The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is an independent nonprofit organisation based in New York City[1] that promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists.
Contents |
A group of U.S. foreign correspondents founded CPJ in 1981 in response to harassment from authoritarian governments.
CPJ organizes vigorous public protests and works through diplomatic channels to effect change. CPJ publishes articles, news releases, special reports, a biannual magazine called Dangerous Assignments,[2][3] and an annual worldwide survey of press freedom called Attacks on the Press.[4]
CPJ also administers the annual CPJ International Press Freedom Awards which honour journalists and press freedom advocates who have endured beatings, threats, intimidation, and prison for reporting the news.
CPJ compiles an annual list all journalists killed in the line of duty around the world. Since 1992, the first year of the CPJ list, over 850 journalists have been killed.[5] The organization's figures are typically lower than similar ongoing counts by Reporters Without Borders or the International Federation of Journalists because of CPJ's established parameters and confirmation process.[6]
CPJ is a founding member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), a global network of more than 70 non-governmental organisations that monitors free expression violations around the world and defends journalists, writers, and others persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression.
The current executive director of CPJ is journalist Joel Simon, who assumed the position in July 2006 after having served as deputy director since 2000.[7] His predecessor was veteran foreign correspondent Ann Cooper, who served as executive director from 1998 to 2006.[8]
CPJ's board of directors has included prominent US journalists including Christiane Amanpour, Tom Brokaw, Anne Garrels, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Gwen Ifill, Jane Kramer, Anthony Lewis, Dave Marsh, Kati Marton, Michael Massing, Victor Navasky, Andres Oppenheimer, Clarence Page, Norman Pearlstine, Dan Rather, John Seigenthaler, and Mark Whitaker.