Amid coronavirus pandemic, Iran covers up crucial information and threatens journalists
In recent months, the stability of the Iranian government has been threatened by widespread protests in late 2019 and the shooting down of a Ukrainian civilian aircraft in January 2020 amid heightened tensions with the U.S. The latest threat is the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit Iran harder than any country except China or Italy.…
Jordanian journalist Hiba Abu Taha charged with slander over 2012 interview
On March 14, 2020, Amman Public Prosecutor Hassan al-Sarhan ordered the arrest of freelance Jordanian journalist Hiba Abu Taha on charges of slander and undermining the government, briefly held her in custody, and then released her on bail and told her to return the next day, according to a report by the Skeyes Center for…
Two journalists and a driver arrested, held without charge in Ethiopia
Nairobi, March 18, 2020 — Authorities in Ethiopia should immediately and unconditionally release journalists Dessu Dulla and Wako Nole and media worker Ismael Abdulrzaq, and let them work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Venezuelan authorities arrest, threaten journalists reporting on COVID-19
On March 13, 2020, police in the Venezuelan city of Los Teques arrested Jesús Enrique Torres and Jesús Manuel Castillo, hosts of a news program on local privately owned radio broadcaster La Cima, after they posted a video to Facebook, where they sometimes publish their reporting, about alleged coronavirus cases at a local hospital, according…
CPJ calls on Canadian police to allow journalists to freely cover matters of public interest
CPJ writes to the commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to express concern at the treatment of journalists covering protests against the construction of a gas pipeline through Wet’suwet’en territory, and to urge that the RCMP allow them to do their job and report freely on matters of public interest.
Hong Kong police attack and detain journalists covering protester vigils
On February 9, 2020, police officers arrested two journalists in Tseung Kwan O New Town, in eastern Hong Kong, while they were covering a vigil for Chow Tsz-lok, a university student who died in November 2019, according to news reports.
Turkey arrests 4 more journalists for covering intelligence officer death
Istanbul, March 9, 2020 — Turkish authorities should immediately release Barış Pehlivan, Murat Ağırel, Ferhat Çelik, and Aydın Keser, and all other journalists in custody for their reporting, and drop any charges against them, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.