Zambian editors arrested trying to enter newspaper’s offices amid tax dispute

Committee to Protect Journalists The editor-in-chief of independent Zambian newspaper The Post was arrested trying to enter his newspaper's offices today, after authorities closed it in a dispute over allegedly unpaid taxes. Fred M'membe, his wife Mutinta, and his deputy managing editor Joseph Mwenda, were released on bail, but face charges of breaking into a building, according to reports. The charges come after the Revenue Appeals Tribunal overturned an order for The Post's property to be seized by the Zambia Revenue Authority, according to reports. M'membe and his co-accused were arrested at around 1 a.m. today when…Read more

South African reporters attacked covering protests, broadcaster suspends journalists

The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by media reports that South Africa's public broadcaster suspended three journalists for opposing an editorial decision not to cover a protest. CPJ also calls for credible investigations into reports that police assaulted journalists covering unrest. At least five people have been killed and almost 200 people have been arrested this week as supporters of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party have taken to the streets of the capital and environs in often-violent protests against the ANC's leadership, according to media reports. Police and protesters have threatened…Read more

Pacific media condemn PNG police shootings, latest journo assault

Journalists and media practitioners across the region have joined their news colleagues in Papua New Guinea in solidarity and support, calling for global pressure on PNG's Police and leaders to take "immediate steps" to address the "abhorrent and totally unnecessary" use of firearms at a peaceful protest organised on the morning of June 8th, 2016 at the national university. In the panic and pandemonium caused by Police tear gas and shooting at unarmed citizens, a female journalist was assaulted - the second incident involving PNG Police in the space of a week. Just…Read more

The Queen inspires new hub for Commonwealth organisations

The atmosphere was full of comradery and optimism today as The Queen shook hands with athletes, young people, High Commissioners and staff at the launch of a new Commonwealth Hub. The ceremony took place at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth’s headquarters in London. The Commonwealth Hub will be located directly across from Marlborough House in a building to be renamed Commonwealth House. It will become the home of a network of Commonwealth accredited organisations. Today, the Commonwealth Games Federation, the Royal Commonwealth Society and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum agreed to move their main offices…Read more

Live grenade found near vehicle of Guyanese publisher

The following statement was originally published on Association of Caribbean Media Workers facebook page on 6 June 2016. It comes from their national affiliate, the Guyana Press Association. The Guyana Press Association (GPA) calls on the Guyana Police Force to execute an in-depth investigation into the presence of a live grenade near a vehicle owned by the publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, on the evening of Saturday June 4, 2016. Regardless of the motive, the act alone has a chilling effect on press freedom. We take this opportunity to call on the intellectual authors and/or…Read more

Newspaper and website editor attacked, call for investigation

The Free Media Movement of Sri Lanka vehemently condemns the attack on the editor of the regional newspaper and website Meepura and requests the Government conduct an immediate inquiry to take proper legal action against the perpetrators. The editor, Mr. Freddy Gamage, came under attack while he was returning from the Negambo Municipal Council after covering its General Meeting. He was assaulted by two men wearing full face helmets as he was walking towards his vehicle. As he turned to get a better view of the two men, feeling suspicious over the way they were monitoring…Read more

Call for release of 73-year-old publisher held in Dhaka since February

The International Publishers Association and its Freedom to Publish Committee today renewed its call for the immediate release of a 73-year-old publisher held in Dhaka since February, after the High Court of Bangladesh denied his application for bail. Shamsuzzoha Manik, who owns the Ba-Dwip Prakashan publishing house, has been charged under Bangladesh's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act, which criminalizes criticism of religion. He faces up to 14 years in prison if found guilty. Manik, who also founded the now defunct bangarashtra.net website for secular debate, was arrested at the Bangladesh International Book Fair on…Read more

India jails reporter for accusing government of discriminating against Muslims

Indian authorities should immediately release Pushp Sharma, who is being held in pretrial detention for alleged forgery and incitement, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police in Delhi arrested Sharma, a journalist for The Milli Gazette, a biweekly, English-language publication aimed at Indian Muslims, on May 14, on suspicion that he fabricated a document in a March 11 article claiming the government discriminates against Muslims. The document, which Sharma said was from the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) purported to show that the ministry denies Muslims jobs as yoga trainers,…Read more

IFJ expresses concern over Pakistani journalist missing since 2015

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expresses grave concern for Pakistani journalist Zeenat Shahzadi who has been missing since August 2015. The IFJ demands Pakistan's authorities to take immediate action to find her kidnappers and reveal the status of investigations into the disappearance of the young woman reporter. Zeenat Shahzadi, a journalist for the Daily Nai Khabar and Metro News in Lahore, disappeared on her way to work in an auto-rickshaw. Police are understood to have registered a case against 'unknown men', but to date, no developments have been made public. Zeenat's family alleges that she was…Read more

Invitation to visit Korea

The UIA cordially invites you to send representatives to its 4th Associations Round Table on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 September in Busan, Korea.    The UIA Round Table is an opportunity to learn through networking and through practice, to meet other international associations and share experience and knowledge to help you run your organization better. Read more here .     The registration fee for association representatives is 60 US dollars. Thanks to the support of our partners at the Korea Tourism Organizationand Busan Tourism Organization we are able to offer a high-level educational programme for a low fee. All other elements…Read more