Media freedom groups call for an end to Spain’s repressive “Gag Law” August 20, 2024 The undersigned Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) organizations call on the Spanish government to fully repeal the so-called “Gag Law” as part of its announced “democratic regeneration” efforts. While we welcome the initial proposed changes to the law, these fall short of the full repeal necessary to protect free expression in Spain. In Spain, despite […] Read more » Taggeddemocratic regeneration gag law ley mordaza mordaza psoe sánchez Spain sumar
Proekt Media undergoes hacking attempt On 14 August 2024, a common investigation by international NGOs Citizen Lab, Access Now and Russian NGO Perviy Otdel found that hackers likely linked to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) had targeted an array of journalists, human rights organizations, Russian opposition members and American politicians, in a campaign which was said to have started approximately […] Read more »
Africa Media Monitoring July 2024: Threats to press freedom in Kenya, DRC, and Somalia August 12, 2024 In July 2024, physical assaults, arrests of journalists covering anti-government protests, and incidents of censorship topped the list of threats to press freedom in Sub-Saharan African countries. IPI monitoring documented 33 violations or threats to media freedom in 17 countries. The highest number of violations were recorded in Kenya, DRC, and Somalia. State actors were […] Read more »
IPI calls on US, EU to reject dangerous global surveillance treaty August 6, 2024 As final negotiations draw to a close this week in New York, the IPI global network urgently calls on the United States and the European Union to stand firm and reject a global treaty that will give authorities sweeping surveillance powers and hand authoritarians even more tools to target and punish journalists and other public […] Read more »
Myanmar: Two years without justice for photojournalist Aye Kyaw July 31, 2024 Tea Rissanen, Helsingin Sanomat Foundation Journalism Fellow at IPI Two years after the death of photojournalist Aye Kyaw while in the custody of Myanmar’s military junta, the IPI global network commemorates the journalist and demands accountability for his apparent murder at the hands of the junta. In addition, IPI renews its calls for international support for journalists in Myanmar. Since the democracy-crushing military coup […] Read more »
2024 rule of law report: media freedom organizations urge the EU to enforce stronger safeguards July 30, 2024 Beatrice Chioccioli The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) coalition welcomes the publication of the 2024 European Commission’s rule of law report. Despite progress made in some areas, the report shows that press freedom remains under threat in Europe. We urge Member States and the European Union to intensify their efforts to uphold media freedom, and reinforce their […] Read more » Taggedanti-slapp EU Europe European Commission european media freedom act European Union report rule of law
Behind bars for fake news: imminent threat to media freedom in Cyprus July 29, 2024 The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) strongly condemns a legislative proposal in Cyprus that threatens press freedom under the guise of combating disinformation. This amendment, which criminalizes “fake news” and imposes harsh penalties, risks stifling independent journalism and encouraging self-censorship. Our international consortium calls on authorities to align with international human rights standards, promote media […] Read more » Taggedchilling effect cyprus digital services act disinformation european media freedom act fake news freedom of expression media control media freedom self-censorship
Kosovo’s media law enables political capture of regulatory body July 23, 2024 The undersigned Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium partners express deep alarm over the passage of a new media law by the Kosovo Parliament this month. We share local and international concerns that this law does not meet international standards on free expression and threatens media freedom, including by granting the authorities greater control over […] Read more » TaggedCouncil of Europe European Union Kosovo Lëvizja Vetëvendosje media law OSCE
IPI joins 20 rights groups calling on EU to address critical flaws in draft treaty on cybercrime July 17, 2024 IPI today joined 20 digital rights and press freedom groups to urge the European Union to address critical flaws in the latest draft of the UN cybercrime convention, ahead of the final negotiations of the treaty that begin at the end of this month in New York. IPI has consistently called for sweeping revisions to […] Read more » Taggedcybercrime law
The Gambia: Parliament must amend draft cybercrime bill July 9, 2024 IPI Contributor, Samuel Kennedy Despite concerns and criticism from journalists and local press unions, the Gambian parliament is considering a cybercrime bill that grants authorities the power to impose harsh penalties on journalists and critics. The IPI global network today calls upon members of the Gambian parliament to either amend the draft cybercrime bill so that it aligns with […] Read more » Taggedcybercrime law cybercrimes
Ukraine: IPI condemns new arrest of journalist by Russian occupying forces July 5, 2024 The IPI global network today condemns the detention of journalist Zhanna Kyselova, the former editor of local newspaper Kakhovska Zorya, by Russian occupying authorities in Ukraine’s Kherson region. Kyselova’s detention is a renewed reminder of the dire situation faced by dozens of Ukrainian journalists held in Russian captivity. According to Ukrainian authorities, Kyselova was detained […] Read more »
