A banner featuring a cartoon of an injured journalist and a headline in Spanish reading, 'We want journalists alive. Not one more,' hangs outside the Secretary of the Interior building in Mexico City on August 21. A reporter was stabbed to death in the state of Estado de México on August 24. (AP/Rebecca Blackwell)
A banner featuring a cartoon of an injured journalist and a headline in Spanish reading, 'We want journalists alive. Not one more,' hangs outside the Secretary of the Interior building in Mexico City on August 21. A reporter was stabbed to death in the state of Estado de México on August 24. (AP/Rebecca Blackwell)
The Torch

Over ten years behind bars and 148 lashes for her journalism

The Torch is a weekly newsletter from the Committee to Protect Journalists that brings you the latest press freedom and journalist safety news from around the world. Subscribe here.

In what has become another deadly year for journalists in Mexico, reporter Nevith Condés Jaramillo was found stabbed to death in the central Mexican state of Estado de México. The state attorney general’s office said the motive for the attack and identities of the attackers are unknown and that authorities have opened an investigation. Four journalists have been killed in Mexico in connection to their work this year, according to CPJ’s research.

A Tehran court sentenced Shargh Daily economics reporter Marzieh Amiri to 10 and a half years in prison and 148 lashes on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the state” and “disturbing public order.” Amiri was arrested on May 1 while covering May Day demonstrations in Tehran. If the verdict is upheld, Amiri must serve a minimum of six years.

Global press freedom updates

  • A Kyiv court ruled to release Russian journalist Kirill Vyshynsky on bail while he awaits trial
  • Australian blogger Yang Hengjun arrested in China on espionage charges
  • Tanzania detains Watetezi TV journalist over investigation of police
  • Benin TV journalist Ignace Sossou convicted of false news
  • Nigerian publisher Agba Jalingo has been detained since August 22 without charge
  • Yemeni authorities arrest, release 3 journalists
  • Jailed Azerbaijani journalist Ikram Rahimov to appeal sentence

Spotlight

(HFPA)
(HFPA)

CPJ is excited to be part of the first annual L.A. Press Freedom Week, sponsored by The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Los Angeles Times, in collaboration with CPJ, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. L.A. Press Freedom Week is a multi-day celebration of press freedom featuring a series of events throughout the region from September 16 to 20. Find more information here.

On September 10, CPJ will publish a report on the world’s 10 Most Censored Countries. The report is based on CPJ’s research into the use of tactics to censor journalists, from imprisonment and repressive laws to surveillance and restrictions on internet and social media access. Journalists interested in an embargo copy can email [email protected].

What we are reading

So far in 2019

At least 15 journalists have been killed worldwide in relation to their work. Explore our data.

Visit the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker database for info on press freedom violations in the U.S.

Do you have an Amazon Alexa-enabled device? Enable CPJ's flash briefing skill to stay up to date with the latest press freedom news from around the world.