Lebanon: Press Under Fire During Israeli Offensive

----| IFEX COMMUNIQUÉ VOL 15 NO 30 | 1 AUGUST 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 |-----

----- | INDEX | ------

FREE EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT:
1. Lebanon: Press Under Fire as Israeli Offensive Continues

REGIONAL NEWS:
2. Russia: Reporter Strangled to Death
3. Pakistan: Officials Promise to Review Journalist Murders
4. Brazil: Two Journalists Killed in One Week
5. Central America: Poor Denied Equal Access to Airwaves: AMARC

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EVENTS:
6. IFLA Helps Launch Information Network for African Librarians

REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS:
7. IFJ Study Reveals Need for More and Better Coverage of HIV/AIDS
8. EOHR Analyses Egypt's Amended Press Law

AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS:
9. For Diversity Against Discrimination EU Journalist Award
10. CMFR Honours Investigative Reporting in the Philippines

USEFUL WEBSITES:
11. Know How Community

ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE LAST WEEK
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FREE-EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT

1. LEBANON: PRESS UNDER FIRE AS ISRAELI OFFENSIVE CONTINUES

As Israel steps up its military offensive into Lebanon, journalists covering the conflict continue to come under fire.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says crews from four Arab television stations told the organisation that on 22 July 2006, Israeli aircraft fired missiles within 75 metres of them to prevent them from covering the effects of Israel's bombardment of the eastern town of Khiam.

The journalists said their convoy of vehicles was chased by Israeli fighter aircraft which fired missiles on the road behind them as they approached a bombed-out bridge. The journalists said they managed to escape on back roads but the planes followed and again trapped the vehicles by firing missiles at the road ahead of them and behind them. Eventually, the journalists left their vehicles and walked to the village of Hasb Bayah, where the Lebanese Red Cross has a post.

An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman told CPJ, "We are targeting the roads because Hezbollah uses those roads. Under no circumstances do we target civilians, including the media."

Conditions are extremely dangerous for journalists in Lebanon. Journalists told CPJ that any vehicles, including TV vehicles, traveling between towns and villages have been targeted by Israeli planes if spotted on the road. They also said obtaining live television pictures of the Israeli operation along the border from the Lebanese side is now virtually impossible.

A photojournalist and a television station technician have already been killed in the past three weeks since Israel launched a bombing campaign in retaliation for a cross-border raid by Hezbollah guerrillas (see: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75903/).

Meanwhile, newspaper editors and executives in Lebanon fear their publications may not be able to hold out much longer if the war continues, reports the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

The destruction of basic infrastructure has led to a massive drop in advertising, major distribution problems and fears of paper supply shortages. Ayad Tassabehji, general manager of the English-language "Daily Star", wonders how newspapers can continue publishing if both circulation and advertising continue to drop. "In times of war, advertising decreases and sales drop since less news agents are open and roads are blocked."

Advertising has become a problem for every newspaper. "It has dropped by 50 or 60 per cent," says Edmond Saab, executive editor-in-chief of one of the most popular Arabic-language dailies, "An-Nahar". Sales of the publication have slightly increased.

The embargo imposed by the Israeli army has also posed a major logistical problem for newspapers. "The borders are closed for any shipment. We will run out of newsprint by the end of the month," says Tassabehji. The French-language daily "L'Orient Le Jour" and "An-Nahar" say they are facing the same problem.

The precarious security situation is also preventing the newspapers' reporters from getting out to cover unfolding events. "There are no taxis, no fuel and roads have been bombed, isolating some regions from the rest of the country," says George Chamieh, financial director of "L'Orient Le Jour".

"The main difficulty is security of the staff coming in and out of the office. The other is to keep staff moral up," says Tassabehji of "The Daily Star". "Humans in general - and journalists are no exception - become demoralized after few days of bombing. It is almost impossible to write a business story when you know that a bomb might fall on your head."

Visit these links:
- WAN Arab Press Network: http://www.arabpressnetwork.org/home.php
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2006/mideast/lebanon27july06na.html
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=18386
- IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=4085&Language=EN
- BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5233842.stm
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REGIONAL NEWS:

EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA

2. RUSSIA: REPORTER STRANGLED TO DEATH

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000, at least 12 journalists have been murdered in contract-style killings, and none of the cases have been solved, say the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF).

