Journalist Nyenati Allison targeted; widespread looting targets media outlets; local coverage of conflict nonexistent
Liberian journalist Nyenati Allison, correspondent for the Associated Press (AP) news agency and the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) “Focus on Africa”, was targeted by both sides of the recent factional fighting in the Liberian capital, Monrovia. On 7 April 1996, one day after fighting erupted, Allison was chased into hiding by a group of fighters […]
Draft legislation could punish reporting of “false information”; call for powers to ban reporters who report on classified information
Draft legislation currently being debated by Namibian law makers could outlaw the deliberate or unintentional publication of “false information” on Parliament and its proceedings. The Privileges and Immunities of Parliament Bill, which has been passed by the National Assembly and is now being debated by the National Council, would also make it an offence for […]
Government suspends broadcasting licences of two radio stations; reporting of military news to be censored by government
On 9 April 1996, the Sri Lankan government temporarily withdrew the news broadcasting licence issued to two private radio stations following the broadcast of an incorrect news report by one of the stations. “Sirasa-FM”, the Sinhala-language station of the Colombo-based Maharaja Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Network, announced in one of its news bulletins that the government […]
Daily “Evrensel” ordered shut down for ten days
**For background to previous closures of “Evrensel”, see IFEX alert dated 10 April 1996** On 18 April 1996, Istanbul State Security Court ordered the leftist daily “Evrensel” closed for ten days for publishing the statement of a terrorist organization, a violation of Article 7 of the Anti-Terror Law. The charge stems from an article published […]
Legislation invoked to prevent Chilean media from reporting on judicial investigation of murdered senator
On 16 April 1996, the minister of the Santiago Court of Appeal, judge Alfredo Pfeiffer, issued a prohibition order preventing coverage by the Chilean media of a judicial investigation of the 1991 murder of senator Jaime Guzman Errazuriz. Pfeiffer invoked Article 25 of Law 16.643, regarding the “abuse of publicity” (“Ley sobre Abusos de Publicidad”), […]
Journalist Chikeluba Kenechuku deported to Senegal
On 16 April 1996, Chikeluba Kenechuku, a journalist for the “Daily Observer” newspaper, was instructed by authorities to report to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) office, where some of his previously seized documents and personal effects were returned to him. Kenechuku was then driven by NIA agents to Immigration Headquarters in Banjul and handed over […]
Editors Chen Yanbin and Zhang Yafei enter their sixth year of imprisonment
**For background to cases, see IFEX alert dated 24 May 1995** Chen Yanbin and Zhang Yafei, editors of the underground magazine “Tielu” (“Iron Currents”), have entered their sixth year of imprisonment. In 1990, both were charged with incitement and making counter-revolutionary propaganda. Recommended Action Send appeals to authorities: expressing concern that Chen Yanbin and Zhang […]
Journalist Juan Jose Yantuche dies as a result of his injuries
On 11 April 1996, Juan Jose Yantuche, a reporter with the television program TV Noticias, died as a result of his injuries. Two weeks ago, the wounded body of Yantuche was found in his car at the end of a ravine in Zone 1 of the city of Mixco; he had been in a coma […]
Harassment of community radio station
On the night of 5 April 1996, one of the loudspeakers of “La Radio Contigo” was shot at by unknown individuals. The station is based in San Miguel Xaltepec, Puebla, just east of Mexico City. Two weeks ago, “La Radio Contigo” conducted a live interview for two hours with two of the four candidates for […]
Ruling to be handed down by court in regard to fired journalists from “Barricada”
**Updates IFEX alert dated 10 November 1994; for background, see IFEX press release dated 19 September 1994** According to the sixteen journalists from the daily “Barricada” who were dismissed in late 1994, a decision is to be handed down soon by a Labour Court judge in regard to their dismissal. They are hoping that the […]
“Koha” newspaper allowed to resume publishing
**Updates IFEX alert dated 11 April 1996** On 10 April 1996, the Prosecutor General’s Office allowed the Albanian-language weekly “Koha” to resume publishing. Furthermore, the Office reportedly told the manager of the printing press that he could proceed once again with printing “Koha” without submitting their material for approval beforehand. Recommended Action Send appeals to […]
Additional prison sentences imposed on journalists Win Tin and Myo Myint Nyein
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 10 January 1996 and 10 July 1995** On 28 March 1996, Win Tin, the former editor of the “Hanthawati” newspaper, and Myo Myint Nyein, editor-in-chief of the cultural magazine “What’s Happening”, were given additional sentences of five and seven years respectively. They were found guilty of smuggling letters to Professor Yozo […]
Kashmiri editor found dead three weeks after abduction
On 10 April 1996, the body of Kashmiri newspaper editor Ghulam Rasool Sheikh was found in the state’s Jhelum river. Sheikh had been missing since late March, when family members said that he was kidnapped by an Indian-backed militia. Local police, on the other hand, contend that he was abducted and slain by separatist guerrillas. […]
Court files of Jesus Alfonso Castiglione Mendoza requested by key legal authorities; cases of two individuals originally convicted with Castiglione to be tried again
**Updates IFEX alerts of 12 March, 22 February 1996; 22 November, 15 August 1995; 13 October, 25 May 1994, and others** In a recent interview broadcast on the radio program “Programas del Peru”, Dr. Carlos Rivera, a lawyer for the Institute for Legal Defence (Instituto de Defensa Legal, IDL), stated that the file (the court […]
United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) concludes that contempt charges against “The Post” editors violate International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
Source: Inter Press Service (IPS) **Updates IFEX alerts dated 1 April, 27, 25, 20 March, 23 February, and others** Wrapping up its hearing on the upholding of and respect for human rights in Zambia, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) says that “Zambia’s human rights record has not improved.” The UNHRC, which convened in […]
Journalist Professor Malema under investigation
Professor (sic) Malema, a journalist for the privately-owned newspaper “Botswana Guardian”, is currently under investigation by the Office of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), which operates out of the Office of the President. Rodger Batty, Head of Prosecutions for the DCEC, confirmed that he is investigating Malema. He stated that his office […]