Tanzania’s regulator bans media outlets as journalists harassed
Instead of providing the latest news updates, the homepages of three leading Tanzanian newspapers are focused on their own suspension over a video seen as critical of the president, as concerns mount over deteriorating press freedom ahead of elections. On October 2, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) issued a 30-day suspension order for Mwananchi…
CPJ, partners urge Malta to reform, 7 years after Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder
On the eve of the seventh anniversary of the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia on October 16, 2017, CPJ and 10 other journalist and freedom of expression organizations wrote to Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela calling on his government to speed up reforms to create a safer environment for the media community in…
A ‘culture of silence’ threatens press freedom under El Salvador President Bukele
Nearly 80,000 people have been detained, and up to 200 may have died in state custody, since El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s declared a state of emergency in March 2022, temporarily suspending constitutional rights and civil liberties in the country in the name of fighting gang violence. Local journalists and human rights organizations have raised concerns that Bukele, who…
US journalist arrested in Israel over reporting on Iranian missiles
New York, October 11, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply alarmed by Israel’s arrest of American journalist Jeremy Loffredo over his reporting of Iranian missiles’ impact on Israel, calls for his immediate release, and for journalists to be allowed to do their jobs freely. On October 8, 2024, Loffredo, an independent journalist who works…
In Germany, 2 public broadcast centers evacuated after bomb threats
New York, October 11, 2024—German authorities must investigate emailed bomb threats made against several broadcasting centers for the regional public radio station Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) on Saturday, October 5, and ensure the safety of the outlet’s journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. “CPJ is concerned by the bomb threats targeting MDR broadcasting centers…
Several journalists flee Cuba after state agents question, pressure at least 8
CPJ is alarmed by reports that since mid-September, Cuban state security agents questioned at least eight journalists and media workers from non-state media outlets, many in connection to alleged crimes against the state, leading several to flee the country. “The Cuban government appears to be engaged in a campaign of harassment and intimidation against the…
Slovak PM Fico attacks journalists as ‘possessed by the devil’
New York, October 11, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Tuesday’s denigrating comments by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, in which he called reporters “bloodthirsty bastards” who are “possessed by the devil,” and calls on Slovak authorities to ensure that journalists can do their jobs without fear of reprisal. “We are alarmed by Prime Minister…
CPJ calls for an end to ‘systematic pressure’ on Ukrainska Pravda
New York, October 10, 2024—Ukrainian authorities should stop obstructing the reporting of independent news outlet Ukrainska Pravda (UP), the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday. “Leading independent Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda has paid a steep price for a quarter-century of rigorous reporting. The Ukrainian president’s offices’ efforts to block its work are nothing…
Cameroon bans reporting on President Paul Biya’s health, whereabouts
New York, October 10, 2024—The Cameroonian government should end its threats to sanction journalists who report on the condition and whereabouts of President Paul Biya, 91, who has not been seen publicly for over a month and has missed scheduled international engagements, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday. “The Cameroonian government should simply put the rumors to rest by arranging…
U.S. complaint filed against Salvadoran officer in 1982 killing of Dutch journalists
São Paulo, October 10, 2024—CPJ welcomes the civil complaint filed in a U.S. court against Mario Adalberto Reyes Mena, one of several Salvadoran military officers alleged to be connected to the March 17, 1982 ambush and killing of Dutch TV journalists Jan Kuiper, Koos Koster, Joop Willemsen, and Hans ter Laag in Chalatenango, El Salvador, during their coverage of…