Serbian reporter Marko Dragoslavić punched after Belgrade protest
Berlin, March 13, 2023 – Serbian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the recent attack on reporter Marko Dragoslavić, hold the perpetrator to account, and ensure that journalists can cover protests safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On March 7, an unidentified man punched Dragoslavić, a reporter for the privately owned news agency…
Belarusian court upholds journalist Ivan Muravyou’s 2.5-year prison term
Paris, March 10, 2023–In response to news reports that Belarusian authorities upheld the two-and-a-half-year prison sentence of journalist Ivan Muravyou on Friday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement condemning the ruling: “In Belarus, where trials of members of the media are ruthless and politically motivated, any hope of a fair verdict seems…
Belarusian authorities label newspaper, journalists’ association as ‘extremist’
Paris, March 7, 2023 — In response to multiple news reports that the Belarusian security service recently labeled the exiled Belarusian Association of Journalists and independent newspaper Brestskaya Gazeta as “extremist,” the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for authorities to stop harassing the organizations and let them work freely: “By labeling…
Council of Europe journalist safety platform publishes annual report on press freedom
On March 7, 2023, the Council of Europe’s platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists published “War in Europe and the fight for the right to report,” an annual report providing a snapshot of the situation regarding media freedom and journalist safety in Europe, including recommendations for action. The report was…
Belarusian prosecutor requests 10 years in prison for journalist Valeryia Kastsiuhova
Paris, March 6, 2023–In response to media reports reports that a Belarusian prosecutor on Monday requested that journalist Valeryia Kastsiuhova be sentenced to 10 years in prison, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “A Belarusian prosecutor’s request that journalist Valeryia Kastsiuhova spend a decade behind bars is yet another illustration…
Russian court sentences journalist Andrey Novashov to 8 months of correctional labor
Paris, March 6, 2023 – In response to multiple news reports that a Russian court Monday sentenced journalist Andrey Novashov to eight months of correctional labor, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “Russian journalist Andrey Novashov’s case demonstrates how authorities are using wartime censorship measures to silence members of the…
Russian legislature adopts bill extending censorship on war reporting
Paris, March 2, 2023 – In response to multiple news reports that the lower house of the Russian parliament adopted amendments on Thursday, March 2, to expand existing penalties for spreading “fake” information about or discrediting participants on Russia’s side of the war in Ukraine, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of…
Turkish authorities jail 2 journalists over earthquake coverage, detain a third overnight
Istanbul, March 2, 2023–Turkish authorities should immediately release two journalists detained over their coverage of the recent earthquakes in the country and ensure that members of the press do not face criminal charges for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On the evening of Monday, February 27, police in the eastern province…
Slovak radio host Marta Jančkárová receives death threats following bias allegation
Berlin, March 2, 2023 — Slovak authorities should follow through on pledges to ensure the safety of radio host Marta Jančkárová and her family and thoroughly investigate death threats made against them as a result of her work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Jančkárová, who hosts the weekly debate show Sobotné Dialógy (Saturday…
CPJ, press freedom groups express support for Guardian journalist Carole Cadwalladr following libel verdict
The Committee to Protect Journalists and 12 other international press freedom organizations reiterated their support on Wednesday for journalist Carole Cadwalladr after the U.K. Court of Appeal ruled in a libel lawsuit against her on February 28. Cadwalladr reports for the Guardian newspaper and its Sunday sister paper, the Observer. Millionaire businessman and political donor…