IPI Africa 2023 Press Freedom Monitoring Report June 28, 2024 At least 12 journalists were killed in sub-Saharan Africa in 2023, according to monitoring by the International Press Institute (IPI)’s Africa programs. These incidents are among the nearly 600 cases of attacks on journalists and other threats to press freedom that IPI documented in the region last year. Altogether, IPI documented 591 cases affecting journalists […] Read more » TaggedAfrica attacks on journalists safety of journalists
Media Freedom Mission to Romania questions fairness of electoral coverage June 26, 2024 Members of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), after completing a mission to Bucharest, concluded that much of the media coverage of Romania’s electoral campaigns is seriously compromised by political capture and that media are failing to provide the fair and balanced political reporting necessary for the public to make informed electoral choices. Romania also […] Read more »
Solidarity with the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation in their quest for justice June 25, 2024 The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) coalition partners stand firm in solidarity with the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation, which has unwaveringly campaigned against the continued impunity for the 1999 murder of Serbian journalist Slavko Ćuruvija. New legal action brought by two of the individuals acquitted of Ćuruvija’s murder now threatens to undermine the foundation’s campaign for […] Read more »
Serbia: KRIK journalists facing SLAPPs after publishing the profile of Judge Dušanka Đorđević in database June 19, 2024 The undersigned journalists and media freedom organizations condemn the legal actions filed by Judge Dušanka Đorđević and her husband against Crime and Corruption Reporting Network (KRIK), its editor-in-chief Stevan Dojčinović, and journalist Bojana Pavlović. The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) coalition considers those legal actions as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), aiming at silencing […] Read more » Taggedkrik Serbia SLAPP vexatious lawsuit
Pakistan: IPI alarmed by deterioration of press freedom, journalists’ safety June 18, 2024 The IPI global network is deeply alarmed by the deterioration of press freedom in Pakistan, marked by a recent wave of violence against the press along with the introduction of legislative and other measures that impose harsh restrictions on press freedom and online expression. We call on the government to take swift and concrete action […] Read more »
War, peace, and journalism: Reflecting on the siege of Sarajevo 30 years later Drawing from their experiences reporting during the Siege of Sarajevo, leading journalists and editors share the lessons they learned amidst the chaos of conflict. We explore the profound implications and lessons of their work for contemporary war reporting and reflect on the critical importance of safeguarding journalists and societies during times of upheaval. M) Michael […] Read more »
Newspaper in Crimea fined for “discrediting” the Russian army On 7 June 2024, a Russian court in Simferopol, the capital of Russian-occupied Crimea, fined the legal entity of regional newspaper Qirim 300 thousand rubles on grounds of allegedly “discrediting” the Russian army. The news was reported on by activist Elnaz Akimova (Qirimli), who wrote about the decision on Facebook, quoting the newspaper’s lawyer Lila […] Read more »
IPI General Assembly Resolution: Calling for protection of journalists in Gaza, unimpeded access by international media June 6, 2024 The members of the International Press Institute (IPI), meeting at their 73nd annual General Assembly during the IPI World Congress on May 23, 2024 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted by vote a resolution calling on Israel and the international community to take immediate measures to protect the safety of all journalists in Gaza. We […] Read more » TaggedGaza safety of journalists
IPI demands end to use of spyware against journalists in Europe June 4, 2024 The IPI global network today once again calls for an end to the use of spyware against journalists in Europe, following new revelations by NGO Access Now, which found that seven more Russian and Belarusian journalists and activists in exile in Europe had been targeted by Pegasus spyware. In its statement, Access Now drew up […] Read more »
Africa Media Monitoring April 2024: Threats to press freedom in Burkina Faso, Somalia and Togo June 3, 2024 In April 2024, IPI documented at least 23 incidents of threats to press freedom in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. State-sponsored censorship was the most common violation recorded, followed by the arrest and detention of journalists. The highest number of violations was recorded in Burkina Faso. State actors remain the main perpetrators, responsible for 96 […] Read more »
China: IPI welcomes release of journalist Zhang Zhan June 3, 2024 Veera Nikkilä, Helsingin Sanomat Foundation Journalism Fellow at IPI The IPI global network welcomes the release on May 13 of Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan, after serving a four year prison sentence for reporting on the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan. However, IPI calls for the immediate removal of all restrictions on Zhan’s freedom, including continued state surveillance. In February 2020, Zhang was among a handful […] Read more »
