Verdict due in Montenegro retrial of journalist Jovo Martinović
Berlin, September 21, 2020 — Montenegro authorities should drop all criminal charges against journalist Jovo Martinović, and ensure that the press can work freely without fear of retaliation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 15, the High Court of Podgorica concluded the retrial of Martinović, an investigative freelance journalist who covers organized…
Colombian reporters face criminal defamation inquiry for reporting on assault allegations
Bogotá, Colombia, September 18, 2020 – Colombian authorities should not pursue criminal defamation charges against journalists Catalina Ruiz-Navarro and Matilde de los Milagros Londoño, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. In early September, the Colombian attorney general’s office ordered freelance journalists Ruiz-Navarro and Londoño to appear for questioning on September 14 in response to…
Liberian journalist beaten, robbed while covering pre-election events
Abuja, September 18, 2020 – Liberian authorities should credibly investigate the attack on journalist Amos Omaska Jallah and ensure those responsible are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 13, in Latia, a town in Liberia’s western Cape Mount county, a group of at least 30 men attacked Jallah, a…
Journalist Josie Huang arrested, charged with obstructing police in Los Angeles
Washington D.C., September 16, 2020 — The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department should immediately drop all charges against journalist Josie Huang, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the evening of September 12, sheriff’s deputies tackled and arrested Huang, a reporter for a National Public Radio member station KPCC and local news website LAist,…
Nigerian journalist Ime Sunday Silas held since August on cybercrime charge
Abuja, September 16, 2020 – Nigerian authorities should immediately release journalist Ime Sunday Silas, drop the charges against him, and reform the country’s cybercrime act to ensure it is not used against the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On August 17, police in Uyo city, the capital of Nigeria’s southern Akwa-Ibom state,…
Indian journalist attacked and newspaper threatened in Tripura state following chief minister’s criticism of press
New Delhi, September 16, 2020 – Authorities in India’s Tripura state should drop any legal threats against publications there, thoroughly investigate attacks on journalists, and guarantee press freedom in the state, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 11, state Chief Minister Biplab Deb, a member of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, condemned…
Journalist Jobert Bercasio shot and killed in the Philippines
Bangkok, September 15, 2020 – Philippine authorities should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the killing of journalist Jobert Bercasio and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 8 p.m. yesterday, two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle shot and killed Bercasio, a reporter and commentator at the privately…
Nicaragua court seizes assets of independent broadcaster Canal 12
Managua, Nicaragua, September 14, 2020 – Nicaraguan authorities should immediately release the assets of independent broadcaster Nicavision Canal 12 and allow all media outlets to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 11, Managua Judge Luden Quiroz García ordered the seizure of the outlet’s assets, including the channel’s main offices, vehicles…
Iranian journalist Khosrow Sadeghi Borojeni begins 7-year jail term
Washington, D.C., September 14, 2020 — Iranian authorities should release journalist Khosrow Sadeghi Borojeni immediately and cease arbitrarily jailing members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 9, Borojeni, a freelance columnist, was taken to Tehran’s Evin Prison to begin a seven-year jail term, according to reports by the exile-run…
Authorities block local news websites amid Belarus protests
Vilnius, Lithuania, September 14, 2020 – Authorities threatened last week to censor another major domestic news website in Belarus, where dozens remain blocked amid nationwide protests, local journalists told CPJ. On September 9, the Ministry of Information warned Tut.by, one of the most popular independent news websites in the country, that its reporting on a…