CPJ Special Reports

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CPJ MULTIMEDIA
2008 Special Reports Getting Away with Murder CPJ's Impunity Index ranks countries where killers of journalists go free Video: Journalists from Sierra Leone, Russia, and the Philippines describe the failure of justice and the effect on their work AMERICAS Cuba's Long Black Spring Versión en español Five years after the Castro government cracked down on the independent press, more than 20 journalists remain behind bars for the crime of free expression Video: Stories from Prison: Interviews by Borja Bergareche ASIA Burma's Firewall Fighters Burma's military junta imposed tighter Internet restrictions after the Saffron Revolution. But news continues to flow thanks to the exile-run media and their resilient undercover reporters. Audio: Shawn W. Crispin discusses the backstory of this report MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA The Other Iraq Iraqi Kurdish political leaders have cultivated an image of freedom and tolerance, but that increasingly clashes with reality. As the independent press has grown more assertive, attacks and arrests have increased. Joel Campagna discusses the backstory of this report Dateline Iraq—Five Years Later Three reporters tell CPJ about the dangers of reporting from Iraq Video: Bobby Ghosh, James Glanz, Jehad Nga discuss their experiences reporting from Iraq 2007 Special Reports Journalist Deaths Hit Decade Peak Versión en español Half in Iraq; record number in Somalia Video: The Washington Post’s Rajiv Chandrasekaran speaks about the murder of reporter Salih Saif Aldin in Baghdad. One in 6 jailed journalists held without charge Versión en español Versão em português Census shows an overall decline; China remains the leading jailer Video: Freed Ethiopian journalist Fasil Yenealem Agegnehu explains his experience behind bars. Backsliders The 10 countries where press freedom has most deteriorated Audio Slideshow: Robert Mahoney tells the backstory of this special report Journalists in Exile At least three journalists a month flee their home countries to escape threats of violence, imprisonment, or harassment. Audio: Listen to an audio report by Jenny Manrique AFRICA A Death in Eritrea Version française Paulos Kidane was a poet, actor, and sports reporter. Political turmoil consumed his career and ultimately took his life. Flight from Ethiopia Fifteen years ago, Befekadu Moreda was instrumental in establishing Ethiopia's free press. Today, after a harrowing journey, he's starting a new life in exile. Audio: Hear Befekadu Moreda describe his experiences AMERICAS A Mayor and a Murder In Peru, a surprising reversal by the Supreme Court leaves a slain reporter's family seeking justice. Static in Venezuela Versión en español The Chávez administration pulls a broadcast license as it asserts media muscle. Audio Slideshow: Carlos Lauría tells the backstory of this special report A Killing in Mexico Brad Will was shot down while documenting civil unrest in Oaxaca. No one has been charged. Is the government covering up? Bolivia's Historic Moment Versión en español Class and ethnic tensions stir antagonism between the Morales administration and the press. As a new constitution is being written, fears emerge that the media could face new restrictions. Audio Slideshow: Carlos Lauría tells the backstory of this special report News for Sale Versión en español In Argentina, millions of pesos in government advertising are distributed without clear rules or standards. News coverage is influenced as critics are punished and government-friendly outlets are rewarded. The Local Newsman Chauncey Bailey was a tough local reporter who dug into crime and corruption. The murder of a journalist may seem to be an aberration in the United States, but Bailey's case shows that there is much more to the story. A New Front in Mexico Versión en español Drug-fueled violence against the press has spread to the central state of Michoacán. At least two journalists' lives have been lost, and self-censorship is taking root. Audio: Hear Antonio Ramos tell his story (in Spanish) ASIA Falling Short As the 2008 Olympics approach, China falters on press freedom. Audio Slideshow: Kristin Jones on China, the Olympics, and press freedom Thailand at a Crossroads After a military coup, community radio stations bear the brunt of official repression. Cambodia's Battling Broadcasters In a country with few critical news sources, Radio Free Asia is taking on tough stories. As RFA puts the government on the spot, its reporters are on edge. Audio: Shawn Crispin describes the press climate in Cambodia The Road to Justice Marlene Garcia-Esperat is among dozens of reporters murdered in the Philippines. Unlike all the others, though, her case might actually be solved. Audio Slideshow: Elisabeth Witchel discusses CPJ’s campaign against impunity in journalist murders EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA Anya's Paper Long before Anna Politkovskaya was slain, her newspaper suffered devastating losses. Yet Novaya Gazeta pushes ahead, investigating corruption, abuse, and the deaths of its own reporters. Audio Slideshow: Nina Ognianova tells the backstory of this special report Faded Colors Some press gains are reported in Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan, but the Color Revolutions have yet to deliver lasting reforms. Another Mystery in Moscow Did a respected military reporter really jump to his death? In the case of Ivan Safronov, there are many questions, few answers, and not much hope. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA The Moroccan Facade Version française Politicised court cases, media law, harassment undermine a nation's press gains. Audio: Joel Campagna talks about Morocco and tells the backstory of this special report The Forgotten Man Reda Helal vanished in central Cairo four years ago. Now, even the memory of the prominent state editor has nearly disappeared. Why have the government and the press ignored his case? Audio Slideshow: Joel Campagna tells the backstory of this special report 2006 Special Reports CPJ 25th Anniversary Founded in 1981, CPJ marks its 25th anniversary with a series of events this fall. Deadly News Hundreds of journalists have been killed over 15 years, many on the orders of government officials. Few cases are ever solved. Internet fuels rise in number of jailed journalists CPJ census also finds more held without charge or due process. Virtual Reach of Faraway Jails Watson sees his contributors vanish. In cyberspace, the most repressive laws trump all. AFRICA 'Poison,' Politics, and the Press In Ethiopia's toxic political climate, Zenawi's government sweeps up journalists and shuts down newspapers. Slipping from Sight Their jailed colleagues vanishing in secret prisons, exiled Eritrean journalists seek to bring attention. AMERICAS Dread on the Border Versión en español Attacks spark fear, self-censorship in newsrooms of drug-plagued Mexican City. The Enemy? Al-Jazeera's Sami al-Haj has been jailed for five years without charge or trial. At the U.S. base in Guantanamo, he's called an enemy combatant. Will he get to defend himself? Radio Rage Versão em português Political influence permeates radio news in Brazil's remote Northeast. Radio hosts and independent journalism are victims. Audio Slideshow: Radio Rage in Brazil's Northeast ASIA An Open Case Four years after Daniel Pearl was brutally murdered in Pakistan, questions and concerns remain. China's Hidden Unrest Across rural China, ten of thousands of protests are waged against land seizures and corruption. Few people ever hear about them. