Iran tightens media crackdown with raids, financial pressure
New York, February 9, 2026 —The Committee to Protect Journalists demands that Iranian authorities halt their ongoing attacks and harassment of journalists and media workers and roll back punitive measures used to silence reporting, including raids, equipment seizures, financial pressure, and restrictions on communications. Azadeh Mokhtari, a social affairs editor at the Rokna news website,…
Algerian authorities arrest journalist Omar Ferhat
New York, February 9, 2026 — Algerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Omar Ferhat, director of the local independent news website Algerie Scoop, and drop all charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday. On Thursday, February 5, Algerian state security officers arrested Ferhat, also known as ‘Karim Kaki’, from…
Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison in Hong Kong’s biggest media trial
New York, February 9, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday condemned the sentencing of publisher Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison and jail terms of six to 10 years for former colleagues from the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, in Hong Kong’s largest media trial. “The rule of law has been completely shattered in…
Mozambican journalist and son shot at in ‘murder attempt’
New York, February 6, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Mozambican authorities to investigate a shooting described by journalist Carlitos Cadangue as an attempted assassination of himself and his son, following threats over his reporting. “The attack on Carlitos Cadangue and his son is a horrifying reminder that Mozambique is increasingly unsafe for journalists,”…
Malian journalist in prison awaiting trial for offending Niger’s military leader
Dakar, February 6, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Malian authorities to immediately release Youssouf Sissoko, who was detained on Thursday for publishing a commentary piece criticizing neighboring Niger’s president’s comments about a jihadist attack. “In recent years, Malian authorities have drastically reduced the media’s ability to criticize their actions and they are now…
Jimmy Lai, 6 Apple Daily execs to be sentenced in Hong Kong’s biggest media trial
New York, February 6, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Hong Kong authorities to cease targeting journalists and release all those behind bars, ahead of Monday’s expected sentencing of publisher Jimmy Lai and six former colleagues from his defunct Apple Daily newspaper, in the city’s largest media trial. “Jimmy Lai’s trial has been nothing…
Cambodian journalist Hem Vanna arrested after cyberscam report
Bangkok, February 6, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Cambodian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Hem Vanna, who was arrested after publishing a report about a suspected cyberscam compound. On February 3, Vanna, a journalist with the local independent HVNN TV Online, was summoned by military police in the western border town…
CPJ calls for release of 2 Chinese journalists held after reporting on corruption
New York, February 6, 2026—Chinese authorities must immediately release independent journalists Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao, who were detained days after publishing a report accusing a local official of corruption, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Friday. Liu, 50, and Wu, 34, were detained on February 1, news reports said. The following day police in the southwestern city of…
Pakistani journalist Sohrab Barkat detained for more than 60 days as employer shuts Islamabad office
New York, February 5, 2026—Pakistani authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Sohrab Barkat and ensure that his employer Siasat can continue to report the news freely, the Committee to Protect Journalist said on Thursday. Barkat was detained on November 26 on his way to attend a United Nations conference and is facing three separate…
Mexican reporter threatened after covering construction project in Sinaloa
Mexico City, February 4, 2026—Authorities in the Mexican state of Sinaloa should immediately and comprehensively investigate threats against independent investigative journalist Sheila Arias and take all appropriate steps to ensure her safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Arias, based in the coastal resort city of Mazatlán, told CPJ that she had received threats…