Italian state television raises fears for press independence
As pressure mounts on Mauro Masi, CEO of Rai TV, Giulio D’Eramo looks at why journalists see the government-owned network as a threat to freedom of expression
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Ecuador: Media targeting and censorship amidst police protest
A 12 hour police protest in Ecuador resulted in injury to media members and censorship of both TV and radio stations. Members of police force took to the streets on September 30 in response to bonus cuts. The government declared a state of emergency and ordered television and radio stations to broadcast only state news broadcasts. The state of emergency has been extended until Friday, 7 October, but according a spokesman at the Ecuador Embassy in London today, television and radio stations have resumed normal broadcasting.
Police also threatened and injured reporters, photographers, and cameramen who were covering the protest. The protest culminated in a military retrieval of President Rafael Correa, who was being held by protesters in a hospital. Some have called the protest an attempted coup, but other sources claim such terminology is unwarranted.
Syria: 19 year-old blogger accused of espionage
A teenage blogger who has been detained for nine months has been accused of spying for the American Embassy in Egypt. Tal al Mallohi, who is currently being held in Duma women’s prison near Damascus, was arrested by Syrian Intelligence Services in December 2009, in connection with a street attack on security services. She is accused of providing information that led to the incident. Mallohi has been denied access to a lawyer, and has had her computer and other personal possessions confiscated from her parents’ house. Her family have not been allowed to contact her. She is expected to appear in court in the next few days.
UK: Anti-death penalty exhibition cancelled by organiser
The organiser of an exhibition of anti-death penalty posters has cancelled the event, because he feels it has been censored. Herve Matine said that councillors wanted to split up the collection, placing the more graphic images in a separate room with limited access. He was told that around a third of the posters, some of which depict hangings, would be moved because they could influence young people. DUP councillor Brian Kingston called the exhibition “disturbing”, but Matine stressed the importance of “public awareness”.