Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia – Demand for Close International Scrutiny (Strasbourg, Jan 22) The International Press Institute (IPI) is pleased to be an official partner of the discussion “Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia – Demand for Close International Scrutiny”, held as a side event to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Jan. 22, 2018. The official description of the event follows: Three months to […] Read more »
Amid media takeover, Hungary’s largest TV station proves ‘tough nut’ to crack January 15, 2018 IPI Correspondent Márton Bede Zur deutschen Version In September of last year, the Hungarian economic and political weekly Figyelő published a much-discussed article that speculated about the future of the country’s largest television broadcaster, RTL Klub. “Rumours have been circulating for some time about the sale of RTL (rumours that RTL has always tried to deny), but the [fact […] Read more »
Peter Preston on Turkey: A choice between democracy and dictatorship Editor’s Note: Former Guardian Editor-in-Chief Peter Preston, who served as IPI Chair from 1995 to 1997 and who spent nearly 10 years on IPI’s Executive Board, died on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2018. He is remembered as one of the leading British journalists of his generation and as a tireless campaigner for press freedom. In 2012, […] Read more »
IPI: Turkey should drop case against Önderoğlu, others December 24, 2017 Turkey should drop charges against prominent media freedom activist Erol Önderoğlu and others who face up to 14 years behind bars on accusations that their demonstration of solidarity with a pro-Kurdish newspaper that was under government pressure promoted terrorism, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today ahead of a hearing set for Tuesday. Önderoğlu – Reporters […] Read more »
IPI board blasts case against Turkey’s Cumhuriyet December 23, 2017 Türkçe The Executive Board of the International Press Institute (IPI) unanimously issued the following statement today in advance of the resumption of trial proceedings on Monday targeting 18 current and former journalists, executives and others from independent daily newspaper Cumhuriyet, including three IPI members. Statement by the IPI Executive Board on the Cumhuriyet Trial in Turkey […] Read more »
Has Turkey’s press freedom affected foreign investors? December 10, 2017 Selçuk Oktay Türkçe Dec. 10, 2017 is international Human Rights Day, starting the lead-up to the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To mark it, the International Press Institute (IPI) is publishing Direct Damage, a series of four articles by journalists in Turkey examining the impact that pressure on the media […] Read more »
A devastating loss for Turkey’s media: youth! December 10, 2017 Gonca Tokyol Türkçe Deutsch Dec. 10, 2017 is international Human Rights Day, starting the lead-up to the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To mark it, the International Press Institute (IPI) is publishing Direct Damage, a series of four articles by journalists in Turkey examining the impact that pressure on the […] Read more »
Out of sight, out of mind: Turkey’s invisible workers December 9, 2017 Çınar Kiper Türkçe / Deutsch Dec. 10, 2017 is international Human Rights Day, starting the lead-up to the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To mark it, the International Press Institute (IPI) is publishing Direct Damage, a series of four articles by journalists in Turkey examining the impact that pressure on the […] Read more »
The ‘pursuit’ of information in today’s Turkey December 8, 2017 Neyran Elden Türkçe Dec. 10, 2017 is international Human Rights Day, starting the lead-up to the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To mark it, the International Press Institute (IPI) is publishing Direct Damage, a series of four articles by journalists in Turkey examining the impact that pressure on the media […] Read more »
Future of press freedom in post-Mugabe Zimbabwe remains open December 4, 2017 IPI Contributor Renan Akyavaş and IPI staff Three weeks after a military intervention ended the 37-year rule of autocratic former President Robert Mugabe, journalists and media experts in Zimbabwe say it is still too early to tell whether the political transition will ultimately herald a more open environment for the press. Under Mugabe, Zimbabwe was among the world’s most censored countries. The […] Read more »
Greek film critic waits 13 years to win insult case November 10, 2017 IPI Correspondent Lambrini Papadopoulou Greek journalist Dimitris Danikas is well-known for his long career as a film critic for various media. What is less widely known about him is his patience and persistence: it took him almost 13 years to finally claim victory in an insult lawsuit against him. The thought of giving up never crossed his mind, Danikas […] Read more »
