About IFEX:

News by region:

IFEX Campaigns and Advocacy:

IFEX Email Products:

Opportunities and assistance:

Alerts

---

Egypt

Police shutter Al-Alam's Cairo office

About 15 plainclothes police carried out the raid because the station was operating without a license, a common reality for news outlets in Cairo as the authorities have a long record of withholding broadcast licenses.

Colombia

FLIP condemns attack against journalist and former minister Fernando Londoño

Those responsible for the attack have not been identified yet but Londoño had been receiving threats from the FARC.

Yemen

Two journalists face trial for covering uprisings

The government of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh filed a case against the two journalists in June 2011, claiming they broke the law by broadcasting news of the uprising after the government pulled Al-Jazeera's accreditation. Despite the Ministry of Information having withdrawn the charges, the Press and Publications Court has chosen to revive the case.

Syria

Authorities detain journalists, release others

Eight people arrested during the raid on the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression were released, pending trial, while three others, including the centre's president Mazen Darwish remain in detention.

Ecuador

Government uses telecast to discredit journalist, human rights report

The telecast interrupted Ecuavisa's news programme and was aimed at discrediting interviewer Gabriela Baer and a report by the Simón Bolivar Andean University.

International

A "to do" list for internet freedom

Countries such as China, Ethiopia, South Korea, Russia and Thailand need to challenge and change specific laws and practices that restrict internet freedom, says Freedom House.

Burma

Government to end prior censorship

The government will form a press council to advise on media laws and ethnics, Information Minister Kyaw Hsan told journalists on 14 May.

Peru

Journalist receives death threat from alderman

Journalist Bequer Bejarano Valdivia, director of Channel 35 program Alerta, reported to the governor of Huánuco that he has received death threats from an alderman in the municipality, Clever Zevallos Fretel.

India

Two cyber-activists end hunger strike but campaign against IT Rules gathers pace

Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi and citizen journalist Alok Dixit were forced to end a 10-day hunger strike after their health deteriorated considerably and they were hospitalised.

Pakistan

Three injured as police beat up journalists

Sher Ali Khan, Siraj Ali and Shabir Ahmed were assaulted while covering a demonstration against electricity load-shedding.

Philippines

Another Mindanao radio anchor receives threat over mining stories

Lito Labra has been receiving death threats since he started discussing illegal mining and logging issues on his radio program in early 2012.

Mexico

IAPA condemns attack on El Mañana paper

IAPA today expressed outrage at an assault on Mexican newspaper El Mañana, whose plant, located in the city of Nuevo Laredo, in the northern state of Tamaulipas, was attacked on Friday by assailants shooting and hurling an unidentified type of explosive device.

Philippines

Radio commentator in Mindanao receives death threat

This is the first threat Michael James Licuanan has received since an attempt on his life in November 2011.

India

Call for end to intimidation of peaceful protesters at nuclear site

The use of the sedition law to silence dissent undermines free expression, said Human Rights Watch.

Uganda

Video director gunned down in western Uganda

Thembo was shot dead by unidentified individuals who took his bag and video camera.

Syria

Two Turkish journalists released

Adem Özköse and Hamit Coşkun were captured while making a documentary in northwestern Syria two months ago.

Nepal

Media threatened, some newspapers closed

The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities recently threatened to boycott media outlets that negatively report on federalism.

Argentina

FOPEA condemns death threats against journalists in Reconquista, Santa Fe

FOPEA called for quick action, stressing the need for an immediate end to the threats against Ester Lutz and Gustavo Raffin.

Pakistan

Journalist kidnapped and killed

The bullet-riddled body of journalist Tariq Kamal was found on 9 May, three days after he had been reportedly kidnapped.

Rwanda

Radio presenter held pending trial

"We condemn Habarugira Epaphrodite’s placement in pre-trial detention for something he said on the air," RSF said.

Tunisia

Judicial confusion puts press freedom in peril

Some articles of the criminal code are being used unlawfully to convict journalists and bloggers, yet these are obsolete under the new press code, law 115, says RSF.

Peru

Court acquits alleged masterminds of journalist's murder

The Third Criminal Court issued the definitive sentence in the trial of the 2004 murder of journalist Alberto Rivera Fernández, acquitting the former mayor of Coronel Portillo, Luis Valdez Villacorta, and his former municipal administrator, Solio Ramírez Garay, both previously accused of being the masterminds behind the crime.

Morocco

Rapper sentenced to one year in prison for criticising police

Mouad Belghouat, better known as “al-Haqed”, has been in pretrial custody since March 29 because of his rap song “Kilab ed-Dowla” (Dogs of the State), which denounces police corruption, and a YouTube video set to the song.

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED deplores suspension of Radio Liberté, calls for restraint

Eight journalists were arrested during the police raid on the station.

