Russian investigative journalist Grigory Pasko assaulted in Siberia
New York, September 27, 2016–Authorities in Russia’s southern Siberian republic of Altai should credibly investigate yesterday’s assault on investigative journalist and journalism trainer Grigory Pasko and swiftly bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
CPJ welcomes new probe into murder of Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga
New York, September 27, 2016–Sri Lankan police today exhumed the body of slain journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga as part of a new investigation into his death in 2009, according to news reports. A Sri Lankan judge this month granted permission for the police to exhume the editor’s body due to contradictory post-mortem reports–two months after a…
Turkey Crackdown Chronicle: Week of September 25
Reporter arraigned on terrorism charges for having app on phone A court in the southern Turkish city of Isparta on September 24 arraigned Ramazan Alkan, a reporter for the pro-government, Islamist daily Yeni Akit on terrorism charges for having an app on his phone authorities believe followers of exiled preacher Fethullah Gülen use to communicate…
Taiwanese journalists barred from UN aviation agency assembly
New York, September 26, 2016 – The International Civil Aviation Organization should allow journalists to cover its events regardless of where they are from or where their employers are located, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The UN agency, which is responsible for setting global safety standards, yesterday refused to accredit two journalists for…
Oman sentences three journalists to prison
New York, September 26, 2016 – An Omani court today sentenced three journalists from the independent newspaper Azamn to prison and ordered the newspaper closed after it published allegations of judicial corruption, according to human rights groups and news reports.
Human Rights in Turkey After the Attempted Coup
CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator, Nina Ognianova, will join other panelists to speak on Turkey. Experts on human rights in Turkey, including those who have recently visited, will describe the human rights situation in the country. They will discuss recent history, the coup-attempt in July, and developments since the coup as they relate…
Jordanian commentator Nahed Hattar shot to death in Jordan
Washington, September 25, 2016–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns today’s assassination of controversial Jordanian writer Nahed Hattar outside an Amman court, where he was facing charges of “insulting religion” in connection with a cartoon he shared on Facebook, according to news reports. Relatives at the scene apprehended his killer, the reports said.
Safety and Protection of Journalists – Best Practices
Community of Democracies Working Group on promoting Freedom of Opinion and Expression is holding a high level side event to the UNGA on best practices for safety and protection of journalists on September 23, 2016 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This event will provide an opportunity for states, experts and media activists to…
Two journalists arrested in Iran
New York, September 22, 2016 – Iranian authorities should immediately release two reformist journalists arrested in recent days and stop jailing the media for doing their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At the time of his arrest, pro-government media described Sadra Mohaqeq, the editor of the reformist newspaper Shargh Daily, as an…