Judge dismisses an appeal by lawyers from “The Post” asking that the President of Zambia not be treated differently from other citizens before the law
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 29 and 11 April 1994** The 12 April 1996 edition of “The Post” newspaper reported that Zambia’s Supreme Court Judge, Matthew Ngulube, had thrown out an appeal by lawyers for “The Post” that President Frederick Chiluba should be “treated equally like any other citizen before the law.” On 11 April, Ngulube […]
Daily “El Watan” forced to suspend publication
On 7 My 1996, the independent daily “El Watan” suspended publication following the refusal of a public printing press, the Societe d’impression d’Alger, to print it. While no official reason was given for the printing press’s action, it seems to be linked to the publication of “security-related” information. Previously, on 25 April, “El Watan” did […]
Two “Feral Tribune” journalists face criminal charges; “Panorama” newspaper closed down; “Novi List” ordered to pay fine
According to journalists at the independent weekly “Feral Tribune”, on 3 May 1996, editor-in-chief Viktor Ivancic was taken to police offices and informed that a criminal case had been opened against him and reporter Marinko Culic. The charges cite the 29 April 1996 edition of the “Feral Tribune” issue that contained Culic’s article entitled “Bones […]
Cuban authorities arrest father of Bureau of Independent Press in Cuba founder Yndamiro Restano Diaz
On 2 May 1996, Julio Suarez, in whose home was located the temporary offices of the Bureau of Independent Press in Cuba (BPIC), was arrested and taken in for questioning by Havana police. He was held for approximately ten hours at Villa Marista, the central prison of Cuban State Security, before being released. Suarez was […]
Reporters Alieu Badara Sowe and Bruce Asemota arrested and held incommunicado; police order them to reveal sources
On 6 May 1996, Alieu Badara Sowe, a reporter for the independent newspaper “The Point”, and Bruce Asemota, reporter for the independent “Daily Observer”, were arrested by plainclothes police officers from the criminal investigations unit. The officers later ordered the journalists to disclose their sources for articles that they had written about the National Police, […]
Journalist Jorge Javier Elorriaga sentenced to thirteen years in prison
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 13 February 1996 and 19 July 1995** On 3 May 1996, television producer Jorge Javier Elorriaga (previously reported as “Elorreaga”) was sentenced to thirteen years in prison on charges of terrorism, rebellion and conspiracy. His political rights (“derechos politicos”) were also suspended for four years. The Tuxtla Gutierrez judge, Juan Manuel […]
Update on murder of Nadezdha Chaikova
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 12 and 10 April 1996** According to colleagues of murdered “Obshchaya gazeta” correspondent Nadezhda Chaikova, the office of the Prosecutor General of Russia has not opened an investigation into her death and the local Chechen village prosecutor who originally took up the case is unlikely to go further because of limited […]
Radio station and transmitter torched
The Eternal Love Winning Africa (ELWA) Christian radio station (94.5 FM), located in the Paynesville suburb of Monrovia, was set ablaze on 2 May 1996 and completely destroyed. The incident occurred during a battle between soldiers of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) and Roosevelt Johnson’s United Liberation Movement (ULIMO-J). The station was […]
Journalists Gregor Mayer and Zoltan Nemeth harassed by Bosnian Serb authorities
On 20 April 1996, Austrian journalist Gregor Mayer, who had been sent to Bosnia by the Austrian magazine “Profil”, and his Yugoslav interpreter, Zoltan Nemeth, himself a journalist from “Novi Sad” in Vojvodina, were refused access to the Republika Srpska at the Karakaj border post. Bosnian Serb police sent them back to the Mali Zvornik […]
Journalist Richard Niyongere threatened with arrest
Journalist Richard Niyongere has been accused by the Minister of Defence of being an “agent” for British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and of using his employment at the news agency, Agence burundaise de presse (ABP), as a cover. On 29 April 1996, Niyongere reported on the slaying of eight members of a family in the Bujumbura […]
“The Post” editor-in-chief Fred M’membe to appeal “contempt of parliament” ruling
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 12 April, 27, 25, 20 March, 23 February, and others** Contrary to what Judge Kabazo Chanda ruled on 27 March 1996, the lawyer for “The Post” editor-in-chief Fred M’membe has stated that his client will not appear before Parliament to hear the final ruling in a contempt of parliament charge, which […]
Ownership of independent newspaper “Azg” transferred to pro-government political party
On 22 April 1996, the Ministry of Justice ratified an amendment to the statutory policy of the independent daily “Azg” by transferring ownership of the newspaper to a pro-government splinter group called Mission of the Ramgavar-Azatakan Party (MRAP), which was formed after a split in the ranks of the opposition Ramgavar-Azatakan Party. MRAP was registered […]
Police raid office of Bureau of Independent Press in Cuba
On 26 April 1996, nine police officers raided the office of the Bureau of Independent Press in Cuba (BPIC) and confiscated several items, including files, correspondence, magazines, two typewriters, one computer, a printer, as well as office supplies such as pencils and paper. This action is the latest in a series of government harassment and […]
Widespread looting and arson attacks target media outlets and printing press
On 29 April 1996, the transmitter of the ELCM (97.9 FM) community radio station operated by the Catholic Church and the editorial offices of the independent newspapers “Inquirer” and “New Democrat”, all of which were openly critical of the Liberian Council of State, were completely destroyed in separate arson attacks. As well, the offices of […]
Journalist Jesus Alfonso Castiglione Mendoza begins fourth year in detention
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 12 April and 12 March 1996, 15 August 1995, and others** On 29 April 1996, journalist Jesus Alfonso Castiglione Mendoza began his fourth year in detention. In March 1996, he received the Hellman-Hammett prize from Human Rights Watch. Recommended Action Send appeals to authorities: pointing out that Castiglione’s detention constitutes a […]
South African Broadcasting Corporation bans three songs for alleged “bad taste”
According to the 21 April 1996 edition of “The Sunday Times”, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has banned three songs, claiming that their lyrics were “in bad taste” and would “cause offence.” Sung in the Afrikaans language, the songs are said to have contained swear words which are considered “undesirable” to some members of […]