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…
I was a journalist in Gaza. The place I call home is gone now.
I was 13 when my father moved our family from Libya back to my parents’ hometown of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. It was 1994, a time of optimism. Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization had signed the Oslo Accords and Palestinians were heading toward an independent state. Gaza, with its successful businesspeople and its…
CPJ urges investigation into killing of Sudanese journalist Muawiya Abdel Razek, 3 family members after RSF raid
New York, June 5, 2024 – The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Sudanese authorities to launch a full investigation into the killing of journalist Muawiya Abdel Razek, hold those responsible to account, and ensure journalists are not treated as targets in the country’s ongoing civil war. On Tuesday, June 4, soldiers with the Sudanese paramilitary…
CPJ calls for immediate release of Sudanese journalist Tariq Abdallah
New York, June 3, 2024 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reports that the Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) detained journalist Tariq Abdallah almost two weeks ago, and calls for his immediate release. “CPJ strongly denounces the Rapid Support Forces’ detention of Sudanese journalist Tariq Abdallah and finds it unacceptable…
Tunis court sentences 2 journalists to 1 year in prison, prevents hearing coverage
New York, May 23, 2024 — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Tunisian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release radio journalists Borhen Bssais and Mourad Zghidi after a Tunis court convicted them on May 22 of defamation and spreading false news, and sentenced them to one year in prison. “CPJ is deeply concerned that…
FAQ: How CPJ documents journalist deaths in the war
How many journalists have died since the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7? Dozens have died; see an updated list here. How do these numbers compare to prior conflicts? There have been more journalists killed in the first 10 weeks of the Israel-Gaza war than in any other similar period of conflict since CPJ started recording such deaths in…