23 June 2014
The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) today [23 June 2014] protested the sentencing of three journalists working for Al Jazeera English in Egypt.
The guilty verdicts were announced on Monday 23 June in a court in Cairo. The journalists – Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed – had been charged with aiding the Muslim Brotherhood and reporting false news. Greste and Fahmy were sentenced to seven years in prison. Baher Mohamed was sentenced to a total of ten years in prison.
The prosecution alleged that Greste, Al Jazeera’s East Africa correspondent, and his two colleagues from the Network’s Egypt bureau, aided the Brotherhood and produced false news reports about events in Egypt. All three journalists vehemently denied the charges. The prosecution produced a range of items as evidence that were completely unrelated to the charges, including a BBC podcast, a news report produced when none of the three accused was in Egypt and a pop video by Gotye, an Australian singer.
“AIB and its members have been shocked by both the verdicts and the sentencing in this case. The case against the journalists was repeatedly demonstrated to be flawed. This Association joins the international call for the case to be reviewed immediately and the journalists released,” said Simon Spanswick, AIB Chief Executive. “Not a single piece of evidence was found to support the charges against them in a court case that at times bordered on the farcical. AIB calls on the Egyptian authorities to release the three Al Jazeera journalists and start an immediate, thorough and transparent review of the case to restore some level of international trust in Egypt’s justice system.”
Al Anstey, Al Jazeera English managing director, said the verdicts defied “logic, sense, and any semblance of justice”.
“Today three colleagues and friends were sentenced, and will continue to be kept behind bars for doing a brilliant job of being great journalists. ‘Guilty’ of covering stories with great skill and integrity. ‘Guilty’ of defending people’s right to know what is going on in their world,” Anstey said in a statement.
Context about the journalists [source: BBC Monitoring]
Peter Greste
Australian journalist Peter Greste, 48, worked for a number of news organizations including Reuters and the BBC before joining Al Jazeera’s team.
An experienced correspondent, Greste started out reporting on Bosnia and South Africa and then moved on to cover Afghanistan, Mexico, and the Middle East. He was the BBC’s Kabul correspondent in 1995, where he watched the Taleban emerge, and he returned after the Taleban lost control of the capital in 2001.He has lived in Nairobi, Kenya since 2009 where he has covered Horn of Africa countries with a particular focus on Somalia. His documentary Somalia: Land of Anarchy won a Peabody award in 2011.
His story on the relationship between a baby hippo and a giant tortoise inspired a best-selling children’s book, Owen & Mzee [pictured right].
Greste has written open letters from Tora Prison expressing his frustration at being locked up on charges of falsifying news and damaging Egypt’s reputation. “After more than 20 years as a foreign correspondent, I know what is safe ground. And we didn’t stray anywhere near that edge,” he wrote a month into his incarceration.
He says that the “new normal” in Egypt has shifted so far from the middle ground that routine journalists’ work suddenly appears threatening. “How do you accurately and fairly report on Egypt’s ongoing political struggle without talking to everyone involved?” he asked.
Mohamed Fahmy
Al-Jazeera English’s bureau chief in Cairo, Mohamed Fahmy, 40, was born in Egypt but moved to Canada with his family in the early 1990s.
He is known for his keen professional interest in the Middle East and North Africa and has extensively reported on events there for other major news outlets such as CNN and the New York Times. Mr Fahmy is also the author of “Egyptian Freedom Story”, an account of the 2011 revolution that led to the fall of the regime of the then President Hosni Mubarak. In May 2014, the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom honoured the journalist with its annual award.
In a letter smuggled out of his prison cell, Mohamed Fahmy said that “A key part of our defence has been to convince the judge of our professional integrity; to prove to him that we are journalists striving for the truth; and not agents of terror. This award will go a long way toward making our case.”
Some prominent figures in Egypt have voiced their support for the journalist. Among them is former Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, who wrote to the court saying that Mohamed Fahmy was “known as competent, has integrity and is objective”.
Baher Mohamed
Al-Jazeera producer Baher Mohamed, 30, has worked for various international media in Egypt since he graduated from Cairo University in 2005.
He was with Japan’s Asahi Shimbun newspaper from 2008 to 2013, and did freelance reporting for CNN and Iran’s English-language Press TV. Baher Mohamed joined Al Jazeera English in May 2013 and covered the protests in Cairo that started on 30 June and led to the ousting of the country’s Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.
