Terry Anderson (left) at a 2011 panel discussion and in Germany with his sister in 1991, one day after being freed by his abductors in Lebanon, where he was held captive for almost seven years. (Photos (left to right): Getty Images via AFP/Frederick M. Brown, AP/Thomas Kienzle)
Terry Anderson (left) at a 2011 panel discussion and in Germany with his sister in 1991, one day after being freed by his abductors in Lebanon, where he was held captive for almost seven years. (Photos (left to right): Getty Images via AFP/Frederick M. Brown, AP/Thomas Kienzle)
The Torch

‘Part of the CPJ family’: Journalist, former hostage Terry Anderson dies at 76

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 Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply saddened by the death of Terry Anderson, journalist and CPJ’s former vice chair and honorary chairman.

Anderson, a former Associated Press reporter who was kidnapped and held hostage in Lebanon for six years, knew firsthand the threats journalists may face while seeking to report freely, and was an outspoken and dedicated advocate for press freedom.

“Terry was part of the CPJ family for over 25 years,” said Jacob Weisberg, CPJ chair. “He took that responsibility seriously – joining CPJ to advocate on behalf of journalists at risk around the world at the highest levels. Our thoughts are with his family and especially with his daughter Sulome, herself a journalist.”

Read more about Terry Anderson’s contribution to journalism and press freedom.

Global press freedom updates

  • Tunisian journalist Mohamed Boughaleb sentenced to 6 months in prison for defamation
  • Palestinian intelligence arrests journalist Khalil Dweeb in Bethlehem
  • Iran arrests Kurdish editor-in-chief, Iranian cartoonist, sues several newspapers
  • Prosecutor requests 15-month sentence for jailed DRC journalist Blaise Mabala
  • Zambian police detain 2 journalists, make them delete interviews with opposition
  • Somali authorities investigate media rights group, freeze its accounts
  • Taliban shuts down broadcasters Noor and Barya, seals Noor offices
  • Australian journalist Avani Dias leaves India over visa delay, censorship
  • Georgian police assault at least 4 journalists covering ‘foreign agents’ bill protests
  • Belarus jails blogger Aliaksandr Ignatsiuk for 6 years on defamation, extortion charges
  • Azerbaijan arrests 13th journalist over alleged international donor funding

Spotlight

European Union high representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, shown here speaking to journalists in Brussels in 2023. (Photo: John THYS/AFP)

On Tuesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed remarks by Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, about the need to protect journalists in the Israel-Gaza war.

Borrell stated that he was “appalled” by the “unprecedented” number of journalists and media workers killed in six months of war.

“Journalists are civilians, and their voices are crucial to keeping disinformation at bay and citizens being informed,” Borrell said during a debate on the EU’s response to the Israeli Defense Forces’ killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists, and other civilians in Gaza.

CPJ urges all EU member states to make or renew calls that both sides should respect international law during the conflict, take all measures to protect journalists, and provide international journalists with independent access to Gaza.

Read more from the statement and a letter CPJ and other partners sent to Borrell in January calling on the EU to help journalists in the Israel-Gaza war.

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