About the Book
The world's most comprehensive guide to international press freedom
From Aleppo to Zacatecas, Beijing to Brasilia, the past decade has seen a sharp rise in the number of journalist imprisonments, assassinations, and disappearances worldwide. Caught between warlords and religious extremists, corrupt police and drug cartels, and hemmed in by increasingly oppressive censorship laws, journalists have never been at such peril, nor asked to pay such a high price for the ethical practice of their profession.
Begun as a simple typewritten list in 1986, Attacks on the Press has grown to become the definitive annual assessment of press freedoms globally. Compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists, it provides up-to-the-minute analyses of media conditions, press freedom violations, and emerging threats to journalists in every corner of the world.
In this 2013 edition, you will find front-line reports and analytical essays by CPJ experts covering an array of topics of critical importance to journalists, including:
Journalist casualties at the front lines of conflicts in Syria, Nigeria, Somalia, Afghanistan, and other global hot spots
The curtailment of Internet freedoms across Southeast Asia, with an emphasis on the draconian measures now in place in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand
The status of investigations into the disappearances of 35 journalists worldwide, and why more than half of those disappeared went missing in Mexico and Russia
The rise in journalist imprisonments globally, the spate of new anti-terrorism laws that made it possible, and the example set by the U.S. government in the wake of 9/11
The state of journalistic freedoms in Iran since the Green Movement and the practice of summary imprisonment of Iranian journalists
How the rise of mobile Internet technology and social media has engendered new dangers for journalists from both insurgent groups and the governments they are fighting
In addition to being an invaluable source of timely information and guidance for media professionals, Attacks on the Press gives voice to journalists globally, providing them with a platform for direct advocacy with governments and a seat in discussions at the UN, OAS, EU, AU, and other official bodies.
Table of Contents:
From the Editors xi
1. The Front Lines
In Syria, Facing Danger From All Sides 3
A hard slog with low-life smugglers is a small price for avoiding Syrian forces.
By Paul Wood
Africa’s Media-Savvy Insurgents Pose New Threat 13
The rise of extremist groups that target journalists is a potent risk.
By Mohamed Keita
In Taliban’s Media Evolution, Press Became an Enemy 21
Al-Qaeda taught the Taliban how to use the media in the post-9/11 era.
By Ahmed Rashid
The Zacatecas Rules: Cartel’s Reign Cannot Be Covered 29
Reporters can’t tell the public that organized crime has taken over a Mexican state.
By Mike O’Connor
Extremists Are Censoring the Story of Religion 37
Editors think twice, reporters do not dig deeply, columnists choose words carefully.
By Jean-Paul Marthoz
In Asia, Three Nations Clip Once-Budding Online Freedom 47
Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam had vibrant blogospheres—until the crackdowns.
By Shawn W. Crispin
3. Heroes in the Crowd
Harnessing Power in the Stories of Ordinary People 59
Who is allowed to talk? What are they allowed to say? Award winners seek the answers.
By Kristin Jones
Running Toward Danger, Syria’s Citizens Become Journalists 69
In a country fi lled with paranoia and fear, citizens learn to be reporters.
By Oliver Holmes
4. Murdered and Missing
Disappearances Unexplained Amid Hints of Cover-Ups 77
Police never bothered to look for cartoonist Prageeth Eknelygoda. It’s not unusual.
By María Salazar-Ferro
Bloggers Targeted as Murders Spike in Brazil 85
The murders of two bloggers mark a surge in deadly anti-press violence.
By John Otis
Seeking Justice in Russia, a Mother Turns to Europe 93
Her son’s murder unsolved, Rimma Maksimova pursues a landmark case.
By Elisabeth Witchel
5. Political Transitions
In Iran, Specter of One Election Looms Over the Next 105
The 2009 vote seemed open for the press. Then came the brutal crackdown.
By D. Parvaz
Disdain for Foreign Press Undercuts
China’s Global Ambition 113
China’s new leaders can open a new era for free expression. They have much to do.
By Madeline Earp
6. Behind Bars
Under Cover of Security, Governments Jail Journalists 125
Governments exploit national security laws to punish critical journalists.
By Monica Campbell
Torture and Injustice in a Small Town 135
Authorities strike back against an investigative reporter who exposed corruption.
By Muzaff ar Suleymanov
In Eskinder’s Story, a Nation’s Disappointment 145
The jailing of a columnist illustrates Ethiopia’s unfulfilled promise.
By Charlayne Hunter-Gault
7. Risk and Reward
The Spy in Your Pocket: Mobile Journalism’s Risk 153
Your cellphone allows authorities to locate you and uncover your sources.
By Danny O’Brien
Lessons From El Salvador: Security
Begins With Solidarity 163
No amount of security training can make up for a lack of professional solidarity.
By Frank Smyth
Is Covering the News Worth the Risk? 173
Why would we risk our lives to report terrible things happening to people far away?
By Terry Anderson
8. Media and Money
Once Thriving, Afghan Media Now Endangered 181
The international community, deep in donor fatigue, withdraws media funding.
By Bob Dietz
Oil, Money, and Secrecy in East Africa 189
New oil deals drive optimism, but the public knows little about the details.
By Tom Rhodes
In Government-Media Fight, Argentine
Journalism Suffers 199
Journalism is the casualty in a battle between Kirchner and media companies.
By Sara Rafsky
Why Transparency Is Good for Business 209
Companies are most successful in countries where there is a free and vigorous press.
By Matthew Winkler
9. The Interconnected World
How the Americas Failed Press Freedom 215
A system to defend free expression is under attack from foes and former allies.
By Carlos Lauría
Repressive Hosts Tarnish the Olympic Image 225
Countries hosting the Olympics assume global obligations.
What if they renege?
By Kristin Jones and Nina Ognianova
Beyond Article 19, a Global Press Freedom Charter 235
The right to news and opinion is enshrined in international law. It’s not enough.
By Joel Simon
10. Trends and Data
CPJ Risk List: Where Press Freedom Suff ered 247
From confl ict-ridden Syria to aspiring world leader Brazil, 10 nations on a downslope.
By Karen Phillips
CPJ Data 259
Where Journalists Are Killed
CPJ Impunity Index
Where Journalists Are Imprisoned
Journalists in Exile
Most Censored Countries
Index 267
About the Author :
Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1981 by a group of U.S. correspondents in response to the often brutal treatment of their foreign colleagues by authoritarian regimes and other enemies of independent journalism. Operating with a full-time staff of 27 at its New York headquarters, its mission is to promote press freedom worldwide by defending the rights of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal.?A 35-member board of prominent journalists directs CPJ's activities. CPJ does not accept government funding and is financed solely by contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1981 by a group of U.S. correspondents in response to the often brutal treatment of their foreign colleagues by authoritarian regimes and other enemies of independent journalism. Operating with a full-time staff of 27 at its New York headquarters, its mission is to promote press freedom worldwide by defending the rights of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal.?A 35-member board of prominent journalists directs CPJ's activities. CPJ does not accept government funding and is financed solely by contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
