August 2010 - Index on Censorship

UK: Third footballer gains injunction

The High Court has granted another injunction to an England footballer to prevent the media reporting aspects of his private life. The order banned the publication of allegations about a “sexual liaison, encounter or relationship“, after personal photographs stored on a stolen mobile phone were offered to national newspapers. This is the third injunction issued to an England footballer in the past few weeks.

Indonesia: Journalist killed covering riot

A journalist was killed on 21 August while covering clashes between two villages in one of Indonesia’s southern islands. Police watched the attack but did nothing to intervene. According to International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), journalist Ridwan Salamun was hacked to death by angry villagers. A group of 70 journalists staged a demonstration to express their outrage over his death.

Zimbabwe: Government bans “offensive” paintings

The government has banned the works of prominent artist Owen Maseko which depict 1980s atrocities committed by a Zimbabwean army unit. An estimated 20,000 civilians, mostly supporters of opposition movement the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), were killed by the notorious Fifth Brigade. Maseko’s paintings were banned under the Censorship and Entertainment Act because the censorship authority claimed they were “offensive” and “tribal”. Police stormed the Zimbabwe National Gallery, where the works were on display, covered them in newspaper, and arrested Maseko. The artist was arrested and charged under laws that prohibit insulting or demeaning President Mugabe.

Pakistan: Reporter assaulted after covering mob murders

A reporter for Dunya News was assaulted outside his residence on 29 August and has received death threats after he filmed two brothers being lynched by a mob in Sailkot earlier in the month. Hafiz Imran was reportedly pushed against a wall by unidentified men on motorcycles and sustained fractures to his shoulder. On 15 August he witnessed the brutal killing of two teenage brothers. The boys were beaten to death with sticks after being accused of robbery. A number of police officers witnessed the killings but failed to intervene.

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