Capital Gazette shooter found criminally responsible, while questions of justice linger
In a county courthouse in Annapolis, Maryland, a scaled model of the old Capital Gazette newsroom was perched at an angle on a table toward the jury. One by one, four reporters, a photojournalist, and an advertising sales representative, approached the model to show where they were sitting when a loud noise — some thought it was a…
CPJ welcomes jury ruling in US Capital Gazette murders
Washington, D.C., July 15, 2021—In response to news that a jury in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, today ruled that the man who killed four Capital Gazette journalists and a media worker in 2018 is criminally responsible for his actions, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “While today’s ruling can bring only limited…
Journalists detained and harassed, internet disrupted amid Cuban protests
Miami, July 14, 2021 — Cuban authorities should immediately and unconditionally release all detained journalists, stop disrupting internet access in the country, and allow the press to cover protests freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Since July 11, protests have erupted in several Cuban cities, with demonstrators calling for the end of the country’s…
US indicts 5 Iranian nationals over attempted kidnapping of US-based journalist Masih Alinejad
Washington, D.C., July 14, 2021 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today strongly condemned the alleged plot by Iranian intelligence operatives to kidnap Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad in the United States. Yesterday, U.S. prosecutors announced charges against five Iranian nationals for allegedly surveilling and planning to kidnap Alinejad, a New York-based journalist and human rights…
Chilean police shoot 2 journalists with rubber bullets at activist’s funeral procession
Miami, July 14, 2021 — Chilean authorities must thoroughly investigate police officers’ use of rubber bullets against journalists Vicente Rojas López and Felipe García, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 7, at about 6 p.m., agents with the Chilean Investigative Police shot rubber bullets at both…
Brazilian president’s lawyer sends threatening message to UOL journalist Juliana Dal Piva
Rio de Janeiro, July 13, 2021 – Brazilian officials and their representatives should refrain from harassing members of the press who cover them and Brazilian authorities should ensure reporters can do their work without reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 9, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s personal lawyer Frederick Wassef sent a lengthy…
Mexican journalist Daniel Lizárraga expelled from El Salvador
Los Angeles, July 12, 2021 — Salvadoran authorities should reverse their decision to expel Mexican journalist Daniel Lizárraga and allow him to work freely in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 6, immigration authorities notified Lizárraga, a Mexican citizen and an editor for the independent Salvadoran news website El Faro,…
Haitian journalist Diego Charles shot and killed in Port-au-Prince
Miami, July 1, 2021 — Haitian authorities should conduct a swift and comprehensive investigation into the killing of journalist Diego Charles, determine if he was targeted for his reporting, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 11:00 p.m. on June 29, unidentified men riding a…
Colombian riot police beat 2 RCN Radio journalists documenting police violence
Bogotá, July 1, 2021 – Colombian authorities must conduct a full investigation into police officers’ use of force against journalists covering recent protests, and ensure that security forces allow the press to work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 29, Colombian police officers assaulted Katy Sánchez, a reporter, and Alexandra Molina,…
In five Latin American countries, COVID-19 responses restrict press freedom, CPJ, TrustLaw find
In Bolivia, Brazil, El Salvador, and Peru, emergency measures in response to COVID-19 restricted the media’s capacity to report freely and the public’s ability to access information, including critical information about public health interventions and the pandemic itself, a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists and Thomson Reuters Foundation’s TrustLaw program found. The report,…