What News? Quoi de neuf dans les pays du Sud?
SEMINARIO INTERNACIONAL / DESAFIOS DEL PERIODISMO REAL : LOS DIARIOS EN LA ENCRUCIJADA DEL SIGLO XXI
Mesa redonda 3: El desafío de la prensa gratuita
Arsenio Escolar (Director, 20 minutos, España); Carlos Pérez de Rozas (Director Adjunto de Arte, La Vanguardia, España); Ricardo Roa (Editor General Adjunto, Clarín); Jorge Ezequiel Sánchez (Moderador).
Lo importante no es pagar, lo importante es leer, ya lo dijo Shakeaspeare: to read or not to read", decía ayer Arsenio Escolar, Director de 20 minutos, el diario gratuito de mayor circulación en España. "Cada vez más, los diarios tienen el mismo formato y dan las mismas noticias. Si además unos son gratuitos y nosotros no... nuestra situación es complicada", reflexionaba Carlos Pérez de Rozas, Director Adjunto de Arte de La Vanguardia. "Cuando aparecieron los diarios gratuitos se nos planteó ignorarlos, combatirlos o sumarnos a esa experiencia. La decisión de Clarín fue sumarnos y compramos La Razón. Diez años después, se puede decir que hemos salido victoriosos", resumía Ricardo Roa, Editor General Adjunto de Clarín.
Desde el principio, la mesa sobre "El desafío de la prensa gratuita" fue apasionada. "Los viejos periodistas tenían un apotegma de hierro: lo que no se paga no tiene credibilidad", planteó el moderador, Jorge Ezequiel Sánchez, Editor General de Revistas y Proyectos Especiales de Clarín. Pero, dijo, "Mientras tanto, los diarios gratuitos se expandían". Y ese crecimiento no resultó indiferente en el medio. Sánchez abrió el debate con algunas preguntas precisas: "¿Los diarios gratuitos tienen credibilidad periodística?" "¿Pueden mejorar el acceso público a la información?"
Para defenderlos, tomó la palabra Arsenio Escolar. Que empezó ponderando la neutralidad de su medio, frente a la adscripción a los partidos que atribuyó a los pagos. "Nuestro éxito —tiró— parte de la escasa penetración de la prensa de pago en España: se venden 100 diarios cada 1000 habitantes". En un país donde los diarios gratuitos ya representan el 42 por ciento de la circulación, Escolar sostuvo que "La prensa gratuita incorpora a los lectores jóvenes. No somos el problema de la prensa de pago, somos su solución. Estamos creando un nuevo lector: si logramos atraerlo, los diarios tendrán una nueva oportunidad sobre la Tierra".
Pérez de Rozas no estaba ahí para felicitarlo: "No nos están creando lectores, quizás sea culpa nuestra, pero eso no ocurre", dijo. Y además: "¿Cuál es el futuro de la prensa de siempre, la de prestigio? No puede ser neutral, tiene que ser ideológica. O nos diferenciamos o nuestro futuro es difícil. O entramos en los porqués o dentro de unos años tendré que venir a decir que soy un repartidor de diarios gratuitos".
A Ricardo Roa —así lo anunció el moderador— le tocaba "navegar entre dos aguas" porque Clarín tiene un diario gratuito. "¿Cómo afectaron estos diarios a la prensa paga? En circulación no se advierten cambios significativos", informó el periodista. "Y su impacto en la publicidad es relativo. De 600 millones de pesos que se mueven en Argentina, a La Razón sólo le corresponden 15, lo que de todos modos es más que algún diario económico y que la prensa popular". ¿Los gratuitos son un puente con la nueva generación? Según Roa: "Generan lectores pero también son competencia", aseguró. Y pronosticó: "El futuro de la prensa gratuita pasa por hacer un periodismo de calidad y competir con los pagos". ETHIOPIA: Authorities target journalists reporting on post-elections unrest
New York, July 8, 2005—Ethiopia’s Supreme Court yesterday ordered three newspaper executives to reveal the name of a lawyer their newspapers cited anonymously as criticizing a recent court decision.
One of the three, Tamrat Serbesa, editor-in-chief of the private Amharic-language weekly Satanaw, was jailed overnight and released after posting bail. He and the other newspaper officials—Andualem Ayle, editor-in-chief of the private Amharic-language wekly Ethiop; and Tesfa Tegen, managing director of Ethiop—are due in court on July 22 to answer the order. They face potential imprisonment if they do not disclose the name.
The case comes amid a government crackdown on Ethiopia’s private press following disputed May 15 parliamentary elections. Since deadly clashes between government security forces and opposition supporters erupted in early June, authorities have pressed criminal charges against many editors from the Amharic-language press for covering the election’s aftermath. At least eight local editors await trial on recent charges related to their work during this period. Many others report being harassed or otherwise intimidated for their coverage.
Contributing to the repressive atmosphere for the independent press, senior government officials have publicly threatened further legal action against any journalist who “defame[s] the reputation and dignity of a government official or any individual,” according to CPJ sources and a state radio report translated by BBC Monitoring.
“CPJ is greatly alarmed by the government’s use of repressive laws to harass and intimidate journalists trying to do their jobs,” said Ann Cooper, CPJ’s executive director. “Ethiopian authorities must publicly recognize the rights of journalists to inform the public and report critically without fear of reprisal.”
According to local sources, the editors of Satanaw and Ethiop have been questioned in connection with their newspaper’s coverage of a recent Supreme Court verdict, in a case brought against the National Election Board by the opposition CUD party. While the CUD had claimed that the board did not have the right to announce provisional election results before the final vote count was released, the Supreme Court ruled in the election board’s favor.
On July 6, Abiy Gizaw, editor-in-chief of the private Amharic-language weekly Netsanet, was arrested and charged with defaming the Defense Ministry in connection with three separate articles, according to CPJ sources. One of the articles alleged that officials in the Ethiopian air force were divided about how to handle post-election unrest; another reported on a separatist movement in Ogaden, an area of Ethiopia bordering Somalia; and a third reprinted a statement released by a group of air force pilots who defected during a training program in Belarus in June, according to these sources. Gizaw was released the same day after paying bail of 500 birr (about US$57).
On June 30, the editors of three other private weeklies were arrested and charged in connection with their work, according to CPJ sources and the Addis Ababa-based Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA). Tadesse Kabede of Lisane Hezeb, Fassil Yenalem of Addis Zena, and Daniel Gezahegne of Moged were released after paying 1,000 birr (US$114) each in bail. Two other senior editors of Lisane Hezeb were summoned and released without paying bail.
Kabede has been charged with defaming the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in an article that criticized church leaders for allegedly failing to speak out against the government’s deadly June 8 crackdown on opposition supporters in the capital, according to CPJ sources and EFJA. Gezahegne was charged with defaming the Defense Ministry for printing a wire service photograph of armed police officers threatening a young student during the crackdown, those sources said. Yenalem was charged with defaming the Defense Ministry after his newspaper ran an interview with a former military commander who was critical of the ruling party, these sources reported.
On June 28, four other editors were arrested and charged with defaming the military in connection with stories in their newspapers about the air force pilots who defected and other articles deemed critical of government security forces. To read more about their cases, see CPJ’s previous alert: http://www.cpj.org/news/2005/Ethiopia28june05na.html
CPJ is a New York–based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit www.cpj.org.
==
Committee to Protect Journalists
aarieff@cpj.org
phone: 1-212-465-1004 x117
fax: 1-212-465-9568
http://www.cpj.org
ETAT DE LIEU DE LA PRESSE DANS LES PAYS DU SUD PENDANT LA PREMIERE QUINZAINE DE SEPTEMBRE 2004
I. ASIE
1. BRESIL
Dans la ville de MARILIA, Eta de SAO PAULO au BRESIL, le gouvernement a interdit le journal JORNAL DO TERRA pour avoir publié un article très critique contre la corruption au Brésil. Dans son article,le JORNAL DO TERRA démontre comment le parti au pouvoir abuse des avantages qu'il a pour dissiper l'argent de l'Etat, reporte le journal FOLHA DE SAO PAULO dans son édition du 15 septembre 2004. En plus, un jugement a été rendu contre le journal DIARIO DE MARILIA et tous les exemplaires du jour saisis pour le même motif de critique contre la corruption au sein du gouvernement. Le DIARIO DE MARILIA considère le pouvoir en place comme liberticide. Ce jugement a été mal perçu par l'association brésilienne de journalistes dénommée BRAZILIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, membre de South Corporation Journalism.
