CPJ announced today that Jacob Weisberg has been elected chair of its board of directors. His term will run from 2023 to 2026, and he will succeed Kathleen Carroll, who has been a member of the CPJ board since 2008 and chair since 2017.
“When it comes to defending journalists and press freedom, CPJ has shown itself to be effective and essential,” said Weisberg.
“As threats continue to mount around the globe, the demand for the organization’s objective research, advocacy, and emergency assistance is greater than ever. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to support CPJ President Jodie Ginsberg and CPJ’s expert and dedicated staff in advancing this vital work.”
Weisberg joined CPJ’s board in 2011 and has served as the vice chair for the past six years. He is the CEO of Pushkin Industries, a media company focused on audio content, which he co-founded with journalist and author Malcolm Gladwell. Until September 2018, Weisberg was the editor-in-chief of Slate Group. Read more about Weisberg and CPJ’s board of directors here.
Global press freedom updates
- CPJ welcomes overturning of Hong Kong journalist Choy Yuk-ling’s conviction, urges end of media persecution
- Pakistani journalists Ahmad Noorani and Shahid Aslam targeted in leak case
- Sudanese paramilitary soldiers detain journalist Nader Shulkawi
- South African court’s gag on investigative outlet amaBhungane raises fears for journalists and sources
- Ethnic Albanian journalists attacked, vehicles vandalized during Serb protests in northern Kosovo
- Russian soldiers detain former journalist Iryna Levchenko in southeastern Ukraine
Spotlight
In a new piece published on Tuesday, CPJ’s director of special projects, Robert Mahoney, writes about the lingering legacy of China’s COVID-19 censorship.
In early 2020, a handful of journalists, bloggers, and writers were working in Wuhan — the epicenter of the pandemic — despite the oppressive Chinese censorship machine. Many were quickly swept up by Chinese authorities, but social media reporter Zhang Zhan remained.
She was arrested on May 14, 2020. “The authorities punished [Zhang] not only for her reporting of the truth, which was also what [journalists] Chen Qiushi and Li Zehua had done, but also for her courageous resistance and her outspoken criticism of the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] and the Chinese government,” writer Murong Xuecun, who interviewed Zhang, told CPJ.
Zhang is still imprisoned today, more than three years since she was first arrested.
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This weekend at the Photoville Festival in New York City, CPJ is partnering with The ACOS Alliance to offer “Safety 101 For Visual Journalists,” a practical workshop to provide journalists the tools and knowledge needed for best safety practices.
➡️ Register for the June 11, in-person workshop here.
ACOS Alliance and CPJ are also offering virtual safety clinics for freelance photojournalists and documentary photographers with a knowledge of safety best practices to receive advice on specific situations.
The clinics will run online June 28 through June 30.
➡️ Register here for the safety clinics before Sunday, June 11.
What we are reading (and watching)
- After a brief moment of hope, Algeria’s free press falls silent — Hamdi Baala, New Lines Magazine
- Inside the high-stakes clash for control of Ukraine’s story — Ben Smith, Semafor
- Dogged and determined reporters: How journalism persists in Turkmenistan — Sher Khashimov, Meduza
- How a Mexican state siphoned off millions – and a reporter risked her life to expose it — Nina Lakhani, The Guardian
- A reporter investigated sexual misconduct. Then the attacks began. — David Enrich, The New York Times
- 🎥 Cybercrime laws: A new frontline for press freedom — International Press Institute
- Is anywhere safe for Paul Kagame’s critics? — Michela Wrong, The Spectator
So far in 2023…
At least eight journalists and media workers have been killed in relation to their work. Explore our database of attacks on the press and apply filters to examine trends.