Syria

Writer arrested, held incommunicado

Salama Kila was arrested on 23 April 2012 for his writings about the recent events taking place in the country, and is considered to be at serious risk of torture and ill-treatment.

India

AMARC urges spectrum fee roll back

As a result of a recent spectrum fee hike, "genuine and grassroots communities will be excluded . . . and community radio will be a mockery of the stated policy objectives of the government of India, " said AMARC.

Pakistan

Office of television station attacked, journalist killed

Journalist Aurengzeb Tunio's colleagues allege that the attacks were retaliation for his reporting, which had angered certain local tribal groups.

Zimbabwe

IFJ welcomes release of New Zealand photographer

Robin Hammond had been arrested while taking photos near the border with South Africa, in connection with a story on irregular migration between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Kenya

Journalist in western Kenya faces death threats

Joel Eshikumo said that unidentified callers had threatened him every night for a week, saying they would burn his house down and telling him to be prepared to die over the pictures he had taken in court.

Iraq

Television news crew assaulted, equipment confiscated

A journalist was also wounded when a bomb attached to his car detonated. CPJ urges authorities to launch an investigation into the attack.

Peru

Police investigation points to mayor as mastermind behind journalist's murder

According to the police report No. 038-211 prepared by SEINCRI, Mayor Rivera Huerta ordered the murder because of the journalist’s criticisms of a series of municipal works.

China

Microblog regulates, suspends users - again

A Weibo moderator posted a draft document outlining new guidelines for users of China's popular microblog platform, Sina Weibo.

Guatemala

Community radio stations raided, journalist arrested

Representatives of the Attorney General's office and National Civil Police officers raided community radio stations Uqul Tinamit and Jun Toj, taking their equipment and arresting one journalist.

Thailand

"Uncle SMS" dies after serving 3 months of his 20-year prison sentence

Amphon Tangnoppaku died in prison whilst serving a 20-year prison sentence for sending four text messages deemed as insulting against the Queen of Thailand.

Greece

TV journalist attacked, injured

"They had me on the ground and were beating me. . . I can say with absolute certainty that they knew I was a journalist," said Konstantinos Bogdanos, who sustained a head injury and broken hand in the attack.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Two journalists held by police in Kisangani

Sébastien Mulamba and Mbuyi Mukadi, both with the monthly Kisangani News, were arrested by plainclothes officers from police intelligence.

Russia

Putin's new mandate starts inauspiciously for media

At least 15 journalists were arrested and assaulted at a protest against the Russian prime minister's installation for a third term.

United Arab Emirates

Expanded crackdown on members of peaceful Islamist group

The new arrests, of Saleh al-Dhufairi and Salem Sahooh, bring to 11 the total number of detained members of the group, the Reform and Social Guidance Association (al-Islah), since late March 2012.

Honduras

IAPA urges government to act speedily on abduction of journalist

Alfredo Villatoro, with the Tegucigalpa radio station HRN, was driving at 4:45 a.m. on his way to the station, where he is in charge of the newscast “Diario Matutino” (Morning News), when he was intercepted and kidnapped by at least six assailants who were riding in two pickup trucks; he had reported receiving death threats.

Iran

Harassment of journalists and media ongoing

Over the course of two weeks, two journalists were arrested to begin serving previously imposed jail sentences and a third was sentenced to 25 lashes, while a monthly was suspended for two months.

Pakistan

Two journalists injured in blast at poet's shrine

Mehmood-ul-Hassan Khan and Waheed-ur-Rehman were at the site of the explosion when a second blast occurred.

Guatemala

Six TV stations closed due to political pressure

Journalists in Mazatenango, Suchitépequez have denounced the closing of six local TV stations, a decision that was taken after the local mayor put pressure on the Cable DX company, saying he would not tolerate criticism of his administration.

Democratic Republic of Congo

JED warns of grave threats to Radio Okapi journalist's safety

JED calls on Congolese and UN authorities to take all necessary measures to guarantee Gisèle Kaj's physical safety.

Kosovo (Serbia)

Draft criminal code undermines media freedom

President Atifete Jahjaga returned the draft criminal code to the National Assembly for reconsideration on May 8, 2012, after it was sent to her for her final approval. The president’s decision followed widespread criticism of the draft code by journalists.

Philippines

Sometime weather reporter killed

Two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle shot dead Rommel Palma, a radio station employee who also did weather and other reports.

Nepal

Journalists intimidated, harassed while covering protests

With the 27 May 2012 deadline for the constitution promulgation fast approaching in the country, individuals in various regions have mounted pressure programs in a bid to have their demands addressed in the new constitution.

