CPJ Insider: September 2023 edition
Afghanistan Two Years Later: An Analysis by CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Beh Lih Yi and Asia Researcher Waliullah Rahmani So far in 2023, CPJ has provided crucial assistance to at least 30 journalists from Afghanistan amid continued threats from the Taliban that have forced many into exile. When the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021,…
Two exiled Russian journalists sentenced to 11 years for disseminating ‘fake’ news on Ukraine war
New York, August 31, 2023—Russian authorities should not contest the appeals of exiled journalists Ruslan Leviev and Michael Nacke and drop all charges against them, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Tuesday, August 29, the Basmanny Court in Moscow sentenced Leviev, founder of the Russian independent investigative project Conflict Intelligence Team, and Nacke,…
CPJ, partners call on Bangladesh to dismiss Digital Security Act cases over freedom of expression
Prime Minister Sheikh HasinaPeople’s Republic of [email protected] Sent via email Madam Prime Minister Hasina, We, the 19 undersigned press freedom and human rights organizations, write to seek your administration’s urgent intervention to immediately end the harassment and intimidation of journalist Adhora Yeasmean, who faces an investigation under the Digital Security Act (DSA) for her April…
CPJ joins call for investigation into police treatment of Brazilian journalist Danielle Zampollo
CPJ has joined three press freedom groups in calling for the São Paulo state government to investigate the case of an unidentified police officer who harassed and pointed a rifle at TV Globo reporter Danielle Zampollo while she was covering an August 3 police operation in the Prainha community in the city of Guarujá, about 52 miles (84 kms) from São Paulo. Zampollo was in Prainha following…
CPJ condemns 8-year sentence for Nicaraguan journalist Victor Ticay
Guatemala City, August 17, 2023 – The Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday condemned the eight-year prison sentence issued to Nicaraguan journalist Victor Ticay and called for his immediate release from prison. “Nicaraguan authorities’ sentencing of journalist Victor Ticay to eight years in prison is another example of the government’s complete lack of tolerance for…
Senegalese journalist Pape Alé Niang released after hunger strike, Maty Sarr Niang remains jailed
Dakar, August 08, 2023 – The Committee to Protect Journalists on Tuesday welcomed the release of journalist Pape Alé Niang, but called for charges against him to be dropped and for Senegalese authorities to unconditionally release journalist Ndèye Maty Niang, also known as Maty Sarr Niang. “The release of journalist Pape Alé Niang is a…
Bangladesh to replace draconian Digital Security Act with new law
Kuala Lumpur, August 7, 2023 – In response to news reports that the Bangladesh government on Monday announced its decision to replace the draconian Digital Security Act, which has been routinely used to criminalize journalists, with a new law, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “This is a step in the right…
At least 7 Congolese journalists stoned, slapped or beaten in election-related incidents
Kinshasa, August 3, 2023—Politicians in the Democratic Republic of Congo and their supporters must respect journalists’ rights to report freely and safely in the lead-up to national elections on December 20, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. At least seven journalists reporting on political candidates were assaulted in three separate incidents last week, according…
Zimbabwean reporter Columbus Mavhunga faces jail over drone reporting
Lusaka, August 2, 2023—Zimbabwean authorities should immediately drop illegal drone-flying charges against reporter Columbus Mavhunga and ensure that journalists can freely carry out their work without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On July 23, police arrested Mavhunga, a correspondent for the U.S. Congress-funded broadcaster Voice of America (VOA), after a…
At least 7 Ugandan journalists assaulted, robbed at news conferences
Nairobi, July 31, 2023—Ugandan authorities should investigate and prosecute those responsible for assaulting, robbing, and harassing seven journalists at two separate news conferences, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On July 20, unidentified men punched and kicked at least six journalists at the headquarters of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in the…