Ethics and Freedom

A judge has ordered the release of French freelance photographer Jean-Paul Ney, who has been held in custody for 15 months in connection with an alleged “plot” to undermine Cote d’Ivoire's peace process, according to Reporters sans Frontières (RSF). Ney, who spoke by phone from Maca prison in the capital Abidjan to the worldwide press freedom organisation’s secretary-general, Jean-François...

Qatari authorities have hardened their stand towards the Doha Centre for Media Freedom. Hajar Smouni, head of research at the Centre and a former member of the Paris-based Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) staff, was prevented from leaving Qatar Tuesday. “The Doha Centre has for months been struggling to keep its independence and is under pressure from the Qatari authorities,” RSF secretary-general...

Two commercial TV presenters, Fahim Kohdamani of Emroz and Ajmal Alamzai of Ariana TV, were arrested in Kabul on Monday. Alamzai was released late Monday night but Kohdamani is still being held, Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) has reported. “We call for Kohdamani’s immediate and unconditional release,” Paris-based said. “The Afghan government has again failed to respect press freedom, arbitrarily...

The media in Myanmar (Burma) are alarmed at the plan of the junta's Press Scrutiny and Registration Board—better known as the Censors' Board—to censor the digital copies of articles to be published in Burmese journals and magazines, according to Mizzima News. Burmese journalists said they see this new system as impractical as the Internet speed in the country is too slow for downloading and...

The is deep concern in Bahrain over the aggressive attitude of the local authorities towards journalists, writers and columnists, as many of them are prosecuted for exercising their professional right to report on issues of public interest. Lamees Dhaif, a well known columnist, journalist and reporter, was recently summoned to the Public Prosecutor's Office on charges brought by the Supreme...

US federal authorities have confirmed that 92 videotapes detailing the interrogation of detainees at secret prisons were destroyed in 2005 by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) is urging the new Obama administration to lead an investigation into this infringement upon the American people's constitutional rights and punish those who are responsible. "The sheer...

The High Court of Swaziland has dismissed an E500,000 (approx US$50,000) lawsuit against the privately-owned Times of Swaziland newspaper. Tom Mkhatshwa, a local businessman, had sued the newspaper for defamation. High Court Judge Mbutfo Mamba said on March 6 that he would provide reasons for dismissing the case later. He then ordered Mkhatshwa to pay the costs of the suit. In papers before the...

Centro de Reportes Informativos sobre Guatemala (CERIGUA) has warned of several incidents that the organisation has taken note of that could be part of a plan to undermine freedom of expression in the country. CERIGUA's director, Ileana Alamilla, said in a statement that in the beginning of February 2009, the CERIGUA website was hacked into, though personnel within the organisation were able to...

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has turned down an international call for the reform of lèse-majesté law but hinted some amendment to the enforcement of the law could be considered to allow for expression of academic opinions, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) has reported. Speaking at the 54th anniversary of the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) on March 5, Abhisit said there was...

The Ankara bureau chief of Cumhuriyet Daily, Mustafa Balbay, and online Toplumsal Haber columnist, Nerima Aydin, were taken under custody for a second time in relation to the Ergenekon case, involving accusations of overthrowing the government. Both were sent to Metris prison, IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET) has reported. Turkey's Society of Journalists (TGC), Contemporary Journalists'...