Russia bans Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty as ‘undesirable’
New York, February 21, 2024—Russian authorities must stop harassing U.S. Congress-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and cease obstructing the work of media outlets by labeling them as “undesirable,” the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Russian Ministry of Justice added RFE/RL to its register of “undesirable” organizations after the Russian general…
CPJ and partners call on Slovakia to ensure justice for the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak
Berlin, February 21, 2024—On the sixth anniversary of the brutal killing of Slovak investigative reporter Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová on Wednesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists and seven other international press freedom organizations renewed their call for justice and an end to the cycle of impunity in Slovakia. Despite the hitmen and…
CPJ warns Assange extradition would be blow to press freedom
Washington, D.C., February 20, 2024—As the two-day hearing of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange’s appeal against extradition from Britain to the United States opened in London on Tuesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists warned that extraditing Assange would set a dangerous precedent for media freedom. “Assange’s lengthy legal battle could come to an end if the…
Nepali journalists Aishwarya Kunwar, Puskar Bhatt arrested under cybercrime law
On February 10, police in Kanchanpur district of western Sudurpaschim province arrested Aishwarya Kunwar, a reporter for the privately owned news website Nigarani Khabar, and Puskar Bhatt, a correspondent for the privately owned broadcaster Mountain Television, following their reporting and social media commentary on allegations of police misconduct, according to the local advocacy organizations Media…
Turkey puts 5 journalists under house arrest or judicial control
Istanbul, February 16, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Turkish authorities to cancel the house arrests under electronic tagging and judicial controls placed on five journalists and to stop equating journalism with terrorism. On Tuesday, police raided the homes of five reporters and took them into custody in the western city of Izmir, according to news reports….
Russia bans freedom of expression group Article 19 as ‘undesirable’
New York, February 16, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Russian authorities to reconsider designating international freedom of expression group Article 19 as “undesirable” and cease using the country’s “undesirable” law to intimidate organizations that report on press freedom violations in the country. On January 23, the Russian general prosecutor’s office outlawed Article 19 by…
CPJ calls for Israel to halt war censorship plans
Washington D.C., February 16, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern on Friday about Israeli government plans to make it illegal to publish leaked details from security cabinet meetings without approval from the military censor, saying this restriction would severely damage press freedom. “We urge Israel to drop this plan and ensure that the media…
French journalist Vanessa Dougnac leaves India after journalism permit revoked
New York, February 16, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Indian authorities to immediately reinstate French reporter Vanessa Dougnac’s journalism permit and cease using legal technicalities to prevent journalists from carrying out their duties. Indian authorities compelled Dougnac, a former South Asia correspondent for multiple international news organizations who is married to an Indian citizen,…
Guinea-Bissau president threatens media, 30 armed men raid 2 state broadcasters
New York, February 16, 2024—Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló must withdraw his recent statements denigrating and threatening the media and ensure a credible investigation into two armed raids on public broadcasters and other recent attacks on the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. CPJ also calls on Embaló to guarantee that journalists will…
Myanmar journalist Myat Thu Tan killed in military custody
Bangkok, February 16, 2024—Myanmar authorities must conduct a credible independent investigation into the killing of journalist Myat Thu Tan and bring the perpetrators to swift and full justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Friday. Myat Thu Tan, a contributor to the local online outlet Western News who also had reported for the independent…