CPJ Insider: June 2023 edition
CPJ celebrates World Press Freedom Day For the first time in its 30-year history, World Press Freedom Day was held in New York with journalists, diplomats, and advocates from across the world convening for discussions and activities. CPJ, which is headquartered in New York, hosted a number of events on May 3 and throughout the…
Texas journalists continue to seek answers on the Uvalde school shooting — and to grieve
When a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, journalists rushed to the scene. One year later, CPJ went to Uvalde and spoke with those journalists, for whom covering the shooting was deeply personal. The journalists played a pivotal role in helping families…
DRC enacts press law and digital code that criminalize journalism
New York, May 23, 2023—DRC authorities should swiftly reform the country’s new press law and digital code to ensure journalism is not criminalized and the media can work without undue restrictions or fear of prosecution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. In April, Congolese authorities enacted new laws governing the press and online activity,…
Chilean journalist Victor Herrero fined in criminal defamation case
Bogotá, May 23, 2023—Chilean authorities should not contest journalist Victor Herrero’s appeal of his recent criminal defamation conviction and should reform the country’s laws to decriminalize speech, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Monday, May 22, a criminal court in the capital city of Santiago sentenced Herrero, editor of the independent news website…
World Health Organization denies entry to 2 Taiwanese journalists
Taipei, May 23, 2023—The World Health Organization should ensure that all journalists can freely cover the organization’s annual gathering and should not allow the press accreditation process to be used as a political tool, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Monday, May 22, United Nations officials pulled reporters Judy Tseng and Tien Hsi-ju…
Armenian court orders freeze on assets of journalist Davit Sargsyan and outlet 168 Hours
Stockholm, May 23, 2023— A court in the Armenian capital of Yerevan should unfreeze the assets of journalist Davit Sargsyan and the independent news outlet 168 Hours, and the country’s authorities should ensure that members of the press do not face legal retaliation for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On May…
CPJ deeply disappointed by retrial verdict for murder of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak
Berlin, May 19, 2023 —The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for Slovak authorities to continue seeking justice for the 2018 murder of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, following Friday’s decision by a criminal court to acquit businessperson Marián Kočner, the suspected mastermind of the killing. The court convicted Alena Zsuzsová,…
CPJ to present 2023 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award to Alberto Ibargüen, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
CPJ announced Thursday that it will honor Alberto Ibargüen, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, with the 2023 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award. The award is presented by CPJ’s board of directors in recognition of extraordinary and sustained commitment to press freedom. “Alberto Ibargüen has been a visionary leader in journalism,”…
In Marcos Jr.’s Philippines, milder tone belies harsh media reality
At a waterfront courthouse in Tacloban City, a long-time hotbed of communist insurgency in the Philippines’ Eastern Visayas island region, heavily armed guards were escorting jailed journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio to trial. The picturesque setting belied the harsh reality of the April 17 hearing. Cumpio could be put behind bars for life if found guilty…
Lesotho journalist Ralikonelo Joki killed after radio show
Lusaka, May 15, 2023—Lesotho authorities must launch a credible investigation into the killing of journalist Ralikonelo ‘Leqhashasha’ Joki and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Around 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, an unknown number of people shot Joki in the head once and body at least 13 times as…