News – Targeting Journalists is a Crime

September 1, 2025

MaltaToday Joins Global Blackout to Spotlight Gaza Journalists’ Struggle

September 01, 2025 - Malta/Palestine - MaltaToday participated in the Global Blackout Day for Gaza Press Freedom on September 1, 2025, issuing a symbolic yet urgent call to protect journalists in Gaza. The blackout—a coordinated international act—serves to underscore a sobering reality: journalists are being killed at an unprecedented rate in Gaza, and without them, the world risks losing vital insight into the conflict’s unfolding tragedy. The initiative gained momentum in the aftermath of the targeted killing of Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif and his colleagues in a deadly strike. This was shortly followed by a devastating double...

September 1, 2025

IPC-SPJ Decries Brutal Police Assault on Journalist in Lagos

September 01, 2025 - Lagos - The International Press Centre (IPC), through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, has condemned in the strongest terms the police brutality inflicted on Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), by officers at the Ikeja Police Command in Lagos on August 29, 2025. Ojukwu was at the police station’s Complaints Response Unit (CRU) pursuing information on officers accused of extorting detainees. During this attempt, three police officers reportedly seized his phone and searched its contents, shattered his eyeglasses, ripped off his wristwatch, damaged...

September 1, 2025

Dutch Media Join Global Blackout to Protest Journalist Killings in Gaza

September 01, 2025 - Palestine - Dutch newspapers participated in an international media blackout to protest the targeting and killing of journalists in Gaza. Over 200 news outlets worldwide joined the action, coordinated by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Avaaz, and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). In solidarity, activists across the Netherlands staged a walkout from workplaces and classrooms at noon to mark the protest. Among the Dutch participants, NRC printed a front page entirely in black, with the stark message: “Without reporters, the image from Gaza goes black.” Inside, the newspaper emphasized the demand...

September 1, 2025

Gaza Conflict Becomes Deadliest Ever for Journalists, CPJ Warns

September 01, 2025 - Palestine - The Gaza war has tragically become the most lethal conflict for journalists in contemporary history. Over the past 22 months, at least 189 journalists and media workers—predominantly Palestinian—have been killed, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), with some sources estimating the toll may be as high as 247. Key incidents underscore the violence. In one case, an Israeli strike hit a media tent outside al‑Shifa Hospital, resulting in the deaths of four Al Jazeera journalists. In another, a subsequent double-tap airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis...

September 1, 2025

Gaza Journalists Pay with Their Lives as Islam Abed Becomes Latest Casualty

September 01, 2025 - Palestine - Islam Muhareb Abed, a correspondent for Al-Quds Today TV, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City. According to the Gaza Government Media Office, Abed was struck while covering the latest bombardments, making him the 247th journalist killed since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza last October. His death highlights once again the devastating toll on media workers in what rights groups and press freedom advocates are calling the deadliest conflict for journalists ever recorded. Abed’s employer, Al-Quds Today TV, issued a statement mourning the loss of...

September 1, 2025

Brothers, Cousins, Sons: The Personal Toll Behind Gaza’s Fallen Journalists

September 01, 2025 - Palestine - The Guardian’s latest feature humanizes the grief behind the headlines by spotlighting four Palestinian journalists whose lives—and families—were tragically cut short in the Israel–Gaza conflict. These individuals were not just reporters but beloved sons, fathers, and relatives who bravely chronicled the suffering and resilience of their communities under siege. Mohammed al-Khaldi, 36, was known for his investigative journalism on humanitarian issues—marked by a deep empathy that led him to avoid filming the most graphic scenes. He chose to highlight dignity amid devastation. Anas al-Sharif, 28, a father of two...

September 1, 2025

Global Media Unites in First-ever Blackout Protest to Honor Gaza Journalists

September 01, 2025 - General - In an unprecedented international protest, over 250 media outlets across more than 70 countries simultaneously blacked out their front pages, online homepages, and broadcast programming for one day. Coordinated by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the global activism group Avaaz, this historic blackout on September 1, 2025, condemned the mounting violence against journalists in Gaza and demanded urgent protection for media workers on the front lines. The blackouts took different forms across platforms—print editions were published entirely in black with stark solidarity messages, television and radio stations paused regular...

August 31, 2025

Journalist Arif Samrat Assaulted by Mob in Keraniganj

August 31, 2025 - Bangladesh - In a disturbing attack on press freedom, journalist Arif Samrat was violently assaulted on August 31, 2025, in Keraniganj, Dhaka. According to reports, the assault took place at Khola Mora when Samrat was stopped by a group of men while riding his motorcycle. The mob, numbering between eight and ten individuals, allegedly attacked him at the instigation of local Awami League leader Monjur Islam and his associates. During the assault, Samrat was threatened with death, leaving him injured and shaken. The attack is believed to have been retaliation for...

August 31, 2025

Global Media Blackout Planned to Protest Deaths of Journalists in Gaza

August 31, 2025 - Palestine - Media organizations worldwide are gearing up for a coordinated blackout on September 1, staging a powerful and unified protest over the growing number of journalists killed in Gaza and the restrictions on press access. The campaign calls on outlets globally to shutter their front pages, websites, and broadcasts in solidarity. This media blackout is being organized by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Avaaz, and the International Federation of Journalists, with support from a broad coalition of outlets including Al Jazeera, The Independent, +972, Local Call, The Intercept, Mediapart, L’Humanité, Forbidden...

August 31, 2025

Global Sumud Flotilla Sets Sail to Gaza in Largest Civilian Rescue Effort Yet

August 31, 2025 - Palestine - The Global Sumud Flotilla, the largest-ever civilian maritime convoy aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, began setting sail in late August and early September 2025. Over 50 vessels carrying humanitarian aid and international activists departed from Mediterranean ports including Barcelona, Genoa, Sicily, and Greece, converging toward Gaza. Later, additional departures were planned from Tunisia. The flotilla—coordinated by a coalition of civil society organizations including the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Global Movement to Gaza, Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, and Sumud Nusantara—seeks to deliver food, water, and medical supplies while opening...

August 31, 2025

NRC MD Kayode Opeifa Apologises to NUJ Following Harassment Allegations

August 31, 2025 - Nigeria - The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has issued a public apology to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, following a widely criticised incident involving the harassment of a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) reporter. The apology comes after mounting pressure and condemnation from journalistic bodies and the public. The incident in question occurred on August 27, 2025, when Ladi Bala, Transport Correspondent for NTA and former President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), was covering the aftermath of the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment....

August 31, 2025

NUJ FCT Demands Apology After Alleged Harassment of NTA Journalist

August 31, 2025 - Nigeria - The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council has strongly denounced the alleged harassment and intimidation of Ladi Bala, a transport correspondent for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and former president of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), by Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). The incident took place on August 27, 2025, as Bala was covering the aftermath of a train derailment along the Abuja–Kaduna rail line. According to a statement by NUJ FCT Secretary Jide Oyekunle, Opeifa disrupted Bala’s live reporting,...

August 31, 2025

Trump Administration Slashes Over 500 Voice of America Jobs Amid Legal Firestorm

August 31, 2025 - USA - Recently, there has been a sweeping restructuring at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), Voice of America’s (VOA) parent body, under acting CEO Kari Lake, resulting in the elimination of more than 500 full-time positions, primarily affecting VOA staff. Kari Lake announced a reduction-in-force (RIF) that would terminate 532 government positions, and terminate over 500 roles at VOA specifically, citing the need to shrink federal bureaucracy and cut spending. Notices were sent late on a Friday ahead of the Labor Day weekend, with termination effective by September 30....

August 31, 2025

Journalist Dip Saikia Shot While Covering Manipur Flower Festival

August 31, 2025 - India - Deep Saikia, a journalist with Nagaland-based Hornbill TV, was seriously injured on Saturday evening while covering the Zinnia (or Cherry Blossom) Flower Festival in Laii (Lair) village, located in Manipur’s Naga-majority Senapati district. The assailant, armed with an air gun, opened fire, striking Saikia in the right leg and underarm. The gunman was intercepted by villagers and handed over to the police alongside the weapon. Initially treated at the Senapati district hospital, Saikia was later transferred to Dimapur, Nagaland, for further medical care. According to local reports, his condition was...

August 31, 2025

Gaza’s Local Journalists and Fixers Are Dieing at Unprecedented Rates—Who Will Protect Them?

August 31, 2025 - Palestine - The conflict in Gaza has reached a crisis point for local journalists and fixers, whose numbers of casualties now far exceed those of foreign correspondents. Often underpaid, undervalued, and ill-equipped, these media professionals are bearing the brunt of the violence as news coverage in the region relies increasingly on them, with deadly consequences. Foreign journalists have largely been barred from entering Gaza, forcing this fraught reporting burden onto Palestinian journalists. While international outlets are the primary sources that broadcast global coverage, they depend on local reporters to gather and...

August 30, 2025

Filmmakers and Activists Demand Justice with Massive Palestine Protest at Venice Film Festival

August 30, 2025 - Venice/Palestine - The 82nd Venice International Film Festival, held from August 27 to September 6, 2025, has unfolded amid deep political tensions, with growing calls for solidarity with Palestinians dominating the cultural landscape. A major highlight was a mass pro‑Palestine protest, with thousands marching through Venice during the festival to demand that the Biennale take a stand against what they describe as the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and banners reading “Free, Free Palestine,” aiming to use the festival’s global visibility to amplify their message. Earlier in the week, pressure...

August 30, 2025

Israelis and Palestinians Rally for Peace as Family of Journalist Mariam Dagga Mourns

August 30, 2025 - Palestine - In a poignant display of unity and grief, Israeli and Palestinian activists gathered in Nazareth on August 30, 2025, bearing blue-and-white “Press” insignia stickers. The demonstrators, including those directly impacted by the conflict, marched for peace and justice in Gaza, urging protection for journalists and echoing their demand with banners reading “Don't assassinate the truth.” Empty pots were banged during the protest to symbolize the hunger ravaging Gaza. This dramatic public expression of solidarity was sparked by the death of 33-year-old freelance photojournalist Mariam Dagga, killed along with four...

August 30, 2025

South Koreans Rally in Seoul to Condemn Israel’s Targeted Killing of Journalists in Gaza

August 30, 2025 - South Korea - Hundreds of South Koreans and Palestine solidarity supporters gathered on August 30, 2025, in Seoul, staging a protest outside the Israeli Embassy. Demonstrators condemned the recent bombing of a Gaza hospital on August 25, which resulted in the targeted killing of journalists as well as more than a dozen other victims. The gathering decried the attack as emblematic of a broader pattern of violence and genocide. Organizers and activists—advocating for global solidarity with Gaza—branded the hospital strike not as collateral damage but as a deliberate assault on press...

August 30, 2025

Partial Justice in Siwan: Three Convicted, Three Acquitted in Rajdev Ranjan Murder Case

August 30, 2025 - India - Nearly nine years after the brutal 2016 assassination of veteran journalist Rajdev Ranjan, a Special CBI Court in Muzaffarpur delivered a long-awaited verdict on August 30, 2025. Ranjan—then the Siwan bureau chief for a prominent Hindi daily—was fatally shot on May 13, 2016, in broad daylight while returning from a hospital visit. His killing sparked widespread outrage and prompted demands for a thorough investigation. The CBI took over the probe, navigating a politically charged atmosphere, notably due to suspicions surrounding influential RJD strongman and former Siwan MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, who was...

August 30, 2025

Gaza’s Photojournalist in Peril: Anas Fteiha Caught in Media Storm

August 30, 2025 - Palestine - A photo of Gazan photographer Anas Fteiha at work—capturing civilians waiting for food at a humanitarian distribution site—ignited uproar in Germany. Published by outlets including Bild and Süddeutsche Zeitung in August 2025, the image was accused of being "staged" or used as Hamas propaganda. However, a careful analysis by the fact-checking site Snopes found that the scene was genuine: the subjects were indeed receiving aid from a verified charity, as omitted in the initial reports. Despite this refutation, the initial allegations placed Fteiha in harm’s way, forcing him to...

August 30, 2025

Female Journalists in El Salvador Face Escalating Gendered Harassment Under Bukele

August 30, 2025 - El Salvador - Over the past five years, El Salvador has plummeted 61 places in the Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index, now ranking 112th out of 180 countries. Under President Nayib Bukele’s increasingly authoritarian administration, women journalists report mounting gender-based online abuse, much of it directed by pro‑Bukele accounts, even as independent media outlets are driven into exile. A journalist speaking anonymously to Latin Times detailed relentless digital harassment throughout Bukele’s tenure—“non‑stop” misogynistic and sexually explicit attacks. These often included offensive remarks about their appearance, personal attacks on their families, and...

August 30, 2025

Mozambique’s Missing Journalists: A Call for Answers in Cabo Delgado

August 30, 2025 - Mozambique - Ahead of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances (August 30), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and MISA Mozambique issued a joint call urging authorities to clarify the fate of two missing journalists—Ibraimo Abú Mbaruco and Arlindo Chissale, whose disappearances remain unresolved and distressing for their families. Arlindo Chissale, editor of the news website Pinnacle News, vanished on January 7, 2025, when a group of eight men—some wearing national security and defense uniforms—ordered him off a public minibus in Silva Macua. Since that day, he has...

August 29, 2025

Croatian Media Workers Protest Against Genocide and Attacks on Journalists

August 29, 2025 - Croatia/Palestine - The Trade Union of Croatian Journalists (SNH) and the Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND) rallied support from fellow labor organizations and the broader public in a powerful protest against the genocide in Gaza and the targeted killings of over 240 Palestinian journalists. The action drew participants to demonstrate their commitment to truth and media freedom amid an escalating humanitarian crisis. In their joint statement, the SNH invoked the vital role of unions in responding to grave injustices, insisting that journalists cannot remain silent while such crimes unfold. Maja Sever, SNH’s...

August 29, 2025

Gaza Journalists Say Their Lives Have Become “Worth Nothing” Amid Rising Death Toll

August 29, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalists in Gaza are enduring a harrowing reality—where survival feels like a lottery. As Nour Swiriki, a 37-year-old reporter for El Sharq TV, puts it, “today is not your turn... your turn might be tomorrow or after tomorrow.” Her words capture the fear haunting media professionals who continue to document life amidst relentless Israeli bombardment. According to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS), Israel has so far killed 240 of their colleagues, making this the deadliest stretch for journalists in Gaza in modern times. Swiriki describes devastating losses among...

August 29, 2025

RSF and Coalition Demand Release of Journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio

August 29, 2025 - Philippines - As the Philippines marks its National Press Freedom Day on August 30, 2025, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and a coalition of press freedom organizations are urgently calling for the release of Frenchie Mae Cumpio, the country’s only journalist currently detained. Cumpio has been held for five years without conviction, facing charges that critics say are based on fabricated evidence, such as allegations of illegal firearms possession. Cumpio, 26, formerly served as executive director of the independent outlet Eastern Vista and hosted a community radio program in Tacloban covering issues like...

August 29, 2025

DW Condemns Unacceptable Attack on Journalists in West Bank

August 29, 2025 - Palestine - Deutsche Welle (DW) Director-General Peter Limbourg has strongly condemned the “unacceptable” attack on DW journalists in the occupied West Bank, calling such hostility toward press representatives “absolutely unjustifiable.” The targeted incident occurred in the village of Sinjil, north of Ramallah, where a DW correspondent and their cameraman—clearly identifiable by their press vests—were attacked by radical Israeli settlers. Stones were hurled, and they were chased in a violent assault on media freedom. Despite managing to escape unharmed, their vehicle sustained significant damage. DW, alongside the German Journalists’ Association (DJV) and...

August 29, 2025

Journalist Attacked Amid Tensions Over Amnesty Law Debate in Peru

August 29, 2025 - Peru - At the conclusion of a well‑intended congressional discussion on an Amnesty Law, journalist Katherine Ayarza, from the news outlet Epicentro, became the target of a troubling incident. The event on August 26, organized under the Democratic Tuesday initiative by Peru’s Congressional Citizen Participation Office, was meant to foster civic dialogue. Instead, it ended with a disconcerting attack directed at a media professional. As the session wrapped up, a group of attendees aggressively encircled Ayarza. Over shouts and demeaning remarks intended to undermine her work, they forcefully knocked her cellphone...

August 29, 2025

CPJ Demands Independent Probe into the Killing of Five Journalists in Gaza Hospital Strike

August 29, 2025 - Palestine - Two successive Israeli strikes hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, killing at least 20 people, among them five journalists—Reuters contractor Hussam al‑Masri, Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Salama, AP freelancer Mariam Abu Dagga, freelance video journalist Moaz Abu Taha, and reporter Ahmed Abu Aziz. Human rights groups and legal experts condemned the “double tap” nature of the strikes—targeting the hospital then striking again as first responders and journalists arrived—as a serious violation of international law. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urgently called for a complete and independent investigation into the killings. CPJ criticized Israel’s initial military...

August 29, 2025

55 Palestinian Journalists Detained by Israeli Forces

August 29, 2025 - Palestine - A rights group has revealed a sharp uptick in the detention of Palestinian journalists by Israeli occupation forces, underscoring deepening restrictions on press freedom amid escalating conflict. According to the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS), as of August 29, 2025, a total of 55 Palestinian journalists are currently held in Israeli prisons. Among them, 50 were arrested since the onset of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, including one female journalist. Further clarifying the detention landscape, a July 2, 2025, report by PPS noted that 22 of those journalists are being...

August 29, 2025

Photojournalist Ahmed Mukhtar Arrested in Expanding Meydan TV Case

August 29, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijani authorities have intensified their pressure on independent media with the arrest of photojournalist Ahmed Mukhtar, who has become the 12th individual detained under the wide-ranging investigation into the so-called “Meydan TV case.” His detention has drawn sharp concern among press freedom advocates, who view it as part of a broader effort to silence dissenting voices and intimidate media workers in the country. Mukhtar was arrested in Baku and placed under 40 days of pretrial detention by the Khatai District Court. The charges against him have not been publicly...

August 29, 2025

U.S. Journalist’s Final Frame: Armed Only With a Camera Chronicles Brent Renaud’s Life and Legacy

August 29, 2025 - USA - A powerful and intimate new documentary titled Armed Only With a Camera, directed by Craig Renaud and produced by photojournalist Juan Arredondo, pays tribute to the life and tragic death of award‑winning American journalist Brent Renaud. Brent was the first U.S. journalist killed during the Russia‑Ukraine war, gunned down on 13 March 2022 by Russian soldiers while filming an independent documentary in Irpin, Ukraine. Arredondo was seriously wounded in the ambush but survived. The film premiered at the HollyShorts Film Festival in Los Angeles, receiving widespread acclaim before later...

August 29, 2025

Temple of Justice Violated: Five Lawyers Jailed Over 2009 Courtroom Assault

August 29, 2025 - India - A district court in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing five lawyers for their violent attack on senior journalist Ghanshyam Patel inside the Ujjain court in February 2009. The incident, deeply troubling given its location, has been condemned for breaching the sanctity of the judicial system. On August 28, 2025, Additional Sessions Judge Shrikrishna Dagliya sentenced Dharmendra Sharma, Shailendra Sharma, Bhavendra Sharma, and Purushottam Rai to seven years of rigorous imprisonment, while Surendra Sharma, nearly 90 years old, received a three‑year simple imprisonment term in view...

August 28, 2025

“Yes, We Kill Journalists and the World Can Go to Hell”: MEE Condemns Israel’s Targeting of Press in Gaza

August 28, 2025 - Palestine - An incendiary editorial published by Middle East Monitor, titled “Yes, we kill journalists and the world can go to hell,” calls out what it describes as a systematic Israeli strategy of eliminating media workers in Gaza while dismissing global outcry. The piece highlights an emerging pattern: journalists are increasingly vilified as militants, following their deaths in strikes, rather than recognised as civilians protected under international law. The editorial cites the strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital on August 25, where multiple media professionals were killed in what appears to have...

August 28, 2025

Brussels Solidarity Vigil Demands EU Action as Dozens of Gaza Journalists Are Killed

August 28, 2025 - Belgium/Palestine - approximately 400 journalists and citizens gathered at Mont des Arts in Brussels to voice their support for Palestinian media workers who have been killed while reporting from Gaza. Organized collaboratively by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS), the Belgian AJP‑VVJ, and the UK‑Ireland NUJ, the demonstration aimed to honour the memory of the 219 journalists who have died since the Gaza conflict began on 7 October 2023. The event featured 44 journalists reading aloud the names of their...

August 28, 2025

Australian Journalist Allyson Horn Named ABC’s Beijing Correspondent as Bureau Reopens After 5 Years

August 28, 2025 – Australia/China - The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has confirmed the return of its China bureau after nearly five years, appointing Allyson Horn as its new Beijing correspondent. Horn will begin her posting in the coming weeks, marking a crucial expansion of the ABC’s international presence. Horn brings extensive experience to the role; her first foreign assignment was in 2022 as the ABC’s Middle East correspondent, based in Jerusalem. She is described by ABC News Director Justin Stevens as "a formidable journalist" whose reporting is "brave and authoritative" and steadfast in giving...

August 28, 2025

Algerian UN Envoy Amar Bendjama Breaks Downreading Gaza Journalist’s Farewell Letter

August 28, 2025 – United Nations/Palestine - In a deeply emotional address to the UN Security Council, Algeria’s ambassador Amar Bendjama broke into tears while reading a heartfelt farewell letter penned by Palestinian journalist Mariam Abu Daqqa, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital earlier this week. Abu Daqqa, an Associated Press visual journalist, had written the letter to her 13-year-old son, Gaith, just days before her death. Bendjama described her words as carrying “more truth than any official statement.” The letter’s poignant message—"When I die, pray for me, not to...

August 28, 2025

Journalists Rally in London for Gaza Press Freedom

August 28, 2025 – United Kingdom - Dozens of journalists gathered outside 10 Downing Street in central London on August 27, holding a vigil and reading aloud the names of more than 200 journalists killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. The demonstration, organized by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), followed a particularly deadly airstrike in southern Gaza’s Khan Yunis—which claimed the lives of at least 20 Palestinians, including five journalists working for Al Jazeera, Reuters, and AP. The NUJ presented a letter demanding accountability and stronger action from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and...

August 28, 2025

Australian MP Bob Katter Shakes Fist at Journalist Over Heritage Remark

August 28, 2025 – Australia - Veteran MP Bob Katter, founder of Katter’s Australian Party, incited controversy during a press conference in Brisbane when he shook his fist at Channel 9 reporter Josh Bavas after being questioned about his Lebanese heritage. The outburst, broadcast live, sparked immediate condemnation and raised concerns about media-hostility from public officials. Katter, who was addressing his support for an upcoming anti-immigration rally, interrupted Bavas’s question by shouting, “I’ve punched blokes in the mouth for saying that,” while accusing the reporter of being “a racist.” He emphasized his long Australian lineage,...

August 28, 2025

UK Thinktank Fellow Advocates Israel Target Al Jazeera Journalists, Eroding Protections for the Press

August 28, 2025 - Palestine/UK - A disturbing development has emerged from the UK: Andrew Fox, a research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society (HJS) and retired British Army major, publicly suggested that Israel should target more journalists, particularly those associated with Al Jazeera. In a social media post following the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Anas al‑Sharif, Fox provocatively asked: “When does a journalist become a legitimate military target? Maybe not often enough.” Fox went further, asserting that “information warriors” could be seen as participants in hostilities—a broad interpretation that risks dissolving one of the core...

August 28, 2025

French Sports Journalist Jailed in Algeria: Family Decries “Absurd” Verdict Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions

August 28, 2025 - France/Algeria - In a development that has reverberated across media and diplomatic circles, French freelance sports journalist Christophe Gleizes—a specialist in African football and contributor to So Foot and Society magazines—was sentenced in June 2025 to seven years in prison by a court in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria. His conviction includes charges of “glorifying terrorism” and “possessing publications harmful to national interest,” accusations his family and rights groups have vigorously condemned as “totally absurd.” Gleizes, who had been under a judicial control order since his arrest in May 2024, appealed immediately and...

August 28, 2025

Somali Journalist Detained and Assaulted After Exposing Armed Robbery by Uniformed Men

August 28, 2025 - Somalia - The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) reported that a woman journalist based in Mogadishu was arrested and physically assaulted after she exposed an armed robbery committed by uniformed personnel. According to SJS, when the journalist challenged the authorities about the basis of her detention, she was grabbed by the neck and physically threatened by two armed officers. The assault underscores a deeply disturbing pattern in Somalia, where media professionals are increasingly targeted for reporting on abuses by those in positions of power. SJS strongly condemned the incident, calling it an...

August 28, 2025

IPI Applauds Release of Ukrainian Journalists from Russian Captivity, Urges Freedom for Nearly 30 More

August 28, 2025 - Ukraine/Russia - The International Press Institute (IPI) warmly welcomed the release of two Ukrainian journalists — Dmytro Khilyuk and Mark Kaliush — who were recently freed from Russian detention. The announcement on August 27, 2025, marked a hopeful moment in a long-standing humanitarian plight. IPI celebrated the exchange as a positive but limited step toward restoring press freedom. While acknowledging the relief of seeing Khilyuk and Kaliush return home, IPI also renewed its urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of nearly thirty additional journalists still held in Russia—many detained...

August 28, 2025

Western Media Betrays Gaza: Local Journalists Treated as Disposable

August 28, 2025 - Palestine - The latest Haaretz column highlights a deeply unsettling reality: Western media is failing Gaza—treating local journalists not as valued colleagues, but as disposable headlines. Khoudary, the author, accuses foreign outlets of rapidly discarding their commitment to Gaza-based reporters once tragedy strikes, abandoning them instead of standing by a shared humanity. This collapse of trust carries grave consequences. As Gaza has become the deadliest place for journalists in the 21st century, with over 170 to 220 local reporters and media workers killed since late 2023, Palestinian journalists have borne the...

August 28, 2025

U.S. Crackdown Threatens Foreign Journalists and Students with Visa Limits

August 28, 2025 - USA - The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced a new proposal that would significantly change the way foreign students, exchange visitors, and journalists are granted permission to remain in the country. Under the current system, these visas operate on a “duration of status” model, meaning holders can stay in the U.S. as long as they maintain their programs or assignments. The proposed rule seeks to impose fixed time limits, marking a major policy shift that would bring stricter oversight and greater restrictions. For students and exchange visitors, the...

August 28, 2025

Reuters Halts Sharing Gaza Locations with Israeli Forces Amid Rising Journalist Death Toll

August 28, 2025 - Palestine - In the ongoing Gaza conflict, where the death toll among journalists continues to climb, Reuters has made a critical shift in its security protocol. After witnessing a surge in fatalities among media professionals, the news agency has ceased sharing the real-time locations of its reporting teams operating in Gaza with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). This decision underscores how dire the situation has become for journalists on the ground. NBC News first reported this change following multiple high-profile incidents in which journalists were killed by Israeli strikes. Among the...

August 28, 2025

Double-Tap of Despair: Journalists Killed in Strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital

August 28, 2025 - Palestine - On August 25, 2025, the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis—the only fully functioning hospital in southern Gaza—was struck twice in quick succession by Israeli forces in what is known as a “double‑tap” strike. The first attack hit the hospital’s upper floor, and just minutes later, a second shell struck the same area while rescue workers and journalists rushed in, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 civilians, including five journalists. Among those killed were: Hussam al‑Masri, a Reuters cameraman. Mariam Abu Dagga, a 33-year-old freelance journalist for the...

August 27, 2025

Maldives Journalists Briefly Detained in Protest Against Media Control Bill

August 27, 2025 – Maldives - At least five journalists were detained during protests against the proposed Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, which critics say grants the government disproportionate control over the media. The detentions occurred as demonstrators, journalists among them, gathered outside the People’s Majlis and later the Presidential Office to oppose the bill’s passage. Among those detained were Muzayyin Nazim of Dhauru News, Mohamed Shahuzaan and Ahmed Aaidh of Adhadhu, and veteran journalist and former Media Council member Moosa Rasheed of Citizen News. They were released after receiving legal warnings, although police...

August 27, 2025

Journalist Injured Amid Mass Detention in Jakarta Unrest

August 27, 2025 - Indonesia - A wave of protests in Jakarta over lawmakers’ controversial housing allowances escalated into violent clashes that left one journalist injured and hundreds of demonstrators detained. According to the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta), police arrested approximately 370 people, including nearly 200 minors, during the unrest that broke out on August 25. Demonstrators, largely students and activists, accused parliament members of corruption and condemned what they see as widening inequality in Indonesia. The protests centred on the revelation that lawmakers receive monthly housing allowances of around 50 million rupiah...

August 27, 2025

US Contractors Linked to Surveillance of Gaza Journalist Mohamed Salama Before His Killing

August 27, 2025 – Palestine/United States - Investigative reporting by Middle East Eye reveals that U.S. security contractors operating an aid distribution center in Gaza interrogated a source of Middle East Eye journalist Mohamed Salama, seeking information about his identity and whereabouts, just days before Salama was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Salama, who reported for both MEE and Al Jazeera, had relied on anonymity for his own safety while investigating sensitive issues. A person he interviewed, who subsequently became a source, revealed they were briefly detained and questioned by American contractors about Salama’s identity....

August 27, 2025

Middle East Eye Editor David Hearst Demands Urgent Action from UK Prime Minister Over Killing of Journalists in Gaza

August 27, 2025 – United Kingdom/Palestine - David Hearst, editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye (MEE), has issued a blistering letter to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the deaths of two MEE journalists killed in Gaza. In the open letter, Hearst posed a series of pointed questions, demanding an international investigation into Israel’s repeated targeting of journalists. He also sought clarity on whether the UK's Ministry of Defence holds surveillance flight data from early August, which has not been disclosed. The move came amid mounting concern over the unprecedented loss of media lives: since October...

August 27, 2025

Eight Indonesian Journalists Assaulted While Reporting on Industrial Pollution

August 27, 2025 – Indonesia - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has denounced the violent assault on eight journalists who were covering an inspection of a lead smelting plant in Serang, Banten, an operation investigating alleged violations in hazardous and toxic waste management. The journalists represented a broad media spectrum, including Radar Banten, Tribun Banten, Bantennews.co.id, SCTV, Tempo, Antara, Banten TV, Jawa Pos TV, and Detik. RSF emphasized that the attack not only endangers media professionals but severely undermines environmental accountability and public awareness. On August 21, 2025, as ministry officials departed the site, security personnel...

August 27, 2025

Bangladeshi Journalist Elias Hossain Acquitted in DSA Case by Dhaka Cyber Tribunal

August 27, 2025 – Bangladesh - A Dhaka Cyber Tribunal has cleared journalist Elias Hossain of all charges under the Digital Security Act (DSA), ending a high-profile legal ordeal that began nearly three years ago. Judge Nure Alam delivered the acquittal on August 27, citing that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to substantiate the charges against him. Court official Mohammad Jewel Miah confirmed that no witnesses appeared to testify on the scheduled date, prompting the court to close the testimony phase and deliver a clean verdict for Elias. The original case was initiated...

August 27, 2025

Paraguayan Journalist Jéssica Martínez Assaulted by Justice Minister’s Guard

August 27, 2025 – Paraguay - Journalist Jéssica Martínez was violently struck in the chest by a security guard of Justice Minister Rodrigo Nicora while attempting to report outside the Emboscada Antigua Penitentiary. The attack occurred unexpectedly during her routine coverage and was captured on video, sparking immediate outrage among media professionals and observers. In response to mounting pressure from her colleagues, who demanded at a minimum an institutional apology, the Ministry of Justice issued a statement via WhatsApp. In it, Minister Nicora expressed regret for the "inappropriate action of his guard." The incident prompted...

August 27, 2025

Argentinian Photojournalist Pablo Grillo Undergoes Emergency Surgery, Returns to ICU Amid Fragile Recovery

August 27, 2025 – Argentina - Photojournalist Pablo Grillo, who suffered life-threatening head trauma after being struck by a tear gas canister fired by military police during a pensioners’ protest against President Javier Milei’s government in Argentina in March, has undergone his eighth surgery amid a plateau in neurological recovery. Despite hopes raised by an August 13 procedure implanting skull prosthetics, his family announced on August 27 that Grillo was "not recovering as expected" and urgently required another surgical intervention to address critically low cerebrospinal fluid levels. Following the operation earlier this week, Pablo’s father,...

August 27, 2025

British Company Fulwell CEO Deletes LinkedIn Post Smearing Al Jazeera Journalist Anas al-Sharif Killed in Gaza

August 27, 2025 – Palestine - Fulwell Group CEO Leo Pearlman has deleted a controversial LinkedIn post in which he claimed that slain Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif was a “terrorist masquerading as a journalist.” The post drew immediate outrage from media professionals and human rights advocates, who condemned it as a dangerous smear against a reporter killed while covering Israel’s war in Gaza. Pearlman removed the post after intense backlash, but criticism continued across social media, with many denouncing his remarks as irresponsible and dehumanising. Journalists and press freedom defenders warned that such rhetoric...

August 27, 2025

Israel’s “Legitimisation Cell” Apparently Smears Gaza Journalists to Justify Lethal Strikes

Augst 27, 2025 - Palestine - An investigative exposé by +972 Magazine and Local Call reveals that the Israeli military established a clandestine unit—dubbed the “Legitimisation Cell”—with a disturbing mandate: to collect intelligence that smears Gaza-based journalists by falsely portraying them as Hamas operatives, effectively rationalizing their targeting in airstrikes. This tactic is widely viewed as a propaganda tool—part of Israel’s broader hasbara (public diplomacy) strategy—rather than a legitimate security measure. The operation of the “Legitimisation Cell” is both calculated and chilling. Following heightened international condemnation over the killing of reporters, the unit allegedly scoured for...

August 27, 2025

US Envoy to Syria Sparks Outrage in Lebanon Amid Diplomatic Push for Stability

August 27, 2025 - Lebanon/USA - A visit by US Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, simultaneously serving as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and envoy for Syria, has ignited political tensions in Lebanon following unexpected remarks during a Beirut press conference. Barrack’s mission to bolster regional stability included promoting an ambitious economic initiative that would offer jobs for potential ex-Hezbollah fighters via investment in a southern Lebanon economic zone. The plan, backed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, aims to soften Hezbollah’s entrenched influence by incentivizing disarmament through sustained economic alternatives. Barrack’s diplomatic agenda also involved...

August 27, 2025

Ukrainian-born Editor Vitalii Mazurenko Fired in Poland After On-Air Insult of President Karol Nawrocki

August 27, 2025 – Poland/Ukraine - The dismissal of Ukrainian-born journalist Vitalii Mazurenko from his role as deputy editor-in-chief at the Polish outlet Obserwator Międzynarodowy has sparked debate about free expression and political sensitivity in Warsaw. The decision came after Mazurenko used the word “pachan,” a Russian criminal slang term meaning crime boss, to describe Polish President Karol Nawrocki during a live interview on Polsat News. The editorial board of the publication quickly issued a statement distancing itself from his words. It stressed that the comment reflected only Mazurenko’s personal view and underscored that the...

August 26, 2025

Belarusian Journalist Aleh Supruniuk Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for “Extremism”

August 26, 2025 – Belarus - Belarusian freelance journalist Aleh Supruniuk has been sentenced to three years in prison following a closed trial on August 8. He was found guilty of “participating in an extremist group” after writing at least 43 articles for the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), which the government declared an extremist organization in early 2023. His sentencing was officially announced on August 25 by BAJ, which continues to operate in exile. Supruniuk, based in Brest, had been detained since January 2025 after an earlier administrative arrest in December 2024, when authorities searched...

August 26, 2025

Journalist Margarita Zuaui Faces Expulsion from Belgium Despite API-IPA Appeal

August 26, 2025 – Belgium - The International Press Association (API‑IPA) has urgently called on Belgian authorities to halt the expulsion of journalist Margarita Zuaui and her 18-year-old son, following the termination of her residency under family reunification grounds. API‑IPA president Dafydd ab Iago emphasised that Zuaui and her son have fully complied with legal requirements and have been living in Belgium for years, stressing the importance of their right to remain and continue working as journalists under European principles of proportionality and fairness. Zuaui, a Russian national and API‑IPA member since 2023, has resided...

August 26, 2025

Al Jazeera Condemns Israeli Strike as World Decries Killing of Gaza Journalists

August 26, 2025 - General - On August 25, 2025, Al Jazeera strongly condemned an Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis that killed its cameraman, Mohammad Salama, along with four other journalists. The attack, described as a double-tap strike where rescuers and journalists were hit after rushing to the initial blast, killed at least 21 people in total. Al Jazeera said Salama’s death raised the network’s toll to 10 journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023, part of a wider pattern of more than 240 journalist deaths in the enclave. In a...

August 26, 2025

Journalists in Somalia Face Rising Persecution Amid Media Restrictions

August 26, 2025 – Somalia - Reporting on critical social issues like poverty, hunger, and police brutality in Somalia remains extraordinarily dangerous. According to Index on Censorship, more than 80 media workers have been killed since 1992, and countless others, journalists and ordinary citizens alike, have been forced into self-censorship or exile to avoid arrest, harassment, or worse. A recent government directive now explicitly forbids any public or media discussion of “insecurity” in the capital, Mogadishu. The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Daud Aweis, has warned that violations could result in prosecution and “severe...

August 26, 2025

Taliban Detains Afghan Journalist Shikib Ahmad Nazari for Reporting to Japanese Media

August 26, 2025 – Afghanistan - Afghan journalist Shikib Ahmad Nazari, who reports for Nippon TV News and other international outlets, has been detained by Taliban authorities since July 24 following a raid on his Kabul office by approximately 15 intelligence and morality police agents. He was initially held at a morality police detention centre for a week before being transferred to a Taliban intelligence prison, according to reports by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). This arrest drew immediate and sharp criticism from press freedom advocates. CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Director, Beh Lih Yi, demanded Nazari’s...

August 26, 2025

Israeli Journalist Zvi Yehezkeli Endorses Killing of Palestinian Journalists in Gaza

August 26, 2025 – Palestine - Israeli journalist Zvi Yehezkeli has provoked outrage after openly endorsing the killing of Palestinian journalists during a “double-tap” Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital. Speaking on i24 News, Yehezkeli portrayed the targeted media workers not as civilians or professionals but as legitimate targets, remarks widely condemned as an attack on journalism itself and a justification for war crimes. His comments reflect a disturbing trend within segments of Israeli media, where the deaths of Palestinian journalists have been celebrated rather than mourned. An article in Haaretz titled “Better Late Than...

August 26, 2025

Iranian Journalist Omid Faraghat Sentenced in Crackdown on Foreign Media Engagement

August 26, 2025 - Iran - Iranian journalist Omid Faraghat, based in Karaj, was sentenced to three months in prison by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court. The court ruled that his interviews with Persian‑language media outside Iran constituted “propaganda against the Islamic Republic”, a charge he firmly denied. The verdict comes after a separate court in Karaj acquitted him of similar charges, including propaganda and disturbing public opinion, highlighting inconsistencies between judicial rulings. Faraghat’s sentencing is part of a broader and intensifying crackdown on journalists in Iran. Over the past years, the authorities have detained, summoned, or prosecuted...

August 26, 2025

Photojournalist Quits Reuters Over Gaza Coverage and “Betrayal of Journalists”

August 26, 2025 - General - Canadian photojournalist Valerie Zink, who worked with Reuters as a stringer for nearly a decade, announced her resignation on August 26, 2025, citing the agency’s handling of the Gaza war and its treatment of journalists reporting from the besieged enclave. Zink accused Reuters of betraying its own principles and enabling what she described as the systematic targeting of media workers in Gaza, where at least 245 journalists and media professionals have been killed since October 2023. In a public statement, Zink said it had become “impossible to continue” under...

August 26, 2025

Nigerian Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba Faces Police Harassment as IPI Demands Accountability

August 26, 2025 – Nigeria - Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba, a prominent publisher of Media Room Hub, has been subjected to repeated arrests and harassment by Nigeria’s police, a move strongly condemned by the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI). The IPI described the actions as "blatant harassment aimed at silencing a journalist for performing her lawful duties," stressing that such tactics are unacceptable in a democratic society. Ogujiuba, formerly a reporter with ThisDay, has faced two arrests and multiple summonses to Abuja, despite residing and working in Lagos. The IPI emphasized that...

August 26, 2025

UN Rapporteur Condemns Journalistic Silence amid Gaza Massacre

August 26, 2025 - General - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, issued a powerful rebuke to members of the global press—“Shame on all journalists not raising their voice against the massacre of their brave Palestinian colleagues while documenting the genocide.” She made the statement on the social media platform X, reposting an image of a damaged camera labeled “The Weapon Israel Fears the Most,” suggesting it belongs in a future “Genocide Memorial” to honor the countless victims in Gaza. This scathing call comes in the wake of fresh...

August 26, 2025

Crimean Tatar Journalist Lutfiye Zudiyeva Targeted in New Prosecution over Reporting Russian Repression

August 26, 2025 - Crimea/Russia - A recent report from the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group reveals that Crimean Tatar journalist and human rights defender Lutfiye Zudiyeva is now facing renewed legal action prompted by her continued reporting on Russian oppression in Crimea. This move represents yet another chapter in a troubling pattern of attempts to silence independent media voices under the guise of legal proceedings. Zudiyeva, known for documenting abuses and amplifying the perspective of her community, has been proactively targeted by Russian authorities. This new prosecution is not just an isolated event—it’s emblematic...

August 25, 2025

African Journalists Unite as ‘AJAG’ to Condemn Attacks on Media in Gaza and Demand Accountability

August 25, 2025 - Africa/Palestine - A new pan‑African coalition, African Journalists Against Genocide (AJAG), has emerged, uniting media professionals from more than 20 African countries to forcefully denounce the systematic targeting and killing of Palestinian journalists in Gaza. Spearheaded by Nigerian broadcast journalist Ireti Bakare‑Yusuf, the coalition seeks to elevate global awareness, press for justice, and call out Israel’s role in the escalating media crisis inside the enclave. AJAG’s founding follows the deadly toll of the Gaza war on journalists—over 250 media workers have been killed since October 2023, marking it the deadliest conflict...

August 25, 2025

Al Jazeera journalist Hind Khoudary Breaks Down While Describing Deadly Hospital Attack

August 25, 2025 - Palestine - In a profoundly emotional broadcast, Al Jazeera correspondent Hind Khoudary struggled to maintain her composure while reporting on the Israeli double-tap airstrike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, which tragically claimed the lives of multiple journalists. It was a moment that cut through the usual journalistic reserve, revealing raw human grief under the weight of tragedy. As she narrated, one voice quivered with heartbreak: “Palestinian journalists right now are crying.” The image of her visibly shaken, almost whispering through tears, intensified the impact. This wasn’t merely a report—it was a shared wound, an...

August 25, 2025

Middle East Eye Correspondent Ahmed Abu Aziz Killed in Gaza Hospital Strike

August 25, 2025 - Palestine - A deadly double-tap airstrike struck the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, killing at least 22 people, including Middle East Eye and Quds News Network correspondent Ahmed Abu Aziz. The hospital attack—widely condemned for targeting press and medical personnel during rescue operations—intensified global scrutiny on the rising toll of journalists killed in Gaza. Ahmed Abu Aziz, age 29, was among five journalists killed as they covered the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the hospital. According to profiles published by The Guardian, he was recognized for his perseverance amid danger and his pursuit of academic...

August 25, 2025

Journalist Hassan Douhan Killed as Israeli Strikes Escalate in Gaza

August 25, 2025 - Palestine - Gaza endured another wave of deadly bombardments as Israel intensified its attacks, leaving dozens dead and adding to the devastating toll on journalists. Among the casualties was Palestinian journalist Hassan Douhan, who was reporting in Khan Younis when he was killed by Israeli fire. Douhan worked for Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, and his death marked the sixth journalist to be killed in a single day. His killing pushed the number of Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023 to 246, making Gaza the most dangerous place in the world for media workers....

August 25, 2025

Double-Tap Strike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza Claims Dozens, Including Journalists

August 25, 2025 - Palestine - Recent Israeli airstrikes on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis on August 25, 2025, have resulted in a devastating loss of life, claiming at least 20 people—including five journalists from major international outlets—and drawing widespread condemnation. The attack unfolded in a “double‑tap” fashion: the first strike hit the hospital, and just moments later, as rescuers and media personnel responded, a second strike followed. This tactic reportedly targeted rescue efforts and the press covering the aftermath.  Among those killed were five journalists: Hussam al‑Masri (Reuters), Mariam Abu Dagga (AP freelance visual...

August 25, 2025

Death of Photojournalist Moaz Abu Taha in Gaza Hospital Strike

August 25, 2025 - Palestine - The Israeli airstrike that hit Gaza’s Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis claimed the life of Palestinian photojournalist Moaz Abu Taha, one of several journalists killed in the deadly attack. According to Al Jazeera’s live updates, Moaz Abu Taha was directly identified among the media professionals who were martyred in the strike. Further confirmation from local posts relayed through social media and eyewitness testimonies emphasized his death in the attack on the hospital complex, which targeted both journalists and medical teams amidst the chaos. Moaz Abu Taha had previously been...

August 25, 2025

Maryam Abu Daqqa Killed in Israeli Strike on Gaza’s Nasser Medical Complex

The Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis—one of Gaza’s largest hospital facilities—became the tragic scene of an Israeli airstrike that claimed 14 Palestinian lives, including Maryam Abu Daqqa, a recognized local journalist. Maryam Abu Daqqa was identified by both Palestinian and international media as one of the casualties in the attack, alongside two other journalists: Hussam Masri (Reuters photographer) and Mohammed Salama (Al Jazeera cameraman). The strike occurred in the complex's premises, striking fear into the hearts of medical staff, patients, and news teams covering events on the ground. As emergency crews rushed to evacuate...

August 25, 2025

Death of Al Jazeera Cameraman Mohammed Salama in Gaza Hospital Strike

August 25, 2025 - Palestine - Gaza suffered yet another deadly blow when an Israeli strike hit the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, resulting in at least 14 civilian deaths and numerous injuries. Among the victims was Mohammed Salama, an Al Jazeera cameraman, whose death was officially confirmed by the network. Local sources and media accounts describe a double-tap attack: an initial strike on the hospital’s fourth floor followed swiftly by a second as emergency personnel and civilians rushed in to help the wounded. This pattern underscores the escalating threat to journalists and first responders...

August 25, 2025

Hossam Al Masri: A Life Cut Short in Gaza

August 25, 2025 - Palestine - Al Jazeera confirmed the killing of its cameraman, Hossam Al Masri, in yet another strike on Gaza that underscored the lethal risks faced by journalists reporting from the besieged enclave. Al Masri was covering the aftermath of an Israeli bombardment when the hospital area he was filming near came under renewed attack. He was struck while documenting the devastation, joining the growing number of media workers who have lost their lives during Israel’s months-long assault on Gaza. Hossam Al Masri had dedicated his work to ensuring that the stories...

August 25, 2025

Four Journalists Killed in Israeli Strike on Gaza’s Nasser Medical Complex

Augst 25, 2025 - Palestine - Tragedy struck the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis when an Israeli airstrike killed at least 14 people, among them four journalists whose deaths underscored the peril faced by media workers in Gaza. The victims were Mariam Abu Daqqa, a respected local journalist; Mohammed Salama, a cameraman for Al Jazeera; Hossam al-Masri, a Reuters photographer; and Moaz Abu Taha, a photojournalist known for documenting the war’s human toll. Their deaths, confirmed by multiple outlets and rights groups, highlight the deliberate dangers endured by those who bear witness in conflict...

August 25, 2025

Ukrainian Journalist Dmytro Khylyuk Freed After Over Three Years in Secret Detention

August 25, 2025 - Ukraine/Russia - Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khylyuk, a correspondent for UNIAN, has finally returned home after spending three years, five months, and 21 days in Russian captivity, liberated during a prisoner exchange on August 24, 2025, coinciding with Ukraine’s Independence Day. Khylyuk was abducted by Russian forces in March 2022, when he and his elderly father were retrieving essentials from their village of Kozarovychi near Kyiv. While his father was released shortly after, Khylyuk remained held incommunicado across multiple locations, including facilities in Dymer, Bryansk, and the Vladimir region. His detention was...

August 24, 2025

Journalists Push Back Against Government Overreach in Maldives Media Bill

August 24, 2025 - Maldives - A newly revived media bill in the Maldivian parliament has sparked fierce opposition from local and international journalism bodies. The bill, reintroduced on August 18 by MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, proposes dissolving existing independent regulatory bodies—the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and Maldives Broadcasting Commission—and replacing them with a single "Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission." This new entity would include three presidential appointees (including the chair) and four media-elected members who could be ousted by parliament, raising concerns about government influence and weakened independence. The proposed legislation grants the commission...

August 24, 2025

Victor Mambor Stands Defiant After Bomb Attack in West Papua

August 24, 2025 - Indonesia - West Papuan journalist Victor Mambor, founder and editor of Jubi and a leading voice for press freedom in Indonesia’s troubled Papua region, has vowed not to be silenced despite enduring years of harassment, intimidation, and even a bomb attack outside his home. In January 2023, an improvised explosive device detonated near his residence and office in Jayapura, shaking the local community and sending a chilling message to journalists covering sensitive issues. Witnesses, CCTV footage, and explosive residue all confirmed the severity of the incident, but in a move widely...

August 24, 2025

Gaza Journalist Killings Reflect Israel’s Pattern of Crimes Against the Press

August 24, 2025 - Palestine - In an exclusive interview with Tehran Times, press freedom advocate Sherif Mansour warned that Israel’s killing of journalists in Gaza since October 2023 is not an isolated crisis but part of a decades-long pattern of silencing the press. He pointed to the staggering figure of more than 200 journalists killed in Gaza in less than two years, making it the deadliest place for media workers in modern history. Mansour emphasized that these killings directly violate the Geneva Conventions, which grant journalists protected status in conflict zones, and argued that...

August 23, 2025

Bloomberg Reporter’s Visa Rejection Fuels Fears Over Hong Kong Press Freedom

August 23, 2025 - Hong Kong - Bloomberg is working to resolve a visa denial for its veteran correspondent in Hong Kong, Rebecca Choong Wilkins, whose renewal application was unexpectedly rejected without explanation by immigration authorities. Wilkins, a member of Bloomberg’s Asia government and economy reporting team, has covered the region from Hong Kong for six years. Her visa renewal was denied, and no reason was provided, prompting concern from the media community and rights groups alike. The Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) confirmed Wilkins’ situation, lamenting the opacity and warning that “this decision and the...

August 23, 2025

Pakistani Journalist Khalid Jamil Arrested by Cybercrime Agency, Sparks Outcry

August 23, 2025 - Pakistan - The arrest of journalist Khalid Jamil by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has sparked widespread condemnation from rights groups, who call it an assault on press freedom. Jamil, a senior journalist based in Islamabad, was detained after officials raided his residence in Media Town. According to NCCIA, the arrest followed “completion of official procedures,” though authorities have not publicly disclosed the exact charges. The agency has stated that further details will be shared at a later stage. The detention has drawn sharp criticism from media and human rights...

August 23, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Khaled Al Madhoun Killed While Covering Israeli Fire in North Gaza

August 23, 2025 - Palestine - Khaled Al Madhoun, a Palestinian cameraman for Palestine TV, was killed in North Gaza while covering the Israeli Army's shooting at hungry civilians waiting for aid. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said Al Madhoun was killed while performing his professional duties, condemning the targeting of journalists as a persistent crime aimed at silencing Palestinian voices and obscuring the truth. It emphasized that such attacks would not break the resolve of Palestinian media workers who continue their mission despite grave risks. According to figures from Gaza's Government Media Office, the number...

August 23, 2025

Veteran Journalist Ali al-Samoudi Held in Israeli Detention; Syndicate Warns His Life Is at Grave Risk

August 23, 2025 - Palestine - A harrowing situation has emerged for Ali al‑Samoudi, a 58-year-old Palestinian journalist widely respected for his decades-long field reporting amid conflict. Detained by Israeli forces in a pre-dawn raid on April 29, 2025, at his son’s home in Jenin, al‑Samoudi remains held without charge under administrative detention, a practice allowing detention with no trial or formal accusation for extended periods. His physical and psychological condition has deteriorated severely. The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate (PJS) reports that he suffers from chronic illnesses—diabetes, hypertension, and stomach ulcers—and is significantly malnourished due to...

August 23, 2025

UK Journalists Unite in Mourning and Protest After Killing of Al Jazeera Colleagues in Gaza

August 23, 2025 - UK/Palestine - Following the deaths of Al Jazeera journalists in a strike near Gaza City's Al‑Shifa Hospital, British media workers mounted a powerful show of solidarity. Members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) across the UK and Ireland organized vigils and protests, including a poignant gathering outside 10 Downing Street in London. The NUJ—and particularly its London Digital Media branch- released a forceful statement condemning the targeted deaths of media professionals. Among the victims were Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al‑Sharif and photographers Ibrahim Al Thaher, Mohammed Qreiqeh, and Mohammed Nofal—journalists recognized for...

August 23, 2025

Veteran Journalist Bibhuranjan Sarkar Found Dead in Meghna River After Sending “Final Piece”

August 23, 2025 - Bangladesh - Senior journalist and columnist Bibhuranjan Sarkar, aged 71, was found dead in the Meghna River in Munshiganj’s Gazaria Upazila on Friday afternoon, a day after his disappearance. The body, discovered near Balakir Char by river police, was identified by his family members via photographs and later confirmed at the morgue of Munshiganj General Hospital. Sarkar, who served as Senior Assistant Editor at the Bengali daily Ajker Patrika and regularly contributed columns to other media outlets, left his Siddheshwari residence Thursday morning around 10 AM, reportedly heading to his office. He...

August 22, 2025

Ecuadorian Reporter Xavier Ramos Stabbed to Death in His Guayaquil Apartment

August 22, 2025 - Ecuador - Journalist Xavier Ramos, an editor and correspondent for El Universo who also contributed to La Hora, was found dead in his apartment in the La Alborada neighborhood of northern Guayaquil on the evening of August 21, 2025. His body was discovered with multiple stab wounds—evidence of a violent attack likely committed with a knife or sharp implement—prompting immediate alarm among Ecuador’s journalism community. Police Major Gino Sánchez confirmed Ramos’s identity and noted the severity of the injuries. The body was discovered after Ramos failed to report to work and...

August 22, 2025

72 Groups Urge UK Prime Minister to Secure Jimmy Lai’s Release on Medical Grounds

August 22, 2025 - UK - A global coalition of 72 press freedom and human rights organisations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), has called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to intervene and secure the medical release of Jimmy Lai, the 77-year-old British-Hong Kong publisher facing declining health in detention. In a joint letter sent on August 21, 2025, the groups urged the UK government to act “swiftly and decisively” to ensure Lai’s release, stressing that his current condition poses “life-threatening risks.” Lai, the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has...

August 22, 2025

Western Media’s Complicity: Manufacturing Consent for Atrocities

August 22, 2025 - General - The critical article from FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting) asserts that mainstream Western media have largely parroted Israel’s justifications for deadly strikes in Gaza—sometimes tacitly endorsing the killing of bystanders—without adequately emphasizing that the five journalists killed were not linked to Hamas. Only The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post acknowledged their innocence; most outlets failed to highlight this crucial point, thereby amplifying a narrative that legitimizes civilian casualties as collateral damage. DAWN MENA's analysis similarly contends that Western coverage systematically obscures Israeli culpability in Gaza. The...

August 22, 2025

Kurdish Documentary Projects Honor Press Martyr Gulistan Tara and Chronicle Liberation History

August 22, 2025 - Iraq/Kurdistan - In the wake of journalist Gülistan Tara’s tragic death by Turkish drone strike in August 2023, Kurdish media innovators are honoring her legacy through powerful visual storytelling. A commemorative documentary, Gulistan Tara: Ronahiya Rastiyê (“The Light of Truth”), crafted by Ali Güler, premieres on Stêrk TV on August 23, 2025 — exactly two years after Tara’s death. The film vividly traces Tara’s journalistic journey from her origins in Batman to her reporting across Rojava and Bashur, featuring intimate interviews with colleagues and family. Güler underscores that Tara’s story reflects...

August 22, 2025

“Flood Them with Fans”: RSF and Exiled Azerbaijani Media Launch Solidarity Campaign for Imprisoned Journalists

August 22, 2025 - Azerbaijan - In reaction to the increasing repression of independent media in Azerbaijan, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), alongside exiled Azerbaijani media organizations—Free Voices Collective, Meydan TV, Toplum TV, and Qazetci—has initiated a solidarity campaign entitled "Flood Them with Fans." This symbolic postcard campaign honors imprisoned journalist Sevinj Vagifgizi, editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, who has been denied even the most basic comfort—a simple electric fan—despite the intense summer heat in Baku’s pretrial detention center. RSF and partners interpret this denial as a cruel punishment aimed at silencing her courageous reporting from behind...

August 22, 2025

Kenyan Media Bodies Condemn Violence Against Journalists at Gachagua’s Homecoming

August 22, 2025 - Kenya - Journalists covering the return of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on August 21, 2025, were subjected to violent attacks that have sparked widespread condemnation from Kenya’s leading media oversight bodies. The assaults occurred along Mombasa Road, where media crews from TV47, Citizen TV, Standard Group, and other outlets were covering the homecoming from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport when unidentified individuals launched targeted attacks. Journalists suffered injuries, essential equipment—including cameras and mobile phones- was stolen, and vehicles were vandalized amid chaos involving stoning and the presence of motorcyclists amplifying the...

August 22, 2025

Surge in Journalist Attacks in Indonesia Sparks Alarm over Press Freedom

August 22, 2025 - Indonesia - Recent violent incidents targeting journalists in Indonesia—especially in Bone, South Sulawesi, and Grobogan, Central Java—have sparked renewed concern about media safety and freedom of the press. The attacks underscore growing threats facing reporters across the archipelago.  According to the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), there were 22 cases of violence against journalists in just the first quarter of 2025, warning that media professionals now face threats approximately every three days. Alarmingly, only a tiny fraction of cases are pursued legally; in 2024, of dozens of incidents reported, only one...

August 22, 2025

Global Coalition Demands Immediate, Safe Media Access to Gaza Amid Escalating Crisis

August 22, 2025 - General - A coalition of 27 countries, including the UK, Germany, Australia, and Ukraine, has urgently called on Israel to grant immediate, independent international media access to Gaza and to ensure journalists’ protection during the ongoing conflict. The appeal was issued through the Media Freedom Coalition, whose members underscored the vital role journalists play in documenting the mounting humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The statement expresses strong opposition to measures that restrict press freedom amid the conflict. It condemns violence against reporters and highlights alarming data from the Committee to Protect Journalists...

August 21, 2025

Journalist Kwaku Sakyi-Danso Reflects on Two Decades Reporting From Parliament

August 21, 2025 - Ghana - In a joint interview, JURIST Chief of Staff for Africa Lana Osei and Associate Editorial Director Alanah Vargas speak with veteran Ghanaian journalist Kwaku Sakyi-Danso as he reflects on his 24-year career covering Ghana’s Parliament during the media’s evolution from military to civilian rule. He speaks candidly about the threat untrained bloggers pose to public trust, the ethical responsibilities of accredited journalists, and his growing focus on regional parliamentary affairs. Sakyi‑Danso has covered the ECOWAS Parliament for 24 years, charting Ghana’s shift from military rule to civilian governance. He...

August 21, 2025

Israeli Forces Arrest Journalist and Injure Others in West Bank Raids

August 21, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli special forces arrested Muath Amarna, a Palestinian journalist who had previously lost an eye in 2019 while covering events. He was detained while traveling along the road between Bethlehem and Hebron in the southern West Bank and taken to an undisclosed location. In a separate operation in Qusra town, south of Nablus (northern West Bank), Israeli forces wounded one person with a rubber-coated metal bullet, and several others suffered from tear gas inhalation. Forces reportedly fired tear gas and rubber bullets at youths and residential areas, and even...

August 21, 2025

State Department Fires Press Officer After Internal Disputes Over Gaza Messaging

August 21, 2025 - USA/Palestine - The U.S. State Department has terminated its top press officer for Israeli‑Palestinian affairs, Shahed Ghoreishi, following a series of internal disputes over messaging concerning Gaza and Israel. Ghoreishi, a contractor in the Bureau of Near East Affairs, had drafted talking points that included condemnation of the proposed forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza and condolences for journalists killed there—both of which were later rejected by department leadership. These disagreements reportedly led to his dismissal. Ghoreishi’s proposed line in a public statement stated: “We do not support the forced displacement...

August 21, 2025

Seeking Justice for Journalists Slavuj and Perenić: 27 Years Lost, Impunity Persists

August 21, 2025 - Serbia/Albania - radio correspondent Đuro Slavuj and driver Ranko Perenić of Radio Priština vanished while travelling to cover the return of kidnapped monks at Sveti Vrači monastery in western Kosovo. Their blue Zastava 128 vehicle and all traces of them disappeared after they entered a region under KLA control, marking one of the earliest journalist disappearances during the conflict. Nearly three decades later, their fate remains unresolved. Every year on the anniversary of their disappearance, journalists, families, and members of the Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) gather at the site of...

August 21, 2025

U.S. Senators Urge Marco Rubio to Press Israel on Journalist Safety in Gaza

August 21, 2025 - USA/Palestine - Seventeen U.S. senators, including prominent figures like Brian Schatz, Elizabeth Warren, Tim Kaine, and Bernie Sanders, have formally written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, demanding urgent U.S. action over Israel’s lethal attacks on journalists in Gaza. Their statement directly followed a deadly Israeli airstrike that killed several Al Jazeera journalists—most notably Anas al-Sharif—bringing the total number of journalist fatalities in Gaza since October 2023 to at least 238, according to Gaza Government Media Office records. The senators voiced deep concern over the lack of credible evidence supporting Israel’s...

August 21, 2025

Immigration Reporter Mario Guevara Alleges Retaliatory Detention by ICE

August 21, 2025 - USA - Mario Guevara, a Salvadoran-born, Spanish-language journalist based in Georgia, has filed legal action against U.S. authorities, asserting that his ongoing detention by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) amounts to retaliation for his reporting and livestreaming of immigration enforcement activities. On June 14, while covering a “No Kings” protest near Atlanta and clearly identifying as press, Guevara was arrested by local police. Although criminal charges—including unlawful assembly and obstruction—were swiftly dropped, ICE took him into custody and transferred him to immigration detention. In early July, an immigration judge granted him...

August 21, 2025

Israeli Forces Arrest Veteran Journalist, Injure Others During West Bank Raids

August 21, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli special forces carried out raids across the occupied West Bank that culminated in the arrest of veteran journalist Muath Amarna and left several others injured. Amarna, who had previously lost an eye while covering earlier hostilities in 2019, was detained while traveling on the road between Bethlehem and Hebron and taken to an undisclosed location. During these operations, Israeli forces aggressively used rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas in Qusra town, south of Nablus. Clashes erupted, resulting in injuries to multiple Palestinians—one young man was treated at a...

August 21, 2025

ICE Agents Pepper-Spray Protesters and Detain One in San Francisco

August 21, 2025 - USA - On August 20, 2025, federal immigration agents clashed violently with demonstrators outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in downtown San Francisco. The confrontation erupted after protesters gathered at 100 Montgomery Street to oppose the detention of an asylum-seeker inside the nearby immigration court. Witnesses reported that ICE officers escalated the situation by deploying pepper spray, batons, and tasers against the crowd, which included both activists and members of the press. Local outlet Mission Local reported that at least one protester was detained during the clash. Disturbingly,...

August 21, 2025

U.S. Senators Urge Israel to Protect Journalists and Permit Press Access to Gaza

August 21, 2025 - USA/Palestine - A group of 17 United States Senators has formally urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to press the Israeli government to ensure the safety of journalists in Gaza and facilitate access for international media into the region. The appeal comes just one week after a tragic Israeli strike that resulted in the deaths of several journalists. In their letter, the senators emphasised that “banning and censoring media organizations and targeting or threatening members of the press is unacceptable and must stop.” They called on the U.S. to make clear...

August 20, 2025

Suspected Assassin of Peruvian Journalist Gastón Medina Arrested in Chile

August 20, 2025 - Chile/Peru - Olfran Domingo Rivas Ramos, alias "Pancho," has been apprehended in Santiago, Chile, as a suspect in the January 20 assassination of Peruvian journalist Gastón Medina Sotomayor. Rivas Ramos was detained by Chilean authorities during a routine traffic stop in Maipú—even though he had been wanted in connection with Medina’s killing—after being found carrying drugs and using false identification. He allegedly admitted to belonging to the criminal gang Los Piratas de Aragua. His arrest holds significant promise for advancing justice in a case that has haunted Peruvian media freedom. Medina,...

August 20, 2025

How Israel’s Targeting of Journalists in Occupied Palestine Fuels Impunity

August 20, 2025 - Palestine - In his August 20, 2025, commentary, freelance journalist Dario Sabaghi exposes how recent strikes on media workers in Gaza—most notably the August 10 attack on an Al Jazeera crew—underscore a troubling, long-standing pattern of violence that empowers entrenched impunity. Sabaghi argues that the deliberate targeting of journalists not only thwarts independent reporting but also normalizes such attacks, emboldening Israeli forces to continue them without fear of accountability. He observes that these assaults echo past incidents in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, signaling that such violence is systemic—part of a broader...

August 20, 2025

National Press Club to Honor Imprisoned Journalist Dong Yuyu and Amplify Call for His Release

August 20, 2025 - China - The National Press Club (NPC) has announced that it will present its 2025 President’s Award to Dong Yuyu, a veteran Chinese journalist and former editor sentenced to seven years on espionage charges. NPC President Mike Balsamo asserted, “Journalism is not espionage. Dong Yuyu is being punished for his work and his words.” He called on Chinese authorities to release Dong immediately and cease criminalizing standard newsgathering and professional interactions with foreign colleagues. Dong’s son, Yifu, is slated to accept the award on his behalf and deliver remarks during the...

August 20, 2025

Emmy-Winning Boston Anchor Sues WBZ-CBS for $4M, Alleges She Was Demoted for Being White Amid DEI Push

August 20, 2025 - USA - Veteran Boston journalist Lisa Hughes, a longtime anchor at WBZ-TV (CBS Boston), has filed a $4 million lawsuit against CBS, alleging that she was removed from her anchor role because she is white. Hughes, an Emmy-winning reporter with more than two decades at the station, claims the decision reflects a discriminatory application of the network’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda rather than a fair employment decision. According to the lawsuit, Hughes had consistently high ratings and an established reputation as a respected anchor. However, in 2022, CBS executives...

August 20, 2025

Sri Lanka’s Anti-Terror Police Intensify Harassment of Tamil Journalist Kanapathipillai Kumanan

August 20, 2025 - Sri Lanka/India - Tamil photojournalist and human rights defender Kanapathipillai Kumanan, based in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, has become the focal point of renewed state harassment. On August 7, 2025, Kumanan was issued a summons by the Counter Terrorism Investigation Department (CTID) to appear for questioning on August 17, with no official rationale provided. It is believed the summons relates to his social media posts and recent reporting on mass grave excavations at Chemmani (Chemmani) and Kokkuthodvai, which unearthed over 140 skeletal remains over 41 days—images that spread widely through advocacy...

August 20, 2025

Kurdish Journalist Sherwan Sherwani Hit with New Sentence Weeks Before Release

August 20, 2025 - Iraq/Kurdistan - Investigative journalist Sherwan Sherwani, formerly editor of Bashur magazine and known for reporting on corruption in Iraqi Kurdistan, received yet another prison sentence—four years and five months just weeks before his scheduled release. This ruling came on August 19, 2025, at an Erbil court, effectively delaying his release from prison in September 2025, according to his lawyer, Mohamed Abdallah. Sherwani’s legal troubles trace back to his October 2020 arrest, when he was charged with “espionage” and “incitement to protest and destabilize the region.” In February 2021, he received a six-year prison...

August 20, 2025

Ethiopian journalist abducted by masked men; 2 others detained

Source: CPJ - Nairobi, August 20, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply alarmed by the abduction of Ethiopian newspaper editor Yonas Amare, the arbitrary detention of journalist Khadar Mohamed Ismael, and the incommunicado detention of radio host Abdulsemed Mohammed. On August 13, masked men reportedly wearing military uniforms abducted Yonas, who works with the privately owned Reporter newspaper, from his home in Sheger City on the outskirts of the capital, Addis Ababa, according to multiple news outlets and colleagues who spoke with CPJ on condition of anonymity, citing safety concerns. Eyewitnesses said that the men who abducted Yonas first went...

August 20, 2025

Kurdish Journalist Sherwan Sherwani Faces New Prison Sentence Days Before Release

20 August 2025 – Erbil Kurdish investigative journalist Sherwan Sherwani has been handed a new prison sentence just days before his expected release, in a move widely condemned as politically motivated. An Erbil court ruled that Sherwani must serve an additional four years and five months in prison, extending his incarceration that began in 2020. According to his lawyer, the timing of the verdict is a deliberate attempt to keep him behind bars, despite his nearing release date. Plans to appeal the ruling have already been announced. A History of Repeated Sentences Sherwani, a well-known...

August 19, 2025

Journalist Islam al-Kumi Killed in Israeli Shelling on Gaza Home

August 19, 2025 - Palestine - On Monday, August 18, 2025, Israeli forces carried out heavy shelling across the Gaza Strip, striking both residential areas and displacement sites. Among the victims was Islam al-Kumi, a Palestinian journalist who lost his life when Israeli tanks bombarded a house belonging to the al-Ghazi family in the Sabra neighborhood of western Gaza. The strike killed al-Kumi and a woman, while others in the home sustained injuries. His death marks another devastating loss for Palestinian journalism, as reporters continue to face immense risks while documenting the war’s toll on...

August 19, 2025

Journalists and Protesters Sue DHS Over Violent Crackdown in Los Angeles

August 19, 2025 - USA - A lawsuit was filed against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging the deployment of excessive force against protesters and journalists during immigration-related protests in Los Angeles. The suit, spearheaded by organizations like the ACLU of Southern California and the Los Angeles Press Club, accuses DHS agents of targeting peaceful demonstrators with rubber bullets, pepper balls, tear gas, and flash‑bang grenades, often without warning—even when journalists clearly displayed press credentials. Journalists were notably among the casualties: at least 20 to 27 media professionals reportedly suffered injuries from less-lethal munitions,...

August 19, 2025

Arrest of Yemeni Journalist Hamoud Hazz’a Exposes Escalating Crackdown on Press Freedom

August 19, 2025 - Yemen - On August 16, 2025, Yemeni security forces raided the home of Jamana News Agency journalist Hamoud Hazz’a in Al‑Jufaina camp, Marib Governorate. His mobile phone and laptop were confiscated, and he was taken to an undisclosed location with no legal basis cited. Before the raid, Hazz’a had posted on Facebook that security personnel were stationed outside his home and that the Fourth Security Zone force had forcibly broken down his door, terrifying his family. Following his arrest, Hazz’a was transferred from political security detention to military prosecution and presented...

August 18, 2025

Gaza Journalist Found 45 Days After Being Buried Alive in Airstrike

August 18, 2025 - Palestine - In a deeply disturbing revelation, Al Jazeera reported that the remains of journalist Marwa Musallam were found 45 days after she was buried alive in the rubble of an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City. The harrowing incident reportedly occurred in July 2025, when an Israeli strike collapsed the building where Musallam was located. Despite her cries for help, rescue efforts were thwarted by ongoing bombardment and the denial of access to the area for emergency crews. Her remains were only recovered in mid‑August, roughly six weeks after the attack....

August 18, 2025

South African Journalists Rally for Gaza Press Freedom

Cape Town, August 17, 2025 – More than 2,000 South African journalists and media workers marched through Sea Point, Cape Town, demanding protection for Palestinian colleagues in Gaza and denouncing what they described as Israel’s deliberate targeting of the press. The demonstration, organized by Journalists Against Apartheid (JAA) and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, drew wide support from civil society, including Mothers4Gaza, South African Jews for a Free Palestine, and Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine. Catalyst: Al-Shifa Hospital Strike The march was sparked by the August 10 airstrike on a tent outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City,...

August 18, 2025

“My Case Reveals There Is Absolutely No Press Freedom in Vietnam”

August 18, 2025 - Vietnam - In a powerful and revealing interview, independent journalist Doan Bao Chau declares: “My case clearly shows there is no press freedom in Vietnam.” Speaking to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), he asserts that the charges leveled against him are entirely fabricated and politically motivated. According to Chau, authorities accused him—in a message delivered to his wife—of leading the so‑called “Vinh Long State Party,” a claim he firmly rejects. He insists, “I have never been involved in any political party,” affirming instead that the real issue is his journalistic work: highlighting...

