SUMMARY:
It seems like if a journalist isn't being killed, a journalist is being arrested.
According to a Reporters Without Borders article, N Vithyatharan — editor of Sudar Oli, which is a member of the Uthayan press group — was forcibly detained while attending a funeral in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The editor of the Colombo-based Tamil daily is still imprisoned but is being "treated well" by police.
RWB is shocked at this arrest because it was executed without a warrant — which is violation of the law.
The organization is calling for the release of Vithyatharan immediately.
According to the article, three uniformed officers and three men in casual clothes arrested Vithyatharan at the funeral of Uthayan press group chairman M. Saravanapavan's relative.
Anyone who tried to intervene in the arrest was hit.
Saravanapavan told RWB that he remains upset at what happened.
Vithyatharan is being held by the Colombo Crimes Divison (CCD) to be questioned. RWB has requested that Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake guarantee his safety.
Relatives do have visiting access to see Vithyatharan.
The Sudar Oli and Uthayan have been targets of violent attacks recently. Six employees of the group have been killed since 2005.
Similarly, Uthayan press group senior members have received threatening calls telling them they will be arrested too if they do not leave the country.
Both its offices in Jaffna and Colombo have been attacked multiple times.
MY OPINION:
I am amazed at how many journalists are being threatened or imprisoned outside of America.
Because the U.S. is hardly ever exposed to "real news," I honestly would have never known about any of these reporters being killed or arrested.
Granted these people are in other parts of the world, so there is not really a direct impact to many Americans because of the distance between the countries.
However, I do think that there needs to be some mention of it in the news.
We all live in a self-centered society where the only news involves things happening in our personal lives.
But this stuff is important. I hope this blog has helped reveal some insight to happenings of journalists so far and that you--the reader of the blog--will realize that this is major news.
This is impacting so many journalists, which is probably leading to much self-censorship. How will we ever get an accurate portrait of things occurring if there is not an object journalist reporting all of the facts.
SOURCES:
Reporters Without Borders
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Three men acquitted of murder charges: News from Feb. 19, 2009
SUMMARY:
Another case of arguable injustice has occurred against a journalist, this time, in Russia.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RWB), a military court jury in Moscow found three men not guilty of organizing the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
Another case of arguable injustice has occurred against a journalist, this time, in Russia.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RWB), a military court jury in Moscow found three men not guilty of organizing the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
The jury stated that the trial, which started in November 2008, reached the verdict based on the fact that prosecution failed to prove the involvement of any of the suspects.
Two brothers — Dzhabrail and Ibragim Makhmudov — former police officer — Sergei Khadzhikurbanov — could have been sentenced to life in prison if convicted.
The prosecutors office is expected to make an appeal.
Since March 2000, there have been 20 journalists killed in Russia.
(I write for the Daily 49er sports section and I evoke self-censorship on the LBSU campus because I don't want to be on poor terms with any of the athletes or athletic directors.)
Two brothers — Dzhabrail and Ibragim Makhmudov — former police officer — Sergei Khadzhikurbanov — could have been sentenced to life in prison if convicted.
The prosecutors office is expected to make an appeal.
RWB believes that the result of the trial is due to an "incomplete investigation" and that the trial investigation was brought about too early.
It proceeded to state that the trial had many "irregularities, inconsistencies and lack of transparency."
Also, the organization believes the public was not well-informed with both sides of the issue and that everything will remain in question until the triggerman and the masterminds behind the murder are identified.
Before jury panel reached a verdict, judge Evgeni Zubov reminded those on the panel of the important position they are in.
Zubov proceeded to advocate that the jury members address a list of 17 questions concerning everything from the authority abuse that Khadzhikurbanov had been charged for to different questions pertaining to the actual murder.
Politkovskaya's family, though, said it was "satisfied with the verdict" but "dissatisfied with the trial."
But the prosecutors maintained their view that the witness statements and telephone records set up the defendants guilt.
But the prosecutors maintained their view that the witness statements and telephone records set up the defendants guilt.
Politkovskaya, who was an outspoken critic of then President Vladimir Putin and worked for the independent biweekly Novaya Gazeta, was found dead in October 2006.
