CPJ, RSF, Foley Foundation urge US government to designate Shelly Kittleson hostage, mobilize all resources to secure safe, swift release
CPJ, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the Foley Foundation sent a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 3 urging the U.S. government to secure the immediate, safe release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was abducted in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on March 31. The nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations asked…
Zimbabwean journalists harassed at hearings to extend president’s term
Lusaka, April 3, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Zimbabwean authorities to urgently investigate the harassment and violence against journalists covering March 31 public hearings in the capital, Harare, to discuss a bill to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule. Chaos has marred four days of hearings, hosted by Parliament and ending on April 2, to debate the Constitutional…
CPJ, partners condemn Russia’s labeling of IWMF as ‘undesirable organization’
Washington, D.C., April 2, 2026— The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and partners in the Journalist Assistance Network (JAN) condemn Russia’s unabashed attempt to silence independent journalism and the civil society that supports their critical work by designating the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) an “undesirable organization.” In response, the JAN issued the following statement…
Moldovan journalist Viorica Tătaru targeted by smear campaign
New York, April 2, 2026—Moldovan authorities must swiftly investigate the online smear campaign against Viorica Tătaru, a journalist with independent broadcaster TV8, and ensure that journalists in Moldova can report freely and without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Following Tătaru’s coverage of a March 21 gathering in memory of Ludmila Vartic, a kindergarten teacher who died on March 3 after apparently enduring years…
How Middle East journalists report during internet blackouts
Washington D.C., April 2, 2026—Iran is now in the grip of the longest internet blackout in its history, a near-total shutdown that has stretched more than 30 days and reduced connectivity to almost zero. Imposed amid war and unrest, the sweeping, government-imposed blackout has effectively sealed off the country, cutting journalists’ access to sources and…
Vietnam sentences journalist Huynh Ngoc Tuan to 8½ years for anti-state propaganda
Bangkok, April 2, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Thursday’s sentencing of Vietnamese journalist Huynh Ngoc Tuan to eight years and six months in prison under a criminal provision that bars “propagandizing against the state.” The People’s Court of Dak Lak Province ruled that 11 of Tuan’s live videos and 21 Facebook posts were defamatory,…
Somalia’s new Northeastern State detains journalist for report criticizing president
New York, April 1, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the release of journalist Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed, also known as Dhulmar, who has been held without charge since March 26 over a video that criticized President Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali of the newly-formed Northeastern State of Somalia. “Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed has committed no crime, and…
Attacks on journalists in focus after CPJ and partners’ joint mission to Serbia
Berlin, April 1, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists and partner organizations raised serious concerns on Wednesday about the safety of independent journalists in Serbia, citing a deepening press freedom crisis marked by rising violence, threats, impunity, and tight political control. The warnings follow a two-day visit to Belgrade on March 26–27, where a coalition of…
M23 rebels detain DRC journalist Espoir Mbata over WhatsApp post
Kinshasa, April 1, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the release of Congolese community radio director Espoir Mbata, who was detained by M23 rebels on Sunday over his WhatsApp post about their potential withdrawal from an eastern town. “Working conditions have becoming increasingly hazardous for journalists in the eastern Democratic Republic of the…
Hungary files espionage charges against investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi
Berlin, April 1, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Hungarian authorities to immediately drop all espionage charges against investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi, and ensure that journalists can cover national security issues without intimidation or threats of imprisonment. On March 26, Gergely Gulyás, chief of staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, announced that the government had filed criminal charges against…