Myanmar journalist killed in military massacre, another killed in artillery strike
Bangkok, January 14, 2022 – Myanmar authorities must immediately stop all attacks on the press, ensure that members of the media are not killed for their work, and thoroughly prosecute all journalist killings, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 25, 2021, journalist Sai Win Aung, also known as A Sai K, was…
Peruvian court convicts author, publication director on defamation charges for book on politician
Bogotá, January 13, 2022 – Peruvian authorities should not contest journalist Christopher Acosta and Penguin Random House Peru director Jerónimo Pimentel’s appeal of a recent criminal defamation conviction and should stop using criminal defamation laws against members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 10, a criminal court judge in…
Bangladeshi camera operator Hossain Baksh abducted, severely beaten while covering local elections
Washington, D.C., January 13, 2022 – Bangladesh authorities must conduct a swift and impartial investigation into the abduction and beating of Hossain Baksh and take steps to protect the safety of journalists covering union council elections, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At approximately 6:45 a.m. on January 5, Hossain Baksh, a camera operator…
‘The infections were constant:’ Julia Gavarrete among dozens of Salvadoran journalists targeted with Pegasus spyware
The day El Faro reporter Julia Gavarrete’s father passed away, her phone was infected with Pegasus spyware that could activate the microphone and camera, and read all her messages – one of multiple occasions her privacy was invaded with the tool over the course of several months. Gavarrete made this disturbing discovery while cooperating with…
Omani authorities suspend radio journalist following guest’s on-air critical comments
Omani authorities suspended Kholoud al-Alawi, a journalist at privately owned Hala FM, from her work for at least a month in December 2021, according to BBC Arabic and Beirut-based regional human rights organization the Gulf Center for Human Rights. The Ministry of Information informed the radio station by phone of the suspension on December 1,…
Niger journalists Moussa Aksar and Samira Sabou convicted, fined under cybercrime act
New York, January 13, 2022 — Nigerien authorities should not contest the appeals of journalists Moussa Aksar and Samira Sabou, and should reform the country’s cybercrime law to ensure it is not used to prosecute the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 3, the High Court in Niamey, Niger’s capital, convicted…
US Embassy in Bulgaria warns investigative journalist Atanas Tchobanov of ‘imminent threat’
Berlin, January 13, 2022 — Bulgarian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate any threats against investigative journalist Atanas Tchobanov and ensure his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 7, officials at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, notified Tchobanov, a reporter for Bulgarian investigative news websites Bivol and BIRD, that they…
Report on press freedom finds mix of problems and progress under Biden administration
New York, January 13, 2022 – One year into office, President Joe Biden’s administration has emphasized the importance of global press freedom and improved daily relations with U.S. media – but has yet to turn many promises into action, according to a special report by Leonard Downie Jr. for the Committee to Protect Journalists. The…