2023
CPJ to release report on the state of press freedom in the European Union
New York, April 13—On April 25, 2023, the Committee to Protect Journalists will release “Fragile Progress”, a report on the current state of press freedom in the European Union (EU). The EU traditionally has been seen as a model for press freedom and a bastion of democratic norms. Yet threats to press freedom in Europe—including…
Journalist Karol Noroña leaves Ecuador after death threat
Bogotá, April 11, 2022–Ecuadorian authorities must thoroughly investigate a death threat against Karol Noroña, bring those responsible to justice, and ensure that criminal groups do not interfere with the work of the country’s press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On March 24, Noroña, a reporter for the independent Quito-based news website GK, met…
CPJ calls on Maldives authorities to swiftly investigate threats against 2 Dhauru journalists
New York, April 11, 2023–Maldives authorities must swiftly and impartially investigate the recent threats of violence and death sent to journalists Ahmed Naaif and Ahmed Zahir and ensure their safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Beginning on April 7, four unidentified numbers messaged threats to Naaif following the publication of an article by…
CPJ joins call for Armenia to amend draft law allowing comprehensive wartime censorship
On Tuesday, April 11, the Committee to Protect Journalists joined an open letter by the KeepItOn coalition of press freedom and human rights groups calling on the Armenian government to remove clauses in proposed legislation that would allow authorities to restrict access to websites and the internet during times of war. Provisions in the draft…
Bangladeshi journalist Ayub Meahzi attacked, thrown off building
New York, April 11, 2023—Bangladeshi authorities must swiftly and impartially investigate the attack of freelance journalist Ayub Meahzi, hold all perpetrators to account, and ensure the journalist’s safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On the afternoon of Tuesday, April 4, a group of around 10 men associated with a local criminal group beat…
In Belarus, Infa-Kurier newspaper stops publication following ‘extremist’ label
Paris, April 11, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Tuesday expressed grave concern about news that independent Belarusian newspaper Infa-Kurier stopped its work on Saturday, April 8, after Belarusian authorities labeled the outlet’s content “extremist.” The decision to stop the outlet’s work also came after several of its journalists were detained, and its offices were…
‘Living in fear’: Exiled Afghan journalists face arrest, hunger in Pakistan
Stuck with no income for more than a year after fleeing Afghanistan for Pakistan, Samiullah Jahesh was ready to sell his kidney to put food on the table for his family. “I had no other option, I had no money or food at home,” Jahesh, a former journalist with Afghanistan’s independent Ariana News TV channel,…
Jailed Vietnamese journalist Nguyen Lan Thang faces anti-state charges
Bangkok, April 10, 2023 – Vietnamese authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Nguyen Lan Thang and drop all charges pending against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Thang, a political activist and contributor to U.S. Congress-funded Radio Free Asia who also posted reporting on his personal social media accounts, was arrested on…
Sierra Leone journalist Alie Melvin Tokowa beaten while filming political dispute
Abuja, April 10, 2023—Sierra Leone authorities should thoroughly investigate the recent attack on journalist Alie Melvin Tokowa and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On March 28, a group of about seven people kicked, choked, and beat Tokowa, manager of radio broadcaster FOP 89.7FM Moyamba, as he attempted to…
Congolese journalist Mills Tshibangu detained overnight in defamation case
Kinshasa, April 7, 2023—Congolese authorities should drop their criminal defamation investigation into journalist Mills Tshibangu and ensure he can work without fear of arrest or prosecution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On April 2, a group of about 12 police officers arrested Tshibangu, director of the privately owned online broadcaster Chat Television, while…