Turkish social media law consolidates news censorship under ‘right to be forgotten’
In late 2020, a Turkish court ruled that the leftist daily Evrensel should remove a news report alleging that a presidential advisor forged their high school diploma. Evrensel complied, Erdi Tütmez, news editor for the outlet told CPJ by email in January; the report was no longer available when CPJ reviewed the site, though it…
Algerian communications minister threatens to withdraw accreditation of France 24 over protest coverage
New York, March 16, 2021 – Algerian authorities should refrain from threatening news outlets over their coverage, and should ensure that French public broadcaster France 24 can operate freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 13, Communications Minister Ammar Belhimer issued a statement describing France 24’s coverage of protests and marches the…
Journalist arrested from clinic bed, detained over defamation complaint in Republic of Congo
Dakar, March 16, 2021 — Authorities in the Republic of Congo should immediately release journalist Raymond Malonga and ensure that the press in the country can work without fear of harassment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On February 2, security officers in plainclothes arrested Malonga, an editor at the privately owned Sel-Piment newspaper,…
At least 3 journalists detained overnight in Yemen, pressured not to cover protests
On February 18, 2021, police in Hadramout Governorate, Yemen, detained at least three journalists and forced at least two of them to sign statements promising not to cover political protests in the region, according to the a statement by the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate, a local press freedom group, and Mohammed al-Yezidi, a local reporter familiar…
Chinese police repeatedly harass journalist Lu Yuyu since his release from prison
Taipei, March 9, 2021—Chinese authorities must stop harassing formerly imprisoned journalist Lu Yuyu, founder of Not News, and allow him to live where he wishes and travel freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Chinese national security officers in Guangzhou city broke into Lu’s apartment today and forced him to leave the city, Lu…
Myanmar military raids newsrooms, revokes 5 media outlets’ licenses
Bangkok, March 9, 2021 – Myanmar’s military authorities must immediately cease using media license cancellations as a means of censorship, refrain from raiding newsrooms, and stop arresting journalists for doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, state broadcaster MRTV announced that the country’s military government had rescinded the operating licenses of…
Cambodia deports Chinese journalist Shen Kaidong for ‘fake news’ on COVID-19 vaccine sales
Bangkok, March 4, 2021 – Cambodian authorities should allow journalist Shen Kaidong to reenter the country and work freely, and should refrain from deporting members of the press over their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On February 24, authorities in the city of Siem Reap arrested Shen, a Chinese citizen and editor-in-chief…
Staff of Cuban press freedom group ICLEP lose internet service, fear targeted disruption
Miami, March 4, 2021 — Cuban authorities must ensure that journalists and staff at the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP) are able to access the internet, and should allow its journalists to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Since February 24, dozens of employees of ICLEP, a…
L’Alternative newspaper suspended, director harassed in Togo
New York, February 26, 2021 — Togolese authorities should immediately reverse the suspension of the L’Alternative newspaper and ensure journalists in the country can work free of harassment and intimidation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On February 5, the Broadcast and Communications High Authority (HAAC), Togo’s media regulator, suspended the privately owned L’Alternative…
Journalists in Argentina’s Formosa province detained, harassed, and blocked from reporting
Since April 2020, authorities in Argentina’s northeastern Formosa province have harassed journalists covering the regional government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including through intimidation, brief detentions, and smear campaigns, according to journalists who spoke to CPJ, a statement by the Forum of Argentinian Journalism (FOPEA), a local free expression organization, and news reports. On April…