2018
Federal authorities in Mexico open investigation into journalist killed in Tabasco state
Mexico City, May 24, 2018–Federal authorities in Mexico have opened an investigation into the killing of radio and television journalist Juan Carlos Huerta, who was shot dead near his home in the Tabasco state capital, Villahermosa, on May 15.
Journalists covering Iran face restrictions, harassment, and surveillance
CPJ report finds little improvement for press under Rouhani Brussels, May 24, 2018–Despite promises of reform by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, little has changed for the press, as hardliners in the judiciary and other powerful institutions jail journalists, block websites, and maintain a climate of fear through harassment and surveillance, the Committee to Protect Journalists…
Egyptian authorities detain blogger Wael Abbas
New York, May 23, 2018–Egyptian authorities should release immediately Wael Abbas, a blogger who has documented Egyptian police abuse, and end their senseless campaign against the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police at dawn today detained Abbas at his Cairo home and took him to an undisclosed location, according to news reports,…
Military court in Egypt sentences journalist to 10 years in jail
New York, May 22, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemned the sentencing today of Egyptian freelancer Ismail Alexandrani. A military court in Cairo found Alexandrani guilty of being a member of a banned organization and spreading false news, and sentenced the journalist to 10 years in prison, according to news reports.
Lesotho Constitutional Court declares criminal defamation unconstitutional
New York, May 22, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed yesterday’s ruling by Lesotho’s Constitutional Court that criminal defamation is unconstitutional, calling it a significant step toward safeguarding press freedom in the country.
Saudi blogger Eman Al Nafjan detained
New York, May 22, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern over the detention of Eman Al Nafjan, a Saudi blogger who writes about women’s issues, and urges the country’s authorities to confirm her whereabouts and release her immediately.
In India, Kashmiri photojournalist faces harassment, threats
Masrat Zahra, a Kashmiri freelance photographer, told CPJ that she faced online harassment and threats after a photograph of her, captioned with the word “mukhbir”–meaning “spy” or “army informer”–was circulated on social media around May 16, 2018.
Pakistani authorities disrupt distribution of Dawn newspaper
New York, May 22, 2018–Pakistani authorities should immediately halt any restrictions on the distribution of Dawn newspaper in Pakistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Distribution of the newspaper has been disrupted in many parts of the country in recent weeks, Dawn editor Zaffar Abbas told CPJ.
Fiji charges newspaper, journalists with sedition
New York, May 21, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Fiji authorities to drop sedition charges against the weekly Fiji Times, three newspaper executives, and an opinion columnist. A High Court judge tomorrow will make a final ruling in the case after a panel of three High Court assessors on May 18 found…