Welcome to IFJ Asia's monthly e-bulletin. The next bulletin will be sent on Tuesday, 1 March 2005 and contributions from affiliates are most welcome. To contribute, email ifj@ifj-asia.org
Please distribute this bulletin widely among colleagues in the media.
In this bulletin:
1. Nepal crisis: IFJ urges affiliates to keep pressure on
2. Philippines mission points to culture of violence
3. 2004: the deadliest year for media on record
4. Shaking our foundations: media and the Asian tsunami
5. IFJ mission to Indonesia
6. Workshops on conflict reporting in Sri Lanka
7. IFJ Asia launches global criminal defamation committee
8. IFJ builds links in Bangladesh
9. Trade union training skills workshop in India
10. Damming human rights report for Pakistan
11. Pressure on scandal-hit Japanese public broadcaster
12. New public broadcasting laws for Mongolia
13. IFJ Asia to launch Tolerance Prize
14. International women's media foundation seeks nominations
15. Latest protests
1. Nepal crisis: IFJ urges affiliates to keep pressure on
On 1 February 2005, King Gyanendra of Nepal dismissed the government and declared a state of emergency. Security forces have arrested Bishnu Nisthuri, the Secretary General of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, although his place of detention is unknown. The IFJ was quick to launch a global campaign in response and is calling on affiliates to put pressure on the King to ensure Bishnu and our other Nepali colleagues' human rights are respected. Meanwhile, IFJ President Christopher Warren will lead a high profile mission to Nepal next week. To view a sample protest letter and for further information, visit: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/nepalcrisis.html
2. Philippines mission points to culture of violence
A culture of violence that infiltrates the top echelons of government was the major reason behind the murder of 61 journalists in the Philippines since 1986, a preliminary report of an IFJ mission to the Philippines has found. After visiting the Bicol, the Visayas and volatile Mindanao regions, and meeting with government officials, families and colleagues of those journalists killed, the mission announced preliminary findings on January 30. The IFJ's early findings will be followed up in March by a full report and will include recommendations for actions to be taken. For further information visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/nujp050130.html and www.nujp.org
3. 2004: the deadliest year for media on record
The IFJ launched its annual report documenting 129 journalists and media staff killed in 2004 at press conferences in Sydney, Brussels, London and Washington on Tuesday, 18 January. The report is a comprehensive record of how media across the globe have been targeted, brutalised and hounded to death by enemies of press freedom. Click here to view the report online: www.harlandco.com/download/kill_list_2004_lores.pdf
4. Shaking our foundations: media and the Asian tsunami
IFJ Asia has prepared a comprehensive report on the impact and challenges for the media arising from the 26 December Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. The press had a huge task in covering the immediate catastrophe and many were eyewitnesses to an unbelievable disaster. The media's role has now shifted to ensure transparent and corruption free aid while local governments struggle to distribute it. The IFJ has raised nearly US$100,000 from its member unions to support journalists affected by the tsunami disaster. To make donations to the IFJ appeal, visit www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=2882&Language=EN To view the IFJ tsunami report visit http://childrights.ifj-asia.org/tsunamireport.pdf
5. IFJ mission to Indonesia
IFJ General Secretary Aidan White led a mission to Indonesia in January to support journalists affected by the tsunami. White presented the Indonesian affiliate, the Aliansi Juranlis Independen, with US$30,000 for humanitarian aid. This followed approximately US$20,000 sent to AJI in the days following the disaster. While there, the IFJ and AJI signed a memorandum of understanding on a three-year trade union development project, supported by the European Commission. For further information on the IFJ's work in Indonesia, visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/indonesia.html
6. Editors roundtable and workshops on conflict reporting in Sri Lanka
The IFJ hosted an editors round table conference on reporting on the Tsunami and conflict on February 2 in Colombo, and will now conduct a final series of two-day workshops on conflict reporting for journalists in Sri Lanka during February. The workshops will be delivered by Sri Lankan journalists trained by the IFJ to deliver the IFJ-designed conflict reporting module. The workshops will be held in Galle, Ampara and Jaffna. The IFJ is also about to launch a conflict reporting handbook tailored specifically to the Sri Lankan situation under this project, supported by the United States Institute of Peace. For IFJ resources on conflict reporting, visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/conflict_reporting.html
7. IFJ Asia launches global criminal defamation committee
IFJ affiliates from all over the world responded positively to IFJ Asia's call for members for an online defamation working group to fight to abolish criminal defamation. The working group will develop resources and exchange information on best practice legislation, role of press councils and successful campaign strategies. The resources from the committee will then be compiled into a comprehensive report on criminal defamation to be distributed among IFJ affiliates. For more information or to join the committee please contact Lara Hook at lara.hook@alliance.org.au
8. IFJ builds links in Bangladesh
