Journalists threatened with death in three Colombian states
Bogotá, September 30, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by death threats against numerous journalists in different states in Colombia over the past week and calls on authorities to ensure the journalists’ safety. All of the journalists had reported on criminal activities in the region.
As al-Sisi promises freedom of speech, TV host Youssef is put under investigation
The Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was given a great platform for his country last week, with a speech at the United Nation’s General Assembly in which he said that his “new Egypt” would “guarantee freedom of speech,” and his first ever meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama.
Australia’s national security bills threaten press freedom
New York, September 30, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists said it is gravely concerned by a national security-related bill in Australia, which could result in prison time of up to 10 years for journalists who report on intelligence. The National Security Reform Bill One was passed in the upper house on Thursday and would become…
Republic of Congo expels another journalist from the country
Abuja, Nigeria, September 30, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Congolese authorities’ decision to expel a Cameroonian journalist from the country. Elie Smith, who was attacked in his home in September, is the second journalist whom authorities have expelled from the Republic of Congo in a week.
Amid Hong Kong protests, journalists battle misperceptions of press freedom
EDITOR’S NOTE: As pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong intensify ahead of China’s National Day on Wednesday, some reporters have been caught in the melee. But for Hong Kong’s journalists, there is more at stake than run-ins with the riot police.
Undercover in Vietnam: Room for debate frees up but bloggers remain imprisoned
In the final part of CPJ’s “Undercover in Vietnam” series on press freedom in Vietnam, Southeast Asia Representative Shawn Crispin reveals how prominent blogger Nguyen Van Hai remains behind bars for his critical writing despite the margin for debate opening. The series concludes with recommendations for the Vietnamese government and international bodies. Incarcerated for the…
Mikhail Zygar, Russia
2014 CPJ International Press Freedom Awardee (Courtesy of ABC News) Mikhail Zygar is the editor-in-chief of the independent Russian TV channel Dozhd. Under Zygar’s leadership, Dozhd has provided an alternative to Kremlin-controlled federal TV channels by focusing on news content and giving a platform to opposition voices. The channel’s coverage of politically sensitive issues, like…
Jorge Ramos
2014 CPJ Burton Benjamin Memorial Awardee (Gio Alma) Jorge Ramos is a Mexican-American journalist and author. He has co-anchored the award-winning evening newscast “Noticiero Univision” (Univision News) since 1986. He also hosts “Al Punto” (To the Point), the Univision Network’s Sunday public affairs program, and recently started hosting his first program in English, “America with…
Siamak Ghaderi, Iran
2014 CPJ International Press Freedom Awardee (Courtesy of ABC News) Siamak Ghaderi is an Iranian freelance journalist and a former editor and reporter for the Islamic Republic’s official news agency IRNA. Ghaderi made international headlines when he chose to rebut former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s claim in 2007 that there were no homosexuals in Iran by…
Aung Zaw, Burma
2014 CPJ International Press Freedom Awardee (Courtesy of ABC News) Aung Zaw is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Irrawaddy, a news organization first established in 1993 that is dedicated to Burma-related news through a monthly magazine and daily news site. Branded an “enemy of the state” by the former military regime, The Irrawaddy continues…