Chad: IPI calls on President Mahamat Idriss Deby to open new chapter for media June 3, 2024 On May 23, Mahamat Idriss Deby was sworn in as president of Chad following his victory in the May 6 elections. This moment marked the country’s formal return to constitutional rule after three years of transitional military government. The IPI global network uses this opportunity to call on the president to open a new chapter […] Read more » TaggedChad press freedom safety of journalists
IPI, partners call on ICJ to order unimpeded media access to Gaza following South Africa’s urgent request May 22, 2024 IPI today joined 8 rights groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and ARTICLE 19, to issue a joint statement in support of South Africa’s urgent request to the International Court of Justice to order Israel to allow unimpeded media access to Gaza. Read full statement below. International Court of Justice: Protect evidence in the […] Read more »
Defending press freedom in Georgia as foreign agent bill passes third reading May 21, 2024 The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined press freedom and journalists organizations in writing to President of the European Council Charles Michel and EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczyński, urging them to call on the Georgian government to withdraw the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence and to guarantee the safety of journalists reporting on […] Read more »
Media Advisory: IPI World Congress and Media Innovation Festival May 17, 2024 MEDIA ADVISORY IPI World Congress in Sarajevo to highlight journalism’s role in addressing global crises (May 22-24) Leading journalists, editors, and publishers from over 65 countries and six continents will gather in Sarajevo from May 22-24 for the International Press Institute (IPI) World Congress and Media Innovation Festival. Hosted at Sarajevo’s historically significant Hotel Holiday, […] Read more »
Georgian PM urged to withdraw the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, guarantee the safety of journalists and uphold press freedom in Georgia May 10, 2024 The International Press Institute (IPI) today joined press freedom, journalists and human rights organizations in writing to Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, urging him to withdraw the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, guarantee the safety of journalists and uphold press freedom in Georgia. Irakli Kobakhidze Prime Minister of Georgia 7 Ingorokva Street State […] Read more »
New Media Incubator: The Italian journalism network using Twitch to reach young audiences May 8, 2024 Centro di giornalismo permanente This article was written by the Centro di giornalismo permanente team and lightly edited by IPI for length and clarity. Receive regular updates on IPI’s innovation and media sustainability work by subscribing to our newsletter, The Outlook: Media Innovation Unlocked. Founded in 2018, the Centro di giornalismo permanente is an Italian collective of freelance journalists created […] Read more » Taggedinnovation local journalism local media
Serbia: MFRR partners demand Belgrade court set Belarusian journalist free May 6, 2024 The undersigned partner organizations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) demand the immediate release of Andrey Gniot, a Belarusian journalist and pro-democracy activist who is being held in custody by Serbian authorities on politically motivated charges formulated by the regime of Alexander Lukashenko. Since October, Serbian courts have been deliberating upon a request to […] Read more »
Burkina Faso bans media over critical coverage of military May 3, 2024 The IPI global network condemns the Burkina Faso government’s suspension of three foreign broadcasters for covering a report on alleged military killings of civilians. Authorities also blocked access to the websites of several news outlets. IPI calls on Burkina Faso’s transitional government to reverse the bans and allow journalists to do their jobs. Burkina Faso’s […] Read more » TaggedAfrica attacks on journalists press freedom
Advocacy World Press Freedom Day’s interview with Věra Jourová May 3, 2024 Over the past five years, Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, has been leading the Commission’s efforts to strengthen media freedom under its Democracy Action Plan. This has resulted in an unprecedented array of legislative initiatives through the completion of the European Media Freedom Act, the Anti-SLAPP Directive, the issuing […] Read more » TaggedEuropean Commission European Union interview vera jourova World Press Freedom Day
11 trailblazing organizations shortlisted for 2024 Free Media Pioneer award May 2, 2024 Ahead of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, IPI and IMS are proud to announce the 11 organizations shortlisted for the 2024 IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer award. These outstanding organizations from around the globe are meeting the moment by defending press freedom, filling crucial gaps in quality, investigative reporting, or driving media innovation. Amid growing […] Read more »
Terrorism investigation into Catalan journalist raises concerns ahead of elections April 30, 2024 Journalists and media freedom organizations express concern over the investigation for terrorism of Catalan journalist Jesús Rodríguez Sellés, now residing in Switzerland. The investigation, lasting for four years after the alleged crime, coincides with negotiations over the amnesty law for pro-independence leaders. Fearing politicization of the case, the Media Freedom Rapid Response partners call for […] Read more » Taggedamnesty law Catalonia independence la directa Spain tsunami democrátic
