Recent attacks on journalists
On 14 June 1995 in Katmandu, independent journalist Lekhnath Bhandari was assaulted by members of a procession on its way to the residence of King Birendra to protest against his decision to dissolve the National Assembly. The journalist’s camera was broken and his press card was ripped by individuals in the group. On 19 June, […]
Security chief says it is a journalist’s “patriotic duty” to provide information to national intelligence agency
It is the “patriotic duty” of everyone — journalists included — to “share” information with the Namibian Security Intelligence Agency (NSIA), the President’s Special Advisor on National Security, Peter Tshirumbu, has told media workers. Tshirumbu on 21 June 1995 gave what newspapers say was his first press conference since Namibian independence in 1990 to respond […]
IFJ warns European Union of media backlash over race “sanctions” against journalists
The IFJ on 23 June 1995 warned European Union leaders meeting next week in Cannes that regulation of ethics in journalism should be left to journalists alone. A report on racism and xenophobia going to the Cannes EU Summit suggests that “certain effective sanctions mechanisms” should be considered if media breach ethical guidelines concerning reporting […]
Threat of press censorship; newspaper group’s building halted
The government of Sri Lanka appears to be introducing restrictions on reporting on the question of the so-called “ethnic problem” in their country. The Minister of Information reportedly announced a few weeks ago that press censorship may have to be introduced if newspapers publish material that is “ethnically oriented.” The International Federation of Newspaper Publishers […]
TV station searched; property seized
In Tiraspol, the capital of Transdniestrie, in the middle of the night of 22 June 1995, members of the National Ministry of Security (MNS) searched the offices of the cable television association TV Asket, which is registered with Moldavia’s Ministry of Justice in Kichinev. The MNS confiscated video cassettes, cut the telephone lines, and destroyed […]
Two journalists charged under colonial legislation
**Updates IFEX CH alert dated 20 June 1995** Two senior journalists, detained on 19 June 1995 in connection with a story alleging that Zambian President Frederick Chiluba had a Zairean mistress, were released on police bail following a court appearance on 20 June. Fred M’membe, Managing Director of “The Post” newspaper, and the paper’s Editor-in-Chief, […]
Two “El Diario” journalists interrogated; other journalists summonsed
On 8 June Vladimir Gessen and Enrique Rondon, editors of the daily “El Diario de Caracas”, were interrogated for two hours by members of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DIM), about a news report quoting former 1992 coup leader Hugo Chavez. In the news report, Chavez denounced the existence of an alleged conspiracy to take […]
Academic imprisoned for his research
Professor Park Chang-hee, a professor of history, has been imprisoned on charges which International PEN considers to infringe his right to freedom of expression and association. Professor Park, a professor of history and author of a number of books and theses on Korean history, was arrested on 26 April 1995 on charges under Article 8 […]
Draft press law being debated
**Updates IFEX CH alerts dated 20 February 1995, 9 November 1994** The National Assembly of Cambodia was set to begin considering a draft press law on 19 June 1995. The draft law now omits criminal penalties. However, it still poses serious liabilities for journalists. Among the remaining problems are: – fines for publication of material […]
Journalists detained and bail denied; government to table legislation on regulating media
Two senior Zambian journalists have been detained two days after the country’s President, Frederick Chiluba, said his government would not interfere with press freedom. Managing director of “The Post” newspaper Fred M’membe and the paper’s editor-in-chief, Masautso Phiri, were arrested on 19 June 1995 in connection with a story the Zambian bi-weekly published stating that […]
“Focus” journalist Natalia Aliakina killed
On the evening of 17 June 1995, Natalia Aliakina, a Russian journalist for the German weekly “Focus”, was killed by a Russian soldier. She had just crossed a Russian army barricade at the entry to the southern city of Boudennovsk. She was with her husband, Gisbert Mrozek, who has worked with “Focus” for two and […]
PEN protests enforced separation of professor from his wife
On 19 June 1995, International PEN wrote to the Egyptian President to express its shock and profound concern at the case of Dr Nasr Hamad Abu Zaid and its implications for the right to freedom of opinion and ideas in Egypt. On 14 June l995, an Egyptian court ruled that Dr Nasr Abu Zaid, a […]
PEN protests harassment of writers and journalists in Kosovo
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN wrote to President Milosevic of Serbia on 19 June 1995 expressing concern at the continued pattern of harassment and arrest of writers and journalists in Kosovo. Indicative of this pattern of abuse of the rights to freedom of expression are the reports of the arrest and in […]
Religious scholar and poet under arrest
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN on 19 June 1995 requested PEN members to write to the Bahraini authorities about the welfare of detained religious scholar, Shaikh ‘Abd al-Amir Mansur al-Jamri. It is feared that continued imprisonment will worsen his already poor health. Amnesty International reports that on 1 April 1995, security forces […]
Trial date set for “Financial Gazette” newspaper executives
**Updates IFEX alert dated 16 May 1995** The publisher and two editors of the weekly “Financial Gazette” are to stand trial on charges of criminal defamation on 5 July 1995. The charges relate to an article published by the newspaper in which it was alleged that President Robert Mugabe had married his secretary, Grace Marufu, […]
Journalist Necmiye Arslanoglu (f) arrested
Journalist Necmiye Arslanoglu was arrested at the Diyarbakir offices of the “Ozgur Halk” newspaper on 12 April 1995. The British National Union of Journalists has received alarming reports that she, and members of her immediate family who attempted to protest her arrest, have suffered serious mistreatment. ARTICLE 19 published “Political Speech in Turkey: a Legal […]