75 Books to Celebrate Press Freedom and Independent Journalism

As IPI celebrates its 75th anniversary, the organization has compiled a curated list of 75 books that explore, document, and reaffirm the importance of press freedom and independent media. The initiative reflects both a historical milestone and a strategic reflection on the role of journalism in society — underscoring how an informed public, unfettered by censorship or undue control, is vital to democracy.

The selection spans genres and geographies: from memoirs of veteran correspondents to academic analyses of media systems; from collections of investigative reporting to manifestos on the ethics of news‐gathering. The list advances two central themes: first, the endurance of independent journalism, even under authoritarian or war‐torn conditions; and second, the risks facing the press in the digital era — including surveillance, economic decline of newsrooms, attacks on journalists, and the erosion of public trust. By bringing these works together, IPI invites readers to both reflect on the evolution of journalism and to engage in the ongoing fight for media rights.

For scholars, journalists, and media policymakers, the list functions as both a reading guide and a source of reflection. It highlights how journalism institutions have transformed — from print‐dominated newsrooms to global digital networks — while reminding us that the core value remains constant: giving voice to the voiceless and challenging power. Moreover, by framing the list in the context of IPI’s 75 years of advocacy, it situates the books not just as literary artifacts but as markers of progress, resistance, and aspiration in the media world.

In sum, IPI’s “75 Books” list does more than catalog titles: it serves as a declaration that press freedom is not a given, but a hard-won achievement. In an era when independent journalism is under pressure globally, this collection provides a roadmap — what has been written, what has been lost, and what must be defended. Readers are encouraged to browse the list and discover works that deepen understanding of journalism’s past, present, and future.

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75 books to celebrate press freedom and independent journalism