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA In Iraq, journalist deaths spike to record in 2006 Majority are murdered; worldwide death toll rises. Princes, Clerics, and Censors Saudi Arabia loosens press shackles, but religion and politics are still perilous topics. Heading into Danger An Iraqi reporter must hide his profession even as he is compelled to follow its demands. Attacks, Censorship, and Dirty Tricks In Yemen, the press climate is deteriorating. Nationalism and the Press Türkçe versiyonu As Turkish nationalists resist European tilt, free expression is a victim. Drawing Fire A Yemeni editor's decision to reprint cartoons of Muhammad sparks government reprisals. Other cases abound. 2005 Special Reports Marked for Death The five most murderous countries for journalists. Under Stress News organizations step up help for journalists who encounter trauma. China, Cuba, two African nations are top jailers of journalists Versión en español Versão em português Version française Ethiopian crackdown fuels worldwide increase; U.S. is 6th among nations. AFRICA Freedom ... with Limits Senegal's leaders promise new rights, while its laws deny them. Disappeared Politics, money, and the press stir the mysterious case of Guy-André Kieffer. Zimbabwe's Exiled Press Uprooted journalists struggle to keep careers, independent reporting alive. AMERICAS Crackdown on the Independent Press in Cuba Versión en español Dozens of Latin American writers join CPJ in urging Castro to release jailed colleagues. Untold Stories Versión en español (pdf) Threatened on all sides, Colombia's news media muzzle themselves. Surviving Cuba's Prisons Unbowed, Jorge Olivera Castillo emerges from jail to speak out. ASIA A Country Silenced Nepal after the coup. On the Radio, Under the Gun Behind the rising death toll of radio broadcasters in the Philippines. Out of the Silence When Nepal's King Gyanendra switched offthe news, reporters switched tactics. EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA Russia: Thirteen Murders, No Justice Thirteen journalists have been killed in contract-style murders since Russian President Vladimir Putin took office, according to reporting by the Committee to Protect Journalists. No one has been brought to justice in any of the slayings. Witness to a Massacre An Uzbek reporter risked her life to tell the world of Andijan assault. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Jailing Iraqi Journalists The Pentagon is silent as U.S. military improsons local journalists. Night in Tunisia Even in the glare of world attention, Ben Ali resorts to strong-arm tactics. A Hostage's Ordeal In a new book, filmmaker Micah Garen recounts his captivity in Iraq. 2004 Special Reports Journalists in Prison As of December 31, 2004. AFRICA Fragile Freedom Unrest shatters press freedom gains in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with attacks and imprisonments surging yet again. Promises and the Press In Togo, journalists are skeptical but see opportunity in the regime's bid to shed sanctions. 'Rebellion' for Press Freedom In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the press freedom group Journaliste en Danger defends and advocates. AMERICAS Taking Sides Under Haiti's new transitional government, journalists—especially those who supported former President Jean Bertrand Aristide—remain at risk in a politically polarized environment. Free-Fire Zone Versión en español In Tijuana, a drug war ensnares the press and claims the life of a muckraking editor. ¡Libertad para Vázquez Portal! Versión en español A Cuban journalist is released from prison, but his 18 year sentence has not been annulled. Will he ever be truly free? Changes at VOA: A CPJ Briefing At Voice of America, changes prompt concerns about independence, credibility. Breaking a Bond Where will the United States stop in compelling reporters' testimony? ASIA In China, New Journalism and New Threats With China's press becoming more market-oriented, journalists are reporting more aggressively on crime and corruption—and are facing violent retribution for their work as a result. The Fixers On the front lines of international journalism, local fixers face growing dangers, and their Western employers face tougher questions. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Under Threat Iraqi journalists frequently face hazardous conditions on the job. Without a Net An online journalist endures brutal imprisonment in Tunisia—and lives to post again. Letter from Iraq As journalists become targets more often, a reporter finds a bunker mentality taking hold among the press corps. 2003 Special Reports On Assignment: Covering Conflicts Safety During the last decade, CPJ has compiled a list of 366 journalists who have been killed while carrying out their work. An analysis of this list gives some sense of the kinds of journalists who are most vulnerable to physical attack. Journalists Who Disappeared CPJ research indicates that the following journalists have disappeared while doing their work. AFRICA Free Joshua Fesshaye "Joshua" Yohannes is being held in a secret location in Eritrea. AMERICAS Crackdown On the independent press in Cuba. ASIA Out of Sight Borrowing a page from the U.S. playbook, the Indonesian military is restricting and controlling coverage of their war in the restive province of Aceh. Elusive Justice Two witnesses have identified a journalist's murderer, but in a city of warlord politics and rampant corruption, the suspect remains at large. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Permission to Fire CPJ investigates the attack on the Palestine Hotel. Web site content © by CPJ. All Rights Reserved except where indicated. Articles may be reproduced only with permission.