Articles by ARTICLE 19
Concerns over allocation of broadcasting licences to private electronic media
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – ARTICLE 19 has expressed concern about certain aspects of the recent process of allocating broadcasting licences to private electronic media in the Republic of Macedonia. Among the concerns is an apparent lack of independent decision-making. The Macedonian Law on Broadcasting Activity [Law No 08-1490/1 of 24 April 1997] guarantees the independence of […]
Legislative measures to gag President’s critics even further
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The government of Belarus has proposed new legislation to gag criticism of the President. Among its provisions are an amendment to the Criminal Code making public insult or slander of the President punishable by up to four years’ imprisonment or two years’ hard labour. Even stiffer sentences may be imposed for the […]
Government’s virtual monopoly of mass media allows it to censor information about popular opposition, says ARTICLE 19
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The Zimbabwe government’s virtual monopoly of the mass media has allowed it to censor information about the growing popular opposition. “Media Monopoly and Popular Protest”, a report published today by ARTICLE 19, shows how the authorities deny freedom of expression by hiring and firing editorial staff and issuing directives to the newsrooms […]
News laws to gag critics of President
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – Belarus’s President Alexander Lukashenka is attempting to guarantee his position complete protection from public criticism, in word or deed, by amending a number of laws, including the Law on Press, to impose draconian punishments for insults to his reputation. Malcolm Smart, Deputy Director of ARTICLE 19 said: “This is yet another outrageous […]
Government noose tightens on media
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – “The Noose Tightens”, an ARTICLE 19 update on media freedom in Belarus, details a series of measures introduced in 1998 by the Belarus authorities which strengthen the already restrictive press regime and further undermine media critical of the government. Malcolm Smart, Deputy Director of ARTICLE 19 said: “ARTICLE 19 is particularly concerned […]
1998 sees further steps to control non-state media
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – This year the Belarusian authorities have taken four further incremental steps which tighten the ratchet of official control over non-state media. **For further background to cases, see also IFEX alerts dated 27 May, 9 April and 2 February 1998, among others** * BAN ON PROVIDING OFFICIAL INFORMATION: In March an internal government […]
ARTICLE 19 protests harassment of independent press
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is the full text of a letter dated 19 May 1998, from ARTICLE 19 to His Excellency Colonel (Retd.) Yahya Jammeh, President of the Second Republic of The Gambia: ARTICLE 19 is writing to express our deep concern about continued harassment of the independent press by the Gambian authorities. We […]
U.K. chance for ethical stance at G8
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – ARTICLE 19 released the following statement of 14 April 1998: ARTICLE 19, the International Centre Against Censorship, today called on the UK government to show consistency and resolve in its ethical foreign policy by co-ordinating international action against the Nigerian military regime, beginning with the G8 summit this week. Malcolm Smart, Deputy […]