Croatian government minister Ivan Šipić targets journalist Ante Tomić in online attacks
New York, October 9, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Croatian authorities to condemn the October 5 online attacks against columnist Ante Tomić made by Ivan Šipić, Minister of Demography and Immigration, and ensure journalists can safely do their jobs without fear of reprisal in the country. “We are concerned by Minister Ivan Šipić’s rhetoric targeting columnist…
Italian court upholds police search of journalist Simone Innocenti’s home
New York, October 9, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Italian authorities to end all legal proceedings against investigative journalist Simone Innocenti, charged with leaking “official secrets” in connection with his reporting, following an October 4 appeals court decision to uphold the legality of the search of his home and seizure of his devices. “The Italian appeals court’s…
Italian journalists Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini arrested in absentia over Russia war report
Berlin, October 8, 2024—Russian authorities should immediately cancel the arrest warrants issued in absentia for Italian journalists Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini, charged with illegal border crossing following their August 14 report on the Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. “The arrest warrants for Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini are a clear attempt to intimidate and…
At least 3 Ukrainian journalists assaulted over their work
New York, October 8, 2024—Ukrainian authorities should swiftly investigate the recent attacks on journalists Yuriy Leskiv, Elmira Shagabuddinova, and Olena Hnitetska, and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. “CPJ condemns the intimidation of journalists Yuriy Leskiv, Elmira Shagabuddinova, and Olena Hnitetska, and calls on Ukrainian authorities to ensure timely…
CPJ, partners alarmed after Slovak Prime Minister sues journalist, publisher
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined seven partner organizations in a statement on Friday, October 4, 2024, condemning legal action taken by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico against Peter Bárdy, the editor-in-chief of the news website Aktuality and the outlet’s publisher, Ringier Slovak Media. The statement called on the court to dismiss the case. The…
CPJ, partners’ mission to Georgia finds ‘climate of fear’ ahead of elections
On October 1-2, the Committee to Protect Journalists joined eight partner organizations of the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists and members of the Media Freedom Rapid Response consortium on a fact-finding mission to Georgia, ahead of the country’s October 26 parliamentary elections. The mission met with civil…
Azerbaijan extends pretrial detention of 11 journalists ahead of COP29
New York, October 4, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the extended pretrial detentions of 11 journalists in recent weeks, and calls on Azerbaijani authorities to release them ahead of the COP29 climate conference in November. “The continued incarceration of 11 journalists from Azerbaijan’s last remaining critical media outlets cynically ensures that the country’s boldest…
CPJ urges Russia to drop charges against journalists accused of ‘illegal’ border crossing
Berlin, October 3, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Russian authorities to stop harassing international reporters after the Federal Security Service (FSB) filed criminal charges against three journalists on September 27 for allegedly crossing the Russian border illegally from Ukraine. The criminal cases have been initiated against Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Europe correspondent Kathryn…
Death threat sent to Serbian news agency Tanjug over Kosovo reporting
New York, October 2, 2024 — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Serbian authorities to swiftly complete their investigation into a death threat emailed to journalists at the privately owned news agency Tanjug over its reporting on Kosovo, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Authorities said they suspect the threat came from Albania….
CPJ, partners condemn Georgian bill banning LGBTQ+ content
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 22 other organizations advocating for press freedom on Monday in condemning Georgia’s Family Values Bill that would ban broadcasters from reporting on LGBTQ+ issues. The bill would fine broadcasters who air content that promotes LGBTQ+ gender identification and relationships. Georgian press freedom advocates say state authorities often use legislation…