CPJ condemns Myanmar police shooting of journalist with rubber bullet at anti-coup protest
Bangkok, February 10, 2021 – Myanmar authorities must ensure journalists can safely cover events of public interest, and should refrain from targeting members of the press at protests, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, in the capital city of Naypyidaw, police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators, hitting Than Htike Aung, a reporter with…
Bangladesh charges 3 journalists under Digital Security Act
New York, February 8, 2021 – In response to Bangladesh authorities’ recent filing of charges under the Digital Security Act against photographer Shafiqul Islam Kajol, writer Mushtaq Ahmed, and cartoonist Kabir Kishore, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “We are extremely alarmed by Bangladeshi authorities’ continuous and blatant abuse of the Digital…
Belarus journalists Katsiaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsova to face trial over protest reporting
New York, February 8, 2021 – Ahead of tomorrow’s trial of Belarusian journalists Katsiaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsova over their coverage of protests in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Belarusian authorities should immediately drop the absurd criminal charges against journalists Katsiaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsova, and release them unconditionally,”…
Former Mexican governor arrested for role in abuse of journalist Lydia Cacho
Mexico City, February 4, 2020 – Mexican authorities should thoroughly investigate Mario Marín for his alleged connection to the physical abuse in custody of journalist Lydia Cacho, and ensure that all the perpetrators of that crime are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, federal authorities announced that they had arrested…
CPJ welcomes South African Constitutional Court’s ruling condemning surveillance
New York, February 4, 2021 – In response to the South African Constitutional Court’s decision today to uphold a 2019 High Court ruling that invalidated legislation allowing for the surveillance of members of the press, the Committee to protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Journalist Sam Sole’s communications should never have been intercepted, but the…
Russian military court to hear appeal of journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva in terrorism case
New York, February 1, 2021 – Tomorrow, the Military Court of Appeals in Vlasikha, a Russian town near Moscow, will hear journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva’s appeal of her July 2020 conviction for “justifying terrorism” in her commentary, the journalist told CPJ via messaging app. “The absurd case against journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva, who did nothing but practice…
Moroccan journalist Maati Monjib sentenced to 1 year in prison
New York, January 28, 2021 – The Court of First Instance in Rabat, Morocco, yesterday convicted Maati Monjib, co-founder of the Moroccan Association for Investigative Journalism, of fraud and endangering state security, and sentenced him to one year in prison and a fine of 10,000 dirhams (US$1,116), according to news reports. “The Moroccan government has…
Pakistan Supreme Court orders release, issues acquittals in Daniel Pearl murder case
Washington, D.C., January 28, 2021–The Supreme Court of Pakistan today ordered the release of Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh, who was previously convicted in the 2002 murder of Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl, and acquitted him and three others of the murder charges, according to news reports. “We are deeply disappointed that Pakistan’s Supreme Court…
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights orders Colombia to protect journalist Ricardo Calderón
New York, January 20, 2021 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed the decision by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to grant precautionary measures to Colombian investigative journalist Ricardo Calderón Villegas, and called on Colombian authorities to take immediate action to ensure his safety. Yesterday, the commission made public a resolution, dated January…
Turkish authorities must halt deportation of Iranian journalist Mohammad Mosaed, CPJ 2020 awardee
Washington, D.C., January 18, 2021—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Turkish authorities to immediately halt the deportation of Iranian investigative journalist Mohammad Mosaed to Iran. Mosaed was honored with CPJ’s 2020 International Press Freedom Award in November. Yesterday, Mosaed contacted CPJ via messaging app, saying he had been detained by Turkish border police after…