CPJ welcomes priority inclusion of Afghan journalists in U.S. refugee program
Washington, D.C., August 2, 2021 — In response to the U.S. State Department’s announcement today of a priority designation granting U.S. Refugee Admissions Program access to “Afghans who are or were employed in Afghanistan by a U.S.-based media organization or non-governmental organization,” the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “We applaud the Biden…
Zambian radio station transmitter damaged in arson attack
In the early hours of June 24, 2021, an unknown group of people tried to set fire to the Kalungwishi Radio Station in the Chienge district of Zambia’s northern Luapula Province, damaging transmission cables, a mixer, and air conditioning equipment, according to a news report quoting the local chapter of the regional press freedom group…
International journalists face intense harassment, threats of violence while covering flooding in China
Taipei, July 26, 2021—Chinese authorities should ensure that all journalists can report without fear of violence and harassment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 24, a crowd of angry bystanders in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, surrounded and confronted journalists from the Los Angeles Times and the German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle while…
Ghana politician calls for journalist Erastus Asare Donkor to be beaten over protest coverage
Abuja, July 23, 2021 – Ghanaian authorities should ensure the safety of journalist Erastus Asare Donkor and hold politician Kennedy Ohene Agyapong to account for instigating attacks against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. In an appearance on the Net 2 TV broadcaster on July 9, Agyapong, a member of Ghana’s parliament with…
‘Obviously very chilling’: Peter R. de Vries killing shows the danger of Dutch crime reporting
The brutal slaying of crime reporter Peter R. de Vries has shocked the Netherlands. Although still one of the least violent countries for journalists in the world, reporters, parliament, and local press freedom groups warn that threats, intimidation, and violence against outlets and individual journalists reporting on organized crime are on the rise. More than 80 percent of Dutch journalists experienced…
CPJ, U.S. media organizations urge U.S. to provide visas to Afghans who worked with press
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined a coalition of U.S. news and press freedom organizations in joint letters to President Joseph Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Congressional leadership asking the U.S. government to provide humanitarian assistance and emergency visas to Afghans who have worked with U.S. media outlets. In 2020, at least five journalists…
South African journalists attacked and threatened amid civil unrest, 4 radio stations looted
Lusaka, Zambia, July 13, 2021 – South African authorities must swiftly and thoroughly investigate recent attacks on media outlets and journalists covering civil unrest in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Since July 4, protests have broken out in at least two provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, which began over the jailing of…
Somali journalist Hanad Ali Guled survives beating, knife attack by unidentified assailants
Nairobi, July 12, 2021 — Somali authorities should investigate the recent attack on journalist and press freedom advocate Hanad Ali Guled and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the night of June 23, four unidentified men attacked Hanad, chief editor of the privately owned broadcaster Goobjoog Television, according…
Liberian journalist Aryee Davis threatened, harassed online over reporting on alleged fraud
Abuja, July 1, 2021 – Liberian authorities should investigate the threats received by journalist Aryee Davis and ensure that she can work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. In mid-June, a Facebook user named “Gedeh Eagleeyes” sent multiple threatening messages to Davis, founder of the Facebook-based news outlet GrainCost TV, and posted threatening…
South African EFF party supporters block journalists from covering protest
On June 10, 2021, a group of supporters of the South African Economic Freedom Fighters opposition party harassed and threatened reporter Ayesha Ismail and camera operator Mario Pedro, with the privately owned broadcaster eNCA, while they tried to cover an anti-racism protest in Cape Town, according to video of the incident shared on social media…