Crispin Perez
An unidentified attacker stabbed and fatally shot Perez in San Jose, province of Mindoro Occidental, according to local and international news reports. The attack took place after Perez’s morning show on local DWDO Radio, according to the reports. The perpetrator pretended to seek advice from the journalist, killed him during their conversation, then fled on a motorcycle, according to…
Shooter of Philippine journalist Percival Mabasa given up to 16 years jail
Bangkok, May 8, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists commends the conviction and sentencing of Joel Escorial, who confessed to shooting dead Philippine journalist Percival Mabasa in 2022. On Monday, May 6, Harold Cesar Huliganga, presiding judge at the Regional Trial Court Branch 254 in the city of Las Piñas, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south…
Malaysia’s prime minister calls for ‘action’ over Bloomberg casino report
Bangkok, April 29, 2024 – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should retract his call on local private companies to take action against Bloomberg news agency for a report on alleged plans to build a casino complex in a troubled real estate development, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Friday, April 26, Anwar referred…
Armed men harass, threaten to shoot two reporters covering land dispute in Philippines
Bangkok, March 13, 2024—Philippine authorities must swiftly identify and prosecute those behind the shooting threats and harassment against Rappler reporter Joann Manabat and K5 News FM Olongapo reporter Rowena Quejada, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On March 12, armed men dressed in red and white shirts with Clarkhills Properties Corporation verbally barred Manabat…
Vietnam arrests high-profile bloggers Nguyen Chi Tuyen and Nguyen Vu Binh
Bangkok, March 7, 2024—Vietnam should immediately release independent bloggers Nguyen Chi Tuyen and Nguyen Vu Binh, drop any charges pending against them, and cease harassing the free press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday. On February 29, Tuyen, one of Vietnam’s best-known civil society activists and YouTubers, and Binh, a two-time recipient of…
Russia cracks down on press freedom after death of Alexey Navalny
After the sudden death of opposition leader Alexey Navalny in a Russian prison on February 16, Moscow has escalated its crackdown on press freedom. ➡️ This week, Russia banned freedom of expression group Article 19 and news organization Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) as “undesirable,” a designation banning them from operating in Russia, and anyone…
Myanmar journalist Myat Thu Tan killed in military custody
Bangkok, February 16, 2024—Myanmar authorities must conduct a credible independent investigation into the killing of journalist Myat Thu Tan and bring the perpetrators to swift and full justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Friday. Myat Thu Tan, a contributor to the local online outlet Western News who also had reported for the independent…
Thailand charges 2 journalists for reporting on anti-royal vandalism
Bangkok, February 14, 2023—Thai authorities should drop all charges pending against journalist Nutthaphol Meksobhon and photographer Natthapon Phanphongsanon and stop harassing the press for reporting on issues related to the nation’s monarchy, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Wednesday. Nutthaphol, a reporter with the local independent Prachatai news website, and Natthapon, a freelance photographer,…
Malaysia hands 2-year prison sentence to UK journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown
Bangkok, February 9, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Malaysian authorities to reverse the decision to sentence British anti-corruption reporter Clare Rewcastle Brown to two years in prison in absentia for criminal defamation over her investigation into a major financial corruption scandal. “Malaysia should scrap the outrageous prison sentence given to Clare Rewcastle Brown…
2023 prison census: Jailed journalist numbers near record high; Israel imprisonments spike
By Arlene Getz/CPJ Editorial Director Worst Jailers | New Developments | Regional Repression | Census Methodology Israel emerged as one of the world’s leading jailers of journalists following the October 7 start of the Israel-Gaza war, the Committee to Protect Journalists’ 2023 prison census has found. Israel ranked sixth – tied with Iran – behind…