South African journalists attacked, threatened, harassed in separate incidents
In March 2023, journalists in multiple towns in South Africa were attacked, harassed, or threatened in connection with their reporting. On March 2, in the city of Newcastle, Mayor Xolani Dube and his deputy Musa “Sugar” Thwala accused Estella Naicker, a reporter with privately owned newspaper Northern Natal News, of being paid by political rivals…
German journalist David Janzen’s home vandalized after reporting on far-right
Berlin, April 5, 2023—German authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the recent harassment of journalist David Janzen and ensure his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On March 29, unidentified people painted a message on Janzen’s home in the north-central German city of Braunschweig accusing him of being “anti-German” and left behind a…
CPJ calls on Kenyan authorities to ensure accountability in attacks on press covering protests
Nairobi, April 5, 2023—Kenyan authorities should thoroughly and credibly investigate recent attacks on journalists covering protests and ensure that the perpetrators are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Protests took place in parts of Kenya on three different days between March 20 and 30, led by the opposition Azimio la Umoja…
Journalists attacked, harassed while reporting from Ukraine monastery
Paris, April 4, 2023—Ukrainian authorities should swiftly investigate the recent harassment and assaults of journalists reporting from a monastery complex in Kyiv and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On March 29, worshippers at the state-owned Kyiv-Pechersk monastery in the capital city of Kyiv threatened and obstructed a group…
French police beat, obstruct journalists covering pension protests
Berlin, April 4, 2023—French authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate recent attacks on journalists covering protests and ensure that police officers responsible for harassing members of the press are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Demonstrations broke out throughout France on March 16, after the government raised the retirement age by…
CPJ calls for Kenyan authorities to ensure journalists can cover protests safely
Nairobi, March 31, 2023 – In response to journalists being harassed, attacked, and arrested while covering mass anti-government protests in Kenya since March 20, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for authorities to take action to protect members of the press: “Journalists covering the ongoing protests in Kenya are carrying out…
At least 28 journalists harassed, beaten, denied access while covering Nigerian state elections
Abuja, March 21, 2023 – Nigerian authorities should thoroughly investigate incidents involving at least 28 journalists and media workers being harassed and attacked while covering state elections and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. At least 28 members of the press were obstructed, harassed, or attacked while covering gubernatorial…
Turkish authorities harass Greek journalists covering earthquake, smash cameras and phones
Istanbul, March 21, 2023 – Turkish authorities should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the recent official harassment of a Greek reporting crew and ensure that members of the press can work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On February 16, members of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, a Turkish…
French journalist Cemil Şanlı receives death threat, accosted outside home
Berlin, March 16, 2023 — French authorities should thoroughly investigate threats and insults received by journalist Cemil Şanlı and take immediate steps to ensure his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On the morning of March 2, Şanlı, a broadcast journalist for the privately owned independent news outlet Le Média TV, received a…
China should improve overseas media accreditation, access following restrictive political meetings
Taipei, March 14, 2023 – Chinese authorities should allow international media to cover events and political gatherings without restrictions, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday, after several accredited journalists reported being denied access or having access restricted to the first major political meetings since China relaxed its zero-COVID policy. The state-run China Daily…