CPJ expands access to safety chatbot amid spiking threats to the press in a record year of global elections
New York, May 2, 2024—Ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today announced the launch of CPJ’s journalist safety chatbot, which equips journalists with safety information on their phones via WhatsApp. The tool will expand the reach and usability of CPJ’s suite of safety tools tailored for…
Istanbul police obstruct, tear gas, shoot at reporters during May Day march in Turkey
Istanbul, May 2, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Turkish authorities to refrain from targeting media workers present during demonstrations, ensure journalists can continue to report on matters of public interest safely, and hold those responsible for attacks to account. Amid bans on May Day celebrations, Istanbul police blocked a route in Istanbul’s Saraçhane…
CPJ calls on authorities to allow journalists to safely cover US campus protests
Washington, D.C., May 1, 2024– With tensions over pro-Palestinian protests escalating on college campuses across the United States, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on university authorities and law enforcement agencies to allow reporters to freely cover the demonstrations. “Journalists – including student journalists who have been thrust into a national spotlight to cover stories…
FOX 7 Austin photojournalist faces misdemeanor charges after felony charges dropped
Washington, D.C., May 1, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned by reports that FOX 7 Austin photojournalist Carlos Sanchez is again facing charges in connection with his work, and calls on Texas authorities to drop all charges against him and allow journalists to do their work without fear of arrest. “We are gravely concerned that…
Serbian ex-mayor jailed for 4 years in arson attack on journalist Milan Jovanović
Berlin, April 29, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the four-year jail sentence given to Dragoljub Simonović, the former mayor of Grocka, a suburb of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, for ordering an arson attack on journalist Milan Jovanović’s home. The court also gave a four-year sentence to Aleksandar Marinković, who set fire to the house…
European Parliament calls for repeal of Hong Kong security laws
Brussels, April 25, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed Thursday’s call by the European Parliament for the repeal of two Hong Kong security laws that it said undermine press freedom and for the release of Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. The parliamentary resolution condemned Hong Kong’s adoption last month of…
Texas police detain, charge FOX 7 Austin journalist covering pro-Palestinian protest
New York, April 25, 2024 — Texas authorities should immediately drop all charges against a FOX 7 Austin journalist detained while covering a pro-Palestinian protest and take steps to ensure journalists can do their jobs safely and without interference, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Law enforcement officers arrested a FOX 7 Austin photographer…
CPJ recognizes vital role of free press on democracy ahead of White House Correspondents’ Association’s annual dinner
New York, April 24, 2024 — Ahead of the White House Correspondents’ Association’s (WHCA) annual dinner on Saturday, April 27, the Committee to Protect Journalists reaffirms the importance of press freedom for democracy. This year’s WHCA dinner takes place at a time when journalists face grave threats globally and in a year when much of…
CPJ welcomes call by EU’s Borrell on protecting journalists in Israel-Gaza war; urges further action by EU states
Brussels, April 23, 2024— The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes Tuesday’s remarks by the European Union’s Josep Borrell about the need to protect journalists in the Israel-Gaza war and calls on all EU member states also to make or renew calls that both sides should respect international law during the conflict, take all measures to…
CPJ, others oppose prosecution of Italian investigative journalists in leaks probe
The Committee to Protect Journalists and more than 70 other signatories, including Italian and international press freedom groups and European media outlets, called on Italy on Tuesday to respect the right to report, rather than risk criminalizing journalism by prosecuting three reporters with Italy’s Domani newspaper in order to identify their sources. In a leaks…