The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Monday said reports that citizen journalist and former lawyer Zhang Zhan has been handed a second four-year prison term on the charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” are “deeply disturbing,” calling for her immediate and unconditional release. “This is the second time [...]

As Lebanon’s Parliament approaches a crucial juncture in drafting a new media law, 14 Lebanese and international rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, called on legislators Tuesday to ensure it protects freedom of expression. While the law initially offered opportunities to strengthen protections for journalists and media outlets, recent proposed amendments risk undermining these rights. [...]

On Monday, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on both government and rebel authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to end harassment of a reporter who has been detained twice and dismissed from his post at a national broadcaster in Goma. CPJ Regional Director Angela Quintal said, “Detaining Tuver Wundi without [...]

South Africa’s Equality Court ruled Thursday that Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s statements at a rally on October 16, 2022, constituted hate speech, finding that they were a direct call to violence based on race and political affiliation. The court emphasized that these statements were not metaphorical or political commentary but “clear exhortations [...]

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed concern on Tuesday over the sentencing of freelance journalist Aleh Supruniuk to three years in prison by a Belarusian court. The CPJ called for Supruniuk’s immediate release, along with all other journalists unjustly detained in Belarus. Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, stated: “The sentencing [...]

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed concern on Wednesday over the abduction and detention of several journalists in Ethiopia. In its statement, the CPJ said it is “deeply alarmed” by the abduction of Ethiopian newspaper editor Yonas Amare as well as the detentions of journalist Khadar Mohamed Ismael and radio host Abdulsemed Mohammed. Several [...]

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged on Wednesday that Iraqi Kurdish authorities release Kurdish journalist Sherwan Sherwani after a court extended his prison sentence, stating: “Sentencing Sherwani for a third time on dubious charges and imposing the maximum penalty shows the authorities’ determination to silence his critical voice and keep him behind bars.” Sherwani [...]

A Guatemalan court on Tuesday convicted six former officials for their roles in the 2017 fire at the state-run Hogar Seguro “Virgen de la Asunción” that ultimately claimed the lives of 41 girls and injured 15 others. The facility had long faced allegations of abuse and overcrowding. After the blaze, Judge Ingrid Cifuentes directed prosecutors [...]

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Tuesday called on Ghanaian authorities to swiftly and comprehensively conclude inquiries into the July 30 assault on local JoyNews reporter Carlos Lorlornyo Atsu Calony and threats against camera operator Jonas Zodzi Voergborlo. The CPJ urged transparent investigations into the attacks against these journalists. CPJ Africa program coordinator Muthoki [...]

Amnesty International reported Wednesday that social media platform X, formerly Twitter, played a central role in fueling anti-Muslim and anti-migrant violence in the UK following the 2024 Southport stabbings. The rights organization cited design flaws in the platform’s algorithm that made it prone to amplifying harmful content. Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK chief executive, said, [...]