Journalist Svetlana Anokhina charged with discrediting the Russian Army On 18 April 2023, Russian independent media informed that authorities in the Russian region of Dagestan had opened a criminal investigation against journalist and activist Svetlana Anokhina, on charges of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces (Article 280.3 of the Russian Criminal Code). The probe was reportedly launched in relation to Instagram posts by Anokhina regarding […] Read more »
Vietnam must release journalist Nguyen Lan Thang April 18, 2023 By Lena Dal Santo, IPI Press Freedom Legal Researcher The IPI global network condemns the Vietnamese government’s decision to sentence journalist Nguyen Lan Thang to six years in prison. Judicial authorities must immediately release Nguyen Lan Thang and ensure Vietnamese courts are not used to stifle press freedom. Nguyen Lan Thang was convicted on April 12 by the Hanoi People’s Court of spreading “anti-state […] Read more »
Turkey: International groups condemn broadcast regulator role in punishing critical reporting ahead of elections April 13, 2023 The International Press Institute (IPI) and 20 press freedom, freedom of expression and human rights organizations call on Turkey’s broadcast regulator (RTÜK) to immediately stop fining broadcasters for their critical reporting. Journalists and broadcasters must be allowed to do their jobs of informing the public over critical issues and holding the government to account. Instead […] Read more »
Venezuela: Investigative journalist Ronna Rísquez receives threats after publishing a book April 11, 2023 IPI Contributor Karam Sleiman The IPI global network condemns the recent online threats against Venezuelan journalist Ronna Rísquez, and calls on the Venezuelan authorities to carry out a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation into these threats and to ensure Rísquez and her family are protected. Rísquez is an investigative journalist who has over 20 years of experience covering violence, […] Read more »
Greece: Impunity continues two years after murder of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz April 9, 2023 Two years ago today, veteran Greek crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz was assassinated in Athens. The International Press Institute (IPI) joins the undersigned partners in the Council of Europe’s Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists in honouring his memory. To mark the anniversary, we also renew our call on the Greek authorities […] Read more »
Letter: Kenya must protect media freedom investigate attacks on press April 4, 2023 The International Press Institute (IPI) calls on the relevant authorities in Kenya to ensure that all forms of press freedom violations that have occurred in the context of the ongoing protests are duly investigated and that all perpetrators of violence towards journalists are held accountable. The government must protect media freedom and the public’s right […] Read more »
The right to truth: IPI demands justice for killed journalists in Africa March 30, 2023 By Nompilo Simanje, IPI Africa Advocacy and Partnerships Lead On Friday, March 24, the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims was commemorated. This day was observed at a time when there are key developments in the political, socio-economic, and legal environment across Africa that continue to restrict media freedom and freedom […] Read more »
IPI Africa Press Freedom Monitoring: Two journalists killed in January March 29, 2023 It was an alarming start to the year for press freedom in Africa, as two journalists were killed in the month of January — in Cameroon and Rwanda, respectively. These killings put a spotlight on the deteriorating conditions for journalists across the continent, as shown by IPI data on press freedom threats and violations. Cameroonian […] Read more »
Mozambique: IPI reiterates call on government to withdraw restrictive NGO law March 28, 2023 As Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi is in New York this week to chair high-level meetings of the U.N. Security Council, the IPI global network reiterates its call on his government to withdraw a controversial bill that could be used to restrict the work of civil society groups, which play a vital role in protecting press […] Read more » TaggedMozambique
Ireland: How the wealthy and powerful abuse legal system to silence reporting March 23, 2023 By IPI contributor Naomi O’Leary It was a scoop that packed a punch. As Ireland struggles with a grinding housing crisis that has made record numbers of people homeless, a young newspaper reporter discovered a landlord was planning a mass eviction – of an entire apartment block. The reporter spoke to the landlord’s public relations representative, asking for a comment, […] Read more »
Russia further tightens already repressive “fake news” and “discreditation” laws March 15, 2023 Days after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia adopted repressive legislation at full speed, aiming to criminalize any independent reporting or social media mentions of the war. Just over a year later, Russian lawmakers tightened these laws even further. On March 15, the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, adopted […] Read more »
