Taliban authorities detain 2 journalists, ban women’s voices from broadcasts in Helmand
New York, August 15, 2023 — Taliban authorities should immediately and unconditionally release journalist Ataullah Omar, stop harassing members of the press, and drop all restrictions on women’s ability to work in the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Sunday, August 13, Taliban intelligence agents summoned Omar, a journalist at the independent…
Two years into Taliban rule, media repression worsens in Afghanistan
When the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021, they promised to protect press freedom and women’s rights – a key facet of their efforts to paint a picture of moderation compared to their oppressive rule in the late 1990s. “We are committed to the media within our cultural frameworks. Private media can continue to…
Taliban must end media crackdown in Afghanistan after two years’ rule
Kuala Lumpur, August 14, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Taliban to stop its relentless campaign of media intimidation and abide by its promise to protect journalists in Afghanistan. “Two years after the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan’s once vibrant free press is a ghost of its former self,” Beh Lih Yi, CPJ’s Asia program…
Taliban intelligence agents detain three journalists on claims they reported for exiled media
New York, August 11, 2023 — Taliban authorities should immediately and unconditionally release journalists Faqir Mohammad Faqirzai, Jan Agha Saleh, and Hasib Hassas, and cease detaining members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Thursday, August 10, officials from the General Directorate of Intelligence, the Taliban’s intelligence agency,…
Bangladeshi student journalist suspended from university over graft report
On August 2, 2023, Bangladeshi student journalist Mohammad Iqbal Monowar was suspendedfrom the state-run Comilla University for reporting on a speech by the university’s vice-chancellor about corruption, according to news reports and Monowar, who spoke with CPJ by phone. Monowar, 24, was studying for a Master’s in English at Comilla University in eastern Bangladesh while…
Bangladesh to replace draconian Digital Security Act with new law
Kuala Lumpur, August 7, 2023 – In response to news reports that the Bangladesh government on Monday announced its decision to replace the draconian Digital Security Act, which has been routinely used to criminalize journalists, with a new law, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “This is a step in the right…
CPJ urges Pakistan lawmakers to reconsider bills that could undermine press freedom
New York, August 4, 2023—Pakistan lawmakers should reject or revise four draft bills likely to undermine press freedom and consult with journalists and other stakeholders in a transparent review process before putting the bills to a vote, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On July 20, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb introduced in the lower…
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…