Drug-related violence fuels an exodus of Ecuador’s press
On the only radio station in the remote Ecuadorian town of Baeza, morning show host Juan Carlos Tito updates listeners on the weather, recent power outages, and repairs to a bridge spanning a nearby river. For the last 24 years, Tito, 53, has been the trusted voice of Radio Selva, broadcasting important community news to…
Journalist Tatiana Osango assaulted after interview criticizing DRC president
Kinshasa, June 12, 2024—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should impartially investigate the June 5 assault of broadcast journalist Tatiana Osango and ensure those responsible are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Seven men used glass bottles to hit Osango, a reporter who presents a political program on the…
Hostile climate intensifies for Slovak press after PM Fico shooting
The day after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot on May 15, the heads of 27 news outlets condemned the attack and called on politicians not to further divide society by looking for culprits. “Just like after the murder of our colleague Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, we are once again at…
Taliban orders shutdown of broadcaster Tamadon TV
New York, June 7, 2024 — The Taliban must reverse its order to shut down private broadcaster Tamadon TV and end its ongoing, unprecedented suppression of Afghan media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Thursday, the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice announced the closure of Tamadon TV, alleging that the broadcaster was affiliated with…
CPJ, partners call on ICJ to order unimpeded media access to Gaza following South Africa’s urgent request
New York, May 22, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), ARTICLE 19 and partners on Wednesday issued a statement (full text below) in support of South Africa’s urgent request to the International Court of Justice to order Israel to facilitate unimpeded media access to Gaza. In a joint statement, nine human rights and press freedom…
Syrian student journalist Atia Abu Salem on hunger strike in Jordanian prison
Istanbul, May 22, 2024—Jordanian authorities must immediately release Syrian student journalist Atia Abu Salem, revoke the deportation order against him, and stop censoring members of the press because of their reporting on the Israel-Gaza war, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On April 9, Jordanian security forces arrested Abu Salem, a Syrian student at…
Belarusian authorities invade homes of 2 exiled journalists
New York, May 21, 2024 — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Belarusian authorities to stop harassing exiled journalists and ensure the media can work freely, both abroad and at home. On Thursday, May 16, officers with the Belarusian State Security Committee, or KGB, and representatives of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties sealed…
Colombian journalist flees after death threat after report on extortion claims
Bogotá, May 21, 2024—Colombian authorities must thoroughly investigate the death threat received by journalist Edward Álvarez, ensure his safety, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Álvarez, a reporter for the independent online news outlet La Chiva de Urabá in the northern city of Apartadó, received a death threat…
Iraqi Kurdish Asayish security forces arrest journalist Shakar Star after smuggling reports
Beirut, May 21, 2024 — Iraqi Kurdish authorities should immediately and unconditionally release journalist Shakar Star and allow all members of the media to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On the evening of Saturday, May 18, Iraqi Kurdistan Asayish security forces arrested Star, a presenter at local media agency Tiwar News,…
CPJ welcomes ICC warrant applications for Hamas and Israeli leaders
New York, May 20, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) welcomes the International Criminal Court’s announcement on Monday that it was seeking arrest warrants for Hamas and Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity. “The ICC’s application for arrest warrants for crimes against humanity in Israel and Palestine recognizes atrocities committed against civilians,”…