India state assembly elections 2021: Journalist safety guide
India is scheduled to hold legislative assembly elections in the states of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry in March, April, and May 2021. Media workers covering any of these elections should be aware of the potential risk of physical attack, intimidation, and harassment; online bullying; COVID-19 exposure; arrest and detention; and government…
CPJ condemns sentencing of Belarus journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich to 6 months in jail
Vilnius, Lithuania, March 2, 2021 — In response to today’s sentencing of Belarusian journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich to six months in jail and a fine over her coverage of protests in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Today’s sentencing of journalist Katsiaryna Barysevich is yet another example of how the Belarusian authorities will…
Myanmar police arrest at least 4 more journalists, injure Democratic Voice of Burma reporter during home raid
Bangkok, March 2, 2021 – Myanmar authorities must release all journalists arrested for covering anti-coup protests in the country, and drop any charges filed against them, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 10:30 p.m. yesterday, police in the southern city of Myeik raided the home of Kaung Myat Hlaing, a reporter with…
CPJ joins call for Nicaragua government to stop restricting press freedom
The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined three other human rights organizations in a joint statement commemorating Nicaragua’s national Day of the Journalist and calling on authorities to end the widespread harassment of members of the press, and ensure media outlets and press freedom organizations can work safely. In the statement, CPJ joined three regional…
CPJ calls on Myanmar military to release all journalists detained amid crackdown
Bangkok, March 1, 2021 – Myanmar’s military junta must immediately release all journalists detained for their work, and allow reporters to cover protests without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Since February 9, security forces arrested at least 18 journalists covering demonstrations throughout the country against the military government, which took…
At least 10 media workers detained amid anti-coup protests in Myanmar, including AP journalist Thein Zaw
Washington, D.C., February 28, 2021 — In response to Myanmar security forces’ detentions of at least 10 members of the press, including Associated Press journalist Thein Zaw, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Myanmar authorities must immediately release all media workers who have been detained merely for covering the news, including journalist…
Bangladeshi journalist Borhan Uddin Muzakkir dies of gunshot wounds after police, demonstrators open fire amid political clashes
New York, February 22, 2021 — Bangladeshi authorities must swiftly identify the killers of journalist Borhan Uddin Muzakkir and hold them to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On February 19, in the Companiganj area of Bangladesh’s southern Noakhali district, police and armed demonstrators opened fire during clashes in the street between two…
CPJ condemns 2-year jail sentences for Belarus journalists Katsiaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsova
New York, February 18, 2021 – In response to today’s sentencing of Belarusian journalists Katsiaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsova to two years each in prison over their coverage of protests in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “These prison terms are naked political persecutions designed to bully into silence any…
Irrawaddy editor Aung Zaw speaks to fears of a post-coup media crackdown in Myanmar
On February 1, Myanmar military overthrew the country’s democratically elected government and imposed a year of emergency rule until new elections are held and democracy restored. News reports have shown the coup has been met with spirited and widespread anti-military street protests, reportage the now-ruling military has tried to blackout through heavy handed measures including…
Journalists Alvarez Destiné and Méus Jeanril shot as police and armed forces disperse protest in Haiti
Miami, February 9, 2021 — Haitian authorities should thoroughly investigate the shootings of journalists Alvarez Destiné and Méus Jeanril, identify those responsible, and hold them to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday afternoon, in the Champs-des-Mars area of Port-au-Prince, the capital, unidentified attackers shot Destiné and Jeanril while they were covering protests calling for…