Indian court forbids screening of investigative documentary
New Delhi, May 25, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern over the Delhi High Court’s decision to bar the release of the second part of an investigative documentary about news outlets allegedly being willing to accept money in exchange for favorable coverage. The court yesterday issued an injunction that forbids the screening of…
Two Syrian journalists detained, assaulted northwest of Aleppo
Members of the General Public Security, a Free Syrian Army (FSA) security force, on May 15, 2018, assaulted and detained Wael Adel and Omar Hafez, a correspondent and cameraperson, respectively, for the Turkey-based, pro-opposition Syria TV, according to their employer, news reports, the Syrian Journalists Association, and the regional press freedom group SKeyes Center for…
World Health Organization blocks Taiwanese outlets from attending annual assembly
Taipei, May 25, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply troubled by the World Health Organization’s decision to deny Taiwanese media outlets press accreditation to its annual decision-making function, the World Health Assembly, which started on May 21.
Ukraine extends ban on Russian news agencies, journalists
New York, May 24, 2018–Ukrainian authorities today published a presidential decree that extends for three years sanctions imposed in 2017 against Russian state-funded news outlets and their journalists, as well as other foreign entities and individuals, and added the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti-Ukraine to the sanctions list, according to media reports.
CPJ welcomes introduction of UK Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill
May 24, 2018, London–The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed the U.K.’s decision to pass into law legislation that addresses human rights abuses. The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill, which yesterday received Royal Assent to be passed into law, includes a “Magnitsky amendment” that empowers the U.K. to apply sanctions against individuals suspected of human…
Court in Algeria sentences blogger to 10 years in prison
New York, May 24, 2018–In a one-day trial today, a criminal court in Béjaïa sentenced Algerian blogger Marzoug Touati to 10 years in prison and fined him 50,000 Algerian dinar (US$427) for communicating with a foreign entity and inciting civil disobedience, Touati’s lawyer, Salah Dabouz, told CPJ. The conviction is related to Touati’s interview with…
Press freedom at risk in Myanmar today
Press freedom in Myanmar is eroding as journalists and other media workers face increasing restrictions in connection with their work. Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been in detention since December 2017 for investigating a military massacre of 10 Rohingya men. They face up to 14 years in prison if tried and…
Federal authorities in Mexico open investigation into journalist killed in Tabasco state
Mexico City, May 24, 2018–Federal authorities in Mexico have opened an investigation into the killing of radio and television journalist Juan Carlos Huerta, who was shot dead near his home in the Tabasco state capital, Villahermosa, on May 15.
Journalists covering Iran face restrictions, harassment, and surveillance
CPJ report finds little improvement for press under Rouhani Brussels, May 24, 2018–Despite promises of reform by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, little has changed for the press, as hardliners in the judiciary and other powerful institutions jail journalists, block websites, and maintain a climate of fear through harassment and surveillance, the Committee to Protect Journalists…