On Our Virtual Route 66 As September Looms

 

The names of the 65 journalists who are currently missing globally, according to CPJ’s research. (CPJ/Daria Locher)

August 30 marked the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances, with CPJ documenting at least 65 journalists missing globally. Official indifference and failure to investigate these disappearances cast a chill on other reporters and devastate the journalists’ families, who are often left in the dark with little to no support.     Mexican journalist Jorge Molontzín Centlal vanished in 2021 in Mexico, the country with the highest number of missing journalists globally—16.   Nearly one in four documented missing journalists disappeared in Iraq and Syria between 2012 and 2014. Some have been missing longer: Isam al-Shumari, an Iraqi camera operator for Sudost Media, went missing in Fallujah, Iraq, on August 15, 2004. It was the same day his friend and colleague, camera operator Mahmoud Abbas, was killed while on assignment for German station ZDF.   Journalist Azory Gwanda went missing in Tanzania in November 2017. Nearly six years after his disappearance, Tanzania’s government has failed to account for his whereabouts.   We continue to fight and advocate for all missing journalists globally—they are missing but not forgotten. CPJ calls on governments to provide accountability and investigations into their disappearances.   What can you do?  Learn more about the journalists missing globally on our website.  Share their #MissingNotForgotten stories on social media.

Global press freedom updates

Russian court extends detention of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich by 3 months Journalist Arsen Chepurnyi injured in Russian missile strike in Ukraine Algerian journalist Mustapha Bendjama sentenced to 2 years in prison Driver killed, journalist severely injured by suspected Turkish drone strike in Syria Journalist Islam Kashani arrested in Iraqi Kurdistan CPJ calls on military in Gabon to ensure press freedom and journalists’ safety following coup CPJ joins call to protect journalists in Niger 1 month after coup Gabon authorities expel Cameroonian journalist Sainclair Mezing, suspend 3 French broadcasters, block internet during elections CPJ joins renewed call for release of Burundi journalist Floriane Irangabiye after 1 year in prison CPJ, partners call on Bangladesh to dismiss Digital Security Act cases over freedom of expression CPJ urges India to review ‘dangerous’ legislation that threatens press freedom

Spotlight

Police officers are seen in Lagos, Nigeria, on March 18, 2023, while investigating a recent attack on journalists reporting in Bayelsa state. (AFP/Pius Utomi Ekpei)

This week, CPJ called on Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu to improve press freedom as he marked three months in office.   Tinubu must “ensure justice is delivered for attacks on the press and…reform legislation and regulations to prevent the jailing and surveillance of journalists. We also urge you to ensure undisrupted access to the internet, online platforms, and news websites,” CPJ wrote in a letter to the president.   The letter catalogs recent press freedom violations in Nigeria, including during the elections that brought Tinubu into office, which we discussed in a previous edition of The Torch.   Read the full letter here.