DRC journalist detained since January, another in hiding after mining impact report
Kinshasa, May 13, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to release journalist Stéphane Shisso, who was arrested in January after reporting on erosion caused by mining, and to ensure the safety of his colleague Guelord Shamba, who is in hiding. “It is a grave injustice that…
Venezuelan journalist details complicated fight for amnesty post-Maduro
After nearly a year in prison, Venezuelan journalist Rory Branker is finally free. But he has yet to liberate himself from what legal experts and press freedom groups describe as trumped-up criminal charges that are hanging over his head. After the U.S. military ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, Branker was one of more than two dozen journalists to be…
How the Trump administration is using immigration authorities to restrict speech
During President Donald Trump’s second term, immigration authorities under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have increasingly used their powers to curb independent and critical reporting. Here are four things you need to know about how immigration agencies have participated in restricting press freedom in the United States: See CPJ’s first-ever travel advisory for journalists entering and…
Indian journalists injured in mob attack after questioning Jharkhand minister
New Delhi, May 7, 2026—Indian authorities must swiftly investigate and hold responsible those behind an attack on two journalists who were beaten after asking critical questions to a minister in the eastern state of Jharkhand, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On April 28, Ashish Kumar, a reporter for regional satellite news channel Raftaar…
Indian police invoke anti-terror law to unmask anonymous news handle TeluguScribe
New Delhi, April 29, 2026—Indian authorities in the southern state of Telangana must drop their investigation into social media news outlet TeluguScribe and stop the misuse of anti-terror legislation to silence criticism in the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On April 18, the Intelligence Department of the Telangana Police issued a formal…
Belarus frees journalist Andrzej Poczobut
New York, April 28, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release by Belarus on Tuesday of journalist Andrzej Poczobut, as part of a Polish-Belarusian prisoner exchange involving the United States, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. The swap, which included ten prisoners from various countries, took place at the Polish-Belarusian border and was confirmed by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who posted a picture of…
CPJ demands transparency as German reporter confirmed detained in Syria
Sulaymaniyah, April 27, 2026 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) calls on Syrian authorities to provide immediate and transparent information on the detention of German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann and the continued enforced disappearance of Kurdish-Turkish journalist Ahmed Polad, who sources say is being held in a Syrian detention facility. Despite confirmation from Michelmann’s…
Ugandan journalists face up to 20 years in jail under draconian foreign agents bill
New York, April 24, 2026—Uganda is set to pass a foreign agents bill, whose sweeping provisions could be used to imprison journalists critically reporting on economics, foreign policy, or elections for up to 20 years, limit foreign media funding to about $100,000, and subject newsrooms to intrusive state oversight. The Protection of Sovereignty Bill says…
Zambian lawyers fight for media freedom as journalists harassed ahead of election
Lusaka, April 22, 2026—For months, lawyer Josiah Kalala has been working late into the night on a case he believes could define the future of press freedom in Zambia: preparing arguments, reviewing legal provisions, and consulting colleagues. Kalala, who heads Chapter One Foundation, a local human rights group, hopes that the hundreds of hours he…
Courts in Turkey sentence four journalists for critical commentary
Istanbul, April 15, 2026—Turkish authorities must stop harassing critical journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Zafer Arapkirli (of the leftist daily BirGün and BirGün TV), Barış Pehlivan (of the pro-opposition daily Cumhuriyet, and the Onlar TV YouTube channel), Timur Soykan (BirGün, Onlar TV), and Murat Ağırel (Cumhuriyet, Onlar TV) were sentenced to prison by two Istanbul courts in…