IFEX Communiqué Vol 20, No 41

| 19 October 2011

http://www.ifex.org/2011/10/19/comm_20_41/

Headlines

Free Expression Spotlight
1. International: Media control and intimidation a reality for 5.5 billion, says WAN-IFRA

Regional News
2. Egypt: "Bloody Sunday" as security forces fire on protesters; journalist and blogger slain
3. United States: Journalists covering Occupy Wall Street detained, beaten and pepper sprayed
4. Tajikistan: Reporters freed after highly unjust convictions
5. Indonesia: New law can be used to spy on and criminalise journalists, dissidents
6. North Korea: RSF surveys increasing clandestine news networks and info-sharing tactics

Also In This Issue

7. International / Awards: IAPA director Ricardo Trotti wins Fight for Freedom of Expression Award
8. International: IFEX launches International Day to End Impunity poster contest

Free Expression Spotlight

1. International: Media Control And Intimidation A Reality For 5.5 Billion, Says WAN-IFRA

This year, 44 journalists have already been murdered, says the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), which launched a review of press freedom around the world during World Newspaper Week, held from 10 to 15 October in Vienna, Austria. During the events, which included its Congress and World Editors Forum, WAN-IFRA presented the Golden PEN of Freedom to Dawit Isaak, jailed in Eritrea since 2001.

The Golden Pen of Press Freedom 2011 was accepted by Esayas Isaak on behalf of his brother, who has not been heard from since 2005. "It is unknown if he is still alive," says WAN-IFRA, noting that "for Esayas, it was a very emotional ceremony." For more info, see freedawit.com, as well as a compelling video interview with Esayas.

"World Press Freedom Review 2011" describes the frightening and enraging level of violence, censorship and intimidation journalists have struggled against between January and September 2011. Forty-four journalists were murdered around the world for trying to expose information in the public's interest during this period, and assaults against journalists took place daily. Worst of all, the review notes that in the majority of the world, those who attack and kill members of the media go unpunished.

WAN-IFRA also released a powerful film to accompany the review. "Imagine a world in which there is no right to inform, report, investigate, challenge or express an opinion," the film narrates, while depicting the horror of attacks against the media. "For over 5.5 billion people, this is the reality of their world today." Watch it below.

Increasing rates of repression of the media were especially noted in Asia and America. In Asia, there has been "no let-up" in the killing of Pakistani media members since last year, the most deadly year for journalists in the country. Eight Pakistani journalists were slain in the review's time period. In the Philippines, meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III has refused to act on resolutions required for a free press.

In the Americas, populist governments are censoring media and criminalising journalists "more than ever," says the report. In Ecuador, for example, the President and government officials have sued journalists for outrageously high damages, while in Venezuela, newspaper publisher Leocenis García has been jailed for two months now due to an offending cartoon. In other countries, notably Mexico, drug trafficking gangs are censoring much of the airwaves and newspapers with the ever-present threat of brutal and fatal executions.

In the Middle East and North Africa, the site of numerous pro-reform movements this year, media blackouts and army attacks on journalists have been frequent, in failed attempts to reign in popular dissent. In Yemen, journalists have been attacked by pro-government armed thugs who have not been arrested nor prosecuted. In Syria, censorship during the army's deadly crackdown on protests was so severe that the only footage available was coming from protesters and social media.

In Africa, harassment and intimidation of reporters was especially common during elections, says WAN-IFRA. However, the tabling of the African Platform on Access to Information was one positive development that will be an important standard from which to measure African governments against, the report noted.

Finally, in Europe and Central Asia, draconian press laws, such as that passed in Hungary in July, and the frequent use of defamation, continue to stifle free expression. Impunity still reigns in Russia and Ukraine, despite long-delayed progress in the killings of prominent journalists Georgy Gongadze in Ukraine and Anna Politkovskaya in Russia.

"Impunity prevails in many parts of the world for the perpetrators as they seek to influence or mislead public opinion by targeting a free press," says the report. The lack of justice in attacks on the media encourages violence and makes it more challenging for journalists to serve the public interest.

The trend of impunity, and its dangerous effects, has inspired IFEX to launch the inaugural International Day to End Impunity on 23 November.

