September 2015 - Committee to Protect Journalists

Dominic Kane, center, flanked by his Al-Jazeera colleagues Sue Turton, at left, and Peter Greste, at a press conference at CPJ's offices. All three have been convicted in absentia. (AP)

CPJ newsletter: September 2015

September 30, 2015 3:58 PM EDT

CPJ hosts press conference for journalists convicted in absentia in Egypt

Sue Turton, Dominic Kane, center, and Peter Greste, at a press conference in CPJ's New York office. The Al-Jazeera journalists, who were convicted in absentia in Egypt, are calling on President el-Sisi to intervene in their cases. (AP/Julie Jacobson)

Beyond the pardons, press freedom still under threat in Egypt

September 29, 2015 6:09 PM EDT

Today the Committee to Protect Journalists hosted a press conference for three Al-Jazeera journalists who have been convicted in absentia in Egypt. The journalists expressed solidarity with other members of the press who have been charged by the Egyptian government, and called on President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to intervene in their cases.

EU’s reputation as global leader in press freedom at risk, CPJ report finds

September 29, 2015 2:47 PM EDT

Surveillance, restrictive media laws, and weak responses to threats restrict press and challenge EU ideals. Brussels, September 29, 2015- Press freedom in Europe is in peril and the European Union has a moral imperative to defend this right and hold its member states accountable, the Committee to Protect Journalists found in Balancing Act: Press freedom…

CPJ joins call for Morocco to end harassment of journalists

September 29, 2015 2:37 PM EDT

The Committee to Protect Journalists has joined the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies and three other human rights groups, in calling on the government of Morocco to stop its harassment of journalists and human rights defenders. The statement was delivered during the general debate at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on…

Internet gateway plan threatens online freedoms in Thailand

September 29, 2015 10:58 AM EDT

Bangkok, September 29, 2015–An initiative in Thailand to create a single government-controlled gateway for international Internet traffic represents a clear danger to online freedoms, the Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement today. CPJ calls on Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to drop the proposed plan and stop harassing journalists and social media users.

President Xi Jinping and his wife join the Obamas at the White House on September 25. The press in China has been issued directives to limit negative reports about the U.S. visit. (AP/Andrew Harnik)

Cap and trade: How China maintains positive coverage with limit on negative news

September 25, 2015 4:22 PM EDT

China’s President Xi Jinping announced a major cap-and-trade program on carbon emissions at the White House today, but a cap on press freedom back home has long been in place.

A vigil for rationalist scholar M.M. Kalburgi, who was shot dead earlier this year. Threats against writers and journalists from the rationalist school of thought are rising in India. (AP/Aijaz Rahi)

Indian journalist named on hit list as threats against critical voices escalate

September 25, 2015 12:58 PM EDT

“These people will kill you,” Nikhil Wagle, a prominent journalist in India, told me as we discussed reports of him being named as a target by a member of a hard-line Hindu group who is being questioned by police over the murder of a writer.

As world leaders take to UNGA stage, CPJ highlights countries of concern

September 25, 2015 12:17 PM EDT

Press freedom records of Egypt, Russia, Iran, China, Nigeria, Mexico, Ecuador New York, September 25, 2015–Each year, the world’s leaders are invited to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where they are given a platform to speak freely and openly. But while the leaders of many countries enjoy this privilege, their journalists back…

CPJ urges Sisi to release all journalists jailed in Egypt

September 24, 2015 8:16 AM EDT

Dear President el-Sisi: The Committee to Protect Journalists is writing to express concern about the deteriorating climate for press freedom in Egypt, days before you address the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week.

Turkey jails reporter, charges him with anti-state activities

September 23, 2015 3:53 PM EDT

Istanbul, September 23, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the arrest and subversion charges filed against Gültekin Avcı, a columnist for the independent daily Bugün, and calls on Turkish authorities to drop the charges and release him immediately.