The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is calling for a global coalition against censorship at a time when repressive governments, "militants" and criminal groups around the world are controlling information to maintain their grip on power.

Two foreign journalists and a Syrian videographer have been killed by mortar shells in the Syrian city of Homs, which has been under siege this past month, report the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), the International Press Institute (IPI), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other IFEX members.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has asked Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa to suspend the sentence in a criminal libel case against newspaper "El Universo" until a hearing between the two parties can be held next month, report the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International and news reports.

The WiPC urgently seeks information about the whereabouts of writer Gangkye Drubpa Kyab, who has been held incommunicado at an unknown location since 15 February 2012, his wellbeing and any charges against him.

The Canadian government "muzzles" government scientists and doesn't allow journalists timely access to them, says IFEX member Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE).

A freelance journalist who had investigated illegal mining activity, his wife and their two children were found brutally murdered in their home in India's Madhya Pradesh state on 18 February, report the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI).

Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI) is seeking nominations for its 2012 Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning, which recognises cartoonists around the world whose art puts them in danger or who have shown extraordinary courage in exercising their right to free expression. The deadline for nominations is 29 February 2012.

(WiPC/IFEX) - 22 February 2012 - The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International welcomes the Inter American Commission on Human Rights’ (IACHR) recent intervention in the criminal libel case against the Ecuadoran daily newspaper, El Universo. On 21 February 2012, the Commission ordered the Ecuadoran government to suspend the enforcement of the sentences handed down to the directors and former editor of the newspaper, pending a hearing between both parties. The hearing is scheduled for 28 March 2012 in Washington, DC.

Mazen Darwish, as well as seven of his colleagues and a visitor, remain under arrest following a recent raid on the Damascus offices of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression.

The incidents were prompted by a talk show aired by Express News, in which two politicians debated the cause of a Balochistan leader's murder.

Reports from the HKJA that the delayed release of information by the Fire Services Department may have endangered people's safety are a cause for genuine concern, says IFJ.

A number of journalists have been questioned and harassed by the authorities for protesting the union's current editorial policy.

Marie Colvin, Rémi Ochlik, and Ramy al-Sayed were killed in two separate incidents in the the Baba Amr district of the city of Homs.

IRFS suspects that Anar Bayramli, an Azerbaijani citizen, is a casualty of recent tensions between Tehran and Baku.

In an online screed posted to a radical Islamist website, several individuals threatened to "cut out" the smiles of journalists Aznor Attayev and Arina Zhilyasova for reporting on special law-enforcement operations.

At the end of the 16 February hearing, the court announced that it would issue its verdict in the trial of Chiranuch Premchaiporn, editor of the Prachatai news website, on 30 April.

Security forces raided the Khartoum headquarters of "al-Tayar" newspaper on 19 February and seized the paper's entire print run.

The former senator takes exception to a recent "Independent" story headlined, "Nathaniel Williams Evicted for Owing 4 Months' Rent."

Bambuser has been used by activists to stream videos of violence and crimes committed by the regime.

Abdullah Ghorab was covering a protest in Sana'a when he and his two brothers were attacked by a group of men carrying knives and batons, the BBC reported.