Azerbaijan Jails Yet Another Journalist

The Azeri government insists on being one of the most repressive regimes when it comes to harassing the news media, including pro-government media.

(APA photo)

According to the Azeri Press Agency, Nazim Guliyev (above), founder of the pro-government Ideal newspaper, was sentenced to six months in prison on insult charges stemming from two Ideal articles alleging that plaintiff Sabira Makhmudova was linked to a prostitution ring. Guliyev was immediately imprisoned.

Guliyev, who went into hidding in August after Ideal's Editor-in-Chief Ali Hasanov was convicted and sentenced on the same charges, was arrested last month. Hasanov was released from prison last month thanks to a presidential pardon.

During the trial, Guliyev regretted the publication of the articles, and Makhmudova said she had forgiven him and that she was planning to withdraw the accusations.

Besides Guliyev, there are three other journalists in prison in Azerbaijan on charges of criminal defamation; in other words, because of fulfilling their duty to inform the public.

World's Oldest Blogger Dies

María Amelia López, a Spanish blogger from the Northwestern region of Galicia who was considered the world's oldest blogger and managed to attract an amazing number of followers, died last week at age 97.

María Amelia López ("la Abuela Bloggera") conquered
the hearts of hundreds of thousands of followers.

López comments, sometimes posted daily, about old age, senior's rights and Spanish politics, mesmerized 1.5 million visitors from throughout the world.

The London Telegraph:

Writing from her seaside home on the Galician coast, where she was born in 1911, her posts touched on personal health problems, from trips to the doctor to bouts of dizziness, to her opinion on current events and modern day life.

Using a mix of humour and nostalgia she shared her experiences of getting old and enlightened readers about life during the long dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

She blogged sporadically - sometimes once a week, sometimes daily - with the aid of her grandson because cataracts impaired her vision and in recent months posted video messages on her blog instead of written texts.

After discovering Facebook earlier this year she enthused: "The internet amazes me more and more" and promptly set up a group on the social networking site to defend old people's rights.

In one of her final postings, in February, she wrote: "When I'm on the internet, I forget about my illness. The distraction is good for you - being able to communicate with people. It wakes up the brain, and gives you great strength."

Which goes to prove again that the age that really matters if that of your heart.

Iran, Afraid of Informed Voters, Blocks Facebook

Since Facebook has become a major campaigning tool for the forces of reform in Iran, the hard-line government of Prime Minister Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has blocked the popular social site three weeks ahead of the presidential election.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a May 22
rally in Tehran. (EPA photo)

The arbitrary decision drew fire from the reformist opposition party of candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who said the move will force his followers, especially young voters who could hand him victory, to get their news from government-cntrolled outlets.

Opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi at a May 11
press conference in Tehran. (EPA photo)

The Associated Press via The Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

More than half of Iran's population was born after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and young voters make up a huge bloc - which helped former reformist President Mohammad Khatami to back-to-back victories in 1997 and 2001 but failed to rally strongly behind Ahmadinejad's opponent, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, four years ago.

Young voters are now strongly courted by the main reformist candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi, as the possible swing factor.

"Every single media outlet that is seen as competition for Ahmadinejad is at risk of being closed," said Shahab Tabatabaei, a top aide for Mousavi, the leading reformist candidate. "Placing limits on the competition is the top priority of the government."

Tabatabaei said the Facebook block was "a swift reaction" to a major pro-Mousavi rally Saturday in a Tehran sports stadium that included an appearance by Khatami and many young people waving green banners and scarves - the symbolic color of the Mousavi campaign.

Iranian authorities often block specific Web sites and blogs considered critical of the Islamic regime, but critics of the latest decision said the loss of Facebook - and possibly other Web sites popular with reformists - means Iranians must rely on the government for information.

"Facebook is one of the only independent sources that the Iranian youth could use to communicate," said Mohammed Ali Abtahi, a former vice president and now adviser to another pro-reform candidate, Mahdi Karroubi, a former parliament speaker.

