Welcome to IFJ Asia's monthly e-bulletin. The next bulletin will be sent on October 3, 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. Global Day of Action for Press Freedom in Nepal, August 30
2. Journalist killed in Sri Lanka, attacks continue
3. Historic all island journalism summit in Sri Lanka
4. IFJ-FES train the trainer regional workshop on conflict reporting
5. Gender equity meeting in Indonesia
6. Attacks on journalists in India
7. IFJ condemns defamation verdict in Cambodia
8. Bangkok Post editors lose jobs over alleged defamation
9. Criminal defamation cases continue in Thailand
10. Government abuse of press freedom and human rights in the Maldives
11. Global survey of IFJ affiliates on atypical work
12. Hong Kong Journalists Association founder dies
13. NUJP launches media issues blog
14. Join the Asia Media Forum
15. BBC tsunami audio memorial project
16. Latest protests
1. Global Day of Action for Press Freedom in Nepal, August 30
In response to the assaults on press freedom and civil liberties in Nepal, the Nepali media community and the international community united to condemn King Gyanendra's oppressive regime against press freedom during the IFJ's Global Day of Action for Nepal. Protests gained momentum in Nepal, with journalists and broadcasters peacefully calling for press freedom and a return to the once healthy and vibrant media environment. Journalist and rights organisations from around the world, including Europe and Asia, supported the day. For more information visit: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/nepalcrisis.html
2. Journalist killed in Sri Lanka, attacks continue
The IFJ has condemned the killing of journalist Relangi Selvarajah and her husband who were shot dead by unidentified attackers on August 12 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Selvarajah had worked with the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation (SLRC) and was working as a journalist with Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC). In further disturbing developments there have been a series of attacks on Sudaroli newspaper offices and staff, including a grenade attack on Sudaroli printing press that killed a security guard. The IFJ called on the government to act upon the murders and protect journalists from harm. For more information visit: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/sri_lanka.html
3. Historic all island journalism summit in Sri Lanka
Journalists from across Sri Lanka will come together for the first time in a three day meeting from September 9-11 to discuss and debate public service values in journalism; media freedom and social responsibility; and professional dignity and rights of journalists. The goal is to agree a new strategy and practical program to raise the status and quality of media and rights of journalists. The IFJ will be supporting various projects promoting public service media in Sri Lanka over the coming months, including one supported by the European Commission which will build links between European and Sri Lankan journalists' organisations and a UNESCO project focusing on improving public service broadcasting in Sri Lanka.
4. IFJ-FES train the trainer regional workshop on conflict reporting
The FES is supporting a four-day regional training skills workshop in Nepal. The workshop will be facilitated by IFJ Asia Director, Jacqueline Park, and IFJ Program Manager, Laxmi Murthy with expertise from Sri Lankan conflict reporting expert, Sunanda Deshapriya. The workshop will be held from September 2-5. Participants from Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Nepal have signed up for the workshop, which will train participants in techniques that enable them to deliver the IFJ's two-day conflict reporting workshop back in their home countries. For more information email ifj@ifj-aisa.org
5. Gender equity meeting in Indonesia
The IFJ's Indonesian affiliate, the Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI), held an historic meeting on gender equity in Jakarta on August 27-28. Held immediately after AJI's 11th anniversary celebrations on August 26, the meeting drafted a charter which laid down goals for achieving gender equity in media and journalists' organisations. The meeting, as part of the European Commission-funded Media for Democracy in Indonesia project, had about 30 participants from all over Indonesia. Resource persons attending included Eve Chiu from the Association of Taiwan Journalists and Diosa Labiste from the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. For further information on the meeting, visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/indonesia.html
6. Attacks on journalists in India
The IFJ has growing concerns for journalists' safety and free speech in India. Earlier this month, seven journalists were injured in a militant attack in Srinagar. On August 26, independent journalist, Ms Shikha Das, was attacked by a group wielding knives, after exposing an alleged fraud by a prominent family in the region. Two days later, police illegally arrested journalist Gautam Dheer, after he published a report on police harassment. In the latest attack, a television crew was seriously injured by a gang of people on August 31 while covering a victory celebration of transport employees in Chennai. For more information visit http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/india.html
