Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalismHum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI toolsEnhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory adsBlogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepensPTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilitiesWill PECA 2025 law be repealed? PFUJ begins a legal battleDefying threats: Munizae Jahangir's story reveals what it costs to be a woman journalist in PakistanIndia revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outletsUkraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda reportTwo Cambodian journalists detained over cyber scam torture videoThe Olympic Games: A timeless testament to human excellence and unity

UN group says detention of Guatemalan journalist Zamora violates international law

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published July 03, 2024

Join our WhatsApp channel

UN group says detention of Guatemalan journalist Zamora violates international law

MEXICO CITY—The Committee to Protect Journalists has welcomed the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's Monday declaration that the continued imprisonment of Guatemalan investigative journalist Jose Ruben Zamora is arbitrary and in violation of international law. CPJ echoes the group's call for Zamora's immediate release.

"The U.N. Working Group's acknowledgment of Jose Ruben Zamora's arbitrary detention highlights that he has been consistently denied a fair trial, and there is no justification for his ongoing imprisonment," said Cristina Zahar, CPJ's Latin America program coordinator, from Sao Paulo. "Zamora's prosecution was a retaliatory measure for his investigative reporting on government corruption, and he has faced an abusive judicial process driven by individuals also accused of corruption. His imprisonment has been unjust from the start."

Zamora, the president of elPeriodico newspaper, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment in June 2023 on money laundering charges widely condemned as retaliation for his journalism. An appeals court overturned Zamora's conviction in October 2023 and ordered a retrial, but numerous delays have been imposed. He has been in detention since his July 2022 arrest.

A February report by the global monitoring group TrialWatch assigned a failing grade to Zamora's legal proceedings, citing numerous breaches of international and regional fair-trial standards.

Monday's opinion, endorsed by four international experts from the working group, examined the judicial process and the broader context of Zamora's case, including prosecutors' public statements, and recommended that Guatemalan authorities immediately release Zamora and compensate him.

The opinion highlighted the "widespread concern within the international community about the criminalization and prosecution of judges, prosecutors, journalists (including Mr. Zamora's case), and human rights defenders in the context of the fight against corruption in Guatemala." This included a pattern of investigating and criminalizing Zamora's lawyers, the opinion said.—A CPJ Statement/Photo: AFP

Blogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepens

Blogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepens

 February 07, 2025:  Mozambican journalist Albino Sibia was killed while filming police brutality, and reporter Pedro Junior was shot covering his funeral. Arlindo Chissale remains missing. These attacks highlight the dire state of press freedom in Mozambique amid post-election unrest.

Ukraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda report

Ukraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda report

 February 04, 2025:  Ukraine’s security service (SBU) has opened a criminal case for disclosure of state secrets following Ukrainska Pravda’s report on statements by military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. CPJ urges authorities to respect press freedom and journalist protections.

Mexican journalist Alejandro Gallegos killed in Tabasco

Mexican journalist Alejandro Gallegos killed in Tabasco

 February 02, 2025:  Journalist Alejandro Gallegos Leon was found dead in Tabasco, Mexico after being reported missing. CPJ urges authorities to swiftly investigate and address the ongoing violence against journalists.

Trump administration opens White House briefing room to new media

Trump administration opens White House briefing room to new media

 January 29, 2025:  The Trump Administration is revamping White House press access by inviting podcasters, influencers, and independent journalists to the briefing room. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlights the need to adapt to modern media consumption.

China, Israel, and Myanmar lead the world's top jailers of journalists

China, Israel, and Myanmar lead the world's top jailers of journalists

 January 18, 2025:  A CPJ report reveals that 361 journalists were jailed globally in 2024, with China, Israel, and Myanmar leading. The alarming trend highlights threats to press freedom and rising authoritarian repression worldwide.

Washington Post cartoonist quits over rejected Trump-Bezos illustration

Washington Post cartoonist quits over rejected Trump-Bezos illustration

 January 05, 2025:  Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigns after her cartoon depicting media moguls, including Post owner Jeff Bezos, kneeling before Donald Trump was rejected, sparking debate about editorial independence and press freedom.

Renowned CNN anchor Aaron Brown passes away at 76

Renowned CNN anchor Aaron Brown passes away at 76

 December 31, 2024:  Aaron Brown, the renowned CNN anchor known for his 9/11 coverage and journalistic excellence, has passed away at 76. A tribute to his life and legacy.

Vietnamese blogger handed 12-year prison sentence for anti-state propaganda

Vietnamese blogger handed 12-year prison sentence for anti-state propaganda

 November 01, 2024:  Duong Van Thai, an independent Vietnamese blogger who went missing in Thailand, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on anti-state charges. CPJ condemns the harsh sentence, urging his immediate release and the Vietnamese state to end its crackdown on press freedom.

Newsroom
PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalism

PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalism

 February 11, 2025 The PFUJ has petitioned the Islamabad High Court to suspend the PECA Amendment Act, arguing that the law curtails press freedom and contains contradictory provisions. The court has issued a notice to the Attorney General for assistance.

Hum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools

Hum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools

 February 09, 2025 Hum News Network becomes the first Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, enhancing productivity and innovation. Discover how this visionary move sets new standards in media.

Enhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025

Enhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025

 February 09, 2025 The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025 is open for applications! This prestigious program at Columbia University offers journalists an intensive seminar on trauma reporting, media ethics, and responsible journalism. Apply by March 3, 2025.

Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory ads

Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory ads

 February 08, 2025 As Pakistan faces an economic crisis, the government splurges taxpayers' money on full-page ads and press releases to glorify its achievements. Critics call it a wasteful PR stunt. Read how public funds are being misused for political propaganda.

PTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilities

PTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilities

 February 07, 2025 PTV pensioners staged nationwide protests demanding their unpaid pensions, medical benefits, and dues for nearly 400 retirees. Protesters, supported by PFUJ, criticized PTV management for corruption and lavish expenses while neglecting retirees' rights.