Press release UN Special Rapporteur: IPI submission highlights threats facing environmental journalists September 22, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI), through its Africa programme, has responded to a call for input for the upcoming thematic report of the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. IPI encouraged the Special Rapporteur to recognise protecting environmental journalists, and access to information, as integral […] Read more » Taggedenvironmental journalism press freedom
Advocacy Turkey: IPI condemns journalist detention, mass account blocking in anti-LGBTQ+ operations September 16, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) condemns the escalating crackdown on journalists, media organisations, and civil society groups in Turkey, following a wave of access-blocking orders, detentions, and arrests targeting LGBTQ+ organisations and individuals in the country. Journalist Tuğba Tekerek was detained on September 13 over her reporting. Police also detained members of Kaos GL, which […] Read more »
Advocacy Pakistan: IPI and partners urge prime minister to act on deteriorating press freedom September 11, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) and eight other press freedom and human rights organisations wrote to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on September 11, 2026, urging his government to halt a rapid deterioration in press freedom. Journalists have disappeared, faced detention and criminal investigation, lost their jobs under pressure from government and law enforcement agencies, […] Read more » Taggedpress freedom
Advocacy Sudan: IPI welcomes release of three journalists, presses for those still missing September 10, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) welcomes the release of journalists Ishraqa Abdelrahman, Mawahib Ibrahim, and Zahra Mohamed El Hassan after six months in detention by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). IPI calls on the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to release all other detained or disappeared journalists and to stop harassing and […] Read more » Taggedimpunity safety of journalists
test homepage Spotlight Lesotho: Armed men abduct and assault Newsday editor Journalist SafetyPress Freedom IPI announces 2027 World Congress and Media Innovation Festival in Budapest IPI World CongressMedia InnovationPress Freedom Africa Media Freedom Monitoring: April to June 2026 IPI Africa Media Freedom Tracker Journalism can survive and thrive through AI adoption: interview with Zain Siddiqui Digital TransitionMedia […] Read more »
Advocacy Lesotho: Armed men abduct and assault Newsday editor September 8, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) condemns the abduction and assault of Newsday editor and human rights activist Kananelo Boloetse. IPI calls on Lesotho’s authorities to swiftly and thoroughly investigate this attack and hold the perpetrators accountable. Three unidentified men abducted Boloetse from his home in Katlehong, Maseru on September 5, 2026 and took him to […] Read more » TaggedAfrica press freedom
Advocacy Nepal: IPI stands with journalists covering flood disaster and condemns Chinese censorship in Tibet September 3, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) stands with the journalists of Nepal affected by the Himalayan flood disaster and calls on the international community to ensure support for local media is part of the humanitarian response. IPI also strongly condemns the Chinese government’s censorship of news from Tibet, and urges the diplomatic community to press for […] Read more »
From the Philippines, Hungary, and Latin America: how to maintain courage and hope in independent journalism August 24, 2026 This article was originally written by Ivonne Arroyo, Editorial Coordinator at the Gabo Foundation, and published in Spanish. It is re-published here with permission. Individual courage and persistence are needed, yes, but so is “collective resilience and resistance” to report on corruption, dictatorships, and organised crime, said Jesper Højberg (Denmark), executive director of International Media […] Read more »
MediaZona, Igor Sadreev and Natalya Kiseleva designated as ‘foreign agents’ On 10 April 2026, Russia’s Ministry of Justice designated Russian journalists Igor Sadreev and Natalya Kiseleva, as well as independent outlet MediaZona, as “foreign agents”. Authorities claimed that they spread “fake news ” about the decisions of the Russian government, opposed Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and participated in the creation and dissemination of content […] Read more »
Advocacy IPI welcomes the adoption of the ACHPR resolution on the need to conduct a study on SLAPPs in Africa August 14, 2026 The IPI global network commends the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) for adopting the Resolution on the Need to Conduct a Study on Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in Africa at the 88th Ordinary Session. The Resolution is an important first step towards strengthening regional efforts to address SLAPPs, which are […] Read more » TaggedACHPR anti-slapp journalists legal harassment. legal intimidation resolution SLAPP
Advocacy Georgia: One year after sentencing, IPI renews call for release of Mzia Amaglobeli August 6, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) today marks one year since the sentencing of World Press Freedom Hero Mzia Amaglobeli to two years of imprisonment in Georgia and renews our call for her immediate release. Amaglobeli, the founder and co-director of two of Georgia’s most prominent independent media outlets Netgazeti and Batumelebi, was sentenced to two […] Read more »
