Ukrainian journalists detained in Austria; authorities must urgently explain why
Berlin, October 9, 2026—Austrian authorities must urgently explain why Ukrainian investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach and his colleague Yaroslav Bondarenko were violently detained in Vienna on Thursday and held for more than 12 hours on suspicion of espionage, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Friday. Both men work for the independent news website Ukrainska Pravda….
Journalist Derya Okatan arrested in Turkey for allegedly possessing classified material
Istanbul, October 6, 2026—Turkish authorities must immediately release journalist Derya Okatan and stop an escalating press crackdown that in this case involves imprisoning a veteran reporter based on flimsy evidence, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Okatan, who most recently worked for independent broadcaster TELE1 before it was taken over by the government, was…
Inside Turkey’s Lawfare: How Turkey uses its disinformation law against journalists
Istanbul, October 5, 2026—Turkish authorities have weaponized the country’s disinformation law to stifle independent reporting by repeatedly detaining and arresting journalists on charges of spreading false information based on the vague tenets of this poorly conceived legislation. This tactic fits into a global pattern of using legal systems and institutions to criminalize legitimate journalism and…
CPJ, partners call on Malta to ensure broad consultation on draft media reform bill
The Committee to Protect Journalists and other press freedom organizations on Thursday called on Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela to allow sufficient time for an open, transparent, and consultative review, including by international experts, of a draft media reform bill, due to be introduced to parliament in the coming weeks. The bill’s introduction comes just…
Turkey arrests 2 more journalists as authorities ramp up use of disinformation law to silence the press
Istanbul, September 29, 2026—Turkey is blatantly using its disinformation law to detain and arrest journalists, with two more reporters arrested in recent days. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls urgently on authorities to repeal this poorly conceived legislation and release all those unjustly held. Ali Tarakçı, a journalist who broadcasts on YouTube, was arrested on…
Northern Ireland: 25 years after journalist Martin O’Hagan was murdered, CPJ and Amnesty call for new investigation
London, September 28, 2026—A quarter of a century after journalist Martin O’Hagan was shot dead in Northern Ireland, his family is still waiting for justice. On the anniversary of his death, CPJ and Amnesty International UK are calling for a fresh investigation, and for the immediate publication of a long delayed Ombudsman’s report into police…
Assaulted and threatened: risks surge for journalists ahead of Serbia elections
Berlin, September 22, 2026—As Serbians prepare to vote in October parliamentary elections, journalists covering the polls are at serious risk of threats, violence and hostility of the sort that has become increasingly common during President Aleksandar Vučić’s time in office. Recent attacks on reporters covering political rallies ahead of the vote on October 25 provide an…
Journalists attacked while covering violent farmers’ protest in Romania
Berlin, September 21, 2026—Romanian authorities must swiftly investigate attacks on journalists covering last week’s farmers’ protest in Bucharest, and make sure those responsible are held accountable while also respecting journalists’ right to protect their sources, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. After the protests on September 15, police publicly requested footage from media, civil…
Turkey must release journalist Ahmet Polad following his transfer from Syria after months of captivity
New York, September 18, 2026–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Turkish authorities to immediately release Ahmet Polad, a Kurdish-Turkish journalist who was transferred to Turkey this month after nearly eight months of enforced disappearance in Syria and is reported to be in extremely poor health. Polad’s lawyer, Özlem Gümüştaş, told CPJ on Friday that…
Turkey must drop charges against 3 ETHA journalists, including jailed editor Nadiye Gürbüz
Istanbul, September 17, 2026—Journalist Nadiye Gürbüz, who went on trial in Istanbul this week after spending more than seven months behind bars, must be freed immediately and Turkish authorities must stop abusing anti-terrorism laws to prevent journalists from doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday. Gürbüz, an editor at the socialist…