2022
Opinion: Putin tolerated some critical voices in his 22-year assault on Russian media. His war in Ukraine ends even that.
On the morning after Boris Yeltsin stunned the world by resigning and turning over the Russian presidency to Vladimir Putin, The New York Times published a “man in the news” column that struggled to define the new leader. Putin was a man who “would never deceive you,” promised his political mentor and former St. Petersburg…
Tunisian authorities detain Mosaique FM correspondent Khalifa Guesmi over terrorism article
New York, March 21, 2022 – Tunisian authorities should immediately and unconditionally release journalist Khalifa Guesmi and stop intimidating journalists into revealing their sources, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On March 17, Guesmi, a correspondent at local independent radio station and news website Mosaique FM, published an article about the dismantling of a…
Republic of Congo newspaper Sel-Piment suspended for 6 months, director detained for 7 days
Dakar, March 21, 2022 — Authorities in the Republic of Congo should lift Sel-Piment’s suspension immediately and refrain from detaining journalists for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On December 30, 2021, police arrested Augias Ray Malonga, acting director of the privately owned newspaper Sel-Piment, at his home in Brazzaville, the capital,…
Nigerian journalist Agba Jalingo acquitted of all charges 30 months after arrest
New York, March 21, 2022 — In response to news reports that a federal court on Monday acquitted Nigerian journalist Agba Jalingo on all charges, including anti-state and defamation, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Today’s acquittal of journalist Agba Jalingo on trumped-up charges is welcome, but he should never have been…
Exiled Turkish journalist Ahmet Dönmez attacked in Sweden
New York, March 21, 2022 – Swedish authorities should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the recent attack on journalist Ahmet Dönmez and determine if he was targeted for his work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday. On Saturday, March 19, in Stockholm, unidentified people hit Dönmez’s car from behind and, when…
‘A rush of relief’: Tanzanian investigative newspaper allowed to publish after 5-year ban
In 2017, Simon Mkina was the publisher and chief editor of the muckraking Tanzanian newspaper Mawio when authorities announced that they were suspending the publication for “jeopardizing national security” by reporting on two former presidents’ alleged links to mining misconduct. Mkina was forced to lay himself off, along with 57 other employees, and he became…
Ukrainian journalist Oleh Baturyn released 8 days after going missing
New York, March 20, 2022 – The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release of Ukrainian journalist Oleh Baturyn and renews calls for anyone with information about the whereabouts of missing reporter Viktoria Roshchina to come forward immediately, CPJ said in a statement Sunday. Baturyn was missing for eight days after he went to meet…
Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchina missing since March 11
Paris, March 18, 2022 – In response to the disappearance of Hromadske journalist Viktoria Roshchina and reports that she is being held by Russian forces in Ukraine, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement on Friday: “Viktoria Roshchina is now the second journalist reported missing since the beginning of the Russian invasion,” said…
Mali suspends RFI and France 24, bars local outlets from distributing their content
New York, March 18, 2022 — Malian authorities should reverse the suspension of French broadcasters Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24, and swiftly implement accreditation processes that ensure journalists are not barred from working in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Wednesday, March 16, Mali’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and…
Brazilian journalists injured by explosive devices at police protest
Rio de Janeiro, March 18, 2022 – Authorities in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state should promptly investigate the recent attacks on journalists covering a police protest, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On March 9, during a protest held by striking Minas Gerais police officers in Belo Horizonte, the…