Advocacy Mexico: IPI raises alarm as violence against journalists escalates August 3, 2026 Following the violent killings of seven Mexican journalists in the first seven months of 2026, the International Press Institute (IPI) urgently demands the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum take immediate action to halt the spiral of violence against members of the press, in line with her stated commitment to defend the safety of journalists. Nearly […] Read more »
Webinar: SLAPPs–the growing threat against climate and environmental reporting in Africa A recent report by the International Press Institute (IPI) finds that SLAPPs pose a serious threat to climate and environmental reporting. Investigative journalists working to expose the driving forces behind environmental harms and influence life-saving climate action often find themselves defending long, costly and unfounded legal claims. Defined as any legal action that is threatened […] Read more »
Advocacy Tunisia: IPI, partners call on Tunisian authorities to free unjustly imprisoned journalists July 30, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) joined 46 civil society partners in expressing alarm over a recent uptick in jailings of journalists and human rights defenders in retaliation for their documentation of human rights abuses and reporting on government policies and corruption. In the statement, the groups urge the Tunisian government to release those unjustly imprisoned […] Read more »
Advocacy Spain: IPI supports elDiario after criminal defamation lawsuit by singer Julio Iglesias July 24, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) today outlines our support for leading Spanish online news outlet elDiario following the criminal defamation lawsuit filed by singer Julio Iglesias in connection with its reporting on allegations of sexual assault. The criminal lawsuit is a clear attempt to intimidate journalists and silence legitimate public interest reporting. It also represents […] Read more »
Analysis Analysis: The erosion of media freedom in Kosovo July 24, 2026 This op-ed was originally produced for and published by Kosovo 2.0. It has been re-published here with permission. It was written by IPI Senior Europe Advocacy Officer Jamie Wiseman. Click here to read the original piece. Four years ago, a coalition of the world’s leading press freedom organizations conducted a fact-finding mission in […] Read more »
Spotlight: Filipino journalist Patricia Evangelista named 2026 World Press Freedom Hero July 21, 2026 Patricia Evangelista was a recent university graduate with a degree in communications when she heard that two young women she had gone to school with had been “disappeared” by the state military. “At that time, I didn’t even know that there was a different usage of the word ‘disappeared’…I was not aware my government was […] Read more »
Alexander Polivanov designated as a ‘foreign agent’ On 10 April 2026, Russia’s Ministry of Justice designated Russian journalist Alexander Polivanov as a “foreign agent”. Authorities claimed that he spread “fake news ” about the decisions of the Russian government, opposed Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and participated in the creation and dissemination of content created by other “foreign agents” as well as […] Read more »
Spotlight: Chilean journalist Mónica González named 2026 World Press Freedom Hero July 17, 2026 Before Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet came to power in 1973 in a violent military coup, Mónica González wanted to be a doctor. After her father died in a railway accident, she had to forgo her studies and find another profession. She landed on journalism. “I felt it was similar to an intensive care unit in […] Read more »
Spotlight: Abzas Media and Meydan TV receive 2026 Free Media Pioneer Award July 15, 2026 Decades before a series of arrests beginning in the fall of 2023 led to the mass arrests and imprisonment of dozens of Azerbaijani journalists, the groundwork was laid for a sweeping crackdown on civil society under Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. For years, the Aliyev regime promoted propaganda campaigns intended to discredit Azerbaijan’s independent news outlets […] Read more »
Advocacy Turkey: IPI and partners urge NATO to reconsider denial of independent media accreditation June 27, 2026 International Press Institute (IPI), together with press freedom, freedom of expression, and human rights organisations, has written to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to raise urgent concerns about the denial of accreditation to independent media in Türkiye seeking to cover the 2026 Ankara Summit. To: Secretary General Mark Rutte Ms. Delphine Mauss , NATO Summit […] Read more »
Advocacy Poland: Passing of Anti-SLAPP Act a victory for media freedom June 23, 2026 The passing of a law by the President of Poland which will establish stronger safeguards against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) is a long-awaited victory for media freedom which will provide important legal protections for public interest journalism, IPI and Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) said today. Our organisations welcome the passing of the […] Read more »