Related stories on ifex.org:
- Impunity for killers of journalists threatens freedom of expression, says WAN-IFRA report:
http://www.ifex.org/international/2011/10/14/press_freedom_worldwide/

More on the web:
- World Press Freedom Review 2011 (WAN-IFRA):
http://www.wan-ifra.org/articles/2011/10/06/world-press-freedom-review-2011

- Press freedom gains eroded over last decade (WAN-IFRA):
http://blog.wan-ifra.org/2011/10/12/press-freedom-gains-eroded-over-last-decade

- International Day to End Impunity:
http://www.daytoendimpunity.org

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Regional News

1. Egypt: "Bloody Sunday" As Security Forces Fire On Protesters; Journalist And Blogger Slain

The repercussions are still being felt after what has been called "Egypt's Bloody Sunday", when army forces and mobs in Cairo that were rallied by government TV stations killed at least 25 protesters, including one journalist and one blogger, report IFEX members. The members point to larger frustrations about insecurity in Egypt, with civil society calling for the transitional government to restore the rule of law and hand over power as the country heads to elections on 28 November.

The violence took place at a rally held in the Maspero area of Cairo by Coptic Christians who were protesting the recent burning of a church and the transitional government's poor response. Civilians were shot at and run over by military tanks that drove through the crowd of protesters on 9 October, report the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) and others.

ANHRI, CIHRS and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) say that during the protests, government media outlets spread false news, including reporting that Christian demonstrators were killing soldiers with stones. The broadcasters then called on viewers to defend the military.

"A direct link can be traced between the outright incitement against demonstrators by state media and the events at Maspero - to say nothing of the subsequent sectarian clashes which took place between demonstrators and residents from the surrounding areas," says a joint statement signed by CIHRS, ANHRI and other rights groups. "Official state television threw professionalism to the wind," they noted.

According to a firsthand report from writer and Coptic protester Yasmine El-Rashidi, which was posted by Index on Censorship, Muslim mobs descended on the scene armed with stones, bludgeons and Molotov cocktails and also took part in the bloodshed.

Cameraman Wael Yunna (aka Wael Mikhail), who was covering the protests for Christian Dogma TV, was shot in the head, according to CPJ. Blogger and activist Mina Daniel was also among those killed, reports the International Press Institute (IPI).

On the day of the protests, security forces simultaneously descended on broadcasters Al-Hurra and 25 TV at 7pm. At 25 TV, they smashed doors and windows and searched the premises as well as frisked journalists for footage from the protests, a 25 TV presenter told ANHRI. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says staff at both locations were held at gunpoint.

While the stations' broadcasts were cut off until 1am, the frightening raids were captured live. The attack on Al-Hurrah can be viewed below.

Security forces also cut the power supply and phone and Internet communications of newspaper "Al-Shorouk", which was covering the protesters' deaths, report CPJ and RSF.

In its statement, ANHRI lambasted the transitional leadership, which is currently in charge of the army, as well as the emergency law it relies on. "The Military Council has to shorten the transitional phase and to quickly handover power to an elected civil authority as soon as possible, for all the policies of the Military Council have failed in this critical phase," ANHRI said.

Among a series of recommendations, EOHR also called on the government to draft a new law relating to demonstrations, which "guarantees citizens' right of peaceful assembly."

Meanwhile, another blogger on hunger strike for nearly 60 days is believed to be close to death, report RSF and IPI. Maikel Nabil Sanad's conviction in April, when he was sentenced to three years in prison for "insulting the army," was overturned on 12 October by a military appeal court. However, a retrial is currently being held, which he is boycotting, according to IPI. RSF joins Egyptian members in demanding Sanad's release, given that his only "crime" was to write a blog post saying the military was not on the side of the people, an opinion that now seems prophetic given the army's actions in recent months.

On another note of concern, especially given Sanad's ordeal, RSF reports that several army officers filed a complaint in a military court against blogger and activist Asmaa Mahfouz and activist Nour Ayman Nour in early October.