According to transcripts from Baher Mohamed’s interrogations by the prosecution, published in Egypt’s al-Ahram daily, the journalist said that his father was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and made him go to religious classes organised by the Islamists.
Baher Mohamed is quoted as saying that he refused to attend them as they were “boring”.
16 May 2013
AP reports that a Vietnamese satellite TV platform has dropped BBC World News and CNN from its channel line-up on Thursday 16 May. K+, a joint venture between a Vietnamese company and Canal Overseas, part of the Canal+ Group, appears to be interpreting the “Decision 20” regulation – which places onerous conditions on foreign TV channels – in a particular way, in direct contrast to a majority of other Vietnam-based platforms.
AIB has been lobbying on the issue over the past few months and is now seeking further clarification both from K+ and the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communication.
“We are disappointed that Vietnamese audiences are having their choice of international TV channels restricted,” said Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. “There is still uncertainty around the proposed pay-TV regulations promulgated in Vietnam. K+ appears to be out of step with the Vietnamese market and the latest interpretation of Decision 20. We look forward to the channels that have been taken off air being restored very quickly.”
As of the European afternoon on 16 May, the K+ website was still showing BBC World News and CNN as channels available to the platform’s subscribers.
14 February 2013
Incoming BBC Director-General Tony Hall has announced his first major senior management appointments. 
Helen Boaden (right), currently head of news, becomes head of radio (a department whose name has been “Audio and Music” for the past few years).
James Purnell, a former culture minister in the UK government under Labour, returns to the BBC to the new post of director of strategy and digital. Purnell was head of corporate planning of the BBC before leaving to work for former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
BBC Vision regains the telly – it is to be known as BBC Television again. Hall says that the BBC’s audience – and everyone within the corporation – talks of radio and television, not “audio and music” and “vision” so it makes sense to give them their proper names.
13 February 2013
World Radio Day 2013
February 13 marks World Radio Day, a celebration of the world’s oldest mass communication medium.
Radio remains the most widely-consumed media on the planet, with broadcasters reaching listeners on traditional FM and AM services, as well as via satellite, set top boxes, mobile phones and the Internet.
Radio is a trusted friend to many and a primary source of news and information. It’s engaging. It’s portable. It’s always available.
We’ve from Finland where every radio station joined together to offer a love poem to listeners, we’ve heard of events across India celebrating the medium.
As we mark World Radio Day 2013, AIB salutes its radio broadcaster members and all radio broadcasters around the world.
12 February 2013
The International News Safety Institute urges journalists to exercise caution while covering demonstrations in Tunisia.
There have been reports of unrest since the murder of the liberal politician Chokri Belaid
last week, the first political assassination since Tunisia’s independence from France in
1965.
On 8 February Tunis was engulfed by violent protests, which have not occurred since January 2011. Police fired tear gas into the crowds and there were reports of armed youths smashing cars and clashing with police. Although the situation has stabilised it is likely that protests will begin again this Friday (15 February).
INSI’s advice on covering demonstrations and other civil disorders includes:
Journalists should be aware that water cannons and tear gas (CS gas) may be used.
Journalists have also reported that their mobile phones and cameras were stolen while
covering last Friday’s protests. Consider covering the unrest with your back to a wall to
ensure that this is less likely to happen.
Covering demonstrations and other civil disorders
Before you head out, consider the following:
• Ensure your accreditation is in order and easily accessible.
• You may wish to alert the authorities that your news organisation plans to cover the
protests, if it is appropriate and not dangerous to do so in the country you are in. If so,
obtain the mobile number of the person in charge; the more senior the better.
• Take protective gear. This can include helmets, gas masks, or bullet proof vests with
protective plates. Your decision regarding this may depend on what weapons the local
police force uses for crowd control.
• In case of tear gas, carry a bandana and soak it in water. Cover your mouth and nose
with it. Try to use some sort of goggles to protect your eyes. Ladies – consider not wearing
make up as tear gas sticks to it.
• Try not to wear contact lenses as the tear gas will get under the lense. Bring eye drops
and spare glasses.
• Wear comfortable boots that you can run in.
• Wear natural fabrics, which may be less flammable than synthetic fabrics.
• Prepare a backpack with supplies to last a day: lightweight rain gear, energy bars and
water, spare batteries for electronic equipment, protective equipment.
