Welcome to the South Asia Media Solidarity Network's (SAMSN) monthly e-bulletin. The next bulletin will be sent on Monday July 18, 2005 and inputs are most welcome. We encourage contributions: to let others know what you are doing; to seek solidarity and support from other SAMSN members; and to find out what others are doing in the region. To contribute, email ifj@ifj-asia.org
SAMSN is a grouping of journalists' trade unions, press freedom organisations and journalists in South Asia that have agreed to work together to support the freedom of expression and association in the region. SAMSN was formed at a meeting of these groups in Kathmandu in September 2004. The group agreed to stand in solidarity and work together for media reform, for an independent pluralist media and to build public respect for the work of journalists in the region.
For further information on SAMSN, visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/samsn.html
Please distribute this bulletin widely among colleagues in the media.
In this bulletin:
1. Nepalese journalists continue to face repression
2. Journalists killed in India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh
3. Media for Democracy - IFJ regional meeting in Taiwan in July
4. Journalists at risk in Sri Lanka
5. Illegal detention of journalists in India on false charges
6. Independent Afghan journalists' association meeting
7. Bangladeshi journalist wins Courage in Journalism Award
8. Laws used to curb press freedom in Pakistan
9. Media bill a setback to press freedom in Pakistan
10. IFJ Journalism for Tolerance Prize - deadline closed
11. Latest South Asia protests
1. Nepalese journalists continue to face repression
On June 13, police detained about 44 journalists in Kathmandu, using unnecessary force on demonstrators. Sending a message that the authorities are not willing to tolerate any dissent, police cracked down on a peaceful rally launched by the Kavre branch of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ). Police roughed demonstrators up when they attempted to break through the barrier and march around the town. In a show of solidarity, FNJ members then took to the streets in Kathmandu and were beaten. About 59 of the protesters were bundled into buses and were taken to three different police stations. Visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/nepal050616.html
2. Journalists killed in India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh
The IFJ is saddened by the deaths of three journalists from India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. On June 17, M Sagar, 28, a correspondent of the daily Shah Times was shot dead after he objected to celebratory gun-firing in Muzaffarnagar town in northern India. Police say Sagar was working at his office late into the night, when a wedding party was being held downstairs. Some people were firing into the air in celebration, when Sagar asked them to stop. Irked by his objection, the accused opened fire on him, shooting him to death. In Afghanistan on May 17, 2005, Shaima Rizaee, former entertainment presenter for Tolo TV was beaten to death after going missing for two months following her being fired for unknown reasons.
In Bangladesh on May 31, Golam Mahfuz, 39, editor of Comilla Muktakantha daily newspaper was stabbed to death early in his house in Comilla, a town 88km east of the capital Dhaka. For more information on these killings see http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/human_rights__safety.html
3. Media for Democracy - IFJ regional meeting in Taiwan in July
IFJ Asia-Pacific affiliates will meet in Taipei, Taiwan, on July 7-10 at a regional conference titled Media for Democracy - the Challenge in Asia. The conference, hosted by IFJ affiliate, the Association of Taiwan Journalists (ATJ), and supported by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, will address a number of issues facing journalists and their associations in the Asia-Pacific region including; the challenge for press freedom in Asia, working rights of journalists and managing journalists' unions. Contact ifj@ifj-asia.org for more information.
4. Journalists at risk in Sri Lanka
Journalists' safety in Sri Lanka was severely compromised following a bomb attack on a Tamil TV station in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka on June 2, the murder of leading Tamil journalist Sivaram Dharmeratnam on April 28, and death threats received by Victor Ivan, convener of the Free Media Movement (FMM) and chief editor of the Ravaya newspaper, and Sunanda Deshapriya, freelance journalist and former editor for Yukthiya newspaper and FMM spokesperson in early May. The death threats came in a letter from an extremist group calling itself Theraputtabhaya, which also claimed responsibility for Sivaram Dharmeratnam's murder. The IFJ has called on the Sri Lankan authorities to take all measures to ensure the security of Sri Lankan journalists. Visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/sri_lanka.html for more information.
5. Illegal detention of journalists in India on false charges
Noted journalist and editor of Veekshanam, N Venu Gopal, was illegally arrested on May 30, 2005 along with Pinaka Pani, editor of Aruna Tara literary magazine. The journalists and writers were picked up by the Special Branch of Andhra Pradesh police with help from local police and were tied with ropes, blindfolded and illegally confined for 72 hours. Venu Gopal, who suffers from diabetes and depends on insulin injections, was denied any medication for 72 hours. IFJ joined its affiliate the Indian Journalists Union in protesting the inhuman treatment meted out to the arrested persons and demanded their immediate release. Visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/india.html for further information.