Related stories on ifex.org:

- Journalist, activist killed in clashes, private television stations raided:
http://www.ifex.org/egypt/2011/10/12/yunna_killed/

More on the web:

- Jailed Egyptian blogger on hunger strike says 'he is ready to die' (Guardian):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/18/jailed-egypt-blogger-hungerstrike?newsfeed=true

- EOHR qualitative report: Who is responsible for Masbero violence incident? (EOHR):

http://en.eohr.org/2011/10/13/eohr-qualitative-report-who-is-responsible-for-masbero-violence-incident/#more-581

- Maspero: state incitement of sectarian violence and policy of extrajudicial killings:

http://www.cihrs.org/english/newssystem/details.aspx?id=3010

- Egypt's Bloody Sunday (Index):

http://www.indexoncensorship.org/2011/10/egypts-bloody-sunday/

- Sharia Amin on the Egyptian Revolution, Women and the Media (IPI):
http://www.freemedia.at/home/singleview/article/shahira-amin-on-the-egyptian-revolution-women-and-the-media.html

2. United States: Journalists Covering Occupy Wall Street Detained, Beaten And Pepper Sprayed

With the New York Police Department (NYPD) having the right to decide who does and who does not qualify as a journalist, at least three reporters have been arrested and two others assaulted while covering the Occupy Wall Street protests, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Since the protests began in late September, reporters arrested for not having a press card include John Farley, a journalist with "MetroFocus" magazine, Natasha Lennard, a freelance contributor to "The New York Times" blog, and Kristen Gwynne, a freelancer with the news website Alternet.

Reporters wishing to cover the demonstrations must meet certain requirements to be granted press accreditation from the NYPD, including having published or broadcasted breaking news at least six times in the past year, says RSF.

The requirements leave out new journalists, reporters who don't normally cover breaking news and media workers with online publications that may not be considered official media, according to the Knight Center for Journalism in Americas.

On top of that, however, RSF objects that the police department is the body issuing press cards in the first place. "Since when is a police department equipped to determine who is and who is not a journalist?" the organisation asks. "This NYPD filtering violates the most elementary constitutional guarantees."

Meanwhile, other journalists have been assaulted while trying to report on the thousands-strong demonstrations. Cameraman Roy Isen with "Fox 5" was pepper sprayed in the eyes, while his colleague, reporter Dick Brennan, was hit by a police baton, says RSF. The police said the assaults were "inadvertent," according to the Knight Center.

The presence of media is all the more important given the news reports of hundreds of demonstrators being arrested in the U.S. and videos of police officers beating and pepper spraying peaceful protesters. Many of the hundreds of protesters arrested were seemingly targeted because they were filming or photographing, says Farley, one of the detained journalists. The NYPD has denied those with cameras are being singled out, however.

In other troubling news, emails containing the words "Occupy Wall Street" were blocked in Yahoo's email service, reports RSF, sourcing news blog ThinkProgress. According to "Fast Company", Yahoo admitted to the fact that Occupy protest-related emails were not getting through but claimed the problem was "not intentional" and would be resolved.

Related stories on ifex.org:

- Reporters arrested, roughed up while covering Occupy Wall Street protests:

http://www.ifex.org/united_states/2011/10/17/occupy_wall_street_attacks/

More on the web:

- U.S. journalists arrested, roughed up while covering Occupy Wall Street protests (Knight Center):

http://knightcenter.utexas.edu/en/node/7698

- Jailed for covering Wall Street Protests (Salon):

http://www.salon.com/2011/09/28/wall_street_protest_arrested/

- Occupy Wall Street: Tahrir Over Here? (Fast Company):

http://www.fastcompany.com/1781840/occupy-wall-street-when-takhrir-comes-to-america

- "Occupy Wall Street" protests turn violent (ABC News):

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/09/occupy-wall-street-protests-turn-violent-video-shows-police-macing-women/

- Police officer laughs about beating occupy wall street protestors (International Business Times):

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/226438/20111006/occupy-wall-street-protest-police-officer-beating-baton-pepper-spray.htm

3. Tajikistan: Reporters Freed After Highly Unjust Convictions

Two journalists have been freed in Tajikstan after separate trials, but their convictions are symbolic of the government's tightening control over the media, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). They had been facing up to 16 years in jail. One of them is banned from reporting for three years.

Makhmadyusuf Ismoilov, a reporter for "Nuri Zindagi", was convicted on insult, incitement and libel, and ordered to pay a US$7,200 fine in connection with an article he wrote on local government corruption. With his alleged crimes carrying a sentence of up to 16 years, press freedom advocates were relieved by his release, especially after he spent much of the previous year in solitary confinement. However, Ismoilov's conviction and the court-ordered ban that he cannot work as a journalist for three year are startling evidence of the government's out-of-check power, the IFEX members say.

