Tajikistan court rejects journalist Khurshed Fozilov’s appeal of 7-year sentence
Stockholm, August 15, 2023—In response to a Tajikistan court’s recent rejection of journalist Khurshed Fozilov’s appeal of a seven-year prison sentence, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for his immediate release: “Tajik authorities’ rejection of journalist Khurshed Fozilov’s appeal serves to highlight how the courts have facilitated the criminalization of the…
Two years into Taliban rule, media repression worsens in Afghanistan
When the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021, they promised to protect press freedom and women’s rights – a key facet of their efforts to paint a picture of moderation compared to their oppressive rule in the late 1990s. “We are committed to the media within our cultural frameworks. Private media can continue to…
Taliban must end media crackdown in Afghanistan after two years’ rule
Kuala Lumpur, August 14, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Taliban to stop its relentless campaign of media intimidation and abide by its promise to protect journalists in Afghanistan. “Two years after the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan’s once vibrant free press is a ghost of its former self,” Beh Lih Yi, CPJ’s Asia program…
Turkish journalist Barış Pehlivan ordered to return to prison over alleged parole violation
Istanbul, August 9, 2023—Turkish authorities should not force Barış Pehlivan to return to prison for allegedly violating his parole in a 2020 case involving his reporting on a Turkish intelligence officer, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Pehlivan, a columnist for the pro-opposition daily Cumhuriyet, revealed in an August 2 column that he was…
Senegalese journalist Pape Alé Niang released after hunger strike, Maty Sarr Niang remains jailed
Dakar, August 08, 2023 – The Committee to Protect Journalists on Tuesday welcomed the release of journalist Pape Alé Niang, but called for charges against him to be dropped and for Senegalese authorities to unconditionally release journalist Ndèye Maty Niang, also known as Maty Sarr Niang. “The release of journalist Pape Alé Niang is a…
Senegalese journalist Pape Alé Niang arrested over broadcast about opposition politician
Dakar, August 4, 2023—Senegalese authorities must unconditionally release journalist Pape Alé Niang, who began a hunger strike on July 29, and cease all legal proceedings against him related to his work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Tuesday, August 1, Niang, editor of the privately owned news site Dakarmatin, was charged by the…
Russia’s Supreme Court upholds 22-year prison sentence for journalist Ivan Safronov
New York, August 2, 2023 — In response to the Russian Supreme Court decision on Wednesday to uphold the 22-year prison sentence of journalist Ivan Safronov, who was convicted of treason last year, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “The Russian Supreme Court’s refusal to overturn Ivan Safronov’s 22-year prison…
Azerbaijani journalist Vugar Mammadov sentenced to 30 days in jail over interview
Stockholm, July 28, 2023 – Azerbaijani authorities should release journalist Vugar Mammadov and stop retaliating against journalists for reporting on issues in the public interest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Monday, July 24, the Narimanov District Court in the capital, Baku, sentenced Mammadov, chief editor of independent news outlet Hurriyyet, to 30…
Salvadoran journalist Victor Barahona detained overnight
Guatemala City, July 28, 2023—El Salvador authorities must allow journalist Victor Barahona to work freely and without fear of rearrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Authorities first arrested Barahona, who hosts a political affairs show on the local station Canal 29 in the northeastern city of Apopa, in June 2022 and held him…
Russian authorities in Crimea detain 2 journalists; Kulamet Ibraimov remains in custody
New York, July 27, 2023—Authorities in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea must drop all charges against journalists Lutfiye Zudiyeva and Kulamet Ibraimov, release Ibraimov immediately, and stop prosecuting members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Thursday, July 27, police in the Crimean capital of Simferopol detained…