US journalist Evan Gershkovich faces 20-year sentence as trial begins in Russia
New York, June 26, 2024—As the closed-door trial of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich opened in a Russian court on Wednesday, the Committee to Protect Journalists denounced it as a travesty of justice and renewed its call for the journalist’s immediate release. “U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich goes on trial today after nearly 15 months of unjust…
CPJ calls on Kenyan authorities to respect press freedom amid ongoing protests
Nairobi, June 25, 2024—Kenyan authorities must investigate reports of several journalists attacked while covering protests, desist from intimidating the media, and ensure reliable and secure access to the internet, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Thousands of Kenyans have taken to the streets several times since June 18 to protest a proposed law that…
CPJ welcomes acquittal of Turkish journalist Sezgin Kartal
Istanbul, June 25, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed an Istanbul court’s Tuesday acquittal of journalist Sezgin Kartal on the charge of being a member of a terrorist organization. “We are pleased with the acquittal of journalist Sezgin Kartal, but let us not forget that the case against him was built on next to no…
CPJ welcomes reports that Assange will be released in plea deal
New York, June 24, 2024— The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes reports that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will be freed from prison in a plea deal with the United States Justice Department. “Julian Assange faced a prosecution that had grave implications for journalists and press freedom worldwide,” said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg. “While we welcome the…
Belarus jails journalist Alena Tsimashchuk for 5 years; reason for charges undisclosed
New York, June 20, 2024—Belarusian authorities must immediately disclose the reasons behind charges against journalist Alena Tsimashchuk, who was sentenced to five years imprisonment, and ensure that no members of the press are jailed for their work. On June 3, a court in the southwestern city of Brest convicted Tsimashchuk of discrediting Belarus, “incitement to…
CPJ welcomes public apology to family of killed Mexican reporter Gustavo Sánchez
Mexico City, June 18, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the public apology issued by the government of the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca and the federal government to the family of journalist Gustavo Sánchez Cabrera, three years after he was murdered. With the apology, issued on Monday in Oaxaca’s state capital of Oaxaca de…
Leading press freedom organizations submit amicus brief in Maria Ressa case
CPJ, ICFJ and RSF introduced expert legal opinion arguing the Supreme Court of the Philippines should close cyber libel case New York / Paris / Washington D.C., June 18, 2024 — In an effort to deter the legal persecution of trailblazing journalist and Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa and her former colleague Reynaldo Santos, and to…
US journalist Evan Gershkovich to stand trial June 26
New York, June 17, 2024—As a Russian court on Monday set the beginning of the trial of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich for June 26, the Committee to Protect Journalists renewed its call to immediately release him and drop all charges against him. “The start of Gershkovich’s trial comes after he has already spent more than…
Turkish journalist Murat Ağırel suspects spying on his house, family
Istanbul, June 14, 2024—Turkish authorities must do everything in their power to provide security for journalist Murat Ağırel and his family to protect them from harassment and intrusions, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Ağırel, a columnist for Cumhuriyet, a daily known for its critical coverage of the government, said he observed people wandering…
CPJ calls for immediate release of Chinese journalist Sophia Huang Xueqin
Taipei, June 14, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Chinese court’s decision on Friday to sentence journalist Sophia Huang Xueqin to five years in prison on the charge of “inciting subversion of state power.” The Intermediate People’s Court in the southern city of Guangzhou handed down the sentence to Huang, who is well known…