2.REPUBLIQUE DOMINICAINE
Selon les journaux LISTIN et EL CARIBE, le journaliste JUAN ANDUJAR a été tué par un groupe de malfaiteurs après un reportage réalisé à sa radio sur une violente confrontation entre ces bandits et la police dans la ville de AZUA, au Sud de la République Dominicaine. Les bandits ont promis de tuer tous les journalistes de la ville de AZUA. Un autre jouirnaliste, temoin de l'attaque de ANDUJAR a été gravement blessé au moment où la police a ouvert le feu sur le gang accusé de plusieurs actes de violence à AZUA
3.URUGUAY
Le président uruguayéen, JORGE BATTLE, a de nouveau affirmé sa détermination de ne point s'ingérer dans les affaires des journalistes. Ceci étant une suite logique à la critique formulée par les opposants politiques qui ont exigé plus d'impartialité des médias dans le traitement de l'information.Les journaux uruguayens EL NUEVO HERALD et PRENSA LATINA reportent que la plate forme politique de l'opposition a récemment souhaité que soit créé le ministère de la communication parcequ'elle estime qu'il n y a pas de liberté d'expression en Uruguay, selon également le journal EL NUEVO HERALD.
4.PERU
Selon le journal EL COMERCIO du PERU, le frère du Président péruvien ALEJANDRO TOLEDO qui s'appelle PEDRO TOLEDO,vient de proter plainte contre un journaliste pour avoir dénoncé le fait que PEDRO a sollicité les services d'un collaborateur de l'ancien président péruvien ALBERTO FUJIMORI en qualité d'assistant de son frère président ALEJANDRO TOLEDO. Selon la journaliste de la télévision péruvienne CECILIA VALENZUELA qui anime l'émission "LA VENTANA INDISCRETA", PEDRO TOLEDO s'est chargé de transmettre des messages secrets de DANIEL BOROBIO, un repris de justice qui vit en Chilie au président péruvien.
5.ARGENTINE
Selon l'agence argentine de défense des journalistes indépendants dénommée ARGENTINE ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEFENCE OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM, l'organisation d'Avocats pour la liberté de la parole, la FREE SPEECH ADVOCATES, espère obtenir la mutation de la "Proposition de loi sur l'information" en un décret-loi d'ici deux ans. et ce passage devra être facilité par l'accord du Sénat. Des sénateurs argentins ont été visités par des membres des organisations de presse qui les ont contraints d'approuver la mutation, selon la proposition faite par la chambre des députés en 2003. Il faut signaler que la "Proposition de loi" accorde aux citoyens le droit de chercher et d'obtenir l'information de la part des officiels du gouvernement, des minstres et des organisations civiles. Une Commission des affaires constitutionnelles du Sénat a été désignée pour étudier la proposition de loi sur l'information et d'en faire un rapport avant de la soumettre au vote.Si d'ici le 30 novembre 2004, le Sénat ne se prononce pas,cette proposition sera reconduite après deux ans.
6. COLOMBIE
La Fondation pour la liberté de presse en Colombie dénommée FUINDACION PARA LA LIBERTAD DE PRENSA-FLIP en sigle-demande urgemment à AVOCATS POUR LA LIBERTE DE LA PAROLE d'écrire aux autorités colombiennes pour exprimer sa préoccupation à propos de l'intégrité physique et psychologique de la journaliste CLAUDIA JULIETA DUQUE qui a reçu des menaces de mort à cause de ses enquêtes sur la mort du très célèbre journaliste colombien JAIME GARZON assassiné en août 1999. Elle est arrivée à la conclusion que la justice colombienne a faussement accusé deux personnes supposées être les meurtriers. Le cas de CLAUDIA JULIETA DUQUE est préoccupant.
II. ASIE
7. IRAK
Le journaliste MAZEN-al-TUMEIZI de la télévision AL-ARABIA a été tué le 12 septembre 2004 alors qu'il couvrait les bombardements à Bagdad, deux autres journalistes ont été blessés le même jour.AL-TUMEIZI reportait les événements ur un véhicuile blindé américain qui venait d'ouvrir le feu au centre de Bagdad durant un affrontement entre les forces irakiennes et américaines. des hélicoptères américains qui survolaient la localité, voyant un attroupement autour du véhicule blindé ont ainsi ouvert le feu occasionnant la mort du journaliste. Un cameraman de REUTERS à savoir SEIF FOUAD et le photographe GHAITH ABDUL AHAD ont été blessés. Ceci porte à 33 journalistes tués depuis que les Etats Unis ont envahi l'Iraq en mars 2003 et 52 agents des médias assassinés pendant la même période.
Les émisions de la télévision AL JAZEERA sont cryptées en Iraq et interdites. Les bureaux fermés depuis le 4 septembre 2004.Le prétexte c'est que le gouvernement irakien prétend que AL JAZEERA cultive la haine et incite à la violence dans le traitement de l'information sur l'Iraq et que les reportages sur les enlèvements encouragent les milices irakiennes et donnent une mauvaise image de l'Iraq à l'extérieur.AL JAZEERA a tout nié. En août 2004,la chaîne était contrainte de fermer pendant 30 jours en attendant qu'elle s'explique sur ses reportages.AL JAZEERA a dit qu'il travailait selon l'ethique , la déontologie professionnelle et sa ligne éditoriale.Il faut rappeler que les journalistes étaient arrêtés le 25 août 2004, alors qu'ils couvraient des bombardements à NAJAF.
8. NEPAL
Duex journalistes népalais ont été tués en juillet et en août 2004 pendant le conflit entre les milices maoïstes et les rebelles.
9.HONG KONG
Beijing est accusé de créer un climat de peur et d'insécurité à Hong Kong, entraînant ainsi la violation de la liberté d'expression. Des journalistes locaux ont été torturés pour avoir exprimé leurs pensées sur le comportement dictatorial des autorités chinoises.
III. AFRIQUE
10. REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO
Ce pays passe , en Afrique, pour le plus prédateur de la liberté d'expression pendant les 9 mois de l'année 2004. Tout concourt à empêcher les journalistes de faire leur travial: le climat de violence, l'insécurité, la censure du gouvernement et la remise sur la sellette des anciennes lois sur l'emprisonnement des journalistes. Le gouvernement congolais a interdit à trois reprises la couverture des événements par les organes de presse; il a fait jeter en prison 5 journalistes, il a privé la liberté à 4 autres. Dans le kivu, Est de la Réopublique Démocratique du Congo, un journalistye a été passé à tabac. Trois radios communautiares de Bukavu ont été fermées, quatre journalistes obligés de s'exhiler. La radio Hosanna de Lubumbashi a été fermée par les services de sécurité dépendant du gouvernement congolais.
11.NIGERIA
Le journaliste ISSAC UMUNNA de l'hebdomadaire GLOBAL STAR de Lagos et rédacteur en chef de AFRICA TODAY de Londres est détenu à Lagos depuis le 8 septembre 2004.Ce même jour des agents de STATE SECURITY SERVICE ( SSS ) du Nigeria se sont rendus au domicile de ISSAC UMUNNA et ont arrêté sa femme pour qu'elle dise où son mari s'était caché.Madame HOPE UMUNNA a été enlevée au même moment avec deux agents du GLOBAL STAR. Ils ont confisqué des documents et des ordinateurs du journal. Ils se sont rendus à l'imprimerie du journal où ils ont soumis les imprimeurs à un interrogatoire serré. HOPE UMUNNA a été relâchée avec obligation de dire à son mari de se rendre au SSS. Les agents ont été aussi relâchés.
Le 9 septembre 2004, ISSAC UMUNNA a été conduit au quartier général du SSS à SHANGISHA, hors de de Lagos. Il a été arrêté et gardé à vue à la porte du SSS sans audition formelle préalable. Il est gardé à cause de ses articles sur les activités du Movement pour la secession du Biafra, un Etat du Nigeria.Il faut rappeler , d'autre part, que peu avant, le SSS avait saboté les installations du magazine INSIDER WEEKLY où ils ont arrêté 3 agents, pillé le matériel, interdit la publication et fermé les bureaux.Le directeur commercial RAPHAEL OLATOYE, l'agent de fabrication CYRIL MBAMALU et un autre non autrement identifié ont été libérés.
VENEZUELA: Government Threatens to Block Opposition Release of Recall Results
An opposition coalition's plan to release the results of the Aug. 15 recall referendum on President Hugo Chávez before officials announce their numbers has led the government to threaten blocking media from broadcasting such information, Analitica and Terra reported.
Enrique Mendoza, director of the opposition group Coordinadora Democrática (CD), fears that the National Electoral Commission (CNE) will delay announcing the outcome of the vote, Terra reported. Therefore, Mendoza said, the CD will disclose the results before the CNE.
The Carter Center and the Organization of American States said such a disclosure would violate electoral law and previous agreements between the government and the opposition, Radio Caracol and Radio Nacional de Venezuela reported.
In related news, Terra recently published an article with details about the upcoming vote.
Analitica/Terra/Radio Caracol/RNV
TCHAD-in FRENCH
Nouvelle information
Menaces de mort des journalistes
Tchad
30 juillet 2004
SOUTH CORPORATION JOURNALISM, association de défense de la liberté d'expression et pour la protection du journaliste dans les pays du Sud, vous prie d'intervenir d'urgence à propos de la situation suivante au Tchad.