FSB detains Crimean Tatar citizen journalist, conducts rough search at family home On 15 March 2023, operatives of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) conducted a rough search in Urozhayne, a village in Crimea, at the home of Crimean Tatar citizen journalist Rolan Osmanov, who was then arrested and taken to the FSB headquarters in Simferopol, the capital of Russian-annexed Crimea. Osmanov was released by the next day, […] Read more »
IPI: Celebrating women leaders in media on International Women’s Day March 8, 2023 To mark International Women’s Day on March 8, IPI is today celebrating the incredible women journalists in our global network who have dedicated their careers to digging out and telling important stories to their communities. Below we highlight some of the most inspiring and pioneering journalism being done around the world by women reporters, editors […] Read more »
Portugal: Acquittal of journalists represents important legal victory for press freedom March 7, 2023 The International Press Institute (IPI) today welcomes the court decision exonerating two experienced journalists over their reporting on a major judicial investigation into corruption as a vital legal victory for the freedom of the press in Portugal. On February 28, 2023, Carlos Rodrigues Lima, a journalist with Visão, and Henrique Machado, a reporter at TVI […] Read more »
Council of Europe’s Platform for the Safety of Journalists Report 2023 March 7, 2023 The International Press Institute (IPI) today joins the Partner Organisations in the platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists in publish our 2023 annual report under the title “War in Europe and the fight for the right to report”. The report reveals a continued degradation of press freedom across the continent. […] Read more »
Russian parliament toughens laws on “fake news” about the Russian army On 2 March 2023, the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) voted legal amendments in second reading aiming to further toughen existing laws prohibiting so-called “fake news” and “discreditation” of the Russian army. If enacted, the law would expand the list of entities it will be illegal to “discredit”. Aside from the regular Russian […] Read more »
UK: End of Realtid case underscores urgent need for anti-SLAPP reforms March 2, 2023 In January 2023, Swedish business and finance publication Realtid confirmed that they had reached a settlement with businessman Svante Kumlin over a legal action Kumlin had taken as a result of articles published in late 2020. Under the terms of the settlement, while Kumlin will pay part of Realtid’s legal fees, Realtid will keep the […] Read more »
Over three years: Egyptian court extends detention of Al Jazeera journalists February 28, 2023 IPI Contributor Karam Sleiman The IPI global network condemns Egypt’s detention of Al Jazeera journalists Hisham Abdelaziz, Bahaa Eldin Ibrahim, and Rabie el-Sheikh. The Egyptian authorities must release them immediately. IPI calls on the Egyptian government to put a halt to baseless attacks on journalists, uphold its responsibility in protecting press freedom, and release imprisoned journalists in the country. […] Read more »
Mozambique: Lawmakers should reject restrictive NGO law February 27, 2023 The International Press Institute (IPI) calls on Mozambican lawmakers to withdraw a controversial bill that would hinder the work of non-governmental organizations. Among other things, the legislation would give the government the power to shutter NGOs, including those that defend press freedom and free expression. As it begins its new session, Mozambique’s parliament is set […] Read more »
Mexico: Authorities must investigate death of environmental journalist February 27, 2023 IPI Contributor Karam Sleiman The IPI global network urges Mexican authorities to thoroughly investigate the February 13 death of journalist and activist Abisaí Pérez Romero, including the possibility that he may have been killed. On February 13, journalist and environmental activist Abisaí Pérez Romero was found dead in the city of Tula, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo, a […] Read more »
Morocco: IPI joins 41 other rights groups condemning persecution of journalist Taoufik Bouachrine and other critical journalists February 27, 2023 The IPI global network has joined 41 other rights groups from around the world in urging authorities in Morocco to respect press freedom and to end the harassment and persecution of Taoufik Bouachrine and other critical journalists in the country. Read the joint letter below: The undersigned rights groups reiterate their call on Moroccan authorities […] Read more » TaggedMorocco
Ukraine: Steadfast solidarity and support for journalistic community on war anniversary February 24, 2023 Today, marking one year since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, IPI joins its partners in the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in renewing our condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression. We continue to stand in solidarity with the journalists and media workers who cover the events at great risk to their […] Read more »
