Articles by World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers
Appeal to World Bank to aid independent media
(WAN/IFEX) – The World Bank, failing to sufficiently consider the “watchdog” role of the media in ensuring that financial aid programmes are properly managed, should make independent media an “investment priority” in nations where its programmes are carried out, WAN said at a World Bank meeting. Speaking at the presentation of the World Bank’s new […]
WAN asks Vietnam to allow exiled journalist to return
(WAN/IFEX) – The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) has urged Vietnam to allow journalist Doan Viet Hoat to return to his country, saying his release from prison into exile “does not solve the underlying problem of freedom of expression in Vietnam.” **For background to case, see IFEX alerts of 2 September, 28 August, 2 July, […]
Newspapers in Belarus get advice on becoming more independent
(WAN/IFEX) – Belarussian newspapers will get advice from veterans about how to do business in authoritarian regimes at a workshop co-sponsored by the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). The session, set for 2 to 4 October 1998 in Minsk, will concentrate on setting up alternative distribution systems and organizing a publishers association for regional newspapers. […]
Campaign intensifies for Chinese journalist release; Gao Yu to mark five years behind bars
(WAN/IFEX) – The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) on 21 September 1998 intensified its campaign for the release of jailed Chinese journalist Gao Yu, who will mark five years behind bars on 1st October 1998. **For background, see IFEX alerts and press releases of 30, 22 June, 21, 6 April and 25 March 1998; 20 […]
WAN welcomes amnesty for Vietnamese dissident Doan Viet Hoat
(WAN/IFEX) – WAN welcomed the announcement on 28 August 1998 that Vietnam had amnestied prominent dissident Doan Viet Hoat, the winner of WAN’s 1998 Golden Pen of Freedom award. **For background to case, see IFEX alerts of 2 July and 29 June 1998; 4 November and 29 January 1997; 4 March 1996; and others** “We […]
Iraq asked to produce arrested journalist
(WAN/IFEX) – On 27 August 1998, WAN asked Iraq to disclose the whereabouts of journalist Dawoud al-Farhan of the Cairo-based Middle East News Agency, who was arrested in Baghdad in July and hasn’t been heard from since. **This alert contains information further to an IFEX alert of 21 August 1998** “We are concerned that his […]
WAN protests journalist’s sentencing in Uzbekistan
(WAN/IFEX) – The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) on Friday, 24 July 1998, called on Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov to set aside the conviction and 11-year prison sentence imposed on Shadi Mardiev, a 62-year-old reporter who was jailed after satirizing the alleged corrupt practices of a local prosecutor. **For background information, see IFEX alerts of […]
WAN protests newspaper closures in Iran
(WAN/IFEX) -On 21 July 1998, WAN protested the closure of two newspapers in Iran and the suspension of their executives. **For background see IFEX alerts of 16 July and 15 and 11 June 1998** In a letter to Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, WAN President Bengt Braun expressed concern over the suspension and fine imposed by […]