BBC correspondent Urinboy Usmonov was found guilty of failing to report on the activities of illegal Islamist group Hizb-ut-Tahrir, whose members he contacted while he covered the trials of several Hizb-ut-Tahrir followers. He was sentenced to three years in jail, but amnestied by the court. Earlier this year, Usmonov spent one month in jail, where he was tortured, reports RSF, before international pressure led to his release. He had been facing up to 15 years in jail on charges of making "public calls to forcibly change the constitutional system of Tajikistan."

"The sentences passed on Ismoilov and Usmonov were harsh and were intended to intimidate all of Tajikistan's journalists," says RSF. The organisation points out the government of Tajikistan is resorting to human rights-repressing measures as it attempts to root out alleged terrorist activity and tackle its deep economic crisis.

Both trials took place this past week in the northwestern city of Khujand, reports RSF. Both journalists are fighting their convictions on appeal.

Related stories on ifex.org:
- Journalists convicted, released from prison:

http://www.ifex.org/tajikistan/2011/10/14/usmonov_convicted_released/

4. Indonesia: New Law Can Be Used To Spy On And Criminalise Journalists, Dissidents

In addition to giving Indonesian security officials sweeping powers to spy on civilians, new legislation could also give authorities the right to imprison journalists for muckraking reporting, warns the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), a founding member of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA).

The long-debated and widely protested State Intelligence Bill was passed into law on 11 October, AJI reports. It forbids individuals, including journalists and their sources, from revealing "state secrets", or information related to "defence, natural resources and international resources," but it doesn't define specifically what kind of information is secret. Penalties for sharing confidential state information include imprisonment up to 10 years and fines of up to US$56,000. AJI is demanding that lawmakers clearly define what is meant by "state secrets".

AJI and other civil society organisations have repeatedly called for the bill to be withdrawn. As part of a coalition of human rights groups, AJI has successfully demanded the bill be examined by the Constitutional Court to see if it violates constitutional rights. During the judicial review, AJI will submit information to the court outlining how the legislation could be used to suppress dissent.

The major critique being made by AJI and others is that the law does not require security officials to differentiate between those who want to uphold human rights and democracy and those who are truly criminal.

For example, the new law authorises intelligence to intercept communications without legal approval, meaning security agents could get away with spying on activists, opposition members and journalists.

"AJI emphasises the central importance of public opinion in the formulation of the law, rather than government interest," the group said in a statement.

Related stories on ifex.org:

- Parliament passes controversial intelligence bill:

http://www.ifex.org/indonesia/2011/10/17/intelligence_bill_passed/

More on the web:

- Intel law is new dawn for RI spies (The Jakarta Post):

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/10/12/intel-law-new-dawn-ri-spies.html

- Intelligence bill allows wiretapping and endangers free speech activists (Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy):

http://www.elsam.or.id/new/index.php?lang=en&cat=c/101&id=1642&act=view&q=&filter=

5. North Korea: Rsf Surveys Increasing Clandestine News Networks And Info-Sharing Tactics

An ever-porous information border around North Korea has allowed Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to put together a comprehensive report on the media situation in the world's most repressive dictatorship.

In July 2011, an RSF staff member travelled to Seoul, South Korea, to meet with South Korean reporters who send broadcasts to the North, human rights advocates, Ministry of Unification officials and North Korean refugees and journalists, many who rely upon on-the-ground reports from courageous citizen journalists.

Despite spies that monitor journalists' activities near the border, citizen journalists in North Korea are in telephone contact with those reporting on North Korean news from China, Japan and South Korea, RSF says. They are taking great risks to do so, facing the threat of execution, long imprisonment or "re-education" sentences. Especially key are RSF-supported, stations in Seoul - Free North Korea Radio, Radio Free Chosun and Open Radio for North Korea.

In addition, illegal short wave radios are used by those who can afford them to access news from foreign media. Contraband films, TV shows and material from NGOs are shared via USB drives and DVDs.

"In the past, North Koreans were happy just to re¬ceive information but now they feel a real need for it," says Kim Heung-kwang of North Korean Intellectuals Solidarity (NKIS), whose organisation sends USB drives containing information on human rights and democracy to North Korea.