Safety of Journalists Platform: Statement to mark one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine February 24, 2023 Today, one year after the Russian Federation launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the International Press Institute (IPI) joins its Partner Organisations to the Safety of Journalists’ Platform in remembering the colleagues who lost their lives while covering the war, those who have endured injury, abduction, torture and suffering and express full support for all […] Read more »
Georgian lawmakers should scrap plans for ‘foreign agent’ bill February 21, 2023 The International Press Institute (IPI) calls on Georgian MPs to scrap plans for “foreign agent” legislation that echoes similar laws in authoritarian states, such as that in neighboring Russia. While the bill’s authors have claimed that the law would be based on “principles of openness and transparency”, the measures risk being used as a weapon […] Read more »
Cambodia: Government orders closure of independent outlet Voice of Democracy February 21, 2023 IPI Contributor Karam Sleiman The IPI global network condemns the Cambodian government’s attack on press freedom after Prime Minister Hun Sen last week ordered the closure of one of the last remaining independent domestic news outlets, Voice of Democracy. The government must immediately rescind this order and allow VOD and other independent media to operate, in line with domestic […] Read more »
Pakistan: Government seeks to criminalize criticism of the military February 21, 2023 IPI Contributor Lena del Santo The IPI global network is alarmed by a proposed bill in Pakistan that would punish criticism of the Pakistan military and judiciary with prison. The measures would expand on the already restrictive provisions in the criminal code that are increasingly used to slience critial media and independent journalism in Pakistan. The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, […] Read more »
India: Government raids BBC offices after airing documentary critical of Modi February 17, 2023 The IPI global network condemns the Indian government’s decision to raid the offices of BBC in New Delhi and Mumbai. The Modi government must stop attempting to silence independent media by harassing and intimidating journalists. Authorities from the Income Tax Department sealed BBC offices on February 14 as part of an investigation into tax violation […] Read more »
Two years after military coup, international community must support Myanmar’s independent media February 9, 2023 IPI Contributor Lena Dal Santo The IPI global network calls on the international community to renew its support for press freedom in Myanmar. Two years since the military took power in a violent coup d’état, and despite extraordinary resilience and courage by the country’s media, the state of press freedom remains in peril. The international community must act with urgency […] Read more »
EU: Call to MEPs for strong European Media Freedom Act February 9, 2023 The International Press Institute (IPI) today joins 40 organisations in urging Members of the European Parliament to push for a strong European Media Freedom Act. – IPI position on the European Media Freedom Act – How the European Media Freedom Act could affect Hungary and Poland – European Media Freedom Act breaks significant new ground […] Read more »
Kosovo: Media freedom groups write to PM Kurti over RTK appointment February 3, 2023 The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined four international media freedom organisations in writing to the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, to raise our shared concerns about a recent appointment to Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) which undermines recent reform progress. Read the full letter below. Dear Albin Kurti, President of Vetevendosje […] Read more »
IPI, partners request meeting with Kyrgyz president February 1, 2023 Today, IPI and a group of partner organizations sent a letter to Sadyr Japarov, President of Kyrgyzstan, requesting a meeting to discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation of press freedom in this country. The letter was co-signed by Committee to Protect journalists, Article 19, Human Rights Watch, Justice For Journalists Foundation, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and Reporters […] Read more »
Daily Star | Blogging in Bangladesh: Caught between a rock and a hard place January 31, 2023 Pinaki Roy and Wasim Habib, Daily Star This article is published in collaboration with the Daily Star in Bangladesh, as part of a content series supported by the IPI South Asia cross-border journalism project, which aims to support press freedom and promote the safety of journalists in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Nepal. [separator style_type=”single” top_margin=”20px” bottom_margin=”20px” sep_color=”#c4c4c4″ border_size=”1px” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” […] Read more »
Rwanda: 90 rights groups call for independent investigation into death of journalist John Williams Ntwali January 31, 2023 The International Press Institute (IPI) today is among 90 civil society and press freedom organizations calling on the Rwandan authorities to ensure an independent and thorough investigation into the death of prominent journalist John Williams Ntwali. Authorities said Ntwali died in a traffic accident on January 19 but have failed to provide any additional information […] Read more »
