IFEX Digest | 21 - 27 November 2011

International

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IFJ denounces extreme levels of violence faced by women journalists worldwide (IFJ)
+ The 16 days campaign against violence on women 2011: putting an end to state violence (AMARC)
+ As 16 Days global campaign ends, newsroom vigilance on violence agaisnt women journalists needed (PFF)

Veton Surroi wins 2011 SEEMO Human Rights Award (IPI)

ARTICLE 19 highlights problem of satellite jamming on World Television Day (ARTICLE 19)

IPI report surveys the consequences of impunity (IPI)

Africa

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Côte d'Ivoire

Jailed journalist denied bail, others summoned and threatened (RSF)

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED warns of deteriorating media climate in open letter to broadcast regulator (JED)
+ Concern about political tension, hostility to media on eve of election (RSF)

JED denounces wave of radio closures in Katanga province (JED)

Djibouti

Two radio reporters freed conditionally after being held for four days, tortured (RSF)

Opposition radio reporters arrested again, concern about mistreatment (RSF)

Ethiopia

Dawit Kebede joins country's exiled journalists (CPJ)

South Africa

Parliament passes controversial Protection of State Information Bill (Human Rights Watch)
+ Will secrecy law approved by parliament end investigative journalism? (RSF)
+ Lower house passes information bill (CPJ)
+ IPI to President Zuma: say no to secrecy law (IPI)
+ A free and independent press is the only way forward for South Africa (WAN-IFRA)

Zuma spokesman files complaint against weekly (CPJ)

Uganda

Newspaper offices raided, guard killed (HRNJ-Uganda)

Journalists face ongoing threats, harassment (HRNJ-Uganda)
+ Journalist receives new threats (HRNJ-Uganda)
+ Ugandan journalist receives repeated death threats (CPJ)
+ Journalist committed to high court for trial (HRNJ-Uganda)

Zimbabwe

"Standard" editor targeted by minister, local businessman (MISA)

Americas

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Brazil

President signs access to information law (ARTICLE 19)

Ecuador

News crew threatened by hospital security personnel (Fundamedios)

IFEX gravely concerned for safety of Fundamedios and others who attended IACHR hearing (IFEX)

Radio broadcaster sentenced to six months in prison (Fundamedios)
+ Ecuadoran journalist sentenced to prison (CPJ)

New laws could undermine free speech, warns IAPA (IAPA)

Mexico

Investigative journalists receive death threats (ARTICLE 19)

Panama

Radio commentator who spoke out against corruption assassinated in Coclé (ARTICLE 19)
+ Radio station owner murdered during media campaign against violence (RSF)

Peru

Radio reporter shot in Cajamarca province (OLA)

Politician's sister threatens and assaults journalist (IPYS)

Venezuela

Court urged to acquit editor following his conditional release (RSF)

Freedom of expression NGO robbed (IPYS-Venezuela)
+ Investigate robberies of rights group (Human Rights Watch)

New laws could undermine free speech, warns IAPA (IAPA)

Asia & Pacific

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Fiji

Regime's bullying of media continues with contempt case (PFF)

Hong Kong (China)

IFJ supports demands for accountable institutions in Hong Kong (IFJ)

Maldives

Government shuts down blog in climate of growing religious intolerance (RSF)

Nepal

Editor assaulted over news report (FNJ)
+ Concern over incidents involving the press (Freedom Forum)

Pakistan

Senior journalist receives death threats (PPF)
+ Journalist receives death threat after "memogate" stories (RSF)

PPF report highlights cases and causes of impunity (PPF)

Papua New Guinea

Recent defamation cases highlight complaints process and ethics (PFF)

Philippines

CMFR statement on second anniversary of Ampatuan massacre, "a turning point and a test" (CMFR)
+ Families of victims still await justice on second anniversary of Maguindanao massacre (RSF)
+ AMARC calls to commemorate the second-year anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre (AMARC)
+ Cour of Appeals upholds denial of an Ampatuan's petition for certiorari (CMFR)
+ Government urged to keep promise to disband paramilitaries (Human Rights Watch)

SEAPA presents appeal letter calling for an end to impunity (SEAPA)

