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sábado, junio 16, 2007

REPORTE 405 - OBSERVATORIO LATINOAMERICANO PARA LA LIBERTAD DE EXPRESION - 15 de junio 2007

Editado por: Equipo de Redacción OLA
-
15 de junio 2007

AMÉRICA LATINA
OEA EXIGE GARANTÍAS A LA LIBERTAD DE EXPRESIÓN EN EL CONTINENTE
El Relator Especial para la Libertad de Expresión de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) de la OEA, Ignacio Alvarez, reclamó este viernes en Montevideo garantías a la libertad de expresión y manifestó su preocupación por la creciente ola de violencia contra periodistas.
"El camino hacia una democracia de mejor calidad sólo se puede alcanzar con una mayor participación de la sociedad en los problemas comunes a todas las personas, a través de plenas garantías para el ejercicio de la libertad de pensamiento y expresión", señaló el funcionario de origen venezolano.
Las apreciaciones fueron formuladas en la clausura del Segundo Encuentro de Portavoces de Gobierno de los estados miembros, que reunió en la capital uruguaya a representantes de los 34 países integrantes de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA), encabezados por su titular José Miguel Insulza.
Alvarez reveló optimismo por la existencia de una mayor conciencia sobre la importancia del derecho a la libertad de pensamiento y expresión, lo que calificó como "un paso fundamental en la democratización de la región", según un comunicado oficial.
No obstante, recordó que por lo menos 19 periodistas fueron asesinados en el continente durante el 2006, destacando que "estos crímenes frecuentemente quedan en la impunidad. La falta de sanciones a los responsables materiales e intelectuales de estos homicidios propicia la comisión de nuevos asesinatos".

COLOMBIA
ARRESTAN A PRESUNTOS ASESINOS DE PERIODISTA GARRID MUÑOZ TELLO
Según un reporte de la IV División del Ejército, en la habitación donde se encontró el cuerpo del periodista Garrid Muñoz Tello, también se hallaban el suboficial del Ejército Albeiro Otálvaro y Fanny Lozano una mujer que realizaba servicios domésticos para la XVII Brigada del Ejército con sede en Arauca.
De acuerdo con las primeras informaciones la captura de estas personas se produjo en la residencia Acuario ubicada a tres kilómetros de la vía antigua, vía Villavicencio-Bogotá.
"Las circunstancias del deceso del señor Muñoz Tello son materia de investigación; mientras que los capturados fueron puestos a disposición de la Fiscalía General de la Nación", informó el Ejército.
Horas antes, una fuente de la policía deL Meta había informado que el comunicador "fue abordado por un hombre y una mujer armados que, sin mediar palabra, le dispararon en repetidas ocasiones".
Muñoz era considerado un patriarca de la radio en el contiguo departamento de Arauca, fronterizo con Venezuela, donde funciona la emisora. También se le reconocía por sus feroces ataques desde los micrófonos contra algunos políticos locales y grupos rebeldes, según empleados de la radiodifusora.
"Muñoz Tello nunca tuvo reparos para decirle la verdad al interlocutor que se le pusiera al frente. Algunas veces lo hizo con ese exquisito sentido del humor que siempre le caracterizó y que hoy comenzamos a extrañar, y otras en tono serio y contundente", señaló este viernes un comunicado de la emisora.

PERÚ
SE INICIARON INVESTIGACIONES DE AGRESIÓN QUE DEJÓ INCAPACITADA A PERIODISTA TACNEÑA
El lunes 11 de junio a las 10:00 horas se realizó la diligencia de visualización de los videos a raíz de la denuncia penal presentada por la periodista Rita Clemente Ramos, contra el jefe policial de Tacna, coronel Juan José Santiváñez Marín, el jueves 24 de mayo.
La diligencia judicial se efectuó en la Segunda Fiscalía Provincial de este departamento, a cargo del fiscal Walter Goyzueta Neyra, que evalúa la denuncia de la comunicadora por el presunto delito contra la vida, el cuerpo y la salud en la modalidad de lesiones graves.
En comunicación con la Asociación Nacional de Periodistas del Perú (ANP), la corresponsal de la televisora ATV y de Cadena Peruana de Noticias, informó que el fiscal Walter Goyzueta de la tercera Fiscalía Penal de Tacna observó los videos y las fotografías proporcionadas para el esclarecimiento del caso.
"Se ha tratado de identificar a los efectivos que portaban la escopeta lanza llamas. Asimismo en el video se observó que cuando ocurrieron los hechos habían dos fiscales presentes por lo que el fiscal a cargo solicitará los respectivos informes tanto a la Policía Nacional como a los dos fiscales que estuvieron presentes al momento de las acciones", afirmó Clemente.
Finalmente el fiscal ha solicitado la historia clínica completa y un informe de los peritos del Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal que atendieron a la periodista.

INVASORES AGREDEN Y AMENAZAN DE MUERTE A PERIODISTAS EN AYACUCHO
Los periodistas Max Palomino Gastelú y Carlos Buendía Aguilar, del canal 11 TVISA y del diario Correo, respectivamente, fueron agredidos y amenazados de muerte por invasores, informó el jueves 14 de junio un diario de Ayacucho.
El diario Correo-Ayacucho indicó que en todo momento los invasores rechazaron la presencia de los periodistas, a quienes recibieron con una lluvia de piedras, cohetes y amenazas. Muchos invasores encapuchados agredieron física y verbalmente a los hombres de prensa.
La publicación aseguró que los hechos ocurrieron mientras los periodistas cumplían con su labor periodística. Habían ido a cubrir las incidencias del desalojo del predio "Desaguadero" cuando fueron atacados por sujetos desconocidos.
Finalmente informaron que en el desalojo participaron miembros de la Policía Nacional del Perú bajo la dirección del comandante y comisario de Huanta, José Olivares Gonzáles, junto al fiscal provincial Doctor Leonidas Navia Molina y el juez mixto provincial.

PRESIDENTE DEL PODER JUDICIAL PROPONDRÁ CREAR SALA QUE VEA ATENTADOS A PERIODISTAS
Francisco Távara Córdova, titular de la Corte Suprema y presidente del Poder Judicial anunció que propondrá al Consejo Ejecutivo de este poder del Estado la creación de una sala nacional especial que vea los casos de asesinatos y atentados contra periodistas.
Esto a raíz de los cuestionamientos surgidos en torno a los procesos iniciados tras los asesinatos de Miguel Pérez Julca, Antonio de la Torre Echandía y Alberto Rivera Fernández.
Sobre este último caso, dijo que la Oficina de Control de la Magistratura (OCMA), a cargo de la doctora Elcira Vásquez, debería poner mucho celo en observar el desempeño de los vocales que ventilan el juicio por el asesinato del periodista para detectar si se cometieron irregularidades.
Sugirió que, para cumplir con ese cometido, la OCMA debería enviar a Pucallpa a dos experimentados magistrados para que analicen la actuación de los vocales, debido a que se sospecha de su imparcialidad.
Respecto al pedido para que se traslade a Lima el proceso judicial, Távara explicó que en esta etapa de juicio oral no es posible cumplir con esa demanda, aunque sí se puede evaluar con detenimiento la conducta de los jueces, por lo que ofreció ponerse en contacto con la jefa de la OCMA respecto a esa posibilidad.
Rivera, quien conducía el programa Transparencia en radio Frecuencia Oriental de Pucallpa, fue asesinado el 21 de abril del 2004 debido a sus permanentes críticas contra distintas autoridades regionales.

