At least 27 Bangladeshi journalists attacked, harassed while covering political rallies
New York, November 1, 2023 – Bangladesh authorities must immediately and impartially investigate the assaults on at least 27 journalists covering recent political rallies and hold the perpetrators accountable, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Saturday, October 28, at least 27 journalists covering rallies in the capital of Dhaka were attacked by supporters…
Syrian journalist missing after arrest on Iraqi Kurdistan border
Beirut, November 1, 2023—Iraqi Kurdish authorities should immediately reveal the whereabouts of Syrian journalist Sleman Mohammed Ahmed, unconditionally release him, and stop harassing journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On October 25, Ahmed—an Arabic editor for the local news website RojNews—was arrested by Iraqi Kurdish authorities at the northern Faysh Khabur border and…
DRC journalist Blaise Mabala accused of insulting a provincial government official
Kinshasa, October 31, 2023—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo should immediately release and drop their criminal prosecution against journalists Blaise Mabala and Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On October 20, an officer with the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) arrested Mabala, radio coordinator with the privately owned Même Morale FM…
Alabama publisher, reporter arrested, charged with disclosing leaked information
Washington, D.C., October 31, 2023—Authorities in Escambia County, Alabama, should immediately drop all charges against Atmore News publisher Sherry Digmon and reporter Don Fletcher and thoroughly investigate the motives behind their arrests, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Police arrested Digmon and Fletcher on October 27 on charges of disclosing leaked information, according to…
Georgian parliament reinstates controversial powers to sanction broadcast media
Stockholm, October 30, 2023—Georgia’s president should veto legislation bolstering the state regulatory body’s powers to sanction broadcast media, and authorities should work with stakeholders to devise a regulatory framework that enjoys broad industry support, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On October 19, Georgia’s parliament passed amendments to the country’s broadcasting law extending the…
Guinean journalists arrested, attacked at protest over blocking of news website
Dakar, October 26, 2023—Guinean authorities must identify and hold accountable those officers responsible for arresting and assaulting journalists during an October 16 demonstration calling for authorities to lift restrictions on the privately owned news website Guinée Matin, and drop all legal proceedings against the journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On October 16,…
CPJ calls on Kyrgyzstan parliament to reject Russian-style ‘foreign agents’ bill
Stockholm, October 25, 2023—Kyrgyzstan’s parliament should reject Russian-inspired legislation that would classify externally-funded media rights groups and nonprofits that run news outlets as “foreign representatives” and could force many nonprofits to close, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Wednesday, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament passed in a first reading a bill requiring nonprofits that receive foreign…
Nigerian journalist Saint Mienpamo Onitsha charged with cybercrime
Abuja, October 23, 2023—Authorities in Nigeria should immediately and unconditionally release journalist Saint Mienpamo Onitsha, swiftly drop all charges against him, and stop criminalizing the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday. On October 10, police officers arrested Onitsha, founder of the privately owned online broadcaster NAIJA Live TV, in the home of…
Algerian authorities deliver hefty prison sentences to journalists Saad Bouakba and 3 others
New York, October 20, 2023—Algerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally drop the charges against journalists Saad Bouakba, Zoubir Fadel, Salim Salhi, and Adel Lazizi, and ensure the media can work freely without fear of imprisonment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On October 18, the Dar el-Beida court in the capital, Algiers, convicted freelance…
Russian authorities detain RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva
New York, October 18, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned by Wednesday’s detention of journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in the western Russian city of Kazan and calls on Russian authorities to release her immediately. “CPJ is deeply concerned by the detention of U.S-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva on spurious criminal charges and calls on Russian…