Vietnam

Attack on state media reporters shows all journalists are at risk

Nguyen Ngoc Nam and Han Phi Long, both reporters with the official Radio Voice of Vietnam, were severely kicked and beaten while covering the forced eviction of around 1,000 villagers from their farmlands.

Algeria

Crackdown on protest as election nears

Authorities have used arrests and other tactics to keep people from demonstrating in the capital in the period leading up to the 10 May 2012 elections.

China

Chen Guangcheng reporting censored, obstructed

Security officials' ongoing obstruction of foreign and domestic journalists covering the dissident is a worrying sign for supporters trying to secure his safety, CPJ said today.

Sudan

Journalist detained; newspapers confiscated

The NISS has not disclosed Faisal Mohamed Saleh's health, condition, or whereabouts and has denied him access to his family or a lawyer.

Honduras

Journalist, human rights defender killed

Three weeks ago Erick Martínez Ávila had announced his candidacy for deputy of Francisco Morazán department in the Libre party, which is a political wing of the National Popular Resistance Front (FNRP) that was created after the 2009 coup d'état.

Moldova

Reporter injured in vicious attack

Vladmir Vivaci, who works for Omega news agency, suffered multiple head and internal injuries and is recovering in hospital after the savage beating.

Honduras

TV programme director gets hundreds of threatening text messages

According to journalist Edgardo Castro, the discussion of social issues such as speaking in favour of peasants, minimum salaries and in defense of workers, and against crime, is what makes the oligarchy threaten journalists.

Burundi

Prosecutor requests life imprisonment for journalist charged with terrorism

"It has already been demonstrated that this court is neither competent nor impartial, so the request for a life sentence is further evidence that the trial is a travesty orchestrated by the government," RSF said.

Philippines

Radio broadcaster shot dead in Davao Oriental

Nelson Libaton and his companion, reporter Eldon Cruz, were on their way home from an interview when a man riding on a motorcycle with two other unidentified men shot him in the back.

Egypt

Two journalists report being brutalised in custody

While in custody, Ahmed Ramadan and Islam Abu al-Ezz were ordered to crawl on their stomachs with their hands behind their backs while soldiers repeatedly kicked and beat them.

Equatorial Guinea

Opposition figure wrongly convicted

Mansogo's prosecution was clearly opportunistic, designed to remove a vocal opponent from the political arena, and not supported by the facts of the incident in question, said Human Rights Watch.

China

China shuts out Al-Jazeera English in Beijing

Al-Jazeera English didn't comment on the decision, but the channel covers topics censored domestically by the Communist Party.

Libya

Authorities urged to revoke new draconian law

A new law banning insults against the people of Libya or its institutions, and prohibiting criticism of the country’s 2011 revolution and glorification of the deposed former leader Muammar Gaddafi, was passed on 2 May 2012.

Syria

Another citizen journalist killed despite ceasefire plan

Abdul Ghani Kaakeh was deliberately targeted by the security forces, who had ordered him to stop filming moments before he was shot.

Egypt

At least 18 journalists assaulted, arrested in clashes

Mohamed Raafat was beaten and shot at with pellets by three unidentified armed men while he filmed the clashes. They went on to confiscate his camera and beat him for one hour.

Bahrain

Prominent rights activist Nabeel Rajab arrested

Rajab was arrested upon arrival at the Bahrain airport on charges of "participating in an illegal assembly and calling others to join".

Philippines

Columnist killed in Laguna province

Police have yet to identify suspects in the killing of columnist Michael Calanasan in San Pablo City, Laguna.

Kuwait

Television station fined over 1.3 million euros

Scope TV was ordered to pay approximately 1,360,000 euros to the former information minister Sheikh Faisal Al-Malek Al-Sabah, a member of the ruling family, for having broadcast a programme last October that the court deemed offensive to the royal family.

Mexico

Three photojournalists found dead in Veracruz

The bodies of three photojournalists were found in a sewage canal in the municipality of Boca del Rio, less than a week after another Veracruz journalist was found dead.

Yemen

Journalists attacked; newspaper harassed

Anwar al-Bahri was beaten by unidentified men, reportedly belonging to the country's most influential tribal group,the al-Armar family, who stormed into his home in the capital, Sana'a.

Kuwait

Security forces arrest 16 Bidun protesters

On 1 May, between 200 and 300 Bidun gathered near al-Sha’bi mosque in Taima’a to demand government action on their citizenship claims and resolution of their stateless status only to be met with force and arrests.

Central African Republic

Press Freedom Day presidential pardon for jailed newspaper editor

The pardon came after the Union of Journalists announced they would refrain from commemorating World Press Freedom Day in protest against Samba's detention.

Somalia

Journalist murdered on eve of World Press Freedom Day

Farhan James Abdulle is the fifth journalist to be killed this year in Somalia, the deadliest country in Africa for the media.

