The Peace March
Tens Of Thousands March For Peace In New York
POSTED: 6:44 pm EDT May 1, 2005
UPDATED: 7:15 pm EDT May 1, 2005
NEW YORK -- Thousands of activists marched past the United Nations on Sunday, hoping to remind diplomats reviewing the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty of the horrors of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki five decades ago.
Chanting "No War, No Nukes" and carrying signs saying "No More Hiroshima, No more Nagasaki," the marchers then headed to Central Park, where they formed a human peace symbol. Organizers put the number of protesters at 40,000.
http://www.thelouisvillechannel.com/news/4436766/detail.html
Peace walkers pass by on way to U.N.
Sunday, May 1, 2005
By BRIAN KLADKO
STAFF WRITER
No streets were closed for the parade of peace activists marching through Bergen County on Saturday. They stuck to the sidewalks.
But having walked all the way from Oak Ridge, Tenn., they had made their point.
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyNiZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NjY4NzQ0NyZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTM=
Laredo border protesters march against violence
Associated Press
NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico — Hundreds of Mexicans and Americans gathered for an anti-violence rally in the main square of the Mexican border city of Nuevo Laredo today.
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Carrying white balloons and dressed in white, residents of Nuevo Laredo and its sister city, Laredo, Texas, protested the estimated 43 killings so far this year in Nuevo Laredo. Some U.S. citizens were among the victims in those crimes.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3162953
Assemble on 1st Ave above 50th Street, 11am
March by the United Nations
Rally in Central Park, Heckscher Ballfields, 2pm
Sixty years ago, the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, instantly killing and wounding hundreds of thousands of people and beginning the nuclear arms race. In May, world leaders, mayors and citizens from around the world will converge on the United Nations to decide the fate of the endangered Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The nuclear weapons states, led by the U.S., are hypocritically accusing other nations of seeking nuclear arms while ignoring their own disarmament obligations. The Bush administration lied when it went to war in Iraq by claiming Saddam Hussein had “weapons of mass destruction.” And as this war rages on, with mounting casualties on all sides, a country in ruins, and escalating costs here at home, Washington is turning its sights on Iran and North Korea, seeking again to inflame public fears of a new nuclear threat. At the same time, the U.S. is modernizing its nuclear arsenal and expanding the role of nuclear weapons in its “national security” policy.
Peace Actions in At Least 765 Communities on Two-Year Anniversary of Iraq War
March 18-20 marked the two-year anniversary of the U.S. bombing and invasion of Iraq. At least 765 towns and cities, in all 50 states ( Map) - an unprecedented number - held anti-war events, in a reflection of the growing breadth of the anti-war movement. This is more than double the number of anti-war actions on the first anniversary of the war last year. UFPJ's strategy for this year's anniversary of the war was to emphasize local protests and local movement-building, rather than to focus on a handful of large mobilizations in major cities.
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/
Journalism at Risk
BELARUS: Two Russian journalists jailed after opposition rally
New York, April 27, 2005—A court in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, handed brief jail sentences today to two Russian journalists arrested while covering an opposition rally, according to local and international press reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists said it was alarmed by the action and called for the release of the two reporters.
http://www.cpj.org/news/2005/Belarus27apr05na.html
Chernobyl protesters are jailed
(Filed: 28/04/2005)
Dozens of opposition supporters were jailed in Belarus yesterday after riot police were sent in to break up a rally marking the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/04/28/wbela28.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/04/28/ixworld.html
Iranian student to be flogged and jailed
Apr 27, 2005
An Iranian student detained for taking part in anti-regime demonstrations has been sentenced to 18 months behind bars and 76 lashes, his lawyer reported. The lawyer said that his client would appeal.
http://www.iranian.ws/iran_news/publish/article_6575.shtml
Surviving Cuba's Prisons
Unbowed, Jorge Olivera Castillo emerges from jail to speak out.
By Sauro González Rodríguez. CPJ, April, 2005.
