DRC journalist Baby Ndombe Mwilungu detained for 3 hours over coverage of governor
On June 21, 2022, soldiers with the Democratic Republic of the Congo military arrested Baby Ndombe Mwilungu, general manager of the privately owned Radio Maendeleo broadcaster, at his home in the town of Kasongo, in the country’s eastern Maniema province, according to Ndombe and his lawyer, Richard Lupita, who spoke to CPJ over the phone….
Burkina Faso journalist Ahmed Newton Barry threatened
Dakar, June 30, 2022 – Authorities in Burkina Faso should investigate and hold accountable those responsible for threats made against journalist Ahmed Newton Barry and ensure his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Barry told CPJ in a phone interview that on June 10 his lawyer sent him an audio clip, then circulating…
Angolan journalists continue to face criminal insult and defamation proceedings
New York, June 30, 2022 – Angolan authorities should drop criminal defamation and insult investigations into journalists Escrivão José, Óscar Constantino, and Fernando Caetano and ensure that investigative journalism is not criminalized, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. The three journalists each told CPJ that they are facing ongoing legal processes over criminal defamation…
CPJ urges Gambia authorities to prioritize legal reforms, accountability for crimes against the press
Abuja, June 29, 2022 – Gambian authorities should adopt the reforms recommended by the country’s Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC)—including ensuring journalists are not prosecuted for sedition—work to swiftly hold former President Yahya Jammeh and members of his “Junglers” death squad to account for their crimes against journalists, and end the culture of impunity…
Ethiopian authorities re-arrest journalist Yayesew Shimelis 1 week after release on bail
Nairobi, June 29, 2022 – In response to news reports that Ethiopian security personnel arrested journalist Yayesew Shimelis on Tuesday, June 28, and are holding him at an undisclosed location, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for his immediate release: “Yayesew Shimelis’ detention is deeply concerning, given Ethiopian authorities’ history of…
Nigerian publisher Olamilekan Hammed Adewale Bashiru granted bail with strict conditions
Abuja, June 28, 2022 – Nigerian authorities should release EagleForeSight publisher Olamilekan Hammed Adewale Bashiru and ensure that overly stringent bail conditions are not used as a tool to keep him behind bars, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On June 21, a federal high court in the Ogun state capital, Abeokuta, granted Bashiru…
Guinean police detain, question journalist Mamadou Sagnane
Dakar, June 28, 2022 — Guinean authorities should drop any ongoing investigation into journalist Mamadou Sagnane and ensure that the press can work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On June 15, police in the north-central town of Dinguiraye summoned Sagnane, a reporter with the community broadcaster Dinguiraye Rural Radio, according to the…
Congolese journalist Chilassy Bofumbo denied provisional release, back in court tomorrow
Kinshasa, June 27, 2022 – Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should unconditionally release journalist Chilassy Bofumbo and all other members of the press jailed for their work, and ensure that the media in the country can work without fear of arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Thursday, June 23,…
Zimbabwean journalist threatened with assault after corruption reporting
Lusaka, June 23, 2022 – Zimbabwean police must immediately and thoroughly investigate threats made to journalist Simbarashe Sithole in retaliation for his corruption reporting and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On June 4, Zimbabwean Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe sent a text message to…
CPJ joins letter calling on Kenya to ensure internet access is maintained throughout election
In a joint letter addressed to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday, June 21, the Committee to Protect Journalists joined 51 other organizations calling on authorities to ensure free and secure internet access during the country’s upcoming general elections, scheduled for August 9. The organizations, all members of the #KeepItOn Coalition against internet shutdowns, note…