“Free Connected Minds” Conference (Nov 8, Beirut) The May Chidiac Foundation will hold its 6th annual “Free Connected Minds” (FCM) conference on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, in Beirut, Lebanon. FCM aims to “explore a fresh set of ideas related but not limited to effective interactive debates on imperative concerns that impact collective thinking in addition to the development and advancement of the ever-important […] Read more »
Groups intervene in Cumhuriyet case before ECHR October 21, 2017 Thirteen international free expression and media freedom defenders yesterday filed a brief with the European Court of Human Rights supporting a challenge by journalists and administrators from Turkey’s independent daily Cumhuriyet to their lengthy pre-trial detention on charges of allegedly supporting terrorists. ARTICLE 19, the Association of European Journalists (AEJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists […] Read more »
Poland revises law on interview authorisation October 16, 2017 IPI Correspondent Annabelle Chapman Zur deutschen Version Polish lawmakers have simplified provisions on interview “authorisation”, the process requiring journalists to obtain interviewees’ approval of an interview text before it can be published. The move is part of a broader amendment to the Press Act, passed by the lower chamber of the Polish Parliament on Sept. 29. Adopted in 1984, […] Read more »
IPI welcomes ECHR ruling in Novaya Gazeta defamation case October 13, 2017 IPI Contributor Henri Koponen The International Press Institute (IPI) today welcomed a recent judgement by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) finding that Russia had violated the free expression rights of a Russian editorial house and journalist that had covered the “Kursk” disaster of 2000. In a unanimous judgement last week the ECHR ruled that the Russian courts, […] Read more »
Obstacles remain for media freedom in Myanmar September 21, 2017 IPI Contributor Henri Mikael Koponen Myanmar journalists and international observers welcomed a decision by the country’s military this month to drop charges ranging from defamation to unlawful association against six journalists. The move marked a positive step, but journalists in the country still have many obstacles to overcome, from enforcement of strict defamation and unlawful association laws, to pushback for […] Read more »
Cambodia paper’s closure illustrates abuse of tax laws September 18, 2017 IPI Contributor Renan Akyavas and IPI staff Observers worry that this month’s closure of an independent Cambodian newspaper in the face of an astronomical tax demand is the latest incident illustrating a global trend in which governments abuse tax laws to harass independent news media outlets and silence critical reporting. The English-language Cambodia Daily published its last print edition on Sept. 3 […] Read more »
Thailand’s military government tightens grip on media September 6, 2017 IPI Contributor Henri Mikael Koponen The Thai military government’s continued enforcement of strict media laws and restrictions to target critics and independent reporting, and legislative efforts to take greater control over media, are leaving journalists in Thailand with an increasingly narrow space for free expression. Journalists facing arrest and prosecution under the country’s lese-majeste, computer crimes and sedition laws already […] Read more »
#MemberComment: the Cumhuriyet trial and Turkey’s criminalisation of journalism The week of July 24, we witnessed the start of one of the most ridiculous trials of all time. It was the first hearing of the Cumhuriyet case, which, by the end of the week, led to the release of seven imprisoned employees of the daily. But Cumhuriyet Editor-in-Chief Murat Sabuncu, IPI Executive Board Member […] Read more »
IPI blasts South Sudan’s refusal to probe reporter’s death September 1, 2017 IPI Contributor Henri Mikael Koponen and IPI Staff The International Press Institute today (IPI) condemned the South Sudanese government’s refusal to investigate the death of a freelance journalist killed on Saturday in fighting between government forces and rebels, and it demanded that authorities meet their obligation to distinguish journalists covering conflict from combatants. The 26-year-old freelance journalist from the United States, Christopher Allen, […] Read more »
Candido Rios Vazquez, Mexico – Under Investigation Unknown assailants gunned down Candido Rios Vazquez, a crime reporter for the newspaper Diario de Acayucan, alongside a highway in Hueyapan de Ocampo, in Veracruz state on the afternoon of Aug. 22, 2017. Rios, who had stopped to speak with a former police inspector he knew, died on the way to a hospital. The former […] Read more »
2017 International Civic Forum (Sept 11-12) The International Press Institute (IPI) is proud to be a co-host of the 2017 International Civic Forum, organised by the International Civil Society Centre. The Forum is an annual meeting point for representatives from media, business, government, philanthropic institutions and civil society organisations to discuss and make strategic decisions on how to achieve a stronger […] Read more »