Thailand

Citizen sentenced to 20 years for lese majeste text messages (SEAPA)
+ Grandfather sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for anti-monarchy text messages (ARTICLE 19)
+ End harsh punishments for lese majeste offenses (Human Rights Watch)

Europe & Central Asia

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Azerbaijan

Writer-journalist Rafig Tagi dies in hospital days after violent knife attack (IRFS)
+ Journalist critical of Islam dies four days after being stabbed by attacker (RSF)
+ Journalist's death requires investigation, says CPJ (CPJ)
+ Journalist dies after stabbing attack (IPI)
+ IFJ calls for swift action to bring to book killers of prominent journalist (IFJ)

Journalist stabbed after writing article critical of Iranian government (IRFS)
+ Writer Rafiq Tagi receives multiple stab wounds in violent attack (WiPC)

Belarus

Conviction of rights defender a blow for rule of law, says Human Rights Watch (Human Rights Watch)
+ Writer sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment over "politically motivated" charges (WiPC)
+ Bialiatski conviction latest human rights abuse in Belarus (Freedom House)

Russia

Rural residents under "information blockade" during elections (GDF)

Newspaper harassed over critical article (CJES)

Spain

IFJ protests restrictions on media during election campaign (IFJ)

Turkey

International mission delegates renew demand to release imprisoned journalists (IFJ)
+ Blockade on the OdaTV Trial (BIANET)

Journalists sent back to detention (IPI)
+ Journalists in ODA TV trial remain in detention (BIANET)

RSF travels to Istanbul, monitors trial of leading investigative journalists (RSF)
+ IFJ mission to demand immediate release of journalists (IFJ)
+ Chaos in the courthouse - Turkish journalism on trial (IPI)

Western Europe

Landmark digital free speech ruling at European Court of Justice (ARTICLE 19)
+ EU court says Internet filtering violates freedom of information (RSF)

Middle East & North Africa

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Bahrain

Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report confirms punitive campaign against protesters (Human Rights Watch)
+ Release people jailed for speaking out (Human Rights Watch)
+ Independent commissioners urge prisoner release (Human Rights Watch)
+ Call for the release of university students, dropping of all charges against them (BCHR)

BCHR releases report on the price of freedom and social justice (BCHR)

Egypt

Media urged to prioritise safety after another sexual assault on woman reporter (RSF)

Two American journalists arrested, one remains in custody (IPI)
+ More media personnel arrested, physically attacked (RSF)
+ Authorities detain journalist, assault another (CPJ)

At least 17 journalists assaulted during clashes (CPJ)
+ ANHRI calls for charging those guilty of recent violence (ANHRI)
+ EOHR files complaint against police officer who shot protesters (EOHR)
+ CIHRS urges UN to pressure government to put an end to its acts of violence (CIHRS)
+ Protesters' blood on the military leadership's hands (Human Rights Watch)
+ Journalists arrested, physically attacked by security forces (RSF)
+ IFJ condemns escalation of violence against journalists in Egyptian unrest (IFJ)

IPI alarmed over attacks on journalists (IPI)

Twenty-two demonstrators killed, hundreds injured (ANHRI)
+ EOHR denounces use of force against civil protesters, calls for self-control (EOHR)
+ EOHR calls on SCAF and Egyptian government to stop using force against civil protesters (EOHR)

Iran

Authorities unleash another wave of arrests, repression (CPJ)
+ Journalists and media fall victim to power struggle (RSF)
+ Opposition, pro-Ahmadinejad newspapers targeted in recent crackdown (Human Rights Watch)

Morocco

Police question over 100 people in advance of parliamentary vote (Human Rights Watch)

Palestine

MADA and DCAF sign partnership agreement on access to information rights (MADA)

Syria

Formerly missing journalist now on trial; activists accused of inciting protests (ANHRI)

Cameraman found dead, last seen being arrested (CPJ)
+ Media outlets targeted, opinion makers' bodies mutilated (ANHRI)

United Arab Emirates

Investigate threats against "UAE 5", say rights groups (Human Rights Watch)

Yemen

Concern over new attacks on protesters in defiance of UN order (Human Rights Watch)

Awards

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Veton Surroi wins 2011 SEEMO Human Rights Award (IPI)