Iowa journalist Andrea Sahouri acquitted on misdemeanor charges from 2020 protest coverage
New York, March 10, 2021 — In response to today’s acquittal of Des Moines Register reporter Andrea Sahouri by a court in Polk County, Iowa, on two misdemeanor charges stemming from her coverage of protests last year, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The acquittal of journalist Andrea Sahouri in Iowa today…
Translators and journalists released without charge in Ethiopia
Nairobi, March 3, 2021 — In response to Ethiopian authorities’ decision today to release two media workers and two reporters who had been detained in relation to their coverage of the conflict in the northern state of Tigray, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “We welcome the release of the translators and…
CPJ condemns sentencing of Belarus journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich to 6 months in jail
Vilnius, Lithuania, March 2, 2021 — In response to today’s sentencing of Belarusian journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich to six months in jail and a fine over her coverage of protests in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Today’s sentencing of journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich is yet another example of how the Belarusian authorities will…
Ethiopian military detains BBC reporter, translators for AFP and FT
Nairobi, March 1, 2021 – In response to Ethiopian military forces’ arrests of at least four journalists and media workers covering the conflict in the northern state of Tigray, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The scarcity of independent reporting coming out of Tigray during this conflict was already deeply alarming. Now,…
At least 10 media workers detained amid anti-coup protests in Myanmar, including AP journalist Thein Zaw
Washington, D.C., February 28, 2021 — In response to Myanmar security forces’ detentions of at least 10 members of the press, including Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Myanmar authorities must immediately release all media workers who have been detained merely for covering the news, including journalist…
CPJ calls on US and allies to sanction Saudi crown prince in wake of Khashoggi report
New York, February 25, 2021 – In response to today’s release of a declassified U.S. intelligence report alleging that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Committee to Protect Journalists released the following statement: “By releasing this intelligence report, President Joe Biden’s administration has reinforced what we…
CPJ welcomes sentencing and new indictments in killing of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
New York, February 25, 2021 – In response to the sentencing of one of the suspects in Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s 2017 murder, as well as new indictments for additional suspects, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “We welcome the first sentencing in Daphne Caruana Galizia’s case as a long-awaited…
CPJ condemns Egyptian authorities’ judicial harassment of Sherif Mansour, family
New York, February 25, 2021—The Committee to Protect Journalists today issued the following statement in solidarity with Sherif Mansour, the Washington-based head of CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program, his family, and all those defending human rights and press freedom in Egypt: “Egypt, an ally of the United States, portrays itself as a democracy,…
CPJ welcomes sentencing in 2018 arson attack on Serbian journalist Milan Jovanović
New York, February 23, 2021 – In response to a Serbian court’s decision today sentencing former mayor Dragoljub Simonovic to more than four years in prison for ordering an arson attack on the home of journalist Milan Jovanović, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “It is welcome news to see a Serbian…
CPJ condemns Malaysian court conviction, fine of Malaysiakini on contempt charges
Bangkok, February 19, 2021 – In response to a Malaysian court ruling today fining the Malaysiakini news website 500,000 ringgit (US$123,672), the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Today’s contempt of court ruling holding Malaysiakini responsible for readers’ comments is a de facto attack on the press and sets a worrying precedent for all media outlets…