State Persecution

Local newspaper editor Mohamed Abdi Guled was released on bail on March 20 by a court in Hargeisa, the capital of the northern breakaway territory of Somaliland. The editor of the Hargeisa-based weekly Yool, Guled had to pay bail of 1 million Somaliland shillings (530 euros), Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) has reported. A court in Hargeisa had sentenced Mohamed Abdi Guled to five months in prison...

Three-month bans have been imposed on two opposition party newspapers in Malaysia— Suara Keadilan of the Keadilan party and Harakah of the Islamic party PAS—just days ahead of Najib Razak’s expected installation as Malaysia’s new prime minister on March 28. The two newspapers were notified of the bans in fax messages that gave no reason, Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) has reported. “There is...

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 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...

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'...

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) has expressed great concern over the trial of the Omani journalist and internet activist Ali al-Zwaidi who allegedly violated article 61 of the Omani communications law. The crime carries a sentence of up to a year in prison and a fine of one thousand Omani riyals (approx US$2,600). In August 2008, al-Zwaidi, a supervisor of the discussion...

Reporters sans frontières (RSF) has condemned Deputy Prime Minister Abdirahman Ibbi's recent statements on Radio Garowe criticising Somalia's independent news media and threatening to combat them. Ibbi is both deputy premier and minister of fisheries and marine resources in the new national unity government. "The deputy prime minister is picking on the wrong people," RSF said. "Somalia's...