August 18, 2025

Gaza’s Journalists under Fire: Profession, Peril, and Perseverance

August 18, 2025 - Palestine - In her compelling Guardian commentary published on 18 August 2025, Nesrine Malik elevates the resilience, dignity, and professionalism of Gaza’s journalists—even as they face targeted violence and relentless danger. Malik introduces Tamer Almisshal, the veteran's head of Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau, who has witnessed the deaths of key colleagues—Hamza al-Dahdouh, Samer Abu Daqqa, and Anas al-Sharif—yet continues to lead a newsroom gripped by trauma, hunger, and loss. Malik warns that the targeting of these journalists appears deliberate, part of a broader strategy enforced by Israeli operations to silence first-hand accounts...

August 18, 2025

Bold New Approaches Urged to Defend Press Freedom in Gaza

August 18, 2025 - General - The war in Gaza has become the deadliest conflict for journalists ever recorded, with more than 270 killed, most of them Palestinians. Despite repeated condemnations and legal efforts, traditional methods to protect journalists have proven ineffective. A recent initiative by the Columbia Journalism Review gathered media thinkers and press freedom advocates to propose urgent new approaches, arguing that symbolic protest, direct accountability, and institutional innovation are necessary to confront Israel’s ongoing suppression of independent reporting. The proposals stress that journalists and media organizations must move beyond passive statements and...

August 17, 2025

Ethiopian Journalists Abducted Amid Escalating Press Crackdown

August 17, 2025 - Ethiopia - Two Ethiopian journalists were abducted within a week in what rights groups say reflects an intensifying assault on press freedom. According to an exclusive report by Borkena, the first journalist, Abdulsameed Mohamed, host of the "Kidame Gebeya" program on Ahad Radio 94.3, was forcibly taken on 11 August 2025. He is a seasoned broadcaster with three decades of experience across major outlets, including Ethiopian Television, Radio, EBS TV, Ahadu Radio, and YouTube platforms. Just two days later, on 13 August 2025, Yonas Amare, a reporter for The Ethiopian Reporter known...

August 17, 2025

Deliberate Targeting of Gaza Journalists: From ‘Policy’ to Global Outcry

August 17, 2025 - Palestine - In an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times, Abdul‑Qader Fayez, head of Al Jazeera’s office in Tehran, asserts that the killing of journalists in Gaza—including that of correspondent Anas al-Sharif—is no accident, but a deliberate feature of Israel’s military and political strategy under Prime Minister Netanyahu. Fayez emphasizes that Palestinian media workers are being treated as “military targets simply because they reject Israel’s narrative.” He highlights growing consensus among international human rights groups and media watchdogs that these killings reflect a systematic policy, pointing to repeated unfounded accusations branding journalists...

August 16, 2025

Gaza’s Press Under Fire: Journalists Fear for Their Lives

August 16, 2025 - Palestine - Journalists in Gaza live with a heightened and pervasive fear: their protective gear, once seen as a shield, now marks them as targets. This was vividly captured in the wake of a drone strike on August 10 that killed four Al Jazeera staff in a tent outside al‑Shifa Hospital. Israeli military officials admitted targeting the tent, defending the action with unsubstantiated allegations that one of the victims, Anas al‑Sharif, was a Hamas member. The Committee to Protect Journalists denounced these allegations as part of a broader campaign to delegitimize...

August 16, 2025

A Calculated Assault on Press Freedom

August 16, 2025 - Palestine - A growing body of reporting suggests Israel has engaged in a systematic campaign to delegitimize and endanger journalists in Gaza by portraying them as Hamas operatives. Investigations by Israeli‑Palestinian outlet +972 Magazine and others reveal the existence of a covert "legitimisation cell" within Israeli military intelligence, established after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Its mission was to gather information—even of dubious credibility—to smear Palestinian journalists as terrorist affiliates, thus providing cover for strikes against them and deflecting international criticism. One intelligence source candidly described the aim as maintaining...

August 16, 2025

Trump Vows to “Save” Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai

August 16, 2025 - China/USA - President Donald Trump has promised to intervene on behalf of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who remains on trial under China’s sweeping national security law. Speaking in a radio interview, Trump stated that he would “do everything I can to save him,” making clear that Lai’s case has already been raised in official discussions. He acknowledged that taking up the matter would upset Chinese President Xi Jinping, but said that defending Lai is a matter of justice and press freedom. His remarks come as Washington and Beijing continue...

August 16, 2025

Thirteen Years Without Austin Tice

August 16, 2025 - Syria/USA - At the National Press Club in Washington, the family of Austin Tice marked the thirteenth anniversary of his disappearance with new revelations from recently declassified intelligence. Tice, a freelance journalist and former Marine, vanished in Syria in 2012 while covering the conflict. His parents, Debra and Marc Tice, were granted access to raw intelligence files earlier this year by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The files, though heavily redacted and unverified, suggest that U.S. agencies received information almost daily about Tice’s captivity, including reports of his medical treatment...

August 15, 2025

Somaliland Journalist Detained Without Charge Over Facebook Post

August 15, 2025 - Somalia - A Somaliland journalist, Ahmed Mohamud Dool, has been detained without charge since August 5, 2025, prompting the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) to call for his immediate and unconditional release. Ahmed was taken into custody in Hargeisa after responding to a police summons at the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters. The Somaliland Journalist Association (SOLJA) and a local journalist familiar with the case confirmed his arrest. He runs a well‑followed Facebook page — with approximately 98,000 followers — reporting on local issues such as killings, insecurity, and protests. His lawyer,...

August 15, 2025

Vietnam Issues Arrest Warrant for Journalist Doan Bao Chau

August 15, 2025 - Vietnam - Vietnamese authorities issued a special arrest warrant for journalist Doan Bao Chau, accusing him of propagandizing against the state. The warrant was issued by the Hanoi municipal police and charged him with making, storing, disseminating, or spreading information aimed at opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This development was reported by state media and confirmed by Doan via messaging app to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Doan Bao Chau, a former freelance photographer for international agencies including the Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France‑Presse, and a former reporter for...

August 15, 2025

A Palestinian Journalist Escapes Death in Gaza

August 15, 2025 - Palestine - In a powerful episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour released on August 15, 2025, host David Remnick features Palestinian journalist Mohammed R. Mhawish, who recounts his harrowing experience during Israel’s invasion of Gaza following the October 7 attack. Mhawish, reporting for major outlets including Al Jazeera and The Nation, bore witness to the devastating humanitarian impact unfolding before his eyes. His account takes a dramatic turn when his own home is targeted in an Israeli airstrike. Miraculously, he survived the bombing and managed to flee Gaza, continuing his journalistic work from outside. The episode...

August 15, 2025

Suspect Arrested in the Murder of Michoacán Journalist Armando Linares López

August 15, 2025 - Mexico - The State Attorney General’s Office in Michoacán has confirmed the arrest of the alleged murderer responsible for the killing of journalist Armando Linares López, who was shot dead outside his home in Zitácuaro in March 2022. The suspect, known only as Magdiel “N,” was detained during an operational action in the same municipality where the crime took place. Authorities stated that Magdiel “N” will soon face a judicial proceeding to determine his legal situation. Linares had been the director of the digital news outlet Monitor Michoacán. His murder came only six...

August 15, 2025

Russia Bans Reporters Without Borders

August 15, 2025 - Russia - Russia’s Ministry of Justice declared Reporters Without Borders (RSF) an “undesirable organization,” a move that effectively outlaws the group’s activities in the country. The decision had been made weeks earlier, on July 23rd, by the Prosecutor General’s Office, but was only made public in mid-August. With this ruling, RSF joins a growing list of more than 250 foreign and international organizations barred from operating in Russia. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Paris, RSF is one of the world’s most recognized press freedom organizations. It campaigns against censorship, defends...

August 14, 2025

Killing Journalists in Gaza Shatters Press Freedom Safeguards

August 14, 2025 - General - On Sunday, Gaza was shaken when an Israeli airstrike killed five Al-Jazeera journalists, sparking urgent condemnation from global journalist organizations. The attack occurred despite these media workers’ efforts to deliver vital on-the-ground reporting, often under extraordinarily perilous conditions. The incident highlights the growing dangers faced by journalists in Gaza and raises critical concerns about the erosion of press freedom. David Walmsley, president of the World Editors Forum, expressed strong condemnation of the killings. He emphasized that even under “insurmountable odds,” journalists strive to tell the world’s stories—and reminded us...

August 14, 2025

Trump Supports Journalist Access to Gaza

August 14, 2025 - USA - U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced his support for allowing journalists into Gaza to observe humanitarian efforts directly. Speaking from the Oval Office on August 14, 2025, Trump said he would be “very fine with journalists going” into the region. He acknowledged the significant risks journalists face but expressed a clear preference for independent reporting from inside Gaza. Since the conflict escalated in October 2023, Israel has barred most foreign journalists from entering Gaza. Access has been strictly limited, with reporters required to travel under Israeli military escort and...

August 13, 2025

CPJ’s Call to Release Jimmy Lai as His Trial Nears Its End

August 13, 2025 - China - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued an urgent appeal to Hong Kong authorities to drop all charges against 77‑year‑old publisher Jimmy Lai and release him immediately and unconditionally as his national security trial enters its final phase. Lai is facing serious charges—sedition and collusion with foreign forces—which, if upheld, could result in a life sentence. His trial, which began in December 2023 and was originally expected to last 30 days, has extended to nearly 150 days due to repeated delays. CPJ highlighted Lai’s deteriorating health after nearly...

August 13, 2025

Anas al-Sharif Warned of “Persistent Threats” to Journalists Days Before Being Killed in Israeli Airstrike

August 13, 2025 - Palestine - On 13 August 2025, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reported that Anas al‑Sharif, a 28‑year‑old Al Jazeera correspondent in Gaza and member of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS), submitted a formal complaint to the PJS three days before his assassination in an Israeli strike. In his heartfelt letter, al‑Sharif highlighted the relentless threats he and his family endured since the war's onset on 7 October 2023. Al‑Sharif described how these threats began early in the conflict, including a targeted strike on his home, which resulted in the death...

August 12, 2025

Guarding the Truth: The Guardian Slams Israel’s Erasure of Gaza’s Journalists

August 12, 2025 – Palestine - In a powerful editorial titled “Israel Is Wiping Out the Witnesses”, The Guardian delivers a stark indictment of Israel’s ongoing targeting of journalists in Gaza, warning that these killings are systematically erasing independent voices from one of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. The piece frames the assassination of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, alongside his colleagues, as part of a deliberate effort to silence those documenting the realities of the war. According to the editorial, over 180 Palestinian media professionals have been killed in nearly two years of conflict,...

August 12, 2025

Tamil MPs Condemn State Intimidation of Veteran Journalist Kumanan

August 12, 2025 – Sri Lanka - Tamil Members of Parliament have sharply condemned Sri Lanka’s Counter-Terrorism and Investigation Division (CTID) after it summoned veteran journalist and human rights advocate Kanapathipillai Kumanan for questioning. The summons, issued in Mullaitivu for an alleged inquiry into his social media posts purportedly “promoting” the LTTE, was denounced as a clear attempt to intimidate and silence independent reporting. Shanakiyan Rasamanickam MP expressed dismay on social media, calling Kumanan “a respected and courageous journalist" and asserting that using terrorism investigations to muzzle press freedom is unacceptable. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam MP similarly...

August 12, 2025

Global Voices Rise: World Mourns and Condemns Killing of Al Jazeera Journalists in Targeted Israeli Strike

August 12, 2025 – Palestine - An Israeli airstrike near al‑Shifa Hospital in Gaza City killed five Al Jazeera journalists, including Anas al‑Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, prompting a surge of international outrage and calls for accountability. Condemnations were swift and widespread, spearheaded by a diverse coalition of global institutions, governments, and media watchdogs. Major Organisations & Countries Condemning the Attack: Al Jazeera Media Network called it a “targeted assassination” aimed at silencing the truth. The United Nations (Secretary‑General António Guterres and UN Human Rights Office) condemned the killings and demanded an...

August 12, 2025

Berlin Protests Turn Violent as Police Clash with Demonstrators over Killing of Al Jazeera Journalists in Gaza

August 12, 2025 – Germany/Palestine - Mass protests erupted in Berlin following the Israeli drone strike that killed five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza, including Anas al-Sharif. Demonstrators gathered in the city center, carrying portraits of the slain reporters and chanting slogans condemning what they called the deliberate targeting of media workers. The protests, organised by Palestinian solidarity groups and press freedom advocates, drew hundreds of participants, reflecting the international outrage over the incident. Footage from the demonstrations showed protesters holding banners demanding justice and accountability, as well as calling for an end to attacks...

August 12, 2025

Father of Slain Photojournalist Dies Weeks After Son’s Murder

August 12, 2025 – Nigeria - Chief James Aiyepeku, father of 26-year-old photojournalist Ayobami Aiyepeku, tragically passed away on August 12, just weeks after his son was brutally killed in Lokoja, Kogi State. The loss compounds a family's grief and highlights the profound human cost of violence against journalists. Ayobami was allegedly lured and murdered by a serving officer of Nigeria’s Correctional Service, Adebayo Pelumi, on July 24. The suspect reportedly fled with Ayobami’s body but was later found dead in a hotel, apparently by suicide. Ayobami's remains were retrieved from the outskirts of the...

August 12, 2025

Bangladesh Journalist Tuhin’s Family Presses Authorities with Urgent Seven-Point Demand After Killing

August 12, 2025 – Bangladesh - The family of slain Gazipur journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin has issued a seven-point demand aimed at ensuring justice, accountability, and safety for his loved ones and fellow media workers. Tuhin, a staff reporter for Dainik Protidiner Kagoj, was brutally killed while filming armed men in Chandana Chowrasta, an event that has drawn national outrage and calls for reforms. At a press conference held at the Gazipur Press Club, Tuhin’s widow, Mukta Begum, demanded the immediate arrest of all individuals involved, along with their financiers. She urged that a charge sheet...

August 11, 2025

Israel’s Systematic Attacks on Palestinian Journalists Are a Global Assault on Press Freedom

August 11, 2025 - Palestine - An article by Index on Censorship powerfully frames Israel’s campaign in Gaza as a targeted effort to silence journalists, calling it not just a war on Palestinian media, but on press freedom everywhere. Journalist Youmna El Sayed emphasises that Anas al‑Sharif and his colleagues were killed “because they refused to be silenced,” documenting atrocities like starvation and bombardment that threatened powerful narratives. Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have claimed the lives of more than 260 Palestinian journalists and media workers, individuals armed with little more...

August 11, 2025

Al Jazeera Holds Moment of Silence for Journalists Killed in Gaza Strike

August 11, 2025 - AJMN Al Jazeera journalists and staff gathered at the network’s Doha headquarters for a solemn moment of silence to honour five colleagues killed in an Israeli airstrike outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The strike, which occurred near a designated press tent, claimed the lives of correspondent Anas al-Sharif, cameraman Mohammed Qreiqeh, sound technician Ibrahim Zaher, and crew members Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa. The airstrike reportedly targeted the area as the journalists were on assignment. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) later alleged that al-Sharif had ties to Hamas, claims that...

August 11, 2025

Israel Admits Foreign Press Access Could Disrupt Targeted Killings of Gaza Journalists

August 11, 2025 – Palestine - A Haaretz analysis has drawn attention to Israel’s calculated restrictions on foreign journalists in Gaza, warning that once international media are allowed in, the targeted killing of journalists will become far more difficult. The piece argues that the ongoing ban is not solely about operational security, but a deliberate strategy to maintain a shield of impunity over military actions against the press. According to the article, local Palestinian journalists have borne the brunt of Israel’s lethal media crackdown during the Gaza conflict, with hundreds killed since the start of...

August 11, 2025

Anas Al-Sharif’s Final Testament: A Farewell from Gaza’s Frontlines

August 11, 2025 - Palestine - This is what our beloved Anas requested to be published upon his martyrdom. This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. First, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Allah knows I gave every effort and all my strength to be a support and a voice for my people, ever since I opened my eyes to life in the alleys and streets of the Jabalia refugee camp. My hope was...

August 11, 2025

Al Jazeera Condemns Targeted Killing of Gaza Journalists in Israeli Airstrike

August 11, 2025 - Palestine - Al Jazeera Media Network condemns in the strongest terms the targeted assassination of its correspondents Anas Al Sharif and Mohammed Qraiqea, along with photographers Ibrahim Al Thaher and Mohamed Nofal, by the Israeli occupation forces in yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom. In a statement by the Israeli occupation force, admitting to their crimes, the journalists were targeted by a directed assault towards the tent where they were stationed opposite Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza. In which they were martyred. This attack comes amid the catastrophic...

August 11, 2025

Five Al Jazeera Journalists Killed in Targeted Israeli Strike Outside al-Shifa Hospital

August 11, 2025 - Palestine - A targeted Israeli drone strike hit a clearly marked media tent outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, killing five Al Jazeera journalists and two other individuals. Those killed were veteran correspondent Anas al-Sharif, fellow correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Moamen Aliwa, and assistant Mohammed Noufal. The journalists were reportedly meeting in the tent to coordinate coverage when the strike occurred. The Israeli military justified the attack by claiming al-Sharif was a Hamas cell leader involved in orchestrating rocket attacks. However, Al Jazeera, the Committee to Protect Journalists...

August 11, 2025

Correspondent Anas al-Sharif Among Five Al-Jazeera Journalists Killed in Targeted Strike By Israeli Military

August 11, 2025 – Palestine – In a devastating turn of events, Anas al-Sharif, a 28-year-old Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a tent housing journalists outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Four others, including correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, also died in the strike. Seven people in total were killed during the attack. The Israeli military acknowledged launching the strike, asserting that al-Sharif was the head of a Hamas cell responsible for rocket attacks on Israeli targets. However, both Al Jazeera...

August 9, 2025

Pakistani Journalist Asad Ali Toor Barred from Traveling to U.S. for State Department Program

August 9, 2025 – Pakistan/USA – Pakistani journalist Asad Ali Toor was prevented from travelling to the United States to participate in the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) after being stopped at Islamabad International Airport. Immigration officials informed him that his name was on Pakistan’s Exit Control List (ECL), barring him from leaving the country. No official explanation was provided for his inclusion on the list. Toor denounced the move as an attack on press freedom, saying, “In Pakistan, journalism and speaking truth to power have been turned into crimes… Yes, I...

August 8, 2025

GB News Reporter Sophie Reaper Assaulted Amid Rising Tensions at UK Migrant Protests

August 8, 2025 – United Kingdom - During ongoing anti-immigration demonstrations across the UK, GB News reporter Sophie Reaper and her camera operator were confronted with physical aggression from a protester in Whitehall, London. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions as protestors targeted the media presence, some chanting "GB News, off our streets" upon recognizing the broadcaster’s team. Video footage shows a man slapping the hand of the GB News camera operator, raising serious concerns about journalist safety while covering these volatile events Greater Manchester and other regions have similarly seen volatile anti-migrant protests as...

August 8, 2025

European Media Freedom Act Enters Into Force, Aims to Strengthen Press Independence and Protect Journalists

August 8, 2025 – European Union – The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), a landmark EU regulation designed to protect press freedom and media pluralism, has come fully into force across all member states. The law, first adopted in April 2024, aims to safeguard journalists from political interference, promote transparency in media ownership, and limit government surveillance of media workers. Under the EMFA, editorial independence is legally protected, with strict rules ensuring that public service media outlets are free from political pressure and receive sustainable, adequate funding. The law requires media companies to disclose ownership...

August 8, 2025

A Cry in Silence: Taliban Escalates Crackdown on Journalism in Afghanistan

August 8, 2025 - Afghanistan - Afghanistan’s media landscape continues to deteriorate under Taliban rule, with increasing censorship, arbitrary detentions, and systematic repression of journalists, particularly those working independently or in exile. According to 8 Am. Media, censorship has all but eliminated freedom of expression. Female journalists face the dual burden of general restrictions plus gender-based constraints. Several have been detained in provinces like Takhar and Ghazni over critical social media posts or collaboration with foreign media, their whereabouts largely unknown. Journalists also report that official sources now only supply information serving Taliban interests, suppressing...

August 8, 2025

Turkey Blocks Jailed Journalist Fatih Altaylı’s YouTube Channel on National Security Grounds

August 8, 2025 – Turkey – Turkish authorities have ordered the blocking of veteran journalist Fatih Altaylı’s YouTube channel, citing national security and public order concerns. The decision, issued by the İstanbul 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace on August 7, targets both the homepage of the channel and a specific video featuring former MP Emin Şirin. In the video, Şirin discusses political matters involving Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli and Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, which the court claimed posed risks to national security and could constitute criminal activity. Altaylı, detained...

August 8, 2025

Belarus Sentences Journalist Danil Palianski to 10 Years for Treason in Ongoing Media Crackdown

August 8, 2025 – Belarus – Belarusian journalist Danil Palianski, 27, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of high treason, in a move widely condemned by press freedom advocates as part of an ongoing crackdown on independent media in the country. The verdict, delivered by the Minsk City Court in a closed trial, accused Palianski of “providing assistance to foreign organisations” deemed harmful to Belarus’ national security. Authorities have not disclosed the specifics of the alleged treason, but rights groups believe the charges are politically motivated and linked to his reporting....

August 8, 2025

Israeli Drone Strike Kills Lebanese Journalist Mohammad Shehadeh in Southern Lebanon

August 8, 2025 – Lebanon - Lebanese journalist Mohammad Shehadeh, director of the online platform Hawana Lebanon, was killed in an Israeli drone strike on the Zahrani Road in Nabatieh district, southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA), the targeted strike hit Shehadeh’s vehicle, killing him instantly. Civil defense teams later recovered his body from the wreckage. The attack took place along a key route connecting Sidon and Nabatieh, an area that has been under heightened tension due to ongoing cross-border hostilities. Shehadeh was a respected media figure known for his work...

August 7, 2025

Bangladeshi Journalist Hacked to Death While Reporting Extortion

August 7, 2025 – Bangladesh - Md Asaduzzaman Tuhin, a 38-year-old staff reporter for Daily Protidiner Kagoj in Gazipur, was brutally murdered on Thursday night in the Chandana Chowrasta area. While filming armed men with locally made weapons pursuing a young man, Tuhin was spotted by the group, who then chased and hacked him to death with machetes, according to CCTV footage examined by local police. Shocking video of the attack circulated widely on social media, prompting immediate outrage from the media community and human rights advocates. The cruelty of the act, targeting a journalist...

August 7, 2025

Two Accused in Journalist Raghvendra Bajpai’s Murder Killed in Sitapur Encounter

August 7, 2025 - India - Two men accused of the murder of journalist Raghvendra Bajpai were killed in an encounter with Uttar Pradesh Police’s Special Task Force (STF) and local police in Sitapur. The accused, identified as brothers Raju Tiwari, also known as Rizwan, and Sanjay Tiwari, also known as Shibu or Shakeel Khan, were both carrying a bounty of ₹1 lakh each. According to police, the encounter occurred when the STF, acting on intelligence, intercepted the two men travelling on a motorcycle in the Pisawa area. Officials said the accused opened fire on...

August 7, 2025

Pakistan Cybercrime Agency Under Fire for Targeting Investigative Journalist

August 7, 2025 – Pakistan - Pakistani journalists and media organisations have condemned a notice issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to investigative reporter Muhammad Akbar Notezai. The notice is linked to his investigative article in Dawn, published more than a year ago, which detailed allegations of administrative mismanagement, misuse of authority, and corruption in Balochistan. Critics say this move is a direct attack on press freedom, arguing that a newspaper article should not fall under the jurisdiction of a cybercrime agency. The NCCIA, launched in May to replace the cybercrime division...

August 7, 2025

Punjab Police Commandos Suspended After Brutal Assault on Journalist

August 7, 2025 – India - A distressing video captured in Batala, Punjab, shows two Punjab Police commandos brutally assaulting journalist Balwinder Kumar Bhalla, also known as Balvinder Singh. As he approached them to ask questions about their duty, one officer, clad in uniform, and another in plain clothes, grabbed him, delivering repeated punches and kicks. The attack continued even after Bhalla collapsed into a street puddle, with one officer mercilessly kicking him in the head, leaving him unconscious before walking away. In response to widespread public outrage and the viral video, authorities took immediate...

August 6, 2025

UK and Al Jazeera-Led Letters Condemn Targeted Killings of Journalists in Gaza

August 6, 2025 – Palestine/UK – Two major statements released this week have condemned the ongoing targeting, starvation, and killing of journalists in Gaza. One letter, signed by British lawmakers and supported by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), expresses deep concern over the systematic attacks on Palestinian media workers. Another, led by Al Jazeera and endorsed by over 150 media organizations and advocacy groups, demands an end to the forced starvation and deliberate killings of journalists in the besieged enclave. The UK letter calls on all parties in the conflict to adhere to international...

August 6, 2025

Independent Georgian Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli Sentenced to Two Years for Slapping Police

August 6, 2025 – Georgia - Renowned Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, co-founder of the independent outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Batumi City Court. The sentence follows her conviction for slapping Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze during a protest earlier this year. Initially charged with the more severe crime of assault, carrying a penalty of up to seven years, the charge was reclassified just before sentencing to "resistance, threats or violence against a public order defender," resulting in the two-year term. Her sentence has triggered widespread condemnation...

August 6, 2025

South Africa’s IDT CEO and Spokesperson Caught on Camera Attempting to Bribe Journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh

August 6, 2025 - South Africa - On August 3, 2025, investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh of the Daily Maverick was offered a bribe of R60,000 in cash by two high-ranking officials of South Africa’s Independent Development Trust (IDT). The attempt was caught live on camera at a wine farm near Stellenbosch, where the suspended CEO of IDT, Tebogo Malaka, and the state agency’s spokesperson, Phasha Makgolane, tried to pay off Myburgh to prevent the publication of a report into a controversial R836 million oxygen plant contract. The oxygen plant deal has been under intense scrutiny...

August 5, 2025

Israeli Forces Close Al Jazeera’s West Bank Office Amid Crackdown

August 5, 2025 – Palestine – Israeli forces have forcibly shut down the Al‑Jazeera bureau in the occupied West Bank, a move denounced today by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) as a blatant assault on press freedom. Armed military personnel raided the network’s Ramallah office without prior warning, sealed the entrance, and escorted staff out of the premises. No official explanation was issued at the time. According to the IFJ, the closure comes amid increasing pressure on media organizations operating in the occupied territories, particularly those perceived to challenge Israel’s policies. Al‑Jazeera has been...

August 5, 2025

Hamas Backs Calls for Foreign Journalists to Enter Gaza

August 5, 2025 – Palestine – Hamas has voiced its full support for international demands to allow foreign journalists access to the besieged Gaza Strip, emphasizing the urgent need to expose the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding under Israeli blockade. Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq issued a statement declaring that preventing foreign media from entering Gaza was an attempt to hide the ongoing massacres and war crimes committed against Palestinian civilians. He called on the international community and press freedom organizations to pressure Israel into lifting restrictions that have left Gaza sealed off from external media coverage....

August 5, 2025

Somali Police Detain Three Journalists After Reporting on Land Seizures

August 5, 2025 – Somalia – Three journalists working for SMS TV and Daash Somali TV were forcibly arrested in Mogadishu after reporting on alleged government-linked land seizures in the Siinaay Market area, according to media watchdogs and the Somali Journalists Syndicate. The incident unfolded outside SMS TV’s headquarters during an armed raid by officers from the Haramcad police unit, who reportedly arrived in vehicles mounted with machine guns. The detained journalists are Mahad Mohamed Abdirahman of Daash Somali TV, and Hussein Isse Mohamed and Osman Abdullahi Mohamed from SMS TV. CCTV footage shared by the...

August 5, 2025

DRC Authorities Urged to Reinstate Radio Nsenda Muana and Release Arrested Reporters

August 5, 2025 – DR Congo – The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to reverse the suspension of Radio Nsenda Muana, a privately owned station in Mwene‑Ditu, and to release three journalists who were arrested during the crackdown. The station was shut down under a July 29 order from Mwene‑Ditu’s mayor, Gérard Tshibanda Kabue, who accused the outlet of inciting tribal hatred and encouraging tax evasion. CPJ reviewed the suspension directive and warned it constitutes an unacceptable suppression of media freedom. On July 31, local...

August 5, 2025

Iraqi Authorities Close Independent Channel and Jail Journalist Director

August 5, 2025 – Iraq – The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Iraqi authorities to reverse the three‑year prison sentence imposed on Ali Al‑Dhabhawi, director and presenter of Al‑Baghdadia TV. He was convicted under Articles 230 and 430 of the Iraqi Penal Code, including charges of assaulting a police colonel and threatening a civilian at a medical complex, allegedly using his influence as a journalist to intimidate others. The sentencing came after Iraqi security forces raided the broadcaster’s Baghdad headquarters and Al‑Dhabhawi’s home on July 31, shortly after Al‑Dhabhawi criticised the National Intelligence...

August 5, 2025

Gaza Journalists Continue to Face Hunger, Death and Displacement Amid Relentless Israeli Assault

August 5, 2025 – Palestine – Journalists in Gaza are enduring severe hunger, displacement, and daily threats to their lives as Israel's assault on the enclave continues into its tenth month. According to a recent report, the few remaining media workers who continue to report from the ground do so without access to food, shelter, or basic safety, making Gaza one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists. Many journalists have been displaced multiple times, some as many as eight, and are now living in tents or on the streets. Without electricity...

August 5, 2025

Court Gag Order Against Journalists Draws Sharp Rebuke from Maltese Media Watchdog

August 5, 2025 – Malta – The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) has strongly criticised a recent court ruling that effectively bans journalists from reporting on a high-profile money laundering investigation. The gag order, issued under Malta’s criminal code, bars media outlets from publishing any details related to the case, including names, documents, and testimonies, even though the investigation is ongoing and involves serious allegations. IGM President Andrew Azzopardi slammed the decision as a profound attack on press freedom and the public’s right to know. He argued that the order turns legitimate journalism into a...

August 5, 2025

Investigation Urgently Demanded After Mozambican Journalist Selma Inocência Suspected of Poisoning

August 5, 2025 – Mozambique – Amnesty Canada has issued an urgent call for investigation following the suspected poisoning of Mozambican journalist and commentator Selma Inocência, who for years has reported critically on governance, human rights, and corruption in the country. Earlier this July, Inocência experienced sudden illness symptoms consistent with poisoning, sparking concern from both local press groups and international watchdogs. Amnesty International in Mozambique flagged the incident as alarming, given Inocência’s history of covering sensitive political topics in her segments on public radio, often exposing local wrongdoing and speaking truth to power. As...

August 5, 2025

Journalist Meysam Rashidi Arrested in Ardabil for Social Media Criticism

August 5, 2025 – Iran – Journalist Meysam Rashidi was arrested in Ardabil following a complaint by the city’s mayor over his critical social media posts about municipal performance. Rashidi, who has worked with the news outlet Qaartaal, was detained by local police acting on a temporary detention order issued after the mayor filed the complaint. Rashidi’s arrest is part of a broader pattern of press restrictions in Iran, where journalists have been targeted for criticism of local authorities. Earlier this year, in March, Rashidi was reportedly assaulted by Ardabil municipality security personnel after publicly...

August 5, 2025

Iranian Intelligence Issues Death Threats to Iran International Journalists and Relatives

August 5, 2025 – Iran/International – Iran International, a Persian‑language broadcaster headquartered in London, has reported a chilling escalation in threats by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS). A total of 45 journalists employed by the outlet and over 300 of their family members in eight countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Turkey, and Belgium, were issued explicit death threats in the past six weeks. The messages warned: “Stop reporting on Iran, or you and your immediate relatives will die.” This sudden escalation followed the Twelve-Day War between Iran and Israel in mid-June 2025. Iran International...

August 4, 2025

Cuban Journalist Enrique Pérez Fumero Brutally Beaten in Santiago de Cuba

August 4, 2025 – Cuba – Enrique Pérez Fumero, a Cuban journalist, university professor, and Doctor of Science affiliated with the official CMKC radio station, was savagely assaulted in the early hours of Sunday in Santiago de Cuba. The attack, publicly denounced by fellow journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, has sparked outrage and demands for justice, especially in light of official silence from the media and authorities. The assault occurred near Barnada and San Mateo streets in the heart of Santiago de Cuba, just blocks away from the symbolic Moncada Barracks. Pérez was left with a...

August 4, 2025

Journalist Esaú Zavaleta Arrested While Reporting on Civic Complaint in Oaxaca

August 4, 2025 – Mexico – Journalist Esaú Zavaleta was arrested and jailed today in Playa Grande, a community of San Pedro Huamelula, Oaxaca, while covering a local citizen complaint concerning the potential removal of an endangered tree. The journalist had been invited by residents to attend a community meeting to document their concerns regarding the local authorities’ plan to cut down a tree located within the home of a young resident, Deysi Abigail. Zavaleta reported that he arrived at the meeting at approximately 8:00 a.m. to collect testimonies. Upon entering the gathering, he was...

August 3, 2025

Journalist Habibur Selim Arrested in Bangladesh for Allegedly Inciting Violence Against Hindu Community

August 3, 2025 - Bangladesh - Local journalist Habibur Rahman Selim has been arrested by the Bangladesh Army for allegedly inciting attacks on homes belonging to the Hindu minority community in Gangachara Upazila, Rangpur. Selim, a reporter for the regional daily Dainik Juger Alo, was detained from his residence in Gokulpur Chawpara around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to police authorities. The arrest comes in the wake of communal unrest that began on July 26 after a Hindu teenager from Chhayani Balapara was accused of posting derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad on Facebook. Following the...

August 3, 2025

Journalist Kindi Al‑Adai Found Dead in Deir Ezzor Home After Detention

August 3, 2025 – Syria – Syrian journalist and activist Kindi Al‑Adai was found dead inside his home in the Al‑Jourah neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor on August 3, 2025. His body was discovered hanging, with visible signs of beating and torture, according to local sources. The circumstances surrounding his death have raised serious concerns about state involvement and the targeting of critical voices in Syria. Al‑Adai had recently returned to Syria from Germany, where he had been living in exile. He was widely known as a prominent voice since the early days of the Syrian...

August 2, 2025

Journalist Attacked at Odisha Chief Minister’s Pipli Event, Condemned by BJD Party

August 2, 2025 – India – The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has strongly condemned the recent attack on a journalist during an official event attended by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Pipli. The journalist, a reporter from Dharitri newspaper, was reportedly assaulted by individuals linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while covering the Chief Minister’s public program. According to local media reports, the attack occurred during a cultural segment of the event when the journalist was attempting to perform his reporting duties. Eyewitnesses stated that BJP supporters physically confronted him, obstructed...

August 2, 2025

South Carolina Man Sentenced to Prison for Threatening to Kill New York Reporter

August 2, 2025 – United States – A South Carolina man has been sentenced to federal prison after threatening to kill a New York-based journalist in a disturbing case that highlights the increasing dangers faced by media professionals. Austin Suman, 28, from Myrtle Beach, received a two-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to transmitting interstate threats to a reporter who had written articles critical of him. According to court documents, Suman sent a series of threatening messages to the journalist in early 2023, including one stating he would “put a bullet” in the reporter’s head...

August 2, 2025

Bangladeshi Journalists Attacked While Covering Land Dispute in Muradnagar

August 2, 2025 – Bangladesh – A case has been filed following a violent attack on at least five journalists in Muradnagar Upazila of Cumilla while they were covering a land dispute. The incident occurred in Bhayna village under the Bangra Bazar Police Station, where a group of men allegedly led by an individual named Delwar launched a physical assault on the media workers, injuring several of them and damaging their equipment. According to the complaint filed with the police, the journalists had arrived at the location in response to reports of a clash between...

August 2, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Marwa Muslim Found Dead at Home in Gaza

August 2, 2025 – Palestine - Palestinian journalist Marwa Muslim, a broadcaster at Al‑Shabab Radio in Gaza City, has been found dead at her home in the Al‑Shuja’iya district. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate announced the discovery of her body on Friday. Muslim hosted the morning program Bashaer al‑Sabah (Morning Tidings) and the social affairs show That (Self), marking her as one of Gaza’s prominent female radio voices. Her death raises the confirmed total of journalists and media personnel killed in Gaza since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, to 232. The previous fatality...

August 1, 2025

Telangana Chief Minister Sparks Outrage Over Anti-Journalist Remarks

August 1, 2025 - India - Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is facing strong criticism from media professionals and civil society after making a series of aggressive and dismissive statements targeting journalists. During a recent public event, Reddy remarked that he sometimes feels like “slapping young journalists,” citing dissatisfaction with their reporting. The statement, widely condemned by press freedom advocates, has been viewed as not only unprofessional but also threatening, especially in a country where journalists already face harassment and violence. In follow-up comments, Reddy attempted to distinguish between “genuine journalists” and those he referred...

July 31, 2025

ABC Urges Israel to Allow Journalists Free Access to Gaza

July 31, 2025 – Australia/Palestine – The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has issued a strong public statement urging the Israeli government to allow foreign journalists to enter Gaza and report independently on the humanitarian situation. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has barred international media from accessing Gaza, forcing global news outlets to rely on local freelancers who operate under extreme danger and hardship. ABC News Director Justin Stevens emphasised the risks faced by these freelancers, many of whom are Palestinian journalists reporting under conditions of intense bombardment, famine, and siege. Stevens reiterated that some of...

July 31, 2025

Palestinian Activist from Oscar-Winning Film Killed by Israeli Settler

July 31, 2025 - Palestine - Awdah Hathaleen, a 31-year-old Palestinian activist and educator, was shot and killed by an Israeli settler on July 28, 2025, in the village of Umm al-Khair in the occupied West Bank. Hathaleen was a key figure in the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, which highlighted the experiences of Palestinians facing displacement and settler violence in Masafer Yatta. His death has sparked outrage across the Palestinian territories and international human rights circles. According to eyewitnesses and footage, the settler—identified as Yinon Levi, a figure previously sanctioned by the United States,...

July 30, 2025

Ghana Orders Probe After JoyNews Reporter Assaulted by Soldiers During Broadcast

July 30, 2025 – Ghana – The Ghanaian government has launched an official investigation after JoyNews journalist Carlos Carlony was assaulted and briefly detained by military personnel while reporting live from a demolition site in Spintex, Accra. Carlony was covering the demolition of a warehouse reportedly linked to businessman Daniel McKorley when he was attacked by soldiers despite clearly identifying himself as a journalist. According to Carlony, he and his cameraman were interviewing an eyewitness when a group of soldiers approached. One soldier struck him twice in the neck from behind, and both he and...

July 30, 2025

Nigerian Journalist Francess Olisa Ogbonnaya Jailed for Refusing to Produce Defamatory Political Jingle

July 30, 2025 – Nigeria – Francess Olisa Ogbonnaya, a Nigerian journalist and political analyst, has been detained after refusing to produce a jingle aimed at discrediting Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan. The request came from Sandra Chidinma Duru, known as “Prof Mgbeke,” who is politically connected to Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ogbonnaya was asked to create a campaign jingle portraying the senator negatively, which she fulfilled professionally. Duru later demanded a revised, more defamatory version and a refund after declaring the initial work insufficiently damaging. Despite a restraining order issued by a High Court in Abia State...

July 30, 2025

Syrian Photojournalist Sari Majid Al‑Shoufi Killed While Covering Sweida Clashes

July 30, 2025 – Syria – Sari Majid Al‑Shoufi, a photojournalist for Suwayda 24, was killed while reporting on armed clashes in the countryside around the southern Syrian city of Sweida. He disappeared in the early hours of July 14 during confrontations between Druze militias, Bedouin armed groups, and Syrian military forces. After several days of community‑led searching, his death was confirmed on July 24, prompting urgent calls by the Committee to Protect Journalists for accountability and inquiry. Al‑Shoufi’s last known location was near a makeshift checkpoint in his home village of Taara, where he had informed colleagues...

July 30, 2025

Kurdish Journalist Omed Baroshky’s Prison Term Extended Amid Defamation Conviction

July 30, 2025 - Iraq - Freelance journalist Omed Baroshky, founder and director of Rast Media in Iraqi Kurdistan’s Duhok province, will remain imprisoned for an additional six months after a regional court reactivated a previously suspended sentence. The extension, announced on July 30, 2025, means he will now serve both the original sentence and the new term. Baroshky had been serving a six-month term following a defamation conviction issued in January 2024 over a Facebook post alleging the kidnapping of a detainee from Zirka prison. His initial release was scheduled for July 31, 2025—but the sentencing...

July 30, 2025

IFJ Condemns Israeli Military’s Slander Campaign Against Al Jazeera Journalist and Gaza Press

July 30, 2025 – Palestine – The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly condemned the Israeli military for what it describes as a systematic and dangerous campaign to discredit journalists in Gaza. In a statement released on July 29, the IFJ accused the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) of repeatedly spreading false and unsubstantiated claims that media professionals, particularly those working with Al Jazeera, are affiliated with armed groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. These allegations, according to the IFJ, not only lack evidence but also serve to endanger journalists by portraying them...

July 30, 2025

Wave of Black Journalists Exit Washington Post Amid Editorial Shift and Diversity Concerns

July 30, 2025 - USA - The Washington Post, historically considered America’s “paper of record,” is witnessing a notable exodus of Black journalists, many of whom are highly respected veterans and Pulitzer Prize winners (e.g., Eugene Robinson, Jonathan Capehart, Toluse Olorunnipa, Krissah Thompson). This represents a departure unprecedented even by the Post’s long-standing underrepresentation of Black staff. The newsroom is based in Washington, DC, a city with a roughly 43% Black population and close to a historic Black university, yet newsroom diversity remains low and has even worsened under recent leadership. The latest wave of exits...

July 29, 2025

Russian Journalist Olga Komleva Sentenced to 12 Years Over Navalny Ties

July 29, 2025 – Russia - A court in Ufa, Bashkortostan, has sentenced Olga Komleva, a journalist and activist, to 12 years in prison. She was convicted on charges of participating in an “extremist organisation” and disseminating “false information” about the Russian military. The verdict comes after a closed trial, during which Komleva was found guilty under Article 282.1(2) of the Russian Criminal Code for her past volunteer work with the now-banned Anti‑Corruption Foundation founded by Alexei Navalny. She was also convicted under Article 207.3(2) for allegedly spreading misinformation regarding military operations. The judge in...

July 29, 2025

Russian Forces Detain Ukrainian Journalist Anastasiia Volkova in Occupied Melitopol

July 29, 2025 - Russia - Russian occupation authorities have detained Ukrainian journalist Anastasiia Volkova in the city of Melitopol, located in the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia region of southeastern Ukraine. According to reports confirmed by Ukrainska Pravda and the Ukrainian Commissioner for Human Rights, Volkova was arrested on July 27, 2025, by Russian military personnel, with her current whereabouts and condition unknown. Volkova, a local journalist and editor who has been reporting on life under occupation and human rights abuses in southern Ukraine, had previously remained in Melitopol to cover events despite the risks. She was...

July 29, 2025

Basque Journalist Denied U.S. Entry, Misses Jaialdi Festival in Idaho

July 29, 2025 - USA/Spain - Basque journalist Iban Gorriti was denied entry to the United States after arriving at Boise Airport to cover Jaialdi, one of the world’s largest Basque cultural festivals. Gorriti, a reporter and photographer for Spain’s Deia newspaper, landed in Idaho on July 25, 2025, but was detained and questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers before being told he would not be allowed to enter the country. He was forced to return to Spain the following day. Gorriti had been invited to document Jaialdi, a major event that...

July 29, 2025

Moroccan Journalist Mohamed El Bakkali Returns Home After Release from Israeli Detention

July 29, 2025 - Morocco - Moroccan journalist Mohamed El Bakkali has returned to Morocco after being released from Israeli detention, where he was held for participating in the “Handala” humanitarian ship mission aimed at breaking the naval blockade on Gaza. El Bakkali, a veteran reporter for Morocco’s state news agency MAP and a board member of the Moroccan Journalists Union, arrived in Casablanca on July 28, 2025, where he was received by family, colleagues, and union members. The Handala ship, carrying activists, journalists, and humanitarian workers from various countries, set sail in mid-July with...

July 29, 2025

Syrian Democratic Forces Arrest Journalist Baraa Al-Shami in Raqqa

July 29, 2025 - Syria - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) arrested Syrian journalist Baraa Al-Shami on July 24, 2025, in the city of Raqqa, amid mounting concerns over press freedom violations in areas controlled by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Al-Shami, who worked for a local news platform and was active on social media, was detained at his home without a clear explanation or warrant. Al-Shami’s arrest follows a growing pattern of journalist detentions by the SDF and affiliated internal security forces...

July 29, 2025

Yemeni Journalist Abduljabar Bajabeer Arrested Amid Crackdown in Hadramout

July 29, 2025 - Yemen - Yemeni authorities in the eastern governorate of Hadramout arrested journalist Abduljabar Bajabeer on July 16, 2025, marking the latest incident in a growing campaign of repression against independent voices in the region. Bajabeer, a well-known columnist and writer, was detained in the city of Mukalla by the Hadramout Intelligence Service. No official charges were announced at the time of his arrest, and his whereabouts and legal status remain undisclosed, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Bajabeer has worked as a freelance journalist and commentator, regularly contributing opinion...

July 29, 2025

Russia Jails Journalist Olga Komleva Over Alleged Links to Navalny

July 29, 2025 - Russia - A Russian court sentenced journalist Olga Komleva to six years in prison for allegedly participating in an “extremist organization” linked to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Komleva, 33, was found guilty of being involved in the activities of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, which was outlawed as extremist by Russian authorities in 2021. Her arrest and trial mark yet another escalation in the Kremlin’s crackdown on dissent, particularly targeting individuals associated with Navalny’s movement. Komleva had previously contributed to media projects associated with Navalny’s team, and prosecutors accused her of...

July 29, 2025

Palestinian Journalist and Activist Awdah Hathaleen Killed by Israeli Settler in Oscar-Winning Film Village

July 29, 2025 – Palestine – Awdah Hathaleen, a 31-year-old Palestinian activist, English teacher, journalist, and contributor to the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was shot dead in the village of Umm al-Khair in Masafer Yatta, located in the occupied West Bank. Witnesses say the incident occurred when an Israeli settler, identified as Yinon Levi, who had previously been sanctioned by the EU, UK, and US, fired into a crowd during a confrontation, striking Hathaleen in the chest. He died from the fatal wound. Footage shared by filmmakers and rights groups shows Levi brandishing a...

July 29, 2025

British Journalist Says He Was Forced into Exile Over Anti-“Israel” Reporting

July 29, 2025 - UK/Palestine - A British journalist, Steve Sweeney, claims he was forced into exile after being detained and interrogated by UK Counter Terrorism police upon returning from Lebanon, due to his critical reporting on Israel’s actions in the region. Published on July 29, 2025, Sweeney shared that the interrogation followed his critical reporting on Israel while in Lebanon. Although he wasn’t formally arrested, he felt compelled to leave the UK because of the perceived pressure from authorities. Sweeney described the experience as a form of coercive suppression, adding that he no longer...

July 29, 2025

Ukrainian Journalists Hit with SMS Bombing After Reporting on Anti-Corruption Protests

July 29, 2025 - Ukraine - Two investigative journalists in Khmelnytskyi were subjected to a coordinated SMS bombing attack following their work covering protests against legislation perceived as threatening the independence of Ukraine’s anti‑corruption institutions, NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau) and SAPO (Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office) The journalists, among them Kateryna Vovk, received hundreds of authentication codes via SMS over five hours (approximately 07:30 to 12:30 local time). The messages were linked to repeated attempted logins across multiple platforms, indicating that attackers fed her phone number into various sites to generate code messages. Simultaneously, repeated calls...

July 28, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Abdalhadi Farahat Wounded by Israeli Fire Near Gaza Border

July 28, 2025 – Palestine – Abdalhadi Farahat, a field correspondent for Yemen Today TV, was injured on July 27 while reporting near the northern edge of the Gaza Strip in the Al‑Sudaniya area. He was hit by live fire from the Israeli army during a volatile reporting assignment along the border. The full extent of his injuries has not been disclosed, though the incident underscores the extreme danger journalists face when covering border zones during active conflict. Farinat’s experience comes amid rising documentation of journalists being wounded and sometimes killed by Israeli fire in...

July 28, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Nasser al-Laham Says He Was Beaten and Filmed Naked in Israeli Detention

July 28, 2025 – Palestine – Veteran Palestinian journalist Nasser al-Laham, editor-in-chief of Ma’an News Agency, has come forward with harrowing details of abuse during a recent detention by Israeli forces. Arrested on July 7 in the West Bank on unsubstantiated accusations of “incitement” and alleged affiliation with a banned organisation, al-Laham was held for nine days at Ofer Prison before being released without charges on July 16. In a statement published following his release, al-Laham revealed that Israeli prison guards beat him, blindfolded him, and filmed him naked during interrogations. He described the abuse...

July 28, 2025

Iraqi Photojournalist Found Dead After Days Missing

July 28, 2025 - Iraq - Iraqi authorities have confirmed the death of photojournalist Wissam al-Ghanmi, who was found dead on July 28, 2025, several days after disappearing in Maysan Governorate, southeastern Iraq. Al-Ghanmi, who worked for multiple media outlets and was known for covering political unrest and social issues, had gone missing while reportedly on assignment. His disappearance triggered concern from local journalist unions and human rights groups, who feared for his safety amid a deteriorating environment for press freedom in Iraq. The Maysan Police Directorate stated that al-Ghanmi's body was discovered in a...

July 28, 2025

Body of Nigerian Photojournalist Ayobami Aiyepeku Found After Colleague Allegedly Commits Murder

July 28, 2025 – Nigeria – The body of slain photojournalist Ayobami "Ayo" Aiyepeku was recovered on the evening of July 27 near the WAEC office in Zone 8, Lokoja, Nigeria. Kogi State Police confirmed that Ayobami was likely murdered on the night of July 22 in an office near Government House, allegedly by his colleague, Oluwapelumi Adebayo, who is employed by the Nigerian Correctional Service. The body was found decomposing in a bush after residents reported a foul odour. His remains were deposited at Kogi State Specialist Hospital as authorities launched an investigation into...

July 28, 2025

Widow of Brazilian Journalist Accuses Paraguayan Congressman of Attempted Bribery

July 28, 2025 – Paraguay/Brazil – The widow of revered Brazilian journalist Léo Veras, who was murdered during a home invasion in Pedro Juan Caballero, Paraguay, has publicly accused a Paraguayan congressman of attempting to bribe her in exchange for halting calls for justice. Veras, a 52-year‑old investigative reporter for Porã News, was shot inside his home on February 12, 2020. He had documented corruption, organized crime, and cross-border drug trafficking in a lawless region straddling the Brazil–Paraguay border, a job that earned him repeated death threats before his assassination. According to the LatAm Journalism Review report,...

July 28, 2025

Taliban Detains Seven Journalists in Ongoing Crackdown on Media

July 28, 2025 – Afghanistan – The Taliban’s escalating repression of the Afghan press has intensified with the detention of at least seven journalists in recent days, according to reports from the Afghanistan Journalists Center. These arrests form part of a broader campaign to silence dissent and eliminate independent reporting under the group’s authoritarian rule. Journalists were taken into custody in Kabul, Baghlan, and Balkh provinces, many without formal charges or explanation. Those detained include reporters affiliated with local outlets and freelancers who had covered protests or written critically about Taliban policies. Some were held...

July 28, 2025

DRC Journalists Beaten and Detained While Trying to Question Provincial Minister

July 28, 2025 – Congo - In a disturbing incident highlighting press suppression in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, three journalists were assaulted and briefly detained while attempting to question a provincial minister about corruption allegations. The incident unfolded on July 28 in the province of Haut-Uélé, where the reporters tried to interview Minister Pascal Saveza regarding a series of complaints related to public contract mismanagement. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), when Saveza arrived at a public event in Watsa, the three journalists approached him to pose questions. Security personnel immediately...

July 28, 2025

Journalists Threatened and Assaulted by Police in Mexico City and Sinaloa State

July 28, 2025 – Mexico – Multiple journalists in both Mexico City and Sinaloa state have reported threats, intimidation, and physical assaults at the hands of police officers, according to press freedom organisations. The incidents occurred during recent coverage of protests and criminal investigations, exposing ongoing risks for media professionals working in high-risk areas. In Mexico City, a police officer reportedly pushed and grabbed a journalist attempting to photograph a protest in the city’s central plaza. The officer allegedly confiscated the reporter’s phone and deleted footage capturing police misconduct during an arrest. The journalist was...

July 28, 2025

AGK Condemns Lawmaker Fitore Pacolli’s Attacks on Journalist Blerta Foniqi Kabashi

July 28, 2025 – Kosovo – The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) issued a strong condemnation following verbal assaults and disparaging remarks made by MP Fitore Pacolli against journalist Blerta Foniqi Kabashi. The incidents occurred after Foniqi Kabashi published investigative reporting that covered controversial local infrastructure projects, including allegations of financial irregularities involving public figures. According to AGK, Fitore Pacolli accused the journalist of defamation and dishonesty in a public posting on social media. Pacolli also questioned Foniqi Kabashi’s integrity and professionalism, implying she benefited personally from political opposition narratives. These actions, AGK leaders say,...

July 28, 2025

Asianet News Files Complaint Over Online Harassment of Women Journalists

July 28, 2025 – India - Asianet News, a leading Malayalam-language news outlet based in Kerala, India, has filed a formal complaint with cybercrime authorities after several of its women journalists were subjected to a coordinated online harassment campaign. The complaint, submitted on July 28, alleges that the journalists were targeted with doctored images, explicit abuse, and defamatory content circulated widely on social media and anonymous messaging platforms. The attacks appear to have intensified following recent news coverage by Asianet News on politically sensitive issues. According to the complaint, the harassment included digitally altered photos,...

July 28, 2025

Australian Journalist Mary Kostakidis Faces Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Over Anti-Israel Posts

July 28, 2025 – Australia – Former SBS World News anchor and commentator Mary Kostakidis, a prominent Australian journalist, is defending a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA). The case centers on social media posts from January 2024 in which she shared a speech by the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, adding commentary that described Israeli actions as “genocide.” The ZFA alleges these posts violate Section 18C of Australia’s Racial Discrimination Act by targeting people of Israeli origin or Jewish identity. In federal court in Adelaide, Kostakidis’ legal team filed a...

July 28, 2025

Merger Heralds “End” of CBS Journalism, Media Veterans Warn

July 28, 2025 - USA - Former CBS Evening News co-anchor Connie Chung has voiced deep alarm over the $8 billion merger of Paramount Global with Skydance Media, recently approved by the FCC and set to finalize on August 7. Chung argued this shift could mark “the end of CBS as I knew it” and a serious blow to independent, fact‑based journalism once personified by icons like Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. On CNN, Chung criticized CBS's transformation under the new ownership, stressing that the news division was formerly “autonomous… unencumbered by pressures from politicians…...

July 28, 2025

Mozambican Investigative Journalist Alleges Poisoning Attempt with Heavy Metals

July 28, 2025 - Mozambique - Mozambican journalist Selma Inocência Marivate has publicly denounced an alleged assassination attempt involving poisoning with heavy metals, following a visit to Maputo in March 2025. While residing in Germany, where she currently lives and works, she experienced intense symptoms. Medical tests revealed elevated levels of mercury, uranium, thallium, and cadmium—industrial toxins, she says are often used in covert operations to eliminate critics. In a video message on Facebook, Selma described the experience as near-fatal. “I was poisoned. I almost lost my life. Today I live with pain and physical limitations,”...

July 27, 2025

Gaza Photojournalist Mohammed Abu Aoun Offers Camera and Press Vest for Sale Amid Hunger Crisis

July 27, 2025 - Palestine - Mohammed Abu Aoun, a Gaza-based photojournalist whose work has appeared in outlets like The New York Times, ABC News, and Sky News, has announced that he intends to sell his camera and press shield in order to feed his starving family. In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, he stated: “I want to offer my equipment and the press shield for sale so that I can buy food for me and my family,” as famine looms in Gaza and humanitarian aid remains severely restricted. His message has drawn global attention, spotlighting the...

July 27, 2025

Global Groups Warn Starvation in Gaza Is Silencing Journalists Urgent Action Needed

July 27, 2025 - Palestine - Journalists in Gaza are facing a devastating hunger crisis as ongoing Israeli restrictions block access to essential supplies. These journalists are among the last remaining witnesses to the war, but their ability to report is collapsing under the weight of extreme malnutrition and isolation. Leading news agencies, including the Associated Press, AFP, Reuters, and the BBC, released a joint statement warning that journalists in Gaza are now collapsing from hunger. They reported that local reporters are forced to trade protective gear for food, with some unable to continue their...

July 27, 2025

Maltese Journalists and Civil Society Urge Government Action Against Starvation in Gaza

July 27, 2025 – Malta/Palestine Journalists and civil society organisations in Malta are intensifying pressure on the government to take a public and active stance against the ongoing starvation crisis in Gaza. A national protest is scheduled for July 29, beginning at Triton Fountain and ending at Castille Square in Valletta, calling on Prime Minister Robert Abela to support international efforts addressing the humanitarian catastrophe. Organisers are urging participants to bring empty pots as a symbol of the famine gripping the population of Gaza. The demonstration is being supported by the Embassy of Palestine in...

July 27, 2025

Moroccan Journalist Mohamed El Bakkali Detained After Israel Seizes Aid Ship Handala

July 27, 2025 – Morocco/Palestine – Moroccan journalist Mohamed El Bakkali, working with Al Jazeera, was detained by Israeli forces after they intercepted the humanitarian aid vessel Handala in international waters. The ship was carrying aid intended for Gaza when it was boarded on July 27. El Bakkali and other crew members—including journalists, activists, and legal observers were taken into custody and transported to Ashdod port for deportation. His detention sparked immediate concern in Morocco. MP Fatima Tamni demanded urgent intervention by the Foreign Ministry, calling for the protection of El Bakkali and accountability for his arrest. The Moroccan National Press Syndicate...

July 27, 2025

Israeli Navy Seizes Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel ‘Handala’; Detains Activists and Journalists

July 27, 2025 – Palestine – Israeli forces intercepted the civilian aid vessel Handala in international waters, about 40 to 50 nautical miles off the Gaza coast, on July 27. The ship was carrying humanitarian supplies, including baby formula, food, medicine, and essential goods, intended for Gaza via the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. A total of 21 civilians were aboard, including two journalists, along with activists, medics, and legal professionals from over ten countries. Supporters of the flotilla denounced the operation as a violent act of maritime piracy and unlawful abduction. Communications and live video feeds from the vessel were...

July 27, 2025

Three Journalists Arrested After Clash While Reporting in Odisha, India

July 27, 2025 – India – Three web-based journalists were detained in Talcher, Odisha, after a confrontation erupted while they were covering protests at a local coal mine. The incident involved clashes between journalists and protestors, during which the reporters were accused of interfering with law enforcement efforts. Police arrested the journalists on charges including obstruction of duty and unlawful assembly. Eyewitnesses report that the reporters were attempting to film the protest when they became entangled in the demonstration. Local authorities claim the journalists disregarded warnings to step back and subsequently hindered police from dispersing...

July 26, 2025

Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Kerala YouTuber Journalist, Emphasizes Courts, Not YouTube, Decide Conviction or Acquittal

July 26, 2025 - India - The Supreme Court of India granted interim anticipatory bail to Kerala-based journalist and YouTuber T.P. Nandakumar, known as "Crime Nandakumar," in a defamation and obscenity case stemming from a YouTube video he posted. The vacation bench comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and Prasanna B. Varale issued notice of his Special Leave Petition and ruled that if Nandakumar is arrested, he must be released on bail, provided he cooperates with the ongoing investigation. The court also listed the matter for a further hearing on August 5. Nandakumar had originally sought anticipatory...

July 26, 2025

Yes, The New York Times Is Engaging in Genocidal Journalism: Omission, Zionist Allegiances, and Media Betrayal

July 26, 2025 - Palestine/USA - Al Jazeera columnist Belén Fernández published a scathing critique declaring that The New York Times (NYT) is participating in what she terms "genocidal journalism", by normalizing the mass killing and enforced starvation of Palestinians in Gaza as acceptable and justified. Fernández harshly critiques NYT opinion columnist Bret Stephens, who argued that Israel's actions do not amount to genocide—despite international institutions like UN bodies and Amnesty International reaching the opposite conclusion. Fernández asserts that NYT’s framing sanitizes Israel’s destruction of Gaza—bombing homes, hospitals, schools, and displacement camps—by refusing to acknowledge...

July 25, 2025

Al Jazeera Condemns Israeli Incitement Campaign Targeting Gaza Reporter Anas Al‑Sharif

July 25, 2025 - Palestine - Al Jazeera Media Network has issued a powerful condemnation of what it calls an Israeli “campaign of incitement” against its journalists in Gaza—particularly correspondent Anas Al‑Sharif. The network warns that such rhetoric is a blatant effort to justify targeting reporters working in conflict zones such as the Gaza Strip. The statement, issued on 25 July 2025, accuses Israeli military officials of repeatedly branding its journalists as terrorists or Hamas operatives. Al Jazeera rejects these allegations as entirely baseless and frames them as part of a broader strategy to silence independent...

July 25, 2025

Burkina Faso Junta Releases Two Journalists After Four Months of Forced Conscription While Three Remain Missing

July 25, 2025 - Burkina Faso - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) confirmed that Guezouma Sanogo, president of Burkina Faso’s Journalists Association (AJB), and radio Femina FM journalist Phil Roland Zongo returned to Ouagadougou and their families on July 21, after enduring nearly four months of forced military conscription by the junta. The duo had been seized in March, soon after publicly denouncing media repression and the targeted militarization of journalists. Their release followed the earlier reunion of AJB vice president Boukari Ouoba, BF1 journalist Luc Pagbelguem, and columnist Kalifara Séré, who were liberated in mid-July...

July 25, 2025

Journalist Adam Abu Harbid Killed as Gaza Press Death Toll Rises to 264

July 25, 2025 - Palestine - Photojournalist Adam Abu Harbid was killed in an Israeli helicopter strike near Al-Yarmouk market in Gaza City, as the total number of journalists killed in the region since October 7, 2023, to 232. According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Harbid was sheltering with his family in a tent when the attack occurred. His wife and children were also injured in the strike. Harbid’s death is part of a growing crisis for journalists in Gaza, who face not only the constant threat of bombardment but also extreme hunger and lack...

July 25, 2025

Russian-Jewish Journalist Fired After Attending Azerbaijan Forum Amid Diplomatic Tensions

July 25, 2025 - Russia/Azerbaijan - Veteran journalist Mikhail Gusman, the first deputy director general of Russia's state-run TASS news agency, was abruptly dismissed after attending a media forum in Azerbaijan, triggering speculation about deepening diplomatic rifts and the suppression of press independence within Russia. Gusman, an ethnic Jew born in Azerbaijan, had worked with TASS for over three decades, playing a key role in international media relations. His participation in the Global Media Forum held in Shusha, a culturally significant city in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, sparked criticism from Russian ultra-nationalist circles. At the...

July 25, 2025

Kazakhstan Denies Accreditation to 16 RFE/RL Journalists, Deepening Press Freedom Crisis

July 25, 2025 - Kazakhstan - Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused accreditation to 16 journalists working for Radio Azattyq, the Kazakh-language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), citing violation of accreditation rules as the only justification. Earlier, in mid‑June, seven other Azattyq journalists—including the Almaty bureau chief—had their renewals blocked; applications submitted in February were delayed past their expiration in April, without a transparent explanation. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) described the move as a clear assault on press freedom, emphasizing that the affected journalists are effectively barred from doing their jobs...

July 25, 2025

Starving the Storytellers: Palestinian Journalists in Gaza Face Death from Deliberate Famine

July 25, 2025 - Palestine - Great Reporter published a harrowing exposé titled “Starving the Storytellers,” revealing that freelance journalists in Gaza—including those working for AFP, Reuters, AP, and BBC—are enduring intentional starvation under Israel’s blockade and ban on foreign press access. These journalists, who are the last eyewitnesses inside Gaza, are collapsing mid-reporting, barely able to carry their gear, and often weak from days of fasting or inadequate nourishment. One BBC freelancer described barely managing one story a day and fainted while filming; others suffer dizziness, fatigue, and delirium as hunger worsens. Humanitarian agencies...

July 25, 2025

Queer Dublin Writer Fasts 24 Hours to Honor Gaza Journalists Killed Amid Genocide

July 25, 2025 - Ireland/Palestine - GCN (Gay Community News) reported that Dublin-based queer journalist David Monaghan is undertaking a symbolic 24‑hour fast on July 29, as part of the ongoing Hunger for Justice: Gaza campaign. The initiative, coordinated by Nenagh Friends of Palestine and allied groups, involves a daily chain of volunteers refraining from food and drink (except water) for a full day, spotlighting the mass starvation facing Gaza’s population under blockade and bombardment. Monaghan's fast marks Day 412 of the rolling campaign, which has seen over 400 volunteers participate so far. His dedication is a tribute...

July 25, 2025

Turkey Secretly Seeks to Evade INTERPOL Rules to Target an Exiled Journalist in Sweden

On July 25, 2025 - Turkey - A classified memo dated June 18, 2025, from Turkey’s Security General Directorate (Emniyet) reveals clandestine efforts to circumvent INTERPOL’s political screening protocols to issue a Red Notice against Levent Kenez, a Turkish journalist now residing in exile in Stockholm. Currently, the editor of Nordic Monitor, Kenez, fled Turkey in 2016 amid politically motivated charges that have repeatedly been rejected by INTERPOL as impermissible under its charter. Signed by İskender Güray Keskin, deputy head of the Interpol‑Europol Department, the memo was widely circulated across Turkey’s intelligence, justice ministry, and several...

July 25, 2025

Murder of Lokoja Photojournalist and Suspect’s Apparent Suicide Shake Nigeria’s Media Community

July 25, 2025 - Nigeria - Ayo Aiyepekun, a photojournalist working for Inside Story in Lokoja, Kogi State, was brutally murdered by a close friend and colleague, Adebayo Pelumi, who also lives in the same compound. The Kogi State Police confirmed the killing on July 23, describing the attack as "sad and unfortunate". Witnesses report that Pelumi lured Aiyepekun to his in-compound poultry farm under the guise of needing help and then struck him multiple times with an iron rod, instantly rendering him unconscious. The suspect allegedly dismembered Aiyepekun’s body, placed the remains into a deep freezer, loaded...

July 25, 2025

From Fired Broadcaster to YouTube Star: Christian Esguerra’s Journalism Journey

July 25, 2025 - Philippines - Filipino journalist Christian Esguerra, once a prominent figure at the country’s largest broadcaster ABS-CBN, has redefined his career after being laid off amid political pressures. Known for his hard-hitting political commentary, Esguerra was removed from his role in 2022—just a week before his son was born—after expressing criticisms of then-President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration. His termination came after ABS-CBN lost its broadcast license in 2020 in what many viewed as a politically motivated decision under Duterte. Though Esguerra initially continued working with the network, his role diminished until...

July 24, 2025

Eleven-Year-Old Aspiring Journalist Lama Nasser Al‑Badrasawi Killed with Family in Gaza Airstrike

July 24, 2025 - Palestine - Eleven‑year‑old Lama Nasser Al‑Badrasawi, known as an aspiring journalist for the Palestine Chronicle, and her entire family were killed in an Israeli airstrike on July 15, near Gaza City. Lama had contributed homemade reports, emulating professional journalists and often recording field testimonials alongside friends, to a young storytelling project documenting life under siege. The project, launched in response to professional journalists being driven from many frontline areas, aimed to give Gaza’s youth a voice during the escalating violence. In her last known video, Lama delivered a moving message about the...

July 24, 2025

Congo Journalist Rosie Pioth Receives Death Threats Over Airport Bombing Report

July 24, 2025 - Congo - Rosie Pioth, a prominent Congolese journalist and correspondent for France 24, has gone into hiding after receiving death threats for her reporting on the 43rd anniversary of the 1982 bombing of Maya-Maya International Airport in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. The bombing, which killed multiple people, remains a deeply sensitive topic in the country, having been largely erased from public memory with no official commemoration or acknowledgement. Pioth published an article on July 17, 2025, marking the anniversary and questioning the lack of national recognition for the tragedy. Shortly...

July 24, 2025

Ghanaian Journalists Assaulted During Election Coverage Spark National and International Outcry

July 24, 2025 - Ghana - Three journalists covering the parliamentary by-election rerun in Ablekuma North, Ghana, were physically attacked in separate incidents involving both a police officer and unidentified individuals. The incidents have drawn sharp criticism from press freedom organizations and media advocacy groups. Kwabena Agyekum Banahene, a reporter for GHOne TV, was slapped and shoved by a uniformed police officer at the Church of Pentecost polling station while attempting to access the inner perimeter for reporting. He sustained facial injuries and was hospitalized. The Ghana Police Service responded by suspending the officer and...

July 24, 2025

Top News Agencies Warn of Starvation Among Gaza Journalists, Urge Israel to Allow Press Access and Food Aid

July 24, 2025 - Palestine - Agence France‑Presse, Associated Press, Reuters, and BBC News issued a rare joint statement expressing “desperate concern” for journalists operating in Gaza, many of whom are now facing the threat of starvation. These independent reporters—often Palestinian freelancers and stringers—have become the primary source of international coverage from inside the enclave, and they are now enduring the same dire conditions as the civilians they document. The statement warned that many journalists cannot adequately feed themselves or their families, making it increasingly impossible to continue reporting. The news groups emphasized that journalists in...

July 24, 2025

Lancaster Artist Reopens Exhibition Honoring Slain Journalist Dom Phillips

July 24, 2025 - UK - Lancaster-based artist and musician Fiona Frank has relaunched her touring exhibition, “For Dom, Bruno and the Amazon,” at Halton Mill to honor British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira. The two were murdered in June 2022 while reporting in the Amazon rainforest, where Phillips was researching a book on environmental preservation. Created in 2022, the exhibition features 15 striking panels combining photography and storytelling. These works document the dangers facing the Amazon, including illegal logging, mining, and fishing. Updated for 2025, the exhibition now reflects political...

July 24, 2025

Felony Charges Dropped Against Ohio Journalists Arrested at Immigration Protest

July 24, 2025 - USA - Two Ohio-based journalists, Madeline Fening and Lucas Griffith, have had felony charges dropped following their arrest during a protest over immigration enforcement. The protest, held on July 17, 2025, took place on the Roebling Suspension Bridge connecting Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky. Demonstrators were rallying against the detention of Ayman Soliman, an Egyptian immigrant facing deportation. Fening, a reporter with CityBeat, and Griffith, a photo intern, were covering the event when they were arrested alongside at least 13 others. Both were charged with first-degree rioting, a felony under Kentucky...

July 23, 2025

Pregnant Journalist Wala al-Jaabari Killed with Family in Israeli Strike Amid Gaza Starvation

July 23, 2025 - Palestine - A devastating Israeli strike overnight claimed the lives of freelance journalist Wala al-Jaabari, her husband, and their five children as they slept in their Gaza City home. The Al‑Shaer family, unable to eat for days, went to bed hungry before their home was hit amid a wave of more than 100 airstrikes and gunfire across Gaza in 24 hours. The health ministry confirmed at least 111 starvation-related deaths in that period and an ongoing hunger emergency throughout the enclave. Local sources reported their corpses were removed in white shrouds,...

July 23, 2025

Liberian Journalist Alex Seryea Yormie Kidnapped by Traditional Group After Criticizing Government Policy

July 23, 2025 – Liberia – Alex Seryea Yormie, a Liberian radio journalist working with Voice of Tappita in Nimba County, was abducted on July 20 by members of a traditional community group in Lofa County. The incident occurred after Yormie broadcast a segment critically analysing a newly introduced government agricultural subsidy policy. He was held for nearly three days in a remote location before being released on July 23 following pressure from local elders and national press freedom organisations. Yormie is known for his bold reporting on local governance and policy implementation. His recent...

July 23, 2025

Journalists Assaulted and Heckled by Doctors During Protests at SMHS Hospital in Kashmir

July 23, 2025 – Kashmir – A disturbing incident unfolded at Sher‑i‑Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SMHS) hospital when protesting doctors physically assaulted and verbally heckled journalists covering their demonstration. Among those targeted was an RK cameraman who suffered minor injuries after being struck with a placard. Female reporters also faced harassment when they attempted to film the protest. According to on‑site witnesses, tensions rose when media crews arrived to document the doctors’ grievances, primarily over working conditions, staffing shortages, and salary disputes. A sudden shift in mood turned the protest hostile, leading some doctors...

July 23, 2025

Al Jazeera Joins AFP in Global Call to Evacuate and Protect Gaza’s Starving Journalists

July 23, 2025 – Palestine – Al Jazeera Media Network has issued an urgent appeal for the global journalistic community, press freedom organizations, and legal bodies to take decisive action to protect journalists in Gaza, following AFP’s recent evacuation plea. The network reports that after more than 21 months of Israeli bombardment and blockade, Gaza’s nearly 2 million residents, including its journalists, are facing forced starvation and relentless targeting. Al Jazeera cites heartbreaking social media posts from July 19, like that of correspondent Anas AlShariff, who shared: “I haven’t stopped covering for a moment in 21 months...

