Tunisian authorities jail journalist Khalifa Guesmi over national security charge
New York, September 5, 2023—CPJ has called on Tunisian authorities to release journalist Khalifa Guesmi, who was taken into custody on Sunday to serve his five-year prison sentence on charges of disclosing national security information. “The September 3 arrest of journalist Khalifa Guesmi is a clear attack on journalists and the freedom of the press…
Football fans attack, injure Malawi reporter Smart Chalika
Lusaka, September 5, 2023—The Football Association of Malawi should investigate the August 25 assault on Kasupe Radio reporter Smart Chalika by supporters of the Silver Strikers Football Club and penalize the club to send a clear message that attacks against journalists are not condoned, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Around 2:30 p.m….
CPJ Insider: September 2023 edition
Afghanistan Two Years Later: An Analysis by CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Beh Lih Yi and Asia Researcher Waliullah Rahmani So far in 2023, CPJ has provided crucial assistance to at least 30 journalists from Afghanistan amid continued threats from the Taliban that have forced many into exile. When the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021,…
Haitian radio journalist’s home destroyed in arson attack
Miami, August 31, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the August 23 arson attack on the home of radio reporter Arnold Junior Pierre and calls on Haitian authorities to restore order to the country so journalists can do their jobs without fear of retaliation. On August 23, unidentified armed individuals set fire to Pierre’s home…
Belarusian court sentences journalist Larysa Shchyrakova to 3.5 years in prison
New York, August 31, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Belarusian court’s sentencing of journalist Larysa Shchyrakova to 3.5 years in prison for allegedly discrediting the country and facilitating extremism. “By sentencing journalist Larysa Shchyrakova to 3.5 years in prison, Belarusian authorities are once again demonstrating their vindictiveness towards those who reported independently on…
Two exiled Russian journalists sentenced to 11 years for disseminating ‘fake’ news on Ukraine war
New York, August 31, 2023—Russian authorities should not contest the appeals of exiled journalists Ruslan Leviev and Michael Nacke and drop all charges against them, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Tuesday, August 29, the Basmanny Court in Moscow sentenced Leviev, founder of the Russian independent investigative project Conflict Intelligence Team, and Nacke,…
CPJ calls on military in Gabon to ensure press freedom and journalists’ safety following coup
Dakar, August 30, 2023—Following the military coup in Gabon that removed President Ali Bongo from power on Wednesday, August 30, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The new military authorities in Gabon must prioritize journalists’ ability to report on matters of public interest and avoid replicating the constraints and intimidation faced by…
Sri Lankan mob holds 3 journalists captive for 5 hours
New York, August 30, 2023—Sri Lankan authorities must investigate the recent harassment of freelance Tamil journalists Selvakumar Nilanthan, Valasingham Krishnakumar, and Antony Christopher Christiraj and hold the perpetrators responsible, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Around 12:30 p.m. on August 22, approximately 50 Sinhalese men led by a Buddhist monk surrounded vehicles holding the…
Armed men attack Nigerian journalists covering clashes in Bayelsa state
Abuja, August 30, 2023—Nigerian authorities should swiftly identify and hold to account those responsible for recently attacking a group of journalists in southern Bayelsa state, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On August 14, a group of unidentified men carrying guns, knives, and sticks attacked journalists who were reporting on the aftermath of clashes…
Kashmiri journalist Iftikhar Gilani receives threatening messages online
On August 6, 2023, an anonymous user posted on X, previously known as Twitter, accusing Kashmiri journalist Iftikhar Gilani of collaborating with Indian authorities in monitoring the activities of Kashmiris in Turkey, including those supporting the “pro-[K]ashmir struggle.” The post accused Gilani of committing “crimes and traitorous acts,” according to Gilani and CPJ’s review of…