JIRI DIENSTBIER September 11, 2020 Jiri Dienstbier was a foreign policy commentator for Czechoslovak Radio before Warsaw Pact forces invaded his country in 1968, after which he was forced to work as an archivist, a night watchman and a boiler attendant to make a living. From 1969 until the fall of the communist regime in 1989, he published underground, or […] Read more » TaggedWorld Press Freedom Heroes
Uganda’s forthcoming elections put journalists under threat September 10, 2020 Nathalia González, IPI Contributor When Uganda’s electoral commission announced that starting from June all electoral campaigning must take place online and through the media due to Covid-19 restrictions, a pivotal role was, at least symbolically, assigned to the country’s journalists and media outlets. But as next year’s presidential elections approach, scheduled for early 2021, this new system has deepened […] Read more »
China further restricts work of foreign journalists September 8, 2020 Eden Vered, IPI Contributor The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today condemned the Chinese government’s growing attempts to restrict the work of international journalists in the country, most recently targeting U.S. and Australian reporters. At least 5 reporters from U.S-based media organizations including The Wall Street Journal, […] Read more »
Investigative news outlet Declassified UK blacklisted by Ministry of Defence September 4, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today wrote to the UK Ministry of Defence and the Secretary of State for Defence about a recent decision by its press office to refuse comment to investigative news outlet Declassified UK. IPI expressed concern that the […] Read more »
Egyptian authorities prolong journalists’ detention September 3, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today criticized the Egyptian government for extending the detention of some journalists and slapping new charges against them. Between August 17 and 30, the Egyptian state security prosecution decided to investigate journalist Solafa Magdy in a new […] Read more »
Impunity for crimes against journalists remains high September 3, 2020 Impunity for crimes against journalists has continued to remain high, as governments are failing to bring perpetrators to justice, the International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, said ahead of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2. Since last October, as many […] Read more »
Belarusian journalists face prosecution and suppression as government tactics morph August 28, 2020 Authorities in Belarus must immediately drop all charges against journalists detained during recent police crackdowns, stop cancelling accreditation for foreign journalists and immediately halt interference with state-owned publishing houses, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today. IPI, a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, also joined other NGOs in […] Read more »
Cartoonist arrested in Jordan over UAE-Israel cartoon August 27, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today condemned the arrest of Jordanian-Palestinian cartoonist Emad Hajjaj and demanded his immediate release. Hajjaj was arrested on August 25 by the Jordanian police under the country’s cybercrimes law, on the charge of insulting an Arab country. […] Read more »
Germany urged to defend press freedom globally under EU presidency August 25, 2020 Zur deutschen Version. Germany should use its current EU presidency to defend press freedom both inside and outside the EU’s borders, the International Press Institute (IPI) said in a letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “We are convinced that Germany can play a leading role in defending the right of journalists to do their job”, […] Read more »
Belarus violence: IPI urges Austria to press for EU action August 13, 2020 Ahead of a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers on August 13, the Vienna-based International Press Institute has called on Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg to push for a united EU condemnation of violence against journalists covering the ongoing protests in Belarus. Dozens of journalists have been physically assaulted or detained by security forces in […] Read more »
IJ4EU fund launches second call for new projects August 10, 2020 The IJ4EU fund launched a new call for applications to its Investigation Support Scheme on August 10, with around €400,000 available to assist cross-border journalistic projects in the European Union and EU candidate countries. Under the scheme’s second call of the year, teams can apply for grants of €5,000 to €50,000 for new investigative projects, […] Read more »
Draconian measures threaten Jordan press freedom August 6, 2020 IPI Contributor Eden Vered The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today condemned the ban imposed by the Jordanian government on media organizations on reporting about the teachers’ strike. On July 25, the attorney general issued a comprehensive publishing ban on reporting the situation, the impact of which […] Read more »
IPI urges new Burundi president to uphold press freedom July 28, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today urged Burundi’s new president, Évariste Ndayishimiye, to restore press freedom in the country and release four imprisoned journalists In a letter to President Ndayishimiye, IPI Director of Advocacy Ravi R. Prasad also urged Burundi to lift […] Read more »
Ugandan TV host Basajja Mivula arrested July 27, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today expressed concern over the arrest of noted Ugandan TV host and outspoken government critic Basajja Mivula. The journalist was arrested by plain-clothes police at Baba TV offices in Kampala today, moments after sharing a a video […] Read more »
IJ4EU fund awards €460,000 to 11 investigative projects July 15, 2020 Read this article on the IJ4EU website An independent jury has chosen 11 cross-border journalism projects for funding under the first of two calls this year for the Investigation Support Scheme of the IJ4EU fund, which is managed by the International Press Institute (IPI). A hundred and sixteen teams of journalists based in EU member […] Read more »
Malaysiakini should not be held liable for user comments July 10, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today urged the attorney general to drop the contempt proceedings against Malaysiakini and its editor-in-chief, Steven Gan, and called on the authorities to cease the ongoing harassment and legal attacks against this prominent media outlets. On June 15, […] Read more »
Egypt’s media clampdown continues with new arrests of journalists June 25, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today condemned the arrest of Egyptian journalist Nora Younis, editor-in-chief of al-Manassa news agency on June 24. Security forces raided the office of al-Manassa in Cairo and searched its computers before arresting Younis, who is also a […] Read more »
