Table of Contents

From the Editors xi 1. The Front Lines In Syria, Facing Danger From All Sides 3 A hard slog with low-life smugglers is a small price for avoiding Syrian forces. By Paul Wood Africa's Media-Savvy Insurgents Pose New Threat 13 The rise of extremist groups that target journalists is a potent risk. By Mohamed Keita In Taliban's Media Evolution, Press Became an Enemy 21 Al-Qaeda taught the Taliban how to use the media in the post-9/11 era. By Ahmed Rashid The Zacatecas Rules: Cartel's Reign Cannot Be Covered 29 Reporters can't tell the public that organized crime has taken over a Mexican state. By Mike O'Connor Extremists Are Censoring the Story of Religion 37 Editors think twice, reporters do not dig deeply, columnists choose words carefully. By Jean-Paul Marthoz In Asia, Three Nations Clip Once-Budding Online Freedom 47 Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam had vibrant blogospheres--until the crackdowns. By Shawn W. Crispin 3. Heroes in the Crowd Harnessing Power in the Stories of Ordinary People 59 Who is allowed to talk? What are they allowed to say? Award winners seek the answers. By Kristin Jones Running Toward Danger, Syria's Citizens Become Journalists 69 In a country fi lled with paranoia and fear, citizens learn to be reporters. By Oliver Holmes 4. Murdered and Missing Disappearances Unexplained Amid Hints of Cover-Ups 77 Police never bothered to look for cartoonist Prageeth Eknelygoda. It's not unusual. By Maria Salazar-Ferro Bloggers Targeted as Murders Spike in Brazil 85 The murders of two bloggers mark a surge in deadly anti-press violence. By John Otis Seeking Justice in Russia, a Mother Turns to Europe 93 Her son's murder unsolved, Rimma Maksimova pursues a landmark case. By Elisabeth Witchel 5. Political Transitions In Iran, Specter of One Election Looms Over the Next 105 The 2009 vote seemed open for the press. Then came the brutal crackdown. By D. Parvaz Disdain for Foreign Press Undercuts China's Global Ambition 113 China's new leaders can open a new era for free expression. They have much to do. By Madeline Earp 6. Behind Bars Under Cover of Security, Governments Jail Journalists 125 Governments exploit national security laws to punish critical journalists. By Monica Campbell Torture and Injustice in a Small Town 135 Authorities strike back against an investigative reporter who exposed corruption. By Muzaff ar Suleymanov In Eskinder's Story, a Nation's Disappointment 145 The jailing of a columnist illustrates Ethiopia's unfulfilled promise. By Charlayne Hunter-Gault 7. Risk and Reward The Spy in Your Pocket: Mobile Journalism's Risk 153 Your cellphone allows authorities to locate you and uncover your sources. By Danny O'Brien Lessons From El Salvador: Security Begins With Solidarity 163 No amount of security training can make up for a lack of professional solidarity. By Frank Smyth Is Covering the News Worth the Risk? 173 Why would we risk our lives to report terrible things happening to people far away? By Terry Anderson 8. Media and Money Once Thriving, Afghan Media Now Endangered 181 The international community, deep in donor fatigue, withdraws media funding. By Bob Dietz Oil, Money, and Secrecy in East Africa 189 New oil deals drive optimism, but the public knows little about the details. By Tom Rhodes In Government-Media Fight, Argentine Journalism Suffers 199 Journalism is the casualty in a battle between Kirchner and media companies. By Sara Rafsky Why Transparency Is Good for Business 209 Companies are most successful in countries where there is a free and vigorous press. By Matthew Winkler 9. The Interconnected World How the Americas Failed Press Freedom 215 A system to defend free expression is under attack from foes and former allies. By Carlos Lauria Repressive Hosts Tarnish the Olympic Image 225 Countries hosting the Olympics assume global obligations. What if they renege? By Kristin Jones and Nina Ognianova Beyond Article 19, a Global Press Freedom Charter 235 The right to news and opinion is enshrined in international law. It's not enough. By Joel Simon 10. Trends and Data CPJ Risk List: Where Press Freedom Suff ered 247 From confl ict-ridden Syria to aspiring world leader Brazil, 10 nations on a downslope. By Karen Phillips CPJ Data 259 Where Journalists Are Killed CPJ Impunity Index Where Journalists Are Imprisoned Journalists in Exile Most Censored Countries Index 267

About the Author

Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1981 by a group of U.S. correspondents in response to the often brutal treatment of their foreign colleagues by authoritarian regimes and other enemies of independent journalism. Operating with a full-time staff of 27 at its New York headquarters, its mission is to promote press freedom worldwide by defending the rights of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal.?A 35-member board of prominent journalists directs CPJ's activities. CPJ does not accept government funding and is financed solely by contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations.