In Middle East and North Africa, a drop in attacks on journalists belies dire state of press freedom
The Middle East and North Africa region has long been especially dangerous for journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists’ research has found that one out of every three reporters killed worldwide in retaliation for their work since 1992 — 477 out of 1,422, or 33.5% – were located in the region. That proportion rose to…
Myanmar photographer Soe Naing reportedly dies in army detention
Bangkok, December 15, 2021 – Myanmar authorities must immediately disclose the status of freelance photographer Soe Naing amid reports he died in detention, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Soldiers took Soe Naing into custody on December 10 after he photographed a protest in Yangon against the country’s military junta government, according to reports…
Jesus Malabanan, reporter who covered Duterte drug war, killed in the Philippines
Bangkok, December 9, 2021 – Philippine authorities should conduct a rapid and thorough investigation into the killing of journalist Jesus “Jess” Malabanan and swiftly bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 6 p.m. yesterday, unidentified assailants on a motorcycle shot Malabanan in the head while he was watching…
Number of journalists imprisoned around the world sets new record
China remains the world’s worst jailer of journalists; India and Mexico rank among the deadliest New York December 9, 2021–The number of journalists behind bars reached a record high in 2021, with 293 behind bars as political upheaval and media crackdowns reflect increasing intolerance for independent reporting around the world. At the same time, targeted…
A press freedom crisis unfolds in Latin America
As the number of journalists imprisoned globally for their work climbs to record highs, cases of those behind bars in Latin America remained relatively low. A total of six – three in Cuba, two in Nicaragua and one in Brazil – were in custody for their work as of December 1, according to the Committee…
Yemen’s non-state judicial systems spell death, torture for journalists
On December 1, four journalists were on death row in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, for the crime of spreading false news. Before they were detained in 2015, Abdulkhaleq Amran, Akram al-Waleedi, Hareth Hameed, and Tawfiq al-Mansouri worked for various outlets, including the independent Al-Masdar newspaper and outlets associated with al-Islah, one of the parties in…
Somali journalist Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled killed, two others injured, in bombing claimed by Al-Shabaab
New York, November 22, 2021 – Somali authorities should thoroughly investigate the suicide bombing that killed Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled and injured Sharmarke Mohamed Warsame and Abdukadir Abdullahi Nur in the capital of Mogadishu on November 20, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Abdiaziz, a well-known journalist also known as Abdiaziz Afrika who worked as…
Journalist and activist Muhammad Zada Agra fatally shot in Pakistan
Washington, D.C., November 16, 2021– Pakistan authorities must thoroughly and impartially investigate the killing of Muhammad Zada Agra and hold the perpetrators accountable, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On November 8, two unidentified men fatally shot Agra, who covered politics, corruption, and the activities of local drug cartels and criminal groups on his…
Indian journalist Avinash Jha’s body found in Bihar
New Delhi, November 16, 2021 – Indian authorities must conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the death of journalist Avinash Jha, determine whether he was killed for his journalism, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Jha, a reporter with the local news website BNN News based in…
CPJ condemns killing of Yemeni journalist Rasha Abdullah al-Harazi in car bomb attack
New York, November 10, 2021 – All parties to the conflict in Yemen must stop attacking members of the press, and must ensure that journalist killings are thoroughly investigated and those responsible brought to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, journalist Rasha Abdullah al-Harazi was killed in a car bomb attack while…