US Summit for Democracy must address threats to press freedom
New York, December 8, 2021—On the eve of the U.S. government’s inaugural Summit for Democracy, the Committee to Protect Journalists reiterated that support for press freedom is critical to reversing the decline of democracy worldwide. “Journalists are being attacked and thrown in jail in record numbers for doing their jobs, so this meeting can’t be…
Journalist at risk in Afghanistan after 100+ days of Taliban rule
The Taliban has repeatedly failed to uphold its stated commitment to press freedom in Afghanistan since taking power more than 100 days ago, as violent attacks against journalists continue unabated. Last month in Kabul, two unidentified men beat and attempted to shoot journalist Ahmad Baseer Ahmadi, breaking his jaw and teeth. Ahmadi is one of…
Streaming today: The 31st annual International Press Freedom Awards #IPFA
In a small town in central Guatemala, authorities have repeatedly harassed radio journalist Anastasia Mejía in connection to her protest coverage. Mejía’s outlet Xolabaj Radio, which she co-founded, provides a platform for Indigenous women. In Mozambique, Matías Guente and his newspaper, Canal de Moçambique, have faced official harassment and intimidation in recent years, including a…
Journalists shot, beaten, and detained in Afghanistan
Washington, D.C., November 2, 2021– The Taliban must thoroughly and swiftly investigate the attacks on Afghan journalists Abdul Khaliq Hussaini and Alireza Sharifi and the beating and detention of Zahidullah Husainkhil, and do everything in its power to ensure the safety of members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October…
226 journalists murdered with impunity in the last decade
Murder is the ultimate form of censorship, yet the perpetrators are seldom held to account. CPJ’s 2021 Impunity Index, released Thursday, reveals that in more than eight out of 10 cases, the murderers of journalists go unpunished. The 2021 report shows little change from last year as conflict, political instability, and weak judicial mechanisms perpetuate…
Killers of journalists still get away with murder
No one has been held to account in 81% of journalist murders during the last 10 years, CPJ‘s 2021 Global Impunity Index has found. By Jennifer Dunham/CPJ Deputy Editorial Director Published October 28, 2021 Somalia remains the world‘s worst country for unsolved killings of journalists, according to CPJ‘s annual Global Impunity Index, which spotlights countries…
Journalists Maria Ressa, Dmitry Muratov awarded Nobel Peace Prize
On October 8, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Filipino journalist Maria Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, in recognition of their work fighting for freedom of expression. Their awards come at a time of unprecedented crackdowns on members of the press, digital surveillance, and an erosion of public trust in journalism. “This Nobel Peace…
CPJ Insider: The crisis in Afghanistan continues
Nearly two months after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, the human rights crisis continues to worsen. Afghan media and their families have become targets as the Taliban has detained some journalists, arrested and shot others, and forced female reporters off the air. CPJ continues to support Afghan journalists. To date, we have helped 46…
‘A lot of uncertainty and a lot of fear’: CPJ’s María Salazar Ferro on evacuating Afghan journalists
In Afghanistan, the situation is worsening for local journalists as Taliban fighters attack and detain journalists in the field and news outlets are shuttering amid restrictions and economic woes, according to local TV station TOLO News. As The New York Times has reported new details about the Biden administration’s mixed record on evacuating journalists, CPJ…
Afghanistan
How the Taliban takeover is affecting Afghan media As the Taliban consolidated power in Afghanistan following its takeover in August 2021, journalists faced growing obstacles in doing their work and a bleak prognosis for the future of the vibrant media landscape that developed in the country over 20 years. The initial months of Taliban control…