‘It is becoming unbearable:’ Journalists say they have become ‘scapegoats’ at anti-vaccine protests
Journalists covering demonstrations against COVID-19 countermeasures have been called “terrorists,” “pedophiles,” “murderers,” and “scumbags.” Protesters have harassed and assaulted members of the press, and told them that “the nooses are ready.” Threats like these have become increasingly familiar for reporters in Europe and the United States, where the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, a CPJ partner,…
Mob in Uttar Pradesh locked journalists in room with plan to light them on fire
On August 28, 2021, a mob locked journalists Sarfaraz Warsi, Nitin Srivastava, Razi Siddiqui, and Fakhar-e-Alam in a room and discussed setting them on fire in Barabanki district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, according to news website News18, a partnership between CNN International and Indian broadcaster TV18, and Warsi and Srivastava, who spoke…
Democratic Republic of Congo journalist Daniel Michombero’s home raided by armed men
On June 21, 2021 at least 10 armed men, some of whom wore military uniforms, forced their way into the home of Daniel Michombero, a freelance reporter based in the DRC’s eastern Goma city, by breaking the windows of his doors, according to the journalist, who spoke with CPJ over the phone and messaging app…
Afghan journalist Mohammad Ali Ahmadi shot and injured in Kabul
Washington, D.C., September 22, 2021 — The Taliban must conduct an immediate and impartial investigation into the shooting of Mohammad Ali Ahmadi and hold the perpetrator to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 18, an unidentified man shot Ahmadi, a reporter and editor with the privately owned national radio broadcaster Salam…
Afghan photographer Morteza Samadi detained by Taliban since September 7
Washington, D.C., September 13, 2021 — The Taliban must immediately and unconditionally release freelance photographer Morteza Samadi and commit to allowing the media to operate freely and independently, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 7, Taliban fighters detained Samadi after he covered a protest in the western city of Herat, according to…
N1 TV crew attacked and harassed at Montenegro protest
Berlin, September 9, 2021 – Montenegro authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the recent attack on a crew for the privately owned broadcaster N1 TV, and ensure that journalists can cover protests safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 5, a group of protesters in Cetinje, west of Podgorica, the capital, harassed…
Protesters against Slovenian COVID-19 response and vaccination storm headquarters of RTVS broadcaster
Berlin, September 9, 2021 — Slovenian authorities must thoroughly investigate demonstrators’ storming of the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija (RTVS) and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Starting around 8:30 p.m. on September 3, about 20 people demonstrating against the country’s COVID-19 response and vaccination program broke into the broadcaster’s…
Taliban fighters detain, flog, and beat journalists covering protests in Afghanistan
Washington, D.C., September 8, 2021–The Taliban must immediately cease detaining journalists in Afghanistan, end the use of violence against them, and allow the media to operate freely and without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Over the last two days, the Taliban detained and later released at least 14 journalists covering…
Demonstrators in Italy attack two journalists during COVID-19 protests
Berlin, September 8, 2021–Italian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate recent attacks on journalists covering COVID-19 protests, hold those responsible to account, and ensure that reporters can cover events of public interest safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On August 28, a group of demonstrators protesting the government’s recent measures to curb COVID-19…
As staff flee, TOLO News vows to keep broadcasting from Afghanistan – for now
Saad Mohseni had a lot to worry about when the Taliban rolled into Kabul on August 15. Mohseni is CEO of the Moby Group, which owns and operates Afghanistan’s biggest news and entertainment networks, TOLO News and TOLO TV. The company’s 400 employees would have to adapt one way or another to the nation’s new,…