New York, February 17, 2011–Authorities in Bahrain and Yemen have escalated their physical attack on the press in order to censor coverage of spreading anti-government protests, the Committee to protect Journalists said today. Also, in Iraq, at least two journalists were attacked by guards for the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s building, local journalists told CPJ.
New York, February 17, 2011–Authorities in Bahrain and Yemen have escalated their physical attack on the press in order to censor coverage of spreading anti-government protests, the Committee to protect Journalists said today. Also, in Iraq, at least two journalists were attacked by guards for the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s building, local journalists told CPJ.
“Governments throughout the Middle East and North Africa cannot deny their citizens coverage of these momentous events across the region,” said Mohamed Abdel Dayem, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. “Local and international media must be allowed to cover the news.”
In Bahrain, ABC reporter Miguel Marquez was beaten early Thursday while covering a violent attempt by authorities to clear Lulu Square (Pearl Square) in Manama by what he described as “a gang of thugs.” Marques can be heard shouting “journalist” while being attacked in an audio recording posted on the network’s website. His camera was confiscated.
Several journalists also reported today that Bahraini authorities are barring journalists from entering the country. New York Times columnist Nickolas Kristof tweeted: “Bahrain barring journalists from entry at airport. King Hamad doesn’t want witnesses to his brutality.” Roy Gutman, a foreign desk editor for McClatchy Newspapers, told CPJ that McClatchy reporter Nancy Youssef was denied entry to the country.
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