)

Colombia

"El Espectador" journalist in Medellín receives death threat (FLIP)

IAPA condemns censorship of Colombian daily, attempt to search Argentine newspaper's offices (IAPA)

Ecuador

Fundamedios responds to President Correa's allegations over its funding (Fundamedios)

Camera operator attacked during anti-drug operation (Fundamedios)

IAPA welcomes announcement by President Correa (IAPA)

Guatemala

Congressional candidate dismisses journalist, attempts to intimidate television correspondent (CERIGUA)

Mexico

Threats continue as authorities fail to protect investigative journalist Lydia Cacho (ARTICLE 19)
+ Death threats against Lydia Cacho (CPJ)
+ Lydia Cacho threatened with death, fears for safety (WiPC)
+ CJFE troubled by lack of protection for journalists (CJFE)
+ IPI concerned at alleged death threats against journalist Lydia Cacho (IPI)

Killing of journalists raises international concern (WAN-IFRA)

Peru

Journalists attacked by police while covering protest (IPYS)

Venezuela

Armed men chase photographer, attempt to seize his camera (IPYS-Venezuela)

Asia & Pacific

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New public service broadcasters network a positive sign (PFF)

Afghanistan

French journalists, interpreter released after being held hostage for 18 months (RSF)
+ France 3 television crew released after 547 days (CPJ)
+ IFJ welcomes release of French journalists held hostage in Afghanistan (IFJ)
+ Paris rally in support of French journalists held hostage for past 18 months (RSF)

Burma

Publications exempt from prior censorship still receive warnings from Information Ministry (Mizzima News)
+ Censorship board bans magazine cover with photo of Aung San Suu Kyi (Mizzima News)

China

Investigative journalist jailed twice on identical charges (IFJ)

Investigative journalist sentenced to additional eight years in prison (IPI)

Authorities dismiss media blacklist fears after international outcry (IFJ)

India

Suspects arrested in Mumbai journalist's murder (IPI)
+ Arrests in journalist's murder, but mastermind at large (CPJ)
+ Mumbai high court allows local police to continue investigation into reporter’s murder (RSF)

Indonesia

Former "Playboy" editor freed after eight months in prison on indecency charge (RSF)
+ "Playboy Indonesia" editor acquitted of indecency (CPJ)

Malaysia

Arrests in advance of rally for electoral reforms raise deep concerns (Freedom House)
+ End crackdown on peaceful campaigners (Human Rights Watch)

State should stop fuelling tensions over Bersih rally, says CIJ (CIJ)
+ Free 30 peaceful political activists, says Human Rights Watch (Human Rights Watch)
+ Stop threats and intimidation against rally on electoral reform, says SEAPA (SEAPA)

State government urged to not restrict media access (CIJ)

Charles Hector defamation case cause for concern (ARTICLE 19)

Nepal

Editor receives death threat after writing story about irregularities in export trade (Freedom Forum)

Europe & Central Asia

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Azerbaijan

Newspaper editor receives threatening phone call (IRFS)

WPFC welcomes release of Fatullayev (WPFC)

Tajikistan

Imprisoned BBC reporter faces up to 15 years in jail (CPJ)
+ BBC journalist charged (WiPC)
+ Worldwide call for BBC correspondent's release (RSF)
+ After being held for one month, BBC reporter must be freed without delay (RSF)
+ Authorities continue to hold BBC journalist (CPJ)

Turkey

University students charged with "praising crime" after calling for their peers' release from prison (BIANET)

Fifty writers of satirical online dictionary summoned to prosecutor's office (BIANET)

Prison administrators order "withdrawal of communications" after political prisoners celebrate Labour Day (BIANET)

Ukraine

Parliament refuses to provide information on MPs' incomes (IMI)

First Lady's guards ask journalists to delete dictaphone recording (IMI)

Middle East & North Africa

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Bahrain

IFEX calls on Bahrain's rulers to end detention and torture of those jailed solely for peacefully expressing themselves (IFEX)

Authorities continue to abuse human rights advocates, reformers (CIHRS)

BCHR documents attacks on those who dare speak to the media (BCHR)

Egypt

ANHRI obtains acquittal for journalists in defamation suit (ANHRI)

Auditor placed under investigation for disclosing corruption case (ANHRI)

Cairo Criminal Court postpones trial of former interior minister (EOHR)

Iran

Sports journalist and photographer arrested (IPI)
+ Regime rejects UN rapporteur visit, continues to crack down on free expression (RSF)

Israel

Authorities should not intimidate journalists covering flotilla, says CPJ (CPJ)
+ Government openly threatens journalists planning to sail with Gaza flotilla (RSF)
+ IFJ welcomes Israel U-turn on warning to media over Gaza aid flotilla (IFJ)

Israeli occupation forces arrest Palestinian journalist in Nablus (MADA)

Jordan

IFJ urges review of press law after minister's resignation (IFJ)

Libya

RSF releases mission report on the birth of free media in the east (RSF)

Palestine

MADA holds workshops on freedom of expression legislation in Tulkarem and Jabalia (MADA)

Yemen

New Zealand journalist detained (IPI)
+ Concerns for New Zealand journalist imprisoned in Yemen (IFJ)

Human Rights Watch calls for probe into deadly attack on marchers (Human Rights Watch)

ANHRI condemns ongoing attacks on newspapers, media workers (ANHRI)