Security forces in Iraqi Kurdistan detain 8 journalists in Duhok covering protest; charge 4
New York, May 18, 2020 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the detention of at least eight Kurdish Iraqi journalists covering a protest in Duhok on May 16 and called on the authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan to drop all charges pending against four of them.
Mexican newspaper Reforma receives bomb threat over López Obrador coverage
Mexico City, May 18, 2020 — Mexican authorities should immediately and transparently investigate a bomb threat against the Reforma newspaper and provide protective measures to guarantee the safety of its staff, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Journalist Zhang Zhan arrested for covering COVID-19 in Wuhan
Taipei, May 18, 2020 — Chinese authorities must immediately release journalist Zhang Zhan, drop any charges against her, and ensure that the media can cover the coronavirus pandemic without fear of arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Journalists in Iraqi Kurdistan tell CPJ of obstruction and opportunities covering COVID-19
On May 10, Saman Barzinji, the health minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan regional government, announced that the COVID-19 pandemic no longer posed a threat to the region, and that the area would gradually reopen, according to news reports.
South African police assault, charge journalist Paul Nthoba after he photographs COVID-19 lockdown
New York, May 18, 2020 — Authorities in South Africa should conduct a swift investigation into the beating of journalist Paul Nthoba and drop all charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Egyptian police arrest Mada Masr editor Lina Attalah outside of Tora prison
New York, May 17, 2020— Egyptian authorities must immediately release Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah, who was arrested outside the prison where her colleague Alaa Abdelfattah is on hunger strike protesting his detention, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
On third anniversary of his murder, Javier Valdez’s wife calls for justice in open letter
Today, on the third anniversary of the murder of her husband, Mexican reporter Javier Valdez Cárdenas, journalist Griselda Triana wrote an open letter calling for justice and describing the ordeal of her family in the wake of his killing. The letter was published in several Mexican news outlets and by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Swazi editor flees to South Africa, wanted in false news investigation
In the early morning of February 25, 2020, police in the Manzini region of Swaziland raided the home of Zweli Martin Dlamini, the editor of the privately owned news website Swaziland News, and arrested him, according to media reports and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app.
Myanmar journalist Kyaw Linn attacked, threatened in Rakhine state
Bangkok, May 15, 2020 — Myanmar authorities must conduct a swift, thorough, and impartial investigation into the assault of journalist Kyaw Linn and ensure that reporters can work in Rakhine state without fearing for their safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.