Abief Report of Freedom of Press in The World and Sudan

Sudan press watch
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Khartoum, Sudan
www.sudanpresswatch.com
Tel: 002483495432 - 002483495430
Fax: 0024983495431
A brief report of freedom of press in the world

and Sudan in
2008

The contents of the report
The subject
- Introduction
- The security and protection of journalists in international law
- The winners of the prizes of freedom of the press in 2008
- The third of May.. World Day of Press Freedom
-International Day for the freedom of expression on the Internet

(March 12)
- International Day for the right to knowledge (September-28)
Freedom of the press in the Sudan
- The commencement of the journalistic activity in Sudan
-the development of the law of the press in Sudan and the law of 2004
- General Union of Sudanese journali s Introduction

The security and protection of journalists in international law
- The winners of the prizes of freedom of the press in 2008
- The third of May.. World Day of Press Freedom
-International Day for the freedom of expression on the Internet (March

12)
- International Day for the right to knowledge (September-28)
Freedom of the press in the Sudan
- The commencement of the journalistic activity in Sudan
-the development of the law of the press in Sudan and the law of 2004
- General Union of Sudanese journalists
-charter of journalistic honesty
- The freedom of the press in Sudan in 2008
- Events and realities of press freedoms in the Sudan in 2008
-the position in the Sudanese newspapers
Indicators of the freedom of the press in 2008 and the results of the
questionnaires
Press freedom worldwide
- The freedom of the press worldwide
- Report of Reporters without Borders in 2008
- Canadian Journalists honor journalists from Sudan Zimbabwe
The freedom of the press in the Arab States
- The freedom of the press in the Arab States
- Violations of freedom of press in Iraq under occupation 21- the

conditions of press freedom in the Palestinian territories
- The conditions of press freedom in Morocco
- The conditions of press freedom in Yemen

- The conditions of press freedom in Bahrain
- The conditions of press freedom in the United Arab Emirates
- The freedom of the press in Qatar
- The conditions of press freedom in Mauritania
- The conditions of press freedom in Kuwait
- The conditions of press freedom in Tunisia
- The conditions of press freedom in Somalia
- The conditions of press freedom in Egypt
- The conditions of press freedom in Syria
- The conditions of press freedom in Saudi Arabia
- The conditions of freedom of the press in Algeria
The conditions of freedom in Israel
- Israeli violations of the freedom of the press
Freedoms of the press in Africa
- The conditions of press freedom in South Africa
- The conditions of press freedom in Ethiopia
- The conditions of press freedom in Nigeria
- The conditions of press freedom in Eritrea
-the conditions of freedom of press Burundi
- The conditions of press freedom in Niger
- The conditions of press freedom in Uganda
- The conditions of press freedom in the Democratic of Congo
- The conditions of press freedom in Kenya
- The conditions of freedom of press in Cameroon
Freedoms of the press in Asia
-the conditions of press freedom in Afghanistan
- The conditions of press freedom in Iran

- the conditions of freedoms press in Sri Lanka
- The conditions of press freedom in India
- The conditions of press freedom in the Philippines
- The conditions of press freedom in Pakistan
- The conditions of press freedom in Cambodia
- The conditions of press freedom in Thailand
-the conditions of freedom of press in Burma
- The conditions of press freedom in China
Freedoms of press in South America

- The conditions of press freedom in Panama
- The conditions of press freedom in Ecuador
- The conditions of press freedom in Cuba
- The conditions of freedom press in Brazil
- The conditions of press freedom in Venezuela
- The conditions of press freedom in the Dominican
- The conditions of press freedom in Guatemala
- The conditions of press freedom in Uruguay
- The conditions of press freedom in Bolivia
The freedom of press in Russia

- The conditions of press freedom in Russia
The freedom of press in the West
-the freedom of press in the West
The freedom of press in North America
-the freedom of press in the United States
- The conditions of freedom press in Canada

The freedom of press in Europe
- The conditions of press freedom in the United Kingdom 73- the conditions
of journalists in Germany
- The conditions of journalists in Bulgaria
- The conditions of journalists in Turkey
- The conditions of journalists in Azerbaijan
- The conditions of press freedom in Croatia
Abstract
- The conditions of press freedom in Australia
Assessment of the conditions of press freedom
- Assessment of the conditions of press freedom in the world in 2008
- The most prominent figures in the field of freedom of press
The recommendations
-the recommendations
- Definitions of organizations and sites
- The sources
In the Name of Allah
The Compassionate, the Merciful

Sudan Press Watch ( SPW ) started operation in April 2008 and it committed itself to
defend freedom of press in Sudan and the whole world, as well as the concern of issues
of journalists regarding training , working environment , conditions of service and
press institutions in terms of the economics of newspapers. SPW was able during the
short period to organize many of debates and training courses for journalists and make
internal and external relations to serve the issues of press freedom, and it is ready to
develop relations with all organizations working in this field locally, regionally and
internationally.
Among its important activities, SPW issued an annual report on the situation of press
f reedoms in the Sudan and the whole world in cooperation and based on all available
sources, its report for the third quarter of 2008 has been issued last September, and
before you report the freedom of the press in Sudan and the world for the year 2008,
which will be the first report, God willing.
Difficulties in the preparation of the report
The matter of access to information is a first entry of the accuracy of any
report on press freedom in the world or in any region of it. It is noticeable that there are

or ganizations such as Reporters without Borders have correspondents in all
parts of the world but in the preparation of the reports face by many difficulties... In this
regard, the General Union of Arab journalists described the reports which classify the
Arab States by saying: "However, the international reports focus on specific aspects of
the information and then based on a few sources of information, which creates some of
the gaps in their reports ..."it also says " we find that Iraq was ranked first in the volume
of violations of freedom of press .. While we find that Iraq in the middle in the level of
freedoms of the Arab countries in the international reports, which indicates a clear
divergence in the results" the Union added: "These differences require development of
Arab measure to the freedoms of press based on a thorough and careful monitoring of
these freedoms".
Methodology of the report
In our preparation for this report, we have depended on more than 56 local
and Arab and international source to obtain required data for the freedom of the press.
We (SPW)
are committed to a scientific survey and impartial methodology in dealing with the issue
of press freedom globally, regionally and locally. This approach is based on the
following:
(1) The use of questionnaires, which answers to the questions contained therein,
Sudanese journalists and members of the press and the distribution of newspapers. (2)
The monitoring and follow-up to the daily events and news in newspapers related to
press freedoms.
(3) Dealing with regional and global reports on freedom of press in the world for use it
to access to the information, we are committed to the approach we adopted.
That is the approach we have followed in the preparation of this report. We hope to
reach through to defend the rights and freedoms of journalists in the Sudan and the
world. Of course, this report doesn’t form all our ambition, but the beginning and we
hope to develop it in the future.
Security and protection of journalists in the international conventions
Why the journalists are subject to the risks?

The journalists in the world are exposed to the risks as they practicing
their duties. The nature of those risks comes because of their profession that imposing
on them the fact-finding, monitoring and transfer it to the public, including an impact on
public opinion. And that those who violate human rights and committing what is
shameful and convicted of crimes and violations and errors do not want people to stand
on the facts as they are, and who are willing to falsify the facts, that the real journalist
threat them. Hence, they are trying to "kill the journalist" in various ways, from
threaten him and even to kill him.
What types of risks which face journalists and from whom?
The risks that face journalists are different in degree from one country to another, but
journalists around the world generally subject to many risks appear in practicing of
different pressures on the journalist physically and morally , including the threat,
interference in the published article, arbitrary dismissal, summoning and inquiry, pre-
T rial detention and imprisonment without trial, imprisonment and abduction of
relatives to put pressure on the press or kill them (as happened in Iraq), physical
torture, beatings and insults, legal accountability, prosecutions , sentences of

imprisonment and a fine, the kidnapping and assassinations. The press institutions
subject to prior and subsequent censorship , legal accountability , trials, temporary or
permanent suspension and confiscation of the newspaper with its property. And many
authorities encroach upon the freedom of press , including , foreign occupying forces,
governments and its security and intelligence, its administrative institutions, the armed
movements and organizations of confidentiality.
The involvement of big powers and developing countries alike in the violations:
Carry out of violations of press freedom differ in degree from one country to another,
but international organizations working in the field of human rights and press freedom
continued to record the violations of freedom of press take place by the powerful
countries such as America, Italy and Germany, which is supposed to defend freedom
press, at the same time by the developing world.
Article (19 ) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
This article provides: "Every person has the right to freedom of
opinion and expression, this right includes freedom to hold opinions without
interference, and to obtain information and ideas, receive and impart any media and
regardless of frontiers." This article, which is part of the charters of the United Nations,
had an obligation to the 192 signatories to the Charter and representing the
international organization. But governments do not comply.
An interview about the safety of journalists and international

humanitarian law in the media during the war.
A t the site of the Red Cross has been conducting an interview with Ms. "Antonella
Notary," responsible for the draft on the issue of the safety of journalists and
international humanitarian law in the media during the war, under the title: (security
and protection of journalists and their crew and the international humanitarian law
and Media coverage) , Notary confirmed that " the civilian Journalists should be
R espected who in charge of coverage armed conflict and their protection under
international humanitarian law against any form of intentional attack)
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Article 79 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 as follows: "1- The
journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict
considered persons civilians (2) must be protected as such under the provisions of the
conventions that the" Protocol "provided that it does not take any action detrimental to
their status as civilians…."
As indicated in the study of international committee on customary rules of international

humanitarian law (2005) in its base 34 of Chapter 10 to the following: " civilian
journalists working in the professional functions in the areas of armed conflict must be
respected and protected as long as they are not engage in the hostilities.
the international humanitarian law prohibits in all armed conflicts explicitly the
following acts against persons who do not participate actively in hostilities or are
unable to participate: any violence against life and person, in particular murder in all its
forms, mutilation, cruel treatment , torture , taking of hostages, outrages upon personal
dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, the issuance of sanctions and
the implementation of the rule of executions without a previous court of law affording
all the judicial guarantees recognized as essential by civilized peoples.
Committee of Protection of Journalists announces winners of the international

press freedom in 2008
International Network for the exchange of information September 17, 2008

The Committee of Protection Journalists announced the winners of the
International Press Freedom in 2008: it said:" that Bilal Hussein from Iraq, Danish
Karachi and Faridah Nkzad from Afghanistan, Andrew Mwenda from Uganda and
Héctor Maseda Jutirres from Cuba " they risked their freedom, safety and above all their
lives, to deliver news and to promote freedom of press in their country.
Bellal, the photographer of Associated Press has been released in last April after his
arrest for two years without charge by the U.S. military. Danesh Karuchil is the Director
of Pajuok Afghan News, the leading news agencies in Afghanistan, and Faridah Nkzad is
Managing editor and deputy director of Agency. Andrew Mwenda is one of the most
outspoken and famous journalist in Uganda, he is the founder and chief editor of "The
Independent", the news magazine that draws criticism of the government. The Héctor
Maseda Jutirres was participants in the movement of the independent press in Cuba,
when he was arrested and imprisoned with 28 other journalists have been sentenced to
imprisonment for a term of 20 years. The committee also honored Beatrice Mtetwa, a
lawyer for Human Rights and she is prominent journalist in Zimbabwe, and she
advocate of freedom of press, by giving her Burton Benjamin Memorial Award for
overall achievement which made.
3/ May... Press Freedom Day….
On December 20 of 1993 the United Nations General Assembly rati ied as the 3/ May of
each year to commemorate the day the freedom of the press. The UNESCO has called on

the third of May 1991, to support the freedom of the press, it issued a statement in this
regard, with name "the statement of Windhoek ", the capital of Namibia, which was
considered the censorship of the press, is flagrant violation of human rights. The
statement defended the freedom of the press and the right of all journalists to work
without fear and in all parts of the world. . as the letter of the Secretary-General of the
United Nations Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day in May 2008
M in which he said: " the United Nations to be a relentless advocate for the freedom of
the press, and the men and women who make this freedom vibrant and vital, including
their dedication and for their talent , and the most troubling in this regard is that the
journalists who seek to shed light on the hardships suffered by others, are themselves
becoming targets of abuse."
Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho Ribeiro won the award the UNESCO / Guillermo
Cano World Press Freedom
The world celebrated on the third of May 2008 World Press Freedom
Day. The Director-General of UNESCO, Matsuura Kwesero announced that the

independent journalist Lydia Cacho Ribeiro from Mexico as winner of the UNESCO /
Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom for 2008. chairman of the Committee on
Arbitration Joethelolithe said : " a strong impression to members of the arbitral tribunal
to the courage of Lydia Cacho Ribeiron, and her continues to expose political corruption,
organized crime and domestic violence, despite the death threats, and the attempt on
her life as well as the legal battles"
The International Day for the freedom of expression on the Internet
T he organization of Reporters Without Borders has announced that in 12 March
2008, will organize the irst day of freedom of expression on the Internet, and from now
on, the date of 12 / March will be day to organize activities that denounce the of
censorship on the Internet in the world. "
September 28 the International Day of the right to know
The World Day of the right of knowledge hold every year in September 28 to raise
awareness of the right of everyone to know how to elected officials to exercise their
powers and ways of spending public funds, that have prevailed since 2002.
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The freedom of the press in Sudan
The start of journalistic activity in Sudan:
T he modern presses in the Sudan arose in 1903, through the issuance of The "Al-
Sudan" newspaper in that year. "Al-Hadarah" (means civilization) newspaper issued in

1919. In thirties literary newspapers published in a re lection of the impact of Egypt on
the Sudan. In the early sixties issued "Al-Sahafa", "Al-ayam", "Inbaa Al-Sudan", "Al-

Akbar" as political newspapers. And several newspapers issued as mouthpiece of
political parties.
After the revolution of May, led by former President Jaafar Nimeiri 1969 all of the
newspapers became subject to the ruling party ., but after the end of Nimeiri regime ,
and the arrival of the rule of the parties in the 1986 , the elected government decided to
return the nationalized newspapers to the owners , and Council of press and
publications gave licenses to issuance the newspapers , which mounted 109 License,
including the publication of newspapers, magazines and periodicals, then 50
newspapers was published in Sudan including daily, weekly and bi-weekly. .
when The Government of the revolution of Salvation came in 1989 has taken
extraordinary measures which have been suspended all daily newspapers, and " Sudan
Alhadeeth "," Al-Inqaz" issued at that time . but after the mid-nineties the freedoms of
the press spread out , and all people has right to establish companies and to issue the
newspapers , since then the press in Sudan became independent from the state and it
managed by private-sector. (Source : National Council for Press and Publications)
Development of the law of press in Sudan:
The first decree to regulate the profession of journalism was issued in 1930. In 1973,
the first national law to the press and publications was issued an alternative to colonial
law in 1930 which follow up the Council of Press and Publications that established
under the Press and Publications Act, to the Ministry of Culture and Information .and
the affairs of press were in area of jurisdiction of Ministry of the Interior.
T he National Council for Press and Publications Act was passed In 1993, and in
according with ,the joint stock companies to the press was established , the law also
aimed at to provide capital for the industry of press and involvement community in it.
There has been development in the law of press after the issuance of the Press Act in
1999, followed by the Press Act in 2004.
Press and Publications Act of the year 2004:
The country is currently operating in accordance with the Press and Publications Act
that was enacted in 33 by the National Council in 2004,which under , the Press Act of
1999 was cancelled , to keep all the procedures and regulations and orders issued by
the force to be repealed or amended. We cite here the most important paragraphs of the
law:
The law established, "the National Council for Press and Publication to have a legal
personality, the areas of jurisdiction of the Council are policy-making in the field of
journalism and the work to promote of the profession of journalism and overseeing the
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overall performance of the institutions and media companies. As to the authorities of
the Council are the licensing of press companies and institutions, the press and the
consideration of complaints from those affected by the publication of press articles, and
the signing of the sanctions provided for by law.
The bodies may publish newspapers and press releases and publications are the
companies and political registered organizations or any social corporation or scientific
institution or government unit for the development of scientific and specialist activity
and the foreign communities.
T he rights and immunity of the Journalist:
The journalist enjoy, in accordance with the law, the rights and immunities as follows: -
* Not to be subjected to any unlawful act to influence his/her fairness or integrity or

commitment to their professional duties.
* Protection of his/her journalistic sources.
*Not to subjected to the responsibility when he convey the information or expression of

opinion, except in accordance with the provisions of the law
* With the exception of red-handed in crime, it is not authorized to arrest journalist on

charges related to the exercise of the journalistic profession only after notification to the
President of the General Union of journalists.
* Each and every public official or a person who in possession of information concerning
the state and society to make such information available to journalists, unless they have
already classified under the law as the information may not be published.
* The journalist may not be dismissed from his work only after the notification of the
General Union of journalists with reasons of the dismiss , and If the period of month
ended , and the Union failed to reconcile between the newspaper and journalist , the
two parties to seek a decision from the provisions of the Employment Act 1997.
Duties of the journalist in accordance with law in 2004:
* The journalist has to be honest and sincere in his journalistic career with a
commitment to journalistic principles and values enshrined in the Constitution and law.
* the journalist has to no publish any confidential information relating to the security of
the country or the regular forces, and he must take information from the spokesman of
the force concerned.
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* The journalist has to be comply with professional values and rules of which mentioned
in the sheet of journalistic honor which adopted by the General Federation of
journalists.
The duties of the publisher
* allocate a certain percentage of the Foundation's funds to spend on media training, as

determined by the regulations.
* Adopt the profitable conditions of service to the journalists working in institution of

the journalists, in accordance with fair standards governed by the Employment Act
1997 or any other law replaced.
T he publisher has to present the financial statements and other accounts related
to the press foundation for review by the General Audit Office.
Penalties and sanctions
The law provides for penalties of reprimand, requiring the paper to apologize, or to
publish the Council's decision on the contrary, warning, denial of privileges allocated by
the Council, calling the attention, published reprimand, suspension of the newspaper for
a period of less than seven days unless a judicial decision. The Council must before any
penalty to any person to give him the right to hear and defense.
the sanctions contains the fine determined by a court, to stop the newspaper or print
media or the service center or the printing press for period which it deems appropriate,
if the contravention is repeated, write-off the journalist from the record, the
cancellation of licenses, if the contravention is repeated more than twice, or the
confiscation of the printing press and press publications in the case of repeated
violation.
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General Union of Sudanese journalists

new law to the press and publications passed In 1993 which has allowed publication of
newspapers through public shareholding companies. After a three-year experiment , the
law was amended to make possible the publication of newspapers by the public and
private companies and individuals and the Journalists Union in the same year in 1993
the same private law.
The law of professional associations passed in 1995, which regulates trade union action,
under which the General Union of Sudanese journalists was established with period of
five years.
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The Charter of the press honesty
The Charter of the press honesty issued in 2008 as the following text:
We pledge (Sudanese Journalists) to full commitment to the professional and

behavioral principles and values which contained in the Charter of press
honesty, and we will respect it voluntarily or choice, no matter how tempting
and means of sticks and carrots, and ways of the carrot and the carrot.
We commit ourselves first:

to defend the interests of the country, its unity, survival, safety, institutions,
methods of defense, and the interest of citizens, and the distance from the
betrayal, suspicion and betrayal of the duties of the nation, and to observe
the laws, and respect for religions, customs, traditions, and to protect
national, physical and moral gains, and we will exert the lives, money and
pens.
We commit ourselves secondly:
to respect basic human rights in the areas of civic , economic, political, social
, cultural life, in accordance with the laws and customs, values and Sudanese
virtuous legacies, the human values in our local, regional and international
environment and to work to preserve it with our pens individually and
through our professional unions and associations .
We commit ourselves thirdly:

to respect and protect morals , ethics, religious values and its believers, also
to protect honors , special secrets, sanctity of individuals and corporations ,
and non-violation of public shame , and to intend to responsibility and
justice in the criticism and correction .
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We commit ourselves fourthly:
We pledge to be fair in saying, writing, integrity, accuracy in report
news, and the expression and the transparency in delivery of the facts to
the public, and circulation information among the people with sincerely
and balance, the general sense of national responsibility to achieve
consultation and exchange news and views to achieve the objectives of
comprehensive development and purification all aspects of life to the
country and all mankind.
We commit ourselves fifthly

To protect the administration of justice in the country, keeping away from
any action that would influence the course of justice or prejudice of any of
the parties in litigation before the courts.
We commit ourselves sixth

to fight against all forms of corruption and predatory behavior that harms
the interests of the country and good values in the fields of economy,
politics, governance and Sociology or any other activity.
We commit ourselves seventh:

to avoid harmful excitement on the interests of the community, stay away
from desires of material greed and the temptations of economic profit
when dealing with professional work and management of press
institutions, and in dealing with journalists and to determine their rights
and duties of employment, and follow up the strong, trusty journalistic
traditions in dealing with information materials and written
advertisements.
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We commit ourselves eighth:
To deepen the spirit of fraternity, cooperation, support and
professional fellowship in the press community as whole. Also
keeping away from innuendo and bickering and personal
defamation, and to avoid contributing to seed hatred among the
general public or journalists in particular. We commit ourselves
ninth:
to work hard to confirm the well-being and respect for veterans and
senior journalists, and to emphasize the care and training and
guidance for beginners and young journalists, and inspire the spirit
of cooperation and affirmation of the right of both personal and
syndicates, and to take effective and concrete measures to achieve
the coherence and strength of the press entity to achieve the lofty
mission of the press.
We commit ourselves tenth:

To stick together with the values of the right locally, regionally and
globally, to communicate with word and deed with the press and
journalists in Africa and the Arab countries and developing countries
and the rest of the world, and we promise of this commitment, and
God is the best witness.
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The freedom of press in Sudan in 2008
The issue of the economics of newspapers
T he issue of the economics of newspapers has an influential role in the freedom of
press, because the question of the advertisement and distribution has effects on the
that is written in the newspapers, as well as Sudanese Journalists suffering of problems
of wages , working environment and poor training .. On this basis, SPW focused on this
matter and set up a symposium under the title (the economics of the newspapers) in
cooperation with the "Al-Sahafa" newspaper. On the other hand, newspapers publishers
have decided to raise the price of the paper than fifty piaster to one pound, but they
retreated from that before the implementation because of their sense that there is
strong opposition to that trend.
All Khartoum newspapers distribute 185 thousand copies
Al-Sahafa newspaper, Tuesday July 15, 2008 No (5409)
Workshop organized by the National Council for Press and Publications, in cooperation
with the Hawass Center for press and documentation has revealed decline in the
distribution of Sudanese newspapers. The managers of distribution companies
confirmed existence of real problems in the distribution of newspapers in the capital
and states. The workshop cleared that the average daily volume of production of
Sudanese newspapers in 2007 was 650 thousand copies, declined to 550 thousand
copies in the year 2008, and the average daily sales volume of 450 thousand copies
declined to 400 thousand copies in the year 2008, while the average size distribution,
which compete for political newspapers a day in 2006, 161 thousand copies, rose to 225
thousand copies in the year 2007, and then collapsed in 2008 to 185 thousand copies
only.
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Training of the journalists
although the Press Act 2004 provides that (allocate a certain percentage of the
Foundation's funds to spend on media training, as determined by the regulations.), But
the Sudanese newspapers have not done so, newspapers and attributes this failure to
insufficient revenue with and income, therefore, other authorities took the issue of
training, including the National Press Council And the General Union of Sudanese
journalists and the Sudan Press Watch (SPW) and other organizations. The (SPW)
promised to provide the opportunities of training to the reporters.
The event of freedom of press in the Sudan 2008
The issue of "Alwan" newspaper:
In May 2008, following the failed invasion on city of Omdurman by the Justice and
Equality Movement, Alwan daily newspaper headed by Mr. Hussein Khodjaly (editor-in-
chief) issued news on the first page dealt with the issue of military-related nature of the
invasion by the Justice and Equality Movement on the city of Omdurman was not
included in the relevant data. The competent authorities considered that the news
expose the paper to face the Press Act in 2004, and under the article 6 andof the
National Security Forces Act of 1999, as amended in 2004. Accordingly, Alwan
newspaper subjected to the closure.

Lifting of the ban on the headquarters of Alwan
In August 2008, Sudanese newspapers reported news story entitled (the lifting
of the ban on the headquarters of the Alwan for printing and publishing company ...
Security Service undertakes keeping of all freedom issues) , the text of news was :" the
director-General of the National Security and Intelligence , Salah Abdullah issued
directive to lift the ban on the headquarters of the Alwan for printing and publishing
company . He reiterated his full support and commitment to responsible press freedom
which will be directed to the national issues through the Sudanese press in coordination
and consultation with all press institutions in the country to service the homeland and
citizens.
Arrest of chief editors in Sudan and charged with publishing false news
Asharq Al Awsat newspaper , February 20, 2008
KHARTOUM: Ismail Adam
Again, the relationship between the press and the Sudanese government strained, the
prosecution arrested 8 journalists, including 4 editors-in-chief, some to 25 hours and
others for more than 9 hours of the investigation, after their newspapers published
news attributed to sources, on the transfer of police officers to retire and promotion of
others. The police considered the news are false.
In reaction to the step, the journalists marched an angry demonstration, denouncing the
move as illegal and infringe upon the freedom of t press, as they waved slogans bearing
such meanings. The protesters demanded the newspapers to boycott the news of police.
The journalists recognized the error that occurred in the news, but they believe that the
actions which have been taken undermine the freedom of press and in contravention of
the laws.
A judicial complaint against the Al-Intibaha newspaper
Intibaha ,Monday, March 31, 2008
T he Complaints Commission of the National Council for Press and Publications has
advised the governor of South Kordofan state, represented in Hisham Ali Saleh to resort
to the judiciary in the complaint made by the governor against Intibaha newspaper
because it published press coverage entitled (what is happening in the South
Kordofan?), on March 31, No (458) .. The commission said in its resolution adopted
unanimously, it handled in the meeting No. (831) on 32 March 2008 on the complaint
26

and it concluded that the publishing by the newspaper is committed professional side in
accordance with applicable law and the Charter of the press honor.. as to documents
contained in the complaint require data and assess that is not available to the
Complaints Committee of the National Council press releases and publications, and
therefore advised the complainant to go to court ..
Approval of return work of the joint mechanism between the Council and the
editors and the national security
April 16, 2008
T he enlarged meeting which was held on House of Sudanese Journalists Union,
which brought together Union and chief editors of political daily newspapers and Press
Department of the national security, has approved activation of the joint mechanism
between the Council of Press and the chief editors of newspapers and the national
security. Also was agreed not to send the papers to the headquarters of national
security with activation the Charter of the press honor which is agreed upon by
journalists. The meeting had focused largely on the issue of censorship, where speakers
stressed their rejection of such censorship and overcome this phase as soon as possible.

