Council of Europe’s Platform for the Safety of Journalists Report 2023 March 7, 2023 | Leave a Comment The International Press Institute (IPI) today joins the Partner Organisations in the platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists in publish our 2023 annual report under the title “War in Europe and the fight for the right to report”. The report reveals a continued degradation of press freedom across the continent. […] Read more »
Russian parliament toughens laws on “fake news” about the Russian army On 2 March 2023, the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) voted legal amendments in second reading aiming to further toughen existing laws prohibiting so-called “fake news” and “discreditation” of the Russian army. If enacted, the law would expand the list of entities it will be illegal to “discredit”. Aside from the regular Russian […] Read more »
UK: End of Realtid case underscores urgent need for anti-SLAPP reforms March 2, 2023 | Leave a Comment In January 2023, Swedish business and finance publication Realtid confirmed that they had reached a settlement with businessman Svante Kumlin over a legal action Kumlin had taken as a result of articles published in late 2020. Under the terms of the settlement, while Kumlin will pay part of Realtid’s legal fees, Realtid will keep the […] Read more »
Over three years: Egyptian court extends detention of Al Jazeera journalists February 28, 2023 IPI Contributor Karam Sleiman | Leave a Comment The IPI global network condemns Egypt’s detention of Al Jazeera journalists Hisham Abdelaziz, Bahaa Eldin Ibrahim, and Rabie el-Sheikh. The Egyptian authorities must release them immediately. IPI calls on the Egyptian government to put a halt to baseless attacks on journalists, uphold its responsibility in protecting press freedom, and release imprisoned journalists in the country. […] Read more »
Mozambique: Lawmakers should reject restrictive NGO law February 27, 2023 | Leave a Comment The International Press Institute (IPI) calls on Mozambican lawmakers to withdraw a controversial bill that would hinder the work of non-governmental organizations. Among other things, the legislation would give the government the power to shutter NGOs, including those that defend press freedom and free expression. As it begins its new session, Mozambique’s parliament is set […] Read more »
Mexico: Authorities must investigate death of environmental journalist February 27, 2023 IPI Contributor Karam Sleiman | Leave a Comment The IPI global network urges Mexican authorities to thoroughly investigate the February 13 death of journalist and activist Abisaí Pérez Romero, including the possibility that he may have been killed. On February 13, journalist and environmental activist Abisaí Pérez Romero was found dead in the city of Tula, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo, a […] Read more »
Morocco: IPI joins 41 other rights groups condemning persecution of journalist Taoufik Bouachrine and other critical journalists February 27, 2023 | Leave a Comment The IPI global network has joined 41 other rights groups from around the world in urging authorities in Morocco to respect press freedom and to end the harassment and persecution of Taoufik Bouachrine and other critical journalists in the country. Read the joint letter below: The undersigned rights groups reiterate their call on Moroccan authorities […] Read more » TaggedMorocco
Ukraine: Steadfast solidarity and support for journalistic community on war anniversary February 24, 2023 | Leave a Comment Today, marking one year since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, IPI joins its partners in the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in renewing our condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression. We continue to stand in solidarity with the journalists and media workers who cover the events at great risk to their […] Read more »
Safety of Journalists Platform: Statement to mark one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine February 24, 2023 | Leave a Comment Today, one year after the Russian Federation launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the International Press Institute (IPI) joins its Partner Organisations to the Safety of Journalists’ Platform in remembering the colleagues who lost their lives while covering the war, those who have endured injury, abduction, torture and suffering and express full support for all […] Read more »
Georgian lawmakers should scrap plans for ‘foreign agent’ bill February 21, 2023 | Leave a Comment The International Press Institute (IPI) calls on Georgian MPs to scrap plans for “foreign agent” legislation that echoes similar laws in authoritarian states, such as that in neighboring Russia. While the bill’s authors have claimed that the law would be based on “principles of openness and transparency”, the measures risk being used as a weapon […] Read more »
Cambodia: Government orders closure of independent outlet Voice of Democracy February 21, 2023 IPI Contributor Karam Sleiman | Leave a Comment The IPI global network condemns the Cambodian government’s attack on press freedom after Prime Minister Hun Sen last week ordered the closure of one of the last remaining independent domestic news outlets, Voice of Democracy. The government must immediately rescind this order and allow VOD and other independent media to operate, in line with domestic […] Read more »
