Brazilian president’s lawyer sends threatening message to UOL journalist Juliana Dal Piva
Rio de Janeiro, July 13, 2021 – Brazilian officials and their representatives should refrain from harassing members of the press who cover them and Brazilian authorities should ensure reporters can do their work without reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 9, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s personal lawyer Frederick Wassef sent a lengthy…
Iran convicts 4 media workers over coverage of alleged corruption in Oil Ministry
On July 5, 2021, Judge Abbas Shaghaghi of Branch 6 of Tehran’s Media Court convicted four members of the press on criminal false news and defamation charges, according to reports by the exile-run news website IranWire and the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The court convicted Mizenaft managing director Hamid Hajipour, Naftema managing director Mehdi Ghadiri,…
Iraqi freelance journalist Ali al-Mikdam abducted, found beaten
New York, July 13, 2021 — Iraqi authorities should thoroughly and transparently investigate the abduction of freelance journalist Ali al-Mikdam and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the afternoon of July 9, unidentified people abducted al-Mikdam, a freelance reporter and activist, after he accepted an invitation to meet…
Mozambican police assault journalists reporting at station
New York, July 12, 2021 — Mozambican authorities must investigate a recent police assault on journalists, hold those responsible to account, and ensure that members of the media are able to report without reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 29, Simão Mugas and Faizal Abudo, reporters with the private online broadcaster…
Somali journalist Hanad Ali Guled survives beating, knife attack by unidentified assailants
Nairobi, July 12, 2021 — Somali authorities should investigate the recent attack on journalist and press freedom advocate Hanad Ali Guled and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the night of June 23, four unidentified men attacked Hanad, chief editor of the privately owned broadcaster Goobjoog Television, according…
Bangladesh authorities investigate 3 journalists under Digital Security Act
Washington, D.C., July 12, 2021 — Bangladesh authorities should immediately drop their investigations into journalists Tanvir Hasan Tanu, Rahim Shuvo, and Abdul Latif Litu, and scrap the country’s draconian Digital Security Act, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 10, police in the northeast district of Thakurgaon opened Digital Security Act investigations into…
Mexican journalist Daniel Lizárraga expelled from El Salvador
Los Angeles, July 12, 2021 — Salvadoran authorities should reverse their decision to expel Mexican journalist Daniel Lizárraga and allow him to work freely in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 6, immigration authorities notified Lizárraga, a Mexican citizen and an editor for the independent Salvadoran news website El Faro,…
Georgian camera operator Aleksandre Lashkarava dies after beating by anti-LGBT demonstrators
Stockholm, July 12, 2021 – In response to the death of TV Pirveli camera operator Aleksandre “Lekso” Lashkarava yesterday in Georgia, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Georgian authorities must thoroughly investigate whether Lekso Lashkarava died as a result of the assault he suffered while covering a demonstration,” said Robert Mahoney, CPJ’s…
Independent journalist Le Van Dung arrested in Vietnam after weeks in hiding
Bangkok, July 12, 2021 – Vietnamese authorities should immediately release journalist Le Van Dung and drop any charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 30, police arrested Dung, a freelance journalist who runs Chan Hung Nuoc Viet, a Facebook and YouTube-based outlet that covers politics, social issues, and alleged corruption,…
Moroccan journalist Soulaiman Raissouni sentenced to 5 years in prison
New York, July 12, 2021 – In response to the July 9 sentencing of journalist Soulaiman Raissouni to five years in prison on sexual assault charges, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Moroccan authorities should release journalist Soulaiman Raissouni immediately and refrain from filing trumped-up sexual assault charges against members of the…