Egypt charges 20 journalists in disregard of its commitments January 30, 2014 Egypt’s public prosecutor announced on Wednesday that 20 journalists working for the international network Al Jazeera will face trial on charges of terrorism and spreading false news. The journalists face up to 15 years in prison, if found guilty. According to news sources, of the 20 journalists charged yesterday, 16 Egyptian journalists are accused of […] Read more »
IPI delegation makes emergency visit to Cairo January 27, 2014 A high-level delegation from the International Press Institute (IPI) met today in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy to discuss the media climate in Egypt, including the protection of journalists. The meeting capped two days of fact-finding discussions with Egyptian lawyers, human rights groups and journalists. The foreign minister and the delegation agreed on […] Read more »
Gambia’s ‘green’ revolution January 24, 2014 Timothy Spence Journalists have not had an easy time in the 20 years since Yahya Jammeh and his fellow army officers seized power in Gambia. Writers and editors have endured harassment, torture and imprisonment – some have left the country to escape persecution. In the one of the latest assaults on journalism, the editor and a contributor […] Read more »
Dozens of journalists injured in Kiev clashes January 21, 2014 At least 35 journalists have been injured in violent clashes that have rocked Ukraine’s capital since Sunday, the Kiev-based Institute for Mass Information (IMI) said today. Journalists covering the clashes reported being hit by rubber bullets and shrapnel from stun grenades, and having suffered beatings at the hands of members of the security services, the […] Read more »
IPI condemns Ukraine anti-protest legislation January 17, 2014 Steven Ellis The International Press Institute (IPI) and its affiliate, the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), today condemned Ukrainian lawmakers’ approval of sweeping anti-protest legislation that would recriminalise libel and severely restrict freedom of expression and assembly. Passed hastily and without debate yesterday by a show of lawmakers’ hands amid Opens external link in new windowscuffles […] Read more »
Egyptians approve new Constitution January 16, 2014 Timothy Spence Egyptian voters have approved an amended Constitution that strengthens guarantees of freedom of the press and expression and a ban on government interference in the news media. In response to the vote, the International Press Institute (IPI) today urged the interim government to live up to the spirit of the new fundamental law by freeing […] Read more »
IPI to Klaus Schwab: Speak out on press freedom in Ethiopia January 14, 2014 IPI today published an open letter to Klaus Schwab, Founder & Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, urging him to speak out on press freedom. The World Economic Forum on Africa is scheduled for May 9 to May 11, 2012 and will be held in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. Journalists are also being […] Read more »
New report calls on Ethiopia to reform repressive anti-terror law January 14, 2014 Ethiopia’s use of sweeping anti-terrorism law to imprison journalists and other legislative restrictions are hindering the development of free and independent media in Africa’s second largest country, according to a report published today by the International Press Institute (IPI). Dozens of journalists and political activists have been arrested or sentenced under the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation of […] Read more »
2013: A look back at journalists in the dock December 23, 2013 Freedom of the press came under threat in 2013 in ways – and in some countries – that would have seemed inconceivable when the year began. As the International Press Institute (IPI) today launches its “World Press Freedom Review”, highlighting press freedom violations over the past two years, one sobering development in 2013 was the […] Read more »
With an eye toward 2015, IPI to release MDG reporting handbook December 10, 2013 En français Two years and 26 days. That’s how long governments have to ensure that the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG), announced in the year 2000 to soaring declarations about bettering the state of humanity, will be met. With just one extra push, a number of targets can be attained; others are in desperate need […] Read more »
In Mexico, hunger strike highlights need for official advertising law December 10, 2013 Scott Griffen A Mexican editor’s ongoing hunger strike highlights the urgent need for the federal government to regulate the distribution of official advertising, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today. Ildefonso Chávez, editor of the Chihuahua-based El Pueblo began his strike on Dec. 2, alleging that the Chihuahua state government refuses to pay a bill for nearly […] Read more »
