Journalists attacked by police in the state of Gujarat
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the interior minister of the state of Gujarat, Gordhan Zadaphia, RSF denounced the attack on some twenty journalists by police of Gujarat State in western India. “After accusing the media of exaggerating the extent of the recent wave of inter-community violence in the state of Gujarat, the authorities of […]
CEHURDES condemns ongoing arrests of journalists by security forces
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES is shocked and condemns the continuous actions against, and harassment of, media workers by the administration and security forces during the current “state of emergency” period. Since the declaration of a state of emergency, the security forces have arrested over four dozen journalists nationwide. These actions are totally unacceptable under internationally-accepted press […]
Tensions between India and Pakistan lead to restrictions on communications by both countries
(PPF/IFEX) – On 29 December 2001, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the regulatory body for cable television operators, issued directions to cable television operators to stop the transmission of Indian channels. The PTA said the decision was taken in view of the one-sided, poisonous Indian propaganda by that country’s channels aimed at tarnishing Pakistan’s image. […]
Journalist secretly detained in Karnataka State
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Chief Minister of Karnataka State S.M. Krishna, RSF has asked to be informed of the exact reasons for the detention of a journalist named Sivasubramanian, who has been accused of supporting the bandit Veerappan. RSF fears that the journalist has been mistreated by the police in order to obtain […]
Proposed anti-terrorism law threatens press freedom
(RSF/IFEX) – As the Indian parliament examines the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO), RSF has sent a letter to Federal Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani, in which the organisation expresses its concerns about the bill’s potential consequences for press freedom. “Sentencing a journalist to five years’ imprisonment because he is suspected of not transmitting information […]
CPJ protests Nepali editor’s prosecution
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 28 August 2001 CPJ letter to Indian Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling: August 28, 2001 Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling Home Department Government of Sikkim Tashiling Gangtok 737 103 India Via Facsimile: 91-3592-22851 Dear Chief Minister Chamling: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is alarmed by last week’s arrest […]
Editor arrested
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 21 August 2001, an official from the Sikkim (territory in India’s West Bengal state) police’s Criminal Investigation Section arrested Rajesh Bhattarai in Siliguri, West Bengal. Bhattarai is editor of “Aaja Bholi”, a Nepali language daily published in Siliguri. According to the daily “Kantipur” (published in Nepal), police arrested Bhattarai on the charge […]
Editor and three employees of a weekly severely beaten in Jammu and Kashmir
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter addressed to Home Affairs Minister Lal Krishna Advani, RSF protested the attack on three employees and the editor of weekly “Chattan”, published in Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir, north-western India), by members of the security forces. “This type of violence is unworthy of Indian government representatives,” said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. […]
Journalist’s contempt trial postponed
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 10 August 2001 CPJ press release: INDIA: Vineet Narain contempt trial postponed New York, August 10, 2001 – Yesterday’s scheduled contempt of court case against journalist Vineet Narain has been postponed due to violence in Jammu and Kashmir State, the trial venue. It is not known when the next […]
CPJ deeply concerned for editor’s safety
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is an 8 August 2001 CPJ press release: INDIA: Vineet Narain’s contempt trial starts tomorrow New York, August 8, 2001 – The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned about the safety of journalist Vineet Narain, whose contempt of court trial has been abruptly moved up to August 9. It […]
Editor faces contempt of court charges, fears his life would be in danger were he to appear in Kashmir state
(CPJ/HRW/IFEX) – The following is a joint 6 July 2001 CPJ and HRW letter to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee: July 6, 2001 His Excellency Atal Behari Vajpayee Prime Minister, Republic of India Office of the Prime Minister New Delhi, India 110 011 VIA FACSIMILE: +91-11-301-6857 Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists and Human […]
CPJ requests probe results in BSF attack on journalists
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 17 May 2001 letter to Indian Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani, CPJ expressed its dismay over last week’s brutal attack against journalists in Kashmir by members of India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The organisation is, however, encouraged by the apparently swift and thorough BSF investigation, and hopes that it will yield […]
Troops attack journalists at a civilian funeral in Kashmir
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 10 May 2001 CPJ press release: INDIA: Troops attack journalists at a civilian funeral in Kashmir New York, May 10, 2001 — Seventeen journalists were attacked today by Indian security forces as they attempted to cover a funeral procession in the troubled Kashmir region. The incident occurred in Magam, […]
Thirteen media professionals beaten by paramilitary forces in Kashmir
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the director general of Border Security Forces (BSF, paramilitary forces), Gurbachan Jagat, RSF protested the attack on thirteen photographers, cameramen and journalists by BSF members in Jammu and Kashmir province. The organisation asked that an investigation be conducted to identify and take sanctions against the authors of this attack. […]
ARTICLE 19 comments on Freedom of Information bill
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 12 December 2000 ARTICLE 19 letter to Indian members of parliament. It makes recommendations for bringing the Freedom of Information Bill in line with international standards: Members of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs New Delhi, India 12 December 2000 Dear Committee Member ARTICLE 19, The Global Campaign […]
University bans daily newspaper
(IPI/IFEX) – In a 10 October 2000 letter to the vice chancellor of the University of Calicut, K.K.N. Kurup, IPI condemned the decision of the University of Calicut to effectively ban the daily newspaper “Malayala Manorama” from the university campus. According to the information provided to IPI, on 5 October, the joint registrar in charge […]