06 Oct 10 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
A newspaper editor known for his satirical columns attacking the government has been fired. Ibrahim Eissa, editor-in-chief of the daily al Dustur, said he had not been told why he was dismissed, but believed it was in connection with an article written by prominent opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei. When publishers told Eissa not to publish the article, he objected and was sacked just hours later. Reporters for al Dustur have gone on strike to protest the dismissal. Eissa’s sacking follows the recent cancellation of the talk show he hosted on private satellite television.
17 Aug 10 | Index Index, minipost
Brazil has banned broadcasters from showing programmes that poke fun at the country’s presidential candidates. Ridiculing the candidates could result in a fine or even licence suspension. Brazilian producers and comedians intend to fight the ban, with one comparing it to a Monty Python sketch. It is not the first time that politics and comedy have collided in Latin America. In July, a Nicaraguan comic revealed he was offered money not to ridicule presidential candidate Daniel Ortega in his performances.
16 Jul 10 | Index Index, minipost
A fourth newspaper has been forced to close in Kuala Lumpur following the government’s crackdown on publishing licenses. The suspension of Hakhah’s printing office follows the closure of the newspapers Suara Keadilan, Kabar Era Pakatan and Rocket on 30 June. Suara Keadilan, a leading critical voice in Malaysia, is reported to have been shut down for “publishing false news that could incite public unrest”. Local activists claim that Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government is attempting to silence critical publications ahead of national elections. Media regulators state they are applying broadcasting law uniformly.
12 Jul 10 | Index Index, minipost
Opposition newspaper Al Intibaha, was “suspended indefinitely” on Tuesday 6 July, according to the Sudanese Media Centre. The move comes ahead of January’s referendum on whether the north and south regions of Sudan should become independent states. The head of the Sudanese intelligent services says the closure designed to “contain the negative role played by the paper in strengthening separatist agendas in both south and north Sudan.” The editors of two other newspapers, Al-Tayyar and Al-Ahdath, were contacted by government authorities and forced to rescind articles about conflicts in the south. President Omar Hassan al-Bashir is against independence and has called for Sudan to remain united.
