The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, journalists, and media executives for press freedom, condemns the arrest of TELE1 TV Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardağ in Istanbul. Yanardağ was detained after criticizing the detention conditions of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan during a news programme. We call on the Turkish authorities to stop punishing journalists […]

From smear campaigns and censorship to financial pressure and legal harassment, illiberal and authoritarian governments are squeezing independent media. How can they remain financially viable and able to do their jobs? The IPI World Congress and Media Innovation Festival panel “Modelling Journalism and the Business Under Pressure”, moderated by Dávid Tvrdoň, subscription growth and retention […]

The IPI global network today welcomed the release from prison of Nika Gvaramia, founder of the government-critical Mtavari TV Channel in Georgia, after a pardon by Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili.  “We welcome Georgia’s release of Nika Gvaramia, which is a testament above all to the work of Georgia’s independent media and civil society in continuing to […]

Russia’s notorious “foreign agents” law is inspiring similar measures in the region. While citizens in Georgia successfully opposed a bill on “foreign agents” in March, Kyrgyzstan is considering a similar proposal, which experts say is modeled on Russian legislation that has been used to suppress independent media and civil society. In parallel, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament is debating […]