HuffPost journalist and colleagues receive online threats
At least 11 journalists at HuffPost, their families and others were harassed and threatened online in late May and early June 2018, Lydia Polgreen, editor in chief at HuffPost, told CPJ. The harassment came after the outlet published a piece written by reporter Luke O’Brien that identified the person behind a Twitter account that shares…
Belarus moves to prosecute ‘fake news,’ control the Internet
Kiev, June 8, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on the Belarusian parliament to reject proposed laws that could further censor the media in the country. The Prosecutor General’s Office is drafting a bill on “fake news,” and the lower house of parliament separately is considering amendments to the media law.
Palestinian journalist shot while covering Gaza protests
Beirut, June 8, 2018–Mohammed al-Baba, a photographer for Agence France-Presse, was hit by a live round fired by the Israel Defense Forces while covering a protest east of the northern Gazan city of Jabalia, according to news reports, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, reports shared by news outlets on social media, and CPJ interviews with local…
Inter-American Court of Human Rights orders Colombia to investigate journalist’s murder
Bogotá, Colombia, June 8, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed an historic ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that ordered the Colombian government to uphold its responsibility to investigate the 1998 murder of radio journalist Nelson Carvajal Carvajal.
CPJ: Data seizure from New York Times reporter sets dangerous precedent
New York, June 8, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern about the seizure of phone and email records from New York Times reporter Ali Watkins by the United States Justice Department in the first known incident that federal prosecutors have gone after a journalist’s data under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Sudanese authorities prevent distribution of Al-Jarida newspaper
New York, June 7, 2018 — Sudanese authorities should allow the privately owned Al-Jarida newspaper to be distributed freely and cease its ongoing campaign against critical journalists in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Agents from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) held up distribution of the paper on the morning…
Journalist’s car set on fire in Romania
Berlin, June 5, 2018–The car of Dragoş Boţa, the editor-in-chief of local news website Pressalert, was set on fire by unknown assailants the night of June 2, 2018, in Romania’s southwestern city of Timişoara, the Romanian news agency Mediafax reported. No one was injured, according to the report.
CPJ Insider: June edition
CPJ calls on reporters to share stories of being stopped at U.S. border CPJ has issued a call to journalists to share any difficulties they have had while crossing the U.S. border. We partnered with Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, in this project and have created a page on our website where journalists can submit…
Newspaper publisher gunned down in the Philippines
Bangkok, June 7, 2018–A Filipino journalist was shot and killed today in Panabo City, in the southern province of Davao del Norte, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the killing and called on authorities to swiftly identify and bring to justice the assailant.
CPJ calls on Malaysia’s Mahathir to prioritize press freedom
CPJ calls on newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to prioritize the promotion and protection of press freedom, and to immediately take action to repeal the recently enacted “fake news” law and other restrictive legislation.