For the crime of reporting the news, Jorge Olivera Castillo spent most of two years in the hellish conditions of Cuba's prisons. The director of a small independent news agency, the Havana Press, Olivera Castillo was one of 29 journalists arrested in a massive government crackdown on dissidents and theindependent media in March 2003. He was convicted in a one-day, closed-door proceeding under a law prohibiting acts "aimed at subverting the internal order of the nation and destroying its political, economic, and social system."
http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y05/apr05/26e7.htm
Call for release of two imprisoned journalists
Reporters Without Borders called today for the immediate release of reformist Iranian Arab journalist Yosef Azizi Banitrouf, who was arrested in a raid on his home on 25 April. It also demanded the release of dissident journalist Reza Alijani, expressing "great concern" about his deteriorating health after two years in prison.
"We strongly deplore the arrest of Banitrouf, who was simply expressing his personal opinion in articles and in interviews given to other newspapers," it said. "As soon as a journalist speaks out in Iran, the authorities crack down, either by closing the paper concerned or throwing the journalist in prison.
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=13376
'Long arm' of the government threatens media in Zimbabwe
LONDON Zimbabwe holds the dubious distinction of being one of the worst places in the world to be a journalist.
That "honor" was bestowed on the country by the Committee to Protect Journalists, a U.S.-based organization that promotes freedom of the press. For 2004, Zimbabwe placed third on the list, behind Iraq and Cuba.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/01/business/zim02.php
Truth and consequences
N.C. journalists see firsthand Jordan's struggle for free press
AMMAN, Jordan - Truth and consequences N.C. journalists see firsthand Jordan's struggle for free press AMMAN, Jordan -- Osama Al-Shareef, the American-educated editor of a Jordanian newspaper, was explaining to North Carolina journalists why his colleagues are often so timid, even though King Abdullah II encourages a free press.
"It's always a matter of Russian roulette," he said of his country's media laws. "You never know when you're stepping on a mine and someone will say you've gone too far."
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/editorial/11535999.htm
Army to review mission orders issued to civilians
Posted 05:44am (Mla time) May 02, 2005
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A20 of the May 2, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Mindoro Oriental, Philippines -- The military here said it would review mission orders and memorandum receipts issued to civilian assets in the wake of the arrest of a radio commentator for firing a handgun outside a videoke bar here on Sunday evening.
http://news.inq7.net/regions/index.php?index=1&story_id=35630
In Paper, In Practice: A response to the China’s ‘White Paper’ on Human Rights
By News Report
May 1, 2005, 12:34
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TYC[Sunday, May 01, 2005 15:58]
Foreword
The release of the two successive ‘White Papers’ by the State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) this April vindicates the truth of the maxim, “ It entails a thousand lies to conceal a lie”. Chinese Communist Party(CCP), in its 56 oppressive years of rule, has in a customary drive to delude the world, released over a thirty ‘White Papers’, a record by any regime in this modern times. The recent heightened spree to churn out series of ‘white papers’ is yet another desperate bid to enhance its global credibility. But the leaders of China had utterly failed to realize the wisdom that the very necessity to substantiate, and justify persistently, reveals a gross underlying faux pas.
The White Paper of the 13 th April entitled, “China’s Progress in Human Rights in 2004” begin with the wild and fictitious assertion of the year 2004 being “ an important year for China in building a well-off society in an all-round way…that saw progress in human rights undertakings…. And...realize the goal of establishing a government under the rule of law after making sustained efforts .”
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_17270.shtml
Uzbekistan: Journalists Defend Jailed Colleague
By Daniel Kimmage
25 April 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Friction between journalists and Uzbekistan's authorities is nothing new. But the recent arrest of Sobirjon Yoqubov (spelled "Yakubov" in many reports), a correspondent for the newspaper "Hurriyat," has sparked a reaction that goes beyond expressions of concern from international organizations. This time, some of the jailed journalist's colleagues in Uzbekistan have mobilized in his support.
