Committee to Protect Journalists

CPJ is deeply concerned by reports that American freelance journalist Shelley Kittleson was abducted by unidentified individuals in Baghdad on Tuesday. According to Iraq’s Interior Ministry, security forces launched an immediate operation based on precise intelligence and have intercepted a vehicle believed to be linked to the perpetrators. However, Kittleson was not found in the vehicle. Local reports indicate she was taken near the Baghdad Hotel on Saadoun Street. CPJ calls on Iraqi authorities to do everything in their power to locate Shelley Kittleson, ensure her immediate and safe release, and hold those responsible to account.

This month, CPJ welcomed the release of journalists from around the world — in the United States, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Burundi, and Belarus. These cases serve as a vital reminder: Sustained international pressure produces tangible wins for press freedom. But the global crisis of detained journalists remains acute. At the end of 2025, more than 300 journalists were imprisoned worldwide for their work — marking the fifth consecutive year that numbers have exceeded this threshold. This trend reflects a deepening wave of authoritarianism and the dangerous expansion of armed conflicts globally. Here are five cases CPJ is celebrating in March ➡️

Israeli strikes killed three Lebanese journalists over the weekend. This is part of a disturbing pattern CPJ has documented, in which Israel accuses journalists of being combatants and targets them without any evidence. Journalists are #NotATarget. CPJ is documenting press freedom violations, including attacks on journalists, throughout the Iran war. https://lnkd.in/eqCFhGDC

One more day to apply! CPJ is #hiring a remote Europe-based, full-time Specialist Editor for Europe and Central Asia that will be responsible for executing CPJ’s regional editorial strategy. 🗓️ Deadline is March 31, 2026 Apply today: https://lnkd.in/eNT-XfRh

Join our team! CPJ is #hiring a NYC-based or Global - Remote (within 6 hours of US Eastern timezone) Climate Change and Press Freedom Fellow to engage in research and analysis work that can inform the organization’s strategy to address how the climate crisis is impacting media freedom and individual journalists’ ability to report freely and safely. 🗓️ Deadline is April 12, 2026 Apply today: https://lnkd.in/eSh98nb9

One month into the Iran war, CPJ reiterates the importance of journalism in providing vital information to civilians living through it. Journalists have been harassed, threatened, and obstructed from reporting throughout the Middle East. CPJ continues to document press freedom violations throughout this war, and calls for journalists to be able to work freely and safely. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gdM2YWUn

#Lebanon: Israeli strike kills freelance journalist Hussain Hamood in the southern city of Nabatieh. Hamood, a photojournalist and camera operator who worked for Al-Manar TV, was filming Israeli attacks when he was killed on March 25. Hamood’s death comes a week after the killing of journalist Mohammed Sherri, who also worked for Al-Manar TV, in an Israeli strike in central Beirut. CPJ calls on Israel to immediately end its attacks on the press and uphold its obligations under international law. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eFDwNwwQ

Read in #TheTorch this week: - CPJ welcomes release of journalists in the U.S., Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan - Press freedom concerns continue in the United States - Tracking attacks on journalists in Iran and beyond

Want the latest news and views in #PressFreedom and #JournalistSafety from around the world, delivered straight to your inbox?📥 Subscribe to CPJ’s weekly newsletter, The Torch: https://cpj.org/thetorch/

In a landmark decision for press freedom in Africa, the Constitutional Court of Uganda has declared criminal defamation unconstitutional, marking a major step forward for freedom of expression. Criminal defamation — where damaging someone’s reputation is considered a criminal offense — meant that journalists and others could face arrest or even jail time for what they publish. This ruling not only removes these criminal penalties but also overturns the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, 2022, which had placed broad limits on what people could share online. The court found that these laws did not meet basic legal and constitutional standards. For years, they were used to arrest and harass journalists, activists, and social media users, creating fear and discouraging people from speaking out. This decision signals a shift toward protecting the free flow of ideas and making space for independent journalism. Uganda now joins a growing number of African countries moving away from criminal defamation by recognizing that reputation disputes should be handled through civil courts, not prison sentences. However, concerns remain. Legal experts warn that similar laws could return. One of the petitioners’ lawyers, Eron Kiiza, has made clear: “we will challenge it again” if they do. Read CPJ’s latest analysis: https://lnkd.in/e2w2qgsN