What Is CPJ.org? The Committee to Protect Journalists Explained

CPJ.org is the website of the Committee to Protect Journalists, an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide and defends the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal. It is a resource for anyone who wants current press freedom news, documented data on attacks against journalists, or emergency help and safety guidance for journalists under threat.

What the site covers

The homepage frames the organization's mission with the line "Press freedom is your freedom." From there, the site serves three main purposes:

• Press freedom news — reporting on violations and attacks against journalists and media workers around the world.
• Documented data — CPJ researchers track attacks throughout the year, which the site describes as "a rigorous and trusted source of information on the state of press freedom worldwide."
• Statements and letters — organizational condemnations and joint appeals, such as letters with partners on unresolved journalist murders or government seizures of media outlets.

The data on the homepage

CPJ publishes headline counts that give a quick picture of the state of press freedom. As displayed on the site:

The site links these figures to its fuller datasets, so the homepage numbers work as an entry point rather than the complete record.

What CPJ does: three work areas

The organization describes its work in three categories:

Advocacy

CPJ denounces press freedom violations and engages with governments, multilateral institutions, and other coalitions to defend journalists under attack.

Awareness

Researchers rigorously document attacks on the press, which the site says helps "journalists enduring those attacks to remain in the public eye."

Assistance

CPJ supports journalists through timely safety information and emergency assistance covering physical, digital, and legal issues.

Who the site is for

• Journalists facing threats — the site offers a "Get Help" path for emergency assistance or safety advice.
• Researchers and students — the documented attack data supports study of press freedom trends.
• General readers — the news and statements sections explain current violations and who is responding.

How to use it

Start with the news feed for current cases, use the data pages when you need figures on killings, imprisonment, or disappearances, and use the Get Help entry if you or a colleague needs emergency assistance or safety advice. The site also accepts donations, which it says support U.S.-based journalists who need resources to continue critical reporting.

CPJ's own framing is the clearest summary of its purpose: it is an independent, nonprofit organization defending the right of journalists to report safely and without fear of reprisal.