Journalist Guillermo Cherasny shot
On the morning of 12 June 1995, journalist Guillermo Cherasny, a producer with Radio Libertad who also contributes to the weekly “El Informador Publico”, was shot twice in the back by unknown assailants on his way to work at the radio station. It is not known whether the attack on Cherasny, who is renowned for […]
Proposed strengthening of laws on intelligence information threatens journalists
On 1st June 1995, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Gareth Evans announced that the government would strengthen and expand the Commonwealth Crimes Act of Australia in order to condemn journalists who publish sensitive information on national security, defence or intelligence activities. This followed allegations made by former agents of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) on […]
State interference at “autonomous” public broadcaster
Staff at the parastatal Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) fear official interference in the corporation’s editorial policy is set to increase following an incident last Thursday 8 June 1995 when a government official entered the NBC newsroom and “ordered” that unedited footage of a presidential press conference be played in full on the evening television news, […]
Series of closures of private radio and television stations
The IFJ/FIEJ Coordinating Centre on 7 June 1995 reported that the Ministry of Transportation and Communication had begun closing down some private radio and television stations as of 17 May 1995. According to the IFJ/FIEJ Coordinating Centre, 45 radio and television stations have already been closed, because they did not obtain a licence to broadcast. […]
Anti-corruption legislation threatens press freedom
**See also IFEX CH press release dated 5 June 1995** The CPJ is deeply concerned about the impact on Colombia’s press freedom by an anti-corruption law passed by the Senate on 30 May 1995. The Anti-corruption statute is worrisome because one of its articles, No. 34, would prevent journalists from reporting on investigations and legal […]
Three “Ziua” journalists charged with libel
Legal action has been taken against three journalists from the daily newspaper “Ziua”. Eugen Vasiliu of the Public Prosecutor’s office opened an inquiry into the case on 8 June 1995. The newspaper’s director, Sorin Rosca Stanescu, editor-in-chief Adrian Patrusca, and journalist Tana Ardeleanu (f) have been charged with “libel against authority.” They could face sentences […]
President’s Office promulgates reforms to Habeas Data laws
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 25 April 1995; 18 August, 26 May, 26, 15 and 13 April 1994** The reforms to the constitutional guarantees regarding “Action of Protection [under the law]” (Accion de Amparo) and Habeas Data were promulgated on 12 June 1995 by the President’s Office and the texts published in the official daily “El […]
Zahid Qureshi, editor and publisher of the daily “Parcham,” and printer Mohammed Ali arrested
On 1st June 1995, the chief editor and publisher of the daily “Parcham”, Zahid Qureshi, was arrested by the Karachi police. The printer of the newspaper, Mohammed Ali, was also arrested. Both of them are still detained. The newspaper had reportedly published a “hit list” based on a fax sent to the staff by an […]
Proposed law threatens press freedom and access to information
The Moldavian Parliament voted last week to adopt a bill on public meetings. If ratified by Parliament in a second round (ratification is highly likely), the law would severely restrict journalists’ access to information. Article 10 of the proposed law, which prohibits “the access and participation of all foreigners in public meetings,” would severely restrict […]
Three radio journalists banned from broadcasting
Three broadcasters from Iasi, the state radio station of the National Radio Broadcasting Corporation of Romania, have been banned from going on air as of 12 June 1995. On 1st June, the three journalists had advised Iasi listeners to tune into Romanian independent stations and foreign stations after their 21:00 news bulletin was cancelled. The […]
News director taken into custody
Sanh Ekin, the news director of “Yeni Politika”, was reportedly taken into custody in Istanbul on 2 June 1995. ARTICLE 19 is troubled by the pattern of harassment of independent journalists which has long undermined Turkey’s formal commitment to the observance of international human rights standards. Recommended Action Send appeals to Turkish authorities: asking to […]
Editor Billy Knock interrogated
Billy Knock, editor-in-chief of the satirical weekly “Le Kpakpa Desenchante” was interrogated on 2 June 1995 by police with the Research and Investigation Service. At 6:30 a.m., five police arrived at his house and constrained him after a brief altercation, and using their weapons to threaten him they took him to the police station. It […]
Journalist Zafaryab Ahmed detained
Zafaryab Ahmed, a journalist known for his reporting about the social problems of bonded labour in Pakistan, was arrested and detained on 5 June 1995. It is apparently as a direct result of his work on this important social issue that he has been accused of acting in a way that is “detrimental” to the […]
Two writers detained; fears for their health
Amnesty International reports on the arrests of Ahamed Shafeeq, a civil servant and writer, and Ali Moosa Didi, a writer and politician in the Maldives. There are serious concerns about their health. On 21 April 1995, about a dozen police officers raided Ahamad Shafeeq’s home and arrested both him and Ali Moosa Didi. Also seized […]
Editor Ndzana Seme imprisoned after attack on newspaper’s offices
At 16:00 on 6 June 1995 police interrogated Ndzana Seme, editor- in-chief of the paper “Le Nouvel Independent”, without reason or an arrest warrant. At about 6:30 that morning they made a first attempt to arrest him. After forcing open the door of the home of Ndzana Seme, which is also the head office of […]
Four senior members of two newspapers charged
Four senior members of Swaziland’s two daily newspapers, “Times of Swaziland” Director Paul Loffler and Editor Mashumi Twala, and “Swazi Observer” Managing Director Jeremiah Gule and Managing Editor Cyril Dhlamini, have been released on bail of R1000 each after being charged with contravening the Books and Newspapers Act for publishing and printing their respective newspapers […]