Nouvelle information:
SOUTH CORPORATION JOURNALISM a été informé par le Collectif des Associations de défense des droits de l’Homme (CADH), de menaces de mort à l’encontre de MM Evariste Ngaralbaye et Allahissem Ibn Miangar, tous deux journalistes à la radio FM Liberté, créée par des ONG indépendantes de défense des droits de l'Homme dont elle est devenue le principal relais au Tchad.
Selon les informations reçues, ces menaces seraient liées à une interview du musicien ivoirien Tiken Djah Fakoly effectuée le 30 mai 2004 par les deux journalistes. A cette occasion, M. Djah Fakoly s’était exprimé de façon critique à l’encontre des régimes dictatoriaux en Afrique.
Depuis cet entretien, plusieurs tracts ont été envoyés au siège de la radio et distribués dans les rues voisines, le dernier en date étant signé du 09 juillet 2004. Ces tracts anonymes signés par des « escadrons de la mort » menacent explicitement de mort les deux journalistes, leur reprochant d’appeler leurs auditeurs à la révolte.
Ces faits ont été régulièrement dénoncés auprès de la police nationale de N’Djamena mais aucune enquête n’a été ouverte à ce jour et les auteurs de ces tracts n’ont pas été identifiés. L’Observatoire craint que ces auteurs ne soient liés aux autorités nationales, d’autant que dans les jours suivants l’émission, la police est venue saisir l’enregistrement de l’interview.
SOUTH CORPORATION JOURNALISM est vivement préoccupé par ces menaces visant MM. Ngaralbaye et Ibn Mianga, qui constituent une nouvelle étape dans la répression dont la radio a déjà été victime (voir ci-dessous). Ces faits constituent une atteinte supplémentaire à la liberté d’expression au Tchad et s’inscrivent en contradiction avec la Déclaration de l’ONU sur les défenseurs des droits de l'Homme qui prévoit en son article 6(b) que " Chacun a le droit, individuellement ou en association avec d'autres [...] conformément aux instruments internationaux relatifs aux droits de l'homme et autres instruments internationaux applicables, de publier, communiquer à autrui ou diffuser librement des idées, informations et connaissances sur tous les droits de l'homme et toutes les libertés fondamentales ".
Rappel des faits:
La station de radio FM Liberté avait été fermée par arrêté du ministère de
la Sécurité publique et de l'Immigration, en date du 21 octobre 2003. Sa fermeture faisait suite à une émission qui s’était tenue le 14 octobre, et qui avait émis des critiques à l'égard du Président de la République du Tchad, M. Idriss Deby.
Se fondant notamment sur « l'illégalité du fonctionnement de la radio /FM Liberté/ », qui avait vu à plusieurs reprises son activité suspendue les mois précédents, l'arrêté ne se référait à aucune loi régissant la communication. En outre, le ministère de la Sécurité publique et de l'Immigration n'est pas habilité à prendre une telle décision, qui relève de la compétence du Haut Conseil de la Communication. Or, celui-ci n’a pas été consulté dans cette affaire. Enfin si la fermeture d'une radio peut être décidée par le ministère en cas de menace pour la sécurité de l'Etat, l'arrêté ne faisait qu'invoquer « un fonctionnement illégal et un comportement déviant », et n’avançait aucun élément permettant de conclure à une menace pour la sécurité publique. La station a été autorisée à rouvrir ses portes le 17 décembre 2003, par arrêté du ministre de la Sécurité publique et de l’Immigration, M. Abdramane Moussa.
Actions demandées:
Merci d'écrire aux autorités tchadiennes et de leur demander de :
i. Garantir en toutes circonstances l’intégrité physique et psychologique de M. Evariste Ngaralbaye et de M.Allahissem Ibn Miangar et mettre un terme immédiat à toute forme de menace à leur encontre.
ii. Mener une enquête indépendante et impartiale sur les menaces décrites ci-dessus, afin que leurs auteurs soient dûment identifiés et poursuivis.
iii. Se conformer aux dispositions de la Déclaration sur les défenseurs des droits de l'Homme, adoptée par l'Assemblée Générale des Nations unies le 9 décembre 1998, en particulier à l'article 1, qui dispose que « chacun a le droit, individuellement ou en association avec d'autres, de promouvoir la protection et la réalisation des droits de l'Homme et des libertés fondamentales aux niveaux national et international » et à l'article 6 (b) précité.
iv. Se conformer aux dispositions des instruments internationaux relatifs aux droits de l'Homme liant le Tchad et notamment celles du Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques portant sur la liberté d'expression.
Adresses:
- M. Idriss Deby, Président de la République, Présidence de la République, B.P. 74 N'Djamena, Tchad, Fax : (235) 51 45 01; presidence@tchad.td
- M. Moussa Faki, Premier Ministre, Primature N'Djamena - Tchad
Fax (235) 52 20 89
- M. Kalzeubé Pahimi, Ministre de la Justice, Garde des Sceaux, Ministère de la Justice BP. 426 N'Djaména - Tchad ; Tel./Fax (235) 52 21 39
- Mr Moctar Wawa Dahab, Ministre de la Communication, porte-parole du Gouvernement
Ministère de la Communication N'Djaména Tchad, Fax (235) 52 65 60
NEWS FROM SOUTH CORPORATION JOURNALISM AND IFEX
-- | INDEX | --
FREE-EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT:
1. Ethiopia: IFEX Members Raise Concerns Over Press Law
REGIONAL NEWS:
2. Haiti: Pro-Aristide Journalists Under Threat: CPJ Report
3. United States: IFEX Members Urge Visa Rule Changes for Journalists
4. Middle East/North Africa: Arab Groups Launch Democracy Network
5. Israel/Palestine: Journalists Pressured to Toe the Line
CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:
6. Freedom House, MRA Launch Human Rights Training for Nigerian
Journalists
7. OSCE to Hold Conference on Internet Media Freedom
"IN OTHER NEWS":
8. IREX Provides Grants for Independent Media
9. Council of Europe Media Division Seeks Input on Future Activities
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS:
10. UNCA Journalism Awards
ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE IN THE PAST WEEK
--------------------------------------------------------
FREE-EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT
1. ETHIOPIA: IFEX MEMBERS RAISE CONCERNS OVER PRESS LAW
Nineteen IFEX members have written to the Ethiopian government raising
concerns over the latest draft of a proposed press law they say
contains
serious restrictions on freedom of expression. In a letter to Ethiopian
Information Minister Bereket Simon, the organisations have urged the
government to ensure that national consultations on the draft law
respect
the concerns of international, regional and local free-expression
groups.
While the latest draft of the "Proclamation to Provide for the Freedom
of
the Press" contains improvements over previous versions, serious
problems
remain, the IFEX members say.
The draft law contains restrictions on who can practice journalism in
the
country and invests power in authorities to register and license the
media.
ARTICLE 19, an IFEX member, says conditions on who may practise
journalism
are "inconsistent with the [international] guarantee of freedom of
expression, which grants everyone, regardless of their situation, the
right
to engage in expressive activities." Similarly, registration
requirements
for individual journalists are not supported by the Declaration of
Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa, says ARTICLE 19.
The draft law also contains harsh penalties for violations of the law,
including jail sentences of up to five years, and gives the Information
Minister the power to censor foreign publications considered contrary
to the
national interest. It would also enable authorities to create a
state-controlled Press Council that would enforce a Code of Ethics.
ARTICLE 19 has released a briefing note on the draft press law. It
contains
recommendations for bringing the law in line with international
standards on
freedom of expression (http://www.article19.org/docimages/1817.doc).
A new report by the International Press Institute (IPI) also contains
recommendations for improving press freedom in Ethiopia. IPI says the
government has an opportunity to form a relationship with the media
that
"not only encourages and supports freedom of expression but also
enhances
the work of the present government in many other areas of democracy"
(http://www.freemedia.at/EthiopiaReport2004.htm).
Visit these links:
- IFEX letter to Ethiopia:
http://www.cpj.org/protests/04ltrs/Ethiopia23july04pl_joint.html
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2004/Ethiopia23july04na.html
- Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa:
http://www.article19.org/docimages/1410.doc
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REGIONAL NEWS:
AMERICAS
2. HAITI: PRO-ARISTIDE JOURNALISTS UNDER THREAT: CPJ REPORT
Five months after the collapse of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide's
government, journalists continue to work under dangerous conditions,
especially those sympathetic to the former leader, says a new report by
the
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
"Taking Sides" examines the state of press freedom in the Caribbean
country
and finds that the threat of violence still hangs over journalists'
heads,
particularly in rural areas outside the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Whereas
privately owned media were often the targets of attacks for criticising
Aristide while he was in power, journalists who supported him are now
the
targets, says CPJ.
Illegal armed groups and ex-members of the Haitian military have taken
over
the rural northern and central regions where policing is weak and are
acting
as self-proclaimed security forces. CPJ has documented three incidents
in
the past four months in which these forces have illegally detained
journalists working for pro-Aristide radio stations. At least one
broadcaster has shut down while another stopped reporting the news for
a
month because of threats.
