2021
Palestinian journalist Muath Hamed questioned in Spain by alleged Israeli intelligence agent
New York, April 15, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern over an account by Palestinian journalist Muath Hamed that he was summoned by Spanish authorities under false pretenses and questioned about his journalistic activity by someone he believes to be an Israeli intelligence operative. In early February, officers with Spain’s Civil…
French journalist Nadiya Lazzouni receives letter with death threat, anti-Muslim slurs
Berlin, April 15, 2021 — French authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate a threatening letter received by journalist Nadiya Lazzouni and ensure her safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 8, Lazzouni, a Paris-based video producer and founder of the news and commentary outlet Speak Up Channel, received an anonymous handwritten letter…
Angolan journalist Jorge Manuel arrested, detained for 5 days while reporting on evictions
New York, April 15, 2021 – Angolan authorities must refrain from arresting members of the press covering public events, and should return all equipment confiscated from journalist Jorge Manuel, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 7, police officers arrested Manuel, a reporter for the Radio Despertar broadcaster, while he was covering protests…
Mexico elections 2021: Journalist safety kit
Mexico will hold the largest elections in its history on June 6, 2021. Candidates will run for, among other offices, the federal Chamber of Deputies, governorships in 15 states, and mayor in hundreds of municipalities. Journalists and media workers covering the elections anywhere in Mexico should be aware of a number of risks, including physical…
Police detain Ghanaian journalist David Tamakloe overnight in relation to ‘false news’ complaint
Abuja, April 14, 2021 — Police in Ghana should drop their investigation into journalist David Tamakloe and allow him to report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 1, in Accra, the capital, four police officers in plainclothes arrested Tamakloe, editor-in-chief of the privately owned Whatsup News website, and detained him for…
Cameroonian journalist Emmanuel Mbombog Mbog Matip detained since August 2020
New York, April 14, 2021 — Cameroonian authorities should immediately release journalist Emmanuel Mbombog Mbog Matip and all other members of the press imprisoned for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On August 17, 2020, six armed men in plainclothes arrested Mbombog Mbog Matip, director of the privately owned CliMat Social newspaper…
CPJ welcomes release of Turkish journalist Ahmet Altan
Istanbul, April 14, 2021 — Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals today overturned the convictions of journalists Ahmet Altan and Nazlı Ilıcak, who were found guilty of “aiding a terrorist organization” and sentenced to 10 and a half years and eight years and nine months, respectively, in a 2019 retrial, according to reports and CPJ research. Both journalists had been freed…
Tunisian police raid TAP news agency to enforce appointment of pro-government director
New York, April 14, 2021 — Tunisian authorities should respect the independence of the state news agency Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP), and refrain from using security forces to interfere in the agency’s personnel issues, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, police officers forcibly entered TAP’s headquarters in Tunis, the capital, to break up…
Vietnam detains journalist Nguyen Hoai Nam for alleged anti-state crimes
Bangkok, April 14, 2021 – Vietnamese authorities should immediately release journalist Nguyen Hoai Nam, drop any pending charges against him, and stop jailing journalists on trumped-up anti-state allegations, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 3, authorities in Ho Chi Minh City detained Nam, an independent journalist who publishes commentary and reporting on…
Malawi police question journalist Watipaso Mzungu over article calling president ‘a joker’
On April 6, 2021, police in the Malawi capital of Lilongwe interrogated Watipaso Mzungu, the chief reporter of the privately owned news website Nyasa Times, about an article he published on April 2, according to the journalist, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app, and a report by his outlet. In that article, Mzungu quoted…