Meanwhile, the government media continue to spread the same propaganda, proclaiming the superiority of North Korea's government and quality of life. Tactics to block foreign media transmissions have become more sophisticated, the RSF report says.

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Also In This Issue

6. International / Awards: Iapa Director Ricardo Trotti Wins Fight For Freedom Of Expression Award

Inter American Press Association (IAPA) press freedom director and journalist Ricardo Trotti has been awarded the Fight for Freedom of Expression Award, which was jointly given by nine press freedom organisations. The award ceremony coincided with IAPA's annual general assembly from 14 to 18 October, which brought together approximately 500 journalists and press freedom advocates in Lima, Peru.

The award recognises those who struggle for the independent press in the Americas and is supported by national press associations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru and the Dominican Republic.

"For many years, [Trotti] is the one who has fought most to maintain the fresh air essential for an independent press," says Daniel Dessain, editor of "La Gaceta" and chairman of the Argentine Newspaper Association (ADEPA), one of the awarding groups.

Trotti has worked at IAPA since 1993 and has focused especially on pushing for press legislation to uphold the right to free expression in the Americas.

More on the web:
- Attempts to silence the independent press have increased in Latin America, the IAPA concluded during its annual meeting in Lima (IAPA):

http://www.sipiapa.org/v4/comunicados_de_prensa.php?seccion=detalles&id=4632&idioma=us

7. International: Ifex Launches International Day To End Impunity Poster Contest

A poster about impunity. That's what IFEX wants from you as we prepare to launch the inaugural International Day to End Impunity on 23 November. Deadline for entries is 4 November 2011.

Journalists, media workers, writers and others who speak the truth against power continue to be murdered with impunity in countries from Mexico to Russia, Iraq to Somalia. In our free expression community, impunity consistently ranks among the top concerns and remains a global issue that has defied all borders and political structures.

Fact: More than 500 journalists have been killed and the murderers have gone free in 9 out of 10 cases.

Help draw the world's attention to impunity by designing a poster that depicts impunity in some way. Watch our International Day to End Impunity trailer for some inspiration!

Our favourites will be featured on the International Day to End Impunity website, and the top three winners will receive cash prizes.

The fine print

What can I win?
First prize: US$500
Second prize: US$250
Third prize: US$100

As well, your name and poster will be featured on the International Day to End Impunity website.

Who can participate?
The competition is open to everyone from any country, whether or not you're an established artist, an individual or an organisation. You can submit as many posters as you like.

How do I participate?
All posters must be submitted by email to contest (@) daytoendimpunity.org along with your name, address, email and phone number. (This information is for administrative purposes only - please note that entries will be judged blind.)

The file must be submitted in jpeg, in standard poster format (11" x 17"). Please hang on to the originals! We may ask for them later.

Designs may use any form of photography, illustration, collage or typography, provided no copyrights are violated in the design.

By entering, you have cleared any material submitted to the competition. IFEX assumes all entries are original and are the works and property of the entrant, with all rights granted therein. IFEX is not liable for any copyright infringement on the part of the entrant and will not become involved in copyright disputes.

When is the deadline?
The deadline for entries is midnight EST on 4 November 2011. Winners will be revealed on the International Day to End Impunity website on 23 November.

How will my poster be judged?
Your design will be posted on the International Day to End Impunity Facebook page. Members of the public will be invited to vote on the posters from 7-21 November. The public's top 10 posters (as determined by the number of "likes" the posters receive) will make up the shortlist, from which the IFEX Clearing House will select the three winners.

Anything else I should know?
Materials may be reproduced freely by IFEX and/or any of its 95 members. Any material used by IFEX or its members shall carry the designer's credit line.

More questions?
Send us an e-mail: contest (@) daytoendimpunity.org

About IFEX

The International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) is the most extensive community of leaders defending and promoting freedom of expression around the world. We share content, analysis and tools on free expression cases and trends, campaign on critical issues, and support collaboration to increase our members' effectiveness.

More about the International Day to End Impunity

IFEX members chose the symbolic date of 23 November for the International Day to End Impunity because it's the anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre, the single deadliest day for journalists in recent history. The purpose of the day is to raise public awareness and showcase the work of organisations working for justice for those being persecuted for practising their right to freedom of expression. This is the campaign's first year.

The IFEX Communiqué is a service of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), a global network of non-governmental organisations working to defend and promote the right to free expression.

ENDS

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