Not the route to free media

January 31st, 2013

A recently released report from a European Union group contains recommendations that would endanger media freedom, says Kirsty Hughes

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Leveson: The way ahead for a free press in the UK

December 20th, 2012

A tough but voluntary regulator is the best way to ensure a free press and a fair society, Index says in a new policy note (more…)

Dominican Republic: Proposed law would fine, jail “unqualified” journalists

February 24th, 2012

Mandatory membership to a professional body for journalists has been proposed in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Journalism Guild (CDP) proposed mandatory membership which would penalise those who act as journalists without relevant degrees with prison sentences and fines of approximately $25,700 (£16,300). The draft bill suggests that media organisations would be able to freely contract employees, but only those with bachelors degrees or the equivalent from an “accredited school of journalism” would be employed as journalists. The CDP would also provide the media with a list of employable journalism graduates, according to the bill.

Azerbaijan blacklists 77 newspapers

August 6th, 2010

The Azerbaijan Press Council have published a blacklist of 77 newspapers. They accuse the newspapers of racketeering and publishing articles affecting people’s honour. The blacklist, which is available online, lists the founder and editor-in-chief of each publication. Last year, a similar list in the Eurasian state blacklisted 95 publications.

Congo: Television and radio stations silenced for 48 hours

August 2nd, 2010

Three opposition radio and television stations were silenced for 48 hours on 26 July without a reason by a commando unit of five men in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The signals of Canal Congo Télévision (CCTV), Canal Kin Télévision (CKTV) and Radio Liberté Kinshasa (RALIK) were cut off. However no equipment was damaged or taken.

Chavez government takes stake in opposition broadcaster

July 22nd, 2010

Hugo Chavez’s government has taken control of a 45.8 per cent share of its biggest critic, Globovison. President Chavez has been involved in various actions against the independent press in the past. Since the acquiring the shares Chavez has declared that the Venezuelan government is in a position to nominate a member of the board of directors. The President of Globovision, Guillermo Zuloaga, currently faces arrest in Venezuela and resides in Miami. In response to the news he declared that Globovision will stay critical of the Chavez regime.

Hrant Dink trial reveals police failure to cooperate

July 20th, 2010

The 14th hearing in the trial of the three men accused of murdering journalist Hrant Dink has revealed a lack of police cooperation and investigation. Reporters San Frontieres reports that various pieces of evidence for the trial had not been submitted by the investigating detectives, thus considerably holding up the trial’s progression. Missing evidence includes data from the computer used by one of the suspects after the murder, and information from a phonecall between a police officer and one of the accused. The former police intelligence chief, Sabri Uzun, also revealed that a report evaluating the likelihood of Dink’s murder was archived instead of sent to him. Uzun said in court, “If I had been informed of the existence of this report, Hrant Dink would still be alive today”.

British author arrested in Singapore

July 19th, 2010

Earlier today British author Alan Shadrake was arrested in Singapore for alleged criminal defamation and contempt of court .The state run Media Development Authority filed a complaint against Shadrake’s book, which examines the death penalty in Singapore, accusing it of questioning the impartiality of the judiciary. Last year Singapore ejected British journalist Ben Bland and charged the Wall Street Journal with contempt of court . Last week the authorities banned a film containing a speech made by an ex political prisoner.