IPI Q&A with Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari December 6, 2013 IPI Contributor Rebecca Hetzer This week the International Press Institute (IPI), together with Austrian human rights film festival “this human world”, hosted a sold out screening of Jon Stewart’s debut film “Rosewater”, depicting Iran’s brutal imprisonment of acclaimed journalist Maziar Bahari. The screening was followed by a discussion with Bahari, a London-based Iranian-Canadian journalist who spent 118 days behind […] Read more »
In Sri Lanka, it’s a long way to justice November 21, 2013 Lasantha Wickrematunge, editor of the Sri Lankan newspape, The Sunday Leader, was shot near Colombo by unknown gunmen riding a motorcycle on the morning of Jan. 8, 2009 as he was driving his car to his office, according to news reports. He died of his wounds a few hours later. Wickrematunge was one of the most […] Read more »
The human thing to do in Sierra Leone libel case November 20, 2013 Timothy Spence Within hours of publishing a column describing President Ernest Bai Koroma’s behaviour to that of a rat, the two top editors of the Independent Observer in Sierra Leone were behind bars, accused of libel and sedition. Despite printing an apology to the president on Nov. 11, publisher Jonathan Leigh and chief editor Bai Bai Sesay […] Read more »
Argentine Supreme Court upholds license limits October 30, 2013 Scott Griffen Robustly defending the “collective right” to self-expression, the Supreme Court of Argentina has upheld legislation establishing limits on the number of broadcasting licences a particular company could hold. The Oct. 29 ruling brings an end to a five-year legal battle between the Argentine government and the Grupo Clarín media conglomerate, which had argued that the […] Read more »
ACM passes resolutions on impunity, media self-regulation October 30, 2013 The need to combat impunity and the importance of media self-regulation were the guiding themes in a pair of resolutions approved this weekend by the Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers (ACM), an IPI strategic partner. Gathered in Trinidad and Tobago for the organisation’s biennial General Assembly, ACM members representing 11 countries called on regional governments to […] Read more »
Firsthand accounts document mistreatment of Turkish journalists October 25, 2013 The International Press Institute (IPI) and its affiliate, the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), today reiterated their call for Turkish authorities to identify and hold accountable police officers and others responsible for the brutal treatment of journalists covering demonstrations that gripped the country this year. “Numerous journalists reported that elements of the security forces […] Read more »
Moroccan editor released on bond October 25, 2013 The International Press Institute (IPI) welcomed today’s release on bail of Moroccan editor Ali Anouzla more than a month after he was arrested in connection with an article published on a leading Internet news site. But IPI called for prosecutors to drop charges of supporting terrorism that he still faces. The investigative judge’s decision to […] Read more »
IPI urges release of jailed Jordanian publisher, editor October 25, 2013 The International Press Institute (IPI) today urged the Jordanian government to release the publisher and chief editor of an Internet news site who were arrested and jailed for linking to an online video of a man identified as a prince frolicking with women. Jafra News publisher Nidhal al-Faraneh and editor Amjad Muala were arrested under […] Read more »
Media freedom groups urge Queen not to sign Royal Charter October 24, 2013 The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined with six other global media freedom groups in calling on Queen Elizabeth II not to sign a proposed Royal Charter that could re-impose statutory regulation of the press in the United Kingdom. The full text of the letter appears below. *********************************************************** COMMONWEALTH PRESS UNION MEDIA TRUST, London, UK […] Read more »
IPI Blog: A glimmer of hope in Africa’s Sahel region October 23, 2013 Timothy Spence The European Parliament has signed off on a lengthy resolution that challenges nations in Africa’s Sahel region to improve their record on press freedom, journalists’ safety and human rights. Though the resolution adopted on Oct. 22 lacks any real muscle, its sends an important message that nations getting development and humanitarian support from the European Union should […] Read more »
Analysis: South Sudan’s draft media law October 22, 2013 Shadi Alkasim, IPI Li Fellow Following lengthy efforts to establish laws on public broadcasting, media regulation and freedom of information in South Sudan, a package of media legislation is now awaiting approval by President Salva Kiir. Some local media organisations see the measures as a step in the right. In a review carried out by the International Press Institute (IPI) […] Read more »