Pakistan: Government seeks to criminalize criticism of the military February 21, 2023 IPI Contributor Lena del Santo | Leave a Comment The IPI global network is alarmed by a proposed bill in Pakistan that would punish criticism of the Pakistan military and judiciary with prison. The measures would expand on the already restrictive provisions in the criminal code that are increasingly used to slience critial media and independent journalism in Pakistan. The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, […] Read more »
India: Government raids BBC offices after airing documentary critical of Modi February 17, 2023 | Leave a Comment The IPI global network condemns the Indian government’s decision to raid the offices of BBC in New Delhi and Mumbai. The Modi government must stop attempting to silence independent media by harassing and intimidating journalists. Authorities from the Income Tax Department sealed BBC offices on February 14 as part of an investigation into tax violation […] Read more »
Two years after military coup, international community must support Myanmar’s independent media February 9, 2023 IPI Contributor Lena Dal Santo | Leave a Comment The IPI global network calls on the international community to renew its support for press freedom in Myanmar. Two years since the military took power in a violent coup d’état, and despite extraordinary resilience and courage by the country’s media, the state of press freedom remains in peril. The international community must act with urgency […] Read more »
EU: Call to MEPs for strong European Media Freedom Act February 9, 2023 | Leave a Comment The International Press Institute (IPI) today joins 40 organisations in urging Members of the European Parliament to push for a strong European Media Freedom Act. – IPI position on the European Media Freedom Act – How the European Media Freedom Act could affect Hungary and Poland – European Media Freedom Act breaks significant new ground […] Read more »
Kosovo: Media freedom groups write to PM Kurti over RTK appointment February 3, 2023 | Leave a Comment The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined four international media freedom organisations in writing to the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, to raise our shared concerns about a recent appointment to Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) which undermines recent reform progress. Read the full letter below. Dear Albin Kurti, President of Vetevendosje […] Read more »
IPI, partners request meeting with Kyrgyz president February 1, 2023 | Leave a Comment Today, IPI and a group of partner organizations sent a letter to Sadyr Japarov, President of Kyrgyzstan, requesting a meeting to discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation of press freedom in this country. The letter was co-signed by Committee to Protect journalists, Article 19, Human Rights Watch, Justice For Journalists Foundation, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and Reporters […] Read more »
Daily Star | Blogging in Bangladesh: Caught between a rock and a hard place January 31, 2023 Pinaki Roy and Wasim Habib, Daily Star | Leave a Comment This article is published in collaboration with the Daily Star in Bangladesh, as part of a content series supported by the IPI South Asia cross-border journalism project, which aims to support press freedom and promote the safety of journalists in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Nepal. [separator style_type=”single” top_margin=”20px” bottom_margin=”20px” sep_color=”#c4c4c4″ border_size=”1px” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” […] Read more »
Rwanda: 90 rights groups call for independent investigation into death of journalist John Williams Ntwali January 31, 2023 | Leave a Comment The International Press Institute (IPI) today is among 90 civil society and press freedom organizations calling on the Rwandan authorities to ensure an independent and thorough investigation into the death of prominent journalist John Williams Ntwali. Authorities said Ntwali died in a traffic accident on January 19 but have failed to provide any additional information […] Read more »
Part 2: Venezuela’s local media collaborates to tell big stories January 29, 2023 Andrés Schäfer | Leave a Comment It’s a photo that tells clashing stories: on its surface, the idyll of a water-side childhood; underneath, the destructive pollution from mining. It’s Fabiola Ferrero’s shot from deep in the immensity of the Gran Sabana in Venezuela’s south, capturing a Pemón child floating mid-air as he dives from steep banks into an almost magically blue […] Read more »
India: Government uses emergency powers to block BBC documentary critical of Modi January 25, 2023 | Leave a Comment The IPI global network expresses alarm over the Indian government’s use of emergency powers granted under the country’s IT rules to block clips of a BBC documentary critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from being accessed and shared online. The Modi government must refrain from using these powers to force online platforms to censor critical […] Read more »
Death of Rwandan journalist John Williams Ntwali must be investigated January 23, 2023 | Leave a Comment IPI, the global network of press freedom, calls for a thorough and independent investigation into the death of Rwandan journalist John Williams Ntwali, a well-known critic of the Rwandan government who was killed in what authorities have claimed was a traffic accident. Williams Ntwali, an editor of the privately owned newspaper The Chronicles and who […] Read more »
