2018
Pakistan releases journalist on bail
New York, March 12, 2018 –The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomes the release on bail of Pakistani journalist Hafiz Husnain Raza and calls on Pakistani authorities to drop all remaining charges against him. Authorities released Raza from prison on March 10 after an Anti-Terrorism Court in Punjab province acquitted the journalist on eight charges…
Censorship tightens in Egypt as el-Sisi prepares for re-election bid
Ahead of elections in Egypt later this month, in which President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is seeking a second term, the authoritarian leader’s government has further clamped down on press freedom, issuing warnings to the media and arresting critical journalists on “false news” charges. Even satirical TV shows have not been spared, with AFP reporting how…
South Sudan suspends broadcast of UN-backed radio station
New York, March 9, 2018–South Sudanese authorities should allow the UN-backed station Radio Miraya to continue broadcasting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The South Sudanese Media Regulatory Authority ordered Radio Miraya to suspend operations because the station had not acquired a broadcasting license, according to a copy of the suspension notice seen by…
Ethiopia arrests critical blogger Seyoum Teshome
Nairobi, March 9, 2018–Ethiopian authorities should immediately release Seyoum Teshome, who publishes the Ethiothinktank blog, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Security forces yesterday arrested Seyoum at his home near the Woliso campus of Ambo University, where he lectures, according to witnesses who spoke with Voice of America and Deutsche Welle. The reason for…
CPJ leads press freedom mission to Ecuador
Delegation due to meet with government officials, local journalists New York, March 9, 2018–CPJ will lead a high-level advocacy mission to Guayaquil and Quito in Ecuador from March 12 to 16, to investigate the restrictions and threats facing the press, meet with local journalists and partner organizations, and to advocate with government officials for greater…
Three journalists arrested, equipment seized in Mali
Malian police on February 22, 2018, arrested three journalists from the privately owned MaliActu news website, and seized equipment from the news website’s office in the capital, Bamako, according to Sega Diarrah, the outlet’s Paris-based owner, and local media reports. Officers did not have a warrant, according to reports.
Journalist faces extradition from Ukraine to Azerbaijan, fears for his safety
New York, March 8, 2018–Ukrainian authorities should allow Fikret Huseynli (Huseinli), a journalist of Azerbaijani origin and a Dutch national, to leave the country safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Unknown assailants on March 5 attacked Huseynli, a correspondent for the independent online television channel Turan, at an apartment building he was renting…
Turkey sentences at least 22 journalists on terrorism-related charges
Istanbul, March 8, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned a Turkish court’s decision today to sentence at least 22 journalists to prison on terrorism-related charges, and called on Turkish authorities to release them without delay.