2025
CPJ, human rights organizations urge Jordanian authorities to reverse decision to block websites
In a joint statement, the Committee to Protect Journalists and 23 other human rights organizations called on the Jordanian government to immediately reverse the May 14 decision to block 12 websites and lift the ban on all affected platforms unconditionally. The statement urges the government to publicly disclose the legal basis for the actions against…
Tax audits target Hong Kong journalists, news outlets as press freedom concerns intensify
New York, May 22, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply alarmed by multiple reports of “unreasonable” tax audits targeting at least six Hong Kong independent media outlets and around 20 journalists and their families, and calls on the Hong Kong government to end its weaponization of financial and tax measures against the press. The Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP),…
Russian authorities raid Bars TV station, editor’s home over defamation case, seize equipment
Berlin, May 22, 2025—Russian authorities must immediately cease their raids on the editorial office of Bars, a regional television broadcaster based in Ivanovo city, and the home of its editor-in-chief, Sergey Kustov, return all equipment and documents seized, and ensure that members of the media platform are not threatened with criminal charges over their work,…
CPJ, others call on UK prime minister to exert diplomatic pressure to secure writer Alaa Abdelfattah’s release
In a joint letter, the Committee to Protect Journalists and 31 other press freedom and human rights organizations urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to intensify his diplomatic efforts to secure Egyptian-British writer Alaa Abdelfattah’s release. The letter follows a February call between Starmer and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, which has yet to yield…
CPJ, partners press Cambodia to release environmental reporter Ouk Mao
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined CamboJA and other partner organizations in a joint advocacy statement on May 22 urging Cambodia to free Ouk Mao, also known as Uk Mao, an environmental reporter with the local Intriplus News website. Plainclothes officers arrested Mao without a warrant on May 16. He is being held in pre-trial detention…
US press freedom groups launch Journalist Assistance Network to address growing need for legal, safety, immigration resources
New York, May 22, 2025—Five major U.S.-based press freedom organizations announced Thursday the launch of a network to provide legal and safety resources and training to journalists and newsrooms in the United States. The Journalist Assistance Network comprises five founding members: the Committee to Protect Journalists, Freedom of the Press Foundation, International Women’s Media Foundation,…
Central African Republic journalist Landry Ulrich Nguéma Ngokpélé detained
Dakar, May 21, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in the Central African Republic to drop their prosecution of journalist Landry Ulrich Nguéma Ngokpélé, editor of the privately owned newspaper Le Quotidien de Bangui, who was arrested and jailed on May 8 over his newspaper’s report on the alleged return of former President…
Turkish journalist Öznur Değer’s terrorism trial opens for her reports on PKK
Editor’s note: On May 22, Öznur Değer was released under a travel ban and judicial control until her next hearing on October 21. Istanbul, May 21, 2025—Turkish authorities should release Öznur Değer ahead of her trial on Thursday and stop conflating reporting on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) with publishing propaganda for the outlawed group, the Committee to…
In Liberia, armed men attack Smile FM employee, police shutter station for 2 weeks
Abuja, May 21, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Liberian authorities to swiftly investigate the May 5 raid on Smile FM by a dozen armed men who beat a member of staff and occupied the premises until police sealed it off and stopped broadcasts. “Liberian authorities must hold to account those who attacked Smile…
EU decision on Israel must turn into action, CPJ says
New York, May 20, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes Tuesday’s decision by European Union foreign ministers to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which sets out the EU’s legal and institutional framework for political dialogue and economic cooperation with Israel. The review could in principle lead to a suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. CPJ has been calling for…