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 »
Russian strike damages multiple media offices in Kyiv On 24 May 2026, multiple offices of Ukrainian and international media were damaged in a combined Russian strike on Kyiv, involving various types of missiles and drones, according to reports by the media outlets in question. The damaged offices were those of: Stay informed. Stay engaged. Join thousands of journalists who receive the IPI Weekly […] Read more »
Advocacy Colombia: IPI condemns killing of journalist Mateo Pérez Rueda May 22, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) condemns the killing of Colombian journalist Mateo Pérez Rueda. We call on Colombian President Gustavo Petro and the country’s attorney general to conduct a transparent and credible investigation into Pérez’s death and take immediate steps to protect the safety of journalists reporting on armed conflict. Pérez, 25, was found shot […] Read more »
IJ4EU backs fresh wave of investigations with €610,000 in grants May 22, 2026 Investigations into alleged war crimes, deadly gangs, Europe’s environmental footprint abroad, and Big Tech lobbying in Brussels are among the projects selected for support under the latest round of grants from IPI’s Investigative Journalism for Europe (IJ4EU) fund. An independent jury awarded a combined €610,000 to 18 reporting teams working across 34 countries, as demand […] Read more » Taggedfunding grants ij4eu
Analysis Analysis: Foreign agent laws are becoming the scourge of media freedom across Europe May 18, 2026 Teona Sekhniashvili, Europe Advocacy Officer at IPI This op-ed by IPI was originally published in OC Media on 7 May 2026 to mark World Press Freedom Day. Click here to read the original article World Press Freedom Day has passed by as attacks against independent journalism escalated at an unprecedented rate. From smear campaigns and digital threats, to vexatious lawsuits […] Read more »
Advocacy Maldives: IPI, partners call on President Muizzu to reverse retaliatory legal action against Adhadhu News May 11, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) joined six press freedom and human rights organisations in writing to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu expressing concern over an April 27 police raid of Adhadhu News’s office, during which reporting equipment was seized and several journalists were placed on travel bans. In the letter, the groups urge President Muizzu to […] Read more »
Advocacy Philippines: IPI condemns killing of journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma May 7, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) strongly condemns the killing of journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma during a local military operation. IPI calls on the Commission on Human Rights to undertake an expedited, credible, and transparent investigation into his death and demands that those responsible for this attack be brought to justice. Ledesma, who was the chief […] Read more »
Advocacy As deadline passes, MFRR renews call for urgent transposition of EU Anti SLAPP Directive May 7, 2026 Today, 7 May 2026, marks the deadline for EU Member States to transpose the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive, also known as Daphne’s law. As we mark this landmark, however, the European Anti-SLAPP Monitor shows a fragmented and uneven picture for transposition across Europe, as the deadline is being missed by nearly all Member States. While the […] Read more »
Advocacy Turkey: IPI and partner orgs condemn escalating use of “disinformation law” against journalists April 28, 2026 The undersigned press freedom, freedom of expression, journalists’ and human rights organisations strongly condemn the intensifying use of Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code — widely known as the “disinformation law” — to arrest, detain, and prosecute journalists, and call on the government to repeal the provision immediately and release all journalists imprisoned under […] Read more »
Meet 15 media in IPI’s first Global AI Accelerator 2026 cohort April 24, 2026 This March, IPI kicked off our first Global AI Accelerator for Media. The accelerator offers eight months of funding and advisory support for small- to medium-sized independent media from Global Majority countries. It is designed for organisations seeking to experiment with AI and new technology, and to invest in the medium- and long-term viability that […] Read more »
Advocacy Kuwait: IPI demands release of Kuwaiti-American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin April 20, 2026 Seven weeks after the arrest of Kuwaiti-American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin by Kuwaiti authorities, the International Press Institute demands his immediate release and calls on authorities to cease the use of new national security laws to restrict the free flow of news and information. Shihab-Eldin, an award-winning journalist who has contributed to the New York Times, […] Read more »
Advocacy Serbia: Total impunity entrenched 27 years after killing of editor Slavko Ćuruvija April 10, 2026 Twenty-seven years after the assassination of Serbian newspaper publisher and editor Slavko Ćuruvija in Belgrade, IPI today joins the undersigned media freedom organisations in marking the upcoming anniversary of the killing by lamenting the complete impunity for those responsible for one of the most serious attacks on journalism in the country’s history. The undersigned organisations, […] Read more »
