Russian journalist Ilya Azar sentenced to 15 days for allegedly organizing protests
On March 3, 2021, the Tverskoy District Court in Moscow sentenced Ilya Azar, a correspondent for the liberal Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, to 15 days of detention and a fine of 150,000 rubles (US$2,014) for allegedly organizing illegal protests on Facebook, according to news reports and a statement from his employer. On March 5, the…
Mexican mayor attempts to drive journalist Albert Amaro off road
Mexico City, March 8, 2021 – Mexican authorities must immediately investigate threats made to journalist Alberto Amaro Jordán and guarantee his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 2, at about 6:15 p.m., a sport utility vehicle attempted to force Amaro off the road while he was driving with his son in…
Peruvian congressional candidate files criminal defamation suit against 2 journalists over coverage of sexual harassment allegations
Bogotá, March 8, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a criminal defamation lawsuit filed against Peruvian journalists Graciela Tiburcio and Luciana Távara, and called on Peru to reform its laws to drop criminal penalties for speech. On February 25, Victor Hugo Quijada, a Peruvian congressional candidate, filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against…
China detains family members of Radio Free Asia Uyghur editor Eset Sulaiman
Taipei, March 8, 2021 – Chinese authorities should immediately release the relatives of journalist Eset Sulaiman, and stop intimidating members of the press abroad by targeting their family in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. In a March 3 report, the U.S. Congress-funded broadcaster Radio Free Asia, where Eset works as a…
Police in Kazakhstan attack, harass 2 journalists covering fire
New York, March 8, 2021 – Kazakh authorities should investigate police officers’ assault and harassment of journalists Bakhrambek Talibzhanov and Bakhrom Abdullaev, and ensure that members of the press can work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. In the early hours of March 2, in the southern city of Shymkent, police…
CPJ launches safety guide for journalists covering Indian state elections
Journalist safety advice available in multiple languages New York, March 8, 2021—The Committee to Protect Journalists has published a new India election safety guide for editors, journalists, and photographers covering events leading up to legislative assembly elections in the states of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry. This year has already been marked…
India state assembly elections 2021: Journalist safety guide
India is scheduled to hold legislative assembly elections in the states of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry in March, April, and May 2021. Media workers covering any of these elections should be aware of the potential risk of physical attack, intimidation, and harassment; online bullying; COVID-19 exposure; arrest and detention; and government…
Somalia military court sentences journalist Kilwe Adan Farah to prison
Nairobi, March 04, 2021— Prosecutors in Puntland, the semi-autonomous Somali region, must not appeal to lengthen the prison sentence of journalist Kilwe Adan Farah, and the authorities must desist from harassing or intimidating him and ensure that military courts are not used as a weapon against the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 3,…
Angolan editor Mariano Brás questioned, investigated over article critical of president
Lisbon, March 4, 2020 – Angolan authorities should stop harassing editor Mariano Brás, drop any charges against him, and allow the press to cover the country’s president without fear of legal harassment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On February 12, officers with the organized crime division of Angola’s Criminal Investigation Service questioned Brás,…
Nigerian police attack journalist Eniola Daniel over photographs of building demolitions
Abuja, March 4, 2021 — Nigerian authorities should conduct a credible and transparent investigation into the assault of journalist Eniola Daniel and hold his attackers to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 11 a.m. on February 28, seven police officers—six in uniforms and one in plain clothes—attacked Daniel, a reporter with…