Taliban shuts down Afghan broadcaster Hamisha Bahar over mixed-gender journalism training
New York, August 3, 2023—Taliban authorities must stop their relentless crackdown on the media in Afghanistan and allow private broadcaster Hamisha Bahar Radio and TV to continue its work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Sunday, July 30, about 20 members of the Taliban provincial police raided the office of Hamisha Bahar Radio…
Sri Lankan police arrest, beat journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara
New York, July 28, 2023—Sri Lankan authorities should immediately and unconditionally release journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara and investigate allegations that he was beaten by police, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. At around 3 p.m. on Friday, July 28, police arrested Uduwaragedara after he covered a trade union protest in Borella, a suburb of the…
Taliban intelligence forces detain Afghan journalist Irfanullah Baidar
New York, July 21, 2023 — The Taliban must immediately release journalist Irfanullah Baidar and stop detaining members of the press in Afghanistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On July 12, officers with the Taliban General Directorate of Intelligence stopped Baidar near the Eidgah Mosque in the eastern city of Jalalabad, covered his head with a sack, and forced him into a vehicle, according to news reports and…
Cambodia blocks websites, social media accounts of 3 outlets ahead of Sunday election
Bangkok, July 20, 2023—Cambodia’s government should lift its censorship orders against three news organizations and allow the media to report freely on the July 23 general elections without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. In a July 12 letter, the Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia ordered local internet service providers (ISPs) to…
CPJ urges Bangladesh to stop using Digital Security Act to harass Adhora Yeasmean and other journalists
New York, July 13, 2023—Bangladesh authorities must immediately drop their investigation into journalist Adhora Yeasmean and stop using the Digital Security Act to intimidate journalists in retaliation for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On May 13, the Chittagong Cyber Tribunal, which adjudicates alleged cybercrime offenses in southeast Bangladesh, registered a complaint under…
CPJ urges Bangladeshi authorities to lift shutdown on 2 social media platforms
New York, July 12, 2023 – Two Bangladeshi social media outlets shuttered by authorities must be allowed to operate freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday, amid mounting indications of a pre-election campaign to silence critical voices. On Sunday, June 25, the Chittagong district administration in southeast Bangladesh sealed the offices of the privately…
Myanmar sentences The Irrawaddy publisher Thaung Win to 5 years prison for sedition
Bangkok, July 3, 2023 – Myanmar’s military authorities must immediately release Thaung Win, stop persecuting journalists for their work, and let the independent news outlet The Irrawaddy operate freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On June 28, the Western Yangon District Court sentenced Thaung Win, The Irrawaddy’s publisher, to five years in prison…
Hong Kong denies entry to Japanese journalist Yoshiaki Ogawa
Taipei, June 30, 2023—In response to Hong Kong immigration authorities denying entry to freelance Japanese journalist Yoshiaki Ogawa on Thursday, June 29, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Hong Kong authorities should explain their reasons for denying journalist Yoshiaki Ogawa’s entry or grant him permission to return to the city at once,”…
Unidentified attackers shoot Philippine journalist Joshua Abiad and family
Bangkok, June 30, 2023—Philippine authorities should thoroughly investigate the shooting of journalist Joshua Abiad, determine if the attack was related to his reporting, and bring the perpetrators to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Thursday, June 29, unidentified gunmen shot Abiad while he was driving with his family in Quezon City, Metro…
CPJ calls on Philippine authorities to arrest suspects in killing of journalist Percival Mabasa
Bangkok, June 22, 2023—In response to Philippine Department of Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano’s statements on Tuesday, June 20, that arresting Gerald Bantag, a suspect in the killing of journalist Percival Mabasa, was “a little bit tricky” because Bantag had “certain networks with the police,” the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Philippine police…