CPJ calls for release of imprisoned journalists ahead of the International Day of Political Prisoners on October 30
The Committee to Protect Journalists has joined the October 30 Coalition of human rights organizations in issuing a joint statement marking the International Day of Political Prisoners on October 30. The statement underscores the need for sustained international attention to individual political prisoners, for efforts to secure their release, and for accountability for abuses. More…
Iran sentences journalists under espionage law
New York, October 28, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Iranian authorities to overturn the convictions and immediately release journalists Artin Ghazanfari and Omid Faraghat. The two were sentenced to 26 and 10 years under Iran’s sweeping espionage law, which also criminalizes routine media activities. “Iranian authorities are using espionage and national security laws to punish…
CPJ, partners condemn Egyptian authorities’ shutdown of Mada Masr, stand with editor-in-chief Lina Attalah
The Committee to Protect Journalists and 138 organizations condemn the conviction of Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of the independent Egyptian news outlet Mada Masr, and denounce the court’s order to shut down one of the country’s last remaining independent newsrooms. In a joint statement, rights organizations urged Egyptian authorities to allow Mada Masr to operate freely,…
Somaliland detains journalist without charge after interviewing presidential aspirant
New York, October 28, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in the breakaway republic of Somaliland to release journalist Abdirahman Mohamed Ege, who has been held without charge since October 22 in the city of Hargeisa after interviewing a presidential aspirant. “Abdirahman Mohamed Ege has committed no crime, and the fact that he…
Tunisia sentences journalist Zied el-Heni to 4 years on terrorism charges
New York, October 28, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists demands the immediate release of Tunisian journalist Zied el-Heni, and the overturning of his four-year prison sentence. El-Heni was wrongfully convicted on Tuesday on terrorism charges for his reporting, and refusal to reveal confidential sources. “Sentencing Zied el-Heni to four years in prison on terrorism charges for carrying…
CPJ, partners call on European Commission to stop blocking journalists’ access to documents
The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday joined 15 media outlets, journalist associations and press freedom organizations in urging the European Commission to improve journalists’ access to its documents, warning that delays were harming public debate across Europe. In a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the groups said the Commission…
CPJ outraged by Egypt court conviction of journalist Lina Attalah, order of Mada Masr’s closure
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the conviction of Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of the independent Egyptian news outlet Mada Masr, on charges of running an unlicensed website, and calls on Egyptian authorities to reverse the ruling, release the journalist immediately, and end their escalating campaign against independent journalism. Mada Masr, among the first and few…
CPJ, partners call on EU to better control surveillance technology exports
The Committee to Protect Journalists and partners on Monday called on the European Commission to stop the export by European Union member states of dual-use surveillance software to countries with records of spying on journalists. The joint letter to EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič makes recommendations aimed at addressing loopholes in the EU’s Dual-Use Regulation,…
Israeli forces fire tear gas, point lasers at journalists, raid office in West Bank
Beirut, October 26, 2026 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply alarmed by the violations committed against journalists during the raid by the Israel Defense Forces on the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. Incidents included wounding a journalist, briefly detaining reporters, firing tear gas at journalists, and targeting press gathering areas with lasers. …
CPJ, partners urge Indonesia to reform military justice law to end impunity for crimes against journalists
Jakarta/Amsterdam, October 26, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), and Medan Legal Aid Institute (LBH Medan) urge the Indonesian president and lawmakers to uphold the recent Constitutional Court ruling and promptly amend the 1997 Military Justice Law, a crucial step toward ensuring justice for the murder of Tribrata TV journalist Rico…