Uganda

Journalist arrested by First Lady's security guards, risks sedition charges

When Perez Rumanzi demanded to know what crime he had committed, police told him he was "in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Togo

Journalist assaulted by security forces

Noel Kokou Tadégnon was attacked by security forces while filming a crackdown on demonstrators during the country's independence day celebration.

Honduras

Shots fired at journalist's home

As Selvin Martínez was returning from a work trip to San Pedro Sula, he saw people in a red car firing towards his home.

Iraq

Editor held illegally for six days because of corruption coverage

Sherwan Sherwani was arrested following a complaint about a May 2011 article accusing the head of the municipality of embezzling public funds, a claim for which the article provide some evidence.

Nigeria

Extremist Islamic sect threatens to attack more media houses

Boko Haram posted a video on YouTube in which it warned of more attacks on media organisations and named the media institutions that will be targeted in future attacks.

Honduras

TV journalist survives assassination attempt

Elder Joel Aguilar, a correspondent for Canal 6, had recently reported on an armed gang holdup of four trucks carrying shipments of coffee.

Somalia

Radio station director released after being held without charge for 57 days

Voice of Peace director Awke Abdullahi Ali was reportedly freed because his health had declined sharply while in detention.

Zambia

Supporters of former ruling party jailed for assaulting TV crew

Abram Banda, Cephas Phiri, and Use Mukalipi, were jailed for three years with hard labour for committing aggravated robbery on a television crew from the privately-owned Muvi TV.

Brazil

Gunmen attack journalist's house, car at night

Vinícius Henriques has worked for more than a decade with local radio station Arapuan FM, where he covers the police beat for the program "Rota da Notícia". Henriques told reporters that he suspected members of organized crime were behind the attack and that it was linked to one of his reports.

Montenegro

Journalist sentenced to jail for libel

In July 2011, a few months after Petar Komnenic's original conviction, the government passed a law decriminalizing libel and making it a matter of civil litigation.

Colombia

French journalist's whereabouts unknown

Roméo Langlois, a correspondent for the France 24 television station and the newspaper Le Figaro, was accompanying an army and police operation against FARC coca laboratories as part of his work on a documentary on drug trafficking when he went missing.

Bahrain

Re-trial ordered of jailed human rights defenders, writers and bloggers

An appeals court ordered a retrial in the case of all twenty-one opposition activists, writers and bloggers convicted by a special security court on 22 June 2011, including Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace and Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, but ruled that they should remain in jail pending a new verdict.

Thailand

Court should release journalist prosecuted under lèse majesté law

ARTICLE 19 has submitted an amicus brief to a Bangkok criminal court arguing that the criminal prosecution of Somyot Pruksakasemsuk under the lèse-majesté law violates his right to freedom of expression.

Mexico

Yet another journalist murdered in Veracruz

The murder of Regina Martínez is the fifth in 17 months in the state since Javier Duarte assumed the governorship.

Somalia

IFJ condemns arrest of reporter, shooting of editor

Somaliland authorities reportedly accuse Darwish of "spreading false news."

Ecuador

New media bill should be scrapped, says CPJ

In a letter to the President of the National Assembly, Fernando Cordero Cueva, the Committee to Protect Journalists expresses its concern about a new communications bill that includes new restrictions that could limit the rights of citizens to inform and be informed.

Malaysia

Journalists assaulted, arrested while covering protest

CIJ says this attack on nine journalists is an ongoing trend to prevent the media and citizen activists from reporting on police brutality.

Iran

Elderly revolutionary icon sentenced to eight years in jail

Eighty-year-old Ebrahim Yazdi, who suffers from cancer and a heart condition, was convicted for exercising his right to freedom of speech.

Egypt

Two journalists attacked in Alexandria

Nessreen Fouad and Hanna Abu el-Ez were attacked by Muslim Brotherhood supporters while attempting to cover a public conference by a presidential candidate of the brotherhood's political party.

China

Government urged to protect blind human rights defender from extrajudicial violence

Chen Guangcheng and his family are at risk of violent reprisals after the activist's escape from unlawful detention, Human Rights Watch said.

Syria

Young activist faces possible death sentence

Yara Shammas is the daughter of Michel Shammas, a well-known human rights lawyer active on Facebook, and it is believed that “what is happening to [her] is clearly a way of putting pressure on [her father]”

Cambodia

Activist killed over possession of logging photos

Chut Wutty, president of the Natural Resource Conservation Group, was reportedly taking two journalists to a site in a protected forest in Koh Kong province where logging was taking place.

Saudi Arabia

Human rights activist sentenced, on hunger strike

Mohamed El Bagadi has been detained since 21 March 2011 and was recently sentenced to four years imprisonment and banned from travelling for five additional years.

