Articles by Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Recent attacks on journalists
On 14 June 1995 in Katmandu, independent journalist Lekhnath Bhandari was assaulted by members of a procession on its way to the residence of King Birendra to protest against his decision to dissolve the National Assembly. The journalist’s camera was broken and his press card was ripped by individuals in the group. On 19 June, […]
TV station searched; property seized
In Tiraspol, the capital of Transdniestrie, in the middle of the night of 22 June 1995, members of the National Ministry of Security (MNS) searched the offices of the cable television association TV Asket, which is registered with Moldavia’s Ministry of Justice in Kichinev. The MNS confiscated video cassettes, cut the telephone lines, and destroyed […]
“Focus” journalist Natalia Aliakina killed
On the evening of 17 June 1995, Natalia Aliakina, a Russian journalist for the German weekly “Focus”, was killed by a Russian soldier. She had just crossed a Russian army barricade at the entry to the southern city of Boudennovsk. She was with her husband, Gisbert Mrozek, who has worked with “Focus” for two and […]
Proposed strengthening of laws on intelligence information threatens journalists
On 1st June 1995, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Gareth Evans announced that the government would strengthen and expand the Commonwealth Crimes Act of Australia in order to condemn journalists who publish sensitive information on national security, defence or intelligence activities. This followed allegations made by former agents of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) on […]
Three “Ziua” journalists charged with libel
Legal action has been taken against three journalists from the daily newspaper “Ziua”. Eugen Vasiliu of the Public Prosecutor’s office opened an inquiry into the case on 8 June 1995. The newspaper’s director, Sorin Rosca Stanescu, editor-in-chief Adrian Patrusca, and journalist Tana Ardeleanu (f) have been charged with “libel against authority.” They could face sentences […]
Zahid Qureshi, editor and publisher of the daily “Parcham,” and printer Mohammed Ali arrested
On 1st June 1995, the chief editor and publisher of the daily “Parcham”, Zahid Qureshi, was arrested by the Karachi police. The printer of the newspaper, Mohammed Ali, was also arrested. Both of them are still detained. The newspaper had reportedly published a “hit list” based on a fax sent to the staff by an […]
Proposed law threatens press freedom and access to information
The Moldavian Parliament voted last week to adopt a bill on public meetings. If ratified by Parliament in a second round (ratification is highly likely), the law would severely restrict journalists’ access to information. Article 10 of the proposed law, which prohibits “the access and participation of all foreigners in public meetings,” would severely restrict […]
Three radio journalists banned from broadcasting
Three broadcasters from Iasi, the state radio station of the National Radio Broadcasting Corporation of Romania, have been banned from going on air as of 12 June 1995. On 1st June, the three journalists had advised Iasi listeners to tune into Romanian independent stations and foreign stations after their 21:00 news bulletin was cancelled. The […]