Pakistani journalist Fayaz Zafar arrested and alleges police abuse, Amjad Ali Sahaab under investigation
New York, September 8, 2023—Pakistan authorities must cease harassing journalists Fayaz Zafar and Amjad Ali Sahaab and immediately and impartially investigate Zafar’s detention and allegations that he was abused by police, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On August 30, police arrested Zafar, a reporter for the U.S.-Congress-funded Pashto-language broadcaster Voice of America Deewa…
Cyberattacks attempt to crash 6 media sites globally using U.S. company RayoByte
Media sites from at least six countries — Somalia, Kosovo, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, and Turkmenistan — have faced distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks using U.S. company RayoByte’s services over the last two years. Such cyberattacks often take place alongside other threats to journalists’ safety and press freedom. Headquartered in Nebraska, RayoByte is one of many…
Cyberattackers used US company RayoByte in efforts to crash media sites
The cyberattack against the Somali Journalists Syndicate could not have come at a worse time. A distributed denial-of-service attack, known by its acronym DDoS, flooded the local press freedom group’s website with traffic in early August and knocked it offline. Days later, authorities arrested SJS staff member and Kaab TV editor Mohamed Ibrahim Osman Bulbul…
Three more journalists arrested under Ethiopia’s state of emergency
Nairobi, September 6, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday expressed deep concern about the arrest of three journalists only weeks after Ethiopia declared a state of emergency and called on authorities to promptly release all members of the press detained for their work. Abay Zewdu, chief editor of the YouTube-based broadcaster Amara Media Center…
At least 65 journalists missing globally
August 30 marked the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances, with CPJ documenting at least 65 journalists missing globally. Official indifference and failure to investigate these disappearances cast a chill on other reporters and devastate the journalists’ families, who are often left in the dark with little to no support. ➡️ Mexican journalist Jorge…
Kashmiri journalist Iftikhar Gilani receives threatening messages online
On August 6, 2023, an anonymous user posted on X, previously known as Twitter, accusing Kashmiri journalist Iftikhar Gilani of collaborating with Indian authorities in monitoring the activities of Kashmiris in Turkey, including those supporting the “pro-[K]ashmir struggle.” The post accused Gilani of committing “crimes and traitorous acts,” according to Gilani and CPJ’s review of…
Paraguay authorities order 2 outlets to disclose authors of anonymous articles
São Paulo, August 28, 2023—The Paraguayan attorney general’s office should immediately retract letters sent to privately owned newspapers ABC Color and Última Hora demanding the outlets disclose the names of journalists who wrote stories about alleged money laundering, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On August 23, ABC Color and Última Hora received the official letters…
CPJ urges India to review ‘dangerous’ legislation that threatens press freedom
New York, August 25, 2023—Indian lawmakers must thoroughly review three bills that threaten the independence of the press, and the government should withdraw and significantly amend its new data protection law, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. “We are gravely concerned by the Indian government’s apparent attempts to pass a series of bills undermining…
Peruvian journalist Manuel Calloquispe faces threats and assaults while covering the Amazon
Manuel Calloquispe has faced an angry mob laying siege to his house, been called a traitor, been punched and kicked by miners, and had his equipment stolen. He once had to duck for cover when someone threw a machete at him. Yet, for more than a decade, the Peruvian freelance journalist has reported on the…