China

Writer imprisoned for defamation amid rumor crackdown

Hu Lianyou accused two police officers in his native Dong'an county of beating him during interrogation, corruption, and other abuses in September 2010.

Philippines

Columnist, editor post bail re libel case

The libel complaint was in response to an article by Manuel "Boy" Mejorada which accused the Iloilo City mayor of misusing some funds.

Tunisia

Clashes erupt outside national TV station after talk of privatizing state media

Tension had been fuelled by recent talk of “privatization of the public media” by Ennahda Movement leader Rached Ghannouchi and Ennahda political bureau member Ameur Laarayedh.

China

Boxun, U.S.-based news site, attacked amid Bo Xilai coverage

The crippling denial-of-service attacks forced Boxun to change its hosting company twice.

Honduras

Journalist and human rights defender threatened with sexual violence

Dina Meza Elvir, a journalist and human rights defender with the Committee of Relatives of the Disappeared in Honduras, has receiving threatening telephone calls and text messages.

Nigeria

Offices of daily bombed

The radical Islamic sect Boko Haram is suspected to have carried out the bombings as the attacks bear their imprint.

Ethiopia

Leading weekly's website blocked for past six days

"Website blocking is not new in Ethiopia, but a leading independent newspaper's site has never previously been affected," RSF noted.

Egypt

International NGOs denied licences

Authorities refused to grant licences to many foreign NGOs, including the Carter Center, Rights and Freedoms International and Seeds of Peace, stating that their activities violate "the state's sovereignty on its lands."

Palestine / Israel

Palestinian Authority blocks critical websites in West Bank

In separate developments, Israeli authorities have extended the administrative detention of at least three Palestinian journalists without charge.

Sri Lanka

Hearings into disappearance of opposition journalist continue

The Prageeth Eknelygoda family's attorney may have to press Sri Lanka's Appeal Court to order former Attorney General Mohan Peiris to testify about the comments he made at the U.N. Committee Against Torture in relation with the case.

Afghanistan

French former hostage ready to go back to the front line

In the months since his release, Hervé Ghesquière, a seasoned reporter for the French public TV channel France 3 and a veteran of many wars, has been drawing and sharing the lessons from his abduction and captivity.

Philippines

Accused gunman has ordered broadcaster's widow, two others killed, says radio exec

The former police inspector reportedly wants to stop station manager Alex Josol, Gloria Cuesta and a Department of Justice employee from campaigning for justice for broadcaster Dennis Cuesta's death.

Afghanistan

Journalist's death must lead to better combat rules

The Afghanistan Analysts Network recently released its report on the July 2011 shooting death of journalist Omaid Khpalwak.

Jordan

Publisher, journalist charged in State Security Court

The case is the fifth time in 2012 that peaceful critics have faced charges for speech offenses, a pattern that undermines the credibility of the authorities' reform efforts, Human Rights Watch said.

Iran

Journalist arrested, government decrees new media controls

Narges Mohammadi, whose health is deteriorating, was arrested and has begun to serve her six-year prison sentence.

Bangladesh

Editor receives threat

Golam Sarwar was threatened after reporting on negotiations between the government and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party over the case of a missing politician.

Azerbaijan

Journalist says he was tortured in prison

Zaur Guliyev, who was arrested after the Quba riots and has been held in pre-trial detention for more than a month, has accused the government of torture and psychological intimidation.

Armenia

Author facing jail for army criticism in fiction

Hovhannes Ishkhanyan could be sentenced to up to two years in jail for his short stories about hazing rituals and abuse in the army.

Brazil

Abraji urges investigation into killing of journalist in Maranhão

Journalist Décio Sá had worked for the newspaper "O Estado do Maranhão", owned by the family of José Sarney, president of the Federal Senate, and ran a blog about politics.

United Arab Emirates

Reform activist arrested following publication of critical article

Sheikh Sultan Bin Kayed Al Qassimi was arrested following the publication of an article where he defended the "UAE 7", the seven citizens who had their citizenships revoked by the authorities following their call for reform.

China

Journalist removed for voicing food safety fears

Zhao Pu, a host of CCTV's news bulletin program, was suspended from his position after forwarding a message using his Weibo microblog account which advised parents not to feed their children unsafe food products.

Saudi Arabia

Egyptian lawyer sentenced to one year imprisonment, 20 lashes for criticising King

Upon his arrival in the Kingdom, Ahmed Algizawy found out that he had been sentenced in absentia for his criticism of the Saudi government, and for filing a case with the Egyptian judiciary against the Saudi King demanding the release of Egyptians illegally detained in Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait

Authorities urged to reconsider death penalty amendment

The National Assembly voted in favour of a legal amendment which could make insulting God and the Prophet Mohammed punishable by death.

