Committee to Protect Journalists explained

Committee to Protect Journalists
Upright:0.5
Abbreviation:CPJ
Type:501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[1]
Tax Id:13-3081500
Purpose:Press freedom, journalist human rights and safety of journalists
Headquarters:New York City, New York
Location Country:US
Region Served:International
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:Jodie Ginsberg (2022–present)[2]
Joel Simon (2006-2021)[3]
Ann Cooper (1998-2006)[4] [5]
Affiliations:International Freedom of Expression Exchange
Logo Class:skin-invert-image

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in New York City, with correspondents around the world. CPJ promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists. The American Journalism Review has called the organization "Journalism's Red Cross."[6] Since the late 1980s, CPJ has published an annual census of journalists killed or imprisoned in relation to their work.[7]

History and programs

The Committee to Protect Journalists was founded in 1981 in response to the harassment of Paraguayan journalist Alcibiades González Delvalle.[8] Its founding honorary chairman was Walter Cronkite.[8] Since 1991, it has held the annual CPJ International Press Freedom Awards Dinner,[8] during which awards are given to journalists and press freedom advocates who have received beatings, threats, intimidation, and prison for reporting the news.

Since 1992, the organization has compiled an annual list of all journalists killed in the line of duty around the world.[9] For 2017, it reported that 46 journalists had been killed in connection with their work, as compared to 48 in 2016, and 72 in 2015, and that of those journalists killed, 18 had been murdered. In 2024, CPJ reported that 124 journalists were killed, surpassing the previous high of 113 in 2007. Of those 124, 103 were in the line of duty, and 85 of them were by Israel, all but three of whom were Palestinian journalists.[10] [11]

CPJ has also compiled a database that tracks journalists who have been killed, imprisoned or are missing from 1992 to the present. In 2024 they reported that China and Israel had the most journalists in jail, 50 and 43 respectively.[12]

In 2008, the organization launched an annual "Impunity Index" of countries in which journalists are murdered and the killers are not prosecuted.[13]

The organization is a founding member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), a global network of more than seventy non-governmental organizations that monitors free-expression violations around the world and defends journalists, writers, and others persecuted for exercising their freedom of expression. In May 2016, A United Nations committee voted to deny consultative status to CPJ, primarily led by countries with poor press freedom like China, Sudan and Russia.[14] The ban was overturned and CPJ was granted consultative status in July 2016.[15]

In October 2016, the committee broke with its tradition of staying out of politics and warned about the danger it perceived Donald Trump posed to press freedom in the United States and around the world.[16]

In June 2017, U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte was convicted of criminal assault in state court stemming from his assault of The Guardian political reporter Ben Jacobs the previous month.[17] [18] [19] As a stipulation of his settlement with Jacobs, Gianforte donated $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists, which said it would use the funds to support the new U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.[20] [21]

In July 2025, the committee urged international action to protect Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-Sharif and other journalists in Gaza, highlighting the deliberate risk faced by local reporters as the "last eyes and ears of the outside world" in Gaza.[22] [23]

In September 2025, the CPJ along with IFEX and other press freedom organizations called on EU member states for a partial or full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement in order to protect journalists in Gaza.[24]

Global Impunity Index

In 2008, the CPJ launched an annual Global Impunity Index of countries in which journalists are murdered and the killers are not prosecuted. The index is a ranking of the rate of the failure of countries to prosecute killers of journalists.[25]

The index has become associated with CPJ’s reporting banner Getting Away with Murder, and has been used by news organizations, press-freedom groups, and international organisations as a reference point in debates about accountability for violence against journalists.[26] [27] [28]

Early editions used a multi-year lookback and applied an inclusion threshold (countries generally had to reach a minimum number of unsolved cases to appear), which meant the index was not a complete list of every country with an unsolved journalist murder. Later on, the CPJ presented the index as a Global Impunity Index and published it as part of annual reporting packages on unresolved journalist killings. Publication was also timed to broader international advocacy moments, including the UN’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.[29] [30]

