Free Burma VJ campaign urges release of journalists
From Paris to Bangkok, London to Geneva, the Free Burma VJ campaign will stage protests in front of Burmese embassies on Friday to call for the immediate release of 17 jailed video journalists working for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), a leading Burmese exile media organization. The campaign began less than two months after Burma’s…
In Ethiopia, terrorism charges against five journalists
New York, September 7, 2011–Ethiopia filed terrorism charges on Tuesday against four independent journalists detained in the country since June and July, along with the editor of a U.S.-based news forum critical of the Addis Ababa government, according to local sources and news reports.
Syrian journalist arrested, held without charge
New York, September 6, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by Saturday’s arrest of a Syrian journalist without charge and the continued reports of missing journalists in Syria. Amer Matar, contributor to the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat, was arrested by Syrian security forces in Damascus on Saturday, the Guardian of London reported. Matar, who is also a political…
Jailed Egyptian blogger on hunger strike
New York, August 31, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to immediately release journalist Maikel Nabil Sanad, who was tried in military court for “insulting the military” and is now serving a three-year sentence in prison. Sanad began a hunger strike in prison on August 22 and…
Sudan frees one journalist; at least 8 still held
New York, August 30, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release of a jailed journalist in Sudan, but is troubled by reports of the continued detention of at least eight others without charge. President Omar al-Bashir had announced Saturday that he would free all journalists detained in Sudan.
Six Libyan journalists still missing
New York, August 25, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release of four Italian journalists kidnapped Wednesday, but remains concerned about the safety of at least six Libyan journalists who have been missing since the start of the uprising in February.
Journalist escapes Libyan prison after months in captivity
New York, August 24, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the news that U.S. journalist Matthew VanDyke escaped with several inmates from Abu Salim prison in Tripoli today. VanDyke’s mother told CPJ that he called her with the news of his escape and that he is safe and in good spirits. He also told his…
Yemeni government forces arrest cameraman
New York, August 22, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the continuing deterioration of conditions for journalists operating in Yemen. On August 12, authorities detained Ahmed Firas, a cameraman for Suhail TV. According to one local journalist, Firas’ detention may be related to his work at the pro-revolution news station.
Israel extends Al-Jazeera journalist’s detention
New York, August 17, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by Israel’s continued detention of Al-Jazeera journalist Samer Allawi, who has been held without charge for eight days.”Israeli authorities must publicly explain and provide evidence as to why they continue to hold Samer Allawi,” said Mohamed Abdel Dayem, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa…