International editors demand protection of press in Turkey October 30, 2015 More than 50 leading international media editors have written an open letter to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raising profound concerns about the deteriorating conditions for press freedom in Turkey in the run up to the elections. The letter and a full list of signatories follow below. Signatories include Dean Baquet, executive editor, the New York […] Read more »
Japanese journalist accused of defaming South Korean president faces jail October 20, 2015 Rebecca Hetzer, IPI Contributor A decision by South Korean prosecutors to seek jail time for a Japanese journalist accused of defaming the South Korean president risks chilling media coverage of political figures, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today. Prosecutors announced on Monday that they would request an 18-month prison sentence for Tatsuya Kato, former Seoul bureau chief of […] Read more »
U.N. Rapporteur calls for whistleblower, source protections October 15, 2015 IPI Contributor Rebecca Hetzer In a new report released this week, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression has called on states to protect the right of whistle-blowers to disclose information in the public interest and to uphold the general principle of source confidentiality in law and practice. “A common thread ties together the right of access to information, […] Read more »
Journalists’ arrests highlight repression in Azerbaijan October 6, 2015 IPI Contributor Rebecca Hetzer Azerbaijan’s government needs to end an ongoing campaign of repression against journalists and others, which has led to the detention and investigation of several journalists in recent weeks, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today. The past month has seen a surge in the number of journalists detained for questioning by Azerbaijani authorities – including […] Read more »
Ecuador halts effort to dissolve Fundamedios October 1, 2015 Lea este comunicado en español The International Press Institute (IPI) today welcomed the decision of Ecuador’s media regulator, SECOM, to terminate proceedings aimed at dissolving the press freedom organisation Fundamedios. However, the decision, issued on Sept. 25, is accompanied by an ultimatum warning that SECOM could restart the proceedings if and when it considers that […] Read more »
IPI mourns former board member Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf September 28, 2015 IPI Contributor Rebecca Hetzer The International Press Institute (IPI) today expressed deep sadness at the news of the death of former IPI Executive Board Member and respected Nigerian journalist Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf, who was tragically killed in a stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia on Thursday. The first female editor at the Sunday Triumph Kano, Bilkisu served on IPI’s Executive […] Read more »
Turkish journalism ‘agonizing under unbearable pressure’ September 24, 2015 Journalism in Turkey is “agonizing under unbearable pressure”, leading Turkish journalist and Chair of the International Press Institute (IPI)’s Turkish National Committee Kadri Gürsel said on Monday in an address to participants gathered in Warsaw for Europe’s largest annual human rights conference. Gürsel made the remarks during a session chaired by OSCE Representative on Freedom […] Read more »
OSCE RFoM releases recommendations for countering online abuse of female journalists September 22, 2015 IPI Digital Media Coordinator Javier Luque Martínez The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (OSCE RFoM), Dunja Mijatovic, has released a list of recommendations directed at OSCE states, media organisations and social media platforms for countering the online harassment and abuse of female journalists. The recommendations aim to combat a new form of silencing critical journalism that, paradoxically, has emerged from […] Read more »
IPI launches new online media laws database September 17, 2015 The International Press Institute (IPI) today launched a new online database aimed at cataloguing legal provisions affecting freedom of the press and expression on a country-by-country basis. The initial roll-out of the database features detailed information on defamation laws, parsed into 12 searchable categories, for countries in the European Union and the Caribbean, building on IPI’s […] Read more »
Journalist safety roundtable shows need for concerted efforts September 7, 2015 As violent attacks on journalists surge to an unprecedented level with at least 55 confirmed dead in connection with their job so far this year according to the International Press Institute (IPI)’s Death Watch, 2015 may end up as one of the deadliest years for journalists since the beginning of the new millennium, participants at an […] Read more »
The struggles of Albania’s 30-year-old media landscape September 1, 2015 Alice Taylor, IPI member & co-editor of exit.al For almost 50 years, Albania was in the grips of a brutal Communist regime. After it fell in 1990, the first independent media began to navigate a complex social and democratic situation. Over the past 30 years, the sector has grown to include hundreds of online portals and tens of TV stations. Despite this, Albania […] Read more »
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 »
