CPJ, 25 others urge Bahraini leaders to release blogger Abduljalil Alsingace after his hunger strike exceeds 3 years
On July 8, the Committee to Protect Journalists joined 25 human rights organizations in urging Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to immediately release blogger Abduljalil Alsingace and ensure he receives urgent medical care. The statement was issued to mark three years since…
Journalist Ahmed al-Zoubi jailed in Jordan 11 months after conviction under Cybercrime Law
Istanbul, July 8, 2024—Jordanian authorities must immediately drop all charges against journalist Ahmed Hassan al-Zoubi, release him from jail, and stop using the Cybercrime Law against journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On July 2, Jordanian authorities arrested al-Zoubi, a satirical journalist and publisher of the Sawalif news website, 11 months after he…
Journalist threatened after reporting on drug trafficking in northern Syria
Since June 10, 2024, Syrian journalist Jomaa Akash, a correspondent for the Saudi state-owned broadcasters Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, has received threats of violence on social media, according to statements by the independent Syrian Journalists Association (SYJA) and Syrian Kurdish Journalists Network, and the journalist who spoke to CPJ. The threats followed Akash’s June…
Algerian authorities detain 2 journalists over news report
New York, July 5, 2024—Algerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalists Omar Ferhat and Sofiane Ghirous, drop all charges against them, and stop arresting journalists for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Algerian authorities arrested Ferhat, director of local independent news website Algeria Scoop, and Ghirous, the outlet’s editor-in-chief, in the…
After 8 months in detention, Syrian journalist Sleman Ahmed faces spying charges in Iraq
Sulaymaniyah, June 24, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Iraqi Kurdish authorities to immediately and unconditionally free Syrian journalist Sleman Ahmed, who has been detained for eight months, and drop all charges against him. Ahmed — an Arabic editor for the local news website RojNews — is due to stand trial before Duhok Criminal…
Forced to flee: Exiled journalists face unsafe passage and transnational repression
By Lucy Westcott/CPJ Emergencies Director Threats, repression, conflict, and unrest: across the world, these and other factors are pushing journalists into exile in record numbers. In a striking development, exiled or soon-to-be exiled journalists now make up more than half of the people CPJ assists. Between January and June 2024, CPJ provided financial support to…
Palestinian-Jordanian journalist Hiba Abu Taha sentenced to one year in prison
Istanbul, June 14, 2024 — Jordanian authorities must immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against Palestinian-Jordanian journalist Hiba Abu Taha, release her, and allow all journalists to cover issues related to the Israel-Gaza war without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On June 11, the Soloh Court in Amman sentenced Abu…
Iranian journalist Hossein Shanbehzadeh, others imprisoned ahead of presidential election
Washington, D.C., June 11, 2024—Iranian authorities must immediately release blogger and book editor Hossein Shanbehzadeh and drop the espionage charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Officers with the Iranian Cyber Police arrested Shanbehzadeh on espionage charges in the northwestern city of Ardabil, in Ardabil province, on Thursday, June 6. His social…
Sudanese journalist Makawi Mohamed Ahmed and brother killed during RSF attack
New York, June 6, 2024 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is shocked by reports that journalist Makawi Mohamed Ahmed, a reporter at the official state news agency of Sudan (SUNA), and his brother Shamseddine Mohamed Ahmed were killed by the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during its Wednesday attack on the village of…
Two journalists harassed, assaulted and detained during Flag March in Jerusalem
New York, June 6, 2024 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the harassment and assault of Palestinian journalist Saif Kwasmi and Israeli journalist Nir Hasson during yesterday’s Jerusalem Day Flag March and urged Israeli authorities to identify the attackers and hold them to account. During the annual Jerusalem Day Flag March, which commemorates…