July 23, 2025

Starvation by Siege: Over 100 Aid Groups Warn Israel’s Blockade Is Creating a Man-Made Famine in Gaza

July 23, 2025 – Palestine – Over 100 humanitarian organisations have issued an urgent warning that Gaza is facing mass, forced starvation due to Israel’s continued blockade and obstruction of aid. In a joint letter, major international groups, including Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Médecins Sans Frontières, accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war. They report that nearly all of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents are now suffering from acute food insecurity, and at least 111 deaths linked to malnutrition and starvation have been recorded in recent weeks. The blockade, which has severely restricted...

July 23, 2025

Rights Groups Demand Release of Egyptian Cartoonist Ashraf Omar After One Year in Detention

July 23, 2025 - Egypt - A coalition of 23 organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), has renewed calls for the immediate release of Egyptian cartoonist and photojournalist Ashraf Omar, who has spent over a year in pretrial detention under vague and politically charged allegations. Omar was arrested on July 22, 2024, and faces accusations of “joining a terrorist group” and “spreading false news”—charges frequently leveled against journalists in Egypt to stifle dissent. Omar’s arrest followed his expression of critical views on social media and through his cartoons, which touched on sensitive political...

July 23, 2025

India’s Digital “404 Journalism” Erases Critical Reporting from the Internet

July 23, 2025 – India – Index on Censorship reports a disturbing wave of internet censorship across India as news stories critical of the government are being deliberately scrubbed from public access. Journalists and editors reveal that investigative articles detailing human rights abuses, military misconduct, and surveillance, especially those published before 2019-now return “404 error” pages. One journalist from Kashmir, Afraaz Hussain (a pseudonym), said the entire archives vanished, erasing long-form work that once exposed government actions in Jammu and Kashmir. Veteran journalist Ruben Banerjee described this trend as “404 journalism." Notable victims include the now-deleted “Hate...

July 23, 2025

New York Times Journalists Journey Through Post-Assad Syria to Document Aftermath of War

July 23, 2025 – Syria – New York Times Istanbul bureau chief Ben Hubbard has published a behind-the-scenes account of his long-awaited reporting trip across Syria, marking his first opportunity to travel freely through the country following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. After years of restricted access, Hubbard and his colleagues spent 16 days in February driving across Syria to document the destruction, hear from survivors, and capture the human cost of 13 years of civil war. For more than a decade, Hubbard had reported on Syria from neighbouring Lebanon, speaking...

July 23, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Tamer al-Zaanin Killed in Israeli Raid on Gaza Safe Zone

July 23, 2025 - Palestine - On July 21st, Palestinian journalist Tamer al-Zaanin was shot and killed by Israeli forces during a military operation in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, a coastal area that had been designated by Israel as a humanitarian “safe zone." Al-Zaanin was reportedly documenting conditions in the area when Israeli special forces launched a raid on a medical facility sheltering displaced civilians. The attack, according to eyewitnesses and humanitarian groups, involved live fire that struck multiple people, including media workers and medics. Al-Zaanin’s death adds to the devastating toll on Gaza’s press corps....

July 22, 2025

Mexican Court Imposes Gag Order on Retired Journalist for Criticizing Campeche Governor

July 22, 2025 – Mexico – A court in Campeche has issued a sweeping gag order against retired journalist Jorge Luis González Valdez and the digital newspaper Tribuna. The ruling mandates that any content referencing Governor Layda Sansores must first be reviewed and approved by the court. González Valdez, who retired in 2017 after 30 years as Tribuna’s editorial director, is also prohibited from making public statements or publishing articles about the governor without judicial supervision. The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemned the decree, calling it “nothing less than a gag order” and accusing state authorities of...

July 22, 2025

Gaza Journalists Face Death by Starvation, AFP Issues Desperate Warning

July 22 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Agence France-Presse (AFP) has issued an urgent alert: its remaining journalists in Gaza are on the brink of starvation and could die unless immediate action is taken. The AFP journalists’ union warns that the few local reporters still working in the besieged territory are enduring extreme hunger, exhaustion, and fear. Despite continuing to document the war, they now face the very real threat of death not from bombs, but from hunger. Only ten AFP contributors are left in Gaza: one writer, three photographers, and six videographers. Many have lost...

July 22, 2025

AFP Calls for Urgent Evacuation of Journalists Trapped in Starving Gaza

July 22, 2025 – Palestine – Agence France-Presse (AFP) has urgently appealed to Israeli authorities to allow for the immediate evacuation of its freelance journalists and their families from Gaza, citing severe food shortages, lack of clean water, and mounting safety risks in the war-ravaged enclave. The agency described the situation facing its local contributors as “appalling” and “untenable,” emphasizing that many are now too weak to carry out their reporting duties. The appeal follows a statement from AFP’s journalists’ association warning that their Gaza-based colleagues risk dying of starvation, amid a blockade that has...

July 22, 2025

Journalists Wounded and Media Office Damaged Amid Syria’s Southern Violence

July 22, 2025 – Syria – Several journalists were injured and a media office in Damascus was damaged following a surge of sectarian violence in Sweida and subsequent Israeli airstrikes, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The incidents occurred as clashes intensified between Druze tribesmen, Bedouin fighters and Syrian government forces, prompting CPJ to demand accountability for attacks on the press. On July 15, Nadim al‑Nabulsi, a reporter for Ahrar Horan, sustained minor shrapnel injuries while covering an Israeli drone strike that hit a Syrian government-security vehicle near Sweida’s entrance. Freelance journalist Muhannad Abu...

July 22, 2025

Sevinj Vagifgizi Speaks from Prison as Azerbaijan Jails 25 Journalists on Fabricated Charges

July 22, 2025 – Azerbaijan – Sevinj Vagifgizi, editor-in-chief of the independent news outlet Abzas Media, is serving a 9-year prison sentence imposed on June 20 on false charges of foreign currency smuggling. From her cell in Baku, she penned a powerful letter to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in which she warned that Azerbaijani authorities treat every question from the press as a threat and demand nothing less than total obedience. Vagifgizi highlighted the stark contrast between the government’s boastful statements on National Press Day (July 22) and the grim reality for journalists behind bars. She pleaded for...

July 22, 2025

Felony Charges Dropped Against Two Ohio Journalists Covering Immigration Protest

July 22, 2025 - USA - Prosecutors have dismissed felony rioting charges against two CityBeat Cincinnati journalists, reporter Madeline Fening and photography intern Lucas Griffith, who were arrested while covering a protest across the Roebling Bridge over the Ohio River. The demonstration, staged in support of Ayman Soliman, an Egyptian chaplain detained by ICE, temporarily closed the bridge between Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky. Fening and Griffith were among at least 13 people arrested after refusing to disperse when confronted by police. While the felony rioting charges were dropped with prejudice by a District Court...

July 22, 2025

Bahçeli Proposes Kurdish and Alevi Vice Presidents, Urges National Unity

July 22, 2025 – Turkey – Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a key ally of President Erdoğan, has confirmed he proposed appointing two vice presidents under the presidential system: one Kurdish and one Alevi. The proposal was made during a closed-door meeting on July 18 as part of what Bahçeli called a “Terror-Free Turkey” initiative aimed at reinforcing national unity and healing longstanding ethnic and sectarian divisions. In a written statement, Bahçeli stated that Kurds and Alevis are "ours" and that providing them with formal representation aligns with the...

July 22, 2025

Young Gazans Turn Cameras on War to Document Life Under Siege

July 22, 2025 - Palestine - In a powerful report by SBS, young Gazans, including Khaled Al-Kafarneh and Nadra El-Tibi, have emerged as frontline citizen journalists, using their phones and cameras to document life under Israeli bombardment. Both were living very different lives before the war. Khaled was a wedding photographer, capturing joy and celebration. Nadra shared lighthearted cooking videos on TikTok. Now, their cameras focus on destroyed homes, injured civilians, and daily life in displacement. Since the war began, media access to Gaza has been nearly impossible. With most foreign journalists locked out and...

July 21, 2025

Israeli Military Threatens Al Jazeera Journalist Over Gaza Starvation Report

July 21, 2025 - Palestine - A recent report by Truthout reveals that the Israeli military publicly threatened Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif after he broadcast an emotional report on growing starvation in Gaza. In the viral footage, al-Sharif is visibly shaken as he documents a woman collapsing from hunger in the street. A voice off-camera urges him to continue, saying, “You are our voice.” The Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, responded by accusing al-Sharif of spreading “crocodile tears” and implying he was affiliated with Hamas, without offering any evidence. The move was widely...

July 21, 2025

Hamas Operatives Attack Three Journalists Inside Gaza Hospital, Press Union Demands Accountability

July 21, 2025 - Palestine - The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has condemned an attack by Hamas operatives on three Gaza-based journalists inside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, calling it an alarming violation of press freedom. The incident involved members of Hamas’s “Sahm” unit, part of its internal security force, who physically assaulted the journalists while they were covering events inside the hospital. The assault not only injured at least one journalist but also obstructed all three from performing their professional duties. The journalists attacked were Khaled Shaat, a reporter for Shaat News Agency and Jordan’s...

July 21, 2025

Radio Journalist Killed in Southern Philippines Amid Rising Threats to Press Freedom

July 21, 2025 - Philippines - A veteran radio broadcaster in southern Philippines was fatally shot on Monday, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggle with journalist safety. Erwin Labitad Segovia, 63, host of a morning program on Radio WOW FM that focused on social issues and local governance, was gunned down by an unidentified attacker as he returned home from work near his base in the southern region. According to local police, two assailants followed Segovia on a motorcycle before opening fire, fatally striking him in the head. The attackers fled the scene and remain at...

July 21, 2025

Veran Matić Accuses President Vučić of Intimidation Amid Threats to Journalists in Serbia

July 21, 2025 – Serbia – Veran Matić, chair of the Association of Independent Electronic Media and a key member of Serbia’s Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, has condemned President Aleksandar Vučić’s recent remarks as an act of direct intimidation. In a televised appearance on July 20, Vučić suggested that those “convicted because of Veran Matić” should have their legal records erased, be treated leniently, and receive apologies from Matić himself. Vučić also claimed that if such persons had been “on our side”, their actions would have been overlooked, effectively hinting they...

July 21, 2025

Al Jazeera Reporter in Gaza Hears Gunfire During Israeli Assault

July 21, 2025 – Palestine – Al Jazeera has shared footage showing one of its Gaza-based reporters hearing gunfire while covering an Israeli military operation. The incident occurred as Tareq Abu Azzoum reported from a frontline area facing intense bombardment and ground manoeuvres. During the live update, the team heard bursts of automatic weapons and saw flashes from nearby shelling, forcing them to take cover amid collapsing structures and widespread chaos. The video captures the raw reality of reporting under fire, highlighting extreme dangers journalists face in Gaza’s conflict zones. The video provides a chilling...

July 21, 2025

Peruvian Journalist Faces Death Threats Over Investigation into Deteriorating Lima Trains

July 21, 2025 - Peru - Grecia Infante, an investigative journalist with La República in Peru, is facing serious threats after publishing a report revealing safety concerns about deteriorating trains used on the Lima–Chosica railway line. The trains, acquired under Lima’s mayor, Rafael López Aliaga's administration, were originally decommissioned in the United States over 40 years ago. Infante’s investigation raised questions about the trains' poor condition and the risks they pose to public safety. Following the report, the Municipality of Lima issued a public statement accusing La República and Infante of “sabotaging” the train system....

July 21, 2025

Online Harassment and Smear Campaign Targets Investigative Globe Journalist

July 21, 2025 - USA - Carrie Tait, a Calgary-based journalist for The Globe and Mail, has become the target of a disturbing online harassment campaign linked to her reporting on political interference in Alberta’s healthcare system. The anonymous X (formerly Twitter) account “The Brokedown” posted covert photographs of Tait as she met with two former staffers of Premier Danielle Smith. The images were reportedly shared in advance with a political podcaster, suggesting a coordinated attempt to intimidate or discredit her. The harassment escalated beyond online attacks. Someone allegedly spoofed Tait’s phone number to contact...

July 20, 2025

El Salvador Sentences 3 Ex-Military Officers for 1982 Killing of Dutch Journalists

July 20, 2025 - El Salvador - A court in El Salvador has sentenced three former high-ranking military officers for their roles in the 1982 killings of four Dutch journalists, bringing long-awaited justice more than four decades after the crime. General José Guillermo García (91), Colonel Francisco Morán (93), and Colonel Mario Adalberto Reyes Mena (85) were each sentenced to 15 years in prison for orchestrating and covering up the premeditated ambush. The victims Jan Kuiper, Koos Koster, Hans ter Laag, and Joop Willemson were working for the Dutch broadcaster IKON and had travelled to...

July 20, 2025

Two Men Arrested in Hyderabad, India for Malkangiri Web Journalist’s Murder

July 20, 2025 - India - Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of journalist C.H. Naresh in Odisha’s Malkangiri district. Police apprehended Sukumar Ray (25) and Konkan Jordar (21), both residents of Motu village, from Hyderabad, following a multi-state investigation. The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in a case that has sparked concern over the safety of journalists reporting in India’s remote and high-risk regions. Naresh, a local web journalist, was killed on July 12 while travelling with four others in an SUV near Muruliguda village. Armed assailants on motorcycles...

July 20, 2025

Israeli Envoy Criticizes German Journalist Over Gaza Genocide Reference

July 20, 2025 - Germany - Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, has publicly condemned ARD’s Tel Aviv correspondent, Sophie von der Tann, accusing her of activism over journalism after she reposted a New York Times op‑ed entitled “I’m a Genocide Scholar. I Know It When I See It,” with the phrase “Never Again.” The op‑ed, written by Holocaust historian Omer Bartov, compared Israel’s actions in Gaza to genocide, prompting widespread backlash. Prosor argued that von der Tann’s endorsement of the piece crosses a professional boundary, stating, “If Sophie von der Tann would rather become an activist, she should switch jobs,” and decrying...

July 19, 2025

Benin Journalist Cosme Hounsa Released Amid Ongoing Probe

July 19, 2025 - Benin - Beninese journalist Cosme Hounsa, editor of the newspaper La Boussole, was arrested earlier this week following an online harassment complaint lodged by Minister-Counsellor Rachidi Gbadamassi. Hounsa was taken into custody by the National Centre for Digital Investigations in Cotonou under charges of harassment via electronic means. On July 18, Hounsa was released from detention, though the investigations and legal processes continue. Judicial sources confirm he may be summoned again as the investigation remains active. This case is part of a wider crackdown on press freedom and digital dissent in...

July 19, 2025

Bahraini Journalist Advocates Women in Media as Symbols of Resistance

July 19, 2025 - Bahrain - Bahraini journalist Fatima Al‑Yaqoub, speaking at an international panel organised by the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, emphasised that women in media must serve as genuine symbols of resistance rather than ornamental figures. Addressing the panel titled “Media: An Effective Tool for Unity and Resistance,” she underscored the importance of media as a “fourth power” in societal discourse and warned against letting adversaries dominate this sphere. Al‑Yaqoub referred to historical examples such as the U.S. Creel Committee of 1916 to illustrate how the media has been used...

July 19, 2025

Pakistani Reporter Swept Away Live While Covering Deadly Floods

July 19, 2025 - Pakistan - A harrowing moment during live TV coverage in Pakistan has gone viral, capturing a reporter being swept away by powerful floodwaters near Chahan Dam in Rawalpindi’s Koh Sulaiman region. Footage shows Ali Musa Raza, reporting for Rohi-TV, wading into neck-deep water to convey the severity of the disaster when the increasing current overwhelmed him, dragging him under the surface while the broadcast continued. The incident occurred amid relentless monsoon rains that have battered Pakistan since late June. The downpour has claimed at least 116 lives, 54 in Punjab province alone...

July 19, 2025

Italian Analyst Says Israel Uses Terrorism as Regional Strategy

July 19, 2025 - Italy - In a recent interview with Habilian, Italian journalist and Marx21 editor Marco Pondrelli argued that Israel employs terrorism as a deliberate strategic tool in its regional agenda. He claimed that Israeli military actions in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran are not isolated incidents but part of a broader policy aimed at weakening resistance movements and asserting dominance in the Middle East. Pondrelli stated that Israel targets civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and media outlets to destabilise societies and erode morale. He dismissed Israeli justifications that these operations are focused...

July 19, 2025

Journalists Among 13 Arrested in Cincinnati Immigration Protest

July 19, 2025 - USA - On July 17, 2025, a protest over U.S. immigration enforcement led to the arrest of at least 13 individuals, including two journalists, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The demonstration centered around the controversial detention of Ayman Soliman, an Egyptian immigrant and former hospital chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Soliman, a torture survivor and former journalist during Egypt’s Arab Spring, was arrested by ICE during a routine check-in on July 9, sparking widespread criticism. Protesters gathered on the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, which connects Cincinnati, Ohio, to Covington, Kentucky, to demand...

July 19, 2025

Pakistan Freezes Bank Accounts of Parrot Sellers Linked to Journalist Asad Ali Toor

July 19, 2025 - Pakistan - In a surreal and alarming development in Pakistan, several parrot sellers have had their bank accounts frozen simply for selling birds to Asad Ali Toor, a prominent independent journalist known for his criticism of state institutions. The bizarre incident underscores the growing use of financial repression against dissenting voices and their associates. Toor, a well-known journalist and vlogger, discovered in April 2025 that both his own and his mother’s bank accounts had been frozen. The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing reportedly carried out the order without warning...

July 18, 2025

FIR Against Journalist Ajit Anjum Sparks Press Freedom Outcry

July 18, 2025 - India - Veteran journalist and YouTuber Ajit Anjum is facing serious legal trouble after an FIR was filed against him on July 13, 2025, by a booth-level officer in Sahebpur Kamal, Begusarai district, Bihar. The FIR accuses him of criminal trespass, obstruction of public duty, inciting communal disharmony, and spreading misinformation. These charges were filed under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Representation of the People Act. Anjum had visited a Special Summary Revision (SSR) camp and filmed a video highlighting alleged irregularities in the voter list process. He questioned...

July 18, 2025

Former Park City School District COO Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Freelance Journalist

July 18, 2025 - USA - Michael Tanner, the former Chief Operating Officer of the Park City School District, has initiated a defamation lawsuit against freelance journalist Michelle Deininger. Filed on July 17, in Summit County’s Third District Court, the suit accuses Deininger of publishing false and damaging statements in her reporting for The Park Record and other media outlets. Tanner served as COO from 2019 until March 31, 2025, overseeing the district’s construction projects and security measures. His role was eliminated as part of a reduction in workforce, a move that his lawsuit contests,...

July 18, 2025

Bangladeshi Journalist Khandaker Shah Alam Dies After Targeted Attack

July 18, 2025 - Bangladesh - Khandaker Shah Alam, a local journalist from Bangladesh, has died after succumbing to injuries sustained in a brutal targeted attack in June 2025. His death has drawn strong condemnation from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which is urging Bangladeshi authorities to investigate the case swiftly and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Alam, known for his community-based reporting, was attacked under circumstances that suggest he was deliberately targeted. Although the precise motive remains under investigation, the nature of the assault and his journalistic work point to a pattern of...

July 18, 2025

Kristi Noem Clashes With Reporter Over ICE Racial Profiling Question

July 18, 2025 - USA - Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem came under fire following a heated exchange with a reporter during a press event in Nashville. When the reporter raised concerns from the Latino community about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allegedly targeting individuals based on skin colour, Noem forcefully interrupted, calling the claim “absolutely false” and warning, “Don’t you dare ever say that again.” Noem insisted that ICE operations are based on reasonable suspicion following investigations and are conducted across the country, not limited to Latino neighbourhoods. However, the visual backdrop of the...

July 18, 2025

Syrian TV Anchor Dima Abo Dan Describes ‘Near‑Death’ On-Air During Israeli Airstrike in Damascus

July 18, 2025 - Syria - On July 16, 2025, Syria TV anchor Dima Abo Dan experienced a terrifying moment of real danger during a live broadcast. As she reported from the studio near Umayyad Square in central Damascus, a powerful Israeli airstrike struck close behind her, sending a shockwave through the building and momentarily freezing her on screen. In vivid detail, Dima recounted her experience to The New Arab, recalling how she entered the studio already tense, aware of Israel’s earlier threats. As she began reading the news, she felt the walls tremble and...

July 18, 2025

Bolivian Journalists Reject Disqualification of Press Work Amid Politician’s Threats

July 18, 2025 - Bolivia - Journalists across Bolivia are speaking out following inflammatory comments by politician Ruth Nina, a former presidential candidate, who recently accused the media of inciting violence and distorting her public remarks. Her statements came after she controversially warned of possible violence during the upcoming general elections, saying the country would be "counting the dead" rather than votes. Nina’s comments sparked widespread backlash, particularly from press organizations. The National Association of Bolivian Journalists (ANPB) and the Association of International Press Correspondents in Bolivia (ACPI) issued a joint statement rejecting her claims...

July 18, 2025

Tehran Hosts International Journalists to Highlight Impact of Israeli Strikes

July 18, 2025 - Iran - A delegation of foreign journalists was escorted through Tehran by the IRGC to showcase sites struck in the recent Israeli airstrike campaign, part of Tehran’s effort to shape a narrative of damage, defiance, and resilience. The first stop on this media tour was the IRGC Aerospace Exhibition, featuring missile systems, drones, and satellite technology. Journalists were shown these assets to underscore Iran’s military capabilities and frame the Israeli strikes as an attack on sovereign defence infrastructure. The delegation then visited several bombed sites across the city, including a civilian...

July 18, 2025

Turkey’s Covert Plan to Bypass INTERPOL and Target Exiled Journalist in Sweden (350 words)

July 18, 2025 - Turkey - A leaked memo dated June 18, 2025, from Turkey’s Security General Directorate (Emniyet) reveals a covert strategy to circumvent INTERPOL’s political protections to secure a Red Notice against Levent Kenez, a Turkish journalist living in exile in Sweden. The memo, obtained by Nordic Monitor, is signed by İskender Güray Keskin, deputy head of the Interpol–Europol Department, and circulated among Turkey’s intelligence and judicial institutions. Kenez, based in Stockholm and editor of Nordic Monitor, fled Turkey in 2016 to escape fabricated charges. Turkish intelligence had repeatedly attempted—and failed—to obtain INTERPOL...

July 18, 2025

Man Charged After Journalist Assaulted at Anti-ICE Rally in Seattle

July 18, 2025 - USA - Jeremy Lawson, 33, is facing felony assault charges after allegedly attacking conservative journalist Cam Higby during an anti-ICE rally outside a federal building in Seattle on June 11, 2025. Higby, who contributes to Today Is America, was filming the protest when Lawson reportedly struck him. The attack left Higby with a concussion and head trauma, which continues to affect his recovery. Video footage from the scene appears to show Lawson confronting Higby before the physical altercation. Seattle police arrested Lawson on July 16 following an investigation by their Community...

July 17, 2025

Turkish Journalist Faces At Least 5‑Year Prison Sentence Over Erdogan “Threat” in YouTube Video

July 17, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish journalist and prominent commentator Fatih Altayli is facing a potential prison sentence of at least five years after being formally indicted for allegedly threatening President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a YouTube broadcast. Prosecutors claim that Altayli’s remarks in a recent video amounted to a threat against the president’s life—an accusation rooted in Turkey’s controversial laws on presidential insult and threats. In the video, Altayli referenced a historical tradition, noting that Turks had previously deposed or even executed leaders they no longer supported. He was commenting on an unofficial...

July 17, 2025

LA Ruling Shields Journalists Amid Violent ICE Protest Crackdowns

July 17, 2025 - USA - Journalist protection advocates and civil rights groups are denouncing the Los Angeles Police Department for repeated attacks on members of the press during immigration-related protests. Demonstrations sparked by aggressive ICE deportation raids in early July saw several journalists reportedly targeted by LAPD officers, despite clearly identifying themselves. Incidents included the arrest of independent reporters, the use of “less-lethal” munitions on media crews, and physical obstruction of press coverage. CNN correspondent Jason Carroll and his crew were temporarily detained while covering a protest in downtown LA. In another incident, Status...

July 17, 2025

Closure of Al Jazeera Balkans Delivers Devastating Blow to Media Plurality in the Western Balkans

July 17, 2025 - Bosnia & Herzegovina - Al Jazeera Balkans (AJB), a highly respected regional broadcaster headquartered in Sarajevo, officially ceased operations on 12 July 2025, bringing nearly 14 years of independent journalism to an abrupt end. The channel aired its final live news broadcast at midday, followed by pre‑recorded programming until the signal was switched off at the month's end. The sudden closure is expected to displace 200–209 media workers, many of whom reportedly learned about the shutdown through media outlets rather than from internal communication by management, raising significant concerns over labor...

July 17, 2025

UK Police Detain and Interrogate RT Journalist at Heathrow

July 17, 2025 - Russia/UK - In a startling development on July 16‑17, 2025, British counterterrorism officers detained and interrogated Steve Sweeney, the head of RT's Lebanon bureau, upon his arrival at Heathrow Airport. RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan reported that Sweeney was accused of “suspected terrorist activities.” Authorities confiscated his phone, laptop, and other devices, and subjected him to an intense interrogation focused on his work for Russia Today and alleged connections to foreign organizations. During the questioning, which lasted approximately four hours, police asked whether RT’s management forced Sweeney to say things against his will...

July 17, 2025

Iranian Journalists Face Mounting Threats at Home and Abroad

July 17, 2025 - Iran - Iranian journalists are facing an alarming rise in repression, both inside the country and beyond its borders. According to recent reports from Freedom House and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Iran’s government is aggressively targeting reporters through arrests, censorship, family intimidation, and transnational repression. Inside Iran, the crackdown has intensified since the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests and the June 2025 regional tensions with Israel. Authorities have detained hundreds of journalists, accusing them of spreading “fake news” or threatening national security. Among the most prominent cases were Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh...

July 16, 2025

UNESCO Condemns Killing of Iranian Media Workers Nima Rajabpour and Masoumeh Azimi in Israeli Airstrike

July 16, 2025 - Iran - UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has strongly condemned the deaths of Iranian media workers Nima Rajabpour and Masoumeh Azimi, who were killed during an Israeli airstrike on the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) headquarters in Tehran on June 16, 2025. Rajabpour, a 50-year-old news editor, and Azimi, an administrative staff member, were critically injured in the attack and died shortly thereafter. Their deaths highlight the severe risks faced by journalists and media personnel operating in conflict zones, where media infrastructure is increasingly targeted during military operations. Azoulay called for...

July 16, 2025

Iraqi Kurdish Authorities Arrest, Beat Journalists Amid Growing Press Freedom Concerns

July 16, 2025 - Iraq - Iraqi Kurdish authorities have recently arrested and severely beaten three journalists while assaulting a fourth in a series of troubling incidents, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). These actions have sparked significant alarm among press freedom advocates, highlighting the increasingly hostile environment for journalists operating in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. On July 14, Hersh Qadir, head of NRT’s Erbil office, was violently assaulted by three security personnel while covering a protest in Erbil’s Ainkawa district. According to Qadir, a man in plainclothes, who...

July 16, 2025

Nearly 100 Public Figures Demand Release of French Journalist Christophe Gleizes, Deemed Unjustly Detained

July 16, 2025 - France - Nearly 100 prominent public figures, including writers, artists, and intellectuals, have signed an open letter calling for the immediate release of French journalist Christophe Gleizes, who they say has been unjustly detained. The letter, published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), expresses deep concern over the ongoing detention of Gleizes, describing it as a violation of press freedom and an attack on journalistic independence. Christophe Gleizes, known for his investigative reporting and commitment to uncovering difficult truths, was detained under unclear circumstances that his supporters argue lack proper legal justification....

July 16, 2025

Al Jazeera Reporter Caught in Israeli Airstrike While Reporting from Damascus

July 16, 2025 - Syria - An Al Jazeera reporter narrowly escaped harm when an Israeli airstrike targeted Damascus, Syria, shaking the city and hitting key military and media sites. While covering the escalating conflict, Amin was caught in the chaos as the Israeli military launched strikes on multiple locations, including the Syrian army headquarters and a television studio. The strike occurred amid rising tensions between Israel and Syria, with Israeli forces targeting what they described as “military sites” in response to cross-border threats. The blast caused significant damage in Damascus, rattling buildings and forcing...

July 16, 2025

Veteran Palestinian Journalist Nasser Laham Released After Eight Days of Israeli Detention

July 16, 2025 - Palestine - Veteran Palestinian journalist Dr. Nasser Laham, editor-in-chief of Ma’an News Agency, was released by Israeli authorities after being held for eight days on allegations of “incitement.” Laham, a well-known media figure in the West Bank, was detained at his home in Bethlehem without being formally charged. His arrest and detention drew strong criticism from press freedom advocates, who described it as arbitrary and politically motivated. During his detention, Laham reportedly endured harsh conditions, including solitary confinement and limited access to legal counsel. Human rights organisations condemned the treatment and...

July 16, 2025

One Year On: Nicaraguan Journalist Fabiola Tercero Still Missing After Police Raid

July 16, 2025 - Nicaragua - On 12 July 2024, Nicaraguan independent journalist and feminist activist Fabiola Tercero Castro vanished immediately after a police raid on her home in Managua. Seven officers reportedly seized her work equipment—including a computer—and she has not been seen or heard from since. Tercero was under house arrest at the time and forced to report daily to a police station, though no official charges were ever filed against her. RSF (Reporters Without Borders) describes her case as a possible forced disappearance and calls on Nicaraguan authorities to clarify her status....

July 16, 2025

Cyberattacks Target Local Media in Ecuador’s Morona Santiago Province

July 16, 2025 - Ecuador - In July 2025, Ecuador's Morona Santiago province witnessed a series of coordinated cyberattacks targeting local media outlets, resulting in the mass deletion of news content from their digital platforms. The affected outlets—La Mañana MS, Exprésate Morona Santiago, and Radio Sentimientos—reported that takedown requests were filed on the basis of alleged copyright violations. However, these media organizations contend that the true intent behind these actions was to suppress critical reporting on local authorities, particularly the Morona Santiago local and regional governments. This incident is part of a broader pattern of...

July 15, 2025

IFJ Raises Alarm Over Surge in Attacks on Pakistani Journalists

July 15, 2025 - Pakistan - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has raised urgent concerns about mounting threats to press freedom in Pakistan, citing a sharp rise in violence, harassment, and legal intimidation targeting media professionals. According to the IFJ’s latest Pakistan Press Freedom Report, shared with the Chief Justice of Pakistan, 34 violations were recorded between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. These included 7 targeted killings, 8 incidents of non-fatal violence, and several cases involving defamation, threats, arrests, and institutional assaults. The IFJ warned that these escalating violations are fostering a...

July 15, 2025

Indian Journalist Ajit Anjum Booked Over Alleged Interference in Bihar Electoral Roll Process

July 15, 2025 - India - Indian journalist and YouTuber Ajit Anjum has been booked by Bihar police for allegedly disrupting an official electoral roll revision process in Begusarai district. An FIR was lodged against him on July 14 after a confrontation at a government office that led to accusations of interference with the duties of public servants and violating the Model Code of Conduct. According to police reports and statements from the Election Commission, Anjum visited a polling booth in Teghra, Begusarai, and recorded videos during an ongoing summary revision drive for the electoral...

July 15, 2025

Press Freedom Advocates Demand Immediate Release of Palestinian Journalist Ali Al-Samoudi

July 15, 2025 - Palestine - The National Press Club’s Press Freedom Centre has issued a strong call for the immediate release of Palestinian journalist Ali Al-Samoudi, who has been detained by Israeli authorities since May 18, 2024. Al-Samoudi, a veteran journalist based in Jenin in the occupied West Bank, has worked for over two decades with several local and international outlets, including Al-Quds newspaper. He is known for covering Israeli military operations and reporting on Palestinian life under occupation. The Press Freedom Centre emphasised that Al-Samoudi’s arrest is part of a broader and deeply...

July 15, 2025

Burkinabé Journalist Reappears After Year‑Long Abduction; RSF Demands Clarity on Other Disappearances

July 15, 2025 – Burkina Faso – Kalifara Séré, a columnist for the private television channel BF1, has reappeared in Ouagadougou after being missing for over a year. He was abducted on June 19, 2024, during a wave of disappearances targeting journalists critical of Burkina Faso’s military leadership. His sudden return on July 11, 2025, offers some relief, but six other journalists remain missing under similar circumstances, prompting renewed calls for accountability. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and IFEX have both expressed deep concern about the pattern of enforced disappearances. While Séré has not publicly commented...

July 15, 2025

CNN Crew Attacked by Israeli Settlers in West Bank Amid Rising Violence

July 15, 2025 - Palestine - A CNN news team was assaulted by Israeli settlers in Sinjil, near Ramallah, while covering the death of 20-year-old Palestinian‑American, Saif Musallet. Jeremy Diamond, a Jerusalem‑based correspondent who previously reported from the White House, was among those targeted. Diamond shared that the rear window of their vehicle was smashed as they fled unharmed, warning, “This is just a sliver of the reality many Palestinians face in the West Bank amid rising settler violence.” The attack unfolded over the weekend of July 12–13, after Musallet was beaten to death by...

July 15, 2025

Kyrgyzstan Cracks Down on Independent Media with “False News” Law and Broadcaster Shutdown

July 15, 2025 - Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyzstan has launched a sweeping assault on free press this July, tightening media controls through new legislation and judicial interference targeting independent outlets. On July 11, President Sadyr Japarov signed amendments to the national Code of Offenses imposing fines for “false information” disseminated via mass media or online platforms. The law authorizes fines of around 20,000 Kyrgyz soms (≈ US$228) for individuals and 65,000 soms (≈ US$743) for organizations. Advocates argue the law is vaguely defined and threatens to stifle dissent under the guise of curbing misinformation. Concurrently, a Bishkek court ordered the liquidation of...

July 15, 2025

Pregnant Lebanese Journalist Petra Abou Haidar Brutally Attacked in Road Rage Incident

July 15, 2025 – Lebanon - Petra Abou Haidar, a journalist working for the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI), was violently assaulted in a shocking road rage incident in the Furn El Chebbak area of Lebanon. The attack was carried out by a man and a woman riding an unlicensed motorcycle, who accused Abou Haidar of cutting them off in traffic. Following a verbal altercation, the man physically assaulted Abou Haidar by punching and kicking her, while the woman also participated by biting her. Bystanders intervened to stop the attack, after which the suspects fled...

July 15, 2025

Washington Post Journalists’ Email Accounts Compromised in Suspected Foreign Cyberattack

July 15, 2025 – USA – The Washington Post is investigating a targeted cyberattack that compromised the email accounts of several of its journalists. The intrusion, discovered on June 12 and disclosed internally by Executive Editor Matt Murray on June 15, affected Microsoft-based email accounts used by reporters covering sensitive domains such as foreign affairs, national security, and economic policy, including China-related coverage. The breach is suspected to have been conducted by a foreign government, echoing a similar attack on News Corp in 2022 that targeted journalists working on China-related topics. Internal investigators believe the...

July 15, 2025

Journalist Confronts U.S. Congressman Over Gaza Civilian Casualties Remarks

July 15, 2025 - USA/Palestine - In a tense and widely shared moment, independent journalist Max Blumenthal publicly confronted Florida Republican Congressman Randy Fine over controversial social media posts in which Fine appeared to support the killing of civilians in Gaza. The exchange, which took place at a public event, highlighted the growing scrutiny U.S. lawmakers face over their positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Blumenthal accused Fine of openly endorsing violence against civilians in Gaza, saying, “You’ve been a big supporter of killing civilians.” He cited Fine’s past online statements in which the congressman had...

July 15, 2025

Pune Journalist Sneha Barve Brutally Attacked While Reporting on Land Grabbing

July 15, 2025 - India - In a disturbing assault on press freedom in India, 27-year-old journalist Sneha Barve was brutally attacked on July 11 while covering an alleged land-grabbing incident in Nighotwadi, Pune. Barve, who works for Pune Pulse, was assaulted by a group of men reportedly linked to a politically connected construction lobby. The attack occurred while she was reporting on illegal construction activities and encroachments on government-owned land. According to eyewitness accounts and statements from her family, Barve was dragged, beaten with wooden sticks and rods, and left injured in the open....

July 15, 2025

Czech Investigative Journalist Hit by Online Hate Campaign After Exposing MEP Abuse Claims

July 15, 2025 - Czechia - A prominent Czech journalist is facing a vicious wave of online harassment after reporting on serious sexual abuse allegations made against a Czech Member of the European Parliament (MEP). The journalist, whose name has been withheld, broke a story in early July detailing accusations by several women who say the MEP sexually abused them. The exposé prompted swift backlash, with the reporter targeted by coordinated hate campaigns across social media platforms. Abusers circulated personal photos—including images of the journalist’s child—and broadcast false claims that he fabricated the allegations for...

July 14, 2025

Two More Palestinian Journalists Killed in Israeli Airstrikes, Death Toll Surpasses 230

July 14, 2025 - Palestine - Two Palestinian journalists were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes on July 14, bringing the number of media workers killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza to over 230, according to medical sources and press organizations. The latest fatalities—Hossam al-Adlouni and Fadi Khalifa—underscore the escalating danger for journalists operating in the besieged enclave and fuel growing outrage over what press advocates describe as a systematic targeting of the media. Hossam al-Adlouni, a journalist affiliated with local Palestinian media outlets, was killed along with his wife and three...

July 14, 2025

A Future Stolen: The Murder of Student Journalist Sophia Coquilla Sparks National Outrage

July 14, 2025 - Philippines - The brutal murder of 19-year-old campus journalist Sophia Marie Coquilla has sent shockwaves across the Philippines, igniting widespread calls for justice and reform. Coquilla, a first-year student at the University of the Philippines–Mindanao, was found dead in her bedroom in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, on July 9. She had been stabbed 38 times. Her body was discovered by her family early that morning, triggering immediate police action and public outcry. Authorities initially suggested robbery as a motive after some of Coquilla’s belongings were reported missing. However, the severity...

July 14, 2025

Paris Exhibition Commemorates Azerbaijani Journalists Martyred in Karabakh Conflicts

July 14, 2025 - Azerbaijan/France - An exhibition honoring 14 Azerbaijani journalists who lost their lives while performing their professional duties during Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan has opened at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Paris. Organized by the Baku Network Analytical Center with support from Azerbaijan’s Embassy in France, the event aims to shed light on the sacrifices made by these journalists in the line of duty. The exhibition features photographs of the fallen journalists, serving as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by media professionals in conflict zones. The event underscores the...

July 14, 2025

Mexican Media Workers Ángel Sevilla and Ronald Paz Pedro Killed in Separate Attacks Amid Rising Violence Against Journalists

July 14, 2025 - Mexico - In early July 2025, Mexico witnessed the murders of two media workers—Ángel Sevilla and Ronald Paz Pedro—in separate but equally alarming incidents that underscore the country’s ongoing crisis of violence against journalists. Ángel Sevilla, a digital technician and camera operator affiliated with an independent media outlet, was shot dead in Chilpancingo, Guerrero. Though not a reporter himself, Sevilla played a vital role in media production and distribution. His killing on July 6 adds to a growing list of media-related personnel targeted with deadly violence, illustrating that the dangers extend...

July 14, 2025

Foreign Journalists in the U.S. Are Silencing Themselves Amid Rising Fear Under Trump Administration

July 14, 2025 - USA - Foreign journalists working and studying in the United States are increasingly engaging in self-censorship, fearing retaliation from immigration authorities and political targeting under Donald Trump’s renewed administration. A growing number of international reporters, especially those on student or work visas, are altering their professional behavior to avoid scrutiny that could endanger their legal status or personal safety. According to recent reports, many foreign-born journalists are deleting social media posts, removing bylines from sensitive stories, and avoiding controversial topics, especially criticism of the U.S. government or coverage related to their...

July 14, 2025

Ivorian “Trap” Leads to Forced Extradition and Imprisonment of Refugee‑Journalist Hugues Comlan Sosoukpe

July 14, 2025 - West Africa - In a case that has alarms ringing across West African press freedom circles, Beninese investigative journalist and rights defender Hugues Comlan Sosoukpe was allegedly lured to Abidjan under pretenses and forcibly handed over to Beninese authorities during a professional mission. Sosoukpe, the director of online investigative outlet Olofofo, had been living in exile in Togo since 2019 after obtaining refugee status. He was invited by Côte d'Ivoire’s Ministry of Digital Transition to attend the Ivoire Tech Forum in Abidjan from July 9–11, 2025. On July 10, while staying at the Palm...

July 13, 2025

Web Journalist Hacked to Death in Odisha’s Malkangiri District

July 13, 2025 - India - On the night of July 12, 2025, journalist C.H. Naresh was brutally murdered in Odisha’s Malkangiri district, highlighting once again the dangerous conditions faced by journalists working in remote and vulnerable regions of India. The attack took place near Muraliguda village in the Motu area, where Naresh, a local web journalist, was reportedly speaking with two fellow journalists and two other youths when a group of five assailants arrived on motorcycles and launched a violent assault. Armed with swords and sharp weapons, the attackers targeted Naresh directly, inflicting deep...

July 13, 2025

Israel Frey Placed Under House Arrest After Applauding Deaths of IDF Soldiers

July 13, 2025 - Media - Far-left Israeli journalist and activist Israel Frey was released to house arrest on July 13, 2025, after being arrested for a social media post in which he welcomed the deaths of five Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers killed in Gaza. Frey, known for his controversial views and outspoken criticism of the Israeli military, posted on July 8 that “the world is a better place this morning” without the soldiers, whom he referred to as participants in “one of the most brutal crimes against humanity.” He ended the post by...

July 11, 2025

No Safe Haven: Exiled Nicaraguan Journalists and Their Families Face Growing Persecution

July 11, 2025 - Nicaragua - Exiled Nicaraguan journalists living in Costa Rica are facing escalating harassment, while their families back in Nicaragua endure surveillance, intimidation, and reprisals. This dual-front repression reflects the Ortega-Murillo regime’s expanding efforts to silence dissent beyond its borders, as documented by recent investigations from the Foundation for Freedom of Expression and Democracy (FLED) and testimonies published by The Tico Times and Havana Times. Between April and June 2025, FLED recorded at least 40 press freedom violations targeting Nicaraguan journalists in exile, mostly through online harassment, smear campaigns, and digital surveillance....

July 11, 2025

Turkish Journalist Furkan Karabay Fined for “Insulting the President”

July 11, 2025 - Turkey - Freelance court reporter Furkan Karabay has been fined 10,500 TRY (≈ $320) by an Istanbul court after being convicted of “insulting the president” for social media posts criticizing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, including one following the devastating February 6, 2023, earthquakes. Karabay faced charges under Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code, a frequently invoked law that criminalizes insults against the president and carries penalties ranging from one to four years imprisonment, potentially extended if the insult is public. The case, monitored closely by press freedom advocates, reached its fifth hearing on July 11, 2025, before...

July 11, 2025

Bomb Plot in Athens: Greek Journalist Targeted in Attempted Attack

July 11, 2025 - Greece - Greek journalist Yannis Pretenteris narrowly escaped a potential assassination attempt after police discovered and defused an explosive device outside his residence in the Neo Psychiko neighborhood of northern Athens on July 10, 2025. The improvised explosive device (IED), reportedly containing around five kilograms of TNT, was found near the fence of his home early in the morning. Bomb disposal experts safely neutralized the device, and authorities have launched a terrorism investigation to identify those responsible. Pretenteris is a prominent political commentator and columnist with a long career in Greek...

July 11, 2025

Another Palestinian Journalist Killed; Gaza’s Media Reckons with Rising Toll

July 11, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - On July 11, Israeli forces killed Palestinian journalist Ahmad Abu Aisha, a correspondent for Palestine Today TV, when a drone struck him outside his home in Sawarha, central Gaza’s Nuseirat camp. His death raises the wartime press casualty count to 229 journalists killed since October 7, 2023. The Gaza government media office condemned this strike as part of Israel’s “systematic assassination of Palestinian reporters,” asserting Abu Aisha was specifically targeted while performing his professional duties. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate likewise denounced the attack as a deliberate act to suppress truthful...

July 10, 2025

Iran Escalates Crackdown on Kurds: Death Sentences and Prosecutions of Journalists

July 10, 2025 - Turkey/Iran - Iran has intensified its campaign against Kurdish dissent, issuing death sentences to protesters and prosecuting journalists and politicians over peaceful expressions of solidarity. These developments mark a severe escalation in the state’s repression of political and media freedoms, particularly targeting Kurdish communities under the banner of suppressing the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” (Women, Life, Freedom) movement. In the city of Sanandaj, five Kurdish civilians were sentenced to death, adding to a total of 11 death sentences handed down by the Revolutionary Court for participation in anti-government protests. These charges stem...

July 10, 2025

Morocco Expels Spanish Journalists and Activist from Laayoune

July 10, 2025 - Spain/Morocco - Moroccan authorities expelled two Spanish journalists—Leonor Suárez and Óscar Allende—and human rights activist Raúl Conde from occupied Laayoune on July 8, 2025. They were detained at a checkpoint while reporting on human rights in Western Sahara, in coordination with the Sahrawi media group Equipe Media, then escorted under surveillance to Agadir and expelled without official explanation. The trio condemned the expulsions as “illegal,” accusing Moroccan authorities of deliberately silencing reporters and observers in the territory. Raúl Conde described how plainclothes agents stopped the car, refused to provide any formal justification, and drove them...

July 10, 2025

Repression Surge: Scholars & Journalists Jailed in Azerbaijan’s Authoritarian Push

July 10, 2025 - Azerbaijan - A fresh wave of repression is sweeping Azerbaijan, as academic and media dissenters face sweeping prosecutions amid the country’s consolidation of power under President Ilham Aliyev. The Daraj report, alongside corroborating sources, highlights that after the ethnic Armenian exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku's crackdown has deepened significantly. On June 20, 2025, a Baku court handed down hefty prison terms—between 7 and 9 years—to several Abzas Media journalists on dubious “money laundering” charges. That case saw the prosecution of at least seven reporters, including correspondents for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, on allegations...

July 10, 2025

Palestinian Editor’s Detention Extended Amid Israeli Crackdown on Media

July 10, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli authorities have extended the detention of Dr. Nasser Laham, editor-in-chief of the Maʿan News Agency and West Bank bureau chief for Al Mayadeen, following his arrest on July 7, 2025. Laham was taken from his home in the town of Ad-Doha, near Bethlehem, during a pre-dawn military raid in which Israeli forces reportedly ransacked his home and confiscated personal belongings. Laham’s arrest is part of an escalating crackdown on Palestinian journalists amid the ongoing war in Gaza. On July 10, an Israeli military court at Ofer prison ordered...

July 9, 2025

Jordan Investigates Journalist Assault Amid Rising Press Freedom Concerns

July 09, 2025 - Jordan - As violence in Gaza escalates and press freedom in Jordan faces renewed scrutiny, two developments this week shed light on the ongoing human toll and the risks facing journalists in the region. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, Israeli airstrikes over the past 24 hours killed at least 105 Palestinians and injured 530 more, pushing the overall death toll since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, to a staggering 57,680. The total number of wounded now stands at 137,409. Since March 18, 2025, alone, over 7,100 people...

July 9, 2025

Punishing the Advocate: Tunisia Targets Sister of Jailed Journalist

July 09, 2025 - Tunisia - In a chilling escalation of Tunisia’s crackdown on dissent, Ramla Dahmani, sister of imprisoned journalist and commentator Sonia Dahmani, was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison on July 1, 2025. Her crime: publicly calling for her sister’s release. The verdict, which she only discovered on July 8 through her legal team, came without any official notification and was based on allegations of spreading “false news” through social media posts. Ramla has been vocal in defending Sonia, who was convicted in three separate cases for similar “false news”...

July 9, 2025

Clashes and Cracks in the Kurdish Region

July 09, 2025 - Iraq/Kurdistan - Deadly clashes erupted in the Khabat district of Erbil on the night of July 7, 2025, exposing deepening rifts between the Herki tribe and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The violence, which reportedly claimed at least two lives—one from each side—and left several wounded, is the latest in a series of confrontations that reflect long-standing tensions over land, power, and political dominance in the Kurdish region. According to reports from NRT TV and The Insight International, the confrontation involved armed Herki tribesmen and security forces affiliated with the KDP,...

July 9, 2025

Censorship as Strategy: Israel Escalates Crackdown on Press Amid Iran Conflict

July 09, 2025 - Iran - During its 12-day war with Iran in early 2025, Israel intensified its crackdown on the press, exploiting national security fears to suppress dissent, silence critical voices, and tighten control over media narratives. According to a new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the Israeli government used the conflict not only to justify expanded military operations but also to escalate long-standing assaults on press freedom. The CPJ report highlights how Israeli authorities invoked wartime censorship to block coverage of sensitive military developments, often under the guise of protecting...

July 9, 2025

Journalist Mario Guevara Remains in ICE Custody Despite Bond Order

July 09, 2025 - Mexico/USA - Mario Guevara, a veteran Salvadoran-American journalist and prominent figure in Atlanta’s Spanish-language media, remains in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody despite a federal immigration judge granting him bond. Guevara, who fled El Salvador in 2004 and has lived in the U.S. for two decades, was arrested on June 14 while livestreaming a protest in DeKalb County, Georgia. Though identifying himself as the press, he was charged with minor offenses, including obstruction and unlawful assembly. Shortly after his arrest, ICE issued a detainer and transferred him to the...

July 9, 2025

Journalists Cleared in Chad: Wagner Conspiracy Charges Collapse

July 09, 2025 - Chad - A special criminal court in N’Djamena has acquitted four Chadian journalists after facing serious charges of conspiring with Russia’s Wagner Group. The ruling, delivered on July 8, 2025, ends months of legal uncertainty and detention for three of the reporters, who had been held in custody since March. The accused—Olivier Monodji, director of the private daily Le Pays and a correspondent for Radio France Internationale; Ndilyam Guekidata, editor at Le Pays; Mahamat Saleh Alhissein of Télé Tchad; and Ahmat Ali Adji of Toumaï Web Médias were charged with “undermining...

July 9, 2025

Reporting Beyond the Grave: Exposing Paraguay’s Deadly Nexus of Crime and Corruption

July 09, 2025 - Paraguay - In a groundbreaking collaborative investigation, Forbidden Stories and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) have resumed the work of murdered Paraguayan journalists to reveal a sprawling web of organized crime, corruption, and impunity that has taken root in Paraguay. Under the banner of the "Alianza" project, more than 50 journalists from 30 media outlets across 20 countries have come together to finish what those killed could not. At the center of the investigation are three Paraguayan journalists — Pablo Medina, Edgar Pantaleón Fernández Fleitas, and Leo Veras...

July 8, 2025

Hacktivist Group Targets Iran International in Cyberattack, Threatens Journalists

July 08, 2024 - Iran/UK - The London-based Persian-language broadcaster Iran International has become the target of a major cyberattack, claimed by a pro-Iranian hacktivist group known as Handala Hack. On July 8, 2025, the group announced that it had breached Iran International’s internal systems, gaining access to communications, servers, and databases containing personal information of staff, journalists, and tens of thousands of viewers and supporters. The hackers have threatened to leak sensitive data unless their unspecified demands are met. Handala Hack accused Iran International of operating as a front for Israeli intelligence, specifically alleging...

July 8, 2025

Israeli Journalist Investigated for Celebrating Deaths of IDF Soldiers

July 08, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli journalist and far-left activist Israel Frey is under criminal investigation after he publicly celebrated the deaths of five Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers killed in Gaza. In a controversial post on X (formerly Twitter) on July 8, Frey declared, “The world is a better place this morning, without five young men who partook in one of the most brutal crimes against humanity.” His remarks, referencing the previous day’s casualties in Gaza, sparked a wave of outrage across the political spectrum and led to swift action from authorities. Frey,...

July 8, 2025

Dying Unseen: Gaza’s Journalists Risk All to Show the World

July 08, 2025 - Palestine - In Gaza, where bombardments continue with relentless intensity, a group of Palestinian journalists is defying death to document a war that has already claimed more than 57,000 lives and wounded over 134,500. An editorial written by journalists Emad Drimly and Sanaa Kamal, published by Xinhua, offers a haunting and powerful reflection on the experiences of Gaza’s press corps—those who run toward danger while the world often looks away. Since the start of Israel’s military operations on October 7, 2023, at least 220 Palestinian journalists have been killed, many while...

July 8, 2025

German Government Urged to Shield Egyptian Journalist Basma Mostafa from Cairo’s Reach

July 08, 2025 - Egypt/Germany - Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the United Nations, human rights organizations, and legal experts are urging the German federal government to provide robust protection to exiled Egyptian journalist Basma Mostafa. Residing in Berlin since June 2021, Mostafa fled Egypt after three arrests over her investigative work exposing state violence, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Despite having been granted asylum in early 2022, Mostafa remains under continuous threat. She has endured online gender-based harassment, physical assaults, and persistent surveillance by individuals allegedly connected to the Egyptian state. A notable incident occurred on...

July 8, 2025

Seven Female Journalists Detained and Reporter Investigated for Commemoration in Turkey

July 08, 2025 - Turkey - The Mesopotamian Women Journalists Association (MKG) reported a sharp escalation in the Turkish government’s suppression of press freedom. The month saw seven female journalists detained, two of whom were remanded to prison, signaling the intensified criminalization of journalistic activity. Additionally, authorities raided three journalists’ homes, subjected two individuals to mistreatment, and issued threats against three more. One prominent case involved Zeynep Durgut, a reporter for Mezopotamya Agency, who was threatened due to her investigative reporting, highlighting the growing dangers facing those who dare expose the truth. The MKG denounced...

July 7, 2025

Colombian Journalist and Wife Wounded in Targeted Shooting

July 07, 2025 - Colombia - Gustavo Chicangana, the 62‑year‑old news director of Guaviare Estéreo and a reporter for Caracol Radio Guaviare, was seriously shot alongside his wife, Ana Milena Torres, as they left their residence in San José del Guaviare. Chicangana sustained injuries to the throat, chest, and shoulder, while Torres was wounded in the throat and chin. Both remain in stable condition, receiving medical care—Chicangana at a Bogotá hospital, and Torres at a local facility. Chicangana, also affiliated with Colombia’s Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP), had long been a target of threats linked...

July 7, 2025

“Carefree” Appearance for Veronica Guerin’s Killer During Day Release

July 07, 2025 - Ireland - Brian “Tosser” Meehan—the only person convicted for the 1996 murder of investigative journalist Veronica Guerin has begun unescorted day releases from Shelton Abbey open prison, marking a significant step in his gradual reintegration process. Now 57, Meehan has been spotted on his fifth such release, casually dressed in cream chinos, an orange shirt, and sporting a new beard. He was seen visiting family and friends in Dublin neighborhoods like Crumlin and Finglas, accompanied by an associate. Convicted in 1999 for driving the motorcycle used in the fatal ambush executed by...

July 7, 2025

Journalists Detained in Darfur After Reporting on Abuse by Rebel-Aligned Forces

July 07, 2025 - Sudan - Two Sudanese freelance journalists, Nasr Yaqoub and Mohamed Ahmed Nazar, were arrested on July 7, 2025, by armed members of the Sudan Liberation Movement–Transitional Council (SLM–TC), a rebel group aligned with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The arrests occurred in Abu Shouk camp near El Fasher, North Darfur—a region gripped by escalating conflict between the SAF, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and various allied militias. The detentions followed a violent incident on July 5, when Yaqoub was shot in the leg by an SLM–TC fighter after he refused to...

July 7, 2025

Through Fire and Loss: Mahmoud Abu Hassira’s Fight to Make Gaza Seen

July 07, 2025 - Palestine - Mahmoud Abu Hassira walks the ruins of northern Gaza with a camera and a broken heart. The seasoned photojournalist, once focused on telling others’ stories, now carries his own—a story of unspeakable personal loss, survival, and a relentless commitment to document the suffering of a people under siege. On November 4, 2023, an Israeli airstrike obliterated his family home. Mahmoud survived alongside his father, but his wife, two young children—seven-year-old Ziyad and four-year-old Ghada—and 33 relatives were killed. Most were women and children. Earlier that day, he had taken...

July 7, 2025

IDF Detains Veteran Palestinian Editor-in-Chief Nasser al‑Lahham in West Bank Raid

July 07, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli forces arrested Dr. Nasser al‑Lahham, veteran editor-in-chief of the Ma'an News Agency and bureau chief for the Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV, during a pre-dawn raid at his home in the village of al‑Duheisha near Bethlehem. Military personnel reportedly ransacked his residence, confiscating electronic devices and phones, and transported him to the Ofer military court, where his detention was extended until at least Thursday. Israeli authorities classified al‑Lahham as a “wanted person,” though neither the Israel Defense Forces nor Shin Bet has publicly disclosed specific allegations. Al-Mayadeen is banned from operating...

July 7, 2025

“A Price on My Head”: Larry Madowo Exposes Threats from Nairobi Politician

July 07, 2025 - Kenya - Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo has revealed a disturbing plot to silence him: a Nairobi-based politician allegedly offered a Ksh 100,000 (approx. USD 700) bonus to hired goons if they physically attacked him during protest coverage. The offer reportedly included instructions to beat him up, destroy his camera equipment, and prevent him from reporting. Madowo, currently a correspondent with CNN International, disclosed the threat publicly on his LinkedIn, X, and Instagram accounts, calling it an alarming escalation against journalists who document state and political misconduct. The alleged threat came as...

July 7, 2025

Silenced in Transit: Manipur Journalists Protest Government Inaction

July 07, 2025 - India - Journalists in Manipur staged a sit-in protest in Imphal on July 7, condemning the state government’s continued silence over the May 20 Gwaltabi incident, where security forces allegedly compelled journalists to hide the word “Manipur” from a state transport bus. The protest, organized by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors’ Guild of Manipur (EGM), was a symbolic but urgent call for transparency, accountability, and press freedom. The incident occurred during a government-sponsored media tour to the Shirui Lily Festival in the Ukhrul district. As the...

July 6, 2025

Journalist Madhurjya Saikia Injured in Assam Attack as Press Unions Raise Alarm

July 06, 2025 - India - Madhurjya Saikia, a journalist based in Dhemaji district of Assam, was seriously injured after being attacked while on assignment. The assault occurred under unclear circumstances, and Saikia was immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment. His injuries have sparked widespread concern among journalist unions and media watchdogs across India. The attack on Saikia comes amid a broader pattern of violence and intimidation against media workers in India. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), along with local affiliates, has condemned the incident and called on authorities to conduct a...

July 6, 2025

Cameras, Censorship, and Colonial Echoes: Sahrawi Struggles Exposed on Screen and in Diplomacy

July 06, 2025 - Morocco - A growing chorus of resistance against Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara has emerged through two powerful forms—film and diplomacy. The short documentary “3 Stolen Cameras”, produced by the Sahrawi activist group Equipe Media in collaboration with Swedish film collective RåFILM, offers a raw, underground glimpse into the violence, surveillance, and media blackout faced by Sahrawi journalists. Filmed covertly in Laayoune, the capital of occupied Western Sahara, the documentary chronicles how Moroccan authorities use repression and censorship to suppress dissent, arrest journalists, and crush peaceful protests. The “three stolen cameras”...

July 5, 2025

Assam Journalist Beaten by Mob While Reporting, Sparking Outcry Over Rising Attacks on Press

July 05, 2025 - India - Journalist Madhurjya Saikia of Prag News was brutally attacked by a mob while covering a political clash in Silapathar, located in Assam’s Dhemaji district. Saikia had been dispatched to report on tensions between the BJP and Gana Shakti supporters over the selection of a local Panchayat president. According to his account, upon arrival, he was identified by a local leader and soon encircled by 30 to 35 individuals, who beat him severely and stole his mobile phone while he was filming. Saikia suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized in...

July 5, 2025

Turkish Authorities Detain Investigative Journalists Timur Soykan and Murat Ağırel Amid Political Crackdown

July 05, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish authorities executed early-morning raids targeting two prominent investigative journalists: Timur Soykan of BirGün and Murat Ağırel of Cumhuriyet and Halk TV. The arrests were part of a broader crackdown coinciding with nationwide unrest following the detention of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on March 19—a move that sparked mass protests challenging President Erdoğan’s government. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office charged the pair with "threats" and "blackmail" related to their investigative work on the sale of the Flash Haber TV channel by its jailed owner, Erkan Kork, who faces money-laundering...

July 5, 2025

Somali Intelligence Agents Detain Woman Journalist, Force Her Into Voter Registration in Mogadishu

July 05, 2025 - Somalia - Somali intelligence agents from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) forcefully seized a female journalist in Mogadishu, prompting widespread condemnation from the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS). According to the SJS, the operation involved agents breaking into the journalist’s residence, physically assaulting her, and arresting her under the directive of “ordering her to participate in voter registration.” She was reportedly taken to a NISA facility and compelled to register as a voter—an apparent misuse of state power for political ends . The SJS strongly denounced the incident as a blatant...

July 5, 2025

German Journalists Attacked by Israeli Settlers While Reporting in West Bank

July 05, 2025 - Germany - Two German journalists from Deutsche Welle (DW) were violently attacked by Israeli settlers on July 2, 2025, while reporting on settler violence in the Palestinian village of Sinjil, north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. The journalists—a reporter and a cameraman—were covering a demonstration organized by local Palestinians to protest recent settler attacks when a group of settlers approached and began throwing stones at them. The journalists, clearly identifiable as press, were forced to flee on foot as the settlers continued hurling rocks and chasing them. Their vehicle,...

July 4, 2025

Global Condemnation Mounts Over Turkey’s Arrest Warrant for Journalist Nedim Türfent

July 04, 2025 - Turkey - International free speech and press freedom organizations have strongly condemned the Turkish government's decision to issue a new arrest warrant against Kurdish journalist and poet Nedim Türfent. Now living in exile in Germany, Türfent faces renewed persecution under Article 7 of Turkey’s Anti-Terror Law, accused of “disseminating propaganda for a terrorist organization” over several posts on X (formerly Twitter). The warrant, issued on May 7, 2025, by a prosecutor’s office in Hakkari, was only revealed to Türfent in late June. It cites four social media posts made while he...

July 4, 2025

Silenced Voices: Meta’s Ban and BBC’s Gaza Coverage Stir Global Media Backlash

July 04, 2025 - Palestine - A growing storm of media censorship and internal dissent has erupted across two major platforms—Meta and the BBC, raising global concerns over journalistic freedom and editorial integrity. Meta's recent decision to permanently ban The Cradle, a digital media outlet focused on West Asian affairs, has ignited condemnation from press freedom advocates. The Cradle, known for its critical analysis of U.S. and Israeli policies in the region, alleges that its removal from Facebook and Instagram reflects a politically driven effort to suppress alternative narratives. With no clear explanation beyond vague...

July 4, 2025

Exposing Power, Silenced by Bullets: The Murder of Gary Tesse and Haiti’s Culture of Impunity

July 04, 2025 - Haiti - In October 2022, Haitian journalist Gary Tesse was murdered in the southern city of Les Cayes after a series of investigations that exposed rampant corruption tied to powerful local figures. At the heart of his reporting was Ronald Richemond, a prominent prosecutor who Tesse alleged was shielding criminal networks and benefiting from systemic graft. Two years later, no one has been held accountable for the killing, and Richmond remains in office, untouched, unchallenged, and, critics say, above the law. Tesse’s death is now the focus of a transnational investigation...

July 3, 2025

Imprisoned Crimean Tatar Citizen Journalist Seyran Saliyev Held in Solitary Confinement

July 03, 2025 - Ukraine/Russia/Crimea - Seyran Saliyev, a Crimean Tatar activist and self-taught journalist, remains trapped within Russia’s punitive penal system, highlighting the broader repression of independent voices from occupied Crimea. Arrested on October 11, 2017, in the town of Bakhchisaray alongside fellow Crimean Solidarity members, Saliyev was accused of plotting sabotage for Ukraine’s intelligence services. In 2020, a Russian court sentenced him to 16 years in a penitentiary, citing his affiliation with Hizb ut-Tahrir—a banned group in Russia—despite the lack of credible evidence. Since July 2024, Saliyev has endured a relentless cycle of...

July 3, 2025

Surge in Yemen’s Journalist Arrests and Abductions

July 03, 2025 - Yemen - Yemen has witnessed a dramatic escalation in crackdowns on journalists across multiple conflict zones. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and other human rights groups have condemned the wave of arrests and abductions, demanding the immediate release of detained media workers. RSF reports that journalist Mozahim Bajaber, editor of Hadramout’s Al-Ahqaf Media platform, has been held for over two weeks despite an Interior Ministry order to release him. His arrest on June 18 followed social media posts critical of corruption in Hadramout’s leadership. Separately, at...

July 3, 2025

Palestinian Journalists Face Assaults, Arrests, and House Detention

July 03, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalists continue to face escalating repression as Israeli forces and occupation authorities intensify efforts to suppress independent reporting from Gaza and the West Bank. Recent cases highlight a deliberate pattern of physical attacks, prolonged detentions, and legal harassment aimed at silencing Palestinian voices. On July 3, journalist Islam Al-Za’noun, a correspondent for Palestine TV, was injured by Israeli drone fire in Gaza while covering events on the ground. According to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation and WAFA, Al-Za’noun was shot in the shoulder in what they described as a...

July 3, 2025

Frontline Under Fire: Journalists as Targets in the Gaza Conflict

July 03, 2025 - Palestine - An in-depth investigation by The Intercept reveals a disturbing pattern in which both Palestinian and international journalists covering the Gaza conflict are repeatedly targeted and killed, suggesting deliberate military tactics rather than collateral damage. The article compiles multiple cases indicating that journalists, press facilities, and media gathering places like cafés have been targeted in deliberate strikes. Ulterior motives are inferred from the deliberate targeting of clearly marked press vehicles and media hubs. For instance, in late June 2025, an IDF airstrike hit the Al‑Baqa café—a known gathering spot for...

July 3, 2025

Between Exile and Homecoming: Syrian Journalists Navigate Fragile Hopes and Deep Divides in Post-Assad Era

July 03, 2025 - Syria - In the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s fall in December 2024, Syrian journalists—both in exile and at home—are navigating a deeply uncertain new landscape. For those who fled during the regime’s brutal crackdown on dissent, the end of authoritarian rule presents both an invitation and a dilemma: should they return to rebuild journalism in a fractured homeland, or continue their work from the relative safety of exile? Many journalists who escaped Assad’s regime did so under the imminent threat of imprisonment or death. Today, some exiles feel compelled to return,...

July 2, 2025

Shattered Signals: Iran’s Media Faces Blackout and Repression After Israel Conflict

July 02, 2025 - Iran - In the aftermath of the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025, Iranian authorities have intensified their crackdown on independent journalism through mass arrests, censorship, and unprecedented internet restrictions. The war, which left hundreds dead and regional tensions at a boiling point, has become a pretext for Iran’s hardline government to tighten its grip on information and suppress dissenting voices. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Iranian security forces detained scores of journalists, social media users, and activists accused of spreading “false information” or “undermining...

July 2, 2025

Cyberterrorism in Spain: Teen Hackers Arrested for Leaking Data of Ministers and Journalists

July 02, 2025 - Spain - Spanish police have arrested two young men, aged 18 and 19, in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, for orchestrating a large-scale cyberattack that leaked personal data belonging to senior politicians, journalists, and public officials. The suspects, known online as “Akkaspace” and “Pakito,” are accused of committing crimes classified under Spain’s cyberterrorism laws, reflecting the severity and potential impact of their actions. The breach, discovered in early June 2025, exposed sensitive information including national ID numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and email accounts of prominent figures such as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez,...

July 2, 2025

Press Freedom Under Siege: Arrest and Bail of Zimbabwean Editor Faith Zaba

July 02, 2025 - Zimbabwe - Faith Zaba, editor of the independent weekly Zimbabwe Independent, was arrested in Harare and charged with “undermining the authority of or insulting the President.” The charge stems from a satirical column published in the paper’s “Muckraker” section on June 27, which criticized President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zimbabwe’s leadership within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), labeling it a “trade union of dictators". Her arrest followed recent harassment of independent journalists, most notably Blessed Mhlanga of HSTV, who spent 72 days in pretrial detention earlier this year. Zaba is reportedly experiencing serious health...

July 1, 2025

Muzzled in Damascus

July 01, 2025 - Syria - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) issued an urgent appeal for clarity and transparency after Hassan Zaza, a Kurdish journalist, was arrested in Damascus. Security forces reportedly took him from his home early on a Friday and transferred him to an undisclosed location. Zaza, who runs an online news outlet and has contributed to a television channel allied with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)—a group banned in neighboring Turkey—is being held under murky “security concerns.” Government spokesperson Mohammad al‑Saleh told CPJ that the detainment is unconnected to his journalistic...

June 30, 2025

He Died Holding the Truth: Ismail Abu Hatab’s Final Assignment

June 30, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian photojournalist Ismail Abu Hatab was killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Al-Baqa café along Gaza City’s beachfront. He was 32 years old. Known for his sharp eye and dedication to documenting life under siege, Abu Hatab became one of the latest casualties in a war that has increasingly turned journalists into frontline targets. That afternoon, the café was crowded with civilians—many seeking a brief respite, charging their phones, or connecting to scarce internet. Without warning, an airstrike tore through the area, killing at least 30 people...

June 30, 2025

Trump, Leaks, and Threats: The Iran Intelligence Clash

June 30, 2025 - USA/Iran - A leaked Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report challenged President Donald Trump’s public claims that U.S. airstrikes had “completely and obliterated” Iranian nuclear facilities as part of Operation Midnight Hammer on June 22. Instead, the preliminary assessment suggested the strikes set Iran’s nuclear program back by only a few months, raising serious doubts over Trump’s portrayal of success. The leak prompted a fierce backlash. Trump denounced the leaker as a “low-level loser,” accused major media outlets like CNN and The New York Times of pushing “fake news,” and instructed the...

June 30, 2025

Silenced in Cuetzalan: The Killing of Salomón Ordóñez Miranda

June 30, 2025 - Mexico - Salomón “Shalom” Ordóñez Miranda, a 40-year-old Mexican journalist and photographer, was fatally shot on June 23, 2025, at around 8 p.m. in the town of Papahtapan in Cuetzalan del Progreso, Puebla. He succumbed to at least two gunshot wounds at a nearby hospital, marking him as the seventh journalist killed in Mexico this year. Ordóñez Miranda founded and ran Shalom Cuetzalan Producciones, a Facebook-based local news outlet boasting around 75,000 followers, outnumbering the town’s estimated 50,000 residents. He primarily covered cultural events and local communal life without delving into corruption,...

June 29, 2025

“Analogue”: Film Project Honors Journalists Slain in Northern and Eastern Syria

June 29, 2025 - Turkey/Iraq/Kurdistan - Filming began on Analogue, a new feature-length film dedicated to the memory of two journalists—Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan—who were killed while reporting in Northern and Eastern Syria. Produced by journalist Enes Yıldız and directed by Selim Yıldız, the project aims to chronicle the past twelve years of conflict in the region, tracing the arc of Kurdish resistance amidst ongoing strife. The producers intend Analogue to memorialize all media workers who lost their lives covering the war in Rojava. In Yıldız’s words, participating in the film “was a duty,”...

June 29, 2025

Assam Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah Apologizes After ‘Lower-Class Person’ Remark Sparks Outrage

June 29, 2025 - India - Assam’s Public Health Engineering Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah ignited widespread controversy when he referred to a Guwahati-based journalist as a “tolor shrenir manush” — literally a “lower-class person” — during a press conference at the Gauhati Press Club. The remark came amid questioning about alleged misuse of state dairy promotion funds related to his private dairy farm housing Gir cows. The statement immediately triggered condemnation from journalist associations across Assam. Both the Media Association of Assam and the Guwahati Press Club denounced it as “insulting,” “undignified,” and “unconstitutional,” urging...

June 29, 2025

Seven Years for a Story

June 29, 2025 - Algeria - French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes has been sentenced to seven years in prison in Algeria, a ruling that has sparked widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates and international observers. The 36-year-old freelance journalist was arrested in May 2024 in the northern Algerian region of Kabylie, where he was reporting on the local football club JS Kabylie. He had entered the country on a tourist visa, which authorities later used as part of the case against him. Gleizes was charged with “glorifying terrorism” and “possessing propaganda materials harmful to national...

June 28, 2025

North & East Syria Media Directorate Condemns Hasan Zaza’s Arrest in Damascus

June 28, 2025 - Syria - The Media Directorate of North and East Syria publicly denounced the detention of journalist and activist Hasan Zaza in Daramsuq (Damascus), characterizing it as a flagrant assault on press freedoms and fundamental human rights. Zaza, known for his active role in defending media independence and ensuring accurate reporting, was arrested by Syrian government security forces without any legal warrant—a move the Directorate called a direct violation of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, specifically Article 19, which defends freedom of...

