Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

(CPJ/IFEX) – On 20 July 1998, the N’djamena Magistrate Court sentenced managing editor Singa Gali Koumbo and reporter Polycarpe Togomissi, of the independent bi-monthly newspaper “L’Observateur,” to a two-year suspended jail sentence and a fine of 1 million CFA (US$1,700.00) each. The journalists have 10 days to appeal the sentences. **Updates IFEX alert of 4 […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – According to CPJ, on 18 July 1998, Assamese editor Ajit Kumar Bhuyan was assaulted by armed men. Bhuyan was threatened, his residence ransacked, and his family terrorized by the incident, which is the latest in a series of arrests and threats made against Bhuyan in recent years. Bhuyan, the editor of the Assamese-language […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – On 18 July 1998, a statement by Atta David, press Secretary to General Abubakar, was released in Abuja ordering the immediate release of “TheNews” editor Kunle Ajibade, “Tell” assistant editor George Mbah, and “Weekend Classique” (now defunct) editor Ben Charles Obi. **Updates various IFEX alerts – see text** Background Information Ben Charles Obi, […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is greatly alarmed by the decision of the Sirdariya (spelled “Syrdarya” in IFEX alert of 29 June 1998) Regional Court to sentence Shadi Mardiev, a 62-year-old reporter with the state-run Samarkand radio station, to an 11-year prison term for defamation and extortion. **This alert contains information further to IFEX alert of 29 […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – On 14 July 1998, Foday Fofana and Alusine Fofanah, journalists with the “Star” newspaper, were summoned to the magistrate’s court in Freetown and appeared before Magistrate Patrick Hamilton where they were charged with publishing defamatory, libelous, and false reports likely to disturb the public. On 15 July 1998, Umaru David and David Konteh, […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – On 15 July 1998, Adetokunbo Fakeye, defense correspondent of “PM News”, and Rafiu Salau, administrative manager of TheNews/TEMPO/PM News Group, were released from detention. Fakeye and Salau, who were arrested on 4 November 1997, and 18 November 1997, respectively, had been detained at the Directorate of Military Intelligence in Apapa, Lagos. **Updates IFEX […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – According to CPJ, Johan Jaafar, the group editor-in-chief of Malaysia’s most influential publishing company has resigned under political pressure from the ruling party. Jaafar, who oversees the leading Malay-language daily newspaper “Utusan Malaysia”, was pressured to resign his post by the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the party headed by Prime Minister […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – In the last several months, CPJ has received a series of complaints, ranging from physical attacks to detention, from journalists working in the states of Chiapas and Guerrero, where insurgent groups are active. Following is an account of recent incidents: On 5 June 1998, photographer Pascual Gorriz of the Associated Press (AP) was […]