Tanzanian reporter Jesse Mikofu beaten, harassed in Zanzibar
On April 21, 2021, security officers in Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous archipelago in Tanzania, beat and harassed Jesse Mikofu, a reporter with the privately owned Mwananchi newspaper, according to news reports, a statement by the Media Council of Tanzania, an independent self-regulatory body, and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app. Three officers from…
Reporting crew for Mtavari Arkhi broadcaster attacked, harassed in Georgia
New York, May 6, 2021 – Georgian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the recent attack on journalists Nino Kekelia and Irakli Kvaratskhelia, find the perpetrators, and ensure that the press can work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On May 4, a group of unidentified men attacked and harassed Kekelia,…
Turkish police harass, detain 2 journalists covering terrorism case
On April 26, 2021, police interrupted a press conference in Istanbul, Turkey, and detained two journalists, according to news reports and video of the detentions shared on social media. Police detained Muhammed Enes Sezgin, a reporter with the pro-Kurdish Mezopotamya News Agency, and Bilal Meyveci, a camera operator with the leftist pro-Kurdish website and TV…
Russia couldn’t block Telegram, but harassment, propaganda make it hostile for journalists
Telegram was meant to be blocked in Russia in April 2020 when Aleksandr Pichugin published a satirical article about the spread of COVID-19 on his channel Sorokin Khvost – an allusion to a Russian version of the saying, “A little bird told me.” Four days later, uniformed officers came to the journalist’s home and pushed…
CPJ calls on Colombian security forces to ensure safety of journalists covering demonstrations
New York, May 5, 2021 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Colombian security forces to ensure that journalists can freely and safely cover demonstrations across the country. “We are deeply concerned by widespread reports of human rights abuses by Colombian security forces responding to protests, including dozens of reported press freedom violations,”…
Cuban journalist Mary Karla Ares detained over protest coverage
Miami, May 3, 2021 — Cuban authorities must immediately release journalist Mary Karla Ares, drop the criminal investigation into her work, and allow the press to report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 30, at about 2 p.m., agents with the Cuban Revolutionary Police and the Political Police arrested Ares, a…
Kyrgyz journalist Kanat Kanimetov questioned, family harassed by authorities
Stockholm, May 3, 2021 — Kyrgyz authorities should cease their harassment of journalist Kanat Kanimetov and allow him to work freely and without fear, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 11, officers of the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security (GKNB) summoned Kanimetov, a reporter and presenter with the independent television broadcaster Aprel, to their headquarters…
Somali security forces detain and assault journalists and raid media outlet
April 29, 2021 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed alarm at recent actions by Somali security forces who detained and beat journalists and raided a private news outlet, and called on regional and federal authorities to ensure that members of the media can do their jobs without fearing for their safety. Over the last…
Journalists harassed, arrested throughout Somalia
Between February 19 and April 9, federal and regional authorities in Somalia arrested at least two reporters and harassed at least four others, according to journalists who spoke to CPJ and a statement by the Somali Journalists Syndicate, a local press rights group. Most of the journalists were targeted for their political reporting, amid tensions…
Unidentified man attacks Italian TV crew with metal chain, injuring 3
Berlin, April 27, 2021 — Italian authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the attack on Rete 4 TV reporter Carmen La Gatta and her crew, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 11, an unidentified man attacked La Gatta and two Rete 4 support…