Nigerian journalist in hiding after police arrest and question 5 reporters about his whereabouts
Abuja, June 9, 2020 — Authorities in Nigeria should publicly disclose why they are seeking journalist Cletus Opukeme, and should not harass reporters over their professional connections, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 3 p.m. on May 28, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ office in Warri, a city in southern Delta…
Cameroon military spokesperson says journalist Samuel Wazizi died in custody last year
New York, June 5, 2020 — In response to a statement issued by the Cameroonian Ministry of Defense today that journalist Samuel Wazizi died in government custody in August 2019, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The Cameroonian government’s cruel treatment of journalist Samuel Wazizi is truly shocking. It is unbelievable that authorities…
Burundi court rejects imprisoned Iwacu journalists’ appeal
Nairobi, June 5, 2020 — In response to a Burundi court’s decision today to reject the appeal of four Iwacu media group journalists who are serving 2.5-year prison terms, as reported by their employer, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Burundian authorities should never have arrested the four detained Iwacu journalists; rejecting…
A wannan yanayi na COVID-19, ‘yanci, dama da walwalar ‘yan jarida ya ragu matuka. Ga Dalilai 10 da za a maida hakali akai
Daga, Katherine Jacobsen Annobar COVID-19 ya kawo rudani matuka a harkar kula kiwon lafiyar ma’aikatan asibiti, barazana ga tattalin arzikin kasashen duniya da kuma jefa kasashen cikin rashin kwanciyar hankali. Haka zalika ya sauya yanayin da ‘yan jarida ke aikin dauko labarai a dalilin yadda wasu kasashe ke yin amfani da annobar wajen muzguna wa kamfanonin…
CPJ demands Cameroonian government account for arrested journalist Samuel Wazizi
New York, June 3, 2020 — Cameroonian authorities must immediately disclose the whereabouts and the health and legal status of imprisoned journalist Samuel Wazizi, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. “Samuel Wazizi’s friends, family, colleagues, and lawyers have unsuccessfully sought answers about his arrest from the Cameroonian government for far too long,” said CPJ…
Amid COVID-19, the prognosis for press freedom is dim. Here are 10 symptoms to track
By Katherine Jacobsen The COVID-19 pandemic has sent public health officials scrambling, the global economy into shock, and governments everywhere into crisis. It has also reshaped the way journalists work, not least because many authorities in many countries have cited the contagion as a reason to crack down on the news media. Certain dangers will…
Map: Attacks on press freedom during the COVID-19 pandemic
Updated June 22, 2021 CPJ has documented numerous press freedom violations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, from legislation threatening to censor free speech to arrests of journalists providing the public with vital news about the virus. This map plots violations, verified by CPJ staff, across nearly every region of the world from early…
Nigerian journalist Kufre Carter detained for 1 month, charged with defamation and conspiracy
Abuja, May 28, 2020 — Nigerian authorities should drop all charges against journalist Kufre Carter and ensure that the press is not harassed by the country’s security forces, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 27, in the southern city of Uyo, officers with Nigeria’s Department of State Services arrested Carter, a presenter…
UN Secretary General responds to #FreeThePress campaign call to action
In a letter this week to the partners of the 2020 #FreeThePress campaign, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres emphasized that freedom of the press and the safety of journalists remains a key priority for him, stressing that, “No democracy can function without press freedom, which is the cornerstone of trust between people and their institutions,…
