Algerian authorities briefly detain at least 6 journalists covering protests
On May 11, 2021, Algerian security forces briefly detained at least six journalists in downtown Algiers, the capital, while they were covering anti-government protests, according to news reports and Bouzid Ichalalene and Mustapha Bendjama, two local journalists and press freedom advocates, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app. According to those sources, police arrested: Khaled…
South Sudan detains Al-Watan editor for over 3 weeks
New York, August 9, 2019—Authorities in South Sudan should immediately release Michael Christopher, editor-in-chief of the Arabic-language daily Al-Watan, and halt its harassment of his publication, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
South Sudanese media regulator bars newspaper from covering Sudan crisis
Nairobi, January 18, 2019–South Sudan’s state media regulator should immediately lift an order barring a privately-owned newspaper from covering protests in neighboring Sudan and issue a statement guaranteeing the media’s right to press freedom and editorial independence, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
CPJ calls on Saudi Arabia to account for Jamal Khashoggi’s whereabouts
New York, October 6, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Saudi Arabia to immediately account for the whereabouts of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has not been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Multiple news outlets reported today that Turkish authorities, who have been investigating his disappearance…
CPJ expresses concern for Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi
Beirut, October 3, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist who has been living in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 2017, and urges Saudi authorities to immediately disclose his whereabouts. Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post and a former editor-in-chief of the Saudi newspaper Al-Watan who…
Saudi journalist jailed for five years for insulting royal court
New York, February 8, 2018–A specialized criminal court in Saudi Arabia sentenced al-Watan columnist Saleh al-Shehi to five years in prison for “insulting the royal court,” and imposed a five-year travel ban that will go into effect on his release, according to a report published today in the privately-owned Saudi newspaper Okaz. Saudi security forces…
Sudan arrests journalists, confiscates papers for reporting on inflation protests
New York, January 18, 2017–Sudanese authorities should cease harassing and arresting journalists and confiscating newspapers, and should allow journalists to report on matters of public interest without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Saudi Arabian authorities arrest local journalist following critical commentary
New York, January 5, 2018 — Saudi Arabian authorities must immediately release Saleh al-Shehi from detention and stop arresting journalists who criticize the country’s government, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Saudi security forces arrested al-Shehi, a columnist for the Saudi Arabian daily al-Watan, on January 3, according to Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi…
Amid Gulf tensions, press is used as a political pawn
Today Bahrain became the latest Gulf nation to put pressure on news outlets amid political tension, when its Interior Ministry announced that anyone publishing support or sympathy for Qatar faces up to five years in prison. The announcement came the day after the United Arab Emirates used the threat of prison to demarcate how journalists…