Colombia

Journalists flee homes after receiving threats

Dionisia Morales, a radio host with Briceno, received death threats via text messages and telephone calls, she told CPJ. The caller identified himself as a member of the Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia, one of a handful of drug-trafficking gangs operating in the country.

Honduras

TV show host shot dead

According to reports by Maya TV, journalist Noel Valladares had received death threats and had been subjected to attempted extortion.

Colombia

Journalist flees after FARC threats

The La Voz de la Tierra station director said that the threats against Jesús Antonio Pareja may have been linked to a recent report on land restitution.

Somalia

IFJ condemns arbitrary arrests of journalists

IFJ condemned the detention of two broadcast journalists and persistent acts of intimidation of media professionals in northern Somalia.

Honduras

Radio journalist assaulted, gets death threat from Liberal Party leaders

Radio Globo journalist Rony Espinoza reported that he was attacked and threatened with death by Liberal Party leaders accompanying Monsignor Luis Alfonso Santos to a political event.

Bahrain

Protester killed, activists arrested as F1 wraps up

The regime has escalated its crackdown during the events of the Grand Prix, resulting in the death of Salah Abbas Habib, who was arrested by riot police only to be found dead the next day with visible signs of torture.

Papua New Guinea

Journalist assaulted by police

NBC journalist Mark Kayok was stepped in to stop a fight and when he identified himself as a journalist to police, they turned on him too.

Lebanon

Two activists arrested for graffiti art

Well-known activists Khodor Salameh and Ali Fakhri are being held at Damascus Road Station for expressing their support for the Arab revolutions through street art.

Uganda

Television journalist survives mob attack

Bukedde Television reporter Rebecca Nakame was attacked on the orders of a special police constable.

Pakistan

Court says website blocking violates constitution

The result of the high court order should be that the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority will not be able to block a site without first informing the site administrator of its intention, and giving them the opportunity to be heard.

Pakistan

Journalist tortured, killed in Karachi

Murtaza Razvi, senior editor and head of magazines at Dawn Media Group, was found dead in a friend's apartment; his body bore torture marks and his hands were tied.

United States

Colorado repeals criminal libel law

“Originally intended to protect the monarchy or aristocracy from criticism or insults, criminal defamation laws today serve all too often to obstruct scrutiny of the actions of those holding power and to deprive the people of the information they need to make decisions that will affect their lives for years to come,” said IPI.

Israel / Palestine

Palestinian journalist sentenced to four months' imprisonment

Following Palestinian Prisoners’ Day on 17 April, RSF wishes to draw attention to the fate of Palestinian journalists who have been arrested and held in custody by the Israeli authorities.

Kazakhstan

Journalist seriously injured in assassination attempt

Lukpan Akhmedyarov is known for his criticism of the authorities and prior to the attack had received several warnings from the public prosecutor's office and reported being followed.

India

IFJ welcomes quashing of sedition charges in Gujarat state

In 2008, a police commissioner had filed the criminal complaint against Bharat Desai and Prashant Dayal, journalists with the city edition of the Times of India.

India

Media freedom threatened by violence, censorship and curbs on access to information

In the past few weeks, journalists and netizens have been physically attacked, prevented from covering military activity and arrested for disseminating information online.

Iran

Mounting concerns for translator Mohammad Soleimani Nia

The literary translator has been held without charge since 10 January 2012, and is said to be in a fragile condition after having started a hunger strike on 2 April.

Peru

Journalist kidnapped, threatened by rural self-defense group

Journalist Éler Alcántara Rojas was held by a group of ‘ronderos’ who humiliated and threatened to hurt him if he did not change his reports to favor their struggle against the Conga mining project.

Liberia

Reporter attacked, threatened by legislator and staff

Scott said the legislator threatened to beat him up when spotted in the streets of Monrovia, and to use his power to ensure he is dismissed from Love FM Radio.

Suriname

Human Rights Watch calls on national assembly to revoke amnesty legislation

The National Assembly of Suriname amended an existing amnesty law to give immunity to those who were on trial for the alleged abduction and murder of 15 prominent political opponents, including journalists, lawyers, and a trade union leader, in December 1982.

Palau

Journalist jobs, media freedoms face the axe under new bill

Any proposed legislation which takes jobs away from Palau's citizens, and impacts on the independent flow of news and information to the public, raises the question of the agenda behind the changes, says PFF.

Belarus

Journalist and political activist Dimitry Bondarenko released

Bondarenko, along with opposition politician Andrei Sannikov, was freed earlier this week, more than a year ahead of his scheduled release date.

Syria

Four citizen journalists killed despite ceasefire

Every day the violence in the country causes dozens of deaths and takes a heavy toll among journalists and citizen journalists, and information is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, says RSF.

