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 »
Egypt must end harassment of Mada Masr and its editor May 18, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI) vehemently condemned the Egyptian government’s arrest yesterday of Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah and urged the international community to press for an end to the harassment and intimidation of journalists in Egypt. According to information gathered by IPI, Attalah was arrested by the Egyptian authorities while she was interviewing Laila […] Read more » TaggedInternational Press Institute IPI Lina Attalah Mada Masr
Two more journalists arrested in Egypt May 18, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today vehemently criticized Egypt for the arrest of two journalists, describing it as part of a brutal campaign of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to silence critical journalists. Haisam Hasan Mahgoub, a correspondent of the independent daily Al […] Read more »
Kyrgyz Supreme Court rejects journalist’s appeal against life imprisonment May 14, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today condemned the Kyrgyz Supreme Court’s decision on May 13 rejecting the last appeal of journalist and human rights activist Azimjan Askarov against a life sentence. Askarov, who has been in prison since 2010, had been convicted […] Read more »
Increase in violence against journalists covering protests across Europe May 11, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI) has today joined partners in the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) to highlight concerns over the increased violence against media professionals at protests and demonstrations across EU Member States and Candidate Countries in the last months and call for increased protection. The recent violent attacks against media workers during demonstrations […] Read more »
Fresh attacks worsen climate of hostility against journalists covering protests across Europe May 11, 2020 Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners raise further concerns about continued violence against journalists covering protests and demonstrations across European Union (EU) Member States and Candidates in 2020 and call for increased protection, police training and oversight, as well as broader respect for media freedom. In the first six months of the year, MFRR partners […] Read more »
New ‘fake news’ law stifles independent reporting in Russia on COVID-19 May 8, 2020 During the COVID-19 pandemic, dozens of states around the world have implemented criminal measures aimed at combatting the spread of misinformation about the virus on the internet and social media. For many governments, these vaguely defined laws are part of an ill-judged reaction to tackling an increase of rumours and incorrect information online during the […] Read more »
#WPFD Webinar: Freedom and safety during the pandemic (May 13, 2020) On the occasion of 2020 World Press Freedom Day, Al Jazeera Center for Public Liberties and Human Rights and Al Jazeera Mubasher organized an online seminar on media freedom and the safety of journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers: Guy Berger, Director, Division of Freedom of Expression and Media Development, UNESCO Barbara Trionfi, Executive […] Read more »
Azerbaijan abuses quarantine rules to jail critical journalists and bloggers April 23, 2020 IPI Advocacy Officer Jamie Wiseman Authorities in Azerbaijan should immediately release three journalists detained on spurious charges while reporting on COVID-19 and stop abusing quarantine rules to silence criticism, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today. Over the past two weeks, courts have jailed three different journalists and detained another as they were reporting on the implications of the government’s […] Read more »
IPI condemns arrest of Hong Kong media executive Jimmy Lai April 20, 2020 The arrest of Jimmy Lai, the founder of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily newspaper, signals an increased effort by China to stifle independent media in the territory, the International Press Institute (IPI) warned today. Lai, 71, founder of the Next Media group, which owns the Apple Daily and numerous other newspapers, digital news websites and magazines […] Read more » Taggedarrested censorship democracy Hong Kong International Press Institute IPI journalist press freedom
Uncharted waters: media freedom under COVID-19 April 17, 2020 Global press freedom is entering uncharted waters. As governments around the world scramble to stop the spread of the COVID-19 and protect the health of their citizens, states of emergency are being announced and extensive restrictions put in place. Wide-ranging limits on freedoms are being implemented on a scale not seen in peacetime. In a […] Read more »
IPI condemns death sentence for four Yemeni journalists April 16, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, has urged the U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen to intervene in the case of four journalists sentenced to death by Houthi rebels last week. IPI this week condemned the sentencing of four journalists to death by a […] Read more » Taggeddeath sentence International Press Institute IPI journalists press freedom Ymen
Over 80 groups demand release of jailed journalists in Africa amid pandemic April 8, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, joined 80 other press freedom and human rights organizations from all over the world to call on 10 African countries to release all journalists from prison amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a joint letter […] Read more » TaggedAfrica covid-19 imprisoned journalists international organisations International Press Institute IPI jailed journalists press freedom
