Malaysia hands 2-year prison sentence to UK journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown
Bangkok, February 9, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Malaysian authorities to reverse the decision to sentence British anti-corruption reporter Clare Rewcastle Brown to two years in prison in absentia for criminal defamation over her investigation into a major financial corruption scandal. “Malaysia should scrap the outrageous prison sentence given to Clare Rewcastle Brown…
CPJ condemns phone and internet disruptions, barring of journalists during Pakistan election
New York, February 8, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the cell phone service suspension and widespread internet disruptions as Pakistan went to the polls on Thursday, with reports of journalists prevented from coverage in some areas. “Cutting off mobile communication services on an election day and preventing journalists from reporting from polling stations severely…
Kyrgyzstan upholds detention of 11 journalists; CPJ calls for release
Stockholm, February 6, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Tuesday condemned a Kyrgyzstan court’s decision to uphold the two-month pretrial detention of 11 journalists, who are current and former employees of the anti-corruption investigative outlet Temirov Live. “By confirming the arrests of 11 journalists—an unprecedented assault on press freedom in modern Kyrgyz history—authorities in Kyrgyzstan…
Turkish journalist Azim Deniz shot, wounded in Kayseri
Istanbul, February 6, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists urged the Turkish authorities to thoroughly investigate Monday’s shooting and wounding of journalist Azim Deniz and determine whether he was targeted for his work. “We are very glad journalist Azim Deniz survived a despicable attack, and it is a positive development that the alleged shooter was quickly…
‘Severe fair trial violations’ reported in José Rubén Zamora’s case
Mexico City, February 5, 2024—A report released Monday by TrialWatch assigned a failing grade to the legal proceedings in the trial of award-winning Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora, citing numerous breaches of international and regional fair-trial standards and concluding that the prosecution and conviction of Zamora are likely retaliatory measures for his investigative journalism. The…
CPJ alarmed by extended communications blackout in Sudan
New York, February 5, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reports of an ongoing communications blackout across most of Sudan since Friday and urgently calls for an immediate restoration of telecoms and internet networks across the country, where a nearly 10-month conflict has displaced millions. Since February 2, mobile and internet services provided…
CPJ calls on China to reverse death sentence against Yang Hengjun
Taipei, February 5, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Chinese court’s decision to hand Australian blogger and writer Yang Hengjun a suspended death sentence, and urges the Chinese authorities to free him immediately and unconditionally. “The suspended death sentence for Yang is completely unacceptable, revealing the arbitrary nature of the Chinese legal system,” said…
CPJ calls on Kazakh authorities to accredit 36 RFE/RL journalists
Stockholm, February 2, 2024 – The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned a recent decision by Kazakh authorities to block accreditation to dozens of journalists working for Radio Azattyq, the local U.S. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty service, and called on authorities to allow the outlet to work freely. “RFE/RL’s Kazakh service is well known for its…
CPJ condemns acquittal of those involved in the 1999 murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija
New York, February 2, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned a Serbian court of appeals decision announced on Friday to acquit those involved in the 1999 murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija and called on Serbian authorities to continue taking steps to bring the killers to justice. “The acquittal of the former members of the Serbian…
Malawian investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe in hiding following threat of arrest
Lusaka, February 2, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reports that the prominent Malawian investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe has gone into hiding, following threats of arrest over his coverage of the country’s military. “Investigative journalists like Gregory Gondwe play a vital role in ensuring good governance in a democratic society. Any attempts to…