Cooperation between the United Nations and the Union of Journalists in the areas
of training
Chairman of the Press Syndicate Mohedin Tetaoi , with presence of the secretary –
general Fateh Alsaid and the secretariat of the training Asamwl Amin Awad, met with
Director of Information Office of the United Nations in Sudan Mr. Khalid Mansour.
Manor affirmed during the meeting cooperation with the General Union of Sudanese
journalists in the fields of training and capacity-building for the journalists.
Housing of Sudanese journalists:
Delivery of 500 houses to reporters in coming April and new presentation for the
third time in May:
T he deputy head of the Sudanese Journalists Union Mr. Abdullah Abid has
announced handing over 500 houses to journalists in the housing project organized by
the Journalists Union in collaboration with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Public
Utilities of Khartoum, state during the month of April.
Obaid praised the efforts of the Minister, Abdel-Wahab and his positive positions to
deliver the houses to those who paid the amount of six million (3000 dollars) as a
provider premiums. And they will deliver the remaining houses who will pay the
amount of six million over the past few months for the month of October. Abid said that
250 houses will be handed over in Sharq Alneel and alike in Alsawra region.
And at the same level, Abdullah Abid announced the response of the Minister to the
Union's request to open the presentation to those who have missed the opportunity
during the month of May.
Celebrations of Press Freedom Day on 3/ May 2008
Sudan and the world celebrated on the third of May 2008 Press Freedom Day. SPW
expressed concern about the situations of press freedom at the local, regional and
international level including, assassinations and attacks against journalists. The SPW
said in a statement on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, it is very concerned
about toward Mock trials, unfair arrests, kidnappings, detention and the threat to
journalists.
The General Union of Sudanese journalists issued a statement on this occasion ,

emphasizing its adherence to the principle of freedom of press, and welcomed the
release of journalist Sami al-Hajj. The EU called in to expedite the amendment of the
Press Law, leading to law support and develop the profession and beyond faults in the
current law where in line with the constitutional developments in the country. The EU
28

rejected the prejudice to the freedoms and rights of journalists and to create trouble for
them and weaken their ability to address the issues in the entire world, including the
Sudan.
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day
SPW calls for opposition attacks against the freedom of press

Khartoum: May 3, 2008
SPW issued a statement on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, which was:
(in this third day of May, which is World Press Freedom Day, SPW watches with great
concern the situations of press freedom at the local level, regional and global levels:
1- Assassinations and assaults against journalists and correspondents and

photographers in the conflict zones and beyond.
2- Mock trials and unfair arrests, abductions, imprisonment and threats against
journalists in various parts of the world.
3- Restrictions and censorship on newspapers and confiscation and limit the

freedom of journalists to express their views and to shackle the press with laws
which limit its freedom.
SPW calls upon all governments to stop all forms of attacks on press freedoms
and journalists, emphasizing the need to give them information so that they can
perform their duties in the service of their communities. On World Press
Freedom Day ,SPW asks God to have mercy upon the journalist Mr. Mohammed
Taha Mohammed Ahmed and other journalists who have been killed or dead, it
renewed pleased and welcomed the release of journalist Sami al-Hajj and
requests to be released to confirm lofty meanings and the calling for the exercise
of free and fair press .
SPW welcomes the release of Sami al-Hajj

Khartoum: Sudan in May 2008
SPW issued a statement on the occasion of release Sami Al-Hajj stated: (SPW
welcomes the release of Sami al-Haj and his colleagues who remain in detention
in Guantanamo prison for more than six years without trial or specific charges in
flagrant violation of human rights and international covenants. SPW condemns
29

all forms of attacks against journalists in all world, including assassinations,
arrests and unfair trials and various forms of harassment against them in the
performance of their work. In the context of preserving the freedom of press,
SPW expresses concerns of any conditions associated with the release of Sami
al-Haj prevents him from natural right to freedom of movement within and
outside Sudan and work in his previous position of Al Jazeera channel or any
other site he chosen for the conduct of his profession.)
Supreme Court acquit (Al-Sudani) daily and ERWA and Madani
Al-Sundi 4/5/2008 No (888)
The Supreme Court has acquitted Al-Sudani newspaper in the case of the national
security and intelligence, the paper considered the decision of the Court of Appeal to
convict the Editor-in-Chief of Al-Sudani Mahjoub Erwa and adviser of Editor Noordin
Madani is contrary to the legal measures. On the other hand, legal experts considered
that the decision of the Supreme Court agrees with the law and represents a true victory
for justice and freedom of the press and an affirmation of the independence and
impartiality of the judiciary.
Press conference with ministry of interior
Alwatan: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 No (1779)
In an important meeting held yesterday between Minister of Interior Ibrahim Mahmud

Hamid, General Mohamed Naguib, Dr. Adel Alaajp, and the chief editors of newspapers
and the media with a joint arrangement between press office of the police and the
Sudan News Agency (SUNA) has reviewed the all issues relating to the management and
functions of Sudanese police.
Following the press conference, the Minister of Interior and the Director General of
Police and his deputies met with editors-in-chief in private, where they came out,
repeating (no grudge between us), referring to strained the relations and
misunderstandings between the police and newspapers in the past months, where
everybody sticks to open a new page in the service of the sacred national partnership
between the press and the police and all organs of the State.
Intibaha resume publication tomorrow
Alwifaq: Monday, May 26, 2008 No (3533)
Intibaha newspaper will resume publication tomorrow on Tuesday after the lifting of
suspension, which it announced earlier because of practices of some employees of the
Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) in National Security toward the newspaper.
The Administration confirmed that the lifting of the suspension came after agreement
with the official authorities.
30

Council of Press drops complaint against the (Sudani) the Sudandi: Monday May 26,
2008 No (910)
The Commission of complaints in the National Council for press and publications has
decided to drop complaint presented by Professor Bushra Hassabu against the Al-
Sudani newspaper because of the absence of a violation of law of the press. The
commission said in its decision and the merits of the complaint that it had decided after
meeting to drop the complaint unanimously. The Committee found (there was no
violation to the law of press and publications for the year 2004).
General Union concern on the displacement of journalists
Rayaam: Monday June 2, 2008 No (3846)
the General Union of journalists expressed concern about the displacement of number
of journalists , warning that the current risks which surrounding the field of
investment in the journalism, which had led to the suspension of a number of
newspapers from publishing . The Union called on these institutions to meet their
obligations.
Cancellation licenses from 3 newspapers
Alsahafa: Monday June 16, 2008 No (5381)
The National Council for the press and publications has requested from the court to
withdraw a license of 3 political newspapers which are "(Alhayat), (Alkabar) and
(Aladwaa) for violating the terms of the license. The Council demanded the departments
of these newspapers and the competent authorities in meeting held yesterday to
guarantee the rights of journalists before embarking on their final liquidation.
Journalists Union declares its solidarity with the workers in suspended

newspapers
Al-Sudani: Tuesday June 24, 2008 No (939)
Chairman of the Press Syndicate, Mohiuddin Tetaoi has embarked on making contacts
with the concerned authorities to solve the issue of (Alwan) newspaper, which was
recently closed, and he reiterated the position of the Union of Journalists and stand in
solidarity with the journalists working in these papers. Tetaoi said to (Al-Sudani) after
meeting, organized by journalists yesterday in house of Journalists in Union, that they
seek to address the situation of the workers who lost their jobs or re-issuance of the
paper or assimilation in other institutions.
A group Minawi'Movement attack journalist
Rayashap: Wednesday, 6-25-2008 No (849)
31

A group from Minni Minawi, Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLP/A) attacked
yesterday journalist Abdullah Mohammed Isaac in its headquarters in Omdurman.
Isaac said to (Al-Sudani) newspaper that he had been invited to the meeting by the
leaders of the (SPL/A) at their headquarters , but he was taken aback by the attack in
front of the hall filled with attendance and forcibly they took him to one of the offices.
Isaac registered communication under Articles 143 of minor damage and 164 violation
of the privacy in Omdurman Police Station and the measures still under way.
Journalists Union confirms that Ocampo'claims on the SMC is false
July 16, 2008
The General Union for Sudanese journalists has confirmed that the claims presented
by Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court , Ocampo are null legally and
traditionally and it doesn’t based on any logic , stating that accusation of the Sudanese
Media Center (S. M. C) by Ocampo is misleading to the local and foreign media on the
issue of Darfur. The Union described the accusation as shameful and far from the truth.
"The (S.M.C) can't influence international and local opinion, and also that the
international and Western press does not draw its information from (S.P.W), The
General Union expressed its full rejection of the intervention of the International
Criminal Court in the Sudanese media.
Council Press expressed concern over to foment sedition by some newspapers
Akhr Lahza: Monday 11/8/2008 No (731)
the National Council for Press and Publications has expressed its concern over conduct
some of the newspapers in English and Arabic, which used to foment ethnic hatred and
provoke tribalism among citizens of the country , at a time , when the country witnesses
intensive efforts to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the council
asserted during its regular meeting held yesterday at its headquarters that continuation
this approach in Sudanese press would negatively affect the future of the nation and its
integrity , At the time surrounded by a lot of threats and risks.
Shaikan calls for the Sudanese Journalists for bringing them under umbrella of
medical insurance
Akbar Alyaom: Thursday, News 8-28-2008 No (4989)
Follow-up: Buthaina Abulgassim:
official of medical insurance in Shaikan Insurance company D.Adil Alaalim affirmed

their readiness to offer the best types of medical insurance services to sector of
32

journalists , In recognition of their effective role in the country . Alaalim stressed that
The process has already begun by addressing the General Union of Sudanese
journalists on the need for registration of all journalists under the umbrella of
insurance, stressing the need for discussing on how it is, then go back to the company.
This came in the framework of the activities of the training course held by the company
solidarity with the public relations and management training.
Graduation new group of Arab journalists from Aljazeera Center
Eman Nassar: Qatari Raya:
A new group of journalists have finished their practical training in camp of free
word and media factory to work in field of Arab journalism, they equipped with
professional standards devised by Al Jazeera Channel. Twenty-three persons from
Sudan specialized in the field of media. the graduation ceremony to celebrate Sudanese
media men hosted by the jazeera Center was attended by the Sudanese)
Law of the press to where?
A summary from Ajras Alhuriya, Sunday 31/8/2008 No (133) follow-up: Muzammal

Altayeb
The National Council for Press and Publications in coordination with University of
Khartoum has organized the first Media symposium under the title (the law of the press
to where ..?) In Sharjah Hall on Wednesday, 27/8/2008...
The director of the symposium , Murtada Algali has addressed the importance of the
Press and Publications Act in this delicate situation in the country, stressing that there
is a real problem facing the Press and the press law in terms of content must be
commensurate with the political development of the country. the Secretary-General of
the National Council for Press and Publications, Dr. Hashim Al-jazz stressed the
importance of this forum for its scientific neutrality and justice .Al-jazz added that they
after passing of press law in 2004, they intended to amend it with 200 personal interest
in the press and media area, but they are not safe from vitriol after passing of the law.
He mentioned
that the Council issued a decision, that the Council will not leave any of the draft,
considering that it was implementing the law, saying that the decision was correct , Al-
jaz added when the Committee of Information headed by Yasser Arman came to meet
us , we put our vision to contribution away from a draft because that will be a function
of the Council. He pointed out to the six-party Joint Committee between the National
33

Assembly and Council of press, which provided many of papers in the council, and the
talk was about freedom of press and promotion of its effective role in the next stage.
Director of the Center for future trends, Dr. Mohamed Mahjoub Haroun indicated that
the center supports the democratization process with funding from UNDP and put (4)
laws, which are the draft Law on radio and television, satellite transmission, free access
to information and the draft press law. The journalist, Faisal Mohamed Saleh said" I
thought that we have buried this law, namely, the law in 2004 and we thought that all
government institutions have agreed with us that this law had been buried, the
commission of information in the National Council invited us in 2006 for the workshop
on the press law 2004 , I mentioned that the press law has some of faults .
D. Mohieddin Tetaoi pointed out that the press of laws continued with its amendments
continued in different eras, it does not buried one day since 1978. He added that the
amendments of the Union of Journalists is the transfer of journalistic qualification to
the Union instead of council of press and return of the subordination of the printing
presses to the council of press and the rule to be elected from little number of
journalists and a few figures of the community.
Kordofan honors its media
Al-sahafa: Monday 1/9/2008 No (5456)
City of Alobeid celebrated last Thursday its citizens who working in media. The
ceremony, organized by General Union for Students , attended by Presidential Adviser

Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail , the state Governor, Dr. Faisal Hassan Ibrahim and members
of his government , former governor state Ghulamedin Osman, head of commission of
resettlement in Darfur Musa Maadibo. The cultural night began with musical and
dramatic presentations from Palestinian Band for Folk Dance and Kordofan Arts Band.
Then honoring the persons who working in media and they have been given (shields)...
Handed over by the Officials state and the members of the Union.
Press Council suspends two newspapers
KHARTOUM: Alahdath: Tuesday 2/9/2008
Council of Press has suspended, "Sudan Tribune" and "Citizen" newspaper yesterday.
the owners of the tow newspapers William Ezekiel and Niall Paul said that the National
Council for Press and Publications suspended publication of two newspapers dailies,
which means virtually closed them until further notice , while the Council stressed the
suspension of two newspapers, but insisted that decision of suspension issued for
"administrative" reasons and not political. Reuters quoted a spokesman for the Council
that the suspension of two newspapers because of absence of their editors-in-chief out
of Khartoum in accordance with their licenses.
SPW welcomes return Sudan tribune to publish, and hope return of (the
citizen)
SPW: 6/9/2008
SPW expressed its deep concern over decision of the National Press and Publications to
suspend the issuance of (Sudan Tribune) and (Citizen) in English. And with the decision
to allow the Sudan Tribune newspaper to continue its work, however, the SPW
welcomed and appreciated the decision of the council , but expresses its concern for
suspension (Citizen) newspaper until now . SPW calls upon the Government of National
Unity (GNU) to play its part in the protection of the profession of journalism and

journalists , it also call on the Council of Press to urge the State to support economies
of newspapers and expand the scope of freedoms , and hopes the Council will not
R esort to any suspension or sentence that may harm workers at newspapers. SPW
also demand departments of newspapers to take into account the interests of workers
and interest of the profession to avoid the reasons that might lead to the suspension
and the displacement of workers.
Press Council to move the legal and administrative procedures against Al

(Captain) and (Mireq)
Akir Lahza: Tuesday 9/9/2008
the National Council for Press and Publications Press decided to move legal and
administrative procedures against (Captain) and (Mireq) newspapers for the
application of the judicial ruling issued by the press court on 17/ September last year
against 5 Newspapers. The council said in a statement yesterday, it has noted that the
tow newspapers disavowed what they pledging not to return to the insults and address
of the personal lives of individuals.
Sami al-Hajj honored during a global conference of journalists Alastqsaiien Intibaha

September 14, 2008 Oslo - The Norwegian Institute agencies honored for investigative
journalism and in the presence of more than 500 international press, journalist Sami al-
Haj, who is now working on the island, a producer of news .. To what it describes as the
Foundation of Norway, daring, his courage and steadfastness on the principle of media.
T he Haj unveiled bargains for U.S. release during the investigation, stressing that U.S.
intelligence confirmed to him in the first days of his arrest that he had been arrested by
mistake, but can not release him. Sami al-Haj confirmed the presence of intelligence
officers and soldiers from various countries, including Israel. He said al-Hajj: (I think
that the Americans used to manage Balisrailiyn Guantánamo Bay, because they have
experience in the management of such detention to arrest Palestinians).
Sudan Press Watch regrets the situation of press freedoms in the third quarter of 2008
the site of the Sudan Press Watch issued 20/9/2008 m Sudan Watch said this week its
report on the third quarter of this year on which he expressed regret and concern at the
killings and torture And kidnapping against journalists in the world during the third
quarter of this year, provided through the monitoring of the situation of press freedoms
and the problems facing the profession in Sudan and the Arab and African worlds and at
the global level.
Sami al-Hajj honored during a global conference to investigative journalists
36

Al-Intibaha: Oslo- Agencies September 14, 2008
T he Norwegian Institute for investigative journalism has honored, in the presence of
more than 500 international journalists, Sami al-Haj, who is now working on the
Aljazeera Channel as a producer of news ..the Norwegian Institute described Sami al-
Hajj with courage and persistence to the principle of media .
The Haj unveiled U.S. bargains for release him during the investigation, stressing that
U.S. intelligence confirmed to him in the first days of his arrest that he had been
arrested by mistake, but it can't release him.
He also confirmed presence of intelligence officers and soldiers from various countries,
including Israel. (I think that the Americans used to Israelis to manage Guantánamo Bay,
because they have experience in the management of such detention to arrest
Palestinians) He added.
SPW regrets the situation of press freedoms in the third quarter of 2008
SPW site 20/9/2008
SPW has issued this week its report on the third quarter of this year on which expressed
regret and concern on the killings, torture and kidnapping against journalists in the

world during the third quarter of this year.SPW provided through the report monitoring
to the situations of freedoms Press and the profession to the problems of journalism in
Sudan, Arab and African worlds and at the global level.
WIPO honors a number of Sudanese journalists
Khartoum: Akir Lahza Sunday 28/9/2008 No (779)
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) honors this evening, a number of

Sudanese journalists in House of General of Union for Sudanese Journalists under the
auspices of Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Mohammed Yusuf Abdullah. Director
General of (WIPO),Dr. Kamil Idris, who was attended to the country specifically for this
event , would decorate gold medals and certificates to some journalists for their
intellectual and cultural efforts during the long years of work . A ceremony would
attend by a group of political, executive, cultural and media leaders.
Arrest of chief editor in South Sudan
ALahdath: agencies 12/10/2008
Editor-in-chief of (Citizen) ,English newspaper, Paul Niall revealed yesterday he was

detained by the authorities in Southern Sudan after publishing an article which criticize
the large salaries paid to officials at the Ministry of Legal Affairs in southern Sudan. Paul
said by telephone from a police station in the southern capital, Juba, that he has been
accused of defamation and publishing false information.
Accusations against Sudanese journalists of receiving funds from U.S
Khartoum October 14, 2008:
Akir Lahza daily published in on Tuesday, October 13 that f 3 Sudanese English-

language newspapers and 16 Sudanese journalists has received large inancial support
,amounted 223,716 $ .the paper added one of the objectives of support is publishing
new newspaper to support American vision to the situations in Sudan. The National
Council for Press and publications has announced forming commission of investigation
on this matter, and to confirm the integrity of the Sudanese press center.
SPW welcomes the wining Sami al-Hajj the international press from (Canadian
Journalists for Free Expression) Khartoum 9/11/2008
SPW has issued a statement in Khartoum on 9-11 / 2008 Saying: SPW welcomes the
International Press Freedom Award, presented by the Canadian Journalists for Free
Expression, which won by a Sudanese journalist Sami al-Hajj along with the journalist
Cikman Muajjari, correspondent of the "Zimbabwe Independent" and the Canadian
journalist C. Gym Bolling. SPW welcomes the prize which will be submitted at Toronto
on December 8, 2008, it believes that it re lects the global solidarity with the
information and support the issues of press and freedom of expression.
38

Press court condemns (Al-Sudani) and (Al-Maydan) newspapers of harmful lying
Khartoum: S. M. C 15/11/2008
T he Court of Press has issued judgment which convicts and fines Al-Sudani
newspaper, in the communication No. 97 registered by the National Security because of

false publishing on detentions of National Security. The court had convicted earlier Al-
Maydan newspaper under article 66 of the Criminal Code in conjunction with article 26
and 27 of the Press and Publications Act. The National Security accused the editor-in-
chief, the photographer in addition to the two speakers to the newspaper, who claimed
that they have been tortured by the National security, of false lying.
Journalists walking to the National Assemply in protest against censorship:
Khartoum November 17, 2008
S udanese journalists walk in procession to the National Assembly in Omdurman to
protest against censorship, but the police has detained them for several hours, as some
newspapers ceased publication for a day to protest against censorship. the International
Network for the exchange of information said at its site : (Ajras Alhuriya ) " and other
newspapers from Khartoum led demonstrations against the censorship of the media in
Sudan. On the following day, 10 newspapers refrained from publishing for a day
deployment, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Earlier this month, more
than 50 Sudanese journalists went on hunger strike for a day, and 3 newspapers,
including "Ajras Alhuriya ", to close its doors for 3 days, according to Article 19 and the
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information. Also the writers decided to withdraw
their columns.
Position of the Sudanese newspapers:
Certified journalistic companies until August 2008
1. House of Sharaf for press, printing and publishing / January 2008 / a private
company.
2. Masarat Gadeeda for the production of information / February 2008 / private

company
3. Mathabah for multi-activities / March 2008 / private company.
4. Port Sudan Madinati for multi- activities / May 2008 / private company
39

5. Alamjad for printing and publishing, researches and investment / May 2008 /
private company
6. Alarbaeen for Press and Publishing and Media Production / May 2008 / private
company
7. Salawat for limited publication / July 2008 / private company.
8. Taba for Information Ltd. / August 2008 / a private company.
9. Alhisn of information Ltd/ August 2008 / private company
The Batran Co. Ltd and other companies have been ratified.
Newspapers which issued until December 2008
T he newspapers which published in Sudan until December 2008 reached to 53
newspapers , including 33 comprehensive political daily newspapers, , and 4

newspapers in English, target English speakers of Sudanese and non-Arab presence ,
10 newspapers sports and 6 social newspapers . There are certi ied newspapers and
under preparation for publication. The newspapers which issued during 2008 are:
1- Ajras Alhuriya / February 2008 / political daily
2- Al-Kurah / March 2008 / sports daily
3- Port Sudan Madinati / April 2008 / political daily
4- Almajd / May 2008 / social News
5- Alakar / July 2008 / daily political
6- Habib Albalad / July 2008 / sports daily
7- Arrayed / August 2008 / political daily
8- Alsharq Alduwalya / August 2008 / daily political
9- Almustagila / December 2008 / political daily
10- Alhurra
11- Alaasima
Statistics of professional journalists during 1994 - 2008
40

professional journalists at the end of the year 2007 amounted 3372 journalists ,
including 3143 males and 229 females, and number of associate journalists is
496,including 372 males and 124 females. Until August 2008 the number rose to
3552 professional journalist, and a total of associate journalists are 542.
Newspapers which administratively suspended during 2008
1. Alsharie Alsiyasi 2- Alwan (the emergency law) 3-Alhayat Wannas 4- Alwihda

5- Citizen 6- Almuraqib 7- el-Hilwah. 8- Sawt alummah 9- Alsaha 10-
Almuntakab 11-Almajd.
Sanctions against Sudanese newspapers from January to August 2008
Advertising:
Total Sport social political Penalties
1 _ 1 1 Suspension
13 4 _ 9 Warning
27 4 8 15 Reprimand
11 1 _ 10 Correction
2 _ _ 2 Draw the attention
5 2 _ 3 No suit
6 2 _ 4 Apology
_ _ _ _ Compromise
88 19 8 61 Total
The regulation has defined in respect of advertisement that the newspapers

have to abide by 60% of the irst page as (maximum) and 40% for editing.
Indicators of freedom of press in Sudan in 2008 and the results of the

questionnaires:
Indicators of press freedom in international and regional reports:
41

T here are many indicators in the world to measure the freedom of press
in different countries. Reporters without Borders say, for example, they had
adopted in one of its reports on one hundred and forty-an indication to classify
the world countries with respect to press freedoms. One of the important
indicator is the ownership of the newspapers and whether these newspapers
follow the Government or the private sector and parties, because the ownership
of newspapers to the government cancels its freedom. The Arab Journalists
Union has adopted in his irst report (2005) its description to the structure of
Arab society and indicator of freedom of Arab Journalists, indicator of Arab press
freedom, indicator of the country's relations with the Arab press community and
the forms of press censorship on the Arab press.
On the other hand , the High Council of Information in Jordan has adopted in his
report to the 2007 indicator of media freedom, freedom of editors-in-chief,
indicators of managers of media institutions, an indicator of freedom of
journalists. the High Council also addressed the media environment in the form
of Act No. 27 of 2007 which has amended to the Press and Publication Act, the
law guaranteeing the right of access to information No. 47 of 2007 , and also
growing number of newspapers, magazines and electronic media, training, and
expand cooperation with Arab and international institutions. In the details of the
indicators mentioned above, the questionnaires consider one of the means of
measuring freedom of press., such questionnaires often focus on indicators of
murder, kidnapping, detention, torture, interrogation, trial, threats, dismissal,
withholding of information, pressure to reveal sources and other indicators for
the journalists. As for the newspapers and press institutions, there are indicators
of ownership of the newspapers, censorship, and closure of newspapers,
confiscation of the means of production, complaints, accountability, prosecutions
and other indicators.
Indicators of freedom of press in the report (SPW)
For the Sudan the issue of freedom of press goes beyond the ownership of
newspapers and freedoms of journalists and journalistic institutions to
economics of newspapers and conditions of journalists , therefore , the issue of
the economics of newspapers appeared (distribution, advertising, cost and
revenue), and the situation of journalists in terms of conditions of service among
the indicators . The questionnaires concluded questions related to the legal and
administrative environment and distribution of newspapers in states and
42

attention to its problems, and how stakeholders see the state's contribution in
addressing their issues. The indicators used in this report are:
- The ownership of newspapers
- law of press 2004
- the conditions of newspapers and press institutions
- the conditions of journalists
- the cost and revenue of distribution
- Analysis dailies and events of press freedom in Sudan
- cost of printing
Indicator of ownership of Sudanese newspapers and its distribution
the Press Act in 2008 make ownership of newspapers follow private

companies and civil society organizations, not the government, as the text of
the law: (The following bodies may publish newspapers , press releases and
press publications in accordance with the conditions contained in this law: -
A. registered Companies in accordance with the provisions of the Companies

Act of 1925.
B. Any political organization registered legally in the condition to be

responsible for the newspaper editor-in-chief meets the conditions set out in
the article "26."
C. Any social or scientific institution or government unit for the development

of scientific activity provided that headed by editor-in-chief meets the
conditions set out in the article "26."
. The foreign communities living in the Sudan may publish bulletins news and
publications for them, after obtaining the necessary license from the Union
and in accordance with the conditions set by the regulations.) Thus, if we look
at the ownership of newspapers in Sudan today we find:
(1) Private companies owned the private sector.
(2) political parties most of them opposition parties (the Sudanese

Communist Party, the Umma Party, Popular Congress Party, forum just
peace party ),and one newspaper owned by the ruling National Congress
Party of the majority in power ,and others owned by the Sudan People
Liberation Movement(SPLM) which is pursuing a line of opposition to the
government.
43

