Articles by Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Attempt made on the life of journalist Manuel Vicente Pena Gomez
On 20 October 1996, Manuel Vicente Pena Gomez, a journalist for the popular daily “La Prensa de Bogota”, was the target of several gunmen. Pena was driving in his car when another automobile pulled up and opened fire with automatic weapons. Since he was driving an armoured car, however, Pena did not sustain any injuries. […]
RSF appeals to French President Jacques Chirac over changes to broadcasting system in Lebanon
During his tour of the Middle East, RSF has written to French President Jacques Chirac in order to draw his attention to the organisation’s concerns over the recent reorganisation of the broadcasting system in Lebanon. **Updates IFEX alert dated 19 September 1996** While RSF understands the Lebanese government’s wish to reorganise the broadcasting sector and […]
Journalist Norvey Diaz killed
On 18 October 1996, Norvey Diaz, director of the program “Rondando por los barrios” on Radio Colina, was killed in Girardot, a resort town 135 km from Bogota. Diaz had left home to attend a meeting. He was last seen alive in a street in the company of a young woman. His body was found […]
Trial begins of police officers accused of the murder of journalist Metin Goktepe
The trial of forty-eight police officers accused of the murder of journalist Metin Goktepe in Istanbul on 8 January 1996 began on 18 October in Aydin. However, the delegation from Reporters sans frontieres (RSF) present at the trial has serious concerns regarding the conditions in which the hearings will take place. **Updates IFEX alerts dated […]
Members of government threaten radio journalist
On 9 October 1996, Jose Rodriguez Santy, director of the privately-owned radio station Pigiguitty, held a press conference to inform the public about threats made by members of government against Ladislau Stanislau Robalo, a daily newscaster. According to the two journalists, members of Prime Minister Saturnino Da Costa’s cabinet summoned Joaquim Robalo, Ladislau Stanislau Robalo’s […]
Authorities pressure Radio Contact journalist Oana Bratu
On 3 October 1996 at approximately 22:00 hours, Romanian police searched the home of Radio Contact journalist Oana Bratu. She was not home at the time, and police arrested two individuals who were in the apartment. They were released shortly thereafter. It is thought that authorities are pressuring Bratu because of her involvement in bringing […]
Report on reforms to legal procedures causes concern for press freedom
RSF is concerned at some of the conclusions of a report on reforms to legal procedures in France which it feels are a profound threat to press freedom. The report, made public on 2 October 1996 by Minister of Justice Jacques Toubon, proposes changes to legal procedures for preventive detention, the presumption of innocence and […]
Bill introduced in Parliament could limit the stay in Mexico of foreign correspondents
On 30 September 1996, the Mexican government introduced a bill in Parliament that would limit to five years the stay of foreign correspondents in the country. The aim of the bill is to reform the current General Law on Population. According to the bill, the correspondents would be given a one year visa, “renewable up […]