Turkey’s legal year begins with new terrorism charges, convictions for journalists
In the first week of the legal year when courts open, Turkish courts convicted two journalists on terrorism charges, brought new terrorism charges against two others, and rejected an appeal for the release of 15 journalists and one media worker, who have been in pretrial detention for nearly three months. On Wednesday, September 7, 2022,…
Russian authorities revoke Novaya Gazeta’s online media license
Paris, September 15, 2022 — In response to news reports that the Russian Supreme Court revoked the online license of the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper only 10 days after a Moscow court revoked the outlet’s print license, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “By revoking Novaya Gazeta’s online license only days after…
Attendees attack, insult 2 German reporters covering public political discussion about energy prices
Berlin, September 15, 2022 — German authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the attack on two journalists covering a political meeting and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On the evening of September 2, Moritz Gathmann, a reporter for monthly print magazine Cicero, and his female…
Russian Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union shuttered by Moscow court order
Paris, September 14, 2022 — In response to news reports that the Moscow city court on Wednesday closed the independent Russian Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union trade group at the request of Moscow’s prosecutor office, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for authorities to reverse their decision and to let the union work freely:…
CPJ condemns 13-year sentence for Belarusian journalist Dzianis Ivashyn
Paris, September 14, 2022 – In response to multiple news reports that a court in Belarus on Wednesday convicted and sentenced Dzianis Ivashyn to 13 years and one month in prison for treason and interfering with law enforcement, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement condemning the court ruling: “CPJ is deeply shocked…
Turkish authorities arrest journalist Sinan Aygül for refusing to pay fine
Istanbul, September 13, 2022—Turkish authorities should immediately release journalist Sinan Aygül and allow him to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Aygül, chief editor of the privately owned local news website Bitlis News and chair of the Bitlis Journalists Society, a local trade group, was arrested by police in the eastern city…
CPJ calls on Ukrainian lawmakers to drop media bill
Paris, September 13, 2022 – In response to media reports that Ukraine’s parliament passed in its first reading on August 30 a media bill that threatens to restrict press freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for the bill to be dropped: “Ukraine’s media bill seriously imperils press freedom in the country by tightening government…
Russian journalist Badma Byurchiyev assaulted in Elista
Paris, September 13, 2022 — Russian authorities should swiftly investigate the assault on Badma Byurchiyev, determine whether it was linked to his journalistic activity, and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Thursday, September 8, unidentified people attacked Byurchiyev, a news reporter with independent news website Kavkazsky Uzel (Caucasian…
Azerbaijani journalist Avaz Zeynalli, lawyer Elchin Sadygov remanded for 4 months on bribery charges
New York, September 12, 2022 – Azerbaijani authorities should release journalist Avaz Zeynalli and lawyer Elchin Sadygov and drop the charges against them, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Saturday, September 10, uniformed officers who identified themselves as part of the prosecutor general’s office arrested Zeynalli, owner and chief editor of the independent…