Terror War Used to Gag Media, Says IPI

The Nation (Nairobi) March 27, 2003 Posted to the web March 27, 2003 Nation Reporter Nairobi

Many countries have cut the free flow of news and arrested journalists. The war on terrorism is being used to curb press freedom around the world, an international media watchdog has said.

In addition, some 54 journalists were killed and press freedom violations recorded in 176 countries and territories, the International Press Institute's (IPI) World Press Freedom Review 2002 said.

In the first full year after the September 11 attacks, the war on terrorism continues to affect freedom of the press.

Across the globe, governments have used the war to justify their own short-term interests, said the report. While some additional security measures have been legitimate, many countries have enacted restrictive laws, reduced the free flow of information, arrested journalists, closed media outlets and suppressed dissenters, all in the name of terrorism.

With 10 journalists killed in Europe, press freedom is under pressure, particularly in eastern Europe where governments victimise the media.

Almost every country in Europe has introduced new anti-terrorism laws after September 11 and a number have inhibited the media's work, it said.

In Russia, where eight journalists were killed, a new draft law seeks to regulate the media during an attack by terrorists.

In Asia, with 13 journalists murdered, the governments of Indonesia and the Philippines have proposed new anti-terrorism measures while, in Malaysia, the war on terrorism undermined efforts to repeal the notorious Internal Security Act.

After securing the favour of the United States in the war on terrorism, countries such as Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan suppress the media with impunity. Terrorists and security forces in Nepal also targeted the media this year, but there were improvements in Sri Lanka.

Fuelled by conflict in Palestine and Israel, seven journalists were killed in the Middle East and North Africa, where countries routinely stifle dissent and free speech. In Iran, the struggle between conservatives and reformers has led to the closure of publications and harsh prison terms for journalists.

The Americas is still the most dangerous region in the world with 22 journalists killed, 15 of them by left and right-wing terrorists in Colombia.

In the United States, growing surveillance and enforcement powers to combat terrorism have raised fears over the balance struck between security and liberty, while Venezuela and other Latin American countries contain groups united in their hatred of the media.

A deepening recession and taxation problems also concern the media in the Americas. In Canada, worries exist that powerful media owners are exercising ultimate editorial control.

Although no journalists were killed in the Australasian and Oceanic region, the influence of traditional kings and local politicians is ever present. The media are often prevented from reporting critically and even excluded from some territories.