Tanzanian court convicts Maxence Melo of obstructing investigation, levies fine
Nairobi, April 9, 2020— In response to a Tanzanian court’s conviction yesterday of Maxence Melo, founder of the online discussion and whistleblowing platform Jamii Forums, on charges of obstructing police investigations, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:
Turkey amnesty bill would release 90,000 prisoners, but no journalists
New York, April 7, 2020 — In response to the Turkish Parliament’s proposed bill that would release 90,000 prisoners to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but which would not free journalists held as political prisoners, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:
Colombian protection unit suspends risk assessments ‘indefinitely’ due to coronavirus
New York, April 2, 2020 — In response to the Colombian National Protection Unit’s announcement that it would be suspending the country’s Risk Assessment and Protection Measures Recommendation Committee, which grants protective measures to journalists, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:
Pakistan court overturns murder convictions in Daniel Pearl case
Washington, D.C., April 2, 2020–In response to the decision of the Sindh High Court in Pakistan to overturn the murder convictions of four men accused in the 2002 killing of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:
Turkey indicts 20 Saudi nationals over Jamal Khashoggi killing
New York, March 25, 2020 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed an announcement that Turkish officials have indicted 20 Saudi nationals on charges of murder and incitement linked to the 2018 killing of exiled Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and issued the following statement:
Venezuelan journalist arrested by special forces following coronavirus coverage
Miami, March 22, 2020 — Venezuelan authorities must immediately release journalist Darvinson Rojas and ensure that the media can cover the coronavirus outbreak in the country without fear of retribution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
South Africa enacts regulations criminalizing ‘disinformation’ on coronavirus outbreak
New York, March 19, 2020 – The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern over newly passed regulations in South Africa that criminalize disinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic and could potentially prompt other countries to adopt more repressive rules and censorship against the press.
Journalist Afgan Mukhtarli released from prison in Azerbaijan
New York, March 17, 2020 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed relief that Azerbaijani investigative reporter Afgan Mukhtarli was released from prison, and called for Azerbaijan authorities to release all other journalists held for their work.
China revokes press credentials of US reporters at three major outlets
Washington, D.C., March 17, 2020 — In response to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs notice that it will revoke the press credentials of U.S. citizens working as journalists for the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post whose visas expire by the end of the year, the Committee to Protect…