CPJ signs joint statement calling for release of Cambodian journalists Phon Sopheap and Pheap Phara
The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday joined 15 local and international partners in a joint statement calling for the release of imprisoned Cambodian journalists Phon Sopheap and Pheap Phara. The journalists were each sentenced to 14 years in prison for treason on December 17, 2025, under Section 445 of the criminal code for “supplying a foreign state with information…
CPJ urges US Congress, Trump administration to prioritize release of Ukrainian journalists detained by Russia
The Committee to Protect Journalists submitted a statement for the record to a March 25 hearing held by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress on the abduction of Ukrainian children and ongoing accountability efforts related to the Russia-Ukraine war. The statement highlights the impact of the war on journalists and media. The physical…
American and Brazilian journalists threatened over Ukraine reporting
New York, March 26, 2026—Ukrainian authorities must promptly and thoroughly investigate recent threats against Jared Goyette, a U.S. reporter with English-language Ukrainian news outlet the Kyiv Independent, and Sérgio Utsch, a Brazilian correspondent with Brazilian television network SBT, following their investigation into alleged abuses in a military unit fighting under Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR), the Committee to…
Israeli strike kills freelance journalist in southern Lebanon
Amman, March 26, 2026 — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for an impartial investigation into the killing of Hussain Hamood, a freelance journalist who worked for the Hezbollah-affiliated broadcaster Al-Manar TV, in an Israeli strike on the southern city of Nabatieh on March 25. Two sources close to the journalist, who worked as both…
CPJ, partners call for release of Turkish journalist İsmail Arı
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined eight other local and international press freedom and human rights organizations in calling on Turkish authorities to release daily BirGün reporter İsmail Arı, who was arrested pending trial last week. Arı’s arrest was based on a 2022 disinformation law that introduced prison sentences of up to three years for…
Malian journalist given 2-year prison sentence for insulting Niger’s president
Dakar, March 24, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Malian authorities to release journalist Youssouf Sissoko, who was sentenced on Monday to two years in prison and a fine of 1 million West African francs (US$1,759) for offending a foreign head of state by publishing a commentary piece that criticized Niger’s president. “The severity…
CPJ welcomes Kyrgyzstan’s release of journalist Makhabat Tajibek kyzy, calls for charges to be dropped
New York, March 23, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes Kyrgyz journalist Makhabat Tajibek kyzy’s release from prison and calls on authorities to drop all charges against her. In 2024, Tajibek kyzy, the director of anti-corruption investigative outlets Temirov Live and Ait Ait Dese, was convicted on charges of calling for mass unrest and sentenced to six…
CPJ, partners highlight threats to public broadcaster’s independence in Lithuania
Berlin, March 23, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists and partner organizations offered strong support today for independent public service media in Lithuania and highlighted concerns about proposed amendments to the Law on Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), currently under consideration by the country’s parliament. In a joint statement from the European Broadcasting Union and…
Reporter İsmail Arı imprisoned in Turkey for spreading ‘disinformation’
Istanbul, March 23, 2026—Turkish authorities must immediately release journalist İsmail Arı and stop misusing the disinformation law, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Arı, a reporter for the leftist daily BirGün, was taken into custody in the northern province of Tokat, where he was visiting family on March 21. He was taken to Ankara the…
Vietnamese journalist Nguyen Hoang Vi allegedly assaulted while in police detention
Bangkok, March 23, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Vietnamese authorities to investigate the alleged assault and arbitrary detention of independent journalist Nguyen Hoang Vi by Ho Chi Minh City police and to hold those responsible to account. On March 19, Vi was intercepted on the street by police while taking her child to…