On 26 July 2006, Yevgeny Gerasimenko became the 13th casualty. He was found strangled in his apartment in the southern city of Saratov, reported CPJ, RSF and the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations (CJES).

Gerasimenko, 29, was found with a plastic bag over his head and multiple bruises on his body. Police found no signs of a violent entry in the apartment, but Gerasimenko’s computer was missing.

Gerasimenko had been working for "Saratovsky Rasklad", a weekly that covers business and does politically-related analyses and investigations. He had been investigating the corporate takeover of a local commercial enterprise. According to the weekly's editor-in-chief, Gerasimenko was supposed to file a story on the takeover on 18 July but missed the deadline - something noted as very unusual for Gerasimenko, CPJ reported.

Local authorities have arrested a suspect described as a homeless man but refused to reveal his identity. They said the case had been "solved." However, CPJ says important questions remain unanswered.

Gerasimenko's murder occurred in the same week that the United States Senate issued a resolution condemning the murders of Russian journalists and calling on the Russian government to aggressively pursue its investigation into the July 2004 murder of American journalist Paul Klebnikov. Introduced by senators Hillary Clinton and Sam Brownback, Resolution 526 urges Russia to accept offers of assistance from the U.S. and other governments in its murder inquiry.

The resolution also urges Russian authorities to co-operate with a global consortium of journalists who have been conducting their own inquiry into Klebnikov's murder. In partnership with RSF, Project Klebnikov plans to present its findings at a conference in Moscow this fall.

Visit these links:
- CJES: http://www.cjes.ru/index-e.php
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2006/europe/russia31july06na.html
- Twelve Murders, No Justice: http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2005/russia_murders/russia_murders.html
- Text of U.S. Senate Resolution: http://tinyurl.com/z8928
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=18412
- Project Klebnikov: http://www.projectklebnikov.org/
- The Russian Newspaper Murders: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/shows/russia/index.html

ASIA-PACIFIC

3. PAKISTAN: OFFICIALS PROMISE TO REVIEW JOURNALIST MURDERS

A Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) delegation has won pledges from Pakistani officials to review government investigations into the deaths of seven journalists who have been killed for their work in the past four years, and to examine official records of 20 other cases of attacks on journalists.

Following meetings with Pakistan's Interior Minister, Secretary of the Interior and Northwest Frontier Governor last week, CPJ said the promises were a good first step in ensuring that "journalists in the country can cover sensitive issues without fearing for their lives." The officials also pledged to establish a continuing dialogue with Pakistani journalist organizations and to assure them of government support for journalists' safety.

CPJ has recorded eight journalists killed in the line of duty since 2002, including U.S. reporter Daniel Pearl. Only Pearl's case has been thoroughly investigated.

Journalists in Pakistan have faced increasing threats and attacks in recent months, notes CPJ. Two journalists - Hayatullah Khan and Munir Ahmed Sangi - have been found dead since May. Two television journalists - Geo TV correspondent Mukesh Rupeta and freelance cameraman Sanjay Kumar - were held incommunicado for more than three months by the government before being charged under the Official Secrets Act and released on 22 June. Authorities have told Pakistani journalists that they do not know the whereabouts of another journalist, "Daily Kawish" correspondent Mehruddin Mari, despite the fact that he was reportedly detained by police in Sindh province on 2 July.

Members of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and the Tribal Union of Journalists told the CPJ delegation that they are often threatened by the groups they cover and that they fear retribution from the government, including illegal detentions and harassment. Many journalists also spoke of the lack of support from their news organisations, saying the outlets are reluctant to confront the government when their reporters are arrested or detained.

CPJ has urged the Pakistani government to take steps to better protect press freedom, including the creation of a special unit in the Interior Ministry to investigate crimes against journalists and make reports available to the public. CPJ also recommended that similar mechanisms be established in Pakistan's tribal territories.