Malaysia

Press still shackled despite amendments to law

The amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 only abolished some of the heavy-handed provisions that placed too much power in the executive's hands, which should never have been allowed in the first place, CIJ argues.

Peru

Prosecutor killed while investigating journalist's murder

Although the police have not been able to link prosecutor Sánchez Colona’s murder to that of journalist Flores Silva, the deputy prosecutor of Casma, said that the investigation into Flores Silva’s murder was Sánchez Colona’s main case. The police were due to complete their report this week.

Azerbaijan

International NGOs call on president to investigate brutal attack on prominent journalist

The International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan is calling for an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into a brutal attack that left investigative journalist Idrak Abbasov in critical condition in hospital.

Bahrain

Crackdown on rights activists escalates ahead of F1

On 15 April, Sayed Yousif Al Mahafdha from BCHR accompanied by Tom Malinowski and Nadim Houry from Human Rights Watch were attacked and held for a few hours while observing a peaceful protest in Duraz.

Mongolia

Leader of Republican Party interferes with activities of daily newspaper

The night before an interview with the party leader was to be published in the paper, the politician and his representatives exerted pressure on a journalist and seized and bought the paper's edition from some postal offices.

Philippines

On Philippines' canvas of injustice, anything goes

Ten months after Romeo Olea's murder, police authorities who initially said the killing was likely related to his journalism have failed to make any arrests or identify any suspects.

Indonesia

IFJ condemns sacking of journalist by broadcaster

It is believed that the sacking of journalist Luviana followed her and some of her co-workers raising concerns with their employer regarding the company's management.

Hong Kong (China)

IFJ urges Hong Kong police to end discrimination and harassment of media

Journalists have complained of police discrimination in media access to an area allocated for reporting on the commemoration of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

Iran

Regime continues to crack down on press

Reyhaneh Tabatabaie was sentenced to a one-year prison term on April 2 for alleged "propaganda against the state" and "weakening the pillars of the Islamic Republic," for her reporting on the arrest of political prisoners after the 2009 presidential election.

Cuba

Released from Cuba's prisons, exiled journalists languish in Spain

Almost two years after the first crop of journalists arrived in Spain, the four who remain in the country are living under extremely difficult conditions, struggling even to feed themselves.

Germany

Journalists threatened by Salafist group

In a YouTube video released last week, journalists critical of a campaign by the radical Muslim group "The True Religion" are told that if they continue to write about the group and its "brothers and sisters" personal information about them held by the group will be disclosed.

Nepal

Editor and photojournalist receive death threat

Rajendra Adhikari and Bandu Raj Parajuli were threatened by a member of a workers' union after reporting on a transportation syndicate.

Lebanon

Writer, activist survives assassination attempt

The political activist and the coordinator of the "Lebanese Sovereignty Movement" Mustafa Geha came under fire in his car while driving on a highway south of the capital. Four bullets pierced through his car.

Nigeria

Gunmen kill cameraman

IPI calls for thorough investigation.

India

Journalist assaulted after reporting on illegal clearing of forests

Kamal Shukla was attacked late on the evening of April 11 at his office by a local political activist who entered his office and repeatedly hit him with an iron rod, and broke his laptop and computer.

Vietnam

Three journalists handed anti-state charges

Nguyen Van Hai, Phan Thanh Hai, and Ta Phong Tan were charged with anti-government propaganda concerning a total of 421 articles they had posted on their blogs that "denigrated the state".

Guinea-Bissau

Military junta enforces media blackout

On the day of the coup, the coup makers forced all the media houses to close down.

Swaziland

Authorities crush pro-democracy protest

A planned pro-democracy protest was preemptively dispersed on 12 April through arrests and intimidation by police and military forces.

Venezuela

Court rules against regional newspaper

The case is linked to the publishing of photographs deemed detrimental to the rights of children and adolescents.

Iraq

Media freedom increasingly under threat

In recent weeks, journalists have been arrested, assaulted by authorities, and been the target of terrorist attacks by armed groups.

China

Internet crackdown on Bo Xilai rumors continues

Internet officials in China have deleted at least 210,000 online posts and shut down as many as 42 websites since mid-March for allegedly spreading rumors, the state-run news agency Xinhua.

Kenya

Two journalists threatened for their reporting

Both journalists told CPJ that unidentified men had been following them, which had forced them to hide in an undisclosed location.

Malaysia

Security bill threatens basic liberties

The law which would replace the infamous ISA offers some reform but opens the door to a range of future abuses, Human Rights Watch said.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Screenings of documentary on assassinated human rights activist banned

Authorities' ordered a country-wide ban on screenings of "The Chebeya Affair: State Crime?", a documentary film abut the circumstances surrounding the trial of the killers of Floribert Chebeya.