IFJ South Asia Co-ordinator, Laxmi Murthy visited Bangladesh in early January to build stronger links between the IFJ and those committed to freedom of opinion and expression in Bangladesh. She met with Media Watch Bangladesh, BJRF, BMSF, Dhaka Reporter's Unity, BFUJ, BCDJC and relatives of murdered journalist Dipankar Chakraborty. The IFJ discussed further co-operation with these groups on the IFJ Journalism for Tolerance Prize and the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN). For further information on SAMSN, visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/samsn.html
9. Trade union training skills workshop in India
IFJ Asia trainer Emma Walters conducted a trade union training skills workshop in Bangalore, India from 3-6 February for trainers of IFJ-affiliated journalists' unions in that country. The All India Newspaper Employees Federation (AINEF) hosted the workshop. 15 representatives from the IFJ affiliates in India - the AINEF, the Indian Journalists Union and the National Union of Journalists India - attended the workshop. The meeting was supported by the Swedish trade union movement. To view the IFJ India page, visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/india.html
10. Damning human rights report for Pakistan
A report from the International Federation for Human Rights found that General Pervez Musharraf's regime continues to abuse human rights and degrade Pakistani press and trade unions. The report says that the government has limited the freedom of the press by imposing a series of bans and laws that hinder journalists and media outlets from publishing or broadcasting dissenting views. Trade unions have become steadily weakened through the adoption of the Industrial Relations Ordinance 2002, which excludes many sectors from forming unions or bargaining collectively. The IFJ is writing to the Pakistani government to adopt the report's recommendations. Visit www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/pk408a-2.pdf
11. Pressure on scandal-hit Japanese public broadcaster
The IFJ is backing a campaign by workers at Japan's public broadcasting station NHK who are calling for the resignation of the company president after a series of corruption scandals shocked viewers and diminished public support. The president refuses to go and has angered workers by failing to address the scandals. NHK refused to broadcast the live Parliamentary hearing and instead broadcast an edited version further angering workers and subscribers. For more information, visit: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=2891&Language=EN
12. New public broadcasting laws for Mongolia
On 27 January, the Mongolian Parliament passed public broadcasting laws which will come into force on 1 April. The law prescribes that nine of the 17 members of the public broadcasting board will be appointed by civil society organisations. Civil Society Partnerships for Democracy (ICSF) had been campaigning for the change for the past ten years. For more information contact H.Naranjargal at globe@magicnet.mn
13. IFJ Asia to launch Tolerance Prize
The IFJ will soon launch the third annual IFJ Journalism for Tolerance Prize in South Asia and in a new and expanded East and South East Asia region. The awards rewards excellence in journalism combating racism and discrimination. The South Asia region includes Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan and has been expanded to include Afghanistan, Bhutan and the Maldives. The newly expanded East and South East Asia region includes: Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. For more information, contact: Laxmi Murthy ifjsouthasia@hotmail.com or Lara Hook lara.hook@alliance.org.au
14. International women's media foundation seeks nominations
The International Women's Media Foundation is seeking nominations for its 2005 Courage in Journalism Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award. The only awards program exclusively for international women journalists, the awards honor women journalists who have demonstrated extraordinary strength of character in pursuing their profession under difficult or dangerous circumstances, such as government oppression, political pressure, physical danger or other intimidating obstacles. Nominations for the 2005 awards will be accepted by the IWMF between January 1, 2005 and March 15, 2005. For further information about the awards and to learn how to nominate a journalist, visit the IWMF website at http://www.iwmf.org/courage/nominate.php.
15. Latest Protests
Nepal: Federation of Nepalese Journalists appeals for international action-Bishnu arrested, Tara Nath in hiding - 07/02/2005
Bangladesh: IFJ calls for a full investigation into press club bombing - 07/02/2005
Nepal: FNJ president and general secretary arrested in Kathmandu - IFJ calls for immediate global action - 6/02/2005
India: Political interference threatens press freedom in India, says IFJ - 05/02/2005
Nepal: FNJ President in danger - 04/02/2005
Nepal: Journalist unions protest continued intimidation of media persons and curtailment of press freedom in Nepal - 04/02/2005
Nepal: Save Tara Nath Dahal - IFJ calls for immediate global action - 04/02/2005
Nepal: Media blackout outside of Kathmandu - 04/02/2005
Nepal: IFJ applauds courage of Nepali colleagues and calls for strong global response -03/02/2005
Nepal: IFJ has grave concerns for journalists safety in Nepal - 02/02/2005
Bangladesh: IFJ protests intimidation of journalists family - 01/02/2005
Philippines: IFJ delegation snubbed by Philippines President - 31/01/2005
Tsunami: Journalists aid tsunami victims and IFJ hails "Golden Opportunity for Peace" in Aceh -20/01/2005
Indonesia: IFJ condemns restriction on press movement in Aceh -14/01/2005
Indonesia: IFJ reiterates calls for defamation reform in response to journalist sentenced to jail - 05/01/2005
If affiliates have any information on a press freedom violation, please make sure you immediately contact staff at IFJ Asia so action can be taken.
