Around the world press freedom is under serious threat. In recent months, the brutal murders of Jamal Khashoggi, Ahmed Hussein-Suale in Ghana and Rafael Murúa Manríquez in Mexico, among others, show the trend of growing violence against the press. Nine journalists have been killed in the first five weeks of 2019 alone. As many as 79 journalists lost their lives due to their work in 2018; the figure for 2017 was 82. Impunity for crimes against journalists remains shockingly high, further fuelling the cycle of violence.

At the same time, scores of journalists are in prison in Egypt, Turkey, Myanmar and many other countries around the world without being afford the right to a fair trial. Moreover, many governments are enacting new laws in the name of national security and fighting “fake news” that stifle press freedom.

The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and journalists, and Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties and Human Rights are organizing this panel discussion to highlight the shrinking space for press freedom around the world and the increasing threat to the safety of journalists, spurred by rampant impunity.

Speakers:
Andrew Caruana Galizia, son of murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
John Daniszewski, vice president, The Associated Press
Giles Trendle, managing director, Al Jazeera English
Barbara Trionfi, executive director, International Press Institute