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,…
CPJ Insider: March 2022 edition
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…
Attorney general in Brazil files criminal defamation complaint against journalist Thiago Herdy
Rio de Janeiro, February 23, 2022 – Authorities in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state should not pursue criminal defamation charges against journalist Thiago Herdy, and should refrain from criminally investigating journalists in retaliation for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On February 16, Minas Gerais state Attorney General Jarbas Soares Júnior filed a…
Spanish court orders investigation of 4 journalists over testimony in police abuse case
Berlin, February 23, 2022 – Spanish authorities should drop their criminal investigations into four journalists over their coverage of alleged police abuses, and should ensure that members of the press do not face criminal charges over their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On February 16, the Provincial Court of Madrid acquitted a…
Pakistan expands prison terms for online defamation to 5 years
New York, February 22, 2022 – Pakistan authorities must immediately revoke a recently enacted ordinance that further criminalizes freedom of expression in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Sunday, February 20, President Arif Alvi enacted amendments to the 2016 Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, increasing the prison term for online defamation…