2019
Journalist Casimir Kpedjo detained, facing false news accusations in Benin
Goma, Congo, April 30, 2019 — Beninese authorities should drop their investigation into Casimir Kpedjo, editor of the privately owned daily Nouvelle Economie, and allow him to report and publish news without fear of harassment or being jailed, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Trial of detained Nicaraguan journalists Lucía Pineda and Miguel Mora indefinitely delayed
Miami, April 30, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today renewed its calls for Nicaraguan authorities to immediately released detained journalists Lucía Pineda and Miguel Mora. Their trial, which was scheduled to begin yesterday, was instead postponed without a new date set, according to local news reports.
Social media still blocked in Sri Lanka following terror attack
Several social media sites remained blocked in Sri Lanka today, according to NetBlocks, an independent, international civil society group that monitors internet censorship. Sri Lankan authorities blocked the sites, along with several messaging apps, throughout the country on April 21, following a terrorist attack that left more than 253 people dead, according to international news…
Editor-in-chief of Mexican newspaper Reforma targeted by death threats following criticism from president
Mexico City, April 29, 2019 — Mexican federal authorities must guarantee the safety of Juan Pardinas, the editor-in-chief of Mexico City newspaper Reforma, who has recently faced harassment and death threats online, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Under Abiy, Ethiopia’s media have more freedom but challenges remain
During a trip to Addis Ababa in January, it was impossible to miss the signs that Ethiopian media are enjoying unprecedented freedom. A flurry of new publications were on the streets. At a public forum that CPJ attended, journalists spoke about positive reforms, but also openly criticized their lack of access to the government. At…
Peruvian judge orders assets freeze for Ojo Público, 2 journalists in defamation case
Bogotá, Colombia, April 29, 2019– A Peruvian court has ordered assets belonging to the independent news website Ojo Público, its executive director Óscar Castilla, and La República investigative reporter Edmundo Cruz, to be frozen while a criminal defamation complaint against them is heard, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on…
Israeli forces injure four Palestinian journalists covering Gaza protests
On April 19, 2019, at least four Palestinian journalists covering protests in the Gaza Strip were injured by rubber bullets and tear gas canisters fired by Israeli soldiers, according to local press freedom organizations and social media posts by the journalists and their colleagues.
Jordanian journalist Abdulrahman Farhana detained by Saudi authorities
New York, April 25, 2019 — Saudi authorities should immediately release Jordanian journalist Abdulrahman Farhana as well as the other journalists swept up in their campaign against dissent, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Turkey Crackdown Chronicle: Week of April 21, 2019
Cumhuriyet staff hand themselves over to prison authorities Six former employees from the daily Cumhuriyet handed themselves into authorities today, after the legal paperwork for their failed appeal was entered into Turkey’s judicial system and warrants were issued for their arrest, according to their lawyer and reports.