Eswatini police detain, abuse 2 reporters from South African outlet New Frame
Lusaka, Zambia, July 8, 2021 – Eswatini authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the recent arrests and abuse in custody of journalists Magnificent Mndebele and Cebelihle Mbuyisa, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 9 a.m. on July 4, soldiers on the MR3 highway near…
Sudanese authorities block news websites, briefly detain Al-Jazeera reporter covering protests
New York, July 7, 2021 – Sudanese authorities should immediately allow access to all news websites in the country, and stop harassing and intimidating journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Starting June 30, authorities blocked dozens of news and other websites in response to anti-government protests that began the previous day, according to…
CPJ joins letter urging Eswatini King Mswati III to guarantee journalists’ safety
The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined 20 other media freedom organizations in an open letter to Eswatini King Mswati III, urging him to guarantee the safety and security of journalists and media workers in the country. Since late June, Eswatini authorities have fired tear gas at reporters and partially shut down the internet amid…
CPJ calls on U.S. to publish list of all websites recently seized in sanctions crackdown
New York, June 29, 2021 – The United States Justice Department should clarify its rationale for seizing dozens of media websites last week, and should publish a list of all websites targeted for allegedly violating sanctions, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 22, the Justice Department issued a statement saying that it…
Uzbek news websites Kun.uz and Azon.uz fined for allegedly publishing ‘religious material’ without approval
Stockholm, June 24, 2021 – Uzbek authorities should drop the fines issued to staff members of the independent news websites Kun.uz and Azon.uz, and let all outlets report and comment freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 21, the Chilonzor District Court in Tashkent, the capital, fined several people affiliated with both…
West Africa court orders Nigeria to refrain from sanctioning media for using Twitter
New York, June 23, 2021 — In response to yesterday’s ruling by the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Court of Justice ordering Nigeria to refrain from sanctioning media outlets and Nigerian citizens for using Twitter, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The ECOWAS court order for Nigeria to refrain from…
Hong Kong’s Apple Daily newspaper to cease publication
Washington, D.C., June 23, 2021 — In response to today’s decision by Hong Kong-based media company Next Digital to cease publication of the Apple Daily newspaper, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The Next Digital board’s decision to cease publication of the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper is the result of the Chinese…
EU must highlight press freedom in Turkey during upcoming talks
Brussels, June 22, 2021 – European Union leaders should use the upcoming European Council meeting to call for Turkey to improve its press freedom record, including the release of all jailed journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Officials plan to discuss EU-Turkey relations during the meeting, scheduled for June 24 and 25, according…
Kurdish authorities in Syria revoke Kurdistan 24 license, close offices
New York, June 21, 2021 — Authorities in north and east Syria should reverse their decision to revoke Kurdistan 24’s broadcasting license and should allow it to work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, the Media Department of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, the Kurdish-led de facto…
CPJ joins call urging Ethiopia to maintain internet access during elections
The Committee to Protect Journalists recently joined 46 other human rights, free expression, and technology organizations in a letter calling on Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to guarantee secure and reliable internet access during and following the country’s elections. In the letter, sent on June 18, members of the #KeepItOn Coalition against internet shutdowns also…