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European court rules Azerbaijan prosecuted Khadija Ismayilova in retaliation for journalism

Berlin, January 28, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) January 27 ruling that Azerbaijan violated the rights of journalist Khadija Ismayilova by prosecuting and imprisoning her in retaliation for her reporting, but calls on Azerbaijan to immediately enforce the judgment.      Ismayilova, an award-winning investigative journalist, was detained in December 2014 and subsequently sentenced to…

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M23 spokeperson Lawrence Kanyuka (2nd left), M23 leader Benjamin Mbonimpa (3rd left), Congo River Alliance leader Corneille Nangaa (3rd right) and M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa (2nd right) host a news conference in Goma on February 6, 2025. The M23 said it wanted to "liberate all of the Congo" in its first public meeting since seizing city.

Threats, exile, censorship: DRC journalists besieged in year of rebel rule

For Congolese journalist Prince Cikala Mihigo, the first day of 2026 brought a brutal reminder of the risks of reporting: rebel soldiers beat and kicked him while questioning him about his work, leaving his face swollen and raw.   Cikala was assaulted at a checkpoint in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s eastern city of Bukavu,…

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Russia’s State Duma, seen here, passed the first read of government-backed amendments that would grant the FSB broad powers to order telecom operators to suspend communications services.

Russia’s State Duma advances bill allowing FSB to shut down internet

Berlin, January 28, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Russia to drop proposed legislation advanced in the country’s parliament that would significantly expand the Federal Security Service’s (FSB) authority to shut down communications, further restricting internet access across the country. On January 27, Russia’s State Duma passed the first read of government-backed amendments to the country’s…

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An undated photo of AAMIJ News freelance contributor Myat Thu Kyaw, who was arrested on January 13, 2023, and is serving an 8 1/2-year sentence for criminal incitement and terrorism charges in Myanmar. (Photo: Courtesy of AAMIJ News)

Myanmar journalist Myat Thu Kyaw seriously injured in alleged prison assault

Bangkok, January 28, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemns the alleged physical abuse of imprisoned Myanmar journalist Myat Thu Kyaw at Yangon’s Insein Prison and calls on authorities to immediately release him on humanitarian grounds. Prison authorities orchestrated an assault on Myat Thu Kyaw and three other political prisoners using members of an incarcerated…

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Nadir Abbas Baloch

Pakistan journalist Nadir Abbas Baloch targeted with intimidation, threats

New York, January 27, 2026—Pakistani authorities must end their intimidation of journalist Nadir Abbas Baloch, who has been summoned twice for questioning in the past month over his reporting, and ensure his safety following several threats against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On December 12, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA)…

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Federal agents conduct immigration enforcement action in Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S., January 27, 2026. REUTERS/Seth Herald

CPJ, Journalist Assistance Network urge US authorities to respect rights of journalists covering immigration

The Journalist Assistance Network (JAN), including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), called for the protection of journalists covering immigration enforcement in a joint statement. The statement urges U.S. authorities to uphold reporters’ First Amendment rights, especially while covering protests related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deployments. Journalists covering ICE activity and related demonstrations have…

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Cuban flags fly beside the Interests Section Office of the United States (USINT), in Havana two days after the 57th anniversary of the start of the Cuban revolution July 28, 2010. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (CUBA - Tags: POLITICS)

Cuban journalist handed 6-year prison sentence for protesting

Miami, January 27, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the sentencing of Cuban journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea to six years in prison on January 15 after he was found guilty of protesting and calls on Cuban authorities to free him, and allow the free flow of information in the country. The Provincial Court of Villa…

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A woman in Tehran looks at her phone, after a nationwide internet shutdown began on January 8.

Iran: 3 journalists arrested as news trickles out under internet shutdown

New York, January 27, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Iranian authorities to immediately release journalists Hassan Abbasi, Artin Ghazanfari, and Hamed Araghi, as news of their detention emerged weeks after a nationwide internet shutdown began on January 8.  CPJ was unable to confirm the charges against the journalists or their current whereabouts. “The…

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CPJ demands justice 15 years after the murder of Philippine journalist Gerry Ortega

Manila, January 27, 2026—Fifteen years after the murder of radio journalist Gerry Ortega, the Committee to Protect Journalists has urged Philippine authorities to swiftly deliver justice for his family and end impunity in one of the world’s most dangerous countries to be a journalist. Ortega was gunned down in 2011 outside a thrift store in…

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Turkish reporter Furkan Karabay

Turkey’s most frequently arrested reporter, Furkan Karabay, under house arrest

Istanbul, January 26, 2026—Turkish authorities should immediately cancel the order of house arrest for reporter Furkan Karabay and let him do his job, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday.  Police in Istanbul took Karabay, a court reporter currently with the news website Medyascope, into custody and a court placed him under house arrest on the suspicion of “publicly spreading…

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