March 2014 - Page 4 of 8 - Committee to Protect Journalists

In Crimea, more journalists report attacks, obstruction

March 18, 2014 5:40 PM EDT

New York, March 18, 2014–At least six journalists have been assaulted, detained, or obstructed from reporting in the southern Ukrainian autonomous republic of Crimea in the past two days, according to news reports.

Three journalists detained after reporting on Tiananmen

March 18, 2014 1:59 PM EDT

Hong Kong, March 18, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Chinese authorities to immediately release three journalists who were arrested almost two weeks ago and remain in jail for their coverage of events in Tiananmen Square.

Egypt hands jail term to journalist, holds others in custody

March 17, 2014 4:32 PM EDT

New York, March 17, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the one-year prison sentence given today to Samah Ibrahim, a reporter for the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice newspaper. Ibrahim is one of at least 10 journalists imprisoned in the country, according to news reports and CPJ research.

Passage of Burma media bill would reverse free press gains

March 17, 2014 4:15 PM EDT

Dear President Thein Sein: We are writing to express our concern about shrinking press freedom in Burma and urge you to veto media legislation that was passed this month by your country’s parliament. The bill, which awaits your signature, maintains a censorship role for state authorities and threatens to reverse several of the gains achieved to date under your democratic reform program.

CPJ condemns journalist’s conviction in Azerbaijan

March 17, 2014 3:58 PM EDT

New York, March 17, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a five-year jail term given today to Tofiq Yaqublu, an Azerbaijani journalist with the opposition daily Yeni Musavat, and calls on authorities to overturn the verdict on appeal. Yaqublu, who was convicted of “organizing mass disorder,” was arrested in January 2013 in connection with anti-government…

Lebanese army soldiers and residents gather at the site of an explosion in Nabi Osmane in the Bekaa Valley on March 17. (Reuters/Hassan Abdallah)

For journalists in Lebanon, Syrian dangers loom larger

March 17, 2014 2:25 PM EDT

The recent kidnapping of two journalists in Lebanon is the latest and most troubling evidence that the press is in increasing danger as the Syrian civil war spills over into Lebanese politics.

FCCC survey finds China abuses press card, visa process

March 17, 2014 1:20 PM EDT

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China (Beijing) published the findings of its annual visa survey last week. The findings are grim but come as no surprise following the Chinese government’s showdown late last year with members of the foreign press.

Burma clampdown gathers pace as legislation passed

March 14, 2014 1:53 PM EDT

In a clear step backwards for press freedom in Burma, new legislation will give the government censorship powers and the sole authority to issue and revoke news publication licenses. While the legislation enshrines into law broad press freedom guarantees, specific provisions will give the Ministry of Information ultimate power over what news is permissible for…

South Sudanese Information Minister Michael Makuei has told reporters not to interview the opposition. (Eye Radio)

South Sudan government warning: Don’t interview rebels

March 14, 2014 10:27 AM EDT

Last week, South Sudanese Information Minister Michael Makuei warned reporters in the capital, Juba, not to interview the opposition or face possible arrest or expulsion from the country. According to the minister, a lawyer by profession, broadcast interviews with rebels by local media are considered “hostile propaganda” and “in conflict with the law.”

CPJ condemns blocking of news websites in Russia

March 13, 2014 6:57 PM EDT

New York, March 13, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the blocking today of independent and pro-opposition news websites in Russia, including Ezhednevny Zhurnal, Grani, Kasparov, and the website of the liberal radio station Ekho Moskvy. The popular blog of anti-corruption activist Aleksei Navalny and the personal blogging platform LiveJournal were also blocked.