CPJ calls for protection of journalists in Ukraine
New York, February 24, 2022 – As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine escalates into a full-scale attack, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) calls for the protection of Ukrainian journalists, along with the international reporters and media workers who join them in covering the conflict. “At this critical moment, it is crucial that all parties involved…
Turkish journalist Güngör Arslan killed
Istanbul, February 19, 2022 – On Saturday, Turkish journalist Güngör Arslan, publisher and news editor of local news site Ses Kocaeli, died in a hospital in the western province of Kocaeli after he was shot by an assailant in the chest and right leg inside his office in the city of Izmit, according to news reports. In a statement the…
CPJ condemns ‘harsh’ 9-year sentence for Nicaraguan journalist Miguel Mendoza
New York, February 17, 2021 – Nicaraguan authorities should release journalist Miguel Mendoza Urbina from prison immediately, and should ensure that members of the press do not face criminal penalties for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Wednesday, February 16, in a closed door hearing in the Ninth Criminal District Court…
Russian court in Crimea sentences RFE/RL journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko to 6 years in prison
New York, February 17, 2022 – Russian authorities in Crimea should not contest journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko’s appeal and should release him immediately and cease prosecuting members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Wednesday, February 16, a court in Simferopol, the capital of Russian-occupied Crimea, convicted Yesypenko, a…
EU must urge Polish leaders to respect press freedom
Brussels February 17, 2022 – European Union ministers should prioritize press freedom reform in Poland when the EU General Affairs Council meets to discuss rule of law concerns in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. “When Poland attacks press freedom, it makes a mockery of European Union values,” said Tom Gibson, CPJ’s…
CPJ calls on European Commission to stand for press freedom during el-Sisi visit
Brussels, February 14, 2022 — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen must speak out on media freedom when she meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi this week, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday. “Egyptian President el-Sisi has systematically attacked the press, imprisoned journalists, and silenced critical voices,” said Tom Gibson, CPJ’s…
Ghana court jails journalist Oheneba Boamah Bennie for contempt of court
Abuja, February 9, 2022 — In response to news reports that a Ghana court on Tuesday convicted and sentenced Oheneba Boamah Bennie, a host and commentator with privately owned Power FM, to two weeks in prison and fined him 3,000 Ghana cedis (US$468) for contempt of court, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following…
Nicaraguan journalist Miguel Mendoza convicted on conspiracy, false news charges
Guatemala City, February 9, 2022 – Nicaraguan authorities should not contest the appeal of sports journalist Miguel Mendoza Urbina, and should cease filing criminal charges against members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. In a closed-door trial on Tuesday, February 8, Mendoza was convicted of conspiracy to undermine national integrity and…
Turkish President Erdoğan sues recently arrested journalist Sedef Kabaş
Istanbul, February 9, 2022 – In response to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s civil lawsuit seeking damages from journalist Sedef Kabaş and TELE1 television board chair Fırat Sakar, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for the complaint to be dropped. “President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan should drop his civil suit against imprisoned…
Israel to investigate alleged police use of Pegasus spyware against local journalists, others
New York, February 7, 2022 – In response to news reports that Israel will investigate its police force’s alleged use of NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware to hack the phones of Israeli journalists, among others, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling on authorities to ensure the harmful technology is not used against…