Finding Security in Unsafe Passages: Protecting Journalists’ Safety & Rights
Presented by the National Writers Union, along with the International Federation of Journalists, the Communications Coordination Committee for the United Nations, and the Metro New York Labor Communications Council. Panelist for the discussion will include H.E. Mrs. Bénédicte Frankinet, Ambassador, Permanent Representative Of Belgium To The United Nations, Herb Boyd, Susan E. Davis, Karin Deutsch…
French surveillance law passes National Assembly, but it’s not the last word
Until the last moment the opponents of a very controversial French intelligence bill tried to be heard. On Monday May 4 on the eve of the vote, activists kept calling deputies to convince them to reject the bill. They had no chance however, since the Socialist government could count on a solid majority from both…
Pakistani journalist Muhammud Rasool Dawar under threat
We get a fairly steady stream of journalists in Asia asking for assistance. The majority of the requests come from journalists who have been threatened, and the threats can come from just about anywhere: militant groups, the military, government officials, powerful local politicians, arms runners, and drug dealers.
8th Al Jazeera Forum “Change in the Arab World: Where To?”
Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator, will attend Al Jazeera’s 8th Annual Forum, “Change in the Arab World: Where to?” The forum seeks to discuss the transformations of the Arab revolutions through diverse activities, starting with a review of transition paths, followed by the identification of obstacles, and finally (among other…
“Democracy in crisis: freedom of the media under threat in the EU & its neighbourhood”
Authoritarian governments are improperly using their leverage over media to limit public debate about government actions and punish journalists and media owners who dispute government claims. The ruling parties directly attempt to limit media freedom through censorship and legal restrictions of printed and digital media. In Hungary for example the ruling party altered the constitutional…
Veracruz journalist shot dead after reporting on oil theft
Mexico City, May 6, 2015–The body of Veracruz radio journalist Armando Saldaña Morales was found on Monday in the neighboring Mexican state of Oaxaca, according to the Oaxaca state attorney general’s office and news reports. The journalist had been shot dead, the reports said. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the murder and calls on…
Singaporean authorities shut down The Real Singapore news website
Bangkok, May 5, 2015–Singaporean authorities on Sunday ordered an independent news website to be shut down, citing the website’s content as being objectionable to state interests, according to news reports. The Real Singapore is the first news website to be shut down under Singapore’s licensing regulations, introduced in 2013, according to CPJ research.
In Cameroon, press struggles with financial and official constraints
On March 16, Cameroon’s Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakari, denounced French online news outlet Le Monde as unprofessional at a press conference after it reported on allegations that President Paul Biya was in hospital in Geneva. The incident is symbolic of the growing problem in Cameroon, which has a growing but poorly funded independent…
The Beirut Ideas – Defending press freedom today: New Tools, New Challenges
The last few years were the deadliest for journalists, especially in the Middle East, where more than 90 percent of the crimes remain unpunished. Press freedom defenders are facing today multi-layered challenges: How to protect journalists who cannot afford expensive safety trainings and protective equipment? How to deal with budget constraints and donor fatigue? How…
Remembering Fallen Journalists + Social Good
On World Press Freedom Day global citizens and members of the news media community including, the Committee to Protect Journalists, will come together in a moment of silence to remember journalists who have died while bearing witness. Join the moment of silence online by using/posting/tweeting #remembering between 6pm & 9pm local time on May 3rd,…