Cuban journalists detained while covering hurricane damage
Cuban state security officers on October 11 briefly detained Elaine Díaz Rodríguez, one of Cuba’s most prominent independent journalists, along with five of her colleagues from Periodismo de Barrio (Neighborhood News) and two freelancers working with them, while the team attempted to report on storm damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in northeastern Cuba Periodismo de…
Award-winning Malaysian cartoonist banned from travel
Bangkok, October 18, 2016–Malaysian authorities should immediately lift all restrictions on cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque’s freedom of movement, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. An officer at Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday prevented the cartoonist, better known as Zunar, from leaving the country, according to news reports.
Somalia closes newspaper, arrests editor
Nairobi, October 17, 2016 — Somali authorities should immediately release the editor of Xog Ogaal newspaper and allow the newspaper to resume publishing, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Officers from Somalia’s National Intelligence Agency raided the newspaper’s office and arrested its editor on October 15, according to press freedom advocates and press reports.
North Dakota court to review rioting charge against Amy Goodman
New York, October 17, 2016–A U.S. court is due today to review a charge of rioting filed against broadcast journalist Amy Goodman, who filmed security guards using dogs and pepper spray to disperse protesters on September 3. The charge against the host of global news program Democracy Now! was filed October 14 by North Dakota…
Pro-government group harasses journalists in Malaysia
Bangkok, October 17, 2016 – Malaysian authorities should swiftly bring to justice those responsible for harassing three journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Members of a pro-government group threatened journalists covering a confrontation between a group associated with the ruling party and a rival group on October 15, according to press reports.
Turkey Crackdown Chronicle: Week of October 16
Man accused of shooting at award-winning editor freed pending trial A court in Istanbul today ordered Murat Şahin–the man accused of attempting to shoot former Cumhuriyet newspaper editor Can Dündar during a break in Dündar’s trial on May 6–released pending the conclusion of his trial, Hürriyet Daily News reported.
In India, online campaign seeks to free press from risk of criminal defamation
An online campaign to decriminalize defamation in India is being led by a member of the country’s main opposition party. “Criminal defamation can lead to people being put in jail for something they have said publicly. This law needs to be replaced by a modern, progressive law,” reads the statement on the campaign website.
CPJ calls on Thailand to not censor news during royal transition
New York, October 14, 2016–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Thailand’s military government to lift a blanket censorship order on television news broadcasters imposed in the wake of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death yesterday.
CPJ calls on Burundi to release Radio Maria reporter
Nairobi, October 13, 2016–Burundi’s national intelligence service should immediately release radio journalist Salvador Nahimana, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police detained Nahimana, a reporter for the Burundian branch of Radio Maria, a global station that broadcasts news and missionary statements, on October 2, and transferred him to the custody of the intelligence service,…