According to a report by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), journalists in the conflict-ridden tribal areas of the Northwest Frontier and Baluchistan often work under very dangerous conditions because of clashes between militants and armed forces.

Visit these links:
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/news/2006/asia/pak26july06na.html
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=18260
- IFJ Report: http://childrights.ifj-asia.org/report/sapfr_200506.pdf
- Pakistan Press Foundation: http://www.pakistanpressfoundation.org/
- IFEX Alerts on Pakistan: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/158/
- Internews Pakistan: http://www.intermedia.org.pk/

AMERICAS

4. BRAZIL: TWO JOURNALISTS KILLED IN ONE WEEK

The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) have urged authorities in Brazil to conduct thorough investigations into the deaths of two journalists who were murdered last week.

On 24 July 2006, 73-year-old freelance journalist Ajuricaba Monassa de Paula was beaten to death in Guapirimim, Rio de Janeiro state, reported RSF. Monassa was arguing with a relative of Osvaldo Vivas, a councillor he had accused of questionable administrative practices. Vivas intervened and began hitting Monassa until he collapsed, according to RSF.

Monassa was a freelance writer for several magazines and websites, and was a constant critic of the municipal government, whom he accused of lacking in transparency and breaking promises, RSF noted. Monassa was affiliated with the Brazilian Press Association (ABI) and was a member of the local opposition.

In São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo state, Manoel Paulino da Silva was gunned down by unidentified men on 20 July, reported IAPA. Da Silva was the founder and owner of the newspaper "Hoje Jornal", whose directors told IAPA that Da Silva had neither received any threats nor published information that could have provoked the shooting. Local police said they were not ruling out the possibility that the murder was connected to Da Silva's work as a newspaper owner.

Although Brazil's constitution guarantees free expression and prohibits censorship, the country is a dangerous one for the press, says the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Four journalists have been killed for their work in the past five years, with most of the attacks taking place in the country's vast interior, where corruption and drug trafficking are prevalent and local governments often weak. In most of these cases, no one has been prosecuted.

Recently, several journalists in Brazil have survived assassination attempts or received death threats. Vilmar Berna, editor of a newspaper covering environmental issues in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro state, has received death threats since May, says RSF. In his publication "Jornal do Meio Ambiente, Berna revealed the illegal use of fine-mesh nets in Rio de Janeiro bay. It wasn't until media reported on the threats that local judicial authorities took up Berna's complaint on 5 July, almost a month after he filed it with police.

In São Sebastião, gunmen stormed the offices of the daily newspaper "Imprensa Livre" on 18 May, beat employees and set fire to that day's print run, reported RSF and CPJ. The attackers told employees that the newspaper should stop reporting on Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a local gang authorities have blamed for a wave of violence in São Paulo that has left at least 170 people dead since May. The newspaper's director said the attack "will not silence our editorial line."

On 2 May, community radio presenter Camelo Luís de Sá was shot twice in the arm while presenting his programme in the northeastern town of Quiterianópolis, Ceará state, reported RSF. Witnesses identified the gunman as Antônio Valceni Vieira, the son of Quiterianópolis mayor Francisco Vieira Costa, a member of the opposition Brazilian Democratic Movement Party.

Visit these links:
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=18399
- IAPA: http://www.sipiapa.com
- IAPA Report on Brazil: http://www.sipiapa.com/pulications/informe_brazil2006.cfm
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/attacks05/americas05/brazil_05.html
- Human Rights Watch Briefing on Brazil: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/01/18/brazil12204.htm
- ABRAJI: http://www.abraji.org.br/
- OAS: http://www.cidh.org/Relatoria/showarticle.asp?artID=672&lID=1
- BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5173830.stm

5. CENTRAL AMERICA: POOR DENIED EQUAL ACCESS TO AIRWAVES: AMARC

Radio broadcasting laws in Central America are incompatible with the American Convention of Human Rights and should be reformed to give community radio stations an equal place at the table in the allocation of radio frequencies, the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) has been told.

At its annual hearings in Washington, D.C. two weeks ago, the regional human rights watchdog received a delegation from the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) that presented a report on challenges facing community radio in Central America.

