Libyan TV journalist arrested without charge
Washington, D.C., January 25, 2017–Libyan security forces should charge or release Wiem Ben Zabia, a cameraman for the Libya Panorama Channel (LPC), the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Security forces detained Ben Zabia at a checkpoint near the eastern Libyan city of Derna on January 14, according to his employer, sister, and a video…
CPJ calls on Bahrain to allow Al-Wasat to publish freely
New York, January 17, 2017–The government of Bahrain should rescind an order suspending the online edition of Al-Wasat, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The Information Affairs Ministry ordered the independent outlet yesterday to suspend its online operation indefinitely for inciting division, jeopardizing national unity, and disrupting public peace, according to the official Bahrain…
CPJ calls for release of kidnapped South African journalist Shiraaz Mohamed
New York, January 17, 2017–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called for the immediate release of Shiraaz Mohamed, a South African freelance journalist who was kidnapped in Syria last week while documenting the humanitarian relief effort in northern Syria.
Egypt arrests Al-Jazeera producer on fake news charge
New York, December 27, 2016–Egyptian authorities must release Al-Jazeera news producer Mahmoud Hussein immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Officials initially questioned Hussein on December 20 when he arrived in Egypt on a family visit from Qatar, where he is based, according to reports. Hussein was arrested on December 23, Al-Jazeera said.
CPJ calls on Egypt to lift travel ban on blogger Esraa Abdel Fattah
New York, December 23, 2016–Egypt must lift the travel ban imposed on Esraa Abdel Fattah, an Egyptian blogger, columnist, and social media activist, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Abdel Fattah has been under a travel ban for nearly two years, alongside other bloggers and civil society activists who authorities have accused of illegally…
Swedish journalist expelled from Syria
New York, December 15, 2016 – The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Syrian government’s decision to expel Swedish radio journalist Cecilia Uddén from the country today. According to her employer, Radio Sweden, Uddén’s authorized reporting trip to Damascus and Aleppo was forcibly cut short when the government accused her of circulating “false information.”
How CPJ researches the killing and jailing of journalists
Who is a journalist? In the era of citizen journalism, activist journalism and now “fake” journalism, the question is not academic. The Committee to Protect Journalists has just published its annual census of journalists in prison and next week it will release its survey of killed journalists.
CPJ calls on Syrian government to protect journalists in Aleppo
New York, December 13, 2016–The Syrian government and its allies should ensure the safety of journalists in Aleppo, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Pro-government forces have in recent days made major advances on rebel-held territory in the city, threatening journalists and other civilians caught in the siege.
Turkey’s crackdown propels number of journalists in jail worldwide to record high
At least 81 journalists are imprisoned in Turkey, all of them facing anti-state charges, in the wake of an unprecedented crackdown that has included the shuttering of more than 100 news outlets. The 259 journalists in jail worldwide is the highest number recorded since 1990. A CPJ special report by Elana Beiser