Impact

September edition

IOC creates mechanism for journalist complaints after CPJ consultation

In early August, we welcomed the creation of a press freedom complaints mechanism by the International Olympic Committee. The move followed years of advocacy with the IOC by CPJ and other rights groups to do more to hold governments that host the Olympic Games accountable for press freedom abuses.

August edition

Pentagon updates Law of War Manual to recognize journalists' role in covering conflict

Frank Smyth, CPJ's security consultant, was stunned when he read the newly released Law of War Manual from the U.S. Department of Defense in June 2015. The manual included language that allowed journalists to be categorized as "unprivileged belligerents," which would allow military commanders to detain journalists indefinitely outside the rules of war.

"I was shocked that the manual failed to recognize the role and importance of independent reporting, while placing journalists in the same potential category as terrorists, saboteurs and spies," Smyth said.

CPJ Newsletter: July edition

CPJ campaigns for Mauritanian blogger

CPJ has been working actively, including behind the scenes, to secure the release of Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed, a Mauritanian blogger who has been sentenced to death on charges of apostasy.

CPJ Newsletter: June edition

Khadija Ismayilova thanks CPJ, says she will fight for her cause

Khadija's first photo after jail pic.twitter.com/sj358k5WdU

-- Khadija Ismayilova (@Khadija_Ismayil) May 25, 2016

CPJ Europe and Central Asia Senior Research Associate Muzaffar Suleymanov spoke to investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova a few hours after her release from prison on May 25.

CPJ Newsletter: May edition

CPJ publishes annual edition of Attacks on the Press

On April 27, CPJ launched its annual publication of Attacks on the Press. This edition, which focuses on gender and media freedom worldwide, highlights the challenges faced by female journalists who fight to report the news against all odds. The book--and the dialogue it has already generated--is an important step in the fight toward ending sexual violence against female journalists.

CPJ Newsletter: April edition

Four imprisoned journalists freed in Azerbaijan

The president of Azerbaijan in March issued a decree pardoning 148 people, including three imprisoned journalists--Hilal Mamedov, Tofiq Yaqublu, and Parviz Hashimli.

Landmark conviction in 2000 attack on Colombian journalist

A Colombian court on February 26 convicted a former paramilitary fighter in the kidnapping and torture of Colombian journalist Jineth Bedoya and sentenced him to 11 years in prison. The fighter, Alejandro Cárdenas Orozco, was also ordered to pay a fine of around US$17,500.

Turkey releases jailed Iraqi journalist

Following months of advocacy by VICE News, CPJ, and other groups, Iraqi journalist Mohammed Ismael Rasool was released from Turkish prison on January 5. Rasool was arrested in August along with his VICE News colleagues, Jake Hanrahan and Philip Pendlebury, while they were reporting from southeastern Diyarbakir province. The three were charged with "aiding a terrorist organization."

Over the past year, CPJ has documented anti-press violations all over the world, cases of journalists killed, imprisoned, abducted, or threatened in relation to their work. You can see all of our coverage at our website, www.cpj.org.

But here at CPJ Impact we also highlight those times when CPJ has stepped in and advocated for journalists under threat. This year, we made some vital gains in our fight to protect journalists and press freedom.

We know we couldn't have done this without your support. Please continue to join us in our important work.

Today is #GivingTuesday

Please include CPJ in your plans for #GivingTuesday. For more on the work you support, visit our website at www.cpj.org.