CPJ says the attacks on pro-Aristide journalists are a symptom of
Haiti's
polarised media environment, where media outlets have traditionally
aligned
themselves with opposing political positions. During Aristide's rule,
both
pro- and anti-government media showed biased reporting.
Read the full report here:
http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2004/haiti_7_04/haiti_7_04.html
Visit these links:
- Human Rights Watch Reports on Haiti:
http://www.hrw.org/doc?t=americas&c=haiti
- Reporters sans frontierès:
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10891
- Organization of American States:
http://www.oas.org/OASpage/Haiti_situation
- Amnesty International: http://web.amnesty.org/pages/hti-index-eng
3. UNITED STATES: IFEX MEMBERS URGE VISA RULE CHANGES FOR JOURNALISTS
The United States' reputation as a "beacon of press freedom" is being
tarnished by a pattern of incidents in which at least 13 foreign
journalists
have been detained and deported from the country in the past 18 months
becau
se of unfair visa regulations, say four IFEX members.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the Inter American Press
Association (IAPA), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans
frontierès,
RSF) and the International Press Institute (IPI) have raised concerns
over
visa rules under which foreign journalists from 27 countries the U.S.
government considers "friendly" have been denied entry. Since January
2003,
at least 13 journalists have been detained, interrogated and sent back
to
their countries, according to RSF. In some cases, journalists have been
subjected to "humiliating" treatment, including being handcuffed and
strip-searched, the IFEX members say.
They argue that there is no reason why journalists from the 27
countries
should be treated any differently than their fellow citizens, who are
allowed to enter the U.S. without a visa for up to 90 days.
In recent weeks, pressure from press freedom groups and journalists'
organizations, including the American Society of Newspaper Editors
(ASNE),
has been gathering steam. The U.S. House of Representatives has
introduced a
bill that would allow journalists from the 27 countries to enter the
U.S.
without a visa for up to 90 days. Tabled by Democratic Representative
Zoe
Lofgren, HR 4823 cites the recent deportations of foreign journalists
as
proof that existing visa rules need to be changed (see:
http://www.asne.org/index.cfm?id=5259).
Visit these links:
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2004/USA23july04na.html
- IAPA:
http://www.sipiapa.org/pressreleases/chronologicaldetail.cfm?PressReleaseID=1169
- IPI: http://www.freemedia.at/Protests 2004/pr_WPFD03.05.2004.htm
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10296
- ASNE: http://www.asne.org/index.cfm?id=5258
MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA
4. ARAB GROUPS LAUNCH DEMOCRACY NETWORK
The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) and the Egyptian
Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) have joined human rights activists
from
8 Arab countries to form a network aimed at promoting human rights and
democracy in the Middle East and North Africa.
The Forum for Democratic Reform in the Arab Region will serve as an
information-exchange network for human rights activists and other civil
society groups. Activities will include workshops and conferences that
will
bring together civil society organizations, journalists, academics and
government officials to share expertise on democratic reform. The
network
will also launch a website containing information and resources
relevant to
the Arab context.
Founding members of the Forum include the Saudi Center for Human
Rights, the
Algerian League for Human Rights and the Syria-based Committees for
Defending Freedoms and Human Rights. CIHRS will act as the network
coordinator. Upcoming plans include the Forum's inaugural meeting,
where an
executive committee will be elected and a work plan approved.
For more information, contact CIHRS: info@cihrs.org
Visit these links:
- CIHRS: http://www.cihrs.org
- EOHR: http://www.eohr.org
- Conference on priorities and mechanisms of reform in the Arab world:
http://www.eohr.org/press/2004/pr0720.htm
5. ISRAEL/PALESTINE: JOURNALISTS PRESSURED TO TOE THE LINE
For journalists covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, critical
independent reporting is a constant challenge. Pressure to toe the line
often comes from both sides. In recent weeks, moves by Palestinian
authorities have raised alarm from the International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans
frontierès,
RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
On 20 July 2004, the Gaza section of the Palestinian Journalists
Syndicate
threatened to punish
local journalists who reported on internal conflicts within the
Palestinian
leadership and demanded that journalists publish images that support
"national unity and the protection of the internal front," according to
IFJ.
The move came after recent clashes in Gaza following the appointment of
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's cousin, Musa Arafat, as the
Palestinian Authority's top security chief. The appointment has since
been
revoked, RSF notes.
Members of the Palestinian Authority and Arafat's Fatah organisation
also
threatened journalists from the Arabic satellite channels "Al Jazeera"
and
"Al-Arabiya," warning them to "be careful" in their reporting.
This is not the first time the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has
tried
to curb critical reporting on the conflict, says CPJ. In August 2002,
it
tried to prevent journalists from photographing Palestinian children
wearing
military uniforms or carrying weapons. It said such coverage served
"the
interests of Israel and its propaganda against the Palestinian people."
The IFJ and the International News Safety Institute say they are
planning to
run safety training courses for Palestinian journalists and open a
safety
centre in the region to provide assistance to local media.
Visit these links:
- IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=2620&Language=EN
- INSI: http://www.newssafety.com/
- RSF Report on Palestine:
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=9933
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2004/PAT22july04na.html
--------------------------------------------------------
CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
6. FREEDOM HOUSE, MRA LAUNCH HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING FOR NIGERIAN
JOURNALISTS
Freedom House is teaming up with Media Rights Agenda (MRA) in Nigeria
to
train journalists in improving coverage of human rights. The IFEX
members
will work together on an 18-month project to equip participants from
the
states of Lagos, Plateau and Rivers with tools to better inform the
public
and the government on key issues.
To kick-start the project, Freedom House and Mircea Toma, a Romanian
media
expert, are visiting Nigeria this month to meet with human rights
organisations, journalists and government officials. With the
assistance of
MRA, Freedom House will be assessing the local media's capacity to
cover
human rights.
Freedom House will also open an office in Nigeria, headed by project
director Dapo Olorunyomi, and conduct workshops on human rights
reporting
and media content monitoring. Other activities include a World Press
Freedom
Day panel discussion, which will be held in May 2005.
For more information, contact Dapo Olorunyomi: info@freedomhouse.org
7. OSCE TO HOLD CONFERENCE ON INTERNET MEDIA FREEDOM
ARTICLE 19 will join free expression groups, journalists, legal experts
and
consultants to discuss
ways of guaranteeing media freedom on the Internet at a conference next
month hosted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE).
Organised by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, the
conference
will take place in Amsterdam from 27 to 28 August 2004 and focus on
best
practices in legislation regarding the Internet. Proceedings of the
conference are expected to be compiled into a handbook that will be
published by the OSCE later this year. Research will also be carried
out on
Internet legislation and hate speech laws in OSCE member states.
The conference is a follow-up to a 2003 conference, hosted by the OSCE,
which released a set of recommendations on respecting media freedom on
the
Internet (http://www.osce.org/events/fom/amsterdam/).
For more information, visit:
http://www.osce.org/events/conferences/fom/2004amsterdam/
--------------------------------------------------------
"IN OTHER NEWS".
8. IREX PROVIDES GRANTS FOR INDEPENDENT MEDIA
The International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) is seeking
applications from journalists, media organizations, education experts
and
civil society groups in the Middle East and North Africa region for its
Small Grants Fund, which supports activities that promote independent
media
and non-governmental organisations.
Grants are available for projects that involve journalism training,
media
advocacy and institutional development of media and civil society
organizations. Individuals are eligible for grants of up to US$2,500
while
institutions can apply for grants of up to US$10,000.
Applicants must be based in the Middle East or be working primarily on
media
development, civil society or education in the region.
The next deadlines for submitting proposals in 2004 are 15 September
and 15
November.
For full details, see http://www.irex.org/programs/grants.asp
9. COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEDIA DIVISION SEEKS INPUT ON FUTURE ACTIVITIES
The Council of Europe (CoE) invites input from press freedom groups and
media professionals regarding its priorities for future activities in
the
area of media law and policy.
The CoE's Steering Committee on Mass Media, which advises the
intergovernmental organisation on free expression issues, is preparing
a
draft action plan and draft declaration that will be adopted at the 7th
European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy in Kyiv, Ukraine,
on
10-11 March 2005. The conference will focus on freedom of expression in
times of crisis; media pluralism and cultural diversity in the age of
globalisation; and media regulation in the Information Society.
NGOs are invited to submit proposals and ideas to the CoE by 31 August
2004.
Submissions should be sent to the CoE's Media Division: media@coe.int
For more information on the conference, see:
http://www.coe.int/T/E/Human_Rights/media/7_Links/consultation_announcement_E.asp#TopOfPage
--------------------------------------------------------
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
10. UNCA JOURNALISM AWARDS
Journalists from anywhere in the world are invited to apply for the
2004
United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) Journalism Awards,
which
honour excellence in covering the U.N. and its agencies.
