Novi broj IFEX novosti

19.07.2004.

 

 

----¦ IFEX COMMUNIQUÉ VOL 13 NO 28 ¦ 13 JULY 2004 ¦ ------

 The IFEX Communiqué is the weekly newsletter of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), a global network of 65 organisations working to defend and promote free expression. The Communiqué is also available in French and Spanish.

--------------¦ Visit the IFEX website: http://www.ifex.org/en/¦------------------

 -- ¦ INDEX ¦ --

 FREE-EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT:

    1. Burundi: Radio Station Works for Reconciliation

 REGIONAL NEWS:

    2. Russia: Forbes Editor Murdered

   3. Sri Lanka: RSF Report Decries Impunity

    4. China Moves to Monitor Text Messaging

    5. Cuba: WiPC to Launch Letter-Writing Campaign

 TAKE ACTION!

    6. Algeria: Three Journalists Handed Jail Sentences

 CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

    7. International Human Rights Colloquium

    8. ORBICOM, Morocco to Host Information Society Conference

 REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS:

    9. Human Rights Watch Report on Free Expression in Angola

 "IN OTHER NEWS":

    10. Indian Grassroots Movement Fights for Right to Information

    11. CIVICUS Provides Tools for Capacity Building

 WEBSITES:

    12. Zim Online

    13. African Women's Media Center

 AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS:

    14. International Activist Award

 ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE IN THE PAST WEEK

--------------------------------------------------------

FREE-EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT

 1. BURUNDI: RADIO STATION WORKS FOR RECONCILIATION

 In Burundi, where ethnic conflict in the 1990s led to the killing of at least 300,000 civilians, reconciliation is a long slow process. A few brave radio stations are working to overcome that legacy of violence, including Radio Publique Africaine (RPA), reports Dangerous Assignments, the magazine of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Nicknamed the "Voice of the People," RPA has a staff of 35, half of whom are former government soldiers, Tutsi militiamen or Hutu rebels. Now trained as journalists, they hold pencils and paper at editorial meetings, rather than the guns and bullets they used in previous years to kill each other. RPA's founder, Alexis Sinduhije, says he wanted to assemble such a mix of journalists to "humanize relations between the ethnic groups and set an example of former enemies working together to build peace."

 RPA was launched in 2001 after Sinduhije finally convinced donors to provide funding, writes Aloys Niyoyita. Many had been reluctant to support media in Burundi following the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda in which some radio stations had played a role in inciting violence against Tutsis.

Since it began broadcasting, RPA has benefited rural aid workers and farmers, who say outlying provinces have become less isolated as a result of the radio station's broadcasts. They also say the station's call-in shows give them an outlet to "talk about our lives and our daily suffering." RPA has also done investigations into politically sensitive issues, including the November 2001 murder of a World Health Organization official that was believed to be linked to government corruption, notes Niyoyita. And it has refused to buckle under government pressure over its coverage of the civil war.

 Read the full story on CPJ's website: http://www.cpj.org

 Visit these links:

- A Profile of Alexis Sinduhije: http://www.sfcg.org/sfcg/stories/sfcg_adrien.html

- Peace Radio in Burundi: http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/dossiers/html/burundi-p.html

- CPJ Report on Burundi: http://www.cpj.org/attacks03/africa03/burundi.html

-------------------------------------------------------

REGIONAL NEWS:

 EUROPE

 2. RUSSIA: FORBES EDITOR MURDERED

 A chilling message has been sent to journalists in Russia following the murder of Paul Klebnikov, the editor of the Russian edition of "Forbes Magazine" who was shot and killed in Moscow on 9 July 2004. Klebnikov, an American citizen, was shot four times by unidentified assailants as he left his office, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). No motive for the killing has been determined. However, "Forbes" attracted attention in May when it reported that Moscow had more billionaires (33) than any other city in the world, says CPJ. The list included business magnat Boris Berezovsky, one of several billionaires whom Russian President Vladimir Putin has trying to rein in as part of efforts to curb the power of the country's oligarchs. Klebnikov had also written a book about Berezovsky in August 2001 entitled "Godfather of the Kremlin: Boris Berezovsky and the Looting of Russia."

