IPA Calls for Immediate Release of Arrested Iranian Publishers & Writers

Following the massive wave of arrests targeting bloggers, journalists, publishers and writers, IPA published a list of some of those under arrest on 31 July, demanding their immediate release, and calling on the Iranian authorities to drop the investigation of Arash Hejazi, the publisher who provided the first aid to Neda Agha-Soltan, killed during the street protests on 20 June 2009. See Press Release of 31 July 2009. See Press Release of 31 July 2009. Last month, IPA had  launched a report on freedom to publish in Iran entitled “Freedom to Publish Under Siege in the Islamic Republic of Iran”. The report describes the mechanisms of censorship used in Iran and makes specific demands to curb censorship through an “IPA Road Map for Freedom to Publish in Iran”. The report shows how important it is for freedom of expression organisations, as well as the international community, to monitor freedom of expression-related developments in Iran, especially in the current political context.  See Report.

 Buenos Aires to be World Book Capital 2011

At a meeting in Paris on 12 June 2009, the Jury of World Book Capital, a jury which includes IPA, IBF, IFLA and UNESCO, appointed Buenos Aires as World Book Capital 2011 for the quality and variety of its application file, widely and enthusiastically supported by all players involved in the book industry (publishers, bookstores and libraries). Last year, the same jury had appointed Ljubljana, Slovenia as World Book Capital 2010. As usual, the program will start on World Book & Copyright Day on 23 April 2010. The current World Book Capital is Beirut, Lebanon. 

Joint IFLA/IPA Statement on Open Access

A joint statement released by the International Publishers Association, the International Association of Scientific Technical and Medical (STM) Publishers, and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) calls for a more rational, evidence based debate on open access. It encourages experimentation and piloting of new concepts and ideas, whilst acknowledging that the differences in the different academic disciplines and publishing traditions may lead to differentiated approaches and business models in support of authors. See Press Release of 20 May 2009 Click here for the full statement