Committee to Protect Journalists

At CPJ, we are dedicated to defending journalists around the world from threats and persecution. Each day our global team encounters #pressfreedom developments that inspire us to continue our work. ?? Today we are grateful for: Journalists reporting from Gaza, Justice in the killing of journalists, Journalists released from unjust custody, Legal decisions in favor of a free press, Solidarity from our partners throughout the world, and Press freedom advocates. The work goes on, and we are grateful you are here with us. ??CPJ/Stephanie Keith

Read in #TheTorch this week: - Reflecting on what CPJ is grateful for in 2024 - Celebrating our 2024 International Press Freedom Awardees Subscribe on our website to get the Torch newsletter straight to your inbox: cpj.org/thetorch

The President and Executive Director of the Society of Professional Journalists urge Senator John Cornyn to help pass the #PRESSAct. The senator could prove pivotal to passing the most consequential federal legislation in modern history to protect Americans who uncover waste, fraud and abuse — as well as the journalists who tell their stories. Read more from The Dallas Morning News: https://lnkd.in/eFAfpr7k

CPJ’s CEO Jodie Ginsberg says Israel’s boycott of Haaretz is straight out of the authoritarian playbook and a threat to democracy, in a new op-ed with The Forward. “Information is a weapon in war. It is at its most effective when those in power control the means of transmission absolutely. Only with the existence of a free, independent and pluralistic media can the public be assured that they are getting the fullest possible picture. Without it, we are all less safe — and less free.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/e7bN6rRf ??: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images

CPJ honored Alsu Kurmasheva Alsu Kurmasheva at our 2024 International #PressFreedom Awards. Kurmasheva, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, is a journalist and editor at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. She was detained and sentenced to prison in 2023 on charges of spreading “fake” news about the Russian army, but was released in August 2024 as part of an historic prisoner exchange. #IPFA #IPFA2024 Read more: https://lnkd.in/efCh9Z5w

The Media Freedom Coalition issued a statement calling for the immediate release of journalist Jose Rubén Zamora from his arbitrary detention, and for the Guatemalan government to guarantee his rights under international human rights law. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eivs2Txb ??: Reuters/Josue Decavele

Veteran investigative journalist Catherine Herridge joined NewsNation to urge Trump to support the PRESS Act in the U.S., saying journalism confidentiality is a democracy issue. “If you don’t have a credible pledge of confidentiality for your sources, then your toolbox as an investigator is empty. No government official, no whistleblower with firsthand knowledge of government corruption or wrongdoing will come forward,” Herridge said. Watch now?? https://lnkd.in/ewQ-ciKh

CPJ’s CEO Jodie Ginsberg joined MSNBC to raise concern about Trump’s call for Republicans in the U.S. to “kill” the PRESS Act that would protect journalists. “This isn’t a partisan bill. This has had bipartisan support from the beginning. It just needs to pass the Senate, but now it looks like it won’t. And without it, we may see many more actions, many more journalist subpoenas to give information about their exposés into all sorts of wrongdoing and corruption at all kinds of levels.” Watch now?? https://lnkd.in/eJ2WraB9

CPJ honored Palestinian journalist, producer, and researcher Shrouq Al Aila at our 2024 International #PressFreedom Awards. Al Aila took charge of Ain Media, an independent production company, after her husband – who co-founded the company – was killed in the Israel-Gaza war. She continues to cover the war in Gaza and its devastating impact on residents, despite having been displaced several times in an effort to evade Israeli attacks. #IPFA #IPFA2024 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gGkq7U-c

??If you’re a U.S.-based journalist or news outlet at risk for your work and need safety support, we’re here to help! We’ve joined forces with the Knight Election Hub and an all-star team of safety experts and organizations to provide support for digital, physical, psychosocial, and legal concerns—from dealing with doxing, threats, and arrests to preparing for risky assignments. To get help, email [email protected] with the word “SAFETY” in the subject line.