Defend the Press

The Not-So-Free Press, Worldwide

by Diane Farsetta — May 24, 2007 - 1:19pm

After giving an interview to Afghanistan's Tolo TV in which she called the Afghan parliament "worse than a stable or a zoo," because "at least there you have a donkey that carries a load and a cow that provides milk," Malalai Joya was suspended from Parliament.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, May 21, 2007

Afghanistan's "Must Ban TV" and Other Press Concerns

by Diane Farsetta — May 7, 2007 - 10:07am

"Intimidation and harassment of the Afghan news media have come from a variety of sources," reports Pamela Constable, "including government prosecutors, police, regional militias, parliament, Islamic clerical councils and U.S.-led military forces." The Afghan parliament is considering banning "news coverage that disturbs the public or has an 'un-Islamic' theme." The measure, which is expected

Main Source: 
Washington Post, May 7, 2007

AP Photographer Marks One Year in U.S. Prison Camp

by Diane Farsetta — April 12, 2007 - 3:49pm

For one year, Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein has been "held at a prison camp in Iraq by U.S. military officials who have neither formally charged him with a crime nor made public any evidence of wrongdoing," AP reports.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, April 11, 2007

Statement of Josh Wolf, Journalist, on his Freedom from Jail

by John Stauber — April 3, 2007 - 3:48pm
  • Topics: Journalism, Defend the Press

    • Josh Wolf, the video blogger and journalist, is going to be freed. Wolf was jailed on August 1, 2006 when he refused to testify or turn over unpublished video out-takes to a federal grand jury investigating a July, 2005 anti-capitalist demonstration. The statement below was provided on Josh's behalf to the Center for Media and Democracy by Lisa Cohen. For more information contact Lisa Cohen at: lisa.cohen32 AT verizon.net

    Sarah Olson Reports: Opposition to the War Growing Among Troops

    by John Stauber — March 29, 2007 - 8:06pm

    It was Sarah Olson's reporting on military opposition to the war in Iraq that made her a target of an Army subpoena. That hasn't deterred her from continuing to report on the subject.

    Main Source: 
    Common Dreams, March 29, 2007

    Defend the Afghan Press

    by Diane Farsetta — March 29, 2007 - 3:26pm

    "Hailed as a major success of five years of democracy-building, media freedom in Afghanistan is under increasing pressures," writes Alisa Tang. A spokesperson for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said, "We've moved from an open media environment to a state-controlled media environment." A proposed law would increase government power over media outlets and make reporting "humiliating and offensive" news a criminal offense.

    Main Source: 
    Associated Press, March 28, 2007

    Imprisoned Journalist Josh Wolf Captured on Video

    by John Stauber — March 16, 2007 - 6:56am

    "Bay Media Lab host Howard Vicini will present new video evidence during a Friday night broadcast on San Francisco cable access in the case against vBlogger Josh Wolf, who has been held in coercive confinement for more than 200 days, a new U.S. record for a journalist, for refusing to turn over raw video he shot of a San Francisco protest rally in 2005, that was subpoenaed by a federal grand jury.

    Main Source: 
    Bay Area Indy Media, March 16, 2007

    Destroying Journalism in Order to Save It

    by Sheldon Rampton — March 12, 2007 - 10:43pm

    While fleeing an ambush in Afghanistan, U.S. soldiers reportedly opened fire on civilian cars and pedestrians and then destroyed photos and video taken at the scene by freelance journalists.

    Main Source: 
    Miami Herald, March 10, 2007

    Judge Declares Mistrial; He Won't Let Watada Put the Iraq War on Trial

    by John Stauber — February 7, 2007 - 9:53pm

    Mike Barber reports "the court-martial of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada ended in a mistrial Wednesday. The case's judge, Lt. Col. John Head, declared the trial over after a day of wrangling over a stipulation of facts that Watada had signed before the trial and that would have been part of the instructions to the jury. The judge decided that Watada never intended when he signed the stipulation to mean that he had a duty to go to Iraq with his unit.

    Main Source: 
    Seattle P.I. newspaper, February 7, 2007
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