Agence France-Press (AFP)

9 results arranged by date

Syrian journalist Bakr al-Kassem, who freelances for AFP news agency, was detained at a checkpoint on August 26, his house was searched, and his equipment confiscated. It is unclear why he is being held. (Photo: Courtesy of Nabiha Taha)

Syrian journalist detained without explanation, held by Turkish intelligence

Editor’s note: Bakr al-Kassem was released without charge on September 2, according to media reports. Beirut, August 27, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by Monday’s detention of freelance journalist Bakr al-Kassem in northern Syria and his transfer to Turkish intelligence custody, and calls for his immediate release. “We are deeply concerned that Syrian opposition…

Read More ›

Istanbul police harass reporters at Kurdish Newroz celebration

Istanbul, March 19, 2024 – The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Turkish authorities to investigate reports of police harassment of three reporters during Kurdish spring Newroz celebrations in Istanbul on Sunday. On Sunday, March 17, Police officers in Istanbul harassed at least three reporters in two separate incidents while they were covering a mass arrest…

Read More ›

‘Watershed’ protests demand end to violence against journalists in Mexico

After reporter Maria Guadalupe Lourdes Maldonado López was shot and killed in her car outside her Tijuana home on Sunday, January 23, journalists in Mexico put out a call to action in group chats and across social media platforms. It was time to protest. Maldonado’s death was the third journalist killing in less than a…

Read More ›

Turkish police assault and detain AFP photographer Bülent Kılıç as he covers Istanbul Pride march

Istanbul, June 28, 2021 – Turkish authorities should thoroughly investigate all the police officers involved in the recent detention of journalist Bülent Kılıç, and ensure that members of the press can cover events without fear of police harassment and assault, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 26, police officers in Istanbul detained…

Read More ›

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,…

Read More ›

Angolan police detain, harass, and beat journalists covering protests

New York, October 27, 2020 — Angolan police should stop arresting and assaulting journalists and allow them to do their jobs freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At least six journalists and one media worker were arrested – with four held for more than two days – and another was harassed while covering…

Read More ›

Central African Republic gendarmes and police officers are seen on January 2, 2016, in Bangui. Police in Bangui allegedly assaulted two French reporters from AFP recently. (AFP/Issouf Sanogo)

Police arrest, assault 2 AFP journalists in Central African Republic

Goma, Congo, June 19, 2019 — Authorities in the Central African Republic should investigate police who allegedly assaulted two French reporters and ensure that journalists can work freely in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Read More ›

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (center) is seen in Beijing on April 19, 2019. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently denied a visa to reporter Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian. (AFP/Nicolas Asfouri)

China refuses visa application for critical American journalist

Taipei, June 19, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ refusal to issue a journalist visa to Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, a reporter who has covered China’s influence abroad.

Read More ›

A protester raises his fist in front of security forces during a demonstration in Paris on December 15, 2018, to protest rising costs of living and high taxes. Dozens of journalists have been attacked and some injured by both protesters and police. (Zakaria Abdelkafi/AFP)

Police, ‘yellow vest’ protesters both target journalists in France, Belgium

Dozens of journalists covering anti-government protests in France and Belgium in November and December of 2018 suffered attacks by the demonstrators and the police, according to press and social media reports.

Read More ›