Microsoft Corp's decision to play ball with the Chinese government by shutting down a dissident blog has evoked worldwide condemnation and criticism. CLOSED GATES: Microsoft Corp Chairman Bill Gates stands in front of the logo for the new Microsoft operating system Vista during his keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas January 4. Microsoft's business tack in China is being
The Jakarta High Court has upheld a defamation verdict against journalist Goenawan Mohamad and press group PT Tempo Inti Media Harian for one billion Indonesian rupees (nearly 100,000 euros) and ordered it to publish apologies in two national dailies. Businessman Tomy Winata, who brought the case, had lodged a score of complaints against the daily Koran Tempo and the weekly Tempo. HE HAS TO
Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) has voiced outrage at an abduction attempt and attack on December 29 last on Juan Manuel Otero, the son of Daniel Otero, co-producer of the Azul TV programme 'Puntodoc,' whose family, especially his son, has repeatedly been the target of violence since he exposed school canteen food shortages in the Buenos Aires suburb of Florencio Varela in September 2004. "This
Press freedom organisations have expressed alarm at the decision of the Paraguayan Supreme Court of Justice to uphold the criminal defamation conviction of Aldo Zuccolillo, director of the Paraguayan daily ABC Color. The Court ordered Zuccolillo on December 28, 2005 to pay a fine of 1.3 billion guaranÃes (US$ 200,000), the Asunción-based ABC Color reported. Zuccolillo faces 18 lawsuits over
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed alarm at the failure of the Pakistani authorities to respond to inquiries about the fate of journalist Hayatullah Khan more than a month after he was seized by unidentified gunmen in the North Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan. WHO DUNNIT AGAIN: Pakistani tribal elders attend Jirga or a traditional meeting with government
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the arrest on criminal defamation charges of Cambodian journalist and human rights activist Pa Guon Tieng. The police arrested Pa and two of his associates on January 4 while they were reporting in northeastern Stung Treng province, the Cambodia Center for Human Rights (CCHR) said. Pa produces a popular call-in radio programme for CCHR
The director of Voice of the People, a privately-owned radio station in Zimbabwe, was released Friday on bail of 4 million Zimbabwean dollars (40 euros) but will have to report to the police every week, according to reports. John Masuku is due to appear before a Harare court on January 13, 2006 on a charge of owning and using broadcast equipment without a licence from the Broadcasting Authority of
Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) has called on Mexican federal authorities to take charge of investigating attempts to intimidate crime reporter Claudia Padilla Pacheco of the local daily Correo in Celaya (in the central state of Guanajuato) after she wrote two investigative reports about the alleged implication of local police in criminal activity. AT THE CORREO: Correo's Caludia Padilla exposed
International organisations have expressed concern at the state of affairs in Ethiopia where 131 opponents of the government, including journalists, have been detained and are to be tried for with crimes ranging from genocide to treason. MY REGIME, MY REGIMEN: Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said in November that the imprisoned opposition members and journalists were charged with treason, which
International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) members have urged the international community and media to respond to the attacks on journalists in Lebanon. CLARION CALL: Siham Tueni, right, widow of Gibran Tueni, raises her hand, while a speaker repeats Gibran's call, made in March, on Christians and Muslims to remain united for ever, during a sit-in to observe an hour of silence, a week
