Libya Press, under harassment, shuts down in Tripoli
New York, December 9, 2010–Authorities in Libya must ensure the safety of Libya Press reporters and stop harassing the private news agency, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. CPJ is alarmed by the agency’s decision to shut down its Tripoli office and leave Libya because security officials have said they “do not want any…
CPJ meets jailed Burundian journalist, calls for his release
Bujumbura, December 9, 2010–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called for the release of journalist Jean-Claude Kavumbagu after visiting him in prison in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura. CPJ made the call at a press conference marking the end of a four-day mission to Burundi.CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney and East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes met with Kavumbagu, at…
CPJ seeks progress in solving Russia’s Togliatti murders
New York, December 8, 2010–Authorities with Russia’s Investigative Committee must show evidence that they are legitimately investigating the consecutive murders of two editors of the independent newspaper Tolyattinskoye Obozreniye, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The Investigative Committee of Samara Region–which has jurisdiction over the cases of Valery Ivanov (killed in April 2002) and Aleksei Sidorov (killed in October 2003)–announced…
CPJ calls for the release of Saudi editor and academic
New York, December 8, 2010–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Saudi authorities to immediately release Mohamed al-Abdulkarim, an Islamic law professor, human rights activist, and the editor-in-chief of an online magazine. He was arrested on Sunday, two weeks after an article he wrote was published online.
Video: Shining Light on a Dark Prison Cell
In this video companion to CPJ’s 2010 census of imprisoned journalists, Sri Lankan columnist J.S. Tissainayagam describes his own time in prison and how international advocacy can make a difference in winning the freedom of jailed reporters, editors, photojournalists, and bloggers. (4:09) Read the special report “Iran, China drive prison tally to 14-year high” and…
With 145 journalists behind bars, what’s in a number?
Today we released our annual census of imprisoned journalists around the world, citing 145 reporters, editors, and photojournalists behind bars on December 1, an increase of nine from 2009 figures. The tally begs the question, What’s in a number?
Iran arrests four journalists; dozens deteriorating in prison
New York, December 7, 2010–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns today’s arrest of four Iranian journalists at the daily Sharq. CPJ is also disturbed by recent news reports that indicate the abusive treatment endured by dozens of imprisoned Iranian prisoners has adversely affected the health of many of them–including Issa Saharkhiz, at left, a founding member of the now-defunct Association…
Ecuadoran sports reporter beaten, threatened
New York, December 7, 2010–Ecuadoran authorities must fully investigate a vicious attack against sports reporter Guido Manolo Campaña, who was abducted, beaten, and threatened while on assignment in the northern coastal province of Esmeraldas, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.