2015
In Turkey, two journalists accused of creating terrorist propaganda with social media posts
Istanbul, November 18, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the arrests of two reporters from pro-Kurdish news agencies on Friday. Idris Yılmaz, of Dicle News Agency, and Vildan Atmaca, of the women’s news agency JİNHA, were detained in the Erciş district of Van, a city in eastern Turkey, according to reports.
CPJ calls on authorities to investigate murder of Brazilian blogger
São Paulo, November 18, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Brazilian authorities to investigate the death of blogger Ítalo Eduardo Diniz Barros, who was shot in northern Brazil Friday. Diniz, who also worked as a press officer for a mayor, often criticized local authorities in his blog, according to colleagues and local news reports.…
CPJ concerned for safety of photojournalist missing in Libya
New York, November 17–The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned for the safety of Mohamed Neili, a Libyan photojournalist missing since October 29. Neili, who works for the Chinese state-run Xinhuanews agency, disappeared after leaving his house in southern Tripoli, according to media outlets and a local press freedom center.
CPJ calls on Bulgaria’s prime minister to ensure safety of Bivol journalists
Dear Prime Minister Borissov: The Committee to Protect Journalists, an international press freedom organization, is writing to alert you to the harassment of journalists at the independent news website Bivol. In recent weeks a reporter has been followed and his home was broken into, and the website’s journalists have been warned they are at risk of retaliation for their reporting.
Gunmen open fire on house of journalist covering land disputes in Brazil
São Paulo, November 13, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in Brazil to thoroughly investigate an attack on the house of a local journalist in the state of Paraná. João Muniz told CPJ his house was shot at on Thursday and that he believes his reporting on land disputes was the reason for…
Amid wave of defamation cases, CPJ joins call for Morocco to drop charges against press
New York, November 13, 2015–CPJ has joined Free Press Unlimited and seven other organizations in a statement of support for seven Moroccan journalists and human rights defenders who will face trial on November 19, on charges ranging from defamation to harming national security. One of the journalists, Hicham Mansouri, is already behind bars on an…
CPJ joins call for UN members to push Iran on rights
The Committee to Protect Journalists has joined 35 other organizations in calling on member states of the U.N. General Assembly to vote in favor of a resolution for the promotion and protection of human rights in Iran. The vote is scheduled to take place during the 70th session of the General Assembly on November 19.
CPJ calls on Togo president to reject law that would impose jail terms for journalists
Abuja, Nigeria, November 12, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the president of Togo to block a proposed article in the country’s penal code that would threaten press freedom. Under the proposed law, journalists could face jail sentences and fines for “false news,” according to news reports.
In Brazil, radio reporter shot dead in Pernambuco state
São Paulo, November 11, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the murder of radio journalist Israel Gonçalves Silva, who was shot dead Tuesday in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. The attack comes as at least four journalists have been murdered in direct retaliation for their work in Brazil this year.
CPJ condemns detention of Kenyan journalist over protection of sources
Nairobi, November 10, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the arrest of John Ngirachu, the parliamentary editor of independent daily The Nation. Authorities arrested Ngirachu Tuesday evening and demanded that he reveal his sources for a report on alleged procurement irregularities by the interior ministry, journalists at The Nation and other Kenyan outlets told CPJ.…