Israeli forces arrest Palestinian journalist Amer Abu Arafa in West Bank
New York, July 19, 2022 – Israeli authorities should release Amer Abu Arafa immediately and stop detaining and harassing Palestinian journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Before dawn on Tuesday, July 19, Israel Defense Forces soldiers arrested Abu Arafa, a correspondent for the London-based Quds Press News Agency, at his home in the…
Iraqi Kurdistan authorities deport Dutch journalist Fréderike Geerdink
On July 14, 2022, Iraqi Kurdistan authorities deported Dutch freelance journalist Fréderike Geerdink to her country, according to the journalist, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app and also tweeted about the incident. In a July 14 tweet, Geerdink said she was detained on her way to Kobane, a Kurdish-majority town in Syria, near the…
Botswana journalist Tshepo Sethibe criminally charged over ‘alarming publications’
Lusaka, July 19, 2022 – Botswana authorities should immediately drop the criminal charge against Moeladilotlhoko News Boiler director Tshepo Sethibe, return devices seized from the outlet, and refrain from harassing the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On July 13, about 25 law enforcement officers arrested Sethibe at his home in the town…
Journalist Ayub Ali Warty criminally charged, briefly detained in Iraqi Kurdistan
Washington, D.C., July 19, 2022 – Iraqi Kurdish authorities should immediately drop all charges against journalist Ayub Ali Warty, ensure he can work freely, and Iraqi authorities should reform the country’s laws to decriminalize defamation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Monday, July 18, police arrested Warty, a reporter for the broadcaster KNN…
‘Permanent fear’: Togolese journalists on their lives 1 year after Pegasus Project revelations
One year after news broke about a list of over 50,000 phone numbers allegedly selected for surveillance with Pegasus spyware, journalists around the world continue to live and work with the fear that their phones can be used to track their conversations and penetrate all the personal and professional data stored on their devices. The…
CPJ says Biden’s failure to address press freedom issues on Mideast tour leaves journalists more vulnerable
Washington, D.C., July 18, 2022 — The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed dismay Monday that President Joe Biden failed to meaningfully address press freedom and journalists’ rights during his Middle East tour last week. “The U.S. effectively shrugged its shoulders over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, did not push for the release of…
Indian journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh arrested following 9-hour home raid
New Delhi, July 18, 2022 – Indian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh, cease harassing him in retaliation for his work, and allow him to report freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Sunday, July 17, police in the Ramgarh district of eastern Jharkhand state arrested Singh,…
Greek broadcaster Real FM office targeted in arson attack
Berlin, July 18, 2022 – Greek authorities must quickly and thoroughly investigate the recent arson attack on the privately owned radio broadcaster Real FM, and ensure those responsible are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. In the early hours of July 13, two unidentified people attempted to enter the broadcaster’s headquarters…
CPJ ‘appalled’ by Biden’s failure to hold Mohammed bin Salman to account over Jamal Khashoggi killing
Washington, D.C., July 15, 2022–The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed deep disappointment on Friday about President Joe Biden’s comments following his meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “The Committee to Protect Journalists is appalled that President Joe Biden did not make any meaningful statement about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi…
CPJ cautiously welcomes Biden pledge on investigation into Shireen Abu Akleh’s death; calls for US to address press freedom in Saudi Arabia and Egypt
Washington, D.C., July 15, 2022 – In response to media reports that President Joe Biden will insist on “a full and transparent accounting” of the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement Friday: “While CPJ welcomes President Biden’s public call for accountability into the death of journalist Shireen Abu…