DRC enacts press law and digital code that criminalize journalism
New York, May 23, 2023—DRC authorities should swiftly reform the country’s new press law and digital code to ensure journalism is not criminalized and the media can work without undue restrictions or fear of prosecution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. In April, Congolese authorities enacted new laws governing the press and online activity,…
Journalist Bushaaro Ali Mohamed detained in Somaliland
Nairobi, May 23, 2023—Authorities in the breakaway region of Somaliland should unconditionally release journalist Bushaaro Ali Mohamed and stop detaining members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On the evening of May 15, Somaliland police arrested Bushaaro shortly after she entered the border town of Wajale from Ethiopia, according to media…
Journalist Gobeze Sisay facing terrorism investigation in Ethiopia after arrest in Djibouti
Nairobi, May 12, 2023—Ethiopian authorities should immediately release journalist Gobeze Sisay and cease harassing members of the press at home and abroad, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On May 6, Ethiopian authorities announced that Gobeze, editor and founder of privately owned YouTube-based broadcaster The Voice of Amhara, had been arrested in the neighboring…
Journalists arrested and attacked, media offices set ablaze amid Pakistan protests
New York, May 12, 2023—Pakistan authorities and the leadership and supporters of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party must respect the rights of journalists covering the country’s political unrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Amid protests following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, May 9, authorities and supporters of Khan’s…
UK police arrest journalist Rich Felgate while covering coronation protest
Berlin, May 12, 2023—British authorities should drop any criminal investigation into journalist Rich Felgate and ensure that members of the press can cover protests without fear of arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On May 6, police arrested Felgate, a freelance journalist and documentary filmmaker, while he covered an environmental protest held during…
Chinese journalist Shangguan Yunkai detained over corruption coverage
Taipei, May 9, 2023—Chinese authorities must immediately release and drop all charges against journalist Shangguan Yunkai and stop persecuting members of the press in retaliation for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On April 20, police in the central city of Ezhou arrested Shangguan at a tea house on the charge of…
CPJ calls on NYPD to drop any charges against photojournalist Stephanie Keith
Washington, D.C., May 9, 2023—In response to news reports that freelance photojournalist Stephanie Keith was arrested while covering a protest in New York City on the evening of Monday, May 8, and authorities accused her of interfering with arrests, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “We strongly condemn the arrest of freelance…
Iranian radio journalist Sajjad Shahrabi arrested, transferred to prison
Washington, D.C., May 8, 2023—Iranian authorities should immediately release radio journalist Sajjad Shahrabi and drop any charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On May 3, security forces arrested Shahrabi, a reporter and radio host for the state-owned outlet Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), after raiding his father’s house in the…
CPJ joins call urging authorities to drop charges against Asheville Blade reporters
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined the Freedom of the Press Foundation and over 45 other organizations in a letter on Wednesday, May 3, calling for the Buncombe County district attorney’s office to drop charges against Asheville Blade reporters Veronica Coit and Matilda Bliss. The pair were arrested on December 25, 2021, while covering the…
At least 4 journalists formally arrested, 1 more detained ahead of Turkey elections
Istanbul, April 28, 2023 — Turkish authorities should immediately release all journalists and media workers imprisoned for their work and stop interfering with the press ahead of the country’s May 14 presidential and parliamentary elections, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Tuesday, April 25, authorities in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır detained at…