Journalists in Syria tell CPJ of fear of humanitarian catastrophe if COVID-19 spreads
Syria hasn’t been greatly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Syrian Health Ministry has counted 123 cases, and six deaths as of June 1, according to a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The country has begun to relax restrictions it imposed in mid-March, including curfews and…
Rappler editor Maria Ressa convicted of cyber libel by Philippines court
Bangkok, June 15, 2020 — In response to the guilty verdict in the cyber libel case against Rappler editor Maria Ressa in the Philippines, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Today’s conviction and sentencing of Maria Ressa of up to six years in jail is an outrageous crime against press freedom,” said…
Niger journalist Samira Sabou jailed, charged with cybercrime over Facebook post
New York, June 12, 2020—Authorities in Niger should immediately release journalist Samira Ibrahim Sabou and drop all charges against her, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Authorities arrested Sabou, editor with the privately owned Niger Search news website and manager of the Mides-Niger news website, on June 10 after she responded to a court…
Getty photographer John Moore on how covering Ebola prepared journalists for COVID-19
Getty Images photographer John Moore has covered crises all over the world, from the U.S. border with Mexico to political unrest in Pakistan. But the COVID-19 pandemic has found him capturing devastation closer to home: in Stamford, Connecticut, where he lives, and in the hard-hit suburbs of New York City.
Knife-wielding man briefly holds TV Globo reporter hostage in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, June 11, 2020 — Brazilian authorities must thoroughly investigate the recent attack on TV Globo and take measures to ensure journalists’ safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday afternoon, an unidentified man broke into the Rio de Janeiro headquarters of TV Globo, Brazil’s biggest privately owned news and entertainment broadcaster,…
Venezuelan journalist Carol Romero arrested while reporting on gasoline protests
Miami, June 11, 2020 – Venezuelan authorities should immediately drop all charges against journalist Carol Romero, and allow the press to cover protests without fear of arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 6 a.m. on June 4, Bolivarian National Guard officers detained Romero, a reporter for the privately owned radio station…
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…