A journalist critical of the rule of Libyan strongman Moamer Gaddafi has been missing since the start of protests in the North African nation on February 17, a media watchdog said.
Atef al-Atash disappeared after filing a report for broadcaster Al-Jazeera from Libya's second-largest city of Benghazi, the New-York based Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday.
Al-Atash, who worked for several Libyan news websites, had reported that several journalists had been detained and his mobile phone cut off, saying it appeared an "attempt to isolate him", dpa reported
"The Libyan authorities and their supporters should know that violence against journalists reporting on political turmoil will not be tolerated," said CPJ deputy director Robert Mahoney.
According to the group, working conditions for journalists are deteriorating, authorities denied entry to foreign reporters and put pressure on local journalists.
Internet and mobile phone services have been cut off repeatedly and broadcast signals jammed, the statement said, citing information from news organizations reporting on Libya.
News media and journalists have also faced pressure and harassment in Yemen and Iraq, the CPJ said.
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