Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta suspends publication following official warning
Berlin, March 28, 2022 – In response to an announcement Monday that the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta would suspend publication after receiving a warning from the country’s media regulator, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of concern: “In their attempt to quash all independent coverage of the war in Ukraine, Russian…
Namibian journalists investigated for trespassing for drone journalism
On February 12, 2022, at around 5 p.m., Namibian police briefly detained freelance investigative reporters John Grobler and Nrupesh Soni for allegedly trespassing at GoHunt Namibia Safaris’ farm in the Omaheke region, east of Windhoek, the capital, because they used a drone to film elephants on private property, according to the journalists, who spoke to…
Myanmar Herald journalist Ye Yint Tun sentenced to 2 years in prison
Bangkok, March 28, 2022 – Myanmar authorities should immediately and unconditionally release journalist Ye Yint Tun and stop imprisoning members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On March 23, a special court in the city of Pathein sentenced Ye Yint Tun to two years in prison for allegedly violating…
Russian authorities harass, detain journalists with independent news outlet Sota.Vision
Paris, March 25, 2022 – Russian authorities should stop harassing journalists from the independent news website Sota.Vision, and allow all members of the press to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Since March 7, authorities have detained at least seven journalists with Sota.Vision, including two who were sentenced to multiple days in…
Zimbabwean journalist assaulted while covering opposition party election rally
Lusaka, March 25, 2022 – Zimbabwean political parties participating in the March 26 by-election must ensure journalists can cover the events freely and prevent their supporters and officials from harassing or assaulting the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Around 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 20, in Masvingo, about 182 miles (290 kilometers)…
‘We expect anything’: A Russian union leader vows to keep helping journalists facing state repression
As journalists flee Russia fearing prosecution for their coverage of the invasion of Ukraine or their affiliation with outlets deemed “foreign agents,” the country’s Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union (JMWU) is trying to help them. A non-governmental trade union with some 600 active members, the group defends labor rights, provides assistance to journalists, and stands…
Formula TV, Mtavari Arkhi crews attacked in Georgia
New York, March 25, 2022 – Georgian authorities should thoroughly investigate two recent attacks on camera crews working for independent and pro-opposition television stations Mtavari Arkhi and Formula TV and ensure that all perpetrators are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. At around 7 p.m. on March 17, Formula TV reporter…
Iceland police investigate 4 journalists for alleged privacy breach in Samherji fishing company reporting
Berlin, March 25, 2022 — Iceland authorities must ensure that journalists are not subject to police investigations as retaliation for their work, and should drop their criminal probe into journalists who recently covered the Samherji fishing company, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. In November 2019, Iceland’s public broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV), the privately owned…
Political reporter Altan Sancar threatened at gunpoint in Turkey
Istanbul, March 24, 2022 – Turkish authorities should thoroughly investigate a recent threat against journalist Altan Sancar, determine whether it was related to his work, and ensure the journalist’s safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Wednesday around 12:30 a.m., Sancar, a reporter for independent news website Diken and independent online radio Özgürüz…
Nicaraguan publisher Juan Lorenzo Holmann convicted on money laundering charges
New York, March 24, 2022 – Nicaraguan authorities should release publisher Juan Lorenzo Holmann Chamorro from prison immediately, and should ensure that members of the press do not face criminal penalties for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Wednesday, March 23, at the end of a three-day closed-door trial, a judge…