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.
The Taliban have pledged to allow Afghan journalists to do their jobs, but journalists in the country continue to face attacks, and at least one remains in custody. In Kabul last week, reporter Mohammad Ali Ahmadi was traveling in a taxi van when a man sitting next to him asked where he worked; when he said he worked for privately owned broadcaster Salam Watandar, the man said that outlet was an “American radio station,” pulled out a gun, and fired several shots at Ahmadi, injuring him.
CPJ continues to devote our resources to supporting members of the Afghan media who remain in the country as well as those who have fled. One of those journalists is reporter Ahmad Wali Sarhadi, who told New York Times reporter Ben Smith about how he was able to leave Afghanistan with CPJ’s assistance.
Global press freedom updates
- Three Togolese journalists react to being selected for spyware surveillance
- Bangladesh authorities charge three journalists under Digital Security Act
- German journalist Michael Trammer detained, charged with trespassing while covering environmental protesters
- Ecuadorian authorities raid office of journalist Fausto Chimbolema, confiscate equipment
- Angolan editor Carlos Alberto sentenced to fine, two years in prison over coverage of land deal
- CPJ joins call for European Commission to strengthen Rule of Law report
Spotlight
On Wednesday at 7 p.m. IST/ 9:30 a.m. EDT, CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna will join a timely conversation with global experts on “Data Protection Dilemma: Individual Rights vs. State Security,” at the 2021 Democratisation and Media Conference, hosted by Raisina House and India Spend. Learn more and register here.
Later Wednesday morning, CPJ is co-sponsoring an event, “20 Years of Dictatorship in Eritrea: A Case Study of the Global Assault on Media Freedom by Authoritarian Regimes,” hosted by the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. The panel discussion will look back at the 20th anniversary and legacy of the Eritrean government’s shutdown of all privately owned newspapers in 2001. Register here.
What we are reading
- Freedom on the Net 2021: The Global Drive to Control Big Tech — Adrian Shahbaz and Allie Funk, Freedom House
- India keeps going after journalists like me. As Modi visits the U.S., it’s time to hold him accountable. — Rana Ayyub, The Washington Post
- Keeping an ‘eye on the prize’ despite ongoing intimidation over FinCEN Files story — Sean McGoey and Will Fitzgibbon, ICIJ
- Journalists in Europe, U.S. Face Harassment over Pandemic Coverage — Liam Scott, VOA
- Why do we keep ignoring violations of journalists’ rights in Kashmir? — Kalpana Sharma, Newslaundry
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