Taliban fighter beats freelance journalist Sadaqat Ghorzang at Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossing
Washington, D.C., October 25, 2021– The Taliban must thoroughly investigate the beating of Sadaqat Ghorzang, ensure its forces do not attack members of the press, and commit to allowing the media to operate freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, a Taliban fighter patrolling the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and…
Myanmar prison release falls short with over 20 journalists still behind bars
Bangkok, October 25, 2021 – Myanmar’s military junta should immediately follow up its recent release of at least 15 jailed journalists by freeing all those still wrongfully held in detention, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 18, the country’s military government announced the release of over 5,600 prisoners in an amnesty on…
Taliban fighters assault at least 3 journalists covering women’s protest in Afghanistan
Washington, D.C., October 21, 2021 — The Taliban must thoroughly investigate attacks on journalists covering a protest today in Kabul and ensure that members of the press can cover issues of public interest without fear of assault and harassment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Today, Taliban fighters assaulted at least three journalists covering…
RFE/RL’s staff receive death threats ahead of Uzbekistan presidential election
New York, October 21, 2021 – Authorities in Uzbekistan should swiftly investigate threats received by employees of the U.S. Congress-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and ensure that they can work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 16, anonymous users of the Telegram messaging app sent dozens of death threats to…
Belarus police raid Novy Chas newspaper, interrogate at least 2 journalists
Vilnius, Lithuania, October 21, 2021 — Belarusian authorities should stop harassing independent journalists and refrain from charging or imprisoning members of the press over their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, police in Minsk raided the office of the independent weekly online newspaper Novy Chas and the home of at least one…
Kazakh outlet HOLA News reports website blocks after Pandora Papers coverage
Stockholm, October 20, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern today about apparent blocking of Kazakh independent news website HOLA News after reporting on the Pandora Papers offshore leaks. The website was widely inaccessible for 10 days after they published the coverage, and only became functional again after it was removed. A statement…
Jammu and Kashmir authorities detain one journalist; at least two others still in custody
New Delhi, October 20, 2021 — Authorities in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir must immediately release the three journalists detained since October 8, cease harassing and questioning journalists in relation to their work, commit to allowing the media to operate freely and independently, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At approximately 7:50 p.m. on October…
Venezuelan authorities issue arrest warrant for journalist Roberto Deniz, raid family home
Miami, October 19, 2021 – Venezuelan authorities must drop the criminal investigation into journalist Roberto Deniz, stop harassing him and his family, and allow him to continue his journalism work free of intimidation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 14, a criminal court in the capital of Caracas issued an arrest warrant…
Breitbart reporter Gerry Aranda found dead in Mexico
Mexico City, October 18, 2021 – Mexican authorities must immediately and thoroughly investigate the death of journalist Gerardo Antonio Moreno Aranda, and ensure that the results of that investigation are made public, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 4, Aranda’s body was found in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the…
Jammu and Kashmir authorities detain, question 5 journalists; hold Salman Shah, Suhail Dar
New Delhi, October 15, 2021 — Authorities in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir must immediately release journalists Salman Shah and Suhail Dar, cease detaining and questioning journalists in relation to their work, and commit to allowing the media to operate freely and independently, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Since October 8, authorities in Jammu…