(3) There are bulletin news and periodical publications issue by various
institutions owned by the public sector or private or professional
associations.
The circle of the private sector has expanded in the field of journalism, and
the press companies in Sudan reached at the end of 2007, 31 companies and
10 companies were added to it until August 2008 to become the 41
companies operating in the field of publishing newspapers and magazines.
And the publishing of newspapers increasing constantly, has reached 50
newspapers in Sudan until November 2008, including 30 political
newspapers, 4 English- newspapers which target non-Arab speaker, 10
sports newspapers, 6 social newspapers. And there are certi ied newspapers
under preparation for publication.
Indicator of Press and Publications Act:
through questionnaires, we find that the majority of answers focused on to

say that the Press and Publications Act of 2004 contains a good articles for
the press and journalists, but need to modify some of its items and to suit the
stage for the holding of elections and The next democratic freedoms and
political party. the Union of Journalists has demanded to amend the law.
many seminars were held to deal with the different views in this regard, and
there are views of the members of the Press Council and views of editors-in-
chief and Journalists and various political forces . The new law under
discussion until the preparation of this report.
The press Act provides for the following:
(The right and immunity of the Journalist:
28-1- the journalist enjoys rights and immunities as follows: -
A. Not to be subjected to any unlawful act to influence his fairness or integrity

or commitment to his professional duties.
B. protection of his journalistic sources of information.
C-. Not to be subjected to accountability when he convey the information or

expression of opinion, except in accordance with the provisions of the law. d.
Except in cases of flagrante delicto, may not arrest the journalist on any
charge related to the exercise of the journalistic profession, only after
notification to chairman of the General Union of journalists.
2. Each and every public official or a person who in possession of information

concerning the state and society to make such information available to
journalists, unless they have already classified under the law as the
information may not be published.
44

3- May not dismiss the journalist from his work only after the notification of
the General Union of journalists the reasons of the dismissal ,and If the Union
of Journalist failed to compromise between the newspaper and journalist
during one month , the parties must to seek a decision from the provisions
of the Employment Act of 1997.
4- The Council should take appropriate action to ensure the rights and immunity of
the journalist.
Indicators of freedom press in the Sudan in the light of results of

questionnaires:
SPW has presented 6 questionnaires to the editors-in-chief of newspaper,

journalists, and distribution companies, owners of stalls of distribution,
publishers and printers. The number of respondents to the questionnaires is
379, including 16 editors-in-chief, Secretaries, directors of editing, and 292
journalists in Arabic newspapers and 9in English newspapers, 8 distribution
companies, 32 owners of stalls, 5 publishers and 17 working in the ield of
printing.
Indicator of situations of press and press institutions
To measure this indicator, a questionnaire for the freedom of the press in Sudan
in 2008 was presented and distributed to editors-in-chief, managers, advisers
editing have included the questions listed in the table below, which also included
answers to the questions from editors-in-chief and Managing Editor as follows.
8 they didn’t 4 4 Censorship

answer
6they didn’t 6 9 Complaints

answer
1 doesn’t answer 6 10 Legal

accountability
4 they didn't - 15 Full closure

answer
15 1 The temporary
closure 1
45

14 1 Confiscation of
means Of
production
14 1 Confiscation the
paper before
printing
16 - Confiscation
after printing
4 they didn't 6 6 Taking of articles

answer before printing
2 they didn’t 13 1 Pressure to

answer reveal sources
1 he does not 14 1 Intervention by

answer the owner
1 he does not 7 8 Exposure to

answer financial losses
2 they didn’t 5 9 Weakness in

answer distribution
2 they didn’t 5 9 Weakness in the

answer advertisements
2 they didn’t 10 4 Internal or

answer external
temptations
Within the answers to the questions contained in the questionnaire, the respondents
said that the Press and Publications Act of 2004 needs to be further reviewed to
harmonize with the political reality. The censorship must be lift on newspapers, while
some said that the law contains good articles for the newspapers and other articles
needed to amend. the majority of the respondents said that the Charter of the press
honor is good, but there are deficiencies in practice, and State must raise taxes on the
inputs and support newspapers directly and the advertising is weak and should be
pages to states , also said that there is balance in the newspapers between opinion and
the press service.
46

T he questionnaire shows that there is a complaint from the censorship and
taking off articles from the newspaper, and there is weakness in the advertising and
distribution.
(2) Indicator of the situations of journalists
to measure this indicator , the questionnaire for the freedom of press in Sudan in 2008
was presented to journalists ,The questions listed in the table below, which also
included answers to the questions, and the number of those who answer the
questionnaires 301 journalists, and the content
of the answers as follows: Yes No Notes
Notes No Yes The question
40 didn’t answer 260 1 Torture
39 didn’t answer 262 _ Kidnapping
40 didn’t answer 259 2 Beatings and insults
42 didn’t answer 243 16 Arbitrary dismissal
42 didn’t answer 253 6 Preventing of profession
40 didn’t answer 206 45 Internal or external

temptations
37 didn’t answer 143 121 Adequacy of salary
41 didn’t answer 165 95 Means of movement
39 didn't answer 140 122 Training
41 didn’t answer 136 124 Rights beyond services
43 didn’t answer 128 130 Services of General Union

For journalists
47

44 didn’t answer 146 111 Access to information
other didn't answer 196 45 Taking off article before
Publication
46 didn't answer 250 5 Press to uncover
The sources
71 didn't answer 223 7 Summoning by security
45 didn't answer 254 2 Detention without trial
38 didn't answer 263 _ Attempt to assassinate
During the answer to the questionnaire , majority of journalists said they are asking the
Department of newspapers press freedom in writing and improving the working
environment and to provide of aids, they also demanded Union of Sudanese journalists
to do its duty and protect the journalists, and from the National Council for press and
publications to lift its hands from registration of journalists and more attention to
training. The journalists called upon the State to commit democratic transformation and
to lift censorship and interaction with the newspapers and provision of information.
(3) Indicator of cost and revenues of distribution
to measure this indicator , the questionnaire of freedom of press in Sudan in 2008 was
presented to the distribution companies and owners of stalls . The questions listed in
the table below, which also included answers to the questions have been answered on
questionnaires 40 people, including 32 of the owners of stalls and 8 of distribution
companies:
Notes Inappropriate Appropriate Question
6 didn’t answer 4 30 Time of receiving

Newspapers
5 didn’t answer 25 10 Means transport
Newspapers to states
6 didn’t answer 32 2 Cost newspapers to

states
48

5 didn’t answer 2 Price of newspaper
To the public
33
6 didn’t answer 1 Cost of distribution

compared with
33
revenues
6 didn’t answer 34 _ Net profit of

distribution
6 didn’t answer 34 - Taxes and other

charges
6 didn’t answer 32 2 Gaining in capital
6 didn’t answer 34 - gaining in states
8 didn’t answer 26 6 Cooperation of

locals
6 didn’t answer 4 30 Location of stalls
(4) Indicator of cost and revenues of the publisher (advertising and distribution)
to measure this indicator , questionnaire for freedom of press in Sudan in 2008 in was
distributed to the publishers included the questions listed in the table below, which also
included answers to the questions:
notes Inappropriate Appropriate Question
3 2 Prices of printing Press
5 _ Taxes and governmental Charges
5 _ Taxes of advertising,
2 3 Cost of distribution, compared with

revenues
4 1 Expenses compared with Revenues
5 _ Income Publisher from of distribution
49

2 3 Income of Publisher From advertisements
5 _ Gaining from states
2they didn’t 2 1 Net profit of Publisher

answer
The questionnaire included question about their proposals to develop publishing

process, they answered that it is necessary to study the problems of publishing
scientifically to reach a solution with all sides and a large publishing houses to merge
the current deployment and the separation of distribution and printing and the work of
new laws take into account the global developments and the adoption of tax and
customs exemptions, and stop the levies.
(5) Indicator of cost and revenues of printing
to measure this indicator ,the questionnaire of freedom press in Sudan in 2008 was
distributed to the printers, included the questions listed in the table below, which also
included answers to the questions:
Questionnaire included questions concerning the opinion, the answers as follows:
notes Inappropriate Appropriate Question
5 they didn’t 11 1 Prices of printing Materials

answer
5 they didn’t 12 - Taxes and governmental charges

answer
6 they didn’t 10 1 Taxes on printed Materials

answer
5 they didn’t 11 1 Cost of printing compared with revenues

answer
5 they didn’t 10 1 Expenses compared with the revenue

answer
5 they didn’t 10 2 Gaining from newspapers

answer
50

5 they didn’t 10 2 Net profits of the printer
answer
The difficulties face the printing are the high cost of operating materials , printing
paper, inputs of printing and lack of spare parts for printing presses , lack of training
and rehabilitation of employment , local taxes and fees and ,electricity. The question:
Who is responsible for all this? The answers focused on the Ministry of Finance and the
Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of trade.
The proposals of handling focused on raising awareness about printing in the Sudan ,
reduction of taxes on the printing presses , the elimination of tariffs , opening training
centers for workers to support the printing at home and to seek to build paper and ink
factories and provide funding for the printing press.
Analysis of daily proceedings of the freedom of press in Sudan
Through the monitoring of the daily proceedings of the freedom of press in Sudan, we
did not find any case of murder, kidnapping, torture, detention without trial for a long
time in the Sudan for 2008, but there are cases of suspension of newspapers and assault
and battery of short-term detention and complaints of in:
Suspension:
- Alwan newspaper has been suspended, under the National Security Act and
the Press and Publications Act for publishing military news. Its property has
been released, but it was not allowed to resume publication as of the date of
this report.
- 3 licenses were pulled out from "Alhayat","Alkabar" and "Aladwa"

newspapers for violating the terms of the license.
- The council of press has suspended "Sudan Tribune" and "Citizen" for an
interim period.
Attack on the journalists:
- There are two cases of assaults on journalists, one attack on journalist Adlan
Awad, editor in Hikayat newspaper, the other attack on journalist Abdullah
Mohammed Isaac by group of Mini Minawi Movement.
Arrests:
- No arrests for long periods, but about 8 journalists and 4 chief editors in
Sudanese newspapers have been arrested in charged with publishing false
news, by the prosecution for 25 hours. Also journalists have been arrested for
several hours, following their parade to National Assembly.
51

- Detention of Chief Editor in South Sudan.
Recourse to justice in the complaints against newspapers:
- Complaints Commission in the National Council for Press and Publications

has advised the governor of South Kordofan state to resort to the judiciary in
the complaint he made against (Intibaha) newspaper
- Press Council to move legal and administrative procedures against Al

(Captain) and (Mariq)
- The Supreme Court has acquitted (Al-Sudani) in the case of National security
and intelligence against the editor-in-chief Mahjoub Erwa and adviser of
Editor-in-chief Noordin Madani.
- Write-off complaints:
- Complaints Commission in the National Council for the press and

publications has decided to cancel a complaint against (Al-Sudani)
newspaper, presented by Bushra Hassabu to the absence of a violation of the
law of press.
Displacement of journalists
- Suspension of many newspapers led to displacement journalists and their

loss of sources of livelihood.
Privileges obtained by the journalists
- Honoring of Kordofanian journalists in the city of Alobeid
- Honoring of Journalists by the World Intellectual Property Organization

(WIPO)
- Journalists obtained 1000 houses ready for habitation.
- Obtaining of journalists free treatment from hospitals medical broadcasting
- Shaikan calls upon the Union for Sudanese Journalists to consider bringing
them under umbrella of medical insurance.
- Entering of journalists to health insurance.
- Gaining many of reporters to trainings at home and abroad.
Freedom of press internationally
The World Association for Newspapers reveals the harsh reality of the press:
Almashriq Alielami said at its site on 5/9/2008:
52

World Association for Newspapers in its semi-annual report which was published on
Saturday, drew a bleak picture of the freedom press in the world. The Association said
that 28 journalists from various countries have been killed since November 2007, nine
of them in Iraq, adding that press freedom is seriously threatened from all sides, Tunisia
and summarized by saying it was "the most repressive countries for the press in the
Arab world." The Association said that freedom of press is threatened "by the gangs and
corrupt officials in Latin America and the authoritarian regimes in the Middle East and
conflicts in Africa and prosecutions in central Asia and Europe."
The Association, which is hosting in the conference 1800 persons who came from 113
countries, said that China "did not respect the commitments" of freedom of information
which made in organizing the Olympic Games. The report suggested that the policy
adopted in Russia, "it seems designed to prevent any independent coverage of sensitive
issues," and said that the Russian presidential elections in March "increased harassment
and violence against journalists."
Global broadcasters unite to address the threats freedom of press
Washington, January 22, 2008
The five most important international broadcastings have united its ranks for the first
time, in the face of growing challenges they face in access to their listeners around the
world. "The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has issued and Radio Deutsche
Welle (German) and Radio France International (Radio France International), Radio
Netherlands Worldwide and the Voice of America have issued a joint statement, in
November 30, 2007, they expressed concern about freedom of world media.
The Director-General of Radio Netherlands Worldwide said: "We truly believe that the
freedom of the press has been diminishing over the past few years. It is one of the basic
human rights, but facing the threat of more and more."
Report of Reporters without Borders for 2008
Reporters without Borders Issued on 22/10 March 2008 world rankings in terms of
freedom of press. The classi ication included 173 countries of the world, the report said:
"the world after 11/9 has become very clear, disorders shake the throne of the largest
democracies which stand ready to counter any attack and bite area freedoms slowly,
while the more powerful dictatorships and authoritarian arrogance increasingly taking
advantage of the existing divisions in the international community and the destruction
of war declared on behalf of the fight against terrorism.."
The organization added: "In this context, it should be the policy of how the voices of
freedom in the countries advocating closed to the world, led by the fishermen of the
worst press freedom, to stay in total impunity as long as the international organizations,
the United Nations would lose all control over its members. However, this world
deviation gives the small and vulnerable States seeking economic opportunity
53

excellence to ensure people's right to oppose the government and the announcement of
the public opinion, despite all the suffering. " And "This classification includes the first
period from September 2007 to the irst of September 2008, but not just highlights the
superior position occupied by European countries, (Twenty-first top-ranking countries
that belong to the European area, except New Zealand and Canada) but also on the
supervisory ranks occupied by some countries in Central America and the Caribbean. In
ranked twenty-first and twenty-second, close to Jamaica and Costa Rica, Hungary (No.
23) on a few mattresses from Suriname (No. 26) and Trinidad and Tobago (No. 27).
"And" In the absence of solutions to political problems, the countries involved in violent
disputes remains , such as Iraq (No. 158), Pakistan (No 152), and Afghanistan), No
156), Somalia (No 153), "black areas" in the world press. Assassinations, abductions,
arbitrary detentions, and death threats is daily news.
T he worst countries in the world rankings for the Reporters without Borders as
follows:
Iraq (158), Syria (159), Libya (160), Saudi Arabia (161 (Uzbekistan (162), the
Palestinian Territories (163), Laos (164), Sri Lanka (165), Iran (166), China (167),
Vietnam (168), Cuba (169), Burma (170), Turkmenistan (171), North Korea (172) and
Eritrea (173).
The report gave the United States of America (No. 40) on American territories , and
ranked 119 out of U.S. territories), and gave Israel (ranked 46 on the Israeli territory,
and ranked 149 out of Israeli territory) and that of the 173 countries covered in the
report
Sudan was classi ied Sudan as No 135.
Elaf criticizes report of Reporters without Borders
Under the title (fairness and impartiality or ignorance and bias control arrangement?)
Elaf electronic newspaper criticized on October 24, 2008 ranking of countries in the
area of press freedom by Reporters Without Borders on October 22, where Elaf said: (it
seems that report of Reporters Without Borders "on the freedoms of the press in 2008,
which State of Kuwait took the first place in Arab world in respect of the freedom of
press fair and impartial. But soon appear a question mark, when we look in depth to the
arrangement of other countries on the list of the organization in 2008.
Arab source fear of existence of prejudice against some countries result of political and
ideological backgrounds, the source asks about the standards of ranking, taking a
neutral and fairness of this organization under the microscope and reference the order
of some States to ignorance of Organization of some Arab countries and its bias towards
the other countries worldwide.
54

Canadian journalists honor journalists from the Sudan and Zimbabwe
IFEX October 29
Sudanese journalist Sami al-Hajj, who jailed at Guantanamo for more than 6 years, won
the International Press Freedom Awards from the Canadian Journalists for Free
Expression along with a reporter from Zimbabwe who revealed some tricks of Mugabe
to retain control of the country and Canadian journalist Chem. Bolling. Carroll Off
Chairperson of the Commission awards the organization says: "We honor this year,
three journalists, they did not give up all their principles and journalistic integrity."
95 journalists killed in 32 countries during the 2008 Lebanon's An-Nahar said on

14/12/2008: 95 journalists have been killed in 32 countries during their duties since
year according to the annual report of the (PEI's) non-governmental organizations
based in Geneva, which was published yesterday. The report contained the most serious
countries in the world on the lives of journalists as follows: (1) Iraq: For the sixth year
continually, Iraq still in 2008 , the most dangerous country in the world, despite a drop
in the number of journalists were killed by 70% for the year 2007 (50 dead).
Since the beginning of the war in Iraq in 2003, the organization recorded death of (at
least 265 journalists) in the country.
(2) Mexico: Mexico is ranked second among the more serious country, where (the
crime wave) increased with nine journalists killed in 2008 (compared to three year
2007).

(3) Pakistan: with eight journalists killed in 2008 (compared to ive last year), the
country ranked third place. (4) India: India came in fourth place (seven-for-two dead in
2007)
(5) Philippines: The Philippines ranked fifth (six compared to four deaths last year)
(6) Georgia and Russia: Georgia its share was (five deaths) and Russia (four people,
compared to one year, 2007).
In addition to the killings, the report pointed to (many of the kidnappings of journalists
in Afghanistan, Somalia , the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Gaza and Mexico).
The organization commended (accepting some countries to establish informal group
working in Geneva) to prepare a draft bill on international protection of journalists in
areas of con lict and violence. The organization has 35 unions in about one hundred
countries. (AFP)
The freedom of press in the Arab States
Bill of organization work in Arab TV channels
in February 12, 2008, the Arab ministers of information endorsed bill of

organization work of the satellite channels that are demanding the channels to commit
the maintenance the Arab identity from negative impacts on society and to preserve
society ,national unity , public order and public morals . The text of bill gives the
signatories the right to pull out the licenses of media organizations which violate the
provisions of the bill or non-renewal to it of or stop it for as long as it deems
appropriate. "Qatar is the only Arab country that voted against the project. This bill has
been criticized as restricting the freedom of broadcasting on satellite channels.
Absence of freedom, lack of independence of the judiciary.. Lesion of Arab press
(Swissinfo) (Hammam Sarhan) has interviewed the international coordinator of the

Committee to Protect Journalists to the Middle East and North Africa in Cairo, Kamal-
Obeidi, in February 2008. Obeidi said that 2007 was the worst for journalists, where the
year has seen a marked decline in the freedom of press, also the delinquency of Arab
governments to tighten its grip on the press; rejecting "fear and intimidation messages,
sent by the Arab regimes to reporters to draw their resolve and discourage them from
continuing their duties"
Obeidi said in an interview with (swissinfo) on the sidelines of a press conference held
by the Egyptian Press Syndicate on Monday, February 4, 2008:" despite the bleak
picture, but the number of determined to exercise the profession of journalism is
increasing and number of bloggers who write the courage to grow, and these signs of
hope. He pointed out that the "lack of freedoms and the lack of independence of the
judiciary, are the most threatening of Arab Journalists," he criticized the insistence of
56

Arab governments to intervene in the work of judges and put pressure on them,
adding that "unfortunately, the judges and the courts are used in the Arab world as tools
for settling scores with political opponents ".
He said: Indeed, there are many obstacles which obstruct the work journalists,
including, legislative, administrative and other restrictions ". he further added : When
some journalists watching what is happening to their colleagues , only because they
addressed topics to talk about which cost them a lot, they - without doubt - think twice
before doing so they have done, which puts obstacles in front of their own.
Moreover, what is being done by governments and the Arab regimes, with some
journalists - from the pressures and restrictions - is in fact a letter addressed to the
general press, for information, the bulk of journalists read these messages into account.
Kamal Obeidi in an interview with Islam Online is talking about the freedom of
press in the Arab world:
Wisam Fouad (Islam Online)
Kamal Obeidi in a dialogue with Islam Online said:
(Situations of Arab press freedoms witnesses' noticeable decline because of the attacks
by the governments. We have detected a clear change in the methods of the Arab
governments, in particular, where features of twisted methods to silence journalists and
newspapers, rather than direct attack on them or dragging them directly to the trials
because of their information. And we have watched this change in About a dozen
countries, on the top Egypt and Morocco, where these countries began to resort to civil
or foreign parties to initiate judicial proceedings against journalists accused of elastic
cases, or at least have no political media role which exercised by journalists. This is
what it impose prison sentences on journalists, or burdening their newspapers with
heavy fines.
He said: Some of the journalists to be charged with terrorism, such as Tunisian

journalist Zuhair Yahyaoui who was arrested before his death, and placed in the first
period of his stay in the prison wing of terrorism before it is transferred after a period
to another wing.
57

Crisis of freedoms... Not a crisis of Arab journalism
Fahmy Howeidi: Intibaha- Thursday, May 8, 2008 No (906)
Morocco: When the director of Al-Watan newspaper , which is now published in

Casablanca , that the World Press Freedom Day this year is the worst in the Arabic
media, he was expressing case exceeding the limits of Morocco country-to include
several Arab media suffer from various forms of repression. The director of the
newspaper, Abdul Rahim Irere was speaking on the issue of the journalist Mustafa
Hurmatallah who is now on hunger strike. Hurmatallah was captured because he issued
a document of Moroccan army concerning the precautions necessary to counter threat
of possible terrorist, according to the (Middle East).
Tunisia :
The news in Tunisia reported news of hunger strike number of employees in

(Almawqif) magazine to protest against the arbitrary dealing by the government
towards their magazine, and attempt to force it to stop its publication. The magazine
had published an editorial calling for the government to dissolve vegetable oils
contributed in the market; after Algerian laboratories discovered that the oil imported

from Tunisia containing a high percentage of lead is harmful to the health of consumers.
As you saw the opinion expressed by the magazine in this issue does not affect the
security of the State , and it did not mention a specific category of oil, but the newspaper
demanded accountability if it is proved that the oils are harmful to health.
Because this news, the newspaper was prevented from distribution. and five
manufacturers of oils filed case against the paper ,demanding compensation for the
magazine 450 thousand dollars worth of losses. It was apparent from the circumstances
of the case it is fabricated and false, because not only prevent the distribution of the
magazine, but also because the editorial did not mention the company itself as well as it
did not accuse anyone, but only called for an investigation of the matter.
Libya :
The situation is not very different in Libya, which has been transformed Muhammad
Tranbish to press court to charges of (misleading the public and provoke public
opinion) through his articles published in (Mal WA Aamal) newspaper. These matters
criticized many time by President Gaddafi and his son Seif al-Islam, but when Tranbish
talked about it , his talk considered misleading the public and provoke public opinion,
and he has been summoned to the court be a lesson to others.
Yemen:
In Yemen now, the editor-in-chief of (Alshura) newspaper Abdul Karim Khaiwani is

trying on charges of forming a cell of sabotage in the country, and he has entered prison
three times, his paper was seized, its headquarters and offices have been confiscated
because he opened file of bequeathing power. Also another trial against journalist
Mohamed Maqaleh who attended a hearing in the trial of Khaiwani .Maqaleh among the
dozens of Yemeni journalists who have been subjected to repression during the last
year.
Egypt:
It is strange coincidence that on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, one of courts
in Cairo was considering an appeal of judgment pronounced against four of the chief
59

editors of independent newspapers and imprisonment of each one of them a year and
ined 20 pounds on various charges. The last two years in particular has witnessed
dramatically development in relationship between the security agencies and
newspapers controlled by national government, as security agencies continue to
penetrate the newspapers and recruitment some its editors to spread the claims to the
public. Thus, the power is no longer facing the opponents with repressive actions only,
but also through its media horns. The press is mirror of reality and did not recover its
freedom and health only in free and democratic societies, therefore, what is at stake is
the crisis of democracy and freedom in the Arab world crisis more than the press or
journalists crisis.
SPW participates in the Arab press Forum in Beirut
SPW has participated in the third Arab Free Press Forum in Beirut, which organized by
International Federation for newspapers in solidarity with the Lebanese newspaper An-
Nahar, in the period between 12 December 13, 2008. Program of the Forum was under
the headings: governmental roundabout methods impede a free press Arab /
codification of the changing face of the Arab / opportunities and options for the Arab
newspaper publishers / monitoring group the situation of freedom of expression in
Tunisia / publication of newspapers in the Arab world / honoring Gibran Tueni, during
two days.
It did not address the suffering of Arab journalists as a result of murder, kidnapping and
detention without trial for a long time in the Arab countries under occupation (Iraq,
Palestine and Somalia) and advantages of the Forum are many, it has focused on the
economics of newspapers and how to success newspapers in the field of advertising,
distribution and transfer it to profitable newspaper, and experiences countries and
newspapers in this regard. The prize of martyr journalist Gibran Tueni by WAN
Organization
Violations of press freedom in Iraq under occupation.
Who is responsible?
T here is no clearer example than (occupied Iraq) of the violations that occur
worldwide for press freedom... Therefore, we have give this chapter particular
importance .. If the United States calling for respect for human rights and respect for
freedom of the press, but they failed to do so practically , as the U.S. military is killing,
arrest and detention without charge against journalists in Iraq. We are here cite several
reports and statistics issued by the global and regional bodies interested in press
60

freedoms about the grave situation which face journalists in Iraq.since the U.S.
occupation of Iraq in 2003 and until 2008 more than 265 journalists and media men
have been killed.
I raqi journalist killed in a raid by Iraqi forces:
Arab Press Net reported on January 2, 2008 story on death of Ali Chave al-Musawi, a
correspondent for news on the Inter Net Alive in Baghdad. The Web site said: al-
Musawi, who was at the age of twenty-three-year-old was found dead at his home in
Habiba, northern city of Baghdad following a military raid by Iraqi forces on the street
which he lives ,. According to the autopsy report, al-Musawi has been hit by one thirty-
shot in his head and chest.
BAGHDAD: journalist and his driver killed when a bomb exploded
BAGHDAD, Iraq: (CNN) -6/2/2008
- An Iraqi journalist and his driver were killed and a correspondent and a photographer
injured in a roadside bombing north of Baghdad, according to the "Watch the freedom
of the press", the journalists who were killed and injured in the blast working in the
channel, "the Euphrates". The assassinated is cameraman Alaa Abdul Karim, and his
driver Ala Asi. The organization reported that the explosion occurred in the town of
Balad, 80 miles north of Baghdad, on Tuesday evening.
Assassination of the chairman of Iraqi Journalists Syndicate:
February 27, 2008
The International Federation of Journalists today expressed deep shock and grief after
the announcement of death chairman of Iraqi Journalists Syndicate in Baghdad from
injuries suffered in an attack that was intended by the gunmen during the end of last
week. a source in the Iraqi Interior Ministry, told the correspondent of the News Agency
(Xinhua) that unidentified gunmen riding civilian car pelted Tamimi with bullets near
the building of the Press Syndicate in the Waziriya district in central Baghdad this
afternoon, leading to serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment, adding
that the son of al-Tamimi, was also wounded in the attack, al-Tamimi, died (75 years) in
hospital.
Assassination of journalist Qassim Abdul-Hussein
61

in the mid- March 2008 in Baghdad, Qassim Hussein, who was working for
(Alwatan)newspaper, has been killed with a silencer-weapon on his way to work at
street of Alnidal in the city center.
Hundreds of Iraqi journalists are forced to emigration: Reporters without Borders

said on 3-19-2008 that after ive years of war in Iraq in March 2003 would publish a full
report on the status of Iraqi journalists who forced into exile. Most of them have
migrated to Jordan or Syria after their rescue from attempts assassination or their
exposure to threats or. The organization added: "Jordan and Syria is hosting hundreds
of thousands of Iraqi refugees, which makes it imperative for European countries and
North American countries and Arab world to put serious policy to host them. It is
essential for France's efforts in this regard. In the irst quarter of 2007, about 9300
Iraqis applying for asylum in Sweden after they got visas, compared with 63 in France in
the same period. In spite of the messages sent by the Reporters without Borders to
concerned ministry, but the applications of four journalists to France for asylum was
rejected last October.
Photographer of Al-Diyar satellite injured
Baghdad - 02/04/2008
An official source in the Al-Diyar satellite that photographer Maithem Ibrahim, who
works in the channel was seriously wounded Wednesday by a roadside bomb in
Talibia, eastern Baghdad . Omer Yasiri, deputy director-general of the channel added
that the bomb exploded Wednesday in the city east of Baghdad, targeted the
photographer Maithem Ibrahim on his way to his place of work, which led to the
amputation of one of his legs, his health seriously.
Iraq: the release Associated Press photographer after two years
New York, the Committee to Protect Journalists April 16, 2008
Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein was released. Hussein who was detained
by U.S. forces in Iraq since 12/4/2006, on a background of vague allegations on his close
ties with the rebels.
In addition to the case of Bilal Hussein, there are at least eight other cases documented
by CPJ Iraqi journalists detained by U.S. forces for weeks or months without charge or
conviction.
62

I t is time to shed light on the killing of journalists in Iraq under the title (it is
time to shed light on the killing of journalists in Iraq, the Arab Press Network April 17,
2008: the Committee to Protect Journalists appealed authorities in Iraq and in the
United States to clarify the circumstances of the killing of journalists in Iraq. In the
following press release issued by the Committee to Protect Journalists, on 7 April:
five years passed following the deadly attacks against the "Palestine Hotel" and the
office of Al "Jazeera" channel and the questions raised around remain unanswered after
five years on a series of military strikes made by the United States forces toward mass
media in Baghdad, which killed three journalists .the Committee to Protect Journalists
(CPJ) calling U.S. military to conduct a full investigation of such events, and publish the
results to the public, and also calls for the establishment of procedures to address the
issue of the presence of journalists in the fighting front .

