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Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema, who has previously promised to positivly reform Zambia’s existing cyber crime legislation, said he was open to further dialogue with civil society on the two bills. (Photo: Reuters/Shelley Christians)

CPJ urges Zambian government to withdraw cyber bills from parliament

The Committee to Protect Journalists sent a letter calling on the Zambian government to withdraw the Cyber Security Bill 2024 and Cyber Crimes Bill 2024 from the country’s National Assembly for a comprehensive review to ensure they align with constitutional protections of freedom of the press as well as regional and international standards on freedom of expression.  CPJ raised concerns that…

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Police officers are seen in Italy in 2020.

In Italy, 4 journalists shot at while reporting on alleged child abuse

Berlin, February 13, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Italian authorities to swiftly complete their investigation into the gunshots fired at four Italian television journalists on February 5 while reporting on the alleged mistreatment of two children by their family. An unknown individual shot at public broadcaster RAI1’s reporter Vito Francesco Paglia and camera…

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Slemani News Network camera operator Sivar Baban struggles to breathe after being teargassed during a Kurdistan teachers’ protest on February 9.

Dozens of Iraqi Kurdistan journalists teargassed, arrested, raided over protest

Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, February 13, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by Kurdistan security forces’ assault on 12 news crews covering a February 9 protest by teachers and other public employees over unpaid salaries, which resulted in at least 22 journalists teargassed, two arrested, and a television station raided. “The aggressive treatment meted out to…

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes President of the European Union Ursula von der Leyen upon her arrival at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023.

CPJ, partners call on European Commission to hold India to account over rights crisis

On February 13, CPJ joined 11 other organizations in calling on the European Commission to step up its engagement with the Indian authorities over human rights, including press freedom, during its upcoming visit to the country. The European Commission is seeking to strengthen its partnership with India, at a time when the government has been…

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A general view shows the Parliament building at the New Administrative Capital (NAC) in the east of Cairo, Egypt, March 24, 2024. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

CPJ, others call on Egypt to reform its draft Criminal Procedure Code

The Committee to Protect Journalists, along with 11 other press freedom and human rights organizations, calls on Egyptian authorities to reject the current draft of the Criminal Procedure Code so a new code be developed in line with international human rights standards. The joint statement highlights several problematic provisions in the draft—especially Articles 79, 80, and 116—that…

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Mohamed Boughalleb

CPJ urges Tunisia president to release journalist Mohamed Boughalleb

The Committee to Protect Journalists sent a letter to Tunisian President Kais Saied on February 12 asking him to secure the release of journalist Mohamed Boughalleb, whose health is gravely worsening, and to repeal the cybercrime law Decree 54. Boughalleb, a reporter with local independent channel Carthage Plus and local independent radio station Cap FM,…

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Honduran security forces patrol the Villa Nueva neighborhood, as part of a slate of new measures intended to crack down on armed gangs, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras June 25, 2024. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez

Honduran military chief files defamation complaints against 12 news outlets

Mexico City, February 12, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Honduran Armed Forces to end its intimidation campaign against journalists following defamation complaints against 12 media outlets in connection with reports on alleged government corruption. “Armed forces should not weaponize the judicial system to silence the press,” said Cristina Zahar, CPJ’s Latin America…

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Deadliest year on record for journalists; 70% killed by Israel

Journalist killings reached unprecedented toll in 2024  Freelancers account for one in three killings worldwide New York, February 12, 2025 — A record number of journalists were killed worldwide in 2024, figures published today by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) show. Israel is responsible for nearly 70 percent of that total. At least 124…

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Journalists Konstantin Gabov, Antonina Favorskaya, Artem Kriger and Sergei Karelin, accused of taking part in the activities of an "extremist" organization founded by late opposition politician Alexei Navalny, stand inside an enclosure for defendants before a court hearing in Moscow, Russia October 2, 2024

Russia’s repression record

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, its media has experienced an unprecedented crackdown. Hundreds of journalists have been forced into exile, where they continue to face transnational legal persecution, and their families have been harassed back home. Meanwhile, reporting from inside Russia has become increasingly difficult, with journalists and media outlets often silenced…

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Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with journalist Pavel Zarubin after his annual televised year-end press conference and phone-in held in Moscow, Russia, December 19, 2024.

Russia preps to block income of ‘foreign agent’ journalists

Berlin, February 11, 2025—After a year that saw Russia increase its pressure on independent media and journalists, authorities are seeking to tighten the squeeze on dissenting voices from March 1 by blocking those designated as “foreign agents’” from access to their earnings. The 2025 law requires those listed by the justice ministry as “persons under…

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