Europe & Central Asia

Contact CPJ Europe & Central Asia

Facebook: CPJ ECA Desk
Program Coordinator:
Gulnoza Said

Researcher:
Anna Brakha

Tel: 212-465-1004
Fax: 212-214-0640

Knight Foundation Press Freedom Center
P.O. Box 2675
New York, NY 10108 USA

  

CPJ, partners condemn total impunity 27 years after murder of Serbian editor Slavko Ćuruvija

Berlin, April 10, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists and partner organizations marked the 27th anniversary of the assassination of Serbian newspaper publisher and editor Slavko Ćuruvija on April 10 by condemning the complete impunity for those responsible for one of the most serious attacks on journalism in the country’s history. Slavko Ćuruvija, a prominent critic of the…

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Moscow police raid Novaya Gazeta, detain journalist Oleg Roldugin 

Update: On April 10, a court in Moscow placed Roldugin under arrest until May 10, pending investigation.  Berlin, April 9, 2026—Russian authorities must immediately release journalist Oleg Roldugin and stop the targeted persecution of the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, whose office was searched on Thursday in Moscow, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. On April 9, law…

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RFE/RL's Azerbaijani journalist Farid Mehralizada (left) and Abzas Media staff Elnara Gasimova, Nargiz Absalamova, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Hafiz Babali, Ulvi Hasanli, and Mahammad Kekalov are seen in this composite image published by Abzas Media.

Azerbaijan Supreme Court rejects appeal of 7 Abzas Media, RFE/RL imprisoned journalists 

New York, April 8, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Azerbaijani Supreme Court’s April 3 decision to uphold lengthy prison sentences for six journalists from the independent media outlet Abzas Media and a correspondent for U.S. Congress-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). CPJ calls on the authorities to immediately release all journalists wrongly jailed during the country’s…

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks to parliament in Budapest. Ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections, CPJ recommends ways to stem a declining media landscape.

Hungarian elections: CPJ calls on all candidates to commit to 10 key steps to restore press freedom 

Berlin, April 8, 2026—Ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections on April 12, the Committee to Protect Journalists is calling on all political parties to commit to restoring press freedom, starting with 10 priority issues.  Hungary’s media landscape has declined severely in the last 16 years under the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. His ruling Fidesz party…

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IWMF

CPJ, partners condemn Russia’s labeling of IWMF as ‘undesirable organization’ 

Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026— The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and partners in the Journalist Assistance Network (JAN) condemn Russia’s unabashed attempt to silence independent journalism and the civil society that supports their critical work by designating the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) an “undesirable organization.”  In response, the JAN issued the following statement…

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Viorica Tătaru’s coverage of the death of a kindergarten teacher led to her being bombarded with accusations and insults.

Moldovan journalist Viorica Tătaru targeted by smear campaign

New York, April 2, 2026—Moldovan authorities must swiftly investigate the online smear campaign against Viorica Tătaru, a journalist with independent broadcaster TV8, and ensure that journalists in Moldova can report freely and without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Following Tătaru’s coverage of a March 21 gathering in memory of Ludmila Vartic, a kindergarten teacher who died on March 3 after apparently enduring years…

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Journalists in Serbia are facing an ever-worsening press freedom crisis.

Attacks on journalists in focus after CPJ and partners’ joint mission to Serbia

Berlin, April 1, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists and partner organizations raised serious concerns on Wednesday about the safety of independent journalists in Serbia, citing a deepening press freedom crisis marked by rising violence, threats, impunity, and tight political control. The warnings follow a two-day visit to Belgrade on March 26–27, where a coalition of…

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Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi faces espionage charges after reporting on alleged Russian influence operations, in a move critics say threatens press freedom ahead of upcoming elections.

Hungary files espionage charges against investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi

Berlin, April 1, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Hungarian authorities to immediately drop all espionage charges against investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi, and ensure that journalists can cover national security issues without intimidation or threats of imprisonment. On March 26, Gergely Gulyás, chief of staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, announced that the government had filed criminal charges against…

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Journalist Anna Kalyuzhna says she has received more than 150 messages on Facebook containing insults and misogynistic remarks.

Journalist Anna Kalyuzhna harassed over Facebook post on Ukraine assault regiments

New York, March 27, 2026—Ukrainian authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into recent online harassment against Ukrainian journalist Anna Kalyuzhna and ensure that journalists can work without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.  On March 6, Kalyuzhna, a journalist with Ukrainian investigative outlet Slidstvo.Info as well as Novynarnia, which has been…

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CPJ submitted a statement for the record to a March 25 hearing held by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress.

CPJ urges US Congress, Trump administration to prioritize release of Ukrainian journalists detained by Russia

The Committee to Protect Journalists submitted a statement for the record to a March 25 hearing held by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress on the abduction of Ukrainian children and ongoing accountability efforts related to the Russia-Ukraine war. The statement highlights the impact of the war on journalists and media.  The physical…

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