Ethiopian journalist Temesgen Desalegn denied bail, ordered to remain in detention
Nairobi, August 1, 2022 – Ethiopian authorities should release journalist Temesgen Desalegn immediately and drop all charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On July 28, Ethiopia’s federal Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s decision to grant bail to Temesgen, editor of the privately owned magazine Feteh, and ruled that he should…
Cuban journalist Lázaro Yuri Valle Roca sentenced to 5 years in prison
New York, August 1, 2022 — In response to a Cuban court’s July 28 decision sentencing Cuban journalist Lázaro Yuri Valle Roca to five years in prison for “enemy propaganda and resistance,” the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “Cuban authorities have already unjustly held journalist Lázaro Yuri Valle Roca behind…
CPJ calls for immediate release of Guatemala journalist José Rubén Zamora
New York, July 30, 2022 — In response to news reports about the arrest of Guatemalan journalist and president of the elPeriódico newspaper José Rubén Zamora, the Committee to Protect Journalists released the following statement on Saturday: “Guatemalan authorities should immediately release and drop any criminal charges against journalist José Rubén Zamora, president of elPeriódico,” said…
CPJ calls on US officials to act after Blinken meeting with Shireen Abu Akleh’s family
New York, July 26, 2022 – U.S. authorities must follow their meeting with family members of slain Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh with substantive action to investigate her death and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On Tuesday, July 26, Abu Akleh’s relatives met with U.S. Secretary of…
Somaliland authorities indefinitely suspend BBC
Nairobi, July 20, 2022— In response to news reports that authorities in the breakaway region of Somaliland on July 19 indefinitely suspended the BBC, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Taking the BBC off the air will only rob the public of access to a source of critical reporting on matters of…
CPJ says Biden’s failure to address press freedom issues on Mideast tour leaves journalists more vulnerable
Washington, D.C., July 18, 2022 — The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed dismay Monday that President Joe Biden failed to meaningfully address press freedom and journalists’ rights during his Middle East tour last week. “The U.S. effectively shrugged its shoulders over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, did not push for the release of…
CPJ ‘appalled’ by Biden’s failure to hold Mohammed bin Salman to account over Jamal Khashoggi killing
Washington, D.C., July 15, 2022–The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed deep disappointment on Friday about President Joe Biden’s comments following his meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “The Committee to Protect Journalists is appalled that President Joe Biden did not make any meaningful statement about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi…
CPJ cautiously welcomes Biden pledge on investigation into Shireen Abu Akleh’s death; calls for US to address press freedom in Saudi Arabia and Egypt
Washington, D.C., July 15, 2022 – In response to media reports that President Joe Biden will insist on “a full and transparent accounting” of the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement Friday: “While CPJ welcomes President Biden’s public call for accountability into the death of journalist Shireen Abu…
Belarusian journalist Yury Hantsarevich sentenced to 2.5 years on extremism charges
Stockholm, July 14, 2022 – In response to a Belarus court’s sentencing of journalist Yury Hantsarevich to two years and six months in prison on an extremism charge Thursday, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for authorities not to contest his appeal. “Sentenced today for taking photographs, Yury Hantsarevich is merely…
CPJ calls on EU to hold India to account for media clampdown
Brussels, July 13, 2022 – The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday called on the European External Action Service to hold Indian authorities accountable for widespread and severe press freedom violations when they meet for the annual India-EU Human Rights Dialogue on Friday, July 15. “The dialogue should be an opportunity for the EU to…