Supporters of Lebanese president storm Al-Sharq office in Beirut
New York, October 13, 2021 — Lebanese authorities must identify the people who stormed the Beirut office of daily newspaper and news website Al-Sharq and hold them to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, at least a dozen supporters of Lebanese President Michel Aoun stormed inside the Al-Sharq office and hung pictures…
Pakistani journalist Shahid Zehri killed in targeted car explosion
Washington, D.C., October 12, 2021– Pakistan authorities must thoroughly and swiftly investigate the killing of Shahid Zehri, hold those responsible to account, and do everything in their power to protect the safety of members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 10, Zehri, a reporter for the privately owned news…
Russia labels Bellingcat, other independent outlets and journalists as ‘foreign agents’
Vilnius, Lithuania, October 12, 2021 – Russian authorities should stop labeling journalists and media outlets as “foreign agents” and should allow the press to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 8, following the announcement that Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the Russian Ministry of…
Branch of Bangladesh ruling party files complaint against Sweden-based journalist Tasneem Khalil
Washington, D.C., October 12, 2021 — The All European Awami League should immediately withdraw its complaint to the Swedish police against Bangladeshi journalist Tasneem Khalil, and Bangladesh authorities must cease harassing Khalil and his family, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 7, members of the All European Awami League, a Europe-focused branch…
Mozambique police beat and detain journalists covering demonstrations
On September 9, 2021, police in Mozambique’s central Nampula province harassed, beat, and detained at least six journalists covering protests over the government’s alleged delays in distributing financial relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to news reports and the journalists involved, who spoke with CPJ in phone interviews and via messaging app. The…
Polish authorities question reporter covering Belarus border area
On September 27, 2021, police in Michałowo, a Polish town near the border with Belarus, questioned Agnieszka Kaszuba, a reporter for daily newspaper Fakt, for about an hour, according to news reports, her employer, and the journalist, who communicated with CPJ via email. Kaszuba told CPJ that the officers stopped her car while she was…
Croatian court injunction blocks news website H-alter from reporting on public childcare clinic
Berlin, October 8, 2021 — Croatian authorities should lift the gag order on the news website H-alter, and ensure that court actions do not silence the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 21, the Zagreb Municipal Civil Court, the capital, issued an injunction to H-alter, barring the outlet from reporting on…
CPJ congratulates Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for winning the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize
New York, October 8, 2021 — The Committee to Protect Journalists congratulates journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, who were awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize today. Their award comes at a time of unprecedented attacks on journalists in the form of sweeping crackdowns, digital surveillance, and an erosion of public trust in journalism. “Dmitry…
Tunisian authorities arrest Zaytouna TV host Amer Ayad, confiscate channel’s equipment
New York, October 7, 2021 – Tunisian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Amer Ayad, drop all charges against him, and allow ZaytounaTV to resume its work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On October 3, Tunisian police arrested Ayad, a talk show host for privately owned channel Zaytouna TV, at his home…
Tanzania police arrest cartoonist, journalists on cybercrime and illegal assembly allegations
Nairobi, October 7, 2021—Tanzanian authorities should unconditionally release cartoonist Opptertus John Fwema, and drop investigations into Mgawe TV journalist Harold Shemsanga and the media outlet’s owner, Ernest Mgawe, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 24, police arrested Fwema at his home in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, and have since detained…