The UNCA Awards include the US $10,000 Elizabeth Neuffer Memorial
Prize,
named after the award-winning "Boston Globe" reporter who died while on
assignment in Iraq in 2003.
Journalists working in any media (print, radio, television, Internet)
can
submit entries. In determining the prize winners, judges will look for
entries that have impact, insight and originality. The courage and
persistence of the applicant will also be considered. Investigative
work is
welcome.
Entries must have been published or broadcast between 1 August 2003 and
1
August 2004. Those that are not in one of the official U.N. languages
should
have a translation into English or French, and video entries should be
in
VHS (preferably NTSC) format. Radio and TV entries should be
accompanied by
a written transcript. Multiple or joint entries will be accepted.
The deadline for applications is 1 August 2004.
Applicants should send two copies each of their entry or entries to:
UNCA -
Elizabeth Neuffer Award, UNCA, United Nations, New York NY 10017, USA ;
Tel:
1 917 907 2445. For security reasons, Fedex, registered or couriered
packages should be sent to: Ian Williams, Chairman UNCA Awards
Committee,
343 East 30th Street, #11K, New York, NY 10016, USA; Tel: 1 212 686
8884.
Visit: http://www.unca.com/pgs/awards.htm#anchor1
--------------------------------------------------------
ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE DURING THE PAST WEEK
19 JULY 2004
Russia - Editor-in-chief (m) of arts and literature magazine killed
(IPI) -
alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60174/
Nepal - Journalist (m) abducted (CEHURDES) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60175/
Nepal - Television broadcasts disrupted as police raid control rooms of
six
stations (CEHURDES) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60176/
Azerbaijan - Editor-in-chief (m) kidnapped and beaten (JUHI) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60177/
Nepal - Four journalists arrested, two others released (CEHURDES) -
alert
and update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60178/
Zimbabwe - MISA-Zimbabwe refutes allegations that it participated in
compiling African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights report (MISA)
-
press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60179/
2O JULY 2004
Iran - Two leading reformist dailies and one monthly suspended
indefinitely
(RSF) - alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60180/
Canada - CJFE calls on CRTC to review its decision to deny CHOI-FM a
broadcasting licence (CJFE) - action alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60182/
United States - IAPA asks State Department to reverse its decision
stipulating that foreign journalists must leave the country to renew
their
visas (IAPA) - press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60183/
Sri Lanka - Bar association chairperson proposes that charges be
brought
against media critical of the judiciary (FMM) - press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60185/
Serbia and Montenegro - Media organisations call on government to adopt
measures that would facilitate operation of the Republic Broadcast
Agency
Council (ANEM) - press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60186/
Cameroon - BBC journalists (m) released (CPJ) - press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60187/
Kazakhstan - RSF calls for investigation after opposition journalist
(m)
killed under suspicious circumstances (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60188/
Pakistan - RSF appeals to President Musharraf for transparency in Pearl
investigation following new developments in the murder case (RSF) -
alert
update http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60189/
Peru - Government approves law requiring radio and television stations
to
adopt a code of ethics (IPYS) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60192/
Venezuela - Journalist (f) receives death threats (IPYS) - action alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60194/
Democratic Republic of Congo - Correspondent for French news agency
goes
into hiding (JED) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60198/
21 JULY 2004
Georgia - Police raid independent newspaper (CPJ) - press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60200/
Central African Republic - High Court adjourns deliberation in case of
imprisoned publication director (m) Maka Gbossokoto (RSF) - alert
update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60201/
Swaziland - Journalists harassed (MISA) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60203/
Democratic Republic of Congo - Journalist (m) summoned by security
services;
JED condemns authorities' interference in media's work (JED) - press
release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60208/
Ethiopia - ARTICLE 19 urges government to amend draft law on press
freedom
(A19) - press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60210/
Australia - Police officer posing as freelance journalist undermines
media
integrity, says MEAA (MEAA) - press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60211/
Pakistan - Government bans placement of official advertisements in
daily
newspaper (PPF) - alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60218/
Vietnam - Prominent writer to go on trial after 16 months without
charge
(CPJ) - press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60227/
Democratic Republic of Congo/Rwanda - Photographer (m) released (JED) -
alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60229/
Democratic Republic of Congo - Two journalists appear before Kindu
court to
face defamation charges (JED) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60232/
22 JULY 2004
Maldives/United Kingdom - RSF urges British telecom giant to put
pressure on
Maldives authorities to end Internet censorship and press for the
release of
imprisoned Internet writers (RSF) - press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60254/
Nepal - Three journalists attacked, another released (CEHURDES) - alert
and
update http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60257/
Panama - Colombian journalist (m) mistreated by Panamanian authorities
(IPYS) - action alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60258/
Iran - CJFE outraged at travesty of justice in Kazemi case (CJFE) -
action
alert update http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60260/
Syria - RSF urges President Assad to pardon five jailed
cyber-dissidents
(RSF) - alert update http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60261/
Burma - U Tha Ban released after seven years in prison (RSF) - alert
and
update http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60263/
Palestine - RSF concerned over statements by Palestine Journalists
Syndicate
(RSF) - alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60265/
23 JULY 2004
Turkey - IPA concerned about dangers threatening publishers in lead up
to
consideration of Turkey's membership in the EU (IPA) - press
release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60267/
Palestine - News stations receive threats over coverage of political
infighting (CPJ) - press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60268/
Spain - IPI criticises Supreme Court's decision to dismiss two
journalists'
appeal (IPI) - action alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60269/
Côte d'Ivoire - Government still blocking search for missing journalist
(m)
Guy-André Kieffer (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60270/
Argentina - Daily's attempts to access information blocked
(PERIODISTAS) -
action alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60292/
Nigeria - Journalist (m) assaulted, another (m) abducted and tortured
(MRA) - action alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60306/
Peru - Judge (m) threatens journalist (m) (IPYS) - action alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60307/
--------------------------------------------------
BRAZIL: Radio Journalist Killed in Northeast
A community radio journalist was killed in the state of Alagoas, and sources close to him said the crime could have been related to his critical coverage of local politicians, the newspapers Gazeta de Alagoas and Folha de S. Paulo reported.
Jorge Lourenço dos Santos died in front of his home, where he also broadcast his radio program, Folha de S. Paulo said. Local police said the gunman could have been a professional assassin, Gazeta de Alagoas reported. They added that Santos had received death threats and already survived two prior attempts on his life, Gazeta reported.
Santos is the second radio journalist killed in Alagoas in 30 days, Gazeta reported. On June 23, José Cícero Gama Guimarães, a radio reporter and political activist, was also killed outside his home.
Gazeta de Alagoas/ Folha de S.Paulo
VENEZUELA: Media to be Monitored During Recall Vote Campaign
The national electoral body announced approval of a rule to regulate election publicity, and the launch of a media commission to monitor the campaign for the recall vote of President Hugo Chávez, El Universal and Radio Nacional de Venezuela (RNV) reported.
The president of the National Electoral Board (JNE, in Spanish), Jorge Rodríguez, urged the government and private and government media to respect the agreement for balanced, pre-referendum political advertising, which was facilitated by the Carter Center, El Universal and RNV reported. The JNE approved the rule calling for the electoral council to determine what is suitable for publication and broadcast, El Universal and RNV said.
The electoral body also launched a commission, comprised of journalism students and communications professors, to evaluate media content during the campaign leading to the Aug. 15 recall vote, El Universal noted.
El Universal/Radio Nacional Venezuala/Cadena Global/La Nación
FREE-EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT:
1. Costa Rica: Inter-American Court Quashes Defamation Sentence
REGIONAL NEWS:
2. Philippines: Second Journalist Killed in a Week
3. Iran: Draft Internet Law Poses Threat to Free Expression: RSF
4. Azerbaijan: Press Freedom Deteriorating: Human Rights Watch
5. Moldova: Journalists Protest Government Interference
CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:
6. MRA, MFWA Engage in Liberia Broadcasting Seminar
PRESS FREEDOM MISSIONS:
7. Zimbabwe: MISA Finds Chaotic, Hostile Conditions for Journalists
"IN OTHER NEWS":
8. IMPACS, IMS Launch Elections Reporting Handbook
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS:
9. Southern Africa Gender and Media Awards
10. Panos-GKP "Reporting the Information Society" Awards
ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE IN THE PAST WEEK
--------------------------------------------------------
FREE-EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT
1. COSTA RICA: INTER-AMERICAN COURT QUASHES DEFAMATION SENTENCE
The Inter American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) has struck down a
defamation sentence against Costa Rican journalist Mauricio Herrera
Ulloa,
ruling that the Costa Rican government violated the American Convention
on
Human Rights. The decision is binding on Costa Rica and could have
implications for other Latin American countries with criminal
defamation
laws.
In a decision dated 2 July 2004, the court ruled that Costa Rica
"violated
the right to freedom of thinking and expression" under Article 13 of
the
Convention, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the
Inter
American Press Association (IAPA), the World Press Freedom Committee
(WPFC)
and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontierès, RSF).
