Two British journalists convicted in Indonesia over visa violations
New York, November 3, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the conviction of British filmmakers Neil Bonner and Rebecca Prosser who, according to reports, were sentenced to two and a half month in prison in Indonesia today. The conviction represents a failure of the government to reverse its long-standing anti-media policies.
In Bangladesh, publisher stabbed to death and three injured in attacks
New York, November 2, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns two separate attacks in Dhaka on Saturday that, according to reports, killed and injured, respectively, two publishers who had produced books by the murdered Bangladeshi-American publisher Avijit Roy. Two writers were also injured in one of the attacks.
National Impunity Day in Nairobi
On November 2, CPJ and Article 19 will host an event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi for the International Day to End Impunity. Tom Rhodes, CPJ’s East Africa representative, will speak on a panel with representatives from Article 19, the Media Council of Kenya and journalists from Kenya, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia.
Report highlights Turkey’s troubled press freedom record
Turkish authorities should end impunity for attacks against journalists, decriminalize insult and defamation, stop harassing critical news outlets, and release imprisoned journalists, according to “Press Freedom in Turkey’s Inter-Election Period,” a report published Saturday by the Vienna-based International Press Institute. Muzaffar Suleymanov, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program researcher, contributed to the report.
Stop the killing of journalists! Prevention and justice to end impunity event
Taking place on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, UNESCO; along with Centre for the Freedom of the Media (CFOM) – Sheffield University; PEN International; and Article 19 will host journalists, international lawyers, human rights figures and policymakers to share their understanding of the acute situation regarding the issue of impunity…
New Strategies in Defense of Global Press Freedoms
U.S. Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Richard Stengel will discuss new strategies in defense of global press freedom. The event will include a panel with Agnes Callamard (Director of Columbia Global Freedom of Expression), Ann Cooper (International Director at Columbia Journalism School), Joel Simon (Executive Director, Committee to Protect Journalists) and…
In China, harsh penalties for ‘false news’ make it harder for reporters to work
China’s journalists and bloggers, already under threat of persecution, face new risks from November 1, when amendments to the country’s criminal law come into effect. Under the amendment, passed in August by legislative body the National People’s Congress, those convicted of spreading false news about disasters or epidemics will face harsh penalties.
Nigerian journalist threatened for alleging rape at a boys’ school
Abuja, Nigeria, October 30, 2015–A radio journalist told the Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday that he had been threatened by three men after he reported on the alleged rape of students in a boys’ school in Nigeria’s northern city of Kano.
CPJ calls for investigation into murder of Syrian journalists in Turkey
New York, October 30, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Turkish authorities to investigate and bring to justice the murderers of two Syrian journalists found slain in an apartment in the city of Urfa in southeastern Turkey today. Ibrahim Abd al-Qader worked as the executive director and Fares Hamadi as head of the…