Nigerian journalist Damilola Ayeni arrested in Benin while reporting on environment
Abuja, September 7, 2023– Authorities in Benin must immediately and unconditionally release Nigerian journalist Damilola Ayeni, drop all charges against him, and allow him to work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On August 31, police officers in Benin’s north western Pendjari National Park arrested and detained Ayeni, an editor with the privately…
Delhi home of Indian journalists Khushboo and Nadeem Akhtar set ablaze
New Delhi, September 7, 2023—Authorities in the Indian capital of Delhi must swiftly and impartially investigate the arson attack on the home of journalists Khushboo and Nadeem Akhtar, as well as the threats of death and rape, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. In the early hours of…
Turkish journalist Mehmet Karakeçili beaten, Hale Gönültaş threatened
Istanbul, September 7, 2023—Turkish authorities should ensure the safety of journalists Mehmet Karakeçili and Hale Gönültaş and hold to account those responsible for recent incidents involving the journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On the evening of August 29, Karakeçili, chief editor for the local news website Virantv in the southeastern city of…
Three more journalists arrested under Ethiopia’s state of emergency
Nairobi, September 6, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday expressed deep concern about the arrest of three journalists only weeks after Ethiopia declared a state of emergency and called on authorities to promptly release all members of the press detained for their work. Abay Zewdu, chief editor of the YouTube-based broadcaster Amara Media Center…
Myanmar Now photojournalist Sai Zaw Thaike sentenced to 20 years in prison on multiple charges
Bangkok, September 6, 2023—Myanmar authorities should release photojournalist Sai Zaw Thaike and stop imprisoning members of the press for doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Wednesday, September 6, a military tribunal in Yangon’s Insein Prison sentenced Sai Zaw Thaike to 20 years in prison with hard labor on various charges,…
Reporters in Haiti flee gang violence surge in capital’s Carrefour Feuilles neighborhood
Miami, September 6, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday expressed grave concern that the rapidly deteriorating situation in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince could put journalists at greater risk than other civilians if they are singled out for their work documenting the situation on the ground. CPJ has learned that at least five reporters have fled…
DRC immigration officers attack journalist Soleil Ntumba Mufike to stop eviction coverage
Kinshasa, September 6, 2023—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must hold accountable the immigration officers who attacked journalist Soleil Ntumba Mufike and broke his camera, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Friday, September 1, Ntumba was filming police carrying out the court-ordered eviction of the family of the deputy director of…
Iran blocks Entekhab’s website and social media over report criticizing foreign policy
Washington, D.C., September 5, 2023—Iranian authorities must reverse their decision to shut down the moderate Tehran-based state-run news website Entekhab and allow media outlets to report the news freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Monday, September 4, the Press Supervisory Board of Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance revoked Entekhab’s operating…
Football fans attack, injure Malawi reporter Smart Chalika
Lusaka, September 5, 2023—The Football Association of Malawi should investigate the August 25 assault on Kasupe Radio reporter Smart Chalika by supporters of the Silver Strikers Football Club and penalize the club to send a clear message that attacks against journalists are not condoned, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Around 2:30 p.m….
Haitian radio journalist’s home destroyed in arson attack
Miami, August 31, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the August 23 arson attack on the home of radio reporter Arnold Junior Pierre and calls on Haitian authorities to restore order to the country so journalists can do their jobs without fear of retaliation. On August 23, unidentified armed individuals set fire to Pierre’s home…