Court overturns Costa Rican defamation sentence; CPJ welcomes decision
New York, August 4, 2004—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) welcomes a decision by the Inter American Court of Human Rights to annul a sentence against Costa Rican journalist Mauricio Herrera Ulloa, a reporter for the San José-based daily La Nación who was convicted of criminal defamation in 1999. The court, based in San José,…
CPJ concerned about deteriorating health of imprisoned journalists
New York, July 28, 2004—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating health of imprisoned journalists Julio César Gálvez, Edel José García, and Jorge Olivera Castillo, who are among the 29 journalists sentenced to lengthy prison terms in Cuba in 2003. Gálvez is serving a 15-year prison sentence at La Pendiente…
Taking sides: Haiti
Under Haiti’s new transitional government, journalists-especially those who supported former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide-remain at risk in a politically polarized environment. By Carlos Lauria and Jean-Roland Chery Nearly five months after the ouster of President Jean Bertrand Aristide, journalists in Haiti still confront great dangers in a country marked by lawlessness. Before the unrest began in…
After journalists deported, bill would alter visa waiver program
Washington, July 23, 2004—A bill introduced this week in the U.S. House of Representatives would allow journalists from 27 “friendly” countries to enter the United States without a visa for up to 90 days—just as any other citizen of a “friendly” country may enter. Proposed by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), the bill, known as HR…
CPJ urges repeal of desacato laws, welcomes initial step
Dear Mr. Salas: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a New York-based nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide, welcomes the Legislative Assembly’s initial approval of constitutional reforms that repeal the constitutional basis for desacato (disrespect) laws. We urge Panamanian legislators to ratify these reforms.
Radio journalist slain in northeastern state of Alagoas
New York, July 14, 2004—Radio owner and host Jorge Lourenço dos Santos was killed on Sunday, July 11, in Alagoas State in northeastern Brazil. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is investigating whether the slaying was related to his work as a journalist. Dos Santos was killed at about 7:30 p.m. outside his home in…