News of Yoqubov's arrest in mid-April came against the backdrop of an event that had already unnerved journalists in Uzbekistan. After an article signed by a certain Safar Abdullaev appeared on the Internet with sensational details of a coming crackdown against independent journalists in Uzbekistan, a number of the individuals named by Abdullaev sent an open letter to the Interior Ministry requesting confirmation or denial of the report. Deputy Interior Minister Alisher Sharafuddinov held an unusual public meeting with the journalists in question on 15 April, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reported. While Sharafuddinov insisted that no crackdown was in the offing, he confirmed the arrest of a correspondent for the newspaper "Hurriyat."
The Uzbek government has yet to make clear the substance of its charges against Sobirjon Yoqubov.
http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/4/CFD6F561-482F-4631-A79D-7CF9C652A16A.html
China Jails Reporter for Leaking 'State Secrets'
Apr 30, 2005 — BEIJING (Reuters) - A court in south China jailed a Chinese journalist for 10 years on Saturday for illegally providing state secrets to overseas organizations, the state-run Xinhua news agency said.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said in February that China had the most journalists in prison, 42, of any country for the sixth year in a row.
Prosecutors in Hunan province told the Intermediate People's Court that Shi Tao, 37, a former news editor for the Contemporary Business News in provincial capital Changsha, e-mailed notes he took at an April 2004 internal newspaper meeting to an unnamed overseas publication, Xinhua said without naming the publication.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=717057
'End of state of emergency' promises little for freedom of expression
No pledge to ease pressure on independent media. By Rohan Jayasekera
King Gyanendra
The announcement that King Gyanendra had lifted Nepal’s state of emergency late Friday caught most observers by surprise but left few confident that the country would see the immediate restoration of human rights – including freedom of expression for its media.
King Gyanendra issued a royal decree lifting the state of emergency late 29 April, but it is not clear what changes will result. There was no sign he would restoring multi-party democracy. The original 1 February press censorship notice said it would apply for six months and thus technically has another three months to run.
"If media censorship too has been lifted, the government ought to issue a clear announcement," Narayan Wagle, editor of Kantipur, the largest circulated daily in Nepal told Indian media.
http://www.indexonline.org/en/news/articles/2005/2/nepal-lifting-of-state-of-emergency-promises.shtml
Nepal emergency lifted
PTI Kathmandu April 30: Under increasing pressure from India and other countries, Nepal’s King Gyanendra today lifted the state of emergency imposed after he grabbed power on February 1 but it was not clear if press censorship and ban on political activities have also been removed.“His Majesty, in accordance with the Constitution, has lifted the order of the state of emergency,” a brief Royal Palace statement said, hours after the King’s return from a three-nation tour where leaders pressed him for restoration of democracy in the kingdom.
The King, who visited Indonesia, China and Singapore, had assured the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh in Jakarta last week on the sidelines of the Afro-Asian summit that he would initiate steps for early restoration of multi-party democracy. Despite the King’s assurance, the deposed prime minister, Mr Sher Bahadur Deuba was arrested on corruption charges on Wednesday.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=05019
Journalist arrested and jailed; Reza Alijani's health deteriorating sharply after two years in prison
Français: Nouvelles inquiétudes concernant deux journalistes détenus
País/Tema: Iran
Fecha: 29 de abril de 2005
Fuente: Reporteros Sin Fronteras (RSF)
Persona: Yosef Azizi Banitrouf, Reza Alijani
Victimas: periodista(s)
Tipos de violaciónes: arresto , huelga de hambre , encarcelado
Urgencia: Noticia urgente
(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called for the immediate release of reformist Iranian Arab journalist Yosef Azizi Banitrouf, who was arrested in a raid on his home on 25 April 2005. The organisation also demanded the release of dissident journalist Reza Alijani, expressing great concern about his deteriorating health after two years in prison.
"We strongly deplore the arrest of Banitrouf, who was simply expressing his personal opinion in articles and in interviews given to newspapers," RSF said. "As soon as a journalist speaks out in Iran, the authorities crack down, either by closing the paper concerned or throwing the journalist in prison. There are now 12 journalists and cyber-dissidents in jail in Iran, which remains the Middle East's biggest prison for journalists."