She was best known for her coverage of the Russian Caucuses.
The journalist was killed in the lift of her apartment building and was a critic of then Russian President Vladimir Putin.
She was 48 at the time and had two children.
The trial was held in military courts because one of the defendants was a member of Russian security forces.
Since March 2000, there have been 20 journalists killed in Russia.
This is a complete travesty. Although I do not know exactly what the arguments were for both sides, my feeling is that the three men murdered Politkovskaya.
Just this past week alone there were a couple of journalist deaths—including the one in Pakistan as a reporter was murdered for covering a peace march in Swat Valley.
To me, this is scary. Honestly, I am already terrified of talking negatively about people because they will not be open and willing to provide stories.
(I write for the Daily 49er sports section and I evoke self-censorship on the LBSU campus because I don't want to be on poor terms with any of the athletes or athletic directors.)
But to think if I ever went overseas and wrote a critical piece about a popular figure, my life could be in danger.
It really is mind-blowing; I hope all who ready this blog think so too.
Sources:
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Military aiming to take control of the media: news from Feb. 15, 2009
SUMMARY:
Violent attacks, death and destruction in the Gaza Strip are nothing new.
But now, added to this list is press freedom.
An Israeli Defense Force operation called 'Operation Cast Lead' — strategy aimed at stopping Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel — has been in full force in the Gaza and has been censoring the media.
Also, the Gaza Strip has been sealed off from the press by Israeli authorities.
This media-takeover strategy is commonly used by Israeli military during wartime.
Journalists are prohibited from doing things like criticizing the Islamist movement, publishing deviant opinions about the movement, and publishing views of non-Islamist groups.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RWB), most journalists in the region blame Hamas — the governing organization that oversees the Palestinian-Gaza region for the censorship.
However, few reporters express their disapproval of Hamas though because of personal risk, and many who have are in custody.
Since June 2007 there have been 28 journalists arrested in the region along with six killed and 15 wounded. To top it off, at least three buildings housing Israeli media have been destroyed.
In the original article, RWB makes known that it is strongly opposed to the attacks on the Palestinian and foreign media journalists and buildings.
In addition, the organization also believes that since the "second Intifada" — or insurgence of Palestinian Arabs — seven total journalists have been killed and more than 100 wounded.
RWB has urged the U.N. to adopt a resolution to have Israel stop using such controlling methods over the news.
They also mandate that the Gaza Strip open up to supply the media with modern and adequate equipment.
MY OPINION:
It's tough to really have an opinion other than the one presented in this article because I think that too much government control, especially over the media, is wrong.
Hamas needs to allow 'outsiders' to supply Gaza-reporters with modernized, adequate equipment.
Who is to say what reporters should or shouldn't be allowed to report on?
As far as the Gaza Strip is concerned, one can only hope that peace and some sort of resolution can be instituted in the area. There has been far too much death and destruction.
Sources:
Reporters Without Borders
Public Image Domain
Violent attacks, death and destruction in the Gaza Strip are nothing new.
But now, added to this list is press freedom.
An Israeli Defense Force operation called 'Operation Cast Lead' — strategy aimed at stopping Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel — has been in full force in the Gaza and has been censoring the media.
Also, the Gaza Strip has been sealed off from the press by Israeli authorities.
This media-takeover strategy is commonly used by Israeli military during wartime.
Journalists are prohibited from doing things like criticizing the Islamist movement, publishing deviant opinions about the movement, and publishing views of non-Islamist groups.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RWB), most journalists in the region blame Hamas — the governing organization that oversees the Palestinian-Gaza region for the censorship.
However, few reporters express their disapproval of Hamas though because of personal risk, and many who have are in custody.
Since June 2007 there have been 28 journalists arrested in the region along with six killed and 15 wounded. To top it off, at least three buildings housing Israeli media have been destroyed.
In the original article, RWB makes known that it is strongly opposed to the attacks on the Palestinian and foreign media journalists and buildings.
In addition, the organization also believes that since the "second Intifada" — or insurgence of Palestinian Arabs — seven total journalists have been killed and more than 100 wounded.