6. Independent Afghan journalists' association meeting
The inaugural meeting of over 200 Afghan journalists to form an independent Afghan journalists' organisation was held on June 17-18. The two-day meeting established the Afghan Independent Journalists' Association (AIJA) as the representative, democratic body representing journalists in Afghanistan. Delegates at the meeting elected an executive committee and were expected to ratify the proposed constitution and codes of ethics written at a planning workshop held in December 2004, supported by IMS. For more information contact ifj@ifj-asia.org.
7. Bangladeshi journalist wins Courage in Journalism Award
A Bangladeshi journalist, Sumi Khan, was one of the three recipients of the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF). Three women journalists from Bangladesh, Germany and Iran who have risked their lives to report on corruption, politics, women's rights and war will receive Courage in Journalism Awards for 2005. The IWMF created the Awards in 1990 to honour women journalists who have shown exceptional courage and bravery in the face of grave danger. This year's awards will be presented at ceremonies in New York on October 25 and in Los Angeles on November 2. For more information contact IWMF at info@iwmf.org
8. Laws used to curb press freedom in Pakistan
The IFJ protested the foisting of cases against two reporters Afzal Nadeem of Awam and Asad Ibne Hasan of Daily News, in Karachi on May 28 for alleged "anti-state" activities. Their 'crime' was a minor mistake while reporting the exact timing of a police encounter with criminals. This is one of a series of cases being filed against reporters. A few months ago, the Sindh government had registered a case under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) against Afzal Nadeem of Awam. Despite assurances by the Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad to the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the case has still not been dropped. The maximum punishment under the OSA could be up to 14-years imprisonment. Visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/pakistan.html for more information.
9. Media bill a setback to press freedom in Pakistan
In what the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and the IFJ termed as a setback to freedom of expression, the National Assembly on May 16 passed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Amendment Bill (2004) (PEMRA). The PEMRA can impose a ban on channels in the name of "national interest", "national security", "ideology of Pakistan" and "vulgarity" - all of which are subjective notions. The PEMRA makes violation of the Bill a recognisable and compoundable offence, with sentences up to three years and heavy fines of ten million rupees (USD 168,000). The IFJ also expressed its concern about the composition of the 13-member PEMRA, dominated by nominees of the President, with only token representation of other sectors. Visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/pakistan.html for more information.
10. IFJ Journalism for Tolerance Prize - deadline closed
The deadline for entries for the IFJ Tolerance Prize, South Asia, closed on June 15. The prize recognises excellence in journalism that promotes and protects human rights, supports measures to combat discrimination, communalism and casteism, and protects minorities and indigenous peoples. The official languages for the South Asia prize are English, Nepali, Hindi, Urdu, Dari, Sinhala, Tamil and Bengali. For more information visit www.ifj-asia.org or contact Lara Hook at ifj@ifj-asia.org or Laxmi Murthy at ifjsouthasia@hotmail.com.
11. Latest South Asia protests
Nepal: Officials unfair disruption of journalists protests continue throughout Nepal - 16/06/2005
Nepal: Situation worsens for journalists fighting for media freedom in Nepal - 10/06/2005
India: IFJ protests illegal detention of journalists on false charges - 10/06/2005
Nepal: Government arrests journalists as Supreme Court supports media freedom - 09/06/2005
Nepal: Nepalese journalists unite against government crackdown and media attacks - 06/06/2005
Sri Lanka: IFJ fears for journalists safety following bomb attack on TV station in Sri Lanka
Bangladesh: Journalist murdered: another attack on free speech in Bangladesh - 03/06/2005
Pakistan: IFJ protests the use of laws to curb press freedom - 02/06/2005
Nepal: Nepalese journalists rally for press freedom as media restrictions continue - 31/05/2005
Nepal: Unconstitutional media restrictions, kidnappings and continued intimidation keep journalists under attack in Nepal - 27/05/2005
Afghanistan: Journalist beaten to death in Afghanistan - 19/05/2005
Nepal: Independent voices silenced in Nepal - 19/05/2005
Pakistan: Media bill a setback to press freedom in Pakistan, says IFJ - 19/05/2005
Nepal: Journalist abducted, mobile phone and travel restrictions continue in Nepal -17/05/2005
If SAMSN members have any information on a press freedom violation, please make sure you immediately contact staff at IFJ Asia so action can be taken.