In October 2025, the CPJ stated that it would pause publication of its Global Impunity Index while it reviews the tool and reorients its work on impunity toward other mechanisms such as developing targeted sanctions against perpetrators of crimes against journalists.[31] Critics have accused the CPJ of caving into political pressure and scrapping the index because Israel was going to top the rankings.[32] the CPJ denied that pressure from donors and board members played a role in the decision.[33]

!Year !Top 3 countries
2025Paused.
2024Haiti, Israel, Somalia[34] [35] [36]
2023Syria, Somalia, Haiti[37] [38] [39]
2022Somalia, Syria, South Sudan[40] [41]
2021Somalia, Syria, Iraq [42] [43]
2020Somalia, Syria, Iraq
2019Somalia, Syria, Iraq[44] [45] [46]
2018Somalia, Syria, Iraq[47] [48]
2017Somalia, Syria, Iraq [49] [50]
2016Somalia, Iraq, Syria[51] [52]
2015Somalia, Iraq, Syria[53] [54]
2014Iraq, Somalia, Philippines[55] [56]
2013Iraq, Somalia, Philippines[57] [58]
2012Iraq, Somalia, Philippines[59] [60] [61]
2011Iraq, Somalia, Philippines[62] [63]
2010Iraq, Somalia, Philippines[64] [65]
2009Iraq, Sierra Leone, Somalia [66]
2008Iraq, Sierra Leone, Somalia[67]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Charity Navigator - IRS Data for Committee to Protect Journalists . 31 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150906042859/http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.irs&ein=133081500 . 6 September 2015 . live.
  2. Web site: Committee to Protect Journalists names Jodie Ginsberg as its new president. 10 January 2022.
  3. News: Robertson . Katie . 9 June 2021 . The head of the Committee to Protect Journalists offers a warning as he prepares to step down. . 13 August 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
  4. [Jim Romenesko]
  5. Web site: Ann Cooper on the arrest of Raman Pratasevich in Belarus . Shorenstein Center . 25 May 2021 . 7 December 2024.
  6. Web site: Journalism's Red Cross – Under-Staffed and Low-Profile, the Committee to Protect Journalists Rides to the Rescue of Reporters and Editors Who Run Afoul of Governments Hostile to the Press . Ricchiardi, Sherry . December 1997 . . 12 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131018074855/http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=1510 . 18 October 2013 . dead.
  7. Web site: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Report . CivilsDaily . 16 December 2022 . 6 December 2024.
  8. Web site: Committee to Protect Journalists records, 1978-2008. Columbia University Libraries Archival Collections . 16 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160623155229/http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/archival/collections/ldpd_7745809/. 23 June 2016. live.
  9. Gladstone, Rick (19 December 2016). "Fewer Journalists Were Killed on the Job This Year, Group Reports ". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  10. News: Jabakhanji . Sara . 2025-02-12 . 'Most dangerous time,' Committee to Protect Journalists says after 2024 marks deadliest year . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250308220745/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/committee-to-protect-journalists-2024-killed-gaza-1.7457068 . 2025-03-08 . 2025-12-30 . CBC.
  11. Web site: 2025-02-12 . 2024 is deadliest year for journalists in CPJ history; almost 70% killed by Israel . 2025-12-30 . Committee to Protect Journalists . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250124095118/https://www.voanews.com/a/report-china-israel-named-leading-jailers-of-journalists-/7939119.html . 2025-01-24.
  12. Web site: 2025-01-16 . Report: China, Israel named leading jailers of journalists . 2025-12-30 . Scott . Liam . Voice of America . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250421044825/https://cpj.org/special-reports/2024-is-deadliest-year-for-journalists-in-cpj-history-almost-70-percent-killed-by-israel/ . 2025-04-21.
  13. Web site: 30 October 2024 . Israel, Haiti top CPJ list of states where journalist murders go unpunished . 18 December 2024 . Al Jazeera.
  14. Web site: Press freedom watchdog denied UN credentials . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171001032802/http://www.timesofisrael.com/press-freedom-watchdog-denied-un-credentials/ . 1 October 2017 . 30 September 2017 . The Times of Israel.
