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COVID-19 conspiracy theories can be a risky beat

Reporter Davey Alba, who covers technology and disinformation at The New York Times, tells CPJ about her experiences covering COVID-19 conspiracy theories and the resulting campaign of online harassment that she faced. CPJ publishes a Digital Safety Note for journalists who face targeted online attacks after reporting on misinformation, conspiracy theories, and/or false news. (AFP/Mark Ralston)

• Read CPJ's latest safety advisory on covering the pandemic in your language | Need more advice? Ask an expert
• Read Q&As with journalists on the front lines of the pandemic | More news on press freedom and the virus

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Alerts
Myanmar news editor sentenced to 2 years in jail over COVID-19 report
Alerts
Ethiopian police ignore court orders to free journalists held since March
Alerts
Rwandan journalist, media worker detained since mid-April
Safety Notes
Digital Safety: Protecting against targeted online attacks
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker

CPJ and the Freedom of the Press Foundation, in collaboration with other press freedom groups, lead this nonpartisan website on the number of press freedom violations in the United States.

Security officers are seen in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on October 4, 2019. Ethiopian police have ignored several court orders to release staffers of the Oromia News Network. (Reuters/Tiksa Negeri)
Alerts
Ethiopian police ignore court orders to free journalists held since March
A police officer is seen in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 15, 2020. Police recently arrested journalist Dieudonné Niyonsenga and media worker Fidèle Komezusenge, who had reported amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters/Jean Bizimana)
Alerts
Rwandan journalist, media worker detained since mid-April
Police officers are seen in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 17, 2020. Police recently journalist Dimiter Petzov for alleged drug posession after searching his car. (Reuters/Stoyan Nenov)
Alerts
Bulgarian investigative journalist arrested for drug possession days after filing information request
A police car is seen in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on March 26, 2020. CPJ recently joined a statement calling on the region's police and politicians to thoroughly investigate threats made against journalists. (Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)
Blog
CPJ joins call condemning threats against journalists in Northern Ireland
The European Commission headquarters is seen in Brussels, Belgium, on April 23, 2020. CPJ recently joined a joint letter to the EU calling for reform of the group's defamation law. (Reuters/Johanna Geron)
Blog
CPJ joins call for reform of EU defamation law
Supporters of the ruling party are seen in Bugendana, Burundi, on April 27, 2020. CPJ recently joined a letter calling on Burundi to maintain internet access during the elections. (AP/Berthier Mugiraneza)
Blog
CPJ joins call urging Burundi to maintain internet access during elections
Guatemalan soldiers fly the national flag at Constitution Square in Guatemala City, in September 2019. With a new president in office, the country has the opportunity to change the media environment for the better. (AP/Oliver de Ros)
Reports
Trust deficit: Guatemala's new president must overcome skepticism to improve press freedom
Carlos Choc, a journalist for Prensa Comunitaria, was forced into hiding because of legal harassment and anonymous threats over his reporting in Guatemala's Izabal region. (Nelton Rivera/Prensa Comunitaria)
Reports
Trust deficit: 'The goal was to silence me'
Flowers cover the coffin of Mexican journalist Jorge Celestino Ruiz Vazquez, who was killed in Veracruz in August. Ruiz is one of at least five journalists murdered in retaliation for their work in Mexico in 2019. (Reuters/Oscar Martinez)
Reports
Number of journalists killed falls sharply as reprisal murders hit record low
Security officers are seen in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on October 4, 2019. Ethiopian police have ignored several court orders to release staffers of the Oromia News Network. (Reuters/Tiksa Negeri)
Alerts
Ethiopian police ignore court orders to free journalists held since March
A police officer is seen in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 15, 2020. Police recently arrested journalist Dieudonné Niyonsenga and media worker Fidèle Komezusenge, who had reported amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters/Jean Bizimana)
Alerts
Rwandan journalist, media worker detained since mid-April
A picture taken on October 1, 2019, shows the logos of mobile apps Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, Google, and Messenger. (AFP/Denis Charlet)
Safety Notes
Digital Safety: Protecting against targeted online attacks

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Advocacy & Action

Letters

Release all jailed journalists now

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on all governments to release all journalists from their prisons. On behalf of more than 250 journalists behind bars, we call on authorities to free these political prisoners immediately and unconditionally.

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