Myanmar now one of the world’s worst jailers of journalists
CPJ calls for targeted international sanctions New York, July 28, 2021—In the months since Myanmar’s military seized power in a February 1 coup, the country has become one of the world’s worst jailers of journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists found in a special mid-year survey published today. The report and accompanying prison census, “Bitter…
Press freedom in Latin America hurt by COVID-19 response
Committee to Protect Journalists and the Thomson Reuters Foundation investigate whether official emergency measures increased media restrictions New York, June 30, 2021– Many of the emergency measures enacted in Latin America in response to COVID-19 restricted media freedom and could have negative long-term implications for free expression, according to a new report released as pandemic…
Nika Soon-Shiong joins CPJ’s board of directors
New York, June 25, 2021—The Committee to Protect Journalists announced today that Nika Soon-Shiong, the executive director of the Fund for Guaranteed Income, has joined the organization’s board of directors. “We are delighted to welcome Nika to the CPJ board,” said Kathleen Carroll, chair of the board. “She is enthusiastic about the mission of protecting…
CPJ board honors Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai with Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award
New York, June 21, 2021– The Committee to Protect Journalists today said it will honor Jimmy Lai, the imprisoned founder of Hong Kong’s Next Digital media company and Apple Daily newspaper, with the 2021 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award. The award is presented annually by CPJ’s board of directors to recognize extraordinary and sustained commitment…
CPJ highlights risks for journalists who flee; calls on nations to create special emergency visas
Searching for safety, journalists in exile are often trapped in a vicious circle New York, June 17, 2021– The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on governments to provide safe refuge to journalists at risk through special emergency visas, in a feature and recommendations released ahead of World Refugee Day. Drawing on CPJ’s work over…
Pakistan: Press freedom organizations demand re-investigation of the murder of journalist Zubair Mujahid
Amsterdam, 16 June 2021 – A new report on the murder of Pakistani journalist Zubair Mujahid finds significant errors in the official police investigation. Leading press freedom organizations now call for an independent re-investigation of the case to bring the killers to justice. The report “Breaking the Silence: An Investigation into the Murder of Zubair…
CPJ announces 2021 International Press Freedom awardees
New York, June 15, 2021–The Committee to Protect Journalists will honor four courageous journalists from Belarus, Guatemala, Mozambique, and Myanmar with the 2021 International Press Freedom Awards. All four have reported during a historically turbulent time, covering protests and political upheaval in their countries. “In the midst of a battle over the control of information,…
CPJ announces leadership transition
Executive Director Joel Simon will step down by the end of 2021 after 15 years in the role New York, June 9, 2021–The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today announced that Executive Director Joel Simon has informed the board of directors that he will step down by the end of the year after almost a…
New Middle East and North Africa Coalition to Combat Digital Surveillance
New York, June 8, 2021– From Morocco to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), governments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are using digital surveillance tools to identify, surveil, and silence dissidents, journalists, and human rights defenders. Launched on June 7, 2021, the new MENA Coalition to Combat Digital Surveillance has come together to end the sales of digital surveillance tools to repressive…
CPJ welcomes Gypsy Guillén Kaiser as advocacy and communications director
New York, May 24, 2021–The Committee to Protect Journalists is pleased to announce that Gypsy Guillén Kaiser has joined CPJ as advocacy and communications director. Guillén Kaiser will be integral in CPJ’s efforts to advance press freedom globally as part of the organization’s senior leadership. “Gypsy Guillén Kaiser joins us in this role during an…