Blog: Bangladesh journalist’s nightmare ordeal exposes troubling media climate April 7, 2020 Helsingin Sanomat Foundation Journalism Fellow, Minna Heikura Watchdog journalism is an essential element of democracy, providing a check on those in power. In Bangladesh, however, rather than being recognized for their important work, journalists exposing corruption risk being targets of retaliation. Recent International Press Institute (IPI) interviews with a human rights activist and two senior journalists in the country reveal a troubling […] Read more »
European media freedom suffers under COVID-19 response April 3, 2020 IPI Advocacy Officer Jamie Wiseman At a time when a free and vibrant media is more important than ever, governments in Europe are increasingly taking advantage of emergency legislation aimed at tackling the coronavirus to push through restrictions which seriously erode press freedom. According to data collected by the International Press Institute (IPI), over the past few weeks an alarming number of […] Read more »
Covid-19: IPI urges Egypt to release all detained journalists April 2, 2020 للاطلاع على التقرير باللغة العربية The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today urged Egypt to release all detained journalists amid concerns over the spread of Covid-19 in prisons. More than 60 journalists are currently being detained in different Egyptian prisons, which are overcrowded […] Read more » TaggedAbdel Fattah al-Sisi arrested journalists coronavirus covid-19 Egypt imprisoned journalists International Press Institute IPI press freedom
ACHPR queries Egypt about detained journalist Al-Yammani April 2, 2020 للاطلاع على التقرير باللغة العربية The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, has welcomed the intervention of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights in the case of detained Egyptian journalist Mohamad Al-Yammani. A statement published on the website of the ACHPR said […] Read more »
COVID-19: Abuse of emergency powers to stifle media grows April 2, 2020 In a bid to control information about the COVID-19 pandemic, several governments around the world are using emergency powers to stifle independent media. According to data collected by the International Press Institute (IPI), governments, especially those with existing authoritarian tendencies, are taking advantage of emergency legislation to crackdown on media freedom, frequently on the pretext […] Read more » Taggedcoronavirus covid-19 emergency powers fake news independent journalists International Press Institute IPI press freedom
How IPI members are facing the COVID-19 challenge: Japan April 1, 2020 Hiroshi Komatsu, Editor-in-Chief, The Mainichi Shimbun, Japan I think there are three challenges for journalists to cover the Coronavirus. First, we are not able to have an enough access to those who are infected or the hot spot where the “overshoot” occurred like Wuhan in China, mainly because we take the safety of journalists into consideration. Consequently, […] Read more »
Council of Europe must ensure press freedom is protected March 31, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today called on Europe’s top human rights and democracy organization to protect free flow of information and ensure that media freedom is guaranteed as states strive to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. IPI joined with nine other press […] Read more » Taggedcoronavirus Council of Europe covid-19 Europe International Press Institute IPI press freedom
Mexico: Setbacks to freedom of expression in 2020 March 31, 2020 One year after an International Mission to Mexico, the government has failed to fulfil its commitments, and the freedom of expression situation in the country is worsening. Mexico City, 12th November 2020 – In November 2019, a coalition of 17 international organisations dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of expression and information (ISCO SOJ Coalition[1]) […] Read more »
Hungary: Press freedom threatened as Orbán handed new powers March 30, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today expressed serious concern over the passing of new legislation handing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sweeping new powers to rule by decree and tighten his control over the country’s media amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On April […] Read more » Taggedcoronavirus covid-19 Fidesz Hungary International Press Institute IPI Orban
IPI urges Guinea to investigate attacks on journalists covering election March 30, 2020 Helsingin Sanomat Foundation Journalism Fellow, Minna Heikura The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today condemned attacks on journalists in Guinea during parliamentary elections earlier this month and urged the authorities to investigate the attacks and hold the perpetrators to account. On March 22, delayed parliamentary polls and a constitutional referendum […] Read more » Taggedattacks election Guinea International Press Institute IPI journalists press freedom
Europe’s leaders must protect free flow of information to tackle COVID-19 March 25, 2020 The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today called on European leaders to protect free flow of information and ensure that media freedom will be guaranteed as states strive to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. IPI joined together with eight other press freedom bodies to […] Read more »
