2018
CPJ condemns Philippines’ threat to indict critical site Rappler on tax evasion charges
Bangkok, November 12, 2018–The Philippine authorities said on Friday they had grounds to indict news site Rappler, known for its critical coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte, and its founder Maria Ressa for tax evasion and failure to file tax returns, news reports said. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the threat and called on authorities…
CPJ calls on Cameroon to release and drop charges against Mimi Mefo
Abidjan, November 8, 2018–Authorities in Cameroon should immediately release and drop all charges against Mimi Mefo, the head of English news and a presenter for the privately owned Equinoxe television and radio station, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Mefo, who also runs Mimi Mefo Info, her own news website, was arrested and taken…
Libyan authorities charge journalist with defamation, publishing state secrets
New York, November 8, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on authorities in the Libyan city of Ajilat to end their persecution of freelance journalist Mukhtar al-Halak, who is due in court on November 12 on charges of criminal defamation and publishing state security secrets.
CPJ calls on White House to restore credentials of CNN correspondent, stop denigrating media
New York, November 8, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on the White House to restore the credentials of Jim Acosta, CNN’s chief White House correspondent. The White House last night suspended Acosta’s credentials after a heated exchange with President Donald Trump during a press conference earlier in the day.
Turkey Crackdown Chronicle: Week of November 1, 2018
Journalists in court An Istanbul court on November 5 convicted Yasir Kaya, a sports journalist formerly with Fenerbahçe TV or FBTV, of “being a member of a [terrorist] organization” and sentenced him to six years and three months in prison, according to reports. Kaya remained free pending appeal, according to the report. CPJ previously documented…
Detained CPJ staffers released in Tanzania
New York, November 8, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed the release of Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator, and Muthoki Mumo, CPJ’s sub-Saharan Africa representative, from detention in Tanzania and called for Tanzanian authorities to halt their ongoing crackdown against a free press.
CPJ calls on Tanzania authorities to release staff Angela Quintal and Muthoki Mumo
New York, November 7, 2018–Authorities in Tanzania should immediately release Angela Quintal, Africa program coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Muthoki Mumo, CPJ’s sub-Saharan Africa representative, and return their passports, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Hungarian authorities bring criminal charges against prominent investigative journalist
Berlin, November 7, 2018–Hungarian authorities should immediately drop criminal charges against prominent investigative reporter András Dezső and allow him to work without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
CPJ Insider: November 2018 edition
The fight for justice in Jamal Khashoggi’s murder It took the Saudi royal family more than two weeks after Jamal Khashoggi disappeared to admit that he had been killed in the country’s consulate in Istanbul. Saudi officials said the murder was a rogue act, but, according to The New York Times, several of the men…
Germany should use UN Security Council role to promote press freedom
CPJ calls on Chancellor Angela Merkel to use Germany’s position on the U.N. Security Council to prioritize press freedom and the safety of journalists. The country should extend its legacy of speaking up when journalists are under attack.