Esta información es responsabilidad del Observatorio Latinoamericano para la Libertad de Expresión de la Federación Latinoamericana de Trabajadores de la Comunicación Social (FELATRACS).
Para mayor información agradeceremos contactarnos vía e-mail:
felatracs@felatracs.org
; web: www.felatracs.org o a los teléfonos: (51 1) 4270687, fax (51 1) 4278493

Boletín de titulares de Periodistas-es

Fecha:16-06-2007
/
Hora: 6:12:04

/

COLOMBIA:
ASESINADO EN VILLAVICENCIO EL FUNDADOR DE LA EMISORA DE RADIO LA VOZ DEL CINARUCO GARRID MUÑOZ TELLO
http://www.periodistas-es.org/pes/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=1281

PARAGUAY:
FUNCIONARIOS DE LA ADMINISTRACIÓN ANTIDROGA INTERCEPTAN EN PARAGUAY LOS TELÉFONOS Y AMENAZAN A DOS PERIODISTAS RADIOFÓNICOS
http://www.periodistas-es.org/pes/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=1280

OFERTAS DE TRABAJO:
IINTERMÓN OXFAM SELECCIONA UN RESPONSABLE DE COMUNICACIÓN PARA EL ÁREA DE MOVILIZACIÓN SOCIAL

http://www.periodistas-es.org/pes/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=1279

ARGENTINA:
LA ASOCIACIÓN DE PERIODISTAS DE SALTA APOYA A UN PERIÓDICO PRESIONADO POR DENUNCIAR UN HOMICIDIO
http://www.periodistas-es.org/pes/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=1278

CUBA:
SE DETERIORA EN LA CÁRCEL LA SALUD DEL PERIODISTA JOSÉ UBALDO IZQUIERDO
http://www.periodistas-es.org/pes/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=1277

ESPAÑA:
LOS AUTORES PERCIBIRÁN EN ESPAÑA DERECHOS DE AUTOR POR EL PRÉSTAMO BIBLIOTECARIO
http://www.periodistas-es.org/pes/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=1276

CARTAGENA DE INDIAS:
MIGUEL ÁNGEL BASTENIER IMPARTE UN TALLER SOBRE COMO SE ESCRIBE UN PERIÓDICO
http://www.periodistas-es.org/pes/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=1275

PERIODISTAS:
JUAN ANTONIO ORTIZ LÓPEZ Y ANTONIO MANFREDI DIRECTORES DE RADIO TELEVISIÓN DE ANDALUCÍA EN GRANADA Y HUELVA

http://www.periodistas-es.org/pes/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=1274

PERIODISTAS:
CRISTINA PUERTA, NUEVA DIRECTORA DE COMUNICACIÓN DE METRO NEWS
http://www.periodistas-es.org/pes/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=1273

BALEARES:
EL MUNDO DE IBIZA Y TRES DE SUS PERIODISTAS CONDENADOS POR DIFAMACIÓN
http://www.periodistas-es.org/pes/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=1272

OPINIÓN:
POR UN DÍA DE LOS PERIODISTAS AFRICANOS
http://www.periodistas-es.org/pes/artigo.asp?cod_artigo=1271

viernes, junio 15, 2007

Alerta Perú (PUCALLPA-LIMA) - PRESIDENTE DEL PODER JUDICIAL PROPONDRA CREAR SALA QUE VEA ATENTADOS A PERIODISTAS

Alerta Perú (PUCALLPA-LIMA)

PRESIDENTE DEL PODER JUDICIAL PROPONDRA
CREAR SALA QUE VEA ATENTADOS A PERIODISTAS
Francisco Távara Córdova, titular de la Corte Suprema y presidente del Poder Judicial anunció que propondrá al Consejo Ejecutivo de este poder del Estado la creación de una sala nacional especial que vea los casos de asesinatos y atentados contra periodistas.
Esto a raíz de los cuestionamientos surgidos en torno a los procesos iniciados tras los asesinatos de Miguel Pérez Julca, Antonio de la Torre Echandía y Alberto Rivera Fernández.
Sobre este último caso, dijo que la Oficina de Control de la Magistratura (OCMA), a cargo de la doctora Elcira Vásquez, debería poner mucho celo en observar el desempeño de los vocales que ventilan el juicio por el asesinato del periodista para detectar si se cometieron irregularidades.

Sugirió que, para cumplir con ese cometido, la OCMA debería enviar a Pucallpa a dos experimentados magistrados para que analicen la actuación de los vocales, debido a que se sospecha de su imparcialidad.

Respecto al pedido para que se traslade a Lima el proceso judicial, Távara explicó que en esta etapa de juicio oral no es posible cumplir con esa demanda, aunque sí se puede evaluar con detenimiento la conducta de los jueces, por lo que ofreció ponerse en contacto con la jefa de la OCMA respecto a esa posibilidad.

Rivera, quien conducía el programa Transparencia en radio Frecuencia Oriental de Pucallpa, fue asesinado el 21 de abril del 2004 debido a sus permanentes críticas contra distintas autoridades regionales.

Esta alerta es responsabilidad de la Asociación Nacional de Periodistas del Perú.
Para mayor información contactar con Roberto Mejía Alarcón, responsable de la Oficina de los Derechos Humanos del Periodista; Zuliana Lainez y Carlos Juárez Córdova. Jirón Huancavelica 320, oficina 504, Lima-Perú. Tel (511) 4270687. Fax (51 1) 4278493. Web:
www.anp.org.pe
; E-mail: anp@amauta.rcp.net.pe

VENEZUELA Bulletin (Llanovisión television station owner suspends news programme after coverage of RCTV case)

VENEZUELA: Suspenden programa de televisora Llanovisión por tratar caso de RCTV
VENEZUELA: Llanovisión television station owner suspends news programme after coverage of RCTV case

IFEX - Noticias de la comunidad internacional de la libertad de expresión
___________________

ALERTA - VENEZUELA

el 15 de junio de 2007

Suspendan programa de televisora Llanovisión por tratar caso de RCTV

FUENTE: El Instituto Prensa y Sociedad (IPYS), Lima

**Para mayor información sobre el caso RCTV, ver las alertas de IFEX del 30 y 29 de mayo, 26, 25, 19, y 12 de abril, 12 y 2 de enero de 2007, y otras**

(IPYS/IFEX) - El 23 de mayo de 2007, el programa informativo "La Entrevistade Hoy" del canal regional UHF Llanovisión, fue suspendido luego decomentar la salida del aire de la televisora Radio Caracas Televisión(RCTV). El programa era conducido por la socióloga Laure Nicotra y setransmitía en el estado Barinas, al sur del país.

Nicotra indicó que la medida obedece a una entrevista, difundida el 22 de mayo, con el abogado Pedro González sobre la decisión del gobierno de norenovar la concesión a RCTV. Mientras transmitía su programa, la periodista recibió una nota de la administración del canal que le ordenaba suspenderla entrevista - mandato que no acató.

Al día siguiente, el programa salió del aire 15 minutos después de haberse iniciado. Según Nicotra, el dueño de la televisora, Douglas Valero, irrumpió en el estudio de grabación y ordenó que se suspendiera el programa alegando que en su canal se decía lo que él permitía y que estaba prohibido hablar sobre RCTV.