Facebook spokesperson Elizabeth Linder reacted to the news by saying, "We are disappointed to learn of reports that users in Iran may not have access to Facebook, especially at a time when voters are turning to the Internet as a source of information about election candidates and their positions."

And she added that "It is always a shame when a country's cultural and political concerns lead to limits being placed on the opportunity for sharing and expression that the Internet provides."

Shame indeed.

Journalist Roxana Saberi Arrives in the US

US Journalist Roxana Saberi's odyssey came finally to a happy end with her safe arrival at Washington's International Airport, where dozens of journalists and wellwishers greeted her arrival.

Freed US journalist Saberi at Washington International Airport,
flanked by her parents, Reza and Akiko. (EPA photo)

Saberi arrived with her parents at Dulles Airport on a flight from Vienna, Austria, where she spent one week after arriving from Tehran, where she was released from prison on May 11.

She had thankful words for her friends, family and the US government, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who worked with third countries, especially Sweden, for her release.

Saberi traveled to Iran six years ago to study and work as a freelance journalist. He filed stories for both the US National Public Radio and the BBC from Tehran. Upon her arrest in February of 2009, she was charged with attempting to buy a bottle of wine, a crime in that country.

After several weeks of speculation, a prosecutor announced in March that she would be release “in the next few days.” But in April, the authorities changed their tune, charged her with espionage, which her family and employers called bogus, and sentenced her to eight years in prison.

She was finally released on May 11 from the infamous Evin prison in Tehran.

Venezuelan Police Raid Home of Owner of Globovison TV Network

(Getty Images)

In yet another show of harassment and intimidation toward Globovision, Venezuelan police raided the home of the TV network's president Guillermo Zuloaga (above) and impounded a number of vehicles parked in his property, according to press reports.

Zuloaga is also the owner of two car dealerships, and he said the vehicles were stored at his property for safekeeping after his dealerships were robbed.

The raid takes places in the midst of yet another confrontation between Venezuela's only remaining independent TV network and the government of President Hugo Chávez, this time over a Globovision report critical of the government's response to a recent earthquake that shook parts of Venezuela.

According to El País newspaper in Madrid, Spain, investigators impounded some of the vehicles to ascertain they were properly stored at Zuolaga's property.

The Associated Press:

Judicial police chief Wilmer Flores Trossel said authorities found 24 Toyota vehicles on a property in eastern Venezuela belonging to Globovision president Guillermo Zuloaga. They raided the property after receiving an anonymous tip.

"The owners of the residence will have to explain what these vehicles are doing there and why they aren't in a dealership," he said.

Zuloaga said he had "nothing to hide" and that the cars were stored for safe keeping because a dealership he owns had been robbed. He suggested the raid was an attempt to intimidate him.

"I don't know if they're trying to find something to try to shut me up. They won't shut us up," Zuloaga told Globovision reporters.

Chinese Bloggers Unite, the State Is after You

China's Net Nanny, as Internet censors are known among Chinese bloggers, thought there was too much freedom to share through Goggle Blogger and on May 15, they decided to block it in the entire country.

Obviously a variety of expressions seems to scare the heck out of Chinese censors, and the Great Fire Wall (GFW) kicked into full gear to keep bloggers from posting their material.

This, of course, in the world's largest Internet market, ignited outrage in many bogglers who depend on this free service to express themselves. One enterprising blogger, however, wrote an open letter to Google not only to denounce the censoring move but also to suggest a few ideas to make the situation more manageable.

Here is the full content of the letter:

An Open Letter To Google

作者：xiangeliushui   来源：Blogger Help Group      

Dear manager/team of Google Blogger,

I am a loyal customer of Google Blogger and I would like to first thank you for providing us a wonderful experience and excellent support in using Blogger applications.

