Attacks on the Press, 2014 Edition Journalism on the World's Front Lines

by Unknown

• ISBN13: 9781118873113
• ISBN10: 1118873114
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2014-02-10
• Publisher: Bloomberg Pr

Summary

Attacks on the Press analyzes press conditions and documents new dangers in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the Americas, national leaders are building elaborate state media operations to dominate the news and amplify their personal agendas. In European and African nations, authorities are invoking national security laws and deploying intelligence services to intimidate the press. The Committee to Protect Journalists' Attacks on the Press is a definitive annual assessment of the state of press freedoms featuring analytical essays by CPJ experts with an overview of media conditions and anti-press violations. Attacks on the Press is a platform for direct advocacy with governments and the diplomatic community, and gives voice to journalists globally and a seat in discussions at the United Nations, Organization of American States, European Union , and African Union to name a few.   Compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists, an independent nonprofit organization, Attacks on the Press is the world's most comprehensive guide to international press freedom.

Table of Contents

Foreword (Jacob Weisberg)

1. UNDER SURVEILLANCE

How United States’ Spying Strengthens China’s Hand
The scope of the National Security Agency’s digital surveillance raises doubts about the U.S. commitment to freedom of expression online (Joel Simon)

The NSA Puts Journalists Under a Cloud of Suspicion
Governments’ capacity to store transactional data and the content of communications poses a unique threat to journalism in the digital age (Geoffrey King)

2. THE INFORMATION IMPERATIVE

Putting Press Freedom at the Heart of Anti-Poverty Efforts
Economists and political scientists acknowledge that journalism is vital to development and democracy (Robert Mahoney)

Without Stronger Transparency, More Financial Crises Loom
The recent financial meltdown should be treated as a lesson on the importance of information transparency and the crucial role of a free press (Michael J. Casey)

3. THE FRONT LINES

Syrian Journalists Strive to Report, Despite Shifting Dangers
They call themselves citizen journalists, media workers, or media activists. Amid the chaos of conflict, they are determined to gather and distribute the news (María Salazar-Ferro)

Finding the Courage to Cover Sexual Violence
Coverage of rape can bring journalists swift and unpredictable repercussions, but it can also change attitudes (Frank Smyth)

Afghan Journalists Steadfast as International Withdrawal Approaches
As they look toward the next era of uncertainty, reporters in Afghanistan express a sense of determination to build on what they have achieved (Bob Dietz)

4. MEDIA AND MONEY

Journalists in Hong Kong and Taiwan Battle Beijing’s Influence
Media owners’ reluctance to draw China’s disfavor imperils the ability of the Hong Kong and Taiwanese press to play a watchdog role (CPJ Contributor)

Advertising and Censorship in East Africa’s Press
The printed word is thriving in parts of Africa, but advertisers’ clout means they can often quietly control what is published (Tom Rhodes)

5. CONTROLLING THE NARRATIVE

Would-Be Repressors Brandish ‘Ethics’ as Justification
Calls for journalists to exercise a sense of responsibility are very often code for censorship. Yet unethical journalism can also imperil the press (Jean-Paul Marthoz)

Pressure on Journalists Rises Along With Africa’s Prospects
After a decade of unprecedented growth and development, the insistence on positive news remains a significant threat to press freedom in sub-Saharan Africa (Mohamed Keita)

Vietnam Tightens the Squeeze on Its Bloggers
A mushrooming blogosphere has challenged the state’s media monopoly, drawing a heavy-handed bid to bring the Internet under government control (Shawn Crispin)

6. LEGACIES ON THE LINE

Mandela’s Legacy of Media Freedom Stands Its Ground
How robust are the institutional safeguards that underpin Nelson Mandela’s vision of a strong and independent South African media? (Sue Valentine)

Hassan Rouhani and the Hope for More Freedom in Iran
The new president may have limited power to enact change, but the practical needs for communications technology may work in favor of a freer press (D. Parvaz)

Violence and Judicial Censorship Mar Brazil’s Horizon
The Brazilian government’s concern for the safety of an American journalist stands in contrast to a dismal performance protecting its own reporters (Carlos Lauría)

7. GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER

When Journalists Are Killed, Witnesses May Be Next
Eliminating witnesses has become an all too easy and effective method of stymying justice when journalists are assassinated (Elisabeth Witchel)

One Province Illustrates Colombia’s Struggle with Impunity
The inability to solve journalist murders in Arauca feeds an atmosphere of hostility and intimidation for the media there (John Otis)

8. CENSORED

Gunmen Rule Neza and the Press on Outskirts of Mexico City
Politicians say there are no organized crime cartels in the capital’s metropolitan area. Journalists know better, but they are afraid to report it (Mike O’Connor)

A Sliver of Hope Emerges for a More Independent Press in Turkey
The Gezi Park protests force some independent-minded journalists to confront the media’s unwillingness to take on the government (Nicole Pope)

9. TRENDS IN PRESS FREEDOM

The Risk List: Where Press Freedom Suffered
Surveillance, restrictive Internet legislation, and cyberattacks compel CPJ to add cyberspace to the list of places trending in the wrong direction (Maya Taal)

INDEX