CPJ, partners call for swift trial after ex-governor surrenders over Philippine journalist’s murder
New York, September 11, 2024—A coalition of three international press freedom organizations on Wednesday called for a swift and impartial trial after fugitive ex-governor Joel T. Reyes surrendered to authorities in connection with the 2011 murder of Philippine broadcast journalist Gerry Ortega. “This is long overdue. Former governor Joel T. Reyes has evaded justice for…
CPJ joins call for Turkey to ensure safety of threatened journalist Murat Ağırel
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 22 press freedom and freedom of expression groups on Wednesday in a joint statement calling on the authorities in Turkey to ensure that journalist Murat Ağırel, who has been receiving death threats because of his reporting, remains safe. The statement listed a number of incidents in which Ağırel, a…
Taliban label Afghanistan International an ‘enemy’ for reporting on alleged aid misuse
New York, September 11, 2024—The Taliban must stop harassing the popular London-based broadcaster Afghanistan International, which they accused of conducting a “propaganda war against us,” the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. In his September 4 speech, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Stanekzai attacked the independent outlet as an “enemy” for reporting that aid relief sent…
Azerbaijani journalist Shahla Karim forcibly detained, transferred while covering opposition candidate’s protest
New York, September 10, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for a swift investigation into the September 6 detention and transfer of Azerbaijani journalist Shahla Karim, who was released several hours later. “In yet another example of the harassment of media and lawlessness in Azerbaijan, journalist Shahla Karim was forcibly removed and transported hundreds of…
Vietnamese journalist sentenced to 7 years on propaganda charges
Bangkok, September 10, 2024—A Hanoi court sentenced journalist Nguyen Vu Binh to seven years in prison on Tuesday on charges of propaganda against the state. Binh was convicted in connection to comments he made in videos on political, economic, and social topics posted on YouTube channel TNT Media Live in January and March 2022. The…
Mexico City police arrest 2 journalists at human rights protest
Mexico City, September 9, 2024—Police beat at least two journalists and arrested two others during a protest for human rights in Xochimilco, a southern borough of Mexico City, on Thursday, September 5, according to members of the media who witnessed the incidents. “By brutally repressing a social protest and attacking journalists who were simply covering…
CPJ and 34 other organizations condemn spate of Egyptian journalist arrests
On September 9, the Committee to Protect Journalists and 34 human rights and press freedom organizations released a joint statement condemning the recent arrests and enforced disappearance of four Egyptian journalists — Ashraf Omar, Khaled Mamdouh, Ramadan Gouida, and Yasser Abu Al-Ela — and called for their immediate release. The statement also urged Egyptian authorities…
CPJ joins call urging U.S. government to make effective use of Global Magnitsky sanctions
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined the nonpartisan human rights organization, Human Rights First, with over 90 press freedom and advocacy groups in expressing deep concern over the U.S. government’s declining response to international human rights and corruption violations in a September 5, 2024 letter. The signatories urged the Departments of State and Treasury to…
Nicaragua deports 135 political prisoners, including journalist
Mexico City, September 6, 2024—Nicaraguan authorities deported 135 political prisoners to Guatemala on Thursday, September 5, including journalist Víctor Ticay. “Nicaragua’s release of journalist Víctor Ticay brings us relief, but he should have never been imprisoned, as he was simply doing his job as a journalist,” said Cristina Zahar, CPJ’s Latin America program coordinator, in São Paulo. “Nicaragua must…
Kyrgyz authorities threaten to block 2 news outlets over report on president
New York, September 5, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Kyrgyz authorities to drop their threats against two independent online news outlets over reports about President Sadyr Japarov on the grounds they contain “false information.” In a September 4 letter, Kyrgyzstan’s culture and information ministry threatened to block access to Novye Litsa in 24 hours unless it deleted an…