Guatemalan journalist Juan Luis Font leaves the country after former official accuses him of ‘unlawful association’
Guatemala City, April 6, 2022 — Guatemalan authorities should immediately dismiss criminal proceedings against journalist Juan Luis Font, allow him to work freely without fear of reprisal, and stop using lawsuits to harass members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. In late March 2022, the country’s former communications minister Alejandro Sinibaldi…
Channel Mandalay TV reporter Win Naing Oo sentenced to 5 years in prison for terrorism
Bangkok, April 6, 2022 – Myanmar authorities should immediately and unconditionally release journalist Win Naing Oo and stop using terrorism charges to imprison independent reporters, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. A special court in Obo Prison, in the central city of Mandalay, on Tuesday, April 5, sentenced Win Naing Oo, chief reporter with…
Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khilyuk held by Russian forces since early March
Paris, April 6, 2022 — Russian authorities should release Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khilyuk immediately and stop detaining members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Russian soldiers detained Khilyuk in the village of Kozarovychi, north of Kyiv, in early March, according to the Media Initiative Group for Human Rights,…
Cameroon media regulator suspends Equinoxe TV journalists and current affairs show for 1 month
Dakar, April 6, 2022 — Cameroon’s state media regulator should immediately reverse its suspension of journalists working with the privately owned broadcaster Equinoxe TV, and ensure that the outlet can operate freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On April 1, the National Communication Council media regulator announced that Equinoxe TV CEO Séverin Tchounkeu…
Zambian journalist Eric Chiyuka charged with assault after covering land altercation
Lusaka, April 6, 2022 – Zambian authorities must investigate an alleged police assault of community reporter Eric Chiyuka and immediately drop the charges of assault against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Around 11 a.m. on March 26, Chiyuka, who works for the ruling party-aligned, privately owned online publication CIC Press, was taking…
At least 2 Jordanian journalists targeted by Pegasus spyware
Beirut, April 6, 2022 – Jordanian authorities should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into allegations that two journalists were targeted with Pegasus spyware, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Throughout 2021, Suhair Jaradat, a freelance columnist for media outlets including the London-based Arabic news website Today’s Opinion, was repeatedly targeted by the spyware,…
CPJ calls on Sri Lankan government to respect press freedom amid nationwide state of emergency
New York, April 4, 2022 – The government of Sri Lanka should respect press freedom, ensure unrestricted access to social media and communication platforms, and allow the media to work freely and independently during a nationwide state of emergency, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Friday, April 1, the Sri Lankan government declared…
Russian soldiers detain journalist Oleksandr Gunko in southeastern Ukraine
Paris, April 4, 2022 – Russian authorities should immediately release journalist Oleksandr Gunko and stop detaining Ukrainian members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Sunday, April 3, Russian soldiers in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Nova Kakhovka searched Gunko’s home, seized his phones and electronic devices, and took him to…
Guatemalan journalist Carlos Choc faces criminal charges after covering protest
Guatemala City, April 1, 2022 — Guatemalan authorities should immediately drop criminal charges against journalist Carlos Ernesto Choc, a correspondent for local news outlet Prensa Comunitaria, and stop using the country’s justice system to harass and silence the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On January 14, a criminal court judge in Puerto…
Ukrainian journalist Konstantin Ryzhenko missing in Kherson
Paris, April 1, 2022 – Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ukrainian journalist Konstantin Ryzhenko must come forward at once, and Russian authorities should stop detaining members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Wednesday, March 30, Russian soldiers searched in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson…