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Novi bilten IFEX-a 05.07.2006.
----¦ IFEX COMMUNIQUÉ VOL 15 NO 26 ¦ 4 JULY 2006 ¦ ------
The IFEX Communiqué is the weekly newsletter of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), a global network of 72 organisations working to defend and promote the right to free expression. IFEX is managed by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (www.cjfe.org).
The IFEX Communiqué is also available in French (www.ifex.org/fr), Spanish (www.ifex.org/es), Russian (www.ifex.cjes.ru/) and Arabic (http://hrinfo.net/ifex/).
--------------¦ Visit the IFEX website: http://www.ifex.org ¦------------------
----¦ Read about the IFEX Tunisia Campaign: http://campaigns.ifex.org/tmg ¦-----
FREE EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT:
1. Afghanistan: Media Guidelines Threaten Press Freedom
REGIONAL NEWS:
2. Mexico: Presidential Candidates Urged to Promote Transparency
3. Liberia: Committee to Probe Attacks on Journalists
4. Laos: New Leader Urged to Ease Censorship
5. Sri Lanka: Journalist Murdered
REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS:
6. SEEMO Surveys Ethnic Minority Media in Southeast Europe
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS:
7. Algerian, Danish Cartoonists Honoured
8. MISA Press Freedom Award
USEFUL WEBSITES:
9. U.N. Working Group on Enforced Disappearances
10. ACT - The Electoral Knowledge Network
ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE LAST WEEK
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FREE-EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT
1. AFGHANISTAN: MEDIA GUIDELINES THREATEN PRESS FREEDOM
In what has been called the biggest threat to the independence of the media and free expression since the ousting of the Taliban in 2001, Afghanistan's intelligence agency has issued a list of guidelines urging journalists to curtail their reporting on the country's deteriorating security situation.
Issued by the National Intelligence Directorate (NID) on 18 June 2006, the guidelines ban "Reports that aim to represent that the fighting spirit in Afghanistan's armed forces is weak," and "Negative propaganda, interviews and reports which are provocative or slanderous and which are against the presence [in Afghanistan] of the international coalition forces and ISAF [International Security Assistance Force]," according to Human Rights Watch.
The guidelines also say news of "terrorist" activities should not be lead stories, and provocative statements by, or interviews with, "terrorists" should not be published or broadcast. It does not say what penalties journalists would incur if they ignored the instructions nor how they fit with the Afghan Constitution's provisions protecting free expression.
The guidelines have prompted calls of concern from Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).
According to CPJ and RSF, media organisations were first told about the guidelines in a meeting with a government official on 12 June, where they were handed a list of recommendations reportedly signed by the head of the NID, Amrullah Saleh. Those who attended the meeting included representatives of Tolo TV, the magazines "Kilid" and "Sibat", "Kabul Weekly" and Pajwak Afghan News Service.
On 19 June, President Hamid Karzai's office issued a statement denying that the government had issued restrictions. It described the guidelines as a "request" reflecting "the need to help the nascent media sector in Afghanistan to approach the complex issue of terrorism and terrorist activities in a principled manner." On 22 June, Karzai gave a press conference insisting that the directive is not a threat to freedom of expression. "We defend press freedom because without it the country cannot develop. You should be confident that there will be press freedom and that I will support it," he said.
Visit these links:
- Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/06/21/afghan13605.htm
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/protests/06ltrs/asia/afghan23june06pl.html
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=18083
- Afghan Journalists Slam Media Restrictions:
http://www.iwpr.net/?p=arr&s=f&o=321894&apc_state=henparr
- BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5140380.stm
- Crisis Group Report on Afghanistan's Security Situation: http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3071&l=1
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REGIONAL NEWS
AMERICAS
2. MEXICO: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES URGED TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY
As Mexicans await the results of the most closely contested presidential election in the country's recent history, the National Centre for Social Communication (Centro Nacional de Comunicación Social, CENCOS) and ARTICLE 19 have joined 13 other civil society organisations in urging candidates to publicly pledge their commitment to transparency, accountability and the right to access information.
The organisations have called on the candidates to establish a formal dialogue with civil society, academics and the general public to identify the political reforms they say are needed to ensure that the right to access information is fully guaranteed and respected by the government. The right to access information is recognised in the Mexican Constitution and in several international human rights treaties ratified by Mexico.
The organisations say one useful reform would be the incorporation of principles into the Mexican Constitution to help increase transparency in all public institutions. Another would be to strengthen the country's existing access to information legislation. The civil society groups also say a new government should support and strengthen the Federal Institute of Access to Public Information, a public agency that plays an important role in protecting the right to access information.