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/66287/
Not His Master's Voice
Vanguard (Lagos)
OPINION
April 29, 2005
Posted to the web April 29, 2005
Mobolaji Sanusi
"... A newspaper financed by government really belongs to the whole people and not to those who mistake the transience of office for their own imaginary permanence"
Peter Ajayi: In "Not His Master's Voice"
LAST week Friday in the Oranmiyan Hall of Ikeja Airport Hotel, one question that kept ringing in my mind was which regime, colonial or military, could be said to be fairer to Nigerian journalists? Colonialism and militarism are now obsolete systems in contemporary governance but wherever experiences of people who practised journalism under these systems are being relayed, a curious mind is wont to ask the above question.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200504290464.html
Why Police Can't Prosecute Ndolo Case
The Nation (Nairobi)
OPINION
April 30, 2005
Posted to the web April 29, 2005
Peter Mwaura
Nairobi
It is nearly three weeks since the police hunted down Makadara MP Rueben Ndolo for allegedly insulting President Mwai Kibaki by suggesting at a public meeting that he was lazy. Apparently no charges will be preferred against him. If so, Mr Ndolo is lucky to be living in Kenya and not in those republics where people are routinely prosecuted for insulting the head of state.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200504290978.html
Egyptian journalists jailed for libeling a minister
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - The Cairo Criminal Court on Sunday sentenced three journalists to one year in prison for libeling the housing minister, despite a year-old announcement by the president that he would scrap the law that allows such imprisonment.
Alaa al-Ghatrifi, Abdel Nasser al-Zoheiry and Youssef al-Oumy were sentenced in absentia to prison terms and fines of 10,000 Egyptian pounds (about $1,700; euro1,321) each.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/4/18/latest/20050418070314&sec=Latest
CUBAN INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST
`I'll never renounce my principles'
Jorge Olivera Castillo, one of 29 Cuban journalists arrested in a massive Cuban government crackdown on dissidents and the independent media in March 2003, spent nearly two years in prison. He was convicted in a one-day, closed-door proceeding under a law prohibiting acts ''aimed at subverting the internal order of the nation and destroying its political, economic and social system.'' He was freed Dec. 6, one of a half-dozen imprisoned journalists released on medical parole in 2004. After his release, the 43-year-old editor granted an interview to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.
The interview was conducted by Sauro González Rodríguez, a research associate for CPJ's Americas program. Excerpts follow:
CPJ: Tell us about your experiences in prison.
JOC: I spent 36 days in a cell with common criminals in Villa Marista. The four of us could not stand at the same time, that's how small the cell was. There was no ventilation and we had a fluorescent lamp on 24 hours a day. The bathroom was a hole; the smell was unbearable.
Then the trial came. The trial was a sham, a grotesque sham. I only saw my lawyer 10 to 15 minutes before my court hearing was to start. I felt I had been convicted in advance. Thank God I had the strength of character and could face such a difficult situation. I did not keep silent. I defended myself against all the allegations prosecutors made, full of visceral hatred -- I can't forget that. I refuted all of them.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/11481097.htm
Adler jailed but not contrite
April 14, 2005 - 7:09PM
Disgraced businessman Rodney Adler was a deliberate liar who still did not fully accept he had done anything wrong, a judge said today as he jailed the former high flyer for more than two years.
The former HIH director apologised as he entered the NSW Supreme Court today, knowing he would go to jail, but Justice John Dunford said Adler had not shown true contrition.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Business/Adler-jailed-but-not-contrite/2005/04/14/1113251735133.html
Going off the record is no safe haven in the new media era
April 15, 2005
THE jailing of Rodney Adler will open a new era in relations between business and the press in Australia. And conceivably, in time, that new era may spread to other areas, including politics.
Two of the offences for which Adler was jailed concerned "off-the-record" statements he made to an Australian Financial Review journalist. This kind of briefing is not uncommon and the Adler sentence raises dangers for both business people and journalists.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,12858679%255E16946,00.html
concluding...
