Russia-Ukraine war: At least 7 journalists killed covering the conflict
At least seven journalists have been killed covering the war in Ukraine, and CPJ is investigating five other journalist deaths to determine if they were work-related. Watch this moving tribute that chronicles the stories of the journalists killed and includes testimonies from their friends, colleagues, and family. CPJ observed World Press Freedom Day this week…
Journalists assaulted, harassed amid political transition in Pakistan
On April 11, 2022, Pakistan’s parliament elected Shehbaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and younger brother of former three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, as the country’s new prime minister after ousting Imran Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in a no-confidence vote, according to news reports. Since that political transition, journalists…
‘Red-tagging’ of journalists looms over Philippine elections
As Philippine presidential candidates wind up their campaigns before the May 9 election, journalists in the country are demanding that whoever succeeds President Rodrigo Duterte put an end to “red tagging” – the labeling of individuals as rebels or supporters of the communist insurgency – that helped put their colleague Frenchiemae Cumpio behind bars. Cumpio, the 23-year-old executive director…
Botswana journalists remain ‘vigilant’ under new surveillance law
When Botswana’s government sought to pass a new law early this year that would have allowed for warrantless surveillance, local opposition came swift. Authorities eventually introduced judicial oversight, which local media groups considered a success, but the Botswana police’s history of searching journalists’ devices and accessing their telecom information remains cause for concern. “We do…
Anniversary of Kurdish journalist murder sends out alarming truth about silencing of dissent in Iraqi Kurdistan
Amsterdam, May 4 2022 — Kurdish authorities were likely directly involved in the 2010 kidnapping and murder of a young journalist, a newly published investigation by A Safer World for the Truth finds, and engaged after the fact in intimidation and harassment – indicative of a larger pattern of impunity and silencing of the free…
CPJ joins call for Brazilian authorities, electoral candidates to respect press freedom
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 10 Brazilian and international civil society groups and press freedom organizations in a statement marking World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2022, calling for Brazilian authorities and candidates in upcoming elections to respect the role of a free press and ensure journalists can work safely. The statement notes…
CPJ condemns additional trial delay for the alleged killers of Brazilian journalist Valério Luiz de Oliveira
Rio de Janeiro, May 2, 2022 – The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday expressed disappointment in response to news reports that a court in Brazil again postponed the jury trial of five men charged with the 2012 murder of well-known Brazilian sports journalist Valério Luiz de Oliveira. The trial was delayed after the lawyers…
Imprisoned Egyptian journalist Alaa Abdelfattah’s sister Sanaa Seif: ‘Since the book is out, his voice is out too’
When Egyptian journalist Alaa Abdelfattah was re-arrested in September 2019 for sharing a tweet with allegations of wrongdoing by a state security officer, he ended up back in prison under the same watchful gaze of authorities who had warned him a few months prior to stop reporting, or he would “regret it.” However, Abdelfattah did…
Ethiopian journalists Dessu Dulla and Bikila Amenu face death penalty on anti-state charges
Nairobi, May 2, 2022 – Ethiopian authorities should immediately release journalists Dessu Dulla and Bikila Amenu, drop all charges against them, and stop targeting members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On April 7, authorities in the Ethiopian region of Oromia charged Dessu and Bikila, both journalists with the social media-based…
CPJ Insider: May 2022 edition
Today is World Press Freedom Day! For over two months now, the invasion of Ukraine has dominated the news, and much of CPJ’s work has been dedicated to supporting journalists covering the war. From disbursing safety information in Ukrainian, Russian, and English, working to coordinate the distribution of personal protective gear, or providing first aid…