Iraq / Middle East & North Africa

New York, November 13, 2008–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes a decision from a court in Iraqi Kurdistan today to reject a one-month prison sentence and fine against journalist Shwan Dawdi.

Dear Minister Jamil, The Committee to Protect Journalists brings your attention to a one-month prison sentence handed down last week by the criminal court in Sulaymaniyah in contravention of the region’s new press law.

New York, November 5, 2008–The Iraqi Kurdistan court of appeals should act immediately to overturn a judge’s ruling on Tuesday to impose a one-month prison term against a journalist who published critical reports about the Sulaymaniyah courthouse, CPJ said today. The journalist’s lawyer said newly adopted legislation does not appear to allow such a prison…

Nearly three years after gunman affiliated with al-Qaeda left him for dead on a Baghdad street, Iraqi state television cameraman Jehad Ali arrived in the United States for medical treatment to help rebuild his bullet-shattered right leg.

New York, October 10, 2008–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the murder of Iraqi reporter Dyar Abas Ahmed, who was shot by unidentified gunmen in Kirkuk today, according to news reports and CPJ interviews.

135 journalists and 50 support workers have died in direct connection to their work in Iraq.88 percent of media deaths are Iraqis.70 percent of media deaths were murders; 30 percent were combat-related. 79 percent of killings were committed by insurgent forces. U.S. forces were responsible for 12 percent of deaths. 62 percent of victims worked for Iraqi news organizations;…

After Jehad Ali’s leg was shattered by assailants in Iraq, colleagues raised money, and surgeons in California offered help. Now, Ali has cleared another big hurdle: He’s gained permission to enter the United States. By Robert Mahoney

IPFA Awards 2008 To Attend the Awards Dinner (PDF) Bilal Hussein Danish Karokhel and Farida Nekzad Andrew Mwenda Héctor Maseda Gutiérrez Beatrice Mtetwa New York, September 16, 2008–The Committee to Protect Journalists will honor courageous journalists from Iraq, Afghanistan, Uganda, and Cuba with its 2008 International Press Freedom Awards at a ceremony in November. Bilal…

To Attend the Benefit Dinner (PDF)| Awards 2008 |Announcement of the Awards | Danish Karokhel and Farida Nekzad | Andrew Mwenda | Héctor Maseda Gutiérrez | Beatrice Mtetwa Bilal Hussein, 37, made his mark as a photographer for The Associated Press during the 2004 battle of Fallujah. The city, a stronghold of al-Qaeda in Iraq and its…

We announced the 2008 International Press Freedom Award recipients on Tuesday, and the news has been well-received worldwide. Bilal Hussein of Iraq, Danish Karokhel and Farida Nekzad of Afghanistan, Andrew Mwenda of Uganda, and Héctor Maseda Gutiérrez of Cuba will all be honored by CPJ on November 25 for their courageous work. Beatrice Mtetewa, of Zimbabwe will…