Turkey must justify widespread arrests of journalists
New York, December 20, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reports of the arrests of journalists in a nationwide sweep today in Turkey, and calls on authorities to immediately disclose the names of those detained along with any charges being filed against them.
Two Brazzaville weeklies suspended; CPJ seeks reversal
New York, December 20, 2011–Authorities in the Republic of Congo should immediately lift the months-long suspensions imposed last week against two private weeklies in reprisal for articles critical of government officials, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Kyrgyzstan Supreme Court upholds Askarov sentence
New York, December 20, 2011–Today’s ruling by Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court upholding a life sentence for independent journalist Azimjon Askarov on fabricated charges is a lethal blow to press freedom and justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.
Kazakh authorities censor news on deadly clashes
New York, December 20, 2011–Authorities in the Mangistau region of western Kazakhstan have attacked and detained independent journalists and blocked access to news outlets to suppress coverage of unrest there, news reports said. The Committee Protect today called on Kazakh authorities to allow the media unfettered access.
In Egypt, press freedom abuses must be investigated
New York, December 19, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Egyptian authorities to halt the assaults on journalists and attacks on news outlets which are effectively censoring coverage of ongoing protests in Cairo. In recent days, CPJ has documented at least 15 attacks on the press during clashes between security forces and protesters in…
Somali government should probe journalist’s murder
New York, December 19, 2011–Somali authorities must pursue all leads in investigating the murder on Sunday of a broadcast journalist who had reported receiving several recent threats. A gunman in a military uniform shot freelance reporter Abdisalan Sheikh Hassan, according to local and international reports.
Russia must act after murder of Dagestani paper founder
New York, December 16, 2011–Russian authorities must carry out an urgent and effective investigation into Thursday night’s assassination of Gadzhimurad Kamalov, founder of the independent weekly Chernovik, which had tackled highly sensitive topics in the southern republic of Dagestan, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Criminal probe targets AP, Reuters cameras on Mandela
New York, December 16, 2011–South African authorities announced on Thursday the launch of a criminal probe against international news agencies The Associated Press and Reuters for installing cameras outside the home of anti-Apartheid figure Nelson Mandela, according to news reports.
In Indonesia, journalist’s home targeted, child dies
New York, December 16, 2011–Indonesian authorities should conduct a full investigation into Sunday’s attack on the home of a journalist who reported on local corruption, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The journalist’s one-month-old child died soon after the attack.