Nigerian journalist Damilola Ayeni arrested in Benin while reporting on environment
Abuja, September 7, 2023– Authorities in Benin must immediately and unconditionally release Nigerian journalist Damilola Ayeni, drop all charges against him, and allow him to work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On August 31, police officers in Benin’s north western Pendjari National Park arrested and detained Ayeni, an editor with the privately…
Cyberattackers used US company RayoByte in efforts to crash media sites
The cyberattack against the Somali Journalists Syndicate could not have come at a worse time. A distributed denial-of-service attack, known by its acronym DDoS, flooded the local press freedom group’s website with traffic in early August and knocked it offline. Days later, authorities arrested SJS staff member and Kaab TV editor Mohamed Ibrahim Osman Bulbul…
Three more journalists arrested under Ethiopia’s state of emergency
Nairobi, September 6, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday expressed deep concern about the arrest of three journalists only weeks after Ethiopia declared a state of emergency and called on authorities to promptly release all members of the press detained for their work. Abay Zewdu, chief editor of the YouTube-based broadcaster Amara Media Center…
DRC immigration officers attack journalist Soleil Ntumba Mufike to stop eviction coverage
Kinshasa, September 6, 2023—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must hold accountable the immigration officers who attacked journalist Soleil Ntumba Mufike and broke his camera, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Friday, September 1, Ntumba was filming police carrying out the court-ordered eviction of the family of the deputy director of…
Football fans attack, injure Malawi reporter Smart Chalika
Lusaka, September 5, 2023—The Football Association of Malawi should investigate the August 25 assault on Kasupe Radio reporter Smart Chalika by supporters of the Silver Strikers Football Club and penalize the club to send a clear message that attacks against journalists are not condoned, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Around 2:30 p.m….
CPJ calls on military in Gabon to ensure press freedom and journalists’ safety following coup
Dakar, August 30, 2023—Following the military coup in Gabon that removed President Ali Bongo from power on Wednesday, August 30, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The new military authorities in Gabon must prioritize journalists’ ability to report on matters of public interest and avoid replicating the constraints and intimidation faced by…
Armed men attack Nigerian journalists covering clashes in Bayelsa state
Abuja, August 30, 2023—Nigerian authorities should swiftly identify and hold to account those responsible for recently attacking a group of journalists in southern Bayelsa state, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On August 14, a group of unidentified men carrying guns, knives, and sticks attacked journalists who were reporting on the aftermath of clashes…
CPJ joins renewed call for release of Burundi journalist Floriane Irangabiye after 1 year in prison
Nairobi, August 30, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists, Amnesty International, the Burundi Human Rights Initiative, and Human Rights Watch on Wednesday, August 30, renewed their call for Burundian authorities to unconditionally release journalist Floriane Irangabiye, who has been detained for a year. Irangabiye was arrested on August 30, 2022, and is serving a 10-year prison…
Gabon authorities suspend 3 French broadcasters, block internet during elections
Dakar, August 28, 2023—Gabonese authorities must reverse their suspension of French broadcasters France 24, Radio France Internationale, and TV5 Monde and refrain from further disrupting public access to the internet, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Amid elections on Saturday, August 26, Gabonese authorities implemented a curfew and blocked internet access to prevent the…