Journalists released in Myanmar, Morocco, and Somalia

By Committee to Protect Journalists

International Asylum seekers are seen at a U.S. Border Patrol processing center near Mission, Texas, on March 23, 2021. AFPJohn MooreGetty

MAR 26, 2021 LISTEN

Asylum seekers are seen at a U.S. Border Patrol processing center near Mission, Texas, on March 23, 2021. (AFP/John Moore/Getty)

This week, CPJ called on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to allow journalists to access detention facilities and Border Patrol activities along the U.S.-Mexico border. D.H.S. and Border Patrol officials have recently barred the press from entering detention facilities, citing privacy and COVID-19 concerns.

In Morocco, press freedom advocates and journalists’ families told CPJ that authorities are using trumped up sexual assault and “morals” charges to retaliate against members of the press for their reporting. Journalists say this has instilled a sense of fear in a country that already has a reputation for surveilling and imprisoning journalists reporting critically on the king or on protests.

In some much-welcomed good news, at least three journalists were released from prison this week: AP journalist Thein Zaw in Myanmar; Kilwe Adan Farah in Puntland, Somalia; and Maati Monjib in Morocco.