El medio aún no ha explicado oficialmente a Nicotra las razones por las que se canceló el programa ni su situación laboral.

El IPYS se comunicó con los directivos de Llanovisión, pero no quisieron declarar sobre el tema.

IPYS manifiesta su preocupación ante este caso de censura ya que infringelos derechos a la libertad de expresión y de información amparados por losartículos 57, 58 y 108 de la Constitución.

Para mayor información, comunicarse con Adriana León o Carlos Bracamontedel IPYS, Calle Sucre no 317, Barranco, Lima, Perú, teléf: +511 247 3308,+511 247 0406, fax: +511 247 3194, correo electrónico: postmaster@ipys.org, sitio Internet: http://www.ipys.org

Esta información es responsabilidad del IPYS. Favor de reconocer al IPYS al difundirla.
___________________
DIFUNDIDO/A POR LA OFICINA DE LA RED IFEX EL INTERCAMBIO INTERNACIONAL POR LA LIBERTAD DE EXPRESION
555 Richmond St. West, # 1101, PO Box 407
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 3B1
teléf: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
correo electrónico: alerts@ifex.org buzón general: ifex@ifex.org
sitio Internet:
http://www.ifex.org/
___________________

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
___________________

ALERT - VENEZUELA

15 June 2007

Llanovisión television station owner suspends news programme after coverage of RCTV case

SOURCE: Institute for Press and Society (IPYS), Lima

**For further information on the RCTV case, see IFEX alerts of 30 and 29 May, 26, 25, 19, and 12 April, 12 and 2 January 2007, and others**

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 23 May 2007, regional UHF channel Llanovisión's newsprogramme, "La Entrevista de Hoy", was suspended after it commented on theRadio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) case. The programme was hosted bysociologist Laure Nicotra and was broadcast in the state of Barinas,southern Venezuela.

Nicotra said that the measure was the result of an interview with lawyerPedro Gonzáles, broadcast on 22 May, about the government's decision not torenew RCTV's concession. The journalist received a written note from thestation's administration, while the programme was being broadcast, orderingher to suspend the interview. She did not comply.

The following day, the broadcast of the programme was halted 15 minutesafter it started. According to Nicotra, the station's owner, DouglasValero, stormed into the recording studio and ordered the programme besuspended, saying that he was the person who determined what could be saidon his television station and that talking about RCTV was forbidden.
Nicotra has not yet received an official explanation about the motives for cancelling her programme or about her work situation.

IPYS got in touch with Llanovisión's directors but they refused to say anything about the subject.

IPYS expresses its concern about this case of censorship which violates therights to freedom of expression and information ratified by articles 57, 58and 108 of the Constitution.

For further information, contact Adriana León or Carlos Bracamonte at IPYS,
Calle Sucre no 317, Barranco, Lima, Peru, tel: +511 247 3308, +511 247
0406, fax: +511 2 473194, e-mail: postmaster@ipys.org, Internet:
http://www.ipys.org

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of IPYS.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit IPYS.
___________________

DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
555 Richmond St. West, # 1101, PO Box 407
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 3B1
tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879 alerts e-mail:
alerts@ifex.org
general e-mail: ifex@ifex.org Internet site:
http://www.ifex.org/

PERU Threat (photojournalist assaulted in Chimbote by members of construction workers' union)

PERÚ: Periodista golpeado en Chimbote por miembros de sindicato de obreros
PERU: Photojournalist assaulted in Chimbote by members of construction workers' union

IFEX - Noticias de la comunidad internacional de la libertad de expresión
___________________

ALERTA - PERÚ

el 15 de junio de 2007

Periodista golpeado en Chimbote por miembros de sindicato de obreros

FUENTE: El Instituto Prensa y Sociedad (IPYS), Lima

(IPYS/IFEX) - El 10 de junio de 2007, un grupo de obreros del Sindicato deTrabajadores de Construcción Civil agredió al reportero gráfico Paul MezaCastañeda, del diario "La Industria" de Chimbote, puerto al noroeste delpaís, cuando éste cubría una reunión del gremio.

Al percatarse que Meza Castañeda fotografiaba la pelea entre losdirigentes, los obreros y sus esposas le lanzaron piedras y ladrillos. Luego, lo hicieron caer al suelo y lo golpearon. Meza Castañeda sufrió lesiones leves y su cámara fotográfica fue dañada.

Para mayor información, comunicarse con Adriana León o Carlos Bracamontedel IPYS, Calle Sucre no 317, Barranco, Lima, Perú, teléf: +511 247 3308,+511 247 0406, fax: +511 247 3194, correo electrónico: postmaster@ipys.org,sitio Internet: http://www.ipys.org

Esta información es responsabilidad del IPYS. Favor de reconocer al IPYS al difundirla.
___________________
DIFUNDIDO/A POR LA OFICINA DE LA RED IFEX
EL INTERCAMBIO INTERNACIONAL POR LA LIBERTAD DE EXPRESION
555 Richmond St. West, # 1101, PO Box 407
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 3B1
teléf: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
correo electrónico: alerts@ifex.org buzón general: ifex@ifex.org
sitio Internet:
http://www.ifex.org/
___________________
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
___________________

ALERT - PERU

15 June 2007

Photojournalist assaulted in Chimbote by members of construction workers' union

SOURCE: Institute for Press and Society (IPYS), Lima

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 10 June 2007, a group of members of the Civil ConstructionWorkers' Union (Sindicato de Trabajadores de Construcción Civil) assaultedphotographer Paul Meza Castañeda of Chimbote's newspaper "La Industria",when he was covering a union meeting. Chimbote is a port in northwesternPeru.

The workers and their wives threw rocks and bricks at Meza Castañeda whenthey realized that he was taking pictures of a fight among the union'sleaders. They then knocked him to the floor and hit him. Meza Castañeda suffered minor injuries and his camera was damaged.

For further information, contact Adriana León or Carlos Bracamonte at IPYS, Calle Sucre no 317, Barranco, Lima, Peru, tel: +511 247 3308, +511 2470406, fax: +511 2 473194, e-mail: postmaster@ipys.org, Internet: http://www.ipys.org

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of IPYS.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit IPYS.
___________________

DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
555 Richmond St. West, # 1101, PO Box 407
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 3B1
tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879 alerts e-mail:
alerts@ifex.org
general e-mail: ifex@ifex.org Internet site:
http://www.ifex.org/

IFEX Autolist - Nepal (CEHURDES condemns Maoist group's attack on journalist Bijaya Poudel)

**We apologise for any cross-posting - The following is being forwarded
exactly as received**

To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies (CEHURDES),
sandhakal@gmail.com

CEHURDES Condemns Assault On Reporter

Kathmandu, June 10, 2007 - The Center for Human Rights and DemocraticStudies (CEHURDES) - a Kathmandu-based freedom of expression monitoring group -condemns assault against a journalist by the activists of Maoist-affiliated Madhesi National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Kathmandu.

On June 9, Bijaya Poudel, a journalist working for Kantipur Television - aprivate television media - was physically assaulted by the MNLF activistsat New Baneshwore area of the capital city. Poudel's motorcycle was alsovandalized.

Poudel was attacked when he was on his way to the office of the KantipurTelevision and had reached New Baneshwore where the MNLF was holding astreet meeting blocking the road. Poudel showed his identity card to noavail. According to Kantipur daily, Poudel has been hurt in his back side.

The Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Matrika Yadav, a seniorMaoist leader, who was the chief guest at the street meeting, too, declinedto talk about the incident when inquired.

The MNLF is a sister organization of Maoists, which is active in Terai orMadhes region in the southern plains of Nepal. It had organized the streetmeeting protesting the recent police highhandedness against their agitationin Kathmandu. The MNLF is in agitation demanding rights for the people ofTerai region.

The CEHURDES condemns the unjustified and unprovoked assault against ajournalist. The CEHURDES also condemns the indifference shown by theMinister at the attack against the journalist. The CEHURDES is gravelyconcerned with the manner in which assailants can target the journalistsand get away with that. It believes that such a dangerous trend couldultimately injure the Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression. END

**The information contained in this autolist item is the sole
responsibility of CEHURDES**

IFEX Autolist - Pakistan (Freedom House commends suspension of restrictive media decree)

**We apologise for any cross-posting - The following is being forwarded exactly as received**

To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Freedom House, abrams@freedomhouse.org

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amanda Abrams

Freedom House Commends Suspension of Restrictive Media Decree in Pakistan

June 8, 2007 -- Freedom House commends the Pakistan government's withdrawalof restrictions on the press introduced earlier this week, and urgesauthorities to respect civil liberties and adhere to the rule of law duringthe country's ongoing political crisis.

Following months of protests, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf issueda decree Monday that gave sweeping powers to a government body charged withregulating media. The body would have effectively been able to seizeequipment and suspend licenses of broadcasters, including those that airedlive coverage of the demonstrations. Yesterday, in response to local andinternational outcry, the decree was suspended, pending review by acommittee.

"The authorities' response to Pakistan's ongoing demonstrations and crisisof governance can and will be viewed as a test of the government's dedication to civil liberties and the rule of law," said Jennifer Windsor,executive director of Freedom House. "The fact that the protests have beenwell-organized and sustained speaks well for civil society in the country,despite government bans on freedom of assembly."

She continued, "In a country where political rights are not respected andgovernment transparency is very limited, it is critical to the country'sshort and long-term stability that the media be allowed freedom to reporton the news and inform the people."

Once a champion of freedom of expression, Musharraf has increasinglycracked down on the press in recent years. Despite ongoing persecution ofjournalists and economic pressures from the government, Pakistan's mediaremains both vibrant and vital.

According to Freedom in the World 2007, Freedom House's annual survey ofpolitical rights and civil liberties, "While a number of journalistspractice self-censorship, Pakistan continues to have some of the mostoutspoken newspapers in South Asia, and the broadcast sector has becomeconsiderably more diverse. In the absence of a completely independentlegislature and judiciary, the media remained one of the only forums thatprovided oversight of official actions and policy."

Pakistan ranks as Not Free in the 2007 edition of Freedom in the World. The country received a rating of 6 (on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 as the lowest) for political rights and a 5 for civil liberties.

Freedom House, an independent nongovernmental organization that supports the expansion of freedom in the world, has been monitoring political rights and civil liberties in Pakistan since 1972.

For more information on Pakistan, visit:

Freedom in the World 2007: Pakistan
Freedom of the Press 2007: Pakistan
Countries at the Crossroads 2006: Pakistan

**The information contained in this autolist item is the sole
responsibility of Freedom House**

IFEX Autolist - Afghanistan (RSF pays tribute to gifts, courage of slain radio director Zakia Zaki)

**We apologise for any cross-posting - The following is being forwarded exactly as received**

To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Reporters Without Borders (RSF), asie@rsf.org

La version française suit. The French version follows.

8 June 2007

AFGHANISTAN

Tribute to gifts and courage of slain Peace Radio director

Reporters Without Borders today urged the authorities to pursue theinvestigation into Zakia Zaki's murder and to continue to examine allpossibilities after the police reported that they had arrested sixsuspects. Zaki's relatives and friends say local warlords were behind herkilling while the police blame the armed group Hezb-i-Islami.

"We will not forget Zakia Zaki's courage and gifts," the press freedomorganisation said. "We count on an active campaign by the Afghan andinternational media to ensure that her murder does not go unpunished. Onlyan independent enquiry will dispel the doubts that already exist about theidentity and motives of her killers. We are extremely worried about thethreats to press freedom and women's rights, two gains of the post-Talibanperiod."

Reporters Without Borders points out that it was Afghan leader Ahmed ShahMassoud who personally backed the launching of Zaki's radio station,Sada-e-Sulh (Peace Radio), in 2001 before the Taliban had been driven outof Kabul. The French NGO Droit de Parole funded the start-up of thestation, which has continued to operate since Zaki's murder on 5 June.

Hundreds of local residents, journalists and women paid tribute to Zaki ather funeral on 6 June in Jabalussaraj, in the northern province of Parwan,where she lived. Local religious leaders hailed her as "a mother, wife andleader" of the community.

Abdul Manan Farahi, the head of the interior ministry's anti-terrorismdepartment, announced yesterday that six suspects had been arrested andthat two of them, linked to Gulbadin Hekmatyar's Hezb-i-Islami, were theones who shot Zaki.

Journalists' organisations yesterday held a news conference in Kabul tocondemn her murder, the climate of violence and the inability of theauthorities to protect journalists. Zaki was gunned down just six daysafter the murder of a young woman TV presenter in Kabul, and a few weeksafter the attempted murder of Ahmad, a reporter with a new radio station inNijrab, a district adjoining Parwan province. The reporter was badlywounded in the attack on May 25th.

A video documentary about Zaki produced with the help of the non-governmental organisation AINA can be seen on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf4j9pQ7L6M

Photos of Zaki by AINA photographers can also be downloaded at the foot of this release.

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

AFGHANISTAN

Reporters sans frontières rend hommage au courage et au talent de Zakia Zaki

Alors que la police a annoncé avoir arrêté des suspects dans l'assassinatde Zakia Zaki, la directrice de la station Sada-e-Sulh (Radio de la Paix),Reporters sans frontières appelle à poursuivre l'enquête, sans négligeraucune piste. Des proches de la journaliste affirment que des chefs deguerre locaux sont derrière cet assassinat, tandis que les autorités lelient au groupe armé Hezb-i-Islami.

"Rien ne pourra nous faire oublier le courage et le talent de Zakia Zaki.Pour que ce crime ne reste pas impuni, nous comptons sur la mobilisationdes médias afghans et internationaux. Seule une enquête indépendantepermettra de dissiper les doutes qui existent déjà sur l'identité et lesmotivations des tueurs. Les menaces qui pèsent sur la liberté de la presseet les droits des femmes, deux acquis de la période post-taliban, nouspréoccupent au plus haut point", a affirmé l'organisation.

Reporters sans frontières tient à rappeler que c'est le commandant AhmedShah Massoud qui avait personnellement soutenu le lancement de Sada-e-Sulh,avant même que les taliban ne soient chassés de Kaboul. L'associationfrançaise Droit de parole avait financé les premières installations de laradio qui continue à émettre malgré la mort de sa fondatrice.

Lors des funérailles de Zakia Zaki, le 6 juin, des centaines d'habitants deJabalussaraj, de journalistes et de femmes lui ont rendu hommage. Des chefsreligieux locaux ont salué cette femme qui était "une mère, une épouse etune leader" de la communauté.


