03 Apr 12 | Index Index, minipost
A Syrian citizen journalist who has been detained by authorities since Wednesday has reportedly been tortured during his arrest. Ali Mahmoud Othman, who ran the media centre in Baba Amr where Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik were killed, was arrested and initially detained at a military intelligence unit in Aleppo. Over the weekend, he was transferred to Damascus. Sunday Times photographer Paul Conroy told Channel 4 news that Othman had been tortured during his detention. The continuing campaign against local and international press in Syria is believed to be an attempt to “systematically dismantle” the anti-regime “citizen journalist network”.
03 Apr 12 | Index Index, minipost
Bahraini authorities banned several books from the country’s international book fair, which was held between 22 March and 1 April. The Press and Publications Directorate, which is affiliated with the Information Affairs Authority, banned and confiscated all copies of the book “Political organisations and societies in Bahrain”, co authored by journalist Abbas Almurshid and human rights defender Abdulhadi AlKhawaja, who is currently on hunger strike. Another book by Almurshid, “Bahrain in the Gulf Gazetteer” was also banned by The Press and Publications Directorate. Other books removed from the fair include the novel “Jazaweyat” by Saudi author Fahad Fatik and “Wahhabism” by Saudi author Miqat AlRajehi.
02 Apr 12 | Academic Freedom, News and features
As a crucial legal battle comes to a head, Anthony McIntyre explores the contempt for academic research and protection of confidential sources behind the courtroom drama (more…)
02 Apr 12 | Index Index, minipost
Reports have emerged suggesting a Chinese blogger who criticised a public official in his personal blog was secretly sentenced to prison in 2010. Voice of America has reported that Gao Yingpu, a journalist who has written for the Asia Pacific Economic Times, was sentenced to three years imprisonment in a secret trial. It is believed Gao was imprisoned following his criticism of disgraced Communist Party Secretary Bo Xilai. Gao’s wife confirmed her husband was arrested in July 2010 and was sentenced for endangering state security. His former classmate told local media that the journalist’s wife signed a written promise not to publicise the case.
