CPJ urges US court to reverse Khashoggi ruling, order US intelligence community to disclose information on documents related to duty to warn
The U.S. intelligence community should confirm or deny the existence of documents that may provide information on its duty to warn Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi of threats to his life before his murder, or provide more detailed explanations of their refusal to do so, CPJ argued today at the U.S. Court of Appeals for…
Venezuelan authorities raid, shutter VPITV broadcaster
Bogotá, January 11, 2021 – Venezuelan authorities should return all equipment confiscated from VPITV and allow it to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 8, authorities raided the Caracas offices of VPITV, an independent online broadcaster, where they confiscated cameras, computers, transmission equipment, and documents, and ordered the station to…
CPJ joins call for Uganda to maintain internet access during election
The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined 54 other organizations in a letter to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni calling on him to ensure open and unrestricted internet access during and after the country’s presidential election, scheduled for January 14. The letter notes that disruptions to internet access would undermine journalists’ ability to report on the…
Section 230 reform could have unintended consequences for the press
Twitter’s permanent suspension of President Donald Trump’s account is reinvigorating debate about the law that protects social media platforms – specifically, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The statute shields tech companies and news websites from liability for making decisions about what people can say on their platforms, whether they take it down, or…
A positive step for Julian Assange but a blow to press freedom
A London court’s decision this week not to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States imperils press freedom even as it benefits Assange. In her January 4 decision, Judge Vanessa Baraister ruled that Assange would be at risk of suicide should he be extradited to the U.S. to face criminal prosecution, including on espionage…
CPJ calls for accountability for attacks on media during US Capitol assault
New York, January 8, 2021—U.S. authorities must thoroughly investigate the many attacks on journalists during the violent takeover of the U.S. Capitol this week, and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 6, supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. as both houses…
Nicaraguan journalist Aníbal Toruño harassed, home raided
Los Angeles, January 8, 2021 — Nicaraguan authorities should cease harassing journalist Aníbal Toruño and allow him to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, national police officers raided Toruño’s home in the northwestern city of León, and broke the home’s front door and other furniture, according to news reports, video of…
Colombian journalist Andrés Felipe Guevara shot and killed
Bogotá, January 8, 2021 — Colombian authorities must thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Andrés Felipe Guevara Henao, determine if he was targeted for his work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 21, 2020, in the western city of Cali, an unidentified assailant shot Guevara four…
‘Three people threatened to shoot me.’ Journalists describe covering mob violence at the US Capitol
Yesterday’s pro-Trump protests in Washington, D.C. — during which a mob broke into the Capitol building and forced journalists, lawmakers, and staff to shelter-in-place for hours — were full of anti-press sentiment. The words “Murder the Media” were etched on a door inside the building, according to The New York Times, and individuals in the crowd repeatedly threatened…
Amid violence in Washington, D.C., journalist safety must be respected
Following yesterday’s disturbing displays of violence in Washington, D.C., which put journalists and lawmakers alike at serious risk, CPJ remains concerned for the safety of reporters covering civil unrest and political events. Amid the chaos, reported threats against the press yesterday included intimidation of news crews and destruction of equipment. “Journalists and news crews covering…