Pandemic threatens not just lives, but livelihoods for freelancers worldwide
As the global tally of coronavirus cases continues to rise, CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney published a piece in Al Jazeera highlighting why it is so crucial for journalists to be protected during the pandemic. A new blog by CPJ Advocacy Director Courtney Radsch highlights a range of additional concerns for freelance journalists around…
Trump’s attacks on the press a threat to truth
Ecuadorian journalist Dayanna Monroy spoke to CPJ about covering the COVID-19 crisis in Guayaquil, the epicenter of Ecuador’s COVID-19 outbreak. Monroy – who visits the area’s hotspots nearly every day – discussed the challenges of reporting on COVID-19 in a country that lacks accurate official information about the virus. CPJ also spoke with a journalist…
Newspapers suspended in 6 Middle Eastern countries due to COVID-19 fears
Across the Middle East this past month, printing presses have ground to a halt after governments in Iraq, Yemen, Oman, Morocco, Jordan, and Iran suspended the printing and distribution of newspapers, citing COVID-19 fears despite a lack of evidence that it can be transmitted via newsprint. As part of a series of Q&As with journalists…
‘Like visiting hell’: How an Italian journalist is reporting on COVID-19 from the frontlines
CPJ Europe Correspondent Attila Mong spoke with Stefania Battistini, a reporter for Italian public broadcaster RAI, about her experience covering the coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy, one of the hardest-hit regions in the world. Battistini compared the experience to reporting in a warzone. “The enemy is everywhere and you don’t know how to defend yourself,”…
Governments around the world crack down on journalists covering COVID-19
This week, journalists covering COVID-19 have been arrested in Venezuela and Niger, and assaulted by police in India. In Thailand, a state of emergency was declared on Thursday to contain the virus, which gives the government more control over the press. Last week, Hamas-controlled security forces assaulted a journalist covering a COVID-19 protest, and authorities…
COVID-19 reporting curtailed as China revokes press credentials of US reporters at 3 outlets
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that U.S. citizens working as journalists at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post whose press credentials expire in 2020 would be required to surrender those credentials within 10 days, effectively forcing them to leave the country. The decision will impact…
CPJ’s coverage of the coronavirus and its impact on press freedom
Dear Friend, In many countries, the first victim of the coronavirus pandemic has been the truth. Standing up for the public’s right to accurate information and defending the journalists who provide it is core to CPJ’s mission. So, in the past few weeks we, along with partner organizations, have been at the forefront of reporting…
CPJ’s latest safety advice for covering the COVID-19 pandemic
CPJ Emergencies has updated its safety advisory for journalists covering the coronavirus pandemic. The advisory includes information on pre-assignment preparations, travel planning, avoiding infection, and post-assignment considerations. Sign up to receive further updates and safety advisories from CPJ Emergencies here. The report is also available in Español, فارسی, and العربية CPJ Digital Manger Ahmed Zidan…
U.S. imposes visa limits on 5 Chinese state media outlets
The U.S. Department of State said in a statement on Monday that it would limit the number of visas available for Chinese journalists working at five designated media organizations. The outlets — Xinhua, CGTN, China Radio, China Daily, and The People’s Daily — will be limited to 100 visas in total. The announcement follows China’s…
Indian journalists attacked on the ground and surveilled online
Demonstrators and police in India have attacked journalists covering protests across the country following the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Act in December 2019. Some media workers have reported that they have been asked about their religious identity and others have been forced to delete pictures and videos from their phones. Journalists covering the protests…