Journalists assaulted while covering demonstrations
(IFJ/IFEX) – Several journalists were assaulted by police during demonstrations in Belgrade protesting the recent dismissals of opposition Mayor Zoran Djindjic and the managers of the television station Studio B (see IFEX alert of 2 October 1997). Bojana Lekic and Branka Stankovic, both with Radio B-92, and Misa Savic, a reporter for the news agency […]
Journalist Gilbert Bablee arrested
(IFJ/IFEX) – Gilbert Bablee, a journalist with “Defi-Plus”, was arrested in late September 1997 by police officers while he was interviewing businessman Virendra Ramdhun in a restaurant. Ramdhun had accused Bablee of being in possession of documents which had disappeared from Ramdhun’s office. Bablee informed the police that he had received copies of the document […]
Journalists Kalafi Moala and Filokalafi ‘Akau’ola sentenced to 30 days in jail
On 20 September 1996, Kalafi Moala, editor of the “Times of Tonga”, deputy editor Filokalafi ‘Akau’ola, as well as member of Parliament (MP) Akilisi Pohiva, were found in contempt of Parliament and sentenced to 30 days in jail, to be served immediately. The decision, handed down by the royal-dominated Legislative Assembly, was in regard to […]
Three journalists with Albanian- language media in Kosovo harassed
On 31 July 1996, Gani Kosumi, a freelance sports journalist and stringer with Albanian Radio and Television, was detained by police for several hours. He was arrested during the break up by police of the Convention of the Kosovo Federation of Football. He was questioned about sporting organisations and journalism by Albanians in Kosovo. Agim […]
Journalist Amiel Nkuliza released
Amiel Nkuliza (not Nkuriza, as previously reported), director of the privately-owned newspaper “Intego” and editor-in chief of the independent newspaper “Le Partisan”, has been released. Although the date of his release could not be specified, it reportedly occurred on 13 August 1996. **Updates IFEX alert dated 9 August 1996** Background Information According to an alert […]
Judge bans media coverage of court case
Following the 9 August 1996 conviction of Cofie Ammuako-Annan, acting editor of the newspaper “The Ghanaian Chronicle”, for contempt of court, the high court judge ruled that no reporting of the proceedings would be allowed, either of the conviction of Ammuako-Annan or of the judgement in a murder trial that the paper had commented on. […]
Radio journalist assassinated
On the afternoon of 11 August 1996, Mohamed Kessab, a journalist with Radio-Coran and contributor to Radio-Mitijida was assassinated by an unidentified group of armed men. The assassination took place on the road from the districts of Banem to Bouzarahin, in the capital, Algiers. Kessab was in the company of two of his brothers, one […]
Journalist Appolos Hakizimana detained; current whereabouts unknown
On 30 July 1996, Appolos Hakizimana, a journalist with the privately-owned newspaper “Intego”, was arrested in Kigali by police and accused of being an “interahamwe” (a term used to designate Hutu accomplices to genocide). He was later taken to an unknown destination by police and has not been seen since. Recommended Action Send appeals to […]
“Al-Tagammu” resumes publication
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 19 and 5 July 1996** The opposition weekly “Al-Tagammu” (previously reported as “Al Tajamoo”) has resumed publication. The newspaper had been shut down since 17 June 1996, when the state-owned 14th October Printing Press refused to print the newspaper. Appeals To
Journalist Slobodan Rackovic detained
On 14 July 1996, freelance journalist Slobodan Rackovic was taken to a police station in Petrovac where he was held for more than three hours. No formal charges were laid against him; rather, the police said that he had been brought in for an “informative talk.” In addition, Rackovic’s house was searched while he was […]
Two Palestinian journalists badly beaten
Source: Palestinian Media Monitoring Centre (an IFJ project), Jerusalem On 19 July 1996, Israeli settlers who clashed with Palestinian villagers in the village of Karyout (a village under Israeli control in the north of the West Bank) attacked two Palestinian cameramen working for foreign television stations. The cameramen were filming the clashes. An Associated Press […]
Journalist Arafat Mudabish assaulted; current whereabouts unknown
On 11 July 1996, Arafat Mudabish, a journalist with the “Althawri” newspaper, was assaulted by guards at the Yemen Parliament. Mudabish was reportedly beaten with gun butts and verbally abused. He was subsequently removed from Parliament, and has not been seen since. Recommended Action Send appeals to authorities: protesting against the assault on and disappearance […]
Hundreds lend support to calls for release of “La Tribune” cartoonist; newspapers hold day-long strike
Source: IFJ Centre, Algiers **Updates IFEX alerts dated 14, 11 and 4 July 1996** On the morning of 15 July 1996, hundreds converged on the Maison de la presse Tahar Djaout in Algiers after a joint appeal launched by journalists (at their annual congress) and publishers. The demonstrators were there to show solidarity with Algerian […]
Authorities place obstacles on printing of “Al Tajamoo”
**For background to other concerns, see IFEX alert dated 11 June 1996** The IFJ is concerned by the obstacles which have been placed on the printing of “Al Tajamoo”. “Al Tajamoo” reportedly first had its distribution blocked directly by the authorities as a result of an article which was to appear about recent clashes between […]
Trial of “Feral Tribune” journalists Viktor Ivancic and Marinko Culic to begin on 14 June
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 8 May 1996; for background to legislation, see IFEX alerts dated 2 April and 14 March 1996** On 14 June 1996, court proceedings will begin in Zagreb against Viktor Ivancic, editor-in-chief of the satirical weekly “Feral Tribune” and Marinko Culic, a journalist with the newspaper. The two are charged with making […]
Concern for journalists and sources in Mukalla and Hadramout
The IFJ is disturbed by reports it has received on the climate for journalists and their sources in Mukalla and Hadramout, Yemen. Following evidence given in court by an alleged rape victim, the Prosecutor’s comment calling all the women in Hadramout prostitutes with bad manners gave rise to public demonstrations which were suppressed by riot […]