June 28, 2025

Statue, Surveillance, and Suppression: Varanasi Journalists Face FIRs Over Viral Video

June 28, 2025 - India - Varanasi’s Lanka police station registered First Information Reports (FIRs) against six journalists connected to various media outlets, accusing them of distorting and circulating a video that depicted the routine cleaning of the statue of Bharat Ratna Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya near the Banaras Hindu University gate. Authorities claim the video was manipulated with caste-based commentary to incite communal tensions and disturb public order. The journalists—Arshad Alam (admin of the WhatsApp group “Khabar Banaras”), Abhishek Jha (NBT Online), Abhishek Tripathi (Hindustan), Sonu Singh (Dainik Jagran), Shailesh Chaurasia (TV journalist), and...

June 27, 2025

Another Palestinian Journalist Killed in Gaza: The Death of Ahmad Hasan Saad

June 27, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Ahmad Hasan Saad was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza’s Al‑Tuffah neighborhood, near the Shaaban Al‑Rees School in eastern Gaza City. Iranian outlet MizanOnline cited Shehab News, describing how Israeli airstrikes hit a group of civilians, resulting in 10 deaths and multiple injuries, among them, Saad, who was covering the scene when he was martyred. Additional details from the Stop Murdering Journalists project—backed by Databases for Palestine—readily identified Saad’s full name: Ahmad Hasan Saad. The group confirmed he was killed on June 27 by mortar or tank fire, alongside his...

June 27, 2025

SANEF Condemns Kenyan Government’s Crackdown on Media Freedom

June 27, 2025 - Kenya - The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has expressed deep concern over escalating threats to media freedom in Kenya, warning that recent actions by the government are part of a dangerous pattern of repression that could reverberate across the continent. In a public statement issued on June 27, 2025, SANEF specifically condemned the Kenyan Communications Authority for its role in targeting independent media houses, including through signal disruptions and equipment seizures during politically sensitive periods. According to SANEF, these actions appear designed to suppress dissent and restrict the public's...

June 27, 2025

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Moves to Curtail Torture Safeguards and Media Freedom

June 27, 2025 - Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyzstan’s parliament passed two sweeping laws that dramatically weaken protections against torture and severely restrict independent media, prompting urgent warnings from rights groups and international bodies. The first law dissolves the National Center for the Prevention of Torture, established in 2012 as an independent oversight body under Kyrgyzstan’s obligations under the UN Anti-Torture Convention. It merges this role into the Ombudsman’s office, undermining its autonomy and diminishing its preventative authority. Human Rights Watch (HRW) emphasized that UN experts had previously praised the Center as “a model for Central Asia”...

June 27, 2025

“A Well-Orchestrated Lie”: Jailed Filipino Journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio Speaks from Prison

June 27, 2025 - Philippines - At a United Nations Human Rights Council side event in Geneva on June 27, 2025, a powerful handwritten letter from detained Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio was read aloud by UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan. It marked the first time Cumpio, imprisoned since February 2020, was able to speak to the international community. Her message was both personal and political—a condemnation of the charges against her and a cry for justice after over five years behind bars without trial. Cumpio, then 21, was arrested in a police raid in...

June 27, 2025

Chinese Journalist Injured in Russian Border Drone Strike Amid Rising Tensions

June 27, 2025 - China/Ukraine - Chinese journalist Lu Yuguang was injured during a Ukrainian drone strike near the village of Korenevo in Russia’s Kursk region, close to the Ukrainian border. Lu, a seasoned correspondent for Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, suffered head injuries while covering military activity with a film crew. Russian authorities claim the drone was launched by Ukraine and accuse Kyiv of deliberately targeting journalists to suppress media coverage. Lu, 63, reportedly declined hospitalization and treated his wounds himself. A video released by Russian state media shows him bandaged but composed, vowing to...

June 27, 2025

A Reckoning Half a Century Later

June 27, 2025 - Brazil - Nearly 50 years after journalist Vladimir Herzog was tortured and killed by Brazil’s military dictatorship, the Brazilian government has officially recognized its responsibility and agreed to compensate his family. The landmark decision, finalized in June 2025, comes after decades of denial, judicial inaction, and public protest. Herzog, a Jewish journalist and editor-in-chief of TV Cultura, was summoned for questioning in 1975 over alleged ties to communism. He never returned. His battered body was later staged in a jail cell to appear as a suicide—a claim widely discredited and condemned...

June 27, 2025

Thirty Years Later: The Unresolved Disappearance of Jodi Huisentruit

June 27, 2025 - USA - On June 27, 1995, 27-year-old television news anchor Jodi Huisentruit, working at KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa, disappeared under mysterious and disturbing circumstances. That morning, after assuring her assistant she would make the 6 a.m. broadcast, she never arrived. What remained of her: signs of a struggle by her red Mazda Miata, strewn personal items including a bent car key and high heels, and only lingering questions. Neighbors reported hearing possible screams and sighting a suspicious white Ford Econoline van in the parking lot between 3:50 and 4:30 a.m.—a detail that...

June 27, 2025

Berlin Rebukes Moscow’s Allegations of Journalist Harassment

June 27, 2025 - Germany/Russia - Germany has firmly rejected recent accusations by Russia claiming that Russian journalists are being harassed within German borders. On June 27, 2025, the German Foreign Ministry labeled Moscow’s statements as “unfounded” and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the rule of law and press freedom. A German government spokesperson emphasized that all journalists in Germany, including foreign correspondents, are protected by constitutional rights and operate under transparent legal standards. The diplomatic dispute escalated after the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned German Ambassador Alexander Graf Lambsdorff in Moscow, alleging that Germany had...

June 27, 2025

Crackdown in Damascus: Kurdish Journalist Hassan Zaza Detained Without Charge

June 27, 2025 - Kurdistan/Iraq - Kurdish journalist Hassan Zaza was arrested by Syrian government security forces in Damascus, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Zaza, a well-known Kurdish media figure, was reportedly seized by agents from the General Intelligence Directorate without prior warning, warrant, or explanation. His sudden detention marks another alarming episode in Syria’s ongoing repression of independent journalists and Kurdish voices. Zaza had been working in Damascus and was known for contributing to various Kurdish media outlets that report on human rights violations, political developments, and the lived...

June 27, 2025

Syrian Kurdish Journalists Network Demands Release of Detained Reporter Hassan Zaza

June 27, 2025 - Syria - Journalist Hassan (Hesen) Zaza, a prominent media figure in Syria, was detained on June 27, 2025, by security forces affiliated with the Syrian Transitional Government. A joint report from the Free Press Union (YRA) and ANF News confirms that Zaza was forcibly taken from his home, with his current whereabouts and the reasons for his detention remaining undisclosed. Zaza, a member of the YRA General Council and Syria’s representative to the International Federation of Arab Journalists, suffered a pre-dawn raid in the Rukn al-Din district of Damascus. The YRA condemned the...

June 26, 2025

RSF Illegally Spied On Under Bolsonaro’s Brazil

June 26, 2025 - Brazil - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed that it was one of several organizations secretly monitored by Brazil’s intelligence agency (ABIN) during Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency. RSF has demanded full disclosure of data collected and accountability for those responsible. According to RSF and statements from its leadership, a "parallel ABIN" — a clandestine surveillance structure created under Bolsonaro’s administration — targeted RSF along with at least 13 journalists and three media outlets. Surveillance included tracking internal communications and monitoring public campaigns concerning Bolsonaro. These revelations mirror findings in a comprehensive federal...

June 26, 2025

Canadian Journalists Unite to Defend Palestinian Press

June 26, 2025 - Canada - A new organization called Canadian Journalists for Justice in Palestine (CJJP) was officially launched, with simultaneous press events in Vancouver and Toronto. The group brings together Canadian journalists and media advocates committed to amplifying the plight of Palestinian reporters who have endured disproportionate violence, suppression, and fatalities in Gaza and the occupied territories. CJJP emerged against a harrowing backdrop: data from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) notes that at least 186 journalists and media workers have been killed across Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, and the West Bank over the...

June 26, 2025

Investigative Reporting Meets Intimidation in Şırnak

June 26, 2025 - Turkey - Mesopotamia Agency reporter Zeynep Durgut, known for her fearless coverage of Kurdish communities in southeastern Turkey, now faces intimidation after exposing a sex‑trafficking ring in Şırnak. Her February report detailed a long‑running investigation—initiated in 2013—into 25 suspects, including military non‑commissioned officers allegedly involved in trafficking women, girls, and minors from Syria’s Kurdish regions into forced prostitution. Following publication, Durgut received multiple threatening phone calls from relatives of key suspect Kenan Tatar. One caller warned: “We know who you are…we will not let you go…this won’t go unpunished”. Undeterred, she lodged...

June 26, 2025

Exposing Corruption, Embracing Exile: Venezuela’s Investigative Journalists Under Threat

June 26, 2025 - Venezuela - FairPlanet published a revealing account of Venezuelan journalists from the investigative outlet Armando.Info who exposed one of the country's most brazen corruption scandals, only to be labeled as criminals and forced into exile. At the heart of the story is the PBS Frontline documentary A Dangerous Assignment: Uncovering Corruption in Maduro’s Venezuela, aired February 4, 2025. It delves into the so‑called “PDVSA Crypto” scandal involving former vice president and oil minister Tareck El Aissami and other PDVSA executives accused of using cryptocurrency and state contracts to enrich themselves. Armando.Info's founders,...

June 26, 2025

The Reluctant Photo‑Star of Gaza

June 26, 2025 - Palestine - Motaz Azaiza, a 26‑year‑old from Deir al‑Balah in Gaza, has become an unexpected global photojournalist since the outbreak of full‑scale war in October 2023. Before then, he led a modest life, capturing daily moments in Gaza for around 25,000 Instagram followers. When Israeli strikes began, his footage—raw, unfiltered, deeply human—went viral, rapidly amassing nearly 17 million followers, transforming him overnight into a visual chronicler of his people’s suffering. Wearing casual attire and gold‑rimmed glasses, Azaiza traveled to the U.S. this June to raise funds for UNRWA USA at a...

June 26, 2025

DRC Detains Journalist Serge Sindani over Warplane Photo

June 26, 2025 - Congo - Serge Sindani—a defense reporter and director of the Kis24.info news site—was taken into custody by a senior Congolese army officer in Kisangani. His arrest followed his posting, two days earlier, of a distant photograph of Sukhoi military jets at Bangoka International Airport on his X (formerly Twitter) account, captioned simply: “RDC-Instant Kisangani — the city is calm and under control with our Sukhoi fighter jets. Happy Sunday”. Sindani is currently held in a military intelligence cell in Tshopo province, where Colonel Mwambi has accused him of filming military assets without...

June 26, 2025

Cuban Journalists Face Intimidation After Defying Police Summons

June 26, 2025 - Cuba - Independent Cuban journalists Yunia Figueredo and Frank Correa, both affiliated with the community news site Amanecer Habanero, have been subjected to threats, surveillance, and intimidation by Cuban authorities after refusing to comply with a police summons issued on June 23, 2025. Figueredo, the site’s director, received the official order to appear at a police station. When she refused, both she and Correa—who also reports for the outlet—began receiving anonymous phone calls warning them that they were under investigation for “dangerousness,” a vague legal charge in Cuba frequently used to...

June 26, 2025

Silencing the Signal: Slovakia’s Media Faces Government Takeover

June 26, 2025 - Slovakia - Slovakia’s media freedom took a sharp turn as Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government pushed through legislation dismantling the country’s independent public broadcaster RTVS. The new entity, Slovak Television and Radio (STVR), places media oversight in the hands of a council appointed largely by the ruling coalition and the Ministry of Culture, effectively granting the state direct influence over public news coverage. While the government insists the move was necessary to counter alleged political bias, the legislation has sparked national protests and international outcry. Journalists and staff at RTVS staged...

June 25, 2025

Australian Court Rules ABC Unlawfully Fired Journalist Over Gaza Post

June 25, 2025 - Australia - The Federal Court of Australia has ruled that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) unlawfully terminated journalist Antoinette Lattouf in December 2023, following her social media post highlighting a Human Rights Watch report on Israel’s alleged use of starvation tactics in Gaza. Lattouf, a Lebanese-Australian presenter, was midway through a five-day contract at ABC Sydney when she was abruptly dismissed after sharing the post on Instagram. Justice Darryl Rangiah determined that Lattouf’s dismissal breached the Fair Work Act, concluding that the ABC acted under pressure from an “orchestrated campaign by...

June 24, 2025

Swiss Journalist Faces Criminal Probe Over Banking Secrecy “Gag Law”

June 24, 2025 - Switzerland - Swiss police and prosecutors launched a raid in early June on the home and office of financial journalist Lukas Hässig, editor of the influential blog Inside Paradeplatz. Authorities seized his computer, phone, and documents as part of a criminal investigation under Article 47 of Switzerland’s Banking Act—a seldom-used legal provision that discloses confidential banking information, even when revealing wrongdoing, punishable by up to five years in prison and CHF 250,000 in fines. Hässig’s reporting, dating back to 2016, exposed alleged misconduct by Pierin Vincenz, the former CEO of Raiffeisen Bank, including...

June 23, 2025

Former Radio Broadcaster and Trans Rights Activist Ali Jejhon Macalintal Shot Dead in General Santos

June 23, 2025 - Philippines - Ali Jejhon Macalintal, a former freelance radio broadcaster and prominent LGBTQ+ and human rights advocate, was shot and killed inside a massage spa in Barangay Lagao, General Santos City, Philippines. The 35-year-old, known for her work with Radyo Bandera News FM and as a deputy secretary general of the human rights group Karapatan SOCCSKSARGEN, was also an active member of the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Bahaghari. Macalintal had been using the spa space to offer acupuncture therapy and traditional healing services. According to local police, two assailants arrived on a...

June 23, 2025

Ukrainian Journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko Freed After Four Years in Russian Custody

June 23, 2023 - Ukraine /Russia - Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko, detained for over four years in Russian-occupied Crimea, was released on June 23, 2025, in what press freedom advocates have hailed as a rare but powerful victory for free expression. A contributor to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Krym. Realii, Yesypenko had been arrested by Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) agents in March 2021 while reporting in Simferopol. He was later convicted in a closed military court on charges of espionage and possession of explosives, accusations widely condemned as politically motivated. Yesypenko’s case drew international...

June 23, 2025

Voice of America Slashed: Hundreds of Layoffs and Visa Denials Amid Trump Ally Shake‑Up

June 23, 2025 - USA - Voice of America (VOA) and other U.S. government-funded international broadcasters are facing a dramatic overhaul under the leadership of Trump ally Kari Lake, prompting widespread concern over press freedom, international diplomacy, and journalistic independence. Nearly 639 employees—almost half of VOA's workforce—have received layoff notices, and numerous foreign journalists working under special U.S. visas have been told to prepare for dismissal or repatriation. Lake, appointed to oversee the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which manages VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), has begun a sweeping reorganization, citing a...

June 23, 2025

SBU Foils Russian Assassination Attempts on Ukrainian Journalist Dmytro Gordon

June 23, 2025 - Ukraine/Russia - In a chilling revelation, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) announced that it had foiled two assassination attempts on prominent Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Gordon, both allegedly orchestrated by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). The plots were reportedly ordered at the highest levels of the Russian state, with SBU officials claiming direct authorization from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The first attempt involved a criminal group from Dagestan, recruited and directed by the FSB to infiltrate Ukraine and eliminate Gordon. The operatives were reportedly promised a reward of $400,000 for successfully carrying out...

June 22, 2025

Celiac Journalist Perihan Sevda Erkılınç Denied Medical Care in Turkish Prison

June 22, 2025 - Turkey - Perihan Sevda Erkılınç, a journalist for the left-wing outlet Özgür Gelecek, is facing severe health risks in Bakırköy Women's Prison due to the denial of essential medical treatment. Arrested during a police raid on April 29, 2025—days before May Day protests—Erkılınç was taken into custody without formal charges and remains detained over seven weeks later. Erkılınç suffers from asthma and celiac disease, a serious autoimmune condition that requires a strict gluten-free diet. Despite this, prison authorities have failed to provide consistent medical care or appropriate food. Upon her arrest,...

June 22, 2025

Iran Accused of Abducting Journalist’s Family Over War Coverage

June 22, 2025 - Iran - Iran is facing serious international criticism after reports emerged that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) abducted the family of a London-based journalist working for Iran International, a Persian-language news channel. The incident, believed to have occurred between June 21–22, is being viewed as a retaliatory act over the outlet’s coverage of the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. According to Iran International, the journalist—whose identity is being withheld for safety reasons—received a chilling phone call from her father, who was clearly under duress. “I’ve told you a thousand times to resign,”...

June 21, 2025

Australian Writer Deported from U.S. Over Coverage of Pro-Palestine Protests

June 21, 2025 - Palestine/Australia - Alistair Kitchen, a 33-year-old Australian writer and former Columbia University postgraduate student, was deported from the United States in what rights groups are calling a politically motivated move tied to his reporting on pro-Palestinian student protests. Kitchen was detained for nearly 12 hours by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Los Angeles International Airport before being denied entry and sent back to Australia. Kitchen had traveled to the U.S. intending to visit friends in New York and continue his writing. However, upon arrival, CBP agents reportedly questioned him...

June 21, 2025

BBC Shelves Gaza Medics Documentary Citing Impartiality Concerns

June 21, 2025 - Palestine - The BBC has decided not to air Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, a documentary focusing on the targeting of medical workers during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The decision, announced in June 2025, has triggered widespread criticism from journalists, filmmakers, and press freedom advocates who accuse the BBC of censorship and political bias. Produced by Basement Films, the documentary was commissioned by the BBC and initially scheduled to air in February. However, internal concerns over impartiality, especially in the wake of an earlier controversy involving another Gaza documentary, led to its...

June 21, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Belal Khaled Shares the Brutal Realities of Gaza War

June 21, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian photojournalist Belal Khaled has revealed searing insights into the ongoing Gaza conflict, highlighting the devastating human cost and the critical role journalists play in bearing witness. Speaking during a visit to South Africa in June 2025, Khaled shared emotional testimony about life on the front lines, where documenting the truth comes at immense personal risk. Khaled described walking through destroyed neighborhoods, photographing families torn apart by Israeli airstrikes, and capturing images of children playing among rubble. His work goes beyond visuals—it tells deeply human stories of survival, loss,...

June 21, 2025

Veteran Journalist Fatih Altaylı Detained in Turkey Over Alleged Threat to Erdoğan

June 21, 2025 - Turkey - Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı was detained on June 22, 2025, over allegations that he threatened President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a recent YouTube broadcast. The arrest marks another alarming chapter in Turkey’s ongoing crackdown on dissent and press freedom. Altaylı, a veteran journalist with decades of experience in mainstream Turkish media and over 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, has been a vocal critic of the government. In his recent video, he referenced a poll showing overwhelming public opposition to Erdoğan serving as president for life. He remarked that Turkey...

June 21, 2025

Belarus Frees Opposition Leader Tsikhanouski and Journalist Karnye in Surprise Move

June 21, 2025 - Belarus - Belarus has unexpectedly released several high-profile political prisoners, including opposition leader Sergei Tsikhanouski and journalist Iryna Karnye, in what observers are calling a rare gesture from the Lukashenko regime. Their release, confirmed on June 24, 2025, comes after years of international condemnation of Belarus’s human rights abuses and suppression of dissent. Sergei Tsikhanouski, a popular video blogger turned political activist, was arrested in May 2020 while attempting to run against President Alexander Lukashenko. His arrest barred him from the election, prompting his wife, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, to run in his...

June 21, 2025

Pope Leo XIV Declares Zero Tolerance for Abuse and Defends Press Freedom in Bold Address

June 21, 2025 - General - In a powerful statement delivered during an event in Lima, Peru, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on abuse, vowing to address not only sexual abuse but also spiritual, psychological, and institutional abuse. Speaking at a theatrical performance honoring investigative journalist Paola Ugaz—who helped expose abuse within the Peruvian religious group Sodalitium Christianae Vitae—Pope Leo emphasized that abuse in any form is an affront to human dignity and the mission of the Church. Pope Leo declared that “no abuse can be tolerated,” urging...

June 20, 2025

Azerbaijan Sentences Seven Journalists in Harsh Crackdown on Free Speech

June 20, 2025 - Azerbaijan - In a sweeping blow to press freedom, a court in Baku has sentenced seven independent journalists to prison terms ranging from 7½ to 9 years. The journalists, including Farid Mehralizada of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and six others from Abzas Media, were convicted on charges including illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, and currency smuggling. The case has been widely condemned by international human rights and press freedom organizations, which view the charges as politically motivated. Abzas Media is known for its investigative reporting on government corruption and human rights...

June 20, 2025

Georgia’s Crackdown: Journalists & Activists Targeted Under New “Insult” Law

June 20, 2025 - Georgia - In recent weeks, the Georgian government has escalated its crackdown on dissent by summoning dozens of journalists, activists, and opposition figures to court. They face charges of “insulting” government officials—a crime newly criminalized under a legal amendment passed in February 2025. Those accused could face fines of up to 4,000 lari (around $1,450) or 45 days in detention. The law was swiftly used to target media voices and government critics for posting strong, sometimes satirical or harsh comments on social media. Among those summoned is TV Pirveli journalist Vika Bukia, who...

June 20, 2025

Seattle Journalists Attacked at Protest, Accuse Media of Whitewashing Violence

June 20, 2025 - USA - Independent journalists Cameron Higby and Brandi Kruse were violently assaulted while covering an anti-immigration enforcement protest in Seattle on June 14, 2025. The attack, which occurred during demonstrations against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has ignited outrage and renewed debate over media bias and protest coverage. According to their accounts, both journalists were targeted by far-left agitators while documenting events on the ground. Cameron Higby, who was filming a protest near downtown Seattle, was allegedly choked, punched in the face while on the ground, and kicked by masked...

June 20, 2025

Journalist Jailings Near Record High in 2024: Asia Tops the List

June 20, 2025 - General - According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the number of jailed journalists worldwide reached 361 by December 1, 2024, marking the second-highest total since CPJ began tracking in 1992. The surge reflects a sharp increase in global crackdowns on press freedom, driven by war, authoritarianism, and shrinking democratic space. Asia emerged as the region with the highest number of imprisoned journalists, accounting for 111 out of the 361 cases. In a Rappler interview, CPJ’s Asia Program Director, Beh Lih Yi, emphasized the alarming trend, saying, “Asia is now...

June 20, 2025

Crackdown on Press Freedom Deepens in Bangladesh Under Interim Government

June 20, 2025 - Bangladesh - Press freedom in Bangladesh has entered a perilous phase, with the interim government—led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus—facing mounting criticism for sustaining and even intensifying repression of journalists. Despite initial hopes for reform following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, the government has continued to use harsh legal measures to silence dissent. The Digital Security Act (DSA) and the Broadcast Act remain powerful tools of suppression. Since the political transition, more than 640 journalists have been arrested, and over 180 criminal cases—ranging from defamation to...

June 20, 2025

Attack on CrossRiverWatch Exposes Deepening Threats to Press Freedom in Nigeria

June 20, 2025 - Nigeria - The recent reflections by CrossRiverWatch on the 2019 arrest of its founder, Agba Jalingo, underscore a chilling reality: press freedom in Nigeria remains under serious threat. On August 22, 2019, heavily armed security operatives stormed Jalingo’s Lagos home at dawn, arresting him in front of his wife and young daughter. He was charged with treason and terrorism, following a report he published alleging the misappropriation of ₦500 million meant for the Cross River State microfinance bank. Jalingo’s arrest sparked national and international outrage, with civil society organizations and media...

June 19, 2025

Memorial Honors Slain Journalist Aserie Ndlovu and Partner Zodwa Mdhluli

June 19, 2025 - South Africa - A solemn memorial service was held in Pretoria this week to remember Sibusiso “Aserie” Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli, both brutally murdered earlier this year. The couple had gone missing in February, and their bodies were discovered in May near the Limpopo–Mpumalanga border. DNA testing later confirmed their identities. The occasion, hosted by the National Press Club at GCIS offices, gathered family, friends, media colleagues, and public figures to pay tribute. Legendary musician Vusi Mahlasela, a close friend, spoke movingly of Ndlovu’s vibrant personality and deep...

June 19, 2025

RSF Condemns Escalating Attacks on UK-Based Iranian Journalists and Their Families

June 19, 2025 - Iran/UK - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has strongly condemned a growing campaign of intimidation and harassment targeting Iranian journalists living in the United Kingdom. The press freedom group warns that Tehran’s security apparatus is increasingly extending its repression across borders, threatening journalists in exile and their families back in Iran. The most alarming aspect of this campaign involves transnational harassment, surveillance, threats, and psychological pressure. According to RSF, several UK-based Iranian journalists have reported that their family members in Iran have been interrogated, threatened, or pressured to convince them to stop...

June 19, 2025

Tragic Murder of Community Radio Journalist Luis Augusto Carneiro da Costa in Brazil

June 19, 2025 - Brazil - On May 27, 2025, Brazilian journalist Luis Augusto Carneiro da Costa was shot dead while broadcasting live on Guarany FM, a community radio station in Abaetetuba, in the northern state of Pará. Two masked gunmen stormed the studio during his program and fatally shot him in front of listeners and colleagues. The killing has shocked the region and sparked national and international outrage. Da Costa, 46, had more than two decades of experience in local journalism. He was known for engaging with grassroots issues and was deeply connected to...

June 19, 2025

13 Years On: No Justice for Murdered Journalist Couple in Bangladesh

June 19, 2025 - Bangladesh - Thirteen years after the brutal double murder of Bangladeshi journalists Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, justice remains out of reach. The couple—both prominent reporters—were stabbed to death in their Dhaka apartment on February 11, 2012, while their five-year-old son slept in the next room. Despite multiple arrests and ongoing investigations, no one has been convicted, and the motive behind their killings remains unknown. Initially handled by local police, the investigation was later transferred to the Detective Branch, then to the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and most recently, to...

June 18, 2025

ECPMF Condemns Detention of French Journalists by Israeli Authorities

June 18, 2025 - France - The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) has strongly condemned the detention of two French journalists by Israeli authorities after they were seized aboard the Madleen, a vessel from the Gaza-bound “Freedom Flotilla.” The incident occurred during the night of June 8–9, 2025, when Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters. Journalists Yanis Mhamdi (Blast) and Omar Faiad (Al Jazeera) were among those detained while covering the humanitarian mission intended to deliver aid to Gaza. ECPMF expressed deep concern over the violation of press freedom, calling...

June 18, 2025

BBC Faces Criticism Over Gaza Coverage Bias Following Landmark Report

June 18, 2025 - General - Veteran journalist Peter Oborne has publicly accused the BBC of showing “double standards” in its coverage of the Gaza conflict, following the release of a major report by the Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM). Speaking at the report’s launch event, Oborne said the BBC had consistently prioritized Israeli narratives while silencing or minimizing Palestinian perspectives. He went so far as to describe the coverage as “complicity in Israeli genocide,” arguing the broadcaster misled the British public during one of the deadliest assaults on Gaza in modern history. The CfMM’s...

June 18, 2025

From Gaza’s Frontlines to Exile: How Refugee Journalists in Egypt Have Been Silenced

June 18, 2025 - Palestine/Egypt - Youmna El Sayed, once a frontline journalist for Al Jazeera in Gaza, now finds herself silenced and stateless in Cairo. Fleeing Gaza’s war in 2024, she joins more than 250 Palestinian journalists who have taken refuge in Egypt—alongside others scattered across Oman, Qatar, Turkey, and Canada—according to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate’s Cairo office. El Sayed recalls the abrupt transformation of her life: “I was a journalist until the day I crossed the border. Now, I am just a refugee with a press card that no longer holds any weight.”...

June 17, 2025

ICNL Report Exposes Systematic Repression of Journalists in Myanmar

June 17, 2025 - Myanmar - A comprehensive report released by the International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) details the extensive repression faced by journalists in Myanmar since the military coup in February 2021. Over the four years from February 2021 to February 2025, Myanmar’s military regime has employed systematic legal and physical repression to silence the independent media and suppress critical reporting. According to the ICNL’s findings, at least 221 journalists have been detained since the coup. Out of these, 88 have been convicted, collectively receiving 497 years of prison sentences. Some journalists have...

June 17, 2025

Detained and Ignored: Nikita Jain’s Ordeal in Egypt

June 17, 2025 - India/Egypt/Palestine - Maktoob Media journalist Nikita Jain, an alumna of Chennai’s Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), was covering the Global March to Gaza—a solidarity movement seeking to press authorities to open the Rafah border crossing. While the march progressed through Tunisia and Libya, upon reaching Ismaïlia, Egypt, Egyptian authorities intervened, detaining dozens of international activists and journalists, including Jain. At least three dozen individuals—citizens from India, the USA, Australia, France, Spain, Algeria, the Netherlands, and beyond—had their passports confiscated at meetings in Cairo Airport or hotel locations and were detained during...

June 17, 2025

Israeli Strike on Iranian State TV Kills Journalists, Escalates Conflict

June 17, 2025 - Iran - The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran intensified as Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran's state broadcaster IRIB in Tehran, resulting in the deaths of journalist Nima Rajabpour and staffer Masoumeh Azimi. The strike, which hit during a live broadcast, forced anchor Sahar Emami off-camera when debris filled the studio. The channel briefly switched to pre-recorded programming before relocating its live coverage to a secondary facility. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation warnings before the strike, covering a wide area of central Tehran, displacing up to 330,000 residents. According to...

June 17, 2025

Iranian Journalists Silenced Amid Rising Tensions with Israel

June 17, 2025 - Iran - As the Israel–Iran conflict intensifies, Iranian authorities have launched a sweeping crackdown on journalists and media outlets inside the country, severely restricting press freedom. According to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the government has issued warnings, enforced censorship, and made arrests in an effort to control public discourse during the crisis. On June 13, shortly after Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, editors and reporters from several Tehran-based private newspapers were summoned and ordered not to publish any content beyond official government...

June 17, 2025

Erin Molan Refuses to Evacuate Israel, Vows to Report Truth Amid Iran Conflict

June 17, 2025 - Australia/Iran - Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Australian journalist Erin Molan has made headlines for refusing to evacuate Israel, choosing instead to remain and report from the ground. Molan, a well-known broadcaster, was scheduled to leave the country on June 14, just as Israel launched a significant wave of airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites. With Israeli airspace shut down in response to threats of Iranian retaliation, Molan found herself stranded—but rather than seek alternate evacuation routes, she chose to stay and continue reporting. In a widely viewed...

June 17, 2025

OSCE-DCAF Summer School Trains Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia Students on Journalist Safety

June 17, 2025 - Krygyzstan/Mongolia- Between June 8 and 13, 2025, students and young journalists from Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and several other Central Asian nations gathered at Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, for the OSCE-DCAF Summer School, a regional initiative focused on the safety of journalists and media freedom. The event was jointly organized by the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. The program brought together 22 participants from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The primary...

June 17, 2025

Four Years of Impunity Since Gustavo Sánchez Cabrera’s Murder

June 17, 2025 - Mexico - Four years ago, in June 2021, the investigative reporter and civic activist Gustavo Sánchez Cabrera was gunned down in Fresnillo, Zacatecas. At the time, he was gathering evidence related to corruption and armed groups. Despite the federal government’s promises of a thorough investigation, no one has been held accountable, and the inquiry has stalled. In a joint communiqué issued yesterday, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and civic association Propuesta Cívica underscored this alarming paralysis in Mexico’s justice system. They noted that key leads—including suspects and links to corrupt local officials—remain unexamined,...

June 16, 2025

Israel Strikes Iranian State TV Headquarters Amid Escalating Conflict

June 16, 2025 - Iran - Israeli forces launched a targeted airstrike on the headquarters of Iran’s state television, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), in Tehran. The attack occurred while a live broadcast was underway, dramatically cutting off the transmission. Viewers witnessed the moment of impact as the studio was filled with dust and the anchor abruptly fled, after which the broadcast was switched to pre-recorded programming. While Iranian state media confirmed damage to the studio, there are unconfirmed reports of casualties among the technical staff. The strike on the IRIB building marked a...

June 16, 2025

Washington Post Journalists Targeted in Suspected Chinese Cyberattack

June 16, 2025 - USA - The Washington Post has disclosed that several of its journalists who cover national security, economic policy, and China were targeted in a sophisticated cyberattack suspected to be carried out by Chinese state-linked hackers. The attack, which came to light on June 12, 2025, involved unauthorized access to the Microsoft email accounts of a small group of reporters. Executive Editor Matt Murray informed staff in an internal memo, noting that while only a limited number of accounts were affected, there was concern that attackers may have accessed confidential email communications....

June 16, 2025

Los Angeles Journalists Sue LAPD Over Protest Injuries

June 16, 2025 - USA - A group of journalists and media organizations has filed a federal lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), accusing officers of intentionally targeting reporters with excessive force while they covered immigration protests earlier this year. The lawsuit, filed on June 16, 2025, by the Los Angeles Press Club and investigative outlet Status Coup, alleges that the LAPD violated the constitutional rights of journalists who were reporting on anti-immigration raids and demonstrations in Los Angeles. According to the complaint, multiple journalists were injured by police using so-called "less-lethal" weapons...

June 16, 2025

Israeli Police Crack Down on Foreign & Arab TV Crews in Haifa Amid Iran Strikes

June 16, 2025 - Iran - Amid Iran's missile barrage on Israel, Israeli police, under directives from far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have targeted foreign and Arab media crews in Haifa, seizing camera equipment and limiting live broadcasts of missile impact zones. On June 16–17, Israeli officers raided hotel rooms housing foreign TV teams, including Turkey’s TRT Arabi and Egypt’s Al-Ghad TV, following orders to curtail “live broadcasts that endanger state security”. Police reportedly entered locations after tips that crews were filming sensitive areas like Haifa’s port. The journalists were later summoned for questioning and had...

June 16, 2025

Journalist Mario Guevara Arrested Amid ICE Protest, Faces Deportation Threat

June 16, 2025 - USA/Mexico - Atlanta-based journalist Mario Guevara, a Salvadoran national who has lived in the U.S. for over two decades, was arrested while covering an anti-ICE protest in DeKalb County, Georgia, on June 14, 2025. Guevara, known for his reporting on immigration issues for outlets such as Diario CoLatino and Atlanta Latino, was livestreaming the "No Kings" protest when police declared the gathering unlawful. Despite identifying himself as the press and retreating from the scene, Guevara was detained by DeKalb police alongside several protesters. Charged with misdemeanor offenses including unlawful assembly, obstruction,...

June 16, 2025

Washington Post Investigates Cyberattack on Journalists’ Email Accounts

June 16, 2025 - USA - The Washington Post has launched a formal investigation into a recent cyberattack that targeted the email accounts of some of its journalists, raising serious concerns over press freedom, data security, and the protection of journalistic sources. The breach, first reported in mid-June 2025, appears to have compromised sensitive communications, though the full extent of the intrusion remains under investigation. According to initial reports, the cyberattack involved unauthorized access to email accounts belonging to a select number of Washington Post journalists. The attackers allegedly gained access to both internal communications...

June 16, 2025

UN Human Rights Council Highlights Journalist Safety at HRC59

June 16, 2025 - General - At the opening of the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC59) on June 16, 2025, the safety of journalists was placed among the highest priorities. Over the next three weeks, states, civil society organizations, and experts are addressing growing threats to press freedom globally, alongside broader issues of digital rights, elections, and the impact of artificial intelligence. One of the central discussions at HRC59 revolves around a new resolution on the safety of journalists. This resolution is led by Austria, with support from Brazil, France, Greece,...

June 16, 2025

Escalating Campaign: Israel Strikes Iran’s State TV in Ongoing Media Assault

June 16, 2025 - Iran - Israel launched a targeted airstrike on the glass‑fronted headquarters of IRIB, Iran’s state-run TV station in central Tehran, during a live broadcast. The strike struck while anchor Sahar Emami was on air, causing the studio to quake with four explosions, forcing her and her colleagues to flee amid smoke and dust. After a brief cut to pre-recorded footage, the broadcast resumed from an alternate location. The IDF issued evacuation orders ahead of the strike for District 3 of Tehran, home to media offices, hospitals, and government buildings, warning roughly 330,000...

June 16, 2025

BBC Coverage of Gaza War Found Systematically Biased Against Palestinians

June 16, 2025 - Palestine - A comprehensive year-long study by the Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) has revealed significant and systematic bias in BBC News’ coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza. The analysis, based on over 3,800 articles and 32,000 broadcast segments from October 2023 to October 2024, found stark disparities in how Israeli and Palestinian deaths, narratives, and suffering were represented. One of the most striking findings is that BBC coverage gave 33 times more attention to each Israeli death compared to each Palestinian death. While the Palestinian civilian death toll soared into...

June 15, 2025

Prominent Nigerian Rights Lawyer Femi Falana Urges Government to Drop Criminal Charges Against Journalists and Critics

June 15, 2025 - Nigeria - Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, urged the federal government to discontinue all criminal prosecutions targeting journalists and citizens for criticizing public officials. Falana’s call follows President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech on June 12, in which the president emphasized that honest criticism—even harsh reporting—should not lead to criminal charges. Quoting Tinubu’s declaration—“no one should suffer injustice for simply writing a negative report about me or calling me names”—Falana implored Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to act accordingly by withdrawing all pending...

June 15, 2025

European Journalists Targeted with Paragon “Graphite” Spyware

June 15, 2025 - Italy - Digital security researchers at Citizen Lab have uncovered that Paragon Solutions’ “Graphite” spyware—a military-grade, zero-click surveillance tool—was used to target at least three prominent journalists in Europe, including two based in Italy. In Italy, the latest victim is Ciro Pellegrino, who heads the Naples bureau of Fanpage it. Pellegrino’s phone showed forensic traces of Graphite—a confirmation that matches earlier evidence linking the spyware to Francesco Cancellato, Fanpage’s editor-in-chief. Citizen Lab also identified a third “prominent European journalist” who requested anonymity. All three phones were infected via an Apple iMessage zero-click exploit attributed...

June 14, 2025

Saudi Arabia Executes Journalist Turki al-Jasser After Secret Trial Over Social Media Posts

June 14, 2025 - Saudi Arabia - Saudi authorities executed journalist Turki al‑Jasser on June 14, 2025, following a seven‑year detention after his 2018 arrest. The Interior Ministry confirmed the execution via the Saudi Press Agency, stating that the kingdom’s top court upheld convictions against him for “treason,” “terrorism,” “foreign collaboration,” and “undermining national unity". Al‑Jasser, in his late 40s, had been charged primarily due to his alleged operation of a social‑media account on X (formerly Twitter), which posted claims of corruption within the royal family and controversial commentary about militant groups. His arrest involved a raid at...

June 14, 2025

Pakistani Journalist Abdul Latif Baloch Killed by State‑Backed Militias in Balochistan

June 14, 2025 - Pakistan - Veteran journalist Abdul Latif Baloch was shot dead in the early hours inside his home in Mashkay Tehsil, Awaran district, Balochistan, Pakistan, in front of his wife and children. Four armed assailants forcibly entered his residence and fired four shots when he resisted abduction. Human rights groups, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Pakistan’s Federal Union of Journalists, have strongly condemned the killing. They assert the attackers belonged to a state-supported militia tied to the Pakistani military, describing the killing as part of a deadly “kill and...

June 14, 2025

Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything – Hulu Documentary

June 14, 2025 - USA - A compelling new documentary, “Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything,” directed by Jackie Jesko, chronicles the life and legacy of broadcast legend Barbara Walters. Produced by ABC News Studios, Imagine Documentaries (with Ron Howard & Brian Grazer), and Latchkey Films, it premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12 and begins streaming on Hulu (and Disney+ internationally) on June 23, 2025. This 95-minute film weaves together archival ABC footage—much of it previously unaired—with fresh interviews featuring Walters’s colleagues and subjects, including Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric, Cynthia McFadden, Bette Midler, and more. It...

June 14, 2025

Kurdish Journalism Honors Courage: Gurbetelli Ersöz and Musa Anter Awards Spotlight Press Freedom Under Threat

June 14, 2025 - Kurdistan - Journalism across Kurdistan continues to thrive under immense pressure, with several prestigious awards honoring journalists who persist despite risks. The Gurbetelli Ersöz Women’s Journalism Award and the Musa Anter Journalism Awards both serve as powerful tributes to Kurdish journalists who have paid a heavy price for their commitment to truth. The Gurbetelli Ersöz Women’s Journalism Award, named after the first female Kurdish editor-in-chief, commemorates the life and work of Gurbetelli Ersöz, who was killed in 1997. Introduced by the Coalition for Women in Journalism alongside Kurdish media organizations, the...

June 14, 2025

Global Outcry as China’s #MeToo Pioneer Sophia Huang Xueqin Marks First Anniversary of Sentence

June 14, 2025 - China - Independent journalist and #MeToo activist Sophia Huang Xueqin (also known as Huang Xueqin) was sentenced by a Chinese court to five years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power.” Her co-defendant, labour activist Wang Jianbing, received a 3½-year sentence. Court details emerged almost exactly one year later, prompting renewed global advocacy on the first anniversary of the ruling. Huang first rose to prominence in 2017–2018 by reigniting China’s #MeToo movement through an online survey uncovering widespread sexual harassment, particularly within journalistic and academic environments. Her campaign supported victims...

June 14, 2025

Military Court Detains Two Nigerien Journalists Over Alleged Plot Against the State

June 14, 2025 - Niger - a military court in Niger remanded two journalists from Sahara FM, a private radio station, into custody in Kollo prison, south of Niamey. They are charged with “undermining national defence and plotting against state authority.” The arrests stem from early May when Sahara FM aired reports suggesting that Niger had terminated security accords with Russia, a close ally of the country's military junta. A third journalist in the group was released on bail. The case follows a pattern of growing press restrictions since the 2023 coup, with Niger facing criticism from human...

June 14, 2025

Indian Journalist Among Hundreds Detained During Pro‑Palestine March Crackdown in Egypt

June 14, 2025 - India - Egyptian security forces detained over 200 activists and journalists—including Indian reporter Nikita Jain from Maktoob Media—at checkpoints near Ismailia and in Cairo, ahead of the Global March to Gaza solidarity protest. The march, organized by an international coalition of human rights groups and activists, aimed to enter Gaza via Rafah on foot to protest Israel’s blockade and deliver humanitarian aid, drawing participants from over 80 countries. Jain was among approximately 1,000 protesters stopped at Ismailia, where authorities seized passports and blocked non-Egyptian nationals from proceeding. She reported that around 70...

June 14, 2025

Somali Intelligence Raid Media Outlet Over Forced Voter Registration Coverage

June 14, 2025 - Somalia - At around 9 a.m., armed agents from Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) raided the offices of Himilo Somali TV, an independent online broadcaster in Mogadishu. Fourteen officers—eight inside the studio and six outside—demanded that the outlet remove an interview addressing alleged forced voter registration by the controversial Federal Electoral Commission. The demands followed coverage of a man who claimed he had "been abducted … forcibly registered as a voter without his consent," and who tore up the registration papers in protest. Studio staff locked themselves in an office and...

June 13, 2025

Chad’s Journalists Held Despite Pretrial Release Rights Amid Wagner Espionage Allegations

June 13, 2025 - Chad - Human Rights Watch called for the pretrial release of two Chadian journalists—Olivier Monodji, editor of Le Pays and Radio France Internationale correspondent, and Mahamat Saleh Alhissein, a reporter with state broadcaster Télé Tchad—who have been held for three months by the N’Djamena High Court. Prosecutors initially accused them, alongside other suspects, of espionage, conspiracy, and threatening state security through alleged collaboration with Russia’s Wagner Group. Among the evidence cited were documents Alhissein reportedly translated from French to Arabic and an article by Monodji about a Russian cultural center opening. Following a...

June 13, 2025

Turkish Raid Detains Four Journalists Amid Publication Ban

June 13, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish police conducted early-morning raids targeting four journalists, detaining them in operations spanning Istanbul and Artvin, amid an opaque inquiry shrouded by a publication ban. The journalists—Semra Balık, Dicle Baştürk, Ozan Gerik, and Melisa Efe—were arrested following coordinated home searches. Balık and Gerik were based in Istanbul and taken to the Gendarmerie Command in Maslak; the locations for Baştürk and Efe, reportedly operating in Artvin, remain less clear publicly. Authorities have neither disclosed the charges nor the issuing body behind the arrests due to the gag order in place....

June 13, 2025

Press Freedom Under Siege: US Journalists Report Violence and Detention at LA Immigration Protests

June 13, 2025 - USA - Amid widespread protests in Los Angeles against ICE raids, press freedom groups have raised alarms over escalating risks to journalists covering the unrest. Reports from the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) indicate mounting “violence and detention” of media personnel, prompting calls for authorities to protect journalistic work. Numerous incidents involving law enforcement targeting reporters have surfaced. In LA, journalists faced rubber bullets, pepper balls, flash-bangs, and even brief detentions while on air. CNN’s Jason Carroll was held and cuffed during a live broadcast,...

June 13, 2025

UNESCO Launches Global Initiative to Combat Legal Harassment of Journalists

June 13, 2025 - General - UNESCO unveiled a groundbreaking global initiative aimed at addressing the growing use of legal harassment against journalists, often referred to as “lawfare.” This tactic, which includes the abuse of defamation laws, Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), and other forms of judicial intimidation, is increasingly being used worldwide to suppress independent journalism, exhaust journalists financially, and silence critical reporting. Recognizing the urgent need for international action, UNESCO’s initiative will adopt a comprehensive approach combining legal support, judicial training, and global awareness to counteract these threats. Drawing from its experience...

June 12, 2025

Five Journalists Detained in Artvin; Two Released Pending Trial

June 12, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish authorities released two journalists—Rahime Karvar and Reyhan Hacıoğlu—from pretrial detention stemming from a broad investigation into media outlets in Istanbul and the Artvin region. The probe originally led to the arrests in January of six journalists—Karvar, Hacıoğlu, Necla Demir, Ahmet Güneş, Welat Ekin, and Vedat Örüç—on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization," widely understood as related to alleged ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Reyhan Hacıoğlu, detained on January 21 at her home in Van, was held in Van's Type T Prison for almost five months...

June 12, 2025

BBC Faces Ageism Allegations Over Journalist Discrimination

June 12, 2025 - UK - The BBC is facing mounting accusations of age discrimination from several of its seasoned journalists, who allege they have been unfairly sidelined or pushed out due to their age. This controversy has reignited debates over workplace equality, diversity, and the corporation's handling of experienced staff amidst ongoing efforts to modernize its news coverage. At the heart of the complaints are claims that older presenters and reporters have seen their roles diminished, contracts terminated, or been excluded from high-profile opportunities in favor of younger colleagues. Some veteran journalists allege that...

June 11, 2025

Ruben Salazar’s 1970 Death Reverberates Amid Modern Los Angeles Protests

June 11, 2025 - General - The tragic death of journalist Ruben Salazar 55 years ago casts a long shadow over current law enforcement practices in Los Angeles. Salazar, a prominent Mexican-American reporter, was killed on August 29, 1970, when a tear-gas projectile fired by a sheriff’s deputy struck him while he was covering the Chicano Moratorium March against the Vietnam War. Today’s Los Angeles protests—sparked by sweeping ICE raids in early June 2025—have seen a resurgence in the use of “less-lethal” munitions and tactics against journalists. CalMatters reports that law enforcement has deployed rubber...

June 11, 2025

Press Freedom Under Siege in Los Angeles Amidst Immigration Protests

June 11, 2025 - USA - Los Angeles became a flashpoint for press freedom concerns as journalists covering protests against federal immigration raids reported being targeted by law enforcement. Over two dozen journalists were injured, with incidents ranging from rubber bullet and pepper ball injuries to physical detentions, raising alarms about the safety and rights of the press. Among the affected were CNN correspondent Jason Carroll and his crew, who were detained while broadcasting live from the protest zone. Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was struck in the leg by a rubber bullet, and several other...

June 11, 2025

Gaza Journalist Wael Al-Dahdouh Faces Personal Loss Amid War Reporting

June 11, 2025 - Palestine - Wael Al-Dahdouh, a prominent Palestinian journalist based in Gaza, has endured heartbreaking personal tragedy while covering the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza. As the editor-in-chief of Al-Quds newspaper in Gaza, Al-Dahdouh has reported tirelessly on the devastation wrought by the war. But his professional commitment has come at a devastating personal cost: several of his family members have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, including his wife and children. Despite the unbearable loss, Al-Dahdouh continues to document the conflict’s harsh realities, determined to tell the world the human side...

June 11, 2025

Terry Moran’s Termination from ABC News

June 11, 2025 - USA - Veteran ABC News correspondent Terry Moran has been terminated following a controversial social media post in which he criticized President Donald Trump and his adviser Stephen Miller. In the now-deleted post, Moran referred to both men as "world-class haters," accusing Miller of "eating his hate" and suggesting that Trump's hatred serves his self-glorification. The post, shared on the platform X (formerly Twitter), violated ABC News' policies on objectivity and professionalism, leading to his suspension and subsequent dismissal. Moran, who joined ABC News in 1997, had recently conducted a tense...

June 11, 2025

Iranian-American Journalist Reza Valizadeh Launches Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

June 11, 2025 - Iran/USA - Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh, a former reporter for Radio Farda, has initiated a hunger strike in Tehran's Evin Prison to protest the seizure of his essential documents, including his birth certificate. These documents are crucial for managing his legal affairs and protecting his assets abroad. Valizadeh, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of "collaborating with a hostile government," began his hunger strike on June 7, 2025, following the confiscation of these vital records by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization. Valizadeh, a dual...

June 11, 2025

Balancing Truth and Well-Being: How Climate Journalists Can Stay Resilient While Reporting the Crisis

June 11, 2025 - General - Covering climate change is one of the most important but emotionally challenging tasks journalists face today. Reporting on disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods means witnessing devastation and human suffering firsthand, which can take a serious toll on journalists’ mental health. Many experience anxiety, depression, nightmares, and compassion fatigue — a condition caused by repeated exposure to others’ trauma. Unfortunately, newsroom cultures often overlook these issues, leaving journalists to cope alone. Studies show that nearly 20% of reporters covering extreme weather suffer from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)...

June 11, 2025

Starved Into Silence: Gaza’s Journalists and Europe’s Complicity

June 11, 2025 - Palestine - Journalists in Gaza are facing extreme conditions that amount to systematic silencing. Under Israel’s ongoing blockade and bombardment, they are not only dodging airstrikes and losing colleagues to targeted attacks—they are also being starved into submission. Without access to food, electricity, internet, or fuel, Gaza’s reporters are physically and logistically unable to work, creating what media rights groups are calling an “information blackout.” Since October 2023, over 130 Palestinian journalists have been killed, making this war one of the deadliest for media workers in modern history. Many were killed...

June 11, 2025

Egypt’s Female Journalists Push Back Against Newsroom Discrimination

June 11, 2025 - Egypt - Women journalists in Egypt face persistent discrimination and harassment in newsrooms, often working in environments that silence or penalize them for speaking out. Despite contributing significantly to the country’s media sector, they remain underrepresented in leadership roles and are frequently excluded from high-impact reporting assignments. A feature by The New Arab highlights the widespread harassment women face within Egyptian newsrooms. Journalists describe being subjected to unwanted physical contact, verbal abuse, and demeaning treatment from male colleagues and supervisors. One journalist recounted how a senior editor regularly hugged and kissed...

June 11, 2025

Press Freedom Under Threat in Croatia Amid Funding Cuts and Legal Pressures

June 11, 2025 - Croatia - Croatia is facing mounting concerns over the state of press freedom, as recent developments highlight a shrinking space for independent journalism. Two major incidents underline the troubling trend: a critical report from international watchdogs and a funding cut targeting a Serb minority newspaper. A 2025 mission by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), involving groups like ARTICLE 19 and the European Federation of Journalists, found systemic threats to press freedom in Croatia. The mission’s findings pointed to outdated media laws, politicised public broadcasting, a lack of protections for journalists,...

June 11, 2025

Israel Deports Four, Detains Eight Following Madleen Aid Boat Raid

June 11, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli naval forces intercepted the UK‑flagged aid vessel Madleen in international waters, approximately 185 km off the Gaza coast, amid a humanitarian convoy organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The flotilla, which set sail from Sicily on June 1 carrying symbolic aid—baby formula, rice, medical kits—intended to highlight Gaza’s critical humanitarian crisis. Israeli commandos boarded the vessel using drones, communications jamming measures, and irritant sprays before towing it to Ashdod. Aboard were 12 individuals, including high-profile participants such as climate activist Greta Thunberg, French MEP Rima Hassan, and two journalists from...

June 10, 2025

Journalists in Eritrea: A Legacy of Repression and Silence

June 10, 2025 - Eritrea - Eritrea remains one of the most repressive countries for journalists, with a history of arbitrary detentions and a complete absence of independent media. Since the government's crackdown on the press in 2001, many journalists have been imprisoned without charge or trial, enduring harsh conditions and prolonged isolation. Dawit Isaak: The Longest-Imprisoned Journalist Dawit Isaak, a Swedish-Eritrean journalist and co-founder of Setit, Eritrea's first independent newspaper, was arrested in September 2001 during a government purge targeting independent media. Despite holding dual citizenship, Isaak has been detained without trial for over...

June 10, 2025

ICIJ Reporter Nicole Sadek Honored with Livingston Award for Investigative Reporting

June 10, 2025 - General - Nicole Sadek, an investigative reporter for the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), has been awarded the 2025 Livingston Award for Excellence in International Reporting. The award recognizes her exceptional work on the "Caspian Cabals" investigation, a collaborative project that exposed how Western oil companies overlooked corruption risks to secure stakes in a critical Kazakhstan-Russia pipeline, enriching Kazakh and Russian elites in the process. Sadek's reporting was praised for its "tenacity and sensitivity," highlighting the human impact of the environmental and health crises caused by the oil industry in...

June 10, 2025

Ethiopian Authorities Detain Journalist Tesfalem Waldyes Despite Court-Ordered Bail

June 11, 2025 - Ethiopia - Ethiopian journalist Tesfalem Waldyes has been detained by authorities in Addis Ababa despite a court order granting him bail, raising serious concerns about press freedom in the country. Waldyes, a well-known journalist and co-founder of the independent media outlet Ethiopia Insider, was held even after a judge authorized his release. This move has sparked condemnation from international organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which has called for his immediate release. Tesfalem Waldyes has faced legal challenges before. In 2015, he was detained on terrorism-related charges, which were...

June 10, 2025

Staying Safe While Interviewing Dangerous Subjects: A Journalist’s Guide

June 10, 2025 - Interviewing potentially dangerous individuals, such as armed actors, criminals, or volatile sources, poses serious risks for journalists. Both Journalism.co.uk and IJNet emphasize the importance of preparation, awareness, and ethical boundaries when navigating such encounters. The first step is thorough preparation. Journalists should conduct a full risk assessment before setting out, considering the location, the subject’s background, and the broader context. Understanding the political, social, or criminal dynamics involved can help anticipate possible threats. Enrolling in hostile environment training and carrying a basic first aid kit are also recommended, especially in unstable...

June 10, 2025

Cambodian Journalist’s Killer Sentenced, Marking Rare Victory for Press Freedom

June 10, 2025 - Cambodia - Cambodian court sentenced Sy Loeuy to 12 years in prison for the murder of environmental journalist Chhoeung Chhoeng. The 63-year-old journalist, who worked for the Khmer-language newspaper Kampuchea Aphiwat, was shot on December 4, 2024, in Siem Reap province while investigating illegal logging operations. Chhoeng succumbed to his injuries three days later in the hospital. The case drew national and international attention, particularly due to the long-standing risks faced by journalists reporting on environmental and land issues in Cambodia. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered Loeuy...

June 10, 2025

Palestinian Photojournalist Killed in Gaza as Journalist Death Toll Reaches 227

June 10, 2025 - Palestine - The ongoing conflict in Gaza has claimed another journalist's life, raising serious concerns over the safety of media professionals operating in the region. On June 9, 2025, Palestinian freelance photojournalist Momen Abu Alof was killed during Israeli attacks in eastern Gaza City. Abu Alof, who was accompanying an ambulance crew to evacuate the injured, died alongside three paramedics when Israeli forces targeted the area. His death brings the total number of journalists killed since the start of Israel's military operations on Gaza in October 2023 to 227, according to...

June 9, 2025

RSF and CPJ Demand Release of French Journalists Intercepted on Madleen Aid Ship

June 09, 2025 - France/Palestine - Two French journalists—Yanis Mhamdi (Blast) and Omar Faiad (Al Jazeera)—were detained by the Israeli military on June 9 during the interception of the Gaza-bound aid vessel Madleen, prompting swift international outcry from press freedom groups. The Madleen, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left Sicily on June 1 carrying symbolic humanitarian aid and 12 passengers, including climate activist Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan. Israel’s navy intercepted the ship in international waters—around 185 km from Gaza—and towed it to Ashdod. Military commandos boarded after deploying drones and “irritant” substances to disable communications....

June 9, 2025

Australian Reporter Shot with Rubber Bullet While Covering LA Protests

June 09, 2025 - Australia/USA - Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi, a correspondent for Nine News, was struck by a rubber bullet while covering protests in Los Angeles on June 8, 2025. The protests were sparked by a series of controversial ICE raids targeting immigrant communities. Tomasi was reporting live when the incident occurred, and the moment was captured on air as she was hit in the leg while marked as press. The footage shows Tomasi visibly recoiling in pain but quickly assuring viewers, “I’m good,” as she was escorted away from the scene. Despite wearing...

June 8, 2025

Canadian Journalist Mocha Bezirgan Assaulted by Khalistani Extremists in Vancouver

June 08, 2025 - Vancouver - Canadian journalist Mocha Bezirgan was assaulted on June 8, 2025, while covering a pro-Khalistan rally in downtown Vancouver. The attack has raised fresh concerns about press freedom, political extremism, and the growing tensions within Canada’s Sikh diaspora community. Bezirgan, known for his investigative work on extremism, was filming the rally when a group of pro-Khalistan protesters confronted him aggressively. He reported that multiple individuals surrounded him, attempted to block his camera, and forcibly seized his phone. One attacker, believed to be a British national, followed him persistently even after...

June 7, 2025

UNRWA Condemns Israeli Ban on International Journalists in Gaza—“A Ban on the Truth”

June 07, 2025 - Palestine - In a sharply worded response, UN agency chief Philippe Lazzarini has denounced Israel’s continued prohibition on international journalists entering Gaza, calling it “a ban on the truth” and warning that it fosters misinformation, heightened polarization, and dehumanization. The ban, in effect since the outbreak of war, now surpassing 20 months, has drawn international condemnation from humanitarian groups and global media organizations. Lazzarini emphasized the critical role of independent coverage, urging that international journalists be granted access to directly report from Gaza. He also stressed the need to support local...

June 6, 2025

Iran’s Transnational Repression: Families of BBC Persian Journalists in the Crosshairs

June 06, 2025 - Iran - Iran’s government has intensified its transnational repression by systematically targeting the families of exiled journalists, particularly those working for BBC Persian. This growing campaign aims to silence journalists abroad by threatening their loved ones still living inside Iran, using a calculated mix of intimidation, harassment, and punishment. According to reports from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), Iranian intelligence agents have summoned family members of several journalists and delivered chilling ultimatums: tell their relatives abroad to stop reporting or face severe consequences. In some cases, relatives have...

June 6, 2025

Justice in Malta: Sentences in the Daphne Caruana Galizia Assassination

June 06, 2025 - Malta - Nearly eight years after the brutal murder of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, several key figures involved in the assassination have been convicted and sentenced, marking a significant development in one of Europe's most shocking attacks on press freedom. Caruana Galizia, known for her fearless reporting on political corruption, money laundering, and organized crime in Malta, was killed on October 16, 2017, when a car bomb detonated under her vehicle near her home. The assassination sent shockwaves through the international community, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for justice....

June 5, 2025

Controversy Surrounds Tommy Robinson’s Court Appearance and Allegations of Journalist Harassment

June 05, 2025 - UK - Recent reports focus on Tommy Robinson, a well-known British activist and former leader of the English Defence League, amid his court appearances and accusations of harassment against journalists. Robinson, who has a history of provocative activism and legal issues, was recently in the news for his involvement in a court case and subsequent allegations. According to The Independent, Tommy Robinson appeared in court facing charges related to his conduct, which included accusations of breaching court orders and disrupting proceedings. The case has drawn significant media attention due to Robinson’s...

June 5, 2025

Yemen Issues Arrest Warrants for Journalists Amid Ongoing Media Suppression and Harassment

June 05, 2025 - Yemen - Recent reports from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and Radio Free Asia reveal a troubling escalation in Yemen's crackdown on the press. The Yemeni authorities have issued arrest warrants against multiple journalists, primarily targeting those investigating corruption and challenging government narratives, amid a broader pattern of harassment and repression of media workers. According to the CPJ, Yemen's security agencies have issued warrants for the detention of several journalists, accusing them of spreading false information and undermining national security. These actions come amid...

June 5, 2025

Media Organizations Respond to Escalating Conflicts and Journalistic Detentions

June 05, 2025 - General - Recent reports highlight significant challenges faced by journalists amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Arab News and BBC News have covered the tense situation involving media coverage in conflict zones, emphasizing the risks journalists encounter and the importance of press freedom. Additionally, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a statement condemning the detention of BBC journalists by Israeli forces. Arab News reports on the increasing dangers for journalists reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The article highlights instances where journalists have been targeted or detained, underscoring the...

June 5, 2025

African Journalists Demand Answers on Missing Guinean Reporter

June 05, 2025 - Africa - More than 100 African journalists and media rights organizations have joined forces to demand transparency and accountability from Guinea’s military authorities regarding the disappearance of journalist Habib Marouane Camara. The prominent reporter, who founded and managed the Conakry-based news outlet Le Révélateur 224, has been missing since December 3, 2024. Camara was abducted in the Lambanyi district of Conakry by men dressed in gendarme uniforms. Witnesses reported that he was forcibly removed from his vehicle, beaten unconscious, and taken to an undisclosed location. His car was later found with...

June 5, 2025

Four Palestinian Journalists Killed in Israeli Drone Strike on Gaza Hospital

June 05, 2025 - Palestine - On June 4, 2025, an Israeli unmanned aerial strike targeted the courtyard of the Al‑Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, where a group of journalists had gathered. The attack resulted in the deaths of four media workers—Ismail Baddah, Suleiman Hajjaj, Samir Al‑Rifai, and Ahmad Qalja (who later succumbed to injuries), while Imad Daloul was critically wounded. Eyewitnesses and hospital staff, including hospital director Dr. Fadel Naeem, confirmed the strike hit journalists at their makeshift reporting site. Daloul and Qalja were rushed into intensive care. Local and international press freedom monitors...

June 5, 2025

Breakthrough in Amazon Murders: Brazil Charges Mastermind in Killings of Journalist and Indigenous Activist

June 05, 2025 - Brazil - Brazilian prosecutors have officially charged Rubén Darío Villar, a Colombian fish trader, for orchestrating the brutal 2022 murders of British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira. The indictment marks a major milestone in a case that has drawn global attention to the dangers faced by environmental defenders and journalists in the Amazon. On June 5, 2022, Phillips and Pereira disappeared while traveling by boat in the remote Javari Valley, one of Brazil's most isolated regions plagued by illegal fishing, logging, and mining. Their mission was to...

June 4, 2025

Supreme Court Denies Interim Relief to MP Journalists Alleging Police Custodial Abuse

June 04, 2025 - India - The Supreme Court recently declined to grant interim protection to two journalists from Madhya Pradesh who had accused the police of custodial abuse and harassment. The journalists sought the court’s intervention following what they described as police intimidation linked to their professional work. The journalists alleged that police officers had subjected them to harsh treatment and abuse while in custody. They claimed that this harassment was an attempt to suppress their reporting and intimidate the press. The case raised serious concerns about freedom of the press and police conduct...

June 4, 2025

El Salvador Convicts Former Military Officers for 1982 Murder of Dutch Journalists

June 04, 2025 - El Salvador - In a landmark ruling, a Salvadoran court on June 3, 2025, convicted three former military officials for orchestrating the 1982 killing of four Dutch journalists during the country’s civil war. The court sentenced Gen. José Guillermo García (91), Col. Francisco Morán (93), and Col. Mario Adalberto Reyes Mena (85) to 15 years in prison each. García and Morán, both in fragile health, were present via hospital custody in San Salvador. Reyes Mena, who resides in the United States, was convicted in absentia and faces extradition. The victims—Jan Kuiper,...

June 4, 2025

British Journalist Charlotte Peet Found Safe in Brazil After Months Missing

June 04, 2025 - UK/Brazil - Charlotte Alice Peet, a 32-year-old British journalist, has been found safe in Brazil nearly four months after she was reported missing. Known for her coverage of South American affairs for outlets like The Independent, Al Jazeera, and The Times, Peet had been living in Brazil and returned to the country in November 2024. She last communicated with her family on February 8, 2025, telling them she was headed to Rio de Janeiro in search of accommodation. After that, she went silent, prompting growing concern. Peet’s family filed a missing...

June 4, 2025

Argentina Under Fire: Journalists Face Escalating Repression Amid Peaceful Protests

June 04, 2025 - Argentina - In a troubling trend drawing global condemnation, journalists covering peaceful protests in Argentina are increasingly facing targeted repression at the hands of state security forces. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has raised urgent alarms about what it describes as a systematic campaign to silence media coverage through violence and intimidation—an effort that directly threatens democratic freedoms in the country. Since the inauguration of President Javier Milei in December 2023, Argentina has witnessed a surge in public demonstrations, particularly among pensioners protesting austerity measures and social reforms. Yet these otherwise peaceful...

June 3, 2025

European Union Honors Journalists from Palestine, Egypt, and Syria in 2025 Samir Kassir Award

June 03, 2025 - General - The European Union, together with the Samir Kassir Foundation, celebrated the 20th edition of the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press. The ceremony took place at the historic Sursock Palace Gardens in Beirut, Lebanon. Established in 2006 to honor the memory of Lebanese journalist Samir Kassir, the award recognizes courageous and outstanding journalism in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region. This year, the award highlighted the exceptional work of three journalists from Palestine, Egypt, and Syria, whose reporting shed light on critical and often...

June 3, 2025

Houthis Intensify Crackdown on Journalists and Aid Workers in Yemen

June 03, 2025 - Yemen - Houthi authorities in Yemen have escalated their campaign against journalists and humanitarian workers, drawing international condemnation for a wave of detentions and rights violations. At least four journalists were abducted between May 21 and 23 in the Houthi-controlled city of Hodeidah. The detainees include freelance photographer Abduljabbar Zayad, journalist Hassan Ziyad of Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, media director Abdulaziz Al-Noum, and syndicate official Walid Ali Ghalib. The arrests were reportedly carried out without legal warrants or explanation. In a separate case, journalist Mohamed Al-Miyahi was sentenced on May 24 to 18...

June 3, 2025

CEO Indicted in Attacks Targeting Journalist After Investigative Reporting

June 03, 2025 - USA - Eric Spofford, founder and former CEO of Granite Recovery Centers, a prominent addiction treatment organization in New Hampshire, has been indicted in a case involving harassment and vandalism targeting journalist Lauren Chooljian of New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) and her colleagues. The case stems from a series of events following a 2022 investigative report by Chooljian that included allegations of sexual misconduct and financial impropriety against Spofford. Shortly after the report’s publication, Chooljian’s home, her editor’s home, and her parents' house were all vandalized—windows smashed and bricks thrown, one...

June 3, 2025

Journalist Survives Armed Attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam District

June 03, 2025 - Kashmir - Danish Manzoor, a journalist based in Jammu and Kashmir, narrowly escaped a life-threatening attack when unidentified gunmen opened fire on his vehicle in the Budgam district. The incident occurred on Sunday evening, in a part of the region often marred by political tension and sporadic violence. Manzoor, who was inside the car at the time of the attack, reported that at least two bullets struck his vehicle, though he fortunately escaped unhurt. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack, and no group has claimed responsibility so far....

June 3, 2025

Fear and Threats Grip Journalism in Northern Ireland

June 03, 2025 - Ireland - Journalists in Northern Ireland are working under increasing levels of fear due to ongoing threats, violence, and intimidation by paramilitary groups and criminal gangs, according to a new Amnesty International report. The study, Occupational Hazard?, paints a grim picture of what it calls the most dangerous region in the UK for media workers. Since 2019, more than 70 incidents involving threats or attacks on journalists have been recorded. These include direct death threats, physical assaults, threats of bombs under cars, and messages demanding reporters leave the country within 48...

June 2, 2025

Journalist Javier Hércules Killed in Honduras Despite State Protection

June 02, 2025 - Salvador - Salvadoran journalist Javier Antonio Hércules Salinas was fatally shot in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras, despite being under state protection since 2023. Hércules, who worked for the television channel A Todo Noticias, was ambushed by gunmen while driving his taxi—a side job he took to support his family. He had been living in Honduras for five years with his wife and children. Hércules had previously survived a kidnapping attempt in 2023, which led to his enrollment in Honduras' Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders, Justice Operators, and Journalists. However,...

June 2, 2025

Honduran Radio Host Carlos Gilberto Aguirre Stabbed to Death in Juticalpa

June 02, 2025 - Honduras - Carlos Gilberto Aguirre, a beloved sports commentator and radio host in Honduras, was found murdered on June 1, 2025, in Juticalpa, Olancho. His death has shocked the local community and drawn widespread condemnation from journalists and human rights organizations. Aguirre, who worked for Radio Oro Estéreo, was initially believed to have been struck by a vehicle after his body was discovered on a road. However, an autopsy later revealed that he had suffered multiple stab wounds, confirming that he was murdered. Authorities have since launched a criminal investigation, but...

June 2, 2025

OAN Pentagon Reporter Fired After Public Critique of Defense Secretary

June 02, 2025 - USA - Gabrielle Cuccia, a self‑described “MAGA girl,” was OAN’s Pentagon correspondent until late May 2025. Coca‑coloured openly loyal to former President Trump, she didn’t hide her views—until she crossed an unwritten line. Three days after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth introduced new restrictions on reporters’ movements in the Pentagon, Cuccia published a Substack post on Memorial Day titled “The Secretary of Defense‑ive.” In it, she slammed Hegseth for micromanaging press access and criticized his team, stating that real leaks came from senior Pentagon officials, not from journalists sneaking into secure spaces. Her exact...

June 2, 2025

Ottawa Police Arrest Journalist During CANSEC Protest, Sparking Press Freedom Concerns

June 02, 2025 - Canada - Ottawa police arrested journalist Ramona Murphy while she was covering a protest against the CANSEC arms trade show at the EY Centre. Murphy, a volunteer journalist with The North Star, was filming police actions when she was detained alongside 12 other demonstrators. She was threatened with charges of mischief and resisting arrest but was released eight hours later without any formal charges. The North Star condemned the arrest as an attack on press freedom, emphasizing that Murphy was identifiable as a journalist and was documenting the event from a...

June 2, 2025

Ugandan Journalist Agather Atuhaire Recounts Harrowing Ordeal During Detention in Tanzania

June 02, 2025 - Uganda - Ugandan journalist and human rights activist Agather Atuhaire endured a traumatic experience during her detention by Tanzanian authorities in Dar es Salaam. She had traveled to Tanzania alongside Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi to attend the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Atuhaire recounted that upon their arrival, both were apprehended by security personnel, blindfolded, and taken to an undisclosed location. During her detention, Atuhaire was stripped down to her underwear, beaten, and subjected to invasive procedures involving unidentified substances being inserted into her body. She described being forced...

June 2, 2025

Supreme Court to Hear Journalists’ Plea After Assault by Madhya Pradesh Police Over Sand Mafia Reporting

June 02, 2025 - India - India’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition filed by two journalists from Madhya Pradesh who allege police officers physically assaulted them after reporting on illegal sand mining in Bhind district. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and drawn attention to the dangers faced by reporters investigating corruption and environmental crime. According to the petition, the two journalists were summoned to a police station in Bhind on May 23, 2024, under the pretense of questioning, but were instead brutally beaten by police officers. The reporters say they were...

June 2, 2025

Revealed: Syrian Regime Held Missing American Journalist Austin Tice

June 02, 2025 - Syria/USA - Newly uncovered Syrian intelligence documents have confirmed that American journalist Austin Tice was held in government custody after his disappearance near Damascus in 2012, despite years of denial from the Assad regime. The revelations come from a BBC investigation that examined top-secret files, now verified by multiple sources, including law enforcement. Austin Tice, a former U.S. Marine turned freelance journalist, vanished while reporting in Syria at the height of the civil war. Until now, his fate had remained a mystery. The documents detail that he was captured by the...

June 2, 2025

Elif Akgül Released After 101 Days in Turkish Prison

June 02, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish journalist Elif Akgül has been released after spending 101 days in pretrial detention at Bakırköy Women's Closed Prison. Her release follows a court decision prompted by an appeal from the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA). Akgül was arrested on February 18, 2025, during a coordinated operation targeting the People’s Democratic Congress (HDK), a civil platform associated with pro-Kurdish and leftist movements. She was formally imprisoned on February 21 on allegations of “strong suspicion of committing a crime” due to her purported links with the HDK. Press freedom...