• Pack a medical kit and know how to use it.
• Carry a photocopy of your press accreditation and telephone numbers of your editor and
lawyer. Make sure your editor knows how to reach your family in case you’re arrested or
hurt.
• Set your mobile phone to speed dial with an emergency number pre-set.
• If possible, ensure you have studied the map prior to going on the ground. Consider
filming from high vantage points. Agree a rendez-vous point in case you lose your team
and agree a “safe” place where you can retreat if the situation becomes too dangerous.
On the ground:
• Try not go alone and if you can, take someone to watch your back if you’re shooting
pictures.
• As soon as you arrive, look for escape routes and ensure you know the landmarks to
head for if you become disorientated.
• Try to stay on the edge of the crowd and do not get caught on the line between police
and protestors.
• Crowds have a life of their own. Be constantly aware of the mood and attitude.
• Alert your editors if the mood starts to change and begin to think of what your plan is.
• If planning to change direction, seek advice from people who have just come from the
direction you’re heading.
• Television crews should travel as light as possible. If experiencing aggression, ensure
your backpack is big enough to hold the tripod and pack it away. Be prepared to leave it
behind if you need to run away.
When trouble erupts:
• Avoid horses. They bite and kick.
• Try to stay upwind from tear gas.
• Try to avoid getting in the line of the water being fired as it will damage your kit. It often
has dye in it for the security forces to be able to identify the protestors after.
• If the police detain you, try to ask them to call the person in charge if you have their
number. Try to speak to a senior officer, as this will have more impact.
• Call your editor, ensure legal advice is available through your organisaiton.
• Try to avoid violence if you can and move away to film if necessary.
6 February 2013
The International News Safety Institute urges journalists and media workers to exercise extreme caution while operating in some areas of Nigeria.
Violence in northern Nigeria has escalated in the past two years. There is a high threat of terrorism and attacks are indiscriminate.
Curfews are being enforced across Nigeria, including Plateau, Kaduna and Yobe States and Kano City, Kogi Central Senatorial District and Mubi town in Adamawa State. Curfews are regularly used following incidents of unrest and can be imposed and lifted at short notice. Journalists and media workers will have to comply with these curfews, which can be monitored via local media outlets, if not risk arrest.
International news events have triggered anti-Western demonstrations, and Western diplomatic missions, interests and citizens could be the focus for protests. INSI encourages journalists to exercise caution while covering protests. News events may also present some opportunities for terrorist groups to exploit.
Demonstrations have occurred in a number of cities across northern Nigeria as well as Abuja.
Be vigilant while operating around government, security and educational institutions and international organisations as well as public venues such as restaurants, bars, markets, hotels, shopping centres, places of worship and areas frequented by expatriates, foreign tourists and business travellers.
INSI advises journalists to maintain a low profile, vary routines, and not set regular patterns of movement while travelling. A number of attacks have taken place on public or religious holidays, and there have been regular attacks on churches in northern Nigeria at times of worship.
There is also a threat of kidnapping throughout Nigeria and foreign nationals have been the target of kidnaps. On 20 December 2012 a French national was kidnapped by armed men in Katsina state in northern Nigeria. On 12 May 2011 a British and an Italian national were kidnapped in Kebbi State. Both hostages were killed in Sokoto on 8 March 2012.
The Islamist sect Boko Haram (“Western Education/Values are Forbidden) has admitted to being behind a number of attacks against churches and other establishments since 2009. More than 600 people were killed last year on attacks blamed on it, while human rights groups say that the sect has killed more than 3,000 people since 2010. While Boko Haram has carried out many attacks, it is also clear that some of the attacks have been carried out by bandits with no links to Boko Haram. When no responsibility is taken, the violence is often discovered to be politically motivated rather than religiously driven.
INSI advises against travel for international journalists to the following areas:
Borno State
Yobe State
Riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States
Warri city
Kano city
Should it be vital to go there, a robust security plan must be in place, to prevent problems during the story.
INSI also urges journalists to exercise extreme caution while travelling in:
Bauchi State
Jos city
Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau State
Gombe State
Mubi Town in Adamawa State and the area north of Mubi Town that borders Borno State
Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States
Abia State
Kaduna City
Zaria City
If you need any further information on working in Nigeria please contact INSI – Hannah Storm (+44 7766 814274; email: hannah.storm@newssafety.org)
