Iowa journalist Andrea Sahouri acquitted on misdemeanor charges from 2020 protest coverage
New York, March 10, 2021 — In response to today’s acquittal of Des Moines Register reporter Andrea Sahouri by a court in Polk County, Iowa, on two misdemeanor charges stemming from her coverage of protests last year, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The acquittal of journalist Andrea Sahouri in Iowa today…
New York Times journalist Nicole Perlroth on the secret trade in tools used to hack the press
The last time New York Times cybersecurity journalist Nicole Perlroth spoke with Emirati activist Ahmed Mansoor in 2016, his passport had been taken and he had recently been beaten almost to the point of death. “We learned later on that our phone conversation had been tapped, that someone was in his baby monitor, that his…
Mexican mayor attempts to drive journalist Albert Amaro off road
Mexico City, March 8, 2021 – Mexican authorities must immediately investigate threats made to journalist Alberto Amaro Jordán and guarantee his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 2, at about 6:15 p.m., a sport utility vehicle attempted to force Amaro off the road while he was driving with his son in…
Peruvian congressional candidate files criminal defamation suit against 2 journalists over coverage of sexual harassment allegations
Bogotá, March 8, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a criminal defamation lawsuit filed against Peruvian journalists Graciela Tiburcio and Luciana Távara, and called on Peru to reform its laws to drop criminal penalties for speech. On February 25, Victor Hugo Quijada, a Peruvian congressional candidate, filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against…
Nicaraguan journalist Wilih Narváez and family repeatedly harassed, threatened
Guatemala City, March 4, 2021 — Nicaraguan authorities must quickly and thoroughly investigate the harassment of journalist Wilih Narváez, ensure his safety, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On February 24, an unidentified man went to Narváez’s house in Managua, the capital, and yelled at the journalist’s mother…
Staff of Cuban press freedom group ICLEP lose internet service, fear targeted disruption
Miami, March 4, 2021 — Cuban authorities must ensure that journalists and staff at the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP) are able to access the internet, and should allow its journalists to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Since February 24, dozens of employees of ICLEP, a…
At least 3 US reporters face court hearings on charges from 2020 coverage of protests and rallies
New York, March 3, 2021 – Local authorities in Iowa, Massachusetts, and North Carolina should drop all charges against journalists who were arrested while doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. This month, three journalists who are facing charges are scheduled to appear in court in relation to their coverage of protests…
Brazilian journalist Patrícia Campos Mello sued President Bolsonaro’s son for moral damages – and won
In May of last year, Eduardo Bolsonaro, a Brazilian congressman and the son of President Jair Bolsonaro, made a series of searing accusations against journalist Patrícia Campos Mello on the YouTube channel of far-right media company Terça Livre. He claimed that Campos Mello, a reporter with Brazilian daily Folha de S.Paulo, had attempted to use sex to…
CPJ joins call for Nicaragua government to stop restricting press freedom
The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined three other human rights organizations in a joint statement commemorating Nicaragua’s national Day of the Journalist and calling on authorities to end the widespread harassment of members of the press, and ensure media outlets and press freedom organizations can work safely. In the statement, CPJ joined three regional…
CPJ calls on US and allies to sanction Saudi crown prince in wake of Khashoggi report
New York, February 25, 2021 – In response to today’s release of a declassified U.S. intelligence report alleging that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Committee to Protect Journalists released the following statement: “By releasing this intelligence report, President Joe Biden’s administration has reinforced what we…