Belarusian authorities detain reporter Dzianis Ivashyn; prosecute journalists for protest coverage
Vilnius, Lithuania, March 17, 2021 — Belarusian authorities must stop prosecuting and harassing members of the press, and should allow reporters to cover issues of national significance without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 12, officers of the KGB, the Belarusian security service, in the western city of Hrodna…
CPJ condemns Colombian government’s move to leave Inter-American Court hearing on Jineth Bedoya case
New York, March 16, 2021 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on the Colombian government to return to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights hearing on the case of Colombian journalist Jineth Bedoya and to uphold its obligations to ensure justice in cases of violence to journalists. Colombian representatives withdrew in protest yesterday…
Iowa journalist Andrea Sahouri acquitted on misdemeanor charges from 2020 protest coverage
New York, March 10, 2021 — In response to today’s acquittal of Des Moines Register reporter Andrea Sahouri by a court in Polk County, Iowa, on two misdemeanor charges stemming from her coverage of protests last year, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The acquittal of journalist Andrea Sahouri in Iowa today…
Peruvian congressional candidate files criminal defamation suit against 2 journalists over coverage of sexual harassment allegations
Bogotá, March 8, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a criminal defamation lawsuit filed against Peruvian journalists Graciela Tiburcio and Luciana Távara, and called on Peru to reform its laws to drop criminal penalties for speech. On February 25, Victor Hugo Quijada, a Peruvian congressional candidate, filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against…
Angolan editor Mariano Brás questioned, investigated over article critical of president
Lisbon, March 4, 2020 – Angolan authorities should stop harassing editor Mariano Brás, drop any charges against him, and allow the press to cover the country’s president without fear of legal harassment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On February 12, officers with the organized crime division of Angola’s Criminal Investigation Service questioned Brás,…
At least 3 US reporters face court hearings on charges from 2020 coverage of protests and rallies
New York, March 3, 2021 – Local authorities in Iowa, Massachusetts, and North Carolina should drop all charges against journalists who were arrested while doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. This month, three journalists who are facing charges are scheduled to appear in court in relation to their coverage of protests…
CPJ welcomes sentencing in 2018 arson attack on Serbian journalist Milan Jovanović
New York, February 23, 2021 – In response to a Serbian court’s decision today sentencing former mayor Dragoljub Simonovic to more than four years in prison for ordering an arson attack on the home of journalist Milan Jovanović, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “It is welcome news to see a Serbian…
CPJ condemns Malaysian court conviction, fine of Malaysiakini on contempt charges
Bangkok, February 19, 2021 – In response to a Malaysian court ruling today fining the Malaysiakini news website 500,000 ringgit (US$123,672), the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Today’s contempt of court ruling holding Malaysiakini responsible for readers’ comments is a de facto attack on the press and sets a worrying precedent for all media outlets…
Trinidad and Tobago High Court rules police raid on newspaper violated constitutional right of press freedom
On January 13, 2021, the Trinidad and Tobago High Court found that a police raid on the headquarters of the Daily Express newspaper the previous March was unconstitutional and infringed on the outlet’s right to press freedom, according to media reports and the court ruling. On March 11, 2020, a team of seven police officers…
Former Ecuadorian president threatens, files suit against journalist Dayanna Monroy
Bogotá, February 9, 2021 – Ecuadorian authorities must swiftly and thoroughly investigate threats made to journalist Dayanna Monroy, ensure she has adequate protection, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 27, former Ecuadorian President Abdalá Bucaram Ortiz posted a video to his personal Facebook account in which…