The Afghanistan government is asking female television presenters to start wearing headscarves and avoid heavy makeup. The information and culture ministry made the request Wednesday in a letter distributed to the media. The request comes as Afghan and U.S. officials seek talks with the Taliban in an effort to ensure stability after foreign troops leave. […]
Afghan TV Host Told To Wear Headscarves, Less Makeup
Posted February 15th, 2012 at 8:00 am (UTC-5)
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Media Group Targeted in India
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 7:50 pm (UTC-5)
The Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned an attack on an Indian media group’s offices by right wing Hindu nationalists protesting a local newspaper’s coverage of their internal politics. The New York-based group Monday cited news reports saying supporters of the Shiv Sena, a Hindu nationalist party, attacked the Times of India building in Mumbai […]
Sudanese Authorities Shut Down Independent Newspaper
Posted January 13th, 2012 at 7:50 am (UTC-5)
The editor of an independent newspaper in Sudan says authorities have shut down the publication, the latest sign of a media crackdown by Sudan’s government. The editor of the newspaper al-Wan said Friday that security personnel informed his staff of the decision. He said government agents have occupied the building where the newspaper is located. […]
China Orders TV Stations To Cut Entertainment Shows
Posted January 4th, 2012 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
China is ordering satellite television broadcasters to replace shows featuring “excessive entertainment” with those that promote traditional values. The state-run Xinhua news agency said Wednesday that satellite television stations have cut more than two-thirds of their prime-time entertainment programs – from 126 to 38 shows per week – following a new directive by the State […]
US Pulls Advisers from Afghan Media Center
Posted December 29th, 2011 at 6:15 am (UTC-5)
The United States has pulled its advisers from a U.S.-funded Afghan press center. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul said in a statement Wednesday that it was “reassessing and reviewing its relationship” with the Afghan Government Media Information Center. Some Afghan officials have speculated that the move came in response to a December 24 press conference […]
Rights Group: Number of Jailed Journalists at 15-Year High
Posted December 8th, 2011 at 10:10 am (UTC-5)
A media rights group says the number of journalists jailed worldwide is at a 15-year high, with Iran, Eritrea and China leading the list. The Committee to Protect Journalists report released Thursday says 179 writers, editors and photojournalists were jailed worldwide as of December 1 compared to 34 detentions at the same time last year. […]
South African Lawmakers Pass State Secrets Bill
Posted November 22nd, 2011 at 3:20 pm (UTC-5)
The South African parliament has passed a bill aimed at protecting state secrets that opponents say will stifle the media and those who expose corruption. Lawmakers adopted the bill by a vote of 229 to 107 Tuesday, with much of the support coming from the ruling African National Congress party. The legislation prohibits the release […]
South African Lawmakers Pass State Secrets Bill
Posted November 22nd, 2011 at 10:10 am (UTC-5)
(( new headline, new info grafs 1-2, edits below The South African parliament has passed a bill aimed at protecting state secrets that opponents say will stifle the media and those who expose corruption. Lawmakers adopted the bill by a vote of 229 to 107 Tuesday, with much of the support coming from the ruling […]
Tutu: South Africa State Secrets Bill ‘Insulting’
Posted November 22nd, 2011 at 5:40 am (UTC-5)
South Africa’s anti-apartheid leader Desmond Tutu is urging the country’s parliament to reject a controversial bill that would make it illegal to divulge state secrets. The bill would punish those who publish classified information with up to 25 years in jail. Tutu says the law is “insulting” to South Africans, and that it would effectively […]
South Africa Set to Pass State Secrets Bill
Posted November 21st, 2011 at 8:15 am (UTC-5)
South Africa’s parliament is expected to pass a new state secrets law amid criticism that the measure will suppress the media and those exposing corruption. Lawmakers are due to vote Tuesday on the bill backed by the ruling African National Congress party, which says the law is necessary to protect state secrets. The measure would […]
