Baku court hands Khadija Ismayilova 7.5-year sentence September 1, 2015 The International Press Institute (IPI) today condemned an Azerbaijan court’s decision sentencing investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova to seven-and-a-half years in prison on charges of criminal libel, tax evasion, illegal business activity and abuse of power. Ismayilova, a contributor to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) who has been behind bars since she was detained in December 2014, […] Read more »
IPI urges Egypt to heed press freedom recommendations August 19, 2015 Egypt should repeal new anti-terrorism legislation punishing journalists whose coverage of militant attacks does not toe the government line, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today as it released a broad list of recommendations intended to reverse the continuing deterioration of press freedom in the country. The recommendations, aimed both at Egypt’s government and at […] Read more »
IPI joins international call on Syrian authorities to drop charges against press freedom hero Mazen Darwish, two others August 14, 2015 In a joint global effort, the International Press Institute (IPI), the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) and fifteen other international organisations today called on Syrian authorities to drop all charges against recently released Syrian journalist and IPI World Press Freedom Hero Mazen Darwish and two colleagues, Hani Al-Zitani and Hussein Gharir. […] Read more »
Jailed journalists in Iran: Overlooking the majority “We were all caught in that uncomfortable zone between trying to save our lives and betraying ourselves.” – Maziar Bahari, Then They Came for Me: A Family’s Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival In 2009, Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari was arrested without charge in Tehran and jailed in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison. He endured psychological […] Read more »
IPI World Press Freedom Hero Mazen Darwish released from prison August 10, 2015 Renowned Syrian journalist Mazen Darwish, the International Press Institute’s (IPI) 2015 World Press Freedom Hero, was freed today after spending nearly three-and-a-half years behind bars in his home country on spurious terrorism charges. Yara Bader, Mazen’s wife and the director of the Syrian Centre for Media Freedom (SCM), the organisation founded by Darwish in 2004 to protect […] Read more »
Egypt should release photojournalist held nearly two years July 31, 2015 The International Press Institute (IPI) said today that it was increasingly concerned for the well-being of imprisoned Egyptian freelance photojournalist Mahmoud Abou Zeid and called on Egypt to release him without delay. Abou Zeid, also known as “Shawkan”, has been held without official charges since Aug. 14, 2013, when he was arrested while covering a […] Read more »
Slovenia approves reforms to law on classified information July 21, 2015 The Slovenian Parliament earlier this month voted 86-1 to introduce a public-interest defence for persons accused of publishing classified information. The move followed the highly publicised trial of Delo investigative journalist Anuška Delić on charges of publishing classified state intelligence after she revealed links between the Slovenian neo-Nazi group Blood and Honour and members of the […] Read more »
Spain’s Public Security Law: overview of challenges July 20, 2015 Katrin Nyman Metcalf Lea este artículo en español [content_boxes layout=”clean-horizontal” columns=”1″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”18″ backgroundcolor=”#e6eef0″ icon_circle=”” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”#e6eef0″ circlecolor=”#e6eef0″ circlebordercolor=”#e6eef0″ circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”#e6eef0″ outercirclebordercolorsize=”” icon_size=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” animation_delay=”” animation_offset=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ class=”” id=””] [content_box title=”About This Article” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”#e6eef0″ iconcolor=”#000000″ circlecolor=”#e6eef0″ circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”35″ image_height=”35″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″] This […] Read more »
Polish rights ombudsman criticises criminal defamation July 16, 2015 The Polish Ombudsman has criticised the possibility of imprisonment under Poland’s criminal defamation law, calling it a potential “constraint on public debate and the freedom of the press”. In an interview with the International Press Institute (IPI), the Ombudsman, Prof. Irena Lipowicz, said the following about the possibility of imprisonment set forth in Art. 212 […] Read more »
IPI welcomes release of Ethiopian journalists July 10, 2015 IPI Contributor Natalie Rowthorn The International Press Institute (IPI) welcomed Ethiopia’s release from prison of journalist Reeyot Alemu and five individuals in the Zone 9 bloggers case this week, but it urged the government to release other journalists and to re-examine anti-terror laws used to prosecute them. Alemu was released yesterday, while three journalists and two bloggers accused in […] Read more »
Federal probe into Russia editor’s 2013 death urged July 9, 2015 The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined 27 other free expression and human rights groups on the second anniversary of the unsolved killing of Russian editor Akhmednabi Akhmednabiyev in Dagestan to repeat a call for Russia’s Federal Investigative Committee to take charge of the investigation. The groups initially made the request in a letter sent to […] Read more »
Lithuania removes insult articles from Criminal Code July 8, 2015 IPI Contributor Natalie Rowthorn The International Press Institute (IPI) today said that the Lithuanian Parliament’s recent decision to remove two insult articles from its Criminal Code is a positive step, but called on lawmakers to completely eliminate criminal defamation in the country. Parliament on June 25 approved legislation to remove Arts. 155 and 290, which criminalised insult and insult […] Read more »