June 2, 2025

Calls Grow for Release of Detained Palestinian Journalist Ali al-Samoudi

June 02, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Ali al-Samoudi has been held in Israeli administrative detention since April 29, 2025, prompting urgent calls from local and international press freedom organizations for his immediate release. Al-Samoudi, 58, was arrested during a pre-dawn raid on his home in Jenin by Israeli forces. He has not been formally charged and is currently being held under a six-month administrative detention order—a controversial measure that allows imprisonment without trial or due process. Al-Samoudi is a longtime correspondent for Al-Quds newspaper and a well-known figure in Palestinian media. His arrest...

June 2, 2025

Azerbaijani Journalist Faces 12-Year Sentence for Economic Reporting

June 02, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Farid Mehralizada, an Azerbaijani economist and journalist working with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), is on trial facing a possible 12-year prison sentence. His case has sparked international concern, with press freedom advocates condemning it as part of a wider clampdown on dissent in Azerbaijan. Mehralizada was arrested in May 2024 under troubling circumstances—detained by unidentified men who reportedly covered his head with a bag and took him to a police facility in Baku. He was later charged with smuggling foreign currency, tax evasion, and document forgery. However, many...

June 1, 2025

Palestinian Journalists Urge Action Over Detained Reporter’s Deteriorating Health

June 01, 2025 - Palestine - The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate issued an urgent appeal to international institutions to intervene on behalf of detained journalist Ali Sammoudi, whose health is reportedly deteriorating due to medical neglect in Israeli custody. The syndicate holds Israeli authorities fully responsible for his well-being. Sammoudi, 58, was arrested on April 29 at his home in Jenin. Following his detention, he was allegedly subjected to abuse and transferred through multiple facilities, including an Israeli military outpost in Jenin, Al-Jalama detention center, and finally Megiddo prison. On May 8, Israeli authorities issued a...

June 1, 2025

BBC Bans Gaza Journalist Over Antisemitic Social Media Posts

June 01, 2025 - Palestine - The BBC has banned Gaza-based freelance journalist Ahmed Alagha from contributing to its Arabic service following revelations of his antisemitic social media posts. Alagha, who had been reporting for BBC Arabic since early 2023, described Jews as "devils" and claimed Israelis were "not human beings," according to reports by The Telegraph and JNS. He also praised a terrorist attack near a Jerusalem synagogue on Holocaust Memorial Day in January 2023, referring to the assailant as a "martyr" who "stole my heart." Despite these posts, BBC Arabic continued to feature...

June 1, 2025

Sheltering the Truth: Global Push to Provide Refuge for Journalists at Risk

June 01, 2025 - General - As threats to press freedom escalate around the world, the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) and its partners are working to ensure journalists have a safe place to go when their lives are in danger. Recognizing the urgent need for protection, MFC member states have launched several programs aimed at providing emergency refuge and long-term support for media professionals facing persecution. This initiative follows a 2020 report by the High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, which recommended establishing emergency visas and flexible relocation frameworks for at-risk journalists. Countries...

June 1, 2025

Russia Accused of Targeting Hotels Housing Journalists in Ukraine

May 28, 2025 - Russia/Ukraine - A joint investigation by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Ukrainian watchdog Truth Hounds reveals that since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, at least 25 hotels near Ukraine’s front lines have been struck by Russian forces. These hotels, known to accommodate journalists, have been targeted in what appears to be a deliberate strategy to suppress independent war reporting. The report documents 31 attacks resulting in injuries to at least 24 journalists and the death of one. Notably, Ryan Evans, a British security advisor for Reuters, was...

June 1, 2025

Somali Journalists Face Escalating Threats Amid Government Crackdown

June 01, 2025 - Somalia - In a concerning escalation of press freedom violations, Somali authorities have intensified their crackdown on journalists, with recent incidents highlighting the growing risks faced by media professionals in the country. On May 30, 2025, EU-trained police officers raided the offices of Radio Wanlaweyn FM in Wanla-Weyn town, Lower Shabelle region, arresting its director and founder, Ismail Khalif Ahmed. The arrest followed the station's publication of a report alleging that local authorities were coercing residents into making payments under the guise of funding a hospital construction project. Ahmed reported being...

June 1, 2025

Becerra Urges Journalists to ‘Speak Truth to Power’ at Health Journalism 2025

June 01, 2025 - General - At the Health Journalism 2025 conference in Los Angeles, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra delivered a compelling message to journalists: "Speak truth to power." Drawing from his tenure during the Biden administration, Becerra emphasized the critical role of the press in combating misinformation and disinformation, particularly when such falsehoods emanate from governmental sources. Becerra highlighted several health policy achievements during his time at HHS, including a nearly 27% reduction in drug overdoses in 2024, the implementation of the 988 mental health hotline, and the expansion...

June 1, 2025

Ukraine Strikes Deep into Russia with Massive Drone Assault on Airbases

June 01, 2025 - Ukraine/Russia - In a major escalation of its military capabilities, Ukraine launched “Operation Spider’s Web” on June 1, 2025, targeting five Russian airbases deep within Russian territory. The bold drone operation, orchestrated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), destroyed or damaged at least 40 Russian aircraft, including several strategic bombers critical to Moscow’s long-range strike arsenal. The strike involved 117 long-range drones, covertly assembled and launched from within Russian borders. These drones hit key airbases at Belaya, Dyagilevo, Olenya, Ivanovo Severny, and Ukrainka, spanning five separate Russian regions and time zones. One...

May 31, 2025

May: A Deadly Month for Journalists in Gaza

May 31, 2025 - Palestine - May 2025 has emerged as one of the darkest months for journalists in Gaza since the war began in October 2023. At least seven media workers were killed in a single month, adding to the grim toll of 221 journalists who have lost their lives in the conflict, according to the Palestinian Journalists Protection Center (PJPC). The deaths were not isolated incidents. Each case paints a chilling picture of journalists caught in, or directly targeted by, military strikes. Moataz Rajab, a correspondent for Al-Quds Al-Youm, was killed on May...

May 30, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Moataz Rajab Killed in Gaza Airstrike

May 30, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Moataz Mohammed Rajab was killed on May 28, 2025, during an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, bringing the total number of media workers killed since the war began in October 2023 to at least 221. Rajab, a cameraman and video editor for Al-Quds Today TV, died when an Israeli missile struck the civilian car he was traveling in on An-Nafaq Street. Four others were also killed in the same attack. Rajab was on his way to report on the aftermath of previous bombings when his vehicle was...

May 30, 2025

Ethiopian Journalist Ahmed Awga Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

May 30, 2025 - Ethiopia - The Fafen Zone High Court in Jigjiga, Ethiopia, sentenced journalist Ahmed Awga, founder of Jigjiga Television Network (JTN), to two years in prison on charges of disseminating hateful information. The conviction stems from a Facebook post that Awga did not author but was tagged in, raising significant concerns about press freedom in the country. Awga, whose legal name is Ahmed Abdi Omar, was arrested on April 23 following an interview he conducted with a man alleging that his 16-year-old son died after a police beating. Initially charged with incitement,...

May 30, 2025

UK Court Rules Police Raid on Journalist Asa Winstanley Was Unlawful

May 30, 2025 - UK - A British court has declared a Metropolitan Police raid on journalist Asa Winstanley's home unlawful, in a decision being hailed as a major victory for press freedom. Winstanley, known for his investigative work with The Electronic Intifada and his newsletter “Palestine is Still the Issue,” had his North London residence searched in October 2024 under counter-terrorism powers. During the early morning raid, officers seized multiple electronic devices, including his phone and laptop. The investigation stemmed from Winstanley’s social media posts related to Palestine, with police citing suspicions of offenses...

May 30, 2025

Kurdish Journalists Face Threats and Legal Harassment from Iranian Authorities

May 30, 2025 - Kurdish/Iraq - In a report dated May 30, 2025, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights detailed escalating threats and judicial harassment against Kurdish journalists Keyhan Mohammadi-Nejad and Sina Ghasemizadeh. Both journalists, originally from Urmia and currently based in Erbil, Iraq, have been targeted by Iranian security agencies, notably the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), for their human rights advocacy and reporting. The IRGC has intensified efforts to silence these journalists by summoning, interrogating, and verbally abusing their relatives in Iran. This tactic aims to pressure Mohammadi-Nejad and Ghasemizadeh into ceasing their...

May 29, 2025

Gaza’s Journalists Struggle to Report Under Bombardment and Starvation

May 29, 2025 - Palestine - Journalists in Gaza are enduring severe hardships as they try to cover the ongoing conflict amid deadly airstrikes, infrastructure collapse, and extreme deprivation. The dual pressures of physical danger and starvation have created near-impossible conditions for reporting, pushing local journalists to their limits. One of the most pressing threats is direct targeting. On April 7, 2025, Israeli airstrikes hit a tent sheltering journalists near the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, killing at least two and wounding others. This was not an isolated incident. Multiple press crews have faced...

May 29, 2025

Egyptian Journalist Rasha Qandeel Charged with Spreading ‘False News’

May 29, 2025 - Egypt - Egyptian journalist Rasha Qandeel was summoned by the Supreme State Security Prosecution (SSSP) in Cairo, where she underwent an eight-hour interrogation. Following the session, she was charged with "spreading and broadcasting false news inside and outside the country" and released on bail of 50,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $1,000). The charges against Qandeel stem from her investigative reports and social media posts addressing Egypt's political and economic landscape. Notably, her articles titled "The History of Borrowing and Loans from Western Countries" and "The Sovereign Wealth Fund 2: Egypt Between Military...

May 29, 2025

Bulgarian Journalists Face Challenges Covering Gaza Due to Israeli Restrictions

May 29, 2025 - Bulgaria - Bulgarian journalists are encountering significant obstacles in reporting from Gaza amid the ongoing conflict, primarily due to stringent restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities. These limitations have raised concerns about press freedom and the ability to provide comprehensive coverage of the situation on the ground. In recent weeks, major Bulgarian media outlets have published reports based on a journalistic trip to Israel, organized by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. While these reports offer insights into the Israeli perspective, the lack of access to Gaza has hindered balanced reporting. The Association of...

May 29, 2025

The Kyiv Independent’s Investigative Work Recognized with Ukrainian Journalism Award

May 29, 2025 - Ukraine - The Kyiv Independent has been honored with the 2025 Ukrainian journalism award, "Honor of the Profession," for its investigative documentary, "He Came Back." The film, produced by the outlet's War Crimes Investigations Unit, delves into the issue of sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers in occupied Ukrainian territories. The documentary identifies specific perpetrators and highlights the systemic nature of these crimes. Following the film's release, one of the identified soldiers was formally charged by Ukrainian authorities, marking a significant step toward accountability. Journalist Olesia Bida, who led the investigation,...

May 28, 2025

Former LA Times Reporter Sues Over Retaliation by LA County Sheriff’s Department

May 28, 2025 - USA - Maya Lau, a former investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times, has filed a federal lawsuit against Los Angeles County and its Sheriff’s Department, accusing them of unlawfully retaliating against her for reporting on alleged corruption within the department. The lawsuit, filed in early 2025, centers on Lau’s 2020 article that exposed misconduct among deputies in a controversial “Banditos” clique operating out of the East Los Angeles station. According to Lau, her reporting, which brought national attention to a culture of impunity, violence, and secrecy within the sheriff’s department,...

May 28, 2025

Widespread Outcry in Georgia as Journalists Demand Release of Mzia Amaghlobeli

May 28, 2025 - Georgia - Over 300 journalists in Georgia have united in protest, demanding the immediate release of their colleague Mzia Amaghlobeli, a respected media figure detained under controversial circumstances. Amaghlobeli, editor-in-chief of the independent outlet Publika, was arrested in January 2025 after covering a peaceful protest in Tbilisi. Her detention has sparked widespread criticism from both domestic and international media organizations, who view the move as part of a growing trend of media repression in the country. According to reports, Amaghlobeli was charged with disobeying police orders during the protest. However, eyewitness...

May 28, 2025

Support for Palestinian Journalists Expands as Niger Cracks Down on Press Freedom

May 28, 2025 - Niger - In a significant move to bolster public interest journalism, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has launched a new grant program aimed at supporting Palestinian media workers. The initiative offers direct financial aid to journalists and media outlets operating in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, where the press faces immense challenges due to occupation, economic instability, and violence. The grants are part of a broader push to safeguard independent journalism, encourage investigative reporting, and ensure that Palestinian voices continue to be heard despite the pressures of conflict...

May 28, 2025

Sudanese Blogger Detained Over Reporting on Corruption Allegations

May 28, 2025 - Sudan - Sudanese blogger and political commentator Abduljalil Mohamed Abduljalil was recently arrested by Sudanese authorities after publishing content related to corruption in government institutions. The arrest has sparked concern from press freedom advocates and human rights organizations, who say the move is part of a broader campaign to silence independent voices and limit public discourse during a time of national turmoil. Abduljalil was taken into custody in May 2025, shortly after sharing posts on social media that accused high-ranking officials of embezzlement and misconduct. His work, which focuses on exposing...

May 28, 2025

Pakistan Urged to Halt Deportations of Afghan Journalists Amid Safety Concerns

May 28, 2025 - Pakistan - A coalition of 15 international organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), PEN International, and Reporters Without Borders, has called on Pakistan to immediately suspend the deportation of Afghan journalists and other at-risk individuals. The joint statement, issued on May 28, 2025, expresses grave concern over Pakistan's "Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan," announced in October 2023, which has led to the forced return of tens of thousands of Afghans in recent months. The organizations warn that deported individuals, particularly journalists, writers, artists, and human rights defenders, face a high...

May 28, 2025

Odisha Journalist Brutally Assaulted While Investigating Corruption

May 28, 2025 - India - Journalist Bijaya Kumar Pradhan was violently attacked in Kulthipali village, Balangir district, Odisha, while reporting on alleged corruption in a government-funded construction project. The project involved a ₹10 lakh retaining wall along a village road, overseen by contractor Gajendra Dalei. Pradhan, accompanied by his nephew, was documenting the site when Dalei objected to the filming and allegedly instigated the assault. Pradhan was tied up, beaten, and paraded through the village before being taken to a temple, where he was threatened not to report the incident. His equipment, including mobile...

May 28, 2025

RSF Pushes for Gazan Journalists’ Role in ICC War Crimes Case

May 28, 2025 - Palestine - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has formally requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to allow Palestinian journalists affected by the war in Gaza to participate in its war crimes investigation. RSF argues that these journalists, who have suffered devastating personal losses and attacks in the line of duty, should be recognized as victims and allowed to share their testimonies during the proceedings. The move is part of RSF’s ongoing efforts to seek justice for journalists targeted during the Israel-Gaza conflict. The organization submitted two victim participation requests to the ICC...

May 27, 2025

Journalists Share Harrowing Experiences of Reporting from War Zones

May 27, 2025 - General - In a recent feature by The Guardian, journalists from various conflict zones have shared their accounts of the immense challenges and dangers they face while reporting from war-torn regions. Their stories shed light on the physical threats, psychological trauma, and unwavering commitment to truth that define their profession. Stephen, a journalist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been covering conflicts in North Kivu for years. His work has made him a target for M23 rebels, forcing him to conceal his identity and cease public reporting to protect...

May 27, 2025

DRC Journalist Shot by Police While Covering Protest in Haut-Uélé

May 27, 2025 - Congo - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that journalist Samy Kambere Malikidogo was shot by a police officer while covering a public demonstration against crime and violence in Durba, a town in the northeastern province of Haut-Uélé, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The incident occurred as Malikidogo was documenting the protest, highlighting the risks faced by journalists in the region. CPJ has called on DRC authorities to swiftly, thoroughly, and transparently investigate the shooting and hold the responsible officer accountable. Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator, emphasized the...

May 27, 2025

Beijing Targets U.S.-Based Journalist’s Circle in Global Crackdown on Dissent

May 27, 2025 - China - A recent investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has uncovered that the Chinese government targeted individuals connected to Shohret Hoshur, a U.S.-based journalist for Radio Free Asia (RFA), as part of a broader campaign to suppress dissent among the Uyghur diaspora. Leaked documents from the Tekes County Public Security Bureau in Xinjiang listed 42 individuals labeled as “sensitive and special” due to their association with Hoshur. These individuals, including an author who had been “dealt with by the public security authorities on political suspicion,” were subjected...

May 27, 2025

Israeli Forces Injure Two Children and Two Journalists in West Bank Raids

May 27, 2025 - Palestine - On May 27, 2025, Israeli forces injured two Palestinian children and two journalists during military operations in the occupied West Bank, specifically in the cities of Qalqilia, Jenin, and Bethlehem. In Qalqilia, soldiers fired rubber-coated steel bullets during a morning raid, injuring a child in the leg. The child was transported to Darwish Nazzal Government Hospital for treatment. Additionally, Israeli forces stormed the Qalqilia Municipality building and nearby commercial shops, detaining several individuals, including Louay Fathi Al-Ashqar, Alaa Ayad Daoud, Muhammad Yasser Amer, and Anhar Muhammad Abdul Jawad. In...

May 27, 2025

Azerbaijani Journalist Ulviyya Ali Imprisoned Amid Crackdown on Press Freedom

May 27, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Ulviyya Ali (also known as Ulviyya Guliyeva) is an Azerbaijani journalist and human rights activist who was arrested on May 7, 2025, in connection with the "Meydan TV case." She was charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, which pertains to smuggling committed by a group of persons acting in concert. Ali has denied any affiliation with Meydan TV and asserts that her detention is solely due to her journalistic activities. Before her arrest, Ali had been reporting on human rights issues for Voice of America (VOA)...

May 26, 2025

Violent Assault on Journalists at Dhaka Reporters Unity Sparks Outrage

May 26, 2025 - Bangladesh - A Dhaka court has denied bail to Zakir Hossain, the main accused in a shocking attack on journalists at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) premises in Segunbagicha on May 21, 2025. The court, however, granted bail to his wife, Beauty Khatun, who is also implicated in the case. The couple was arrested on May 24 and brought before the court the following day, following a swift police investigation that identified them as central figures in the violence. The attack, which unfolded in broad daylight, involved around 50 individuals armed...

May 25, 2025

Former Somali President Condemns Government for Cracking Down on Press

May 25, 2025 - Somalia - Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has strongly criticized the Somali government for its recent arrests of journalists in Mogadishu, calling it a direct attack on press freedom and democratic principles. His comments come in response to the detention of multiple journalists following their coverage of political unrest and anti-government sentiments. Speaking out on May 24, 2025, the former president labeled the government’s actions as a “blatant violation” of journalists' rights and the country’s constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression. He warned that the escalating crackdown on media professionals...

May 25, 2025

Baloch Journalist Abdul Latif Killed Amid Crackdown on Press in Pakistan

May 25, 2025 - Pakistan - Abdul Latif, a Baloch journalist known for his coverage of human rights issues in Pakistan's troubled Balochistan province, was shot dead on May 23, 2025, in the town of Turbat. The attack, which occurred in front of his family, has been widely condemned as a targeted killing, further exposing the dangers journalists face in the region. Latif, who worked with local media outlets and contributed to several human rights advocacy platforms, was reportedly ambushed by armed assailants while returning home. Witnesses say he was gunned down at close range...

May 25, 2025

Journalist Hassan Abu Warda Killed in Israeli Strike Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

May 25, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Hassan Abu Warda was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza, marking another grim milestone in the mounting toll on media workers amid the ongoing war. Abu Warda, who worked as a freelance photojournalist, lost his life on May 19, 2025, in the northern Gaza Strip while covering the effects of the Israeli military campaign. According to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, Abu Warda was killed during a targeted airstrike in Jabalia, a densely populated refugee camp that has faced repeated bombardments. His death was reported...

May 25, 2025

Global Advocacy Intensifies for Press and Medical Freedom in Gaza

May 25, 2025 - Palestine - As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, international media and human rights organizations are amplifying calls for unrestricted access and protection for journalists and medical personnel operating in the region. On May 29, 2025, the Arab Center, Washington, DC, in collaboration with Brave New Films and the National Writers Union, will host the national premiere of Gaza: Journalists Under Fire. This documentary highlights the stories of journalists Bilal Jadallah, Heba Al-Abadlah, and Ismail Al-Ghoul, who were killed while covering the conflict in Gaza. The film underscores the deliberate targeting...

May 25, 2025

Palestinian National Council Urges Protection for Journalists Amid Ongoing Israeli Attacks

May 25, 2025 - Palestine - The Palestinian National Council (PNC), the highest decision-making body of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), has issued a fervent appeal for the protection of journalists in the face of escalating Israeli attacks in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. This call comes as the toll on media professionals continues to rise, with at least 211 Palestinian journalists reported killed since October 2023. In a statement released ahead of Arab Media Day, the PNC condemned the deliberate targeting of journalists, asserting that such assaults aim to silence the Palestinian narrative....

May 25, 2025

Afghan Women Launch “Journalism Is Not a Crime” Campaign Amid Rising Media Repression

May 25, 2025 - Afghanistan - Amid a deepening crackdown on press freedom in Afghanistan, a group of women’s rights activists has launched the “Journalism Is Not a Crime” campaign. Led by the Afghanistan Women’s Protest Movements Coalition, the initiative calls for the immediate release of detained journalists and urges international attention to the Taliban’s escalating repression of the media. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, journalists across Afghanistan have faced widespread intimidation, detention, and violence. A recent United Nations report highlights 336 cases of harassment against media professionals, including 256 arbitrary...

May 23, 2025

Iranian-American Journalist Reza Valizadeh Detained in Iran for Refusing Intelligence Cooperation

May 23, 2025 - Iran - Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American journalist and former employee of Voice of America and Radio Farda, has been detained in Tehran's Evin Prison. Authorities arrested him in September 2024, and he has since been held without access to legal representation. Valizadeh claims that his detention stems from his refusal to collaborate with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence unit. He alleges that the IRGC offered him financial incentives to lure Iranian journalists abroad back to Iran under the guise of contractual work, which he declined. Subsequently, they proposed that...

May 23, 2025

Mexican Journalist José Carlos González Herrera, Known as ‘El Guerrero Fénix,’ Shot Dead in Acapulco

May 23, 2025 - Mexico - José Carlos González Herrera, a prominent Mexican journalist and social media influencer known as "El Guerrero Fénix," was fatally shot on May 15, 2025, in downtown Acapulco, Guerrero. He was the administrator of the Facebook page El Guerrero, Opinión Ciudadana, which had over 140,000 followers and was recognized for its citizen journalism, political satire, and public accountability reporting. The attack occurred shortly after González Herrera had conducted a live broadcast, underscoring the risks faced by journalists in the region. This incident marks the fourth journalist killed in Mexico in...

May 23, 2025

Samoan Journalist Faces Criminal Libel Charge, Sparking Press Freedom Concerns

May 23, 2025 - Samoa - Lagi Keresoma, a veteran journalist and president of the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS), has been charged with criminal libel under Section 117A of Samoa’s Crimes Act 2013. The charge stems from a May 1 article published by Talamua Media, alleging that a former police officer sought assistance from the Head of State to have charges against him withdrawn. The former officer, currently facing two forgery charges, filed a complaint claiming the article was defamatory. The case has ignited widespread criticism from local and international media organizations. JAWS expressed...

May 22, 2025

Vika: The Journalist Who Exposed Russian “Black Sites” and Became a Victim

May 22, 2025 - Ukraine/Russia - Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, known as Vika, dedicated her career to uncovering Russia’s covert detention facilities, often referred to as “black sites,” where civilians were subjected to torture and abuse. In August 2023, while investigating these sites in Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia, she was detained by Russian forces. Her subsequent disappearance and death in captivity have drawn international attention to the plight of journalists and civilians under Russian occupation. In the latest episode of Today in Focus, The Guardian’s investigative team delves into Roshchyna’s final assignment. The podcast, titled “Vika: The...

May 22, 2025

Global Outcry Over Detention of Cambodian Environmental Journalist Ouk Mao

May 22, 2025 - Cambodia - Environmental journalist Ouk Mao was arrested without a warrant by Cambodian authorities on May 16, 2025, sparking widespread condemnation from international press freedom and human rights groups. Mao, who reports for Intriplus News, has been a vocal critic of illegal logging and environmental destruction in Cambodia’s protected areas, especially around the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary. He now faces charges of “incitement to commit a felony” and “public defamation,” offenses that could result in several years of imprisonment. His arrest follows a pattern of ongoing harassment. In March 2025, Mao...

May 22, 2025

Hong Kong’s Independent Media Face Intensified Pressure Through Tax Audits

May 22, 2025 - Hong Kong - In May 2025, Hong Kong's independent media sector encountered heightened scrutiny as the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) initiated a series of tax audits targeting at least six media outlets and approximately 20 journalists, including their family members. The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) described these audits as "unreasonable" and "strange," citing instances where individuals were taxed for non-existent companies or periods predating a company's establishment. Prominent outlets such as Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP), InMedia HK, and The Witness reported being subjected to extensive multi-year audits. HKFP's founder,...

May 22, 2025

Trump Erupts at NBC Reporter Over Qatari Jet Question During Oval Office Meeting

May 22, 2025 - USA/Qatar - On May 21, 2025, President Donald Trump had a heated exchange with NBC News reporter Peter Alexander during an Oval Office press event with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The confrontation arose when Alexander questioned Trump about the Pentagon's acceptance of a $400 million Qatari Boeing 747 jet, intended as a temporary replacement for the aging Air Force One fleet. Trump dismissed the question as irrelevant, emphasizing the generosity of Qatar’s gift and accusing Alexander and NBC of trying to deflect attention from a video presented moments earlier that...

May 22, 2025

Kosovo’s Women Journalists Confront Harassment, Inequality, and Violence

May 22, 2025 - Kosovo - Women journalists in Kosovo face escalating harassment, threats, and discrimination despite their growing presence in newsrooms. Although women make up the majority of journalists in the country, they often endure verbal abuse, gender-based attacks, and are denied equal treatment and opportunities in the media industry. Online and offline harassment is common. Investigative reporter Qendresa Tershani has received threats and degrading comments for covering topics like femicide. Such abuse frequently targets women’s appearance and private lives, creating a toxic work environment that affects their mental health and professional credibility. The...

May 21, 2025

Al Jazeera’s Wael al-Dahdouh to Deliver Keynote at 2025 Amnesty Media Awards

May 21, 2025 - Palestine - Wael al-Dahdouh, the Gaza bureau chief for Al Jazeera, has been announced as the keynote speaker for the 2025 Amnesty Media Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place on June 4, 2025, at the BFI Southbank in London. The event celebrates exemplary journalism that highlights human rights issues worldwide. Al-Dahdouh’s selection for this important role highlights his outstanding courage and dedication to press freedom, especially in the face of devastating personal loss. During the 2023–2024 conflict in Gaza, an Israeli airstrike tragically claimed the lives of his wife, children, and...

May 21, 2025

Central African Republic Journalist Landry Ulrich Nguéma Ngokpélé Detained Amid Press Freedom Concerns

May 21, 2025 - Central Africa - Landry Ulrich Nguéma Ngokpélé, the editor of Le Quotidien de Bangui, has been detained since May 8, 2025, under charges including “inciting hatred against the government” and “disseminating information tending to cause public disorder.” These charges stem from a report published on April 22, 2025, concerning the alleged return of former President François Bozizé to the capital, Bangui. The journalist is currently held in pre-trial detention at the Ngaragba prison in Bangui, facing potential penalties under the penal code that could result in up to 15 years in...

May 21, 2025

Russia Targets Exiled Journalist Galina Timchenko in Ongoing Crackdown on Dissent

May 21, 2025 - Russia - Russian authorities have opened a criminal case against Galina Timchenko, co-founder and CEO of the independent Latvia-based news outlet Meduza, accusing her of involvement with an “undesirable organization” and publishing content designed to provoke protest. The charges, announced on May 20, 2025, are part of an ongoing campaign by the Kremlin to suppress dissent and silence voices critical of the war in Ukraine. Timchenko has lived in exile since 2014, when she launched Meduza after being dismissed from her post at a Russian media outlet under government pressure. In...

May 21, 2025

Tommy Robinson Charged with Harassing Journalists Amid Early Prison Release

May 21, 2025 - UK - Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, widely known as Tommy Robinson, has been charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against two male journalists. The alleged incidents occurred between August 5 and 7, 2024, during a period of nationwide unrest following the murder of three young girls in Southport, northwest England. Robinson is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 5, 2025. These charges come shortly after a High Court decision to reduce Robinson's 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court by four months, making him eligible for...

May 20, 2025

Sudanese Photojournalist Al-Shykh Al-Samany Saadaldyn Killed in Drone Strike

May 20, 2025 - Sudan - On May 18, 2025, Sudanese freelance photojournalist Al-Shykh Al-Samany Saadaldyn Mousa Abdulla, known professionally as "Sheikho," was killed in a drone strike while covering a pro-Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) event organized by the Sudan Shield Forces in the Al-Butna area of central eastern Sudan. The attack, suspected to have been carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), also resulted in the deaths of at least seven SAF soldiers and injuries to 14 others. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for an immediate and thorough investigation...

May 19, 2025

Turkish Journalist İsmail Arı Faces Death Threats After Reporting on Corruption

May 19, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish journalist İsmail Arı, a reporter for the independent outlet BirGün, has been subjected to death threats following his investigative reporting on alleged bribery and corruption involving a public official. His exposé, which scrutinized questionable financial dealings and political connections, sparked backlash that quickly escalated into serious security concerns for both Arı and his family. Shortly after the article was published, Arı began receiving threatening messages warning him to stop his reporting. One chilling message referenced his home address and suggested that Ankara, the capital where he resides, is...

May 19, 2025

Veteran Journalist Dharmendra Singh Chauhan Shot Dead in Haryana

May 19, 2025 - India - Dharmendra Singh Chauhan, a seasoned journalist based in Haryana, was shot dead outside his home in Luhari village, Jhajjar district, on the night of May 18, 2025. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from journalist unions and press freedom advocates, who are demanding swift justice and increased protections for reporters. According to reports, Chauhan, associated with the regional outlet Fast News India, was taking a routine walk near his home after dinner when unidentified assailants attacked him. Witnesses said they heard multiple gunshots before finding Chauhan critically injured on...

May 19, 2025

Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Condemns Targeted Killings of Media Workers

May 19, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - On December 26, 2024, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) strongly condemned the Israeli military's killing of five journalists in Gaza, labeling the act a deliberate war crime. The journalists were killed when an Israeli airstrike targeted a broadcast vehicle near Al-Awda Hospital in Al-Nuseirat camp, central Gaza Strip. This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence against Palestinian media workers. Since the onset of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza on October 7, 2023, over 210 journalists have been killed, with many more injured or displaced. The...

May 18, 2025

Israeli Army Detains American Journalist Documenting Settler March in Hebron

May 18, 2025 - Palestine/USA - On May 17, 2025, American journalist Eric Maddox was detained by the Israeli army while documenting a march organized by illegal Israeli settlers in the Old City of Hebron, located in the southern West Bank. Maddox, an activist and podcaster from California, was filming what was described as a "provocative march" when he was assaulted by settlers and subsequently arrested by Israeli soldiers. Footage shared on social media platforms, including the Quds News Network, shows Maddox surrounded by Israeli soldiers who handcuffed and detained him. Issa Amro, founder of...

May 18, 2025

Crimean Journalist Lutfiye Zudiyeva Faces Continued Harassment by Russian Authorities

May 18, 2025 - Crimea/Russia - Lutfiye Zudiyeva, a Crimean Tatar journalist and human rights defender, continues to face sustained harassment and intimidation from Russian authorities in occupied Crimea due to her reporting and activism. Zudiyeva is a key member of the Crimean Solidarity movement and a contributor to the Ukrainian outlet Graty. Her work focuses on documenting politically motivated prosecutions and systemic abuses, especially those targeting the Crimean Tatar population following Russia’s 2014 annexation of the peninsula. On February 22, 2024, Zudiyeva’s home in Dzhankoy was raided by officers from Russia’s Center for Combating...

May 18, 2025

Three More Journalists Killed in Gaza as Media Death Toll Reaches 220

May 18, 2025 - Palestine - The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza has claimed the lives of five more Palestinian journalists, pushing the total number of media professionals killed in the Strip since October 7, 2023, to 222. These latest casualties highlight the increasingly perilous conditions for journalists attempting to report on the ground. Among those killed was photojournalist Aziz al-Hajjar, who died alongside his wife and children after Israeli warplanes targeted their home in the Saftawi neighborhood of northern Gaza. Al-Hajjar’s death marks yet another instance of entire families being wiped out in...

May 17, 2025

UK Charges Three Iranian Nationals for Plotting Against Journalists

May 17, 2025 - Iran/UK - British authorities have charged three Iranian nationals with planning acts of violence against journalists affiliated with Iran International, a London-based Persian-language media outlet critical of the Iranian government. The suspects—Mostafa Sepahvand, Farhad Javadi Manesh, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori—were arrested on May 3 and charged under the UK’s National Security Act with assisting a foreign intelligence service and conducting surveillance to support potential attacks. According to prosecutors, the trio gathered intelligence between August 2024 and February 2025 in preparation for a possible attack on individuals associated with Iran International....

May 17, 2025

Syria Condemns Disappearance of Journalist in Israeli-Controlled Territory

May 17, 2025 - Syria - Syria has strongly condemned the disappearance of a Syrian journalist reportedly abducted in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, calling it a serious violation of international law and a direct assault on press freedom. The journalist, who was working near the ceasefire line, went missing earlier this month under unclear circumstances. The Syrian Ministry of Information announced that the journalist had been reporting on Israeli activities in the occupied region when contact with him was abruptly lost. His whereabouts remain unknown, raising fears of enforced disappearance. Damascus has accused Israeli forces...

May 17, 2025

Swedish Journalist Released After Imprisonment in Turkey Over Erdoğan Criticism

May 17, 2025 - Sweden/Turkey - A Swedish journalist has returned home after being released from a Turkish prison, where he had been held for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The arrest raised fresh concerns over press freedom and political repression in Turkey, particularly the use of defamation laws to target foreign and domestic journalists alike. The journalist, known for his reporting on human rights and conflicts in the Middle East, was detained in southeastern Turkey earlier this year while covering politically sensitive topics, including Kurdish issues and government policy. He was accused of...

May 17, 2025

Telangana Journalists Arrested Over Derogatory Video Against CM Revanth Reddy

May 17, 2025 - India - In a significant development in Telangana, two women journalists—Revathi Pogadadanda and Thanvi Yadav—were arrested on March 12, 2025, for allegedly circulating a derogatory video targeting Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The video, featuring an elderly farmer making offensive remarks about the Chief Minister, was reportedly shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by Revathi, managing director of Pulse Digital News Network, and amplified by Yadav, a reporter with the same organization. The video went viral, leading to public outcry and subsequent legal action. A complaint was filed by...

May 16, 2025

Tunisian Journalist’s Health Deteriorates Amid Hunger Strike in Detention

May 16, 2025 - Tunisia - Concerns are mounting over the rapidly worsening health of a Tunisian journalist currently on hunger strike in prison. After more than 25 days without food, the journalist’s condition has reportedly reached a critical stage, with recent updates indicating hospitalization due to severe health complications. The journalist, who has been in detention on charges widely seen as politically motivated, began the hunger strike in protest against what rights groups have called unjust imprisonment and the erosion of press freedoms in Tunisia. Alongside other political detainees, the journalist is demanding fair...

May 16, 2025

Bosnian Journalists Lead Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

May 16, 2025 - Bosnia & Herzegovina - Journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina are increasingly being recognized as key allies in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). With rising public awareness and policy efforts still falling short, media professionals are stepping up to raise their voices, challenge harmful narratives, and advocate for change. Recent initiatives across the country have focused on equipping journalists with the skills and tools needed to report responsibly and effectively on issues related to GBV. These efforts include training programs, community forums, and institutional support that aim to strengthen ethical, trauma-informed...

May 16, 2025

Zimbabwe’s Repression of Journalist Blessed Mhlanga

May 16, 2025 - Zimbabwe - The recent arrest and prolonged detention of a journalist in Zimbabwe have sparked growing alarm over the country’s intensifying crackdown on independent media. The journalist was taken into custody in February 2025 after interviewing a war veteran who criticized the president. Authorities charged the reporter with “transmitting data messages inciting violence or property damage” under the Cyber and Data Protection Act—legislation increasingly used to target dissenting voices. Human rights observers have denounced the arrest as arbitrary and politically motivated, arguing that it exemplifies the misuse of legal tools to...

May 16, 2025

UK Journalist Richard Medhurst’s Case Highlights Growing Threats to Press Freedom

May 16, 2025 - UK/Syria - British journalist Richard Medhurst’s case has emerged as a significant test for press freedom and the use of anti-terror laws in the UK. Medhurst, known for his critical reporting on Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, was arrested in August 2024 under the Terrorism Act 2000. He faces serious charges, including alleged support for a banned organization, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years. In addition, Medhurst is being prosecuted for refusing to provide passwords to his electronic devices, a stand he defends as essential...

May 16, 2025

Cambodian Environmental Journalist Ouk Mao Arrested Amid Ongoing Crackdown

May 16, 2025 - Cambodia - On May 16, 2025, Cambodian environmental journalist Ouk Mao was arrested by plainclothes military officers at his home in Stung Treng province. The officers, arriving in an unmarked vehicle, detained Mao without presenting a warrant, stating only that "their boss wanted to speak to Mao about a piece of land." He was subsequently taken to the Stung Treng Provincial Gendarmerie Headquarters and remains in custody awaiting a court hearing. Mao, 49, has been a prominent figure in exposing illegal logging and land grabs in Cambodia's protected areas. His investigative...

May 16, 2025

Journalists Under Siege: A Call for Global Accountability

May 16, 2025 - General - Journalists in conflict zones are increasingly targeted, facing violence, injury, and death. A Lebanese war reporter, who lost a limb while covering frontline battles, has highlighted the growing impunity for attacks on journalists. He emphasizes that such assaults are not only attacks on individuals but on the truth itself. The United Nations has condemned these acts, urging nations to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure journalists can work without fear. In Gaza, the situation is dire. Over 160 journalists have been killed since October 2023, with many targeted despite wearing...

May 16, 2025

India Cracks Down on Pakistani YouTube Channels Amid Pahalgam Attack Fallout

May 16, 2025 - Pakistan/India - Following the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, the Indian government has intensified its efforts to counter digital misinformation and propaganda. Central to this response is the blocking of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels accused of promoting false narratives and inflaming communal tensions. According to India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, these channels were found spreading disinformation about India’s internal affairs, including the Kashmir conflict and India’s armed forces. The government’s order stated that the content was deemed harmful...

May 15, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Ahmed al-Halou Killed in Gaza as Media Death Toll Reaches 242

May 15, 2025 - Palestine - On May 15, 2025, Palestinian journalist Ahmed al-Halou was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza, becoming the 242nd journalist to die in the conflict since October 2023. Al-Halou worked with the Al-Quds News Network and was among several civilians killed during intense Israeli bombardment that struck various parts of Gaza, including Gaza City and Khan Younis. The strikes caused multiple civilian casualties. In Khan Younis, three members of the Al-Amour family were killed when their house in Al-Fukhari was hit. A young girl, Mariam Abdul Rahman Hussein Al-Buraim,...

May 15, 2025

Niger Detains Three Journalists Over Reporting on Russian Military Cooperation

May 15, 2025 - Nigeria - In May 2025, Nigerien authorities detained three journalists from Sahara FM, a private radio station in Agadez, following their broadcast about the country's military cooperation with Russia. The journalists—Hamid Mahmoud (acting editor-in-chief), Mahaman Sani (news presenter), and Massaouda Jaharou—were initially arrested on May 7 after airing a report based on an article by France-based outlet LSI Africa, which claimed that Niger had discreetly ended its intelligence cooperation with Russia and Turkey due to dissatisfaction with military equipment. After their initial release, the journalists were rearrested on May 10, marking...

May 15, 2025

Journalist Evrim Kepenek Receives Suspended Sentence for Reporting on Child Abuse Case

May 15, 2025 - Turkey - On May 14, 2025, Turkish journalist Evrim Kepenek was sentenced to 10 months in prison over a news report concerning the alleged sexual abuse and death of a two-year-old child in Istanbul's Beylikdüzü district. Kepenek, who serves as the Women’s News Editor for the independent outlet Bianet, faced charges of violating the confidentiality of an investigation. The court deferred the announcement of the verdict, meaning the sentence will not be enforced unless she commits a similar offense during the probation period. The case centers on Kepenek’s early reporting on...

May 15, 2025

Turkish Journalist Furkan Karabay Arrested Over Investigative Reports and Defamation Case

May 15, 2025 - Turkey - On May 15, 2025, Turkish journalist Furkan Karabay was arrested in Istanbul due to his investigative reporting on government probes into opposition mayors, including Istanbul’s Ekrem İmamoğlu. Karabay, known for his critical stance against the ruling government, has also faced legal repercussions for his outspoken commentary on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his family. Karabay was detained after publishing reports related to the investigation of opposition mayors, which included the arrest of İmamoğlu in March. The charges against him include insulting the president and targeting public officials involved in...

May 15, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Hassan Samour Killed Alongside Entire Family in Gaza Airstrike

May 15, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - On May 15, 2025, Palestinian journalist Hassan Marzouq Samour was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, Gaza, along with 13 members of his family. Samour, 45, was a radio presenter and producer for Al-Aqsa Radio. The attack occurred while the family was sheltering in a tent, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by civilians and journalists amid the intensifying conflict. Samour's death is part of a broader escalation of Israeli military operations in Gaza, which reportedly resulted in at least 70 Palestinian casualties that...

May 15, 2025

Kerala Journalist Arrested in Nagpur Over Social Media Posts Criticizing Military Operations

May 15, 2025 - India - Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek, a 26-year-old student activist and independent journalist from Kerala, was arrested in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on May 8, 2025, over Instagram posts critical of the Indian government’s military actions. The arrest, which was carried out by Nagpur police, has stirred debate about freedom of expression and the use of anti-terror laws against dissenting voices. Sydeek has been charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with several provisions of the newly introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These include charges for allegedly “preparing to wage...

May 14, 2025

Fears Mount for Chinese Journalist Zhang Zhan’s Life After Release Remains Unclear

May 14, 2025 - China - Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, known for reporting from Wuhan during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, remains in a critical health condition and under mysterious circumstances following the supposed end of her prison sentence. Human rights groups warn that she is at imminent risk of death due to prolonged health complications from a hunger strike she maintained during her detention in protest of unjust imprisonment. Zhang, a former lawyer, was arrested in May 2020 for publishing video reports from Wuhan, which contradicted the Chinese government’s official narrative...

May 14, 2025

Online Abuse of Turkish Women Journalists Persists Amid Climate of Impunity

May 14, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish women journalists continue to face relentless online abuse, fueled by a persistent culture of impunity and insufficient institutional protection. A recent investigation reveals that coordinated attacks, including sexist slurs, threats of violence, and digital harassment, are increasingly used to silence female voices in journalism. These attacks not only threaten the physical and emotional well-being of journalists but also undermine press freedom in Turkey. A 2025 report by the International Press Institute (IPI) highlights that nearly all women journalists surveyed in Turkey have faced some form of online abuse....

May 14, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Abubaker Abed Reflects on Leaving Gaza Amid Crisis

May 13, 2025 - Palestine - Abubaker Abed, a 22-year-old Palestinian journalist from Deir al-Balah in Gaza, recently made the painful decision to leave Gaza after enduring extreme hardship during the ongoing conflict. Known for his courageous reporting on the humanitarian crisis in the region, Abed has documented the devastating impact of war, including severe food shortages and the risk of famine affecting millions of Palestinians. In an interview with Democracy Now! on May 13, 2025, Abed described his evacuation as an “agonizing decision.” Despite his deep commitment to his community and work, the dire...

May 14, 2025

Growing Threats Against Lawyers Defending Journalists Worldwide

May 14, 2025 - General - Lawyers who defend journalists face increasing harassment and legal attacks globally, raising serious concerns about press freedom and the rule of law. A recent study by the American Bar Association’s Center for Human Rights, Media Defence, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation documented over 40 cases in 10 countries—including Turkey, Russia, China, and Guatemala—where lawyers have been targeted for representing journalists or defending media freedoms. These legal professionals often encounter criminal charges such as terrorism, corruption, or spreading “false news” soon after taking on cases related to journalists. Such accusations...

May 13, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Hassan Islayeh Killed in Israeli Strike While Being Treated in Gaza Hospital

May 13, 2025 - Palestine - Hassan Islayeh, a Palestinian journalist, has been killed in an Israeli airstrike while receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Gaza, marking another grave escalation in the targeting of media workers during the ongoing conflict. The journalist, who had previously been injured in an earlier attack, was reportedly undergoing care at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah when an Israeli missile struck the facility. The blast killed him and wounded several others, once again raising alarm over Israel's conduct in its military operations and the safety of journalists in...

May 13, 2025

Journalist Takudzwa Gift Washaya Abducted and Brutally Assaulted in Harare

May 13, 2025 - Zimbabwe - On May 13, 2025, Takudzwa Gift Washaya, a young journalist from Zimbabwe, was abducted and brutally assaulted in Harare. Washaya, who is affiliated with the opposition party Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC), was taken from his home in Sunningdale by armed men driving a black Toyota GD6. The assailants injected Washaya with an unknown substance before subjecting him to a violent physical attack. He was later found unconscious, suffering from severe facial swelling and multiple bruises, as shown in disturbing photographs shared by the CCC. The assault has sparked...

May 12, 2025

Espionage Row Deepens as Pakistani Operative Posed as Defence Official to Target Indian Journalists

May 12, 2025 - India/Pakistan - Tensions between India and Pakistan have flared once again following the arrest of two individuals in Delhi accused of leaking sensitive information to a Pakistani intelligence official at the country’s High Commission. Indian authorities allege the suspects were part of a broader espionage network aimed at extracting classified defense-related data, including through deceptive contact with Indian journalists. According to Indian law enforcement, the two accused were in regular communication with a Pakistani official who posed as an Indian Army officer. Investigators believe that under the guise of sharing defense...

May 12, 2025

Kashmiri and Indian Journalists Targeted in WhatsApp Spy Campaign by Alleged Pakistani Operatives

May 12, 2025 - India/Pakistan/ Kashmir - Journalists in Kashmir and across India have been warned about a coordinated cyber-espionage campaign allegedly orchestrated by Pakistani operatives aiming to extract sensitive information through fake WhatsApp profiles. According to Indian police and defense sources, the operation—dubbed “Operation Sindoor”—involves individuals impersonating Indian military officials or high-profile civilians to lure journalists into disclosing confidential data. The Jammu and Kashmir Police issued a public alert on May 12, cautioning local journalists and media professionals about a series of phishing attempts carried out via WhatsApp. These attempts include messages from unknown...

May 12, 2025

UK Journalists Criticized for Failing to Cover Gaza Accurately Amid Genocide Claims

May 12, 2025 - Palestine - Independent MPs in the UK have sharply criticized members of the parliamentary press lobby for their perceived failure to adequately report on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, accusing mainstream journalists of ignoring or downplaying what has been described as a genocide. In a striking act of protest on May 10, a group led by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn distributed a handbook titled Journalism in a Genocide to political reporters at Westminster, calling on them to reassess their professional responsibilities. The handbook, created by the media watchdog Declassified UK,...

May 12, 2025

Press Under Siege: Journalists in Nigeria Face Mounting Attacks Amid Protests

May 12, 2025 - Nigeria - In 2024, press freedom in Nigeria took a troubling downturn as at least 56 journalists were attacked, harassed, or detained while covering protests and unrest across the country, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The sharp rise in violence against the press has drawn international condemnation and raised alarm about the state of media freedom in Africa’s most populous country. The incidents, which were concentrated during waves of protests in the latter half of 2024, included cases of physical assault, arbitrary arrests,...

May 12, 2025

Haitian Journalist Hunted Amid Rising Violence Against Media

May 12, 2025 - Haiti - In Haiti, journalists are increasingly under siege as gang violence spreads unchecked and state institutions collapse. The story of Velondie Miracle, a young Haitian reporter, captures the urgent crisis facing the country’s press. After surviving an abduction and narrowly escaping execution by gang members, Miracle is now in hiding. Her experience is not unique—dozens of journalists have been threatened, attacked, or killed simply for doing their jobs. Miracle was reporting on community struggles in Port-au-Prince when she was kidnapped. She believes her attackers targeted her for her coverage, which...

May 12, 2025

Media Advocacy on World Press Freedom Day Highlights Gender Equality in Journalism

May 12, 2025 - General- On World Press Freedom Day 2025, global institutions and national governments turned attention to the role of women in media, emphasizing equality, inclusion, and safety for female journalists. Events across South Asia and beyond reflected growing concerns about the underrepresentation of women in media leadership and their disproportionate exposure to harassment and violence in the field. In Nepal, government officials, journalists, and human rights activists gathered at an event organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to celebrate the press's role in strengthening democracy. Speakers stressed the importance...

May 12, 2025

Pope Leo XIV Expresses Solidarity with Imprisoned Journalists

May 12, 2025 - General - Pope Leo XIV recently expressed profound solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned worldwide, calling attention to the grave challenges they face. During a public address, he stressed the essential role journalists play in upholding democratic values, defending human rights, and ensuring transparency in governance. The Pope's remarks were a reminder of the critical importance of press freedom in society, emphasizing that it is vital for the public to have access to information that is truthful and unbiased. In his statement, Pope Leo XIV condemned the growing trend of suppressing...

May 12, 2025

Cambodian Environmental Journalist Faces Ongoing Threats Amid Shrinking Press Freedom

May 12, 2025 - Cambodia - A Cambodian environmental journalist, Long Kimmarita, has faced a disturbing series of threats and attacks, underscoring the rising dangers faced by reporters in the country. Over recent months, Kimmarita has endured intimidation, surveillance, and verbal harassment, largely due to his reporting on illegal logging and environmental destruction in protected areas. These incidents reflect a growing trend of hostility toward journalists in Cambodia, particularly those who expose corruption or challenge powerful interests. Kimmarita, who writes for the Khmer Times, has reported extensively on land grabs and forest crimes linked to...

May 12, 2025

Media Seeks Court Access in Missing Journalist Case as DNA Results Awaited

May 12, 2025 - South Africa - The case of the missing journalist Canny Maphanga and her partner continues to draw national attention in South Africa, with legal proceedings gaining momentum and media interest intensifying. On Monday, the Johannesburg High Court is scheduled to hear an urgent application from media organizations requesting permission to cover the upcoming bail proceedings of five suspects connected to the couple’s disappearance. The media’s legal push highlights growing public concern and the broader implications for press freedom and transparency. Canny Maphanga, a seasoned journalist, and her partner went missing several...

May 12, 2025

Ekaterina Barabash’s Courageous Escape from Russian Repression

May 12, 2025 - Russia - Russian journalist Ekaterina Barabash made a daring escape from Moscow to Paris in April 2025, aided by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Barabash, a seasoned film critic and former contributor to Radio France Internationale, had been under house arrest since February 2025 for her outspoken criticism of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She faced charges of spreading "false information" about the Russian military, which carried a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison. The Russian government had also labeled her a “foreign agent” due to her vocal stance against...

May 11, 2025

Austin Tice’s Remains Found in Syria After 12 Years

May 11, 2025 - Syria/USA - The remains of American journalist Austin Tice have been discovered in Syria, more than 12 years after his abduction. Tice, a former U.S. Marine and freelance journalist, was taken hostage in August 2012 while reporting on the Syrian civil war. His disappearance became one of the most prominent cases involving a missing journalist, and despite various reports suggesting he was alive, his remains were only recently confirmed. A joint American-Qatari search team found his remains in a cemetery in Aleppo. While the discovery brings a tragic closure to a...

May 10, 2025

Russian Journalist Ekaterina Barabash Escapes House Arrest to Expose Kremlin Repression

May 10, 2025 - Russia - In May 2025, Russian journalist Ekaterina Barabash made headlines after executing a daring escape from house arrest in Moscow, reemerging in Paris with the assistance of Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Barabash, a 64-year-old film critic and former contributor to Radio France Internationale and the independent outlet Republic, faced a potential 10-year prison sentence for social media posts condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Her Facebook posts between 2022 and 2023 criticized the devastation caused by the war, including civilian deaths and the destruction of cities. Detained in February 2025 upon...

May 10, 2025

Qatar Leads Search for U.S. Hostages’ Remains in Syria

May 10, 2025 - Qatar/Syria/USA - A Qatari-led mission has launched a search operation to recover the remains of U.S. hostages killed by the Islamic State (IS) in Syria. The mission, which began on May 7, is being carried out with the support of U.S. personnel and focuses on locating the bodies of hostages who were executed by IS during its control over parts of Syria from 2014 to 2017. Three sets of unidentified remains have been found so far, and the mission's primary goal is to recover the body of aid worker Peter Kassig,...

May 10, 2025

Press Freedom in Somalia: A Perilous Landscape for Journalists

May 10, 2025 - Somalia - Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with a history marked by violence, repression, and systemic threats to media freedom. The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) recently released its 14th annual State of the Media Report, highlighting the persistent challenges faced by Somali journalists. Notably, 2024 marked the first year since 2005 without a journalist's death, yet the report underscores ongoing issues such as arbitrary arrests, physical assaults, and online harassment. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that over 50 media professionals have been...

May 10, 2025

Niger Junta Detains Three Journalists Over Reports of Rift with Russia and Turkey

May 10, 2025 - Niger - Three radio journalists have been arrested by military authorities in Niger following their reports on a growing diplomatic rift between Niger's ruling junta and its international allies, specifically Russia and Turkey. The arrests have sparked widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates and civil society organizations, who argue that the detentions are a blatant attempt to suppress media independence and control public discourse. The journalists, working for Radio Anfani, a private media outlet based in Niamey, were reportedly detained by the country’s General Directorate of External Security. Their arrest came...

May 9, 2025

Under Siege: The Perils of Journalism in an Age of State Repression

May 09, 2025 - General - On May 3, 2025, the PEN World Voices Festival concluded with a poignant closing night event titled Under Siege: The Perils of Journalism in an Age of State Repression. Held at Judson Memorial Church in New York City, the discussion spotlighted the escalating threats faced by journalists worldwide as governments intensify efforts to suppress independent reporting. Moderated by Summer Lopez, Interim Co-CEO and Chief Program Officer for Free Expression at PEN America, the panel featured three distinguished journalists: Rana Ayyub – Indian journalist and columnist for The Washington Post,...

May 9, 2025

Russian Journalist Veronika Orlova Detained for Filming Anti-Putin Protest

May 09, 2025 - Russia - Russian journalist Veronika Orlova, a correspondent for the independent news channel SOTAvision, was sentenced to 13 days of administrative detention after filming a protest near the Kremlin on May 6, 2025. The protest, led by activist Grigory Saksonov, featured a sign comparing Russian President Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler. Orlova was arrested by security forces while she was walking near the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge in Moscow, where she had been documenting the demonstration. The journalist was charged with disobeying police officers, a common accusation used to detain protestors and...

May 9, 2025

Kashmiri Journalist Hilal Mir Detained Over Social Media Post Allegedly Promoting Secessionist Sentiment

May 09, 2025 - India/Pakistan- On May 6, 2025, Hilal Mir, a veteran journalist from Srinagar, was detained by the Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Authorities allege that Mir disseminated "extremist and distorted content" on social media, aiming to disturb public order and promote secessionist ideology. The detention centers around a Facebook post shared by Mir on May 1, which featured a photograph of an elderly woman amidst debris, reportedly from homes demolished by security forces in south Kashmir. Accompanying the image was a poem reflecting on the suffering of...

May 9, 2025

Exile, Censorship, and the Fight for Press Freedom: Insights from Frankfurt’s World Press Freedom Day 2025

May 09, 2025 - Germany - On May 3, 2025, journalists, scholars, and artists convened at the Haus am Dom cultural center in Frankfurt to commemorate World Press Freedom Day. The event, titled “Sichtbar verstummt?” (“Visibly Silenced?”), marked the inaugural session of the “Frankfurter Gespräche” (“Frankfurt Talks”) series. Co-hosted by Haus am Dom and the International Journalists Association (IJA)—a press organization established by Turkish journalists in exile in Germany in 2017—the gathering focused on the escalating challenges faced by journalists, particularly those in exile, amidst increasing political repression and digital censorship. The discussions highlighted the...

May 9, 2025

Turkish Cypriot Journalist Faces Death Threats After Exposing Corruption; Source Murdered in Netherlands

May 09, 2025 - Turkey - Ayşemden Akın, editor-in-chief of the Turkish Cypriot online newspaper Bugün Kıbrıs, is facing serious threats to her life following a series of investigative reports exposing alleged corruption and organized crime involving high-ranking officials in Turkey and the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus. The situation escalated after her primary source, Cemil Önal, was assassinated in the Netherlands on May 1, 2025. Akın's investigative series, titled "Halil Falyalı Lives," delved into the enduring influence of the late casino tycoon Halil Falyalı, who was murdered in 2022. In her reports, Akın highlighted allegations...

May 9, 2025

Columbia Protest Crackdown Raises Alarms Over Free Speech and Media Access

May 09, 2025 - USA - At Columbia University, the student-led protests in support of Palestinians in Gaza have not only drawn national attention but also sparked a debate over freedom of the press and student rights on campus. Student journalists from Columbia's own publication, the Columbia Daily Spectator, claim they were blocked from covering key moments of the pro-Palestinian demonstrations, especially when police were called in to dismantle encampments and arrest students. According to the student reporters, the university administration limited press access and forced journalists to leave the protest area or face arrest,...

May 8, 2025

Press Freedom in Greece Worsens Amid Surveillance and Political Pressure

May 08, 2025 - Greece - Media freedom in Greece continues to deteriorate, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch and multiple international journalism watchdogs. The findings highlight how systemic government surveillance, lack of transparency, and legal intimidation are undermining the ability of journalists to operate freely in the country historically known as the birthplace of democracy. The Human Rights Watch report, titled “From Bad to Worse”, details how journalists in Greece are subject to increasing levels of harassment, surveillance, and obstruction. Among the most concerning revelations is the use of spyware against...

May 8, 2025

Rising Toll of Journalists in Gaza: A Deepening Crisis

May 08, 2025 - Palestine - The death toll of journalists in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with many media workers caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict. Since the start of the conflict, at least 215 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces, marking the situation in Gaza as one of the deadliest for journalists in recent history. The death of journalists is not just a statistic but an attack on press freedom and the right to report the truth. In the most recent incident, Palestinian journalist Hassan Islayeh, a prominent field reporter...

May 8, 2025

India’s Operation Sindoor: A Retaliatory Strike and the Elimination of a Key Terrorist Figure

May 08, 2025 - India/America - In early May 2025, India launched "Operation Sindoor," a series of precision airstrikes targeting militant infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This military action was in direct response to a terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 Hindu pilgrims were killed. The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist networks responsible for the attack and to address longstanding security threats emanating from across the border. One of the most significant outcomes of Operation Sindoor was the reported killing of Abdul Rauf Azhar, a senior commander of the...

May 8, 2025

Cameroonian Journalist Fred Vubem Escapes Kidnappers, Recovering After Surgery

May 08, 2025 - Cameroon - Cameroonian journalist Fred Vubem, a seasoned reporter with the Cameroon Tribune, is recovering after a harrowing ordeal that saw him kidnapped, injured, and ultimately escape from his captors. Vubem was abducted on May 4, 2025, in Bambui, a locality in Cameroon’s conflict-hit North West Region, while returning from a visit to his native village, Kedjom Keku. According to media reports, Vubem was seized by unknown assailants and held overnight. The following day, he managed a daring escape and endured a three-day trek through dense bush terrain in search of...

May 8, 2025

Remains of Missing South African Journalist and Partner Found in Limpopo

May 08, 2025 - South Africa - South African journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli, who had been missing for nearly three months, are now believed to be dead after police discovered human remains near Rust de Winter in Limpopo on May 7. The bodies were found buried in a shallow grave in a remote bushy area, following a breakthrough in the case that involved multiple arrests. The couple was last seen on February 18 in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, sparking a weeks-long investigation and public appeals for information. Ndlovu, a...

May 8, 2025

Mexican Journalist Miguel Ángel Anaya Disappears Amid Threats in Veracruz

May 08, 2025 - Mexico - Miguel Ángel Anaya Castillo, the director of the independent digital outlet Pánuco Online, has been missing since April 13, 2025, in the northern Veracruz municipality of Pánuco. His disappearance, reported on April 19, has raised urgent concerns among press freedom organizations and local journalist protection bodies in Mexico. Anaya, known for his reporting on local politics, public corruption, and crime, had reportedly been under threat in the weeks leading up to his disappearance. According to accounts from his family and colleagues, three unidentified men claiming to represent the municipal...

May 8, 2025

Gaza Journalists Killed in Israeli Airstrikes: The Stories of Yahya Subaih and Nour al-Din Abdo

May 08, 2025 - Palestine - Two Palestinian journalists, Yahya Subaih and Nour al-Din Abdo, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, highlighting the extreme dangers faced by media professionals in the region. Yahya Subaih, 30, was a dedicated reporter and photographer for the Palestine Post Agency, known for documenting civilian suffering, especially among children and displaced families. Tragically, he was killed just hours after the birth of his daughter, making him a father for only a brief time. His death underscores the personal toll of the conflict on journalists who strive to report from...

May 8, 2025

New Documentary Identifies Alleged Israeli Sniper Behind Shireen Abu Akleh’s Killing

May 08, 2025 - Palestine - A new investigative documentary has reignited global attention on the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by naming the Israeli soldier allegedly responsible for her death. The film, titled The Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, presents fresh evidence and detailed analysis that points to an Israeli sniper as the shooter, contradicting earlier Israeli claims of uncertainty over the source of the fatal bullet. The documentary, co-produced by journalist Sharif Kouddous and directed by Yumna Patel for the outlet Mondoweiss, meticulously reconstructs the events of May 11, 2022, when...

May 7, 2025

El Salvador’s Crackdown on El Faro Journalists Sparks Press Freedom Concerns

May 07, 2025 - El Salvador - In early May 2025, El Salvador's independent news outlet El Faro reported that at least seven of its journalists are facing imminent arrest following the publication of interviews with former gang leaders alleging longstanding ties between President Nayib Bukele's administration and criminal organizations. The journalists are reportedly being targeted for charges including "unlawful association" and "advocacy of crime," marking a significant escalation in the government's crackdown on press freedom. The controversy centers around a three-part video series released by El Faro, featuring testimonies from ex-leaders of the 18th...

May 7, 2025

Defending the Defenders: Upholding Press Freedom Amid Global Conflict

May 07, 2025 - General - Journalists operating in conflict zones face escalating threats, with both state and non-state actors undermining their safety and freedom. Despite international laws designed to protect them, the reality on the ground often tells a different story. International humanitarian law (IHL) classifies journalists as civilians, granting them protection during armed conflicts. However, this distinction is frequently ignored, leading to attacks, censorship, and intimidation. The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) emphasizes that the erosion of press freedom in war zones not only endangers journalists but also deprives societies of critical...

May 7, 2025

Azerbaijan’s Media Crackdown Intensifies with Two More Journalists Arrested

May 07, 2025 - Azerbaijan - In early May 2025, Azerbaijani authorities arrested two independent journalists, Ulviyya Ali and Ahmad Mammadli, escalating the ongoing suppression of press freedom in the country. These arrests bring the total number of detained journalists to at least 25 since late 2023, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Ulviyya Ali, a contributor to Voice of America, was detained at her residence and remanded to nearly two months of pre-trial detention. Authorities allege her involvement in a currency smuggling case linked to Meydan TV, a Germany-based independent outlet. However,...

May 7, 2025

Veteran Peruvian Journalist Raúl Celis López Assassinated in Iquitos

May 07, 2025 - Peru - On May 7, 2025, veteran Peruvian journalist Raúl Celis López was assassinated in Iquitos, marking the second journalist killing in Peru this year. Celis, 70, was ambushed by two gunmen on a motorcycle while en route to his early-morning radio program, Hora Zero, on Radio La Karibeña. He was shot three times in the back of the head and died at the scene. Celis was renowned for his fearless reporting on corruption, organized crime, and illegal lending practices in Peru’s Amazon region. His broadcasts frequently exposed the activities of...

May 7, 2025

Two Journalist Murder Cases in South Asia Prompt Mixed Reactions as One Suspect Killed, Another Detained

May 07, 2025 - India - Recent developments in the investigations of two journalist killings in Pakistan and India have reignited debates over press freedom, accountability, and justice in South Asia. In Pakistan, a key suspect was killed in a police encounter, while in India, the main accused in another case was arrested by authorities. In Sukkur, Sindh province of Pakistan, Sikandar Lanjar—identified as the prime suspect in the 2023 murder of journalist Jan Mohammad Mahar—was killed during a police raid. According to police, Lanjar was involved in organized crime and resisted arrest, prompting an...

May 6, 2025

Nepal’s Press Under Siege: Journalists Killed Amid Political Turmoil

May 06, 2025 - Nepal - Nepal's media landscape is facing a dire crisis as journalists become casualties in the nation's escalating political unrest. The deaths of photojournalist Suresh Rajak and reporter Suresh Bhul have underscored the increasing dangers faced by media professionals in the country. On March 28, 2025, during a pro-monarchy protest in Kathmandu's Tinkune area, 29-year-old Suresh Rajak, a cameraman for Avenues Television, was tragically killed. He was found dead inside a building set ablaze by demonstrators. The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has called for a high-level investigation into his death,...

May 6, 2025

India Responds to Kashmir Attack with Media Clampdown and Arrests

May 06, 2025 - India/Pakistan - Following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the Indian government has taken swift actions to control the media narrative, blocking several YouTube channels, arresting social media users, and cracking down on independent commentary. The response has raised concerns among press freedom advocates over the shrinking space for dissent and the growing criminalization of speech. The attack, which resulted in multiple casualties, was attributed to Pakistan-based militants. In its aftermath, authorities began targeting what they labeled as “anti-India propaganda.” Several Pakistani YouTube channels were blocked for allegedly spreading misinformation and...

May 6, 2025

Outcry Grows Over Journalist Deaths in Gaza Amid Accusations of Targeted Attacks

May 06, 2025 - Turkey - Global outrage is mounting over the deaths of dozens of journalists in Gaza, with international media watchdogs and political leaders accusing Israel of deliberately targeting members of the press during its ongoing military operations. As the conflict continues to escalate, the toll on media professionals has reached unprecedented levels. Media freedom advocates have condemned what they describe as a systematic assault on journalists working in Gaza. According to the International Federation of Journalists and other rights groups, Israel's military actions have led to the deaths of over 60 journalists...

May 6, 2025

Sudanese Journalist Fadl Al-Mawla Killed Amid RSF Offensive in Escalating Conflict

May 06, 2025 - Sudan - Sudanese journalist Hassan Fadl al-Mawla Mousa was killed during a violent assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as the paramilitary group captured the town of Wad al-Noura in Sudan’s Gezira state. His death marks yet another blow to press freedom in a country where the ongoing civil conflict has created increasingly dangerous conditions for journalists. Mousa, who was also an Islamic scholar, lost his life while documenting the unfolding military operation. He was shot and killed during the RSF’s takeover of the town, part of a broader push...

May 6, 2025

Tajikistan Faces Scrutiny Over Continued Jailing of Independent Journalist

May 06, 2025 - Tajikistan - The government of Tajikistan is facing growing condemnation for its prolonged detention of independent journalist Rukhshona Khakimova, whose case has come to symbolize the country’s tightening grip on freedom of expression. Human rights advocates, international watchdogs, and Khakimova’s own family are urging authorities to release her immediately and drop the politically motivated charges. Khakimova, a young reporter known for her critical coverage and ties to independent outlets, has been in custody since September 2023. Initially taken in for questioning, her detention was later extended under accusations of involvement in...

May 6, 2025

Calls Grow for U.S. Action as Vietnam Jails Journalists Over Online Speech

May 06, 2025 - Vietnam - Vietnam’s hardline stance on dissent continues to draw international concern, with several journalists imprisoned for sharing views critical of the government. Human rights advocates and press freedom groups are now urging U.S. officials to push for their release, emphasizing the growing repression in the Southeast Asian nation. A coalition of press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), has formally appealed to U.S. Senator Marco Rubio to address the issue with Vietnamese leaders. The appeal highlights the imprisonment of multiple journalists, arguing that the U.S. has both...

May 6, 2025

Iran Intensifies Media Crackdown with Convictions of Six Press Leaders

May 06, 2025 - Iran - Iran has sentenced six senior media professionals in a sweeping campaign that reflects the government’s escalating pressure on independent journalism. The convictions come amid a broader suppression of dissent, with journalists, activists, and political voices facing mounting risks. The six media executives, affiliated with the reformist newspaper Shargh and the Ham Mihan outlet, were found guilty of various charges, including spreading propaganda against the state and collusion to undermine national security. Their trials, held behind closed doors, were widely criticized for lacking transparency and due process. These prosecutions follow...

May 5, 2025

Caught in the Crossfire: Cameroon’s Journalists Risk Lives for the Truth

May 05, 2025 - Cameroon - Journalists in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions are facing escalating threats from both government forces and separatist fighters, caught in a deadly crossfire that has turned reporting into a life-threatening act of bravery. The crisis, rooted in a separatist rebellion that began in 2017, has severely undermined press freedom and placed reporters in an impossible position: serve the truth and risk death, or stay silent and watch injustice unfold. Many journalists report being pressured by both sides to control the narrative. Former Canal 2 International reporter Lambert Kehven shared how separatist...

May 5, 2025

Escalating Attacks on Journalists in Gaza: A Global Press Freedom Crisis

May 05, 2025 - Palestine - The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to an unprecedented number of journalist fatalities, with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reporting at least 124 media worker deaths worldwide in 2024—the deadliest year on record. Nearly 70% of these deaths occurred in Gaza, underscoring the region's perilous environment for journalists. The CPJ and other organizations have documented a disturbing pattern of Israeli military forces targeting journalists and their families, raising serious concerns about press freedom and the protection of media personnel in conflict zones. Reports indicate that Israeli forces...

May 5, 2025

On World Press Freedom Day, Gaza Journalists Are Silenced by War

May 03, 2025 - Palestine - As the world commemorates World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, a grim truth casts a long shadow over the celebrations: in Gaza, journalism has become a deadly profession. Since Israel launched its military operations in Gaza in October 2023, at least 212 journalists and media workers have been killed, according to reports from The New Arab and Anadolu Agency. This makes Gaza the deadliest conflict zone for journalists ever recorded. In addition, 409 journalists have been injured and 48 detained. Many of those killed were not just casualties...

May 5, 2025

World Press Freedom Day 2025: Global Reflections on AI, Gender, and Media Rights

May 05, 2025 - General - World Press Freedom Day 2025, observed on May 3, brought together global and regional voices to reflect on the evolving challenges facing journalism, with a particular focus on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), gender-based threats, and the ongoing struggle for press freedom. UNESCO's flagship event, held in Brussels under the theme "Reporting in the Brave New World," examined the transformative role of AI in journalism. Discussions highlighted both the opportunities AI presents for investigative reporting and fact-checking, and the ethical dilemmas it introduces, such as algorithmic bias and...

May 5, 2025

Journalists Deserve Trust, Not Suspicion

May 05, 2025 - General - In an era dominated by misinformation and digital noise, the role of professional journalists has never been more critical—or more under threat. The Southern Examiner’s article, Journalists Deserve Trust, Not Suspicion, underscores the importance of trusting trained, ethical media professionals, particularly in Nigeria, where journalists often work under immense pressure and risk. The piece highlights a growing challenge: the erosion of public trust in journalism, largely fueled by the unchecked spread of false information on social media. With everyone able to post and share content, the distinction between verified...

May 5, 2025

Trump Administration Faces Legal Challenges Over Public Broadcasting Funding Cuts and Press Freedom Concerns

May 05, 2025 - USA - In May 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media," directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and all federal agencies to cease funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The administration justified this move by alleging that these outlets exhibit anti-Trump and radical biases. This action has sparked significant backlash from media organizations, legal experts, and civil liberties advocates who argue that it threatens press freedom and violates the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. NPR and...

May 4, 2025

Justice Demanded After Mexican Journalist Raúl Irán Villarreal Belmont Is Murdered

May 04, 2025 - Mexico - The murder of Mexican journalist and activist Raúl Irán Villarreal Belmont in March 2025 has sparked an international outcry, underscoring the escalating danger faced by media workers in Mexico. Villarreal Belmont, a lawyer and the founder of Observatorio Ciudadano—a local news platform—was known for his bold reporting on corruption in his hometown of San Luis de la Paz, Guanajuato. Just days before his death, he publicly called for citizens to take collective legal action over a fraud case implicating a business figure and local officials. On the night of...

