Press Freedom

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad leaves the 63rd U.N. General Assembly. Credit: Omid Memarian/IPS

IRAN: Ahmadinejad Open to U.S. Talks, Denounces Threats

By Omid Memarian
At a press conference following his speech to the U.N. General Assembly Tuesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he would welcome discussions with the U.S. presidential candidates, but added that "the condition is that our meeting should be open so that all media know what happens."
Journalists protesting against censorship outside the UN office in Gaza. Credit: Mohammed Omer

MIDEAST: Everyone Loses in the War of Silencing

By Mohammed Omer
So much is missing as you walk down the street along the shops of Gaza. Food and medicines kept out by the blockade enforced by Israel; but also newspapers once a part of the street landscape.
Frank La Rue Lewy Credit: UNESCO

Q&A: "Freedom of Expression Goes Hand in Hand with Justice"

By IPS Correspondents
Social inequality is "the main" problem for freedom of expression in Latin America, said Frank La Rue Lewy, who was named United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression on Aug. 1.

POLITICS-CAUCASUS: Media Guilty as 'Fog of War' Clears

By IPS Correspondents
As the ‘fog of war’ clears over the Caucasus and the United Nations prepares to set up peace missions in Abhkazia and South Ossetia, what stands out is the apparently partisan role played by Western media in last month’s five-day armed conflict.

MEDIA-THAILAND: Satellite TV Boosts Anti-Gov’t Protests

By Marwaan Macan-Markar
On first impressions, Thailand’s political crisis appears to be an attempt to shape the future of democracy in a kingdom that has witnessed 18 military coups. But the anger that drives a protest movement to topple an elected administration has pitted it against the old media order.
Yasin Malik, freedom leader, addressing a mass rally in Srinagar. Credit: Athar Parvaiz Bhat/IPS

MEDIA-INDIA: Columnists Support Kashmir's Secession

By IPS Correspondents
"Anti-national" is the charge hurled in India at the usual radical suspects who argue for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.
''I will not be cowed down,'' says Raja Kamaruddin, seen here (at left) with Malaysian economist Din Merican. Credit: Din Merican

MEDIA-MALAYSIA: Crackdown Follows Electoral Setback

By Baradan Kuppusamy
Abandoning a decade-old promise to maintain Internet freedom, the government has closed down the popular and controversial ‘Malaysia Today’ web portal, known for consistently exposing the misdeeds of officialdom and the failings of individual leaders.
Has the thriving Urdu-language press become the mouthpiece of the outlawed Taliban? Credit: Ashfaq Yusufzai/IPS

PAKISTAN: Outlawed Taliban Have Free Run of Media

By IPS Correspondents
Taliban factions in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and tribal areas have been outlawed and their accounts frozen by the Pakistan government. But that has not in the least bit altered their presence in the media.
A child broadcasting at DXUP FM community radio. Credit: Kalinga Seneviratne/IPS

MEDIA-PHILIPPINES: Community Radio – Balm in Troubled Areas

By IPS Correspondents
Amidst the raging conflict between government forces and Muslim rebels on the island of Mindanao, the religiously mixed population in the North Cotabato region looks to a community radio station as a beacon of peace.

MALAYSIA: Crackdown on Civil Rights, Media Feared

By Baradan Kuppusamy
A series of tough measures in recent weeks has raised fears of a major crackdown against tolerance and dissent as rival political forces battle for state power in a society made fragile by economic uncertainties and decades of autocratic rule.

MEDIA-LATIN AMERICA: Behind-the-Scenes Censorship

By Marcela Valente
A study carried out in seven countries of Latin America found a "growing trend" in the region of subtle, largely invisible government interference with the media and journalistic independence.
Beijing's Ritan Park, designated for protests with official permission, saw no banners or slogan shouting. Credit: Antoaneta Bezlova/IPS

MEDIA: Olympics Draw Harvest of Online Protests

By IPS Correspondents
Say goodbye to the usual slogan-shouting and banner-carrying protest actions, because one does not even have to be anywhere near China to push a mix of causes - from Tibet and Burma to Darfur. Online creativity is the name of the game.

RIGHTS-ETHIOPIA: Court Case To Test Limits of Press Freedom

By IPS Correspondents
A legal battle in Ethiopia over what constitutes contempt of court is likely to test the boundaries of free speech in a country where the liberty of press has deteriorated over the last three years.

MEDIA-AUSTRALIA: TV Network Denies Censor Role in China

By Stephen de Tarczynski
An electronic paper trail indicates that one of Australia’s leading television networks may be involved in dissuading foreign media in China against covering "forbidden" topics.

FIJI: Another Move to Muzzle the Media

By IPS Correspondents
Since independence in 1970, this Pacific Island nation has had a succession of elected and unelected prime ministers. Both sets of leaders have tried to muzzle what they see as errant, if not dangerous, media.

FRANCE: ‘Excited Little Boy’ Takes Hold of the Media

By Julio Godoy
The media in France, already in a heavy financial and credibility crisis, did not need yet another blow. But that is just what it got in President Nicolas Sarkozy's announcement that he will personally pick the directors of the public television and radio broadcasting companies.

POLITICS-US: New Spying Law Quickly Challenged

By IPS Correspondents
Civil liberties advocates have lost no time in asking a federal court to stop the government from conducting surveillance under the new wiretapping law passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush last week.
The disputed, 11th century Preah Vihear Hindu temple, is now a World Heritage site. Credit: UNESCO

CAMBODIA: Scribe's Murder, Temple Dispute Muddy Polls

By IPS Correspondents
Cambodia has entered the final week of its national election campaign shocked by the murder of a well-known journalist and facing an increasingly tense standoff with Thailand over a disputed 11th century Hindu temple.
Mohammed Omer Credit:

MIDEAST: Israeli Claims over Journalist Challenged

By Sanjay Suri and Mel Frykberg
Medical reports seen by IPS appear to confirm the testimony of IPS Gaza correspondent Mohammed Omer of physical abuse at the hands of Israelis last month.

RIGHTS: EU Cautioned Over Aid to Eritrea

By IPS Correspondents
Aid given by the European Union to Eritrea may be helping to prop up a hugely repressive regime, human rights activists have claimed.

UKRAINE: ‘Free’ Media Turning Into PR Agencies

By Zoltán Dujisin
Freedom of media has improved in Ukraine but media owners are using favourable coverage as a source of income, while journalists continue to face serious threats.
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