The report argued that laws regulating radio broadcasting in the region are incompatible with the Convention because they deny marginalised communities equal access to radio frequencies. "The frequencies are auctioned to the highest bidder or sold through procedures under which the most central criteria … are economic requirements." This significantly impedes access by those with little economic power or citizen groups "whose goals in their use of a radio frequency are the benefits to society as a whole and the social development of the communities in which [they] operate," says AMARC.

AMARC urged the IACHR to examine the compatibility of radio broadcasting laws in the region with the Convention, similar to the study the IACHR conducted on criminal defamation laws. It also urged the IACHR and the Organization of American States' (OAS) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to continue monitoring the situation facing community radio stations, including in Guatemala where talks between government and community stations on amending broadcast laws have stalled.

The IACHR welcomed AMARC's suggestions and suggested that the organisation prepare a follow-up report detailing specific cases in relation to international standards on freedom of expression.

The IACHR is an independent arm of the OAS that monitors human rights in the Americas. Its Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression, which have been approved by OAS member countries, states, " The concession of radio and television broadcast frequencies should take into account democratic criteria that provide equal opportunity of access for all individuals."

AMARC's full report (available only in Spanish) can be downloaded here:
http://legislaciones.amarc.org/Presentacion_audiencia_Guate%20_jul06_.pdf

Visit these links:
- AMARC Alert Issued via IFEX: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75941/
- IACHR: http://www.cidh.oas.org/
- American Convention on Human Rights: http://www.cidh.org/Relatoria/showarticle.asp?artID=25&lID=1
- OAS Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression: http://www.cidh.org/Relatoria/index.asp?lID=1

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

6. IFLA HELPS LAUNCH INFORMATION NETWORK FOR AFRICAN LIBRARIANS

Librarians from across Africa have launched an information exchange network to promote access to, and more effective use of, government information for democratic and economic development on the continent, following a workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, co-sponsored by the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The Access to Information Network-Africa (AINA) will act as a forum for exchanging information and discussing strategies for implementing the recommendations of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Africa.

The network emerged out of a workshop held on 27-30 March 2006, which brought together more than 80 library science professionals, U.N. representatives and academics from across the continent. The conference agreed on an Action Framework to implement the WSIS recommendations relating to libraries, archives and other information services at the local, national and pan-African levels.

Papers and presentations from the workshop can be viewed here:
http://www.uneca.org/disd/events/2006/wsis-library/main.html

Visit these links:
- IFLA: http://www.ifla.org/VII/s17/pubs/s17-WISIS-Report2006.pdf
- Libraries and Intellectual Freedom: http://www.ifla.org/faife/faife/presen.htm
- UNECA: http://www.uneca.org
- WSIS: http://www.itu.int/wsis/

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REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS

7. IFJ STUDY REVEALS NEED FOR MORE AND BETTER COVERAGE OF HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS - the "key story of our time" - is not getting the coverage it deserves in the countries in which the pandemic is most rampant, says the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). In a study examining media coverage of HIV/AIDS in six countries in Africa and Asia, the organisation argues that news media need to institute wide ranging training programmes to improve the quality and quantity of reporting on the pandemic.

The study focused on Cambodia, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa and Zambia, and surveyed more than 350 news reports over a two-week period. It found that stories on HIV/AIDS were generally neutral, balanced and fair, but some were tainted by sensationalism. The study also revealed that print media were doing a far better job of covering the pandemic than broadcast media, with 79 per cent of the sampled stories appearing in newspapers and magazines.

To read the study, visit: http://www.ifj.org/pdfs/IFJ%20HIV%20RESEARCH%20REPORT.pdf

8. EOHR ANALYSES EGYPT'S AMENDED PRESS LAW

The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) has published a report analysing the country's recently amended Press Law, which has been criticised by press freedom groups for criminalising the defamation of public officials. "Journalism In Egypt: Caught Between Laws and the Government" outlines EOHR's position on the law and contains recommendations for reforming the law in line with international standards on free expression.

