How the Taliban’s propaganda empire consumed Afghan media
In four years, the Taliban have annihilated Afghanistan’s independent media sector and supplanted it with their own propaganda empire and sophisticated digital bots that flood social media with pro-Taliban content. CPJ interviewed 10 Afghan journalists, inside and outside the country, who said that independent media, which used to reach millions of people, have largely been…
CPJ urges Hong Kong to free Jimmy Lai as trial near its end
New York, August 13, 2025—As closing arguments are set to begin on August 14 in the national security trial of Jimmy Lai, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Hong Kong authorities to drop all charges against the 77-year-old publisher and release him immediately and unconditionally. Lai, whose…
Ghanaian officers attack journalists reporting on demolition
Abuja, Nigeria, August 12, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for Ghanaian authorities to swiftly and comprehensively conclude investigations into the July 30 attack on journalist Carlos Lorlornyo Atsu Calony and threats made against camera operator Jonas Zodzi Voergborlo. On July 30, at least seven military officers, some of whom were wearing Ghana’s National Intelligence Bureau…
Journalists fear volatile Bolivia elections may escalate press attacks
For over two decades, Bolivian journalists have endured intimidation, legal harassment, and violence from political actors intent on silencing dissent. Now, journalists fear those attacks may intensify as the country races toward a hotly contested presidential election, in which no clear frontrunner has emerged. “We’re not choosing between democracy and authoritarianism” said reporter Rodrigo Fernández from Radio Erbol, one of…
Sri Lanka’s counter-terrorism police summon Tamil journalist documenting mass graves
New Delhi, August 12, 2025—Sri Lankan authorities must immediately stop harassing photojournalist Kanapathipillai Kumanan, who has been summoned by the counterterrorism police for questioning, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. A police notice, reviewed by CPJ, ordered Kumanan to appear in the northern town of Alampil’s Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division (CTID) office on…
Pakistani authorities block journalist Asad Ali Toor from traveling overseas
New York, August 11, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Pakistani authorities to drop all travel restrictions against independent journalist Asad Ali Toor, who was blocked from traveling to the United States at the Islamabad airport on August 8, according to the journalist. Toor, who had been arrested and beaten prior years, said he was on his…
Bangladeshi journalist hacked to death for filming assault
New Delhi, August 11, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Bangladeshi authorities to swiftly and thoroughly investigate the brutal killing of journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin and bring all those responsible to justice. Tuhin, a staff reporter for the Bangla-language daily Protidiner Kagoj in Gazipur, a suburb of Dhaka, was chased and hacked to death by…
Israel kills Al Jazeera journalists in targeted Gaza City airstrike
New York, August 10, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists is appalled by Israel’s killing in Gaza on Sunday of four Al Jazeera staff — correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal — and two freelancers, Moamen Aliwa and Mohammad al-Khaldi. The six journalists were killed and two others were injured by a targeted…
Qatar cybercrime law amendments raise press freedom concerns
Washington, D.C., August 8, 2025—Qatari authorities should reconsider the implications of an amendment to the country’s cybercrime law, which could be used to prosecute journalists, photojournalists, and bloggers for doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On August 4, Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani approved an amendment to a 2014 cybercrime law that adds a new provision that criminalizes publishing…
Israeli forces chase, hold, and shoot at journalists in southern Syria
Journalists in southern Syria are being chased, detained and intimidated by live fire by members of the Israeli Defense Forces, according to reporters who spoke to the Committee to Protect Journalists. The months-long escalation of harassment raises concerns about press freedom and has sometimes forced journalists to play a dangerous game of hide-and-seek to protect…