Chinese journalist held for reporting on Wuhan COVID outbreak wishes he’d done more
When reports of a novel respiratory virus spreading through Wuhan began to surface in early 2020, a few independent video journalists rushed to the city. Among them was Li Zehua, a former journalist for state broadcaster CCTV, who goes by the name Kcriss Li. Giving the slip to officials chasing down reporters who challenged the…
CPJ: India’s blocking of BBC documentary on PM Modi contradicts commitment to democracy
New Delhi, January 23, 2023 – In response to Indian authorities’ restricting access to the BBC documentary “India: The Modi Question” on YouTube and Twitter, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for access to the documentary to be restored: “The Indian government’s order to social media platforms to block a BBC…
CPJ condemns 10-year prison sentence for Tajik journalist Daler Imomali
Stockholm, October 18, 2022—In response to news reports that independent journalist Daler Imomali on Monday, October 17, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Tajikistan on multiple charges related to his reporting, including participation in banned organizations, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement condemning the ruling: “From the start, it has…
Tajikistan authorities announce further extremism investigations into 3 detained journalists
Stockholm, July 21, 2022 – Tajikistan authorities should drop criminal extremism and all other investigations into journalists Avazmad Ghurbatov, Zavqibek Saidamini, and Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda and release them and journalist Daler Imomali immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. “The ongoing detentions and extremism investigations into four journalists known for their coverage of social injustices…
Tajikistan authorities arrest 2 journalists who criticized other journalists’ detentions
New York, July 14, 2022 – Tajik authorities should immediately provide information on the whereabouts of journalist Zavqibek Saidamini and blogger Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda and ensure they are released from custody at once, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On the evening of July 8, plainclothes law enforcement officers in the capital, Dushanbe, detained Saidamini,…
Russia-Ukraine watch
How the war is affecting press freedom in the region Updated June 16, 2022 Russia’s February 24 full-scale invasion of Ukraine marked a sharp escalation in threats to press freedom in the region and beyond. Journalists in Ukraine have been killed covering the war, while many of their Russian counterparts have fled or faced persecution….
Pakistani journalist Muhammad Bilal Ghauri summoned over YouTube videos
Washington, D.C., June 22, 2021 – Pakistani authorities should cease harassing journalist Muhammad Bilal Ghauri and allow all members of the press to freely report on state institutions, including the military, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Today, M. Waseem Sikandar, a sub-inspector at the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad,…
Russian authorities open court case against journalist Yury Dud for distributing ‘drug propaganda’
New York, June 17, 2021 – Russian authorities should drop all court proceedings against journalist Yury Dud and ensure that he can work freely and safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 10, the Zyuzinsky District Court in Moscow accepted a lawsuit filed against Dud, who runs the YouTube channel vDud, for…
Vietnam sentences independent reporter Tran Thi Tuyet Dieu to 8 years in prison
Bangkok, April 26, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today strongly condemned the conviction and severe prison sentence given to Vietnamese journalist Tran Thi Tuyet Dieu and called for her immediate and unconditional release. On April 23, the People’s Court in Phu Yen province convicted Dieu under Article 117 of the penal code, an anti-state provision that bans “creating, storing and disseminating information and materials” against the state, and sentenced her…
Journalists jailed for social media “terrorism” highlight content moderation challenges
A journalist in China uploaded a video to YouTube criticizing the Chinese government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan. Another, in Vietnam, left a state-owned newspaper but continued posting stories they wouldn’t let her cover on Facebook. In Egypt, a freelance photographer streamed an anti-government protest from his balcony on Facebook Live. In Iran,…