Electronic Intifada : Journalists in Danger

The perils of blogging in Egypt

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:04:34 PST

According to Gamal Eid, Executive Director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, the recent arrests of bloggers is an attempt by Mubarak's regime "To silence the voices that criticize the [Egyptian] government's performance and send a message by assaulting and kidnapping, to say that criticism will not be tolerated." Rannie Amiri reports for The Electronic Intifada.

Ramallah Palestinian Authority blocks website reporting on corruption

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:36:40 PST

The Palestinian Authority (PA) in Ramallah has blocked access to a popular news website because of the site's reporting on widespread corruption among the entourage of PA President Mahmoud Abbas. For several days, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been unable to view the website Donia al-Watan (http://www.alwatanvoice.com) as access has been blocked through the PA-controlled telecom company. Readers outside Palestine and a few inside the country using proxies are still able to access the site. The Electronic Intifada confirmed that several users attempting to access the website in Ramallah and other parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank could not do so and instead saw a message in English stating "We are sorry, the site was blocked based on attorney General instructions [sic]."

Israel bans foreign journalists from entering besieged Gaza

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:46:57 PST

RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IPS) - Israel has imposed a virtual news blackout on the Gaza Strip. For the last ten days no foreign journalists have been able to enter the besieged territory to report on the escalating humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's complete closure of Gaza's borders for the last two weeks. Steve Gutkin, the AP bureau chief in Jerusalem and head of Israel's Foreign Press Association, said that he personally "knows of no foreign journalist that has been allowed into Gaza in the last week."

UN report castigates Israeli abuse of journalists

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:22:27 PST

UNITED NATIONS (IPS) - A new United Nations report on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories blasts the Israeli government for its heavy-handed treatment of journalists reporting on the military occupation. The 20-page report, which will go before the 63rd sessions of the General Assembly currently underway, singles out the mistreatment of award-winning Palestinian journalist Mohammed Omer who was stripped, interrogated, kicked and beaten up when he returned from Europe to his home town in the occupied territory of Gaza last June.

Mutual censorship in the West Bank and Gaza

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:34:12 PST

GAZA CITY (IPS) - So much is missing as you walk down the street along the shops of Gaza. Food and medicines kept out by the blockade enforced by Israel; but also newspapers once a part of the street landscape. Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda and Al-Ayyam, two newspapers loyal to Fatah, are not around any more. And for once, you couldn't blame the Israelis for censorship.

West Bank journalists detained by PA intelligence

Mon, 12 May 2008 08:18:16 PST

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the distention of three Palestinian journalists and a columnist by the Palestinian General Intelligence Service in Bethlehem and Qalqilya towns in the West Bank on Thursday, 8 May 2008. PCHR believes that such arrests constitute an attack on press freedoms and the right to freedom of expression, which are ensured by the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments.

Thousands attend funeral of slain Gaza journalist

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:11:42 PST

GAZA CITY, 18 April (IPS) - Fadel Shana'a just had to go to the scene of the Israeli bombing. As a Reuters cameraman, that was his job. He wasn't the only one killed, but through his pursuit of attacks as they happen, he was always more at risk than most others. Fadel Shana'a was killed Wednesday because he was in the firing line, but also because, eyewitnesses said, he had begun to film the tanks that were firing. A barrage of metal shrapnel pierced his body as a tank missile landed close to him.

Israeli forces in Gaza "willfully kill" journalist

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:17:44 PST

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the crime committed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on Wednesday evening, which took the life of Fadel Shana'a, a Palestinian journalist, when he carrying out his job in Gaza. PCHR expresses utmost concern over continued crimes committed by IOF against journalists and media professionals, which is a reflection of excessive use of force against civilians, and systematic targeting of journalists to prevent them from covering crimes committed against civilians.

Rights group: Journalist's killers must be prosecuted

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 23:32:00 PST

Legal deliberations on the murder of UK citizen James Miller have continued since he was killed on 2 May 2003 at the border line between Gaza and Egypt. Miller and a small crew were filming in the area for a documentary on children's lives. According to investigations by Al Mezan, then-47-year-old Miller was killed by Israeli troops at approximately 11 pm on 2 May 2003 in the al-Shair neighborhood in Rafah. He was with three other persons, including his colleagues Saira Shah and Daniel Edge, and a Palestinian interpreter, Abedul Rahman Abdullah.

Alan Johnston released after 114 days of captivity

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 23:17:00 PST

Reporters Without Borders is overjoyed at the news that British journalist Alan Johnston was released in the early hours of 4 July 2007 in Gaza as a result of the intervention of senior Muslim clerics and negotiations between Hamas and his kidnappers. The BBC correspondent had been held hostage for 114 days. "Seeing Johnston free and in good health is an immense relief and a great joy," the press freedom organisation said. "During the 16 weeks he was held, we became more and more concerned at the increasingly grave threats from his abductors and the apparent inability of the Palestinian authorities to find a solution."