With that said, you’ve probably been aware of the situation that, since the afternoon of May 15, 2009, http://www.blogger.com, and all its sub-domains under *.blogspot.com, have been blocked by the Chinese government’s Great Fire Wall (GFW). As a result, no one in Mainland China can have access to these blogs, nor can anyone log into http://www.blogger.com to update/manage their profiles. Bloggers from Mainland China cannot update, comment or even visit their own blogs. This has created great frustration as well as irrevocable damage.

Granted, much of the dissatisfaction goes toward GFW, for it is hard to believe such large scale, all-inclusive blocking could be happening without any explanation.

Meanwhile, many bloggers, as victims, have come together, actively helping and supporting each other. Besides condemning GFW for its behavior, we would like our blogging service provider, Google Blogger, to take certain actions out of consideration of the common interests
between itself and its Chinese customers. From what I know, bloggers are critical users of Google AdSense, an advertising product whose income is closely associated, and hence affected by, visits from Mainland China users. Therefore, we hope Google can take some real
action in order to improve the current situation for all its Google bloggers in China.

Realistically speaking, it is almost impossible to have an open dialogue with GFW or the government behind. If such blocking continues indefinitely, we hope Google blogger can provide https connection to http://www.blogger.com and its sub-domain *.blogspot.com, so that all
Google bloggers can visit, manage their accounts via the encrypted connection, and all the related service such including PageRank, Google Analytics, Google AdSense, etc, will not be affected. If you are interested, I would like to discuss more details in further communications.

It is my hope that this letter can reach to whom it concerns and there will be a clear response from Google Blogger Team.

Thank you and I wish Google Blogger all the best.

UN and OAS offices Remind Venezuela of Its Press Freedom Obligations

The special rapporteurs for freedom of expression of both the United Nations and the Organization of American States are reminding the Venezuelan government of President Hugo Chávez "of their obligation to respect freedom of expression" in view of the authorities' threats to shut down independent TV network Globovision.

The repporteurs's joint statement comes on the heels of news that Venezuela's National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) is seriously considering revoking Globovision's broadcast license on the grounds that information provided to the public could "generate alarm, fear, anxiety, or panic among the population, giving individuals the feeling that they are in danger and without protection."

The information was broadcast as part of a Globovision urgent report about a quake that hit some parts of Venezuela earlier in the month, including a commentary by the network's director criticizing the authorities for not providing timely information about the quake.

Following the report, top officials in the Chávez administration demanded an immediate investigation equating the report to "terrorism" and "hate speech" with "destabilizing intent."

Globovision has been a frequent target of the Venezuelan government's harrassment on the country's independent media. And this latest instance could cost the TV network its license and be forced to shut down its operations.

This is the full statement by the UN Rapporteur Frank La Rue and OAS Rapporteur Catalina Botero:

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
PREN R34/09
 
UN AND OAS RAPPORTEURS FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION EXPRESS CONCERN OVER COMMENTS BY HIGH-LEVEL VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AGAINST PRIVATE TELEVISION STATIONS
 
Geneva – Washington, D.C., May 22, 2009—The United Nations (UN) Rapporter for Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Frank La Rue, and the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Organization of American States’ Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Catalina Botero, expressed their concern over recent statements made by high-level authorities of the Venezuelan government against the Globovisión television network and other privately owned media outlets in that country.
 
According to the information received, on May 4, 2009, Globovisión broadcast—before an official report had been issued on the matter—a news report about an earthquake that hit parts of Venezuela. During the broadcast, the network’s director noted that the quake had caused no serious damage and criticized the fact that official information had not been provided in a timely manner. Reports on the earthquake were broadcasted several times during the day. Since that news report, Venezuela’s highest-level authorities have publicly accused the privately owned media, and particularly Globovisión, for resorting to "terrorism" and "hate speech" with "destabilizing intent." Senior authorities have also urged the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) to impose the most drastic sanctions against Globovisión.
 