The court ordered the Costa Rican government to pay Herrera Ulloa
US$20,000
in damages and US$10,000 for legal fees. The court also called for
changes
to Costa Rican legislation to guarantee an effective appeal procedure.
The
Costa Rican government says it will abide by the ruling, which
effectively
quashes a 12 November 1999 conviction against Herrera Ulloa.
Herrera Ulloa, a journalist for the daily newspaper "La Nación," had
been
convicted by Costa Rica's Penal Court of the First Judicial Circuit for
citing European press reports in his articles which alleged that former
Costa Rican diplomat Félix Przedborski was involved in corrupt
activities.
He was ordered to pay 60 million colones (approx. US$200,000) in
damages and
fined 120 days' worth of wages. The IACHR agreed to hear Herrera
Ulloa's
case after Costa Rica's Supreme Court rejected his appeal in January
2001.
In an interview with WPFC, the Organization of American States' Special
Rapporteur on Free Expression, Eduardo Bertoni, says this is the first
time
the IACHR has established jurisprudence on Article 13 involving a
journalist
convicted for publishing information in the public interest. He says
the
ruling could have implications for other countries in Latin America
that
have ratified the Convention. "This sentence is a very important step
forward for the jurisprudence the Inter-American Court has been
establishing
in the field of freedom of expression."
Several IFEX members have actively monitored Herrera Ulloa's case over
the
years. In recent months, CPJ, WPFC, IAPA, ARTICLE 19 and PERIODISTAS
provided amicus curiae briefs to the IACHR in defence of the
journalist's
right to free expression.
The IACHR's ruling is currently available in Spanish only:
http://www.cpj.org/news/2004/seriec_107_esp.pdf
Visit these links:
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2004/Costa04aug04na.html
- IACHR: http://www.corteidh.or.cr/index_ing.html
- WPFC: http://www.wpfc.org/index.jsp?page=News
- ARTICLE 19: http://www.article19.org/docimages/1740.doc
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=11101
- IAPA: http://www.siapiapa.org
- PERIODISTAS: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/57383/
--------------------------------------------------------
REGIONAL NEWS:
ASIA
2. PHILIPPINES: SECOND JOURNALIST KILLED IN A WEEK
Less than a week after radio broadcaster Roger Mariano was murdered by
unknown assailants in the Philippines, a second journalist has been
killed
and another shot, prompting authorities to suggest that reporters carry
firearms for protection, report IFEX members.
On 5 August 2004, gunmen in Bauan, Batangas province, shot and killed
Arnel
Manalo while he was heading home after dropping his children off at
school,
says the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). Manalo,
42, was
a correspondent for radio station DZRH and the Manila-based tabloid
"Bulgar."
CMFR joined the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ),
Reporters
Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the International
Press
Institute (IPI) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in
condemning
the murder.
Local police have not established a motive for the killing but have not
ruled out the possibility that Manalo, who served on his village
council in
As-is, may have been targeted for political reasons. However, his
family
members say Manalo had never received any threats.
Three days after Manalo's murder, Jonathan "Jun" Abayon, a reporter for
radio station RGMA Superadyo, was shot in the head in General Santos
City,
reports IFJ. He is in critical condition. At press time, there are few
details on the circumstances of the shooting and whether or not Abayon
was
targeted because of his work as a journalist.
In response to the recent attacks on journalists, the Philippines
National
Police has publicly suggested that journalists be allowed to carry
firearms.
The acting Justice Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez is also supporting
the
proposal. In a letter to President Gloria Macacabal Arroyo, IFJ warns
that
the move would result in more journalists being hurt. "Journalists are
independent observers and should not be encouraged to be active
combatants
in the increasingly dangerous domestic environment in the Philippines,"
says
IFJ.
Meanwhile, two senators have tabled a resolution in the Philippine
Congress
calling for an inquiry into Mariano's murder and for measures to
protect
journalists, according to the Southeast Asia Press Alliance
(http://www.seapabkk.org/news/2004/08/20040801.html). Four journalists
have
been killed so far this year.
Visit these links:
- CMFR: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60482/
- IFJ Letter to Philippine President:
http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/philippines040809l.html
- CPJ Report on Philippines:
http://www.cpj.org/news/2004/Phil05aug04na.html
- IPI Report: http://www.freemedia.at/wpfr/Asia/philippines.htm
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=11083
- IFEX Joint Statement on Impunity in the Philippines:
http://www.seapabkk.org/alerts/2004/06/20040601.htm
- Police Mull Firearms Proposal:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?section=Provincial&OID=57067
MIDDLE EAST
3. IRAN: DRAFT LAW POSES THREAT TO FREE EXPRESSION: RSF
Expressing one's opinions over the Internet could become a much more
risky
activity in Iran if a proposed bill aimed at stamping out "nauseating
content" becomes law, warns Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans
frontierès, RSF).
The proposed law on "the punishment of crimes linked to the Internet"
contains a number of provisions that would severely restrict freedom of
expression online, the IFEX member says. It proposes jail sentences of
up to
three years for the spreading of "information that poses a threat for
the
country's internal or external security" and five to 15 years if the
information is passed to "foreign states or foreign organizations."
Another provision carries a penalty of six months in prison for the
offence
of disseminating "false information" about Iran's Supreme Leader,
Ayatollah
Ali Khameini, and other senior officials. The proposed law requires all
Internet Service Providers and Internet cafés to monitor the activities
of
their clients and block websites considered "nauseating" or illegal,
says
RSF. Those who refuse to do so could be jailed for up to five years and
be
banned from working in the Internet industry. ISPs and Internet cafés
would
also be required to keep a log of their clients' activities on their
servers
for three months.
RSF says the draft law is part of the Iranian government's recent moves
to
step up censorship following the February 2004 legislative elections.
In one
case, Mojtaba Lotfi, a former journalist with the reformist newspaper
"Khordad," was tried in July for "spying" and "publishing false
information"
after posting an article about human rights on the website
www.naqshineh.com.
Visit these links:
- RSF: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60511/
- Report on Internet Censorship in Iran:
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10733&Valider=OK
- Internet Filtering in Iran:
http://opennetinitiative.net/advisories/001/
- Blogging Takes Off in Iran:
http://www.ojr.org/ojr/glaser/1073610866.php
EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
4. AZERBAIJAN: PRESS FREEDOM DETERIORATING: HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Press freedom in Azerbaijan has deteriorated since the October 2003
presidential elections, marked by the government's refusal to prosecute
police responsible for attacks on journalists, says a new report by
Human
Rights Watch.
In an 18-page briefing paper, the IFEX member details how the
government has
failed to prosecute a single individual despite widespread eyewitness
accounts of police forces violently assaulting journalists during the
October 2003 presidential elections. Following the elections, which the
Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) called "fraudulent,"
opposition leaders and journalists led large street demonstrations,
during
which scores were attacked (see:
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/54415/).
Human Rights Watch says the state of impunity has had a lasting,
harmful
effect on press freedom, sending a message to police that they can
continue
to commit violence against journalists.
Meanwhile, authorities have used the courts to shut down independent or
opposition media outlets, launching civil defamation lawsuits that have
forced some to suspend publication because of costly fines.
Human Rights Watch issued its report shortly before a Council of Europe
(CoE) fact-finding mission arrived in Azerbaijan on 4 August 2004 to
monitor
human rights conditions there. Azerbaijan joined the regional
intergovernmental organisation in 2001 and is obliged as a member state
to
meet the CoE's standards on human rights.
Read Human Rights Watch's briefing paper:
http://hrw.org/backgrounder/eca/azerbaijan/2004/
Visit these links:
- IFEX alerts on Azerbaijan:
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/179/
- International Federation of Journalists' Report on Azerbaijan:
http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=2102&Language=EN
- About the Council of Europe: http://www.coe.int/T/e/Com/about_coe/
- CoE Resolution on Azerbaijan:
http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/AdoptedText/ta04/ERES1358.htm
5. MOLDOVA: JOURNALISTS PROTEST GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE
In Moldova, the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) is raising concerns
over
the future of the country's state broadcaster, following protests by
100
staff who say the ruling Communist party is trying to prevent TeleRadio
Moldova from becoming an independent news provider.
At issue is the government's decision to transform TeleRadio Moldova
into a
public service broadcaster in response to its commitments to the
Council of
Europe, the regional human rights body of which Moldova is a member. As
part
of the transformation, the Moldovan government has ordered the
state-run
institution to lay off its entire staff and undergo a new hiring
process for
the new media outlet. IJC says the hiring commission appointed to
recruit
new staff is using the opportunity to screen out journalists who have
been
critical of the Communist party.
A hundred TeleRadio Moldova employees have launched protests against
management, arguing that the process is being used as a way of keeping
the
broadcaster under the control of the government. On 27 July 2004, they
staged a sit-in at TeleRadio Moldova's headquarters, which was broken
up
three days later by police. Protests are continuing outside the
building.
Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontierès, RSF), the
Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Media Task Force
of
the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe have raised concerns over
the
situation.
In its annual report on press freedom in Moldova, the Committee to
Protect
Journalists (CPJ) notes that since the Communist Party's return to
power in
the 2001 elections, the climate for the country's independent and
opposition
media has become more restrictive. Throughout 2003, opposition media
outlets
that published reports on government corruption or topics deemed
troublesome
by the Communist administration endured police raids, the confiscation
of
archival material, detentions, and interrogations, says CPJ.
Authorities
also employed less direct forms of intimidation against the opposition
press, such as scaring off advertisers and accusing journalists of
taking
bribes.
Visit these links:
- IJC: http://ijc.iatp.md/en/
- RSF: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60486/
- CPJ Report: http://www.cpj.org/attacks03/europe03/moldova.html
- OSCE: http://www.osce.org/moldova/
- Media Task Force of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe:
http://www.stabilitypact.org/media/default.asp
--------------------------------------------------------
PRESS FREEDOM MISSIONS
6. ZIMBABWE: MISA FINDS CHAOTIC, HOSTILE CONDITIONS FOR JOURNALISTS
Zimbabwe's elections in March 2004 are unlikely to be free and fair as
long
as the government keeps a tight rein on the media, a fact-finding
mission by
the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has concluded.
A three-person team made up of Botswana-based journalist Pamela Dube,
Mozambican editor Fernando Gonçalves and Zambian media lawyer Patrick
Matibini conducted a week-long mission to Zimbabwe in June 2004 to
examine
the state of the country's media and found an environment chaotic and
hostile to independent journalists and media outlets.
Their report, "Fact-Finding Mission to Zimbabwe," reveals a country
where
news media outlets have become polarised along political lines. "The
battle
lines are no longer the terrain of the political opponents. The media
is the
battle field.and journalistic ethics are being compromised," it says.
The authors of the report say state media, particularly the Zimbabwe
Broadcasting Corporation and the daily newspaper "The Herald," issue
"hate
messages" against perceived political opponents. At the same time,
activities of the political opposition are hardly covered. The authors
say
they heard disheartening stories of journalists who had been fired or
denied
employment for "daring to criticise" the government. This has forced
journalists to sacrifice professionalism and "toe the political line"
in the
interests of staying employed in the media sector.
According to MISA's 2003 annual report, there were 102 attacks against
journalists in Zimbabwe last year, more than any other country in the
Southern African Development Community. This included arrests, physical
assaults, imprisonment and legal actions.
To read MISA's full report, visit: http://www.misa.org
Visit these links:
- African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights:
http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/hr/040719au.asp?sector=DEMGG&range_start=1
- BBC Correspondent Sneaks into Zimbabwe:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3857595.stm
- Inter Press Service: http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=24949
- allafrica.com coverage of Zimbabwe: http://allafrica.com/zimbabwe/
--------------------------------------------------------
CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
7. MRA, MFWA ENGAGE IN LIBERIA BROADCASTING SEMINAR
In Liberia, where years of brutal civil conflict have left the
country's
media in a fragile state, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the Media
Foundation
for West Africa (MFWA) are working with journalists' associations and
media
development groups in Liberia to rebuild the infrastructure.
The IFEX members were in Liberia last week to attend a two-day seminar
organised by the Press Union of Liberia and the Panos Institute of West
Africa. Bringing together local broadcast media and international
organisations, the seminar focused on discussing the requirements for
creating a broadcasting policy for the country. Participants discussed
the
state of broadcast media in Liberia, the current legal framework for
broadcasting and the role of media in promoting peace, reconciliation
and
democracy.
Panos also presented proposals for establishing community radio in the
country and producing civil education and election monitoring
programmes.
For more information, contact:
- MRA: pubs@mediarightsagenda.org
- MFWA: events@mfwaonline.org
Visit these links:
- allafrica.com: http://allafrica.com/stories/200408060740.html
- MRA: http://www.internews.org/mra/index.htm
- MFWA: http://www.mfwaonline.org/
- Panos Institute of West Africa: http://www.panos.sn/default.asp
- Press Union of Liberia:
http://institutions.africadatabase.org/data/i10666.html
--------------------------------------------------------
"IN OTHER NEWS".
8. IMPACS, IMS LAUNCH ELECTION REPORTING HANDBOOK
For fledging democracies or countries emerging from years of conflict,
the
role of the media in informing the public about important issues has
been
widely recognised as a vital one. During elections, that role becomes
particularly challenging.
Journalists must know the election rules and report fairly on all
candidates, parties and issues. They have to work under tight deadlines
and
are often under great pressure from powerful interests. Finally, they
have
to be the eyes and ears of voters, providing them with the information
they
need to make an informed vote.
Their task should become easier thanks to a new elections reporting
handbook
produced by the Institute for Media Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS)
and
International Media Support (IMS). Written for journalists in countries
where democracy is fragile, the handbook offers tips for producing
responsible journalism and useful background information on elections.
The handbook is available online in PDF format:
http://www.impacs.org/files/Media and Elections handbook_final version.pdf
Print copies can also be ordered from IMPACS. Contact: media@impacs.org
--------------------------------------------------------
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
9. SOUTHERN AFRICA GENDER AND MEDIA AWARDS
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and Gender Links are
launching
a new award to recognise excellence in reporting on gender issues in
the
region. Open to journalists from countries belonging to the Southern
Africa
Development Community, including Seychelles, the Southern Africa Gender
and
Media Awards seek to reward stories that raise critical debate, show
balance
and challenge prevailing stereotypes.
The awards are part of MISA and Genderlinks' joint initiative to
promote
gender equality in the media and improve reporting on women's issues in
Southern Africa. In 2003, the groups released the first comprehensive
regional survey of gender in the media, which showed that women were
grossly
under-represented in the media profession and in media coverage
(http://www.genderlinks.org.za/docs/2003/GMbaselinestudy/gmbs-full-text-1.ht
m).
There are five categories of awards: print (newspapers and magazines);
radio; television; opinion and commentary; and photojournalism. The
winner
in each category will receive a 3,000 Rand (approx. US$500) cash prize,
a
trophy and a scholarship to attend the Gender and Media Summit in South
Africa in September 2004
(http://www.genderlinks.org.za/gemsummit/gemsummit-index.htm).
Runners-up
will also receive a trophy and an opportunity to participate in MISA's
a
two-week media exchange programme.
Submissions may include English, Portuguese or French stories that are
specifically about gender issues, as well as stories on every day
issues
that have a gender perspective. Stories must have been published or
broadcast between May 2003 and June 2004. Individuals are allowed to
submit
a maximum of three entries in three different categories. Fax, e-mail
and
late submissions will not be considered.
The deadline for submission is 18 August 2004.
For full details, visit:
http://www.genderlinks.org.za/newsitem.asp?nid=24
For more information, contact Kubi Rama at kubi@genderlinks.org.za or
Jennifer Mufune at jennifer@misa.org.
10. PANOS-GKP "REPORTING ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY" AWARDS
Panos and the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) are inviting
journalists to
apply for the 2004 "Reporting on the Information Society" awards, which
recognise incisive reporting on the impact of Information and
Communication
Technologies (ICTs) on society.
The competition is open only to journalists from developing nations and
countries in transition.
The theme this year is "Transparency, good governance and democracy: Do
ICTs
increase accountability?" Four awards of US$1,000 each will be given to
deserving journalists.
Submissions must include work published or broadcast between 1 January
2004
and 15 October 2004. They can be in any medium (print or online, radio,
television, Internet).
To submit a piece of work for consideration, send a clipping, audio or
video
tape, transcript or web reference by email to: award2004@panos.org.uk;
or by
mail to: Murali Shanmugavelan, Panos Institute, 9 White Lion St, London
N1
9PD, United Kingdom.
The deadline for submissions is 15 October 2004.
