Egyptian journalist Aamer Abdelmonem detained on false news and terrorism charges, denied medication
New York, January 4, 2021 – Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Aamer Abdelmonem, and ensure that he receives proper medical treatment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 19, security officers arrested Abdelmonem, a freelance columnist who contributes to Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera, from his home in Cairo, according to Al-Jazeera…
Journalist Bismillah Adel Aimaq shot and killed in Afghanistan
New York, January 4, 2021 – Afghan authorities must conduct a swift and through investigation into the killing of journalist Bismillah Adel Aimaq and take all possible steps to protect members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 1, unidentified attackers shot and killed Aimaq, the head of local broadcaster…
CPJ welcomes UK decision not to extradite Julian Assange, urges DOJ to drop charges
New York, January 4, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed a British court’s decision to deny the United States’ request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and urged the U.S. Department of Justice to drop all charges against him. “We are heartened that a British court has denied the United States’ request…
Journalist Marcus Henderson covered the COVID-19 outbreak inside his own prison
When news of the global COVID-19 pandemic reached San Quentin prison, a state-run men’s prison in California, earlier this year, Marcus Henderson knew it was only a matter of time before the virus spread through the facility. It did, killing 28 inmates and at least one staff member and infecting Henderson and 2,200 other inmates…
Moroccan authorities arrest journalist Maati Monjib
New York, December 29, 2020 – Moroccan authorities must immediately release journalist and press freedom advocate Maati Monjib, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Security forces arrested Monjib, a contributor to the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi as well as other outlets, today at a restaurant in the capital Rabat, according to a Facebook post by independent journalist and Moroccan…
CPJ Insider: Winter 2020 edition
CPJ urges incoming Biden administration to take specific steps to restore press freedom President Donald Trump’s anti-press rhetoric over the past four years has had a dual effect: It has done extraordinary damage to public trust in the media in the United States, and it has simultaneously emboldened autocrats around the world to embrace his…
Journalist safety in 2020
In this unforgettably tumultuous year, journalists across the world covered the ongoing pandemic, dangerous protests, natural disasters, active conflicts, elections, and other life-changing events. The reporters, anchors, photographers, camera operators, producers, and technicians who brought 2020’s biggest stories to the public often risked their own physical safety and psychological well-being and found themselves the subjects…
Jordan must release publisher Jamal Haddad immediately
New York, December 27, 2020—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Jordanian authorities to release Jamal Haddad, publisher of the news website Alwakaai, and condemns the use of a national security prosecution to censor coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 24, Haddad was summoned and detained pending investigation under the country’s anti-terrorism law…
Journalists in Uganda face accreditation hurdles ahead of election, risk criminal sanction
Nairobi, December 23, 2020 — Ugandan authorities should ensure that members of the press can freely cover the country’s national elections on January 14, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 10, the Media Council of Uganda, a statutory body, said that local and foreign journalists would be barred from covering electoral events…
Brazilian court orders The Intercept Brasil, ND+ to modify coverage of court case
Rio de Janeiro, December 23, 2020 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a ruling by a Brazilian court requiring two local outlets to modify their reporting in response to a lawsuit. On December 12, Judge Cleni Serly Rauen Vieira, of the Santa Catarina state Court of Justice’s Third Civil Court, ordered independent news…