IFJ Asia-Pacific Regional eBulletin: June 2012

IFJ Asia-Pacific Regional eBulletin: June 2012

In this bulletin:

1. Three Media Workers Killed in the Philippines

2. Another Two Journalists are Murdered in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province

3. Attacks on Journalists in Nepal Increase on the Eve of Constitutional Change

4. Brutal Attacks on Media Personnel in Malaysia Condemned

5. Journalists Attacked in Bangladesh’s Intensifying Political Conflict

6. Expulsion of Foreign Correspondent by Chinese Authorities

7. South Asia: Journalists Organise for a New Deal

8. Chinese Government Continues to Censor Reporting on Activist Chen Guangcheng

9. Industrial Action by Korean Journalists

Sri Lanka’s Disappointing Supreme Court Decision on Internet Restrictions

Rory Peck Awards - CELEBRATING FREELANCERS – 2012 Awards -Closing Date Approaching

1. Three Media Workers Killed in the Philippines

The IFJ expressed deep concern regarding continuing attacks on journalists in the Philippines throughout 2012. A further three media workers have been killed since the IFJ issued its last e-bulletin. Michael Calanasan was killed in Laguna on April 24, Rommel "Jojo" Palma was killed in Koronadal City on April 30, and Nestor Libaton on May 8. The IFJ has called on Philippines authorities to act quickly to establish the motives for all killings, and to conduct thorough and timely investigations.

Unidentified assailants on motorbikes have become common perpetrators of attacks on journalists and other media personnel in the Philippines. The Philippines is amongst the most dangerous countries in the world for media workers. Over 150 journalists have been killed in the line of duty in the Philippines, since 1986.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/philippines-journalist-killed

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/philippines-media-worker-killed

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/another-philippines-journalist-killed

2. Three Journalists are Murdered in Pakistan

Tariq Kamal, a reporter with a Sindhi language daily published in Karachi, was reported missing on May 7, along with a friend. Kamal reportedly had his last telephone conversation with his family the following day. His body, bearing multiple bullet wounds and marks of torture, was found along with his friend’s on May 9.

The IFJ and its affiliates and partners within the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN), were again shocked and outraged by the murder of Razzaq Gul, senior journalist and reporter with Express News in Turbat city in the Kech district of Pakistan’s Balochistan Province on May 19. According to the PFUJ, Gul was seized near his home on the evening of May 18 and soon afterwards reported missing with local police. His body was found the next day. It bore marks of severe torture and fifteen bullet wounds to the head and chest.

The killing of another journalist, Abdul Qadir Hajizai, also in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on May 28, 2012 was also strongly condemned by the IFJ and the PFUJ. Abdul Qadir Hajizai had been working with a private Balochi language TV channel, WASH TV, for the past two years and was reportedly heading home when armed men on a motorcycle opened fire on him in the Basima area of Washik district in Balochistan. He was taken to a local hospital where he died. In another incident, the house of the President of the Turbat Press Club, Irshad Akhtar was fired upon the same day. No one was injured in the attack.

The IFJ joined the PFUJ in their demand that the authorities act firmly under the law to dispel the climate of impunity for attacks on journalists throughout Pakistan. On May 25, the IFJ issued a release on behalf of international partners and the South Asia Media Solidarity Network extending its support and solidarity to the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) as it launched a nation-wide series of protests today against targeted killing of journalists, impunity and growing professional insecurity.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-shocked-as-another-journalist-is-murdered-in-pakistan

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-outraged-as-another-journalist-murdered-in-pakistans-balochistan-province

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-condemns-failure-to-protect-journalists-in-pakistans-balochistan-province

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/pakistans-journalists-protest-rising-insecurity

3. Attacks on Journalists in Nepal Increase on the Eve of Constitutional Change

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joined partners in SAMSN in sharply condemning the wave of violence against media practitioners in Nepal, as political turmoil intensified on the eve of the scheduled promulgation of a new republican constitution. According to information received from SAMSN partner and IFJ affiliate, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), there were a number of instances of journalists being threatened and attacked, their professional equipment damaged and their vehicles vandalised, during the May 20 nation-wide strike called by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) who are seeking to press their case for a federal constitution.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/increased-attacks-on-journalists-in-nepal-on-the-eve-of-constitutional-change

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/journalists-and-media-targeted-by-agitators-in-nepals-political-turmoil

4. Brutal Attacks on Media Personnel in Malaysia Condemned

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joined its affiliate the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJ) in calling for a thorough investigation of the attacks by police on more than twelve media personnel covering a public rally in Kuala Lumpur, on April 28, 2012. According to various media reports, over 12 photographers and journalists from at least 13 media outlets were intimidated, assaulted and/or detained by police while reporting on the ‘Bersih 3.0’ public rally for electoral reform. Victims included personnel from the Sin Chew Daily, Guang Ming Daily, The Star, Oriental News Daily, The Sun, Malay Mail, China Press, Nanyang Business Daily, Al Jazeera, Malaysiakini, online news website Merdeka Review and AL Hijrah TV. Many were injured, with some receiving injuries serious enough to require stitches and hospitalisation.