Since 2000, 14 journalists in Russia have been killed because of their work, notes CPJ, and in none of the cases has anyone been brought to justice. CPJ has joined Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and the International Press Institute (IPI) in calling on Russian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the murder and to stop the impunity surrounding the killing of journalists.

 Visit these links:

- CPJ Report on Putin and the Press: http://www.cpj.org/news/2004/Russia09july04na.html

- RSF 2004 Report on Russia: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10229

- IPI Report: http://www.freemedia.at/wpfr/Europe/russia.htm

- WAN: http://www.wan-press.org/article4560.html

- PBS Wide Angle Special on Russian Journalists:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/shows/russia/index.html

 ASIA

 3. SRI LANKA: RSF REPORT DECRIES IMPUNITY

 Attacks on journalists in eastern Sri Lanka have reached alarming levels in recent weeks, with a reporter murdered and a dozen others facing death threats, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

In a report released on 13 July 2004, RSF has called on the Sri Lankan government to ensure the safety of journalists as the country negotiates a fragile peace process. Underlying the attacks on journalists is the impunity which pervades the country, placing press freedom and the peace process in jeopardy, says RSF. In the past four years, five journalists have been killed. No one has been brought to justice for the murders.

 RSF conducted a fact-finding mission to Sri Lanka earlier this year, where it interviewed dozens of journalists. Most of the journalists told RSF that the unsafe conditions left them fearful.

 RSF also investigated the case of Aiyathurai Nadesan, a journalist murdered in May 2004 in the eastern city of Batticaloa (see: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/59230/). Colleagues and relatives of the slain journalist told RSF that they believed the killers were closely linked to Colonel Karuna, a rebel leader who recently split from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) group. The Sri Lankan government has admitted that members of the Sri Lankan army have supported Karuna.

 RSF says the government has done little to pursue the killers and put them on trial. It has released a set of nine recommendations for improving press freedom in the country, including ending impunity, ensuring the safety of journalists and ending "hate-mongering" in the media.

RSF has also urged the Norwegian government to become more actively involved in protecting journalists and press freedom. Norway oversees international monitoring of the current ceasefire agreement between the Sri Lankan government and LTTE.

 Read RSF's full report: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10956

Visit these links:

- Free Media Movement's 2004 Report on Sri Lanka: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/59774/

- International Press Institute: http://www.freemedia.at/wpfr/Asia/srilanka.htm

- Human Rights Watch: http://hrw.org/backgrounder/asia/srilanka080603.htm

- Committee to Protect Journalists: http://www.cpj.org/attacks03/asia03/sri.html

 ASIA

 4. CHINA MOVES TO MONITOR TEXT MESSAGING

 The Chinese government has approved a company's bid to sell technology that allows text messages sent by mobile phones to be monitored, raising fears that authorities are stepping up efforts to further clamp down on free expression, say Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE).

Venus Info Tech Ltd, a Chinese company, says the Public Security Ministry has given it permission to sell a real-time surveillance system for SMS (Short Message Service), or text, messages. The technology filters keywords and combinations of keywords, which generate automatic alerts that are transmitted to the police, says RSF. The system stores information about the identity of text message senders for 60 days.

The company says the new surveillance system will allow it to capture "false political rumours" and "reactionary remarks." This follows the launching of a government campaign last month to stamp out the criminal use of text messages, notes RSF. A government official said it was important that "specialised technology" be used to fight this type of crime. RSF says the SMS surveillance technology represents another plank in Beijing's campaign to muzzle free expression. It already employs sophisticated software to monitor Internet service providers and block websites containing politically sensitive information.