Le 7 juin, Abdul Manan Farahi, chef du département antiterroriste duministère de l'Intérieur, a affirmé que six suspects avaient été arrêtés,et que deux d'entre eux, liés au groupe extrémiste Hezb-i-Islami deGulbadin Hekmatyar, seraient les tueurs. Ils seraient actuellementinterrogés.

Le même jour, des organisations de journalistes ont organisé à Kaboul uneconférence de presse pour dénoncer cet assassinat, le climat de violenceactuel et l'incapacité des autorités à protéger les journalistes. Cetassassinat est survenu quelques jours après celui d'une jeune présentatricede télévision qui se savait menacé, et quelques semaines après la tentatived'assassinat de Ahmad, un journaliste d'une nouvelle radio dans le districtde district de Nijrab, voisin de la province de Parwan. Le reporter a étésérieusement blessé le 25 mai.

Avec l'aide de l'organisation AINA, un documentaire présentant Zakia Zaki est disponible sur You Tube à l'adresse :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf4j9pQ7L6M

Des portraits de Zakia Zaki, réalisés par des photographes d'AINA, sont
également téléchargeables ici.

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IFEX Autolist - Pakistan (FNJ condemns government suppression of press)

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From: Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), mediamonitor@fnjnepal.org

8 June 2007 Kathmandu, Nepal

FNJ condemns Pakistan's move to curb press freedom

Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) along with the whole press world of Nepal is shocked at the extreme suppression and control by the Government of Pakistan on its press.

Killings and arrests of journalists, unbelievable penalty, censorship andcontrol on publication/ broadcast media clearly shows that the governmentis trying to institutionally end the press in the nation. The Federationexpresses its serious disagreement on anti-press policies and activities ofPakistani government. FNJ urges the Pakistani government to uplift allkinds of restrictions, release of all the arrested and proper compensationto the family of deceased journalists.

The anti press steps initiated by Pakistani government is not in favor ofitself. The Federation would like to suggest the government there to learnlesson from the recent history of Nepal which showed this will in the endharm the totalitarian and dictatorial regime itself. The Federation alsosuggests on improving the anti-press policies and to respect the worldwidenorms of press freedom.

Nepalese press is with all the Pakistani Journalists who are extremelysuppressed by the government and also give its full support for theirethical professional movement. Nepalese press believes that victory ofpress is the victory of people and democracy. So, we request all thePakistani journalists not to bow in front of totalitarianism and anti pressdictatorship. We, Nepalese journalists have experienced and believe thatthe free press will never bow down in front of any totalitarianism. We urgethe Pakistani journalists to not to forget that the all journaliststhroughout the world are standing by the side of the Press freedom. Alongwith FNJ, other media rights organizations of Nepal, South Asia MediaCommission ? SAMC Nepal Chapter, South Asia Free Media Association ? SAFMANepal chapter, Nepal press Union, Press Chautari Nepal and National Unionof Journalists also expressed their solidarity.

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IFEX Autolist - Azerbaijan (RSF alarmed at appeal court's decision to uphold 30-month prison sentence for editor Eynulla Fatullayev)

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To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Reporters Without Borders (RSF), europe@rsf.org

The English version follows. La version anglaise suit.

Press Release
08/06/2007
English/French

AZERBAIJAN

Appeal court confirms 30-month jail term for detained newspaper editor

Reporters Without Borders voiced alarm today at an appeal court's decisionon 6 June to uphold a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for EynullaFatullayev, founder and editor of the daily newspapers Realny Azerbaijanand Gundelik Azerbaijan, for defaming and insulting Azerbaijanis underarticle 147.2 of the criminal code. He has been held ever since thesentence was passed on 20 April.

"This decision confirms an exceptionally disproportionate sentence," thepress freedom organisation said. "At the same time, Fatullayev has beennotified of new, terrorism-related charges against him, without being givenany details of these charges. The two newspapers he edited have been closedillegally and his conditions of detention are cause for concern about hishealth and safety."

Reporters Without Borders added: "We support Fatullayev's appeal to theauthorities to guarantee his safety and provide him with acceptable conditions of detention."

Fatullayev has reported that guards threatened him and pointed a gun at hishead when he was transferred on 29 May from Bail prison to the nationalsecurity ministry detention centre. Since the transfer, he has been givenhardly any food and water and has been forced to sleep on his bed's metalframe, with no mattress or blanket. He has written several letters tonational security minister Eldar Mahmudov to demand normal conditions ofdetention, without getting a reply.

Fatullayev was convicted over online posts attributed to him that said theAzerbaijani armed forces shared responsibility with their Armeniancounterparts for the deaths of hundreds of civilians during an attack byArmenian troops in 1992 on the village of Khojali in the disputedNagorno-Karabakh region.

A respected journalist, Fatullayev used to work for the Monitor, whoseeditor, Elmar Huseynov, was murdered in March 2005. With a daily print runof 30,000 copies, Realny Azerbaijan is well-known for criticising thegovernment.

Serious fighting broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan over theNagorno-Karabakh region in 1992. A cease-fire has been in effect since 1994but no peace accord has ever been reached.

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

AZERBAïDJAN

La Cour d'appel confirme la condamnation d'Eynulla Fatullaev à deux ans et demi de prison

Le 6 juin 2007, la cour d'appel a confirmé la condamnation à deux ans etdemi de prison d'Eynulla Fatullaev, fondateur des quotidiens RealnyAzerbaïdjan et Gundalik Azerbaïdjan, pour avoir "diffamé" et "insulté" lesAzerbaïdjanais (art.147.2 du code pénal).

"Nous sommes alarmés par cette décision qui confirme une sentenceparticulièrement disproportionnée. De plus, EynullaFatullaev s'est vunotifier de nouvelles charges contre lui, de terrorisme, sans autreprécision. Les deux quotidiens dont il est le rédacteur en chef ont étéillégalement fermés et ses conditions de détention font craindre pour sasanté et sa sécurité. Nous nous joignons à l'appel lancé par le journalisteaux autorités pour qu'elles assurent sa protection et qu'il bénéficie deconditions de détention décentes", a déclaré Reporters sans frontières.

Le journaliste a notamment fait savoir que lors de son transfert de laprison de Bail à celle du ministère de la Sécurité nationale, le 29 mai2007, il avait été menacé par ses gardiens, qui ont pointé un revolver sursa tête.

Par ailleurs, depuis cette date, Eynulla Fatullaev ne reçoit pratiquementni eau ni nourriture. Il est contraint de dormir sur l'armature métalliquede son lit, sans matelas ni couverture. Il a adressé de nombreux courriersau ministre de la Sécurité nationale, Eldar Mahmudov, pour réclamer desconditions de détention normales, mais sans obtenir aucune réponse.

Eynulla Fatullaev a été condamné, le 20 avril, à trente mois de prison pouravoir "diffamé" et "insulté" les Azerbaïdjanais dans des commentaires parussur Internet et qui lui ont été attribués. Ces textes affirmaient que lesforces armées azéries partageaient avec l'armée arménienne laresponsabilité de la mort de centaines de victimes civiles lors l'attaquedu village de Khojali, dans le Haut-Karabakh, en 1992 par les troupesarméniennes.

Eynulla Fatullaev est un journaliste respecté, ancien membre du magazineMonitor, dont le rédacteur en chef, Elmar Husseynov, a été assassiné enmars 2005. Realny Azerbaïdian est tiré à quelque 30 000 exemplaires chaquejour et réputé pour ses articles critiques à l'égard des autorités.

