Seven women journalists were deliberately prevented while following the Kobani Trial which took place in Ankara. The trial known as ‘Kobani’ was filed against 108 people, including Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, the former co-chairs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is concerned about the escalating crackdown against journalists. We urge the Turkish authorities to take into account the criteria of the free press and allow journalists to freely do their job.

Vanja Djuric, a correspondent for the N1 TV network was verbally assaulted by a mob in central Belgrade on Saturday. The angry crowd was demonstrating a protest against the Belgrade Pride Parade. Vanja Djuric found herself surrounded by the members of the People's Patrol at the square below the Serbian government headquarters. The men assaulted her verbally and the cameraman, impeding them from continuing reporting. The angry protesters shouted at her to derail her coverage. The CFWIJ commends Vanja for standing up in face of harassment and not giving up her assignment.

Cathy Macherel was targeted with vicious insults by far-right essayist and filmmaker Alain “Soral'' Bonnet. In a video published on Facebook, Soral targeted Cathy with deeply gendered attacks as well as homophobic insults. The nature of the video was threatening enough for Cathy to register a report with law enforcement agencies.

Journalist Zhan Zhang is currently being held at the Shanghai City Women’s Prison. She was already hospitalized once while in custody in July this year, however, her health appears to be failing still.

A teenager has pleaded guilty for harassing and stalking BBC journalist Aileen Moynagh. The boy, whose name cannot be revealed due to his minor status, is seventeen years of age and originally from Dublin. He had harassed Aileen digitally as well as physically for several months starting in October 2020, forcing her to leave her place of residence out of security concerns. The boy has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and autism.

Gazeteci Meşale Tolu'nun “örgüt üyeliği” ve “örgüt propagandası yapmak” suçlamalarıyla yargılandığı davanın 14’üncü duruşması bugün İstanbul'da görüldü. Esas hakkında mütalaasını sunan savcılık, gazeteciye yönelik beraat edilmesini talep etti. Mahkeme, avukatların mütalaaya karşı savunma hazırlamaları için talep ettiği ek süreyi kabul ederek bir sonraki duruşmayı 24 Aralık 2021 tarihine erteledi. Gazetecilikte Kadın Koalisyonu (CFWIJ), savcılık kararını memnuniyetle karşılıyor ancak mahkeme heyetinin savcılık kararına dikkate alarak gazeteci hakkında beraat kararı verilmesini talep ediyor.

The 14th hearing of the trial in which journalist Meşale Tolu is tried on charges of "being a member of a terrorist organization" and "spreading terrorist propaganda" was held in Istanbul today. Presenting its opinion, the prosecution demanded the acquittal of the journalist. The court adjourned the next hearing to December 24, 2021, accepting the extension requested by the lawyers to prepare their defence to the court. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) welcomes the prosecution's decision. However, we demand Meşale’s acquittal to be taken into account of the court's decision.

Lyra McKee, a 29-year-old writer and prominent investigative journalist, was shot on April 19, 2019, while covering a riot at the Creggan estate. She was taken to the hospital in a police vehicle but was pronounced dead. Police said that a group known as the “New IRA” was likely responsible for the murder. On Wednesday, after two years of investigation, police have arrested four men involved in the murder of Lyra McKee. The CFWIJ welcomes the arrest of the perpetrators and hopes they will be held responsible. Lyra was a talented and courageous journalist committed to social change through her writing.

Journalist Yumna Fawaz was targeted with a vicious online campaign after she demanded that President Michel Aoun be held accountable for the Beirut port explosion in 2020. Following the tweet, Fawaz was targeted by supporters of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), a political party founded by Aoun, as well as its ally Hezbollah. This is not the first time Fawaz has been targeted by members of the FPM, which makes her feel very concerned for her safety.

Trishna Das, a freelance journalist was reportedly harassed by a group of people who appeared to be transgenders. The incident took place in a bus when she was travelling to Goalpara, in Assam on September 13. Trishna shared the disturbing details in a Facebook post. She was verbally abused and threatened with death. When she tried to record the scene, one person spat on her face which was extremely offensive and concerning given the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The CFWIJ demands police take action against the perpetrators and ensure Trisha remains safe.

Rozina Islam, the award-winner investigative journalist, appeared in court to defend herself on a baseless criminal charge for which she faces up to 14 years in prison. Today’s hearing, her accreditation, passport and mobile phone remain in state custody. The court requested hear investigative officer decide the return of her belongings and postponed the next hearing to September 19, 2021. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) considers this adjournment as an attempt to silence the journalist. We demand Bangladeshi authorities drop all charges against Rozina immediately. A journalist should not be punished for reporting on matters of public interest.

Journalists around the country protested in the capital against the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA). In a sit-in conducted outside the Parliament House, journalists opposed the restrictions that the proposed bill will impose on the press in Pakistan, citing it as a measure to curb free speech and criticism in the country. The protest demonstration was supported by various sections of civil society, including members of the judiciary as well as the opposition.

Gazete Yolculuk muhabiri Buse Söğütlü'nün yargılandığı davanın dördüncü duruşması bugün görüldü. Esas hakkında mütalaasını sunan dava savcısı Söğütlü’nün Terörle Mücadele Kanunu kapsamında cezalandırılmasını talep etti. Bir sonraki duruşma 27 Ocak 2022 tarihinde görülecek. Gazetecilikte Kadın Koalisyonu (CFWIJ), savcılığın Söğütlü’ye yönelik savcılık talebini kınıyor. Türk yargısından gazeteciye yönelik tüm suçlamaları reddetmesini talep ediyoruz. Yineliyoruz: Gazetecilik suç değildir.

The fourth hearing of the trial against Gazete Yolculuk reporter Buse Söğütlü on terrorism charges was held.

Rozina Islam, an award-winner Bangladeshi investigative journalist and a senior correspondent at Prothom Alo, was arrested after spending almost five hours in confinement at the Ministry of Health in Dhaka. Following her arrest, the journalist is facing charges of theft and espionage under the Official Secrets Act of 1923, a notorious law dating back to 1923, which prohibits access to confidential information. Her passport and mobile phone were confiscated during her arrest. Rozina lost her official accreditation to enter Bangladeshi ministries, resulting in her inability to exercise her journalistic profession after 17 years of work. If the journalist is convicted, she may face up to 14 years in prison.