For more information, visit:
http://www.panos.org.uk/files/PanosGKPJournalism2004.doc
--------------------------------------------------------
ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE DURING THE PAST WEEK
3 AUGUST 2004
Paraguay - Photojournalist attacked by leaders of ruling party's youth
wing
(SPP) - press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60442/
Philippines - Radio broadcaster (m) killed (CMFR) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60439/
Venezuela - Venezolana de Televisión station news crew attacked (IPYS)
-
action alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60443/
Peru - Journalist unable to return to his home because of death threat
(IPYS) - action alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60444/
Peru - Newspaper director (m) accused of distributing child
pornography,
newspaper's photo archives seized (IPYS) - action alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60447/
Nepal - Journalists abducted, beaten and harassed; others released
(CEHURDES) - alert and update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60448/
Tajikistan - Editor-in-chief (m) of independent newspaper "Ruzi Nav"
brutally assaulted (Adilsoz) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60449/
4 AUGUST 2004
China - Journalist (m) imprisoned (CPJ) - action alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60473/
Peru - Public Prosecutor's Office summons Radio Panorama journalists
who
spoke out against seizure of daily's materials (IPYS) - action alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60474/
Americas - IAPA concerned over attacks on press freedom in last quarter
(IAPA) - press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60477/
Côte d'Ivoire - Journalist granted provisional release, fears for his
safety
(CPJ) - press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60479/
Indonesia - IPI condemns use of Criminal Code against journalists (IPI)
-
press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60481/
5 AUGUST 2004
Philippines - Journalist (m) killed (CMFR) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60482/
Burma - Local documentary filmmaker (m) arrested for filming flooding
disaster in northern Burma (SEAPA) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60483/
China - Two Taiwanese journalists (m) held for four days by Shanghai
authorities (IFJ) - press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60484/
Pakistan - Government tables amendments to defamation legislation (PPF)
-
alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60485/
Moldova - RSF concerned over wave of press freedom violations (RSF) -
alert
and update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60486/
Venezuela - Television news crew's footage erased (IPYS) - action alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60488/
Colombia - Two more individuals face charges in connection with
journalist's
(m) murder (IPYS) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60491/
Nepal - Journalist (m) threatened; newspaper offices looted (CEHURDES)
-
alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60492/
Greece - Two Mexican journalists (m) and their interpreter (f) detained
and
manhandled by coast guard (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60493/
6 AUGUST 2004
Democratic Republic of Congo - Evangelical radio station shut down, six
employees arrested (JED) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60495/
Philippines - Suspects in broadcaster's (f) murder identified (CMFR) -
alert
update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60497/
Venezuela - IAPA concerned over Supreme Court decision to require
mandatory
licensing for journalists (IAPA) - press release/alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60500/
Azerbaijan - Human Rights Watch briefing paper outlines deterioration
in
press freedom since October 2003 presidential elections (HRW) - press
release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60501/
Colombia - Navy detains journalists near Ecuadorian border (IPYS) -
action
alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60504/
Iran - Academic Hashem Aghajari released on bail (WiPC) - action alert
update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60505/
Iraq - Violence the main obstacle to free media, says Freedom House
report
(Freedom House) - press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60506/
Russia - Environmental journalist Grigory Pasko receives international
passport (CPJ) - press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60507/
Nepal - Rebels threaten to cut off journalists' (m) hands (CEHURDES) -
alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60508/
Peru - Police fail to act on arrest warrants against suspects in
journalist's murder (IPYS) - action alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60509/
Iran - Cyber-dissident (m) on trial; harsh Internet bill drafted (RSF)
-
alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60511/
Kuwait - Government bans "Fahrenheit 9/11" (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60514/
Uzbekistan - Journalist (m) released, but struggling to reclaim his
home and
personal belongings (CPJ) - press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60515/
Belarus - Mother of missing journalist (m) requests new investigation
of the
case (RSF) - press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60542/
Costa Rica - 06 AUG 2004
Inter-American Court of Human Rights overturns defamation sentence
against
Costa Rican journalist (m) (CPJ) - press release/update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60544/
Honduras - 06 AUG 2004
Journalist (m) found guilty of "defamation" (PROBIDAD) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/60545/
-------------------------------------------------------
The "IFEX Communiqué" is published weekly by the IFEX Clearing House.
IFEX
is managed by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) on behalf
of
the network's 65 members.
The views expressed in the "IFEX Communiqué" are the responsibility of
the
sources to which they are attributed.
The "IFEX Communiqué" grants permission for its material to be
reproduced or
republished provided it is credited.
Contact: "IFEX Communiqué" Editor: Geoffrey Chan: communique@ifex.org
Mailing Address: 489 College St. #403, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1A5 Canada,
Tel:
1 416 515 9622; Fax: 1 416 515 7879.
-------------------------------------------------
PUERTO RICO: Journalists' Work Recognized
The tenth edition of the National Journalism Prize recently awarded the year's best television, radio and print news, the Journalists Association of Puerto Rico (ASPPRO in Spanish) and Primera Hora reported.
The winners include a series on the controversial finances of former Gov. Pedro Roselló by Oscar Serrano, a report about domestic violence by Firuzeh Shokooh, and several international reports, Primera Hora and ASPPRO reported.
The ceremony took place during National Press Week 2004, and recognized 50 years of Puerto Rican television news, El Vocero and Primera Hora noted.
HONDURAS: Journalist Found Guilty of Defamation
A journalist has been found guilty of defaming the president of the Honduran Advertisement Agencies' Association (APAH, in Spanish), La Prensa de Honduras and Probidad reported.
Journalist Adolfo Hernández was accused of defaming APAH President Fernando Mass when he questioned the results of an APAH ratings survey that had put his television program in last place, IFEX noted.
The punishment for defamation is one to two years in prison. Hernández's sentencing will be held on Aug. 27. The legal action against Hernández follows similar cases involving four other journalists in the past two years, including Renato Alvarez and Carlos Mauricio Flores, La Prensa de Honduras reported.
In related news, Probidad recently published online a series of articles about press freedom in Honduras.
La Prensa de Honduras/La Tribuna/IFEX
CHILE: Newspaper Dismisses Director for Coverage of Controversial Story
A national newspaper has asked its director to resign because of the paper's coverage of the case of a businessman with alleged connections to a pedophilia network, El Mostrador and el Mercurio reported.
La Nación took such action against Alberto Luengo Danon after the federal government, the newspaper's majority shareholder, petitioned the board of directors to have Luengo removed. The journalist said he did not consider the board's decision to be censorship. However the paper's journalists union sent President Ricardo Lagos a letter denouncing the action, El Mostrador and La Segunda reported.
In related news, an appeals court ruled that journalists Paulina de Allende-Salazar and Marcelo Simonetti of Television Nacional de Chile (TVN), and Emilio Sutherland of Canal 13, could not be prosecuted for their reporting on the pedophilia allegations, El Nuevo Herald and Terra news portal reported.
EL Mostrador/El Mercurio/El Nuevo Herald
=================================================
Committee to Protect Journalists
330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001 USA Phone: (212) 465-1004
Fax: (212) 465-9568 Web: www.cpj.org E-Mail: media@cpj.org
================
CONTACT: Julia Crawford
Email: africaprogram@cpj.org
Phone: 1-212-465-1004
================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
BENIN: For first time since '96, journalists imprisoned for their work
New York, August 19, 2004-At least four Beninese reporters face
criminal
defamation charges and two of them have already spent time in prison
this
year-the first journalists to be imprisoned for their work since 1996
in the
West African nation.
The defendants include Patrick Adjamonsi, publication director of the
private daily L'Aurore, who was released today after spending six days
in
prison. Adjamonsi, whose original sentence was overturned, faces a new
trial
in the fall.
The charges against Adjamonsi stem from an article he wrote for
L'Aurore in
November 2003, which criticized the distribution of government
subsidies for
the private press by Benin's communications authority La Haute Autorité
de
l'Audiovisuel et de la Communication (HAAC). According to local
sources, the
article alleged the subsidies were not properly distributed, and
suggested
their distribution could have been influenced by corruption.
In February, 2004, two administrative employees of the HAAC, Amélie
Amoussou
and Noël Sohouénou, pressed defamation charges against Adjamonsi. On
June 8,
Adjamonsi was sentenced to six months in prison and a symbolic fine of
one
CFA franc (less than one U.S. cent). According to local sources,
Adjamonsi
was not present at his trial and had not hired a lawyer, so the
conviction
and sentencing took place in absentia.
On August 13, Adjamonsi was arrested and imprisoned in Cotonou, Benin's
largest city. A lawyer subsequently hired by the journalist
successfully
challenged the sentence on procedural grounds. The court ordered a
retrial,
for which a hearing has been scheduled on October 19.
Amoussou and Sohouénou also pressed charges against two other
journalists,
stemming from an article in the private daily La Pyramide on the
distribution of press subsidies. John Akintola, the author, and
Christophe
Hodonou, publication director of La Pyramide, were sentenced July 20 in
absentia to six months in prison and a fine of one CFA franc. Their
sentences were also overturned on procedural grounds, and the warrant
for
their arrest was rescinded today. They also face retrial, with the
first
hearing on October 19.
Jean-Baptiste Hounkonnou, publication director for the independent
daily Le
Nouvel Essor, continues to face criminal defamation charges for an
article
published in December 2003. Hounkonnou was imprisoned on March 16 after
he
received a six-month prison sentence for defamation, but was granted a
provisional release in May after he appealed. His case is ongoing and
he
could face additional imprisonment if his appeal is rejected. (See
CPJ's
alerts: and
)
"It is troubling that two journalists have been imprisoned on
defamation
charges so far this year, the first journalists to be imprisoned for
their
work in Benin since 1996," CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper said.
"Benin
should live up to its reputation for upholding press freedom by
removing
criminal penalties for press offenses."
CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works
to
safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit
www.cpj.org.
==
Alexis Arieff
Committee to Protect Journalists
aarieff@cpj.org
phone: 1-212-300-9004
fax: 1-212-465-9568
http://www.cpj.org