Read the letter to presidential candidates:
http://www.article19.org/pdfs/letters/mexico-letter-to-presidential-candidates.pdf
Visit these links:
- CENCOS: http://www.cencos.org/
- ARTICLE 19's Principles on Access to Information Legislation:
http://www.article19.org/pdfs/standards/righttoknow.pdf
Mexico's Access to Information Law: http://www.freedominfo.org/countries/mexico.htm
- LIMAC: http://www.limac.org.mx
AFRICA
3. LIBERIA: COMMITTEE TO PROBE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has appointed a committee to investigate a recent spate of attacks on journalists who have been probing the country's security services, reports the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP).
The committee will include representatives of civil society and independent media, including Liberia Democracy Watch and Talking Drum Studio. It is expected to report back to the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs by 10 July 2006.
Since May, there have been at least three incidents in which Special Security Service agents have harassed or assaulted journalists, note CEMESP and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
On 13 June, four journalists were briefly detained at the Executive Mansion for attempting to confirm reports of the alleged dismissal of five senior SSS personnel. The journalists were Abas Dulleh of the "New Democrat" newspaper, Patrick Honnah of Truth FM radio, Olando Zeongar of "Heritage" newspaper and Jallah Grayfield of the Catholic-run Radio Veritas.
The SSS said the journalists were detained because they took pictures of a notice board that contained a memorandum about the dismissal. President Sirleaf's office later apologised for the incident.
In another incident, several journalists, including Grayfield, were roughed up in a scuffle with SSS agents on 8 June at Liberia's International Airport, CEMESP reported. The journalists had been denied permission to interview President Sirleaf upon her arrival from a visit to Switzerland. Grayfield was injured in the neck and had his mobile phone confiscated.
On 24 May, Radio Veritas reporter George D. Watkins was assaulted by SSS agents while reporting on the SSS's alleged enlisting of a former rebel commander, CPJ said. Watkins was investigating reports that a former commander from Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) had been given an SSS post.
LURD was one of a coalition of rebel groups credited with ousting former president Charles Taylor in August 2003. Several former LURD fighters were integrated into the new government and security forces.
Visit these links:
- CEMESP: http://www.liberianmedia.org/
- CPJ: http://cpj.org/protests/06ltrs/africa/liberia19june06pl.html
- Human Rights Watch Backgrounder: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/01/18/liberi12315.htm
- The Analyst: http://allafrica.com/stories/200606190999.html
- Crisis Group: http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=1237&l=1
ASIA-PACIFIC
4. LAOS: NEW LEADER URGED TO EASE CENSORSHIP
Laos is known as one of the most isolated and information-starved countries in Southeast Asia. Ruled by the People's Revolutionary Party (PPRL) since 1975, its media is tightly controlled by authorities. All mass media outlets are state-owned, and Internet access is highly controlled and monitored. Visa regulations discourage foreign journalists from entering the country and those that do must be escorted by government agents.
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) says the local press has a constitutionally-defined "prime duty" to serve the PPRL's policies and direction. Censorship is imposed at all levels, from newspaper editors who are themselves party members, to the Ministry of Information and Culture, which regulates media content and issues publication licenses.
Last week, following the June 2006 appointment of Choummaly Sayasone as the country's new president, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontieres, RSF) wrote to Sayasone expressing its concerns over the lack of free expression in the country. RSF called attention to laws under which journalists can be jailed for "spreading news which weakens the state" or importing a "publication contrary to national culture." It urged Sayasone to give foreign journalists greater access to the country and to allow broadcasters such as Radio France International and Radio Free Asia to air Lao-language programmes in the capital Vientiane and other cities.
RSF pointed out that foreign journalists have been prevented on several occasions from covering the plight of the Hmong, an ethnic minority group that has resisted the Communist regime since 1975. Two Laotian citizens - Thao Moua and Pa Phue Khang remain imprisoned in Vientiane for assisting a Belgian reporter and French cameraman who were investigating what they called a humanitarian tragedy confronting the Hmong. The detainees were sentenced to prison for 12 and 20 years, respectively, on 30 June 2003. RSF called for their immediate release.
RSF also urged Sayasone to pardon Thongpaseuth Keuakoun, a writer and pro-democracy activist who was sentenced to jail for 20 years in 2002 for "anti-government activity."
Visit these links:
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=18109
- SEAPA: http://www.seapabkk.org/newdesign/commentarydetail.php?No=284&keyword=laos
- Amnesty International: http://web.amnesty.org/report2006/lao-summary-eng
- BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1154621.stm
5. SRI LANKA: JOURNALIST MURDERED
Free Media Movement (FMM), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières) warn that free expression conditions in Sri Lanka appear to be deteriorating amidst escalating violence in the country, which claimed the life of a journalist on 2 July 2006.