Text messaging is hugely popular in China, where the mobile phone market is the largest in the world. Last year, Chinese people sent more than 220 billion text messages - more than half of all text messages sent around the world, reports the BBC.

 Visit these links:

- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10870

- RSF Report on Internet Censorship in China: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=10749

- CJFE: http://www.cjfe.org

- China Digital News: http://journalism.berkeley.edu/projects/chinadn/en/

- BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3859403.stm

 AMERICAS

 5. CUBA: WiPC TO LAUNCH LETTER-WRITING CAMPAIGN

 The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) is launching a letter-writing campaign this month to focus attention on the plight of 32 imprisoned Cuban journalists, writers and librarians. Running from 19 July to 15 August 2004, the campaign aims to put pressure on Cuban authorities to release the dissidents, who have been sentenced for jail terms of between 14 and 27 years for "counter-revolutionary activities."

 The imprisoned dissidents were sentenced in April 2003 following a crackdown on independent journalists, writers and librarians. (see: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/57602/). The individuals were accused of conspiring with James Cason, the chief of the US Special Interests Section in Havana, according to WiPC. The U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has formally adopted all 32 cases.

WiPC has produced a campaign kit for PEN Centres and free-expression advocates, which includes information about each of the 32 individuals currently in jail and background details on Cuba's media and political situation.

For more details of the campaign, contact: Dixe Wills, Americas Researcher, WiPC, 9/10 Charterhouse Buildings, London EC1M 7AT, United Kingdom; Tel: +44 20 7253 3226; Fax: +44 20 7253 5711; E-mail: dwills@wipcpen.org; Website: http://www.internationalpen.org.uk

 Visit these links:

- IFEX alerts on Cuba: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/1033/

- Reporters Without Borders: http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=367

- Committee to Protect Journalists: http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2003/cubacrackdown/index.html

--------------------------------------------------------

TAKE ACTION!

 6. ALGERIA: THREE JOURNALISTS HANDED JAIL SENTENCES RAP21, a network of African editors coordinated by the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), is inviting free-expression advocates to send online letters in support of three jailed journalists in Algeria. Mohammed Benchicou, Hafnaoui Ghoul and Ali Djerri have been sentenced to jail terms of between two months and two years on charges that include defamation and "violating foreign exchange controls." WAN says the jail terms are part of a larger effort to stifle media criticism of government officials.

For more details about the case, visit: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/59835/

To sign a letter online, visit: http://www.rap21.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=394

--------------------------------------------------------

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

 7. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COLLOQUIUM

 Human rights activists from Africa, Asia and Latin America are invited to apply to attend the fourth

International Human Rights Colloquium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in October 2004, which will bring together leading academics and advocates for a week of intensive training on capacity building and campaigning.

The Colloquium is intended to promote greater impact from the actions of advocates through learning and debate on human rights and strategies. It also provides valuable networking opportunities for participants.

Hosted by Conectas Human Rights and Sur (University Human Rights Network), this year's theme will focus on the U.N. Millennium Declaration and how human rights activists can campaign around its stated Development Goals (see: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/). Participants will attend lectures and engage with colleagues in working groups where they will share experiences and discuss practical applications around four issues - access to justice; security and human rights; the right to health; and trade and development.

The Colloquium is open to applicants who are fluent in one of the three official languages - English, Spanish or Portuguese. Simultaneous translation and language assistance will be provided.

It will be open on a competitive basis to both new applicants and previous participants. Since 2001, more than 450 activists and academics from over 30 countries have taken part. Major supporters of the colloquium include the Ford Foundation and the United Nations Foundation.

For more information, contact coloquio2004@conectas.org or visit:http://www.conectas.org/coloquio/about.php

 8. ORBICOM, MOROCCO TO HOST INFORMATION SOCIETY CONFERENCE ORBICOM (the International Network of UNESCO Chairs in Communication) and the Moroccan government are holding an international conference in Marrakech in November 2004 on the role of media and the information society in Africa and the Arab States.