On May 7, Conatel, an agency of the executive branch of government, began administrative proceedings against Globovisión, on the grounds that the information provided to the public on the occasion of the quake could "generate alarm, fear, anxiety, or panic among the population, giving individuals the feeling that they are in danger and without protection." This investigation follows two previous investigations that had been opened against Globovisión for the live transmission of statements made by third parties not belonging to the network. According to information provided by the State, these investigations should be at the final decision stage. Those proceedings could lead to the revocation of the network’s television license through the application of the Law on Social Responsibility in Radio and Television.
 
On previous occasions, the UN and OAS rapporteurs for freedom of expression have reminded the authorities of their obligation to respect freedom of expression in the communications media and in radio and television broadcasts, and in particular to respect the media’s editorial independence. In this regard, it has been pointed out that in a democracy, criticism, opposition, and contradiction must be tolerated as a condition of the principle of pluralism protected by the right to freedom of expression. The job of authorities is to create a climate in which anyone can express his or her ideas without fear of being persecuted, punished, or stigmatized.
 
On this occasion, La Rue and Botero express their concern in light of the statements made by the highest-level government authorities, which generate an atmosphere of intimidation in which the right to freedom of expression is seriously limited. In this regard, they recalled that the authorities have a duty to carry out the law as well as a right to respond to criticisms they believe to be unjust or misleading. However, public officials, especially those in the highest positions of the State, have a duty to respect the circulation of information and opinions, even when these are contrary to its interests and positions. They must also promote tolerance and the diversity of ideas and opinions.
 
Finally, the UN and OAS rapporteurs for freedom of expression call on the State of Venezuela to maintain in full effect the right to freedom of expression established in international instruments adopted by the State, and to adequately protect international guarantees in the proceedings taking place against privately owned media outlets and in particular against Globovisión. On this point, the States must guarantee that administrative proceedings or regulatory powers do not imply acts of indirect censorship prompted by the media outlet’s editorial stance.

OAS Office Releases Freedom of Expression Annual Report

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Organization of American States (OAS) today announced the submission of its annual report to the organization.

The Special Rapporteur, Dr. Catalina Botero, informed the OAS's Committee of Juridical and Political Affairs that "progress has been made in recent years with respect of freedom of expression."

But it also noted that the region still presented "persistent challenges such as violence against journalists, the need for more effective mechanisms for ensuring access to information, and the absence of clear regulations to prevent mechanisms of indirect censorship and to promote pluralism and diversity."

The report called attention to violence against journalists and in a growing number of threats or attacks against reporters. It also noted the existence of legal provisions that fail to meet international standards with regard to the protection of freedom of expression and enable the imposition of disproportionate measures that may have a chilling effect that is incompatible with democratic societies.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur also underscored the need to initiate regional efforts to adjust institutional mechanisms in order to prevent state authority from being used to reward or punish the media according to their editorial positions, and to promote pluralism and diversity in public debate.
 
In addition to evaluating the status of freedom of expression in the region, the report gives an account of the status of the exercise of this right in each country during 2008. It also includes a theoretical chapter that compiles and systematizes the inter-American standards on freedom of expression.

The annual report also presents the agenda of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for the 2008-2011 period. It presents general conclusions with regard to the regional status of the issue, based on which it makes a number of recommendations addressed to the OAS Member States for improving the conditions necessary for the full exercise of freedom of expression in the region.

The World Press Freedom Committee closely works with the OAS's Special Office of the Rapporteur to ensure press freedom progress in the region, specifically in issues such as the elimination or reform of restrictive laws, access to public information, elimination of restrictions to the practice of journalism and others.

The full report is available in English and Spanish.

Article 19 Welcomes Freedom of Expression Resolution by IPU

Article 19 issued an alert to welcome an Inter-Parliamentary Union resolution supporting freedom of expression and the right to information issued in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, last month.

The fact that the resolution comes from Ethiopia, one of the world's most repressing countries in terms of press freedom, makes this initiative all the more remarkable.

