The Torch

The Torch

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Court documents allege Cameroon counterintelligence spied on murdered journalist Martinez Zogo

CPJ is calling on Cameroonian authorities to disclose which journalists—in addition to murdered journalist Martinez Zogo—have been targeted for surveillance by the country’s counterintelligence service and ensure that spying on members of the media is immediately discontinued. The existence of a surveillance operation that allegedly spied on Zogo since at least 2015 was disclosed in a…

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CPJ, Amnesty International report finds systemic flaws in Mexico’s journalist protections

Yesterday, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Amnesty International published the findings of a joint investigation into Mexico’s Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists. The report, “‘No one guarantees my safety’: The urgent need to strengthen Mexico’s federal policies for the protection of journalists,” revealed that the Mechanism failed to…

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CPJ and more than 30 news organizations express solidarity with journalists in Gaza

Today, the leaders of more than 30 news organizations worldwide signed an open letter—coordinated by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) with the support of the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)—affirming their solidarity with journalists reporting in Gaza. “For nearly five months, journalists and media workers in Gaza—overwhelmingly, the sole source of on-the-ground reporting…

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People lay flowers for late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at the Solovetsky Stone, a monument to political repression, near the headquarters of Russia's Federal Security Services, in Moscow on February 20, 2024. (AFP/Natalia Kolesnikova)

Russia cracks down on press freedom after death of Alexey Navalny

After the sudden death of opposition leader Alexey Navalny in a Russian prison on February 16, Moscow has escalated its crackdown on press freedom. ➡️ This week, Russia banned freedom of expression group Article 19 and news organization Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) as “undesirable,” a designation banning them from operating in Russia, and anyone…

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Israel-Gaza war brings 2023 journalist killings to near-record high

In a new report published today, CPJ documented 99 journalists and media workers killed worldwide in 2023. This 2023 global total is the highest since 2015 and an almost 44% increase from 2022. Documenting 2023 deaths was especially challenging due to lack of official information and the high number of killings in such a short…

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Clément Bonnerot footage

Internet shutdowns during elections threaten press freedom

Only one month into a record election year, CPJ has already begun recording election-related attacks against the press—attempts by governments to stifle critical voices and restrict the free flow of information that is essential for voters. Just this week authorities in Senegal suspended mobile internet access, revoked the broadcasting license of Walf TV, and detained…

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Iranian journalists face jail, raids, legal threats

CPJ is closely monitoring what is becoming an epidemic of arrests and legal threats against journalists in Iran. In the last two months, we have documented over a dozen jailings, sentencings, lawsuits, and raids on journalists’ homes in the country. These arrests show that “Iranian authorities are desperate to silence their critics,” said CPJ Middle…

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Artwork: Jack Forbes

Journalists still surveilled around the world ahead of Data Privacy Day

When journalists can’t protect themselves or their sources, everyone’s right to information is at risk. Ahead of Data Privacy Day on Sunday, we’re highlighting the ever-present threat of surveillance that journalists face today. ➡️ Just this week, CPJ called again for an immediate moratorium on the sale of spyware technology after the phones of two…

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Jailed journalist numbers near record high in 2023

Israel has emerged as one of the world’s leading jailers of journalists following the October 7 start of the Israel-Gaza war, CPJ’s 2023 prison census has found. Israel ranked sixth—tied with Iran—behind China, Myanmar, Belarus, Russia, and Vietnam, respectively. Overall, CPJ documented 320 journalists behind bars for their work as of the census date December…

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CPJ and partners call on President Biden to protect journalists in the Israel-Gaza war

This week, CPJ repeats our call: The continuous killings of journalists and their family members by Israeli army fire must end: journalists are civilians, not targets. On Sunday, an Israeli drone strike killed Al-Jazeera journalist Hamza Al Dahdouh—who was the son of Al-Jazeera Gaza bureau chief Wael Al Dahdouh and the fifth member of his…

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