Turkish authorities harass Greek journalists covering earthquake, smash cameras and phones
Istanbul, March 21, 2023 – Turkish authorities should conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the recent official harassment of a Greek reporting crew and ensure that members of the press can work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On February 16, members of the Presidency of Religious Affairs, a Turkish…
Tajik journalist Khurshed Fozilov detained on extremism charges
Stockholm, March 17, 2023 – Tajik authorities should release journalist Khurshed Fozilov and stop prosecuting journalists in retaliation for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On March 6, officers of the State Committee for National Security in the western city of Panjakent detained Fozilov, a freelance journalist, according to news reports. Authorities…
Belarusian journalist Maryna Zolatava sentenced to 12 years in prison, Valeryia Kastsiuhova to 10 years
Paris, March 17, 2023 — Belarusian authorities should immediately release journalists Maryna Zolatava and Valeryia Kastsiuhova, drop all charges against them, and stop imprisoning members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Friday, March 17, a court in the capital city of Minsk convicted Zolatava of incitement to…
Authorities detain journalists throughout Belarus, 5 remain in custody
Paris, March 16, 2023 — Belarusian authorities should release all journalists held for their work and stop harassing and intimidating members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Since March 10, authorities have detained at least seven journalists throughout the country, five of whom remain in custody, and raided the office of…
CPJ calls on Uzbek authorities to ensure Karakalpak journalists are not imprisoned for their work
Stockholm, March 16, 2023 – Uzbekistan authorities should ensure that members of the press are not prosecuted for their work and should refrain from attempts to intimidate journalists and their families during trials, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Friday, March 17, a court in the southern city of Bukhara is scheduled to…
French journalist Cemil Şanlı receives death threat, accosted outside home
Berlin, March 16, 2023 — French authorities should thoroughly investigate threats and insults received by journalist Cemil Şanlı and take immediate steps to ensure his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On the morning of March 2, Şanlı, a broadcast journalist for the privately owned independent news outlet Le Média TV, received a…
Georgian authorities deny entry to Russian journalist Aleksandra Shvedchenko
Paris, March 14, 2023 – Georgian authorities should allow Russian journalists to enter the country and work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Tuesday, March 14, border guards at the airport in Tbilisi, the capital, held Aleksandra Shvedchenko, a reporter with independent broadcaster Dozhd TV, for about 30 minutes before denying her…
Italian police investigate Domani newspaper in criminal defamation case
Berlin, March 14, 2022—Italian authorities should drop any investigation into the Domani newspaper and ensure that members of the press do not face criminal charges for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On March 3, two uniformed carabinieri officers arrived at the newsroom of independent private daily newspaper Domani in Rome, according…
RFE/RL Russian branch declared bankrupt by Moscow court
Paris, March 13, 2023 – In response to news reports that a Russian court declared Monday that the local branch of the U.S. Congress-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was bankrupt, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “The bankruptcy of RFE/RL in Russia demonstrates how the country’s legislation on so-called…
Georgian police beat, obstruct journalists covering protests against foreign agent law
Stockholm, March 13, 2023 – Georgian authorities should thoroughly investigate the recent obstruction of journalists covering protests and ensure members of the press can report freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Starting March 2, law enforcement officers in the capital, Tbilisi, attacked and obstructed the work of at least 14 journalists…