Philippines

Radio blocktimer killed in ambush

Some news reports indicate that Aldio Layao's radio commentaries may have triggered the attack but police have yet to establish the motive.

Uzbekistan

Activist freed but crackdown widening

In 2006, Alisher Karamatov was arrested, tortured in custody and forced to confess to politically-motivated charges, then sentenced to nine years in jail.

Bahamas

Authorities urged to respect press freedom during election season

Whichever party wins the May election should make the Bahamas a forerunner in the Caribbean by decriminalising defamation, IPI noted.

Moldova

Broadcaster's equipment destroyed

On April 8, 2012, unknown perpetrators entered the headquarters of Elita TV in Rezina and deliberately damaged or stole technical equipment.

Uganda

Journalist assaulted by police commander, another roughed up by group of officers

"Attacks on journalists are on the rise; some have since abandoned taking up assignments which involve reporting news stories about opposition politicians," warned HRNJ-Uganda.

Belarus

Serious concern over health of political prisoner

Dzmitry Bandarenka was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for taking part in a peaceful gathering on 19 December 2010; he is being held in Penal Colony No. 15 in the city of Mohylev.

Yemen

Armed men attack journalist in Sana'a

Muhammad al-Maqaleh was assaulted by armed men affiliated with a tribal group while visiting the defense minister, who was unable to stop the assault as he had no authority over the men.

Saudi Arabia

Human rights activist subject to ten-year travel ban

Released and cleared of all charges in February 2012, Sheikh Mukhlif Shammari was informed of this decision while crossing the King Fahd bridge on his way to Bahrain.

Laos

Government orders radio show off the air

"Talk of the News" was the only live-broadcast program that enabled the public to phone in and comment on current news and voice their problems.

Egypt / Bahrain

Human rights defender Nabeel Rajab denied entry into Egypt

The human rights defender had entered Egypt in the last few months without any problems, leading CIHRS to believe that the denial of entry was politically motivated and in collaboration with the Bahraini authorities.

Uganda

Two sports reporters injured by police during football match

"Police failed to act professionally; they acted like farmers with guns. I can't find any kind words for them today,” Nsubuga told HRNJ-Uganda after being discharged from hospital.

Comoros

Minister seizes newspaper supplement, suspends editor

"Any state media journalist who wants the freedom to write or speak has to conform to the government line, or have the intellectual honesty to work elsewhere, for a privately-owned news outlet," the minister said.

Swaziland

e.TV journalists detained

Journalist Tumaole Mohlaoli and cameraperson Meshack Dube were detained at a roadblock outside the capital and had their passports and equipment seized.

Indonesia

Journalist killed in armed attack on plane

Leiron Kogoya was travelling to Mulia to cover local elections in Jayapura when an unidentified armed group opened fire on the plane.

Mexico

Poet and translator murdered in Toluca

Guillermo Fernández García's murderers had bound his feet and hands before killing him with a blow to the head.

Palestine

Detained journalist transferred to hospital

Asmat Abd Al-Khaleq was denied bail and ordered to be held in solitary confinement without any possibility of receiving visits since her arrest on 28 March. She was transferred to a hospital six days after her arrest.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Wave of detentions in West Kasai province

JED denounced the intimidation of journalists by local national intelligence agency officials in Tshimbulu.

Syria

Journalist's home destroyed by tanks, family's passports seized

In a raid on Moussa Al-Omar’s family home in Idleb on 7 April, soldiers seized personal files, computers and the passports of members of his family, before driving tanks into the house and knocking it down.

Tunisia

Police attack journalists covering protest

The crackdown on protesters and journalists marked the worst violence seen in the country since the fall of Ben Ali's regime in January 2011.

Rwanda

President should pardon journalists, says ARTICLE 19

ARTICLE 19 urged the government to urgently revise its legislation, in particular the provisions on criminal defamation and incitement to genocide denial.

United Arab Emirates

Activists arrested, face deportation

Six activists whose citizenship was revoked by the government have been asked to pledge to take on another nationality. They were arrested following their refusal to commit to such a pledge.

Turkey

Publisher Ragip Zarakolu released pending trial

Zarakolu still faces trial on charges that carry a heavy prison sentence, along with scores of other writers and intellectuals who remain imprisoned.

Kuwait

Writer sentenced to seven years' imprisonment

Mohamed al-Melify was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment and a fine of 18 thousand dollars on charges of spreading false news about about sectarian divisions in the country as well as libeling MP Ahmed Lari.

Equatorial Guinea

Press silent on unrest in Mali, Syria

Government censorship extends to coverage of any political unrest abroad.

Greece

Riot police deliberately attack journalists covering street demonstrations

Photographer Marios Lolos was hit on the head by riot police and underwent emergency surgery to his skull as a result.