South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) e-bulletin

For further information on SAMSN, visit www.ifj-asia.org/page/samsn.html

In this bulletin:

1. Journalists in India Campaign for Quick Implementation of New Wage Scales
2. IFJ Calls for Transparency in Case of Arrested Indian Journalist
3. Indian Minister Moots Curbs on Social Media Sites
4. Pakistan Telecom Authority Seeks to Screen Text Messages
5. Pakistan Journalist Receives Press Freedom Award
6. Journalists attacked in Kashmir, Press Council Threatens Action
7. Maldives Blocks Blog for Religious Content
8. Supreme Court in Sri Lanka Hears Case on Websites Ban
9. Attackers of Nepal Journalist Convicted
10. Newspaper Office Vandalised, Journalists Harrassed in Nepal
11. Pakistan Cable Operators Block BBC News

1. Journalists in India Campaign for Quick Implementation of New Wage Scales

Journalists in India launched a nationwide campaign on December 12 for quick implementation of the new wage scales mandated by the G.S. Majithia Wage Boards for Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees. The wage boards’ reports were submitted in December 2010 and have been formally accepted by the Indian Union Cabinet. Newspaper groups and the main industry lobby, the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) have filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to hold the entire process of wage fixation violative of constitutional liberties.

See: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/media/entertainment-/media/scribes-to-agitate-against-managements-anti-workers-approach/articleshow/11108840.cms; and
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2710014.ece

2. IFJ Calls for Transparency in Case of Arrested Journalist

The IFJ has joined SAMSN partners in calling for transparency in the case of Jigna Vora, a senior journalist in the city of Mumbai, arrested for involvement in the murder of senior investigative reporter Jyotindra Dey in June. Vora was arrested on November 26 and held in police custody until December 9, when she was transferred to judicial custody. Twelve individuals have already been charged for the murder and their trial is expected to commence soon. Mumbai police have sought time until December 20 to complete investigations into Vora’s alleged role in the conspiracy.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-calls-for-transparency-in-case-of-arrested-journalist.

3. Indian Minister Moots Curbs on Social Media Sites

India’s Minister for Information Technology and Telecom, Kapil Sibal, has called on social media sites to regulate content posted by users to ensure that hate speech and obscenity are blocked. Sibal later held a meeting with representatives of the companies that own the major social media sites, such as Facebook, Google and Twitter, reportedly to “open a dialogue” on the issue. Media commentators have reacted to Sibal’s suggestions by defending the right to unfettered access to web-based media.

See: http://www.thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5630&mod=1&pg=1§ionId=6&valid=true; and http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/kapil-sibal-meets-social-networking-representatives/articleshow/11119038.cms.

4. Pakistan Telecom Authority Seeks to Screen Text Messages

The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority has asked mobile phone operators to block certain words sent through text messages. A list of over 1,000 words has been prepared which have been deemed to be offensive or too explicit.

See: http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/18/pakistan-orders-companies-to-block-obscene-texts.html; and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15793721.

5. Pakistan Journalist Receives Press Freedom Award

Umar Cheema, reporter with The News International Pakistan, is one among four journalists to be honoured by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) with its International Press Freedom Award. Cheema was abducted while going to work in Islamabad in September 2010, beaten and tortured before being released. In honouring him, CPJ recognised his role in giving “voice to those being silenced.”

See: http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=79415&Cat=2; http://www.cpj.org/awards/2011/honoring-reporting-in-defiance-of-censorship.php; and http://cpj.org/blog/2010/09/the-significance-of-umar-cheemas-abduction.php.

6. Journalists attacked in Kashmir, Press Council Threatens Action

The IFJ has joined SAMSN partners in condemning an attack on four photojournalists reporting on a public demonstration in Srinagar, capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The chairman of the Press Council of India (PCI), Justice Markandey Katju, has warned government and security authorities in the state that they could be liable for civil and criminal action initiated by the PCI if this journalists performing their duties continue being assaulted.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/journalists-attacked-by-police-in-kashmir; and http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2011/Dec/5/katju-to-rescue-56.asp.