  15. News: 25 July 2016 . U.N. body overturns rejection, accredits press freedom watchdog . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180930231650/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-press-idUSKCN1052C3 . 30 September 2018 . 30 September 2017 . Reuters.
  16. News: Sullivan . Margaret . 10 September 2023 . How the Committee to Protect Journalists broke with tradition to protest Trump . 13 August 2024 . Washington Post . 0190-8286.
  17. News: Marcos . Cristina . Gianforte Causes Stir After Becoming Newest House Member . 21 June 2017 . . 22 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191214182314/https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/338813-gianforte-causes-stir-after-becoming-newest-house-member . 14 December 2019 . live.
  18. Web site: Gianforte pleads guilty to assault in incident with reporter. Kyung Lah, Noa Yadidi and Carma Hassan. CNN. 12 June 2017. 12 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181121234326/https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/12/politics/greg-gianforte-assault-plea/index.html. 21 November 2018. live.
  19. News: Incoming GOP Congressman Greg Gianforte Pleads Guilty to Assault on Reporter. Andrews. Natalie. 12 June 2017. The Wall Street Journal. 12 June 2017. 0099-9660. https://web.archive.org/web/20191214182256/https://www.wsj.com/articles/incoming-gop-congressman-greg-gianforte-to-plead-guilty-to-assault-on-reporter-1497280559. 14 December 2019. live.
  20. Web site: 8 June 2017 . Congressman-elect Gianforte apologizes to reporter for assault, to donate $50,000 to press group . 18 December 2024 . ABC News.
  21. Feinberg . Ashley . A Crucial New Site Tracks Attacks on Press in the US . 18 December 2024 . Wired . 1059-1028.
  22. Web site: CPJ calls for Anas Al-Sharif's protection in face of Israeli smears. Committee to Protect Journalists. 24 July 2025. 10 August 2025.
  23. Web site: 25 July 2025 . Al Jazeera condemns Israeli incitement against Gaza reporter Anas al-Sharif . 10 August 2025 . Al Jazeera.
  24. Web site: Tzabiras . Marianna . 2025-09-30 . CPJ and partners urge key EU member states to suspend EU-Israel Association Agreement . 2026-02-14 . IFEX . en-US.
  25. Web site: 30 April 2008 . Press Conferences: CPJ Executive Director Addresses Press Conference on Impunity Index . live . United Nations Media Home.
  26. Web site: Kilman . Larry . 2017 . An Attack on one is an attack on all: successful initiatives to protect journalists and combat impunity . 2026-02-14 . unesdoc.unesco.org . UNESCO . 49-51.
  27. News: al-Qadi . Fadi . 2016-11-02 . Crimes against journalists: An epidemic of impunity . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240620134820/https://www.newarab.com/opinion/crimes-against-journalists-epidemic-impunity . 2024-06-20 . The New Arab.
  28. Web site: Gonzalez . Gabriel . 2021-03-11 . A tribunal to fight impunity for killing journalists . 2026-02-14 . dw.com . en.
  29. Web site: 2022-11-02 . Killing with impunity . live . 2026-02-14 . Media Freedom Resource Centre OBCT .
  30. Web site: Nations . United . International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists . 2026-02-14 . United Nations . en.
  31. Web site: 2025-10-30 . We can't let them get away with it . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  32. Web site: Journalist fatalities worldwide match record high in 2025, media watchdog reports . 2026-02-14 . Arab News . en.
  33. Web site: Skwawkbox . 2026-02-13 . Press freedom org accused of dropping 'Impunity Index' after Israel topped the list . 2026-02-14 . Canary . en-GB.
  34. Web site: Irrawaddy . The . 2024-11-01 . Myanmar Ranks 10th for Impunity in Killing Journalists . 2026-02-14 . The Irrawaddy . en-US.
  35. Web site: Staff . C. P. J. . 2024-10-30 . Haiti, Israel most likely to let journalists’ murders go unpunished, CPJ 2024 impunity index shows . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  36. Web site: Haiti, Israel most likely to let journalists' murders go unpunished, CPJ 2024 impunity index shows . 2026-02-14 . LatAm Journalism Review by the Knight Center . en.
