Nigerian journalist Damilola Ayeni freed in Benin after false jihadist claim
Durban, South Africa, September 8, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed Friday’s decision by Beninese authorities to release without charge Nigerian environmental journalist Damilola Ayeni after Benin police detained him incommunicado for nine days on “suspicion of participation in terrorist activities.” “We are relieved that Beninese authorities have finally freed investigative journalist Damilola Ayeni, who…
Kyrgyz authorities threaten to block website of investigative outlet Kloop
Stockholm, September 8, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Kyrgyzstan authorities to abandon its latest threat to suspend independent investigative outlet Kloop if it does not remove a September 1 article containing allegedly false information. “Following their recent application to shutter the outlet and now their threat to block its website, Kyrgyz authorities’…
Russian court sentences journalist Mikhail Afanasyev to 5½ years in prison for ‘fake news’ about army
New York, September 7, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Russian court’s sentencing of Mikhail Afanasyev, founder and publisher of online magazine Novy Fokus, to 5½ years imprisonment for allegedly using his position to spread false information about the Russian army. The Abakan court on Thursday also banned Afanasyev from working as a journalist,…
Tunisian authorities jail journalist Khalifa Guesmi over national security charge
New York, September 5, 2023—CPJ has called on Tunisian authorities to release journalist Khalifa Guesmi, who was taken into custody on Sunday to serve his five-year prison sentence on charges of disclosing national security information. “The September 3 arrest of journalist Khalifa Guesmi is a clear attack on journalists and the freedom of the press…
Belarusian court sentences journalist Larysa Shchyrakova to 3.5 years in prison
New York, August 31, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Belarusian court’s sentencing of journalist Larysa Shchyrakova to 3.5 years in prison for allegedly discrediting the country and facilitating extremism. “By sentencing journalist Larysa Shchyrakova to 3.5 years in prison, Belarusian authorities are once again demonstrating their vindictiveness towards those who reported independently on…
CPJ calls on military in Gabon to ensure press freedom and journalists’ safety following coup
Dakar, August 30, 2023—Following the military coup in Gabon that removed President Ali Bongo from power on Wednesday, August 30, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The new military authorities in Gabon must prioritize journalists’ ability to report on matters of public interest and avoid replicating the constraints and intimidation faced by…
CPJ joins renewed call for release of Burundi journalist Floriane Irangabiye after 1 year in prison
Nairobi, August 30, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists, Amnesty International, the Burundi Human Rights Initiative, and Human Rights Watch on Wednesday, August 30, renewed their call for Burundian authorities to unconditionally release journalist Floriane Irangabiye, who has been detained for a year. Irangabiye was arrested on August 30, 2022, and is serving a 10-year prison…
Algerian journalist Mustapha Bendjama sentenced to 2 years in prison
New York, August 29, 2023—The Committee to Protect journalists condemns the two-year prison sentence issued to Algerian journalist Mustapha Bendjama on Tuesday, August 29. “An Algerian court’s decision to sentence journalist and press freedom advocate Mustapha Bendjama to two years in prison is deeply cruel and constitutes an attack on free speech throughout the country,”…
Turkish authorities again block Voice of America’s Turkish website
Istanbul, August 29, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Turkish authorities to reverse their recent decision to block access to the Turkish-language website of the U.S. Congress-funded broadcaster Voice of America. “Turkish authorities’ relentless attempts to control the flow of news and information in the country have led to yet another court order blocking…
CPJ joins call to protect journalists in Niger 1 month after coup
New York, August 25, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday joined at least 79 journalists and press organizations in calling on Niger’s military authorities to protect the rights and safety of journalists. “Journalists in Niger must be able to work safely and free of intimidation, especially as the country and region grapple with political…