Russia uses ‘foreign agents’ law to hit independent outlet with massive fine
New York, October 29, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned an exorbitant fine imposed on the independent news outlet The New Times. A Moscow court on October 26 ordered the outlet to pay 22.3 million rubles (US$338,000) for failing to provide financial information under Russia’s “foreign agents” law and ordered the outlet’s editor-in-chief Yevgenia…
Impunity in the murders of journalists emboldens censorship
New York, October 29, 2018–A lack of justice in the murders of journalists creates an entrenched climate of censorship, the Committee to Protect Journalists found in its Global Impunity Index released today. The eleventh annual report highlights countries where journalists are murdered regularly and their killers go free.
CPJ calls on Trump to dial back rhetoric against media and critics
New York, October 26, 2018–Federal authorities today arrested a Florida man, identified as Cesar Sayoc, suspected of mailing 13 bombs addressed to prominent figures and critics of President Donald Trump, two of which were addressed care of CNN at their New York studio.
CPJ Safety Advisory: Covering the migrant caravan
UPDATED: This safety advisory was updated on February 15, 2019. In October 2018, thousands of migrants travelled as part of a caravan that departed San Pedro Sula in Honduras for the U.S. As the caravan attempted to cross Mexico, the risk increased for any journalists accompanying it.
CPJ joins call for Brazilian presidential candidates to condemn threats against journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined five other rights organizations to call on Brazilian presidential candidates to denounce the threats and violence against journalists covering the electoral campaign, and urge their supports to stop harassing reporters.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee must keep up pressure over Khashoggi
CPJ writes to the leaders of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, requesting that they ensure the Trump administration conducts a quick and thorough investigation into Jamal Khashoggi’s killing, as required by the Magnitsky Act, and that they consider holding independent hearings on Saudi Arabia.
Qatar embassy in Swaziland briefly detains two journalists
Security staff detained two Times of Swaziland journalists for more than an hour at the Qatar Embassy in Swaziland’s capital, Mbabane, on October 5, 2018, according to a statement by the local chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA). The journalists were detained after a senior diplomat tried to make them sign a…
AT&T donates $250,000 to defend press freedom
New York, October 25, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists is pleased to announce that AT&T is donating $250,000 to support the organization’s defense of journalists and press freedom. AT&T acquired Time Warner this year and is now the parent company of CNN.
CNN mail bomb is latest case of attacks and threats against US news rooms
New York, October 24, 2018–CNN’s New York City studios were evacuated today after an explosive device was delivered to the broadcaster’s offices, according to CNN. The device was addressed to John Brennan, a former CIA director and frequent guest on CNN news programs, who is also a national security analyst for MSNBC, CNN reported. The…