Taliban militants raid homes of at least 4 media workers in Afghanistan
Washington, D.C., August 18, 2021 — The Taliban must immediately cease attacking journalists and searching their homes, and allow members of the press to operate freely and without fear of violence or reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Since the Taliban took power in the country earlier this week, militants have searched the…
Jammu and Kashmir police assault journalists covering religious procession
New Delhi, August 17, 2021 – Authorities in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir should investigate the recent police attacks on journalists in the city of Srinagar and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. This afternoon, police officers attacked a group of journalists covering a procession in Srinagar marking Muharram, the…
US must protect Afghan journalists as Taliban take power
Hundreds seek assistance, relocation amid threat from militant group New York, August 16, 2021 – The United States must do more to ensure the safety of Afghan journalists as the country falls under the control of the Taliban, including facilitating safe passage out of the country and providing emergency visas, the Committee to Protect Journalists…
Cambodian authorities force reporters to delete photos, video of protest
Bangkok, August 16, 2021 – Cambodian authorities should return all items confiscated from reporters An Vichet and Lors Lib Lib, and ensure they can work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On August 13, police officers obstructed both journalists while they were covering a protest by villagers against the demolition of homes in…
Indian journalist Manish Kumar Singh found dead in Bihar state
New Delhi, August 13, 2021 – Authorities in India’s eastern Bihar state must fully investigate the death of journalist Manish Kumar Singh, determine whether he was killed in relation to his work, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Singh, a reporter with the Hindi-language privately…
#HoldTheLine Coalition welcomes dismissal of cyber libel charge against Maria Ressa and calls for remaining charges to be dropped
New York, August 12, 2021 – The #HoldTheLine (#HTL) Coalition welcomes the dismissal of a cyber libel charge against Rappler CEO and founder Maria Ressa in the Philippines — the second spurious charge against Ressa to be dropped in just two months. The #HTL coalition calls for all remaining charges to be immediately dropped and the…
Sri Lankan authorities interrogate journalist Punniyamoorthy Sasikaran
On July 4, 2021, police officers in Batticaloa, in eastern Sri Lanka, visited the home of journalist Punniyamoorthy Sasikaran and told his mother that he was under a preliminary investigation for suspected terrorism, according to the journalist, who spoke to CPJ in a phone interview. The officers summoned Sasikaran, a freelance Tamil journalist and treasurer…
Pakistan authorities detain, investigate journalists Amir Mir and Imran Shafqat
Washington, D.C., August 10, 2021 — Pakistan authorities should immediately drop their investigations into journalists Amir Mir and Imran Shafqat, and cease harassing members of the press in retaliation for their coverage of public institutions, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On August 7, officers with the Federal Investigation Agency arrested Mir, CEO of…
Pakistani journalists with BOL News assaulted covering hotel gathering during COVID-19 lockdown
On July 31, 2021, employees at the Peshawari Chapli Kebab Hotel, a hotel and restaurant in the Shah Faysal colony of Karachi city in the southern Sindh province assaulted, harassed, and obstructed the work of four journalists and media workers with privately owned news channel BOL News, according to a BOL report and a video…
Suspected Taliban militants kill 1 Afghan journalist, kidnap another
Washington, D.C., August 9, 2021 – Afghan authorities must immediately and thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Toofan Omar and ensure the safe release of journalist Nematullah Hemat, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, unidentified gunmen shot and killed Omar, a manager of the privately owned radio station Paktia Ghag Radio, according to…