#HoldTheLine: Rappler’s Maria Ressa faces new cyber libel charge
What do you do when the government won’t stop harassing you? It’s an apt question for Rappler founder and CEO, and CPJ’s 2018 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Awardee, Maria Ressa. The celebrated journalist is set to appear in court Friday following a second trumped-up cyber libel charge for her journalism. The latest charge carries a…
Two journalists killed in the Philippines in one week
Eleven years after the Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines, where 32 journalists and media workers were killed, the government has prematurely declared an end to impunity in journalist murders. Meanwhile, journalist killings continue: CPJ calls on Philippine authorities to investigate the deaths of Ronnie Villamor, shot by unidentified assailants on November 10, and Virgilio Maganes,…
Media luminaries join together in a powerful celebration of press freedom #IPFA
The media community and supporters of press freedom came together in a powerful celebration of journalism at last night’s International Press Freedom Awards. The host, veteran broadcast journalist Lester Holt, kicked off the evening, which took viewers on a journey through the repression faced by journalists in Iran, the brutal experience of prison for a…
Three journalists killed in Mexico in two weeks
In Mexico, reporter Israel Vázquez was shot and killed in the state of Guanajuato on Monday. He was the third journalist killed in the country in the last two weeks. So far in 2020, Mexico is the deadliest country for journalists with at least four journalists killed in direct relation for their work. Freelancer Lizbeth…
Globally journalists covering the pandemic continue to face threats
Journalists worldwide continue to face attacks and harassment while covering COVID-19 and related lockdowns. In Brazil, an unidentified group harassed and threatened journalist Bárbara Barbosa and a camera operator while reporting on lockdown compliance. In Italy, a television crew covering anti-lockdown demonstrations were attacked and chased, and journalist Mimmo Rubio was threatened over his reporting…
CPJ providing safety resources ahead of US election
Journalists from foreign outlets spoke to CPJ about their concerns covering the U.S. elections, which are exacerbated by COVID-19, curtailed campaigns, civil unrest, visa issues, and an unpredictable political environment. CPJ’s Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney called the Trump administration’s plans to restrict foreign journalist visas “chilling,” warning they could “invite similarly restrictive moves by…
Violence hits journalists covering Nigeria protests
In Nigeria, local media say journalists are experiencing violence during demonstrations against police brutality. CPJ calls on Nigerian authorities to ensure that the press is able to do its work freely and safely. In 2019 and 2020, at least two Nigerian journalists–Precious Owolabi and Alex Ogbu–were killed during protests, according to CPJ research. The press…
Three years without justice for assassinated journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
Tomorrow marks the third anniversary of the assassination of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who reported on corruption and as part of the Panama Papers investigation. Impunity persists in Caruana Galizia’s murder, and CPJ continues to call on the Maltese government to carry out an independent inquiry and hold those responsible to account. In…
Islamic State militants extradited to US to face charges for murders of journalists Foley and Sotloff
This is the 100th edition of The Torch. We would like to thank our readers for their support the past two years. Send us an email if you have feedback for us, and if you are interested in receiving additional press freedom updates for a specific region, sign up here. This week, two Islamic State…
Ahead of Khashoggi anniversary, the fight for justice continues
Friday marks the second anniversary of the gruesome murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. CPJ continues our fight for justice in Khashoggi’s case, sending a message to the world that those responsible cannot get away with such a crime. In an op-ed for World Politics…