At least 5 journalists attacked, beaten in southern Georgia in run-up to parliamentary elections
New York, October 5, 2020 — Georgian authorities should conduct a thorough investigation of assaults on five journalists who were covering a political clash ahead of the October 31 parliamentary elections, find the perpetrators, and ensure that journalists can work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the evening of September 29, in…
At least 4 journalists injured covering Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
New York, October 1, 2020 – Authorities in Armenia and Azerbaijan must ensure the safety of journalists reporting on the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At least four journalists were injured today in a shelling attack in the town of Khojavend, known locally as Martuni, in the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region…
Nicaraguan Congress proposes cybercrime legislation criminalizing false news
Managua, Nicaragua, October 1, 2020 – The Nicaraguan Congress should drop proposed cybercrime legislation that would risk imprisoning journalists for their work, and ensure that laws do not restrict the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 28, 70 members of Congress from the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front party presented a…
Without offering proof, Salvadoran President Bukele alleges money laundering investigation into El Faro news website
Managua, Nicaragua, September 30, 2020 – Salvadoran authorities should make public any details about an alleged money laundering investigation into the El Faro news website, and cease harassing independent media outlets, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. In a news conference on September 24, President Nayib Bukele announced that El Faro, an independent news…
Exiled Turkish journalist Abdullah Bozkurt attacked in Stockholm
Berlin, September 30, 2020 — Swedish authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the attack on Turkish journalist Abdullah Bozkurt, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 24, at about 2:40 p.m., three unidentified men attacked Bozkurt, a Turkish journalist living in exile, in the…
Honduran journalist Luis Alonzo Almendares shot and killed
Miami, September 29, 2020 — Honduran authorities must thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Luis Alonzo Almendares, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 6 p.m. on September 27, in the central Honduran city of Comayagua, two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle shot Almendares, a local freelance…
Indigenous journalist Anastasia Mejía arrested in central Guatemala
Managua, Nicaragua, September 28, 2020 – Guatemalan authorities should immediately release radio journalist Anastasia Mejía, drop the charges against her, and guarantee that journalists can report freely without persecution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 22, the Guatemalan National Civil Police (PNC) arrested journalist Anastasia Mejía Tiriquiz, director of the radio station…
Journalist April Ehrlich facing criminal charges over reporting on homelessness in Oregon
Washington, D.C., September 25, 2020 —The Medford Police Department in southwest Oregon should drop all charges against journalist April Ehrlich, and refrain from filing criminal charges against members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the morning of September 22, Medford police arrested Ehrlich, a reporter for National Public Radio affiliate…
Nicaraguan ruling party legislators propose law requiring some media outlets, journalists to register as “foreign agents”
Managua, Nicaragua September 24, 2020 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on the Nicaraguan congress to reject a proposed law that would force media outlets and journalists to register as “foreign agents” if they receive funding or payments from abroad. The law, proposed on September 22, would require individuals and organizations that receive…
Iraqi Kurdish police arrest journalist Bahroz Jaafer over criminal defamation suit filed by Iraq’s president
New York, September 23, 2020 – Kurdish authorities in Iraq should immediately release journalist Bahroz Jaafer, drop all charges against him, and allow the press to cover and write critically about politicians without fear of detention or legal action, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, police arrested Jaafer, a columnist for the independent…