L'Azerbaïdjan et l'Arménie revendiquent leur souveraineté sur le territoiredu Haut-Karabakh. Depuis 1992, aucun accord de paix n'a été signé entre lesdeux Etats, malgré un cessez-le-feu instauré en 1994.

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IFEX autoliste (lettre info FPJQ)

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exactly as received**

To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec (FPJQ),
liste@fpjq.org

Ci-dessous, les extraits de la "Lettre Info FPJQ", une publication en ligne de la FPJQ:

Lettre d'information hebdomadaire Semaine du 4 juin 2007

1. La FPJQ déplore que Quebecor ne protège pas les sources journalistiques
8. Contrôle de l'information sur la Coupe du monde de rugby
11. Le Wall Street Journal défend son indépendance rédactionnelle
12. Trois journalistes chinois licenciés à cause d'un chiffre interdit

1. La FPJQ déplore que Quebecor ne protège pas les sources journalistiques

La Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec déplore vivementla décision de Quebecor de ne pas assigner un avocat à la défense de lajournaliste Karine Gagnon menacée de devoir dévoiler en cour des sources d'information confidentielles.

Le 24 novembre dernier, Karine Gagnon, journaliste au Journal de Québec etmaintenant en lock out, a produit des reportages faisant état de problèmesd'amiante dans certains édifices gouvernementaux. L'une des personnes à quielle a posé des questions, Denis Petitclerc du comité Santé et sécurité deson syndicat, a été cité.

Son employeur, la Société immobilière du Québec, l'a congédié pour avoirparlé. Ce congédiement, alors dénoncé par la FPJQ au nom de la liberté d'expression, est maintenant contesté devant la Commission des Relations detravail. Les audiences auront lieu le 19 juin.

Les avocats de la SIQ exigent que la journaliste dépose toutes les notes etenregistrements qui ont servi à ses reportages. Ils veulent aussi obtenirl'identité de toutes les personnes à qui la journaliste a parlé sous lesceau de l'anonymat.

Il y a là une sérieuse affaire de principe. La protection dont doiventjouir les sources confidentielles des journalistes de même que leurmatériel non publié est menacée. Sans cette protection, la librecirculation d'informations sera entravée et la vie démocratique de notresociété en souffrira.

Ronel Tremblay, directeur des ressources humaines du Journal de Québec, asignifié par écrit au président du syndicat du Journal, Denis Bolduc, queQuebecor n'assurera pas la défense de la journaliste. Selon lui, l'actuelconflit de travail avec les journalistes fait en sorte que la conventioncollective ne s'applique pas.

Pour la FPJQ, ce n'est pas une question de convention collective, ni derelations de travail mais une question de principe en matière dejournalisme. Quebecor doit défendre cette cause au nom de la liberté depresse et de la libre circulation de l'information dans le public. Refuserd'agir serait manquer sérieusement à ses responsabilités.

____________
8. Contrôle de l'information sur la Coupe du monde de rugby

L'Institut international de la presse (IPI) s'inquiète des restrictions quel'IRB, organe suprême du rugby, souhaite imposer aux organes de presse pourla couverture de la Coupe du monde l'automne prochain en France.

L'IRB entend limiter la publication de photos de la Coupe du monde surinternet, y compris sur les sites appartenant à des journaux, à un maximumde cinq photos par mi-temps, et a introduit des restrictions quant à lamise en forme des titres et des légendes des photos sur support imprimé.

L'IRB, qui souhaite soumettre l'accréditation des journalistes pour lacouverture du Mondial-2007 à l'acceptation de ce cahier des charges, ajustifié cette mesure par le souci de protéger ses contrats publicitairesainsi que ceux liés aux retransmissions en direct des matches.

L'IPI souligne toutefois que "les restrictions contractuelles apportées auxmédias (...) ont de graves implications sur le flux de l'information" etsur leur indépendance, et rappelle que "les intérêts commerciaux" de l'IRBsont alimentés par la couverture assurée par les médias en amont de lacompétition.

Source
________
11. Le Wall Street Journal défend son indépendance rédactionnelle

La famille Bancroft, propriétaire du Wall Street Journal, tout comme les journalistes du quotidien s'inquiètent des tentatives de Rupert Murdoch d'acheter Dow Jones dont fait partie le WSJ.

Ce n'est pas le montant de la transaction qui est en cause mais la crainteque la rédaction perde sa traditionnelle indépendance et que la ligneéditoriale doive se plier aux vues de Murdoch qui les impose déjà à sonréseau de télévision Fox News.

Aucune des solutions envisagées pour garantir l'indépendance de larédaction face à son éventuel futur propriétaire ne semble cependantviable. Qui possède contrôle. Ce qui montre aussi par ricochet que ladiversité dans la propriété des médias est importante pour assurer unediversité des points de vue. Le CRTC, qui s'apprête à méditer cet été surla concentration de la presse, y trouvera peut-être matière à réflexion.

Source
_________
12. Trois journalistes chinois licenciés à cause d'un chiffre interdit

Trois journalistes du journal chinois Chengdu Evening News, dont lerédacteur en chef adjoint, ont été mis à pied pour avoir laissé passer unepetite annonce d'une ligne en page 14.

La phrase coupable se lit ainsi : « Salut aux courageuses mères des
victimes du 64»

Il faut savoir que «64» veut dire Six-four c'est-à-dire «4 juin» et quecette date est celle la répression menée sur la place Tiananmen en 1989 parles autorités chinoises contre les citoyens qui revendiquaient ladémocratie. Bref la seule évocation indirecte et par le biais d'une petiteannonce de cette répression entraîne encore la répression.

Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec 1012, av. Mont-Royal E., bureau 105
Montréal QC Canada H2J 1X6 Téléphone: (514) 522-6142
www.fpjq.org
Pour vous désinscrire, appuyez ici ou consultez la section "S'abonner à la lettre d'info" sur le site de la FPJQ.

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IFEX Autolist - Afghanistan (CJFE calls for probe into journalist murders)

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From: Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), jpayne@cjfe.org

CJFE Calls for Investigation into Murdered Journalists in Afghanistan

(Toronto, June 7, 2007) Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) ishorrified by the news of a second female journalist murdered in the pastweek in Afghanistan. Radio reporter Zakia Zaki was killed on June 5 andtelevision reporter Shokiba Sanga Amaaj was killed on June 1.

Zakia Zaki was the head of private radio station Sada-e-Sulh (Peace Radio)from the northern province of Pawan. It broadcast programs dealing witheducation, human rights and women's rights. Two men allegedly enteredthrough her bedroom window, and shot her seven times. None of her sixchildren were harmed including her baby who was sleeping in her bed at thetime of the murder.

The independent Association of Afghan Journalists described Zaki as "independent and courageous," and said that she had received death threats and demands to take the station off the air.

22-year old Shokiba Sanga Amaaj was a popular reporter and host for Shamshad Television.

"The development of a vibrant press in Afghanistan that includes male andfemale reporters and editors has been one of the real success stories sincethe overthrow of the Taliban," stated CJFE President Arnold Amber. "Thegovernment must do everything in its power to bring these murderers tojustice and protect the safety of all its journalists."

CJFE is extremely concerned about these murders which may be intended tosend a warning to other female journalists working in Afghanistan. Sincethe end of Taliban rule five and a half years ago, the number of Afghanwomen working in journalism and communications has grown to an estimatedthousand. It is vital that while these women are bravely stepping into newand often very visible roles in the broadcast and print media, that women'srights and their participation in civil society is fully supported,especially by the government.

