Middle East & North Africa

  

Online journalist reported missing in Egypt

New York, February 25, 2013–Egyptian authorities must do their utmost to determine the whereabouts and ensure the safety of Mohamed el-Sawi, an online journalist who was reported missing on February 21, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. CPJ also calls on Egypt to stop using the law to intimidate journalists and prevent them from…

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An undated photo of Olivier Voisin. (AFP)

French photographer killed in Syria’s Idlib province

New York, February 25, 2013–A French freelance photographer died in a Turkish hospital on Sunday from shrapnel wounds he received while covering the unrest in Syria’s Idlib province three days earlier, according to news reports. Olivier Voisin, 38, had contributed work to several local and international publications, including Le Monde, The Guardian, and Agence France-Presse.…

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A guard patrols the hallways of Evin Prison. (Reuters/Morteza Nikoubazl)

With another arrest, Iran continues crackdown on press

New York, February, 22, 2013–Yet another journalist has been arrested in Iran as part of the broad crackdown aimed at silencing dissent before Iran’s presidential elections in June, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities to halt their pattern of imprisoning journalists and instead allow members of the press to…

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Israel extends detention of Palestinian cartoonist

New York, February 21, 2013–An Israeli court yesterday extended the detention of Palestinian cartoonist Mohammad Saba’aneh, who has been held since Saturday without charge or access to his lawyer, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities to immediately release the political cartoonist and allow him access to his lawyer.

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Journalist held for 23 days under vague Iraqi law

New York, February 19, 2013–International journalist Nadir Dendoune was released on February 14 after being detained in Iraqi prison for almost a month, according to news reports. Dendoune was arrested for photographing a location officials described as being restricted and was later accused of failing to register under the country’s vague Journalist Protection Law.

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Attacks on the Press in 2012: CPJ Risk List Video

CPJ’s Robert Mahoney identifies the 10 countries where press freedom suffered the most in 2012. They include Syria, the world’s deadliest country for the press; Russia, where repressive laws took effect; Brazil, where journalist murders soared; and Ethiopia, where terror laws are used to silence the press. (3:26)

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Attacks on the Press: On Syria’s Front Lines, Dangers from All Sides

A hard slog with low-life smugglers is a small price for avoiding Syrian forces. By Paul Wood

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Attacks on the Press: Press Braces as Iran Vote Looms

The 2009 vote seemed open for the press. Then came the brutal crackdown. By D. Parvaz

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Running Toward Danger, Syria’s Citizens Become Journalists

In a country filled with paranoia and fear, citizens learn to be reporters. By Oliver Holmes

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Attacks on the Press: Beyond Article 19

The right to news and opinion is enshrined in international law. It’s not enough. By Joel Simon

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