Western countries and major international bodies are accused of "spinelessness" that is harming press freedom. The charge is made by Robert Ménard, secretary-general of Reporters sans frontières (Reporters Without Borders) in his organisation's annual press freedom report issued on 13 February.
Reviewing the situation of journalists in 98 countries, the report lists problems expected in the coming year, especially physical attacks on journalists during key elections in Pakistan (February) and Russia, Iran and Zimbabwe (March). Journalists were also under threat while covering fighting in Sri Lanka, the Palestinian Territories, Somalia, Niger, Chad and Iraq, it claimed. Ménard said the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva had caved in to pressure from countries such as Iran and Uzbekistan and he expressed concern at the softness of the European Union towards dictators who did not flinch at the threat of European sanctions. "The spinelessness of some Western countries and major international bodies is harming press freedom. The lack of determination by democratic countries in defending the values they supposedly stand for is alarming."
The report also protests at censorship of new media, such as mobile phones transmitting images, and websites for sharing video and social networking. It also highlights media repression in China and is sceptical of significant human rights concessions occurring before this year's Olympic Games. "Every time a journalist or blogger is released, another goes into prison," it claims. "China's dissidents will probably be having a hard time this summer."
The full text of the report is available at www.rsf.org .
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