CPJ disappointed by verdict in trial for murder of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak
Brussels, September 3, 2020—In response to the acquittal of businessman Marián Kočner in the trial for murder of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, the Committee to Project Journalists issued the following statement: “We are surprised and disappointed that the long investigation into Ján Kuciak’s murder has ended with the acquittal of…
At least 10 journalists detained covering protest in Belarus, 6 remain in custody
Vilnius, Lithuania, September 2, 2020 — Belarusian authorities should immediately release journalists detained while covering protests in the country, and stop harassing and arresting members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, police in Minsk, the capital, detained at least 10 journalists covering a student rally demanding the resignation of President…
Bulgarian journalist attacked while covering ruling party conference
On August 5, 2020, at the conference of the ruling GERB party in Sofia, Bulgaria, an unidentified man attacked journalist Polina Paunova, a correspondent for the U.S. Congress-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, according to news reports, a video of the incident posted to Facebook, and the journalist, who communicated with CPJ via email. In…
Turkey to try 2 journalists for alleged membership in terrorist groups
Istanbul, August 31, 2020 – Turkish authorities should drop all charges against journalists Rawin Sterk and Selman Keleş, release Sterk from prison, and cease filing bogus terrorism charges against the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 2, the 34th Istanbul Court of Serious Crimes, in Çağlayan, is scheduled to begin proceedings…
Russian journalist David Frenkel’s car vandalized following June attack at voting station
New York, August 31, 2020 – Russian authorities must conduct a full and thorough investigation into the vandalizing of journalist David Frenkel’s car, and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Between the night of August 26 and the early hours of August 27, unidentified attackers slashed all four tires…
Belarus strips journalists working for foreign outlets of accreditation
New York, August 29, 2020—Authorities in Belarus today withdrew accreditation from at least 17 journalists who had been covering post-election protests for foreign media outlets, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists and news reports. The journalists included local and Russian journalists working for outlets such as the British Broadcasting Corporation, Reuters, The Associated Press,…
Four press freedom trends to watch amid Belarus’s antigovernment protests
The images coming out of Belarus look like scenes from a blockbuster film: A president clinging to power striding out of a helicopter holding a Kalashnikov assault rifle, while his gun-toting teenage son and heir apparent walks alongside him in a helmet and military vest; the protesters calling for the president’s removal singing songs, playing music, and taking off their…
Russian journalists imprisoned, beaten during arrests and detention
New York, August 25, 2020 – Russian authorities must immediately release journalists Aleksandr Dorogov and Yan Katelevskiy, drop all charges against them, and ensure that members of the press can work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. In the early hours of July 29, police in the village of Mosrentgen, near…
Turkish journalist Erkan Akkuş arrested after 4 years in hiding
Istanbul, August 25, 2020 – Turkish authorities should release journalist Erkan Akkuş immediately and cease jailing members of the press for their work and political commentary, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On August 22, police in the western province of Kocaeli detained Akkuş, former news editor and anchor for the now-shuttered Bugün TV…
Demonstrators attack, obstruct journalists covering protests against COVID-19 lockdown in Germany
Since mid-July, 2020, German protesters against the country’s COVID-19 restrictions have attacked journalists covering their demonstrations, according to news reports and videos of the incidents shared on social media. On July 17, at a protest in the town of Weiden, Bavaria, protesters harassed Beate Josefine Luber, a local freelance reporter covering the demonstrations for regional…