Covering Ukraine: When a Russian missile brought death to a popular pizza restaurant
It is around 7:30 p.m. on June 27 in the Ria Lounge, one of the few restaurants still open in Kramatorsk, a frontline city in eastern Ukraine. Known by regulars as “Ria Pizza” for its signature dish, the restaurant is packed on this summer Tuesday. Locals, aid workers, off-duty soldiers, and journalists have flocked here…
Russia’s Supreme Court upholds 22-year prison sentence for journalist Ivan Safronov
New York, August 2, 2023 — In response to the Russian Supreme Court decision on Wednesday to uphold the 22-year prison sentence of journalist Ivan Safronov, who was convicted of treason last year, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “The Russian Supreme Court’s refusal to overturn Ivan Safronov’s 22-year prison…
Azerbaijani journalist Vugar Mammadov sentenced to 30 days in jail over interview
Stockholm, July 28, 2023 – Azerbaijani authorities should release journalist Vugar Mammadov and stop retaliating against journalists for reporting on issues in the public interest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Monday, July 24, the Narimanov District Court in the capital, Baku, sentenced Mammadov, chief editor of independent news outlet Hurriyyet, to 30…
Russian authorities in Crimea detain 2 journalists; Kulamet Ibraimov remains in custody
New York, July 27, 2023—Authorities in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea must drop all charges against journalists Lutfiye Zudiyeva and Kulamet Ibraimov, release Ibraimov immediately, and stop prosecuting members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Thursday, July 27, police in the Crimean capital of Simferopol detained…
Turkish authorities detain 5 journalists over tweet, 1 remains in custody
Istanbul, July 26, 2023—Turkish authorities should immediately release reporter Fırat Can Arslan and stop treating journalists like criminals, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Tuesday, July 25, Turkish police detained Arslan, a reporter for the pro-Kurdish Mezopotamya News Agency, at his house in the capital city of Ankara, in relation to an investigation…
Exiled Cuban journalist Abraham Jiménez Enoa threatened in Spain
São Paulo, July 26, 2023—Spanish authorities must investigate threats made to exiled Cuban journalist Abraham Jiménez Enoa and ensure his and his family’s safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Tuesday, July 25, two unidentified men with Cuban accents threatened Jiménez as he was walking home with his two-year-old son in Barcelona, according…
Russia bans exiled outlet Dozhd TV as ‘undesirable’
New York, July 26, 2023—Russian authorities should stop attempting to silence the exiled broadcaster Dozhd TV (TV Rain) and cease using the country’s “undesirable organization” law to intimidate independent media and their audiences, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Tuesday, July 25, the Russian general prosecutor’s office outlawed SIA TV Rain and TVR…
Belarusian journalist Pavel Mazheika sentenced to 6 years in prison
New York, July 26, 2023—In response to a Belarusian court sentencing journalist Pavel Mazheika to six years in prison on Wednesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “The sentencing of Pavel Mazheika to six years’ imprisonment once again exposes how Belarusian authorities use charges of extremism to jail independent journalists,”…
At least 3 journalists injured while covering Ukraine war
New York, July 26, 2023—Russian and Ukrainian authorities should swiftly investigate the recent attacks on journalists reporting in Ukraine and ensure that members of the press are not targeted while covering the war, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Monday, July 24, Dylan Collins, a U.S. video journalist with the French news agency…
CPJ calls for transparency in UK investigation into journalist surveillance
New York, July 25, 2023 – British authorities should make public the findings of an investigation into allegations that Northern Ireland police surveilled journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey in 2013 and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. “British authorities should ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into the…