RWB has urged the U.N. to adopt a resolution to have Israel stop using such controlling methods over the news.
They also mandate that the Gaza Strip open up to supply the media with modern and adequate equipment.
MY OPINION:
It's tough to really have an opinion other than the one presented in this article because I think that too much government control, especially over the media, is wrong.
Hamas needs to allow 'outsiders' to supply Gaza-reporters with modernized, adequate equipment.
Who is to say what reporters should or shouldn't be allowed to report on?
As far as the Gaza Strip is concerned, one can only hope that peace and some sort of resolution can be instituted in the area. There has been far too much death and destruction.
Sources:
Reporters Without Borders
Public Image Domain
Friday, February 13, 2009
Bulgaria's embattled press: news from Feb. 5, 2009
SUMMARY:
In fact, many journalists are censoring their own work. Conversely, others continue to produce the same work.
Criminals in Bulgaria have realized controlling the press is a component for success because the power to influence individuals and society becomes great.
In a recent Reporters Without Borders (RWB) article it was reported that Bulgaria—a country seeking to further democratize since the early 1990s—has had criminal organizations dominating the press.
According to RWB, the economy is threatening news diversity along with the survival of investigative reporting.
And things do not appear to be progressing for this country that joined the European Union in 2007.
In fact, many journalists are censoring their own work. Conversely, others continue to produce the same work. This can be risky though as there have been murders against reporters—Georgy Stoev in April 2008—and fierce attacks—Ognyan Stefanov in September 2008—who choose not to censor.
It is a reminder of dangers that could happen to journalists if they do not let the press become "nothing more than a communication tool in the service of private interests."
Now, Bulgaria's press is not the only country in the EU victim to organized crime pressures and violence.
In Italy there are approximately 10 journalists who are receiving police protection. Denmark and France fall into this category as well, protecting their journalists via police officers.
Spain, however, has the ETA that keeps pressuring journalists who advocate media rights and are critical of terrorism, to censor.
RWB secretary general Jean-Francois Julliard believes that the crime groups producing these pressures and their acts against the press must be focused on at the greater-European level.
He added that politicians in Europe running for office in June must make it a commitment to solve this issue.
It remains a priority of RWB to change the wrongdoings towards the press in Bulgaria and the rest of Europe.
MY OPINION:
I completely agree with Reporters Without Borders secretary general Jean-Francois Julliard who believes Europe needs to reform and fight back against the criminal organizations.
The upcoming Bulgarian parliamentary election candidates should hone in on correcting this problem.
Though, from what I understand it probably will not.
The press has so much power and to think that criminals are controlling it disgusts me.
It's frightening but important to know that reporters are being victims and recipients of violent acts because one day this will hopefully be my field of work.
And granted, my writing preference is to focus on sports but if I am uneducated about what is happening globally to reporters I feel I would be a very narrow-minded, niche-centered individual.
Sources:
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Europe and its economic problems: news from Jan. 30, 2009
SUMMARY:
Latvia and Lithuania
Two of the "Baltic tigers" are getting a taste of conflict.
Latvia and Lithuania are experiencing unrest and protest due to perceived corruption among bureaucrats, huge government spending cuts, inflation, and tax hikes.
Add to this the cold temperatures throughout the Balkans and it is easy to see why things have become chaotic.
In Vilnius — capital of Lithuania — thousands of unruly people gathered outside of the parliament buildings chanting phrases such as "thieves, thieves!"
Latvia and Lithuania
Two of the "Baltic tigers" are getting a taste of conflict.
Latvia and Lithuania are experiencing unrest and protest due to perceived corruption among bureaucrats, huge government spending cuts, inflation, and tax hikes.
Add to this the cold temperatures throughout the Balkans and it is easy to see why things have become chaotic.
In Vilnius — capital of Lithuania — thousands of unruly people gathered outside of the parliament buildings chanting phrases such as "thieves, thieves!"
Lithuania decided to institute in market reforms back in 2000 — which was inspired by the International Monetary Fund (IMF),
However, the country remains in suffering due to the economic slump. This can be arguably be pinpointed on the attempt of rapid economic restructuring towards free market principles.