St. Lucia radio station sued over article criticising officials October 17, 2013 At least three high-ranking Saint Lucian public officials have announced plans to sue a local radio broadcaster for defamation after the broadcaster read on-air an investigative news article alluding to possible wrongdoing by members of the current governing party. The International Press Institute (IPI) today expressed concern over the intent behind the lawsuits, noting that […] Read more »
Ending Internet restrictions in Jordan October 8, 2013 The International Press Institute (IPI) and 21 other media and human rights organisations urged the king of Jordan to reconsider restrictions placed on Internet news sites, nearly five months after regulators blocked some 300 sites under a new licensing provision of the Press and Publications Law. In the letter to King Abdullah II, the organisations […] Read more »
IPI joins open appeal to Moroccan authorities September 25, 2013 The International Press Institute (IPI) on Friday joined more than 50 freedom of expression organisations in an open appeal to Moroccan authorities calling for the immediate release of editor Ali Anouzla. The full text of the statement appears below. *********************************************************** Open appeal to the Moroccan authorities Over 50 freedom of expression organisations call for immediate […] Read more »
IPI director condemns Egypt’s ‘efforts to silence news organisations’ September 19, 2013 Underscoring the challenges facing journalists in Egypt, International Press Institute (IPI) Executive Director Alison Bethel McKenzie today urged Cairo to live up to its international commitments to press freedom. McKenzie, speaking in Geneva on a panel discussing the crackdown on news media during the recent turmoil in Egypt, pressed the military-backed government to free jailed […] Read more »
Slovak blogger decries pressure to reveal sources September 17, 2013 Slovak authorities should stop pressuring a Slovak journalist to divulge his sources for reports on wiretapped conversations between alleged organised crime figures and senior police officials, the International Press Institute (IPI) and its affiliate, the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), said today. Journalist Tom Nicholson told IPI that prosecutors investigating the leak of transcripts […] Read more »
IPI concerned by declining press freedom in Sri Lanka September 7, 2013 The International Press Institute (IPI) expresses today its concern about recent attacks against journalists and an overall deterioration of press freedom in Sri Lanka. On Sept. 2, BBC Tamil’s journalist Ponnaiah Manikavasagam, was questioned by the anti-terror police in relation to a telephone conversation he had with two Tamil prisoners in Colombo. IPI Press Freedom […] Read more »
Fresh start for press freedom in Mali August 28, 2013 Mali’s next president must seize the opportunity to improve the country’s record on press freedom, which suffered under months of political and sectarian conflict, the International Press Institute said today. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, a Sorbonne-educated former foreign minister, is due to take office on Sept. 4. He has pledged to restore democracy and stability in […] Read more »
IPI’s German committee criticises Turkish journalists’ convictions August 8, 2013 The German National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI) yesterday spoke out against the conviction of numerous Turkish journalists in the alleged “Ergenekon” coup plot case. The committee’s chairman, former IPI Executive Board Chairman Prof. Dr. Carl-Eugen Eberle, said in a statement that the convictions raised the spectre of continued intimidation of journalists that […] Read more »
Turkish court sentences nearly two dozen journalists to prison August 6, 2013 The International Press Institute (IPI) and its affiliate, the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), today expressed alarm over a Turkish court’s convictions of journalists in connection with the alleged “Ergenekon” coup plot. A special court set up at the Silivri Prison west of Istanbul yesterday convicted all but 21 of the 275 defendants implicated […] Read more »
Turkish groups cite continuing decline in press freedom July 26, 2013 Turkish free expression groups, gathering in Istanbul Wednesday on the 105th anniversary of the country’s official abolition of censorship, took the Justice and Development Party (AKP)-led government to task for a continuing decline in press freedom. The second Congress of the Freedom for Journalists Platform (GOP) – an umbrella group representing local and national free […] Read more »
Honduran television journalist assaulted with baseball bat, threatened with shooting July 26, 2013 The International Press Institute (IPI) urges authorities in Honduras to thoroughly investigate a brutal attack on a television journalist and bring those responsible to justice. According to local reports, Joel Coca, 34, correspondent for Canal 11 and coordinator for the “Más Noticias” (More News) television program on the MultiCable television station, was attacked by two […] Read more »
