CPJ condemns destruction of Palestinian radio facility
New York, December 13, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned Israel’s destruction of the Voice of Palestine radio station broadcasting headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The Associated Press reported that Israeli missiles hit the building’s main transmitter, knocking the station off the air.
Foreign Correspondents Association created
New York, December 13, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists applauds the creation on December 7 of the Zimbabwe Foreign Correspondents Association (ZFCA), which has vowed to challenge a restrictive new press law in court. The draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill would allow only Zimbabwean citizens to work for foreign media. A…
Killers of Indonesian journalist convicted of “crimes against humanity”
New York, December 12, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) welcomes yesterday’s announcement that the killers of journalist Agus Muliawan were among those convicted of “crimes against humanity” in connection with the violence that surrounded East Timor’s August 1999 vote for independence from Indonesia. The Special Panel for Serious Crimes of the District Court in…
Moscow authorities free Tajik journalist
Atovullo told CPJ, “This is a big victory for journalists in the entire post-Soviet region.” New York, July 12, 2001—Dododjon Atovullo, the Tajik journalist and opposition activist who was detained in Moscow last week while Russian authorities considered extraditing him to Tajikistan, was released today and has returned to Germany, where he is currently living…
British reporter attacked by Afghan refugees
New York, December 10, 2001—On December 8, Robert Fisk, Middle East correspondent for the London daily Independent, was severely beaten by Afghan refugees in the village of Kila Abdullah in western Pakistan. Fisk, his Independent colleague Justin Huggler, driver Amanullah, and translator Fayyaz Ahmed were driving past Kila Abdullah, near the Afghan border, when their…
Prominent TV journalist assaulted in Moscow
New York, November 30, 2001—A well-known Russian television journalist was assaulted and robbed by three unknown attackers in the early morning hours of Friday, November 30, CPJ has confirmed. Ildar Zhandaryov co-hosts “Bez Protokola” (Without Protocol), one of Russia’s top-rated talk shows, and the movie review program “Interesnoye Kino” (Interesting Movie). Both shows appear on…
CPJ concerned about Canadian journalist believed kidnapped
New York, November 28, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is extremely concerned about the safety of Ken Hechtman, a Canadian free-lance journalist who is believed to be held captive in the border town of Spin Boldak. Hechtman, 33, was writing for the weekly Montreal Mirror. On November 27, a man who identified himself as…
New security bill may restrict independent press, state paper reports
New York, November 28, 2001—In a November 21 article, the state-owned Herald newspaper reported that the Zimbabwean government had drafted a Public Order and Security Bill intended to replace the harsh Law and Order Maintenance Act of 1960. The bill is expected to reach Parliament by the end of the year. Ostensibly meant to cover…
Swedish journalist killed by armed robbers in Taloqan
New York, November 27, 2001—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague Ulf Strömberg, a cameraman for the Swedish channel TV4. He was murdered early this morning during a robbery at the house in Taloqan where he and several other journalists were staying. At around 2 a.m. Tuesday morning,…