Latvia is managing though, having a $7.5 billion Euro stand-by loan from the IMF.
The government envisioned these measures, which are required to be implemented as part of the "IMF's loan package."
The Legacy of decades of Sachs' "Shock Therapy"
Harvard trained professor Jeffrey Sachs, describes the current state Latvia and Lithuania are experiencing as "shock therapy" or "shock doctrine."
Often, the revamping methods herald a period of economic growth within the country.
According to Michael Werbowski, author of this article, this region has grown so much in the past due to "bubble-like growth...fuelled by easy credit, investment from dubious sources, unbridled speculative and shady property deals."
But the countries are no longer growing because of the collapse of the global banking system.
The economic downturn and current financial state of the region has made many locals upset, causing many to smash in shop windows and public buildings in the Baltic capitals.
OTHER PROTESTS:
Synonymous to the "Baltic Tigers," Bulgaria was hit by its own band of protesters.
Last Thursday doctors, farmers, police officers, and other workers protested against the low pay and growing economic uncertainty.
Many participants in the protests blamed the socialist run government of Bulgaria for its lack of dealing with the global recession domestically.
"New Europe" on the Edge
According to Werbowski, there has been protests try to shape the image of the participants as "anarchists, leftist[s], [and] militants."
However, from his personal experience, he notes that many of the citizens in the Czech Republic who aren't protesting are upset with the situation.
Werbowski proceeded to discuss how many of his friends throughout Europe are fed up with the corrupt actions of the incompetent government leaders.
Britain the sick man of Europe?
And though, at this point it may seem I have discussed all the countries in unrest, there have been reports that England is experiencing problems too.
Citizens have held meetings to challenge the planned enlargement of Heathrow airport.
It is possible that the dissatisfaction is due to U.K. financial struggles.
Normally the government responds to discontentment by using force against people involved in the "meetings."
But because of the global economic mess, any government aggression could cause more citizens to become enraged.
The majority of the people protesting are middle-class.
The EU in state of paralysis
Overall, the European Union is in a state of unease after institutional framework for the union was rejected by Ireland.
Those in opposition are led by the Czech president Vaclav Klaus — an ardent force against any further integration of the 27-member union.
The EU overall seems to be losing its power even though it has expanded its membership to countries like Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.
For example, the union has been unable to convince Russia to restore gas flows to the bloc. Also, there remains a dispute between Ukraine and Russia.
MY OPINION:
It saddens me to hear of all these people throughout Europe facing so much financial difficulty; it would be great if the United States could help out.
But the reality of the situation is that our country has too many financial and domestic problems to be concerned about.
The fact that Europe along with the U.S. being hit so hard by the recession is terrifying. I am beginning to think that America's days of being a superpower are through.
Hopefully the stimulus package will pass soon to potentially jumpstart our economy, which, in turn should affect Europe's economy positively.
Source:
World Press
Public image domain
Citizens have held meetings to challenge the planned enlargement of Heathrow airport.
It is possible that the dissatisfaction is due to U.K. financial struggles.
Normally the government responds to discontentment by using force against people involved in the "meetings."
But because of the global economic mess, any government aggression could cause more citizens to become enraged.
The majority of the people protesting are middle-class.
The EU in state of paralysis
Overall, the European Union is in a state of unease after institutional framework for the union was rejected by Ireland.
Those in opposition are led by the Czech president Vaclav Klaus — an ardent force against any further integration of the 27-member union.
The EU overall seems to be losing its power even though it has expanded its membership to countries like Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.
For example, the union has been unable to convince Russia to restore gas flows to the bloc. Also, there remains a dispute between Ukraine and Russia.
MY OPINION:
It saddens me to hear of all these people throughout Europe facing so much financial difficulty; it would be great if the United States could help out.
But the reality of the situation is that our country has too many financial and domestic problems to be concerned about.
The fact that Europe along with the U.S. being hit so hard by the recession is terrifying. I am beginning to think that America's days of being a superpower are through.
Hopefully the stimulus package will pass soon to potentially jumpstart our economy, which, in turn should affect Europe's economy positively.
Source:
World Press
Public image domain
Photo: Mantas IndraĊĦius
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