Israel court urged to toss ‘SLAPP’ suit against journalist August 10, 2017 A retired Israel Defense Forces (IDF) general’s defamation lawsuit targeting an independent journalist in Israel illustrates how libel laws can be misused to chill critical speech and the need for legislation to curb such abuse, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today. Israeli-Canadian journalist David Sheen faces a possible fine of 750,000 Israeli shekels (approx. […] Read more »
IPI urges Spain to free journalist held on Turkey warrant August 9, 2017 Spain should immediately release a dual Turkish-Swedish writer and journalist arrested in Barcelona on an Interpol warrant issued by Turkey, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today, calling it “a troubling new nadir in the Turkish government’s ongoing efforts to criminalise journalism”. Authorities detained Hamza Yalçin, 59, on Aug. 3 at Barcelona’s airport as he […] Read more »
Hong Kong media sees trouble as China tightens grip August 9, 2017 IPI Contributor Henri Mikael Koponen Journalists in Hong Kong are voicing concern over the deteriorating state of press freedom in the special administrative region, lamenting growing mainland influence through ownership of traditional media outlets, an increase in self-censorship and attacks on journalists. While various independent online publications have been founded in the past few years to counter these concerns, digital-only […] Read more »
Israel seeks to close Al Jazeera bureau, pull credentials August 7, 2017 The International Press Institute (IPI) today condemned the Israeli government’s announcement that it plans to revoke media credentials of Al Jazeera journalists, close the Qatar-based network’s office in Jerusalem and pull its broadcasts from local cable and satellite providers. Communications Minister Ayoub Kara said yesterday that the moves were aimed at bolstering Israel’s security and “to bring a […] Read more »
‘Black Code’ at the Frame[o]ut 2017 Festival (Aug 11) IPI joined a public discussion on digital surveillance and the limitations of free speech on the Internet ahead of the Austrian premiere of the documentary film “Black Code” on Aug. 11 at the 2017 Frame[o]ut Festival in Vienna, in a screening curated and co-organised by the organisers of the This Human World international human rights film […] Read more »
Turkey court orders seven Cumhuriyet journalists freed July 28, 2017 A coalition of international free expression groups and professional journalist organizations today welcomed a ruling by a court in Istanbul freeing seven of 11 journalists held nearly nine months in a criminal case targeting independent daily Cumhuriyet. But they expressed deep concerns over the case, saying it should not have been brought, and demanded the […] Read more »
Cumhuriyet trial draws attention of international media July 26, 2017 IPI Contributor Henri Mikael Koponen, IPI Staff The ongoing trial of journalists and executives with Turkey’s last major critical newspaper has received an abundance of international criticism and media coverage. This week, International Press Institute (IPI), together with other leading international free expression groups as well as international journalists and European Parliament members, travelled to Istanbul to observe the trial, in which 17 […] Read more »
Kadri Gürsel’s defence: ‘charges against me defy logic’ July 26, 2017 Cumhuriyet columnist and IPI Executive Board Member Kadri Gürsel delivered a stirring defence of the rights of journalists on Monday as he stood in court to face sham charges of aiding terrorism. Gürsel, who faces up to 15 years in prison, is one of 17 prominent Cumhuriyet journalists and executives on trial this week in […] Read more »
Cumhuriyet trial Day One: International observers slam “bogus” charges July 24, 2017 IPI Contributor Henri Mikael Koponen The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined other leading international free expression groups as well as international journalists and European Parliament members in observing the start of a major trial against journalists with Turkey’s last major critical newspaper. The 17 journalists and executives with the secular daily Cumhuriyet – some of whom face up to […] Read more »
IPI in Istanbul to monitor trial of Cumhuriyet journalists July 24, 2017 Steven M. Ellis, IPI Director of Advocacy and Communications The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined other international free expression organisations in a demonstration outside an Istanbul courthouse prior to the start of the trial against 17 journalists from Turkey’s Cumhuriyet newspaper. In an address at the demonstration, IPI Director of Advocacy and Communications Steven M. Ellis urged authorities to release the journalists and […] Read more »
Freedom of Expression: Facing Up to the Threat (July 24-25, 2017) The Qatar National Human Rights Committee, in cooperation with the International Press Institute (IPI) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), hosted the international conference “Freedom of Expression: Facing Up to the Threat” in Doha, Qatar from 24-25 July 2017. The event was held amid a diplomatic crisis in the Middle East pitting Qatar against […] Read more »