In April 8 / April 2003, a U.S. tank ired one a shell on "Palestine Hotel", the main base
for dozens of international journalists who were transporting the facts of the US-led
invasion of Iraq, resulting in the death of Spanish cameraman Jose Couso, and veteran
journalist photographer at the agency "Reuters" news agency, Taras Brociciok, and
wounding three other journalists wounded.
Earlier in the morning of that day, U.S. warplanes bombed the office of Al "Al Jazeera" in
Baghdad, and correspondent Tariq Ayoub was killed, and one of cameraman wounded.
After several minutes, the Abu Dhabi television offices subjected to the fire in a separate
attack. This is not the first time that the "Aljazeera" subject to a military strike by the
United States of America, that its office in the Afghan capital, Kabul, has received an air
strike in November 2001. For his part, said Executive Director of the Committee to
Protect Journalists, Joel Simon, said that "there are troubling questions about these
attacks are still pending to this day, and all of those questions could have fatal
implications for all journalists working in conflict areas.
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day
(197) violation against Iraqi journalists and media institutions
report of watch of freedom press on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day said:
The time between 3 May 2007 and 3 May 2008, revealed new indicators of the reality of
the freedom of press and expression in Iraq , which could described as a risk to the
future functioning of free media in Iraq and pave the way for the widening of the policy
of prevention and repression by the security organs of government. The cases of abuse
against journalists increased from last year, amounted to 60%. And by the violation of
one every (43) hours. The watch of the freedom of press during the mentioned period

recorded (197) violation against journalists and media organizations, such violations
have been distributed as follows:
(88) Attacks and prevention of the practice of journalism from the Iraqi security forces
in various configurations.
(37) Killings by unidenti ied gunmen.
(30) Arrest and detention by the Iraqi security forces.
(15) attacks and violations between the different violations of the U.S. forces and local
authorities and militia
Operations of abductions by unidenti ied amounted (13) journalists , (6) were released
after being beaten or tortured because of their profession, (6) have been killed (1)
unknown
(9) Lawsuits iled by government of icials against journalists and media institutions
(5) Storming the media institutions by U.S. and Iraqi forces. Perhaps the most violations
of this year were by the security services. Series of attacks against journalists by Iraqi
security forces and go unpunished and without state investigations. The Iraqi
authorities are still sending mixed messages on the freedom of the press and
expression, where condemns and deplores the attacks on journalists on the one hand,
while its executive bodies unable to prosecute any of the perpetrators of such attacks.
Murder of independent journalist in front of her house
I ndependent journalist Sarwat Abdul Wahab has been killed on 4 May 2008 in the
Iraqi city of Mosul. Number of press martyrs increased to 212 since the beginning of the
con lict in March 2003, 25 of them has been killed in the northern city of Mosul alone.
Kurdish journalists have been kidnapped
, 29 old year, and the threat of the Committee to Protect Journalists May 5, 2008
Nasser Al-Rashid, 29, is a former university student of biology, working in the press
today. When he was walking in central market of his town Halabja last October, four
armed men wearing a military uniform forced him on board a cargo and they
handcuffed him and his legs and put his head on bag. Rashid said to Committee to
Protect Journalists, in an interview with him after the incident in Sulaymaniyah, "I did
not know where they take me. They drove the car for a few hours and then taken to the
roads appear to be no paved." According to Rashid, the four pulled him out of car and
65

struck him with fists, kicked and threatened him with weapons to force him to stop
work or face death. Then attackers quickly away and left him injured.
Iraqi government close Alahd Radio
I raqi government closed Thursday, May 8, 2008 Alahd radio without warning or a
court order. Dr Hashims Hassan told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI)
that" the government has no right to take any action without reference to the judiciary.
U.S. officer acknowledges that the Palestine Hotel was concluded in list of
potential military targets
In Spain, Judge Santiago Pedraz has summoned both the former defense minister in the
government of Jose Maria Aznar, Federico Trillo, and former foreign minister, Ana
Palacio, in the case of killing of cameraman Tellesino Jose Couso, on 8 April 2003 as a
result of the fall of an American shell at the Palestine Hotel in Baghdad. Also, the judge
asked the three Spanish journalists were present in Baghdad at the time of the attack,
which also caused killing of a Reuter's cameraman, Taras Protsyuk, appearing in the
June 9, 2008.
On 13 May 2008, a former of icer in the intelligence agencies of the U.S. Army, Adrian
Keane in the program "Democracy Now!" which presented by Amy Goodman on several
local Channels , that the Palestine Hotel was among the possible targets identified by the
Pentagon in Baghdad when American forces entered the Iraqi capital in March 2003.
She added that she tried to alert officials to the presence of several journalists in the
building but they did not listen to her. (Reporters without borders)
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I raq: U.S. sniper kills Iraqi journalist and corpse of another journalist.
International Network for the exchange of information May 27, 2008
Wisam Ali Aada, cameraman who works for Afaq television channel was shot dead,
while returning home in Obeidi, northeast of Baghdad, on May 21. According to the IFEX
members, the witnesses said that the "American sniper" shot Obeidi
On the same day, the body of another journalist found in the field of Diyala province
among group of unidentified bodies. Haidar Hashem Al-Husseini was abducted in front
of his house.
Campaign against violence and crimes against journalists in Iraq
Afaq network reported on 5-27-2008 an article entitled: Iraq: the defense of freedom of
the press association launched a campaign to stop violence against journalists, said the
following:
Baghdad: Saad Albgdai
Association of the defense of press freedom in Iraq intends to launch a campaign against
violence and crimes against journalists and media personnel in Iraq. The campaign
would launch in 15 June to coincide with Eid of Iraqi press, and continue for two weeks.
At the end of the campaign a conference would be hold in Baghdad for three days to
discuss ways of protection for journalists working in Iraq and stop the violence that has
targeted them. The statement said the organization to defend the freedom of journalists
through a major campaign, in particular, the targeting journalists lead to kill 259
journalists and media and public information assistants since 2003.
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American forces release the photographers, journalists were detained:
U.S. forces released in the last week of August 2008 Associated Press photographer
Ahmed Nouri, after nearly three months in detention without charges in Tikrit.
Ahmed al-Nouri was imprisoned in 2004 for a period two months in Abu Ghraib, and
released without being charged to him. U.S. forces also released a Reuter's cameraman,
Ali al-Mashhadani (39 years), after three weeks of detention in Baghdad. The al-
Mashhadani was arrested on July 29 by U.S. military forces, during his visit to the Joint
Information Center in the Green Zone to renew the press card.
Killing of 11 members of the family of an Iraqi journalist by unidentified gunmen
Baghdad (AFP)
Iraqi journalist said that unidentified gunmen had committed a bloody massacre in his
house in Baghdad; they killed seven children and four adult relatives. Dia Alkuaz told
(AFP) in a telephone call from Amman, Jordan, "Four unidentified gunmen barged into
the house of my family in the area yesterday morning (Sunday), and killed two of my
sisters and their husbands and seven young children between the ages of ive and 10
years."
According to news published by the website "Iraq News" on the Internet, known for his
tough stance against the U.S. occupation of Iraq, which is headed by Alkuaz, "the armed
attackers blew up the house with explosives after the killing of family members. He
added" the attack occurred despite the presence of police at a checkpoint nearby.
Attack on journalist Safa Issa:
Security personnel on 11/5/2008 assaulted on journalist Safa Issa, Radio Sawa's

correspondent in Basra while attempting to cover the Festival Mirbad .one of them
threatened him to put sack one his head, then they beat him on his face, and took him to
a small room. "The journalist level accusations at elements of the protection of
undersecretary of Ministry of Culture Jaber Issa.
Gunmen kill journalist Suran Mamah in Kirkuk
Kirkuk - Voices of Iraq 07-21-2008
Security source in Kirkuk said that a Kurdish journalist Suran Mamah was killed by
unidentified gunmen in the Shorja area in the city of Kirkuk. The director of police of
Kirkuk, Brigadier Sarhad said to (Voices of Iraq) "unknown gunmen opened fire on the
journalist Suran Mamha Hama (23 years) after he left his home in the Shorja area
(central Kirkuk). Hama works in the magazine" Lafin", Kurdish political language
magazine.
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Iraqi association to defend the rights of journalists demanding the House of
Representatives to intervene to stop the violations against the Kurdish journalists
Site of Association 22/7/2008
Iraqi association to defend the rights of journalists Council of Representatives to

intervene to stop the violations against journalists in the Kurdistan region. The most
recent violation is association of Suran Mamah.
A hand grenade caused injury of a reporter
Three workers in Afaq channel in mid-August 2008 subjected to a grenade attack, the
center of the capital Baghdad, when they return to the headquarters of channel in
Alalawi area, which led to wounding of the correspondent Maher Ammar Asaori and
cameraman Adnan Matar and driver Adil Jabbar, were taken to a hospital in Baghdad.
Assassination of media man in Mosul
Baghdad - Arab Online - Agencies: 25/8/2008
Police source ,in Niney province, who asked not to be named, said gunmen targeted the
"Media man Mohedin Abdul Hamid, 50, who works as announcer in local governmental
radio and television stations Niney while he walking out of his home located in the
agricultural district north of Mosul on his way to work Tuesday morning, leading to
death .
Guards of the Minister of Science beat reporter of Alsumaria channel
Number of elements protection of Minister of Science and Technology beat reporter on

Alsumaria channel TV in Baghdad on Wednesday, 27/8/2008.
Hamid Kazem, who works in the news section at channel Alsumaria told Watch
Freedom of press that has been ordered to cover conference held by the Ministry of
Science and Technology on the occasion of the ministry, after he finished his mission,
attacked by six of elelmemt of protection
Arrest of journalist and release another in Najaf
1/9/2008
Akram Al-Rubaie, correspondant of Alhurra Channel arrested by a special force security

in Najaf in Kut during his presence in the holy city.Al-Rubaie has been taken Counter-
Terrorism Department. While security force released Amjad Araji, reporter of
Addastoor in Najaf.
Reuter's photographer arrested south of Baghdad
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U.S. and Iraqi forces detained cameraman and journalist Ibrahim Jassam in the first of
September 2008, midnight, after they raided his home. After U.S. force commander
learned that a photographer from Reuter, he immediately ordered his arrest and his
four cameras, also broke his personal mobile. His whereabouts is still unknown.
Arrest of a Reuter's cameraman, Ibrahim Jassam in Iraq:
U.S. Iraqi forces arrested a photographer of Reuter Ibrahim Jassam, September 2008 in
district of Mahmudiya, south of Baghdad, from his home in the south of the Iraqi capital
and took him to an unknown destination after investigation with members of his family
and confiscation of his four cameras and mobile phone and laptop.
20 media personnel arrested in Iraq
20 professional media personnel exposed, at least for arrest in Iraq since the irst of
January to September 2008 by U.S. and Iraqi forces. They were released after days and
even months in detention without being charged, such as a photographer of Associated
Press, Ahmed Nouri, who was released on 23 August 2008, spent some 80 days in U.S
Camp Cropper base, photographer cooperating with Associated Press Bilal Hussein,
who was released on April 16 / April 2008 after 735 days of his detention.
Rescue of Office Director of Arabya channel from attempt to assassinate him
Iraq 9/9/2008
Director of Office Arabiya satellite in Baghdad, Jawad Hattab has rescued from attempt
of assassination by explosion his car, after his driver discovered bomb which has been
placed under his car, near his home in Salhiya, Baghdad.
Prevent journalists from attending the conference highlighted the cholera

epidemic in Hilla
Health Information Service in Babil province has issued a resolution to prevent number
of correspondents of satellite channels to attend the conference will be held on
10/9/2008.
Kidnapping and killing four members of Iraqi T.V team in Mosul,
in midday of 13 September 2008 , armed men stormed the headquarters of the channel
during recording a series of programs in Zindjeli area , center of Mosul kilometers (370
miles) north of Baghdad. The armed men kidnapped Chief of the Office of Mosul, son of
one of deputy, photographers Ahmed Salim, Ihab Maad and their driver Heydar
Suleiman. But their bodies were discovered in Mugable area.
Bombing at Iraqi Press Syndicate and wounding of chairman (Lamy) and other 4
Iraqi authorities have confirmed that five civilians wounded most of them from media,
on Saturday when a bomb exploded outside press Syndicate building in Baghdad. Iraqi
70

Ministry of Information said that chairman of syndicate Muayad Lami among wounded,
pointing out that his wounds were not seriously. Source in syndicate said that the blast
occurred in the Waziriyah area north of Baghdad, at eleven local time.
Journalist killed in Kirkuk
Iraq, 10/10/2008
Journalist Ahmed Diar Abbas, corresponant of Alaen channel has been assassinated in
Kirkuk, north of Baghdad, by unidentified gunmen shot him dead near a hotel in the
center of the city, where they shot him and fled.
Detention of 35 journalists in the Iraqi parliament
Heated argument between Iraqi lawmakers on 10 October 2008 led to detention of 35

Iraqi journalists for two hours and prevented them from leaving the Media Center of the
Council's parliament in Baghdad. Their records were seized fearing of be witnesses to
what happened in parliament. Demand release of cameraman detained by U.S.
forces in Iraq
Iraq 20/11/2008
Reporters without Borders called the U.S. military to release, a cameraman of Reuters,
Ibrahim Jassam who the U.S. military arrested him since September 2008 after
confiscation his four cameras and mobile phone and computer. The two organizations
said it was unfortunate that the U.S. forces once again involved in the arrest of a
journalist. After 31 December 2008, will not be able to keep Ibrahim Jassam under
detention without present him to trial demand release of Zaidi
16/12/2008
Reporters without Borders called for release of the correspondent of Al-Baghdadi al-
Zaidi, who was arrested on 14 December 2008 for throwing U.S. President George W.
Bush with his shoes. The organization said: " We express our deep regret at the use of
journalist for this method to protest against the policy of the American President.
However, for humanitarian reasons and to calm the tension, we call upon the Iraqi
authorities to release the detainee Zaidi. In view of the differences that have resulted
from this incident, we appeal to the forces Iraqi security to ensure the safety of this
journalist who was injured during his arrest. "Iraqi journalist Zaidi had been thrown his
shoes at President Bush during his press conference at the Green Zone in Baghdad.
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Freedoms of the press in Palestine
concern the intervention of security agencies in the freedoms of information:
I n its statement issued on August 27, 2008, Palestinian Center for Development and
media freedoms expressed its deep concern that the Palestinian intelligence service in
the town of Qalqilya arrested a columnist for the daily "free space" in (Palestine)
newspaper. Dr. Issam Shawar has been arrested for three days and compel him to
apologize to the President of the Palestinian negotiating team and Prime Minister on the
pretext of having libeled them in his two columns in newspaper this month. The center
appealed to President Mahmud Abbas to put an end to intervention of security agencies
in cases of press freedom and release of journalists held by the security.
*Demanding release of detained journalist
International Federation of Journalists demanded on July 24, 2008 release of Al-Jazeera

correspondent Waddah Eid, detained without charge for six days by the Palestinian
Preventive Security .
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Continued tension between Hamas and Fatah: journalists victim of arbitrary
arrests
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information 29 August to September 4, 2008:
Reporters without Borders appealed to political Palestinians leaders to put an end to

the waves of arbitrary arrests against media professionals, following detention of four
journalists, at least in West Bank and Gaza Strip. The organization said: "a political
struggle between Hamas and Fatah in the Gaza damaged the national press. Many media
institutions closed in Palestinian territories and dozens of journalists arrested. "
Freedom of the press in Morocco

* arrest of Ali Gad Abu Bakr
A rab press net in Morocco, in July 2008 that authorities arrested student Abu Bakr,
22-year-old, who is still detained for questioning on his membership in " the path of
democracy ". Abu Bakr was arrested because of his support for a boycott of legislative
elections and criticism of educational policies and police repression of the students.
* A prison and a fine against Ibrahim Saballeil
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said: The Court of Appeal supported the
tough judgment against legal fighter Ibrahim Saballel that during the hearing held on
Tuesday, August 26, 2008. The Moroccan Center for Human Rights said in its statement
which condemns the rule and trial: "The judgment, as well as its political dimension , is
unjust and provocative and unjustified with respect to activist in official organization,
his aim to defend dignity and a decent life for every citizen, within the fundamentals and
foundations of the rule of law,"
Prison of Moroccan blogger prison for two years and acquitted later:
In Morocco, on 8/9/2008 a court pronounced ruling against the blogger Mohamed

Alraje to be jailed for two years and a ine amounting to 5000 dirhams (430 Euros) for
his criticism of the King of Morocco. He is being held in prison Inezgane near Agadir. His
family decided to appeal.
But the Court of Appeal in Agadir has acquittal blogger Mohammed Alraje .the Court of
Appeal that said there was an imbalance in the judicial procedures.
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Freedom of the press in Yemen
A mnesty International report on freedom of expression in Yemen in 2008
Amnesty International issued a report on Yemen on 29/5/2008 saying about freedom

of expression: (in June, the Ministry of Information announced that will be issued a new
press law, which raised concern that this may lead to the imposition of further
restrictions on the freedom of the press. It is noteworthy that the concepts of ambiguity,
such as national security and national stability, often used as justification to restrict the
freedom of the press and punish journalists. The law was not passed by the end of the
year.
In August, journalist Abdul Karim Khaiwani in Sana'a and journalist Ahmed Omar bin
Farid in Aden have been kidnapped by unknown men, believed to be linked to the
powers of security. The two journalists were beaten. It is believed that Abdul Karim
Khaiwani was targeted because of his coverage to events of Saada, while Ahmed Omar
bin Farid was targeted because of his writings on the demonstrations in the south.
In July, a gathering of supporters of the non-governmental organization "journalists

without restriction", which calls for allowing it to issue a magazine, to violently disperse
at the hands of security personnel, resulting in a wounding a number of people.
Article Nineteen condemns the repeated violations of freedom of expression in

Yemen
Wednesday, April 16 - 2008 / Hoodonline
The article nineteen condemned (named at Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of

Human Rights) repeated violations of freedom of expression in Yemen, a statement said:
The increased repeated attacks on freedom of expression in Yemen draw attention of
the article nineteen organization. During the last week only, Ms. Karman, head of the
journalists without restrictions received death threat letters from unidentified caller, as
well as the artist comedian Fahd Qarni was arrested by the political and security
personnel .also Minister of Information Hassan Al Lawzi pulled out permission of
(Alwasat Alisbuiya) newspaper.
In this regard the Organization of Article 19 calls upon Yemeni government are the
following:
• carry out the investigation independently and effectively the threats and attacks
against Tawakul of Kerman, and journalists have been subjected in the demonstrations
and to show results of public opinion and bring the perpetrators to justice.
74

• put an end to all policies and practices restricting freedom of expression
• Release of Fahd Qarni, where the organization see that the only reason behind the
arrest of Qarni is the peaceful expression of his views on matters of public concern.
Translation: Radiah Khairi - Kawkab Alzebiani
Press freedoms in Jordan

Prison of five journalists
On 18 March 2008, the Court of Amman pronounced judgment to jail editor-in-
chief of( Arab Alyawm ) Tahir Aludwan and editor-in-chief of Addastoor , Osama El-
Sherif, in addition to their assistants , Sahar Qassem and Fayez Lawzi for three months
on charges of libel and slander. In a similar case, the same court issued a judgment on
13 March to jail chief editor of al-Rai, Abdul-Hadi al-Majali three months for publishing
an article in December 2007 on the site Www.runonline.net considered expenses
moving of responsible for Jordanian Center for advertising is excessive.
Attempted attack with knives against journalist
In January 24, 2008, a journalist working in the El-Ghad, Jamil, Alnmri as victims of an
attack at the entrance to his house in Shumaysani. In a call with the Reporters without
Borders, journalist described the attack as an attempt to intimidate not knows who is
responsible and their causes. He added that he considered himself a liberal.
Freedom of the press in Lebanon
Arrest of a French journalist
Independent French journalist David Harry was detained in suburb of Beirut, on 12/
August 2008. Harry has been questioned on his press activities and his personal life for
six hours before being released.
Maharat denounce the attack against Matni
Lebanon, Beirut, January 21, 2008
Maharat institution has denounced is statement "the attack against managing editor of
(Anbaa) newspaper Aziz Matni and burning his car." It is worth mentioning that Mtni
working in a newspaper speaking on behalf of the Socialist Party, led by Lebanese MP
Walid Jumblatt."
Disappearance of U.S. journalists in Lebanon
Akbar alyawm 9/10/2008

75

U.S. embassy in Beirut confirmed disappearance of Americans reporters during their
vacation in Lebanon earlier last week .there were no news heard from them since the
beginning of October ,as they were preparing to go to Syria by land. The embassy said
that both Holly Chmila (27 years) and Taylor Luck (32 years) entered Lebanon in last
September 29 from Amman.
Arrest of three Brazilian journalists
T hree Brazilian journalists arrested on 15 August 2008 at a restaurant in the
southern suburbs of Beirut. They are, reporter Marcus Usikan, photographer Paulo
Pimentel, and the director Tarik Saleh, where they were detained for five before being
released.
Freedom of the press in Bahrain

Security forces attack three journalists
Bahrain 2/1/2008
On 25 December 2007, Bahraini security forces prevented three journalists to
cover a demonstration in front of the Attorney General's Office in Manama, demanding

release of some detainees. Security forces confiscated mobile phones of Al-Shihabi from
Alayam newspaper, Hussein Alareed from Alwaqt newspaper and Mohamed from Al-
Wasat
Significant progress in reforming the press law despite lack of amendments
Bahrain 3/7/2008
Reporters without Borders in June 26, 2008 sent letter to the Bahraini Information
Minister Jihad bin Hassan Bukamal noted the progress made in the press law
amendments, but it expressed concern about its defects. Indeed, the Government has
lifted in last May amendments to the Law No. 47 of 2002 to the Parliament, which is
supposed to study during its next meeting starting in October. Despite notable
improvements, but the Bahraini journalists still subject to prison because of their
writings. The administrative decisions still allow close of Web sites.
Summoning and imprisonment of journalists
Security forces has summoned three journalists work at Alwifaq weekly in June 28,
2008, they released the following day. Mr. Taher, chief editor and two journalists Adel
Ali and Mohamed Noman prosecuted on charges of inciting hatred against the
76

government and humiliation of the regime, and dissemination of information rise
sectarianism.
Censoring television program
In January 12, 2008, Bahraini authorities had prevented the Egyptian satellite news to
interview Director of Bahrain Center for Human Rights Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, in the
framework of the program on the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush to the region.
Bahrain Center for Human Rights and the fear of silence voices
Manama - Bahrain 30 September 2008
Bahrain Center for Human Rights said : In a statement sent to the press, Bahraini
Ministry of Information said it she had referred a web site on the Attorney General of
violating the press law. The newspaper published today that the site was the subject of
interrogation is known as the "National Tower Forum" http://www.wattani.net
.According to the Bahrain Center for Human Rights that the ministry had to deal with
such sites with direct hiding within Bahrain without giving any explanation of the kind
of irregularities these sites. Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human
Rights, commenting on the incident: "The measures taken by the Bahraini authorities,
contrary to the text of article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
rights, especially the second paragraph, which stipulates that" Everyone has the right to
freedom of expression. This right includes freedom to seek various forms of information
and ideas, receive and impart to others regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing
or in print, in the form of art or through any other media."
Conditions of press freedom in the United Arab Emirates acquittal of Mohammed

