Turkish authorities arrest employee of Yeni Yaşam newspaper in terrorism investigation
Istanbul, March 23, 2023—Turkish authorities should immediately release Hamdullah Bayram and all journalists, media workers, and others detained in retaliation for outlets’ reporting on Kurdish politics and rights issues, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. In February, authorities indicted 10 Kurdish journalists and accused them of membership in the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or…
New Ukrainian army regulations limit reporters’ access to frontlines
Paris, March 23, 2023—Ukrainian authorities should ensure that regulations on wartime reporting do not stifle journalists’ ability to do their jobs, and should work with local press groups to revise recent rules enacted by military authorities, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On March 19, the Ukrainian army’s Operational Command East, one of four…
Ethiopian authorities detain Gurage Media Network founder Beyene Wolde
Nairobi, March 22, 2023—Ethiopian authorities should immediately release journalist Beyene Wolde and ensure that members of the press are not imprisoned for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On the afternoon of March 2, police arrested Beyene from his office in the capital city of Addis Ababa, according to news reports and…
Turkey regulator forces closure of German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle’s office
Istanbul, March 22, 2023 – Turkish authorities should reverse their decision not to extend the operating license of Deutsche Welle’s Turkey office and allow the German public broadcaster to operate freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On March 28, DW plans to close its Turkey office after the country’s Industry and Technology Ministry…
Bangladeshi journalist Mamunur Rashid Nomani faces hearing over Digital Security Act charges
New York, March 22, 2023–Police in Bangladesh’s southern city of Barisal should immediately drop all charges against journalist Mamunur Rashid Nomani and allow him to report without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Nomani, chief news editor of the privately owned newspaper The Daily Shahnama and editor of the Barisal Khabar…
Bombs mailed to at least 5 journalists in Ecuador
Bogotá, March 22, 2023 – Ecuadorian authorities must thoroughly investigate letter bombs sent to five TV and radio journalists, guarantee their safety, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Since March 16, letter bombs have been sent to the TV stations Ecuavisa, Teleamazonas, and TC Television; the radio station…
Bosnia and Herzegovina journalists attacked after covering LGBTQ event
Berlin, March 22, 2023—Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate a recent attack on journalists covering a gathering of local LGBTQ activists, hold those responsible to account, and ensure that reporters can cover events of public interest safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. In the evening of March 18, a group…
At least 28 journalists harassed, beaten, denied access while covering Nigerian state elections
Abuja, March 21, 2023 – Nigerian authorities should thoroughly investigate incidents involving at least 28 journalists and media workers being harassed and attacked while covering state elections and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. At least 28 members of the press were obstructed, harassed, or attacked while covering gubernatorial…
Turkish authorities harass Greek journalists covering earthquake, smash cameras and phones
Istanbul, March 21, 2023 – Turkish authorities should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the recent official harassment of a Greek reporting crew and ensure that members of the press can work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On February 16, members of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, a Turkish…
Israeli authorities shutter Voice of Palestine radio’s Israel operations, question 5 journalists
New York, March 20, 2023 – Israeli authorities should immediately reverse their order to shut down the Israeli operations of the Voice of Palestine radio station and should cease harassing members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Monday, March 20, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ordered Voice of Palestine, the…