2026

  

Egyptian, Lebanese journalists targeted in cyber attacks 

Washington, D.C., April 8, 2026 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by new reports about spear-phishing attacks against several Egyptian and Lebanese journalists aimed at compromising their Apple, Microsoft, and Google accounts.  According to reports by digital rights organizations Access Now and SMEX, unidentified entities likely hired a South Asia-focused cyber espionage group…

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A press briefing at the Pentagon in April. Worrying guidelines on how the military can categorize the press during conflict are contained in the Defense Department's Law of War Manual. (AP/Andrew Harnik)

How US media consolidation endangers press freedom

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a government agency that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in the United States. Although the agency is supposed to be independent of the executive branch, recent actions by the FCC and comments by its chairman, Brendan Carr, represent a worrying politicization of the agency. In…

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Political commentator Ahmed Douma was arrested on April 6, 2026, at the Supreme State Security Prosecution headquarters following a six-hour interrogation.

Egypt arrests commentator Ahmed Douma over article and posts

Washington, D.C., April 7, 2026 — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Egyptian authorities to immediately release political commentator Ahmed Douma, who was arrested on April 6 at the Supreme State Security Prosecution headquarters following a six-hour interrogation, which ordered his detention for four days pending investigation. Douma is facing several charges, including publishing…

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U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson in a Baghdad cafe on March 25, 2025 (left), and a screenshot showing men pushing her into a car on March 31, 2026. (Photo and screenshot: AP; red indicator: CPJ)

CPJ, RSF, Foley Foundation urge US government to designate Shelly Kittleson hostage, mobilize all resources to secure safe, swift release

CPJ, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the Foley Foundation sent a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 3 urging the U.S. government to secure the immediate, safe release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on March 31. The nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations asked…

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Suspected ZANU-PF supporters harass journalists on March 31 covering public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment Bill.

Zimbabwean journalists harassed at hearings to extend president’s term

Lusaka, April 3, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Zimbabwean authorities to urgently investigate the harassment and violence against journalists covering March 31 public hearings in the capital, Harare, to discuss a bill to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule. Chaos has marred four days of hearings, hosted by Parliament and ending on April 2, to debate the Constitutional…

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IWMF

CPJ, partners condemn Russia’s labeling of IWMF as ‘undesirable organization’ 

Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026— The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and partners in the Journalist Assistance Network (JAN) condemn Russia’s unabashed attempt to silence independent journalism and the civil society that supports their critical work by designating the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) an “undesirable organization.”  In response, the JAN issued the following statement…

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Viorica Tătaru’s coverage of the death of a kindergarten teacher led to her being bombarded with accusations and insults.

Moldovan journalist Viorica Tătaru targeted by smear campaign

New York, April 2, 2026—Moldovan authorities must swiftly investigate the online smear campaign against Viorica Tătaru, a journalist with independent broadcaster TV8, and ensure that journalists in Moldova can report freely and without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Following Tătaru’s coverage of a March 21 gathering in memory of Ludmila Vartic, a kindergarten teacher who died on March 3 after apparently enduring years…

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A Palestinian man attempts to access the internet using an eSIM in Gaza City after the internet and fixed-line communications services were cut off amid the Israeli offensive, in June.

How Middle East journalists report during internet blackouts

Iran is now in the grip of the longest internet blackout in its history, a near-total shutdown that has stretched more than 30 days and reduced connectivity to almost zero. Imposed amid war and unrest, the sweeping, government-imposed blackout has effectively sealed off the country, cutting journalists’ access to sources and audiences, and blocking their…

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An undated photo of Vietnamese journalist Huynh Ngoc Tuan.

Vietnam sentences journalist Huynh Ngoc Tuan to 8½ years for anti-state propaganda

Bangkok, April 2, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Thursday’s sentencing of Vietnamese journalist Huynh Ngoc Tuan to eight years and six months in prison under a criminal provision that bars “propagandizing against the state.” The People’s Court of Dak Lak Province ruled that 11 of Tuan’s live videos and 21 Facebook posts were defamatory,…

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Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed, also known as Dhulmar (Screenshot: Dhulmar Media/YouTube)

Somalia’s new Northeastern State detains journalist for report criticizing president

New York, April 1, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the release of journalist Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed, also known as Dhulmar, who has been held without charge since March 26 over a video that criticized President Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali of the newly-formed Northeastern State of Somalia. “Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed has committed no crime, and…

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2026