Pakistani journalist Gohar Wazir abducted, allegedly electrocuted
New York, May 2, 2023—Pakistan authorities must conduct an immediate and impartial investigation into the abduction and alleged electrocution of journalist Gohar Wazir and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. At around 4 p.m. on April 19, five unidentified men abducted Wazir, a reporter for the privately owned Pashto-language…
Detention of Evan Gershkovich in Russia: RSF and CPJ call on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to act for the journalist’s release
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) call on the U.N. to intervene with the Russian authorities to secure the release of the Wall Street Journal journalist. New York, May 2—RSF and CPJ formally addressed U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Irene Khan on May 2,…
CPJ, 14 organizations call on Kenyan authorities to expedite investigations into killing of journalist Arshad Sharif
CPJ and 14 human rights organizations and press associations issued a joint statement on Tuesday, May 2, calling on Kenyan authorities to expedite investigations into the killing of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif and to ensure accountability in a transparent judicial process. In October 2022, Kenyan police said an officer fatally shot Sharif in Kajiado County…
CPJ to release report on 22 years of impunity for journalist killings by Israeli military
New York, May 1, 2023—On May 9, 2023, the Committee to Protect Journalists will release “Deadly Pattern,” a report on the killings of journalists by the Israeli military over the past 22 years. Ahead of the first anniversary of Al-Jazeera Arabic correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh’s killing while reporting on an Israeli military raid in the…
CPJ, 47 rights organizations call on Ethiopia to end internet shutdowns
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 47 human rights organizations in an April 27 letter calling on Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to ensure unfettered internet and digital communications access. The letter expressed alarm at the weaponization of internet shutdowns in the country, highlighting several recent disruptions, including on April 3 when authorities blocked access…
CPJ Insider: May 2023 edition
Tomorrow is World Press Freedom Day Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 3, will mark the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, a celebration of free expression and our collective right to be informed. A generous donor has pledged to match any gift until we reach our goal of $50,000.This year’s UNESCO-led press freedom web conference for…
Mahoney: UN can help journalists beyond World Press Freedom Day
New York, May 1, 2023–Evan Gershkovich and Jimmy Lai are about to spend World Press Freedom Day behind bars. Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal Moscow correspondent, and Lai, a pro-democracy Hong Kong media magnate, are among record numbers of journalists in prison as the United Nations marks the 30th anniversary of its special day for…
Nigerian justice minister misrepresents CPJ research on attacks on journalists
New York, April 28, 2023—Nigerian authorities should revise recent statements falsely characterizing CPJ’s research on the press freedom situation in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Thursday, April 27, the state-run News Agency of Nigeria reported that Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami described CPJ’s research in a meeting…
At least 4 journalists formally arrested, 1 more detained ahead of Turkey elections
Istanbul, April 28, 2023 — Turkish authorities should immediately release all journalists and media workers imprisoned for their work and stop interfering with the press ahead of the country’s May 14 presidential and parliamentary elections, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Tuesday, April 25, authorities in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır detained at…
Guinea-Bissau’s Radio Capital FM silenced by authorities over licensing dispute
New York, April 27, 2023–Authorities in Guinea-Bissau should immediately allow the privately owned Radio Capital FM back on air and not use the late payment of license fees as a pretext to silence a critical media outlet, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. In a January 9 letter, the Ministry of Media ordered Radio…