Egyptian journalist Aamer Abdelmonem detained on false news and terrorism charges, denied medication
New York, January 4, 2021 – Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Aamer Abdelmonem, and ensure that he receives proper medical treatment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 19, security officers arrested Abdelmonem, a freelance columnist who contributes to Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera, from his home in Cairo, according to Al-Jazeera…
Moroccan authorities arrest journalist Maati Monjib
New York, December 29, 2020 – Moroccan authorities must immediately release journalist and press freedom advocate Maati Monjib, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Security forces arrested Monjib, a contributor to the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi as well as other outlets, today at a restaurant in the capital Rabat, according to a Facebook post by independent journalist and Moroccan…
Journalist safety in 2020
In this unforgettably tumultuous year, journalists across the world covered the ongoing pandemic, dangerous protests, natural disasters, active conflicts, elections, and other life-changing events. The reporters, anchors, photographers, camera operators, producers, and technicians who brought 2020’s biggest stories to the public often risked their own physical safety and psychological well-being and found themselves the subjects…
Jordan must release publisher Jamal Haddad immediately
New York, December 27, 2020—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Jordanian authorities to release Jamal Haddad, publisher of the news website Alwakaai, and condemns the use of a national security prosecution to censor coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 24, Haddad was summoned and detained pending investigation under the country’s anti-terrorism law…
CPJ calls on Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to respect press freedom
The Committee to Protect Journalists writes to Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and calls on him to condemn the recent intimidation of local news outlets and do everything in his power to ensure the press is able to carry out their work freely and safely without fear of reprisal.
Murders of journalists more than double worldwide
Retaliatory killings of journalists worldwide rose significantly in 2020 from the previous year, but deaths covering war dropped sharply. A CPJ special report by Jennifer Dunham December 22, 2020 NEW YORK The number of journalists murdered in retaliation for their work more than doubled in 2020, as criminal gangs and militant groups targeted reporters working…
Egyptian blogger Shadi Abu Zeid jailed for 6 months over 2016 Facebook video
New York, December 21, 2020 – Egyptian authorities should immediately and unconditionally release blogger Shadi Abu Zeid, and cease jailing members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On November 21, a Cairo appeals court sentenced video blogger Abu Zeid to six months in prison after convicting him of…
Dozens of journalists newly identified as NSO Group spyware targets
New York, December 21, 2020 – NSO Group’s advanced Pegasus spyware was identified on phones of at least 36 journalists and media executives in July and August 2020, according to the University of Toronto-based Citizen Lab, which said the surveillance product was installed via a vulnerability in the iPhone messaging application. Most targets were affiliated…
Supporters of Lebanese president attack Al-Jadeed TV office in Beirut
New York, December 16, 2020 — Lebanese authorities should do their utmost to identify and hold to account those responsible for the attack on the Beirut office of independent broadcaster Al-Jadeed TV, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday evening, a group of about 10 people wearing masks gathered at Al-Jadeed TV’s Beirut office…
Yemeni journalist Mohammed al-Yezidi faces charges, arrest attempts in Hadramout; goes into hiding
Authorities in Hadramout Governorate, Yemen, in late September 2020 threatened to file a number of charges against Yemeni journalist Mohammed al-Yezidi, and he went into hiding after unknown individuals twice tried to abduct or detain him, al-Yezidi told CPJ via messaging app. Authorities in Hadramout—who are aligned with the Yemeni government—repeatedly attempted to arrest al-Yezidi,…