Intended as a follow-up to the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, in December 2003, the conference is expected to attract 100 representatives of media organisations, free-expression and press freedom groups. It will take place from 22 to 24 November.

The aim of the conference is to examine how the media fits into the Declaration of Principles and the Action Plan that arose out of Geneva and its role in implementing the recommendations in Africa and the Arab States. Participants will also attempt to draft a common position on Internet governance that will be sent to a working group created by the U.N. Secretary General.

Panel discussions will assess the media's position regarding Internet governance, press freedom on the Internet and women in the media, among other issues.

 For more information, visit: http://www.orbicom.uqam.ca/mediaconference/index.html

--------------------------------------------------------

PUBLICATIONS

 9. HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH SPOTLIGHTS FREE EXPRESSION IN ANGOLA

 In 2006, Angola plans to hold its first elections in nearly 15 years. The country is enjoying peace after decades of a brutal civil war in which hundreds of thousands were killed. According to a new report by Human Rights Watch, however, freedom of expression will not fully return as long as the government keeps a firm grip on the media.

The report, "Unfinished Democracy: Media and Political Freedoms in Angola," notes that while there are fewer cases of journalists being jailed and harassed since the civil war ended in 2002, this has largely been confined to the capital, Luanda.

The government controls the only daily newspaper and the only non-satellite television station in the country. It also maintains a monopoly on radio broadcasting in most parts of the country. And strict libel laws remain on the statutes, further constraining journalists, says Human Rights Watch.

 Read the full report: http://hrw.org/backgrounder/africa/angola/2004/

--------------------------------------------------------

"IN OTHER NEWS".

 10. INDIAN GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT FIGHTS FOR RIGHT TO INFORMATION

 In Rajasthan, India, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) is something of a pioneer. A grassroots movement made up of peasants and workers, the organiasation has won remarkable victories in the fight to defend the right to access information, reports freedominfo.org.

In its 13 years of existence, MKSS has mobilised the poor in effective ways to demand accountability and transparency from local and provincial governments, combining democratic dissent and direct action. Its campaigns have led the state government of Rajasthan to pass a right to information law and spurred other access to information advocates to launch a national campaign.

 A case study of MKSS' campaigning practices has been produced and is available on freedominfo.org.

It includes essays on the movement, excerpts from a documentary film on MKSS, photographs and a list of resources and readings.

 Visit: http://freedominfo.org/case/mkss/mkss.htm

 11. CIVICUS PROVIDES TOOLS FOR CAPACITY BUILDING

 For many free expression organisations, knowing how to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of their work often ranks high on wish lists. So is knowing how to develop a funding strategy. Detailed information on how to implement these important activities, however, is rarely available for free. CIVICUS, a global network of civil society organisations, has now made this information accessible through its website. It has produced a series of toolkits to help organisations improve capacity, covering areas like monitoring and evaluation; writing effective funding proposals; implementing financial controls and accountability; and working with the media.

 Available on its website and on CD-ROM, the Civil Society Toolkits come in three languages - English, French and Spanish.

 Visit www.civicus.org/new/default.asp and click on Civil Society Toolkits under the heading

"Resources and Services."

--------------------------------------------------------

WEBSITES:

 12. ZIM ONLINE

 Stifled by the Zimbabwean government's efforts to muzzle independent media, journalists who have been laid off or fired as a result of the clampdown have started up a new online daily newspaper.

Zim Online seeks to "tell the other side of the Zimbabwean story which President Robert Mugabe fights to prevent the world from knowing." The website is registered in South Africa.

 Visit: www.zimonline.co.za

 13. AFRICAN WOMEN'S MEDIA CENTER

 African Women's Media Center, a project of the International Women's Media Foundation, has produced an online directory of resources for women journalists who seek professional development opportunities in Africa. It includes training resources, networking links and press freedom organisations.

