Man fires shot at Memphis television station
New York, May 2, 2023—In response to news reports that a man fired a shot at the office door of the FOX13 television station around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2, in Memphis, Tennessee, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “We are gravely concerned by a shooting at FOX13 in Memphis, Tennessee,…
CPJ joins call for Indian government to withdraw latest amendment to Information Technology Rules
Ahead of World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday, May 3, the Committee to Protect Journalists joined 16 press freedom and human rights organizations in a Tuesday statement calling on the Indian government to review and withdraw the overbroad provisions of the Information Technology Rules, 2021, and to withdraw the latest amendment to the rules, announced…
Journalists barred from covering Zimbabwe’s first lady
Lusaka, May 2, 2023—Zimbabwe’s office of the presidency must ensure that all journalists can freely report on First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s public engagements, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On April 24, Mnangagwa’s security aides barred five journalists from covering her visit to the Museum of African Liberation in Harare, according to media reports, a statement by the Zimbabwean chapter of the regional press freedom group Media…
Burundian appeals court upholds 10-year prison term for journalist Floriane Irangabiye
Nairobi, May 2, 2023—In response to media reports that a Burundian appeals court on Tuesday upheld the conviction of journalist Floriane Irangabiye, who is serving a 10-year prison term, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Coming on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, a Burundi court’s decision to uphold Floriane Irangabiye’s…
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…