Ugandan security forces attack and detain journalists covering protests
Nairobi, August 23, 2018–Security forces beat and detained at least four journalists covering protests in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on August 20, and confiscated or damaged their equipment. CPJ today condemned the attacks and called on Ugandan authorities to hold those responsible to account.
Ukrainian reporter held by Moscow-backed separatists forced to confess in Russia state TV interview
New York, August 22, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Russian state-run TV channel Rossiya 24’s broadcast of an interview with Stanislav Aseyev, a Ukrainian reporter held for more than a year by Russia-backed separatists, in which he falsely confessed to spying for Ukraine. CPJ also reiterates its call for Aseyev’s immediate release.
Egypt extends detention period for four journalists held as part of mass trial
New York, August 21, 2018– Egyptian national security prosecutors ordered four more journalists to be detained as part of a case in which more than a dozen journalists, along with academics and activists, are charged with belonging to a banned group and with spreading false news. The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on authorities…
Cambodian journalists released on bail but espionage charges remain
Bangkok, August 21, 2018–Two former Radio Free Asia journalists were granted bail in Cambodia today by Phnom Penh’s Municipal Court, according to news reports. Uon Chhin, a videographer, and Yeang Sothearin, previously a news editor at the U.S. Congress-funded station, were arrested on November 14, 2017 and held in pre-trial detention until their release today.…
Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam detained after post about Dhaka protests
New York, August 5, 2018–A group of men who said they were from the detective branch of Dhaka police today took Shahidul Alam, a photographer, commentator, and the founder of the Bangladeshi multimedia organization Drik and Pathshala Media Institute, from his home, hours after he posted a video to Facebook about protests in the city,…
Journalist detained by Houthis at Yemen checkpoint
Yemeni journalist Eissa Abad was stopped at a checkpoint controlled by the Ansar Allah movement, commonly known as the Houthis, in the town of Rahda, on July 22, 2018, and detained, according to reports. The journalist was stopped while on the way to Aden, where he was due to catch a flight to Lebanon for…
Congolese police detain journalists, seize equipment at Kinshasa TV studio
Goma, August, 1, 2018–Congolese police raided the privately owned television production studio Kin Lartus, detained at least 10 of the studio’s journalists, and seized equipment, according to Kin Lartus journalists and a local, independent press freedom group. The Committee to Protect Journalists today urged authorities to return confiscated materials and cease its campaign of intimidation…
Filipino journalists beaten, arrested while covering labor strike
Bangkok, August 1, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the detention of five Filipino journalists and the attack on at least one reporter by police and private security guards in Bulacan province’s Meycauayan City and called for an independent investigation that brings the perpetrators to justice.
In Belarus, critical blogger Sergey Petrukhin faces new charges
New York, July 31, 2018–Belarusian authorities should end their harassment of independent blogger Sergey Petrukhin and allow him to work without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. A court today charged Petrukhin with disobedience of an official order, according to the independent Belarusian Association of Journalists.