Russian journalists investigated, fined over COVID-19 reporting
Vilnius, Lithuania, June 16, 2020 — Russian authorities should stop harassing journalists reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic and allow them to work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Russia has more than 500,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the most in Europe, and had recorded 7,091 deaths from the virus as of…
Local prosecutor subpoenas Cleveland newsroom for protest material
Washington, D.C., June 15, 2020 — The Cuyahoga County prosecutor’s office in Ohio should withdraw its subpoena served to the Cleveland.com news website and The Plain Dealer newspaper, and refrain from asking reporters to turn over unpublished material, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The county prosecutor’s office, which has jurisdiction in the city…
Russian journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva facing trial over terrorism commentary
New York, June 15, 2020 – In advance of tomorrow’s trial of Russian journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva on charges of “justifying terrorism,” the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Russian authorities should drop the absurd charges against journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva, lift the travel ban imposed against her, unfreeze her assets, and allow her to…
CPJ calls on Philippine authorities not to contest editor Maria Ressa’s cyber libel appeal
Bangkok, June 15, 2020 — Philippine authorities should not contest the appeal of journalists Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos, and should reform the country’s libel laws to ensure that members of the press do not face jail time for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. This morning, Branch 46 of the Manila…
Niger journalist Samira Sabou jailed, charged with cybercrime over Facebook post
New York, June 12, 2020—Authorities in Niger should immediately release journalist Samira Ibrahim Sabou and drop all charges against her, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Authorities arrested Sabou, editor with the privately owned Niger Search news website and manager of the Mides-Niger news website, on June 10 after she responded to a court…
Chilean Supreme Court orders Radio Bío Bío to remove content from website
Miami, June 9, 2020 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a decision by the Chilean Supreme Court ordering the independent news outlet Radio Bío Bío to take down the audio and transcript of a phone call published in a news article. On May 19, the third chamber of the Chilean Supreme Court ruled…
Brazilian Senate to vote on ‘fake news’ bill
New York, June 8, 2020 — Brazil’s Senate should drop proposed legislation seeking to regulate online content and so-called “fake news,” or amend the bill to ensure that free speech is protected, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Bill 2630, titled the “Lei das Fake News,” was originally scheduled for a vote on June…
Burundi court rejects imprisoned Iwacu journalists’ appeal
Nairobi, June 5, 2020 — In response to a Burundi court’s decision today to reject the appeal of four Iwacu media group journalists who are serving 2.5-year prison terms, as reported by their employer, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Burundian authorities should never have arrested the four detained Iwacu journalists; rejecting…
Managing director of Iranian news agency convicted on false news charges
On May 31, 2020, Branch 6 of Tehran’s Media Court convicted Ali Motaghian, the managing director of the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA), on charges of “spreading false news,” according to a report by the news agency. CPJ could not determine what sentence Motaghian received or whether he is in custody. The semi-official Iranian…
Map: Attacks on press freedom during the COVID-19 pandemic
Updated June 22, 2021 CPJ has documented numerous press freedom violations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, from legislation threatening to censor free speech to arrests of journalists providing the public with vital news about the virus. This map plots violations, verified by CPJ staff, across nearly every region of the world from early…