May 4, 2025

Vanished Voices: Arrests Made in Disappearance of South African Journalist and Partner

May 04, 2025 - South Africa - The mysterious disappearance of Pretoria-based journalist Aserie Sibusiso Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Mdhluli, in February 2025 has taken a significant turn with the arrest of four suspects. The couple was last seen on 18 February, with Ndlovu leaving his workplace at Capital Live SA 99.0 FM in Mamelodi, and Mdhluli at their home in KwaMhlanga. Their sudden vanishing sparked widespread concern, and a R50,000 reward was offered by media organizations for information leading to their whereabouts. Recent developments have shifted the case from a missing persons investigation...

May 4, 2025

PEC Demands Global Action on Rising Journalist Killings

May 04, 2025 - India - The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), an organization advocating for the safety of journalists worldwide, has voiced grave concern over the rising number of journalist fatalities. In 2024, the number of journalists killed reached 179, a sharp 28% increase compared to the previous year. Most of these deaths occurred in conflict zones, with the Middle East, particularly Gaza, seeing a significant rise in casualties. PEC has condemned these killings as blatant breaches of international law, demanding thorough and impartial investigations to hold perpetrators accountable. PEC's annual report highlights the devastating...

May 4, 2025

Nepal’s Press Freedom Declines Amid Rising Threats to Journalists

May 04, 2024 - Nepal - Press freedom in Nepal has significantly deteriorated over the past year, with a notable increase in violations against journalists and media professionals. According to the Annual Press Freedom Report 2025 released by Freedom Forum Nepal, there were 88 reported incidents affecting 88 journalists, including two fatalities. This marks a rise from the previous year's 60 incidents. The slain journalists were Suresh Rajak, a photojournalist with Avenues Television, who died after being trapped in a burning building during a protest in Kathmandu, and Suresh Bhul, a reporter for Sudurpati Online...

May 4, 2025

Afghan Journalists Face Escalating Repression on World Press Freedom Day 2025

May 04, 2025 - Afghanistan - On World Press Freedom Day 2025, Afghan journalists highlighted the severe deterioration of media freedoms under Taliban rule, marked by increased censorship, arrests, and gender-based repression. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) reported a 58% rise in press freedom violations between May 2024 and May 2025, documenting 215 incidents, including 175 threats and 40 journalist arrests. Afghanistan now ranks 175th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, reflecting a persistently dire situation for media under Taliban rule. Journalists face economic hardship, limited access to information, and...

May 4, 2025

Israeli Settlers Detain Palestinian Journalists and Activist Near Ramallah

May 04, 2025 - Palestine - On May 3, 2025, in the village of Al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah, a group of armed Israeli settlers detained three Palestinian journalists, Mohamed Turkman, Karim Khmaisah, and Ahmed al-Khatib, and local activist Rabie Abu Naim. The group was documenting settler activities and the demolition of tents in the area when the settlers intercepted them, blocked their vehicle, attempted to seize their car keys and cellphone, and issued death threats should they return. This incident is part of a broader pattern of increasing settler violence and harassment against Palestinians in...

May 4, 2025

R100,000 reward offered as police commissioner urged to act in journalist’s disappearance

May 04, 2025 - Zimbabwe - The disappearance of journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli has entered its 75th day, prompting renewed efforts and increased pressure on law enforcement to resolve the case. The couple was last seen on February 18, 2025, departing their home in Mpumalanga in a white Volkswagen Citi Golf. Since then, there has been no trace of them or their vehicle. The lack of progress has led to growing frustration among their families and the media community. In response, the National Press Club (NPC) and the African...

May 4, 2025

Italian Journalists Targeted by Spyware in Escalating Surveillance Scandal

May 04, 2025 - Italy - Recent reports have uncovered that multiple Italian journalists and activists have been targeted with advanced spyware, raising serious concerns about press freedom and government surveillance. In May 2025, Ciro Pellegrino, a journalist at the investigative outlet Fanpage, received a notification from Apple indicating his device had been compromised by "mercenary spyware." This follows a similar incident in January involving Fanpage's editor-in-chief, Francesco Cancellato, who WhatsApp informed of an attempted breach using spyware developed by Israeli company Paragon Solutions. The spyware, or Graphite, is a zero-click exploit capable of infiltrating...

May 4, 2025

Silenced voices: The treacherous reality for journalists in Iraq

May 04, 2025 - Iraq - As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, the situation in Iraq paints a troubling picture of a profession under threat. Ranked 169th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Press Freedom Index, Iraq has become one of the most perilous places for journalists, especially those investigating corruption, political power, and armed groups. The risks Iraqi journalists face are many: physical violence, online harassment, legal intimidation, and sometimes exile. Many reporters are forced to work anonymously or flee the country entirely, especially when covering sensitive topics like militia operations...

May 3, 2025

Journalism Under Siege: The Deadly Reality Of Reporting From Ukraine’s Front Lines

May 03, 2025 - Russia/Ukraine - Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian journalists have been operating under increasingly perilous conditions. The war has not only claimed the lives of numerous media professionals but has also subjected many to detention, torture, and other forms of repression. According to the International Federation of Journalists, at least 117 media workers have been killed since the onset of the conflict. Among them was Viktoria Roshchyna, a 27-year-old journalist who died in Russian captivity in 2024. Her body, returned to Ukraine in early 2025, bore signs...

May 3, 2025

CHR launches own probe of journalist’s slay

May 03, 2025 - Philippines - Veteran journalist and former Kalibo mayor Juan “Johnny” Dayang was fatally shot inside his residence in Barangay Andagao, Kalibo, Aklan, on the evening of April 29, 2025. The 89-year-old, who served as president emeritus of the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc., was watching television when an unidentified assailant fired three bullets through his living room window. He was rushed to Dr. Rafael Tumbokon Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. In response to the killing, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) launched an independent investigation, deploying a...

May 3, 2025

In Defense of Press Freedom, We Demand An End to Israel’s Genocide

May 03, 2025 - Palestine - On World Press Freedom Day, over 50 media organizations worldwide issued a joint statement condemning Israel's ongoing military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, which have resulted in the deaths of more than 200 journalists since October 2023. The statement emphasizes that true press freedom cannot exist amid such violence and calls for an immediate end to what they describe as a genocidal assault on Palestinian territories. The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate reported that 210 Palestinian journalists have been killed in the last 17 months, with hundreds more wounded...

May 3, 2025

CPJ: 2024 the deadliest year for journalists

May 03, 2025 - General - In 2024, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) recorded the highest number of journalist fatalities since it began tracking such data over three decades ago. At least 124 journalists and media workers were killed across 18 countries, marking a 22% increase from the previous year. The surge in deaths is largely attributed to the Israel-Gaza conflict, where 85 journalists—82 of them Palestinian—were killed by Israeli military actions. Freelance journalists were disproportionately affected, accounting for over one-third of the fatalities. In Gaza alone, 31 freelancers lost their lives, many stepping...

May 3, 2025

OPINION: Monument to Cynicism: Russia Celebrates ‘Truth’ While Killing Journalists

May 03, 2025 - Ukraine - Independent journalism in Russia has faced escalating challenges, culminating in the arrest and sentencing of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. According to a report by the Shorenstein Center, the evolution of independent media in Russia has been marked by increasing state control and censorship, particularly since the late Soviet era. The report highlights that journalists who resist state narratives risk severe repercussions, including legal action and imprisonment. Gershkovich, a 32-year-old American journalist fluent in Russian, was detained in March 2023 during a reporting trip to Yekaterinburg. He was...

May 3, 2025

If authoritarians are scared of journalists, we must be doing something right

May 03, 2025 - Ukraine - On World Press Freedom Day, Olga Rudenko, editor-in-chief of the Kyiv Independent, emphasized the critical role journalists play in challenging authoritarian regimes. She highlighted the tragic case of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was detained and killed in Russian captivity while investigating torture chambers in occupied territories. Roshchyna's death underscores the lengths to which oppressive governments will go to silence those who seek to expose the truth. Rudenko argued that the targeting of journalists by authoritarian states is a testament to the impact and importance of their work. The...

May 3, 2025

Sudanese Women Journalists Face Systematic Targeting Amid Ongoing Conflict

May 03, 2025 - Sudan - Since the eruption of war in Sudan in April 2023, female journalists have been subjected to escalating threats, harassment, and violence, underscoring the perilous conditions for media professionals in conflict zones. Journalists like Samar Suleiman have faced online harassment, including doxxing and threats, after reporting on humanitarian issues. Suleiman received menacing messages via social media, with some accusing her of affiliations with armed groups, endangering her safety and that of her family. Similarly, journalist Al-Khazraji faced online abuse and threats following her coverage of deteriorating conditions in South Kordofan,...

May 3, 2025

Journalists’ Union: A free and responsible press is true guarantee for Syria’s future

May 03, 2025 - Syria - In the wake of the Assad regime's fall, Syria stands at a pivotal juncture, grappling with the aftermath of mass killings and the imperative to forge a just and inclusive future. The United Nations reports that over 1,000 civilians were killed in recent violence, particularly affecting Alawite-majority areas, raising global concern and prompting calls for accountability. UN Special Envoy Geir O. Pedersen described the situation in Syria as "extremely fragile," emphasizing the necessity for genuine political inclusion, the establishment of the rule of law, and the conduct of free...

May 2, 2025

Turkey: Legal control as a weapon against journalists

May 02, 2025 - Turkey - Turkey has escalated its use of legal mechanisms to suppress journalistic freedom, employing tactics such as house arrests, travel bans, and judicial controls to silence dissenting voices. These measures, initially intended as alternatives to pre-trial detention, have increasingly become punitive tools against journalists, often imposed for activities like social media posts or political commentary. Lawyer Veysel Ok criticizes this trend, noting that such restrictions are frequently applied without meeting the legal conditions for imprisonment, effectively sidelining journalists from their profession for extended periods. In a notable incident, journalists Timur...

May 2, 2025

UK lawyer files new appeal at ECtHR for journalist jailed for 9 years over Gülen links

May 02, 2025 - Turkey - A prominent British human rights lawyer has filed an expanded appeal at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on behalf of Turkish journalist Ali Ünal, who has been imprisoned for nearly nine years on terrorism charges related to alleged links with the Gülen movement. The appeal contends that Ünal's detention, trial, and ongoing incarceration violate multiple provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights. Ünal, 70, was a columnist for the now-defunct Zaman newspaper, which was shut down by the Turkish government following the 2016 coup attempt due...

May 2, 2025

Hong Kong publisher tops ‘10 Most Urgent’ list of imprisoned journalists

May 02, 2025 - Hong Kong - Coinciding with World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the One Free Press Coalition released its annual "10 Most Urgent" list, spotlighting journalists worldwide who are unjustly imprisoned for their work. The 2025 list underscores a troubling global trend of governments criminalizing journalism, silencing media voices, and restricting public access to information. At the forefront is Jimmy Lai, founder of Hong Kong's pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. Lai has been held in solitary confinement since 2020, facing charges under the National Security Law. His case exemplifies the erosion of...

May 2, 2025

Maxine Peake on Playing Murdered Russian Reporter Anna Politkovskaya in ‘Words of War’ and the Film’s ‘Horrific’ Relevance: ‘2024 Was the Most Dangerous Year to Be a Journalist’

May 02, 2025 - General - British actress Maxine Peake stars as the late Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya in the newly released biographical drama Words of War, directed by James Strong. The film, which premiered on May 2, 2025, coinciding with World Press Freedom Day, offers a poignant portrayal of Politkovskaya's fearless reporting during the Second Chechen War and her unwavering commitment to exposing human rights abuses under President Vladimir Putin's regime. A Tribute to Journalistic Courage Words of War chronicles Politkovskaya's journey as a correspondent for Novaya Gazeta, where she reported extensively on the...

May 2, 2025

UN Human Rights Office – OPT: There can be no talk of a free press in the Occupied Palestinian Territory if journalists are being killed, and threatened for their work

May 02, 2025 - General - The international community is raising urgent alarms over the escalating attacks on journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza, where over 170 journalists have been killed since October 2023. The United Nations Human Rights Office confirmed that many of the journalists were identifiable, wearing press vests and helmets, yet were still targeted, suggesting deliberate acts against members of the press. Leading human rights organizations, including Al-Haq and Al Mezan, have filed urgent appeals to the UN, demanding investigations into what they believe are war crimes committed by...

May 2, 2025

Akuko Foundation Calls for Journalist Protection, Press Freedom on World Press Freedom Day

May 02, 2025 - Nigeria - On World Press Freedom Day, the Akuko Foundation, through its Programme Manager Victoria Ukpong, issued a strong call for enhanced protections for journalists in Nigeria and worldwide. In a press release, Ukpong highlighted the growing threats faced by media professionals, including harassment, arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and censorship, particularly in countries like Nigeria. She stressed that such actions not only endanger journalists’ lives but also erode democratic values and weaken public accountability. Ukpong emphasized that journalism is not a crime but a crucial pillar of democracy, essential for exposing corruption,...

May 2, 2025

Myanmar journalist Than Htike Myint sentenced to 5 years in prison for terrorism

May 02, 2025 - Myanmar - On April 3, 2025, journalist Than Htike Myint was sentenced to five years in prison by a court in Myanaung Township, Myanmar, under Section 52(a) of the Counterterrorism Law. The charges stemmed from alleged contacts with members of the rebel People's Defense Force found on his mobile phone—a connection his employer, Myaelatt Athan news agency, asserts was solely for journalistic purposes. This marks the second arrest for Than Htike Myint, who was previously detained briefly in 2021. His recent arrest occurred on February 6, 2025, at his home in...

May 2, 2025

Morocco deports 2 journalists trying to enter Western Sahara

May 02, 2025 - Morocco - In late April 2025, Moroccan authorities deported two Italian journalists, Matteo Garavoglia and Giovanni Colmoni, after they attempted to enter Laayoune, the principal city in Western Sahara, without official authorization. The journalists had previously tried to access the city via Hassan I Airport and subsequently by land, actions that Moroccan officials deemed violations of national sovereignty and legal procedures concerning visits to the southern provinces. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the expulsions, describing them as indicative of Morocco's ongoing efforts to suppress independent reporting in the disputed...

May 2, 2025

CAIR Urges U.S. Media to Amplify Gaza Journalists’ Voices Amid Escalating Attacks

May 02, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has intensified its call for U.S. and international media outlets to condemn the systematic targeting of journalists in Gaza by Israeli forces. This plea follows the tragic death of Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna and ten of her family members in an Israeli airstrike on April 16, 2025. Hassouna, renowned for her poignant documentation of civilian life during the Gaza War, was also the subject of a documentary featured at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. CAIR asserts that these attacks are not isolated incidents...

May 2, 2025

Gaza Declared World’s Deadliest Region for Journalists Amid Escalating Conflict

May 02, 2025 - Palestine - Palestine has been named the most dangerous region globally for journalists, according to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index from Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The conflict in Gaza has led to a surge in journalist fatalities, with nearly 200 deaths reported over the past 18 months, 42 of which occurred while journalists were on duty. RSF has condemned the Israeli military for deliberately targeting journalists, highlighting the dire conditions media workers face in Gaza, including shortages of food and water, and the constant threat of attack. In addition to...

May 2, 2025

Journalist who exposed Hamas link behind BBC Gaza documentary targeted by vandals

May 02, 2025 - UK - British investigative journalist David Collier, known for his work uncovering extremist affiliations, has been subjected to acts of vandalism and threats following his exposure of a BBC documentary's connection to Hamas. While Collier was in Israel, his wife discovered their car had been doused with a chemical substance outside their London home. This incident follows a previous attack where the vehicle was scratched along its side. The Metropolitan Police have classified the latest act as a racially aggravated offense. Collier has reported receiving frequent death threats, with one particularly...

May 2, 2025

State-Led Threats Undermine Journalist Safety in Mexico and Honduras

May 02, 2025 - Latin America - In Mexico and Honduras, journalists are under constant threat not only from organized crime but increasingly from the state itself. Investigative reporter Humberto Padgett, who was attacked and robbed in September 2024 while reporting on drought in central Mexico, has since quit journalism after enduring years of threats, harassment, and government negligence, even while under an official protection program. Similarly, Wendy Funes, a Honduran journalist, has been subjected to bodyguard protection, cyberattacks, and sexist abuse for exposing corruption and links between officials and criminal gangs. Although both countries...

May 1, 2025

Al Jazeera wins two Peabody Awards for documentaries on Gaza war carnage

May 01, 2025 - General - Al Jazeera Media Network has been recognized with two prestigious Peabody Awards for its compelling coverage of the Gaza conflict. The awards were announced on May 1, 2025, ahead of the 85th annual Peabody ceremony scheduled for June 1 in Los Angeles. The first award was bestowed upon the Al Jazeera English Fault Lines documentary "The Night Won’t End" in the News & Documentary category. This film delves into the harrowing realities faced by Palestinian families during the initial 15 months of the war, highlighting the relentless bombing campaigns,...

May 1, 2025

Global Community Urges Release of Imprisoned Journalists on World Press Freedom Day

May 01, 2025 - General - On World Press Freedom Day, May 3, 2025, international organizations and advocacy groups highlighted the alarming rise in journalist imprisonments worldwide, calling for immediate action to protect press freedom. In the United States, press freedom has reached a historic low, now categorized as "problematic" by Reporters Without Borders. This decline reflects broader global trends, with more than half the world’s population living in countries with little or no press freedom, where practicing journalism is increasingly dangerous. In the Middle East, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank, journalists face...

May 1, 2025

U.S. Intensifies Efforts to Find Journalist Austin Tice Amid Shifting Syrian Landscape

May 01, 2025 - US - The United States has renewed its search for journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria in 2012, following recent political changes and new intelligence suggesting he may still be alive. In a notable development, a former high-ranking Syrian security official, once part of the Assad regime, reportedly met with U.S. agents in Beirut. This official, previously in exile, is believed to possess crucial information about Tice’s case and may be cooperating to provide leads regarding his whereabouts. Meanwhile, advocacy groups involved in hostage negotiations have expressed confidence that...

May 1, 2025

Jineth Bedoya Ends 25-Year Legal Battle for Justice in Colombia

May 01, 2025 - Colombia - Journalist Jineth Bedoya has ended her 25-year-long legal fight for justice following her abduction, rape, and torture in Colombia in 2000. Despite her efforts to hold those responsible accountable, including a landmark case before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Bedoya cited state negligence and failure to protect her as the primary reasons for her decision to walk away from the case. In 2000, Bedoya was abducted by armed men while investigating a story about illegal arms trafficking. She was held captive, raped, and tortured. Despite identifying the perpetrators,...

May 1, 2025

Italian Journalist Targeted by Spyware Sparks National and International Outcry

May 01, 2025 - Italy - In early 2025, Italian investigative journalist Francesco Cancellato, editor-in-chief of Fanpage.it, was notified by WhatsApp that his phone had been compromised by Graphite spyware, developed by Israeli firm Paragon Solutions. This military-grade spyware can infiltrate devices without user interaction, accessing encrypted messages and sensitive data. Cancellato, known for exposing neo-fascist elements within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, expressed feeling “violated” but refrained from speculating on the perpetrators. The breach wasn't isolated. Luca Casarini, founder of the migrant rescue NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans, also received a similar...

May 1, 2025

Syrian Authorities Confirm Mistaken Detention of Journalists Akram Saleh and Judy Haj Ali

May 01, 2025 - Syria - Syrian authorities have confirmed the mistaken detention of journalists Akram Saleh and Judy Haj Ali, who were briefly held while covering unrest in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, a suburb southwest of Damascus. The journalists, affiliated with Iraq-based Channel 8, lost contact with their team on the evening of April 30, 2025, amid ongoing clashes in the area. The Syrian Ministry of Information issued a statement acknowledging the incident, clarifying that the detention was not intentional. The journalists were reportedly released after 24 hours, and their equipment was returned. The Ministry expressed...

May 1, 2025

Why Whistleblowers Need Allies Like Lawyers and Journalists to Expose Corruption

May 01, 2025 - Source: General - In the ongoing battle against corruption, the collaboration between whistleblowers and journalists has proven to be a formidable force. Whistleblowers, often insiders with access to critical information, rely on journalists to bring their disclosures to the public eye, ensuring transparency and accountability. Organizations like the Government Accountability Project emphasize the importance of this partnership, providing resources and guides to help journalists navigate the complexities of working with whistleblowers. These resources aim to protect both parties, ensuring that whistleblowers can safely share information without fear of retaliation, and journalists...

May 1, 2025

Lebanon Honors Fallen Journalists on Press Martyrs’ Day Amid Calls for Justice

May 01, 2025 - Lebanon - On May 6, Lebanon commemorated Press Martyrs' Day, honoring journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. President Joseph Aoun emphasized that true loyalty to the sacrifices of fallen journalists lies in preserving national unity and building a strong state that safeguards the dignity of its people. He described journalism's martyrs as symbols of Lebanon's unyielding will that refuses submission and defeat, reaffirming his commitment to pursuing a Lebanon rooted in justice, equality, and honor. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also paid tribute to the journalists who...

May 1, 2025

Maltese Journalists Form Union to Defend Rights and Strengthen Democracy

May 01, 2025 - General - Journalists in Malta have taken a major step toward workplace empowerment and press freedom by officially forming a union through the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM). This marks a turning point in the country's media sector, where concerns about exploitation, low wages, and burnout have been mounting for years. The IĠM, which began in 1989 as The Malta Press Club and rebranded in 2004, has now legally registered as a trade union to provide better protection and representation for media workers. This transformation responds to long-standing issues including long...

April 30, 2025

Crackdown on Journalists Intensifies Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict

April 30, 2025 - Palestine - The Israel-Gaza conflict has escalated into one of the most dangerous situations for journalists in the world, with a surge in violence, censorship, and systematic suppression of the press. Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, at least 176 journalists and media workers have been killed, the vast majority of them Palestinians reporting from Gaza. This toll represents one of the highest numbers of journalist deaths in a single conflict in modern history. Beyond fatalities, journalists continue to face an environment filled with intimidation, obstruction, and...

April 30, 2025

Global Initiatives Intensify to Safeguard Journalists Amid Rising Threats

April 30, 2025 - Nepal - International efforts to improve journalist safety are expanding, but the scale of threats remains alarming. From physical violence to digital harassment, reporters across the globe face growing dangers while carrying out their work. The United Nations has marked progress through its decade-old Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, which has been implemented in over 160 countries. Since 2012, more than 50 national mechanisms have been established, training tens of thousands of judges, security officers, and media professionals. These initiatives have led to a slight decline in the...

April 30, 2025

EU Officials Recognize Journalism as Pillar of Security and Democratic Resilience

April 30, 2025 - Europe - On April 27, 2025, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) coalition met with European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen to address mounting threats to journalism across Europe. The discussion underscored the vital role of resilient journalism in the EU’s defense and preparedness agenda, particularly amid rising digital threats, economic pressures, and the disruptive influence of artificial intelligence. Commissioner Virkkunen acknowledged journalism as essential infrastructure for democratic stability and security. She expressed concern over the financial fragility of independent media, exacerbated by declining public funding and the dominance of tech...

April 30, 2025

Reporting from exile: Azerbaijani journalists confront new realities and old fears

April 30, 2025 - Azerbaijan - An increasing number of journalists are being forced into exile due to escalating crackdowns on press freedom in their home countries. Azerbaijani journalists, for instance, continue to report on corruption and human rights abuses from abroad, despite facing surveillance, digital attacks, and threats to their families. Their commitment underscores the resilience of exiled media in the face of authoritarian repression. Globally, the trend is alarming. In 2023 alone, at least 460 journalists from 62 countries received financial assistance to flee their nations, nearly double the number from the previous...

April 30, 2025

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Pakistan’s Most Dangerous Province for Journalists, Reveals Alarming Report Ahead of World Press Freedom Day

April 30, 2025 - Pakistan - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has been identified as the most perilous region for journalists in Pakistan, with a significant number of threats and attacks documented in recent reports. Between May 2024 and April 2025, five journalists were killed nationwide, including two in KP, highlighting the escalating risks faced by media professionals in the province. The Freedom Network's annual report indicates that KP accounted for 22 documented cases of threats and violence against journalists, surpassing other regions such as Islamabad and Punjab. These incidents encompass a range of abuses, including physical...

April 30, 2025

Kyrgyz Journalist Kanyshai Mamyrkulova Faces Legal Persecution Amidst Press Freedom Concerns

April 30, 2025 - Russia - Kanyshai Mamyrkulova, an independent journalist from Kyrgyzstan, has been subjected to escalating legal actions following her detention on March 20, 2025. Authorities charged her under Article 278 of the Criminal Code for allegedly inciting mass unrest and ethnic discord through her social media posts, which were critical of the government's handling of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border situation. After her arrest, a district court in Bishkek ordered the seizure of her residence, reportedly her only home, raising concerns about potential retaliation against her journalistic activities. Despite calls from international human rights...

April 30, 2025

Iranian-French Journalist Shahin Hazamy Detained in France Over Pro-Palestinian Activism

April 30, 2025 - Iran/France - Shahin Hazamy, a French-Iranian freelance journalist known for his pro-Palestinian activism, was detained by French authorities on April 22, 2025. The arrest occurred at his Paris residence, where a team of masked security officers reportedly broke into his home in the early morning hours, arresting him in front of his wife and two young children. Hazamy has been charged with "apologie du terrorisme" (praise of terrorism), a criminal offense in France, due to his social media posts expressing support for Palestinian and Lebanese resistance groups and his condemnation of...

April 30, 2025

Israel Detains 49 Palestinian Journalists Since October 2024, Rights Groups Report

April 30, 2025 - Palestine - Israel has detained 49 Palestinian journalists since October 7, 2024, marking a significant escalation in the repression of press freedom in the occupied Palestinian territories. These detentions come amid heightened military operations following the October 7 attack by Hamas, which sparked renewed violence and unrest in Gaza and the West Bank. Rights organizations, including the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have condemned the widespread targeting of journalists, claiming that Israel is using imprisonment and harassment to silence critical reporting. Among the detained journalists, many face...

April 30, 2025

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Sentenced in Turkey Amid Alleged Press Freedom Violations

April 30, 2025 - Sweden/Turkey - Swedish journalist Joakim Medin was sentenced to an 11-month suspended prison term by a Turkish court on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Medin, who works for the Swedish outlet Dagens ETC, was arrested on March 27, 2025, upon arriving in Istanbul to report on protests related to the arrest of Turkish opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The charges against him stem from a 2023 protest in Stockholm, where an effigy of Erdoğan was displayed. Medin denies having participated in the protest, claiming he was in Germany at the...

April 30, 2025

Trump’s First 100 Days Mark Escalating Press Freedom Concerns in the U.S.

April 30, 2025 - USA - In the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's second term, press freedom in the United States has faced significant challenges, according to multiple reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) highlights that the administration's actions have created a chilling effect, threatening the availability of independent, fact-based news for vast swaths of America's population. These measures include targeted attacks against journalists and news organizations, regulatory abuse, and access issues for journalists reporting in the U.S. Additionally, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reports that press freedom in the U.S. has reached...

April 30, 2025

Journalism in Bangladesh : Ask questions, lose your job

April 30, 2025 - Bangladesh - In a concerning escalation of press repression, Bangladesh's interim government has intensified its crackdown on journalists, particularly those questioning official narratives. Recent reports indicate that three prominent television journalists were dismissed after posing critical questions during a government press conference, leading to the indefinite suspension of their news division. Journalists have faced criminal charges, including fabricated accusations of murder. Additionally, press cards have been revoked, bank accounts frozen, and travel bans imposed, with women journalists being particularly vulnerable. The government's response to these developments has been to establish a...

April 30, 2025

Veteran Filipino Journalist Johnny Dayang Shot Dead, Sparking Outrage and Demands for Justice

April 30, 2025 - Philippines - The killing of veteran Filipino journalist Johnny Dayang in Aklan has sent shockwaves through the media community in the Philippines, reigniting fears over press safety and prompting urgent calls for a thorough investigation. Dayang, aged 75, was gunned down inside his home in Banga, Aklan, on May 7. He died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds, while his assistant sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital. Dayang had a long career in media, having served as a publisher, columnist, and former president of the Publishers Association of...

April 30, 2025

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Sentenced in Turkey for “Insulting” President Erdoğan

April 30, 2025 - Sweden/Turkey - Swedish journalist Joakim Medin has been sentenced by a Turkish court to 15 months in prison, suspended for five years, after being found guilty of “insulting the president,” a charge that has been frequently used against critics of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The ruling has sparked renewed concern over press freedom and freedom of expression in Turkey, as well as diplomatic unease between Ankara and Stockholm. Medin, a freelance reporter with extensive experience covering Turkish and Kurdish issues, was charged under Article 299 of Turkey’s penal code. The case...

April 30, 2025

Bangladeshi Journalists Fired for Asking Critical Questions Amid Growing Press Clampdown

April 30, 2025 - Bangladesh - In a stark reminder of the growing threats to media freedom in Bangladesh, at least three journalists have recently been dismissed and another suspended after posing pointed questions at a government press conference regarding the July uprising. The backlash has sparked widespread concern among press freedom advocates and underscored the increasingly hostile climate for critical journalism in the country. The incident occurred during a press briefing in Dhaka, where journalists raised concerns about the government's handling of protests that erupted in July over economic grievances, governance issues, and allegations...

April 30, 2025

On World Press Freedom Day 2025, Focus Turns to Journalists in Exile and the Fight for Truth

April 30, 2025 - General - As the world marked World Press Freedom Day 2025, attention turned to the growing number of journalists forced into exile for doing their jobs. Celebrated annually on May 3, this year’s theme—centered on the role of journalism in helping society “see the full picture”—highlighted the essential nature of independent reporting in democratic life, especially as threats against journalists continue to rise globally. Organizations like the Rory Peck Trust and Global Voices spotlighted the struggles of reporters who have had to flee their home countries due to threats, imprisonment, censorship,...

April 30, 2025

New Film Rekindles Spotlight on Anna Politkovskaya’s Legacy and Ongoing Dangers for Journalists

April 30, 2025 - General - A renewed focus on the life and death of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya is emerging nearly two decades after her assassination, driven by a powerful new film and a broader reckoning with the threats faced by journalists worldwide. The film Words of War, set to release in theaters this summer, dramatizes Politkovskaya’s unflinching reporting and the oppressive climate in which she worked, offering both a tribute to her courage and a warning about the current state of global press freedom. Politkovskaya, a renowned war correspondent for Novaya Gazeta, was...

April 29, 2025

Veteran Filipino Journalist Johnny Dayang Shot Dead in His Home in Kalibo

April 29, 2025 - Philippines - Prominent Filipino journalist and former local official Johnny “Juan” Dayang was fatally shot on April 29, 2025, in his home in Kalibo, Aklan, sending shockwaves through the Philippine media community and drawing renewed attention to the persistent danger journalists face in the country. Dayang, 75, was a well-known figure in the journalism scene. He was the longtime publisher of The Bugalion, a regional publication known for its hard-hitting commentary and political coverage. He also served as the president of the Publishers Association of the Philippines and was a former...

April 29, 2025

World Press Freedom Day 3 May

April 29, 2025 - Source: UN - Freedom of expression in the face of the AI revolution The rapid growth and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing journalism, the media, and press freedom in big ways. While the principles of free, independent, and pluralistic media remain crucial, AI's impact on information gathering, processing, and dissemination is profound, presenting both innovative opportunities and serious challenges. AI can help support freedom of expression by making information easier to access, allowing more people to communicate across the world, and changing how information flows globally. At the same...

April 29, 2025

Ukrainian Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna Dies in Russian Custody After Torture

April 29, 2025 - Ukaraine - Viktoriia Roshchyna, a Ukrainian journalist, tragically died in Russian custody after enduring horrific torture. Captured in August 2023 while investigating detention sites in Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia, Roshchyna was held for over a year before her body was returned to Ukraine in February 2025. The 28-year-old journalist, known for her courageous reporting, was tortured in captivity, with forensic examinations revealing numerous signs of electrocution, broken bones, and missing organs. Russian authorities had kept Roshchyna in harsh conditions during her detention, and her body was returned with significant mutilations. The absence of...

April 29, 2025

Greece Faces Crisis in Press Freedom Amid Political Control and Threats to Journalists

April 29, 2025 - Greece - Recent developments in Greece have raised significant concerns regarding press freedom, as the country faces mounting pressure from political control, corrupt funding, and increasing threats to journalists. According to reports, the media landscape in Greece is rapidly deteriorating due to the growing influence of political elites on major media outlets. This influence has led to biased reporting and a lack of critical journalism, further undermining the integrity of the press. In addition to political interference, journalists in Greece are facing direct threats, including harassment, surveillance, and violence. The case...

April 29, 2025

Bolivian Journalists Confront Rising Censorship and Threats to Press Freedom

April 29, 2025 - Bolivia - Bolivian journalists are increasingly facing censorship, self-censorship, and direct threats, raising alarms about the state of press freedom in the country. A study by researcher Virginie Poyetton revealed that over half of Bolivian journalists have experienced censorship or self-censorship during their careers. The primary sources of this suppression include government authorities and private advertisers, with topics such as corruption and government actions being particularly sensitive. Additionally, 85% of journalists reported difficulties accessing official sources, especially the police and armed forces, further hindering their ability to report freely. The National...

April 29, 2025

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Faces Terrorism Charges in Turkey Amid Press Freedom Concerns

April 29, 2025 - Sweden/Turkey - Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, known for his reporting on Kurdish issues and conflict zones, was arrested in Turkey on March 27, 2025, upon arrival at Istanbul Airport. He was there to cover nationwide protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Turkish authorities charged Medin with "insulting the president" and "membership in a terrorist organization," citing his alleged involvement in a 2023 protest in Stockholm where an effigy of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was displayed. Medin denies any participation in the protest, stating he was in Germany at...

April 29, 2025

Azerbaijan Faces International Calls to Release Detained Journalists and Activists

April 29, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan is under mounting international pressure to release journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society activists detained in a recent crackdown on dissent. Amnesty International and the Council of Europe have both issued urgent appeals, citing politically motivated charges and a deteriorating environment for free expression. According to Amnesty International, the Azerbaijani government has intensified its repression of critical voices, particularly following the announcement that Baku would host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29). Since then, over a dozen journalists and activists have been arrested or forced into exile,...

April 29, 2025

Crackdown on Palestinian Press: Israeli Forces Arrest Veteran Journalist and Obstruct Media Access in Nablus

April 29, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli forces have intensified their clampdown on Palestinian journalists in the occupied West Bank, most recently arresting a prominent Palestinian journalist in the city of Nablus and blocking press access during a military operation. On April 10, journalist Mohammad al-Khatib, a well-known reporter in the region, was arrested by Israeli forces during a raid in Nablus. Al-Khatib, who has covered numerous events in the West Bank over the years, was reportedly detained without charge, sparking concern among human rights groups and media watchdogs. His arrest marks yet another incident...

April 29, 2025

Pakistani analysts, journalists banned on Indian TV channels

April 29, 2025 - Pakistan/India - In the aftermath of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Hindu civilians, India has implemented a series of stringent measures targeting Pakistani media and analysts. These actions are part of a broader strategy to counter what the Indian government describes as a surge in misinformation and provocative content originating from Pakistan. Ban on Pakistani Analysts and Journalists The Indian government has prohibited the appearance of Pakistani analysts and journalists on Indian television channels. Media outlets have been directed...

April 29, 2025

Nigeria’s PenCom Targets ₦1.3bn Pension Debt Owed to Journalists by Newspapers

April 29, 2025 - Nigeria - Nigeria’s National Pension Commission (PenCom) has launched a major enforcement initiative to recover ₦1.3 billion in unpaid pension contributions owed to journalists by various newspaper organisations across the country. This move is in response to persistent non-compliance by media employers with pension remittance obligations, despite statutory requirements under the Pension Reform Act of 2014. According to PenCom, the commission has deployed recovery agents to pursue outstanding remittances from defaulting media houses. These agents are tasked with auditing the records of the defaulting organisations and initiating recovery measures where necessary....

April 29, 2025

Debayan Roy’s Aadhaar Sting: A Legal Crossroads for Press Freedom and Public Interest

April 29, 2025 - General - In 2017, journalist Debayan Roy conducted a sting operation to expose vulnerabilities in India's Aadhaar enrollment system. By demonstrating that an individual could obtain multiple Aadhaar numbers using the same biometric data, Roy highlighted significant flaws in the system. However, this act led to criminal charges against him under the Aadhaar Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including impersonation and conspiracy. The case has since become a focal point in debates over journalistic freedom and the legal boundaries of investigative reporting. Roy's defense argues that his...

April 29, 2025

Pakistan Condemns India’s Ban on Media and YouTube Channels Over Pahalgam Attack Narrative

April 29, 2025 - Pakistan/India - Pakistan has strongly condemned India's recent decision to block several Pakistani media YouTube channels and ban the appearance of Pakistani journalists and analysts on Indian television. The action was taken following the fallout from coverage related to the Pahalgam attack in India, which Pakistan claims was inaccurately portrayed and misrepresented in Indian media. According to Pakistani authorities, at least 16 YouTube channels and several media outlets were blocked by India for what it claimed was the spread of misinformation. However, Pakistani officials, including Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, argue that...

April 29, 2025

Five Afghan Journalists Honored with 2025 ‘Journalist of the Year’ Award

April 29, 2025 - Afghanistan - In a significant recognition of journalistic courage and excellence, five Afghan journalists have been jointly awarded the 2025 "Journalist of the Year" title by the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC). This accolade acknowledges their unwavering commitment to press freedom and their impactful reporting under challenging circumstances. Award Recipients: Sadaf Haidari: A freelance journalist known for her in-depth investigative pieces highlighting social issues affecting Afghan communities. Arifullah Wahidi: A reporter for Amu TV, Wahidi has been instrumental in covering political developments and providing nuanced analyses of Afghanistan's evolving landscape. Mohammad Yousuf...

April 29, 2025

Assault on Kenyan Photojournalist Sparks Outrage and Demands for Reform

April 29, 2025 - Kenya - A recent violent attack on seasoned photojournalist Chris Omollo has ignited widespread condemnation from media professionals, sports bodies, and rights advocates across Kenya. Omollo, who works with Nation Media Group, was allegedly assaulted by a police officer at Dandora Stadium on April 27, 2025. He was covering a Football Kenya Federation Premier League match between Gor Mahia and Mara Sugar when he was struck on the back of the head while attempting to access the venue, causing him to collapse and later require hospitalization. The incident has brought renewed...

April 29, 2025

BBC’s ‘Blood Parliament’ Documentary Sparks National Debate and Government Backlash in Kenya

April 29, 2025 - Kenya - The release of the BBC Africa Eye documentary Blood Parliament has ignited a national debate in Kenya, exposing alleged police and military involvement in the fatal shootings of unarmed protesters during the June 25, 2024, anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. The 35-minute film, which aired on April 27, 2025, presents detailed evidence, including footage and eyewitness accounts, implicating security forces in the deaths of at least three young demonstrators outside Parliament. The documentary's revelations have been met with a divided response. The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) praised the BBC for...

April 29, 2025

Arrest of Veteran Palestinian Journalist Ali al-Samoudi Highlights Press Freedom Concerns

April 29, 2025 - Palestine - The recent arrest of veteran Palestinian journalist Ali al-Samoudi by Israeli forces has intensified concerns over press freedom in the occupied territories. Al-Samoudi, known for his extensive reporting on Israeli military operations in the West Bank, was detained during a pre-dawn raid on his home in Jenin on April 29, 2025. The Israeli military alleges his affiliation with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and involvement in fund transfers, though no evidence has been publicly presented. His family and colleagues vehemently deny these claims, emphasizing his longstanding commitment to journalism. This...

April 29, 2025

Albanian Constitutional Court Upholds Press Freedom in Landmark Ruling for Journalist Elton Qyno

April 29, 2025 - Albania - In a significant victory for press freedom, the Constitutional Court of Albania ruled unanimously on April 22, 2025, in favor of investigative journalist Elton Qyno, overturning previous court decisions that had authorized the seizure of his electronic equipment and data. The Court found that the actions taken by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) violated constitutional protections of freedom of expression and the confidentiality of journalistic sources. The case began in December 2023 when SPAK seized Qyno's personal and professional devices following his publication of articles...

April 29, 2025

Innovative QR Code Campaign Empowers Public to Support Investigative Journalism

April 29, 2025 - General - In April 2025, Forbidden Stories, a non-profit organization dedicated to continuing the work of journalists silenced by threats or assassination, launched a groundbreaking campaign in collaboration with creative agency VML. The initiative centers around a minimalist yet powerful tool: a QR code designed to mobilize public support for press freedom. The campaign's core message, "Killing the messenger will not kill the message," underscores Forbidden Stories' mission to ensure that the investigations of murdered journalists are not buried with them. By scanning the QR code featured on stark, black-and-white visuals,...

April 29, 2025

Russian Heating Scandal and Press Freedom Advocacy Highlight Tensions in the Arctic

April 29, 2025 - Russia - A heating crisis at a key Russian military base and renewed calls for global press freedom have drawn attention to accountability and transparency issues in the Arctic and beyond. In early 2025, a heating system breakdown at the Sputnik naval infantry base in the Murmansk region left families of Russia’s 61st Naval Infantry Brigade enduring near-freezing indoor temperatures during the harsh Arctic winter. The former head of the military’s utility contractor PromVoenStroy, Armen Arshakyan, was found responsible for the crisis and fined a mere 5,000 rubles (about €54), sparking...

April 29, 2025

Ukrainian Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna Tortured and Killed in Russian Captivity

April 29, 2025 - Ukraine - Ukrainian investigative journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna has become a tragic symbol of the growing dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones, after confirmation that she was tortured and killed while held in Russian captivity. Roshchyna, who was just 27 years old, had built her reputation by courageously reporting from areas occupied by Russian forces, including Crimea and parts of the Donbas. She was abducted by Russian troops in August 2023 near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant while investigating conditions in occupied territories. For over a year, her whereabouts remained unknown....

April 29, 2025

Sushmita S. Preetha Advocates for Women’s Rights and Safety in Journalism

April 29, 2025 - General - At the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in March 2025, a pivotal event called “For ALL Women and Girls: The Beijing+30 Action Agenda” set the stage for a renewed commitment to advancing women’s rights globally. The event, hosted by UN Women, focused on addressing key challenges faced by women worldwide, including the alarming issues of safety, equality, and gender-based violence. One of the key advocates during this event was Sushmita S. Preetha, a prominent journalist from Bangladesh, who emphasized the critical need for...

April 29, 2025

Iranian Journalists Face Increased Pressure Following Deadly Port Explosion

April 29, 2025 - Iran - In April 2025, a deadly explosion at a major port in southern Iran escalated concerns about press freedom in the country, with Iranian journalists reporting increasing pressure and censorship from authorities. The explosion, which occurred at the Shahid Rajaei Port, resulted in numerous casualties and extensive damage, triggering a widespread government crackdown on media coverage. Journalists have reported being muzzled by Iranian authorities, who have sought to suppress information surrounding the blast and its aftermath. While initial reports suggested a possible industrial accident, journalists began to raise questions about...

April 29, 2025

Colombia Acknowledges State Responsibility for 1991 Murders of El Espectador Journalists

April 29, 2025 - Colombia - In a landmark development, the Colombian government has officially acknowledged its responsibility for the 1991 murders of two journalists from El Espectador, Julio Chaparro and Jorge Torres. This recognition marks a significant step in addressing the longstanding issue of impunity in cases involving the deaths of journalists in Colombia. The murders occurred during a period of intense violence and threats against the press, particularly those reporting on drug cartels and organized crime. Chaparro and Torres were known for their investigative journalism, which brought them into conflict with powerful criminal...

April 29, 2025

Global Observances of World Press Freedom Day 2025 Highlight Pressing Challenges and Advocacy Efforts

April 29, 2025 - Ghana - World Press Freedom Day 2025, observed on May 3, underscored the critical need to safeguard press freedom amidst escalating threats to journalists worldwide. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliates organized various events to commemorate the day and address pressing issues affecting the media landscape. In Brussels, the IFJ, in collaboration with the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, Saudi Journalists Association, Syrian Journalists Association, and Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate, hosted an event titled "Stop the Killing of Journalists in the World’s Deadliest War Zones." This gathering aimed to draw attention...

April 29, 2025

Public Service Media Unite on World Press Freedom Day to Defend Journalism Amid Rising Threats

April 29, 2025 - Geeneral - On World Press Freedom Day 2025, public service media organizations worldwide united to reaffirm their commitment to independent journalism and press freedom. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Public Media Alliance (PMA) highlighted the escalating challenges faced by journalists and media institutions globally, emphasizing the critical role of public service media (PSM) in upholding democratic values. The EBU, in its statement, underscored the vital role of public service broadcasters in delivering quality news that matters to audiences. Amidst the growing pressures from misinformation and polarized politics, public service...

April 29, 2025

Journalists who have died in 2025 as of April 29

April 29, 2025 - Kenya - As of April 2025, the global journalism community has been struck by a concerning wave of fatalities. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has confirmed the deaths of six journalists worldwide, many of whom were killed in conflict zones. These deaths, driven by targeted violence and the dangerous environment in war-torn regions, highlight the relentless risks journalists face in their efforts to report truthfully from unstable territories. The CPJ meticulously tracks and categorizes these incidents based on the confirmed motives behind each death, providing a vital resource for advocating...

April 29, 2025

Taliban Commander Pleads Guilty to 2008 Abduction of U.S. Journalist

April 29, 2025 - USA - In a long-awaited legal development, former Taliban commander Haji Najibullah has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to orchestrating the 2008 kidnapping of American journalist David Rohde and two Afghan colleagues. Rohde, a reporter for The New York Times at the time, was abducted in Logar Province, Afghanistan, while researching Taliban operations. He was held for over seven months before escaping captivity in Pakistan in June 2009. Najibullah, 49, was extradited to the United States from Ukraine in 2020 and charged with multiple terrorism-related offenses. His guilty plea,...

April 28, 2025

Yemeni-Dutch Journalist Musab al-Hattami Killed in Houthi Drone Strike

April 28, 2025 - Yemen - On April 26, 2025, Musab al-Hattami, a Yemeni-Dutch journalist and filmmaker, was tragically killed in a Houthi drone strike near Marib, Yemen. Al-Hattami, who had returned to Yemen to document the realities of life in his family’s hometown, was targeted in the attack while working on a documentary. His brother, photographer Suhaib al-Hattami, was also injured in the strike. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the attack, calling attention to the escalating dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones. Al-Hattami’s death highlights the ongoing threats journalists encounter in Yemen,...

April 28, 2025

Peru’s New Law Sparks Outcry Over Press Freedom and Civil Society Restrictions

April 28, 2025 - Peru - In April 2025, Peru enacted a controversial law that has drawn widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates and civil society organizations. Critics argue that the legislation, which expands the authority of the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI), poses significant threats to freedom of expression and association. The law mandates that nonprofit media outlets and civil society organizations receiving international funding must register their activities with the APCI. This requirement includes disclosing journalistic plans and projects, which many view as a mechanism for governmental oversight and potential censorship. Failure...

April 28, 2025

Sri Lankan Journalists Demand Justice on 20th Anniversary of Sivaram’s Assassination

April 28, 2025 - Tamil - On April 28, 2025, journalists and civil society members gathered in Jaffna to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the assassination of renowned Tamil journalist Dharmeratnam "Taraki" Sivaram. The event, organized by the Jaffna Press Club, the Eastern Province Journalists Association, and the Professional Online Journalists Association, took place at the memorial for murdered journalists on Main Street, Jaffna. Sivaram, a former senior editor at TamilNet, was abducted in Colombo on April 28, 2005, and later found murdered near the Parliament. Despite international condemnation and demands for accountability, his killers...

April 28, 2025

Croatian Journalists Condemn Funding Cut to Serb Weekly as Censorship

April 28, 2025 - Croatia - In April 2025, Croatia's Council for National Minorities reduced funding for Novosti, a weekly newspaper serving the Serbian minority, by 35%. This decision has been widely criticized by journalists and press freedom advocates as a politically motivated act of censorship. Novosti, published by the Serbian National Council (SNV), is known for its investigative journalism and critical reporting on political and social issues in Croatia. The publication operates under the Program for Cultural Autonomy of Minorities, receiving state funds allocated for minority media. The recent funding reduction follows demands from...

April 28, 2025

Detention of Macao Journalists Sparks International Outcry Over Press Freedom

April 28, 2025 - China - On April 17, 2025, two journalists from the independent media outlet All About Macau (AAM), including editor-in-chief Ian Sio Tou, were detained for 11 hours by Macao police after attempting to cover a Legislative Assembly (AL) session. The journalists were denied access to the chamber and directed to the public gallery, despite available seats. Their refusal to comply led to allegations of "disrupting operations" and potential prosecution under Article 304 of Macao's Penal Code. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the detentions, labeling them a "disturbing escalation" in...

April 28, 2025

Journalism’s Enduring Role in Democracy and Society

April 28, 2025 - General - In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and shifting media landscapes, the fundamental role of journalism remains pivotal in upholding democratic values and informing the public. A recent panel discussion in Bermuda, commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Daily Hour talk show, brought together media professionals to emphasize journalism's significance. Panelists, including Jonathan Howes of Bermuda Press Holdings and Jasmine Patterson of Bermuda Broadcasting Company, highlighted the challenges faced by media organizations, such as adapting to evolving technologies and maintaining financial sustainability. Radio broadcaster Nikita Robinson noted the...

April 28, 2025

News/Media Alliance Condemns DOJ Policy Reversal on Journalist Subpoenas

April 28, 2025 - USA - The News/Media Alliance has expressed strong opposition to the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) recent decision to rescind protections that previously barred prosecutors from subpoenaing journalists to reveal confidential sources in leak investigations. Attorney General Pam Bondi's April 2025 memo reverses the Biden-era policy, allowing the DOJ to compel journalists to disclose sources when reporting on government leaks. Danielle Coffey, President and CEO of the News/Media Alliance, criticized the move, stating that it undermines journalistic integrity and could deter whistleblowers from coming forward. She emphasized that the previous guidelines...

April 28, 2025

‘Lamestream’ Podcast Challenges Australia’s Media Landscape

April 28, 2025 - Australia - Award-winning journalists Osman Faruqi and Scott Mitchell have launched Lamestream, an independent podcast and newsletter aiming to address the perceived crisis in Australian media. The initiative seeks to provide a bold alternative to legacy outlets by exploring how journalism influences society, culture, and politics. Faruqi, formerly the Culture Editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and Mitchell, previously Editor and Executive Producer of the 7 am podcast, bring extensive experience from major Australian media organizations. Their collaboration is driven by a shared concern over declining trust in traditional...

April 28, 2025

Turkish Journalist İsmail Saymaz Under House Arrest Over 2013 Gezi Protests

April 28, 2025 - Turkey - On March 19, 2025, Turkish journalist İsmail Saymaz was detained by Istanbul police as part of a renewed investigation into the 2013 Gezi Park protests. Two days later, he was released under house arrest, prohibited from leaving the country, and had his passports revoked. Prosecutors accuse Saymaz of "aiding an attempt to overthrow the government," alleging that he played an active role in the protests, disseminated misleading information on social media, and incited public unrest against law enforcement. They are reportedly seeking a prison sentence of 15 to 20...

April 28, 2025

U.S. Department of Justice Resumes Seizing Journalists’ Records in Leak Investigations

April 28, 2025 - USA - In April 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, reversed a policy that had restricted federal prosecutors from seizing journalists' communications records in leak investigations. The new policy permits the use of subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants to compel testimony and access reporters' information. This change aligns with the Trump administration's broader approach to handling media leaks, which includes employing polygraph tests in internal investigations and pursuing potential prosecutions related to recent leaks. Media advocacy groups have expressed concern that this policy shift could...

April 28, 2025

Journalist Émérite Amisi Musada Abducted and Tortured in Eastern DRC

April 28, 2025 - Congo - On April 15, 2025, journalist Émérite Amisi Musada was abducted in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after receiving threats related to his reporting on the ongoing conflict in the eastern region. He was held captive until April 19, when he was found near Lake Kivu in a severely weakened state. Musada reported being abducted by four individuals in civilian clothing, subjected to physical abuse, and interrogated about his journalistic work. He was released without explanation and is currently recovering from his ordeal. Musada, a reporter for DeboutRDC, has...

April 28, 2025

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi Reinstates Subpoenas for Journalists in Leak Investigations

April 28, 2025 - USA - In April 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi reversed a Biden-era policy that had restricted the Department of Justice (DOJ) from subpoenaing journalists' records in leak investigations. The new policy authorizes prosecutors to issue subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants to compel journalists to disclose information and testify about their sources. Bondi emphasized that these measures would be used cautiously and only when other avenues have been exhausted. The previous policy, established under Attorney General Merrick Garland during President Joe Biden's administration, had significantly limited such actions unless journalists...

April 28, 2025

Georgia’s Leading Opposition Broadcaster Mtavari Arkhi Shuts Down Amid Internal Conflict and Political Pressure

April 28, 2025 - Georgia - On May 1, 2025, Mtavari Arkhi, Georgia’s most influential opposition-aligned television channel, officially ceased broadcasting after nearly six years on air. The closure follows months of internal disputes, financial instability, and allegations of political interference. The shutdown was announced to staff on April 28 by General Director Giorgi Gabunia, who cited an “artificially triggered financial crisis” allegedly orchestrated by co-founder and major shareholder Zaza Okuashvili. Gabunia accused Okuashvili of withholding payments to service providers and acting in coordination with the ruling Georgian Dream party to undermine the channel’s operations....

April 28, 2025

M-A Chronicle Awarded with Prestigious Journalism Honor

April 28, 2025 - General - The M-A Chronicle, the student-run online newspaper of Menlo-Atherton High School, has been honored with the 2025 Online Pacemaker Award by the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), one of the highest accolades in high school journalism. Announced on April 26, the award recognizes the Chronicle as one of 13 recipients nationwide for its outstanding digital journalism. Co-Editor-in-Chief Celine Chien expressed pride in the team's dedication, stating, "We’ve continuously worked to perfect our grammatical standards, polish our article flow, and make sure our photos look sharp, so it’s gratifying to...

April 28, 2025

Punjab Government Launches Landmark Housing Initiative for Journalists

April 28, 2025 - Pakistan - In a significant move to support the media community, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced the allocation of 3,200 residential plots to journalists across the province. This initiative, described as the largest of its kind in Punjab's history, aims to provide secure housing for media professionals and underscores the government's commitment to journalists' welfare. The decision was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Punjab Information Ministry and the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), facilitating the land transfer for the Journalist Housing Scheme Phase II...

April 28, 2025

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi Reinstates Subpoenas for Journalists in Leak Investigations

April 28, 2025 - USA - In April 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi reversed a Biden-era policy that had restricted the Department of Justice (DOJ) from subpoenaing journalists' records in leak investigations. The new policy authorizes prosecutors to issue subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants to compel journalists to disclose information and testify about their sources. Bondi emphasized that these measures would be used cautiously and only when other avenues have been exhausted. The previous policy, established under Attorney General Merrick Garland during President Joe Biden's administration, had significantly limited such actions unless journalists...

April 28, 2025

Russia Issues Arrest Warrant for Exiled Journalist Yulia Taratuta Over ‘Foreign Agent’ Law Violations

April 28, 2025 - Russia - Russian journalist Yulia Taratuta, known for her association with the independent broadcaster TV Rain (Dozhd), is now officially wanted by Russian authorities. An arrest warrant was issued in late April 2025, citing her failure to comply with the country’s stringent “foreign agent” law. Taratuta had been labeled a “foreign agent” in December 2022 by the Justice Ministry—an increasingly common move by the Russian government to stifle dissent and independent reporting. The criminal proceedings against Taratuta stem from her alleged violation of Article 330.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, which...

April 28, 2025

Strengthening Journalist Welfare in Pakistan: The Role of Legislation and Press Clubs

April 28, 2025 - Pakistan - In Pakistan, journalist welfare is bolstered through legislative measures and the active involvement of press clubs. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Journalists Welfare Endowment Fund Act, 2014 The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Journalists Welfare Endowment Fund Act, enacted in 2014, established a fund to support journalists and their families in times of need. The Act provides financial assistance for medical expenses, compensation to families of journalists who die in the line of duty, and support during emergencies. The fund is managed by a committee and is maintained in the Bank of Khyber. Role...

April 28, 2025

Calls for Global Action Intensify as Journalist Deaths in Gaza Rise

April 28, 2025 - Palestine - Global concern is mounting over the escalating dangers faced by journalists, especially in Gaza, where the death toll among media workers continues to climb. Anthony Bellanger, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has urgently appealed for stronger international protections and accountability mechanisms during armed conflicts. Speaking at a recent event, Bellanger condemned the unprecedented targeting of journalists, noting that over 100 media workers have been killed in Gaza alone since the outbreak of hostilities. He emphasized that such deaths are not collateral damage but direct attacks...

April 28, 2025

Morocco’s Expulsion of Italian Journalists in Western Sahara Draws Global Outcry

April 28, 2025 -Morocco/Italy - The recent expulsion of two Italian journalists from Western Sahara by Moroccan authorities has sparked international criticism and renewed debate over press freedom in the disputed territory. According to multiple reports, journalists from the Italian outlets Il Manifesto and RaiNews were detained on April 25 in Laayoune, Western Sahara’s largest city, while preparing to report on the ongoing conflict and human rights situation in the region. The journalists, who had been invited by local Sahrawi human rights organizations, were reportedly questioned for several hours before being deported without clear explanation....

April 28, 2025

The Silent Struggle: Journalism and Mental Health Challenges in Africa and Beyond

April 28, 2025 - General - Journalism, often viewed as a noble yet high-pressure profession, is taking a toll on the mental health of its practitioners, particularly in Africa and other regions where conflict, repression, and poor institutional support compound the strain. Despite their critical role in shaping public discourse and holding power to account, journalists across the continent are frequently left to silently endure psychological trauma resulting from their work. A report by the Al Jazeera Media Institute highlights a “culture of silence” in African newsrooms, where journalists are expected to remain stoic in...

April 28, 2025

Arab Journalists in Limbo After Trump’s Executive Cuts to US-Funded Media

April 28, 2025 - USA - Hundreds of Arab journalists employed by US-funded broadcasters are facing uncertain futures following a sweeping executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. The move slashes funding to the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), the parent company of channels such as Alhurra and Radio Sawa, which serve Arabic-speaking audiences in the Middle East and North Africa. The abrupt cuts have prompted widespread layoffs, visa complications, and significant disruption to the lives and careers of the journalists affected. The executive order, issued in April 2025, drastically reduced federal support for...

April 28, 2025

Hong Kong Journalists Report Steep Decline in Press Freedom, Survey Finds

April 28, 2025 - Hong Kong - Press freedom in Hong Kong has reached alarming new lows, according to a recent survey conducted by the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA). The findings, based on responses from 167 local journalists, reveal a continued erosion of media freedoms and a growing sense of fear and self-censorship among reporters working under increasing political pressure. The annual survey, released in April 2025, highlights a marked drop in perceived press freedom. Respondents ranked the current press environment at an average of 2.45 out of 10—the lowest since the survey began...

April 28, 2025

Scam Ads on Facebook Exploit Journalists’ Identities, Raise Alarms Over Platform Safety

April 28, 2025 - General - Meta is under intense scrutiny following revelations that Facebook has allowed scam advertisements using the identities of prominent journalists to spread unchecked. These fraudulent ads, often promoting cryptocurrency or get-rich-quick schemes, feature fake endorsements and AI-generated likenesses of journalists to lend them false credibility, misleading users and endangering the reputations of media professionals. A joint investigation by Press Gazette and other media outlets has documented multiple cases where the names and faces of well-known journalists were used without consent. Victims include broadcasters, investigative reporters, and even BBC and Sky...

April 28, 2025

Press Freedom in the U.S. Faces Decline, Warns CPJ Report

April 28, 2025 - USA - A recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has raised alarms about the growing threats to press freedom in the United States. Once regarded as a global standard for journalistic integrity and independence, the U.S. now finds itself grappling with increasing hostility towards journalists and press organizations. The CPJ’s findings highlight a disturbing trend: press freedom in the U.S. has been significantly eroded, particularly under the influence of political pressures and growing state intervention. Historically, the U.S. has served as a beacon of free speech and journalistic...

April 28, 2025

World Press Freedom Day Highlights the Challenges Faced by Women Journalists

April 28, 2025 - General - World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3, serves as a reminder of the pivotal role journalism plays in democratic societies. However, it also underscores the growing risks faced by journalists, particularly women, around the world. Data on women journalists behind bars reveals alarming trends in the fight for press freedom, with an increasing number of female reporters facing imprisonment, harassment, and violence. According to a report by Women in Journalism, women journalists are often subjected to a double layer of oppression: one based on their profession and...

April 28, 2025

U.S. Department of Justice Rescinds Protections for Journalists in Leak Investigations

April 28, 2025 - USA - In a significant reversal, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has rescinded protections for journalists in leak investigations, raising concerns about the future of press freedom in the United States. The change comes after former President Donald Trump’s administration implemented policies that limited the ability of journalists to protect their sources, particularly in investigations related to government leaks. This decision has sparked widespread criticism from press freedom organizations, journalists, and civil liberties groups who warn that it could further undermine the role of the press in holding powerful institutions...

April 27, 2025

Press Freedom in the Spotlight Amid Global and Domestic Challenges

April 27, 2025 - General - The state of press freedom took center stage in recent weeks, both in the United States and globally, highlighting the essential—but increasingly threatened—role journalists play in democratic societies. At the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, President Joe Biden acknowledged the critical function of a free press in holding power accountable. He also took time to remember journalists killed or detained while doing their jobs, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, currently imprisoned in Russia. Biden's remarks, while aimed at defending American values, also carried an implicit warning about the...

April 27, 2025

Rising Toll on Palestinian Journalists Amid Renewed Gaza Assault

April 27, 2025 - Palestine - As Israel resumes its military operations in Gaza, the human cost continues to escalate, particularly for those working to document the conflict. At least 15 Palestinian journalists have been killed over the past three months, according to multiple human rights organizations and news agencies. These journalists, many of whom were working in frontline conditions without protective gear, lost their lives while reporting on airstrikes, evacuations, and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Arab Organisation for Human Rights (AOHR) has condemned these killings, asserting that they constitute a deliberate...

April 26, 2025

Pam Bondi Defends DOJ Subpoenas of Journalists in Trump Leak Probe

April 26, 2025 - USA - Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has stepped into the spotlight to defend the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) controversial decision to subpoena journalists as part of a probe into leaked information related to Donald Trump. Acting as the public face of the former president’s legal team, Bondi justified the department’s actions as necessary to address what she called a “national security matter,” despite widespread criticism from press freedom advocates. The issue stems from a DOJ investigation into media leaks concerning classified documents allegedly found at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. The...

April 26, 2025

Former Taliban Commander Pleads Guilty in U.S. Journalist Kidnapping Case

April 26, 2025 - Afghanistan - Haji Najibullah, a former Taliban commander, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to charges related to the 2008 abduction of American journalist David Rohde, a case that became a global symbol of press vulnerability in conflict zones. The plea comes as part of a sweeping terrorism case that links Najibullah to multiple hostage incidents and deadly attacks in Afghanistan. Najibullah admitted to organizing the kidnapping of Rohde, who was working for The New York Times at the time. Rohde and two Afghan colleagues were taken at gunpoint...

April 26, 2025

Remembering Anna Politkovskaya: A Journalist’s Courage That Still Resonates

April 26, 2025 - General - Nearly two decades after her assassination, Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya remains a towering figure in the fight for press freedom. Recent reflections by actress Maxine Peake and renewed commentary on Politkovskaya’s life highlight the enduring power—and peril—of speaking truth to power in authoritarian regimes. Politkovskaya, known for her fearless reporting on the Chechen wars and Vladimir Putin’s government, was murdered in 2006 outside her Moscow apartment. She had received death threats and was repeatedly targeted for her relentless investigations into human rights abuses, particularly by the Russian military. Her...

April 26, 2025

Palestinian Journalists Say They Are Being Targeted Amid Rising Death Toll in Gaza

April 26, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalists and press freedom organizations are sounding the alarm as the death toll among media workers in Gaza continues to rise at an unprecedented rate. Since the beginning of Israel’s latest military operations in the territory, dozens of Palestinian journalists have been killed, prompting accusations that they are being deliberately targeted. According to recent reports, more than 140 Palestinian media workers have lost their lives since October 2023, a number that far surpasses journalist deaths in any conflict in recent memory. Human rights groups and media watchdogs claim...

April 26, 2025

Risking It All: The Growing Dangers for Journalists Reporting from the Amazon

April 26, 2025 - General - Covering the Amazon rainforest has become one of the most dangerous assignments for journalists today, especially for those reporting on environmental issues, Indigenous rights, and illegal activity. As pressures on the region increase—from deforestation to mining and land grabs—so too do the threats facing those who seek to expose what’s happening. Journalists working in the Amazon often face physical dangers not only from the challenging terrain but also from the human actors profiting from environmental destruction. Illegal loggers, miners, and drug traffickers, often shielded by corrupt networks, pose serious...

April 25, 2025

Journalist Protections Eroded as Trump-Era Tactics Resurface Under DOJ Scrutiny

April 25, 2025 - General - A new round of controversy is erupting over press freedom in the U.S., as Trump-era tactics targeting journalists have resurfaced—this time defended by Trump ally Pam Bondi. The heart of the issue involves the Department of Justice’s renewed use of subpoenas to obtain communications from reporters as part of leak investigations, drawing sharp concern from press advocates and civil liberties groups. The controversy dates back to when Donald Trump’s DOJ began aggressively pursuing sources of leaks related to national security, often by subpoenaing journalists’ records. In response to public...

April 25, 2025

Student Journalists Face New Pressures Amid Politics, Privacy Fears, and Deportation Risks

April 25, 2025 - USA - College journalists across the U.S. are finding themselves caught in the crosshairs of political tension, ethical dilemmas, and immigration fears. As student reporters take on increasingly high-stakes stories—often involving protests, campus policies, or national politics—they’re facing growing pressure over what they report and how much they reveal. Recent cases have shown how student journalists are wrestling with whether to name sources, publish photos of demonstrators, or report details that could put peers at risk—especially international students. In some instances, undocumented or visa-holding students participating in protests have begged campus...

April 25, 2025

Somalia’s Attack on Press Freedom: Media Ban and Violence Against Journalists Under Scrutiny

April 25, 2025 - Somalia - Somalia’s ongoing crackdown on press freedom has reached new heights as the government’s recent ban on media coverage of parliament and the escalating violence against journalists continue to raise alarm among human rights organizations and press advocates. Both local and international bodies are calling for immediate action to protect journalists and restore media freedoms in the country. The Somali government has imposed a sweeping ban on coverage of parliamentary proceedings, which has been condemned by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and international press freedom organizations like RFK Human Rights....

April 25, 2025

“Journalism Is Not a Crime”: Swedish Reporter’s Arrest in Turkey Sparks Global Outcry

April 25, 2025 - Swedem/Turkey - The recent arrest of Swedish journalist Joakim Medin in Istanbul has ignited international condemnation and renewed debate about press freedom in authoritarian environments. Detained while covering political developments in Turkey, Medin’s first public statement from prison was a defiant message: “Journalism is not a crime in any country.” Medin, a seasoned reporter known for his work on human rights and authoritarianism, was reportedly taken into custody by Turkish authorities while documenting activities involving pro-Kurdish political groups. Details about the charges remain unclear, but press advocates believe his detention is...

April 25, 2025

Journalists Added to Witness List in High-Profile Virginia Murder Case

April 25, 2025 - USA - In a striking development in the ongoing murder case of Mamta Kafle Bhatt, prosecutors have added multiple journalists to the witness list, signaling the growing role media coverage is playing in uncovering and documenting key aspects of the investigation. The case, centered on the 2023 disappearance and alleged murder of Bhatt, a Nepalese American woman from Manassas Park, Virginia, continues to draw national attention. Bhatt’s husband, Naresh Bhatt, is accused of killing her and disposing of her body, which remains missing. He has pleaded not guilty and is being...

April 25, 2025

Explosive Details Emerge as Daphne Caruana Galizia Murder Trial Intensifies

April 25, 2025 - Mexico - The long-awaited trial over the 2017 car bomb murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has entered a critical phase, with graphic evidence and dramatic testimony shedding new light on one of Europe’s most shocking attacks on the press. Alongside the trial for the murder of lawyer Carmel Chircop, the proceedings are centered around the notorious Maksar gang, whose alleged ties to organized crime and political corruption have shaken Malta to its core. On the second day of the trial, forensic experts testified that numerous pieces of shrapnel—including screws...

April 25, 2025

Burundi’s Shrinking Press Space Forces Journalists Into Silence or Exile

April 25, 2025 - Burundi - Press freedom in Burundi continues to deteriorate, pushing many journalists into self-censorship or forcing them to flee the country altogether. As the government tightens its control over independent reporting, media workers are increasingly silenced by fear of surveillance, harassment, or even imprisonment. The current media climate in Burundi, as reported by Global Voices and other sources, is marked by a pervasive culture of intimidation. Journalists face pressure to avoid covering sensitive topics, particularly those related to human rights, corruption, or governance failures. Those who do report critically risk losing...

April 25, 2025

Western Media Under Fire for Failing Palestinian Journalists and Stories

April 25, 2025 - General - Western media outlets are facing growing criticism for their coverage of Palestine, with journalists and media watchdogs accusing mainstream platforms of bias, selective reporting, and disregard for the safety and dignity of their Palestinian colleagues. As violence intensifies in Gaza and the occupied territories, many argue that Western journalism is not just falling short—it’s complicit in distorting the reality on the ground. Across several publications, critics point out that Western newsrooms often prioritize official narratives, especially those aligned with U.S. and Israeli perspectives, while minimizing or omitting Palestinian voices...

April 25, 2025

Turkish Journalist Özlem Gürses Sentenced for Criticizing Military Operations in Syria

April 25, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish journalist and political commentator Özlem Gürses has been sentenced to prison and placed under house arrest for remarks made during a television broadcast criticizing Turkey's military actions in Syria. Her case has intensified concerns over press freedom in Turkey, where journalists are increasingly criminalized for challenging official narratives, especially on national security and foreign policy. Gürses, a well-known media figure, was convicted of “publicly denigrating the Turkish nation and state institutions” under Article 301 of Turkey’s penal code, a charge often used against dissenting voices. Her comments, made...

April 25, 2025

Ukraine Reels After Journalist’s Death Reveals Widespread Torture in Russian Captivity

April 25, 2025 - Russia/Ukraine - Ukraine is in mourning and outrage following the shocking revelation that a Ukrainian journalist who died in Russian captivity had been brutally tortured, with his body returned missing vital organs. The case has reignited international concern over the treatment of Ukrainian civilians, particularly media workers, held in Russian prisons amid the ongoing war. The journalist, whose name has not been publicly released at the request of the family, was one of over 30 Ukrainian media professionals currently or previously held by Russian forces. Ukrainian authorities confirmed that an autopsy...

April 24, 2025

Russian Journalist Dies from Wounds Suffered in Ukraine Artillery Strike

April 24, 2025 - Russia/Ukraine - A Russian journalist has died from injuries sustained during an artillery strike in Ukraine, marking another grim loss in the ongoing war that continues to put reporters in peril on both sides of the front lines. The journalist, whose identity was not disclosed in early reports, had been covering military operations when he was caught in shelling attributed to Ukrainian forces in March. He succumbed to his wounds weeks later, according to Russian and international media. The journalist was working in the Zaporizhzhia region at the time of the...

April 24, 2025

Ukraine Recovers Body of Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, Confirms Death in Russian Captivity

April 24, 2025 - Ukraine - Ukraine has confirmed the death of investigative journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, whose body was recently returned from Russian captivity. Roshchyna, a widely respected war reporter known for her courageous front-line coverage, vanished in March while working near occupied territories. Weeks of silence were followed by the devastating announcement that she had died while in Russian detention under circumstances now under international scrutiny. Ukrainian authorities received her body in late April and have since begun an investigation into the cause of death. While no official forensic conclusions have been released, early...

April 24, 2025

Turkish Government Cracks Down on Legal and Media Figures in Growing Suppression of Dissent

April 24, 2025 - Turkey - In recent weeks, Turkey has intensified its crackdown on both the legal and journalistic sectors, underscoring a broader pattern of suppressing dissenting voices and controlling narratives. Two key developments—a government-led dismissal of Istanbul’s Bar Association board and the conviction of a journalist—highlight the increasing risks faced by those who challenge the government’s stance on critical issues. First, Turkey’s government took decisive action against the Istanbul Bar Association, dismissing its board on accusations of “terrorist propaganda.” The dismissal follows allegations that the association had taken positions sympathetic to terrorist organizations,...