Here is the alert:

ARTICLE 19 congratulates parliamentarians for taking this step towards recognising the key role that parliaments around the world can play towards protecting freedom of expression and the right to information. The resolution, which was adopted by consensus on 10 April 2009, comes at crucial time when there are heightened challenges to, and express attacks upon, freedom of expression and the right to information internationally.

ARTICLE 19 Executive Director, Dr Agnès Callamard comments: “This stand by the IPU and parliamentarians must be commended, at a time when too many governments are shying away from their human rights responsibilities and adopting laws, policies, or resolutions which stifle free expression and the free flow of information.”

ARTICLE 19 particularly welcomes provisions of the resolution which:

—Reinforce that “freedom of expression and access to information are fundamental to a democratic society” (Articles 1, 20) and recall “efforts of international institutions” at aimed protecting these rights (Article 4);
—Encourage those parliaments that have not already done so to enact freedom of information legislation at the earliest opportunity, and underscore the need for parliaments of States that already have such a legal framework in place to ensure that it is implemented effectively” (Article 5);
—Condemn restrictions imposed on, violence suffered by, victimisation and even assassination of members of parliament, journalists and other opinion shapers in exercising their right to freedom of expression” (Article 9);
—Express concern about the concentration of media ownership (Article 12); promote plurality and diversity of media (Articles 12-16);
—Elaborate on the steps parliaments can take to promote freedom of expression and the right to information through participating in international dialogue on internet governance, ensuring that education in information and communication technologies and taking effective measures to narrow the digital divide (Articles 18, 19, 21);
—Encourage the development of freedom of information beyond State actors to encompass significant private-sector companies and bodies”;
—Stress that, in public administration, the basic principle should be in favour of transparency” (Article 25).

Callamard adds: “ARTICLE 19 calls on parliaments around the world to implement these provisions. We also urge governments to take model on this resolution, including in the forthcoming United Nations Human Rights Council next month and adopt similarly positive inter-governmental resolutions protecting freedom of expression."

The US Newspaper Industry's Internet Hits Parade

Crisis or no crisis, US newspapers' Internet operations continue to pile up unique visitors by the tens of millions, and according to Nielsen Online ratings, the Wall Street Journal is fast catching up with the still undisputable leader, The New York Times.

The latest report, the one for the month of April indicates that the Journal's year-over-year growth of unique visitors has skyrocketed by a whopping 160 percent to almost 12.4 million, whereas The Times' took an 8-percent dip to 16.5 million in the same period.

Editor & Publisher:

New York Times spokesperson Diane McNulty said the company is disputing the decline. "We believe their data is in error," McNulty wrote in an e-mail to E&P. "We're reviewing the methodology now as the numbers are inconsistent with three other independent sources and our own internal data."

As E&P has reported in the past, online metrics vary wildly among sources. Critics contend that panel-based metrics, such as Nielsen and comScore, under-count users since the panels are drawn from a national pool. Analytic software, from companies like Omniture, count the number of users directly from servers. But many argue that site-centric software over-count users.

The newspaper in Detroit, one of the US cities hit hardest by the current recession, registered substantial increases.

April marks the first month the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News, operated by the Detroit Media Partnership (DMP), no longer provided home delivery during four days of the week. The number of unique visitors at the Free Press increased 74% year-over-year to 1.5 million. At the Detroit News, which did not make the top 30 list, monthly uniques were up 32% to 1 million in April, according to Nielsen.

Here's Nielsen's top 10:

NYTimes.com -- 16,546,000 -- (-8%)
Wall Street Journal Online -- 12,398,000 -- 160%
USATODAY.com -- 11,987,000 -- 12%
washingtonpost.com -- 10,232,000 -- 8%
LA Times -- 8,418,000 -- 18%
Boston.com -- 5,888,000 -- 33%
Daily News Online Edition -- 5,033,000 -- 73%
New York Post -- 4,403,000 -- 27%
Chicago Tribune -- 4,342,000 -- 30%
SFGate.com/San Francisco Chronicle -- 3,489,000 -- (-9%)