Ukrainian journalist Sergiy Nikishin attacked while attempting to cover event violating COVID restrictions
New York, April 29, 2021 – Ukrainian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the attack on journalist Sergiy Nikishin, hold the perpetrators responsible, and ensure that members of the press can work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 10 p.m. on April 24, in the western village of Lahodiv in Ukraine’s…
Kazakh journalist Aigul Utepova convicted of participating in banned political groups
Stockholm, April 29, 2021 – Kazakh authorities should not contest the appeal of journalist Aigul Utepova and should allow her to report and comment on the news without restriction, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Today, the Saryarkinskiy District Court in the capital, Nur-Sultan, convicted Utepova of participating in two banned political groups, sentenced…
Russian court jails journalist Sergey Stepanov for 30 days over Navalny protest coverage
Vilnius, Lithuania, April 29, 2021 — Russian authorities should release journalist Sergey Stepanov immediately and should cease detaining and harassing members of the press covering protests, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, the Oktyabrsky District Court in the central Russian city of Tambov sentenced Stepanov, a freelance correspondent for Finnish TV and radio broadcaster…
Myanmar must release the dozens of journalists in its jails in wake of military coup
Bangkok, April 29, 2021 — Myanmar’s military junta must immediately and unconditionally release all of the journalists detained since the country’s February 1 coup, and should stop using legal threats to harass and intimidate the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Preliminary investigations by CPJ found at least 40 journalists imprisoned as of…
New Uzbekistan laws ban using internet to ‘disrespect’ the government, organize protests
Stockholm, April 28, 2021 – Uzbek authorities should repeal recent legal amendments that deepen restrictions on online speech, and should ensure that journalists are free to report and comment on issues of public importance without fear of prosecution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 31, new amendments to the country’s criminal code,…
Nigerian journalist Frederick Olatunde Odimayo beaten over drug reporting
Abuja, April 28, 2021 – Nigerian authorities should thoroughly investigate the attack on journalist Frederick Olatunde Odimayo and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 16, in Lokoja, the capital of the northwestern state of Kogi, five men attacked Odimayo, a freelance reporter and editor with the privately…
Venezuelan National Union of Journalists office destroyed in arson attack
Miami, April 28, 2021 — Venezuelan authorities should thoroughly investigate the arson attack on the regional headquarters of the National Union of Journalists, and ensure those responsible are prosecuted, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 19, at around 4 a.m., unidentified individuals set fire to the regional headquarters of the National Union…
Russian journalist Timur Mazayev receives death threats over news outlet’s Instagram post
New York, April 28, 2021 — Authorities in the Russian republic of North Ossetia should conduct a swift investigation into the death threats made to journalist Timur Mazayev, his colleagues, and his family, and ensure their safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 14, a man identifying himself as Zelimkhan Bitarov, the…
Mexican state authorities order website to remove articles critical of political candidate
Mexico City, April 27, 2021 – Authorities in the Mexican states of Baja California and Sonora should immediately rescind letters ordering the news website Yo Rechazo la Corrupción y la Impunidad to take down articles covering alleged corruption by a political candidate, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 23, Dianeth Pérez Arreola,…
Unidentified man attacks Italian TV crew with metal chain, injuring 3
Berlin, April 27, 2021 — Italian authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the attack on Rete 4 TV reporter Carmen La Gatta and her crew, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 11, an unidentified man attacked La Gatta and two Rete 4 support…