South Sudanese security forces threaten, briefly detain 8 journalists
New York, February 25, 2022 — South Sudanese authorities should cease harassing and threatening journalists for their work covering the country’s parliament, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. At about 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, officers with the country’s National Security Service intelligence agency arrested eight journalists on the grounds of the parliament…
Sierra Leonean police detain journalist Solomon Maada Joe overnight
Abuja, February 24, 2022 — Authorities in Sierra Leone should stop harassing journalist Solomon Maada Joe and allow him to work without intimidation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On February 7, Joe, the head of news at the privately owned Radio Bo KISS 104 FM, was arrested by police while at the local…
Ukrainian journalist Yaroslav Bondarenko threatened by businessman’s bodyguards, footage deleted
Paris, February 17, 2022 — Ukrainian authorities should thoroughly investigate the recent harassment of journalist Yaroslav Bondarenko and ensure that members of the media can work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On the afternoon of Sunday, February 13, a group of five men approached Bondarenko, a camera operator for the independent newspaper…
Eswatini prison officers assault, threaten to shoot reporter covering pro-democracy protest
Lusaka, February 16, 2022 — Authorities in Eswatini must immediately investigate the brutal assault by correctional officers on Nomthandazo Maseko, a reporter for the privately owned news website Swati Newsweek, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. At noon on February 8, about 20 correctional services staff in Matsapha, a…
Somali police raid Sooyal TV and Radio, assault Radio Hiraan Weyne reporter
Nairobi, February 14, 2022 – Authorities in the Somali states of Galmudug and Hirshabelle should investigate and hold to account police officers who assaulted and arrested journalists and ensure that security personnel do not pose a threat to media freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On the evening of January 24, a group…
Threats, attacks, and insults: Canadian reporters on covering vaccine mandate protests
“Fake news.” “Go home.” “You’re the virus.” These are just a few of the insults that protesters have hurled at Evan Solomon, a reporter at national Canadian broadcaster CTV, and his colleagues as they have covered demonstrations against COVID-19 restrictions in Ottawa. The protests – which began in Canada’s capital in late January to counter…
Pirambu News founder Givanildo Oliveira shot dead in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, February 11, 2022 – Brazilian authorities must promptly and thoroughly investigate the killing of Givanildo Oliveira and determine if the crime was in retaliation to his work as a community journalist, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On the night of Monday, February 7, Oliveira, founder and journalist of news website…
A jar of soil, a laptop, a handmade black coat: What Afghan journalists took into exile
In the frantic minutes before Naweeda Qayoumi fled her home in Afghanistan last September, she grabbed an empty plastic Vaseline jar and stepped into the garden to scoop a bit of soil from her homeland. She jammed the jar into the backpack she was taking into her unknown future with her husband, journalist Ghazanfar Hassanzada….
Northeast Syrian authorities assault Rudaw news crew, suspend network’s licenses
Washington, D.C., February 9, 2022 – Northeast Syrian authorities must reverse their suspension of Rudaw Media Network’s broadcast license and the license of all their employees, stop attacks and harassment of its staff, and allow all journalists to work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On February 2, Asayish security forces…
Investigative reporter Elena Milashina flees Russia after threats from Chechen leader
Paris, February 8, 2022 — Russian authorities should ensure the safety of journalist Elena Milashina and promptly investigate threats made by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov against Milashina and the independent media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Editors at independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta decided to send Milashina, an investigative reporter for the outlet who covers…