‘Under the shadow of fear’: censorship is Ethiopia’s real election story, journalists say
In the countdown to Ethiopia’s general election, journalist Bewket Abebe flew to the northern border town of Humera, in a rare attempt at on-the-ground reporting ahead of the June 1 vote. Bewket, chief editor of The Reporter Magazine, was scheduled to meet the administrator of the contested territory, which is claimed by both Tigray and…
Ethiopia revokes Addis Standard’s license amid escalating crackdown on independent media
Nairobi, February 24, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Ethiopian authorities to immediately restore the registration of independent outlet Addis Standard after the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) revoked its online media registration certificate effective February 24. “This is not regulation — it is retaliation,” said CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal. “By weaponizing vague‘national interest’…
Journalists killed, wounded, media office damaged in Syria violence
Journalists were killed, wounded, shot at, and blocked from entering the southern Syrian city of Sweida as sectarian violence spread across the region last week, according to multiple journalists who spoke to CPJ. An Israeli airstrike also damaged a media outlet in Damascus. “The violence against journalists in Sweida — including injuries, intimidation, and the…
Trial of 5 journalists who covered Turkish protests set to open
Istanbul, April 17, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Turkey to drop charges against five photojournalists, whose trial begins on Friday, for allegedly taking part in protests in Istanbul last month. The journalists could be jailed for up to three years for violating the law on gatherings and demonstrations. In the indictment, reviewed by…
Journalists in Turkey arrested, beaten, deported amid government crackdown on opposition
In the weeks since the March 19 detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a potential challenger to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the next presidential race, along with other members of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), civil unrest has erupted in western Turkey. The government, controlled by Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP),…
Several journalists hurt, detained by police amid Turkey protests
Istanbul, March 24, 2025—Turkish authorities should release the journalists taken into police custody during widespread protests and end hostile behavior towards the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Protests erupted and grew in multiple cities across Turkey following the government crackdown on Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was due to be selected as…
Russia to block leading foreign media outlets in retaliation against EU
Berlin, June 26, 2024 – The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) strongly condemns the Russian foreign ministry’s Tuesday decision to block access to 81 European media outlets in Russia in response to the EU’s recent ban on four pro-Kremlin media outlets. “Russian authorities’ blocking of 81 European media outlets betrays their deep-seated fear of truthful…
Moscow police detain around 20 journalists during protest by soldiers’ wives
New York, February 7, 2024—Russian authorities must refrain from detaining journalists in the course of their work and allow the media to report freely on protests criticizing the war in Ukraine, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Around 20 journalists were arrested and briefly detained in the Russian capital of Moscow on February 3…
CPJ calls for accountability after reports find Israel likely targeted journalists in Lebanon
New York, December 7, 2023 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) welcomes Thursday’s release of reports by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse (AFP) into the deadly October 13 strike on journalists in southern Lebanon, and reiterates its call for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation that holds the perpetrators to…
CPJ condemns strike on AFP bureau in Gaza
New York, November 3, 2023— The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the November 2 strike on a building housing the Gaza City bureau of international news agency Agence France-Presse and calls on authorities to release any available information about the attack. “Journalists and media offices must be respected and protected,” said CPJ President Jodie Ginsberg….