CPJ calls for release of imprisoned journalists ahead of the International Day of Political Prisoners on October 30
The Committee to Protect Journalists has joined the October 30 Coalition of human rights organizations in issuing a joint statement marking the International Day of Political Prisoners on October 30. The statement underscores the need for sustained international attention to individual political prisoners, for efforts to secure their release, and for accountability for abuses. More…
Iran sentences journalists under espionage law
New York, October 28, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Iranian authorities to overturn the convictions and immediately release journalists Artin Ghazanfari and Omid Faraghat. The two were sentenced to 26 and 10 years under Iran’s sweeping espionage law, which also criminalizes routine media activities. “Iranian authorities are using espionage and national security laws to punish…
Tunisia sentences journalist Zied el-Heni to 4 years on terrorism charges
New York, October 28, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists demands the immediate release of Tunisian journalist Zied el-Heni, and the overturning of his four-year prison sentence. El-Heni was wrongfully convicted on Tuesday on terrorism charges for his reporting, and refusal to reveal confidential sources. “Sentencing Zied el-Heni to four years in prison on terrorism charges for carrying…
CPJ, partners condemn referral of Mada Masr editor Lina Attalah to trial
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined partner organizations on Friday in condemning the referral to trial of Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of the independent Egyptian outlet Mada Masr. The case is the latest escalation in Egypt’s crackdown on the press, which has included the arrest of all six Egypt-based journalists working for investigative platform Matsdaash and…
Azerbaijan: Prosecutors seek prison terms of up 12 years for Meclis.info journalists
London, October 22, 2026—Azerbaijan should drop its financial crimes case against two journalists and another staff member of Meclis.info, an independent media outlet covering the work of the country’s parliament, and stop using allegations of illegal funding from international donors to silence the independent press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On October 20,…
Turkish reporter İsmail Arı arrested again on suspicion of spreading ‘disinformation’
Istanbul, October 22, 2026—Turkish authorities must immediately free İsmail Arı, the latest journalist to be arrested in a relentless crackdown on independent media this year, and abolish the disinformation law that has supercharged these repressive tactics, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. “İsmail Arı has already spent more than two months in jail this…
CPJ highlights role of transnational networks in fueling attacks on journalists in Sudan
New York, October 21, 2026 – The Committee to Protect Journalists submitted testimony to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission ahead of its October 21 briefing on transnational networks fueling the war in Sudan, highlighting how foreign weapons, financing, personnel, and logistical support sustain armed actors responsible for killing, detaining, and otherwise targeting journalists. CPJ’s…
Russia detains Japanese journalist on suspicion of espionage
London, October 14, 2026—Russia must immediately release a Japanese journalist detained on Tuesday in the far-eastern island of Sakhalin on suspicion of espionage, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. The journalist, identified by media as Yuki Imai, is believed to be a correspondent for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, a regional outlet for Japan’s northern…
Turkey: 4 more journalists arrested for ‘spreading disinformation’ as media crackdown intensifies
Istanbul, October 12, 2026—Turkey’s ongoing crackdown on independent media is continuing at an alarming pace with four more journalists arrested and placed under house arrest over the weekend on suspicion of publicly spreading disinformation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On October 9, Turkish police questioned Mustafa Balcı and İsmail Saymaz from the independent Sözcü…
Criminal defamation threat hangs over dozens of Angolan journalists ahead of 2027 vote
In 2025, Angolan journalist Daniel Frederico fled his home country for fear that he would be jailed for defamation for an article that he did not write. His fears were realized on October 2, 2026, when he was given a 14-month sentence, despite his absence, for a 2022 report written and published by another media…