Tape purportedly shows kidnapped reporters from Romania

Azerbaijan media lose valued journalist

Elmar HUSEYNOV, editor-in-chief of the weekly Azerbaijani news magazine, Monitor, has apparently been murdered in Baku. 2005 is getting off to a very rocky start with journalists being apprehended by government and non-government people around the world, and, very sadly, journalists losing their lives. The attached link goes to the reaction of the Baku office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Media leaders attending the Monaco Media Forum (30 June - 2 July) will discuss these challenges and seek constructive responses.

Chinese authorities suspend license of lawyer defending imprisoned journalists

China (along with Brazil and the Arab world) will be featured at the Monaco Media Forum (30 June - 2 July 2005). During the Forum, media leaders will have a chance to talk about a full array of issues relating to media in China. Among them is the decision of authorities in Shanghai to suspend the license of a lawyer - Guo Guoting, representing three jailed journalists. The linked story is from the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.

Independent Televisoin News executives leave to join Al Jazeera

Waddah KHANFAR, the managing director of Al Jazeera, will be one of the speakers at the Monaco Media Forum (30 June - 2 July 2005). Media leaders at the Forum can learn more about Al Jazeera's hiring of two Independent Television News executives, Al Anstey, ITN's head of foreign news, and the deputy head of foreign news, Nick Walshe. Al Jazeera's brand recognition is one of the highest in the media world. The linked story is from the Guardian in the UK.

US human rights report

Each year, the US Department of State issues a human rights report covering most every country in the world. A key portion of each assessment deals with freedom of the press and the media in general in each county. This is prepared by the US embassy in each country, and edited by the Department in Washington, D.C. Some people rely heavily on these reports to form their opinions of the policies of individual countries. Others disagree with the findings. I add the link here so that it is accessible to all interested in the Monaco Media Forum.