2024
CPJ joins mission documenting human rights situation ahead of presidential elections in El Salvador
Ahead of the February 4 presidential elections in El Salvador, CPJ joined a coalition of press freedom organizations in a mission to document the rights situation of journalists to ensure they could carry out their work without fear. The coalition, which included Article 19 Mexico and Central America, Protection International Mesoamerica, Reporters Without Borders (RSF),…
Iraqi Kurdish journalist Omed Baroshky charged with defamation over Facebook post
Three police officers arrested Kurdish journalist Omed Baroshky from his home in the northwestern city of Duhok at around midday on February 22, 2024, on charges of defamation, the journalist and his lawyer Revving Hruri told CPJ. Baroshky was released from the city’s Zirka prison at around 10 p.m. on bail of 3 million dinars…
CPJ, others renew support for journalists in UK surveillance investigation
Berlin, February 28, 2024—As a court hearing opened on Wednesday into complaints that two British journalists were targeted by UK authorities with covert surveillance, the Committee to Protect Journalists, together with four other press freedom groups, renewed their support for the investigation. The investigation stems from complaints filed by investigative journalists Trevor Birney and Barry…
DRC police detain journalist Masand Mafuta, slap him, seize equipment and money
Kinshasa, February 28, 2024—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) must hold accountable the police officers who arrested and then assaulted journalist Masand Mafuta, and ensure his belongings are returned, the Committee for the Protection of Journalists said on Wednesday. On February 23, at least six police officers in the capital, Kinshasa, detained Masand,…
CPJ joins calls to UN to push for accountability in murder of Lebanese video journalist Issam Abdallah
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined a combined 120 people and entities, including victims and their families, media outlets, press freedom groups, and human rights groups, in two letters calling on the United Nations to help provide accountability in the murder of Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed by Israeli forces in south…
CPJ signs joint statement expressing concern over police operation against journalists in Brazil
CPJ joined eight Brazilian press freedom and advocacy organizations in a joint statement expressing extreme concern about a police investigation called “Operation Fake News,” launched on February 6, 2024, when police seized the computers and phones of Enock Cavalcante and Alexandre Aprá, journalists with the news website Isso É Notícias. The investigation was the result…
DRC journalist Lucien Lyenda attacked by armed forces while covering protest
Kinshasa, February 27, 2024—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) must investigate and hold accountable the soldiers who attacked journalist Lucien Lyenda while he covered a demonstration against insecurity in the country’s southeastern Tanganyika province, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Sunday, three DRC armed forces soldiers attacked Lyenda, a reporter for…
Pakistani journalist Asad Ali Toor arrested after responding to summons for questioning
New York, February 26, 2024—Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency arrested independent journalist Asad Ali Toor on Monday after he was ordered to appear for questioning in connection to an alleged “explicit and malicious” campaign against Supreme Court judges, according to news reports and the journalist’s lawyer, Imaan Mazari-Hazir, who spoke to CPJ. Toor operates Asad Toor…
Iraqi publisher survives assassination attempt in Baghdad
Beirut, February 26, 2024—An unknown number of armed and masked individuals in two trucks fired at least 17 times on the car of prominent Iraqi publisher and politician Fakhri Karim on Thursday before fleeing, according to multiple media reports and Facebook statements by his outlet. The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday urged Iraqi authorities…
French journalist Antoine Galindo detained in Ethiopia
New York, February 26, 2024—Ethiopian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release French journalist Antoine Galindo, who was unjustly detained on Thursday under alarming circumstances, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday. On February 22, at 3:55 p.m., Galindo, who reports for the Paris-based privately owned news website Africa Intelligence, was detained by security forces…