Reflecting on what CPJ is grateful for in 2024

At the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), we are dedicated to defending journalists around the world from threats and persecution. Each day our global team encounters press freedom developments that inspire us to continue our work.

Here are our team’s reflections on what we are grateful for in 2024.

Journalists reporting from Gaza. Over a year into the Israel-Gaza war, the Palestinian press corps has been decimated under an unrelenting siege by Israeli forces, and those who remain continue to defy all odds and report the news despite censorship, persistent communications blackouts, the destruction of media outlets, and the killing of their own family members. Their tenacity and commitment exemplify the very best of journalism.

Justice in the killing of journalists. CPJ welcomed the 28-year sentence for the murder of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German. German, a veteran reporter who covered organized crime and local politics, was stabbed to death on September 2, 2022, outside his home in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Persistent advocacy with partners and bereaved families can bring results even years later. In the Philippines, following a joint investigation and years of advocacy by CPJ and partners, the case of Gerry Ortega, who was murdered in 2011 for reporting on corruption and the environment, is closer to justice than ever after the mastermind finally surrendered and is now on trial.

Journalists released from unjust custody. Floriane Irangabiye was released in Burundi after two years of imprisonment, following a presidential pardon and serving a 10-year prison sentence on charges of undermining Burundi’s territorial integrity.

Moroccan authorities released three prominent journalists in July—Taoufik Bouachrine, Soulaiman Raissouni, and Omar Radi—as part of a mass pardon. Unfortunately, the journalists have experienced harassment after the fact.

Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora was recently moved to house arrest after being sentenced in June 2023 to six years in prison on money laundering charges. However, on November 15, 2024, an appeals court ordered journalist Zamora back to prison. He remains on house arrest while his lawyers and the Attorney General’s Office have appealed the motion.

The August release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) editor Alsu Kurmasheva, as part of a prisoner exchange, further highlighted the need for Russia to release other jailed journalists and cease harassing those in exile.

Capacity to scale up our support to journalists at risk with our partners. CPJ’s Emergencies Team is deeply grateful to the many partner organizations who have helped us provide support to journalists around the world. This includes supporting journalists with VPNs to continue reporting amid civil unrest in Venezuela and Senegal to co-organizing trauma workshops for journalists in Ukraine.

In 2024, we also delivered safety training to U.S.-based journalists in preparation for the 2024 U.S. election and worked with our partners to ensure journalists in Gaza have adequate food and shelter.

Legal decisions in favor of a free press. South Africa abolished criminal defamation following an over decade-old campaign to rid the continent of criminal defamation and sedition laws.

In Kenya, the High Court ruled that the 2022 killing of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif was unlawful, in breach of the constitution, and ordered the government to conclude investigations, hold perpetrators accountable, and to pay damages.

In Uganda, the High Court awarded two journalists damages each after finding that their rights were violated in a February 2021 incident.

Solidarity from our partners throughout the world. From working together on the documentation of press freedom violations to conducting a joint mission, our partners help us to protect journalists and advance press freedom worldwide. Our new partnerships with Condé Nast and Forbidden Stories have respectively furthered our capacity to reach new audiences and assist journalists worldwide.

Press freedom advocates. Our work is only possible because of the generosity of individuals like you. Your support can help us respond swiftly to crises, advocate for journalists in distress, and ensure that those who threaten press freedom are held to account.

If you haven’t yet had a chance to support our mission this year, we hope you’ll lend us a hand to defend press freedom.

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)