2021
Brazilian journalist’s home, newspaper office targeted in arson attack
Rio de Janeiro, March 23, 2021 – Brazilian authorities should promptly and thoroughly investigate the arson attack on the Folha da Região newspaper and the home of editor José Antônio Arantes, and ensure the safety of Arantes, his family, and the outlet’s staff, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At 4:19 a.m. on March…
Iranian authorities jail journalist Amir Dehbashi in defamation case
Washington, D.C., March 23, 2021 — Iranian authorities must release journalist Amir Dehbashi immediately and cease arresting members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 17, security forces in the southwestern province of Bushehr arrested Dehbashi, a freelance reporter, and took him to a regional prison in the provincial capital, also…
Nigerian journalist Haruna Mohammed Salisu threatened over report on alleged fraud
Abuja, March 23, 2021 – Nigerian authorities should thoroughly investigate the threatening message received by journalist Haruna Mohammed Salisu and ensure his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 13, at about 9 a.m., Salisu, owner and reporter at the privately owned WikkiTimes news website, found a note slipped under his office…
Mexican journalist Jorge Molontzín missing in Sonora since March 10
Mexico City, March 22, 2021 – Mexican authorities must thoroughly investigate the disappearance of journalist Jorge Molontzín Centlal, determine if his disappearance is related to his work, and do everything in their power to return him to safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Molontzín, a reporter with the magazine Confidencial, went missing on…
The Markup’s Nabiha Syed on how the Supreme Court could protect data journalism
At first glance, the connection between data journalism and a Georgia police officer accused of accessing a government database for an improper purpose might seem tenuous. However, journalists and legal experts have highlighted the press freedom implications of a pending Supreme Court decision in the case of the officer, Nathan Van Buren, who is appealing…
Pakistani journalist Ajay Lalwani dies after suffering three gunshot wounds
Washington, D.C., March 19, 2021—Authorities in Sindh province, Pakistan, must immediately launch a credible investigation and apprehend those responsible for the killing of journalist Ajay Lalwani, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Lalwani, a local general news correspondent for the privately owned Urdu language Daily Puchano, died yesterday after suffering three gunshot wounds on Wednesday…
Lebanese news website The961 briefly blocked amid currency exchange crackdown
On March 10, 2021, the Lebanese state-run internet service provider Ogero blocked the entire English-language news website The961 for nine hours without warning during a government crackdown on black market money changers, according to the site’s director, who communicated with CPJ by email, and the regional press freedom organization SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural…
Myanmar military files criminal mutiny charges against The Irrawaddy, detains 2 journalists
Bangkok, March 19, 2021 – Myanmar’s military junta should drop all charges against The Irrawaddy news group, stop using legal threats to intimidate journalists covering ongoing anti-coup protests, and release all journalists in its custody, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 12, the military government charged The Irrawaddy, a privately owned newspaper, under Article…
Morocco’s new tactic to punish journalists: charge them with sex crimes
Moroccan journalists Taoufik Bouachrine, Soulaiman Raissouni, and Omar Radi have a lot in common. All three have a nose for corruption, penning op-eds or investigations alleging government abuse. And all three have been charged with or sentenced to prison for sex crimes. Press freedom advocates and the journalists’ family members told CPJ that Moroccan authorities are using trumped up…