Japanese journalist Toru Kubota faces prison over Myanmar protest coverage
Bangkok, August 5, 2022 – Myanmar authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Japanese documentary filmmaker Toru Kubota and drop all charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On July 30, authorities arrested Kubota, a freelance filmmaker who contributes to international media outlets, while he filmed a small protest in the commercial capital…
Nigerian authorities fine 4 broadcasters over reporting on security issues
Abuja, August, 5, 2022 – Nigerian authorities should immediately drop the fines recently issued to four media outlets, and should ensure that the press can work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Wednesday, August 3, the National Broadcasting Commission regulator announced on its Facebook page that it had issued fines of 5…
Zimbabwe police charge 2 journalists with publishing false information
Lusaka, August 5, 2022 — Zimbabwean authorities should immediately drop all charges against journalists Wisdom Mdzungairi and Desmond Chingarande and allow them to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Tuesday, August 2, police summoned Mdzungairi, editor-in-chief of the privately owned media company Alpha Media Holdings, and Chingarande, a senior reporter with…
CPJ to publish ‘Afghanistan’s Media Crisis,’ an assessment of the state of press freedom one year after the return of the Taliban
New York, August 4, 2022- Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) will publish a comprehensive assessment of the state of press freedom in Afghanistan. CPJ’s report, a series of richly reported features, highlights the experiences and knowledge of nearly two dozen…
Lebanese photojournalist Hasan Shaaban beaten, threatened with death
Beirut, August 4, 2022 – Lebanese authorities should immediately investigate the assault of journalist Hasan Shaaban and threats made against him, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On the evening of Wednesday, August 3, a group of men in the village of Beit Yahoun, in southern Lebanon, attacked…
Sierra Leone politician shoves journalist Abdulai Gbla in parliament
On June 28, 2022, Abdul Muniru Lansana, a member of Sierra Leone’s parliament, pushed Abdulai Gbla, CEO of the privately owned broadcaster Gbla TV Online, as the journalist filmed legislators at the country’s parliament building in Freetown, the capital, according to Gbla, who spoke to CPJ by phone, and a report by the Media Foundation…
Rudaw reporter Barzan Ferman detained in northern Syria
Washington, D.C., August 3, 2022 – Authorities in northern Syria should immediately release journalist Barzan Ferman and reverse their suspension of the Rudaw Media Network’s license, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. At about noon on Tuesday, August 2, forces affiliated with the Democratic Union Party, the political party in power in the Autonomous Administration…
Taliban members beat Afghan journalist Selgay Ehsas, force her to record video message
Washington, D.C., August 3, 2022 – Taliban authorities must investigate the beating and harassment of journalist Selgay Ehsas, hold those responsible to account, and allow female journalists to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On July 20, several men armed with rifles approached Ehsas, a sports presenter with the independent broadcaster Radio…
Gambian police attack, detain journalist Yusef Taylor
Abuja, August 3, 2022 – Gambian authorities should swiftly investigate and hold to account the police officers who harassed journalist Yusef Taylor, drop any charges against the journalist, and allow him to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On July 5, police officers blocked Taylor, editor and manager of the privately owned…
Belarusian journalist Iryna Slaunikava sentenced to 5 years in prison
Paris, August 3, 2022 — In response to a Belarusian court’s sentencing of journalist Iryna Slaunikava to five years in prison on Wednesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “Today’s sentencing of journalist Iryna Slaunikava to five years in prison is another example of the deeply cynical and vindictive nature…