Unidentified gunmen shot dead freelance journalist Sampath Lakmal de Silva after abducting him from his parents' home in Borallasgamuwa, reported FMM. De Silva had recently written reports that embarrassed elements of the security forces, according to FMM. He was the former defence correspondent for the Sinhala-language newspaper "Isathdina Weekly". De Silva was the first Sinhala journalist killed in Sri Lanka in eight years.
De Silva's murder occurred right after the conclusion of an IFJ mission to Sri Lanka from 25-30 June, where the international group met with its local affiliates to discuss the situation facing journalists.
According to IFJ, six media workers have now been killed in Sri Lanka since January 2005. None of the crimes have been either investigated or solved. The murdered journalists include Subramaniyam Sugirdharajan, Relangi Sevaraja, Dharmeratnam Sivaram, Suresh Kumar and Ranjith Kumar.
FMM says the first six months of this year have been marked by the increased harassment of journalists, media outlets and human rights activists by ultra-nationalist groups and government forces. Those who support a negotiated settlement of the conflict are labeled as "traitors" and supporters of the Tamil Tigers rebel group.
FMM notes that Tamil journalists face particular challenges in reporting the news. The majority of attacks have been against Tamil journalists and Tamil-language outlets. Since 2001, every journalist killed in Sri Lanka (except de Silva) has been a Tamil, says FMM.
Visit these links:
- FMM: http://www.freemediasrilanka.org/
- IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=4020&Language=EN
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=18200
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REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS
6. SEEMO SURVEYS ETHNIC MINORITY MEDIA IN SOUTHEAST EUROPE
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), has published a new book that examines ethnic minority media in 16 countries within the region.
"Media and Minorities in South East Europe" is a survey of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia / Kosovo, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine.
The book examines the laws and regulations governing ethnic minority media in each country, and the structures that support journalism training for minority media. The book also includes profiles of minority media outlets, a special report on Roma media, and a review of international and regional standards regarding the protection of minorities
For more information, visit: http://www.seemo.org or contact: info@seemo.org
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AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
7. ALGERIAN, DANISH CARTOONISTS HONOURED
An Algerian cartoonist who has faced death threats and legal harassment for his work, and 11 Danes whose cartoons in the newspaper "Jyllands-Posten" last year sparked a storm of controversy, have been named winners of the CRN Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning.
Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI) announced the award winners at a ceremony in Denver, U.S.A, on 9 June 2006. "CRN is proud to stand in support of cartoonists to express their points of view, whether popular or not," said CRNI President Joel Pett.
Algerian cartoonist Ali Dilem has been practicing his craft for more than 15 years, and has been jailed and threatened on more than one occasion. CRNI said it chose to recognise Dilem because of his refusal to choose exile or self-censorship in the face of intimidation.
The 11 Danish cartoonists were commissioned by "Jyllands-Posten" to draw cartoons about what the newspaper editors said was growing self-censorship in Denmark over matters related to Islam. The cartoons touched off a diplomatic row between Denmark and a number of Arab countries in October 2005, which led to riots and protests around the world.
The cartoonists have received threats and live under tight security
For more information, visit: http://cartoonistrights.com/
8. MISA PRESS FREEDOM AWARD
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) invites journalists and media organisations in Southern Africa to submit nominations for the 2006 MISA Press Freedom Award.
The annual award honours journalists or media organisations that uphold professional ethics of the highest standards in the pursuit of the truth, and who have made a significant contribution to the promotion of media freedom in the region. The award includes a cash prize of US$1,000.
The award is open to journalists working in any form of media (e.g. print, photography, broadcasting or online), and to media associations and organisations, that are based in the Southern Africa region.
Nominations should include a CV of the nominee, a portfolio of their work and an essay of not more than 1,500 words describing why the nominee merits the award.
All nominations must be received by 11 August 2006.
Nominations addressed to MISA's Regional Director can be sent to: Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia. They can also be faxed to +264 61 248016 or e-mailed to director@misa.org
For more information, contact: communications@misa.org or visit: http://www.misa.org/
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USEFUL WEBSITES
9. U.N. WORKING GROUP ON ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
The U.N. Working Group on Enforced Disappearances works to assist families in determining the fate and whereabouts of relatives who have disappeared anywhere in the world. Made up of five independent experts, it conducts investigations of cases and serves as a communication channel between the families of victims and governments.
Visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/disappear/
10. ACE - THE ELECTORAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
The ACE Electoral Knowledge Network provides comprehensive information on elections, promotes networking among election-related professionals and offers capacity development services. The website includes a detailed section on media and elections.
