Russian journalist Vasiliy Vaysenberg threatened over report on electoral official’s salary
Vilnius, Lithuania, March 29, 2021 — Russian authorities should investigate the threats made to journalist Vasiliy Vaysenberg and ensure that those behind them are held responsible, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 25, an unidentified person called Vaysenberg’s wife, Alisa, and threatened the couple’s son, saying, “I don’t want [your son] Misha to…
Family of slain Turkish journalist Hrant Dink vows to appeal trial verdict
Istanbul, March 29, 2021 – Turkish authorities must conduct an impartial and depoliticized investigation into the killing of journalist Hrant Dink, and ensure that all those involved in planning and committing the killing are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 26, the 14th Istanbul Court of Serious Crimes acquitted…
CPJ, partner organizations call on Council of Europe to take action against SLAPP lawsuits
CPJ has joined over 100 civil society organizations to call on the Council of Europe to issue a recommendation to address strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) in Europe. SLAPPs are abusive lawsuits filed by powerful officials, businesspeople, or corporations against individuals, including critical journalists or news outlets, to restrict or censor critical reporting. They…
‘I had escaped death’: 64 Tianwang journalist Wang Jing recounts her traumatic imprisonment in China
Most journalists jailed in China are afraid to speak out after their release. In a rare interview, Wang Jing, who is now in the United States seeking asylum, has recounted her imprisonment and alleged torture in China. Wang was arrested in 2014 when she was reporting on a protest for the now-defunct news outlet 64 Tianwang. In…
Myanmar military arrests 3 Kanbawza Tai News staffers in late night raid
Bangkok, March 26, 2021 – Myanmar’s military authorities must immediately release all detained employees of Kanbawza Tai News, drop any charges against them, and stop jailing reporters for their news coverage, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the night of March 24, police raided the media outlet’s office and two of its employees’…
EU adopts new export control rules on surveillance technology
The European Union yesterday adopted a new regulation on exports of dual-use surveillance technology by EU-based companies. The legislation seeks to prevent human rights harm, including in countries where journalists are targeted and under surveillance because of their work. CPJ joined six other freedom of expression and human rights organizations in a statement welcoming the…
Journalist Reem Abdellatif on the risks facing female reporters who cover the Gulf
The trolling started after Reem Abdellatif, a prominent Egyptian-American journalist now based in The Netherlands, published her first column in December for the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz. Titled “How I escaped Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom that terrorizes women,” it described the challenges she faced as a female journalist who had previously worked in Saudi Arabia and denounced Saudi…
Russian journalist Mariya Nuykina repeatedly jailed over protest coverage
Vilnius, Lithuania, March 25, 2021 — Russian authorities should not contest the appeal of journalist Mariya Nuykina and should stop prosecuting journalists covering political protests, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 19, police in the eastern city of Khabarovsk detained Nuykina, a correspondent with the independent newspaper Arsenyevskiye Vesti, while she was…
CPJ joins call to reject draft EU regulation for online terrorist content
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined dozens of civil society organizations today in urging the European Parliament to reject a draft regulation on terrorist content online when it is proposed for a vote in April. The letter, which was sent to every member of parliament, notes that the draft would allow national authorities to order…
Argentine newspaper office ransacked, journalist threatened following reporting on sexual assault
Miami, March 24, 2021 — Argentine authorities should immediately investigate the attack on the Río Negro daily newspaper and its staff, and threats to its journalist Luis Leiva, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday at about noon, a group of approximately 100 people entered Río Negro’s offices in…