New Uzbekistan laws ban using internet to ‘disrespect’ the government, organize protests
Stockholm, April 28, 2021 – Uzbek authorities should repeal recent legal amendments that deepen restrictions on online speech, and should ensure that journalists are free to report and comment on issues of public importance without fear of prosecution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 31, new amendments to the country’s criminal code,…
Russian journalist Timur Mazayev receives death threats over news outlet’s Instagram post
New York, April 28, 2021 — Authorities in the Russian republic of North Ossetia should conduct a swift investigation into the death threats made to journalist Timur Mazayev, his colleagues, and his family, and ensure their safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 14, a man identifying himself as Zelimkhan Bitarov, the…
Council of Europe journalist safety platform warns of backsliding press freedom
The Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalism and the Safety of Journalists today published its annual report, “Wanted! Real Action for Media Freedom in Europe.” The report calls on the Council of Europe and its member states to show political will to address deteriorating press freedom in the region, based on an…
Unidentified man attacks Italian TV crew with metal chain, injuring 3
Berlin, April 27, 2021 — Italian authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the attack on Rete 4 TV reporter Carmen La Gatta and her crew, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 11, an unidentified man attacked La Gatta and two Rete 4 support…
Russia designates independent outlets Meduza and PASMI as ‘foreign agents’
New York, April 26, 2021 – Russian authorities should reverse their decision to designate independent media outlets Meduza and PASMI as foreign agents, and should repeal or reform the country’s foreign agent law, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 23, Russia’s Justice Ministry added the independent Latvia-based news website Meduza to its…
Uzbek journalist Sid Yanyshev charged over corruption reporting
Stockholm, April 22, 2021 – Uzbek authorities should drop all charges against journalist Sid Yanyshev and allow him to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday afternoon, police in Tashkent, the capital, arrested Yanyshev, who works as a freelance contributor to the independent news website Fergana, according to a report by Fergana…
At least 10 journalists detained while covering pro-Navalny rallies in Russia
Vilnius, Lithuania, April 22, 2021 — Russian authorities should stop harassing journalists and allow members of the press to cover political demonstrations without fear, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, police detained at least 10 journalists and harassed several others in relation to their coverage of unauthorized protests in support of jailed Russian…
Crimean court fines chief editor of Qirim newspaper
New York, April 21, 2021 – Authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea should not contest the appeal of journalist Bekir Mamutov, and should refrain from fining members of the press over their coverage, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, the magistrates’ court of the Zheleznodorozhny district of Simferopol, the capital of Russian-occupied Crimea, convicted Mamutov,…
Serbian radio host Daško Milinović assaulted, 1 suspect apprehended
Berlin, April 20, 2021 — Serbian authorities should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the assault of radio host Daško Milinović and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 16, at about 6:45 a.m., two unidentified men pepper-sprayed Milinović while he was walking to work in the…
Russian law enforcement raid student magazine DOXA, place 4 editors under home detention
New York, April 15, 2021 – Russian authorities should immediately drop all charges against DOXA editors Armen Aramyan, Natalia Tyshkevich, Vladimir Metelkin, and Alla Gutnikova, and allow them to work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, law enforcement officers in Moscow raided the office of the independent student-run magazine DOXA…