IPI position on the European Media Freedom Act January 23, 2023 | Leave a Comment The International Press Institute (IPI) today published its detailed position on the draft proposal for European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). IPI submitted its position on January 23, 2023, as part of the European Commission’s Public Consultation. Overall, IPI and our global network welcome the proposal for the EMFA as a crucial move to address serious […] Read more »
Under threat, local newsrooms innovate to survive in Georgia January 20, 2023 Teona Sekhniashvili | Leave a Comment In its 30 years of independence, Georgia has faced deep political polarization. The news media landscape itself has come to reflect these divisions, resulting in societal tension. Meanwhile, media capture has dramatically reduced the state of press freedom in Georgia. Despite these challenges, local newsrooms continue to survive and thrive through innovation and building relationships […] Read more »
Burundi: IPI reiterates call for release of journalist Floriane Irangaibye January 17, 2023 | Leave a Comment The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of publishers, editors and journalists, reiterates its call on authorities in Burundi to release Rwanda-based journalist Floriane Irangabiye, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison earlier this month, and drop charges against her. Authorities in Burundi, instead of stifling the work of journalists, must respect press […] Read more »
Somalia: Harassment of journalists continues amid deteriorating press freedom situation January 11, 2023 | Leave a Comment The IPI global network is increasingly concerned about the deteriorating press freedom situation in Somalia after seven journalists were assaulted or detained in December 2022 alone. IPI reiterates its call on authorities to stop all attacks on press freedom and respect independent journalism. On December 22, security forces raided a local radio station, Radio Hiiraanweyn, […] Read more »
Press Freedom and Communications Intern (Turkish-Speaking) Location: IPI Secretariat (Vienna) Deadline for applications: Rolling basis IPI is seeking a Turkish-speaking intern to contribute to its press freedom and communications department. IPI internships require a high degree of initiative and an ability to work independently and in a diverse environment. Candidates should have a keen interest in human rights, particularly media freedom. The IPI […] Read more »
IPI Press Freedom and Communications Intern January 1, 2023 | Leave a Comment IPI welcomes applications for non-paid internships in our press freedom and communications department in 2023. IPI internships require a high degree of initiative and an ability to work independently and in a diverse environment. Candidates should have a keen interest in human rights, particularly media freedom. Applications may be sent in on a rolling basis […] Read more »
Russian court in Crimea sentences citizen journalist Iryna Danylovych On 28 December 2022, a Russian court in occupied Crimea sentenced citizen journalist Iryna Danylovych to 7 years of prison for allegedly acquiring or keeping explosive items, a charge which Danylovych fully refutes and links to her work as an activist and citizen journalist. Danylovych was also fined the equivalent of 650 euros. The Ukrainian […] Read more »
Italy: New government must improve legal framework for media freedom December 22, 2022 | Leave a Comment On 23 October 2022, the new Italian government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was appointed following the parliamentary elections in September, made up a far-right coalition formed by the League (Lega), Forward Italy (Forza Italia), and the Brothers of Italy (Fratelli D’Italia). The International Press Institute (IPI) today joins ARTICLE 19 Europe and members […] Read more »
12 European newsrooms selected to join Thomson Media Deep-Dive Business Consultancy December 20, 2022 | Leave a Comment Twelve media newsrooms from Europe have been selected for an in-depth business support, following a transparent and multi-staged evaluation process. The call was targeted towards mid-sized, regional or local media and niche outlets, with a clearly identified problem they are willing to solve. Selected media will receive customised mentoring and grant support as part of […] Read more »
European Journalism Now: Prague Conference Wrap-up December 14, 2022 | Leave a Comment The International Press Institute (IPI), together with our Czech National Committee and Endowment Fund for Independent Journalism (NFNZ), held a joint two-day European Journalism Now conference in Prague on December 1–2, focusing on how to evaluate quality journalism, media capture in Central and Eastern Europe, and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The first day, […] Read more »
IPI joins call for Somali authorities to drop charges against journalist Abdalle Ahmed Mumin December 13, 2022 | Leave a Comment IPI on Monday joined six other international organisations in a letter calling on Somali authorities to drop the criminal charges filed against Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, a journalist and the Secretary General of the Somalia Journalist Syndicate. Mumin was first arrested on October 11 at the Mogadishu airport while attempting to travel to Nairobi. His arrest […] Read more »
