Hundreds of journalists are attacked, imprisoned, or killed every year. For more than 40 years, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has advocated for their release, for justice, and for freedom.

Since 1981, CPJ has defended the right of journalists to report the news safely and freely worldwide. Our organization researches and documents attacks on journalists, advocates for their safety, and provides emergency assistance to those at risk.

Where we work

CPJ’s regional programs cover Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Central Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa. They are led by experts worldwide who have deep ties to local journalists and advocates. We engage government leaders locally and globally, as well as mobilize the media to support the press.

How we work

We focus on reducing the number of journalists in prison, fighting against injustice, and battling censorship and repressive legislation that governs our world’s increasingly complex information landscape. We document violations and meet with government leaders to push for change, secure convictions in murders, and free jailed journalists. Our reporting and documentation inform and empower our advocacy. In doing so, we ensure access to independent information that enables all people to make decisions and hold the powerful to account.

We document each killing and imprisonment and advocate around it, carrying out campaigns and raising individual cases in meetings with relevant leaders.

CPJ also provides short-term, emergency support to working journalists and media workers following an incident related to their journalistic work. Support includes financial and non-financial assistance.