Pro-government groups attack reporters covering Juan Guaidó’s return to Venezuela
Miami, February 13, 2020 — Venezuelan authorities should quickly and thoroughly investigate the violent attacks on journalists covering Juan Guaidó’s return to the country, and determine whether security forces were negligent in protecting journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Nigerian journalist Fejiro Oliver charged with cybercrime for corruption report
Fejiro Oliver, the publisher of the privately owned Secret Reporters news site, is scheduled to appear in court in Nigeria’s southwestern Lagos city on May 28, 2020, after years of adjourned legal proceedings, he told CPJ. Department of State Services (DSS) agents separately questioned him three times about his reporting in 2019, he said. Oliver’s…
Nigerian police detain News Digest web developer, charge journalists
Nigerian police charged Gidado Yushau, the publisher of the privately owned News Digest news website, and freelance journalist Alfred Olufemi with criminal conspiracy and defamation on November 12, 2019, according to a copy of the charge sheet seen by CPJ. The next court date is scheduled for March 4, 2020, Olufemi told CPJ. If convicted,…
How Nigeria’s police used telecom surveillance to lure and arrest journalists
As reporters for Nigeria’s Premium Times newspaper, Samuel Ogundipe and Azeezat Adedigba told CPJ they spoke often over the phone. They had no idea that their regular conversations about work and their personal lives were creating a record of their friendship.
CPJ welcomes call for targeted sanctions to protect journalists
When the U.K. launched an initiative to support media freedom in the waning days of Jeremy Hunt’s tenure as foreign minister, CPJ was skeptical that this government-led effort would be more than a feel-good campaign. However, we chose to engage, given the current vacuum of leadership on press freedom globally. As the U.S. pulls back…
Explosive device detonated at home of journalist in Ecuador
Bogotá, February 12, 2020 — Ecuadorian authorities should conduct a speedy and transparent investigation into the explosion of a device at the home of journalist Víctor Aguirre, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Jailed Nigerian journalist Agba Jalingo to face cybercrime charge in court
New York, February 12, 2020 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Nigerian authorities to drop all charges against Agba Jalingo, the publisher of the privately owned news website CrossRiverWatch, and set him free. Jalingo is set to appear at a federal high court in Calabar city tomorrow on amended charges, including cybercrime…
Journalist Amr Alfiky arrested, charged with disorderly conduct in New York
Washington, D.C., February 12, 2020 — The New York City Police Department should drop all charges against photojournalist Amr Alfiky and provide a public explanation for his arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.