CPJ calls on Biden administration to investigate Shireen Abu Akleh killing

Palestinian artists paint a mural in honor of slain journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Gaza City on May 12, 2022. (AFP/Mohammed Abed)

CPJ calls on the Biden administration to lead a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation into the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

Abu Akleh, a journalist for the Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera, was shot in the head and killed while reporting on an Israeli army operation in the West Bank town of Jenin on May 11, and multiple journalistic investigations of the shooting suggest she was killed by Israel Defense Forces fire.

At least 19 journalists have been killed in the course of their work in Israel and the Palestinian territories since 1992. In 18 of those cases the suspected source of fire was Israeli military officials, and 16 of those killed were Palestinians.

CPJ calls for accountability in deaths of journalist, Indigenous expert in Brazil

Demonstrators hold signs in support of British journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in front of Brazil’s Justice Ministry in Brasilia on June 14, 2022. (Reuters/Adriano Machado)

CPJ expressed deep distress over reports that missing journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira were found dead in the Brazilian Amazon, and called on authorities to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the case and hold those responsible to account.

Statement: Phillips, Pereira reported missing on June 5

Global Impunity Index: Brazil ranked eighth on CPJ’s most recent index, which spotlights countries where members of the press are singled out for murder and the perpetrators go free.

Russia-Ukraine war

Click here for CPJ’s updates, in-depth reports, and statements on the invasion

A Ukrainian flag waves over a house destroyed by shelling in the village of Moshchun, in the Kyiv region, on June 2, 2022. (AFP/Sergei Chuzavkov)

Safety advice for journalists covering war and related unrest

War reporting: English | Ukrainian | Russian
Arrest and detention: English | Ukrainian | Russian
Civil disorder: English | Ukrainian | Russian
Internet shutdowns: English | Ukrainian | Russian
Risk assessment template: English | Ukrainian | Russian

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Deaths in Ukraine

Motive confirmed (12)

Ihor Hudenko, Freelance, killed in Kharkiv on February 26

Yevhenii Sakun, LIVE, killed in Kyiv on March 1

Viktor Dedov, Sigma-TV, killed in Mariupol on March 11

Oksana Haidar, Freelance, killed in Shevchenkove around March 11 – April 7

Brent Renaud, Time, killed in Irpin on March 13

Maks Levin, LB.ua, body found April 1 near Huta-Mezhyhirska, missing on March 13

Pierre Zakrzewski, Fox News, killed in Horenka on March 14

Oleksandra Kuvshynova, Fox News, killed in Horenka on March 14

Oksana Baulina, The Insider, killed in Kyiv on March 23

Mantas Kvedaravicius, Freelance, killed in Mariupol on April 2

Vira Hyrych, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, killed in Kyiv on April 28

Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff, BFMTV, killed in Lysychansk on May 30

Motive unconfirmed (3)

Zoreslav Zamoysky, Freelance, killed in Bucha around March 4 – April 12

Roman Nezhyborets, Dytynets, killed in Yahidne around March 5-9

Yevhenii Bal, Freelance, killed in Manhush on April 2

More From CPJ

Digital and Physical Safety – Reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022

Safety Kit – Easy-to-follow, practical guides for physical, digital, and psychological safety

Emergency Support – Tips on personal protective equipment, training, insurance, and emergency grants

The Committee to Protect Journalists promotes press freedom worldwide.

We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.

People face off with Kentucky State Troopers during a protest against the deaths of Breonna Taylor by Louisville police and George Floyd by Minneapolis police, in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. May 29, 2020. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston – RC2PYG9106R3

Journalists Attacked

Shireen Abu Akleh

KILLED

Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American correspondent for Al-Jazeera Arabic, was fatally shot in the head on May 11, 2022, while covering an Israeli army operation in the West Bank town of Jenin. In a statement, her employer accused Israeli forces of killing her “in cold blood.”

Israeli authorities initially denied responsibility, but later announced an investigation into whether Israel Defense Forces fired the shot that killed her. CPJ has called for an international probe into her killing.

Learn more about Abu Akleh