May 2014 - Committee to Protect Journalists

With new game, you can experience toll of Syrian war for yourself

May 31, 2014 2:39 PM EDT

While reviewing Mitch Swenson’s game ‘1000 days of Syria’, the International Business Times cited CPJ’s research on Syria, and the dangers journalists face in reporting on the conflict. Read the full article here.

In the wake of US pullout, Afghan journalists need protection

May 30, 2014 5:16 PM EDT

In the aftermath of this week’s foreign policy speech by President Barack Obama and discussions on the imminent pullout of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, we need to think once again of the implications this retreat will have for the thousands of Afghans who for more than a decade have worked not only with the military,…

Journalists targeted by both sides in Nigeria’s war on terror

May 30, 2014 2:27 PM EDT

The struggle between Nigerian authorities and militant extremist group Boko Haram was recently thrust into the global spotlight with the abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls, but journalists in the country have been squeezed between the two sides for years.

News from the Committee to Protect Journalists, May 2014

May 30, 2014 12:29 PM EDT

CPJ’s Brazil report spurs government meetings on press freedom CPJ board member María Teresa Ronderos and CPJ Senior Program Coordinator Carlos Lauría traveled to Brasilia this month to launch a new special report, “Halftime for the Brazilian press,” and met with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, as well as other high-level government officials. CPJ also presented…

South African President Jacob Zuma is sworn in for a second term in Pretoria, South Africa, on May 24. (AP/Siphiwe Sibeko)

South Africa’s new communications ministry causes concern

May 30, 2014 10:40 AM EDT

Freedom of expression advocates in South Africa are concerned that the new Ministry of Communications, announced by President Jacob Zuma when he unveiled his cabinet on May 25, will compromise the independence of the public broadcaster and serve as a propaganda office.

CPJ calls on authorities to protect Mark Bassant

May 29, 2014 2:33 PM EDT

Following the publication of CPJ’s alert on threats to Mark Bassant, a journalist from Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad Express Newspapers quoted Americas Program Coordinator, Carlos Lauria in their coverage. Read the full article here.

Trinidadian authorities should protect threatened journalist

May 29, 2014 2:32 PM EDT

New York, May 29, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Trinidadian authorities to ensure the safety of a local journalist who fled the country after learning of a plot against his life.

China detains journalist amid widening crackdown

May 29, 2014 12:54 PM EDT

Hong Kong, May 29, 2014–Another journalist has been detained in China ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the detention of Xin Jian, who was arrested on May 13 and accused of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.”

Elias Gebru is being held without charge. (Enku)

Ethiopia holds editor-in-chief without charge

May 28, 2014 5:12 PM EDT

New York, May 28, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the detention of a journalist without charge since Monday and calls on Ethiopian authorities to release him immediately. An Ethiopian court on Tuesday extended by 14 days the pre-trial detention of Elias Gebru, according to news reports.Ethiopia’s federal police in the capital, Addis Ababa, summoned…

Egypt Elections amidst political repression

May 28, 2014 2:31 PM EDT

On day three of Egypt’s presidential elections, Human Rights Watch cited CPJ’s research on Egypt in their analysis of political repression within in the country. Read the full article here.