 Visit: http://www.awmc.com/pub/p-4320/e-4321/

--------------------------------------------------------

AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS

 14. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVIST AWARD

 The U.S.-based Gleitsman Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2005 International Activist Award honouring exceptional individuals who struggle against social injustice.

 The award is open to individuals anywhere in the world, outside the United States, whose "vision and courage inspire others to join with them in confronting and challenging injustice," says the foundation. It is not presented posthumously, nor is it given to organisations. Two individuals will share a US$100,00 cash prize and a specially commissioned sculpture created by award-winning U.S. artist Maya Li.

 Established in 1989, the Gleitsman Foundation is a non-profit organization that recognizes and encourages leadership in social activism worldwide.

 Nominations can be made online at: http://www.gleitsman.org/intForm.html

 

For more information on the foundation, visit: http://www.gleitsman.org/

--------------------------------------------------------

ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE DURING THE PAST WEEK

 5 JULY 2004

United States - IFLA and IPA deplore trade restrictions limiting the exchange of informational materials (IPA) - press release/alert International - IPA calls for end to erosion of free expression and freedom to publish (IPA) - press release

Russia - No progress in enquiry one year after kidnapping of AFP journalist (m) in Ingushetia; UN and Council of Europe petitioned (RSF) - alert update

 6 JULY 2004

Pakistan - Newspaper publishers deplore use of government advertisements as tool against publications (PPF) - alert update

Peru - Journalists (m,f) assaulted during demonstration (IPYS) - action alert

Cuba - Bernardo Arévalo Padrón granted political asylum in the United States (IAPA) - press release/update

Africa - Organisations call on African Union to promote environment conducive to media freedom in Africa (MISA/IFJ) - press release

India - Mumbai daily attacked by militant nationalists (RSF) - alert

Democratic Republic of Congo - Colonel relieved of his duties following attack on community radio director (m) (JED) - alert update

Liberia - Information officer (m) beaten by police (MFWA) - alert United States - IPI dismayed by Voice of America news director's (m) removal (IPI) - press release/alert

Cuba - IAPA protests Raúl Rivero's treatment, calls for his release from prison (IAPA) - press release/update

 7 JULY 2004

Madagascar - Opposition radio station closed (RSF) - alert

Yemen - IFJ condemns death threat against union leader (IFJ) - press release/alert

Guatemala - Government asked to stop auctioning radio frequencies (CERIGUA) - action alert

Nigeria - Journalist (m) arrested, tortured and charged with publishing false information (MRA) -action alert

Vietnam - Imprisoned (m) writers to be tried after 18 months' detention (CPJ) - alert update

 8 JULY 2004

Russia - Afghan correspondent (m) for Radio Free Europe attacked in Moscow (RSF) - alert

Haiti - RSF releases fact-finding mission report on press freedom situation in Haiti (RSF) - press release

China - CJFE calls on government to cease its surveillance of text messages (CJFE) - action alert, update

Democratic Republic of Congo - Journalist (m) faces charges for "offending" local chief (m) (JED) -alert

Ukraine - RSF seeks guarantees ahead of Alexandrov trial (RSF) - alert update

Honduras - Spanish citizen deported for criticising government (PROBIDAD) - action alert

 9 JULY 2004

South Africa - FXI condemns police barring of media from conflict zone (FXI) - press release/alert

Belarus - RSF demands justice for missing cameraman Dmitri Zavadski following Council of Europe revelations (RSF) - alert update

Guatemala - Government recognises responsibility in journalist's (m) murder (IAPA) - press release/update

Ukraine - Media under increasing threat ahead of elections, warns Freedom House report (Freedom House) - press release

Nigeria - Journalist (m) released (MRA) - alert update

Central African Republic - Publication director (m) arrested, five others summoned by interior minister (JED) - alert

Tunisia - Appeal Court upholds ruling against Internet users (RSF) - alert update

-------------------------------------------------------

The "IFEX Communiqué" is

Povratak