‘Completely unclear’: Mushtaq Ahmed’s lawyer seeks answers on how the Bangladeshi writer died in jail
One year after renowned Bangladeshi writer Mushtaq Ahmed died in jail, the circumstances of his death remain murky. While an investigative committee formed by the Home Ministry claimed he died of “natural causes,” his former lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua believes that Ahmed may have died of health issues that arose after alleged torture. In May 2020, the Rapid Action Battalion,…
Armed men attack car, bodyguard of Colombian journalist Julián Martínez
Bogotá, February 28, 2022 – Colombian authorities must thoroughly investigate an armed attack on the vehicle and bodyguard of investigative journalist Julián Martínez, determine if the reporter was targeted for his work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. At about 11 p.m. on February 22, two men with…
Despite long legal battle, alleged mastermind behind murder of courageous Filipino journalist still at large
Amsterdam, February 28, 2022 – Substantial flaws were found in the legal procedures in the case of murdered Filipino journalist Gerry Ortega, A Safer World For The Truth finds in its latest investigation. The report also finds that the alleged mastermind of Ortega’s murder, former governor of Palawan province Joel T. Reyes, still exerts considerable…
The view from Ukraine, through the eyes of local journalists
Updated March 8, 2022 More than two million Ukrainians have fled as Russia continues missile and artillery attacks on Ukraine’s cities. At least one Ukrainian journalist has been killed in the fighting, as the Ukrainian media reports amid rockets, misinformation, and the threat of online attacks. CPJ rounded up some of the most poignant commentary…
South Sudanese security forces threaten, briefly detain 8 journalists
New York, February 25, 2022 — South Sudanese authorities should cease harassing and threatening journalists for their work covering the country’s parliament, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. At about 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, officers with the country’s National Security Service intelligence agency arrested eight journalists on the grounds of the parliament…
Prominent blogger Seyed Hossein Ronaghi Maleki arrested in Iran after critical tweets
Washington, D.C., February 24, 2022 — Iranian authorities should immediately release blogger Seyed Hossein Ronaghi Maleki and drop any charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Wednesday, February 23, the Tehran home of Ronaghi Maleki, a freelance blogger and freedom of expression activist who posts reporting critical of the government on…
Haitian police kill 1 journalist, injure 2 at protest
Miami, February 24, 2022 – Haitian authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the police killing of journalist Maximilien Lazard and wounding of journalists Sony Laurore and Yves Moïse, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. At about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 23, Haitian National Police…
CPJ calls for protection of journalists in Ukraine
New York, February 24, 2022 – As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine escalates into a full-scale attack, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) calls for the protection of Ukrainian journalists, along with the international reporters and media workers who join them in covering the conflict. “At this critical moment, it is crucial that all parties involved…
Sierra Leonean police detain journalist Solomon Maada Joe overnight
Abuja, February 24, 2022 — Authorities in Sierra Leone should stop harassing journalist Solomon Maada Joe and allow him to work without intimidation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On February 7, Joe, the head of news at the privately owned Radio Bo KISS 104 FM, was arrested by police while at the local…
CPJ’s Gulnoza Said on fears for journalists as Russia invades Ukraine
After threatening to do so for months, Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a move that U.S. President Joe Biden called “a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.” Now, Ukraine is bracing for full-scale conflict. Below, Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator,…