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Two American journalists arrested while filming at Chinese border

Reporters Without Borders is very worried about the detention of two American woman journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, by the North Korean authorities since 17 March 2009, when they were arrested by border guards near the Tumen river, which marks the border between North Korea and China.

The North Koreans claim that the two journalists, who work for the California-based web TV station Current TV (current.com), illegally crossed into North Korea from China while shooting video along the river. Other sources deny that they crossed the border. Their Chinese guide is also apparently being held by the North Korean authorities.

"We call for the immediate release of these two American journalists and their guide," Reporters Without Borders said. "We also urge the Chinese authorities to intercede on behalf of the two journalists as they were probably on Chinese soil when they were arrested."

It is very difficult for the foreign press to work freely in the Chinese border province of Jilin, although reporting rules allowing the international media more freedom were renewed last October. North Korea is ranked lower than any other Asian country on the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.

Chun Ki-won, a Seoul-based protestant pastor who helps North Korean refugees, said he met with the two journalists in order to help them to prepare their reporting on the refugee story in the border area.

The South Korean TV station YNT said the two journalists were filming on the Chinese side of the river when North Korean border guards ordered them to stop. According to the YNT account, when the journalists ignored the orders, the North Koreans crossed the river to arrest them. The South Korean newspaper Munhwa Ilbo meanwhile reported the arrest of only one journalist.

Topics: Freedom of speech, Freedom of information, Freedom of expression,