2015

  

In China, harsh penalties for ‘false news’ make it harder for reporters to work

China’s journalists and bloggers, already under threat of persecution, face new risks from November 1, when amendments to the country’s criminal law come into effect. Under the amendment, passed in August by legislative body the National People’s Congress, those convicted of spreading false news about disasters or epidemics will face harsh penalties.

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Ethiopia denies imprisoned journalist visitation rights, medical treatment

Local friends and relatives of journalist Temesghen Desalegn, who is serving a three-year jail term, said that Ethiopian prison authorities in Ziway Prison have denied him medical treatment and all prison visits.

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Nigerian journalist threatened for alleging rape at a boys’ school

Abuja, Nigeria, October 30, 2015–A radio journalist told the Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday that he had been threatened by three men after he reported on the alleged rape of students in a boys’ school in Nigeria’s northern city of Kano.

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CPJ calls for investigation into murder of Syrian journalists in Turkey

New York, October 30, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Turkish authorities to investigate and bring to justice the murderers of two Syrian journalists found slain in an apartment in the city of Urfa in southeastern Turkey today. Ibrahim Abd al-Qader worked as the executive director and Fares Hamadi as head of the…

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As police seize Newsnight laptop, concerns grow at reach of UK counter-terrorism measures

For journalists investigating jihadist networks, the UK is proving to be no safe haven. British police used special powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 in August to seize the laptop of Secunder Kermani, a reporter for BBC Two’s flagship news show “Newsnight,” according to reports. “They required the BBC to hand over communication between the…

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Riot police force their way into the headquarters of an opposition news outlet on October 28 as Turkey forces the Koza İpek Group to replace senior managers with a government-approved board of trustees. (AP/Usame Ari, Cihan News Agency)

CPJ condemns Turkish raids, takeover of critical Koza İpek news outlets

Istanbul, October 28, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns this week’s raids on several pro-opposition media outlets belonging to the Koza İpek Group. Police broke into the company’s building in Istanbul today and shut down live television broadcasts, two days after a Turkish court ordered the trustees of the privately owned company to be replaced,…

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CPJ urges Kerry to call for release of imprisoned journalists in Central Asia

Dear U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry: The Committee to Protect Journalists is writing to bring to your attention the deteriorating climate for press freedom in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. As you prepare to head to these countries later this week, we ask that you put press freedom on the agenda of your meetings with high-level government officials.

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We need a free press to succeed, Tunisia’s leaders tell CPJ

Prime Minister vows to protect journalists Tunis, October 28, 2015–Tunisia’s senior leadership vowed in meetings with the Committee to Protect Journalists in Tunis on Wednesday to uphold press freedom as the country transitions to democracy, and to protect journalists assaulted by security forces or threatened by extremists.

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Members of the Zone 9 blogging group. (Endalkachew H/Michael)

CPJ newsletter: October 2015

CPJ advocacy vital in release of imprisoned journalists in Ethiopia

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Journalist arrested in restive Chhattisgarh state in India

On September 29, 2015, police in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh arrested a journalist on what his colleagues said were fabricated charges in connection with his reporting on human rights abuses by local authorities, according to news reports.

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