Deadly year for journalists as killings rose sharply in 2022
By Jennifer Dunham/CPJ Deputy Editorial Director Published January 24, 2023 Key Takeaways | Methodology | 2022 Killed Data | Interactive Map | Video The year 2022 was deadly for members of the press. At least 67 journalists and media workers were killed during the year–the highest number since 2018 and an almost 50% increase from…
CPJ: India’s blocking of BBC documentary on PM Modi contradicts commitment to democracy
New Delhi, January 23, 2023 – In response to Indian authorities’ restricting access to the BBC documentary “India: The Modi Question” on YouTube and Twitter, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for access to the documentary to be restored: “The Indian government’s order to social media platforms to block a BBC…
Afghan journalist Khairullah Parhar detained by Taliban since January 9
New York, January 23, 2023 – Taliban authorities must immediately release Afghan journalist Khairullah Parhar and stop arbitrarily detaining members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On January 9, agents with the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence detained Parhar, a reporter and chair of the Nangarhar Sports Journalists Association in Kabul,…
Hold The Line Coalition welcomes acquittal of Maria Ressa and Rappler, calls for all remaining cases to be closed
January 18, 2023 – The Hold the Line Coalition (HTL) welcomes Wednesday’s Philippine Court of Tax Appeals verdict, which has acquitted Nobel laureate Maria Ressa and Rappler, the news organization she founded, of tax evasion in four of seven cases brought by the government. If they had failed to defend the charges, Ressa could have…
Pakistani journalist Shahid Aslam arrested in leak investigation
New York, January 17, 2023 – Pakistan authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Shahid Aslam and allow the media to freely and independently report on military officials, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On January 13, Federal Investigation Agency officers in Lahore arrested Aslam, a special correspondent for the privately owned broadcaster BOL…
Hong Kong denies entry to Japanese photographer who covered 2019 pro-democracy protests
On December 30, 2022, Hong Kong immigration authorities denied Michiko Kiseki, a freelance photographer known for her photography of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy demonstrations, entry to the city, according to news reports and a statement by the Hong Kong Journalist’s Association. An immigration officer at the Hong Kong International Airport repeatedly asked Kiseki about her February…
Myanmar sentences 8 journalists to years in prison, releases 6 others
Bangkok, January 11, 2023 – Myanmar’s military regime must stop arbitrarily imprisoning journalists and should allow independent media groups to report the news without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. In December, Myanmar courts sentenced at least eight independent journalists to prison terms ranging from three to 10 years, according to…
CPJ calls for release of 2 journalists jailed for covering Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests
Taipei, January 5, 2023 – Hong Kong authorities must immediately release two journalists jailed in relation to their coverage of protests in 2019 and 2020, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Freelancers Tang Cheuk-yu and Choy Kin-yue are among many facing criminal charges for documenting the city’s historic pro-democracy demonstrations during that period. A…
Bangladeshi environmental journalist Abu Azad abducted, severely beaten
New York, January 4, 2023—Bangladesh authorities must conduct a swift investigation into the abduction and assault of journalist Abu Azad and hold the perpetrators accountable, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On December 25, in the Rangunia region of the southeastern Chittagong division, a group of six to seven men confronted Azad, a reporter…
Taliban intelligence officials beat, interrogate journalist Zabihullah Noori
New York, December 22, 2022 – Taliban authorities must investigate the 48-hour detention and cruel assault of Afghan journalist Zabihullah Noori, and hold its intelligence agency to account for the ongoing crackdown on members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On December 9, around 50 armed officers surrounded and entered the…