Rashid Alshihhi
Court of Ras Al Khaimah on January 20, 2008 has pronounced judgment to drop
charges against Mohamed Al Shehhi, owner site Www.majan.net .The criminal court in
Ras Al Khaimah has issued ruling On 8 August 2007 against Mohamed Rashed Shehhi
to jail for a year and a ine of $ 15000 Euros.
Hiding blog to publish analysis on the effects of U.S financial crisis
United Arab Emirates 15/10/2008
Reporters without Borders said: the blog "just man" (http://mujarad-

ensan.maktoobblog.com) hidden in the United Arab Emirates since 12 October 2008.
Indeed, the blog , which is one of the most porous in the world of filing published
articles about the local political transparency and freedom of expression, and media
sectors. On 11 October, its owner published article entitled "Laugh with me and say: our
economy is fine," which analyzed the effects of the financial crisis of America to the UAE,
describing the owners of public companies to "speculative" and he concluded his
analysis by saying: "I do not know the extent of affect our economy with the global
77

economy crisis, but I know that we lack of transparency, and I believe that we do not
live on the island in the world, while some of us boast about the attractiveness of our
market to foreign investment and the advantage of freehold ownership to foreigners, we
find them now denying any impact of what is happening in the world for us! "
Conditions of press freedom in Mauritania

Mauritanian Observatory condemns arrest of journalists
Arab media, October 2008
Muheet: Mauritanian Observatory for Human Rights condemned phenomenon of

political detention of journalists, which have occurred in recent months. The
observatory called Mauritanian authorities to release the journalists currently detained,
without restriction or condition, recalling the dangers of restricting freedom of
expression, as well as the risk of restricting the freedom of the press on the country's
reputation and credibility of the democratic project. Head of the observatory, Mohamed
Fall Walad Agah, said in a press statement to the news agency "News," President Sidi
Mohamed Walad Sheikh Abdullah must work to protect freedom of the press as a sign
of democratic life. He also called for speeding up release of the journalists of Alhurriya
newspaper Mohammed Nima Omar and Walad Abdul-Latif.
Freedom of the press in Qatar

Judgment by absentia to jail journalist for three years
On 22 May 2008, Jordanian journalist Amal Issa has been prosecuted in
absentia to jail three years, as her editor-in-chief was sentenced to pay a ine of $ 20000
Real (3500 euros). Hamad hospital has iled a complaint against the newspaper which
published in July 9, 2005 article mentions the case of a bad diagnosis to patients is still
alive. Hospital officials rushed to deny the facts, filed a lawsuit against the newspaper. It
is noteworthy that Amal Issa left Qatar for several months.
Freedom of the press in Kuwait

Jurisdiction of the courts needs to reduce the cases against journalists
R eporters without Borders on 2/7/2008 said: it expresses deep concern at the
increasing number of cases brought against media professionals in Kuwait; despite it is
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the irst Gulf state that had abolished sanctions over the press. On 28 May 2008, Fouad
Al-Hashem of Al-Watan newspaper was sentenced to pay a ine of 22000 Euros as
compensation, following the adjournment of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin
Jassem al-Thani, three complaints against him, accusing him of distorting his image in
articles which dealing with his relations with Israel. Fouad Al-Hashem has informed
Reporters without Borders that he had faced about twenty lawsuits. It is expected to
open the trial of the appeal in this case in September 2008.
In another case, an Islamic scholar Hamid Ali filed complaint of defamation against
Arabyia channel correspondent Saad al-Ajmi, who Public Prosecutions heard to his
statements in June 8, 2008, after ive months passed on broadcast of a program of the
"industry of death" in the first of February, entitled "the story of al-Qaeda in Kuwait."
Secretary-General of the Kuwaiti Journalists Association Faisal Al Qenae noted that

dozens of media professionals had requested legal assistance to face the lawsuits
against them. MP Ali Rashid filed defamation lawsuit against Ahmed Abdel Rahman
Alkos, who works correspondent for Al-Watan newspaper, demanding compensation of
100000 dinars (238,000 Euros).
Freedom of the press in Tunisia

Prison administration assault on the dignity of prisoners of opinion Tarek Sousi
A rabic Network for Human Rights Information August 29 to September 4, 2008
Director of Civil prison in Bizerte attacked rudely dignity of legal expert and founding
member of the International Society for the support of political prisoners , Tarek Sousi,
who was accused of " circulation false news likely to disturb public order" - on his
interposition to Al-Jazeera on 26 August 2008 regarding abductions of Bizerte .director
of prison seized Sousi' walking sticks and forced him to go court carried by prison
officers who handed him to the political agents of the police, where one of them carrying
him on his arms to the office of the investigating judge, causing lawyers to protest this
violation of the basic rights of prisoners of opinion, who is suffering polio feet.
Arrest of journalist for 36-hour on sidelines of social demonstration
correspondent of Muwatinoon weekly newspaper , Alhadi Alrdawi subjected to arrested

in June 6, 2008 in Arradif city (about 350 miles south-west of Tunisia) on the sidelines
of the confrontations that took place between security forces and demonstrators.
Ratification of the sentence on Salim Bokhadder
Tunisia 18/1/2008
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the Court of Saqiyat Azzeit in Sfax (231 km south of Tunis) has rati ied the sentence in
the January 18 against journalist Salim Bokhadder, correspondent of London-Quds Al-
Arabi newspaper and website of the Al-Arabiya and imprisonment him one year, with
charges of insulting officer during his exercise of his profession and undermine the
public morals and refused to give his identity. Bokhadder was arrested in November 26,
2007 after an altercation with members of the police.
Continuing abuse against Siham Ben Sedrine
Reporters without Borders said it deplores the continued insults strategy used by the
Tunisian authorities against Siham Bensedrine. On 24 August 2008, she denied again to
board plane en route to Austria where. In March 2008, Siham Bensedrine and her
husband, Omar Mestiri was arrested for six hours at airport of La Goulette in Tunisia,
they were subjected to scolding.
Threat of an independent journalist Salim Bouchazir because of his writings
Reporters without Borders site 24-09 -- 2008 / site of Center for the protection of
freedom of the journalists:
four persons found to have police officers in civilian clothing arrested independent
journalist Salim Bouchazir on night of 20 to 21 September 2008, then he has been left
after they threatened him because of his writings.
Freedoms in the press in Somalia
Journalists in Mogadishu and other parts of southern Somalia at risk of violence more
than ever before, because of convey news. So far, seven media professionals were killed,
without punishing perpetrators; and four wounded from gunshot; and number of them
has been arrested for short periods of time; and more than 30 tried to lee the country
to seek asylum in Kenya. The Amnesty International called on to take special protective
measures by the authorities to stop the violence, threats and harassment which target
media personnel because of their press activities. It should be noted that the
correspondent of the web site of the Shebelle radio station Abdul Razak was arrested,
beaten and robbed at a police checkpoint after he identified himself as journalist. There
are three journalists were killed in one month: Abdul Qadir Mahd Muwaleen from
Banadir radio station, Mahd Ahmed Elmi of the Voice of the capital, and Ali Iman
Hamark, Chairman of the information the Horn of Africa, who was killed in a car bomb.
(2) Assassination of Vice President of partners organization to Reporters without

Borders in Somalia 7/6/2008
In June 7, 2008, group of armed men fired several bullets at Nsting Tahir Farah, when he
was returning home in Kismayo in south). Ten minutes later he died of his transfer to
hospital in the town. Tahir elected, 36-year-old, Vice President of the National Union of
Somali journalists in 2005.
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(3) Arrest of manager of the radio station
Arab press Network, August 21, 2008
In 17/ August, police of Punt land arrested Mohamed Mahmoud, director of radio
station Dalgir in Bosasso, because of his coverage of the election campaign for the
presidential candidate Noureddine Deray. On 18/ August he was been released without
any charge went to him. The authorities considered Mahmoud conduct was violation of
the presidential decision to prohibit coverage of election campaigns until the first of
November.
(4) Abduction of three journalists, including two foreigners and detention

announcer
on morning of 23 August , Canadian journalist Amanda Indawt of channel France 24,

independent Australian photographer Nigel Brennan, Somali cameraman Abdel Fattah
Mohammed Helmi and their driver have been abducted near Mogadishu ,without
kidnappers to announce their motives.
The kidnapping came after a few hours, police of transitional federal government
detained Ahmed Gilani works at Radio the Voice of the Holy Quran on the night of 22 to
23 August in Mogadishu. The journalist was detained at the police station .the
authorities have refused to give any explanation after his release. (Source: Reporters
without Borders)
81

freedom of the press in Egypt
Denounce the control of media institutions:
R eporters without Borders denounced on 4/9/2008 the control exercised by the
Egyptian authorities to media institutions, particularly television and radio. said: Since
the beginning of the year 2008, the Egyptian government launched a campaign against
the independent television channels. In February, Cairo was behind the adoption of the
States belonging to the League of Arab States, joint pact that would suppress the
freedom of broadcast and satellite channels. In contrast to Qatar, which gives Aljazeera
a large area of freedom to deal with regional news, Egypt is still in control television
channels, hosted by its satellite...
State security detains blogger under state of emergency
: Cairo: Arabic Network for Human Rights Information ANHRI
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information and Hisham Mubarak Law Center said
today, State Security Investigation has arrested a young blogger Mohammed Rifat,
owner of blog of "bumps". Tow Legal institutions said "Mohammed Rifat, a student at
the Faculty of Information, had not committed any act contrary; his blog did not include
any of allegations which security services claim"
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Cancel magazine although getting judicial authorization to publish
Arab Network for Human Rights Information (29 / 8 4/9/2008)
Hisham Mubarak Law Center Condemned decision of the Supreme Council for the press
to cancel a license magazine "flowers" which issued by the company, "Risala for press,
printing and publishing," after the magazine received letter from the General Authority
for Investment to cancel a certificate of establishment in company's violation of the
terms of incorporation, and on the basis of that resolution "flowers" would not see the
light.
Trial of Saaddin Ibrahim in prison
In 2 / August, the Court of Junh Al-Khalifa in Cairo sentenced D. Saad Eddin Ibrahim to
two years, after being convicted on charges of publishing articles abroad that contained
false information about Egypt, which has damaged the national security of the country
and tarnished its image. The provision has been issued in absentia against D. Saad Eddin
Ibrahim, director of Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies and Professor of
Sociology at American University in Cairo.
Egyptian Authorities failed to get the kidnapped journalist Reda Hilal
New York - United States of America
Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ 11 said dated August 2008, it was frustrated by the
failure of the Egyptian authorities to shed some light on the disappearance of Reda
Helal, a senior editor of Al-Ahram daily State-owned, who disappeared mysteriously on
August 11, 2003, on his way home after work, and in a region characterized by strict
guard in the center of the Egyptian capital. So far, the Egyptian government did not
provide any information relevant to this dangerous disappearance.
Military intelligence summons journalist to investigation
Arabic Network for Human Rights to journalist said that press writer Abdul Khaliq
Farooq, has been called to a hearing at the Department of the Military Prosecutor in
next Tuesday July 8, 2008, in connection with the latest books, titled "petition of
indictment" .is worth mentioning that Abdul Khaliq Farooq has received an award from
the State in 2003 in economics, legal, and also the Academy Award as in 2003.
Condemnation of imprisonment of four editors in chief
In World Press Freedom Day, Egyptian Organization for Human Rights issued
campaign of signatures of solidarity with four chief editors of independent newspapers,
the subject was the following:
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We, the undersigned members and partners in the international network for the
exchange of information on freedom of expression (IFEX) express our deep concern at
the continuing trial of four chief editors of independent newspapers in Egypt, who will
face a prison sentence of one year in the case of rejecting the appeal. This case, in
addition to many of the issues rose against the Egyptian reporters, as an attempt to
silence criticism of the President of the Republic and t symbols of the government and
the ruling party.
In last September, sentence to one year in prison against of each: Ibrahim Issa, editor-
in-chief of "Addastoor", Wael El Ibrashi, editor-in-chief of "Sawt Alummah", Adel
Hammouda, editor-in-chief of "Alfagr", and Abdel-Halim Qandil, a former executive
editor-in-chief of the "Alkarama" . The four editors-in-chief faced charge: "publication
false news, statements or rumors, and this is liable to disturb public peace." The four
appeal and released on bail pending sentence on appeal. The four have been convicted
under Article 188 of the Penal Code, which provides for the punishment to one year in
prison and a ine of not more than 20000 Egyptian pounds to each of: " publication false
news, statements or rumors, if that would disturb public order" .
In a separate case, Ibrahim Issa, is before the Court of Appeal on May 18, 2008, after the
Court of Gunh on March 26, 2008 sentenced him to 6 months on charges of broadcasting
false news and rumors with regard to the health of the President of the Republic.
Supreme State Security court on September 5, 2007 accusing Issa: "broadcasting false
news and rumors and statements that would disturb public security and harm the
public interest." Therefore, we the undersigned organizations urge the Egyptian
government to drop all charges against journalists and elimination of a custodial
sentence against them, which is political dimension. We call upon the Egyptian
government to cease the application of the Penal Code to criminalize freedom of
expression and freedom of the press. And to implement their international obligations
as certified to the international conventions on freedom of expression, including the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as provided for in Article 19
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
(The Arabic Network for Human Rights)
Signatories: 44 organizations from around the world.
Ibrahim Eissa Sentences for two months and the president to pardon 30/9/2008
on 28
In September 2008, Editor-in-chief Ibrahim Issa of (Addastoor) newspaper was

sentenced to imprisonment for a period of two months, under articles 171 and 188 of
the Penal Code for publishing false news that would disturb the general peace or
provoking panic among the people, or harm the public interest. "In date later (October
84

2008) Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced an amnesty for the journalist
Ibrahim Issa. The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights has welcomed the
presidential amnesty issued by President Hosni Mubarak on Monday 6/ October for
editor-in-chief Ibrahim Issa, , and emphasizes its demands not to use criminal law to
punish journalists with imprisonment. Organization calls upon the Egyptian
expression and freedom of the press. 37 organizations calls for an end to
imprisonment of journalists under Penal Code
Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, Cairo 29 September 2008 37
37 Egyptian organizations signed in Egypt on a statement that said :( We ,the

undersigned 37 members of the International Network International Network for the
exchange of information on freedom of expression (IFEX)) on the condemnation of the
attacks on freedom of opinion and expression in Egypt, which is evident from the
number of cases brought against Egyptian journalists ,Those who were tried under
penal code.) statement said: (We express our deep concern about the deteriorating
situation of freedom of opinion expression in Egypt, where it has become clear that the
aim of the current laws are strict penalties on journalists and not for the purpose of
defending the freedom of opinion and expression. Accordingly, the undersigned
organizations urge the Egyptian authorities to drop all charges against journalists and
the abolition of sentences that are political in nature... And calls upon the Egyptian
expression and freedom of the press. And to implement their international obligations
as certified to the international conventions on freedom of expression, including the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as provided for in Article 19
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. )
The fine against journalist Adil Hamuda
In 12/10/2008, the judgment was declared in Cairo against journalist Adel Hamoda
in the case of Al-Azhar, sentenced to a ine 80 thousand pounds. Hamouda, editor-in-
chief of "Alfagr" has been accused of insulting Al-Azhar. The issue came after "Alfagr"
published on 19/3/2007 an article under the title "greater Vatican Sheik"
Freedom of the press in Syria
* Referral Mr. Omran Alseiid to military justice
Syrian Kurdish opponent Mr. Imran Alseid, also member board of directors and member
of the public relations office in Kurdish future party, has been referred to a judge of the
individual military in qamshaley on September 1, and arrested without charge and
without an arrest warrant. His questioning was delayed until Wednesday 3/9/2008
* arrest of five bloggers and electronic offenders, at least
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Reporters without Borders said on 30-6-2008 it still does not know the fate of student
in sociology at University of Damascus, Hammam Haddad who detained without
justi ication, on 5 May 2008 by authorities of capital. It said: In June 29, 2008, that the
activist in the National Organization for Human Rights, Mohammed Badi Dack Albab
sentenced to six months in prison for publishing an article on the website of the
organization, entitled "Damascus, the capital of Arab culture ?...". As Tarek Biasi, 22-
year-old detained at security camp in Damascus, and he was sentenced to three years on
11 May 2008 under articles 285 and 286 for publishing a commentary in which he
criticized the government on one of Web sites.
Campaign of arrests in Syria:
R eporters without Borders and Committee for the Damascus Declaration" held in
France a press conference in February 19, 2008, at the headquarters of the Organization
in order to shed light on arrest of 12 personal Syria, including three journalists, Fayez
Sarah, one of the founders of the Syrian Association for Human Rights and the civil
society revival committees, Ali Al-Abdullah, who began to struggle as a journalist in
Palestine Liberation Organization, where was arrested with his son Mohammed,
following a peace rally before the state security court where he demanding to lift the
state of emergency, the third one is: Akram Bunni, who embodies the most prominent
example of the strength of the democratic Syria.
Organizations calls for French president to support the issue of the detainees in
Syria
26 organizations signed on 29 August 2008 on memorandum to President

Sarkozy.memorandum said that Syrian authorities continue to arrest, trial and
imprisonment, harassment of journalists and the dissidents to Internet and human
rights activists, saying: (Prior to your meeting with President Bashar al-Assad on the
third and fourth of the month of September, we would like you to draw the attention of
many who staying in Syrian prisons, includes, writers , journalists, bloggers, activists
and defenders of human rights because of their right in to express their views peacefully
and their participation in the pro-democracy movement. We would like to refer to some
particular issues such as issue of solitary writer and journalist Michel Kilo and issue of
human rights activist lawyer Anwar Bunni.
In addition, we are concerned about arrest of journalist Ali Al-Abdullah and his son
Omar, who is serving his sentence of imprisonment for five years. The rest of prisoners
from bloggers are: Tariq Gorani, Maher Ibrahim Ispir, Diyab Cereh, Husam Ali, Ayham
Saqr and Allam Fakhour.
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And as President of French Republic and current Chairman of Europe Union, we call
upon you to discuss these issues of human rights violations with Syria President Bashar
al- Assad, when you meet him, and urging him to release prisoners immediately.
Arrest of the lawyer, Abdullah Suleiman
Syrian security forces arrested Abdullah Suleiman, a lawyer and owner and director of
tow website "Alnazaha"and "Akbar Alnazaha" on the Internet, in 30/July, because of his
insistence on publication political articles which criticized Syrian government at times.
He has been detained for twelve days in Department of State Security in Damascus.
Jailing of three journalists
Damascus 29/10/2008
chairman of Damascus Criminal Court sentenced 12 accused for of two and half years,
including three journalists are: Ali Al-Abdullah, Akram Bunni and, Fayez Sarah, they
have been given a deadline of 30 days to appeal.
Freedom of the press in Saudi Arabia

Wajeeha Huwaider calls for her right to express
On 31 August 2008, Saudi activist in the ield of human rights Wajeeha Huweidar
issued video recording posted on YouTube, demanding the Saudi authorities to allow
her to express in the media institutions in the country. She appears in the photographs
blindfolded, note that the control imposed on this activist in defending the rights of
women in various media institutions Saudi Arabia since August. 2003 banning of live
program on official channels
In January 30, 2008, Information Minister Iyad Madani prohibition of live programs on
the overall of icial channels of Saudi Arabia. In the January 28, during live program on
the news channel, some people blamed openly Saudi government to raise the wages of
staff slightly.thier angry demand hit King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. According to
Elaph, Saudi Information Minister, two days after, decided dismissal of the Director, and
replacing him with one of his aides close to him in the ministry. On the other hand, the
Government expressed its readiness to impose prior censorship for all television
programs in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia: release of Fouad Farhan, and hiding his blog
Cairo April 26 / April 2008
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
87

Arabic Network for Human Rights said that Saudi government released Thursday
morning at the famous Saudi blogger Fouad Farhan after his arrest for a period of 145
days "since December 11, 2007," but it has blocked his blog at the beginning of the
month of April.
Arabic Network added "It's good to back down from continued detention of Fouad
Farhan, but despite our pleasure to release him, we are waiting for the Saudi
government to declare clearly the reasons for his arrest, and to lift the block on his blog
immediately."
Suspension of Saudi satellite reforming channel
Alislah Saudi channel has been stopped in July 22, 2008, the channel started in May
2003, months after the launch of Alislah radio. However, the two media institutions had
been subjected to interference since 2003, for their role in development the opposition
in the Kingdom.
Saudi Annadwah newspaper dismisses 24 journalists collectively
Arabic Network for Human Rights (Legal Support Unit of the freedom of expression)
22/10/2008
Arabic Network for Human Rights said in current October 21, "In an unprecedented and
arbitrary step, Annadwah newspaper dismissed 24 journalists arbitrarily. Journalists
filed a complaint to the Principality of the holy city of Mecca, which issued the paper, as
well as another complaint to Ministry of Culture and Information of Saudi Arabia.
Despite, Hatem Abdel Salam, director of the "Mecca of the institution and print media"
had denied that the journalists had been dismissed, but this denial added additional
problem. Many of them had not received their salaries for more than four months. This
makes Ministry of Culture and Information to form a commission of inquiry in the case
of mass dismissals, and try to get the paper to be issued since the 1958 crisis.
Freedom of the press in Algeria

Jailing of Alwatan journalists
R eporters without Borders said it strongly condemns the judgment of the Court of
Appeal in Jijel (360kilometers, east of Algiers) which was rati ied on 4 March 2008,
jailing publishing manager of Al Watan newspaper Omar Balhochot and journalist
Shawki Omari for two months on charges of "defamation". In another case, journalist
from Al Shorouq newspaper was sentenced to payment of $ 4 million dinars (about
40000 Euros) in compensation in several defamation cases.
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Algeria: Report of International Federation of journalists as part of a campaign "to
break the restrictions,"
New York - United States of America June 10, 2008 According to the report of the
International Union of journalists in June 2008 for Algeria as follows:
In the newly country emerging from spiral of violence, whereas mass media worker
suffer a lot as a result of this violence , the press has gained freedom and independence.
But a series of actions that have been taken in the past few years have shown how
fragile such freedom. This appeared evident from the decree was issued in February 27,
2006 in the framework of the Charter of the National Commission for Peace and
Reconciliation, as the decree provides for imprisonment for up to five years and fined
each of the spoken or written to "exploit the national tragedy, and tarnishes the
international image of the country" responsibility. The decree also provides a formula
on the risk of violating the law that was enacted for the irst time in 2001 when the
Penal Code was amended in 1990, so as to tighten the provisions of the violations
related to the press.
It also provides emergency law to take legal action against what is a threat to the State
or public order. According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the status of the persons
charged with threatening state security in the pre-trial detention for up to 20 months,
according to the law of criminal sanctions. And despite the fact that this is an
exceptional measure, according to Article 123 of the Penal Code, however, be used by
the Algerian authorities routinely. In June 2006, former Director of (Law Mitein) daily
newspaper Mohamed Pincheoko has been released after serving a sentence of
imprisonment for a term of two years. On July 5 of the same year, a presidential decree
to pardon 200 journalists had already been convicted of defamation. But this amnesty
did not cover all convicted of the same charge, and prison sentences declared against
journalists, including 17 during the same year.
In January 2007, the International Federation of Journalists and the National

Association of journalists call upon during their regional meeting Algerian government
to cancel defamation penalty. Communications Minister replied to this request, saying
that it will be studied. In spite of this, many journalists have been charged during the
year under the Penal Code relating to offenses press.
89

Freedom of the press in Israel
With beginning of 2008, Israeli authorities continue its violations of freedom of

press. Palestinians and foreigner journalists subject to killing, arrests, beatings, insults
and all sorts of abuse, with the following, we monitor those violations:
Palestinian photographer head injury
In February 15, 2008, a freelance cameraman Imad Bernat injured in his head by a
rubber bullet by an Israeli soldier as he was covering a demonstration against the
barrier, which Israel has constructed in the town of Bilin near Ramallah. Attack on
journalists before Israeli army checkpoint
In February 13, 2007, correspondent of Aljazeera channel Moen Shadeed and

photographer of Palestinian news agency, Hazim Bledi subjected to beaten in front of an
Israeli army checkpoint in Tulkarem (West Bank) as they prepared a report on the
consequences of the restrictions imposed by Israel on the transfer of Palestinian
patients.
Israeli police closed the headquarters of Munasarat Assalam Radio and arrest
broadcast officials
On 7 April 2008, Israeli police closed Ramallah Radio FM in East Jerusalem and
confiscation of its equipments on the pretext jamming communication between the
90

aircrafts and the control tower at Ben Gurion Airport. Also, forced seven staff members,
including, three journalists, to stay their place of residence for night investigation.
Death of Reuter's cameraman Fadl Shana'a with Israeli shell
Reuter's cameraman, Faddel Shana'a has been killed during an attack by Israeli army
on the Gaza Strip, while his assistant, Wafa Barbakh injured. It should be noted that
Faddel Shana'a of 25 years and Wafa Barbakh were ilming a raid on the Israeli tanks
near Bureij camp in Gaza Strip. Despite presence of sign press on their car, but Israeli
shell targeted them. International Federation of Journalists called on April 16, 2008
Israeli government to do an official investigation into the incident. Palestinian
Journalists Syndicate said that the photographer was carrying his camera and standing
beside his car with a reference in the press and he was clearly wearing a protective
chest worn by journalists. On 13 August 2008 Israeli acquitted its soldiers said that
there was no need for prosecution them. (Source: Network of the Arab press)
a letter to Nicolas Sarkozy during his visit to Israel
on the occasion of visit Nicolas Sarkozy to Israel from 22 to June 24, 2008, Reporters
Without Borders directed message to French president to discuss case of journalist
Faddel Shana'a, who was assassinated in an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip
in April 2008. During the last ten years, ive journalists were killed by soldiers belonging
to the IDF, without reaching to any satisfactory results by investigations into these
deaths. (Source: Reporters without Borders)
law office calls for abolition approval of France 2 journalists
On 12 May 2008, law of ice Sharat Hadein iled appeal from Israeli Supreme Court,
demanding to cancel accreditation of journalists from the station France 2, including
Charles Ondrljn, Director of station in East Jerusalem. The fact that this issue has been
raised to the highest Israeli judicial authority after eight years to broadcast a report on
the death of Palestinian children in Gaza. According to France 2 counsel Ophir Tal, any
Israeli court did not reach to the conclusion that the report is composite. (Source:
Reporters without Borders)
Israeli army closed Afaq television in West Bank
IDF forces closed headquarters of Afaq television after raid in July 10, 2008 on city of
Nablus. The soldiers seized the equipment and archives before sealing headquarters
with red wax. Israeli army closed Afaq as a "media institution of a terrorist
organization" for a year.
Increased violations against Palestinian journalists at the Israeli checkpoints
Israel / Occupied Palestinian 1/7/2008
During the last ten days, Reporters Without counted five arbitrary arrests. Still one of
the journalists under detention, another has been taken to hospital after being rejected
at an Israeli checkpoint. In June 26, 2008, members of the Shin Bet treated roughly
Mohammad Omar (Surah) during his passing on the Allenby Bridge between Israel and
Jordan. In a call with the Reporters without Borders, Surah pointed that he was forced
to take off all his clothes to be subject to humiliating physical inspection. Mohammed
Omar 24-year-old is a correspondent of several foreign publications and was returning
from a trip to Europe professional. In last June 16 he was given Marta Gelhorn award to
the press in London. In another case, four journalists and technicians from Palestinian
press agency, Ramattan news were been arrested in June 22, 2008 at Za'tara checkpoint
near Nablus (West Bank) as they go to Nablus.
Military authorities imprisons engineers sound
91

