Italian authorities demand prison sentence for three journalists in defamation lawsuit
Berlin, November 2, 2022—Italian authorities should immediately drop criminal defamation charges against journalists Danilo Lupo, Francesca Pizzolante, and Mary Tota and stop using the country’s criminal code to prosecute journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On October 17, 2022, prosecutors in Lecce, a town in southern Italy, requested a prison sentence of six…
Belarusian journalist Aliaksandr Lyubyanchuk sentenced to 3 years in prison
Paris, October 27, 2022 – Belarusian authorities must immediately release Aliaksandr Lyubyanchuk, who was sentenced today to three years in prison, and stop retaliating against journalists for their work with banned Poland-based independent broadcaster Belsat TV, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Thursday, October 27, a court in Minsk, the capital, convicted Lyubyanchuk…
Zimbabwean authorities charge journalist Hope Chizuzu under cybercrime law
Lusaka, October 6, 2022—Zimbabwean authorities should immediately drop charges against sports freelancer journalist Hope Chizuzu, return his electronic devices, and allow him to carry out his work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Around midmorning on September 29, police detectives went to Chizuzu’s office in the central business district of the capital Harare,…
Myanmar sentences journalist Htet Htet Khine to second 3-year prison term
Bangkok, September 27, 2022 – Myanmar authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Htet Htet Khine and stop jailing journalists for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On September 27, Htet Htet Khine, a freelance BBC Media Action reporter, was sentenced to three years in prison with hard labor, according to a statement…
Russian journalists arrested, detained, charged, summonsed during anti-mobilization protests
Paris, September 26, 2022—Russian authorities must allow the media to report freely on protests against the country’s call-up of reservists to bolster its forces in Ukraine and stop using the threat of conscription against journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. At least three journalists were arrested, at least 16 more were detained, at…
Turkey’s legal year begins with new terrorism charges, convictions for journalists
In the first week of the legal year when courts open, Turkish courts convicted two journalists on terrorism charges, brought new terrorism charges against two others, and rejected an appeal for the release of 15 journalists and one media worker, who have been in pretrial detention for nearly three months. On Wednesday, September 7, 2022,…
Journalist Isabella Yevloyeva faces 3rd criminal case for ‘fake’ reporting about Russian army
Paris, August 8, 2022 — Russian authorities should immediately drop all charges against Isabella Yevloyeva, and stop using laws on “fake” information about the Russian military and government to intimidate journalists and censor any reporting on the war in Ukraine, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On July 27, authorities opened a criminal case…
Zimbabwe police charge 2 journalists with publishing false information
Lusaka, August 5, 2022 — Zimbabwean authorities should immediately drop all charges against journalists Wisdom Mdzungairi and Desmond Chingarande and allow them to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Tuesday, August 2, police summoned Mdzungairi, editor-in-chief of the privately owned media company Alpha Media Holdings, and Chingarande, a senior reporter with…
Gambian police attack, detain journalist Yusef Taylor
Abuja, August 3, 2022 – Gambian authorities should swiftly investigate and hold to account the police officers who harassed journalist Yusef Taylor, drop any charges against the journalist, and allow him to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On July 5, police officers blocked Taylor, editor and manager of the privately owned…
Honduran journalist Sonia Pérez criminally charged over reporting on Indigenous evictions
Guatemala City, July 29, 2022 — Honduran authorities should immediately drop all criminal charges against journalist Sonia Pérez López and stop using the country’s legal system to silence the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On May 22, Juan Argueta, a landowner in the municipality of San Jose, filed a criminal complaint against…