ATS: REPORT: Censorship on the Rise

According to a report released today by the France-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2003 was a 'black year' for press freedom worldwide.

According to RSF, "Arrests of journalists and censorship of media reached a record high in 2003. The relentless growth in violations of press freedom since 2001, is, undoubtedly linked to the fight against terrorism and to anti-terror laws adopted by some countries since the 11 September attacks. This new geo-political factor broke the downward trend registered in 1999 and 2000."

During the year forty-two journalists were killed and more than 750 were arrested for carrying out their profession. Many of the deaths have been blamed on the record coverage of the US-led war in Iraq and the changing nature of press involvement in military conflicts.

Cyberdissidents too, have been victims of increasing internet surveillance, most notably in China and Vietnam. In China "Six more cyberdissidents were jailed this year bringing the total, at 1 January 2004, 48 Internet-users imprisoned because of the dreaded efficiency of the Chinese cyber-police (a staff of 30,000)."

In 2003 :

• 42 journalists killed
  
• at least 766 arrested
  
• at least 1,460 physically attacked or threatened
  
• at least 501 media censored
  

By contrast with 2002 when :

• 25 journalists were killed
  
• at least 692 arrested
  
• at least 1,420 physically attacked or threatened
  
• at least 389 media censored
  

At 1 January 2004,

• 124 journalists were in prison around the world
  
• 61 cyberdissidents were in prison around the world
  

To view the full report, go to www.rsf.org...

[Edited on 6-1-2004 by Kano]