Middle East & North Africa

  
The camera that belonged to Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed by Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on October 13, is displayed at a press conference by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as they released findings from their investigations into his death in Beirut, Lebanon, on December 7, 2023.

CPJ, partners urge UN leaders to release full report on journalist Issam Abdallah’s murder

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined its international partners on Friday in signing a letter urging the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNFIL) to publish its investigation into the murder of Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed by Israeli forces in south Lebanon on October 13, 2023. Four journalists injured in the…

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CPJ calls for Israel to release journalists detained during Al-Shifa hospital raid

Beirut, March 22, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Israeli authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the journalists arrested at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City this week.  On Monday, March 18, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a new offensive on the Al-Shifa hospital complex, arresting scores of Palestinians. An unspecified number of journalists, including…

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‘Back to the dark ages’: Editor Ataf Mohamed on Sudan’s wartime communications blackout

For the last six weeks, Sudan has been almost totally cut off from the world. Since early February, there has been an internet and telecommunications blackout in the country, where a war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed more than 13,000, displaced millions, and threatens to cause widespread…

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Witnesses: IDF assaulted, detained Al-Jazeera journalist in hospital raid

Editor’s note: Journalist Ismail Al-Ghoul was released by Israeli forces on Monday night after being held for almost 12 hours. In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Al-Ghoul recounted how he and several other journalists were assaulted by IDF soldiers, whom he said destroyed the journalists’ tent and damaged their equipment and press vehicles. Al-Ghoul said the…

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Sudanese fighters

CPJ condemns killing of Sudanese journalist Khalid Balal in Darfur

New York, March 6, 2024—The Committee to Protect journalists calls on Sudanese authorities to investigate and hold to account those responsible for killing the journalist Khalid Balal and urges all parties to the conflict to respect members of the press. “We are shocked by the brutal killing of journalist Khalid Balal in his own home…

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Morocco prison confiscates journalist’s letter to wife, prompting hunger strike

New York, March 4, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Moroccan prison authorities’ decision to prevent imprisoned journalist Soulaiman Raissouni from sending a letter to his wife and urgently calls for his immediate release. After authorities in the Ain Borja prison confiscated and withheld a letter meant for his wife, Raissouni, editor-in-chief of independent newspaper Akhbar…

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CPJ urges protection for Israeli journalist threatened with death after accepting film award

Washington, D.C., February 29, 2024—Israeli authorities must ensure necessary protections for Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham and his family, who were repeatedly threatened following criticism from high-level Israeli and German government officials.   Yuval Abraham, an Israeli film director and journalist with the independent news +972 Magazine, said on February 27 that he canceled his flight home…

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Leading news outlets affirm support for journalists in Gaza

Leaders of more than 30 news organizations around the world, including the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Reuters, have joined an open letter on Thursday affirming that they “stand united with Palestinian journalists in their call for safety, protection, and the freedom to report.” The letter, coordinated by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) with…

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Iraqi journalist Omed Baroshky speaks to media after his release on bail on February 22, 2024.

Iraqi Kurdish journalist Omed Baroshky charged with defamation over Facebook post

Three police officers arrested Kurdish journalist Omed Baroshky from his home in the northwestern city of Duhok at around midday on February 22, 2024, on charges of defamation, the journalist and his lawyer Revving Hruri told CPJ. Baroshky was released from the city’s Zirka prison at around 10 p.m. on bail of 3 million dinars…

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CPJ joins calls to UN to push for accountability in murder of Lebanese video journalist Issam Abdallah

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined a combined 120 people and entities, including victims and their families, media outlets, press freedom groups, and human rights groups, in two letters calling on the United Nations to help provide accountability in the murder of Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed by Israeli forces in south…

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