The Malaysia Chinese Photographer Association (MCPA) called on all media personnel in Malaysia to wear black clothing and a yellow ribbon on May 3, World Press Freedom Day, to voice their condemnation of the police attacks. The IFJ urged media personnel in Malaysia to support the MCPA’s campaign on World Press Freedom Day by wearing black clothing with a yellow ribbon to show solidarity for the campaign against police violence.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-condemns-brutal-attacks-on-media-personnel-in-malaysia

5. Journalists Attacked in Bangladesh’s Intensifying Political Conflict

The International Federation of Journalists noted with concern the increasing hazards faced by journalists in Bangladesh as political strife intensified recently. On May 16, police baton charged a protest organised by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the capital city of Dhaka, injuring several participants and at least five journalists. The demonstration was staged to protest the arrests of a number of senior leaders of the opposition alliance led by the BNP that day. All of the injured journalists were either reporters or camera-persons for local news channels.

On May 14, the nephew of a leading politician and minister in the Bangladesh government reportedly assaulted a journalist in the locality of Pabna district, allegedly in retaliation for stories published on his involvement in possible corruption. Abdullah Al Mamun, the local correspondent for the Bangla daily Kaler Kontho, was admitted to Pabna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) with serious injuries. A case was registered against all those believed to be responsible, and journalists demonstrated outside the offices of the district administration and the police, demanding their immediate arrest.

The IFJ stated that injury to journalists, either in direct retribution for perceived negative reporting or as a consequence of disregard for their safety, is a clear violation of media rights.

See: http://asiapacific.ifjorg/en/articles/journalists-attacked-injured-in-bangladeshs-intensifying-political-conflict

6. Expulsion of Foreign Correspondent by Chinese Authorities

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) was alarmed by reports that a foreign correspondent was expelled by Chinese authorities without formal explanation on May 7, 2012. Melissa Chan, a correspondent for Al-Jazeera English and board member of the Foreign

Correspondents’ Club of China (FCCC), had been reporting sensitive cases of human rights violations in China since 2008. According to a statement by the FCCC, Chinese officials had expressed anger at a documentary about the use of prison labour, which was aired on Al-Jazeera in November 2011. The report states that Chan was not involved in the production of the documentary. The statement also alleges that Chinese authorities have expressed unhappiness with the general editorial content of Al Jazeera English and have accused Chan of violating unspecified rules and regulations.

According to a survey conducted by the FCCC, 27 foreign reporters over the past two years have been made to wait more than four months for visa approvals. Thirteen of these had to wait for more than six months. In six cases foreign reporters say they were told by Foreign Ministry officials that their bureau’s visa applications had been rejected or put on hold due to their previous coverage of Chinese affairs.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-condemns-expulsion-of-foreign-correspondent-by-chinese-authorities

7. South Asia: Journalists Organise for a New Deal

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and partners in the seven-country South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) affirmed their mutual solidarity as the campaign for decent wages and working conditions for journalists in the region gathered momentum in May.

World Press Freedom Day on May 3 was marked by journalists’ unions and associations in the region with diverse observances. SAMSN underlined that all the sentiments expressed and resolutions adopted on the occasion would have little substantive impact, as long as journalists continue to be denied their rights. Physical safety gained attention as a necessity for press freedom in a region which has proven among the most hazardous for journalism. SAMSN reaffirmed that security of employment and the assurance of decent wages and working conditions – the all too often neglected dimensions of press freedom – are also of extreme urgency in the South Asian context.

SAMSN and the IFJ believe that these struggles of South Asia’s journalists for decent wages and working conditions have a wider resonance, most notably in Sri Lanka. In other countries of the region – Afghanistan, Bhutan and the Maldives – media industries remain weakly institutionalised, though the enforcement of core wage and labour standards should be an integral component of any effort to legislative an enabling and regulatory environment for media development.

SAMSN believes that the campaigns and struggles underway in South Asia have much to learn from each other. In the years ahead, SAMSN intends to function as a platform coordinating strategies and sharing experiences between its member countries.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/in-defence-of-press-freedom-in-south-asia-journalists-organise-for-a-new-deal

8. Chinese Government Continues to Censor Reporting on Activist Chen Guangcheng

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed its disappointment in the continuing actions of China’s Central Propaganda Department to censor media coverage of the case of escaped blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng. Following his escape from house arrest on April 22, and subsequent seeking of refuge at the United States Embassy in Beijing, the legal advocate departed from Beijing with his wife and two children to commence studies in the Unites States on May 19, 2012. The Chinese Government’s official media outlet, Xinhua News Agency, covered the story with a brief report that Chen had received his student visa to study in the United States. The report did not include his full name or the reason why he was forced to study in the United States.

Apart from Xinhua news Agency, the only media outlet to report the story was Caixin Media. However, the article was quickly removed from their website.

