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…
Online journalist flees Russia following threats
New York, September 21, 2016–Russian authorities should credibly investigate threats against independent online journalist Aleksandr Sotnik and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Sotnik yesterday announced that he had fled Russia following threats connected to his critical reporting on Kremlin policies.
CPJ Newsletter: Exhibit of jailed photographer’s work moves to Photoville, journalist released from jail, and we join our partners at the UN
October edition Next stop for exhibit of Shawkan’s work: Photoville In mid-September, CPJ partnered with the Bronx Documentary Center to hold an exhibition of photographs taken by Mahmoud Abou Zeid, or Shawkan, a freelance journalist who has been imprisoned in Egypt since August 2013. Many of Shawkan’s photos–from protests and celebrations in Tahrir Square to…
How Nigeria’s cybercrime law is being used to try to muzzle the press
Since Nigeria’s cybercrime act was voted into law in May 2015 authorities have used the accusation of cyber stalking to harass and press charges against at least five bloggers who criticized politicians and businessmen online and through social media.
CPJ to release special report on press freedom in Cuba
New York, September 21–The Committee to Protect Journalists will release its special report on conditions for Cuba’s press on September 28, 2016, entitled “Connecting Cuba: More Space for Criticism but Restrictions Slow Press Freedom Progress.” Based on interviews with journalists and bloggers, the report examines how the media landscape has changed since President Raúl Castro…