Governments around the world crack down on journalists covering COVID-19
This week, journalists covering COVID-19 have been arrested in Venezuela and Niger, and assaulted by police in India. In Thailand, a state of emergency was declared on Thursday to contain the virus, which gives the government more control over the press. Last week, Hamas-controlled security forces assaulted a journalist covering a COVID-19 protest, and authorities…
Journalist Adnan Rashidi tortured, robbed in Iraqi Kurdistan
New York, March 26, 2020 — Authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the torture and robbery of journalist Adnan Rashidi and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Venezuelan journalist arrested by special forces following coronavirus coverage
Miami, March 22, 2020 — Venezuelan authorities must immediately release journalist Darvinson Rojas and ensure that the media can cover the coronavirus outbreak in the country without fear of retribution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Svetlana Prokopyeva, Russia
CPJ is honored to present its 2020 International Press Freedom Award to Russian journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva. Prokopyeva is a regional correspondent for the U.S. Congress-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Russia, known as Radio Svoboda. She has contributed to many local newspapers and has also worked as a BBC correspondent. In early 2019, armed…
CPJ’s coverage of the coronavirus and its impact on press freedom
Dear Friend, In many countries, the first victim of the coronavirus pandemic has been the truth. Standing up for the public’s right to accurate information and defending the journalists who provide it is core to CPJ’s mission. So, in the past few weeks we, along with partner organizations, have been at the forefront of reporting…
Amal Clooney
CPJ is honored to present its 2020 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award, for extraordinary and sustained achievement in the cause of press freedom, to lawyer Amal Clooney. Clooney specializes in public international law, international criminal law, and human rights. She has represented clients before courts such as the International Criminal Court, the International Court of…
Dapo Olorunyomi, Nigeria
CPJ is honored to present its 2020 International Press Freedom Award to Nigerian journalist Dapo Olorunyomi. Olorunyomi is the co-founder, CEO, and publisher of the Nigerian newspaper Premium Times, which today is one of the most trusted newspapers in Nigeria and a standard for African investigative journalism. Olorunyomi, who has dedicated his life to holding…
Shahidul Alam, Bangladesh
CPJ is honored to present its 2020 International Press Freedom Award to Bangladeshi journalist Shahidul Alam. Alam is a renowned photojournalist and commenter, and the founder of the Bangladeshi multimedia training organization the Pathshala Media Institute and the Drik Picture Library Ltd. He also co-founded the photo agency Majority World and the Chobi Mela Festival, a…
U.S. imposes visa limits on 5 Chinese state media outlets
The U.S. Department of State said in a statement on Monday that it would limit the number of visas available for Chinese journalists working at five designated media organizations. The outlets — Xinhua, CGTN, China Radio, China Daily, and The People’s Daily — will be limited to 100 visas in total. The announcement follows China’s…