Trump, U.S. governors must stand up for press freedom, CPJ and other groups say
The media is entitled to cover protests without obstruction or fear New York, June 11, 2020–The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined dozens of groups from throughout the United States and around the world in calling on U.S. officials in every level of government to speak out forcefully in defense of press freedom, after law…
Nigerian journalist held under cybercrime act for COVID-19 coverage
Abuja, June 10, 2020 – Nigerian authorities should immediately release journalist Saint Mienpamo Onitsha, drop all charges against him, and reform the country’s cybercrime act to ensure it is not used to prosecute the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 4, officers with Nigeria’s Department of State Services detained Onitsha, founder…
Bolivian journalist takes leave of absence citing government intimidation
On June 3, 2020, Junior Arias, host of the news program “Behind the Truth” on the privately owned broadcaster Gigavisión, announced on-air that he was stepping down from his job, saying he felt threatened by the Bolivian government’s response to his work and would take a temporary furlough for his safety. On May 31, Arias…
Palestinian security forces arrest journalist Sami al-Saie in the West Bank
New York, June 10, 2020 — Palestinian authorities should immediately release journalist Sami al-Saie and drop any charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, Palestinian Preventive Security forces in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm arrested al-Saie, news editor for the local news website Karmool Tulkarm and reporter for the…
Anti-terrorism legislation threatens press freedom in the Philippines
Bangkok, June 10, 2020 – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte should reject pending anti-terrorism legislation or amend the law to ensure that it does not threaten press freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 was submitted to Duterte’s office yesterday after its approval by the House of Representatives and Senate,…
CPJ joins call for Cameroonian government to account for Samuel Wazizi’s death in custody
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined nine other human rights and press freedom groups yesterday in a statement calling on the Cameroonian government to allow for an independent probe into the death of journalist Samuel Wazizi. The statement calls for U.N. Security Council members to take advantage of a June 12 meeting with the U.N….
Office of independent TV station 3 Kanal firebombed in Kyrgyzstan
New York, June 9, 2020 – Kyrgyzstan authorities should conduct a quick and thorough investigation into the arson attack on the office of the 3 Kanal broadcaster, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At around 7 a.m. on June 7, unidentified attackers threw a Molotov cocktail through a window of the independent television station’s…
Indonesian journalist held since early May on criminal defamation charge
Bangkok, June 9, 2020 – Indonesian authorities should immediately release journalist Diantara Putra Sumedi and stop legal proceedings against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police in Kotabaru, South Kalimantan province, have held Diantara in detention since May 4, in response to a criminal defamation complaint filed against him, according to news reports….
Chilean Supreme Court orders Radio Bío Bío to remove content from website
Miami, June 9, 2020 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a decision by the Chilean Supreme Court ordering the independent news outlet Radio Bío Bío to take down the audio and transcript of a phone call published in a news article. On May 19, the third chamber of the Chilean Supreme Court ruled…