Malawi journalist Francis Mzindiko assaulted while covering political event
Lusaka, May 24, 2023—Malawi authorities should thoroughly and speedily investigate the recent assault of journalist Francis Mzindiko and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On the morning of May 17, political activists attacked Mzindiko, a photographer with the privately owned Times Group newspaper, while he covered a fight between supporters…
DRC enacts press law and digital code that criminalize journalism
New York, May 23, 2023—DRC authorities should swiftly reform the country’s new press law and digital code to ensure journalism is not criminalized and the media can work without undue restrictions or fear of prosecution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. In April, Congolese authorities enacted new laws governing the press and online activity,…
Journalist Bushaaro Ali Mohamed detained in Somaliland
Nairobi, May 23, 2023—Authorities in the breakaway region of Somaliland should unconditionally release journalist Bushaaro Ali Mohamed and stop detaining members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On the evening of May 15, Somaliland police arrested Bushaaro shortly after she entered the border town of Wajale from Ethiopia, according to media…
Lesotho journalist Ralikonelo Joki killed after radio show
Lusaka, May 15, 2023—Lesotho authorities must launch a credible investigation into the killing of journalist Ralikonelo ‘Leqhashasha’ Joki and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Around 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, an unknown number of people shot Joki in the head once and body at least 13 times as…
Journalist Gobeze Sisay facing terrorism investigation in Ethiopia after arrest in Djibouti
Nairobi, May 12, 2023—Ethiopian authorities should immediately release journalist Gobeze Sisay and cease harassing members of the press at home and abroad, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On May 6, Ethiopian authorities announced that Gobeze, editor and founder of privately owned YouTube-based broadcaster The Voice of Amhara, had been arrested in the neighboring…
Ghanaian journalist Abubakari Sadiq Gariba attacked, threatened by politician and aide
[Editors’ Note: Since the publication of this report, CPJ learned that a Tamale District Court convicted Iddrisu Hardi and Mumuni Osman for “conspiracy to commit crime, assault, unlawful entry and threat of death,” according to Twitter posts by the Ghana Police Service. The pair pleaded guilty to all four charges and paid a fine of 3,600 cedis (US$306).]…
Togolese authorities detain, threaten journalist Edouard Kamboissoa Samboe
New York, May 10, 2023—Togolese authorities should ensure that journalist Edouard Kamboissoa Samboe and all other members of the media can work without fear, and should drop any restrictions on Samboe’s work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On the morning of April 30, Togolese soldiers arrested Samboe, the founder and owner of the…
Cameroonian journalist Anye Nde Nsoh shot and killed by separatists
New York, May 8, 2023—Cameroonian authorities should thoroughly investigate the recent killing of journalist Anye Nde Nsoh, hold those responsible to account, and ensure that journalists can work in the Northwest Region safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. At about 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, gunmen shot and killed Nsoh outside a…
Journalists barred from covering Zimbabwe’s first lady
Lusaka, May 2, 2023—Zimbabwe’s office of the presidency must ensure that all journalists can freely report on First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s public engagements, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On April 24, Mnangagwa’s security aides barred five journalists from covering her visit to the Museum of African Liberation in Harare, according to media reports, a statement by the Zimbabwean chapter of the regional press freedom group Media…
Burundian appeals court upholds 10-year prison term for journalist Floriane Irangabiye
Nairobi, May 2, 2023—In response to media reports that a Burundian appeals court on Tuesday upheld the conviction of journalist Floriane Irangabiye, who is serving a 10-year prison term, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Coming on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, a Burundi court’s decision to uphold Floriane Irangabiye’s…