Global attacks on journalism: Do you really care?
The news this week out of the
International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) was especially depressing. Journalists worldwide are literally fighting for their lives.
I have written about how checked out American journalists can be where matters of global press freedom are concerned.
A few new connections might snap more of us out of our complacency. Speaking with journalists from foreign countries never ceases to amaze, disturb and inspire me. During a recent SPJ event, I chatted with an Iranian journalist who is wrapping up a fellowship in the United States. The journalist described the time spent here as "working in heaven." I also learned more about how the journalist's colleagues have learned to deal with government edicts concerning news they will and will not present to the public. "You learn what not to say," the journalist told me. "You become very good at self-censorship."
One very helpful way to learn more about global-press issues quickly is through "IFEX Communiqué," a weekly e-newsletter. IFEX is a global network of 71 organizations working to defend and promote "the right to free expression." The network is managed by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression.
SPJ's International Journalism Committee is also well versed in global press-freedom issues. This committee is particularly focused on helping American journalists find opportunities to work abroad and better understand how a stronger command of international issues improves journalism right here at home.
Need a little nudge to get more involved? Here are just a few of the headlines from this week's IFEX newsletter that prompted me to write:
- Two Radio Journalists Killed in Wave of Violent Attacks in Somalia
- Central Asia: Network Revs Up Press Freedom Campaigning; Kazakh Journalist Dies
- Germany: Numerous Journalists Face Criminal Investigation
- Democratic Republic of Congo: News Photographer Shot Dead
- Kenya: President Urged to Reject Law Requiring Journalists to Reveal Sources
And from alerts IFEX has sent in the last week:
- Senegal: Newsroom records threat to journalist made by minister
- Mexico: Four journalists detained by military while trying to cover drug raid
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Photojournalist shot dead near his home in Goma
- Colombia: Staff of television news programme harassed for reporting on bridge construction
- Turkey: Journalist convicted of "insulting" lawyer, faces possible imprisonment and compensation fees
- Israel/Palestine: Cameraman badly injured by Israeli gunfire unable to leave Gaza Strip to get artificial legs in Egypt
- Serbia: Editor of radio-television station in Bela Crkva receives death threats
- Afghanistan: IFJ condemns abduction of Kabul reporter Kamran Mir Hazar, previously detained by state security agency
- East Timor: Newspaper office attacked, media worker beaten
- Pakistan: Released after 16 months' military detention, journalist held another 30 days under police arrest
- Peru: Two television reporters attacked in Pucallpa
- Philippines: Electoral commission threatens legal action against media personalities; boxer files libel suit against journalists
- Sierra Leone: Two presenters injured in armed attack on evangelical radio station
- Colombia: Radio journalists in Arauca must read announcement on air or become military targets, FARC threatens