Congolese journalist Geonne Djokwa attacked with machete while covering protest
Kinshasa, May 26, 2023—Congolese authorities must investigate the recent attack on journalist Geonne Djokwa and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Saturday, May 20, a group of protesters at a rally organized by opposition presidential candidates in Kinshasa, the capital, attacked Djokwa while she covered demonstrators clashing with…
Pakistani journalist Sami Abraham ‘abducted,’ Imran Riaz Khan missing
New York, May 25, 2023–-Pakistan authorities must immediately reveal the whereabouts of journalists Sami Abraham and Imran Riaz Khan and stop intimidating the press as the country’s political turmoil drags on, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. At around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, between eight and 10 men—some wearing uniforms—detained Abraham, president…
CPJ welcomes Hungary vote to partially decriminalize defamation
Berlin, May 25, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday welcomed a recent vote by the Hungarian parliament to partially decriminalize defamation and called on authorities to fully reform laws threatening the press with criminal penalties. “We welcome the decision by Hungary’s parliament to take a step in support of press freedom by partially decriminalizing…
At least 5 members of the press covering Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict targeted by Pegasus spyware: report
Stockholm, May 25, 2023—In response to a report released Thursday by a group of rights organizations alleging that Pegasus spyware was used to surveil at least five Armenian members of the press who covered the country’s military conflict with Azerbaijan, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Today’s report is yet another deeply…
Journalists harassed, 1 beaten after opposition protest coverage in Pakistan
New York, May 24, 2023—Pakistani authorities must cease harassing journalists covering the country’s political unrest and respect the media’s right to report freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Since May 16, police have visited the homes of at least three journalists who reported from the scene of a May 9 protest…
Malawi journalist Francis Mzindiko assaulted while covering political event
Lusaka, May 24, 2023—Malawi authorities should thoroughly and speedily investigate the recent assault of journalist Francis Mzindiko and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On the morning of May 17, political activists attacked Mzindiko, a photographer with the privately owned Times Group newspaper, while he covered a fight between supporters…
Indian soldiers beat 3 journalists in Manipur
New Delhi, May 24, 2023—Authorities in the northeast Indian state of Manipur must investigate the beating of journalists Soram Inaoba, Nongthombam Johnson, and Brahmacharimayum Dayananda, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On the afternoon of Monday, May 22, soldiers with the Indian Army’s Jat Regiment assaulted the three journalists…
DRC enacts press law and digital code that criminalize journalism
New York, May 23, 2023—DRC authorities should swiftly reform the country’s new press law and digital code to ensure journalism is not criminalized and the media can work without undue restrictions or fear of prosecution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. In April, Congolese authorities enacted new laws governing the press and online activity,…
Journalist Bushaaro Ali Mohamed detained in Somaliland
Nairobi, May 23, 2023—Authorities in the breakaway region of Somaliland should unconditionally release journalist Bushaaro Ali Mohamed and stop detaining members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On the evening of May 15, Somaliland police arrested Bushaaro shortly after she entered the border town of Wajale from Ethiopia, according to media…
Russian court extends detention of US journalist Evan Gershkovich by 3 months
Paris, May 23, 2023-–In response to a Russian court extending the pretrial detention of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich by three months on Tuesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “CPJ strongly condemns the extension of the detention of Evan Gershkovich, who has already been held in a Russian prison for…