International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Vodafone recently admitted that an employee had ‘accessed some text messages and call records’ of Australian investigative journalist Natalie O’Brien in January 2011. Reports have suggested that Vodafone was aware the actions were illegal and that a cover-up may have taken place.

Following his release, Thai journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk said that he and the two politicians who had been detained were forced to sign an agreement not to lead, participate or assist in any anti-coup movement.

Several Iraqi provinces have witnessed the violent deaths of political activists and tribal leaders supportive of Iraq’s nation-wide anti-corruption protests. Undaunted by the killings and the government’s apparent inability or unwillingness to respond to them, protesters have vowed to keep demonstrating until their demands are met.

The secretary of the FNJ district committee sustained injuries and his camera was destroyed when he was attacked by police personnel. In another incident, two journalists were attacked by protestors.

The International Partnership Mission for Indonesia and AJI have called for a thorough investigation into the 1996 murder of Indonesian journalist Udin. Evidence suggests the murder was in retaliation for his reporting into alleged corruption and election rigging.

In a video footage widely shared in media reports on the attack which took place on 8 September, Petra Laszlo, who worked for N1TV, is seen kicking several refugees, including children, as they ran from a police lines during disturbances at Roszke, southern Hungary.

Frederike Geerdink was detained and deported following her coverage of a Kurdish group protesting clashes between the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants and the Turkish military.

Investigative journalist Ivan Ninic was beaten in front of his home as he was locking his car. Ninic is the author of approximately 300 articles and investigative stories – a large number of which were published on the anti-corruption website Pistaljka.

The IFJ joins its affiliates the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the Nepal Press Union (NPU) in expressing concern over the escalating violence against media and journalists amidst the ongoing political unrest in Nepal.

Violent clashes took place in front of the Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, as deputies approved in first reading a bill amending the Ukrainian Constitution to grant greater autonomy to Russian-backed separatists in Eastern Ukraine.

Palestinian journalist Shadi Ahmad Shaker Shaheen was arrested on 1 September when members of the Gaza police force stormed his house. His family said they have had no contact with since his arrest.

IFJ and HKJA express condemnation over the arrest and subsequent trial of Chinese journalist Wang Xiaolu and the continued crack down on press freedom in China.

The IFJ expresses outrage over the deteriorating safety situation for media workers across the Philippines this year and calls on the government to take immediate action to end the culture of impunity and violence against the media community.

Dual Hong Kong-Canadian journalist Anthony Kwan was arrested at Bangkok airport and charged under the Thai Arms Control Act for carrying an illegal weapon, which was a bullet-proof vest.

The IFJ is critical of the Maldivian police for the delay in properly investigating the case and bringing those responsible to justice. Recent action taken by police against Rilwan’s family and colleagues is also concerning.

The two former military officials were arrested over the disappearance of Sri Lankan journalist, Prageeth Eknaligoda. They reportedly confessed to the abduction of Prageeth and handing him over to an army camp on 24 January 2010.