The IFJ noted that despite being the world’s second largest economy, it is disappointing that China has failed to meet international standards with regard to transparency and openness, and instead China’s authorities continue to perceive the media as a tool for propaganda, rather than allowing it to exercise its duty to serve the public. Many of those who assisted Chen in his escape from house arrest have also been warned by government officials not to talk to the media. His nephew, Chen Kegui, was charged with intent to murder in relation to an incident that took place while he attempted to protect himself from being assaulted by the local village officers securing Chen Guangcheng.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/chinese-government-continues-to-censor-reporting-on-activist-chen-guangcheng

9. Industrial Action by Korean Journalists

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joined its affiliate the Journalists’ Association of Korea (JAK) in supporting the industrial action of staff from five Korean media organisations in response to alleged political interference in media operations. Staff from MBC, KBS, YTN, the Yonhap News Agency and Kukminilbo, are currently on strike, demanding the restoration of unbiased reportage and the resignation of government appointed company presidents. The Kukminilbo and MBC unions commenced their action over 100 days ago, and were joined by the KBS and Yonhap News Agency unions 30 days later. On May 7, the KBS and MBC unions erected 80 ‘Tents of Hope’ in Yeouido Park, Seoul, and started an indefinite ‘sit in’ protest. The Yonhap News Agency union subsequently set up tents in front of their company building in a similar protest. The JAK reported that the ongoing strike is having a dramatic impact on the journalists involved, many of whom have been forced to take on part-time employment.

The unions’ action was prompted by alleged political interference in the media by the current Government, led by President Lee Myung-bak. JAK reports reveal that President Lee appointed pro-government individuals as presidents of national media organisations, with orders to cut programs and reports that were critical of Korean society or the government.

Update: IFJ’s in-country affiliates, reported on June 1, that the situation was worsening. Lee Gang-taek, head of the National Union of Media Workers and Kim Hyun-seok, head of the KBS's union began hunger strikes to urge the Government and the Parliament to take action to resolve the ongoing situation.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-supports-industrial-action-by-korean-journalists

10. Sri Lanka’s Disappointing Supreme Court Decision on Internet Restrictions

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joined its partner organisations in Sri Lanka in expressing disappointment at the May 16 decision by a three-member bench of Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court, to decline leave to proceed in a case filed under the country’s fundamental rights provisions against the blocking of certain websites. The petition was moved by the Free Media Movement (FMM), an IFJ affiliate, and by two of its elected office-bearers in their individual capacities, after the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) introduced a requirement in December 2011 that all websites that carry news and current affairs content on the country be registered. Refusal to comply with the registration rules led to the blocking of four websites. In arriving at its decision, the Supreme Court considered the contentions made by the GoSL counsel, that registration was needed to ensure that the websites did not carry defamatory material. In clearly identifying the persons responsible, website registration would provide the basis for any aggrieved individual to seek remedy for offensive content. Freedom of expression, the GoSL pointed out, was not an absolute right and could be restricted on grounds specified in the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Moreover, none of the websites that had complied with the registration rule had suffered any form of restraint or impediment. The GoSL also argued that the two individual petitioners did not have the authority under the constitution of the FMM to litigate on behalf of the body.

The petitioners argued that the two individuals, though elected office-bearers of the FMM, were petitioning the court in their individual capacities as citizens, whose right to access information and share opinions and ideas over the internet was being blocked. A number of legal experts have held that the right to information can be read into the constitutional provisions on freedom of expression as an implicit intention. And if any restrictions are to be introduced on the exercise of this freedom, they have to be done so under law. The directive requiring the registration of websites had been issued without an enabling law, whether in the form of a parliamentary enactment or subordinate legislation.

The IFJ noted its support for the FMM in its effort to seek a broader public debate on these issues and if possible, to secure a reversal of the directive seeking website registration.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-disappointed-by-sri-lankas-supreme-court-decision-on-internet-restrictions

11. Rory Peck Awards - CELEBRATING FREELANCERS – 2012 Awards -Closing Date Approaching

The IFJ Asia Pacific encourages affiliates to inform members about the Rory Peck Awards which are open for application. Noted as “the only awards dedicated to the work of freelance cameramen and women in news and current affairs”, submissions are invited in three competitive categories:

The Rory Peck Award for News (max. 10 mins)

The Rory Peck Award for Features (max. 60 mins)

The Sony Impact Award (max. 60 mins)

All entries must have had their first broadcast (TV, agency feed, and recognised online news publisher) between June 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. Closing date for entries is MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012

The Rory Peck Awards 2012 are open to freelance cameramen and women from around the world. They are FREE to enter; see: http://rorypecktrust.org/ for more details.

Jacqueline Park

Katie Richmond

Josh Bird

Kristen Smith

Sukumar Muralidharan

Serenade Woo

IFJ Asia-Pacific
asiapacific.ifj.org

ifj@ifj-asia.org

ENDS

© Scoop Media