Advocacy Azerbaijan: IPI condemns confirmation of lengthy prison sentences for 7 journalists from Abzas Media and RFE/RL April 9, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) today condemns the recent Supreme Court verdicts upholding politically-motivated prison sentences handed down to seven journalists in the so-called “Abzas Media case.” These rulings by Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court serve the Aliyev regime’s longstanding goal of wiping out press freedom and independent journalism within the country. With these latest rulings, all […] Read more »
Advocacy Georgia: Afgan Sadygov’s deportation represents a stark example of transnational repression, demands urgent international response April 8, 2026 IPI is joined by undersigned MFRR partners, and other media freedom, journalist and freedom of expression organisations in condemning the arrest and deportation of Afgan Sadygov, founder of Azerbaijani news outlet and youtube channel Azel.tv from Georgia to Azerbaijan. Sadygov’s deportation constitutes a blatant violation of Georgia’s commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights […] Read more »
Analysis Feature: The information frontline — Press freedom and the security crisis in the Sahel March 26, 2026 Executive summary Following a series of military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, press freedom in the three Sahel countries has witnessed an increasingly downward trend. Independent journalism faces threats from both regime authorities as well as broader insecurity in the region from terrorist groups. Under the guise of countering terrorism and safeguarding national […] Read more » TaggedAlliance of Sahel states arrested journalist conscripted journalists imprisoned journalists press freedom attacks suspended media outlets
Advocacy Turkey: Joint letter to the EU on current visa policies obstructing Turkish journalists’ mobility March 26, 2026 The undersigned MFRR partners and other press freedom, freedom of expression, journalists’ and human rights organizations sent the following letter to: > Drahoslav Stefanek, Chair of the Working Party on Human Rights (COHOM), Council of the European Union > Ellis Mathews, Head of Human Rights Division of European External Action Service (EEAS) > Beate Gminder, […] Read more »
Advocacy IPI welcomes landmark African Commission resolution on access to environmental and climate information March 19, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) welcomes the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ adoption of a landmark resolution calling on African states to uphold access to climate and environmental information – including by safeguarding the rights of journalists reporting on environmental harm, climate impacts, and resource exploitation. Adopted on March 9, the Resolution on […] Read more » Taggedaccess to information African Commission environmental reporting resolution
Advocacy Zimbabwe: Alarming escalation of attacks against journalists March 13, 2026 The IPI global network expresses deep concern over a series of recent incidents in Zimbabwe that signal an alarming escalation of pressure, intimidation, and violence targeting journalists. In recent weeks, individual journalists in Zimbabwe have faced threats from senior government officials, criminal prosecution linked to their reporting, and physical attacks while carrying out their work. […] Read more » Taggedattacks on journalists cybercrime law journalist detained zimbabwe
Systemic Siege of Journalism in Turkey A coalition of eight international press freedom, free expression and human rights organisations participated in a mission to Türkiye from November 24 to 26, 2025, in Ankara. In discussions with a range of Turkish institutions and stakeholders, the mission delegation raised a wide variety of issues that have contributed to a further decline in press […] Read more »
Advocacy Georgia: New laws threaten to paralyze independent media March 11, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) today strongly condemns the Georgian parliament’s adoption of a sweeping new legislative package that criminalizes foreign funding and cooperation, warning it will paralyze the operations of the country’s vital independent media sector. The measures threaten to cut independent journalism and civil society off from vital lifelines of financial support and […] Read more »
Advocacy Turkey 2025 Mission Report March 10, 2026 A coalition of eight international press freedom, free expression and human rights organisations participated in a mission to Türkiye from November 24 to 26, 2025, in Ankara. In discussions with a range of Turkish institutions and stakeholders, the mission delegation raised a wide variety of issues that have contributed to a further decline in press […] Read more »
Advocacy International Women’s Day 2026: Spotlighting the stories of women journalists imprisoned around the world March 8, 2026 For years, the imprisonment of journalists around the globe has been on the rise, as governments worldwide weaponize the law to jail those who dare to hold the powerful to account with independent reporting. In recent years, a growing share of these imprisoned journalists are women. According to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists, […] Read more »
