New Uzbekistan laws ban using internet to ‘disrespect’ the government, organize protests
Stockholm, April 28, 2021 – Uzbek authorities should repeal recent legal amendments that deepen restrictions on online speech, and should ensure that journalists are free to report and comment on issues of public importance without fear of prosecution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 31, new amendments to the country’s criminal code,…
Police summon Daily Nigerian publisher Jaafar Jaafar following governor’s threat
On April 15, 2021, five armed police officers arrived at the office of the privately owned Daily Nigerian news website in the Wuye district of Abuja, the capital, in search of publisher Jaafar Jaafar, according to a report by the outlet and its associate editor, Ibrahim Ramalan, who spoke with CPJ via messaging app. Jafaar…
Russia designates independent outlets Meduza and PASMI as ‘foreign agents’
New York, April 26, 2021 – Russian authorities should reverse their decision to designate independent media outlets Meduza and PASMI as foreign agents, and should repeal or reform the country’s foreign agent law, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 23, Russia’s Justice Ministry added the independent Latvia-based news website Meduza to its…
Hong Kong court convicts, fines journalist Choy Yuk-ling over documentary research
Taipei, April 22, 2021 — In response to a Hong Kong court’s conviction today of video producer Choy Yuk-ling, also known as Bao Choy, on charges of giving false statements, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The unjust conviction of video producer Choy Yuk-ling marks the latest assault on press freedom in…
Journalist Jeremy McDermott faces new criminal defamation suit in Colombia
Bogotá, April 21, 2021 – Colombian authorities should dismiss a criminal defamation lawsuit against investigative journalist Jeremy McDermott, and Colombia should reform its defamation laws to align with international standards, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 6, the national attorney general’s office notified McDermott, a British national and the co-director and legal…
Colombian Supreme Court confirms defamation conviction of journalist Vicky Dávila, RCN
Miami, April 7, 2021 — In response to a recent decision by the Labor Cassation Chamber of the Colombian Supreme Court confirming the defamation conviction of journalist Vicky Dávila Hoyos and media outlet RCN, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “It is troubling that the Colombian Supreme Court confirmed the damages imposed…
CPJ calls on Energy Transfer to drop subpoenas to Unicorn Riot, journalist Niko Georgiades
New York, April 7, 2021—Energy Transfer, the U.S. based company which partially owns the Dakota Access Pipeline, should immediately withdraw its subpoenas seeking unpublished reporting material from U.S. nonprofit media collective Unicorn Riot and from the organization’s reporter, Niko Georgiades, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The two subpoenas, filed with a Minnesota district court on…
Family of slain Turkish journalist Hrant Dink vows to appeal trial verdict
Istanbul, March 29, 2021 – Turkish authorities must conduct an impartial and depoliticized investigation into the killing of journalist Hrant Dink, and ensure that all those involved in planning and committing the killing are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 26, the 14th Istanbul Court of Serious Crimes acquitted…
CPJ, partner organizations call on Council of Europe to take action against SLAPP lawsuits
CPJ has joined over 100 civil society organizations to call on the Council of Europe to issue a recommendation to address strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) in Europe. SLAPPs are abusive lawsuits filed by powerful officials, businesspeople, or corporations against individuals, including critical journalists or news outlets, to restrict or censor critical reporting. They…
Somali military court sentences journalist Kilwe Adan Farah to 3 years in prison
Nairobi, March 18, 2021 — In response to yesterday’s decision by a military court in the semi-autonomous Somali state of Puntland sentencing journalist Kilwe Adan Farah to three years in prison, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Sentencing journalist Kilwe Adan Farah to three years in prison, with neither his lawyer nor…