25 Feb 2011 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
The first independent TV station in Northern Iraq, Naliya Radio and Television (NRT), was forced off air after up to 50 masked gunmen stormed its headquarters, destroying all broadcasting equipment and setting the building on fire. The TV station, which had only started broadcasting on 17 February, had already received numerous threatening messages over its coverage of protests in the city of Sulaymaniyah in which three demonstrators were killed and another 100 wounded. NRT TV had broadcast footage of police firing on the demonstrators.
22 Feb 2011 | Index Index, minipost
Journalists and human rights groups in Colombia have received alarming threats from Aguilas Negras, an extreme right wing paramilitary group. The groups and individuals received a document signed by the “Central Command of the Black Eagles” warning them that their lives are in danger. Aguilas Negras has targeted journalists in the past: one report accused the group of imposing a “reign of terror, killing journalists or forcing them to censor themselves or flee the country”.
21 Feb 2011 | Index Index, minipost
Ivorian police have issued summonses for questioning to several newspaper editors, local journalists report. The summons were sent to editors seen to be favourable towards former presidential candidate Alassane Ouattara. The police accused the newspapers of “calling the army to mutiny, inciting the public not to recognize the authorities, and inciting hatred and violence”.
21 Feb 2011 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces over the past few days have left at least 200 dead and many more wounded. The government has reacted strongly against demonstrators, with reports of gunfire and restricted hospital supplies. In a televised address Muammar Gaddafi’s son and heir apparent, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi termed the demonstrators “seditious elements,” warning that Libya faced a civil war. “We will take up arms, we will fight to the last bullet,” he said. Restrictions on local and international media make it difficult to build an accurate picture of the demonstrations and to independently verify casualty numbers.