Two journalists with extensive backgrounds in Afghanistan, Canadian JaneMcElhone and Khorshied Samad have mounted a photographic exhibition called"Voices on the Rise: Afghan Women Making the News", which provides a lookinto the lives of Afghan women journalists, producers, managers, writers,photographers and filmmakers. It will be shown at the Alliance Fran?aisein Toronto from June 15 to July 5.

Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) is an association of morethan 300 journalists, editors, publishers, producers, students and otherswho work to promote and defend free expression and press freedom in Canadaand around the world.

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IFEX Autolist - Somalia (closure of three leading radio stations a serious blow to free expression, says Human Rights Watch)

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From: Human Rights Watch, hrwpress@hrw.org

For Immediate Release
Somalia: Radio Stations Shut Despite Contact Group Meeting

Transitional Somali Government Must Respect Freedom of Expression

(New York, June 7, 2007) - The transitional Somali government's decision toclose three leading radio stations in Mogadishu is a serious blow tofreedom of expression and the right to impart and receive information inSomalia, Human Rights Watch said today.

On June 6, while the International Contact Group on Somalia was meeting inLondon, the Somali minister of information, Madobe Nunow Mohammed, signed adecree ordering the management of HornAfrik Media, Shabelle Media Networkand Radio Holy Koran to close their stations with immediate effect.HornAfrik and Shabelle run two of the largest and most popular radiostations in Somalia.

"This decree sends the signal that the transitional government does nottolerate independent media in Somalia," said Peter Takirambudde, Africadirector of Human Rights Watch. "Local radio stations give millions ofSomalis access to news and opportunities to voice their opinions. Thetransitional government must stop trying to muzzle free expression andprevent dissemination of information."

The decree accuses the three stations of inciting hostility, support forterrorism, violating independent media laws, confusing the public and being"anti-government." But the decree does not specify which laws were violatedby the media organizations, nor does it provide examples of mediamisconduct. All three stations have gone off air since receiving thedecree.

Journalists in Mogadishu have been under pressure for years from successiveauthorities, including the Union of Islamic Courts, which controlledMogadishu until late last year. Since January, when the TFG and Ethiopianforces ousted the Islamic Courts movement, efforts to clamp down on majormedia outlets have intensified. The decree is just the latest example in apattern of closures of media companies and arbitrary detentions ofindividual journalists by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

"The Transitional Federal Government is entitled to regulate the media, butits efforts must be in line with international law," said Takirambudde."International donors should immediately call on the Somali government toreverse this decree and ensure freedom of expression and the media."

HornAfrik, Shabelle, Radio Holy Koran and the international televisionbroadcaster Al-Jazeera were all temporarily closed after the TFG andEthiopian forces entered Mogadishu in January. In February the TFGthreatened to censor HornAfrik, Shabelle and Radio Benadir. In March,Al-Jazeera's Mogadishu bureau closed after the Somali National SecurityAgency sent a letter ordering it to stop operations but without offeringany further explanation. Al-Jazeera's office in Mogadishu has remainedclosed since March 21.

Since January, at least five journalists have been arrested and detainedwithout charge. Three journalists working for Universal TV were arrested inApril simply for asking questions in an exclusive interview with the TFGspokesman. They were accused of "inciting confrontation" and released after46 days in prison. Two journalists working for Shabelle Media were brieflydetained without charge by Somali government officials in March.

The International Contact Group on Somalia - comprising the United States,the European Union, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Tanzania - met in London onJune 6, days before Somalia's National Reconciliation Congress is scheduledto open in Mogadishu on June 14.

For additional Human Rights Watch reporting on Somalia, please visit:
http://www.hrw.org/doc?t=africa&c=somali

For further information, please contact:
In Toronto, Georgette Gagnon (English): 416-893-2709 (mobile)
In Brussels, Reed Brody (English, French, Portuguese, Spanish): 498-625786
(mobile)
In London, Tom Porteous (English): 20-7713-2766; or 79-8398-4982 (mobile)

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IFEX Autolist - Pakistan (RSF hails government's decision to suspend implementation of decree restricting broadcasters)

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To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Reporters Without Borders (RSF), asie@rsf.org

La version française suit. The French version follows.

7 June 2007
PAKISTAN

Government backs down on decree reinforcing censorship of broadcast media

Reporters Without Borders today hailed last night's decision by the Pakistani government to suspend implementation of an ordinance that wouldin crease the powers of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority(PEMRA) following a wave of protests by journalists' organisations and the political opposition.

The authorities announced the creation of a six-member committee to reviewthe controversial ordinance and submit a report to the prime minister. Thedecision was announced soon after a meeting yesterday evening in Islamabadbetween the information minister and some owners of leading news media,including privately-owned TV stations.

"The determined opposition of Pakistan's journalists and the support of the international community forced the government to back down on its draconian plan to reinforce the PEMRA's powers," Reporters Without Borders said. "The authorities and the media must now sit down together and construct an independent mechanism for regulating the broadcast media."

During a national assembly session yesterday, dozens of journalists andopposition members vented their anger against the government's attempts toreinforce censorship. Such slogans as "We want freedom," "The pen flag willcontinue to fly" and "Black law unacceptable" were chanted in the nationalassembly chamber, press gallery and corridors, where scuffles also tookplace. Speaker Amir Hussain finally banned journalists from entering theparliament building.

The European Union and the United States had both warned the Pakistani government of the dangers of reinforcing the PEMRA's powers.

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

PAKISTAN

Reporters sans frontières se félicite du recul du gouvernement sur l'ordonnance PEMRA

"La mobilisation des journalistes et le soutien de la communauté internationale ont contraint le gouvernement à faire marche arrière sur sonprojet liberticide de renforcer les pouvoirs de la PEMRA. Il fautmaintenant que les autorités et la presse puissent s'asseoir ensemble et construire un mécanisme indépendant de régulation des médias électroniques", a affirmé Reporters sans frontières.

Dans la nuit du 6 au 7 juin, le gouvernement a annoncé qu'il suspendait leprojet de nouvelle ordonnance sur la Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA), suite aux nombreuses protestations des organisations de journalistes et de l'opposition. Les autorités ont annoncé la créationd'une commission de six membres qui devra rendre un rapport au chef dugouvernement sur ce projet controversé. Une réunion entre le gouvernement, représenté par le ministre de l'Information, et les patrons de presse, notamment des chaînes de télévision privées, avait eu lieu plus tôt dans lasoirée, à Islamabad.

Lors d'une session de l'Assemblée nationale, le 6 juin, des dizaines dejournalistes et de membres de l'opposition ont manifesté leur colère contrele renforcement de la censure. Des slogans tels que "Nous voulons laliberté", "Le drapeau de la plume continuera à flotter" ou "Loi noire,inacceptable" ont été scandés dans les couloirs et dans l'hémicycle. Deséchauffourées ont eu lieu. Le président de l'Assemblée, Amir Hussain, ainterdit aux journalistes l'accès au bâtiment.

L'Union européenne et les Etats-Unis ont mis en garde le gouvernement pakistanais sur les dangers d'un renforcement des pouvoirs de la PEMRA.