CPJ alarmed by gunfire outside Gaza news buildings

Wed, 16 May 2007 22:23:00 PST

The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned that the safety of dozens of journalists was endangered by heavy factional fighting today around two Gaza City buildings housing several news organizations. According to CPJ sources and international news reports, Fatah gunmen took over the roofs of the Shawa and Hosari Tower - which houses the Ramattan news agency, the BBC, and Al-Jazeera, among other media outlets - and Al-Johara Tower - which houses the Turkish Ihlas News Agency, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, and other media outlets.

Journalist, media worker killed in Gaza City

Mon, 14 May 2007 23:18:00 PST

The Committee to Protect Journalist is outraged by the killings of a journalist and a media worker, who were shot on Sunday in Gaza City. Gunmen wearing presidential guard uniforms stopped a taxi carrying Suleiman Abdul-Rahim al-Ashi, 25, an economics editor for the Hamas-affiliated daily Palestine, and Mohammad Matar Abdo, 25, a manager responsible for distribution and civic relations, Editor-in-Chief Mustafa al-Sawaf told CPJ today. The taxi was stopped at 2:30 p.m. in a high-security area southwest of Gaza City that is controlled by Fatah, al-Sawaf and other journalists told CPJ.

Iraqi Journalists Issue new Appeal for Release of BBC Journalist

Thu, 10 May 2007 11:17:00 PST

Journalists' leaders and media chiefs meeting in Iraq today issued a new appeal for the release of kidnapped BBC journalist who has been missing for eight weeks in Palestine. The Iraqi journalism community was meeting in Irbil in the north of the country to put together a national safety and security strategy to combat the threats to media and reporters in a conflict that has already claimed the lives of more than 200 media staff since the United States invasion in 2003.

Worldwide rallies seek release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston

Thu, 03 May 2007 22:34:00 PST

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined with colleagues at a rally at U.N. headquarters today to call for the release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, abducted in Gaza more than seven weeks ago. Journalists in London, China, and Indonesia also rallied today, World Press Freedom Day, in support of Johnston's release. "No purpose is served by keeping Alan Johnston. Please release him now, and return him safely to his family," CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney said at the New York rally, which was carried live by BBC television. "Alan Johnston is a journalist. He does not represent any country; he does not represent any government."

Jordan blocks newspaper edition over story on 'secret' Abbas plan

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 23:49:00 PST

Jordanian authorities should lift their ban on today's edition of an independent paper, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. Fahd al-Rimawi, editor of the weekly Al-Majd, told CPJ that security agents moved Sunday to prevent printing of the edition because of a front-page story about a "secret plan" to oust the Hamas-led Palestinian government. Al-Rimawi said security officials told him they would ban the April 30 edition if he did not remove the article, The Associated Press reported.

Palestinian leaders confirm BBC correspondent is alive

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 18:09:00 PST

NEW YORK, 25 April 2007 - Despite encouraging statements from Palestinian leaders, the Committee to Protect Journalists remains deeply concerned about the safety of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, abducted in Gaza six weeks ago. Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Azzam al-Ahmad said in a statement that Johnston was alive and "in good health," the BBC reported Tuesday. "The government is fully coordinating with the presidency and all security services to pursue the extensive efforts to release Johnston and bring him back safely to his home, family, and his work."

Journalists injured during Gaza demonstration in support of Johnston

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:30:00 PST

Reporters Without Borders condemned the use of violence by parliamentary security guards in Gaza to disperse a demonstration today by Palestinian journalists demanding the release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, who has been held hostage since 12 March. Three journalists were injured in the course of scuffles. "We are outraged by this violence against journalists who had gone to express their fears and emotion about Johnston's fate," the press freedom organisation said.

Deep concern about BBC correspondent after killing claim

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 21:51:00 PST

Reporters Without Borders said it was extremely concerned about the fate of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston after a hitherto unknown group calling itself the Monotheism and Jihad Brigades issued a statement today claiming it had executed him and condemning the British and Palestinian governments for ignoring its calls for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. "We are deeply disturbed by this news but we must nonetheless remain cautious as long as there is no evidence confirming that Johnston has been murdered," the press freedom organisation said.

Palestinian Solidarity Strike to Secure Release of BBC Correspondent

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 14:29:00 PST

3 April 2007 -- The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called for the immediate release of kidnapped BBC correspondent Alan Johnston and backed Palestinian journalists' decision to hold a three day-strike to call for his release. "It is unconscionable that the Palestinian government has not done more to secure Alan's release," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. "Every day that passes jeopardises Alan's safety even further and we support our Palestinian colleagues in their work to make sure that he is released quickly and unharmed."

Great concern over continued detention of BBC journalist

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:48:00 PST

Reporters Without Borders today voiced its serious concern about the continued detention in the Gaza Strip of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reporter Alan Johnston and appealed to the Palestinian Authority president and prime minister to take a tougher line with his kidnappers to obtain his release. "He has now been held for 21 days, longer than any other journalist kidnapped there. This is a turning-point for media workers in the Strip, many of whom have stayed away since the recent clashes there between Fatah and Hamas supporters, since armed groups use foreign journalists as bargaining chips with the authorities.