On 11 August 2008, Israeli authorities announced imprison to the sound engineer,
working in the agency Ramtan Ibrahim Hamad, for six months. This military judgment
was taken without charge against Hamad in the absence of his appearance before the
courts. Israeli forces arrested Ibrahim Hamed in July 15, 2008 at his home near
Ramallah in the West Bank.
Conference of Palestinian Journalists Syndicate facing Israeli obstacles
International Federation of Journalists 18 - 09-2008 / site of the Center for Protection of
Freedom of Journalists
Palestinian journalists renewed their demand that correspondents Journalists have to
move freely in the region, at a time when they plan to hold public convention of
syndicate later this year. Palestinian journalists renewed, during meetings organized by
Palestinian Journalists Syndicate and International Union of journalists, demanding
their right to freedom of movement in the face of bureaucratic obstacles imposed by the
military and Israeli authorities.
The Israeli authorities prevent Palestinian journalist freedom of movement to
Jerusalem, despite repeated claims of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate and
international organizations to allow them to move more freely.
Continued full discretion to detain Syrian journalist Atta Farhat:
Israel 29/9/2008
Reporters without Borders said on 9-29 / 2008 that Atta Farhat is still deprived of his
freedom for more than a year without justification, as reasons of detention of Farhat
who descending from Golan Heights not yet been revealed. Israeli press has received a
formal order from the court prevents it to publish any information relating to trial of
Farhat who detained since July 30, 2007.
In July 30, 2007, Special Forces unit arrested correspondent of Syrian newspaper
(Alwatan) and official Syrian television Atta Farhat at his home in Buq'ata (north of the
Golan Heights). After his appearance before the investigating judge in Tel Aviv, his trial
opened on 2 March 2008 in secret.
Israeli Press Council condemns police violence against journalists in Israel
Yediot Aharonot 30/8/2004
Israeli Police violence does not restrict to Palestinian and foreigners journalists only,
but also on Israeli journalists .Israeli Press Council issued a statement on 29/8/2008
condemning behavior of police during coverage of killing accident in town of Afula,
which was:
Israeli Council press expresses its concern on dangerous phenomenon of repeated
police violence against journalists. In addition, this attack on a cameraman for Channel
Two television and photographer for the newspaper "Yediot Aharonot" during their
coverage of murder in Afula, a series of disturbing acts of violence by the police and
border guards against journalists "." Press Council appeals to the leaders of Israel Police,
led by Inspector General, not only to the management of investigations with the police
investigation into the incident is special, and to work to change the way officers deal
with journalists and soldiers, through the concept of consolidation of the importance of
press coverage and the role of the press in a democratic system. "
Israeli settlers attacked a press photographer before the army
Palestinian territories 20/10/2008
Israeli settlers attacked before Israeli soldiers, on 18 October 2008, on cameraman
Abdel-Hafiz, who works in the European news agency and they try to take his camera ,
92

when he was covering Solidarity movement, organized by Israeli and Western activists
for peace ..
Freedom of the press in Africa

Press freedom in South Africa
I nternational Network for the exchange of information:

editors of newspapers in South African began a campaign to defend the freedom of the
media, declaring that as long as the press is under attack by the sectors of society which
considers it "scapegoat available", and campaign "freedom of information is our
freedom," which launched by South African national forum for editors, which trying to
raise public awareness the importance of a free press, during the next six months.
According to the Forum "Information is a fundamental pillar of democracy."
One of the elements of the campaign is to press for the amendment of section 205 of the
Code of Criminal Procedure, by which journalists imprisoned for refusing to disclose
their sources in court. The Forum is putting pressure on government for the inclusion of
a clause in the law that protects journalists from persecution. During the campaign, the
Forum will be held extensive discussions on the topics of freedom of information and
invites the public to meet with editors and editorial visit rooms across the country.
Freedom of the press in Ethiopia
Organization calls for dropping charges against journalists in Ethiopia

(PANA Press)

C ommittee to Protect Journalists denounced on 7/3/2008 arrest of three journalists
in Ethiopia recently and detention them for two weeks. The organization called on
authorities in this State in the East Africa, "to stop the judicial proceedings against them
immediately."
Ethiopia to allow reporters to issue newspapers
(PANA Press site) 7/2/2008
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, which is based in New York in a
statement that Ethiopian government backtracked on its decision to deny two
journalists were released from prison last year from issuance of newspapers.
Conditions of journalists in Nigeria
Doubts about police involvement in killing of journalist Nigeria
United Nations Site (network of Alahwaz) said that Paul Abayomi Ojrndege, a member
of the editorial board of "This Day" daily in Lagos, was shot dead in a suburb of Lagos on
August 17, 2008 on his way home by car. Nigerian Police said that armed robbers who
had just stolen another car were those who ambushed his car and shot him, but his
family and others suspect police involvement, according to the agenda of the rights of
the media.
Radio journalist was killed in an ambush
IFEX: Nigeria 22/10/2008
Nigerian Radio journalist killed in an ambush last week near his home in Blavia, central
Nigeria, as quoted by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Unidentified persons fired six shots were fired at Ephraim Udo, a prominent radio
journalist Nasarawa State service broadcasting, he was returning home from an official
reception, according to the Committee. According to the committee, speaking on behalf
of the local police told the local press that the police will do everything possible to find
the criminals. Udo is the second journalist to die in mysterious circumstances in Nigeria
this year.
Freedom of the press in Eritrea

Restrictions on freedom of electronic express in Eritrea: Eritrean Center for
Journalism Services
On the occasion of International Day for the freedom of expression on the

Internet, Reporters without borders classified Eritrea among list of States under control,
which reach (11) States. The organization called on Internet users to participate in the
"free electronic expression Day" which establishes for the first time to express their
position in the electronic among states that do not usually allow the protest
demonstrations.
The organization revealed that the journalist Paul Kidane, who died in June, in June
2007 when he led the country had contacted with Reporters without Borders six
months prior to the tragic death of a cafe-mail, and he spoke about the torture sessions
which sustained during his arrest in November 2006.
Report of Reporters without Borders on Eritrea in 2008
Eritrean Center for press Services:
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This small country in Horn of Africa under t authority of Isaias Afewerki since its
independence, is set for the first time at the bottom of the rankings for the freedom of
the press, which prepared by Reporters without Borders .
The reason is simple: the situation is still continues to deteriorate, especially after the
country's isolation from world as a result of the arrests carried out by authorities in
September 2001 and death of at least four journalists in prison. In addition, hundreds of
political and military campaigns, including 13 arrests for all journalists detained in
prison No. 1 in Asmara before bringing them to secret detention centers in April, in
April 2002 because they had the courage to submit a claim to trial. Since then, they
disappeared. In 2006 prison guards, who managed to lee abroad ,revealed for deaths of
at least three journalists were arrested in 2001, two years in prison between 2005 and
2006. The foreign correspondents that are in Asmara, they present their reports directly
to the Minister of Information Ali Abdu, who does not hesitate to suspend their licenses
at lowest delinquency or imprison each one speaking to them
Under strict control imposed by Ali Abdu, staff in state turn on Eri-TV, Radio Dimitsi
Havash (voice of the public), and government press turn into to young soldiers in
service of the orders of the government. Large number of journalists in public
institutions preferred immigration because they no longer tolerate a situation of
suffocation imposed by the government on them. some flee on foot to Sudan and
Ethiopia, and risk of the possibility of being beaten by border guards who had received
orders to fire on anyone, or to arrest such as Ayope Kesyt who works at Section of
Amharic language in Dimitsi Hivasc or Johnny Hisabo working at Eri-TV .the tow
detained somewhere in the country since last year. This adventure has cost the lives of
Paulus Kidane, working at section of Amharic language Eri-TV in June. After six days of
walking and fatigue and his suffering from epilepsy, he was forced to leave his
colleagues to leave after a few kilometers from the border to take rest. After several
weeks of his disappearance, Eritrean Minister of Information briefed his family and
staffs his death in late June.
Freedom of the press in Burundi
Imprison journalist Claude Kavompaju
I nternational network for exchange of information September 17, 2008

In last week in Burundi, Jean - Claude Kavompaju, editor of a electronic website has
been jailed, allegedly defaming the government in a report on expenses of president
during his attendance of the Olympic Games in Beijing.
The situations of press freedom in Niger
Suspension of radio and television in the Niger
2/8/2008
Niamey, Niger (PANA Press site): the Supreme Council for communications in Niamey
suspended private radio station and television "Dunia" for its not pay terms.
Calling for release of detained journalist in Niger
Senegal (PANA): International Federation of Journalists renewed its calling for release
Musa Qala, correspondent of Radio France International in Niger.
calling for lifting the ban on Radio France International, Dakar, Senegal (PANA)
15/3/2005
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Committee to Protect Journalists urged Nigerian authorities to abolish the ban, which
lasts three months on radio, "FM" of Radio France International in the country, which
lies in West Africa.
Conditions of press freedom in Uganda
Killing of announcer in Uganda
I nternational network for the exchange of information in February 2008

Producing radio been raped and killed by unknown assailants, according to Reporters
without Borders and the International Federation of journalists and journalists of East
Africa. Rebecca Ilbrood Kazoga, announcer at Buama FM station was assaulted by a
group of unknown on the morning of February 17, when she was on her way to work.
residents of her village found her body later the same day. According to the
international federation of journalists, reasons of killing are still unknown, but her
fellow journalists believe it is relevant to her work. Buama police says that
investigations under way.
Freedom of the press in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Targeting of journalists in the recent clashes
November 2008 IFEX
IFEX reported that the journalists and other civilians are deliberately targeted by the
rebel forces and government-backed militias in eastern Democratic Republic of the
Congo, according to journalists at risk, Human Rights Watch and other IFEX members.
On November 4, Belgian journalist Thomas Shin, a reporter for newspaper "Frankfurter
Allgemeine Zeitung," and his translator Charles Ntiricia and his driver Roger Bangh
were kidnapped by Mai - Mai Pkinuanga forces. They were released three days later. As
for Alfred Munyameliza Byewahiki Njunjo, journalist and announcer at (Rako) radio
group, which reportedly he killed in the clashes, it proved to be alive. In a telephone
interview with journalists in danger organization Njojo and Faustn Tawith, editor in
chief of Rako, they took refuge in camp of United Nations Mission in the November 7.
But (Rako), the only radio station, had been lootedS by Nkunda's forces, according to a
press in danger, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. According to the
International Federation of journalists:"the conflict in Democratic Republic of the Congo
resulted in death of many civilians. (...) and the journalists who are trying to transfer the
war find themselves subject to attacks."
Freedom of the press in Kenya
Source: International Network for the exchange of information on freedom of
expression
T he Government is imposing a media blackout

The Institute of Information in Kenya and other members of IFEX condemned Kenyan
government's decision to ban live television and radio in response to the violence that
followed the elections. The government has declared the prohibition of live broadcasts
for inde initely in December 30, under explosion of violent protests over the re-election
of President Mwai Kibaki for five years amid allegations of rigging the results of the
ballot.
Law in Kenya is required journalist to reveal his sources:
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In 4/ August 2007, less than 30 members of parliament out of 222 members adopted
hasty amendment to the Law on the Media Council of Kenya. The amendment stipulates
that: "If the press article includes unknown, did not reveal and if the subject become
controversially in terms of its meaning, then the editor is required to disclose the
identity of the party or parties referred to."
This has resulted in the passage of the amendment of the informal negotiations had
rejected other proposals such as the issuance of licenses for journalists. The media
organization determined to appeal in constitutionality of the law if approved by
President Mwai Kibaki. Reporters without Borders called on Kibaki to reject the law,
saying it was "contrary to international democratic standards ... this paragraph means
that there will be no guarantees for confidentiality of the source, which is basic and
necessary condition for freedom of the press. The owners of the media association also
demanded President to reject Information Act, saying that it would be a fatal blow to
freedom of information. The government relation with media is tense, since masked
police raided the printing press newspaper "Standard" in 2006 and closed its television
channel TNT, for promoting racial hatred, as alleged by the government. In April, the
government ordered a cut of advertising from group Standard.
Freedom of the press in Cameroon
Government of Cameroon forcing three media outlets to stop broadcasting
International Network for exchange of information, March 2008
I n February 28, armed soldiers raided Magic FM Radio, in capital Yaounde, and took
the most important broadcasting equipment. The officers accused the station of
"broadcasting irresponsible" encourage tensions because of its critical coverage to
government in a program to calls from listeners this morning the same day. People
callers were criticizing President Paul Biya's speech to public on television in which he
said that he would use "all legal means" to restore order. Last week, Ikennox TV and
Radio Ikennox in economic capital Douala were suspended because of their coverage of
the crisis.
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Freedom of the press in Asia
T he situations in Afghanistan
53 cases of violence against journalists in Afghanistan
Amnesty International Report 2008 said: The Independent Union of journalists in
Afghanistan registered 53 cases of violence against journalists at the hands of the
Afghan government and Taliban in one year.. Six journalists were killed in these cases...
On June 5, Zakia Zaki, who manages private radio station (Alsalam) was killed and her
home by gunmen in center of Brown area. Kamran Mihzaz, a journalist and editor-in-
chief of press Kabul, a news site on the Internet was arrested. He was released later
without charges.
Release of detainees in the U.S. camp
In September 22, Jawad Ahmed, a correspondent CNN TV Canadian was released, after
11 months in military prison in Bgram, Kandahar. According to news reports, the U.S.
military was released his because he is no longer a danger. release of Ahmed comes
filing lawsuit by legal team against U.S. President George W. Bush and the U.S. military
seeks to provide a legal basis for the arrest of Ahmad and his release immediately,
according to the International Federation of journalists.
Finding body of BBC correspondent
International Network for the exchange of information Jun 10, 2008
The body of journalist working for the BBC in Afghanistan was found, a day after his
abduction in Helmand province. Body of Abdul Samad Rohani was found near town of

Lashkar Gah on June 8, according to Reporters without Borders, Committee to Protect
Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists and local communities. There
were effects of torture before his killing. A number of attacks against journalists in
Afghanistan occurred this year. Commission information for South Asia, based in Kabul
said that ive Afghans journalists were killed in 2007, including the independent
reporter Ajmal Naqshbandi, who his kidnappers, from Taliban, separating his head from
his body. Naqshbandi was working with the Italian reporter Mastro Gakomo, who had
been released.
Norwegian journalist killed in Kabul
International Network for exchange of information Jan 15 2008
a Norwegian journalist was killed among six other people, at least, in an attack allegedly
committed by the Taliban, at luxury hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, according to the
International Federation of Journalists and International Press Institute and Reporters
Without Borders.
Afghanistan: release of Dutch- Canadian journalist Melissa Feng
November 11, 2008
Dutch journalist Joinet de Rike was released. DeRike had been kidnapped near Kabul
during coverage of killing French soldiers in an ambush by the Taliban. Also Canadian
television journalist Melissa Feng was released .Feng was arrested during her press
duties in a refugee camp on October 12. Meleisea subjected to hand cuffing and
blindfold and left her lying on a small cave under the ground.
Conditions of press freedom in Iran
* the site of Reporters Without Borders registered in the period from January 2008
until August 2008 a number of press violations which amounted to 36 violations such as
arrest , imprisonment , trial , prohibitions and confiscations passports ..
* Section of national press in Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance decided in
January 19, 2008 ban on newspaper to ban (Arria) newspaper because of it irregular
publication
In February, official of Iranian electronic site was arrested .in March, journalists
sentenced to prison and others released and re-open the file Iranian-Canadian
photographer Zahra Kazemi and detention of Afghan journalist... In April, detention of a
electronic journalist and putting back journalist Imad Eddin Baqi to prison and closure
of Rogi Halat weekly…………arrest of journalist Rufaie.
On 13 April 2008, Masood Talghani Rifai from Frank Ocati newspaper arrested at his
home and then a reference to an unknown location. On 19 April 2008, the authorities
suspended weekly Bigam Boroujerd, following complaint againt it by Ministry of Culture
and Islamic Guidance. On 28 April, the committee of control of press ordered closure of
Hambastiqi newspaper.
In the month of May, journalist completed a ten months in prison for failing to pay bail.
A Journalist, Imad Eddin had a heart attack in prison of Evin.
*In June 13, 2008 Mahbooba Krami was arrested, she working in the official press
agency Iisna after accusing members of the police scolding demonstrators. Mohammad
Sadeq was sentenced to 11 years. Abolition of license of newspaper, as well as
condemnation of journalists on charges of propaganda against the Islamic Republic and
has been exerting pressure on the management of a government newspaper.
*In the month of July, an arrest warrant was issued against the director of opponent
information institution .the death penalty has been issued against crimes committed
through the Internet ,and calling journalist and his arrest after his appearance before
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the Public Prosecutor in Kurdistan. Arrest of Kurdish journalist Saman Rasool.
Reporters without Borders called for release of journalist Mahboubah Karami who
detention since June 13, 2008. Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance ordered
suspension of two newspapers in west of the country In July 2, 2008
* In the month of August, journalist from Arab minority was sentenced to five years
imprisonment .putting Imad Eddin in solitary confinement. Threat of journalist Shireen
Abadi.
*In September 2, 2008, Director of Al Arabiya television in Tehran received of icial
notification from Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance to leave Iran. This decision
was made after two months after departure of former Assistant Director of the Office of
the French press agency in the Iranian capital Storat Williams, who was the victim of a
similar measure.
* Joseph Aziza was sentenced to five years.
* Supreme Court in Tehran in September 2008 abolished death sentence against Adnan
Hassan to defect in the procedure.
* Iraqi journalists told observatory in a telephone conversation that the Iranian security
authorities have threatened to obstruct the prison because they have been subjected to
harassment and that all members of the Iraqi Media have been treated very badly and
were prevented from filming some of the meetings and conferences that accompanied
the Iraqi government delegation for the coverage.
Freedom of the press in Sri Lanka

Arrest of journalist on charges of terrorism
I nternational network for the exchange of information September 17, 2008

Tamil senior journalist and columnist in "the Sunday Times" newspaper Tessa was
arrested on March 7 by the Department of terrorism investigations. After serving five
months without charge, he became the first journalist convicted under the "Law on the
prevention of terrorism" since the issuance of the law.
Murder of the journalist Raschmi Muhammad
Beginning of October 2008, witnessed killing of journalist Mohammed Rschmi,
correspondent of Serasa TV, when he was covering opening of the new Office of the
United National Party in Anordabora, northern Sri Lanka, where a bomb exploded
inside the office.
Conditions of press freedom in India
Curfew restricts the Kashmiri media, and killing of journalist and an attack on 13
journalists
I nternational Network for the exchange of information September 3, 2008

Cameraman was killed in state of Jammu and Kashmir, north India, which was imposed
by curfew. Srinagar, the most important cities in the region witnessed media blackout in
the last week. The lifting of the curfew was imposed for nine days at the beginning of the
holy month of Ramadan, on September 2, but Indian authorities continue to prohibit
any gathering of more than 4 persons.
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On August 24, police in Sarenjar assaulted at least 13 journalists, some of them from
major Indian news agencies, "the Press Trust" and "United News", according to the
International Federation of Journalists and Reporters without Borders.
Murder of veteran journalist in an exchange of fire
Press photographer was killed last week during his coverage armed clashes in region of
Jammu, India, according to the International Federation of journalists.
Ashok, a veteran journalist who has worked in the press for 25 years, was covering an
armed confrontation in Samba district of Kashmir between the security forces and the
rebels.
The conditions of journalists in the Philippines
Site of International Network for the exchange of information:

Press freedom groups consider Philippines one of the most dangerous countries in the
world for journalists. In 2004, 6 journalists were killed because of their work, and that
is the highest rate reached the country since the restoration of democratic rule in 1986,
according to Freedom and Responsibility of Media Center. Three journalists were
murdered, including radio broadcaster Klein Kantonneros, who was shot in Dipolog
City, on 4/ May 2005.
The center added that the island of Mindanao considers one of the most dangerous
places for journalists in the Philippines. Of the 52 journalists were murdered in the
country since 1986, killing 24 in Mindanao.
Killing of journalist No33 in Philippines
International Network for the exchange of information April 15, 2008
journalist was murdered in a suburb of Manila on April 7, he is the irst journalist killed
this year in Philippines ,according to freedom and responsibility media center and the
Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Federation of journalists. 5
unidentified persons fired shots at Binifredo Acabal and fled on a motorcycle.
At least 33 journalists killed since President Macapagal - Arroyo take power.
Killing of Radio Mindanao Network journalists and impunity prevailing the
country
International network for the exchange of information August 13, 2008
two broadcasters of Radio Mindanao Network were killed in four days in early August
2008. According to the Press Union of South-East Asia the two incidents underline
continuing crisis of impunity for attackers in the Philippines. In August 4, was
ambushed Dennis Cuesta, broadcaster of Canal DXMD was ambushed in General Santos
City, Mindanao. He died after spending three days in a coma.
On August 7, Martin Roxas, program director of Channel WVR was shot dead.
Killing of journalist and his two daughters survived
International Network for the exchange of information July 9, 2008
Motorcycle-riding gunmen ired at Robert Sison, in his car in June 30. His daughter
Iwaiwai (30 years) injured in her arm, while his youngest daughter did not injury (24
years), according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
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According to local news reports, the car stormed with bullets. Police officer in Quezon
province said to "Philippine Daily Inquirer" newspaper issued in Manila: "It is clear that
the suspect was very angry with Sison."
Philippines: killing of radio broadcaster in Mindanao
IFEX 19/11/2008
radio broadcaster known for his criticizing local corruption shot dead in November 17
in Junejoj city, southern Philippines, according to freedom and responsibility of media
center and other members of IFEX.
The conditions of journalists in Pakistan
R eport of Reporters without Borders in 2008 said: (in the past week in Pakistan, 5
journalists seriously injured in a bomb blast in khozdar, Baloshcsan, outside electoral

office of an independent candidate. The recent reports in Pakistan clarify, despite the
government tightened its grip on the coverage news, it is clear that the party of
President Musharraf on his way to defeat.)
Murder of journalist in Baluchistan
Journalist was killed in province of Baluchistan, southwest Pakistan. Khadim Sheikh

Hussein, correspondent of "Send-T-V" and head of the local office of "Kabarin"
newspaper, shot dead by unidentified assailants while on his way to the house with his
brother on a motorcycle north of Karachi, according to the Committee to Protect
Journalists.
Killing of the kidnapped journalist in an air strike

Journalist being held by the Taliban was killed in an air strike on insurgent's hideouts
in Swat Valley, Pakistan last week. According to Pakistan Press Foundation that Abdel
Aziz Shahin, a journalist of "Azadi" and "Khabarcar" local dailies in Swat, was among 25
people were killed in the August 29 following an air raid by government forces on a
hideout of the Taliban, which he was being held.
Pakistani Information Minister directed not to cover outlaw groups:
103

Federation of Pakistan journalists says that the government does not take issue of
safety of journalists seriously enough, especially in the tribal areas. Journalists were
receiving death threats; some of them have received warning letters asking them to
leave the area. the International Federation of journalists support Pakistan Federation
of Journalists to reject the call made by Shire Rahman, Pakistani Minister of Information,
to the media not to convey news of outlaw groups. According to federal: "The task of the
media not to glorify the so-called fighters, or others, but a genuine convey of reports on
conditions in the ground. ...Pakistani journalists must have, like rest of their colleagues
around the world, freedom to cover the activities of groups such as al Qaeda. The right
of people to know what is happening, and any kind of control will complicate the
situations. "
Killing of reporter in a tribal region
Pakistani journalist shot dead in May 22, while he returning from interview with one of
the leaders of the Taliban on Pakistani - Afghan borders, according to Pakistani press
and other members of IFEX. Unidentified shooting of Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, a
correspondent for Express TV channel and "Express" daily in Urdu language, outside
Khar, North West Pakistan. The journalist was returning after interview with local
Taliban spokesman Omar. According to RSF, the attackers took from Ibrahim the
camera and mobile phone and notebook before shooting him and left his body on the
side of the road.
Pakistan: Killing of journalist
November 8, 2008
Pakistani security forces opened fire on the journalist, Qari Mohammad Shoaib, a
reporter for "Azadi" and "Kabar Car" newspapers in Manjura, on the pretext that he did
not stop his car at a checkpoint, although his car was carrying a sign "Press".
International Federation of Journalists called upon Pakistan to conduct an immediate
and independent investigation into killing of Shoaib and arrest of responsible for the
incident.
Conditions of press freedom in Cambodia
Killing of journalist and his son before the election
Attackers opened fires on a journalist working for pro- opposition newspaper in Phnom
Penh on July 12, just weeks before the general elections, according to the Press Union of
South-East Asia and the Assembly of Cambodia Association to protect journalists. Kheim
Sambo was driving his motorcycle along with his son Khat Sarin (12 years), when he
104

was shot twice by assailants on another a motorcycle. Sambo died immediately while
his son died in hospital later. Newspaper's editor-in-chief accused Sam recently of
publishing allegations of links between Foreign Minister and former Khmer Rouge
regime, according to the Press Union of South-East Asia. The charges were later
dropped.
Conditions of press freedom in Thailand
Killing of investigative journalist at his home
Journalist of daily newspaper and a television station in Altai English shot dead at his
home on August 1, 2008, in of Nakorn Sri Samrrat province. Otheoat Tchayanurat was a
reporter for "Maticon" newspaper and broadcaster Channel Seven-owned army.
According to the Thai Journalists Association: "The assassination of the journalist in his
home does not prove that the crime was intentional, but shows without any doubt that
it was planning from influential figures."
Conditions in freedom of the press in Burma
Burmese group movement demanding release of journalists
Burmese group movement, which consists of 22 members and partners of IFEX,

directed call to the international bodies to put pressure for release of Burmese
opponents currently detained at "fabricated" charges by Burmese military junta. In
June, journalist Zaw Thet Htoh and the famous actor and activist Zarcnar were arrested
after their participation in the relief efforts to help victims of Hurricane Nargis, which
struck Burma in May. On August 15, both of them charged with 7 other activists of a
series of alleged crimes.
Conditions of press freedom in China
China: Attacks on freedom of information before the 2008 Olympics.
Human Rights Watch said today that Chinese government is backtracking on its
position to impose new rules to allow a greater margin of freedom for foreign
journalists, and continues to deprive Chinese journalists of the same freedoms.
There are also indicators that there are more restrictions on the local media, which is
already under systematic control and repeated repressive campaigns, with targeting
sources of journalists by local officials to avenge them. Sophie Richardson, Deputy
105

