Indian journalist Sandhya Ravishankar describes ‘conflict zone for female journalists’ ahead of Tamil Nadu elections
Political campaigning in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu has hit a fever pitch as the state prepares for elections on April 6. The contest is between political alliances led by the incumbent All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the main opposition party. The campaigns pose heightened…
Jailed under Digital Security Act, Bangladeshi cartoonist Kabir Kishore says he was tortured
Bangladeshi cartoonist Kabir Kishore’s first stop after he was released from prison on March 4 after 10 months in custody was the hospital, where he was treated for a burst eardrum, leg injuries, diabetes, and other ailments after being taken from his home, jailed, and allegedly tortured. Days before his release, his colleague Mushtaq Ahmed, a co-accused…
At least 17 journalists injured covering protests in Bangladesh
Washington, D.C., March 29, 2021 – Bangladesh police must ensure that officers do not harm members of the press covering protests, and should investigate attacks on journalists by demonstrators and police officers, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 25 and 26, in Dhaka, the capital, members of the Chhatra League, the youth…
‘I had escaped death’: 64 Tianwang journalist Wang Jing recounts her traumatic imprisonment in China
Most journalists jailed in China are afraid to speak out after their release. In a rare interview, Wang Jing, who is now in the United States seeking asylum, has recounted her imprisonment and alleged torture in China. Wang was arrested in 2014 when she was reporting on a protest for the now-defunct news outlet 64 Tianwang. In…
Myanmar military arrests 3 Kanbawza Tai News staffers in late night raid
Bangkok, March 26, 2021 – Myanmar’s military authorities must immediately release all detained employees of Kanbawza Tai News, drop any charges against them, and stop jailing reporters for their news coverage, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the night of March 24, police raided the media outlet’s office and two of its employees’…
Pakistani journalist Ajay Lalwani dies after suffering three gunshot wounds
Washington, D.C., March 19, 2021—Authorities in Sindh province, Pakistan, must immediately launch a credible investigation and apprehend those responsible for the killing of journalist Ajay Lalwani, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Lalwani, a local general news correspondent for the privately owned Urdu language Daily Puchano, died yesterday after suffering three gunshot wounds on Wednesday…
Myanmar military files criminal mutiny charges against The Irrawaddy, detains 2 journalists
Bangkok, March 19, 2021 – Myanmar’s military junta should drop all charges against The Irrawaddy news group, stop using legal threats to intimidate journalists covering ongoing anti-coup protests, and release all journalists in its custody, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 12, the military government charged The Irrawaddy, a privately owned newspaper, under Article…
CPJ calls for immediate release of AP’s Thein Zaw, all other journalists detained in Myanmar
Bangkok, March 12, 2021 – In response to today’s court ruling allowing Myanmar authorities to continue holding Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw and at least six other members of the press in detention on criminal charges, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw and all other journalists wrongly detained in…
CPJ joins calls for tech firms and Indian government to ensure free access to information
The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined nine other human rights and free expression groups in a statement urging social media platforms to respect human rights, and for the Indian government to withdraw new regulations that could stifle free speech online. The statement listed some of the Indian government’s recent efforts to silence criticism and…