2020

  

Panama court freezes La Prensa’s assets amid defamation suit by former president

Managua, July 10, 2020 –  Panamanian authorities should immediately restore Corporación La Prensa’s access to its financial assets, and ensure that legal actions do not censor the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 4, a Panamanian civil court ordered a freeze on the assets and bank accounts of Corporación La Prensa,…

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Army bars journalists from reporting on Beirut’s Hamra Street, citing permit regulations

New York, July 10, 2020 – Lebanese authorities should allow journalists to report from Beirut’s Hamra street and other public areas in the country without seeking prior approval, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 6, two men who identified themselves as army intelligence officers stopped Charbel Abboud, a reporter for French public…

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CPJ joins calls in support of OSCE media freedom representative Harlem Désir

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 28 other press freedom organizations yesterday in a letter expressing support for the renewal of the mandate of Harlem Désir, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Representative on Freedom of the Media. Désir’s mandate is set to expire on July 19; renewing his position for another three…

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Philippine Congress denies ABS-CBN news broadcaster’s franchise renewal

Bangkok, July 10, 2020 – In response to a vote by a Philippine House of Representatives committee today to reject the renewal of the broadcasting franchise of ABS-CBN, the nation’s largest news organization, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Today’s congressional decision to reject ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal is an affront to Philippine…

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Tanzania bans Kwanza Online TV for 11 months citing ‘misleading’ Instagram post on COVID-19

Nairobi, July 9, 2020 — Tanzania’s broadcasting regulator should immediately lift its suspension of Kwanza Online TV and stop weaponizing regulations against critical media outlets, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 2, the Contents Committee of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority, a department within the country’s broadcast regulator, sent a letter to…

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Journalists in India assaulted, targeted with investigations amid COVID-19 pandemic

Between April 5, 2020, and June 11, 2020, one journalist was assaulted by police, another had his property destroyed by local authorities in retaliation for his reporting, and at least five others were subject to criminal investigations and, in one case, an interrogation, according to interviews CPJ conducted with five of the journalists and media…

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Journalists attacked, harassed while covering anti-lockdown protests in Serbia

Berlin, July 9, 2020 – Serbian authorities should quickly and thoroughly investigate attacks on journalists covering anti-government protests in the country, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 7 and 8, demonstrators and police attacked at least 10 journalists who were documenting protests in Belgrade, the capital,…

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#HoldTheLine campaign launched in support of Maria Ressa and independent media in the Philippines

Sixty press freedom groups and civil society organisations, journalism institutions, filmmakers, and other supporters have formed a coalition in support of Maria Ressa and independent media in the Philippines, united around the call to #HoldTheLine. Today the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announced the…

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Russian journalist Ivan Safronov charged with treason; journalists arrested at protests for his release

New York, July 8, 2020 – Russian authorities should release journalist Ivan Safronov immediately, drop the charges against him, and allow the press to cover his case freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, Russian Federal Security Service officers detained Safronov near his Moscow apartment and charged him with high treason for allegedly…

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CPJ sends letter to U.S. Agency for Global Media head encouraging unbiased coverage

The Committee to Protect Journalists urges new U.S. Agency for Global Media head Michael Pack to ensure editorial independence and unbiased coverage at Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia (RFA).

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