Advocacy North Macedonia: Appeal court ruling on Investigative Reporting Lab a worrying setback for media freedom March 6, 2026 A recent defamation decision by the Court of Appeal in North Macedonia against the Investigative Reporting Lab (IRL) is a worrying development for media freedom in the country which should be overturned on further appeal, the IPI and organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) said today. At a public hearing before the Court […] Read more »
Advocacy Belarus: IPI condemns new prison sentences for two Intex Press journalists March 2, 2026 The IPI global network today condemns the lengthy prison sentences handed down by a court in Belarus to two prominent regional journalists, Uladzimir Yanukevich and Andrei Pakalenka. According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), the country’s independent union operating from exile, Yanukevich and Pakalenka were found guilty on charges of ‘high treason’ and sentenced […] Read more »
Advocacy Angola: Alarm over spyware attack on journalist Teixeira Candido February 26, 2026 The IPI global network is alarmed over reports that Angolan journalist Teixeira Candido was targeted by Predator spyware, underscoring the pervasive threat that surveillance tech poses to journalists globally. We urge Angolan authorities to launch a thorough and independent investigation into the attack, publicly identify the source of surveillance, and ensure safeguards are put in […] Read more » Taggedangola cybersecurity Pegasus predator spyware spyware surveillance technology
Advocacy Pakistan: IPI, partners urge PM to address worsening environment for press freedom February 25, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined 17 press freedom and human rights organizations in writing to the Prime Minister of Pakistan to raise alarm over the deteriorating environment for media freedom in the country. In the letter, IPI and partners call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate steps to uphold the country’s […] Read more »
Advocacy Venezuela: Acting government must demonstrate respect for press freedom February 24, 2026 The IPI global network today calls on Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, and her government to end the persecution of journalists in line with the government’s stated commitments to “redirect justice” after decades of repression under the Chavista regime. Authorities must take concrete steps to end the legal harassment of journalists, including dropping all charges […] Read more »
Advocacy Hungary: Reports of potential corporate influence behind SPO investigations set dangerous precedent for press freedom February 18, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) is alarmed by reports that multinational company Samsung SDI may have prompted Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO) to launch a discriminatory investigation into Átlátszó, one of Hungary’s leading investigative newsrooms. In wake of the revelations, IPI repeats our call for authorities in Hungary to immediately repeal the restrictive Protection of […] Read more »
Advocacy Guatemala: IPI welcomes release of World Press Freedom Hero José Rubén Zamora, calls for all remaining charges to be dropped February 13, 2026 The IPI global network welcomes the release of Guatemalan journalist and IPI World Press Freedom Hero José Rubén Zamora on house arrest. All remaining charges against him must now be dropped, and authorities must end their legal campaign against him. On February 12, a judge ordered Zamora, the founder and director of the now-closed independent […] Read more »
Advocacy Azerbaijan: IPI urges compliance with ECHR ruling on journalist Khadija Ismayilova February 2, 2026 The International Press Institute (IPI) welcomes the recent European Court of Human Rights’ verdict which ruled that the conviction of veteran Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova was baseless and a clear violation of her right to freedom of expression and a fair trial. IPI calls on authorities in Azerbaijan to immediately comply with the ruling, lift […] Read more »
Advocacy Georgia: Restrictive new funding law would further cut off media and journalists January 30, 2026 IPI is joined by MFRR partners in strongly condemning the proposals of the Georgian Dream (GD) ruling party to implement a series of legislative amendments that would impose additional restrictions and penalties on recipients of grants and foreign funding. If implemented, our organisations warn the amendments would strengthen an already restrictive web of legislation targeting […] Read more »
Advocacy Kyrgyzstan: IPI and partners demand retrial for imprisoned journalist January 30, 2026 Ahead of a February 2 decision by Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court on whether to consider reopening the case of imprisoned journalist Makhabat Tajibek kyzy, IPI and seven other international press freedom and human rights organizations urge Kyrgyz authorities to fully comply with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s favorable opinion and release Tajibek kyzy […] Read more »
Advocacy Ukraine: IPI demands release of journalist Hennadiy Osmak from Russian captivity January 30, 2026 The IPI global network demands the release from Russian captivity of Hennadiy Osmak, a journalist from Ukraine’s occupied Kherson region, who was initially detained by Russian authorities in March 2024 and recently sentenced on trumped-up charges. According to reports by Ukrainian human rights organizations, Osmak is currently imprisoned in a penal colony in Russia’s Vladimir […] Read more »
