Monday, April 13, 2015
Press Freedom Day at UCO
Tomorrow, April 14th, we will celebrate Press Freedom Day. Join us in the Night University Center on the UCO campus from 12:30-2:00 to learn about the current state of press freedom around the world. There will also be games and prizes!
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Morocco Jails Press Freedom Advocate
On March 17, Hicham Mansouri was arrested in his home. According to Front Line Defenders, a Dublin-based international human rights group, he was beaten and stripped of his clothes without being given an immediate reason. He was then sentenced to 10 months in prison and a $4,057 fine, an action condemned by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The charges? Adultery and starting a brothel.
According to Mansouri's lawyer, he was stripped naked to give the appearance that he was engaged in adultery with the woman he was with (later identified as his partner by the local news). In local reports she was described as a woman who was separated from her husband, but not officially divorced. The police, however, maintain that they caught him in the caught. In Morocco, adultery is a criminal offense.
Mansouri is a project manager for the Moroccan Association for Investigative journalism, a group formed to support journalists in the country. Before his arrest, he had been working on a report about alleged Internet surveillance of activists and journalists by the Moroccan authorities. His lawyer and colleagues insist that the charges were fabricated to punish his work.
Last September, Mansouri was severely beaten by two men, an act believed to be politically motivated. It took him six weeks to recover. Currently, he is being held in Zaki prison in Sale where he is suffering because of poor conditions. Morocco ranks 130 on Reporters Without Borders 2015 Press Freedom Index.
For the full story, visit CPJ.org.
The charges? Adultery and starting a brothel.According to Mansouri's lawyer, he was stripped naked to give the appearance that he was engaged in adultery with the woman he was with (later identified as his partner by the local news). In local reports she was described as a woman who was separated from her husband, but not officially divorced. The police, however, maintain that they caught him in the caught. In Morocco, adultery is a criminal offense.
Mansouri is a project manager for the Moroccan Association for Investigative journalism, a group formed to support journalists in the country. Before his arrest, he had been working on a report about alleged Internet surveillance of activists and journalists by the Moroccan authorities. His lawyer and colleagues insist that the charges were fabricated to punish his work.
Last September, Mansouri was severely beaten by two men, an act believed to be politically motivated. It took him six weeks to recover. Currently, he is being held in Zaki prison in Sale where he is suffering because of poor conditions. Morocco ranks 130 on Reporters Without Borders 2015 Press Freedom Index.
For the full story, visit CPJ.org.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Mexican Journalist Fired
Carmen Aristegui, one of Mexico's best-known journalists, was recently fired from her radio show by a broadcaster. This has set off a controversy about press freedom and expression.
One of the country's most famous investigative journalists, Aristegui was known for targeting top public figures. When listeners tuned into her morning radio program, they heard this message: "MSV Radio does not accept Carmen Aristegui's ultimatum".
Aristegui had demanded that two reporters in her investigative team be reinstated (this same team uncovered a multi-billion dollar controversy last year between Mexico's first lady and a contractor). The president denies any wrongdoing, but Aristegui insists that the firings were the result of political pressure. MSV argued that the reporters were fired for misuse of the corporate logo and resources when joining with other journalists to launch Mexico Leaks, an investigative Internet site.
The president's reputation and popularity has been declining, and Aristegui is known for her tough reporting. She stated that her investigative team won't be intimidated by the authoritarianism taking over the country.
Mexico currently ranks 148 in Reporters Without Border's 2015 Press Freedom Index. It was the deadliest country for journalists in the western hemisphere in 2014. Last year, 3 journalists were killed.
For the full story, visit NPR.org
One of the country's most famous investigative journalists, Aristegui was known for targeting top public figures. When listeners tuned into her morning radio program, they heard this message: "MSV Radio does not accept Carmen Aristegui's ultimatum".Aristegui had demanded that two reporters in her investigative team be reinstated (this same team uncovered a multi-billion dollar controversy last year between Mexico's first lady and a contractor). The president denies any wrongdoing, but Aristegui insists that the firings were the result of political pressure. MSV argued that the reporters were fired for misuse of the corporate logo and resources when joining with other journalists to launch Mexico Leaks, an investigative Internet site.
The president's reputation and popularity has been declining, and Aristegui is known for her tough reporting. She stated that her investigative team won't be intimidated by the authoritarianism taking over the country.
Mexico currently ranks 148 in Reporters Without Border's 2015 Press Freedom Index. It was the deadliest country for journalists in the western hemisphere in 2014. Last year, 3 journalists were killed.
For the full story, visit NPR.org
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