Mexican journalist Antonio de la Cruz shot dead in Ciudad Victoria
Mexico City, June 30, 2022 – Mexican authorities must immediately and credibly investigate the killing of journalist Antonio de la Cruz and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. At about 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, unidentified attackers shot and killed de la Cruz near his home in Ciudad…
Nicaraguan police raid, close independent news outlet Trinchera de la Noticia
Around 3 p.m. on June 10, 2022, the Nicaraguan interior ministry summoned María Alicia Talavera, the director of independent news outlet Trinchera de la Noticia, to a meeting to inform her that the Nicaraguan judiciary had canceled the outlet’s legal status and would be seizing all assets, according to a report by Spanish news agency…
Turkish photojournalist Abdurrahman Gök found guilty on terrorism charge
Istanbul, June 30, 2022 – In response to news reports that a Turkish court in the southeastern city of Diyarbakır on Thursday found photojournalist Abdurrahman Gök guilty of making terrorist propaganda, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “Turkish authorities must not fight the appeal of photojournalist Abdurrahman Gök, and should…
Angolan journalists continue to face criminal insult and defamation proceedings
New York, June 30, 2022 – Angolan authorities should drop criminal defamation and insult investigations into journalists Escrivão José, Óscar Constantino, and Fernando Caetano and ensure that investigative journalism is not criminalized, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. The three journalists each told CPJ that they are facing ongoing legal processes over criminal defamation…
Tajikistan authorities detain, question relatives of exiled journalist Anora Sarkorova
Stockholm, June 29, 2022 – Tajikistan authorities must stop harassing relatives of exiled independent journalist Anora Sarkorova, and should allow members of the press to cover sensitive issues freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On the morning of Monday, June 27, officers from the Tajik Interior Ministry’s Department for Combatting Organized Crime detained…
CPJ urges Gambia authorities to prioritize legal reforms, accountability for crimes against the press
Abuja, June 29, 2022 – Gambian authorities should adopt the reforms recommended by the country’s Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC)—including ensuring journalists are not prosecuted for sedition—work to swiftly hold former President Yahya Jammeh and members of his “Junglers” death squad to account for their crimes against journalists, and end the culture of impunity…
Shutdown order against Rappler must be revoked immediately
The Hold the Line Coalition condemns the historic shutdown order against Rappler approved by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week. By reinforcing an earlier decision to revoke Rappler’s certificates of incorporation, the ruling effectively confirms the shuttering of the independent news outlet. “The SEC shutdown order is part of a multi–pronged attack…
Ethiopian authorities re-arrest journalist Yayesew Shimelis 1 week after release on bail
Nairobi, June 29, 2022 – In response to news reports that Ethiopian security personnel arrested journalist Yayesew Shimelis on Tuesday, June 28, and are holding him at an undisclosed location, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for his immediate release: “Yayesew Shimelis’ detention is deeply concerning, given Ethiopian authorities’ history of…
Philippine authorities order Rappler to shut down, block access to 2 news websites
Bangkok, June 29, 2022 – Philippine authorities should immediately reverse their order to shut down the independent Rappler news organization and lift their blockages of the local Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly’s news websites, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. “Philippine authorities must reverse their order to close Rappler and to block access to independent news websites Bulatalat and Pinoy Weekly, and cease fabricating spurious…
CPJ joins letter calling on Romanian authorities to hasten investigation into harassment of journalist Emilia Șercan
In a joint letter addressed to Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă and other government officials on Tuesday, June 28, the Committee to Protect Journalists and seven international press freedom organizations expressed their deep concerns over delays in the investigation into harassment of investigative journalist Emilia Șercan. Since January, Șercan has received threatening emails and social media messages, and…