2018
By suing WikiLeaks, DNC could endanger principles of press freedom
In 1993, WILK radio host Frederick Vopper broadcast a conversation intercepted by an illegal wiretap and sent anonymously to the Pennsylvania radio station, in which two teachers union officials discussed violent negotiating tactics. The officials sued Vopper, arguing that he should be liable for the illegal wiretap that captured their comments. But the Supreme Court…
Radio host in northeastern Brazil subject to series of threats
Brazilian community radio presenter José Ilton dos Santos told the Committee to Protect Journalists that to date in 2018 he has faced a failed kidnapping attempt in which the assailant threatened to kill him as well as two other threats, the most recent coming on April 13, 2018. Dos Santos described the incidents to CPJ…
Indian court forbids screening of investigative documentary
New Delhi, May 25, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern over the Delhi High Court’s decision to bar the release of the second part of an investigative documentary about news outlets allegedly being willing to accept money in exchange for favorable coverage. The court yesterday issued an injunction that forbids the screening of…
Two Syrian journalists detained, assaulted northwest of Aleppo
Members of the General Public Security, a Free Syrian Army (FSA) security force, on May 15, 2018, assaulted and detained Wael Adel and Omar Hafez, a correspondent and cameraperson, respectively, for the Turkey-based, pro-opposition Syria TV, according to their employer, news reports, the Syrian Journalists Association, and the regional press freedom group SKeyes Center for…
World Health Organization blocks Taiwanese outlets from attending annual assembly
Taipei, May 25, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply troubled by the World Health Organization’s decision to deny Taiwanese media outlets press accreditation to its annual decision-making function, the World Health Assembly, which started on May 21.
Ukraine extends ban on Russian news agencies, journalists
New York, May 24, 2018–Ukrainian authorities today published a presidential decree that extends for three years sanctions imposed in 2017 against Russian state-funded news outlets and their journalists, as well as other foreign entities and individuals, and added the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti-Ukraine to the sanctions list, according to media reports.
CPJ welcomes introduction of UK Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill
May 24, 2018, London–The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed the U.K.’s decision to pass into law legislation that addresses human rights abuses. The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill, which yesterday received Royal Assent to be passed into law, includes a “Magnitsky amendment” that empowers the U.K. to apply sanctions against individuals suspected of human…
Turkey Crackdown Chronicle: Week of May 21, 2018
Turkey will continue to block Wikipedia During a May 18 press conference, Turkish Transportation, Maritime Affairs, and Communication Minister Ahmet Arslan said that Wikipedia will remain blocked in the country because the website portrays Turkey as a supporter of the Islamic State militant group, the daily Cumhuriyet reported.
Court in Algeria sentences blogger to 10 years in prison
New York, May 24, 2018–In a one-day trial today, a criminal court in Béjaïa sentenced Algerian blogger Marzoug Touati to 10 years in prison and fined him 50,000 Algerian dinar (US$427) for communicating with a foreign entity and inciting civil disobedience, Touati’s lawyer, Salah Dabouz, told CPJ. The conviction is related to Touati’s interview with…