Proposed Venezuelan foreign funding law could have ‘huge impact’ on independent outlets
When Ewald Scharfenberg launched the investigative news website Armando.Info in 2014, about half of his start-up funds came from Venezuelan donors, subscribers, and advertisers, while overseas foundations provided the rest. But amid the worst economic crisis in Venezuela’s history, local income has disappeared, forcing Scharfenberg to rely almost entirely on international donations to keep Armando.Info…
CPJ calls on local law enforcement in US to ensure journalist safety amid protests
Washington, D.C., April 16, 2020 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on law enforcement in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, and around the United States to ensure that journalists can freely and safely cover demonstrations against police violence. “We are deeply concerned by reports about law enforcement detaining members of the media covering protests in…
Hong Kong media owner Jimmy Lai sentenced to 14 months in prison over 2019 protests
Washington, D.C., April 16, 2021 – In response to a Hong Kong court’s sentencing today of media owner Jimmy Lai to 14 months in prison, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Forcing a prominent pro-democracy media entrepreneur like Jimmy Lai to spend more than a year in prison and hitting him with…
Report: Chilean army allegedly monitored investigative journalists
Miami, April 15, 2021—The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern today over the findings of an April 9 report by the Chilean nonprofit news site Center for Investigative Journalism (CIPER) that Chile’s army appears to have allegedly monitored journalists covering corruption and human rights abuses. CIPER’s report is related to the ongoing September 2019 investigation by the…
Russian law enforcement raid student magazine DOXA, place 4 editors under home detention
New York, April 15, 2021 – Russian authorities should immediately drop all charges against DOXA editors Armen Aramyan, Natalia Tyshkevich, Vladimir Metelkin, and Alla Gutnikova, and allow them to work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, law enforcement officers in Moscow raided the office of the independent student-run magazine DOXA…
Palestinian journalist Muath Hamed questioned in Spain by alleged Israeli intelligence agent
New York, April 15, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern over an account by Palestinian journalist Muath Hamed that he was summoned by Spanish authorities under false pretenses and questioned about his journalistic activity by someone he believes to be an Israeli intelligence operative. In early February, officers with Spain’s Civil…
French journalist Nadiya Lazzouni receives letter with death threat, anti-Muslim slurs
Berlin, April 15, 2021 — French authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate a threatening letter received by journalist Nadiya Lazzouni and ensure her safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 8, Lazzouni, a Paris-based video producer and founder of the news and commentary outlet Speak Up Channel, received an anonymous handwritten letter…
Angolan journalist Jorge Manuel arrested, detained for 5 days while reporting on evictions
New York, April 15, 2021 – Angolan authorities must refrain from arresting members of the press covering public events, and should return all equipment confiscated from journalist Jorge Manuel, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 7, police officers arrested Manuel, a reporter for the Radio Despertar broadcaster, while he was covering protests…
Mexico elections 2021: Journalist safety kit
Mexico will hold the largest elections in its history on June 6, 2021. Candidates will run for, among other offices, the federal Chamber of Deputies, governorships in 15 states, and mayor in hundreds of municipalities. Journalists and media workers covering the elections anywhere in Mexico should be aware of a number of risks, including physical…
Police detain Ghanaian journalist David Tamakloe overnight in relation to ‘false news’ complaint
Abuja, April 14, 2021 — Police in Ghana should drop their investigation into journalist David Tamakloe and allow him to report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 1, in Accra, the capital, four police officers in plainclothes arrested Tamakloe, editor-in-chief of the privately owned Whatsup News website, and detained him for…