7. Maldives Blocks Blog for Religious Content

Maldivian blogger Ismail ‘Hilath’ Rasheed had his website shut down by the Communications Authority of the Maldives (CAM), following orders by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. The Ministry issued the order on the grounds that the website contained material deemed contrary to the precepts of Islam, which could attract a ban and criminal action under Maldivian law.

See: http://minivannews.com/politics/blog-crack-down-is-just-the-beginning-warns-censored-blogger-28433.

8. Supreme Court in Sri Lanka Hears Case on Websites Ban

SAMSN affiliate the Free Media Movement (FMM) of Sri Lanka, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court under constitutional provisions on fundamental rights, challenging the Government of Sri Lanka decision to block five websites hosting news content on the country. After a first hearing, the Supreme Court has posted the matter for hearing on January 24, 2012.

See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/sri-lankan-media-rights-group-files-court-challenge-after-government-blocks-5-websites/2011/12/06/gIQAjlP2YO_story.html; and http://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/court-set-jan-date-for-website-blocking-case_746205.html.

9. Attackers of Nepal Journalist Convicted

SAMSN partners have welcomed the conviction of two people for an attack on Kishor Budhathoki, a reporter with the English-language daily Annapurna Post, in the eastern Nepal district of Sankhuwasabha in August 2011. A single judge bench in the district sentenced Bikas Rai and Rupak Rai on December 4 to five year terms in prison for the criminal assault.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/attacks-and-threats-against-journalists-in-nepal; and http://www.nepalpressfreedom.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=492:five-year-jail-term-to-attackers-on-journalist-budhathoki-&catid=41:top-headlines&Itemid=120.

10. Newspaper Office Vandalised, Journalists Harrassed in Nepal

The office of the daily newspaper Nigarani Dotcom in Biratnagar in eastern Nepal, was vandalised on November 24 by a group of about 50 students, along with two teachers and a hostel warden, over a report published in the paper. SAMSN partners have condemned the rough treatment of Rajan Dahal “Rashik” a reporter with Avenues TV channel and Pratap Bista of Kantipur daily, when they were covering a religious festival at Makwanpur in Nepal’s central region on December 12.

See: http://www.ifex.org/nepal/2011/11/28/nigarani_dotcom_attack/; http://www.nepalpressfreedom.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=494:journalists-manhandled&catid=41:top-headlines&Itemid=120.

11. Pakistan Cable Operators Block BBC News

Cable TV operators in Pakistan blocked global news broadcaster BBC World after the network broadcast a documentary titled Secret Pakistan in late November. On December 12, Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani was reported to have assured the BBC in an interview that he would look into the circumstances of the ban and explore ways to have it lifted.

See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15975242; http://www.pakistanpressfoundation.org/userMediaFilesDetailsasp?uid=27672; and http://tribune.com.pk/story/305325/bbc-welcomes-pakistan-pm-pledge-to-look-into-ban/.

IFJ Asia-Pacific
http://asiapacific.ifj.org
ifj@ifj-asia.org

SAMSN Members
Afghan Independent Journalists' Association, Afghanistan
Bangladesh Journalists' Rights Forum (BJRF), Bangladesh
Dhaka Reporters' Unity, Bangladesh
All India Newspapers Employees' Federation (AINEF), India
Indian Journalists' Union (IJU), India
National Union of Journalists India (NUJI), India
Maldives Journalists Association
Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Nepal
National Union of Journalists Nepal (NUJN), Nepal
Nepal Press Union (NPU), Nepal
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Pakistan
Pakistan Press Foundation, Pakistan
Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), Sri Lanka
Federation of Media Employees' Trade Unions (FMETU), Sri Lanka
Free Media Movement (FMM), Sri Lanka
Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF: Human Rights Journalists Forum of Bangladesh)
Media Watch, Bangladesh

ENDS

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