Azerbaijani journalist Avaz Zeynalli, lawyer Elchin Sadygov remanded for 4 months on bribery charges
New York, September 12, 2022 – Azerbaijani authorities should release journalist Avaz Zeynalli and lawyer Elchin Sadygov and drop the charges against them, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Saturday, September 10, uniformed officers who identified themselves as part of the prosecutor general’s office arrested Zeynalli, owner and chief editor of the independent…
Six months into the Russia-Ukraine war, 12 journalists killed
For six months, CPJ has covered how Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has affected press freedom in the region. At least 12 journalists have been killed covering the war and CPJ is investigating whether the deaths of three others were related to their work. Russia’s independent media has been gutted as scores of journalists have…
Kyrgyz authorities block news website Res Publica under controversial false news law
Stockholm, August 8, 2022 – Kyrgyzstan authorities should immediately restore access to independent news website Res Publica and repeal a recently enacted false information law that severely threatens press freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On July 21, Res Publica editor-in-chief Zamira Sydykova announced on the outlet’s website and on her Facebook page…
Belarusian journalist Yury Hantsarevich sentenced to 2.5 years on extremism charges
Stockholm, July 14, 2022 – In response to a Belarus court’s sentencing of journalist Yury Hantsarevich to two years and six months in prison on an extremism charge Thursday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for authorities not to contest his appeal. “Sentenced today for taking photographs, Yury Hantsarevich is merely…
British Home Secretary approves Assange extradition to the United States
New York, June 17, 2022–In response to British Home Secretary Priti Patel’s decision on Friday to approve a U.S. request to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to the United States, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The extradition of Julian Assange to the United States to face trial on charges under the…
Two Ukrainian journalists’ bodies found in Bucha and Yahidne after Russian withdrawal
After Russian withdrawal, Ukrainian journalists found killed: video technician Roman Nezhyborets’ body was found buried in the northern Ukrainian village of Yahidne, and freelance journalist Zoreslav Zamoysky’s body was found in Bucha, near the capital of Kyiv. Local Ukrainians found the bodies after Russian forces withdrew from those areas. More from CPJ’s coverage of the…
Somaliland intelligence officers attack 3 journalists; detain journalist Abdisalan Ahmed Awad
Nairobi, April 11, 2022 — Authorities in the breakaway region of Somaliland should unconditionally release freelance online journalist Abdisalan Ahmed Awad and hold the intelligence officers who harassed and assaulted him and two other journalists responsible, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On the night of March 18, Abdisalan was riding in a car…
Hong Kong police arrest journalist Allan Au for alleged sedition
Taipei, April 11, 2022 – Hong Kong authorities must release journalist Allan Au Ka-lun immediately and unconditionally, and stop detaining members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On the morning of Monday, April 11, the Hong Kong Police Force’s national security department arrested Au at his home in Kwai Chung on…
Mali suspends RFI and France 24, bars local outlets from distributing their content
New York, March 18, 2022 — Malian authorities should reverse the suspension of French broadcasters Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24, and swiftly implement accreditation processes that ensure journalists are not barred from working in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Wednesday, March 16, Mali’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and…
Two Ugandan journalists charged with cyberstalking the president, remanded to prison
Nairobi, March 17, 2022 — Ugandan authorities should unconditionally release The Alternative Digitalk television journalists Norman Tumuhimbise and Faridah Bikobere, drop any pending investigations against seven other journalists from the online media outlet, and rigorously investigate allegations that at least two of these journalists suffered serious physical abuse while in the custody of security personnel,…