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…
CPJ Insider: August 2022 edition
CPJ continues to demand Biden administration hold those responsible for journalist killings to account President Biden’s recent Middle East trip was a key opportunity for his administration to support the cause of press freedom. Before and during the trip, CPJ repeatedly urged the administration not to normalize journalist killings and to demand accountability for the…
Iraqi journalists injured by security forces while covering Baghdad protests
Beirut, August 2, 2022 — Iraqi authorities should allow journalists to cover protests freely and safely, and should ensure that security forces do not attack members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Saturday, July 30, three journalists with the privately owned Al-Mayadeen news broadcaster were injured while they covered protests…
Ethiopian journalist Temesgen Desalegn denied bail, ordered to remain in detention
Nairobi, August 1, 2022 – Ethiopian authorities should release journalist Temesgen Desalegn immediately and drop all charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On July 28, Ethiopia’s federal Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s decision to grant bail to Temesgen, editor of the privately owned magazine Feteh, and ruled that he should…
Journalists face growing hostility as Ethiopia’s civil war persists
Ethiopia’s 21-month-old civil war is accelerating the deterioration of press freedom in the Horn of Africa nation. The conflict between the federal government and the rebel forces led by the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) has prompted a media crackdown that extinguished the glimmer of hope sparked by the initial reforms of Prime Minister Abiy…
Yemeni journalist Tawfiq al-Mansouri health critical in Houthi detention
New York, August 1, 2022 – Members of Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement should release journalist Tawfiq al-Mansouri immediately and ensure he receives proper medical treatment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Forces affiliated with the Ansar Allah movement, known as the Houthis, detained al-Mansouri, a graphic designer for the Al-Masdar newspaper and other outlets,…