IPI blasts Egypt’s proposed ban on non-official information July 8, 2015 IPI Contributor Natalie Rowthorn The International Press Institute (IPI) today condemned provisions of a proposed new anti-terrorism law in Egypt that would criminalise contradicting official reports on militant attacks, calling it a dangerous move to censor critical voices. A newly drafted anti-terrorism bill, reportedly intended to counteract mounting militant attacks, threatens those who contradict official figures such as death […] Read more »
IPI welcomes withdrawal of media bills in Tanzania July 2, 2015 IPI Contributor Cora Henry The International Press Institute (IPI) today welcomed a decision by Tanzanian lawmakers to heed demands from media groups and withdraw two proposed acts that purported to strengthen free expression and access to information but would instead undermine those rights as the country approaches fall elections. The government on Friday announced that Parliament will not discuss […] Read more »
Turkey high court tosses journalist’s ‘insult’ prison sentence July 2, 2015 IPI Staff and IPI Contributor Cora Henry A ruling yesterday by Turkey’s Constitutional Court that a journalist’s suspended prison sentence for “insulting” public officials via the media violated the freedom of expression is a positive development, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today. But IPI added that the true test of the impact of the decision, which cited rulings by the European […] Read more »
End to inquest in Myanmar journalist’s death raises concerns June 30, 2015 IPI Contributor Natalie Rowthorn [content_boxes layout=”clean-horizontal” columns=”1″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”” backgroundcolor=”#e6eef0″ icon_circle=”” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”#e6eef0″ circlecolor=”#e6eef0″ circlebordercolor=”#e6eef0″ circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”#e6eef0″ outercirclebordercolorsize=”” icon_size=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” animation_delay=”” animation_offset=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ class=”” id=””] [content_box title=”” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”#e6eef0″ iconcolor=”#000000″ circlecolor=”#e6eef0″ circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”35″ image_height=”35″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″] The following is the third entry in a […] Read more »
Q&A with Turkish journalist Canan Coşkun June 26, 2015 IPI Contributor Natalie Rowthorn A Turkish journalist faces more than 23 years in prison on charges of “insulting public officials over their duties” for her report alleging that top judicial officials were able to buy discounted residences from a public real estate company. Daily Cumhuriyet reporter Canan Coşkun reported claims that a lottery to select homebuyers for a housing project in […] Read more »
Serbia: Wave of lawsuits against investigative portal KRIK chills media freedom June 24, 2015 We, the undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), express our concerns over the recent wave of vexatious lawsuits against the investigative portal Network for Investigation of Crime and Corruption (KRIK) in Serbia. We believe that these lawsuits are a form of strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPPs) that aim to stifle scrutiny […] Read more »
IPI/MLDI release manual for defending against defamation claims June 24, 2015 A powerful new tool for defending the European media’s right to report on matters of public interest is now available, the Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI) and the London-based Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) announced today. IPI and MLDI have joined together to publish a comprehensive reference and training manual for lawyers and journalists on […] Read more »
IPI General Assembly Resolution 2017: The EU and Germany The members of the International Press Institute (IPI), meeting at their 66th Annual General Assembly during the IPI World Congress on May 20, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany, adopted by majority vote a resolution calling on Germany and the European Union to firmly embrace their role as defenders of human rights globally, including the rights to […] Read more »
IPI General Assembly Resolution 2016: Turkey The members of the International Press Institute (IPI), meeting at their 65th Annual General Assembly during the IPI World Congress on March 21, 2016 in Doha, Qatar, adopted by unanimous vote a resolution calling on Turkish authorities to respect guarantees of press freedom and free expression, and to end an escalating crackdown on independent media […] Read more »
IPI General Assembly Resolution 2016: Gulf Cooperation Council states The members of the International Press Institute (IPI), meeting at their 65th Annual General Assembly during the IPI World Congress on March 21, 2016 in Doha, Qatar, adopted by unanimous vote a resolution calling on the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to respect the fundamental human rights of free expression and media freedom […] Read more »
Declaration: 2015 Joint International Emergency Mission to Turkey Following the conclusion of an Oct. 19 to 21, 2015 joint international emergency press freedom mission to Turkey, representatives of participating international, regional and local groups dedicated to press freedom and free expression find that pressure on journalists operating in Turkey has severely escalated in the period between parliamentary elections held June 7 and the […] Read more »
