CPJ joins renewed call for Romanian authorities to investigate harassment of journalist Emilia Șercan
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined nine other international press freedom organizations in a letter to Romanian authorities on February 17, 2023, expressing deep concern over delays in the investigation into the harassment of investigative journalist Emilia Șercan. Despite earlier calls to Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă and other government officials, authorities have failed to investigate…
Albanian TV crew threatened at gunpoint, camera operator assaulted
Berlin, February 16, 2023 — Albanian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the recent attack on a TV crew for the privately owned broadcaster Top Channel, hold the perpetrators to account, and ensure that reporters covering illegal mining and other environmental issues can work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On February 8,…
Belarus tries 3 NEXTA journalists on myriad of criminal charges
Paris, February 16, 2023 – In response to multiple news reports that the trial of Belarusian journalists Raman Pratasevich, Stsypan Putsila, and Yan Rudzik started on Thursday, with Pratasevich facing trial in person and the others being tried in absentia from exile, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for the many…
Azerbaijani photojournalist Vali Shukurzade sentenced to 30 days in jail
Stockholm, February 15, 2023 – Azerbaijani authorities should release photojournalist Vali Shukurzade and ensure that members of the press do not face trumped-up charges in retaliation for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On the evening of February 4, in the Yasamal district of Baku, the capital, police detained Shukurzade, a freelance…
Russian journalist Maria Ponomarenko sentenced to 6 years in prison
Paris, February 15, 2023 – In response to news reports that a Russian court on Wednesday sentenced journalist Maria Ponomarenko to six years in prison, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “Russian authorities should be ashamed of the six-year prison sentence given to journalist Maria Ponomarenko, whose sole so-called crime…
Journalists covering Turkey earthquake detained and harassed
Istanbul, February 14, 2023 — Turkish authorities must ensure journalists can cover the aftermath of the recent earthquake freely and safely, and should drop investigations into any members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Since a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and parts of Syria on February 6, killing tens…
‘I am challenged at the court for simply doing my job’: Journalists covering climate issues in Europe face growing threats
Skyrocketing temperatures and catastrophic flooding have hammered home the realities of climate change in Europe, making environmental coverage one of the continent’s most important beats. It’s also an increasingly dangerous one as journalists face legal and physical harassment for reporting on polluters, amid other concerns. Of course, Europe isn’t the only place where journalists find…
Belarus authorities detain journalist Vyacheslau Lazarau on undisclosed charges
Paris, February 14, 2023 — Belarusian authorities should disclose the reason for the recent detention of journalist Vyacheslau Lazarau or free him immediately, and ensure that no members of the press are jailed for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On February 9, law enforcement in the northeastern city of Vitebsk detained…
French journalist Erwan Chartier, Le Poher staff receive death threats
Berlin, February 14, 2023 — French authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the death threats received by journalist Erwan Chartier and the editorial staff of the Le Poher newspaper and ensure their safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On January 31, an unidentified person sent an email to Chartier containing racial slurs and…
CPJ joins calls to establish independent investigative mechanism for accountability in human rights violations in Belarus
CPJ joined 27 human rights and press freedom organizations in a letter on Monday, February 13, 2023, calling for the U.N. Human Rights Council to establish an independent investigative mechanism in Belarus. The letter, led by the Oslo-based Human Rights House Foundation, asked the council to create such a mechanism at its next session to…