CPJ, partners demand release of detained Shi’a Muslims in Egypt, including journalist Haidar Qandil
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined partner organizations on Wednesday to strongly condemn the arrest and enforced disappearance of at least 36 Shi’a Muslims in Egypt, including journalist Haidar Qandil, and called for their immediate release. Qandil was arrested on June 22, 2026, outside the offices of Al-Dostor newspaper in Giza, Greater Cairo, and taken…
CPJ, partners demand release of Egyptian cartoonist Ashraf Omar on arrest anniversary
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined partner organizations on Wednesday to mark Ashraf Omar’s second arrest anniversary by calling for his immediate release. In the letter, the signatories voice concern over the significant time that has passed since the Al-Manassa cartoonist was arrested in his home on July 22, 2024 and their refusal to accept…
Ahead of appeal ruling, CPJ and partners call on Egypt to release Ahmed Douma
In a joint statement, the Committee to Protect Journalists joined several press freedom and human rights organizations on Thursday, urging Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release political writer Ahmed Douma. Douma was arrested on April 6 at the Supreme State Security Prosecution headquarters following a six-hour interrogation and held for nearly two months in…
The high price journalists paid for LGBTQ+ reporting, and how to protect yourself now
As LGBTQ+ communities celebrate Pride this June, many journalists continue to face an ugly reality: simply reporting on this community can open them up to prosecution, physical attacks, threats, arrest, exile, and even death. Avijit Roy, a Bangladeshi-born American who blogged about LGBTQ+ rights and free expression, was stabbed to death alongside his wife after…
Egypt must account for missing journalist Haidar Qandil
Washington, D.C., June 24, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Egyptian authorities to immediately reveal the whereabouts of prominent journalist Haidar Qandil, who disappeared Monday after leaving his office, according to his family and several media outlets. Freelance Egyptian journalist Iman Adel said in a Facebook post that she had been in contact with…
CPJ, partners urge EU to push Egypt on rights and press freedom reforms
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 14 other press freedom and human rights organizations on Monday, expressing concern over Egypt’s failure to show meaningful progress on human rights, democracy, or the rule of law, despite the European Union presenting such progress as a key condition of the €5 billion (US$5.75 billion) macro-financial assistance (MFA) package…
Egypt sentences commentator Ahmed Douma to 1 year in prison
Washington, D.C., June 3, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the release of Egyptian political commentator Ahmed Douma, who was handed a one-year prison sentence on Wednesday over his criticism of conditions inside Egypt’s prisons. “The sentencing of Ahmed Douma for writing about prison conditions is a stark violation of the right to free…
Egyptian, Lebanese journalists targeted in cyber attacks
Washington, D.C., April 8, 2026 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by new reports about spear-phishing attacks against several Egyptian and Lebanese journalists aimed at compromising their Apple, Microsoft, and Google accounts. According to reports by digital rights organizations Access Now and SMEX, unidentified entities likely hired a South Asia-focused cyber espionage group…
Egypt arrests commentator Ahmed Douma over article and posts
Washington, D.C., April 7, 2026 — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Egyptian authorities to immediately release political commentator Ahmed Douma, who was arrested on April 6 at the Supreme State Security Prosecution headquarters following a six-hour interrogation, which ordered his detention for four days pending investigation. Douma is facing several charges, including publishing…
CPJ, partners call to end Egyptian cartoonist Ashraf Omar’s judicial harassment
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined four other organizations in calling on Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Al-Manassa cartoonist Ashraf Omar, who has been in prison for almost 20 months. Following his arrest on July 22, 2024, Omar was charged with “joining a terrorist group,” “spreading false news,” and “misusing social media.” On…