“El Tiempo” correspondent forced to flee because of death threats
(IPYS/IFEX) – Carlos Pulgarín, a correspondent with “El Tiempo” newspaper in the city of Montería, department of Cordoba, was forced to leave the region because of death threats he received in late June 1999. He was threatened after reporting on the armed confrontation between the Colombian Army, the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias […]
IPI condemns recent arrest and guilty verdict
(IPI/IFEX) – IPI is strongly condemning the recent arrest of the editor of the moderate national daily “Emrooz”, and the Sunday 25 July 1999 guilty verdict against the publisher and editor-in-chief of the leading pro-reform newspaper “Salam”. **Updates IFEX alerts of 26 July, 15 July and 8 July 1999** Kazem Shokri, editor of “Emrooz”, was […]
Reformist publisher found guilty by court
(RSF/IFEX) – In a 26 July 1999 letter sent to the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, RSF expressed its concern that the Special Court of Clergy has found “Salam” newspaper director Mohammad Khoeinia guilty of publishing classified information, libel and defamation of character. His sentence will be announced in a few […]
A third journalist arrested
(RSF/IFEX) – In a 22 July 1999 letter sent to the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, RSF protested the arrest of an editor of the moderate daily “Sobh Emrooz”. RSF stated that “taking into account that detention before a trial is out of proportion for a press offence, (it) requested that […]
Editor charged
(NDIMA/IFEX) – In a Nairobi court on 22 July 1999, the editor-in-chief of the “Concord Weekly” denied charges of publishing a newspaper without executing a bond. Matiko Bohoko, arraigned before Kibera Resident Magistrate Stephen Githinji, was, however, released on a Sh80,000 (approx. US$1,085) bond with a surety of the same amount. The court heard that […]
Journalist arrested
(RSF/IFEX) – In a 26 July 1999 letter to King Abdallah II of Jordan, RSF protested the 25 July arrest of Senan Shadeq, a journalist with the evening newspaper “Al-Masaya” and a corresponding editor for the Emirates daily “Al-Ittihad”. RSF stated that “detention before a trial is out of proportion for a press offence” and […]
Newspaper suspended
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Gambian Justice Minister Fatou Bensouda, RSF has expressed its concern about the suspension of the private bi-weekly “The Independent”. RSF urged the minister to “clarify this decision.” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard added: “We do hope that the newspaper will be authorised to resume publication as soon as possible.” According […]
CPJ condemns vicious assaults on journalist
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is greatly alarmed by the 28 June 1999 assault on journalist Alexei Lazarov in Sofia. **Updates IFEX alerts of 29 June 1999 and 11 May 1998** Lazarov, a media reporter for the popular independent weekly “Kapital”, was attacked outside his home at approximately 1 a.m. (local time) by three unidentified assailants armed […]
Regime continues to squeeze “dissident” media
(RSF/IFEX) – In a 23 July press release, RSF protested the multiplication of attacks against press freedom during recent opposition demonstrations in Minsk. The organisation stated that these measures “illustrate the authorities’ desire to control opposition media” and demanded that “Belarussian journalists be permitted to work freely.” **Updates IFEX alert of 22 July, 15 July, […]
Fiji Islands government minister considers appeal by Fiji TV
(PINA/IFEX) – On 23 July 1999, Fiji Television chief executive Ken Clark resumed work while an appeal against the rejection of his work permit was decided. Fiji TV lawyer John Howard said that the Home Affairs Ministry issued an extension. This followed legal action in the High Court against termination of Clark’s permit, “The Fiji […]
Journalist still detained despite paying bail
(IFJ/IFEX) – IFJ is deeply concerned about the continued detention of Tesfa Tegegne. **Updates IFEX alerts of 21 October 1998 and 13 November 1997** According to IFJ’s information, Tegegne has been granted bail in accordance with Ethiopian criminal procedure. This bail has been paid and Tegegne should no longer be in prison. However, IFJ understands […]
Journalist receives suspended sentence in Pucallpa
(IPYS/IFEX) – Journalist Manuel Jesús Silva Ruiz received a three year suspended sentence (the maximum penalty for such cases according to the criminal code), and was ordered to pay 20,000 soles (approximately US$6,055) in civil damages to the wronged party. Silva Ruiz is the director of the “Variedades” talk show, broadcast on Radio Súper AM-FM […]
Two journalists arrested
(RSF/IFEX) – In two letters addressed to Justice Minister Laurent Esso and Minister of Territorial Administration Samson Ename, RSF has protested the arrest of two journalists in Yaoundé. RSF asked for the release of Christophe Bobiokono, of the bi-weekly newspaper “Mutations”, and Anselme Mballa, of the newspaper “Le Serment”. Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general, explained […]
Former House speaker withdraws suit against “The News”
(IJC/IFEX) – On 22 July 1999, Alhaji Salisu Buhari, withdrew the N500 million (US$5 million) libel suit filed against the publisher of “The News” magazine, Independent Network Communications Limited (ICNL). Until 21 July, Buhari was the speaker of the Nigeria Lower House of Assembly (House of Representatives). **Updates IFEX alert of 22 July 1999** Buhari […]
Government bans newspaper
(MISA/IFEX) – The government of Tanzania has banned the daily Kiswahili-language newspaper “Majira” from being published, printed and circulated in Tanzania for seven days, effective 22 July 1999 at 5 p.m. (local time). The move followed a story carried in the newspaper’s 22 July edition which reported on proposed hefty pay packages for ministers and […]
Journalist arrested, tortured, released
(IJC/IFEX) – On 21 July 1999, Toyin Coker, a journalist in the news and current affairs department of African Independent Televison (AIT), was arrested by the police in Shagamu, Ogun state. Shagamu, a town in Nigeria’s south-west region, has been in a crisis over the past weeks because of a clash between Yoruba indigenous people […]