Journalists assaulted, detained while covering COVID-19 protest in Iraqi Kurdistan
On June 2, 2020, Iraqi Kurdish security forces assaulted at least four journalists and detained two others who were covering protests against the COVID-19 restrictions in the northeastern Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah, according to news reports and a report by the Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy, a local press freedom group. During a…
Canadian journalist Anna Slatz arrested in New York City, still in custody
Washington D.C. June 3, 2020—Canadian journalist Anna Slatz, reporter for the independent news website Rebel News, remains in New York custody since being arrested yesterday evening while covering protests, Eitan Gillboord, vice president of operations at Rebel News told CPJ this afternoon. “We call on New York authorities to quickly release Anna Slatz without charges….
Yemeni journalist Nabil al-Quaety killed outside his home in Aden
New York, June 3, 2020 — Yemeni authorities should conduct a thorough investigation into the killing of journalist Nabil Hasan al-Quaety and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday morning, a group of men in military uniforms attempted to hit al-Quaety with their car as he exited his home…
Managing director of Iranian news agency convicted on false news charges
On May 31, 2020, Branch 6 of Tehran’s Media Court convicted Ali Motaghian, the managing director of the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA), on charges of “spreading false news,” according to a report by the news agency. CPJ could not determine what sentence Motaghian received or whether he is in custody. The semi-official Iranian…
Journalist in Ecuador attacked by relative with alleged ties to local government after critical COVID-19 coverage
On April 28, 2020, in Quinindé, Ecuador, journalist Henry Córdova Correa, who works as a news anchor for TV channel UNITV and also presents video news to his 2,942 followers on Facebook, was hit with bricks and a motorcycle helmet by a relative in retaliation for his reporting, sustaining a badly broken leg, the journalist…
Teleamazonas broadcaster attacked with dynamite in Ecuador
Bogotá, June 3, 2020 — Ecuadorian authorities should conduct a speedy and transparent investigation into the explosion at the Teleamazonas broadcaster, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 5:15 a.m. on May 31, a stick of dynamite exploded at the entrance of the independent TV station’s office…
China’s COVID-19 countermeasures include restricting press freedom
In the nearly 71 years of Communist Party rule in China, the country’s citizens have enjoyed brief periods of relatively free speech, as during the abortive Hundred Flowers Campaign in 1956-57, or the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when investigative journalists covered local corruption and pollution. When the coronavirus outbreak first began spreading in…
CPJ demands Cameroonian government account for arrested journalist Samuel Wazizi
New York, June 3, 2020 — Cameroonian authorities must immediately disclose the whereabouts and the health and legal status of imprisoned journalist Samuel Wazizi, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. “Samuel Wazizi’s friends, family, colleagues, and lawyers have unsuccessfully sought answers about his arrest from the Cameroonian government for far too long,” said CPJ…
Map: Attacks on press freedom during the COVID-19 pandemic
Updated June 22, 2021 CPJ has documented numerous press freedom violations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, from legislation threatening to censor free speech to arrests of journalists providing the public with vital news about the virus. This map plots violations, verified by CPJ staff, across nearly every region of the world from early…
Afghan journalist and media worker killed in bomb attack
New York, June 2, 2020 — Afghan authorities should conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the killing of journalist Mir Wahed Shah and media worker Shafiq Amiri, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On the evening of May 30, a bomb exploded in Kabul, killing Shah, an…