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…
On the table: Why now is the time to sway Rouhani to meet his promises for press freedom in Iran
President Hassan Rouhani sought re-election on the promise of a more open Iran. But 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 with harassment and surveillance. The current international focus on Iran and its economic ties with Europe…
On the table
Why now is the time to sway Rouhani to meet his promises for press freedom in Iran President Hassan Rouhani came to power in 2013 on a platform of pledges to roll back the repressive policies of his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who decimated Iran’s once vibrant media. Rouhani, seeking to create space for political reform…
Egyptian authorities detain blogger Wael Abbas
New York, May 23, 2018–Egyptian authorities should release immediately Wael Abbas, a blogger who has documented Egyptian police abuse, and end their senseless campaign against the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police at dawn today detained Abbas at his Cairo home and took him to an undisclosed location, according to news reports,…
Military court in Egypt sentences journalist to 10 years in jail
New York, May 22, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemned the sentencing today of Egyptian freelancer Ismail Alexandrani. A military court in Cairo found Alexandrani guilty of being a member of a banned organization and spreading false news, and sentenced the journalist to 10 years in prison, according to news reports.