Harassed

Istanbul, October 6, 2026—Turkish authorities must immediately release journalist Derya Okatan and stop an escalating press crackdown that in this case involves imprisoning a veteran reporter based on flimsy evidence, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Okatan, who most recently worked for independent broadcaster TELE1 before it was taken over by the government, was…

Istanbul, October 5, 2026—Turkish authorities have weaponized the country’s disinformation law to stifle independent reporting by repeatedly detaining and arresting journalists on charges of spreading false information based on the vague tenets of this poorly conceived legislation. This tactic fits into a global pattern of using legal systems and institutions to criminalize legitimate journalism and…

Miami, October 1, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the forced exile of Cuban journalist Austin Llerandi, director of the community newsletter Amanecer Habanero, who fled the island on Tuesday and is currently in Brazil. Llerandi left the island with his pregnant wife after Cuban State Security agents threatened him with prison time if he did…

New York, October 1, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Moroccan authorities to immediately end the unlawful surveillance of journalists, and hold those responsible to account. This demand follows a newly published Amnesty International report documenting the use of spyware and other surveillance methods by Morocco’s intelligence services to monitor journalists, human rights defenders, and…

The Committee to Protect Journalists and other press freedom organizations on Thursday called on Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela to allow sufficient time for an open, transparent, and consultative review, including by international experts, of a draft media reform bill, due to be introduced to parliament in the coming weeks.  The bill’s introduction comes just…

Berlin, September 22, 2026—As Serbians prepare to vote in October parliamentary elections, journalists covering the polls are at serious risk of threats, violence and hostility of the sort that has become increasingly common during President Aleksandar Vučić’s time in office.  Recent attacks on reporters covering political rallies ahead of the vote on October 25 provide an…

Berlin, September 21, 2026—Romanian authorities must swiftly investigate attacks on journalists covering last week’s farmers’ protest in Bucharest, and make sure those responsible are held accountable while also respecting journalists’ right to protect their sources, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. After the protests on September 15, police publicly requested footage from media, civil…

Istanbul, September 16, 2026—Turkish authorities must immediately release freelance journalist Tuğba Tekerek and stop jailing, detaining and intimidating reporters for simply doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.  Police in Istanbul took Tekerek into custody late on September 13 during a sweeping crackdown against the LGBTQ+ community, which saw dozens of activists…

Istanbul, September 15, 2026—Turkish authorities must release arrested journalist Selahattin Günday without delay and stop abusing the country’s laws to harass journalists and prevent them from doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday.  Günday, a former broadcast reporter for the now closed Doğan News Agency (DHA), was taken into custody by Istanbul…

The Committee to Protect Journalists, together with eight other press freedom and human rights organizations, on Friday urged Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate action to address the country’s rapidly deteriorating press freedom environment.  In a joint letter, the groups expressed concern about new restrictions on reporting in parts of Pakistan, recurring internet…