New Zealand: Women Press Freedom Concerned by Potential Early Release of Attacker of NZME Journalist Despite Court Sentencing
September 18, 2024 - New Zealand, Wellington, Hutt Valley
Women Press Freedom commends the court's ruling to convict Rosie Morunga, who attacked an NZME journalist outside a courthouse. Despite the substantial 18-month sentence, the potential for almost immediate release, considering time served awaiting sentencing, raises concerns about accountability for violent behavior.
Ensuring the safety of journalists is crucial, and incidents such as this underscore the dangers they encounter while fulfilling their essential duties.
We call for a stricter sentence for the offender and enhanced safeguards to protect journalists.
Authorities launch an investigation into JİN News reporter Öznur Değer for "insulting a public official." Probe initiated after she stood up to a police officer’s sexist remarks during a protest in Mêrdîn against the killing of two Kurdish journalists in Syria.
Nine people, including seven journalists, were detained in Şişhane, Istanbul, while attempting to hold a press statement in memory of murdered Kurdish journalists Jihan Belki and Nazım Daştan.
Police in Van attacked and detained journalists and activists protesting the killing of Kurdish journalists Jihan Belki and Nazim Dashdam in a Turkish drone strike in North Syria.
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.
TV Pirveli journalist Nanuka Kajaia was threatened live on air in Tbilisi on December 17, 2024. A day earlier, in Batumi, Eter Turadze, editor of Batumelebi, was obstructed while covering a protest at the Constitutional Court.
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