Freedom Dialogues Turkey: IPI launches new podcast series The International Press Institute (IPI) is proud to launch the new podcast series IPI Freedom Dialogues: Turkey, a platform for timely, vital conversations on press freedom, freedom of expression and the future of quality journalism. You’ll get the inside story from some of Turkey’s most trusted editors, journalists and relevant experts as they analyse and […] Read more »
IPI Membership News – July 1, 2020 [fusion_text]Read this edition of our fortnightly IPI membership newsletter. If you would like to find out more about our global network and get actively involved in promoting press freedom in your country, click here The IPI global network is at the centre of the challenges of this journalistic moment. We know journalism is under real pressure and […] Read more »
IPI condemns record ad ban on Turkey’s Evrensel newspaper June 23, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI) today strongly condemned the 45-day ban on independent newspaper Evrensel by the Turkish Public Advertising Agency (BİK) over a column published on May 5, 2020. This is a record length for a public ad ban on a newspaper so far in Turkey. Evrensel, an independent newspaper with a focus on […] Read more »
Afghanistan’s Upper House opposes controversial amendments to media law June 22, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today welcomed the decision of the Upper House of the Afghan Parliament to oppose controversial amendments to the country’s media law and called on the government to withdraw them. On June 20th, the Upper House of the […] Read more »
Freedom of Expression, Media and Information: SHDM II (June 22-23, 2020) The second Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting (SHDM) on Freedom of Expression, Media and Information took place on 22-23 June 2020 (online). The meeting was organized by the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship with the support of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). Representatives of OSCE participating […] Read more »
Egypt arrests another journalist June 17, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today condemned the arrest of Egyptian journalist Mohamed Mounir and called on Egypt to immediately release him. Mounir, founder of the Front for the Defense of Journalists and Freedoms, was arrested by security forces in the morning […] Read more »
Nedim Türfent: 1500 Days Behind Bars (June 21, 2020) On June 21, IPI, MLSA and PEN International will be holding online panel sessions in Turkish and English to highlight Nedim Türfent’s continued imprisonment. Learn more about Nedim’s case and how you can use your voice to help free him from prison. On June 15, 45 international and local press freedom organizations published a joint statement to […] Read more »
Press cartoonists in Europe must be protected June 16, 2020 Across the European Union and Candidate Countries, cartoonists have been targeted for their work by state and non-state actors from within and outside Europe. This includes online harassment and threats, attempted censorship and legal prosecution. The MFRR partners, joined by Cartooning for Peace (CfP) and Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI), condemn these attacks against press […] Read more »
Groups call on Bahrain to end reprisals against journalist June 16, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI) has joined Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and 40 other human rights organisations in calling on Bahrain to end reprisals against a journalist accused of unlawfully working for international media and to respect all journalists’ right to report. Nazeeha Saeed, an award-winning journalist […] Read more »
IPI joins call on Trump to protect press freedom June 12, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, has joined an international coalition of 72 press freedom and journalism organizations and industry groups in calling on U.S. President Donald Trump to protect press freedom and journalist safety amid unprecedented attacks on reporters covering ongoing protests […] Read more »
Major step forward in push to scrap prison sentences for criminal defamation in Italy June 10, 2020 The organisations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) welcome the decision by the Italian Constitutional Court to refer a decision on whether to abolish prison sentences for criminal defamation in relation to journalists and media workers to the Italian Parliament. On 9 June 2020, the Court held a long-awaited public hearing into the constitutional […] Read more »
IPI Executive Board: Solidarity with Maria Ressa June 8, 2020 Gathered in Vienna for their semi-annual meeting, the Executive Board members of the International Press Institute (IPI) – 24 leading editors and media executives from 20 countries – jointly called on the Philippine authorities to end their campaign of harassment and intimidation of fellow Board member Maria Ressa. Ressa faces a verdict on June 15* in […] Read more »
Pivotal moment for Italy to abolish prison sentences for criminal defamation June 5, 2020 Leggi questo articolo in italiano. On Tuesday, 9 June 2020, the Italian Constitutional Court will hold a public hearing into the legitimacy of laws that allow for jail sentences for journalists convicted of defamation. It comes after the Italian State Attorney submitted a memorandum to the Court on 31 March 2020 on behalf of the […] Read more »
Journalist’s detention sparks concerns over Ethiopia’s new hate speech law June 4, 2020 Ilmo Ilkka, Helsingin Sanomat Foundation Journalism Fellow at IPI The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today called on the authorities in Ethiopia to stop the legal harassment of journalist Yayesew Shimelis and to guarantee freedom of expression and press freedom in the country. Shimelis, who works as an independent journalist and has […] Read more »
Access to information and the safety of journalists in times of crisis (June 4, 2020) In times when public authorities must take significant decisions that affect public health, civil liberties and people’s prosperity, the public’s right to access information about such decisions is vital. Governments must, under international human rights law, protect the right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive, and impart information of all kinds, […] Read more »
Government’s discrediting of critical newspaper reporting damages UK press freedom May 29, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined partners in the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) to write to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson raising concerns over recent moves by the government to discredit critical newspaper reporting and block particular journalists from participating in press briefings. 29 May 2020 Dear Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson […] Read more »
