Musharraf put off from list of 'predators of press freedom'

Washington, May 5 : After losing the February 18 general elections, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf lost powers and is no more in the capacity to harm the press, hence his name has been put off the list of "predators of press freedom" prepared by "Reporters Without Borders", a Paris-based press freedom group.

Besides Musharraf, another significant name struck off the list is ex-Cuba dictator Fidel Castro.

According to the group, there are 39 "predators of press freedom" under review for the year.

The Pakistani leader was taken off the list because he "lost February's parliamentary elections and, in the process, his ability to harm press freedom", the Daily Times quoted the "Reporters Without Borders" as saying.

As many as 10 new predators have made it onto the list, including the Palestinian Territories, the armed wing of Hamas in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority's security forces in the West Bank, who were described as guilty of serious press freedom violations.

For the past seven years, Reporters Without Borders has exposed the world's "predators of press freedom" - men and women who directly attack journalists or order others to. Most are top-level politicians, including presidents, prime ministers and kings, but they also include militia chiefs, leaders of armed groups and drug-traffickers.

ANI