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 […]
Several journalists beaten and detained while covering demonstration
On 26 April 1996, several journalists were beaten and detained during police dispersal of an unauthorized march in the capital, Minsk, on the 10th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Authorities reportedly set up a police line of OMON (special riot police) officers to stop the demonstrators from proceeding. The reporters were standing with their […]
Concern over “disappearance” of translator Abdelrahman Ali Gaily
The whereabouts and well-being of Sudanese translator Abdelrahman Ali Gaily continue to remain a mystery. In 1982, Gaily was offered a job at the International Centre of Research in Tripoli, Libya, as translator of the “Green Book”, written by Colonel Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi and which is his political and socio-economic theory. In April 1983, Gaily’s wife, […]
Proposals to regulate community radio stations meets with criticism on both sides of issue
Source: Inter Press Service (IPS) The Brazilian government has presented a bill to the Brazilian Congress that would regulate community radio stations. The bill, introduced earlier this month, would limit informal radio transmitters to 10 watts and a range of 400 metres, and would require that broadcasters be officially licensed as well as have their […]
Journalist Olance Nogueras freed
**Updates IFEX alert dated 25 April 1996** On 26 April 1996, journalist Olance Nogueras was released from detention. He was detained by Cuban authorities on 23 April in the city of Cienfuegos when he attempted to meet with Danielle Mitterand, president of the humanitarian organization France Liberte. Appeals To
Journalist Mohamed Nasheed sentenced to two years in prison for sedition and defamation
**For background to previous harassment of Mohamed Nasheed, see IFEX alerts dated 10 March 1995, 8 and 1 December 1994** On 3 April 1996, journalist Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to two years in prison. He was convicted under Law No. 38B of the Penal Code for sedition and defamation of the State for an article […]
Prime Minister says that he will scrap clauses of draft legislation that infringe on press freedom if circumstances are right
**Updates IFEX alert dated 23 April 1996** Namibian Prime Minister Hage Geingob says that he will scrap clauses in a new bill that conflict with constitutional guarantees of press freedom if the bill is referred back to the National Assembly. The bill is currently being debated by the National Council, and if the National Council […]
Turkish journalists Ali Tekin and Telip Ozcelik reportedly sentenced to three years in prison
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 2 February and 25 January 1996** The CPJ has reported that, according to journalists at the Islamic weekly “Selam”, both Ali Tekin and Telip Ozcelik (also reported as Ozdemir), were sentenced to three years imprisonment for illegal entry into Chechnya under Article 83 of the Russian Criminal Code. Recommended Action Send […]
Journalist Olance Nogueras arrested
**For background to previous harassment of Olance Nogueras, see IFEX alert dated 23 January 1996, and others** On 23 April 1996, Olance Nogueras, a reporter for the Bureau of Independent Press in Cuba (BPIC), was detained by agents of the political police in the city of Cienfuegos as he was on his way to meet […]
Distribution of weekly “Al-Destour” banned
The 24 April 1996 issue of the independent weekly “Al-Destour” has been banned from distribution by the Office of Censorship. According to the editor, Ibrahim Eissa, no explanation was given for the ban; however, it would appear that a report mentioning “conflict” between police chiefs in the Interior Ministry was behind the move. One official […]
Financial newspaper threatened with legal action
The independent financial weekly “Bursa”, known for its ground-breaking coverage of the black market and the emerging securities market, has been the target of threatened legal action. On 12 April 1996, the National Securities Commission (CNVM) issued a statement declaring that “trading shares listed or unlisted on the Bucharest Stock Exchange by unauthorized persons through […]
Weekly “Atilim” ordered shut down for one month
**For background to previous harassment of “Atilim”, see IFEX alerts dated 26, 21 and 19 March 1996** On 18 April 1996, a court ordered the leftist weekly “Atilim” closed for one month. A previous one-month closure order expired the same day. The latest order, issued under Article 8 of the Anti-Terror Law, is connected to […]
Three television journalists and staff arrested
On 17 April 1996, “Liberal” television station reporter Marisa Romeo, cameraman Jonias Cardoso and soundman Raimundo Marinho were arrested by police near Eldorado do Carajas, in the northern state of Para. The trio were covering a confrontation between police and landless peasants who were blocking a road. After having been singled out by the police, […]