April 24, 2025

Global Crackdown on Press Freedom: China, Israel, and Myanmar Lead in Jailing Journalists

April 24, 2025 - China/Myanmar - A new wave of global press repression is becoming increasingly evident, with China, Israel, and Myanmar identified as the top countries imprisoning journalists in 2025. As authoritarian governments across the world intensify their control over the media, journalists continue to face harassment, detention, and even imprisonment for their work. This alarming trend is especially visible in countries with a history of stifling free speech, where the crackdown on press freedom has become more institutionalised and widespread. China remains the world’s largest jailer of journalists, with a record number of...

April 24, 2025

Sudanese Journalist Detained and Banned from Travel Amid Growing Press Repression

April 24, 2025 - Sudan - Sudanese journalist Emtithal Abdel Fadil has been detained for three days and banned from traveling following her coverage of protests and sensitive political issues in Sudan. Fadil, a prominent reporter known for her investigative work, was arrested on April 22, 2025, by Sudanese authorities, who accused her of spreading false information and inciting unrest. Her detention highlights the increasingly hostile environment for journalists in Sudan, where press freedom has been severely curtailed in recent years. Fadil’s arrest and the travel ban come amidst a broader clampdown on independent media...

April 24, 2025

French Authorities Target Iranian Activist and Musician in Alleged Effort to Silence Dissent

April 24, 2025 - France - French police have arrested Iranian musician and activist Bashir Biazar, sparking controversy over the international ramifications of the French government's handling of Iranian dissidents. Biazar, a well-known figure for his vocal criticism of the Iranian regime, was detained amid allegations that his arrest is part of a broader strategy to silence critics of Israel and the Iranian government abroad. Biazar’s arrest followed his participation in protests and advocacy for free speech, where he accused the French government of suppressing opposition voices for political convenience. His detention comes amid a...

April 24, 2025

Journalist Assaulted by BJP Workers While Covering Protest Over Pahalgam Attack

April 24, 2025 - India - A journalist in Jammu and Kashmir was recently assaulted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers while covering a protest in Kathua over a terror attack in Pahalgam. The attack, which occurred on April 24, 2025, took place during a BJP rally where party members were voicing their concerns over security lapses following the Pahalgam incident. The journalist, who was covering the event, was reportedly beaten by BJP workers after he questioned the party’s response to the attack and the security measures in place in the region. The journalist recounted...

April 24, 2025

Saeed Abu Hassanein: Another Palestinian Journalist Killed by Israeli Forces

April 24, 2025 - Palestine - Saeed Abu Hassanein, a Palestinian journalist, was tragically killed by Israeli forces during their ongoing military operations in Gaza. His death, along with that of his family, has added to the growing list of Palestinian journalists targeted in the conflict. Abu Hassanein, who had been reporting on the situation in Gaza, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, a part of Israel’s continued offensive against Palestinian territories since October 2023. His death underscores the extreme risks faced by journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly caught in the crossfire of military...

April 24, 2025

Belarusian Journalist Pressured to Appear in State Propaganda Film

April 24, 2025 - Belarus - In Belarus, imprisoned journalist Andrey Kuznechyk has reportedly been pressured by the authorities to appear in a state-sponsored propaganda film, showcasing the government’s efforts to silence independent journalism and control the narrative. Kuznechyk, a reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was arrested and imprisoned for his critical reporting, which exposed the Belarusian government's suppression of dissent and violations of human rights. While incarcerated, he has faced intense pressure to appear in a propaganda video aimed at painting a misleading image of the regime’s treatment of journalists and dissent....

April 24, 2025

RSF Files ICC Complaint Over Israel’s Alleged War Crimes Against Journalists in Gaza

April 24, 2025 - Palestine - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has submitted a new complaint to the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing Israel of committing war crimes by deliberately targeting journalists in Gaza. This marks RSF’s fourth such filing to the ICC this year, underscoring growing concerns over the unprecedented toll the ongoing war has taken on members of the press. RSF’s complaint focuses on recent cases where journalists have been killed or injured, and media offices destroyed, in what the organization believes are systematic and deliberate attacks. According to RSF, at least 100 journalists...

April 24, 2025

Journalist Antoinette Lattouf Wins Court Case Over Online Racist Abuse

April 24, 2025 - Australia - Australian journalist Antoinette Lattouf has won a landmark court case against a 61-year-old man who racially abused her online, marking a significant victory against digital hate speech. The case stemmed from a series of threatening and racist messages Lattouf received in late 2023, including disturbing comments referencing her background and appearance, alongside explicit threats of violence and death. The man behind the abuse, whose identity was not publicly disclosed, was found guilty of using a carriage service to menace and harass. He had admitted to sending the offensive messages...

April 23, 2025

‘60 Minutes’ Executive Producer Bill Owens Resigns Amid Trump-Driven Backlash

April 23, 2025 - USA - Bill Owens, executive producer of the long-running CBS news program 60 Minutes, has announced his resignation following intense political backlash spurred by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Owens, who has led the program since 2019, revealed his departure on April 22, 2025, amid mounting pressure and controversy after the show aired an investigative report scrutinizing Trump’s legal entanglements and campaign operations. The report, which aired earlier this year, drew harsh criticism from Trump and his supporters. Trump publicly accused 60 Minutes of bias and dishonesty, calling for boycotts and...

April 23, 2025

Media Watchdogs Condemn Detention of Journalists in Ethiopia

April 23, 2025 - Ethiopia - International media rights groups have condemned the detention of multiple journalists in Ethiopia, raising serious concerns about press freedom in the country. The latest incident involves the arrest of three reporters affiliated with the YouTube-based media outlet “Ethio News.” The journalists—Yemane Dar, Kibrom Aregawi, and Getachew Assefa—were taken into custody in the capital, Addis Ababa, on April 26, 2025, and have since been held without formal charges. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the arrests are part of a broader pattern of...

April 23, 2025

Workshops Equip Nigerian Journalists with Safety and Security Training

April 23, 2025 - Nigeria - In response to growing threats against press freedom and the safety of media workers, several organizations in Nigeria have launched training programs aimed at equipping journalists with tools to navigate hostile environments. This April, three major initiatives kicked off in different parts of the country, targeting early-career and regional reporters who often face the highest risks. In Abuja, the HumAngle Foundation began its Advancing Peace and Security in the Lake Chad Basin workshop, focused on strengthening conflict-sensitive reporting. Journalists participating in the program are learning how to safely cover...

April 23, 2025

GJA Demands Justice After Attacks on Journalists by Illegal Miners

April 23, 2025 - Ghana - The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has strongly condemned recent violent attacks on journalists by illegal miners, known locally as "galamsey" operators, and is urging the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take immediate action. The incidents, which occurred in the Breman Adomanya Forest area, involved journalists who were assaulted while reporting on the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining operations. The GJA has labeled the attacks as a serious threat to press freedom and the safety of journalists in Ghana. In a public statement, GJA President Albert Dwumfour emphasized...

April 23, 2025

Independent Journalist Shahin Hazamy Arrested in France Amid Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Voices

April 23, 2025 - Iran/France - French security forces have arrested freelance reporter Shahin Hazamy as part of a crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices. Independent Iranian journalist Shahin Hazamy was arrested in France in late April during what critics describe as a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian expression. Hazamy, known for his reporting on Middle Eastern affairs and critical coverage of Western policy in the region, was reportedly detained by French authorities without a formal public charge. His arrest has drawn significant backlash from human rights advocates and press freedom organizations who argue that it represents a growing...

April 23, 2025

Cannes Film Festival to Honor Slain Gaza Photojournalist

April 23, 2025 - General - The Cannes Film Festival will pay tribute to slain Gaza-based photojournalist Shireen Abu Akleh during its upcoming edition in May 2025. Abu Akleh, who was killed in May 2022 while covering Israeli military operations in the West Bank, was a well-known journalist with Al Jazeera. Her death sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice, with international organizations, including the United Nations, urging an independent investigation into her killing. The Cannes tribute will focus on her courageous work as a journalist in conflict zones, where she spent over two decades...

April 23, 2025

Swedish Journalist Facing 12 Years in Prison in Turkey

April 23, 2025 - Sweden/Turkey - A Swedish journalist has been charged in Turkey, facing a potential 12-year prison sentence, according to her employer. The journalist, identified as a reporter for a Swedish outlet, was accused of "spreading terrorist propaganda" following her reporting on sensitive political issues. The charges are part of a broader crackdown on press freedom in Turkey, where journalists have increasingly faced legal action for their work. This case highlights ongoing concerns about press freedoms in Turkey, where journalists and media workers often find themselves targeted for their coverage of government actions,...

April 23, 2025

Press Freedom Center Hosts Event in Support of Detained Journalist Austin Tice

April 23, 2025 - General - In honor of World Press Freedom Day, the Press Freedom Center will host a special lunch to raise awareness and show support for Austin Tice, an American journalist who has been detained in Syria since 2012. The event is part of a broader slate of activities organized to spotlight the challenges faced by journalists around the world, especially those who have been imprisoned or gone missing while covering conflicts. Austin Tice, a freelance journalist, was reporting on the Syrian civil war when he was captured by forces in Syria....

April 23, 2025

Justice Delayed: Trial for Murder of Dutch Journalists in El Salvador Postponed Again

April 23, 2025 - Netherlands - Over four decades after four Dutch journalists were murdered in El Salvador, the long-awaited trial meant to deliver justice has been delayed once more. The trial, initially scheduled to begin on April 23, 2025, has been postponed due to procedural issues, including unresolved legal motions. As of mid-May, a new date has not been confirmed, prolonging the search for accountability in one of the most emblematic cases of wartime impunity in El Salvador. The journalists—Koos Koster, Jan Kuiper, Hans ter Laag, and Joop Willemsen—were killed on March 17, 1982,...

April 23, 2025

Sudanese Journalists Risk Lives to Report War Amidst Escalating Dangers

April 23, 2025 - Sudan - As Sudan's civil war enters its third year, local journalists are confronting extreme risks to document the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Despite facing violence, censorship, and a near-total communications blackout, many reporters persist in their efforts to shed light on the humanitarian crisis engulfing the nation. Since the conflict's onset in April 2023, at least 28 journalists have been killed, with numerous others detained, tortured, or forced into exile. Over 400 journalists have fled the country, yet some continue...

April 23, 2025

Iran’s War on Journalists: Censorship, Intimidation, and the Fight for Press Freedom

April 23, 2025 - Iran - Iran's journalists are facing an intensified crackdown as the regime escalates its efforts to silence independent reporting both within the country and abroad. This campaign includes censorship, legal harassment, and threats against journalists and their families. Domestically, the Iranian government maintains strict control over the media. Publications require licenses from the Ministry of Culture, and a supervisory committee monitors content to ensure compliance with state narratives. Topics such as the morality police's actions, the nuclear program, and government corruption are heavily censored. Journalists who cross these "red lines" risk...

April 21, 2025

Crackdown on Campus: U.S. Universities and Government Target Pro-Palestinian Student Protests

April 21, 2025 - General - In the wake of ongoing protests over the Gaza conflict, U.S. universities and the federal government have intensified actions against pro-Palestinian student activists, raising significant concerns about free speech and academic freedom. At Columbia University, a pro-Palestinian protest in Butler Library led to the arrest of approximately 75 individuals after the university called in the New York Police Department. The demonstration, organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), aimed to pressure the university to divest from organizations profiting from Israel’s actions in Gaza. The Trump administration responded by cutting...

April 21, 2025

Afghan Journalists Face Intensifying Repression Amid Pakistan’s Deportation Campaign

April 21, 2025 - Afghanistan - In recent months, Afghan journalists have encountered escalating repression under Taliban rule, coinciding with Pakistan's mass deportation of Afghan refugees, including media professionals and rights activists. Taliban's Crackdown on Press Freedom The Taliban's suppression of independent journalism has intensified, with recent detentions highlighting the regime's intolerance for dissent. On May 5, journalist Sulaiman Rahil was arrested in Ghazni Province by Taliban intelligence agents, reportedly due to critical Facebook posts. Similarly, in April, freelance journalist Sayed Rashid Kashifi was detained in Kabul over alleged ties to exiled media outlets. In...

April 21, 2025

Under Fire: The Deadly Toll on Palestinian Journalists in Gaza

April 21, 2025 - Palestine - Since the onset of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023, Palestinian journalists have faced unprecedented dangers, with over 160 media workers killed, making it the deadliest conflict for journalists in recent history. The International Federation of Journalists reports that more than 160 journalists have been killed since the war began. The United Nations has condemned these actions, highlighting that journalists, clearly identified by press markings, have been targeted, suggesting a deliberate strategy to silence critical reporting. Notable incidents include the killing of journalist Ibrahim Muhareb by an Israeli tank...

April 21, 2025

Russian Journalist Ekaterina Barabash Escapes House Arrest, Seeks Asylum in France

April 21, 2025 - Russia - Ekaterina Barabash, a Russian journalist who had been under house arrest for her anti-war reporting, has successfully escaped to France, where she is now seeking asylum. Barabash, who faced up to 10 years in prison for spreading "false information" about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fled Moscow in a daring escape orchestrated by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). She removed her electronic monitoring tag and covertly traveled over 2,800 kilometers, reaching Paris on April 26, 2025. In France, Barabash intends to apply for asylum and continue her journalistic work with exiled...

April 21, 2025

Seven Journalists Attacked in Syria: RSF Urges Authorities to Protect Press Freedom

April 21, 2025 - Syria - Seven journalists were attacked in Sweida, Syria, on May 6, 2025, while covering a political agreement involving local factions, government officials, and religious leaders. The journalists were assaulted by armed members of a local group, underscoring the ongoing dangers faced by media workers in the region. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) strongly condemned the attack and called on Syrian authorities to ensure the protection of journalists and to uphold press freedom. RSF emphasized the need for the government to provide a secure environment for reporters, allowing them to do their...

April 21, 2025

U.S. Layoffs Leave Alhurra Journalists in Legal and Financial Limbo

April 21, 2025 - USA - In April 2025, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), the U.S.-funded Arabic-language media organization that operates Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa, laid off around 90% of its staff following significant budget cuts. These cuts, mandated by the U.S. government, have left many Arab journalists in a state of uncertainty, with approximately 300 U.S.-based employees now facing the loss of their jobs and legal status. Around 60 journalists, many of whom were on temporary work visas, are at risk of deportation, while others are caught in legal limbo, unable to...

April 21, 2025

Congolese Journalist Émérite Amisi Musada Abducted and Tortured Over War Reporting

April 21, 2025 - Congo - On April 15, 2025, Congolese journalist Émérite Amisi Musada, a reporter for DeboutRDC.net, was abducted by unidentified men after receiving threats related to his coverage of the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The abduction occurred in Bukavu, South Kivu, a region heavily affected by violence. Amisi was taken from his home and subjected to severe physical abuse, being held captive for four days. He was found near Lake Kivu, disoriented and naked, after enduring significant torture during his captivity. Amisi reported that his captors...

April 20, 2025

Palestinian National Council Urges Protection of Journalists Amid Israeli Attacks

April 20, 2025 - Palestine - On April 20, 2025, the Palestinian National Council, the highest decision-making body of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), issued a statement calling for the protection of journalists amid ongoing Israeli attacks on reporters in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The council held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for its crimes against journalists, emphasizing the need for international accountability and support for media professionals working in these regions. This appeal coincided with Arab Media Day, highlighting the critical role of journalists in conflict zones and the increasing dangers they...

April 20, 2025

Baloch Journalist Niaz Baloch Faces Death Threats Amid Calls for Global Action

April 20, 2025 - Pakistan - Renowned Baloch journalist Niaz Baloch has reported receiving serious threats from individuals linked to Pakistani intelligence agencies. These threats include warnings of enforced disappearance, a tactic reportedly used to silence dissent in Balochistan. In a public statement, Baloch condemned the escalating dangers faced by professionals in the region, asserting that journalists, educators, healthcare workers, legal professionals, writers, artists, students, and activists are being targeted simply for speaking out against systemic injustice. Baloch highlighted the growing risks faced by professionals in Balochistan, stating that no segment of society is safe....

April 19, 2025

Belarus Intensifies Crackdown on Independent Journalists

April 19, 2025 - Belarus - Since the disputed 2020 election, which extended President Alexander Lukashenko's rule, Belarus has seen a dramatic rise in the suppression of independent journalism. The government has relentlessly targeted journalists with arrests, harsh prison sentences, and heavy fines, under charges such as extremism and conspiracy to overthrow the government. The Belarusian Association of Journalists reports that nearly 40 journalists remain imprisoned, and more than 397 have been detained since the election. Media outlets critical of the regime have been labeled extremist, and accessing their content can result in arrest, contributing...

April 19, 2025

Trump Administration Intensifies Pressure on Harvard and Student Journalism

April 19, 2025 - USA - The Trump administration has escalated its campaign against elite universities, particularly targeting Harvard University, over allegations of antisemitism and ideological bias. In May 2025, the administration cut an additional $450 million in federal grants to Harvard, adding to the $2.2 billion previously revoked. The administration accuses Harvard of failing to address antisemitic incidents and fostering a discriminatory environment. A federal task force on antisemitism, established by President Trump, has criticized Harvard's leadership and campus culture, asserting that the university has forfeited its entitlement to taxpayer support. In response, Harvard...

April 19, 2025

Fatima Hassouna: The Silenced Lens of Gaza

April 19, 2025 - Palestine - Fatima Hassouna, a 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist, has become a powerful symbol of the risks journalists face in Gaza, and of the devastating human cost of the conflict. On April 16, 2025, Hassouna was killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck her family home in Gaza City, also claiming the lives of ten of her family members, including her pregnant sister. The tragedy underscores the increasingly dangerous reality for media workers in Gaza, where more than 230 journalists have been killed since October 2023, making it the deadliest conflict for...

April 19, 2025

Fatima Hassouna: The Voice Behind the Lens, Silenced Too Soon

April 19, 2025 - Palestine - Fatima Hassouna was not just a photojournalist — she was a witness, a daughter of Gaza, and a voice for the voiceless. At only 25 years old, she carried her camera into the heart of one of the world’s most dangerous war zones, not for fame or recognition, but to show the world what it often refused to see. On April 16, 2025, Fatima was killed in an Israeli airstrike that obliterated her family home in Gaza City. Along with her, ten members of her family, including her pregnant...

April 19, 2025

Tamer Mekdad: A Journalist’s Life Cut Short in Gaza

April 19, 2025 - Palestine - On April 17, 2025, Palestinian journalist and writer Tamer Mekdad was killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck his home in the Tel al-Zaatar neighborhood of northern Gaza. The attack also claimed the lives of several of his family members, including his young daughter. Mekdad's death is part of a broader pattern of violence against journalists in Gaza, where over 200 media workers have been killed since October 2023, making it one of the deadliest conflicts for journalists in recent history. Mekdad was known for his dedication to reporting...

April 18, 2025

Hüseyin Dogru: Facing Prison for Criticizing an Israeli Journalist

April 18, 2025 - Germany - Hüseyin Dogru, founder of the independent media outlet red. media, is facing up to three years in prison in Germany on defamation charges stemming from a dispute with Nicholas Potter, a German journalist affiliated with The Jerusalem Post. The conflict began after Potter published an exposé alleging that red. media, along with other outlets like MintPress News and The Grayzone, were part of a network promoting extremism and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, purportedly funded by Russia, Syria, and Iran. In response, red. The media criticized Potter's affiliations, highlighting his funding...

April 18, 2025

Grenade Attack Targets Journalist’s Home in Dara Adam Khel Amid Local Feud

April 18, 2025 - Pakistan - On April 17, 2025, a grenade was hurled into the home of local journalist Nisar Afridi in Bazi Khel village, located in Dara Adam Khel, Pakistan, triggering fresh fears for the safety of media workers in volatile tribal regions. Although no one was physically harmed in the explosion, the attack caused damage to the roof and destroyed a solar panel system that had been installed for household use. Afridi, who reports for Roznama Khabrain, believes the incident was a consequence of escalating tensions between two rival local factions —...

April 18, 2025

Journalist Sayed Rashed Kashefi Detained by Taliban Intelligence in Kabul

April 18, 2025 - Afghanistan - On April 14, 2025, freelance journalist Sayed Rashed Kashefi was detained by agents of the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) in Kabul. The arrest occurred after Kashefi was summoned under the pretense of retrieving his previously confiscated equipment, including his mobile phone, camera, and voice recorder, which had been seized in mid-March during an investigation into his alleged collaboration with exiled media outlets. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has expressed grave concern over Kashefi’s detention, emphasizing that such actions violate Afghanistan’s media laws and international standards for press...

April 18, 2025

Yemeni Journalist Awad Kashmeem Arbitrarily Detained in Hadhramaut

April 18, 2025 - Yemen - On April 15, 2025, Yemeni journalist and union activist Awad Kashmeem was arrested by security forces in the Haridah district of Hadhramaut province, eastern Yemen. Kashmeem, who serves as the head of the Freedoms Committee at the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate's Hadhramaut branch, was apprehended without any formal charges being announced, and his current whereabouts remain undisclosed. The arrest followed a series of events where Kashmeem's home was reportedly raided, and his family faced intimidation actions perceived as retaliation for his journalistic endeavors. This incident is not isolated; in February...

April 17, 2025

Belgian Journalist Arrested While Reporting Sparks Press Freedom Concerns

April 17, 2025 - Belgium - On April 13, 2025, freelance journalist Thomas Haulotte was arrested by Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police while covering a civil disobedience protest near the European institutions. Despite presenting his official press card, Haulotte was detained alongside activists putting up anti-far-right posters. The police claimed he was part of the activist group, even though he identified himself as a journalist on assignment. Haulotte recounted that during the nighttime action, activists were surrounded by two police vans. “About ten officers got out and asked us to stand aside,” he said. Haulotte immediately explained to...

April 17, 2025

Exiled Turkish Journalist Cevheri Güven Faces Ongoing Threats in Germany

April 17, 2025 - Turkey - Cevheri Güven, a Turkish investigative journalist now living in exile in Germany, continues to face persistent threats to his life despite seeking asylum. Since relocating in 2017, Güven has been under constant police protection, required to inform authorities whenever he leaves his residence. He also wears a wrist device resembling a watch, which serves as a security bracelet allowing him to send an alarm in case of danger. Güven's troubles began in Turkey, where he served as editor-in-chief of Nokta, a political news weekly. In November 2015, he and...

April 17, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Mujahed al-Saadi Detained Without Charge Amid Ongoing Press Crackdown

April 17, 2025 - Palestine - On September 19, 2024, Palestinian journalist Mujahed al-Saadi was forcibly arrested by Israeli forces during a pre-dawn raid on his home in Jenin, located in the occupied West Bank. The operation was marked by violence, with reports indicating that al-Saadi and his wife were physically assaulted during the arrest. Al-Saadi was taken barefoot and in his sleepwear, and his mobile phones were confiscated by the soldiers. Al-Saadi, a freelance journalist contributing to outlets such as Al-Araby al-Jadeed and Palestine Today TV, has a history of reporting on Israeli military...

April 17, 2025

Kazakh Satirist Temirlan Yensebek Sentenced to Five Years of Restricted Freedom

April 17, 2025 - Kazakhstan - On April 11, 2025, a court in Almaty sentenced Temirlan Yensebek, founder of the satirical Instagram outlet Qaznews24, to five years of restricted freedom on charges of inciting ethnic and religious hatred. This non-custodial sentence prohibits Yensebek from engaging in journalism, participating in public activities, or giving interviews. Additionally, his phone and laptop were confiscated, and he was ordered to pay a fine of 78,000 tenge (approximately USD 150) into the victims' compensation fund. The charges stem from a January 2024 post on Qaznews24 that featured the rap track...

April 17, 2025

Cuba’s Crackdown on Independent Journalism: The Cases of Yadiel Hernández and José Gabriel Barrenechea

April 17, 2025 - Cuba - In a stark illustration of Cuba's escalating repression of independent media, freelance journalists Yadiel Hernández and José Gabriel Barrenechea have been detained without trial, highlighting the perilous environment for press freedom on the island. Hernández, 33, was arrested on January 24, 2025, while investigating drug trafficking in a school in Matanzas for the independent outlet 14ymedio. He is currently held at Combinado del Sur prison, facing charges of "propaganda against the constitutional order," a vague accusation often employed to silence dissenting voices. Barrenechea, 53, a physicist and writer, was...

April 16, 2025

“A Loud Death”: The Life and Loss of Gaza’s Eye, Fatima Hassouna

April 16, 2025 - Palestine - On April 16, 2025, an Israeli airstrike obliterated a home in Gaza City's Al-Tuffah neighborhood, killing 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna and ten members of her family, including her pregnant sister. The attack came just one day after the announcement that a documentary featuring Hassouna, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, had been selected for the Cannes Film Festival. Born in Gaza City in 1999, Hassouna graduated with a multimedia degree from the University College of Applied Sciences. She began documenting life in Gaza following the escalation...

April 16, 2025

Russian Journalists Sentenced to 5.5 Years for Alleged Ties to Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation

April 16, 2025 - Russia - On April 15, 2025, the Nagatinsky District Court in Moscow sentenced four journalists—Antonina Favorskaya, Sergei Karelin, Konstantin Gabov, and Artem Kriger—to five and a half years in prison each. They were convicted of participating in an "extremist community" linked to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which Russian authorities designated as extremist in 2021. The trial, conducted behind closed doors since October 2024, centered on allegations that the journalists produced content for FBK's YouTube channel. Favorskaya and Kriger were affiliated with SotaVision, an independent outlet known...

April 16, 2025

Breakthrough in De Vries Murder Case: Key Suspect Extradited from Curaçao

April 16, 2025 - Netherlands - In April 2025, Dutch authorities made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the 2021 assassination of renowned crime journalist Peter R. de Vries. A 39-year-old man, identified as Raily B., was arrested in Willemstad, Curaçao, on suspicion of playing a leading role in the criminal organization responsible for de Vries's murder. At the time of his arrest, Raily B. had been incarcerated in Curaçao since 2014 for unrelated offenses. Following his apprehension, he was extradited to the Netherlands to face charges. Peter R. de Vries was a prominent...

April 16, 2025

Journalist Freshta Sadeed Detained and Released Amid Pakistan’s Crackdown on Afghans

April 16, 2025 -Afghanistan/Pakistan - Afghan journalist Freshta Sadeed was briefly detained in Islamabad by Pakistani police on April 14, 2025, as part of the country’s intensified crackdown on undocumented Afghan nationals. Sadeed, who had worked for Radio Bahar in Kapisa province, fled Afghanistan after the Taliban’s return to power due to threats against her life as a female journalist. Her detention sparked outrage among press freedom advocates and human rights groups, who feared for her safety and potential deportation. Held for 72 hours at the Haji Camp detention facility, Sadeed was released on April...

April 16, 2025

Senegal Intensifies Crackdown on Journalists Under ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy

April 16, 2024 - Senegal - In April 2025, Senegalese authorities escalated their crackdown on journalists under a new "zero tolerance" policy targeting the dissemination of so-called "false news." This move has raised serious concerns among press freedom advocates, who view it as a significant step backward for media rights in the country. On April 14, Zik FM editor-in-chief Simon Pierre Faye was charged with spreading false news after his outlet republished an article questioning public trust in President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye's leadership. Faye was released under judicial control but remains under investigation. His...

April 16, 2025

France Demands Release of Russian Journalists Jailed Over Navalny Coverage

April 16, 2025 - France/Russia - In April 2025, France called on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release four journalists sentenced to five and a half years in prison for their alleged association with the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The journalists—Antonina Kravtsova (also known as Antonina Favorskaya), Konstantin Gabov, Sergei Karelin, and Artem Kriger—were convicted of "participation in an extremist organization," referencing Navalny’s banned anti-corruption network. French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine condemned the verdicts, stating that the trial exemplified the Russian government's efforts to suppress dissent and intimidate those documenting human rights violations....

April 15, 2025

France Condemns Sentencing of Russian Journalists Covering Navalny

April 15, 2025 - Russia- On April 15, 2025, a Moscow court sentenced four Russian journalists—Antonina Favorskaya, Artyom Kriger, Konstantin Gabov, and Sergey Karelin—to five and a half years in prison each on charges of "participation in an extremist organization." The charges stemmed from their alleged association with the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which Russian authorities designated as extremist in 2021. The journalists were accused of producing content for FBK-affiliated platforms. Favorskaya and Kriger were affiliated with the independent outlet SOTAvision, while Gabov and Karelin worked as freelancers for international media...

April 15, 2025

Canadian Journalist Requests Russian Citizenship Amid Global Uncertainty

April 15, 2025 - Russia - Canadian journalist Eva Bartlett has formally requested Russian citizenship from President Vladimir Putin, citing increasing instability in Western countries and her desire to present a Russian perspective on global events, especially concerning Ukraine. Bartlett, who holds both Canadian and U.S. citizenship, has been residing in Russia since 2021. In her appeal, she emphasized her deep appreciation for Russian culture, traditions, and language. She also expressed that she no longer feels safe in her home countries due to growing political tensions and societal instability. Bartlett's decision to seek Russian citizenship...

April 15, 2025

Albania’s SPAK Faces Scrutiny Over Media Leaks and Pressures on Journalists

April 15, 2025 - Albania - Albania's Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) is under increasing scrutiny following allegations of media leaks and undue pressures on journalists. Media Leaks and Alleged Manipulation A significant controversy erupted when a SPAK prosecutor admitted that journalists had sought permission to publish confidential case files. This admission has led to concerns that SPAK may be using the media to influence public opinion and control narratives, especially regarding politically sensitive cases. Critics argue that this practice could undermine the independence of the judiciary and the media's role as...

April 15, 2025

Women Journalists Defy Repression and Amplify Voices Amidst Challenges

April 15. 2025 - Turkey - Across the globe, women journalists are confronting systemic repression, yet they persist in amplifying marginalized voices and advocating for press freedom. Turkey: Journalists Defy Detention In Istanbul, journalists Elif Bayburt and Nisa Sude Demirel were detained during raids and later released. Their detention was part of a broader crackdown on journalists and activists, highlighting ongoing concerns about press freedom in Turkey. Journalist Eylem Babayiğit, previously imprisoned, declared, “No matter where we are, we will continue to write, both inside and outside of prisons. The free press cannot be silenced.”...

April 15, 2025

Global Surge in Journalist Fatalities in 2024: A Stark Reality

April 15, 2025 - Palestine - In 2024, the toll of journalists' lives lost worldwide has reached disturbing levels, marking the second consecutive year of devastating fatalities. Conflict zones have emerged as the deadliest locations for journalists, with 68 media professionals killed, according to UNESCO. The trend reveals an ongoing pattern of increasing violence against those who risk their lives to inform the public in war-torn regions. A significant proportion of these casualties occurred in the Gaza Strip, where over half of the deaths took place. UNESCO’s report highlights the fact that more than 60%...

April 15, 2025

Nicaraguan Journalists in Exile: Navigating Statelessness and Upholding Press Freedom

April 15, 2025 - Nicaragua - Nicaragua's escalating repression under President Daniel Ortega has forced numerous journalists into exile, stripping them of citizenship and subjecting them to statelessness. This dire situation has transformed exile into a defining feature of Nicaraguan journalism. As of September 2023, at least 223 journalists had been exiled, with many facing the added hardship of losing their Nicaraguan nationality, rendering them stateless and unable to access basic services like healthcare, education, or employment. This deliberate targeting of media professionals has decimated the independent press, leaving a significant void in the country's...

April 14, 2025

Sudanese Journalist Ahmed Mohamed Saleh Sayyidna Killed Amid Ongoing Conflict

April 14, 2025 - Sudan - In a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones, Sudanese journalist Ahmed Mohamed Saleh Sayyidna was killed by shelling in El Fasher, Darfur, on April 2025. Sayyidna, a reporter for Sudanese media outlet Al-Watan, was caught in the crossfire of ongoing clashes between Sudanese government forces and rebel groups. His death marks yet another loss in a wave of attacks on journalists covering the devastating conflict that has gripped Sudan since the beginning of the year. Sayyidna's death is part of a broader trend of...

April 14, 2025

Justice Demanded in Brutal Murder of North Sumatra Journalist and His Family

April 14, 2025 - Indonesia - The harrowing murder of Indonesian journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu and his family in June 2024 continues to spark outrage and calls for justice. Pasaribu, a reporter for Tribrata TV known for covering illegal gambling and drug trafficking, was killed in a targeted arson attack in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. The attack also claimed the lives of his wife and three young children, prompting national condemnation and raising grave concerns over press freedom and journalist safety in Indonesia. Three suspects were found guilty in March 2025 by the Kabanjahe District...

April 14, 2025

Kenyan Journalist Silas Apollo Dies After Tragic Road Accident

April 14, 2025 - Kenya - Silas Ochieng’ Apollo, a respected Kenyan journalist formerly with NTV and most recently with The Nairobi Law Monthly, tragically passed away following a road accident on April 9, 2025. The incident occurred along Kiambu Road in Nairobi, where Apollo was struck by a speeding motorcycle while attempting to cross the road. He was initially taken to St. Teresa's Hospital and later transferred to Kiambu Level 6 Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. An autopsy conducted at City Mortuary revealed that Apollo succumbed to severe head injuries caused...

April 14, 2025

Lebanese Authorities Target Independent Media Amid Press Freedom Concerns

April 14, 2025 - Lebanon - In April 2025, Lebanese authorities summoned journalists from independent media outlets Daraj Media and Megaphone News, along with Diana Menhem, executive director of the advocacy group Kulluna Irada, for interrogation by the Cassation Public Prosecution Office. The summonses were issued via phone calls without written notices or detailed explanations, raising concerns about due process and legal transparency. The legal actions stem from a criminal complaint filed in March by three private lawyers, reportedly in response to the outlets' critical coverage of candidates for the Central Bank governorship and their...

April 14, 2025

Journalists Under Threat Amid Political Shift in Bangladesh

April 14, 2025 - Bangladesh - Amid Bangladesh’s ongoing political transformation, journalists remain under severe threat despite a change in leadership. The ousting of longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024 and the rise of a transitional government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus brought hopes for improved press freedom. However, recent developments suggest that repression of the media continues, with journalists facing violence, legal harassment, and intimidation. Since early 2025, attacks on journalists have escalated. Several reporters have been beaten by law enforcement and political operatives during protests. Newsrooms have been raided, and journalists...

April 14, 2025

BBC Edits Headline After Criticism Over Gaza Hospital Coverage

April 14, 2025 - Palestine - In October 2023, the BBC faced significant backlash over its initial reporting of a deadly explosion at the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. The broadcaster was criticized not only for speculative on-air commentary but also for how it framed the story in its online headline. The original headline, which suggested Israeli responsibility for the blast based on claims from Hamas, drew widespread condemnation for presenting unverified information as fact. The BBC’s initial headline read along the lines of: “Israeli airstrike hits Gaza hospital, killing hundreds – Hamas”. Critics argued...

April 14, 2025

Lebanese Journalists and Activists Targeted in Escalating Crackdown

April 14, 2025 - Lebanon - In April 2025, Lebanese authorities intensified their pressure on independent media and civil society by summoning journalists and an activist for investigation over reports alleging corruption and misconduct within the country’s financial and political institutions. Journalists from Daraj Media and Megaphone News, along with the executive director of the advocacy group Kulluna Irada, were called in by the Cassation Public Prosecution Office following their involvement in investigative reporting about questionable appointments and financial practices within Lebanon’s central banking sector. The charges against them include “undermining the financial standing of...

April 14, 2025

Pig’s Head Terror and New Rules: Indonesia’s Press Freedom Under Siege

April 14, 2025 - Indonesia - In a chilling act of intimidation, Tempo journalist Francisca Christy Rosana became the target of a grotesque threat in Jakarta. A severed pig’s head, along with six decapitated rats, was delivered to her office in March 2025—an unmistakable warning. Rosana had been investigating government-linked corruption, and the attack seemed designed to silence her. Shortly afterward, she and her family endured online harassment and personal data leaks, escalating the danger. Recognizing the severity, Indonesia’s Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) stepped in to offer Rosana protection, while press freedom advocates...

April 13, 2025

Rwanda to Build Monument Honoring Journalists Killed in 1994 Genocide

April 13, 2025 - Rwanda - Rwanda is taking a significant step to honor the memory of journalists killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The government has announced plans to build a monument dedicated to more than 60 journalists who lost their lives while working to inform the public during one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history. The announcement was made during a Kwibuka (remembrance) event in Kigali, held at the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) headquarters in April 2025. Government officials, media representatives, and families of the victims came together to...

April 13, 2025

Hope from Behind Bars: Joakim Medin’s Fight for Press Freedom in Turkey

April 13, 2025 - Soweden/Turkey - Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, renowned for covering global conflict zones and human rights issues, now finds himself the subject of the very injustices he has long reported on. Detained by Turkish authorities in late March 2025 upon arriving in Istanbul, Medin’s arrest sparked widespread concern across Europe and the journalistic community. Turkish prosecutors accuse Medin of "insulting the president" and "being a member of a terrorist organization," linking him to a controversial 2023 protest in Sweden where an effigy of President Erdoğan was burned. Medin has firmly denied involvement,...

April 13, 2025

Khairpur Police Arrest Five Suspects in Journalist’s Murder

April 13, 2025 - Pakistan - In a significant development, Khairpur police have arrested five individuals in connection with the murder of journalist Allah Dino Shar, also known as A.D. Shar, who worked for an Urdu news channel. The incident occurred in Aliabad, within the jurisdiction of Thari Mirwah police station, leading to protests by the local community and media workers across Khairpur district. The arrested suspects include Niaz Badami (the main accused), Waqas Channa, Fahim Channa, Ahad Channa, and Naeem Channa. During initial interrogations, the suspects reportedly confessed to the crime. Fahim Channa allegedly...

April 13, 2025

Ukraine Urges OSCE Action as Journalists and Civilians Targeted Amid Ongoing Conflict

April 13, 2025 - Ukraine - In April 2025, Ukraine intensified its appeals to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to address the dire situation of journalists and civilians affected by the ongoing conflict with Russia. Ukrainian officials reported that 33 journalists remain detained in Russian-controlled territories, facing fabricated charges and inhumane conditions. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, was urged to utilize all available mechanisms to secure their release and uphold press freedom. Among the detained are two Ukrainian OSCE staff members, Maksym Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov,...

April 13, 2025

“We Are Not Numbers”: Amplifying Gaza’s Youth Voices Through Storytelling

April 13, 2025 - Palestine - Amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises in Gaza, the initiative "We Are Not Numbers" (WANN) stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of Palestinian youth to share their narratives with the world. Co-founded in 2015 by Palestinian journalist Ahmed Alnaouq and American activist Pam Bailey, WANN aims to provide young Palestinians with the tools and platforms to articulate their experiences in English, thereby reaching a global audience. The inception of WANN was deeply personal. Alnaouq, grieving the loss of his brother in the 2014 Gaza war, found...

April 12, 2025

Tofig Yagublu’s Imprisonment and Hunger Strike Spark International Outcry

April 12, 2025 - Azerbaijan - In March 2025, Azerbaijani opposition leader Tofig Yagublu was sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of fraud and document forgery. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have denounced the trial as politically motivated and lacking due process. Yagublu, a prominent member of the Musavat Party and the National Council of Democratic Forces, has faced repeated persecution for his outspoken criticism of the government. On April 1, Yagublu commenced a hunger strike to protest his imprisonment. His health, already compromised by chronic asthma and years of alleged mistreatment,...

April 12, 2025

India’s Swift Action in Journalist Murder Cases Garners Public Praise

April 12, 2025 - India - In recent months, Indian authorities have taken prompt action in several journalist murder cases, earning commendation from the public and media rights organizations. This proactive approach marks a significant shift in addressing crimes against journalists, a profession that has often faced threats and violence. One notable case is that of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, who went missing on January 1, 2025. His body was discovered two days later in a septic tank at a property owned by a contractor in Bijapur town, Chhattisgarh. Chandrakar was known for his investigative reporting...

April 11, 2025

Azerbaijan’s Intensifying Crackdown on Independent Media and Civil Society

April 11, 2025 - Azerbaijan - In 2025, Azerbaijan escalated its suppression of independent media and civil society, drawing sharp criticism from international human rights organizations. The government's actions, including arrests and legal actions against journalists and activists, have raised concerns about the erosion of press freedom and democratic principles in the country. Recent months have seen a surge in arrests of journalists and media workers. Notably, Ulviyya Ali, associated with Meydan TV, was detained on smuggling charges, a move widely perceived as politically motivated. Similarly, seven staff members from Abzas Media and Radio Free...

April 11, 2025

Georgia Blocks French Journalists as Press Freedom Deteriorates

April 11, 2025 - France/Georgia - In April 2025, two French journalists were denied entry into Georgia after reporting on anti-government protests. This incident has sparked concern among press freedom organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which called it a disturbing sign of Georgia’s growing authoritarianism. The journalists had previously covered demonstrations opposing a controversial "foreign agents" bill that critics say is aimed at silencing dissent and restricting civil society. The "foreign agents" bill requires media outlets and NGOs that receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources to register as organizations acting...

April 11, 2025

Turkish Journalist Detained After Reporting on Nationalist Party Official

April 11, 2025 - Turkey - In April 2025, Turkish journalist Furkan Karabay was detained after publishing a report alleging that a judiciary official from the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) was involved in an assault. Karabay, known for his investigative work, had recently written about alleged misconduct involving state officials. His arrest has drawn criticism from press freedom groups, who see it as another alarming step in Turkey’s ongoing crackdown on journalists. Karabay’s case is not isolated. In recent months, Turkish authorities have escalated pressure on media professionals, particularly those reporting on government corruption,...

April 11, 2025

Russian Journalist Artyom Kriger Sentenced Amid Media Crackdown

April 11, 2025 - Russia - In April 2025, Russian journalist Artyom Kriger was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for allegedly participating in an extremist organization. The charges are tied to his supposed association with Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which Russian authorities have labeled as extremist. Kriger’s sentencing, along with three other journalists—Antonina Favorskaya, Konstantin Gabov, and Sergei Karelin—has drawn widespread condemnation from press freedom organizations worldwide. Kriger, known for his work with the independent media outlet SOTAvision, had reported extensively on anti-Kremlin protests and the imprisonment and death of...

April 11, 2025

Turkey’s Student and Journalist Trials Spark Outrage Over Freedoms

April 11, 2025, Iraq/Turkey - In April 2025, Turkish courts began prosecuting 189 individuals—mostly university students and journalists—arrested during mass protests sparked by the detention of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. The protests, held on March 19, were some of the largest in Turkey in recent years, drawing thousands of participants across the country. Over 2,000 people were detained nationwide, with Istanbul seeing the highest number of arrests. Those on trial face charges of participating in unauthorized demonstrations and resisting police orders. If convicted, sentences could range from six months to four years in prison....

April 11, 2025

Sudanese Journalists Killed as RSF Escalates Drone Warfare

April 11, 2025 - Sudan - The ongoing conflict in Sudan took a deadly turn for press freedom and civilian life as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensified their use of drone strikes. In March 2025, a drone attack by the RSF killed four members of a Sudanese state television crew along with two military-affiliated journalists. The group was reporting near the presidential palace in Khartoum, shortly after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) reclaimed the area from RSF control. The attack marked a direct blow to journalists covering the war on the ground. The RSF’s...

April 11, 2025

Calls for Justice Intensify After Nepali Journalists’ Deaths

April 11, 2025 - Nepal - Nepal’s press freedom is under scrutiny following the deaths of two journalists—Suresh Rajak and Suresh Bhul—in separate incidents, with investigations into both cases facing significant delays. On March 28, 2025, Avenues Television cameraman Suresh Rajak was killed while covering a pro-monarchy protest in Kathmandu. Trapped inside a building set ablaze by demonstrators, Rajak was unable to escape as protestors reportedly hindered rescue efforts by pelting stones at firefighters. The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) condemned the incident as a targeted attack on press freedom and has demanded a high-level,...

April 11, 2025

Acquittal in Slavko Ćuruvija Murder Case Sparks Outrage

April 11, 2025 - Serbia - The long-running case of Slavko Ćuruvija, a Serbian journalist murdered in 1999, reached a controversial conclusion in February 2024 when a Belgrade appeals court acquitted all four men previously convicted of orchestrating his killing. Ćuruvija, a fierce critic of then-President Slobodan Milošević, was gunned down outside his apartment during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. His death became one of the most emblematic cases of violence against journalists in post-war Europe. In 2019, a special court found four former members of Serbia’s State Security Service guilty of organizing and executing...

April 11, 2025

Journalist Barred from War Crime Hearing Amid Legal Tensions

April 11, 2025 - Afghanistan/Australia - In April 2025, Australian photojournalist Andrew Quilty was unexpectedly barred from attending a committal hearing at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court. The hearing concerned former SAS soldier Oliver Schulz, who faces a war crime charge for allegedly murdering an Afghan man, Dad Mohammad, during a 2012 mission in Uruzgan province. Quilty, a prosecution witness, had been advised by both prosecution and defence lawyers to avoid attending due to his status as a witness. Despite this, he arrived at the court to cover the proceedings for The Monthly. Magistrate Greg...

April 11, 2025

Journalist Murdered in Sindh: Protests Erupt Over Brutal Killing

April 11, 2025 - Pakistan - The killing of journalist Allah Dino Shar in Thari Mirwah, Khairpur district, Sindh, has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the region. Shar, who worked for Hum News, was found dead on April 10, 2025, in an open field, bearing multiple wounds caused by a sharp weapon. His murder has been described by colleagues and rights advocates as a targeted attack, highlighting the persistent dangers faced by journalists in Pakistan. Soon after the discovery of Shar's body, journalists in Khairpur and surrounding towns, including Kumb, Gambat, Ranipur, and Pir-Jo-Got,...

April 10, 2025

Ethiopia Detains Seven Journalists Amid Alarming Press Crackdown

April 10, 2025 - Ethiopia - In March 2025, Ethiopian authorities detained seven journalists from the Ethiopian Broadcasting Service (EBS), accusing them of terrorism. The arrests followed the broadcast of a controversial episode of the program Addis Meiraf, which aired on March 23. The show featured Birtukan Temesgen, a woman who alleged she had been abducted and raped by men in military uniforms in 2020. Days after the broadcast, Temesgen appeared on state television and retracted her statement, prompting EBS to issue a public apology and remove the episode. The journalists, who included editors, producers,...

April 10, 2025

Journalist Detained Amid Environmental Protests at Hyderabad University

April 10, 2025 - India - On March 30, 2025, journalist Sumit Jha from the news outlet South First was detained by Hyderabad police while covering student-led environmental protests at the University of Hyderabad. The demonstrations were in response to the Telangana government's decision to clear 400 acres of forested land adjacent to the university campus for auction, potentially for IT development. The protests intensified when bulldozers arrived on campus to commence land clearing. Students, fearing irreversible environmental damage, attempted to halt the machinery and were met with police intervention. During the confrontation, Jha, despite...

April 10, 2025

Leading Turkish Journalists Arrested Over Alleged Blackmail Amid Political Tensions

April 10, 2025 - Turkey - On April 10, 2025, two high-profile Turkish investigative journalists, Timur Soykan of BirGün and Murat Ağırel of Cumhuriyet, were detained by police in Istanbul. Authorities charged them with blackmail and threats, claims their newspapers argue are retaliation for critical reporting. The arrests were based on a complaint filed by a jailed media executive, who alleged the journalists attempted to extort him over the sale of Flash Haber TV. Both Soykan and Ağırel are known for exposing corruption, organized crime, and government scandals. Their detention sparked outcry across Turkey’s media...

April 10, 2025

Global Media Body Stands in Solidarity with Journalists Facing Oppression

April 10, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - In May 2025, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) publicly expressed solidarity with journalists worldwide who are facing oppression, censorship, and violence. This move came amid growing concerns over the safety and freedom of the press in many countries, where journalists face harassment, arbitrary arrests, and even killings for doing their work. PFUJ highlighted cases from various parts of the world where journalists continue to suffer under authoritarian regimes, conflict zones, and politically sensitive environments. They condemned attacks on press freedom as an attack on democracy itself and...

April 10, 2025

Iranian Journalist Vida Rabbani Released on Conditional Parole After 32 Months in Evin Prison

April 10, 2025 - Iran - On April 9, 2025, Iranian journalist and human rights defender Vida Rabbani was conditionally released from Tehran’s Evin Prison after serving 32 months of a five-year sentence. Her release was granted under a provisional suspension of two years of her sentence by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court. Rabbani was initially detained in January 2020 while reporting on protests following the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Although her sentence was later suspended, she was rearrested during the 2022 protests over the...

April 10, 2025

“Imprisoned Freedom” Exhibition in Brussels Highlights Plight of Ukrainian Journalists in Russian Captivity

April 10, 2025 - Belgium/Ukraine - From April 9 to 11, 2025, the European Parliament’s Info Hub in Brussels hosted a poignant photo exhibition titled Imprisoned Freedom, dedicated to Ukrainian journalists unlawfully detained by Russian authorities. Organized by NGO Integrity UA, the Mission of Ukraine to the EU, the Institute of Mass Information, and media platform Promote Ukraine, with support from the International Renaissance Foundation, the exhibition aimed to shed light on the challenges faced by media professionals in occupied territories. The exhibition featured powerful narratives and images of at least 30 Ukrainian journalists currently...

April 10, 2025

Indian Journalist Raghvendra Bajpai Killed After Threatening to Expose Temple Priest’s Crimes

April 10, 2025 - India - On April 10, 2025, journalist and Right to Information (RTI) activist Raghvendra Bajpai was shot dead in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. Bajpai, a correspondent for the Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, was ambushed while crossing the Hempur railway overbridge along the Lucknow-Delhi National Highway. His assassination was the result of a murder plot allegedly orchestrated by a local temple priest, Vikas Rathore, also known as Shivanand Baba. According to police investigations, Bajpai had threatened to expose Rathore after witnessing him sexually assaulting a minor boy at his temple. Fearing public scandal...

April 10, 2025

Russian Journalists Sentenced to 5.5 Years for Alleged Extremism Tied to Navalny

April 10, 2025 - Russia - On April 10, 2025, a Moscow court sentenced four journalists—Antonina Favorskaya, Artyom Kriger, Sergey Karelin, and Konstantin Gabov—to five and a half years in prison for alleged involvement with the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which was designated as an extremist organization by Russian authorities in 2021. Favorskaya and Kriger were affiliated with the independent outlet SotaVision, known for covering protests and political trials. Gabov and Karelin worked as freelance journalists for international media organizations, including Reuters and the Associated Press. The journalists were accused of...

April 10, 2025

Haitian Journalist Roger Claudy Israël Freed After Abduction by Armed Gang

April 10, 2025 - Haiti - On March 31, 2025, Haitian journalist Roger Claudy Israël and his brother Marco were abducted in Mirebalais during a violent offensive by the armed gang coalition Viv Ansanm. Israël, founder of local radio station RC FM and former correspondent for Radio Ginen, was targeted amid escalating violence against journalists in the region. A video released by the gang showed the brothers handcuffed and threatened with execution, highlighting the severe risks faced by media professionals in Haiti. The abduction prompted urgent calls for their release from organizations including Reporters Without...

April 9, 2025

Belgian Photojournalist Simon Clément Faces Legal Challenges in Mizoram

April 09, 2025 - Belgium - On March 6, 2025, Belgian freelance photojournalist Simon Clément was arrested at Lengpui Airport in Aizawl, Mizoram, after two empty bullet cartridges were discovered in his luggage during a routine security check. Clément, who had recently returned from Myanmar, claimed the spent casings were souvenirs from his time documenting conflict zones in Chin State. Authorities charged Clément under Section 25(1-B) of the Indian Arms Act, 1959, for possession of ammunition, and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946, for allegedly crossing into Myanmar without valid documentation. He was initially...

April 9, 2025

Journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh Marks 1,000 Days in Jail Amid Calls for Release

April 09, 2025 - India - On April 11, 2025, freelance journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh completed 1,000 days of incarceration under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Singh was arrested on July 17, 2022, in Jharkhand on charges of alleged links to Maoist groups, a claim he and his supporters vehemently deny. His arrest followed a raid on his residence, during which electronic devices were seized. Subsequently, he was implicated in multiple UAPA cases, raising concerns about the misuse of anti-terror laws to stifle dissent. Singh is renowned for his investigative reporting on issues affecting...

April 9, 2025

Journalists Assaulted During ‘Take It Back’ Protest in Rivers State

April 09, 2025 - Nigeria - On April 7, 2025, a peaceful demonstration organized by the 'Take It Back' Movement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, escalated into violence when police officers allegedly assaulted journalists covering the event. The protest aimed to oppose the federal government's declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and 27 state lawmakers. Journalists from various media outlets, including Channels Television, AIT, Classic FM, and Nigeria Info, reported being targeted by police while performing their duties. Charles Opurum of Channels TV...

April 9, 2025

Israeli Airstrike on Journalist Sparks Outcry Over Press Freedom Violations

April 09, 2025 - Palestine - In an April 2025 article, Palestinian journalist Tareq S. Hajjaj strongly refuted Israeli military claims that his colleague, journalist Hassan Eslayeh, was a Hamas operative. Eslayeh was severely injured in an Israeli airstrike, losing two fingers. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) alleged that Eslayeh had taken part in the October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel, but Hajjaj maintains these claims are false and unsubstantiated. Eslayeh has worked extensively with both local and international media, providing frontline coverage of the Gaza conflict. According to Hajjaj, on October 7, Eslayeh...

April 9, 2025

Journalist Burned Alive in Israeli Strike as Gaza Becomes Deadliest Zone for Press

April 09, 2025 - Palestine - On April 7, 2025, an Israeli airstrike struck a tent sheltering journalists near the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing two Palestinian journalists and injuring at least eight others. Among the victims was Ahmed Mansour, a reporter for Palestine Today, who suffered severe burns and died the next day after being filmed engulfed in flames. The tent had been used as a makeshift media workspace and was located in an area that journalists say was clearly identified and regularly used by members of the press. Mansour’s...

April 9, 2025

Turkish Courts Uphold Detention of Journalists Over Erdoğan Insult Charges

April 09, 2025 - Sweden/Turkey - In April 2025, Turkish courts upheld the pretrial detention of two journalists—Swedish reporter Kaj Joakim Medin and Turkish broadcaster Sedef Kabaş—fueling renewed concerns about press freedom in the country. Both journalists were charged under Turkey’s controversial laws on “insulting the president,” which critics say are increasingly used to stifle dissent. Kaj Joakim Medin was arrested on March 27, 2025, after landing in Istanbul to report on large-scale protests triggered by the detention of opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Turkish authorities accused Medin of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and being...

April 8, 2025

Israeli Airstrike on Gaza Journalist Tent Kills Two, Injures Others

April 08, 2025 - Palestine - On April 7, 2025, an Israeli airstrike hit a tent used by journalists near the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing two journalists and injuring at least eight others. The targeted tent was part of a press camp set up by local and international journalists reporting on the ongoing conflict. Witnesses said the area was marked and known to host media workers, making the strike especially alarming. Journalist Hilmi al-Faqawi, who worked for Palestine Today TV, was killed instantly in the blast. His colleague, Ahmed Mansour,...

April 8, 2025

Over 211 Journalists Killed in Gaza: Press Freedom Under Siege

April 08, 2025 - Palestine - Since the onset of Israel's military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, at least 211 journalists have lost their lives, according to the Gaza Government Media Office. This alarming figure underscores the escalating dangers faced by media professionals in the region. The recent death of journalist Ahmed Mansour, who succumbed to severe burns sustained during an Israeli airstrike on a media tent, marked the 211th casualty among journalists in the conflict. The Palestinian National Council (PNC), the highest decision-making body of the Palestine Liberation Organization, has condemned these attacks,...

April 8, 2025

Journalist Burned Alive in Gaza Airstrike as Death Toll Among Press Reaches 211

April 08, 2025 - Palestine - On April 7, 2025, an Israeli airstrike targeted a tent near the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing two journalists and injuring several others. The tent, clearly marked and known to host media personnel, was engulfed in flames following the strike. Journalist Ahmed Mansour, a reporter for Palestine Today, suffered severe burns and succumbed to his injuries the following day. His death brought the total number of journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023 to at least 211, according to the Gaza Government Media Office. The...

April 8, 2025

Ukrainian Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna: A Legacy of Courage and Tragedy

April 08, 2025 - Ukraine - Viktoriia Roshchyna, a 27-year-old Ukrainian journalist, dedicated her career to exposing the harsh realities of Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territories. Her fearless reporting, particularly on the systemic torture and unlawful detention of civilians, led her to the occupied regions of Zaporizhzhia in August 2023. During this trip, she vanished, and her fate remained unknown until April 2024, when Russia confirmed her detention. In October 2024, the Russian Ministry of Defence informed her family of her death in captivity. Roshchyna's body was returned to Ukraine in February 2025 as part...

April 8, 2025

Sudan’s War: Journalists Under Siege Amid Escalating Conflict

April 08, 2025 - Sudan - Since the outbreak of civil war in Sudan in April 2023, at least seven journalists have been killed, with one reported missing and several others detained, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has severely compromised press freedom, with both factions accused of deliberately targeting media professionals. Among the notable casualties is Halima Idris Salim, a journalist for Sudan Bokra, who was fatally struck by an RSF vehicle while reporting in Omdurman on October 10,...

April 8, 2025

Guatemalan Journalist Nelton Rivera Targeted by Coordinated Smear Campaign

April 08, 2025 - Guatemala - Nelton Rivera, a prominent Guatemalan journalist and co-founder of Prensa Comunitaria, is facing a concerted online smear and threat campaign aimed at discrediting his investigative reporting on corruption. Since February 2025, social media accounts known as “net centers” have been disseminating manipulated images and false narratives about Rivera, including doctored photos depicting him behind bars alongside imprisoned journalist José Rubén Zamora. These posts falsely accuse Rivera of collaborating with organized crime and call for his arrest, escalating in frequency and intensity through March and April. The smear campaign coincides...

April 8, 2025

Targeted and Silenced: Israeli Airstrike Kills Journalist in Gaza, Sparking Global Outcry

April 08, 2025 - Palestine - On April 7, 2025, an Israeli airstrike deliberately targeted a tent sheltering journalists near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, resulting in the death of Palestinian journalist Helmi Al-Faqaawi and another individual. Several other journalists were injured, with some sustaining serious wounds. This attack sparked immediate condemnation from human rights groups and press freedom organizations worldwide. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor denounced the strike as a calculated assault on the press, carried out with full awareness of its consequences. The organization emphasized that such attacks aim to silence...

April 8, 2025

Azerbaijani Authorities Clamp Down on Journalists with New Criminal Charges

April 08, 2025 - Azerbaijan - In a further blow to media freedom in Azerbaijan, authorities have recently initiated legal actions against independent journalists, underscoring a widening campaign to suppress critical voices. Three separate cases spotlight the tactics used to intimidate and penalize reporters who challenge official narratives. The first case involves an investigative journalist who was summoned for questioning under charges of “illicit funding of non-governmental organizations.” Prosecutors allege that his reporting on alleged financial irregularities within civil society groups amounted to collusion with foreign entities—a charge that carries severe penalties. Colleagues say the...

April 8, 2025

Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga denied bail for 3rd time

April 08, 2025 - Source: CPJ - Zimbabwean authorities should stop their victimization of broadcast journalist Blessed Mhlanga, who, after 43 days in jail, was denied bail for the third time on Monday, and must ensure that charges against him are dropped immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. Mhlanga, a journalist for privately owned Heart and Soul Television, has been detained since February 24 on incitement charges for interviewing a war veteran who called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation. “The repeated denial of bail is yet another example of the injustice that Blessed Mhlanga has been forced to endure for simply...

April 8, 2025

Journalists kidnapped, threatened with lynching as chaos worsens in Haiti

April 08, 2025 - Source: CPJ - The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about deteriorating media safety amid surging violence in Haiti, in which at least one journalist was kidnapped and two were almost lynched. Roger Claudy Israël, owner of local radio station RC FM, and his brother were kidnapped in the central city of Mirebalais by Viv Ansanm gang members who threatened to execute their captives in an April 4 video. Viv Ansanm, or Living Together in Creole, is an alliance of former rival gangs who joined forces in 2023 and took control of most of the capital Port-au-Prince. Gangs attacked Mirebalais on March 31,...

April 8, 2025

Georgian journalist released from administrative detention after 48 hours

April 08, 2025 - Source: OC Media - Saba Sordia, a journalist for the online magazine Indigo, who was arrested on charges of disobeying police orders, has been released from administrative detention. The prosecution, however, is still seeking to issue an administrative fine against him. Tbilisi City Court judge Zviad Tsekvava announced at Tuesday’s hearing that the final decision in the case will be delivered on 17 April. Sordia was detained on Sunday in the street in Tbilisi by law enforcement officers after they checked his identity and searched his bag. On Monday, his detention was...

April 8, 2025

Detained Azerbaijani Journalist Farid Mehralizada Says Trial Is Politically Motivated

April 08, 2025 - Source: RFERL - Detained Azerbaijani journalist and economist Farid Mehralizada testified in court on April 8 that his imprisonment was politically motivated, tied directly to his critical reporting for RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service, known locally as Azadliq Radiosu. During his appearance at the Baku Court of Serious Crimes, Mehralizada, 30, detailed the events surrounding his arrest on smuggling charges in late May 2024. He described being blindfolded and taken to an unknown location before ending up at the Baku City Police Department, where he said he faced physical and psychological pressure to unlock his...

April 8, 2025

Georgian Journalist Fined After Detention Over Police Dispute

April 8, 2025 - Georgia - In April 2025, Georgian journalist Saba Sordia, affiliated with the online magazine Indigo, was detained by police near the Marjanishvili metro station in Tbilisi. The incident began when officers stopped Sordia for an identity check and proceeded to search his bag. Sordia complied with the request but objected when officers attempted to open a specific pocket, insisting he would do it himself. This disagreement led to his arrest on charges of disobeying a lawful police order under Article 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code. Following his arrest on April...

April 8, 2025

Photojournalist Suresh Rajak Killed During Pro-Monarchy Protest in Nepal

April 08, 2025 - Nepal - On March 28, 2025, photojournalist Suresh Rajak tragically lost his life while covering a pro-monarchy protest in the Tinkune area of Kathmandu, Nepal. Rajak, who served as the head of the camera and video division at Avenues Television, was reporting from a building that was set ablaze by demonstrators. Trapped inside, he was unable to escape the flames, leading to his untimely death. The violent protest, organized by supporters of Nepal's former royal family, escalated into chaos, resulting in multiple casualties and significant property damage, including targeted attacks on...

April 8, 2025

Palestinians Mourn Journalist Burned Alive in Gaza Airstrike

April 08, 2025 - Palestine - In the wake of a devastating Israeli airstrike on April 7, 2025, Palestinians across Gaza and beyond are mourning the loss of Ahmed Mansour, a journalist who was burned alive while reporting from a makeshift press tent near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The tent, a known site for journalists covering the war, became the scene of tragedy as flames engulfed Mansour, who later succumbed to his injuries despite efforts by colleagues to save him. The news of Mansour’s death sparked a wave of grief and outrage. Vigils and...

April 8, 2025

Journalist Roger Claudy Israël Abducted Amid Escalating Gang Violence in Haiti

April 08, 2025 - Haiti - Roger Claudy Israël, a prominent Haitian journalist and the owner of RC FM radio station in Mirebalais, was abducted along with his brother Marco during a wave of gang violence that struck the town in late March 2025. The incident occurred amid a series of coordinated attacks by the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, which has intensified its campaign of terror in central Haiti, taking advantage of the country's deteriorating security situation. In a disturbing video shared by the kidnappers, Israël and his brother were shown handcuffed and threatened with...

April 7, 2025

Israeli Airstrike Targeted a Journalists’ Tent at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Southern Gaza Strip

April 7, 2025 - Palestine - The tweet from Quds News Network (QNN) reports that Israeli forces targeted the family of Mohammad Abu Nasser, the English editor-in-chief of QNN, in northern Gaza. The attack resulted in casualties among his family members. This incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by journalists and their families in conflict zones. Quds News Network is a Palestinian youth news agency founded in 2011, staffed with volunteer correspondents across Palestine. The network gained widespread following on social media around 2015 through its rapid video coverage of escalations in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict,...

April 7, 2025

Journalist Hassan Eslaiah Killed in Israeli Airstrike Amid Accusations and Controversy

April 7, 2025 - Palestine - On May 13, 2025, Palestinian journalist Hassan Eslaiah was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, where he was receiving treatment for injuries sustained in a previous attack. Eslaiah, a prominent photojournalist and director of the Gaza-based Alam24 news agency, had collaborated with international outlets, including the Associated Press and CNN. Before his death, Eslaiah was the subject of a months-long incitement campaign. Israeli media and online platforms accused him of ties to Hamas, citing a photo with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and alleging...

April 7, 2025

Palestinian Journalists Call for ICC Action Amid Rising Death Toll in Gaza

April 7, 2025 - Palestine - The death toll of journalists in Gaza continues to rise, sparking renewed demands for justice and accountability. According to press advocacy groups, more than 220 journalists have been killed since the start of the war in October 2023. The latest incident involved the death of journalist Hilmi al-Faqawi, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a tent used by journalists near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The strike also injured at least nine other media workers. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned the attack, calling it a deliberate and...

April 7, 2025

Israeli Airstrike on Gaza Media Tent Sparks Outcry Over Journalist Deaths

April 7, 2025 - Palestine - On April 7, 2025, an Israeli airstrike targeted a media tent near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals, including journalist Helmi al-Faqawi, and injuring several others. The tent, used by journalists covering the ongoing conflict, was set ablaze during the early morning attack. Footage shared by Quds News Network depicted the tent engulfed in flames, with bystanders attempting to extinguish the fire. Among the injured were journalists Hassan Eslaih and Ihab al-Bardini, with al-Bardini sustaining a shrapnel injury to...

April 7, 2025

Israeli strike on hospital camp used by Gaza journalists kills 10 people

March 07, 2025 - Palestine - On April 7, 2025, an Israeli airstrike targeted a media tent situated within the Nasser Hospital complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals, including journalist Helmi al-Faqawi, and injuring several others. The tent, utilized by journalists covering the ongoing conflict, was set ablaze during the early morning attack. Footage shared by Quds News Network depicted the tent engulfed in flames, with bystanders attempting to extinguish the fire. Among the injured were journalists Hassan Eslaih and Ihab al-Bardini, with al-Bardini sustaining a...

April 7, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Killed in Gaza Media Tent Strike as Toll on Press Mounts

April 07, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Hilmi al-Faqawi was killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a tent used by media workers outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza. Al-Faqawi, who reported for the Palestine Today news agency, was among at least two people killed in the early morning strike, which also injured several other journalists, deepening the crisis for press workers in the region. The tent, a designated space for journalists covering the humanitarian situation near the hospital, caught fire during the attack, engulfing equipment and trapping individuals inside. Footage from the...

April 7, 2025

Palestinian Foreign Ministry Condemns Targeted Killings of Journalists in Gaza

April 07, 2025 - Palestine - The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has issued a sharp condemnation of what it calls Israel’s "deliberate targeting" of journalists in Gaza. In recent statements, the ministry accused Israel of systematically attacking members of the press in an attempt to obscure what it describes as a "war of annihilation" against Palestinians. The Ministry highlighted that the unprecedented death toll among journalists in Gaza, now exceeding 200, cannot be seen as collateral damage. Instead, it argued that these killings form part of a broader strategy to suppress media...

April 7, 2025

Death of Indonesian Journalist Situr Wijaya Sparks Questions Amid Autopsy Findings

April 07, 2025 - Indonesia - On April 4, 2025, Indonesian journalist Situr Wijaya, 33, was found dead in his hotel room at D’Paragon Hotel in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta. Known as the founder and editor-in-chief of the online news outlet iN Sulteng, Situr’s sudden death has raised serious concerns among press freedom advocates and his family, who suspect foul play. According to initial reports, Situr’s body showed signs of bruising on his face and chest, along with injuries to his lips. These visible marks of trauma led his family to file a police report...

April 7, 2025

Denys Matsola: Ukrainian Journalist and POW Facing Harsh Conditions in Russian Captivity

April 07, 2025 - Crimea/Russia - Denys Matsola, a Ukrainian journalist, human rights activist, and former soldier, has been imprisoned in Russia for over three years. Captured on April 4, 2022, while defending Mariupol as part of the 501st Separate Marine Battalion of the Ukrainian Navy, Matsola's situation has drawn international concern. His captivity is attributed to his pro-Ukrainian stance and activism, including his support for the Crimean Tatar national movement and opposition to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Matsola's supporters, including human rights organizations and media workers, have launched campaigns to raise awareness...

April 7, 2025

Jailed Journalist Elif Akgül Denounces Charges as Punishment for Civic Duty

April 7, 2025 - Turkey - Elif Akgül, a freelance journalist and former editor at bianet, has been in pretrial detention in Turkey since February 21, 2025. Her arrest came amid a wide-ranging investigation into the People’s Democratic Congress (HDK), a legal coalition of leftist and pro-Kurdish groups. Authorities accuse Akgül of “membership in a terrorist organization,” citing her attendance at HDK meetings from years ago and wiretapped interviews conducted as part of her journalistic work. Akgül insists the charges criminalize both her reporting and civic participation. In letters from prison, Akgül has described her...

April 6, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Killed in Israeli Airstrike Amid Growing Death Toll on Media Workers

April 6, 2025 - Palestine - On April 6, 2025, Palestinian journalist Islam Nasr al-Din Muqaddad was killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck her home in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Her husband and son also lost their lives in the same attack. Muqaddad’s death adds to a growing number of journalists who have been killed during Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which began in October 2023. She became the 254th journalist or media worker reported dead since the conflict started, and the 127th killed in their own home. The day following Muqaddad’s death,...

April 6, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Saeed Hasanein Faces Charges Over TV Interview

April 6 , 2025 - Palestine - In February 2025, Palestinian journalist and sports announcer Saeed Hasanein was arrested by Israeli authorities following his appearance on Al-Aqsa TV, a channel affiliated with Hamas. The 62-year-old from Shefa-Amr faces charges of "contact with a foreign agent," "expressing solidarity with a terrorist organization," and "destroying evidence." Israeli prosecutors allege that his interview, which included praise for Hamas and Hezbollah figures, constituted support for terrorist organizations and dissemination of their narratives within Israel. Hasanein's legal team contends that the charges are politically motivated and part of a broader...

April 6, 2025

Martin O’Hagan Murder: Family Welcomes Recent Arrest but Emphasizes Ongoing Search for Killers

April 6, 2025 - UK - In April 2025, a 42-year-old man was arrested in Sheffield, England, and charged with fraud by false representation in connection with the 2001 murder of journalist Martin O’Hagan. O’Hagan, a reporter for the Sunday World, was fatally shot by loyalist paramilitaries while walking home with his wife in Lurgan, County Armagh. Despite this arrest, no one has been successfully prosecuted for his murder. The O’Hagan family has expressed cautious optimism regarding the recent arrest but emphasized that the fraud charge is unrelated to Martin's killing. In a statement, his...

April 6, 2025

Ojinika Okpe Honored as Investigative Journalist of the Year by Verbatim Media Group

April 06, 2025 - Africa - Ojinika Okpe, renowned broadcast journalist and anchor of "What’s Trending" on ARISE News, has been awarded the 2025 Investigative Journalist of the Year by the Verbatim Media Group. The accolade was presented during the Verbatim Media Awards (VMA) ceremony on April 3, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, coinciding with Verbatim’s 13th anniversary celebration. The Verbatim Board of Editors recognized Okpe for her "outstanding commitment to investigative journalism," highlighting her fearless reporting, depth of analysis, and dedication to uncovering hard truths. Her segment, "What’s Trending," was...

April 6, 2025

Lebanese Journalist Zeina Yassine Resigns from State TV Over Hijab Discrimination

April 06, 2025 - Lebanon - Zeina Yassine, a pioneering journalist at Lebanon's state-run broadcaster Tele Liban (TL), has resigned, citing institutional bias against her for wearing a hijab. Yassine, who joined TL three years ago, was the first hijab-wearing reporter to appear on the channel and contributed to coverage during the 2023 Israeli assault on Lebanon. In her resignation letter addressed to Information Minister Paul Morcos, Yassine expressed gratitude for her professional experience but highlighted the challenges she faced due to her hijab. She noted that while veiled women are celebrated abroad, they are...

April 6, 2025

Peter Greste’s Ordeal Brought to Life in ‘The Correspondent’

April 06, 2025 - General - The Correspondent, a 2024 Australian biographical legal thriller directed by Kriv Stenders and written by Peter Duncan, dramatizes the harrowing experience of journalist Peter Greste, who was unjustly imprisoned in Egypt for 400 days on terrorism charges while reporting for Al Jazeera during the Arab Spring. The film stars Richard Roxburgh as Greste, delivering a restrained yet powerful performance that captures the psychological trauma and resilience of a journalist caught in a Kafkaesque legal nightmare. The narrative focuses on Greste's arrest in Cairo, his subsequent trial, and the international...

