Canada: Savanna Craig Cleared of Charges, But Police’s Continued Targeting of Journalists Raises Concerns
October 2, 2024 - Canada, Montreal
After seven months, the baseless charges against Montreal journalist Savanna Craig have finally been dropped. While we at Women Press Freedom are relieved, it’s unacceptable she ever faced "mischief" charges simply for reporting on a pro-Palestine sit-in.
Craig tells WPF that she was informed by her arresting officer on October 2, 2024 that the prosecution will not proceed with the case against her.
"I am pleased to hear the charges have been dropped,” Craig says. “However, this is only a partial win as my case highlights a growing trend of officers targeting and silencing journalists in Canada. The dropping of my charges doesn’t represent an actual correction for police abuse of power, it only shows that the charges against me were baseless.”
Craig is the second woman journalist arrested while reporting in Canada in 2024 - the other being Indigenous journalist Brandi Morin. A shameful record for a country that purports to respect and promote press freedom.
“Unless more is done I worry journalists in Canada will continue to be arrested and charged for simply doing their job and trying to get the truth out. Journalism is not a crime,” the CUTV journalist adds.
The targeting of journalists, especially those covering protests, must stop. Women Press Freedom’s policy recommendations outline the steps Canadian authorities must take to protect the press. Read our recommendations here.
WPF is outraged by the Turkish drone strike that killed journalists Jihan Belki and Nazim Dashdam near the Tishrin Dam, on the outskirts of Kobani. They were reporting on attacks on the dam when, according to local human rights groups, their vehicle was "directly" targeted.
On December 18, 2024, the Bishkek City Court upheld the sentences for several journalists involved in the Temirov Live case.
Journalist Çiğdem Akbayrak faces trial for "insulting the president" over a 2018 tweet criticizing Turkey's Afrin military operation. Despite the Constitutional Court ruling that the initial decision violated her rights, the case has been reopened.
While covering a protest in Mogadishu, Caabi was beaten with a pistol & stick, left with injuries to her head & hand, and forced into hiding.
Justyna Dobrosz-Oracz, a journalist at TVP, is suing former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki for defamation after he falsely accused her of having ties to a Russian spy.
Court sentences journalist Sandra Muhoza to 1 year & 9 months in prison on politically motivated charges of “attacking the integrity of national territory” & “racial aversion.”
On December 9, 2024, Espreso TV journalist Maria Ivanovska was threatened by an armed man in Kremenchuk while investigating alleged sales of banned Russian oil products.
Detained and released under judicial control, Mengü is now under a travel ban. A bot-driven smear campaign has also been used to target her online.
We call on the Philippine authorities to end these chilling tactics and respect the rights of journalists.
Israeli airstrike kills Palestinian journalist Eman El Shanti, along with her husband and three sons.
Volha Radzivonava sentenced to 4 years in prison for “insulting the president” and “discrediting Belarus.”
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the brutal murder of journalist Hanan Adam and her brother by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Chișinău Mayor Ion Ceban calls journalists "alcoholics," "clowns," & "sycophants," accusing them of serving the govt. Those targeted by the outrageous accusations included journalists Nata Albot and Mariana Rață.
On December 9, 2024, Espreso TV journalist Maria Ivanovska was threatened by an armed man in Kremenchuk while investigating alleged sales of banned Russian oil products.
Oleksandr Govorushchak, a senior official at Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), has filed a lawsuit against the investigative outlet Slidstva.Info and journalist Yana Korniychuk.
Several journalists and photojournalists faced obstruction from police while covering the far-right 612 March and counterdemonstrations in Helsinki.
Multiple journalists from independent outlet Meydan TV including Khayala Agayeva, Aynur Elgunesh, Aysel Umudova and others, detained by Azerbaijani authorities.
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the violent assault on TV Pirveli journalist Maka Chikhladze, who was attacked live on air by multiple masked men reportedly tied to the Georgian government.
We reiterate our call to drop all charges against her and join the #FreeNarges to call again for her full release.
Supreme Court upholds the death sentence of Kurdish journalist Pakhshan Azizi, reinforcing the regime's brutal crackdown on dissent.
Aktualitysk journalist Laura Kellö Kalinská was subjected to an online attack by Daniel Bombic, also known as Danny Kollár, a far-right conspiracist residing in London and facing criminal charges.
The journalist is being accused of the “appropriation and disclosure of a national defense secret.” She faces a potential 5-year prison sentence and a €75k fine if convicted.
On December 4, 2024, police raided the homes of journalists Mónica Rodríguez & Steve Magaña, known for their human rights work.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze insulted Formula TV journalist Eliso Jariashvili during a press conference, calling her "miserable" and accusing her of taking "dirty money."
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Marine's family and loved ones and urge authorities to conduct a full and transparent inquiry into her untimely passing.
A man, who appeared uninvited and became verbally aggressive, forced the group to abandon the interview
Channel Nine reporter Airlie Walsh has filed a sex discrimination lawsuit against her employer, Channel Nine, while on maternity leave.
Court partially upheld sports journalist Ana Inés Martínez’s claims against Channel 10.
Court issues a detention order for exiled journalist Ayşe Kara during her retrial on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization."
WPF stands in solidarity with Rachel Yonkunas, an Emmy-winning investigative reporter, who is suing News12 Long Island for gender-based discrimination after being unfairly sidelined and fired.