7. IFJ condemns defamation verdict in Cambodia
The IFJ has condemned the Cambodian Supreme Court's defamation ruling against Cambodian journalist Kay Kimsong. On August 31, the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Cambodia on appeal found the Cambodia Daily reporter guilty of defamation against Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong. He was fined 30 million riel (US$7,300) for writing the purportedly defamatory article, published 2001, that reported comments made by a senator during a parliamentary session suggesting that Minister Namhong was involved in human rights atrocities under the Khmer Rouge. For more information visit: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/cambodia.html
8. Bangkok Post editors lose jobs over alleged defamation
Bangkok Post editors Chadin Thepaval and Sermsuk Kasitipradit lost their jobs after publishing an allegedly defamatory article on August 9. The article quoted anonymous US aviation experts stating there were major cracks in the runways of a new airport. Thepaval was forced to resign and Kasitipradit was dismissed. IFJ President Christopher Warren said the punishment was disproportionate to the actions of the journalists and was an attack on press freedom. The Airport of Thailand and the New Bangkok International Airport Co. have filed a criminal lawsuit against the Post Publishing Plc. For more information visit: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/thailand.html
9. Criminal defamation cases continue in Thailand
The IFJ is supporting Thai journalist and media reform activist Supinya Klangnarong, who faces two years jail for an allegedly defamatory article published in 2003 in the Thai Post. The IFJ, supported by the Open Society Institute, is attending the trial in Thailand to support Supinya and the Campaign for Popular Media Reform's (CPMR) fight for press freedom. Lawyers from Shin Corp blocked international experts from testifying in the case, claiming that they were unable to locate a suitable interpreter. The experts were to testify on international law, standards and practices on freedom of expression issues. To read more, visit: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/thailand.html
10. Government abuse of press freedom and human rights in the Maldives
The IFJ has growing concerns over press freedom and human rights abuses in the Maldives. President Gayoom has created an environment of fear and violence through intimidation, beatings and arrests of pro-democratic activists and journalists in the name of 'reform'. Over 140 pro-democracy activists, journalists and other freedom of expression advocates remain imprisoned. The media have been particularly targeted, with daily threats and arrests impeding their right to report. The IFJ has condemned these attacks on press freedom and human rights and called for the immediate release of all political detainees. For more information visit: http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/maldives050819.html
11. Global survey of IFJ affiliates on atypical work
The IFJ, with the support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is undertaking a global research project into atypical work in the media industry. The project will collect statistics on the changing nature of work in the global media industry, determine the impact of atypical work and produce a resource for IFJ affiliates on strategies for combating the increased use of casual and/or contract labour. The first phase is a global survey on the changing nature of employment practices. The survey will largely be administered online with hard copies also available in various languages. The survey will be sent to affiliates during September. For more information please contact lara.hook@ifj-asia.org
12. Hong Kong Journalists Association founder dies
Jack Spackman, founder of the HKJA, passed away in San Francisco on August 25 at the age of 70. The HKJA has a proud history of organising journalists and representing their interests. This history can in part be attributed to Jack's founding work, where he fought for press freedom and proper recognition of journalists by the government in an era of uncertainty and challenge. Indeed, Jack's work in the 1970s was instrumental in securing improved working conditions and ethical standards for journalists throughout Hong Kong. The IFJ passes on its sincerest condolences to Jack's family, friends, and colleagues.
13. NUJP launches media issues blog
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) have launched a blog for journalists to discuss issues affecting the Philippine press, particularly the safety and well being of journalists. The blog is a forum of information and support for NUJP members and those interested in media issues in the Philippines. To post you comments register at http://nujp.org/blog/wp-register.php. For more information visit the NUJP website at www.nujp.org.
