Articles by Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Dead body of journalist Igor Grouchetsky found
On 10 May 1996, the dead body of freelance journalist Igor Grouchetsky was found on a street near his home in the city of Tcherkassy, southwest of Kiev. He had a severe wound to his head. According to Ukrainian television and the Interfax-Ukraine news agency, Grouchetsky was well-known for his reporting of crime and corruption […]
Journalist Vladimir Sobolevskiy dismissed for alleged misbehaviour during interview
In April 1995, Vladimir Sobolevskiy, a reporter for Kharkov regional television, was dismissed from his position for “a serious lack of judgment displayed during an interview.” The interview in question was with a renowned economist, A. Gougel, who was critical of a draft Constitution currently being debated in Parliament. Sobolevskiy reportedly reproached the economist for […]
Managing director of weekly “Generation” convicted of slander; “Generation” ordered shut down for six months
On 3 May 1996, the Penal Tribunal of Douala sentenced Vianney Ombe Ndzana, managing director of the weekly “Generation”, to five months in prison and CFA 9 million (90,000 French francs) in damages for “insulting and slanderous comments” (“injures et diffamation”). As well, the Tribunal ordered the suspension for six months of “Generation”. The conviction […]
Palestinian journalists prevented from covering forthcoming Israeli elections
Journalists belonging to the Association of Palestinian Broadcasting Journalists have been banned from entering Israel in order to cover the legislative elections on 29 May 1996, even though all those affected by this ruling are already accredited by the Israeli Government Press Office. Moreover, since the closing off of the territories by the Israeli army […]
Managing director of independent weekly “Tribune du peuple” arrested; copies of “Tribune du peuple” seized
On 5 May 1996, Ibrahim Hamidou, managing director of the independent weekly “Tribune du peuple”, was arrested by police and taken to headquarters, where he has reportedly been in detention ever since. Apparently, Hamidou’s arrest followed the publication in the 3 May edition of the “Tribune du peuple” of incriminating documents relating to Colonel Ibrahim […]
Four journalists from “Alinteri” arrested
On 3 May 1996, four journalists–Sabiha Budak, Incigul Basel, Mehtap Kurucay and Filiz Ozturk, all female–from the leftist weekly “Alinteri” were arrested and later detained by Istanbul police. The police arrested the journalists at the home of Budak, assaulting them in the process. Basel was later transferred to the intensive care unit of a nearby […]
Daily “El Watan” forced to suspend publication
On 7 My 1996, the independent daily “El Watan” suspended publication following the refusal of a public printing press, the Societe d’impression d’Alger, to print it. While no official reason was given for the printing press’s action, it seems to be linked to the publication of “security-related” information. Previously, on 25 April, “El Watan” did […]
Cuban authorities arrest father of Bureau of Independent Press in Cuba founder Yndamiro Restano Diaz
On 2 May 1996, Julio Suarez, in whose home was located the temporary offices of the Bureau of Independent Press in Cuba (BPIC), was arrested and taken in for questioning by Havana police. He was held for approximately ten hours at Villa Marista, the central prison of Cuban State Security, before being released. Suarez was […]