Palestinian journalist Sami al-Sai alleges torture, sexual violence in Israeli prison
Amman, December 16, 2025 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply alarmed by the harrowing public testimony given on Sunday by Palestinian freelance journalist Sami al-Sai, who described experiencing alleged torture and sexual violence while in Israeli prison. The journalist, who has reported for the Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera Mubasher and the local broadcaster…
Post-election Cameroon: ‘The regime considers the press to be its last enemy’
In his campaign to win an eighth term, Cameroonian President Paul Biya pledged to “strengthen measures to protect freedom of expression and journalists” in one of Africa’s most dangerous countries for the press. But six journalists who spoke to CPJ after October’s contested election — which opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary claimed to have won,…
CPJ joins 32 groups urging UK leader Starmer to secure Jimmy Lai’s release during China trade talks
The Committee to Protect Journalists has joined 32 organizations in calling on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to use a planned visit to China next year to push for the release of Jimmy Lai, who was convicted in Hong Kong on Monday of national security offenses. Lai, a 78-year-old British citizen and founder of the…
Myanmar journalist Sut Ring Pan serving 13 years in prison on incitement, terrorism charges
Bangkok, December 16, 2025—Myanmar authorities must immediately and unconditionally release freelance journalist Sut Ring Pan, who is serving a combined 13-year prison sentence on incitement and terrorism charges, and stop using vague and overbroad laws to imprison journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On December 2, Yangon’s Western District Court convicted and sentenced…
Belarusian journalist Maryna Zolatava released after serving over 4 years in prison
Paris, December 15, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release of Belarusian journalist Maryna Zolatava, who was among 123 prisoners freed on Saturday as part of a deal in which the United States announced it was lifting sanctions on Belarus’s potash exports. All were pardoned by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. “We are relieved that journalist Maryna Zolatava is finally free,…
CPJ, partners condemn jailing of Vietnamese journalist Pham Doan Trang on sentencing anniversary
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined eight partner organizations in a joint advocacy statement calling on Vietnam’s government to release journalist Pham Doan Trang. Trang, who is serving a nine-year prison sentence for her critical reporting, received CPJ’s 2022 International Press Freedom Award for her courage in the face of persecution. The joint statement published on December 12 was timed…
CPJ condemns Hong Kong’s conviction of Jimmy Lai in national security case
New York, December 14, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Hong Kong court’s conviction of Jimmy Lai, founder of the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, in a landmark national security trial and calls on authorities to immediately free the 78-year-old British citizen. “This sham conviction is a disgraceful act of persecution,” said CPJ Asia-Pacific…
Trial of 12 journalists begins in Azerbaijan’s case against Meydan TV
New York, December 12, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Azerbaijan to drop all charges and release 12 journalists as the trial against Germany-based Meydan TV began Friday in the capital, Baku. “The sorry sight of 11 journalists and a respected journalism teacher on trial in the case against award-winning Meydan TV only underscores the vast…
Hong Kong court set to rule in Jimmy Lai trial on Monday
New York, December 12, 2025—Ahead of Monday’s expected verdict in the national security trial of Jimmy Lai, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Hong Kong authorities to drop all charges against the 78-year-old publisher and release him immediately and unconditionally. Lai, whose health has worsened after spending…
Iran detains Iraqi Kurdish reporter and crew covering cultural festival
Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, December 9, 2025 — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Iranian authorities to immediately release Iraqi Kurdish reporter Omer Ahmed and his crew, who were arrested on December 3 in the city of Sardasht in West Azerbaijan province while covering a cultural festival. “The arrest of Omer Ahmed and his crew shows…