14. Join the Asia Media Forum
Members of the IFJ are urged to visit the Asia Media Forum (AMF), a website covering issues related to journalism and journalists in Asia. The AMF was formed by editors and journalists from Asia at a meeting in Koh Samui, Thailand in October 2004. Asiamediaforum.org is a space for media professionals to share their insights on journalism issues including stories, information and opinions on democracy, development, and human rights in Asia. Members of the forum can keep up with the latest issues in the region and access a journalists' bulletin board and chat room. Membership is free. Visit http://www.asiamediaforum.org/user/register or for more information e-mail info@asiamediaforum.org
15. BBC tsunami audio memorial project
The BBC is developing a Tsunami Audio Memorial project and are interested hearing from journalists in the Asia-Pacific who may have suitable audio content. The project is aiming to portray a sense of the entire region, historically, culturally and personally. The types of stories and sounds they would like to receive include: children's poetry, fisherman's songs, the sea, family and community, traditions and tales, the changed environment, and daily habits both before and after the tsunami. To contribute, or for more information email Sally.Herships@bbc.co.uk To view the IFJ's tsunami report, Shaking our Foundations, visit
http://www.ifj-asia.org/page/tsunami050216.html
16. Latest protests
Hong Kong: Hong Kong Journalists' Association founder dies - 01/09/2005
India: IFJ concerned about violent attack on TV crew in Chennai - 01/09/2005
Nepal: IFJ welcomes release of three journalists and calls for an end to attacks against Nepali journalists - 31/08/2005
Nepal: International participation in the Global Day of Action for Press Freedom in Nepal - 31/08/2005
India: IFJ condemns attack on woman journalist in Chattisgarh - 31/08/2005
India: IFJ protests police attempts to muzzle the media in Chandigarh - 30/08/2005
Sri Lanka: IFJ condemns bomb attack on Sri Lanka newspaper, one person killed - 30/08/2005
Nepal: Strong global support shown for Global Day of Action for Press Freedom in Nepal - 30/08/2005
Nepal: IFJ calls for greater protection for Nepalese journalists amid reports of intimidation and abductions - 29/08/2005
Nepal: IFJ welcomes release of two Nepali journalists but concerned over media attacks - 26/08/2005
Thailand: Thai PM ridicules journalists with question-rating system at press conference - 26/08/2005
Nepal: IFJ condemns Government harassment of journalists over cartoon - 26/08/2005
Nepal: Joint mission report exposes comprehensive media repression - 24/08/2005
Thailand: IFJ supports Bangkok Post journalists efforts to save editors - 23/08/2005
Nepal: Desperate times in Nepal: press freedom under siege - 22/08/2005
Sri Lanka: IFJ concerned by lack of information on arrested journalist in Sri Lanka - 22/08/2005
Nepal: Nepal Crisis Signature Campaign - A call for your participation - 19/08/2005
Thailand: ARTICLE 19, IFJ and SEAPA disappointed at defence witness' inability to testify - 19/08/2005
Maldives: IFJ protests renewed repression in the Maldives - 19/08/2005
Pakistan: IFJ condemns cancellation of newspapers' publication permits - 19/08/2005
Thailand: Shin Corp uses delay tactics in freedom of expression trial in Thailand - 18/08/2005
Thailand: Thailand's media the freest in Asia or under threat? - 16/08/2005
Sri Lanka: IFJ condemns killing of Sri Lankan journalist - 15/08/2005
Pakistan: Pakistani journalists rally for press freedom and journalists rights - 15/08/2005
Thailand: Global solidarity for free speech in Thailand - 14/08/2005
Thailand: Independent broadcast media under threat in Thailand - 12/08/2005
Nepal: Supreme Court of Nepal orders government to stop licence cancellation - 11/08/2005
Thailand: First defence witness defends the right to freedom of expression in Thailand - 10/08/2005
Taiwan: Taiwan Government shuts down TV news station - 10/08/2005
Nepal: IFJ condemns harassment of three Nepalese journalists - 09/08/2005
Nepal: IFJ demands King reinstate civil liberties and human rights - 08/08/2005
Hong Kong: IFJ joint appeal to Chinese authorities for a fair trail to Ching Cheong - 05/08/2005
Nepal: Government threatens to shut down Nepal FM - 05/08/2005
Sri Lanka: President threatens to use obsolete Official Secrets Act against journalist - 05/08/2005
Philippines: IFJ calls for investigation into death threats - 03/08/2005
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister threatens journalists and media owners - 02/08/2005
Bangladesh: Continuing assaults on journalists in Bangladesh unacceptable, says IFJ - 02/08/2005
Nepal: Killing democracy: six months of media repression - 01/08/2005
India: IFJ concerned about journalists injured in Srinagar attack - 01/08/2005
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.
