CPJ condemns killing of American journalist James Foley
New York, August 19, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the murder of James Foley, a U.S. freelance journalist, who was abducted in Syria in November 2012. In a video posted online, the Al-Qaeda splinter group Islamic State claimed to have executed Foley, saying the act was retribution for U.S. military intervention in Iraq.
Journalist’s death in North Caucasus calls for independent investigation
On July 31, 26-year-old reporter, blogger, and civil activist Timur Kuashev disappeared in Nalchik, the regional capital of Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkariya. When such news breaks in the volatile region–where journalists and human rights defenders are slaughtered regularly and with impunity–families prepare for the worst. The next day, a body resembling Kuashev’s turned…
Television anchor shot dead outside his home in Honduras
New York, August 19, 2014 — The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the murder of broadcast journalist Nery Francisco Soto Torres in Honduras on Thursday and calls on authorities to launch a full investigation, determine the motive, and bring those responsible to justice.
Yemeni journalist shot dead in series of attacks on state-run media
New York, August 19, 2014 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by a string of attacks on Yemeni journalists working for state-run outlets in the past week. At least one journalist has been killed and another survived an assassination attempt, according to the Ministry of Information and news reports.
CPJ condemns ongoing harassment, arrests of reporters in Ferguson
New York, August 19, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the continued harassment and detentions of journalists covering the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, sparked by the police killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. At least nine journalists have been detained and released without charge since Saturday, according to CNN. Two others were briefly…
New York Times reporter barred from leaving Afghanistan
New York, August 19, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reports today that Afghan authorities have banned New York Times correspondent Matthew Rosenberg from leaving the country, according to news reports. Rosenberg is based in Kabul and Washington. His most recent story, published on Monday, alleged that some Afghan officials were threatening to…
Kenyan journalists, CPJ launch new initiative to improve security
Today, the Committee to Protect Journalists in collaboration with local media organizations launched a journalist security guide and protocol designed specifically for the Kenyan press. The initiative stems from research conducted in 2013 by the same group of organizations, the Kenya Media Working Group, in light of acute and unique security challenges for the Kenyan…
South Sudan closes radio station, arrests editor
Nairobi, August 18, 2014–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns South Sudanese authorities’ shutdown of the popular Catholic-run Bakhita Radio station in Juba, the capital, on Saturday and the ongoing detention of the station’s news editor. Security agents raided the outlet in the morning and arrested four staff members, according to the station’s managing director and…