15 Mar 2010 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
The Cambodian government has used “threats, intimidation and legal action” to reduce the quantity of independent media reporting in the country, a new report has claimed. According to Reporters Without Borders, the governing Cambodian People’s Party is severely limiting journalists’ ability to report on private sector abuses and corruption. The report also condemns Prime Minister Hun Sen for failing to adhere to a promise made in 2006 that Cambodian journalists would no longer be jailed for their work.
15 Mar 2010 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
A new report has claimed that the Mongolian government routinely uses defamation legislation against journalists exposing corruption or abuses of power. Globe International conducted a study into 215 journalists working in the world’s most sparsely populated country, discovering that more than 60 per cent of defamation cases are initiated by politicians and public officials. The organisation also found that 50 per cent of the journalists questioned admitted to self-censoring.
10 Mar 2010 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
Libel lawsuits against Liberia’s independent media are being used to silence dissenting voices in the West African country, according to Tom Kamara, editor-in-chief of the New Democrat. In an interview with Liberia Webs, Kamara expressed concern that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s government may be using state resources to influence libel cases against the media. He cited the fine his newspaper received for libelling the Consolidated Group, after it published a story focusing on the company’s purchase of “useless” road building equipment for the government. Last week, the Centre for Media Studies & Peace Building accused Liberia’s government of resorting to intimidation to censor the media.
8 Mar 2010 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
Ten journalists in Sierra Leone have been assaulted by members of an opposition party during their national conference. The International Federation of Journalists disclosed that supporters of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) physically attacked reporters as they were preparing to record the second day of the event in Bo. High ranking members of the SLPP were reported to have seized and stolen the cameras and mobile phones of the journalists present.