Director of the Department of Asia at Human Rights Watch said : " Chinese government
has already inadequate to meet its commitments for lifting of restrictions on foreign
journalists ahead of the Olympic Games in Beijing": she added "These arbitrary
restrictions on the freedom of the press, threatening new legislation, and raise
questions about the Government's commitment to implement. "
Richardson said: "There are no justification for the denial of the right of the Chinese
journalists even the limited freedoms enjoyed by their foreigner colleagues" She added:
"If China was sincere about the freedom of the press in covering the Olympics,
journalists must also be liberated."
At the time , Chinese Constitution, which guarantees "freedom of publication," There are
a number of national systems related to information , which contains wide conditions
and prohibitions on publishing press articles" "harmful to the dignity or the interests of
the nation", or "promote the rumors," or "harm the credibility of a government
authority " , which is considered implicit threat to Chinese journalists in their research
and publishing topics deems sensitive by government. According to the Committee to
Protect Journalists, China has already jailed number of journalists than any other
country in the world, and there is already in prison 30 journalists.
Retaliation from foreign journalists
It is still, there is threatening of source of foreign journalists and persons who meet.
Lofo Jiancai, defender of the peasants displaced in the area of the Gorges Dam, has been
beaten by unknown in June 8, 2006. Jiancia was questioned by local police on his
interview with German television station (A.R.D).
Under the U.S. Department of State talk about freedom of the press in China:
U nder-Secretary of State of America said: (The highest number of imprisoned
journalists, more than 30, anywhere in the world, is in China. There are also some 50
bloggers in prisons. Despite progress on some fronts, China cannot be proud of its
record on freedom of the press. China has taken a welcome step when it announced a
temporary easing of the severity of the law on foreign journalists to enable them to
work more freely in preparation for the Olympic Games of 2008, which will be held in
Beijing. When I visited China, I spoke to government officials about our hope that this
procedure is always to make China closer to international standards.)
106

Freedom of the press in South America
T he situations of press freedom in Ecuador
Seizure and closure of private television stations
According to American States Association to the press and the Committee to Protect
Journalists and other IFEX members, members of guarantee deposits agency in Ecuador,
supported by dozens of police officers, seized two private television stations are
Jamabission and T-C Telln on the pretext that the two stations have relations with
(Grobo Aisseas) which is financial group accused of embezzlement in the late nineties.
According to Committee to Protect Journalists that the situation was further
complicated with the closure of Radio Sucre, in the July 7, an opposition radio station,
based in Guayaquil. The representatives of the National Council for Communications
accompanied by police confiscated equipment in Radio Sucre and sealed it. The council
said the station was used frequencies were not assigned to them.
Freedom of the press in Panama
Killing of cameraman
I nternational network for the exchange of information April 15, 2008
Television cameraman was killed during his coverage of fight gangs in Panama City,
according to the International Federation of journalists. Eliécer Santamaría was killed in
the April 8 during his coverage an exchange of ire between gangs in the capital,
according to news reports.
Conditions of press freedom in Cuba
Cuban media are still subject to repression after year Raul Castro took power
Eric Green, an editor at the site of USINFO
Reporters Without Borders has announced that Cuba did not achieve any development
or improvements for human rights or improve situation of freedom of the press since
107

Raul Castro took power on behalf of his brother Fidel Castro, as vice president of the
country since July 31 / 2006.
Reporters without Borders said in a statement Thursday, July 26, since Raul Castro took
power, three Cubans journalists were imprisoned, while about 40 journalists subjected
to inspections and investigations by the police, as they had been subjected to actual
physical assaults and threats.
The American Journalists Association based in Miami, Florida condemned deteriorating

health conditions of independent journalists who are behind bars in Cuban, and
reiterated its demand release of the journalists, accusing Cuban regime of endangering
the lives of nine of the twenty-eight journalists in Cuban prisons for the risk of depriving
"even basic health care, despite their serious medical conditions."
IFEX bodies urge Castro to release imprisoned journalists
International Network for the exchange of information on July 2 2008
Reporters without Borders and Committee to Protect Journalists called upon President
Raul Castro to unconditional release of journalists imprisoned in Cuba after European
Union lifting diplomatic sanctions on this socialist country. One of those journalists,
Johnsales Ricardo Alfonso, is correspondent for Reporters without Borders. He was
arrested in the "Black Spring". He was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 20 years
in prison for that "mercenary" to receive funds from the United States. His health very
bad because of suffering in prison, his wife calls immediate release because of his
health.
Situations of press freedom in Brazil
T hreatening to kill journalists because photographed city
The journalists reporting on some of the poorest districts of the country received
threats from drug traffickers and those involved in organized crime. Masked gunmen
have threatened to kill three Brazilian photographers were covering visit of one of the
candidates to shanty towns in Rio de Janeiro, according to the Committee to Protect
Journalists and the Association of American States to the press. On July 26, the
photographers, who are covering the campaign for newspapers, "O Globo" " "and" De
Jorna Brazil ", walking in the neighborhood," de Villa Cruzeiro "indiscriminate and took
pictures of Marcelo Krivela, one of the candidates for the post of governor of Rio, when
they were attacked by masked men, at least.
108

Conditions of press freedom in Venezuela
K illing of deputy chief-in- editor
International Network for the exchange of information Jun 10, 2008
deputy chief editor of Venezuelan newspaper was killed last week .the staff of
Venezuelan newspaper received more than 50 death threats last year, according to
Press and Society Institute and other IFEX members. Georges-Pierre, deputy chief editor
of daily "Diario de la Riporth Ekonomija" in Caracas was injured with more than 12
bullets by gunmen on a motorcycle on June 2.
The case of killing of journalists in the country amounted to 4 cases since 1992 for
reasons directly related to their work, most recently in 2006. The local press subject to
more repression. The reporters and photographers subject to attacks during
demonstrations.
Closure of independent radio station:
Web site: Yu USINFO. Publications. Bulletin of the Washington
Journalists Association has scolded Government of Venezuela because of closure the

independent radio station, Radio Caracas Television in 27 May. Venezuela's government
has seized on the radio station waves immediately to begin broadcasts in a radio station
owned by the Government of Venezuela on behalf of the Socialist television. And the
new radio use equipment and devices, which it captured from the station. head of the
journalists in the Americas ,Rafael Molina said in a statement issued on July 21 that
"there is a political atmosphere is becoming increasingly evident in Venezuela, and
redressing the freedom of the press and freedom of expression, which were subjected to
further restrictions." Molina was referring to the closure of Radio Caracas Television.
The Commission had announced on 25 May that the Venezuelan government was
involved in "acts of intimidation" against journalists in the country.
Conditions of press freedom in the Dominican Republic killing of journalist cover

news
Normando Garcia, journalist of Btellnion daily, was shot dead in August 7, 2008 in
Santiago, north of Santo Domingo. According to local news reports, Garcia,
photographer global organization "de la Dietras Notesia" ("Behind the News") was shot
several times from a moving car.. The Committee refers to the killing of another
journalist in retaliation for his work during the last five years in Dominican Republic.
Conditions of press freedom in Guatemala
109

Killing correspondent after receiving threats
A news reporter was shot dead in southern Guatemala, after weeks of receiving threats,
according to the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Association of American
States to the press. A single gunman fired at least four shots at head of Kuroki Mirda
Perez, a reporter for "Prensa Libre," local daily. According to media reports center that
"parallel powers" - groups involved in illegal activities, trade in drugs or organized
crime - had violated the country and has become threats to freedom of expression.
Freedom of the press in Uruguay
Armed attack on journalist and killed his wife
Radio journalist subjected to serious injuries and his wife killed in an attack in
Korojuati, Uruguay, according to American Association for press and Reporters without
Borders. Alfredo Abalos Thomas received a head shot and killed his wife by two men on
a motorcycle. Reporters without Borders says that Abalos, a local politician, who was
presenting a program of public affairs at the FM waves, he often criticizes drug
smuggling on the border between Paraguay and Brazil may be the reason for targeting
by drug gangs. Last year, Abalos subjected to failed kidnapping attempt and there is a
lawsuit filed against him by Orestiau Falcnbak, which is believed to be the head of drug
cartel.
Freedom of the press in Bolivia
K illing of radio journalist after attack on channel
International network for exchange of information April 2008
Radio journalist died of his wounds in collective attack on Bolivian radio station,
according to the Society of American States to the press and other press freedom
groups.
Carlo Quispe, a journalist of "Radio Monyecebal" in Bockarani, near La Paz, subjected to

beating until he lost consciousness in an attack by a group of people opposed to the
mayor in March 27, according to the International Federation of journalists. In a
separate incident, broadcast stations were targeted in Sucre by more than 100
protesters opposed to the government in March 25, according to the Reporters without
Borders.
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The situation of press freedom in Russia
* 14 journalists were killed and wounded during Russian-Georgian war. The
international network for the exchange of information said on freedom of expression
that four journalists were killed in the conflict that began between Russia and Georgia in
August 8, 2008. At the same time, the electronic warfare between the two countries led
to block Web sites and television stations.
For its part, Georgian authorities in August 11 "to combat disinformation" by cutting off
all access to Russian television. As the most important Internet service providers in
Georgia, Kocazs Online, hiding the most important news sites on the Russian-speaking
through a Russian ban on the domain name (. Ru). Russian Internet pirates attacked
sites of Day and ENS in Azerbaijan.
In another context, Radio Netherlands Arab 4/9/2008 said that after two days of the
death of journalist Alonicoci Magmod Ajafloyev (suspected he was killed), another
journalist was killed in neighboring republic of Dagestan.
Killing of owner of the site Ingushetia in police custody and further attacks on
journalists in Caucasus international network for the exchange of information
September 3, 2008
Owner of opponent news site was shot to death in August 31 in troubled Russian region
of Ingushetia shortly after his arrest by the police, according to Glasnost Association to
defend Article 19 and other IFEX members. According to IFEX members, police were
waiting for Yevloyev upon his arrival by plane from Moscow to Ingushetia. Shortly after
his left from the airport in a police car, he has been taken hospital after being shot in the
head, and died in the operations room.
Killing of journalist and wounded another in northern Caucasus
Abdullah Aleshaef, correspondent of religious affairs in channel NTV - Chirki local, was
killed in the Sept. 3 when he was shot in Pmakashkala, regional capital of Dagestan...
killing of two journalists in separate attacks
International network for the exchange of information in March 2008
Two Journalists were killed, when they were covering situations in troubled North
Caucasus, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Center for the
highest positions in the press and other IFEX members and news reports. Elias
Chorbayev, a correspondent for the first Russian Channel, was found after he was
stabbed with knife in his apartment in Moscow on March 21. Later, at the same day,
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gunmen opened fire on a car was carrying Jadzi Obachelov, chairman of Dagestan's
official television channel, in Makhachkala, capital of Dagestan.
Arrest of 10 journalists because of their covering to protests
International network for the exchange of information
Jan 29, 2008
10 journalists were arrested on Saturday for their coverage of a violent demonstration

in Nazran, capital of the Republic of Ingushetia, Russian, South-west of the country,
according to the Press Center in the highest positions, Human Rights Watch and
Reporters without Borders. According to RSF, the journalists were arrested while
covering a demonstration in January 26 to protest the alleged rigging of the results of
parliamentary elections in December, where the United Russia party won, the pro-
government, 99% of the vote in Onjoshia.
journalists detained for 20 hours before being accompanied by armed units to the
Republic of North Ossetia from neighboring Russia for their "safety", according to
Human Rights Watch .
The government claims that many parts of Ingushetia is "area of operations to combat
terrorism" - and alleged that the aim is to protect civilians from attacks by armed
groups neighboring separatist Chechnya.
Freedom of the press in the West
s ince attacks of September 11, there has been a serious turn in the course of the
freedom of the press in the West, under the pretext of fighting terrorism, journalists and
institutions suffered from the pressure the press .in paragraph of report 2006 by
Reporters Without Borders under the title (decline of Western democracies) reflected
part of the picture, where the paragraph said:
(The phenomenon of concern in the order in 2006 in area of freedom of the press is that
the Western democracies, which were often made as an example in this field known as
backtracking. This applies primarily to United States, France and Japan. The reason for
significant decline of United States, according to the report, due to the deterioration of
the relationship between the administration of President George W. Bush and the press,
since he had begun to consider that any journalist suspect in his war against terrorism,
is doubtful journalist . "The report of Reporters without Borders has pointed to number
of issues which journalists subjected to great penalties because they refused to disclose
the sources of information in these issues. One of charges made by the report is that
United States "detention without trial since June 13, 2002 to Sudanese cameraman of
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Aljazeera Sami al-Hajj in Guantanamo prison." Even France, the cradle of human rights,
declined in five grades from last year to settle in the place 53, which it lost 23 compared
to the order of rank in 2002. In Japan, which ranked 51, the threats to the media led to
explosives attack on headquarters of the Nihon Kaisai newspaper)
Content of freedom of the press in the West:
D. Ahmed Saleh Salem wrote lengthy article on the Internet, where he said:
(supranational companies, which runs many of Western countries, do not stop profiting
all tragedies of universe for defense of its colonial agents like Israel or to blackmail the
States in more than one file ,it feel that it has lost control of it …it begins .. using a
repeated method ,these companies don’t bore from borrowing the words themselves
to serve its propaganda machine to circulate written, visual and audible investigations
and press reports to implant certain convictions to the Western public opinion, it
successes , in particular, each time in the restructuring of American society's awareness
,for example, which incompatible with the most basic common sense to think properly.
These companies have technical, complex, psychological and misinformation experience
to make people see the bright red color as sky-blue despite the difference of color.)
Western media... And misleading of community
Sudanese Alahdath newspaper have translated and published an article by writer

Pierre Gourds, in its issue of Tuesday 19/8/2008 talking about the substance of the
freedom of the press in France in particular and the West in general, the writer said :
(the mass media knows how to give a very large dimension to the general desire to
Idiocy, which lies within the more educated elite, where such a phenomenon that
destroys the whole society) and said: (If the media in totalitarian regimes succeeded to
some extent in imprisonment ideas ,indeed the victorious capitalism overcome it , of
course all of that in the name of freedom) (any freedom this , which spreads
informative Trumpery around the world) (they tell us on what television broadcast
yesterday, on the love stories of the President and clothes and the car crash suffered by
the artist Britney Spears, and the majority of the citizens remain ignorant of the laws of
their country and the work of justice, institutions ,universities , Constitution , the
geography of the world around them and their past, except for some common side
pictures)
Censorship in the West, the biggest challenge faces journalists:
There is another view of the western writer. the British author and broadcaster, "Simon
Reeve," the award-winning British endowment in 2005, described censorship as the
greatest challenge faces journalists in all parts of the world, he said that censorship
could come from repression by the government or by threats and violence against the
media, and could be result of pressure by companies and shareholders and owners of
major media in the wealthy countries of the developing world and the developed world.
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He said that the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day shows the physical and
material risks faces journalists in the developing world.
Journalist Johan Jaltonj, Nobel laureate accuses Western media:
Interviewer: Claudia Isabel Ritl, translation: Abdul Latif, Shoaib
Magazine of Development and Cooperation 2008
Johan Jaltonj said that the Western media is highlighting the negative points in the
Islamic world, this complicate many of the conflicts, he said: peace journalism means
publishing news that promise of peace, not war. The media are interested in acts of
violence not only pay attention to the work of peace. It is necessary to expose all that is
bad. However, one can hardly hear anything about the positives in the media. The
reports from the Middle East dominated by the violence. In response to a question:
Africans also says that the Western media do not cover enough, Jaltonj said: There is no
media coverage on the philosophy of "Obonto", for example. This philosophy says that
all of us a part of the other. But if one wants to know the secret of the success of the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa must develop a philosophy of
"Obonto" in account.
Situations of press freedom in North America

Freedom of the press in the United States of America
R eporters Without Borders has said (bad order of the United States of America is
due mainly to the arrest of some journalists and imprisonment because they refuse to
reveal their sources in court. It is also since the attacks of September 11 several
journalists had been arrested for allegedly crossing the lines of security in some official
buildings. In the report of Reporters without Borders issued on February 13, 2008
United States ranked 48. The authorities released blogger Bush Wolf after 224 days in
prison. Also U.S authorities arrested photographer of Aljazeera Al-Hajj since June 13,
2002 in Guantanamo base Even May 2008, and journalist from Canadian station CTV
remained in custody since October 2007 until September 2008. As well as assassination
of Chauncey Bailey in August 2007. The site of America Dot. Goff on April 4, 2008 report
which said that the biggest challenges which face freedom of the press include the
censorship and forcing reporters to reveal their special sources and torture and killing
of journalists... John Bowers, editor in the Boston Globe said that the United States suffer
from the problem of forcing reporters to reveal their confidential sources, he added that
the United States had always had the most press freedom in the world, but there are
i ssues covered by the popular media has been widely the filing of reporters prison for
refusing to reveal the names of their own sources. Bowers said that the American media
organizations calling for the U.S. Congress to pass federal protection law which would
help to clarify the circumstances in which the reporters reveal their sources. Kathy
Baker, a professor of press and public information at the University of North Carolina
spoke on the issue of the New York Times correspondent Judith Miller, when she spent
85 days in jail for refusing to reveal her own sources.
There is another problem facing journalists in America, is problem of work and ensure
functional stability. Then Freedom of the press in the United States suffer from:
- Jailing, beating and humiliation of journalists to disclose their own sources.
- Risks of job security face U.S journalists.
- The way to create a balance between national security and the right of people to know
the facts.
U S: arrest of journalists during their coverage of political conferences
International network for the exchange of information September 10, 2008
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T hree journalists of "Democracy Now!" American radio in addition to a cameraman
from the Associated Press subjected to scolding and arrest during their coverage of anti-
war demonstrations during the conference, the National Republican Party in St. Paul,
Minnesota, on September 1. Announcer Emy Goodman and producers Sharif Abdel
Qudous and Nicole Salazar have been released , but charges don’t drop against them -
Goodman has been accused of obstructing the course of law, while no decision had been
taken charge of rioting against Abdul Quddus and Salazar. Matt Rurkh, a cameraman for
Associated Press has also been arrested during the demonstrations. David Ake, assistant
director of the agency's office in Washington says : "News coverage is activity protected
constitutionally, and to cover the rallies are part of this activity."
According to "Democracy Now!" Abdul Quddus has been pushed to the wall and then
thrown to the ground injured in his arms and chest and back. Psahlazar also was thrown
to ground screaming, "I am a press!" her nose bled. Police have arrested more than 250
citizens during the events of Monday, as quoted by the Associated Press. About 10000
citizens participated in a peaceful march against the war. Earlier in the weekend, the
police of "prevention" of the demonstrations, when they attacked meeting of group of
video journalists to media independent representatives and bloggers and producer of
video.
D uring the conference of, the National Democratic Party, the Committee to Protect
Journalists conveyed news of arrest Lhasa Aislucr news, product news in ABC during his
trying to shoot the Democratic Party officials and financiers as they left a private
meeting. Aislucr was released on August 28 on bail of $ 500.
U S: rights groups object to the law of spy
International network for the exchange of information July 16, 2008
U.S International Pen Organization joined U.S Civil Freedoms Union, Human Rights
Watch, Amnesty International and other rights organizations, in its dispute with the U.S.
government on the constitutionality of the law of censorship. According to rights
groups, the new amendments which entered to the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act
give the U.S. administration authority to continue the work of illegal eavesdropping
since 2001, and expansion of it.
The groups say that the U.S. government will be able to practice "sweeping and
uncontrolled" censorship on the international communications of its citizens and
residents without identifying individuals or to obtain court authorization under the
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. This is the same position of journalists, where
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editor-in-chief of "The Nation" magazine says "This law threatens their ability to gather
sensitive information."
Pressure on media professionals in America:
Akbar Alyawm: 8/9/2008
R epublics Women Union in Florida decided breaking off famous media woman and
talk show star Oprah Winfrey, after she refused to host the Vice -candidate for the
presidential elections, Sarah Palin, in her program only after the end of the elections.
She said in her written statement in response to report of Drodg, which alleged that her
crew is divided on the possibility of booking a place for the governor of Alaska: Since
the beginning of the presidential campaign, when I decided I will open the first step in
support of one of the candidates has taken a decision not to exploit the program as part
of the campaigns of both candidates. Winfrey supported the fact that Palin will be a
guest in her program, but will invite her only after the end of the elections in November
next.
U.S practices against freedom of the press in the world:
Detention of journalists Sami al-Hajj, Jawad Ahmad in Guantanamo
- This year witnessed release of Al-Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Hajj, who has
been detained at the Guantanamo prison without being brought to trial for
nearly seven years; He was subjected to various forms of physical and
psychological torture. The U.S. military also detained Jawad Ahmad, a
journalist at Canadian CTV station, at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan since
October 26, 2007, was released in September 22, 2008.
Past practices:
If we come back little to link it to what is happening now, we find that during
the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003, U.S. aircraft bombed of ice of the Al-
Jazeera accurately, killing one of correspondent and injuring the other. U.S.
tanks pounded the headquarters of the journalists at the Palestine Hotel,
killing two journalists and wounding others. Abu Dhabi television was raided
by U.S army. In 2003, U.S soldiers implemented armed raid against
headquarters of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate in Baghdad, where, the
soldiers confiscated contents and smashed furniture of the headquarters and
of ices with ten computers and 15 small electricity generators, some of them
devoted to some branches of the union and some of them the other for the
families of the martyrs of the Iraqi press.. This has been condemned by the
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International Federation of the raid, describing it as a work of anger and
unjustified.
Attempts to purchase conscience:
- Arab media often reveal the amounts allocated by the U.S. authorities for
purchase of conscience some journalists in various Arab countries (including
Sudan) in order to create a group to beautify the ugly figure of America in the
minds of Arab citizen and Sudan.
Sami al-Hajj's lawyer talking about the trial of Aljazeera cameraman of torture at
Guantanamo
Reporters without Borders, U.S, 23/5/2008:
D irector of Office of Reporters without Borders in U.S Lucy Morion was able to
obtain an interview with a human rights lawyer Clive Stafford -- Smith on the issue of
Al-Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Hajj, on Monday, 19 May, in this context, Smith said: "U.S.
forces claimed that he terrorist because he experienced in the Al Jazeera channel. The
following words have been used namely:" the detainee admitted to having been trained
in the use of the camera with Aljazeera, "is supposed to understand that this kind of
terrorism." No legal basis for the charges against him. They can present new allegations
and we can prove its false " based on the testimony of Smith, there is no clear reason
to justify the release of the non-Hajj for a long time with reference to that U.S.
authorities are still considered him a terrorist. During his detention in the Guantanamo
camp, Al-Hajj interrogators forced him to testify against Al-Jazeera on a charge of
receiving funding from Al-Qaeda. Smith commented on Sami al-Hajj health, he pointed
out that Sami was weak when he arrived Khartoum in the wake of a long and bitter
agony. He allowed not using the bathroom for 24 hours.. Further, he was bound and
blindfolded. In addition, during the period of torture in detention at the Guantanamo
camp, the doctors told Al-Hajj that he has cancer, while Sudanese doctors who examined
him denied his illness. In relation to allegations of torture by the U.S. authorities, Smith
pointed out that his client was interrogated 130 times, including 120 focused on forcing
the Hajj to accused Al-Jazeera as a terrorist organization. Smith has also dealt with the
means used to force the Hajj to eat in prison - with pipeline through nose for feeding
him - an effort to force him to retreat from the hunger strike. In this context, Smith said
that these inhumane practices, noting that a significant survival Haj on hunger strike for
a period of 478 days:
Freedom of the press in the States under the American occupation
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T he States under U.S. occupation (Iraq and Afghanistan) are the worst in the area of
freedom of the press, and the reason for that is the occupation itself, and if we allocate a
separate section for freedoms of the press in Iraq under occupation, as the strongest
expression of the crisis face the press and journalists internationally, However, we note
in a hurry to the summary of violations against press freedom in that country.
Excerpts from report of the Observatory on the freedom of the press on the occasion of
World Press Freedom Day (complete report in another part)
(197) violation against Iraqi journalists and media institutions:
The period between 3 May 2007 and 3 May 2008 new indicators about reality of
freedom of the press and expression in Iraq , which can be described as a risk to the
future functioning of free media and pave the way for the widening of the policy of
prevention and repression by the security governmental forces. Abuse against
journalists indicates to significant increasing from last year, which amounted to 60%. by
one violation every one (43) hours. The Observatory of freedom of the press recorded
during mentioned period (197) violations against journalists and media institutions,
and the U.S. forces are involved mainly in such violations.
Excerpts from report of the Arab press Network (complete report in another
part):
Under title (it is time to shed light on the killing of journalists in Iraq, the Arab Press
Network in April 17, 2008 reported :
Five years passed from the deadly attacks against the "Palestine Hotel" and the Office of
channel "Al Jazeera" and the questions around it remain unanswered. In the April 8 /
April 2003, a U.S. tank ired a shell on "Palestine Hotel", main base for dozens of
international journalists who were conveying the facts of the US-led invasion of Iraq,
resulting in death of Spanish cameraman Jose Couso,, a veteran journalist and
photographer at "Reuters ", Taras Brociciok, and three other journalists wounded.
Earlier in the morning of that day, U.S. warplanes bombed the office of Al "Al Jazeera" in
Baghdad, and killed correspondent of Aljazeera Tariq Ayoub, and wounded one of its
cameraman. After several minutes, Abu Dhabi television offices were under fire in a
separate attack. It is true that the two channels were working in the area of military
operations, but they were there for several weeks and that Al-Jazeera "had been given
its coordinates to U.S. Department of Defense Pentagon." This is not the first time that
Aljazeera subject to a military strike by U.S, that its office in the Afghan capital, Kabul,
has received an air strike in November 2001. Among the 127 journalists and 50 media
assistants were killed in Iraq since the March 20, 2003, there were at least 16
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journalists and 6 media assistants have been killed by U.S. forces, the last them killed in
July 12, 2007.
Conditions of press freedom in Canada
D isguise of police reducing freedom of the press
International network for the exchange of information is July 30, 2008"
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression" and other media organizations express their
concern about tactics of the secret police, which put undercover officers as reporters at
the scene. Last week, local reports in Canada revealed that police officer in Ontario,
dressed as a correspondent to reach Mohawk Indians who blocked a highway in the
occasion of "day of protest of indigenous people" in 2007. "Canadian Journalists for
Free Expression say" hiding of officers in journalist's appearance considers
"disingenuous" behavior." In addition to its threat to the safety of journalists and their
ability to perform their work, also contribute to undermining the freedom of the press.
The Canadian Press Syndicate remembers an incident last year, where police officer
claimed in Vancouver that he per reporter in order to draw anti-poverty protester
David Cunningham to a meeting then he arrested him. Canadian Journalists for Free
Expression and the Press Syndicate Canadians and the Canadian Broadcasting Corp
called ministry of police to intervene and to devote their efforts to put an end to this
phenomenon.
Conditions of press freedom in Mexico
Killing of two journalists in ambush
I nternational network for the exchange of information April 15, 2008
* Last week, two radio journalists in Mexico, they returning home after their coverage
of domestic event. But they have been ambushed on the highway, the tow journalists
have been killed immediately. The police found 20 gunshots ri le at least AK - 47 at the
crime scene. Before their deaths, Felicitas Martínez Sánchez, 21, and Teresa Bautista
Merino, 24, work as announcers at "La Boss Del Silncio", the radio in Gopala San Juan,
Oaxaca, according to the National Center for Social Communications.
Killing of radio broadcaster in Mexico
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Radio announcer was killed last week in Tabasco, southern Mexico, according to the
press and public ethics center and press freedom groups. Fonseca Sinon was hanging
anti-crime posters on September 23 in city of Villa Hermosa, when he shot by four
unidentified men in a truck.
Killing of documentary director
International Network for the exchange of information August 27, 2008
Anthropological, author and director, Miguel Angel Abella Gutierrez was beaten to death
in state of Guerrero, southern Mexico in July 26, 2008.
Federal police shut down a radio station
International network for the exchange of information Jun 17, 2008
100 members of heavily armed federal police stormed headquarters of station on 6