Visit: http://www.aceproject.org/
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ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE DURING THE PAST WEEK
26 JUNE 2006
Paraguay - Two community radio stations attacked by authorities in Caaguazú department, local residents assaulted and injured (AMARC) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75317/
Libya - Journalist's abduction, torture and murder still unpunished one year later (EOHR) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75319/
Nepal - Journalist threatened and assaulted by police following article on abduction and torture incident (CEHURDES) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75320/
Azerbaijan - Authorities asked to explain opposition journalist's arrest on drug charge (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75322/
Egypt - Editor, reporter for weekly sentenced to year in jail for "insulting" President Mubarak (CPJ) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75324/
27 JUNE 2006
Democratic Republic of Congo - Kamako radio journalist freed after 48 hours in police custody (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75327/
China - Government plans restrictions on reporting of disasters (CPJ) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75328/
Nigeria - Television presenter rearrested, charged with sedition (CPJ) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75329/
Israel/Palestine - Israeli authorities restrict Gaza press access (CPJ) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75331/
United Kingdom - IPI urges greater emphasis on independent media in government's thinking on African development issues (IPI) - press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75332/
Democratic Republic of Congo - State prosecutor fails to execute order for journalist's release (JED) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75333/
Liberia - President appoints committee to investigate wave of attacks on journalists by state security agents (CEMESP) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75335/
Egypt - Court upholds government's right to block opposition websites (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75336/
Burma - Court upholds three-year sentences for journalists who photographed new capital (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75340/
United States - Justice Department opposes any law guaranteeing journalists the right to protect sources; Republican congressman calls for legal action against "New York Times" on national security grounds (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75341/
28 JUNE 2006
Nigeria - Authorities arrest second leading journalist under obsolete law (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75346/
Venezuela - IAPA calls for probe into sabotage of power lines serving newspaper (IAPA) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75348/
Sri Lanka - Media freedom and freedom of expression crisis looming, warns FMM (FMM) - capsule report
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75350/
Syria - Electronic publication blocked as authorities escalate security campaign against reformers, human rights activists (CIHRS) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75351/
International - CRN Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning granted to Algerian, Danish cartoonists (CRN) - press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75360/
Russia - CPJ questions acquittal of two men charged in journalist's murder, urges Bush to take up Klebnikov case in talks with Putin (CPJ) - alert update http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75361/
29 JUNE 2006
Kazakhstan - Journalist questioned by national security body about online article, accused of "insulting" president (Adil Soz) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75376/
Mexico - Journalist suspects state governor of ordering petrol bomb attack against his home (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75377/
Paraguay - IAPA urges president to pursue probe into journalist's murder (IAPA) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75379/
Kazakhstan - Adil Soz protests new amendments to media laws proposed by Information Ministry (Adil Soz) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75381/
Lebanon - Authorities remove article on depiction of prophet from French weekly "Courrier International" (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75382/
Norway - As media giant purchases local company, EFJ seeks assurances of editorial independence (IFJ) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75384/
Vietnam - RSF asks new president to pardon two imprisoned cyber-dissidents (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75385/
Nigeria - Two journalists, awaiting trial for "sedition", released on bail (RSF) - alert update http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75387/
Ukraine - Hearings resume in Gongadze murder trial, prosecutor says body can be handed over to Gongadze's mother (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75389/
Republic of Congo - Brazzaville court suspends newspaper for six months (JED) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75391/
30 JUNE 2006
Pakistan - Ruling party activists storm press club, beat journalists (PPF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75393/
Cambodia - Editor receives death threats, faces legal action (SEAPA) - alert http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75394/
Burma - Government allegedly blocking Gmail and G-Talk Internet services (SEAPA) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75419/
South Africa - FXI condemns issuing of subpoenas to ex-"Sowetan" journalists to testify in fraud trial (FXI) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75420/
Pakistan - Three journalists detained overnight; several others threatened; newspaper threatened with arson (IFJ) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75421/
Turkmenistan - Detained film collaborator being brutally interrogated, witnesses fear for his life (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75422/
Nepal - Maoist leader expresses commitment to press freedom (FNJ) - press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75445/
East Timor - Opposition militants raid broadcaster TVTL (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75446/
The Gambia - RSF urges journalists covering African Union summit to remember repressive conditions faced by their Gambian colleagues (RSF) - capsule report
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/75448/
South Korea - Supreme Court rules that some articles of newspaper law are unconstitutional (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/content/view/full/75450/
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The "IFEX Communiqué" is published weekly by the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX). IFEX is managed by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (www.cjfe.org) on behalf of the network's 72 member organisations.
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 only if it is credited as the source.
Contact: "IFEX Communiqué" Editor: Geoffrey Chan: communique@ifex.org
Mailing Address: 555 Richmond Street West, #1101, PO Box 407, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3B1 Canada, Tel: +1 416 515 9622; Fax: +1 416 515 7879; Website: http://www.ifex.org
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