中國新聞自由倒數成「最大網友監獄」
新頭殼-2013/1/29
無國界記者」組織最新的全球新聞自由度報告指出，許多西藏的僧人因為向國外傳送西藏的人權慘狀，遭到判刑和綁架，嚴重侵害人權。圖為示威人士 ...
英報告書關注梁振英上任後新聞自由收窄
BBC中文網-2013/1/31
英國外交大臣黑格表示，歡迎特首梁振英上任後承諾會捍衛香港的自由和核心價值，也留意到梁振英上任後首個月，便要面對大批市民反對設立國民 ..
國際記聯指中港加劇壓制新聞自由
2013-02-08 05:17:10
國 際記者聯會發布的第五份有關中國的新聞自由年報，以「媒體懸崖：中國新聞自由2012」為題。報告指出，中國官方持續加強對傳媒訊息進行控制和新聞審查， 尤其體現在報道前王立軍、谷開來及陳光誠的事件中，同時繼續對互聯網、微博用戶進行施壓和審查。此外也列舉了外國記者在中國大陸採訪受到的限制。尤其是今 年初發生南周事件，更令人對未來情況感到擔憂。
國際記者聯會亞太區中國項目經理胡麗云：一班新聞工作者亦都非常惶恐，不敢跟外面的新聞工作 者交代他們的實際情況如何。我們預計，我已經聽到，我不希望出現，但聽到有個說法，可能過完新年，南方周末有一班人可能會離開，我們亦呼籲廣東省宣傳部所 有官員或宣傳部以外其他官員及南方報系他們的一班高層，請他們認真尊重新聞自由，請他們三思。
香港方面，傳媒面對前所有未有的壓力，尤其是在中共國家領導人訪港、特首選舉及立法會選舉期間，出現傳媒遇到干擾、報章自我審查等情況。港府近期有意修訂公司條例限制查冊，及將訂立的資訊自由和檔案法例，她呼籲港人務必備加關注。
國際記者聯會亞太區中國項目經理胡麗云：當政府要去訂立和考慮檔案法的時候，大家要警惕他如何去界定一些資訊是屬於機密保密的範疇，因為他一旦訂立這些資訊是屬於國家機密或者是保密等範疇時，換句話說，就是限制了人民的知情權，接收訊息的自由權。
而澳門方面，傳媒界自我審查日漸惡化，終會令一群澳門記者被迫上街發出業界的怒吼。
以上是由希望之聲國際廣播電臺記者林秀宜在香港的採訪報導。
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Nuclear power and press freedom
The Japan Times
Editorials
Nuclear power and press freedom
In the past, Japan could be relatively proud of its reputation for press freedom compared with that of most countries. But being ranked lower lately than countries such as El Salvador or Haiti is an embarrassing reminder that press freedom can quickly erode under pressure from the government and corporations.
In reporting on the serious disaster at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, many reporters have met with restricted access, lack of transparency and even lawsuits.
Though investigation reports were issued by the government, the Diet and a private-sector committee as well as by Tepco, a genuine account of the crisis has yet to be completed.
So far, no one has been charged with crimes related to the nuclear power plant disaster. However, better access to Tepco’s records, as well as to what was known by affiliated companies and the government, is the first step to determine possible negligence, collusion or criminal responsibility.
For that process to be fair and thorough, independent verification, one of the most important duties of a free press, is essential. The public deserves to know what the records of Tepco and of the government might reveal.
Tepco has consistently barred access to documents and to people. When freelance and independent reporters were finally allowed into the plant, Tepco demanded final say over their video and images. That does not constitute press freedom.
An investigative reporter was sued by one of Tepco’s subsidiaries to keep his reporting quiet. The corporation, which was one of Tepco’s primary affiliates, apparently sought to silence the reporter. Freelance journalists and magazines were sued after publishing articles on the alleged collusion among politicians, nuclear plant construction companies and Tepco.
It must be concluded that the intent of taking reporters and publications to court is to cover up the truth.
Another issue with regard to press freedom in general is that freelance journalists are still not allowed full access to all official press club briefings. This antiquated kisha (reporters’) club system has started to allow registered freelance journalists to attend Friday news conferences given by the chief Cabinet secretary at the prime minister’s official residence. But this is still insufficient.
All journalists should have access to official information directly. Journalists covering protests against nuclear power should also be free from any restrictions.
The reporting on how companies, ministries and agencies and the government handled the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant stands as a test case for Japan’s commitment to press freedom. The most serious crisis in modern Japan deserves increased reporting, not decreased transparency.
People deserve to know the facts from multiple sources. Open access to crucial information is the only real test of press freedom. That is especially true when the issue is of such vital, ongoing importance. The right of the public to hear from multiple sources means that independent reporting must continue without intimidation, limitation or smoke screens. Determining the causes of the disaster is a difficult, demanding process even with sufficient access. Much still remains unknown.
Other ensuing problems, such as high levels of radiation in the soil or the question of where waste from Fukushima will be handled also deserve clear, full reporting. The Nuclear Regulation Authority should not shroud its examination of the safety of nuclear power plants in secrecy.
Reporting on their safety should not be just a matter of citing press releases. For the sake of fair and independent reporting, it must be ensured that journalists can verify what the NRA and power companies say so that they can be sure that safety measures are being followed.
Japan’s press freedom is different from that of other countries. Japan is unlike Russia, ranked 148th in press freedom, where investigative journalists have been jailed without trial. Japan is also very different from Pakistan, ranked 159th, where a young girl, Ms. Malala Yousufzai, was shot in the head for campaigning online for girls’ educational rights.
However, Japan’s press suffers from other problems. Noncooperation and the covering up of records are another way of reducing press freedom and keeping the truth from the public.
The latest low ranking of Japan is particularly disturbing because the issues surrounding the Fukushima No. 1 plant are just as important outside of Japan as inside Japan. Reporting exactly what happened and why is an issue that extends to every country with nuclear power plants.
Full, accurate reporting on the Fukushima meltdowns can help ensure that such a disaster will not occur again anywhere else. What happened should not be covered up. It is the right of the public of Japan and the rest of the world to know what happened so it will not happen ever again.
Freedom of the press helps guarantee that right and helps ensure accountability from the government and corporations. If the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster is covered by a truly free press, Japan’s ranking will move back up to where it should be; Japan, and the world for that matter, is likely to be a safer place.
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台灣今年新聞自由指數雖超越日本與南韓，成為亞洲地區新聞自由指標領先國家，但仍有部分有待精進之處
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