Freedom of Expression, Media Law and Defamation [separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”10″ bottom_margin=”10″ sep_color=”#eae9e9″ border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_color=”#ffffff” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””] [separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ sep_color=”#eae9e9″ border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_color=”#ffffff” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””] “Freedom of Expression, Media Law and Defamation” is a comprehensive reference and training manual for lawyers and journalists on European legal standards related to freedom of expression and the […] Read more »
Sloboda izražavanja, zakon o medijima i novinarska kleveta [separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”10″ bottom_margin=”10″ sep_color=”#eae9e9″ border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_color=”#ffffff” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””] [separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ sep_color=”#eae9e9″ border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_color=”#ffffff” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””] “Freedom of Expression, Media Law and Defamation” is a comprehensive reference and training manual for lawyers and journalists on European legal standards related to freedom of expression and the […] Read more »
Liberdade de expressão, direito da comunicação social e difamação [separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”10″ bottom_margin=”10″ sep_color=”#eae9e9″ border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_color=”#ffffff” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””] [separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ sep_color=”#eae9e9″ border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_color=”#ffffff” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””] “Freedom of Expression, Media Law and Defamation” is a comprehensive reference and training manual for lawyers and journalists on European legal standards related to freedom of expression and the […] Read more »
Libertad de expresión, legislación sobre medios de comunicación y difamación [separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”10″ bottom_margin=”10″ sep_color=”#eae9e9″ border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_color=”#ffffff” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””] [separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ sep_color=”#eae9e9″ border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_color=”#ffffff” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””] “Freedom of Expression, Media Law and Defamation” is a comprehensive reference and training manual for lawyers and journalists on European legal standards related to freedom of expression and the […] Read more »
Слобода на изразување, закон за медиуми и клевета [separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”10″ bottom_margin=”10″ sep_color=”#eae9e9″ border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_color=”#ffffff” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””] [separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ sep_color=”#eae9e9″ border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”no” icon_circle_color=”#ffffff” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””] “Freedom of Expression, Media Law and Defamation” is a comprehensive reference and training manual for lawyers and journalists on European legal standards related to freedom of expression and the […] Read more »
Burundi’s president urged to allow re-opening of media June 22, 2015 The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined a coalition of international press freedom organisations in calling on Burundi’s president to take steps to improve media freedom ahead of upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. The leaders of 15 groups in an open letter urged President Pierre Nkurunziza, who is seeking a third term in office in […] Read more »
Press freedom groups complete international mission to Spain June 22, 2015 A group of international press freedom organisations on Friday completed a three-day high-level mission to Spain, where a controversial new law on public security is set to take effect on July 1. In a series of meetings in Madrid, the group, led by the International Press Institute (IPI) and including representatives from the Committee to […] Read more »
IPI urges release of Al Jazeera journalist arrested in Berlin June 21, 2015 The International Press Institute (IPI) today urged German authorities to release Al Jazeera journalist Ahmed Mansour, a well-known Egyptian television presenter, who was arrested yesterday at Berlin’s Tegel airport as he was about to board a flight to Qatar. “IPI condemns Mr. Mansour’s arrest in the strongest possible terms,” IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi said. […] Read more »
The crisis as an excuse in Spain Lea este artículo en español [content_boxes layout=”clean-horizontal” columns=”1″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”18″ backgroundcolor=”#d5cb0b” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”#d5cb0b” circlecolor=”#d5cb0b” circlebordercolor=”#d5cb0b” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”#d5cb0b” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” icon_size=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” animation_delay=”” animation_offset=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ class=”” id=””] [content_box title=”About this article” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”#d5cb0b” iconcolor=”#000000″ circlecolor=”#d5cb0b” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”35″ image_height=”35″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″] Members […] Read more »
Q&A: Portuguese journalist on Strasbourg victory in defamation case June 9, 2015 A trend continues: in January of this year, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered yet another ruling against Portugal in a case involving a journalist sued for defamation. On this occasion, the journalist in question was José Manuel Fernandes, publisher of the online news site Observador. In 2010, the Lisbon Court of Appeal […] Read more »
