Ethiopian journalist Muhiyadin Mohamed Abdullahi sentenced to 2 years in prison
Nairobi, May 3, 2024— The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Ethiopian authorities not to contest the appeal of journalist Muhiyadin Mohamed Abdullahi’s conviction on hate speech and false news charges. On Thursday, May 2, Muhiyadin—who has been detained since his February 13 arrest—was sentenced to two years in prison by the Fafen Zone High Court in Jigjiga,…
Appeals court upholds 25-month sentences for 2 Turkish documentary filmmakers
Istanbul, May 3, 2024—Turkish authorities should stop fighting the appeals of documentary filmmakers Ertuğrul Mavioğlu and Çayan Demirel and allow all journalists to work freely without fear of retaliation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On April 26 in the southeastern city of Batman, an appeals court upheld a 25-month sentence for Mavioğlu and…
CPJ rings opening bell at Nasdaq in recognition of World Press Freedom Day
New York, May 3, 2024 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) was joined by press freedom supporters to ring the opening bell Friday at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day. The bell ringing ceremony was led by Kristina Ayanian, host at Nasdaq Listings. Ahead of the bell…
Turkish court sentences journalist Barış Terkoğlu to 2 years under terror law
Istanbul, May 2, 2024 — Turkish authorities should not contest the appeal of journalist Barış Terkoğlu after he was sentenced to two years on terrorism-related charges and review the related legislation to prevent retaliatory prosecution against journalists for their critical reporting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. The 13th Istanbul Court of Serious Crimes…
CPJ expands access to safety chatbot amid spiking threats to the press in a record year of global elections
New York, May 2, 2024—Ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today announced the launch of CPJ’s journalist safety chatbot, which equips journalists with safety information on their phones via WhatsApp. The tool will expand the reach and usability of CPJ’s suite of safety tools tailored for…
Istanbul police obstruct, tear gas, shoot at reporters during May Day march in Turkey
Istanbul, May 2, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Turkish authorities to refrain from targeting media workers present during demonstrations, ensure journalists can continue to report on matters of public interest safely, and hold those responsible for attacks to account. Amid bans on May Day celebrations, Istanbul police blocked a route in Istanbul’s Saraçhane…
CPJ calls on authorities to allow journalists to safely cover US campus protests
Washington, D.C., May 1, 2024– With tensions over pro-Palestinian protests escalating on college campuses across the United States, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on university authorities and law enforcement agencies to allow reporters to freely cover the demonstrations. “Journalists – including student journalists who have been thrust into a national spotlight to cover stories…
FOX 7 Austin photojournalist faces misdemeanor charges after felony charges dropped
Washington, D.C., May 1, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned by reports that FOX 7 Austin photojournalist Carlos Sanchez is again facing charges in connection with his work, and calls on Texas authorities to drop all charges against him and allow journalists to do their work without fear of arrest. “We are gravely concerned that…
Serbian ex-mayor jailed for 4 years in arson attack on journalist Milan Jovanović
Berlin, April 29, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the four-year jail sentence given to Dragoljub Simonović, the former mayor of Grocka, a suburb of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, for ordering an arson attack on journalist Milan Jovanović’s home. The court also gave a four-year sentence to Aleksandar Marinković, who set fire to the house…
European Parliament calls for repeal of Hong Kong security laws
Brussels, April 25, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed Thursday’s call by the European Parliament for the repeal of two Hong Kong security laws that it said undermine press freedom and for the release of Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. The parliamentary resolution condemned Hong Kong’s adoption last month of…