June. more than 200 people had tried to protect of the station, according to the World
Association for Broadcasting radio, but they could not stop the police from the
confiscation of equipment.
Mexico: killing of journalist Miguel Angel
(IFEX) October 15, 2008:
I n last week, journalist Biajomis Pailler, editor in chief of, one of Michoacán
newspapers was assassinated , where his body was found torn by bullets in garbage
dump ,outskirts of Lázaro Cardnas, one of the cities of the western state of Michoacán,
Mexico. He was seen for the last time he left his of ice previous day, October 9, 2008.
Killing of war correspondent killed in Ciudad Juarez
IFEX 19/11/2008
, Jose Armando Rodriguez Carrion, who served as a correspondent for "Diario" local
daily for more than ten years was assassinated on November 13.according to the
Committee to Protect Journalists and after that group fired him eight bullets at least,
while he was in a car inside garage of his home.
Conditions of press freedom in Europe
BBC journalists support the strike:
London: Alahdath: 6/9/2008
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workers in the "BBC" Arab , members of the National Association of British journalists
(NUJ) voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike over what they described as default of
Department in meeting needs of the work such as material and human resources, in
addition to the pressures resulting from littleness workers ,compared to the tasks.
Result of the vote was in favor of the strike by 8,6%, to emphasize once again their by
the management in dealing with their cases. At a meeting held in building of the
institution, the staff decided to give the Departments time limit until 12 of this month to
return to the negotiating table to address outstanding issues or face consequences of
the strike and its impact 40 million people.
U.K: the United Nations Commission reveals on restrictions on freedom of

expression
International Network for the exchange of information August 27, 2008
U.N Human Rights Commission has criticized Terrorism Act 2006 and other laws and
British practices which limit freedom of expression, According to a report issued by the
Article 19 in August. In its sixth periodic report on United Kingdom, issued in July, the
commission said that the definition of crime of "encouraging terrorism" in the
Terrorism Act is "wide and cloudy," and does not require intent to commit a crime. Days
after the report, British government imposed further restrictions on freedom of
expression against former diplomats. Article 19 has said that the new rules, which were
described by a parliamentary committee as "wide-ranging and oppressive excessive",
issued after disclosure embarrassing facts by former diplomats in two books.
Conditions of journalists in Germany
Germany was ranked 23 among the worst states in freedom of the press, this was due to
monitor German intelligence service the work of journalists in the framework of the
anti-terrorism law, which was criticized strongly by the head of the institution of the
Federal German newspaper publishers Helmut Heinen, who confirmed necessity of
combat terrorism but without prejudice to the freedom of the press. German police
accustomed to storm the headquarters of the press.
German Constitutional Court criticizes the police:
Source: the site of Deutsche Welle DW-WORLD: 27/2/2008 judges of the Supreme
Constitutional Court that the storming of German police departments of some
newspapers in Germany is a violation. This was a result of a complaint from German
magazine Cicero to the court against the police that raided earlier headquarters of the
magazine in 2005 and they took some of computers and arrested Bruno Shira, one of
editors of the magazine who wrote an article on leader of al Qaeda in Iraq Abu Musab al-
Zarqawi
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Conditions of press freedom in Bulgaria
Killing of journalist
Bulgarian writer is very popular was shot dead in the capital on April 7, according to the
Committee to Protect Journalists. Georgy Stoyv, former bodyguard and a retired
member of I.S criminal gang, was traveling in one of the crowded streets of the capital
when he was shot by unidentified men.
Situation of press freedom in Turkey
P rotest of 412 Sites and Blogs to censorship
Owners and users of Internet sites in Turkey became bored with censorship on
network, therefore they decided in August to impose censorship over themselves in
protest at the conditions. Byant News quoted a protest of 412 sites and blogs on the
censorship and prohibition orders issued by courts through making pages dark to draw
attention of the authorities and the public. The campaign began with initiative of
Shift.com, which lost some of its contents when YouTube and Daily Motion were hidden.
One of other problems is vandalism. Site of the freedom of expression initiative , a

member of IFEX, www.antenna-tr.org and site of the civil society www.ortakpayda.org,
subjected to piracy in public July 24 by group has site on the Internet. Group of piracy
claim "Otabilir" walk in pace of historical personality Kamal Ataturk's secular, but
"quick look at their site show that they target sites that do not like them. Reporters
without Borders classified them as nationalist extremists.
Freedom of the press in Azerbaijan
S tabbing of opposition newspaper journalist and imprisonment others.
International network for the exchange of information in March 2008
Correspondent working for "Ozadlij" opposition newspaper subjected to stabbing when

he was leaving his office last week, this comes within a series of violent attacks on
journalist and newspaper, according to the Institute of freedom and safety of the
reporter and other IFEX members. Four unidentified surrounded Ogel Khalil, who
covers the social and environmental topics in "Ozadlij", when he was leaving his office in
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Baku on March 13. One of the attackers stabbed him in the chest, according to the
Institute of Freedom and Safety of the Reporter. According to the International Union of
Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists and Article 19, that khalil said
that the assault because his investigation on involvement government officials in illegal
land sales.
Earlier this month, Jnmet Zackhedov, chief editor of the newspaper, was sentenced to a
period of 4 years in prison for sabotage.
Situations of press freedom in Croatia
Murder of two journalists in bombing in Croatia
October 29 IFEX
IFEX reported that two journalists were killed in a car explosion in Croatia, according to
Organization of information for South-Eastern Europe, a member of the International
Press Institute and other IFEX members.
T he site said IFEX said: (Ivo Buchanits, journalist and owner of a group NCL in
Zagreb, and Niko Franieck, director marketing of "National" - prominent weekly

magazine - were killed in the October 23 when a bomb exploded under Buchanits'car.
organization of information for South-Eastern Europe expressed its decisive
condemnation to this heinous crime" and warned that many of Croatian journalists
subjected to threats or serious attacks during last year without punishment of
perpetrators.
Last week, 300 journalists participated in a demonstration organized by the Croatian

Journalists Association in Zagreb, , against increasing threats to journalists and other
citizens of Croatia.
Conditions of freedom of the press in Australia
New spy law represents a serious threat to freedom of the press
International Network for the exchange of information on freedom of expression:
A ccording to the site of the International Network for the exchange of information
on the law of the new spy in Australia in 2006: (Australian Senate approved law that
would give authorities the power to monitor telephone calls and e-mail and text
124

messages to citizens. this move considered by both the media and the arts union and
Reporters Without Borders, a serious threat to freedom of the press.
According to statement by Federation of Information and Arts and Entertainment, the

police and spies and security agencies to use permits to wiretap phones of suspect and
his family, friends, colleagues, and his lawyer. Other agencies such as the Australian
Taxation, the customs, the Australian Security and Investment will have authority to
obtain stored communications, as e-mail messages and mobile phone messages. In the
opinion of the Federation of Information and Arts and Entertainment, the law designed
to deal with any person who suspected of committing serious crimes, even if there were
not suspected of involvement in any way. The Union says that the law considers threat
to journalists.
According to Reporters without Borders that the existing laws put pressure on
journalists. Australian law to combat terrorism, which was adopted in December 2005,
provides for penalties of up to imprisonment for 5 years is related to the suspect of
committing a terrorist act. Journalists who investigate in terrorist activities could be
arrest by the police, especially if they published names of the suspects. It is not the right
of reporters to refuse to reveal their sources in terrorism cases.
Assessment of conditions for freedom of the press in 2008 and recommendations
2008 witnessed the worst kinds of violations of press freedom in the world, in the
Western democracies countries and the developing world alike.. These violations
included:
- Exerting different pressure on the journalist, materially and morally.
-Pressure on the journalist to force him to reveal his sources. - Threat of dismissal from
work or imprisonment or physical liquidation.
-Interference in the published article through amendment or cancellation.
-Deduction of salary or suspension from work.
-Arbitrary dismissal from work.
-Non-fulfillment of the rights of the post service.
-Carrot of temptation and attempts to bribe and the purchase of conscience
-Summoning and interrogation by the security institutions or government departments.
-The pre-trial detention without trial.
- kidnapping of relatives to put pressure on the journalist. ----Physical and psychological

torture, beatings and humiliations.
125

-Legal accountability, trials and prison sentences and fines. --Kidnapping in order to
exert pressure on the journalist.
-kidnapping in order to torture and killings.
- Assassination.
The press and media institutions subjected to the following risks:
-The imperatives to succumb to economics of the press: (advertising, distribution, etc.

...)
-prior and subsequent censorship, and removal newspaper articles before publication.
-Legal accountability and trials.
-Provisional or permanent suspension
-confiscating the issue after printing.
- Confiscation newspaper with its property.
Those who had exercised violations of freedom of the press and journalists are:
-foreign occupying forces.
-Governments and its security and intelligence bodies and its administrative
institutions.
- Armed Movements and secret groups.
-Owners and departments of the newspapers.
Involvement of powers and developing countries alike in the violations:
T he exercise of press freedom violations differ in degree from one country to
another, but international organizations working in the field of human rights and press
freedom recorded during 2008 violations of freedom of the press have been committed
by powerful countries such as America, Britain, Germany and other countries which is
supposed to defend those freedoms. Slogans of fight against terrorism formed since
2001 entrance to Western democracies countries to exercise violations against freedom
of the press, as happened in Germany, when authorities stormed headquarters of
newspapers and confiscated equipments and arrested journalists, also imprisonment
journalist in America for long periods.
126

T here are many countries where freedom of the press (incomplete) and the other
countries restrain journalists within specific freedoms and red lines. The dictatorships
in many developing countries are openly hostile to press freedom.
The most prominent igures in freedom of the press in 2008:
Reporters without Borders said: the year 2007 witnessed killing of at least 86
journalists in the world. Since 2002, this number is increasing continuously. Within ive
years, moved from 25 to 86, recording an increase of 244%. We must return to the year
1994 to stand at more than this igure. during that year, 103 journalists were killed,
about half of them fell in genocide in Rwanda, 20 of them are victims of civil war in
Algeria, 10 were killed in former Yugoslavia. In 2007, half of murdered journalists were
killed in Iraq.
Reporters without Borders on 22/10 March 2008 Issued ranking of the world in terms
of freedom of the press, which included 173 countries. The worst countries in the world
rankings for Reporters Without Borders as follows:
Iraq (158), Syria (159), Libya (160), Saudi Arabia (161 (Uzbekistan (162), the
Palestinian Territories (163), Laos (164), Sri Lanka (165), Iran (166), China (167),
Vietnam (168), Cuba (169), Burma (170), Turkmenistan (171), North Korea (172)
Eritrea (173)
The report gave the United States of America (rank 40 on American territories , and
rank 119 out of the land of America) , and gave Israel (rank 46 on the Israeli territory,
and ranked 149 out of Israeli territory) and that of the 173 countries covered in the
report.
S ite of Reporters without Borders gives the following statistics:
Figures in the ield of press freedom in 2006:
* killing of 85 journalists
* Murder of 32 media assistants
* Arrest of 871 journalists
* kidnapping of 56 journalists
* Threatening or attack on 1472 journalists
127

* Censorship on 912 mass media
Numbers for freedom of the press in 2007:
• killing of 86 journalists
• Assassination of 20 media assistants
• Abduction of 67 journalists
• Threatening or attack on the 1511 journalists
• Censorship over 528 media
In the field of Internet:
* Arrest of 37 bloggers
* Attack on 21 bloggers
* Suspension or closure 2676 sites
Places of assassinations of journalists in 2007:
1/ U.S / Mexico 2 1 / Peru 1 / 1 Brazil / Chile 1 / 1 Turkey / Iraq 47 / 1 Kazakhstan 1 /

Palestine 1 / Afghanistan 2 / 6, Nepal, Pakistan 2 / 1 China / Burma 1 / 2 Eritrea / 8
Somalia / 3 Sri Lanka / 2 Philippines 1 / Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 / 1
Zimbabwe.
Figures in freedom of the press, 2008:
• killing of 95 journalists
• Arrest of 140 journalists and media professionals
• Arrest of 70 electronic offenders.
Of course, there are hundreds of cases of violations of the freedoms of press out of this
year's igures in 2008 and contained in this report, and in other reports, and there are
hundreds of cases that we have not been able to monitor them.
Dangers continue to worsen and threaten the lives and stability of the journalists:
The facts and expectations show weakness of the world to face the dangers which
confront journalists, in spite of (speeches), and continued talks about the need to
safeguard the freedom of the press. Although U.S and the Western democracies pose
itself as an advocate for freedom of the press, but they involved on the ground in
targeting of journalists.
128

U.S. forces kill and arrest journalists without trial for many years, journalists in America
are subjected to imprisonment and lack of job security. In Britain, journalists of the BBC
Arabic complain about their poor conditions, and in Spain unable to try the killers of
journalists. In Russia and China, 14 journalists were killed and wounded in Russian-
Georgian war and presence of 30 journalists in Chinese prisons. In Iraq, dozens of
journalists are subject to assassination, abduction, detention, beatings, and insults. In
Israel, journalists are killed by Israeli tank fire and arrest and humiliation. In the Arab
States, journalists suffer from various types of persecution and are subject to arrest and
trials. The violations taking place in Africa, Asia and Latin America, where journalists in
all of these continents subject to the kinds risks
T he censorship is the disease which threatens freedom of the press in the Western
democracies countries and developing countries alike. Many have written in the West
about dangers of censorship in their countries and compelling journalists to reveal their
sources and imprisoned if they refuse to do so. Thus, we can say that the entire globe
unsafe place for journalists, majority of countries in the world violated press freedom.
United Nations, Western democracies countries and human rights organizations could
not to stop this flow of infringement of press freedoms around the world.
Contradictory statements of American officials with the acts of the U.S. Army
Karen Hughes, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Public Diplomacy, in

celebration of the Center for Freedom House, World Press Freedom Day, which turned
the Center on 7/5/2008 said: (we want to say to all the brave journalists, including the
writers, editors, producers, photographers, who risk their lives daily in many countries,
we need you to know that America stands with you in your support of freedom of
thought and democratic life. We want to be your partners, and your supporters to
preserve the freedom of the press to flourish freedom of thought and expression.)
According to American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice : "There is no element of
democracy more important than a free and active press." And often we have heard U.S.
official says that freedom of the press is essence of democracy ,at a time when the U.S.
forces is moving to kill or detain dozens of journalists without trial, and so it
contradiction of saying with the act.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the occasion of World Press Freedom
Day in May 2008 said (the independent, safe, free press is core of foundations which
democracy depends upon and peace.) But who comply with that? As the developing
world are still in majority says, does not believe, in the area of press freedom.
Condemnation and denouncement of infringement of freedom of the press
Organization of Sudan Press Watch(SPW) strongly condemns and deplores operations

controlling media institutions and journalists with risks, ranging from pressure on the
129

journalist in various ways and means even death , and it condemns and deplores the
shameful behavior of the Western democracies, armies and governments of both
developing countries and militant organizations, which does not take into account any
the inviolability or immunity for journalists, Condemns and deplores the silence and the
inability of the United Nations on the implementation of charters in respect of human
rights and press freedom, as it is not reasonable to see the first decade of the twentieth
century, atheist and, before completion, killing of hundreds of journalists , abduction,
detention , imprisonment and fines.
Asking God to have mercy upon martyrs of the press
SPW asks God to have mercy upon lives of martyrs of the press, who were killed, as
they carrying out noble duties.SPW tell them (: Glory to you, martyrs and messenger)
peoples of the world has to set them memorials and caring their families. SPW glorifies
steadfastness of journalists, who face the tide of hostility by the enemies of the truth,
and they continue their humanitarian work in patience and self-denial of, the work they
are doing in fighting and exposing corruption and deception is the key to change the
world.
Recommendations
Based on the alarming figures in area of violations that occur in freedom of the press
and media, which included the entire hemisphere (except a few), and based on the

concern of (SPW) on attacks against journalists at the local regional and international
level, it recommends the following:
At the global level:
(1) United Nations has to exert its effort to provide international protection for
journalists in developed and developing countries alike through revival Article 19 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
(2) United Nations must to go beyond selectivity in dealing with the situation of press
freedom in the world, and is keen to condemn violations anywhere in the world and
from any quarter, and not be subject to for blankets provided by the dominant forces of
some regimes (and military force ) to practice what they want.
(3) United Nations must to expose and condemn inability of States which practice
killings, abductions, arrests, beatings and insults against journalists
(4). Western democracies countries have to do its best to practice what they say, and
work to genuinely care for the freedom of the press as the essence of democracy rather
than the blatant contradiction between the slogans and actions.
At the regional level:
(1) Arab and African countries have to formulate laws that guarantee freedom of the
press and protect the journalists from violations and the risks they face.
(2) Commitment to those laws in practice and provide a good climate for the exercise of
press freedom.
(3) Assistance in building real press institutions and provide a safe environment for
performance its message, and enabling private sector to play a role in this area.
(4) Providing an enabling environment for the work of journalists in terms of conditions
of service and working environment, and job security.
At the local level:
(1) Amendment of the Press and Publications Act of 2004 with participation of
journalists and press institutions in order to allow more press freedom.
(2) Emphasizing on freedom of the press, resorting to the law in regard to publishing
news and complaints.
(3) Providing adequate protection for journalist, to enable his accessing to information
requested.
(4) Transferring of press record from the National Council for Press and Publications to
the General Union of Sudanese journalists.
131

(5) Exemption of graduates of journalism and information schools from media
registration examinations journalist.
(6) Training of journalists by the State and the relevant institutions
(7) Achieving a career stability and protection journalist from displacement.
(8) Ensuring of good conditions to journalists compatible with the great role they are
playing and protection them from risks.
(9) Ensuring of appropriate environment to journalists to perform their duties by

departments of newspapers.
(10) Exemption newspapers and press publications from charges and taxes and
significant financial burdens that affect economics of newspapers.
(11) State's contribution to development of press institutions and provide necessary

facilities and necessary customs exemptions for papers of newspapers and printing
inputs.
(12) Removal of restrictions that limit distribution of newspapers by providing

necessary facilities and exemptions for the agents and distribution partners and stalls.
SPW hopes to see care of the international community in year 2009 to address risks
which face journalists and press institutions.
Definitions and locations of organizations working in the field of freedom of the

press
Newscast of Washington:
Issued by Bureau of International Information, U.S Department of State.
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information:
an independent legal institution ,established in accordance with Egyptian laws . it takes

Egyptian Constitution and Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international
covenants as reference, it a law firm working on defense of freedom of opinion and
expression and freedom of the press and the right to circulate information
Afaq News Site:
Afaq News Site is news site, interested in issues of reform and enlightenment in the
Arab region. Afaq one of projects (Afaq Foundation for media and cultural production),
which its headquarters in Washington.
Watch of freedom of the press (Iraq):
132

A group of journalists and media professionals devoted themselves to monitor
violations against journalists and media.
Iraqi Association to defend the rights of journalists:
Non-governmental organization aims at consolidation of freedom of the press and

expression in Iraqi society and to provide legal assistance to journalists and writers .it
founded in 2004.
Arig network (journalists for Arab investigative press): The first regional
information network, designed to support professional investigative and independent
journalism in Arab world, through provision of grants to finance investigate projects, in
both Arabic and English.
Reporters without Borders:
Based in France, is cooperates with more than a hundred reporter to expose daily
violations of press freedom in the world by sending press releases to various media and
awareness-raising campaigns for public opinion.
International Federation for Journalists:
Founded for the irst time in 1926, and then once again re-founded in 1946, and settled
in its current form after the restoration of its foundation for the third time in 1952. The
International Federation of reporters consists of more than 600,000 journalists in 120
countries around the world. International network of journalists (I-J-Net):
Largest electronic source of media assistance community in the world. It is an electronic

service for journalists, media managers, media assistance, experts, trainers and media
professionals.
Organization of Article Nineteen:
It named on Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which provides for
freedom of opinion and expression, is non-governmental organization working with fair
and systematic to fight censorship in the world. Headquarters for Middle East and Africa
in London.
Arab press Network:
Electronic network for Arab newspapers run by the World Federation of press and
funded by Group JP Politiken (leadind Danish press).
World Association of Newspapers (WAN)

Founded in 1948 is based in Paris, global organization for newspapers industry.
Association consists of 18,000 newspapers in 100 states and 72 press national
133

federations and, in addition to 102 countries, 11 news agency, 9 regional and global
press groups.
General Union of Arab journalists:
The federation is popularity, national, democratic and professional organization, based

in Cairo. It consists of 19 unions, its slogan: freedom and responsibility. Its Preparatory
Committee founded in February 1964 and held its irst convention in Kuwait in
February 1965.
Sources of the report:
The report depended on the following sources:
Local sources:
questionnaires / (AL-Sudan) / Rai al-Shaab (Sudan) / Intibaha newspaper (Sudan) / Rai

al-Aam (Sudan) / Al-Sahafa daily (Sudan) / Alahdath (Sudan) / Al-Wifaq (Sudan) /
Akbar Al-Yawm (Sudan) / Al-Watan (Sudan) / Akhr Lahza (Sudan) / Ajras Alhurryia
(Sudan) / Al-Khartoum (Sudan) / Site of Ministry of Information and Communications
(Sudan) / documents of the National Press Council (Sudan) / Site of the Sudan Press
Watch (Sudan).
Global sources:
Web site of US Info Washington (USA) / The Arabic Network for Human Rights
Information (Egypt)
Site of Afaq for news (Washington) / Site of PANA / Watch the freedom of the press
(Iraq) / Iraqi Association to defend rights of journalists (Iraq) / Arig network / Human
Rights Watch/ Reporters Without Borders (France) / International Federation of
Journalists (New York) / channel CNN/ international network of journalists (I - G - Net)
/ ARTICLE Nineteen / Network World Federation of the Arab press to the press (Paris)
/ Amnesty International / Radio Netherlands Arabic site Deutsche elephants (Germany)
/ Associated Press, the International Network for the exchange of information on
freedom of expression (IFEX) IFEX Arab Online / Association for the Defense of Press
Freedom (Iraq) / protection of freedom of press (New York) / Xinhua News Agency /
Voice of Iraq, /
Aram electronic site / AFP / Hisham Mubarak Law Center (Egypt), /Arabic Network for
Human Rights Information / Moroccan Center for Human Rights (Morocco) skills
Foundation (Lebanon) / site of the Arab Online / Eritrean Center for Journalism
Services, the General Union of Arab journalists / site of the Red Cross International
World Association of Newspapers (Paris) / Site of Mashrek information (Jordan),
Palestinian Center for Development and media freedoms "Madah" / Nahar newspaper
in Beirut.
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Sudan press watch

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A brief report of freedom of press in the world

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- The winners of the prizes of freedom of the press in 2008

- The third of May.. World Day of Press Freedom

-International Day for the freedom of expression on the Internet

- International Day for the right to knowledge (September-28)

Freedom of the press in the Sudan

- The commencement of the journalistic activity in Sudan

- General Union of Sudanese journali s Introduction

PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com

- The winners of the prizes of freedom of the press in 2008

- The third of May.. World Day of Press Freedom

-International Day for the freedom of expression on the Internet (March

- International Day for the right to knowledge (September-28)

Freedom of the press in the Sudan

- The commencement of the journalistic activity in Sudan

- General Union of Sudanese journalists

-charter of journalistic honesty

- The freedom of the press in Sudan in 2008

- Events and realities of press freedoms in the Sudan in 2008

-the position in the Sudanese newspapers

Press freedom worldwide

- The freedom of the press worldwide

- Report of Reporters without Borders in 2008

- Canadian Journalists honor journalists from Sudan Zimbabwe

The freedom of the press in the Arab States

- The freedom of the press in the Arab States

- Violations of freedom of press in Iraq under occupation 21- the

- The conditions of press freedom in Morocco

- The conditions of press freedom in Yemen

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- The conditions of press freedom in the United Arab Emirates

- The freedom of the press in Qatar

- The conditions of press freedom in Mauritania

- The conditions of press freedom in Kuwait

- The conditions of press freedom in Tunisia

- The conditions of press freedom in Somalia

- The conditions of press freedom in Egypt

- The conditions of press freedom in Syria

- The conditions of press freedom in Saudi Arabia

- The conditions of freedom of the press in Algeria

The conditions of freedom in Israel

- Israeli violations of the freedom of the press

Freedoms of the press in Africa

- The conditions of press freedom in South Africa

- The conditions of press freedom in Ethiopia

- The conditions of press freedom in Nigeria

- The conditions of press freedom in Eritrea

-the conditions of freedom of press Burundi

- The conditions of press freedom in Niger

- The conditions of press freedom in Uganda

- The conditions of press freedom in the Democratic of Congo

- The conditions of press freedom in Kenya

- The conditions of freedom of press in Cameroon

Freedoms of the press in Asia

-the conditions of press freedom in Afghanistan

- The conditions of press freedom in Iran

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- The conditions of press freedom in India

- The conditions of press freedom in the Philippines