Moroccan journalist Omar Radi sentenced to 6 years in prison; Imad Stitou convicted of complicity
New York, July 19, 2021 – In response to a Casablanca court’s decision today to sentence Moroccan investigative journalist Omar Radi to six years in prison and journalist Imad Stitou to six months, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “We strongly condemn the sentencing today in Morocco of journalists Imad Stitou and…
MEDIA ADVISORY: CPJ resources and insights for journalists reporting on Pegasus Project
New York, July 19, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is closely monitoring the Pegasus Project consortium’s new reporting showing that at least 180 journalists were possible targets of Pegasus spyware. Earlier this year, CPJ launched a campaign highlighting the threats that spyware poses to press freedom, and today reiterated a call for companies…
Reuters photojournalist Danish Siddiqui killed in Afghanistan
Washington, D.C., July 16, 2021 — Afghan authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the killing of Reuters photojournalist Danish Siddiqui and do everything in their power to protect members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Siddiqui, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his work in 2018, was killed…
Capital Gazette shooter found criminally responsible, while questions of justice linger
In a county courthouse in Annapolis, Maryland, a scaled model of the old Capital Gazette newsroom was perched at an angle on a table toward the jury. One by one, four reporters, a photojournalist, and an advertising sales representative, approached the model to show where they were sitting when a loud noise — some thought it was a…
Iranian nationals indicted in attempt to kidnap US-based journalist
This week, U.S. prosecutors indicted five Iranian nationals for allegedly surveilling and planning to kidnap Brooklyn-based journalist Masih Alinejad. The indictment “shows that Iranian intelligence agents will stop at nothing to silence independent members of the press, even those abroad,” said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour. Iranian agents have previously…
CPJ welcomes jury ruling in US Capital Gazette murders
Washington, D.C., July 15, 2021—In response to news that a jury in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, today ruled that the man who killed four Capital Gazette journalists and a media worker in 2018 is criminally responsible for his actions, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “While today’s ruling can bring only limited…
Belarus police continue newsroom raids, target journalists’ association
Stockholm, July 15, 2021 – Belarusian authorities must cease their raids on independent news outlets and press freedom groups, and refrain from charging or imprisoning journalists over their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Early yesterday morning, Belarusian law enforcement officers raided the Minsk headquarters of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), a…
Exiled Turkish journalist attacked near his home in Germany
On the evening of July 7, 2021, Erk Acarer, an exiled Turkish journalist who is a columnist for the Turkish leftist daily BirGün, was attacked outside his home in Berlin by three assailants who used “fists and knives” while one told him, “you will not write,” according to journalist’s video and written accounts on Twitter, and to news reports. Acarer tweeted…
Ethiopia withdraws Addis Standard license, outlet ceases publication
Nairobi, July 15, 2021 – In response to Ethiopian authorities’ withdrawal today of the news website Addis Standard’s license, prompting the outlet to suspend operations, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “For years, Addis Standard has been an important source of critical reporting and commentary on Ethiopia. Today’s move to withdraw its…