Ahead of elections, Nigerian journalist Jonathan Ugbal attacked, others denied access
Abuja, February 24, 2023–Nigerian authorities should hold accountable those responsible for beating journalist Jonathan Ugbal, publicly advise political supporters to not attack the press, and not unduly hinder access to election-related sites, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Wednesday, February 22, about 20 supporters of Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hit and kicked…
CPJ calls on authorities to arrest organizers of attacks on independent journalists in Kazakhstan
Stockholm, February 23, 2023 – Kazakh authorities must thoroughly investigate a fresh wave of attacks on independent journalists and ensure that all involved are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. In at least four incidents since February 5, journalists and their family members in various cities across Kazakhstan have faced attacks…
Ethiopian authorities detain 2 Ethio Selam journalists, media worker for coverage of church rift
Nairobi, February 23, 2023 — Ethiopian authorities should unconditionally release two staffers from the internet broadcaster Ethio Selam and drop criminal proceedings into a third, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Police and security agents in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa arrested Ethio Selam founder Tewodros Asfaw from his home on February 14, his brother…
Protesters surround homes of Peruvian journalists Gustavo Gorriti and Rosa María Palacios
Bogotá, February 22, 2023 – Peruvian authorities must investigate the harassment of journalists Gustavo Gorriti and Rosa María Palacios and take steps to protect members of the press covering political protests and corruption scandals, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Tuesday, February 21, at least 20 protesters gathered in front of the homes…
Taliban bans, restricts media operations in 2 Afghanistan provinces
New York, February 22, 2023 – The Taliban must reverse their recent orders targeting media operations in Helmand and Parwan provinces and allow journalists to work freely and independently, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Tuesday, February 21, Taliban officials, in a meeting with journalists in the southern province of Helmand, announced a ban…
Malawi police detain, charge journalist Dorica Mtenje over story she did not write
Lusaka, Zambia, February 22, 2023—Malawian authorities should immediately drop defamation and cyber-related charges against Maravi Post journalist Dorica Mtenje and allow her to report free from legal harassment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On February 8, police in the capital Lilongwe summoned Mtenje via phone to appear the following day for questioning over…
Turkey indicts 10 journalists on terrorism charges
Istanbul, February 21, 2023 – Turkish authorities must stop charging members of the press with terrorism and release all jailed journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On February 8, the Ankara chief prosecutor’s office indicted 10 Kurdish journalists, nine of whom have been under pretrial arrest since late October, on the charge of…
Bangladesh shutters newspaper run by political opposition party
New York, February 21, 2023–Dainik Dinkal, the newspaper of Bangladesh’s main opposition party, was forced to close on Monday after its printing license was canceled in what the outlet’s managing editor, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, said were invalid grounds. Dainik Dinkal suspended operations on February 20 after the Bangladesh Press Council, a quasi-judicial, government-funded body…
Authorities in Ethiopia’s Somali region suspend 15 media outlets, revoke media association’s license
Nairobi, February 17, 2023— Authorities in Ethiopia should reverse the recent suspensions of more than a dozen news outlets and let members of the press and journalist advocacy groups work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Since late January, authorities have suspended 15 foreign media outlets operating in Somali Regional State, and also…
Journalist Alexander Álvarez shot and killed in Paraguay
Bogotá, February 16, 2023—Paraguayan authorities must thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Alexander Álvarez, determine if he was targeted for his work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Tuesday, February 14, an unidentified attacker on a motorcycle shot Álvarez while he was in his car at a…