CPJ Insider: Urgent call to #FreeThePress, COVID-19 updates, and more
CPJ Insider: Spring 2020 Edition Thank you for your incredible support of CPJ during these unprecedented times. We are especially grateful to Twitter for its recent gift of $500,000 in support of our work to confront press freedom violations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our staff is working remotely—as a result, we may be slightly delayed…
Slovenian journalist Blaž Zgaga on facing off against a government fighting COVID-19 coverage
Blaž Zgaga is a freelance Slovenian investigative journalist and a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists who covers national security and defense. In his reporting, he has uncovered corruption and written about arms trafficking in the region.
Kashmiri journalist Raihana Maqbool on reporting on COVID-19 amid ongoing restrictions
Journalists in Jammu and Kashmir have spent the past eight months navigating an intense crackdown by Indian authorities in the region, including unprecedented restrictions on communications and the longest internet shutdown in a democracy. Now, they have the added challenge on trying to report on the COVID-19 pandemic. India has instituted a strict 21-day national…
Togo suspends 2 papers after French complaint, and a third for criticizing decision
New York, April 3, 2020 — Authorities in Togo should lift the suspensions of the Liberté, L’Alternative, and Fraternité newspapers and ensure all media are free to cover politics and all other newsworthy topics, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Two reporters charged for spreading ‘false information’ about COVID-19 in the Philippines
Bangkok, April 3, 2020 — Cavite City authorities in the Philippines should withdraw their criminal complaints against journalists Mario Batuigas and Amor Virata, and refrain from threatening journalists covering the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Mexican reporter Maria Elena Ferral shot and killed in Veracruz
Mexico City, April 3, 2020 — Mexican authorities should conduct a swift and credible investigation into the killing of reporter Maria Elena Ferral, determine whether the attack was related to her work, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Iraqi regulator suspends Reuters’ license for 3 months over COVID-19 report
New York, April 3, 2020 — Iraqi authorities should immediately reinstate the license of the Reuters news agency, and allow all media outlets to cover the COVID-19 pandemic freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Colombian protection unit suspends risk assessments ‘indefinitely’ due to coronavirus
New York, April 2, 2020 — In response to the Colombian National Protection Unit’s announcement that it would be suspending the country’s Risk Assessment and Protection Measures Recommendation Committee, which grants protective measures to journalists, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: