‘Three people threatened to shoot me.’ Journalists describe covering mob violence at the US Capitol
Yesterday’s pro-Trump protests in Washington, D.C. — during which a mob broke into the Capitol building and forced journalists, lawmakers, and staff to shelter-in-place for hours — were full of anti-press sentiment. The words “Murder the Media” were etched on a door inside the building, according to The New York Times, and individuals in the crowd repeatedly threatened…
CPJ joins call for Guatemalan authorities to drop criminal charges against journalist Anastasia Mejía
The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined 50 human rights organizations, media outlets, and individuals in a statement calling on Guatemalan authorities to drop all remaining charges against Indigenous radio journalist Anastasia Mejía Tiriquiz. Mejía is facing charges of sedition and aggravated attack for her alleged participation in an August 24, 2020, demonstration, according to…
CPJ urges respect for United States press freedom, journalist safety
New York, January 6, 2020—In response to events today in Washington D.C., the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “We are gravely concerned by today’s attack on American institutions, including the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., where journalists as well as lawmakers are at risk,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “Journalists and…
Journalist Marcus Henderson covered the COVID-19 outbreak inside his own prison
When news of the global COVID-19 pandemic reached San Quentin prison, a state-run men’s prison in California, earlier this year, Marcus Henderson knew it was only a matter of time before the virus spread through the facility. It did, killing 28 inmates and at least one staff member and infecting Henderson and 2,200 other inmates…
Journalist safety in 2020
In this unforgettably tumultuous year, journalists across the world covered the ongoing pandemic, dangerous protests, natural disasters, active conflicts, elections, and other life-changing events. The reporters, anchors, photographers, camera operators, producers, and technicians who brought 2020’s biggest stories to the public often risked their own physical safety and psychological well-being and found themselves the subjects…
Brazilian court orders The Intercept Brasil, ND+ to modify coverage of court case
Rio de Janeiro, December 23, 2020 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a ruling by a Brazilian court requiring two local outlets to modify their reporting in response to a lawsuit. On December 12, Judge Cleni Serly Rauen Vieira, of the Santa Catarina state Court of Justice’s Third Civil Court, ordered independent news…
Brazilian radio journalist Marco Antônio Ferreira threatened, car burned
Rio de Janeiro, December 23, 2020 – Brazilian authorities must promptly and thoroughly investigate threats to radio journalist Marco Antônio Ferreira and the burning of his car, and determine if they were related to his reporting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Around 3:30 a.m. on December 12, Ferreira, a host at the privately-owned broadcaster…
Cuban journalist Carlos Manuel Álvarez harassed, assaulted by security agents
Miami, December 23, 2020 — Cuban authorities must stop harassing and intimidating journalist Carlos Manuel Álvarez, and allow all members of the press to report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 21, at about 2 p.m., security agents in the Playa municipality of Havana summoned Álvarez to a local police station,…
Honduran radio host Pedro Canelas shot and killed
Los Angeles, December 22, 2020 – Honduran authorities should conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the killing of journalist Pedro Canelas, determine whether his killing was related to his work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 19, in the southern city of Dulce Nombre de…
Murders of journalists more than double worldwide
Retaliatory killings of journalists worldwide rose significantly in 2020 from the previous year, but deaths covering war dropped sharply. A CPJ special report by Jennifer Dunham December 22, 2020 NEW YORK The number of journalists murdered in retaliation for their work more than doubled in 2020, as criminal gangs and militant groups targeted reporters working…