Unidentified men attack Russian RFE/RL correspondent Andrey Afanasyev
New York, June 10, 2021 – Russian authorities should thoroughly and swiftly investigate the recent attack on journalist Andrey Afanasyev, hold the perpetrators to account, and ensure that members of the press can work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 10 p.m. yesterday, three unidentified men attacked Afanasyev, a contributor to…
Turkish journalist Ahmet Atmaca beaten in Gaziantep
Istanbul, June 10, 2021 – Turkish authorities should conduct a swift and through investigation into the attack on journalist Ahmet Atmaca and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. This morning, a group of people in the southeastern city of Gaziantep attacked Atmaca, a reporter for the pro-government Demirören News…
CPJ calls on Israeli government to provide evidence relating to news outlet bombings
CPJ expresss grave concern about Israeli forces’ bombings of at least four buildings in Gaza housing the offices of no less than 18 international and local media outlets, and the Israeli airstrike that killed Palestinian journalist Yousef Abu Hussein.
CPJ welcomes 2nd conviction in case of slain Mexican journalist Javier Valdez Cárdenas
Mexico City, June 9, 2021 – In response to yesterday’s conviction of Juan Francisco Picos Barrueta, known as “El Quillo,” for his role in the murder of Mexican journalist Javier Valdez Cárdenas, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The conviction of Juan Francisco Picos Barrueta is an important step toward ending impunity…
CPJ announces leadership transition
Executive Director Joel Simon will step down by the end of 2021 after 15 years in the role New York, June 9, 2021–The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today announced that Executive Director Joel Simon has informed the board of directors that he will step down by the end of the year after almost a…
Israeli forces detain and assault Al-Jazeera journalist, other reporters in Jerusalem
On June 5, 2021, Israeli forces detained Al-Jazeera reporter Givara Budeiri in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah while she was covering a protest marking the 54th anniversary of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and Israeli authorities’ ongoing attempts to force Palestinian residents out of the neighborhood, according to her employer and The Associated Press. A video report uploaded…
Southern Transitional Council forces raid Yemeni government-affiliated media outlets
New York, June 9, 2021 – Yemen’s breakaway Southern Transitional Council must end its raids of Yemeni government-aligned media outlets in the southern city of Aden and allow all journalists to operate freely in territories under its control, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 2, forces aligned with the Southern Transitional Council…
Turkish presidency reintroduces press card controls that court found restrictive
On April 1 this year, press freedom groups in Turkey chalked up a small win when the nation’s top administrative court, the Council of State, suspended 2018 rules that made it easier for the authorities to cancel or refuse press cards. The changes had transferred authority over press cards to the presidency and barred them…
Ugandan authorities detain 2 journalists on criminal libel charges
Nairobi, June 9, 2021— Ugandan authorities should drop the criminal libel charges against journalists Pidson Kareire and Darious Magara, and reform the country’s laws to decriminalize speech, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On May 27, the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Court in Kampala, the capital, charged Kareire and Magara with criminal defamation and…