Press freedom in the news 11/10/08

By Andrew Levinson/Communications Assistant

The release of CBC correspondent Mellissa Fung, who had been abducted by a criminal gang in Afghanistan, is the focus of a few stories today. The Associated Press has coverage of her month-long ordeal, and that piece has been picked up by various papers including The Boston Globe and The Baltimore Sun.

The Web site BlogHer has a posting on the recent rise in journalist kidnappings in

Afghanistan

and questioned the procedure of a "media blackout" during such abductions. CPJ noted the release of another journalist, Dutch reporter Joanie de Rijke, who was released on November 7, a few days before Fung.

There are reports out of Pakistan that a journalist was killed late Saturday night by security forces at a military checkpoint. The BBC and Monsters and Critics have coverage of the death of Qari Mohammad Shoaib, a reporter for the Khabar Kar daily, who was shot when he failed to identify himself, according to a Pakistani official.

Making headlines today in The China Post is the news that the Chinese government will ask journalists to register for press cards, allegedly to "crack down on 'fake' reporters." The article argues that this a move designed to limit the growing number of freelance reporters working and China, and increase the state's tight grip on all media outlets operating within its borders.

November 10, 2008 10:32 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

Comments

By Susan Turner on November 11, 2008 1:32 PM ET

New here. I assume the principle of protecting journalists is one which your group sees as binding upon media employers but also, because of the seriousness of the threat, governments.

I also assume your group sees the principle as governing the conduct of journalists when it comes to looking out for each other and themselves.

What is your group's position then, when the principle of protecting journalists conflicts with the duty to reveal what is going on in the world espcially when governments go to great lengths to conceal it?

Susan
What factors does your group think should determine a decision in the face of this sort of dilemma?

Committee to Protect Journalists

CPJ Blog

Press Freedom News and Views

Press freedom in the news 11/10/08

Categories:

Tags:

Comments

Leave a comment

Journalist Assistance

Making an Impact

Correa's Ecuador

End Impunity

Research

Regions

Data

About Us

Become a Supporter

Subscribe

Contact Us