The report also analyses other laws that restrict freedom of the press and expression in Egypt, and profiles cases of journalists who have been legally harassed in the courts in the past two years. The report was prepared as part of an EOHR campaign calling for the removal of all restrictions to freedom of expression and opinion in the country.

To obtain a copy of the report, contact: eohr@link.com.eg or eohr@eohr.org

Visit these links:
- EOHR: http://www.eohr.org/press/2006/pr0712.shtml
- IFEX: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75764/

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AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS

9. FOR DIVERSITY AGAINST DISCRIMINATION EU JOURNALIST AWARD

Journalists from across the European Union (EU) are encouraged to apply for this year's For Diversity Against Discrimination Journalist Award, which honours individuals whose reporting contributes to a better understanding of diversity and discrimination.

The competition is open to journalists working in print or online who live and work in any of the EU's 25 member countries. Contestants should submit articles which discuss diversity or discrimination issues relating to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability. The articles must be published by a media organisation based in an EU member country anytime between 1 January and 31 December 2006. They can be in any one of the 20 official EU languages and each must have a minimum of 3,800 words.

Entries will be judged according to their news value, relevance, complexity of research and preparation. The first, second and third prize winners will receive a trip to an EU country of their choice where they can study issues related to their journalistic interests. They will also be invited to an award ceremony held in spring 2007 in Brussels.

The deadline for entries is 31 December 2006.

Visit: http://www.journalistaward.stop-discrimination.info/

10. CMFR HONOURS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING IN THE PHILIPPINES

For the past 17 years, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) has been honouring the best reporting in the Philippines through the Jaime V. Ongpin Awards for Excellence in Journalism. Named after a former finance minister and press freedom advocate, the awards aim to celebrate journalists whose work measures up to the standards of the best international reportage.

This year, an unprecedented number of awards went to journalists for investigative reporting. The winning articles showed that "through in-depth research, extensive interviews, and corroboration of multiple sources, the press can provide the public with comprehensive information and understanding about crucial as well as complex issues," the organisation says.

First prize winners included Fe Zamora and Gerry Lirio of "The Inquirer, who broke the story of secret tapes which recorded conversations between President Gloria Arroyo and an election official in the run-up to presidential polls in 2005. Luz Rimban of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism also won a first prize for revealing that Arroyo ran for office using public funds.

Commenting on the importance of investigative journalism, CMFR Executive Director Melinda Quintos de Jesus says, "Print journalism has to show the way in providing more time given to the stories and creating niche reports that give more information and promote greater understanding in the public audience."

To see this year's list of award winners, visit: http://www.cmfr-phil.org/projects1.htm

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USEFUL WEBSITES

11. KNOW HOW COMMUNITY

Know How Community is a Dutch non-governmental organisation that organises an annual conference bringing together women journalists, communicators and activists from around the world to network, collaborate and share experiences.

Visit: http://www.knowhowcommunity.org/

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ALERTS ISSUED BY THE IFEX CLEARING HOUSE DURING THE PAST WEEK

24 JULY 2006
Mexico - Armed thugs attack university radio station in Oaxaca (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75890/
Russia - CPJ urges European Court to make Russian murder case a priority (CPJ) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75889/
Democratic Republic of Congo - A week before general elections, journalist kept in prison for "offending the head of state" (JED) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75887/
Nepal - Members of student organisation seize and burn copies of newspapers and magazines (CEHURDES) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75886/
Afghanistan - Suicide bomber kills TV employee covering death of two Canadian soldiers (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75885/
Kenya - Government minister threatens cartoonist with legal action once more (CRN) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75883/
Peru - Court orders release of men convicted of journalist's murder (IPYS) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75881/
Argentina - Three journalists assaulted by local mayor's supporters (IPYS) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75879/
Lebanon - Photographer killed in Israeli bombing (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75876/
Lebanon - Israeli air strikes destroy TV antennae and kill an LBC technician (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75875/

