Articles by Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Eight Commonwealth countries infringe press freedom, says RSF
(RSF/IFEX) – Eight countries (Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Cameroon, Nigeria, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Zambia), all members of the Commonwealth due to attend the meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland from 24 to 27 October 1997, do not respect the freedom of the press, says RSF. Since the last meeting, held in Auckland in November 1995, ten journalists […]
Grenade attack against office of newspaper
(RSF/IFEX) – Two grenades were thrown by two men on a motorcycle into the compound of the popular “Koh Santepheap” newspaper at around 2 am on 15 October 1997. As the first grenade did not reach the building, the attackers tossed a second grenade over the wall, which then exploded. No one was injured in […]
Two articles of bill pose threat to press freedom
(RSF/IFEX) – Two articles of a bill aimed at reforming the Code of Criminal Procedure which is currently being debated in the Chamber of Deputies pose a threat to press freedom, says RSF. Article 264 obliges journalists to reveal their sources of information to a judge if the latter considers such information “indispensable” to the […]
Journalist Moussa Tchangari sentenced to three months in prison
(RSF/IFEX) – On 7 October 1997, Moussa Tchangari, director of publication for the independent weekly “Alternative”, was convicted of “publishing an administrative document intended for internal use” and sentenced to three months in prison. He was also fined CFA 50,000 (about US$ 100). Tchangari was arrested at his office in Niamey on 3 October 1997 […]
Journalist threatened; wishes to leave Colombia
(RSF/IFEX) – On 6 October 1997, Ricardo Velez, cameraman for the television program “Noticiero 12:30”, which is broadcast on the television station Cadena A, was assaulted by an armed individual who threatened him in the street and ordered him to leave Colombia. Velez has been threatened several times, allegedly by military officials, since August 1996, […]
Ninth hearing in trial of police officers accused of murder of journalist Metin Goktepe takes place; re-enactment of crime planned
(RSF/IFEX) – On 9 October 1997, the ninth hearing in the trial of eleven police officers charged in the murder of journalist Metin Goktepe took place in their presence in the Afyon Court of Assizes, in western Turkey. Three witnesses for the prosecution, Deniz Ozcan, Ali Ekber Palabiyik et Hayati Gungoren, attended the hearing. **Updates […]
New decree limits contact between local and foreign journalists
(RSF/IFEX) – On 6 October 1997, the authorities in Vietnam published a decree which tightens their grip on the media by limiting contacts between local journalists and foreign correspondents. Vietnamese journalists have been barred from providing foreign reporters with information, photographs and articles without the approval of the authorities. Under the new policy, foreign news […]
RSF report also available in French
(RSF/IFEX) – Please note that RSF’s report on the current state of press freedom in Mexico, “Mexico: New dangers amid the democratic transition”, is also available in French. **Further to press release of 3 October 1997**