Advocacy Mexico: IPI condemns killing of crime reporter Luis Ángel López Valdez June 18, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) condemns the killing of Mexican crime reporter Luis Ángel López Valdez and calls on Mexican and Veracruz authorities to ensure the investigation into his killing is conducted swiftly and transparently, and holds those responsible accountable. We urge the Sheinbaum government to act urgently to protect members of the media amid […] Read more »
Consultancy call: Risk assessment guide and training for climate and environmental journalists in Africa The International Press Institute (IPI) is seeking a consultant to develop a risk assessment guide for reporters covering climate and environmental topics in Africa. The consultant will also develop corresponding training materials and deliver a risk assessment workshop. This initiative is part of IPI’s ongoing programme aimed at protecting and strengthening climate and environmental journalism […] Read more »
IPI and IMS announce 2026 recipients of World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer awards June 16, 2026 Today, the International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) are proud to announce this year’s recipients of the World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer awards, who together demonstrate remarkable courage, ingenuity, and resilience amid an increasingly challenging environment for press freedom and independent journalism around the world. The 2026 recipients of […] Read more »
Consultancy call: Researcher/report writer on ATI policy and practice in Africa The International Press Institute (IPI) is seeking a consultant to research and draft a report on trends and challenges of access to information for climate and environmental reporting in Africa. This research will be undertaken as part of IPI’s Climate and Environmental Journalism Africa (CEJA) programme to strengthen climate and environmental journalism in Africa. This […] Read more »
Advocacy Iran: IPI raises urgent concerns about health of imprisoned journalist Reza Valizadeh June 9, 2026 Following imprisoned journalist Reza Valizadeh’s urgent plea for medical treatment, sent from Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, the International Press Institute (IPI) calls on the U.S. government to use all diplomatic tools at its disposal to secure treatment for him, and ensure his release is part of ongoing peace negotiations. Valizadeh, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, has […] Read more »
IPI digitises 75 years of press freedom history Seventy-five years and 18,000 pages of press freedom history are now available — in state-of-the-art, searchable format — to journalists, researchers, and the general public. The International Press Institute (IPI) announces the digitisation of the IPI Report, the organisation’s flagship monthly publication between 1952 and 2005. The IPI Report was a central forum for documentation […] Read more »
Africa Media Monitoring: January to March 2026 During the first quarter of 2026, IPI’s monitoring programme recorded 103 press freedom violations in 26 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. These spanned legal threats, arrests, and physical attacks, including the killing of a journalist in Somalia by a police officer. As in previous monitoring reports, state actors (86%) remain the primary source of these violations, […] Read more »
Advocacy Africa Media Monitoring: January to March 2026 June 5, 2026 During the first quarter of 2026, IPI’s monitoring programme recorded 103 press freedom violations in 26 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. These spanned legal threats, arrests, and physical attacks, including the killing of a journalist in Somalia by a police officer. As in previous monitoring reports, state actors (86%) remain the primary source of these violations, […] Read more » TaggedAfrica attacks on journalists journalist killed safety of journalists
Advocacy Turkey: IPI and partner organisations call for the release of journalist İsmail Arı ahead of June 5 court hearing June 4, 2026 The undersigned press freedom, freedom of expression, journalists’ and human rights organisations call for the immediate release of BirGün journalist İsmail Arı, who has been behind bars for 75 days. Arı is due to appear before an Ankara court on June 5, after being jailed under Turkey’s so-called “disinformation law” in connection with his investigative […] Read more »
Press release 11 trailblazing organisations shortlisted for 2026 IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer Award June 1, 2026 Today, IPI and IMS are proud to announce the 11 organisations shortlisted for the 2026 IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer Award in recognition of their creative and innovative work to sustain independent journalism amid an increasingly hostile global environment for press freedom. This year’s shortlist is made up of organisations from around the world that have […] Read more »
Advocacy Somalia: Escalating attacks against journalists in May raise alarm May 29, 2026 The IPI global network expresses deep concern over the escalating attacks, arrests, intimidation, and harassment of journalists in Somalia and especially throughout the month of May 2026. IPI calls on the international diplomatic community to intensify engagement with Somali authorities and urge them to prioritise the protection of journalists and press freedom. As Somalia has […] Read more »
