CPJ joins letter urging Eswatini King Mswati III to guarantee journalists’ safety
The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined 20 other media freedom organizations in an open letter to Eswatini King Mswati III, urging him to guarantee the safety and security of journalists and media workers in the country. Since late June, Eswatini authorities have fired tear gas at reporters and partially shut down the internet amid…
Colombian riot police beat 2 RCN Radio journalists documenting police violence
Bogotá, July 1, 2021 – Colombian authorities must conduct a full investigation into police officers’ use of force against journalists covering recent protests, and ensure that security forces allow the press to work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 29, Colombian police officers assaulted Katy Sánchez, a reporter, and Alexandra Molina,…
Algerian journalist Mustapha Bendjama given 2-month suspended prison sentence
On June 27, 2021, an appeals court in Annaba, in northeast Algeria, issued Mustapha Bedjama, editor-in-chief of the local independent news website Le Provincial, a two-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 20,000 dinars (US $150), according to news reports and Bendjama, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app. The case stemmed from “harming…
Palestinian security forces assault at least 5 journalists covering protests in Ramallah
New York, June 30, 2021 – Authorities in the West Bank should conduct a thorough investigation into security forces’ recent attacks on members of the press covering protests, and ensure that those responsible are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 26 and 27, security forces affiliated with the Palestinian…
Journalist Alan Weisman arrested, strip-searched while covering anti-pipeline protest in Minnesota
Washington, D.C., June 11, 2021 — Authorities in Minnesota’s Hubbard County should explain their reasoning for detaining and strip-searching journalist Alan Weisman and drop all charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 5 p.m. on June 7, an officer with the local sheriff’s department in Hubbard County, Minnesota, arrested Weisman,…
Canadian police bar journalists from covering anti-logging protests
Washington, D.C., May 26, 2021 — In response to reports that officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have repeatedly denied journalists access to cover protests against logging on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the Committee to Protect Journalists today issued the following statement: “We are concerned that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police seem to…
Israeli journalists assaulted and harassed by protesters and security forces
From April 21 to May 15, 2021, demonstrators and security forces assaulted and harassed journalists in cities throughout Israel, according to news reports, journalists’ social media posts, and data compiled by the Union of Journalists in Israel (ITONAIM), a local trade group. The incidents occurred following the outbreak of protests over the eviction of Palestinian…
Detained Belarusian journalist Raman Pratasevich appears in ‘confession’ video
Vilnius, Lithuania, May 24, 2021 — Belarusian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Raman Pratasevich, who was detained yesterday, and allow him to leave the country freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Today, Pratasevich appeared in a 29-second video first published by the pro-government Telegram channel Zhyoltiye Slivy. In that video, which…
Belarus arrests journalist Raman Pratasevich after diverting flight to Minsk
New York, May 23, 2021—In response to news reports that Belarusian authorities today diverted a commercial passenger flight to Minsk in order to arrest journalist Raman Pratasevich, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “We are shocked by today’s action, even as President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s government has increasingly strangled the press in Belarus…
Demonstrators throw rocks, firecrackers at news crews in Berlin
Berlin, May 20, 2021 — German authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate recent attacks on journalists covering protests, hold those responsible to account, and ensure that reporters can cover events of public interest safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On May 15, members of a pro-Palestine protest in Berlin attacked at least three…