IPI and IMS announce 2026 recipients of World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer awards

This year’s awardees demonstrate remarkable courage, ingenuity, and resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges to freedom and independent journalism around the world

11 trailblazing organisations shortlisted for 2026 IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer Award

This year’s global group of shortlisted organisations serve as a testament to the resilience of independent media amid turbulent times

Azerbaijan: IPI condemns confirmation of lengthy prison sentences for 7 journalists from Abzas Media and RFE/RL

Azerbaijan must free all unjustly jailed journalists

Azerbaijan: IPI urges compliance with ECHR ruling on journalist Khadija Ismayilova

All other journalists currently behind bars must be released

Azerbaijan: IPI joins partner organizations concerned by mistreatment of Abzas Media journalists

Prison reports show violations of basic rights of journalists behind bars

Azerbaijan: IPI demands release of prison sentence of OC Media contributor Bahruz Samadov

Samadov sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of treason

Azerbaijan: IPI condemns prison sentences handed to 7 journalists

Court in Baku jails media workers with Abzas Media, RFE/RL and Turan news agency

Azerbaijan: IPI condemns latest arrest of journalist, suspension of BBC and VoA operations

Baku carries on with repression of local independent media

Azerbaijan: IPI condemns spiraling oppression following arrests of two journalists

Shamshad Agha and Shahnaz Beylargazi detained on February 5

Azerbaijan: IPI demands immediate release of Meydan TV journalists

Six more media workers detained in new round of arrests in Baku

Azerbaijan: As COP29 is held in Baku, repression against journalists continues

At least 18 media workers detained over the past year

Azerbaijan: IPI condemns arrest of one journalist and travel ban on another journalist

Azerbaijan: IPI demands the immediate release of arrested Toplum TV journalists

More than a dozen journalists put behind bars since November

Azerbaijan: IPI condemns prison sentence handed to Avaz Zeynalli

Director of internet TV channel sentenced to 9 years of prison

Azerbaijan aims to “completely silence” media ahead of presidential election

At least 13 journalists arrested since November 20

Azerbaijan: IPI sends letter to authorities demanding release of imprisoned journalists

Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinc Vaqifqizi and Mahammad Kekalov arrested over the past week

Azerbaijan: IPI demands immediate release of Abzas Media director Ulvi Hasanli

Police carry out parallel search at independent media outlet’s office

‘Journalists are not legitimate targets’: Pegasus hacks amidst a war

Spyware use during Armenia-Azerbaijan war indicates new threats to independent journalists covering conflict

IPI condemns use of Pegasus spyware against journalists amidst Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict

First documented example of spyware weaponized to surveil journalists in the context of an international conflict

Two Azeri journalists killed in landmine blast

Incident underscores dangerous working environment of conflict reporters