Forensic tools open new front for using phone data to prosecute journalists
On April 13, police in Russia’s Khakassiya republic arrested Mikhail Afanasyev and seized his digital devices. Afanasyev, chief editor of the online magazine Novy Fokus, was detained based on an article about riot police in southern Siberia refusing to serve in Ukraine. He faces a possible 10-year prison sentence for spreading “false” information. It’s not surprising for…
Number of jailed journalists spikes to new global record
The number of journalists jailed around the world set yet another record in 2022. In a year marked by conflict and repression, authoritarian leaders doubled down on their criminalization of independent reporting, deploying increasing cruelty to stifle dissenting voices and undermine press freedom. Published December 14, 2022 By Arlene Getz/CPJ Editorial Director Worst Offenders |…
CPJ condemns ‘harsh’ Jimmy Lai jail sentence in Hong Kong fraud case
Taipei, December 10, 2022 – In response to news reports that a Hong Kong court on Saturday sentenced Jimmy Lai, founder of the Next Digital media company and the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, to five years and nine months imprisonment on fraud charges, the Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the sentencing and called for Lai’s…
Shanghai police detain foreign journalists covering anti-lockdown protests, beat BBC correspondent Edward Lawrence
Taipei, November 28, 2022 — Chinese authorities must immediately stop harassing and detaining journalists and ensure the safety of reporters covering protests against the country’s COVID-19 restrictions, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On Sunday, police in Shanghai assaulted Edward Lawrence, a journalist for British public broadcaster BBC, while he was covering a…
CPJ, partners call on Hong Kong leader to secure Jimmy Lai’s release
CPJ and partner organizations write to Hong Kong Chief Executive Lee to request his leadership to cease targeted persecution against Jimmy Lai, the 74-year-old founder of Next Digital Limited and the Apple Daily newspaper, release him from jail, and immediately drop all charges against him.
Canadian broadcaster CBC closes China bureau after visa delays
Taipei, November 3, 2022 – Chinese authorities should not delay the processing of work visas for international journalists, and must allow all media in the country to operate without interference, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Wednesday, Canada’s public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), announced in an editor’s note it will shutter its Beijing…
CPJ condemns guilty verdict in Jimmy Lai’s fraud case in Hong Kong
Taipei, October 25, 2022 – In response to news reports that a court in Hong Kong on Tuesday convicted Jimmy Lai, founder of the Next Digital Limited media company and the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, of fraud, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement condemning the verdict: “Today’s conviction of Jimmy Lai on…
Special report: When spyware turns phones into weapons
How zero-click surveillance threatens reporters, sources, and global press freedom By Fred Guterl Published October 13, 2022 Aida Alami has always been wary of surveillance. As a journalist from Morocco, a state with a track record of intercepting phone calls and messages of political rivals, activists, and journalists, she habitually took precautions to protect her…
Hong Kong internet radio host Edmund Wan Yiu-sing sentenced to 32 months in prison
Taipei, October 7, 2022 – In response to news reports that a court in Hong Kong on Friday sentenced radio journalist Edmund Wan Yiu-sing to 32 months in prison for sedition and money laundering, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement expressing condemnation: “Today’s sentencing of radio host Edmund Wan Yiu-sing to 32…
Hong Kong authorities arrest journalists’ association head Ronson Chan
Taipei, September 7, 2022–Hong Kong authorities should immediately release Ronson Chan, cease harassing members of the press, and ensure that journalists’ trade groups can work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On the morning of Wednesday, September 7, Hong Kong police arrested Chan, a reporter for the independent online news outlet Channel C…