25 JULY 2006
Poland - Pressure on German journalists continues in wake of article making fun of Polish president (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75902/
China - Reporter beaten to death by policeman in Guizhou province (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75900/
Brazil - RSF urges president to veto law that would restrict who can work as a journalist (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75897/
Africa/Asia - IFJ study finds Indian journalists face difficulty getting HIV/AIDS stories published, Asian colleagues limited by "biased and limited" government information (IFJ) - press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75896/
Mexico - Death threats over critical political stance preceded gunmen's attack on university radio station (CPJ) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75894/
Lebanon - Television station technician seriously injured in attack as Israeli military targets media facilities in Lebanon (CPJ) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75893/

26 JULY 2006
Turkey - Government urged to conform to European Court's rulings on freedom of expression (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75936/
Maldives - "Minivan" correspondent freed after being held more than three months (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75932/
Israel - Cameraman seriously injured in targeted attack by Israeli army on journalists in Gaza (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75930/
Tunisia - Outspoken human rights activist beaten and threatened with sexual assault (HRInfo) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75928/
Colombia - Bucaramanga editor continues to receive death threats, says authorities have failed to investigate who is behind them (CPJ) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75924/
China - Century China website and a magazine's chat forum shut down in new wave of censorship (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75923/
Syria - Massoud Hamid, winner of 2005 RSF Internet Freedom Prize, released at end of prison sentence (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75937/

27 JULY 2006
Russia - President Putin urged to take account of US Senate resolution on Klebnikov murder (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75971/
Pakistan - Authorities' pledge to review journalist killings a "welcome first step", says CPJ (CPJ) - press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75970/
Rwanda - Journalist kept in prison after conviction overturned on appeal (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75968/
Brazil - IAPA calls on president to speed up investigation into journalist's 1995 murder (IAPA) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75966/
China - No verdict in Zhao Yan trial as court ignores legal deadline (RSF) - alert update http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75964/
Lebanon - Reporters Without Borders in Beirut to express solidarity with Lebanese media (RSF) - press release
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75962/
Turkey - Writer Perihan Magden acquitted (WiPC) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75961/
Philippines - Ex-president Estrada to file libel suit against "Manila Standard Today" newspaper and two individuals (CMFR) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75960/
Cambodia - Journalist flees to Thailand after receiving death threats (RSF) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75959/
Nigeria - Stringent new accreditation requirements imposed on journalists for covering National Assembly activities (MRA) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75957/
Israel/Lebanon - Television crews allege targeting by Israeli warplanes in the south (CPJ) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75956/
Philippines - Three suspects in radio journalist's murder apprehended (CMFR) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75954/
Russia - Investigative journalist found slain in apartment (CPJ) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75953/
Swaziland - Parliament rejects government move to impose media regulation (MISA) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75952/
Uzbekistan - Authorities block Neweurasia blog platform (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75951/
Israel/Palestine - IFJ presses Israel for answers about recent army attacks on media personnel in the region, calls for end to "pattern of targeting" (IFJ) - capsule report
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75948/
Brazil - Municipal councilor beats 73-year-old freelance journalist to death (RSF) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75947/
Malaysia - Government tightening restrictions on online media, public discussions of race and religion; forum on religious freedom halted by protestors (SEAPA) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75946/
Peru - Radio journalist assaulted by municipal employee in Huaraz (IPYS) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75945/
Central America - IACHR examines community radio stations' situation, describes as "undemocratic" the auctioning of radio frequencies (AMARC) - press release http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75941/

28 JULY 2006
Russia - President signs law labeling criticism of state officials "extremism" (CPJ) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/76025/
Democratic Republic of Congo - Mob threatens photographer covering pre-election riot (CPJ) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/76004/
Azerbaijan - Ex-officer says he plotted editor's murder; some are skeptical (CPJ) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75995/
Brazil/Peru - Newspaper owner murdered in Brazil; two more individuals implicated in journalist's murder absolved in Peru (IAPA) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75978/
Brazil - IAPA welcomes president's veto of legislation that would have negatively impacted on press freedom (IAPA) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75975/ Philippines - Suspect in broadcaster's murder arrested; mayor files libel complaints against tabloids (CMFR) - alert update
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75974/
Indonesia - Government regulatory agency forcibly shuts down two radio stations in Aceh as licensing controversy continues (SEAPA) - alert
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/75973/

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