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IFEX Autolist - Africa (NGO forum urges adherence to freedom of expression standards)

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From: ARTICLE 19, press@article19.org

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release - 7 June 2007

African NGO Forum Urges Adherence to Freedom of Expression Standards

In May 2007, non-government organizations (NGOs) held a Forum in Accra, Ghana, to share knowledge and offer recommendations on human rights policyto the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR).

At the Forum, ARTICLE 19: Global Campaign for Freedom of Expression with Media Foundation for West Africa led a Special Interest Working Group to highlight urgent and specific concerns over the state of the right to freedom of expression (FOE) in the Continent.

The Working Group expressed the deepest concerns about violations of FOE in many countries but especially Zimbabwe, Eritrea and Gambia, where journalists and human rights defenders have been under siege

Other concerns were also voiced during the meeting. The poor governmental policies on freedom of expression and right to access information in many African states were noted and Working Group participants sought the releaseof human rights defenders and journalists held in detention in various African countries. Those at the meeting offered recommendations aimed atrepealing restrictive, secretive and punitive legislative environmentsa round free expression and media freedom.

The Special Working Group urged the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to:
• Support implementation of freedom of information legislation across the continent.
• Urge states implicated in abuses of the media and of civil rights relating to freedom of expression to renounce and redress those abuses.
• Work with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression to promote adherence to the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa.

To view the full text of the conclusions from the meeting of the Special Interest Group on the Right to Freedom of Expression click here:
http://www.article19.org/pdfs/conferences/africa-foe-special-interest-group.pdf


NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information, please contact Africa Programme Officer, Cece Fadope; cece@aritcle19.org

ARTICLE 19 is an independent human rights organisation that works globally to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression. It takes its name from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees free speech.

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IFEX Autolist (highlights from HRinfo weekly update, 1- 7 June 2007)

**We apologise for any cross-posting - The following is being forwarded exactly as received**

To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRInfo.net),
info@hrinfo.net

The following are excerpts from the weekly update from HRInfo.net:

The Weekly Update for HRINFO, no. 164, 1 June 2007 - 7 June 2007 Fourth year

Tunisia
========

Arrests

The National Council for Freedoms (Tunisia) issued a press release statesthe horrible conditions facing the opinion prisoner "Mohammed Abbou" andmany other prisoners, victims of the Tunisian authority, held in the civil prison in Al-Kaf City, moreover, the annoyances practiced against his wifeand children during their visit.

More information about the release, please visit:
http://www.hrinfo.net/tunisia/cnlt/2007/pr0531.shtml


The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo) and theInternational Association for Protecting Political Prisoners issued twoseparate releases about the Tunisian journalist "Abdallah Al-Zawary" wholived for 16 years between prisons and exile and known among many ofdefenders of opinion prisoners as "Nelson Mandela of the Arab world". Thesituation describes the political injustice and violation of laws, whichreflects on the rights of defenders of principal freedoms and theopposition. In addition, all these practices work only for depriving theTunisian people from practicing their rights. The two organizations endedtheir releases by calling both Arab and international civil society to helpAl-Zawary to gain his freedom and return to his family in the Tunisiancapital.

More information about HRinfo's release, please visit:

http://www.hrinfo.net/en/reports/2007/pr0604.shtml

Sources
The National Council for Freedoms (Tunisia)
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo)
The International Association for Protecting Political prisoners
For more information, please visit:
http://www.hrinfo.net/tunisia
==========================

Morocco
========

Arrests
A wide arrests campaign launched on the supporters of the Egyptian Association for Human Rights during a liability demonstration heldyesterday with the members of the association, arrested during the celebration of (Fateh May), the forces followed them in the streets andinside the houses, in which they are charged for "insulting divines".

Sources
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights
For more information, please visit:
http://www.hrinfo.net/morocco

==========================

International and Regional
========

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch separately issued two pressreleases denouncing the Egyptian government's decision to prevent humanrights organizations from monitoring the prosecution of 33 leading figuresin the Egyptian Muslim Brothers Group. The two organizations in theirreleases, describing the government's claiming that the civilians will havejust prosecutions before military courts.

Sources
Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
For more information, please visit:
http://www.hrinfo.net/mena

==========================

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
========

Two lawyers of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo)visited the blogger Kareem Amer in Borg El Arab Prison in Alexandria, whowas sentenced to four years in prison in an opinion case. The visit was toexamine his well being and support him. HRinfo denounces the commissioner's decision of provisional detention against Amer for 65 days (since 4 Marchuntil 8 May 2007), although it wasn't a disciplinary decision andconsidered a violation to the law. The punishment was finished due to avisit done by Alexandria prosecution, in which it calls for treating Amerthe same way as the other prisoners. Being a member in Kareem's Amer'sdefense team, HRinfo declared the fact that Amer has no relation orcontacts with the donations collected by some groups (locally orinternationally) for his sake and he didn't ask for donations from personsor institutions.

More information about the release, please visit:

http://www.hrinfo.net/en/reports/2007/pr0531.shtml


More information about HRinfo's releases, please visit:

http://www.hrinfo.net/en/reports

==========================

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information

HRinfo is a legal organization defends freedom of opinion, expression andpress and the right to exchange information moreover, it works oncollecting the publications of 18 Arabic human rights organizations inMiddle East and North Africa countries published in Arabic and presented inone website. It provides also human rights' sources in the Arab world formedia workers, journalists, activists and the public in an attempt toincrease the numbers of internet users and the interested in human rightsissues in the Arab speaking world.

More information, suggestions or membership in the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, please contact on HRinfo post address: second floor, flat 10, 5,105 St, Horriya Square, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt.

Phone Number: (00202) 5249544
Email address: info@hrinfo.net

**The information contained in this autolist item is the sole responsibility of HRInfo.net**

IFEX Autolist - Afghanistan (CPJ horrified by murder of radio station director Zakia Zaki)

**We apologise for any cross-posting - The following is being forwarded
exactly as received**

To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), CPJ_Asia@cpj.org

In Afghanistan, second female journalist killed in a week

New York, June 6, 2007 - The Committee to Protect Journalists is horrifiedby the murder in her home of radio station director Zakia Zaki inAfghanistan's Parwan province, north of the capital Kabul. Unidentifiedgunmen shot her several times near midnight this morning in the bedroom shewas sharing with her small children, according to international newsreports.

CPJ is investigating to determine the motives for her murder, the secondkilling of a female broadcast journalist in less than a week. On Friday,television news presenter Shokiba Sanga Amaaj was murdered in her Kabulhome.

"We are outraged at this brutal killing of a brave and respectedjournalist, and urge Afghan authorities to bring Zakia Zaki's killers tojustice," said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. "This murder, whichfollows so closely on the heels of the killing of Shokiba Sanga Amaaj,highlights the double hazard of being a woman and being a journalist inAfghanistan."

Zaki, 35, had run Radio Peace, a private news radio station, since the fallof the Taliban in 2001. She had been critical of local warlords, whorecently warned her to shut down the station, Rahimullah Samandar, head ofthe Afghan Independent Journalists Association, told international reporters.

She was also a teacher and was involved in drafting Afghanistan's 2003 constitution. Authorities condemned the murder and promised an investigation.

Meanwhile, authorities in Kabul have arrested several suspects in the May31 killing of Amaaj, a 22-year-old news presenter for Shamshad TV. Thesuspects were male relatives, according to international news reports. Themotive in that killing is unclear.

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works tosafeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit www.cpj.org.

**The information contained in this autolist item is the sole responsibility of CPJ**