  37. Web site: Haiti joins list of countries where killers of journalists most likely to go unpunished . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  38. Web site: Lock . Harry . 2023-11-02 . International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 2023 . 2026-02-14 . Public Media Alliance . en-GB.
  39. Web site: Tzabiras . Marianna . 2023-10-31 . Global Impunity Index 2023: Nearly 80% of killings of journalists go unsolved . 2026-02-14 . IFEX . en-US.
  40. Web site: Document of the Day: 2022 Global Impunity Index Finds ‘Vast Majority’ of Murders of Journalists Go Unsolved . 2026-02-14 . gijn.org . en-US.
  41. Web site: Killing with impunity: Vast majority of journalists’ murderers go free. 2022 Global Impunity Index . live . Committee to Protect Journalists.
  42. Web site: Killers of journalists still get away with murder . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  43. Web site: Higuera . Silvia . 2021-10-28 . Mexico and Brazil again on CPJ's Global Impunity Index . 2026-02-14 . LatAm Journalism Review by the Knight Center . en.
  44. Web site: 2020-11-12 . Mexico: Setbacks to freedom of expression in 2020 . 2026-02-14 . ARTICLE 19 . en-US.
  45. Web site: Murders of Journalists Go Unsolved . 2026-02-14 . www.asisonline.org . en.
  46. Web site: Getting Away with Murder . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  47. Web site: Writer . Guest . 2018-10-30 . Impunity in the murders of journalists emboldens censorship – CPJ . 2026-02-14 . African Centre for Media Excellence.
  48. Web site: Getting Away with Murder . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  49. Web site: Getting Away with Murder . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  50. Web site: Team . N. L. . 2017-11-02 . India at 12th spot on CPJ list of nations where journalists are killed with complete impunity . 2026-02-14 . Newslaundry . en.
  51. News: Greenslade . Roy . 2016-10-27 . 13 countries where journalists have been killed with impunity . 2026-02-14 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  52. Web site: Getting Away With Murder . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  53. Web site: Getting Away With Murder . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  54. Web site: Onumah . Chido . 2015-11-03 . Bangladesh, South Sudan join CPJ’s Global Impunity Index: Somalia tops list of countries where journalists are murdered and killers go free . live . https://archive.today/20260214140240/https://www.chidoonumah.com/bangladesh-south-sudan-join-cpjs-global-impunity-index-somalia-tops-list-of-countries-where-journalists-are-murdered-and-killers-go-free/ . 14 Feb 2026 . 2026-02-14 . Chidoonumah.com . en-US.
  55. News: 2014-11-03 . Murdered journalists: 90% of killers get away with it but who are the victims? . 2026-02-14 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  56. Web site: The Road to Justice . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  57. Web site: Getting Away With Murder . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  58. Web site: Morrison . Sara . CPJ’s Impunity Index updates . 2026-02-14 . Columbia Journalism Review . en.
  59. Web site: Harlow . Summer . 2012-02-21 . Journalists worldwide contending with violence, censorship and impunity, says annual CPJ report . 2026-02-14 . LatAm Journalism Review by the Knight Center . en.
  60. Web site: Attacks on the Press in 2012 - Afghanistan . 2026-02-14 . Refworld . en.
  61. Web site: 2013-02-14 . Attacks on the Press in 2012: Afghanistan . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  62. Web site: 2011-06-13 . Pakistan 10th on list of deadliest places for journalists: Report . 2026-02-14 . The Express Tribune . en.
  63. Web site: Getting Away With Murder . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  64. Web site: Getting Away With Murder . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  65. Web site: 2010-04-21 . 2010 Impunity Index anounced by Committee to Project Journalists . 2026-02-14 . Human Rights House Foundation . en-US.
  66. Web site: Getting Away With Murder 2009 . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.
  67. Web site: Getting Away with Murder 2008 . 2026-02-14 . Committee to Protect Journalists . en-US.

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