April 5, 2025

MKG Reports Highlight Escalating Press Freedom Violations in Turkey

April 05, 2025 - Iraq - The Mesopotamia Women Journalists Association (MKG) has released a series of reports detailing a significant increase in violations against journalists in Turkey, particularly targeting women journalists. In March 2025, MKG documented at least 54 violations against journalists, including physical violence, detentions, and digital harassment. These incidents intensified following the March 8 International Women's Day protests and operations against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The report emphasized that journalists are being systematically targeted for simply reporting news. The April 2025 report indicated that nine women journalists remained imprisoned, with 17 others...

April 5, 2025

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Released from Turkish Custody Amid Ongoing Press Freedom Concerns

April 05, 2025 - Sweden/Turkey - Swedish journalist Joakim Medin has been released from Turkish custody and returned to Sweden after nearly two months of detention on charges of "insulting the president" and alleged links to terrorism. His release follows sustained diplomatic efforts by Swedish and European officials, highlighting ongoing concerns over press freedom in Turkey. Medin, a correspondent for Sweden’s Dagens ETC, was arrested on March 27, 2025, upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, where he intended to cover protests sparked by the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Turkish authorities accused him of participating...

April 4, 2025

Burkina Faso: Journalists Forcibly Conscripted Amid Crackdown on Press Freedom

April 04, 2025 - Burkina Faso - In April 2025, three prominent Burkinabè journalists—Guézouma Sanogo, Boukari Ouoba, and Luc Pagbelguem—reappeared in a video wearing military uniforms after being detained by the country's military junta. The footage, widely circulated on social media, showed the journalists in an undisclosed location, raising serious concerns about forced conscription and the suppression of press freedom in Burkina Faso. Sanogo and Ouoba, serving as president and vice president of the Burkina Faso Journalists Association (AJB), were arrested on March 24, 2025, following their criticism of increasing restrictions on media freedom. Pagbelguem,...

April 4, 2025

Jerusalem Post Editor Denies Wrongdoing After Arrest in ‘Qatargate’ Probe

April 04, 2025 - Qatar/Palestine - Zvika Klein, editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, has spoken out following his brief arrest and interrogation in early April 2025, claiming he was targeted unfairly due to his reporting. His detainment is linked to the broader “Qatargate” scandal, which alleges that aides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received illegal benefits from the Qatari government to improve its image in Israeli media. Klein, a respected journalist, became the first Israeli media figure to visit Qatar in 2024 and interview its prime minister. That high-profile reporting trip, he insists, was...

April 3, 2025

Haitian Journalists Risk Lives to Report Amid Gang Violence and Collapse

April 03, 2025 - Haiti - As Haiti descends further into chaos, journalists on the ground are risking their lives to continue reporting in a country plagued by unprecedented violence and deepening lawlessness. With heavily armed gangs now controlling around 85% of Port-au-Prince, even basic newsgathering has become a life-threatening act. Journalists like Jean-Jacques Asperges exemplify this resilience. After gangs raided his neighborhood and forced his family from their home, he now lives in a temporary shelter and reports using only his phone, having lost all his professional equipment. Despite the loss and trauma, Asperges...

April 2, 2025

Ghanaian Man Convicted for Assaulting Journalists Investigating Illegal Mining

April 02, 2025 - Ghana - In a landmark ruling on March 26, 2025, the Asankragwa District Court in Ghana convicted Daniel Baidoo for assaulting a group of journalists documenting illegal mining activities, known locally as "galamsey," near Adumanya, close to Asankran Breman in the Western Region. The attack occurred on February 21, 2025, when Baidoo forcibly confiscated equipment, including a Panasonic Lumix camera and an iPhone, from the journalists and demanded the deletion of captured footage. The court sentenced Baidoo to a fine of 300 penalty units, equivalent to GH₵3,600.00. Failure to pay the...

April 2, 2025

Kashmiri Journalist Irfan Mehraj’s Ongoing Detention Highlights UAPA’s Abuse

April 02, 2025 - Kashmir - Kashmiri journalist Irfan Mehraj has been detained without trial for over two years under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a law criticized for its broad and vague provisions that facilitate the suppression of dissent. Arrested on March 20, 2023, by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), Mehraj faces charges related to alleged support for secessionist activities. He is accused of collaborating with the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a human rights organization led by activist Khurram Parvez, who has also been detained under similar charges. Despite his...

April 2, 2025

Daniel Koranteng Charged in Ahmed Suale Murder Case

April 02, 2025 - Ghana - Daniel Owusu Koranteng, a 35-year-old businessman and former associate of slain investigative journalist Ahmed Suale, has been formally charged with murder and abetment in connection with Suale’s assassination in January 2019. Koranteng, also known as Nana Amakye, appeared before the Madina District Court on April 2, 2025, where prosecutors amended the initial charges to include abetment to commit murder. The court remanded him into custody, with his next appearance scheduled for April 17. The prosecution alleges that Koranteng provided photographs of Suale to former Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong,...

April 2, 2025

Indian Journalist Shahdeb Dey Found Dead in Andaman Islands

April 02, 2025 - India - On April 1, 2025, the charred body of 38-year-old journalist Shahdeb Dey was discovered in a field in Deshbandhu Nagar, Diglipur, North Andaman district. Dey, known for his investigative reporting on illegal activities such as timber smuggling, soil excavation, illicit liquor trade, and gambling, had been missing since March 29. His last communication was a phone call to his wife at 8:11 PM on March 29, stating he was in Madhupur and would return home shortly. He never made it back, and his phone was subsequently turned off. The...

April 1, 2025

Gaza War: Deadliest Conflict for Journalists in History

April 01, 2025 - Palestine - The ongoing war in Gaza has become the deadliest conflict for journalists ever recorded. As of May 2025, at least 232 journalists have been killed since October 2023, surpassing the combined death toll of media workers in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Yugoslav Wars, and the Afghanistan War. This unprecedented loss underscores the extreme dangers faced by journalists in Gaza, where many have been directly targeted by Israeli forces. For instance, 23-year-old journalist Hossam Shabat was killed in an Israeli airstrike...

April 1, 2025

Press Freedom at Risk: Urgent Call to Protect USAGM Journalists

April 01, 2025 - USA - In March 2025, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and a coalition of 36 human rights organizations urged the U.S. Congress to take immediate action to protect journalists affiliated with the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). This call to action follows a presidential executive order dismantling USAGM, which oversees outlets like Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The coalition's letter highlights the grave risks faced by USAGM-affiliated journalists, including threats of deportation to countries where they could face imprisonment or worse due...

April 1, 2025

Bolivia’s Press Freedom Under Siege: Journalists Face Escalating Threats

April 01, 2025 - Bolivia - In Bolivia, the safety of journalists has become a pressing concern, with increasing attacks and harassment against media professionals. A recent report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) highlights over 30 incidents of press freedom violations since the presidential election on October 20, 2024. These include physical assaults, equipment theft, and threats, particularly targeting journalists covering protests and road blockades. Notably, both pro-Morales and opposition media outlets have been caught in the crossfire, facing aggression from various factions. The National Journalists Association of Bolivia has expressed grave concern over these...

April 1, 2025

White House Journalists Threaten Sit-In Protest Over Seating Chart Changes

April 01, 2025 - USA - In early 2025, journalists covering the White House raised an alarm after the Trump administration proposed a major change to the press briefing room seating arrangements. Traditionally, the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) has managed the seating chart, allocating spots to media outlets based on established criteria and seniority. However, the administration’s plan to take over control of the seating and revise it sparked significant backlash from reporters and media organizations. The WHCA expressed strong opposition, viewing the move as an attempt to undermine press freedom and control access...

April 1, 2025

Israeli Airstrike Kills Palestinian Journalist and Family in Gaza

April 01, 2025 - Palestine - On April 1, 2025, Palestinian journalist Mohammed Saleh Al-Bardawil was killed along with his wife and three children when Israeli forces bombed their home in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. Al-Bardawil was a veteran broadcaster with Al-Aqsa Radio and had worked in journalism for over 15 years. His death has added to the growing toll of media workers killed in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. According to the Palestinian Journalists Protection Committee, this attack represents yet another deliberate assault on press freedom. The group condemned the killing, emphasizing...

March 31, 2025

Turkey’s Press Freedom Crisis Deepens as Journalists Face Mass Arrests and Intimidation

March 31, 2025 - Turkey - As of May 2025, Turkey's press freedom continues to deteriorate, with at least 42 journalists, including 10 women, imprisoned during Eid al-Fitr, according to the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) and the Mezopotamya Women Journalists Association (MKG) . The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on media professionals covering protests and political events, particularly those related to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Between March 19 and 23, police raided the homes of 13 journalists, detaining 12, with seven remanded in custody. These actions reflect a pattern...

March 31, 2025

Libyan Journalist Faces Military Trial Amid Press Freedom Concerns

March 31, 2025 - Libya - In May 2024, Libyan journalist Salhine Zerouali was violently arrested in Ajdabiya while in his car with his nine-year-old son. Masked men, identified as security forces, assaulted him in front of his child before detaining him. He was subsequently transferred to a military prison in Benghazi, where he has been held for over ten months. Zerouali, known for his work with several media outlets, including the Al Ghaïma news agency, faces charges of collaborating with media deemed hostile by the authorities. Although some charges, such as possession of weapons...

March 31, 2025

“The Shooting”: A Stark Portrayal of Violence Against Journalists in Mexico

March 31, 2025 - Mexico - The human rights organization Artículo 19, in collaboration with Grey México and Oriental Films, released a poignant short film titled The Shooting to commemorate the International Day for the Right to the Truth. This four-minute film serves as a powerful metaphor for the perilous conditions journalists face in Mexico, one of the most dangerous countries for media professionals. Directed by Yupi Segura and Charlie Gutiérrez, The Shooting depicts a symbolic confrontation: on one side, members of organized crime wield firearms to instill fear and suppress truth; on the other,...

March 31, 2025

Investigative Journalist Watson Flexy Munyaka Murdered in Zimbabwe

March 31, 2025 - Zimbabwe - On March 17, 2025, Zimbabwean investigative journalist Watson Flexy Munyaka was murdered in Marondera, southeast of Harare. According to reports, Munyaka was violently thrown from a moving Toyota Fortuner in broad daylight along Fifth Street near the Chicken Inn drive-through. He was rushed to Marondera Provincial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Munyaka, 38, was a co-founder of "Dug Up," an investigative journalism collective established in September 2024 to expose corruption and crime in Zimbabwe. He was known for his in-depth reporting and had recently been involved in high-profile...

March 31, 2025

Gaza Journalists Targeted: The Case of Hossam Shabat and the Israeli ‘Hit List’

March 31, 2025 - Palestine - On March 24, 2025, Palestinian journalist Hossam Shabat, a 23-year-old correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher and contributor to Drop Site News, was killed in an Israeli airstrike while driving in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed the targeted killing, alleging Shabat was affiliated with Hamas, a claim he had previously denied, asserting it was a pretext to justify attacks on journalists. This incident is part of a broader pattern where Israel has accused Palestinian journalists of militant affiliations without providing verifiable evidence. In October 2024, the Israeli...

March 31, 2025

Nepali Journalist Burned Alive Amid Pro-Monarchy Protests

March 31, 2025 - Nepal - On March 28, 2025, veteran photojournalist Suresh Rajak was tragically killed while covering a pro-monarchy protest in Tinkune, Kathmandu. Rajak, head of the camera division at Avenues Television, was documenting the demonstration when protesters set fire to a building he had entered. Trapped inside, he was unable to escape and succumbed to the flames. The protest, organized by royalist supporters, escalated into violence, with demonstrators clashing with police and targeting media outlets. Protesters accused occupants of the building of being police officers, leading to the arson attack that claimed...

March 29, 2025

Violent Pro-Monarchy Rally in Kathmandu Results in Deaths of Journalist and Protester

March 29, 2025 - Nepal - On March 28, 2025, a pro-monarchy rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, turned violent, leading to the deaths of journalist Suresh Rajak and protester Sabin Maharjan. The demonstration, organized by supporters of former King Gyanendra Shah, escalated into clashes with police, resulting in widespread chaos and destruction. Thousands gathered in the Tinkune area, demanding the restoration of the monarchy and Nepal's status as a Hindu state. Tensions rose when protesters breached police barricades, prompting security forces to deploy tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. In response,...

March 28, 2025

Guatemalan Journalist Ismael Alonzo González Murdered Amid Rising Threats to Press Freedom

March 28, 2025 - Guatemala - On March 21, 2025, community journalist Ismael Alonzo González was fatally shot outside his home in the village of Santa Fe, Coatepeque, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Two unidentified assailants dressed in black approached González and shot him in the head before fleeing into a nearby wooded area. González, 27, was the general manager of Producciones Alonzo, a Facebook page dedicated to local and community news, and had previously worked with the digital media outlet Despertar Occidental. He was also an active member of the Association of Journalists and Communicators of the...

March 28, 2025

Moroccan Rights Activist Faces Prison Over Social Media Post Amid Growing Repression

March 28, 2025 - Morocco - In late 2024, Fouad Abdelmoumni, a prominent Moroccan human rights activist and economist, was arrested after posting on Facebook alleging that Morocco had employed Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to monitor French officials. Although released two days later, Abdelmoumni faced serious charges of “spreading false claims” and “reporting a knowingly fictitious crime.” In March 2025, a Casablanca court sentenced him to six months in prison—a ruling that may be enforced depending on the outcome of his appeal. Abdelmoumni is well-known as the former head of Transparency Morocco and a member of...

March 28, 2025

Crackdown on Foreign Journalists Amid Turkey’s Unrest

March 28, 2025 - Sweden/Turkey - In March 2025, Turkey witnessed its most significant anti-government protests in over a decade, ignited by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The demonstrations, which spanned 55 provinces, were met with a stringent government response, including the detention and deportation of several foreign journalists. BBC News correspondent Mark Lowen was detained in Istanbul on March 26 while covering the protests. After 17 hours in custody, he was deported the following day. Turkish authorities cited his presence as a "threat to public order". Lowen condemned the action, highlighting the...

March 28, 2025

Press Freedom Under Siege: Journalists Targeted Amid Turkey’s Political Turmoil

March 28, 2025 - Turkey - Turkey experienced its most significant anti-government protests in over a decade, following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on corruption charges widely perceived as politically motivated. The government's response included a sweeping crackdown on journalists covering the unrest, raising serious concerns about press freedom and democratic rights. At least 11 journalists were detained in Istanbul during early morning raids, accused of participating in unauthorized demonstrations. While some were later released, they still face charges that could lead to imprisonment. Among those arrested was AFP photographer Yasin Akgul, who...

March 28, 2025

Pakistani Journalists Face Arrests Amid Crackdown

March 28, 2025 - Pakistan- Pakistan witnessed a concerning escalation in its crackdown on press freedom, marked by the arrests of journalists Muhammad Waheed Murad and Farhan Mallick under the country's cybercrime laws. Murad, a multimedia journalist for Saudi-owned Urdu News, was forcibly taken from his Islamabad home on March 25 by individuals without a warrant. He was charged with "cyber terrorism" and spreading "false and fake information" after sharing an investigation into a military general on social media. Murad was granted bail on March 28, but his detention drew criticism from press freedom advocates...

March 28, 2025

Serbia’s Digital Crackdown: Surveillance of Journalists and Activists

March 28, 2025 - Serbia - In December 2024, Amnesty International released a report titled A Digital Prison, revealing that Serbian authorities have been employing sophisticated surveillance tools to monitor journalists, environmental activists, and civil society members. The report details the use of Israeli-made Cellebrite forensic extraction devices alongside a domestically developed spyware known as "NoviSpy." Cellebrite's Universal Forensic Extraction Devices (UFEDs), initially provided to Serbia as part of international aid for combating organized crime, were reportedly misused to unlock and extract data from mobile devices without proper legal authorization. Once accessed, NoviSpy was installed,...

March 28, 2025

Christo Grozev: Investigative Journalist Targeted by Russian Authorities

March 28, 2025 - Russia - Christo Grozev, a Bulgarian investigative journalist affiliated with Bellingcat, has been a prominent figure in uncovering Russian intelligence operations. His work includes exposing the identities of agents involved in the 2018 Salisbury poisoning and the attempted assassination of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. These investigations have placed him in the crosshairs of Russian authorities. In April 2023, a Moscow court issued an arrest warrant for Grozev in absentia, accusing him of illegally crossing the Russian border. This move followed his inclusion on Russia's federal wanted list in December 2022. The...

March 27, 2025

Indonesia Mourns Journalist Juwita Amid Allegations of Premeditated Murder by Navy Serviceman

March 27, 2025 - Indonesia - In March 2025, the tragic death of 23-year-old journalist Juwita from Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, sent shockwaves across Indonesia. Her body was discovered on March 22 in a parked car along Jalan Gunung Kupang, Cempaka District, Banjarbaru. The primary suspect is her former partner, First-Class Navy Seaman Jumran, stationed at the Balikpapan Naval Base in East Kalimantan. Investigations suggest that Jumran meticulously planned the murder. Evidence indicates he used gloves, destroyed Juwita's mobile phone, and attempted to stage the scene as an accident. He also allegedly used another person's identity...

March 27, 2025

BBC Journalist Mark Lowen Deported from Turkey

March 27, 2025 - Turkey - BBC correspondent Mark Lowen was arrested and deported from Turkey after reporting on widespread anti-government protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Lowen was detained for 17 hours and labeled a "threat to public order" by Turkish authorities. The Turkish Directorate of Communications stated that Lowen had not applied for the required press accreditation, leading to administrative action. The BBC condemned the deportation, with CEO Deborah Turness calling it "extremely troubling." Lowen, who previously lived in Turkey for five years, described the experience as "extremely distressing," emphasizing...

March 27, 2025

Serbian Journalists Targeted with Pegasus Spyware Amid Press Freedom Concerns

March 27, 2025 - Serbia - In February 2025, two investigative journalists from the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) in Serbia were targeted with NSO Group's Pegasus spyware, according to a forensic investigation by Amnesty International's Security Lab. The journalists, Jelena Veljković and a colleague referred to as "Bogdana" for privacy reasons, received suspicious messages via the Viber messaging app on February 14. These messages contained links to a fake news article, which, if clicked, would have installed the spyware on their devices. The messages originated from a Serbian number registered with the state-owned operator...

March 27, 2025

Russian War Correspondent Anna Prokofieva Killed by Landmine Near Ukraine Border

March 27, 2025 - Russia/Ukraine - On March 26, 2025, Anna Prokofieva, a 35-year-old war correspondent for Russia's state-run Channel One, was killed when her vehicle struck a landmine in the Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border. Her cameraman, Dmitry Volkov, sustained serious injuries in the incident. Prokofieva had been covering the conflict in Ukraine since 2023, often reporting from high-risk areas alongside Russian troops. She was known for her strong support of the Russian Armed Forces and frequently shared images of herself in military attire, sometimes featuring the "Z" symbol associated with Russia's military...

March 27, 2025

Turkey deports BBC journalist over ‘public order’ threat, fines TV channels

March 27, 2025 - Source: Reuters - Turkish authorities deported a BBC News correspondent on Thursday after detaining him for 17 hours and branding him a "threat to public order". Mark Lowen had been in Turkey to cover mass street protests triggered by the arrest and jailing of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-deports-bbc-journalist-over-public-order-threat-fines-tv-channels-2025-03-27/

March 27, 2025

Pakistani journalist Waheed Murad seized from home in the night

March 27, 2025 - Source: CPJ - Pakistani authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Waheed Murad, who was taken away by masked men who broke into his home in the capital Islamabad before dawn on Wednesday, and stop using such brutal tactics to intimidate the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. Murad, who works as a reporter for Urdu News and runs the independent news site Pakistani24, later appeared before the Judicial Magistrate Islamabad (West) court, where he was placed in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for two days under Pakistan’s cybercrime laws for allegedly posting “intimidating...

March 27, 2025

CJP orders AGP to review cases of journalists’ detention under PECA

March 27, 2025 - Source: 24 News HD - Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has taken notice of the crackdown on journalists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) after receiving a formal complaint from the President of the Press Association of the Supreme Court (PASC). According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the CJP forwarded the letter to the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), directing him to review the facts and address journalists’ grievances. The letter raised concerns over the arrests of journalists Farhan Mallick and Waheed Murad, urging the top judge...

March 27, 2025

Jailed Journalist Ponomarenko Receives New Sentence for Alleged Assault on Prison Guards

March 27, 2025 - Source: The Moscow Times - Siberian journalist and activist Maria Ponomarenko, who is serving a six-year jail sentence for speaking out against the war in Ukraine, was sentenced Thursday to an additional year and 10 months for allegedly assaulting prison guards. Ponomarenko, 46, was convicted in 2023 for publishing reports on Russia’s bombing of a theater in Mariupol, Ukraine. She denies both that charge and the latest assault accusation, calling the case politically motivated and accusing prison authorities of abuse. A judge in the Altai region found her guilty of “disrupting the work of a penal colony,” according to her...

March 27, 2025

Russian court extends sentence of imprisoned Siberian journalist

March 27, 2025 - Source: Reuters - Russian journalist Maria Ponomarenko, imprisoned for spreading "fake news" about the war in Ukraine, was handed an additional sentence on Thursday on charges of attacking prison staff, her employer said. Rusnews said Ponomarenko, who has complained of being beaten in prison and injected with anti-psychotic drugs, was given another year and 10 months in jail and ordered to undergo further compulsory psychiatric treatment. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-court-extends-sentence-imprisoned-siberian-journalist-2025-03-27/

March 27, 2025

Turkish Court Frees Journalists Arrested During Protest Coverage

March 27, 2025 - Turkey - Seven journalists who were detained while covering widespread protests in Turkey have been released following a court order on March 27, 2025. Among them was Agence France-Presse (AFP) photojournalist Yasin Akgül, who had been arrested during a police crackdown on demonstrations related to the jailing of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. The journalists were taken into custody during early morning raids on March 24, accused of participating in unauthorized rallies and failing to disperse when ordered. These protests were sparked by İmamoğlu’s conviction on corruption charges, which many domestic...

March 27, 2025

Global Investigation Reveals Systematic Targeting of Journalists in Gaza

March 27, 2025 - Palestine - A sweeping investigation by Forbidden Stories and 12 international media outlets has revealed what appears to be a systematic pattern of attacks on journalists in Gaza by Israeli forces. Since October 7, 2023, at least 170 journalists have been killed, making the current Israel-Gaza conflict the deadliest for media workers in recent history. This joint effort, dubbed the Gaza Project, involved more than 40 journalists who examined over 100 cases of media workers killed or injured in Gaza. The investigation uncovered evidence that at least 18 journalists were killed...

March 27, 2025

Systematic Targeting: Gaza Journalists Under Fire in Israel’s Deadly War

March 27, 2025 - Palestine - A detailed investigation by The Intercept has exposed a disturbing pattern in which Israel has been systematically targeting Palestinian journalists during its ongoing assault on Gaza. This revelation comes amid what press freedom advocates are calling the deadliest period for journalists in modern history, with over 200 reporters killed since October 2023. The report details how journalists, even when marked with press gear or working in known media locations, have been directly targeted by Israeli forces. Among the cases examined is that of Hossam Shabat, a 23-year-old Al Jazeera...

March 26, 2025

RTS Reinstates Gaza Journalism Award After Public Outcry

March 26, 2025 - Palestine/UK - In March 2025, the UK's Royal Television Society (RTS) reversed its decision to cancel a special award recognizing the work of Palestinian journalists covering the Gaza conflict. The initial cancellation, announced just before the RTS Television Journalism Awards on March 5, sparked widespread criticism from media professionals and press freedom advocates. Critics accused the RTS of political bias and censorship, arguing that the decision undermined the sacrifices made by journalists reporting under perilous conditions in Gaza. The controversy was further fueled by the RTS's concern that the award could...

March 26, 2025

Biden Acknowledges Journalist Deaths in Israel-Gaza Conflict Amid Criticism

March 26, 2025 - USA/Palestine - In January 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden publicly recognized the troubling number of journalists killed during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, stating that "far too many" had lost their lives while covering the war. This admission came as the world closely watched the deteriorating situation for press freedom in the region, where reporters face extreme risks to report on the conflict. Despite Biden’s acknowledgment, many press freedom advocates and human rights organizations criticized the U.S. government for its continued support of Israel and what they saw as insufficient measures to...

March 26, 2025

Jeremy Bowen Accuses Israel of Blocking Journalists from Gaza

March 26, 2025 - Palestine - BBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen has accused Israel of deliberately preventing journalists from entering Gaza to obscure the realities of the ongoing conflict. In a recent interview, Bowen stated that in the past 18 months, he was granted only half a day with the Israeli army within Gaza, suggesting a strategy to "obfuscate what's going on" and introduce doubt into the information emerging from the region. Bowen highlighted the contrast between the Israeli military's willingness to allow journalists into areas like Kfar Aza, where they were shown scenes of...

March 26, 2025

Omar El Akkad on Gaza, Journalism, and Western Liberalism’s Failures

March 26, 2025 - General - Omar El Akkad, acclaimed author and journalist, provides a powerful critique of the international and Western liberal response to the Gaza conflict. In recent interviews with The Columbia Journalism Review, Democracy Now!, and Al Jazeera’s UpFront, El Akkad sheds light on the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the severe challenges faced by journalists trying to report from the region. El Akkad emphasizes that the Gaza war is not only a military conflict but also a profound moral crisis that exposes the failures of Western liberalism. He argues that...

March 26, 2025

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members – March 25, 2025

March 26, 2025 - General - The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is observed annually on March 25 to honor and advocate for the protection of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers, journalists, and other staff members who have been detained, abducted, or gone missing while carrying out their duties in conflict zones and high-risk areas. Significance of the Day This observance commemorates the anniversary of the abduction of Alec Collett, a former journalist working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)....

March 26, 2025

Vigil in Australia Honors Over 200 Journalists Killed in Gaza Conflict

March 26, 2025 - Australia/Palestine - On March 26, 2025, a solemn vigil was held outside the ABC News Agency building in Sydney, Australia, to mourn the loss of over 200 journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023. Organized by Australian journalist David Milner, the gathering aimed to honor the lives of these media workers and raise awareness about the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones. The vigil served as a poignant reminder of the high cost of reporting from war-torn regions. Milner highlighted the profound impact of these deaths, stating that the stories...

March 26, 2025

China Sentences Taiwan-Based Publisher Li Yanhe to Three Years for ‘Inciting Separatism’

March 26, 2025 - China - In a move drawing international condemnation, Chinese authorities have sentenced Li Yanhe, a Taiwan-based publisher and radio host known by his pen name Fucha, to three years in prison on charges of “inciting separatism.” Li was also fined 50,000 yuan (about $6,900) following a trial held after nearly two years of incommunicado detention. This verdict was announced on March 26, 2025. Li Yanhe is the founder of Gusa Press in Taiwan and has been a vocal critic of the Chinese government’s policies. His arrest occurred in March 2023 during...

March 26, 2025

Pakistani Journalist Waheed Murad Forcibly Disappeared in Islamabad, Sparks Outcry

March 26, 2025 - Pakistan - Pakistani journalist Waheed Murad was forcibly taken from his home in Islamabad on March 26, 2025, by masked men in black uniforms who arrived in vehicles including police cars. According to Murad’s family, the men accused him of being Afghan and, despite showing his identity card, forcibly entered his home, confiscated his and his mother-in-law’s phones, and abducted him in a black vehicle. This alarming incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists in Pakistan. Following the abduction, Murad’s mother-in-law petitioned the Islamabad High Court, naming several...

March 25, 2025

Azerbaijani Journalist Afgan Sadigov Faces Inhumane Treatment in Tbilisi Prison Amid Extradition Threat

March 25, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Afgan Sadigov, an Azerbaijani journalist and editor-in-chief of the independent outlet Azel.TV has been detained in Tbilisi, Georgia, since August 2024. He faces extradition to Azerbaijan on charges of extortion and threats, which international human rights organizations deem politically motivated. Sadigov's detention has raised serious concerns about his well-being and the potential violation of his rights. In March 2025, Sadigov's wife, Sevinj Sadigova, reported that her husband had been subjected to inhumane treatment in pre-trial detention. She stated that since March 18, he has been unable to eat anything...

March 25, 2025

Somali Journalist Ibrahim Mohamed Mayow Detained Amid Rising Crackdown on Press Freedom

March 25, 2025 - Somalia - Press freedom in Somalia faces escalating threats, as journalists endure abductions and harassment by state forces. Notably, journalist Ibrahim Mohamed Mayow was abducted by Somali police on March 24, 2025, in Afgooye while reporting on an Al-Shabaab attack. Despite inquiries, his whereabouts remain unknown. Simultaneously, Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, Secretary of Information and Human Rights for the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), experienced a police raid on his residence on March 26. Officers questioned his family about his location and lingered outside for hours. This follows Bulbul's investigative reporting on alleged...

March 25, 2025

Oscar-Winning Palestinian Director Hamdan Ballal Released from Israeli Detention

March 25, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, acclaimed for his Oscar-winning work, was released from Israeli detention on March 25, 2025, after spending nearly two weeks in custody. Ballal was initially detained on March 12 at the Qalandia checkpoint near Jerusalem, where Israeli authorities accused him of security-related offenses. The filmmaker denies the charges, and his detention sparked widespread concern among international human rights groups and artistic communities. Ballal’s release came after he provided a personal guarantee and was ordered to remain under certain restrictions, including a ban on travel outside the...

March 25, 2025

Court Orders Arrest of AFP Journalist Over Istanbul Protests Coverage

March 25, 2025 - Turkey - A Turkish court has issued an arrest order against a journalist working for the international news agency AFP, in connection with their coverage of recent protests in Istanbul. The journalist faces accusations of allegedly participating in and inciting public demonstrations that opposed the Istanbul mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, and criticized his administration. The charges reportedly arise from the journalist’s reporting on politically sensitive protests, which have raised alarm among press freedom advocates. According to the journalist’s lawyer, the accusations are unfounded and are aimed at punishing the journalist for exercising...

March 25, 2025

Israeli Forces Detain German Journalists in West Bank, Sparking International Concern

March 25, 2025 - Germany - Israeli occupation forces detained two German journalists while they were reporting in the West Bank, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and the safety of foreign correspondents covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The journalists were stopped at a checkpoint near the city of Hebron and held for several hours before being released without formal charges. According to eyewitnesses and reports from the journalists themselves, Israeli soldiers confiscated their equipment and questioned them aggressively during the detention. The journalists described feeling threatened and intimidated, with the soldiers demanding to see their...

March 25, 2025

Assam Journalist Detained After Investigating Financial Irregularities in Local Bank

March 25, 2025 - India - A journalist in Assam was detained by police following his investigation and reporting on alleged financial irregularities in a regional bank, sparking protests and raising concerns about press freedom in the northeastern Indian state. The journalist had recently questioned senior bank officials regarding suspicious transactions and alleged mismanagement, which triggered local public outrage. The detention occurred amid growing protests by bank employees and customers demanding transparency and accountability. Demonstrators gathered outside police stations and bank offices, calling for a thorough probe into the financial irregularities and the immediate release...

March 25, 2025

Palestinian Journalists Hassan Shabat and Mohammed Mansour Killed in Israeli Air Strikes

March 25, 2025 - Palestine - Two Palestinian journalists, Hassan Shabat and Mohammed Mansour, lost their lives on March 24, 2025, during Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip. Mansour, a prominent reporter for Al Jazeera, was killed alongside a cameraman while covering the escalating conflict. Shabat, a journalist for local media, also died amid the heavy bombardment. Their deaths mark some of the most recent and tragic losses among media professionals reporting from the frontlines. Mohammed Mansour was a respected figure known for his dedication to documenting the realities of life under conflict. His...

March 25, 2025

RFE/RL Journalist Detained in Crimea Amid Funding Crisis for Ukraine Service

March 24, 2025 - Russie/Crimea - Artem Lysak, an investigative journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Crimea. The Realities project was detained by Russian authorities while working undercover in Russian-occupied Crimea. Lysak, who previously reported under the pseudonym Nazar Sytnyk from 2016 to 2020, focused on exposing human rights abuses and documenting the daily realities faced by Crimean residents after Russia’s annexation in 2014. His arrest highlights the dangerous conditions journalists endure when reporting in authoritarian and conflict-affected regions where freedom of the press is severely restricted. Lysak’s work involved considerable risk, including constant...

March 25, 2025

Western Media’s Silence on Palestinian Journalists’ Killings Draws Sharp Criticism

March 25, 2025 - Palestine - Recent years have seen a tragic increase in the killing and targeting of Palestinian journalists covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yet, many critics argue that Western media outlets have largely failed to adequately report on these incidents, enabling a climate of impunity and contributing to the ongoing violence against press workers. Several high-profile Palestinian journalists have lost their lives while reporting on hostilities, including during Israeli military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. These deaths often go underreported or are framed in ways that obscure the systemic risks Palestinian...

March 25, 2025

Over 1,100 Detained in Turkey Amid Istanbul Protests; Journalists Among Those Targeted

March 25, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish authorities detained more than 1,100 people across the country amid widespread protests sparked by political and economic grievances. The demonstrations intensified in Istanbul, where security forces cracked down heavily, including the arrest of journalists covering the events. These developments highlight escalating repression under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government. The protests initially arose in response to rising inflation, unemployment, and perceived government corruption, but quickly took on a broader political dimension. Erdoğan blamed the opposition parties for stirring unrest, labeling them as “evil” forces attempting to destabilize the country....

March 25, 2025

Russian War Correspondent Killed in Ukraine Amid Intensifying Conflict

March 25, 2024 -Russia - On March 25, 2025, Russian journalist Vladislav Vinogradov, a war correspondent for the Izvestia newspaper, was killed in a rocket attack in eastern Ukraine. The attack, which targeted a convoy near the Luhansk region, also claimed the lives of five others, including a Russian-appointed local governor. This tragic incident marks a significant loss for Russian media covering the ongoing war in Ukraine. Vinogradov was known for his frontline reporting and coverage of military operations in the contested Donbas area. His death underscores the heightened dangers journalists face amid the escalating...

March 25, 2025

Burkina Faso Journalists Detained After Defending Freedom of Expression

March 23, 2025 - Burkina Faso - In March 2025, several journalists in Burkina Faso were detained by authorities following their outspoken defense of press freedom and criticism of government restrictions on the media. The arrests highlight growing concerns about the shrinking space for independent journalism in the West African nation amid political instability and security challenges. The journalists were reportedly taken into custody after participating in a public campaign organized by local media bodies advocating for the protection of freedom of expression. They criticized recent government actions that curtailed press activities, including censorship, intimidation,...

March 24, 2025

Gaza Mourns Journalist Hossam Shabat After Targeted Strike

March 24, 2025 - Palestine - Hossam Shabat, a 23-year-old Palestinian journalist, was killed on March 24, 2025, in an Israeli drone strike in northern Gaza. The airstrike hit his vehicle near the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia, ending the life of a young reporter committed to documenting the horrors of war in his homeland. He was working with Al Jazeera Mubasher and Drop Site News, reporting from some of the most dangerous areas of the conflict. In a message prepared before his death and later posted by his colleagues, Shabat wrote, “If you're reading...

March 24, 2025

Pakistan Court Probes Abduction of Journalist Ahmad Noorani’s Brothers

March 24, 2025 - Pakistan - The Islamabad High Court is investigating the disappearance of two brothers of exiled investigative journalist Ahmad Noorani, following their abduction on March 19, 2025. Around 20 armed men—some in uniform—stormed the Noorani family home in Islamabad during the early hours, forcibly taking Muhammad Saifur Rehman Haider and Muhammad Ali, both engineers, to an undisclosed location. Phones were seized, and surveillance footage was reportedly deleted by the assailants. Ahmad Noorani, now based in the United States, is known for high-profile investigations into Pakistan’s military elite through his platform FactFocus. He...

March 24, 2025

Global Outcry Over Killing of Journalist Hossam Shabat in Gaza

March 24, 2025 - Palestine - The death of 23-year-old Palestinian journalist Hossam Shabat in an Israeli airstrike on March 24, 2025, has triggered widespread condemnation from human rights groups, press freedom advocates, and international bodies. Shabat, who worked for Al Jazeera Mubasher, was reportedly targeted while reporting near the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza. His colleague, Mohammed Mansour from Palestine Today, was also killed the same day in a separate strike in Khan Younis. Shabat’s death has become a symbol of the dangers faced by journalists working in war zones, especially in...

March 24, 2025

Russian Journalist Maria Ponomarenko’s Sentence Extended Amid Allegations of Prison Abuse

March 24, 2025 - Russia - Maria Ponomarenko, a Russian journalist and anti-war activist, has had her prison sentence extended by an additional 22 months, bringing her total incarceration to nearly eight years. The extension stems from charges of allegedly assaulting prison staff, which she denies. Ponomarenko was initially sentenced in February 2023 to six years for disseminating "knowingly false information" about the Russian military, specifically regarding the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theater in Ukraine. During her recent court appearance, Ponomarenko delivered a poignant statement detailing the abuse she has endured in prison. She...

March 24, 2025

White House Faces Fallout After Journalist Receives Classified War Plans by Mistake

March 24, 2025 - USA - A major security breach has rocked the Trump administration after it was confirmed that journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was accidentally added to a Signal group chat containing classified military plans. The group, named “Houthi PC Small Group,” included Vice President JD Vance, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Goldberg received detailed operational information just hours before the U.S. launched airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on March 15, 2025. The White House admitted the mistake, stating that Goldberg’s...

March 24, 2025

Testimony Reveals Serbian Journalists Detained by Kosovo Liberation Army During 1998 Conflict

March 24, 2025 - Serbia/Albania - In March 2025, during the ongoing war crimes trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leader Hashim Thaçi at The Hague, new testimony shed light on the fate of Serbian journalists during the Kosovo conflict. Naim Maljoku, a former KLA commander and head of the KLA’s operational directorate in 1998, testified that two Serbian journalists were abducted and held at the KLA’s main headquarters near Lipljan, Kosovo, in the autumn of 1998. Maljoku identified the “White House,” the KLA’s central command facility in the village of Divljane, as the...

March 24, 2025

Turkey Seeks to Block Over 700 X Accounts Amid Crackdown on Dissent

March 24, 2025 - Turkey - In March 2025, the Turkish government formally requested that the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) block access to more than 700 user accounts, sparking renewed controversy over digital censorship and political repression. The accounts targeted reportedly include journalists, news organizations, activists, students, and political dissidents—many of whom were involved in or voiced support for recent protests against the arrest of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. İmamoğlu’s detention on corruption charges has triggered widespread demonstrations across Turkey, with over 1,100 people reportedly arrested, including several members of the press....

March 24, 2025

Al Jazeera Journalist Hossam Shabat Killed in Israeli Airstrike Amid Controversy

March 24, 2025 - Palestine - On March 24, 2025, 23-year-old Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Hossam Shabat was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting his vehicle in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza. Shabat was en route to the Indonesian Hospital for a live broadcast when the strike occurred. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that Shabat was a Hamas sniper operating under the guise of a journalist, alleging his affiliation with the Beit Hanoun Battalion. However, Al Jazeera and press freedom organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have vehemently denied these accusations. RSF condemned the strike...

March 24, 2025

Eight Journalists Detained in Istanbul Amid Government Crackdown on Protests

March 24, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish police detained eight journalists in Istanbul as they covered protests sparked by the arrest of opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The journalists, who were reporting on demonstrations in support of the imprisoned mayor, were taken into custody under charges that authorities have not publicly clarified. The incident comes amid a sweeping crackdown by the Turkish government, which has arrested more than 1,100 people nationwide since protests erupted. The journalists worked for a range of media outlets, including Mezopotamya Agency and JINNEWS, both of which focus on Kurdish and human...

March 23, 2025

Sara Netanyahu’s Legal Actions Against Journalist and Activist Spark Debate on Press Freedom

March 23, 2025 - Palestine - In March 2025, Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, filed for restraining orders against Haaretz journalist Uri Misgav and protest activist Nava Rozolio, alleging that their actions constituted harassment and posed a threat to her family's safety. Netanyahu claimed that Misgav's publications were obsessively focused on her personal life and that Rozolio engaged in unlawful surveillance, including managing a WhatsApp group that allegedly incited harm against her family. The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court initially granted a restraining order against Rozolio, barring her from approaching Netanyahu. However, in...

March 23, 2025

Pakistani Journalist Farhan Mallick Granted Bail Amid Press Freedom Concerns

March 23, 2025 - Pakistan - Farhan Mallick, a Pakistani journalist and founder of the online news platform Raftar, was arrested on March 20, 2025, by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). He was charged under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) with disseminating what authorities labeled as “anti-state content.” Additionally, he was accused of operating an illegal call center allegedly involved in defrauding foreigners, a claim that many in the journalism community dispute as an attempt to tarnish his credibility. Mallick’s detention drew widespread criticism from media organizations and rights groups. They argued that...

March 23, 2025

Women Journalists Harassed Over Duterte ICC Trial Coverage

March 23, 2025 - Philippines - A wave of online harassment targeted prominent Filipino women journalists covering former President Rodrigo Duterte’s ongoing trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The attacks, widely condemned by civil society groups, were primarily aimed at reporters Mariz Umali (GMA-7), Zen Hernandez (ABS-CBN), and Gretchen Ho (News5), all of whom have been reporting on the sensitive developments surrounding Duterte’s alleged human rights violations during his administration’s drug war. These journalists faced a barrage of misogynistic and defamatory comments on social media, many of which were amplified by Duterte supporters. In...

March 23, 2025

Remembering Journalist Nûjiyan Erhan: A Voice for the Yazidi People

March 23, 2025 - Kurdish/Iraq - Nûjiyan Erhan, born Tuğba Akyılmaz, was a courageous Kurdish journalist remembered for her relentless dedication to amplifying the voices of the Yazidi people in northern Iraq. Originally from Turkey, Erhan moved to the Shengal (Sinjar) region in 2014 after ISIS launched genocidal attacks on the Yazidi community. Her mission was clear: to document their suffering, tell their stories, and support the emergence of a local, women-led media presence in a war-ravaged region. In 2015, she helped establish the Shengal Women's Press, a pioneering initiative that empowered Yazidi women to...

March 22, 2025

Kyrgyz Journalist Kanyshai Mamyrkulova Detained Over Social Media Posts

March 22, 2025 - Russia - Kanyshai Mamyrkulova, an independent journalist and civic activist from Kyrgyzstan, was arrested in Bishkek on March 20, 2025, in a case that has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights groups. According to reports, her arrest was orchestrated by police officers posing as potential buyers of an apartment she had listed for sale, suggesting a premeditated effort to detain her discreetly. Authorities claim that her social media posts incited national unrest and ethnic tension. Mamyrkulova faces serious charges under Article 278 and Article 330 of Kyrgyzstan’s Criminal Code. These...

March 22, 2025

Concerns grow over detained Burundian journalist Sandra Muhoza

March 22, 2025 - Burundi - Sandra Muhoza, a journalist for the online outlet La Nova Burundi, has been at the center of a contentious legal battle that underscores growing concerns over press freedom in Burundi. Arrested in April 2024, Muhoza was charged with "undermining the integrity of the national territory" and "racial aversion" after sharing information in a private WhatsApp group about alleged government-led arms distribution. In December 2024, the High Court of Mukaza in Bujumbura sentenced her to 21 months in prison—18 months for undermining national integrity and three months for racial aversion....

March 22, 2025

Government Pledges to Protect Journalists Amid Rising Threats in Indonesia and the Philippines

March 22, 2025 - Indonesia - Recent threats against journalists in Indonesia and the Philippines have sparked renewed government commitments to safeguard press freedom and protect media workers. These incidents highlight ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Southeast Asia, where intimidation and violence threaten free expression. In Indonesia, investigative journalist Francisca “Cica” Christy Rosana of Tempo magazine became the target of a disturbing and symbolic death threat in March 2025. Rosana found a severed pig’s head and decapitated rats placed outside her office—an act loaded with cultural and religious implications in the Muslim-majority country. Alongside...

March 21, 2025

French Court Sentences Mehdi Nemmouche to Life Imprisonment for Hostage-Taking in Syria

March 21, 2025 - France - On March 21, 2025, a French court convicted Mehdi Nemmouche, a 39-year-old French jihadist, of holding four French journalists hostage in Syria between June 2013 and April 2014. The court sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum of 22 years before eligibility for parole. Nemmouche, who had previously been convicted for the 2014 Jewish Museum shooting in Brussels, denied the charges, asserting he had only fought against Syrian government forces and had never been a jailer. However, the surviving hostages identified him as their captor, citing his distinctive...

March 21, 2025

Sudan Drone Strike Kills Three Journalists and Driver Amid Ongoing Conflict

March 21, 2025 - Sudan - Three journalists and their driver were killed in Sudan on March 21, 2025, when a drone strike targeted their vehicle amid fierce fighting in Khartoum. The attack was carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are locked in a violent conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The journalists were reporting on the SAF’s efforts to retake the Republican Palace, a key government site. This tragic incident underscores the extreme risks journalists face while covering conflict zones in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. The victims were Farouk...

March 21, 2025

Zimbabwean Journalist Denied Bail After Arrest Over Critical Interview

March 21, 2025 - Source: Barrons - Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga was denied bail after his arrest on February 24, 2025, in connection with interviews he conducted with war veteran and former Zanu-PF member Blessed Geza. The interviews, which aired on Heart and Soul Television (HStv) in late 2024 and early 2025, featured Geza openly calling for the resignation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mhlanga was charged under Zimbabwe’s Cyber and Data Protection Act, accused of transmitting data messages that could incite violence or damage property. The law carries penalties of up to five years in...

March 21, 2025

Exiled Journalists Sound Alarm on Rising Digital Censorship and Transnational Repression

March 21, 2025 - Turkey - Exiled Turkish journalists have raised alarms over increasing digital censorship by major tech companies, urging international accountability for platforms enabling authoritarian governments to suppress independent media. Speaking at a United Nations panel in Geneva, they highlighted how platforms like X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Google comply with censorship requests from the Turkish government, citing the misuse of counterterrorism laws to stifle press freedom. The panel, organized by the International Journalists Association and the International Association for Human Rights Advocacy, called for reforms to ensure tech companies uphold free expression...

March 21, 2025

Azerbaijani Journalist Afgan Sadigov Released from Georgian Custody Amid Ongoing Legal Dispute

March 21, 2025 - Azerbaijan/Turkey - Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov, detained in Georgia since August 2024, has been released on bail following a ruling by the Tbilisi City Court. The court replaced his extradition detention with a ₾5,000 ($1,800) bail, allowing him to leave prison on April 16, 2025. Sadigov, the head of the Azerbaijani news outlet Azel.TV, was arrested in Tbilisi at Azerbaijan's request, facing charges of extortion. He had been living in Georgia with his family since December 2023 and had planned to leave the country two weeks before his arrest but was...

March 21, 2025

Why Facing Hard News Matters: Protecting Journalists and Democracy in Difficult Times

March 21, 2025 - General - The article highlights a critical challenge faced by journalism today: the tendency of audiences and media outlets to avoid or shy away from difficult or distressing news stories. This avoidance not only undermines the importance of hard-hitting journalism but also threatens the safety and sustainability of journalists themselves. The piece argues that turning away from “bad news” creates a dangerous gap in public awareness, allowing crucial issues to go unreported or ignored. Journalists play a vital role by bringing to light uncomfortable truths, exposing corruption, injustice, and human rights...

March 21, 2025

Indonesian Journalist Intimidated with Pig’s Head as Media Crackdown Deepens

March 21, 2025 - Indonesia - In a chilling act of intimidation, an Indonesian investigative journalist received a severed pig’s head at his news outlet’s office in Jakarta—an incident that has sparked national outrage and raised fresh concerns over the safety of journalists in the country. The grotesque package, accompanied by decapitated rats and a threatening message, was delivered to Project Multatuli, a nonprofit outlet known for reporting on corruption, environmental degradation, and marginalized communities. The targeted journalist, who remains unnamed for security reasons, had recently published a story critical of a high-ranking government official....

March 21, 2025

Mozambican Journalist’s Disappearance Raises Alarms Over Press Freedom

March 21, 2025 - Mozambique - The disappearance of Mozambican journalist Arlindo Chissale has cast a dark shadow over press freedom in the country, particularly in the conflict-ridden province of Cabo Delgado. Chissale, an investigative reporter known for his work on illegal mining and security force abuses, vanished on December 29, 2023, in the district of Mocímboa da Praia. Since then, no verified sighting or communication has been made, raising fears of enforced disappearance, a serious human rights violation. Chissale had traveled to Cabo Delgado to report on developments in the region, which has been...

March 21, 2025

Germany’s Deportations to Turkey Raise Alarm Over Human Rights Abuses

March 21, 2025 - Germany/Turkey - Germany is under increasing scrutiny for its growing number of deportations to Turkey, particularly of individuals linked—often loosely—to the Gülen movement. The number of deportations from Germany to Turkey has more than doubled in recent months, with migration figures reaching record highs. This surge has sparked concern among human rights advocates, who warn that deportees are at serious risk of imprisonment, torture, and unfair trials once returned to Turkey. One such case is that of a Turkish asylum seeker who was forcibly returned from Germany and immediately arrested upon...

March 21, 2025

Crackdown on Press: Pakistani Journalist Farhan Mallick Detained, News Site Blocked

March 21, 2025 - Pakistan - In a deeply troubling development for press freedom in Pakistan, journalist Farhan Mallick, founder and editor of the independent news outlet Raftar, was arrested by federal authorities in Karachi on March 20, 2025. The arrest occurred following a late-night raid on his home, during which electronic devices and documents were seized. His outlet, known for investigative journalism and critical reporting on state affairs, was also blocked by Pakistan’s media regulatory body, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Mallick's detention and the silencing of Raftar come amid increasing government efforts to...

March 21, 2025

Silencing the Truth: Belarus and the Price of Speaking Out

March 21, 2025 - General - When journalists are imprisoned for doing their jobs, society loses not just its storytellers but its truth-bearers. In her impassioned piece, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya paints a haunting portrait of her country’s silenced press, calling on the world to defend the fundamental right to free speech. Her words echo like a warning bell: Belarus is now Europe’s leading jailer of journalists, and each arrest is another step toward a voiceless, blindfolded society. Journalists in Belarus today face persecution not for distorting the truth, but for daring to tell...

March 21, 2025

French Jihadists Sentenced for Holding Journalists Hostage in Syria

March 21, 2025 - France - In a powerful moment of justice, a Paris court on March 21, 2025, sentenced five jihadists for their roles in the kidnapping and torture of four French journalists in Syria from 2013 to 2014. Among them was Mehdi Nemmouche, a notorious figure already serving life for the deadly 2014 Brussels Jewish Museum attack. Nemmouche received another life sentence with a mandatory 22-year term before parole, sealing his fate as one of the central figures in a harrowing ordeal that left deep psychological scars on his victims. The journalists—Didier François,...

March 21, 2025

In Gaza, Journalists Are Being Silenced One by One Husam al-Titi, killed in Gaza air strike

March 21, 2025 - Palestine - Husam al-Titi was more than a journalist. He was a father, a husband, and a mentor who spent over two decades capturing voices and stories from Palestine for ABC News. After years in journalism, he chose a quieter life as a media teacher, hoping to inspire the next generation. But even in that quieter life, he wasn’t safe. On March 21, 2025, an Israeli airstrike ended everything. The missile struck his home in Gaza City while he, his wife, and their daughter slept. All three were killed. His three...

March 20, 2025

Journalist Prashant Koratkar Arrested After Bail Denied in Shivaji Remarks Case

March 20, 2025 - India - Nagpur-based journalist Prashant Koratkar was arrested in Telangana on March 24, 2025, following the rejection of his anticipatory bail by a Kolhapur sessions court. Koratkar faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, during a phone conversation with Kolhapur-based historian Indrajeet Sawant. The conversation, which reportedly included threats and offensive comments, was recorded and shared on social media, leading to public outrage and legal action. The court denied Koratkar's bail after it was revealed that...

March 20, 2025

Ugandan Journalists Barred from Museveni Event Amid Rising Media Suppression

March 20, 2025 - Uganda - Journalists from Nation Media Group (NMG) and Next Media were recently barred from covering President Yoweri Museveni’s Parish Development Model (PDM) tour in Uganda’s Bunyoro Sub-region, sparking renewed concerns about press freedom in the country. Although their names had been submitted for accreditation, they were not included in the official State House list, effectively blocking them from participating in the event’s coverage. While they initially negotiated access on the first day and managed to report, they were subsequently turned away from key activities, including the commissioning of Bunyoro University...

March 20, 2025

Cyprus Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Migrant Pushbacks Amid Government Denials

March 20, 2025 - Cyprus - Allegations of migrant pushbacks by Cypriot authorities have sparked significant controversy, with international organizations, journalists, and opposition parties raising concerns, while the Cypriot government firmly denies any wrongdoing. In March 2025, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that Cypriot authorities intercepted three boats carrying approximately 80 Syrian migrants, including women and children, near Larnaca port and forced them to return to Syria without allowing them to seek asylum. Cypriot Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis disputed these claims, stating that only two boats were involved and that they were...

March 20, 2025

Two Men Convicted in Iran-Backed Plot to Assassinate Journalist Masih Alinejad

March 20, 2025 - USA/Iran - Two men were convicted in March 2025 for their roles in a failed assassination plot targeting Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad. The U.S. federal jury in New York found Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov guilty of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, supporting an operation allegedly directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Prosecutors described the plan as part of Tehran’s broader strategy to silence dissidents abroad. Alinejad, known for her outspoken criticism of Iran’s human rights abuses and particularly its treatment of women, has long been a target...

March 20, 2025

Pakistani Journalist’s Brothers Abducted Following Report on Army Chief’s Nepotism

March 20, 2025 - Pakistan - In March 2025, U.S.-based Pakistani investigative journalist Ahmad Noorani reported that his two brothers were abducted from their home in Islamabad, allegedly by operatives of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and local police. This incident occurred shortly after Noorani published an exposé detailing alleged nepotism by Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, accusing him of placing relatives in key federal positions. According to Noorani, approximately two dozen armed individuals identifying themselves as police forcibly entered his family’s residence around midnight on March 18. They reportedly assaulted his brothers, Mohammad Saif...

March 20, 2025

Trump-Era Shutdown of US-Backed Media Leaves Jailed Journalists Abandoned

March 20, 2025 - Iran - Former President Donald Trump issued an executive order defunding the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), effectively shutting down Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia (RFA). These state-funded outlets have long operated in authoritarian regions, offering independent news and amplifying voices that challenge repressive regimes. The closure has had swift and devastating consequences. At least 10 journalists affiliated with these outlets are now imprisoned in countries such as Vietnam, Myanmar, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and the occupied areas of Ukraine. Many were arrested...

March 19, 2025

First Manipur Naga Journalists’ Conclave Revives Union to Strengthen Regional Press

March 19, 2025 - Philippines - In a landmark event for media representation in Northeast India, the first Manipur Naga Journalists’ Conclave was held from March 17 to 19, 2025, at Magen Hills, Viewland, in Ukhrul district. Organized by the Ukhrul District Working Journalists’ Association (UDWJA), the three-day gathering brought together journalists from five Naga-majority districts—Chandel, Noney, Tamenglong, Senapati, and Ukhrul—under the unifying theme “Connecting Voices”. A central outcome of the conclave was the revival of the long-dormant “Syndication of Naga Journalists,” originally established in 2003 by veteran journalists including Newmai Witoubou and Ngachonmi Chamroy....

March 19, 2025

Yemeni Journalist Disappears Amid Escalating Threats from Houthi Forces

March 19, 2025 - Yemen - Yemeni journalist Ahmed Awadhah has been missing since March 10, 2025, following a series of threats reportedly made by a Houthi-affiliated intelligence officer. Awadhah vanished from Sana’a, the Houthi-controlled capital, after previously alerting his colleagues that he feared for his safety due to increasing pressure over his reporting. His disappearance has sparked international concern among press freedom advocates, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and IFEX, who have called for his immediate release and for the Houthis to end their ongoing campaign of intimidation against journalists. According to...

March 19, 2025

OSCE Calls for Stronger Protection of Journalists Amid Rising Threats

March 19, 2025 - General - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Jan Braathu, issued a powerful call for stronger safeguards for journalists, particularly those operating in conflict zones. Speaking at the first Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting of the year, Braathu highlighted the escalating dangers journalists face and stressed the critical role they play in defending human rights, countering disinformation, and upholding democratic accountability. Braathu emphasized that journalists often serve as society’s eyes and ears in crises, risking their lives to uncover the truth. “We rely on journalists as frontline observers,” he noted,...

March 19, 2025

U.S. Court Slashes Defamation Damages for Ghanaian Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas

March 19, 2025 - Ghana - A U.S. court has significantly reduced a landmark defamation award to renowned Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, cutting the compensation from $18 million to just $500. The case centered on damaging remarks made by former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong during a podcast recorded in the United States. In that broadcast, Agyapong labeled Anas a criminal and falsely linked him to the 2019 murder of fellow journalist Ahmed Suale, who was gunned down in Accra after appearing in one of Anas’ corruption exposés. In March 2025, a...

March 19, 2025

Iranian Plot to Kill Journalist Masih Alinejad Exposed in U.S. Court

March 19, 2025 - USA/Iran - In a chilling revelation of transnational repression, a U.S. federal jury in March 2025 convicted two men—Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov—of plotting to assassinate Iranian-American journalist and human rights activist Masih Alinejad. The case uncovered a murder-for-hire scheme allegedly orchestrated by the Iranian government, which placed a $500,000 bounty on Alinejad’s head in retaliation for her outspoken criticism of the regime. The attempted assassination dates back to 2022, when Khalid Mehdiyev, a would-be hitman, was arrested near Alinejad’s Brooklyn residence. He was found in possession of an AK-47-style rifle,...

March 19, 2025

Karishma Patel Resigns from BBC Over Gaza Coverage and Editorial Integrity

March 19, 2025 - India - In October 2024, journalist Karishma Patel resigned from the BBC, citing deep concerns over the broadcaster's coverage of the Gaza conflict and its handling of stories involving Palestinian civilians. Patel, who had served as a Middle East specialist and newsreader for five years, publicly disclosed her reasons for leaving in March 2025, highlighting what she perceived as a pattern of editorial bias and institutional failure. A pivotal moment for Patel was the BBC's response to the tragic death of a five-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab. Trapped in a car...

March 19, 2025

Armenia’s State Revenue Committee Clarifies Role in Turkish Journalists’ Border Visit

March 19, 2025 - Armenia - The head of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee (SRC), Rustam Badasyan, addressed reports concerning the involvement of Turkish journalists at the Margara border crossing between Armenia and Turkey. Badasyan clarified that the SRC did not facilitate or organize the journalists' visit to the border checkpoint. He emphasized that the SRC's role was limited to its standard operational duties and that any interactions with the journalists were incidental and not part of a coordinated effort. The presence of Turkish journalists at the Margara crossing attracted attention due to the sensitive nature...

March 19, 2025

Turkey’s Justice Minister Denies Jailing Journalists Amid Media Crackdown

March 19, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç asserted that no journalists in Turkey are imprisoned for their journalistic activities, despite mounting evidence and international criticism highlighting a significant decline in press freedom. Tunç's comments, made during a meeting with media representatives in Ankara, were reported by the state-run Anadolu news agency. He claimed that Turkey had made substantial progress in press freedom over the past 23 years under the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). However, his statement contradicts reports from press freedom organizations and media monitoring groups, which have documented...

March 19, 2025

Turkish Journalist İsmail Saymaz Under House Arrest for 2013 Gezi Park Coverage

March 19, 2025 - Source: Turkish Minute - Prominent Turkish journalist İsmail Saymaz was placed under house arrest in connection with an investigation into the 2013 Gezi Park protests. Authorities accused him of "assisting an attempt to overthrow the government" by allegedly aiding the protests through social media activity and interactions with key figures involved in the demonstrations. Saymaz, known for his investigative journalism and work with outlets such as Halk TV and Sözcü, was detained on March 19 and released two days later under house arrest, with a travel ban and the confiscation of...

March 19, 2025

Turkey’s Crackdown on Journalists: Şahin Alpay’s Case and Broader Implications

March 19, 2025 - Turkey - Veteran Turkish journalist Şahin Alpay, formerly of the now-defunct Zaman newspaper, has been a prominent figure in discussions about press freedom in Turkey. Following the July 2016 coup attempt, Alpay was arrested and faced charges related to attempting to overthrow the government. However, he and many of his colleagues have consistently denied any involvement in the coup, asserting that the charges were politically motivated. In a recent interview, Alpay discussed his newly published memoir, reflecting on his 14-year career at Zaman and his experiences during his imprisonment. He emphasized...

March 19, 2025

Taliban Enforces Total Ban on Women’s Voices in Kandahar Media

March 19, 2025 - Afghanistan - In a significant escalation of its media restrictions, the Taliban has imposed a complete ban on the broadcast of women's voices by radio stations in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. This directive, issued on March 17, 2025, by the Taliban’s Directorate of Information and Culture, prohibits the airing of women's voices in any form, including entertainment programs and advertisements. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) reported that this move represents a tightening of the regime's grip on press freedoms in the region. The new regulations also mandate that media outlets refer to...

March 19, 2025

Bangladesh Journalist Gang-Rape Case: Two Arrested in Pallabi

March 19, 2025 - India - A female journalist was gang-raped in an under-construction building in the Barontek area of Pallabi, Dhaka. The victim, a reporter for a Dhaka-based daily, was allegedly lured to the location under the pretext of covering illegal activities. She was held captive overnight and subjected to assault before being rescued the following morning. Police arrested two suspects, Enamul Haque (38) and Hamidur Rahman (50), both caretakers of nearby buildings, in connection with the incident. A case was filed naming eight individuals, with an additional eight unidentified suspects. The victim was...

March 19, 2025

Indian press groups call for investigation after journalist’s body found in septic tank

March 19. 2025 - India - Mukesh Chandrakar, a 33-year-old freelance journalist from Chhattisgarh, was found murdered on January 3, 2025, in a septic tank on the property of a road contractor in Bijapur. His body showed signs of blunt force trauma, and the septic tank had been covered with a newly laid concrete slab, suggesting an attempt to conceal the crime. Chandrakar was known for his investigative reporting on corruption in public infrastructure projects, particularly road construction scams in the Bastar region. He ran a popular YouTube channel, Bastar Junction, which had approximately 159,000...

March 19, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Latifeh Abdellatif Detained by Israeli Forces Amid Press Freedom Concerns Released

March 19, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Latifeh Abdellatif was detained by Israeli forces in Jerusalem’s Old City, sparking international concern over press freedom in the region. Abdellatif, a freelance photojournalist, has contributed to major news organizations such as Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, and ABC News. Israeli authorities accused her of “incitement” and “supporting terrorism,” based largely on her social media posts that included content related to Yahya Sinwar, the late leader of Hamas. After her arrest, Abdellatif was brought before a court via video link. Although a judge initially ordered her release, the...

March 19, 2025

French Journalists Targeted by State-Linked Harassment After China Investigation

March 19, 2025 - China/France - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) strongly condemned a coordinated online harassment campaign against two French journalists who produced an investigative report on forced labor in China. The journalists, whose work aired on France 2 on February 6, uncovered evidence that the French sportswear company Decathlon subcontracted production to a Chinese supplier allegedly involved in exploiting Uyghur forced labor. This report touched on a highly sensitive issue, previously flagged by both the U.S. Congress and the United Nations. Following the program’s broadcast, the journalists became the target of an intense wave...

March 19, 2025

Azerbaijani Journalist Farid Mehralizada Jailed Over Critical Reporting

March 19, 2025 - Azerbaijan - In May 2024, Azerbaijani journalist and economist Farid Mehralizada was arrested and has since been detained on multiple charges, including currency smuggling, illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, and document forgery. Mehralizada, a contributor to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), asserts that his arrest is politically motivated, stemming from his critical reporting on Azerbaijan's economic policies. He has highlighted issues such as the country's heavy reliance on oil and gas exports and has questioned official statistics on unemployment and poverty. During his court appearance on April 8, 2025, Mehralizada testified that...

March 18, 2025

Somali Journalist Mohamed Dabaashe Killed in Al-Shabaab Bombing in Mogadishu

March 18, 2025 - Somalia - On March 18, 2025, Somali journalist Mohamed Abukar Mohamed, widely known as Dabaashe, was killed in a bomb attack in Mogadishu. The explosion, claimed by the militant group Al-Shabaab, targeted the convoy of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud near the Ceel Gaabta area. While the president was unharmed, the blast caused the collapse of a nearby building, resulting in multiple casualties, including Dabaashe. Dabaashe, 31, was a freelance journalist who had previously worked with Risaala Radio and TV and was associated with Sirta TV at the time of his...

March 18, 2025

Somali Police Raid Risaala Media, Arrest Five Journalists Following Bombing Coverage

March 18, 2025 - Somalia - Somali police raided the offices of Risaala Media Corporation in Mogadishu, arresting five journalists and shutting down the station's operations. The action followed Risaala Media's reporting on a bombing attack targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy near the presidential palace, an incident claimed by Al-Shabaab. The explosion resulted in multiple casualties, including journalist Mohamed Abukar Dabaashe, who had previously worked for Risaala. The detained journalists—Ali Ibrahim Abdullahi Suheyfa (reporter), Hamda Hassan Ahmed (reporter), Mohamed Said Nur (cameraman), Liban Abdullahi Hussein (radio technician), and Abdalla Sharif Ali (cameraman)—were taken to...

March 18, 2025

Belgian Journalist Chris Den Hond Denied Entry to Turkey Over Kobani Celebration

March 18, 2025 - Turkey - Belgian journalist and documentary filmmaker Chris Den Hond was denied entry into Turkey upon arrival at Istanbul Airport and subsequently deported. Turkish authorities informed him that he was on a blacklist and imposed a ten-year ban on his entry into the country. The reason cited for this action was his participation in a 2015 celebration marking the liberation of the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani from the Islamic State (ISIS). Den Hond, who resides in France, had traveled to Turkey to cover Newroz, the Kurdish New Year festival. In...

March 18, 2025

Maria Ponomarenko on Verge of Suicide Amid Harsh Prison Conditions in Russia

March 18, 2025 - Ukriane/Russia - Russian journalist Maria Ponomarenko, known for her outspoken opposition to the war in Ukraine, is reportedly on the brink of suicide after enduring prolonged mistreatment in prison. Ponomarenko, who had been previously sentenced to six years in a penal colony for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, has now been handed an additional one year and ten months. The new sentence stems from accusations that she assaulted a prison employee—charges her supporters believe are politically motivated and part of a wider campaign to silence dissent. The...

March 18, 2025

Trump’s Shutdown of U.S.-Funded Broadcasters Puts Journalists at Risk

March 18, 2025 - USA - In March 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order dismantling the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), effectively defunding key outlets such as Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia (RFA). This abrupt action has left hundreds of journalists, many of whom have risked their lives reporting from authoritarian regimes, without institutional support, exposing them to potential retaliation from hostile governments. The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation highlights the dire consequences of this move, noting that journalists affiliated with USAGM are now...

March 18, 2025

Zimbabwean Journalist Blessed Mhlanga Remains in Jail as Bail Decision Is Indefinitely Delayed

March 18, 2025 - Zimbabwe - Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga continues to remain behind bars while the court indefinitely postpones ruling on his bail application. Despite multiple bail requests, the High Court has yet to grant him release, leaving him detained without a clear timeline for freedom. Mhlanga was arrested in late February 2025 on charges linked to broadcasting content considered to incite public unrest. Since then, his legal team has repeatedly sought bail, but each request has been denied or delayed, prolonging his imprisonment. The indefinite delay in ruling on his current bail application...

March 18, 2025

Zimbabwean Investigative Journalist Watson Flexy Munyaka Murdered in Marondera

March 18, 2025 - Zimbabwe - On March 17, 2025, investigative journalist Watson Flexy Munyaka was found dead in Marondera, Zimbabwe, after being violently thrown from a moving vehicle. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a homicide investigation into the incident, which occurred in broad daylight along Fifth Street, near the Chicken Inn drive-through. Munyaka was rushed to Marondera Provincial Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Munyaka, aged 38, was a researcher for Dug Up, an investigative journalism collective focused on exposing corruption and crime in Zimbabwe. His recent work included reports on...

March 18, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Latifeh Abdellatif Detained by Israeli Authorities Amid Incitement Allegations

March 18, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian freelance photojournalist Latifeh Abdellatif was arrested on March 16, 2025, by Israeli forces in Jerusalem’s Old City on charges of incitement and supporting terrorism. The allegations stem from her social media activity, including posting a video featuring Yahya Sinwar, a former leader of Hamas. Abdellatif’s work, published by international outlets such as Reuters, ABC News, BBC, Al Jazeera, and TRT, often focuses on documenting life and conflict in Jerusalem. Following her arrest, an Israeli court initially ordered her release under strict conditions, including bail and a temporary ban...

March 18, 2025

Documentary on U.S. Reporter Killed by Russian Forces in Ukraine Wins SXSW Award

March 18, 2025 - General - The documentary short Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud has won the Audience Award at the 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival. The film, directed by journalist Juan Arredondo, chronicles the life and tragic death of U.S. journalist Brent Renaud, who was killed by Russian forces in Irpin, Ukraine, in March 2022. Renaud, a Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, was working on a documentary about the global refugee crisis when he was fatally shot while traveling with Arredondo. The documentary offers an intimate look...

March 17, 2025

Israeli Forces Detain Palestinian Journalist Latifeh Abdellatif Amidst Press Freedom Concerns

March 17, 2025 - Palestine - On March 16, 2025, Palestinian freelance photojournalist Latifeh Abdellatif was arrested by Israeli forces in Jerusalem's Old City. She faces charges of "incitement" and "supporting terrorism," primarily due to her social media posts, including a video of late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar expressing a desire for martyrdom. Abdellatif's work has been featured by major international outlets such as Reuters, ABC News, BBC, Al Jazeera, and TRT. Her arrest has raised significant concerns among press freedom organizations. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that since the onset of the...

March 17, 2025

Press Freedom in Afghanistan: A Struggle for Survival

March 17, 2025 - Afghanistan - Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, Afghanistan's media landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation, characterized by severe restrictions and a pervasive climate of fear. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that the Taliban's "Law for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice" grants the morality police extensive powers to censor media content deemed contrary to their interpretation of Sharia law, including prohibitions on reporting that insults Islam or Muslims. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) documented 181 incidents of press freedom violations in 2024,...

March 17, 2025

Zimbabwe Police and Journalists Strengthen Collaboration to Promote Media Freedom

March 17, 2025 - Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe is witnessing efforts to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the media, aimed at enhancing press freedom and ensuring better cooperation. Recently, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and journalists have actively engaged in dialogue and joint initiatives to build mutual trust and understanding. During a media engagement forum organized by the ZRP, senior police officials and members of the media discussed key issues affecting journalism, including safety, access to information, and the role of media in promoting peace and development. The police emphasized their commitment to upholding...

March 17, 2025

Ghana Police Arrest Suspect in Ahmed Suale’s Murder

March 17, 2025 - Ghana - In a significant development, the Ghana Police Service has arrested Daniel Owusu Koranteng, also known as Akwasi Amakye, in connection with the 2019 murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale. Koranteng, a former colleague of Suale at Tiger Eye Private Investigations, is accused of leaking photographs of Suale to a prominent politician before his assassination. Suale was shot dead near his family home in Madina on January 16, 2019, shortly after collaborating with the BBC on an exposé revealing corruption in Ghanaian football. The arrest follows a lengthy investigation, during...

March 17, 2025

Washington State Senate Bill 5400: A Proposed Solution to Support Local Journalism

March 17, 2025 - General - In response to the decline of local journalism, Washington State lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 5400, aiming to bolster the industry through a novel funding mechanism. The bill proposes imposing a surcharge on large social media platforms and search engines with annual gross revenues exceeding $5 million. This surcharge is expected to generate approximately $27 million in fiscal year 2027, with projections of an additional $102 million between 2027 and 2031. The revenue from this surcharge would be allocated to the Washington Local News Journalism Corps Program, established within...

March 17, 2025

Title: U.S. Government-Funded Media Face Shutdown Amidst Legal and Political Turmoil

March 17, 2025 - USA - In March 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the elimination of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees key international broadcasters such as Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and others. This move has led to widespread concern among journalists and media advocates about the future of independent journalism and U.S. soft power globally. The shutdown order resulted in the suspension of operations at these outlets, placing journalists, including those on work visas from repressive regimes, at...

March 17, 2025

Hezbollah’s Attack on Journalists Near Syrian-Lebanese Border Condemned by Syrian Authorities

March 17, 2025 - Syria - A Hezbollah missile strike targeted a group of journalists from Al Arabiya while they were covering events near the Syrian-Lebanese border. The attack resulted in injuries to several media personnel and was condemned by Syria's newly established government. The Syrian Ministry of Information described the strike as a deliberate violation of international laws protecting journalists and called on the Lebanese government to hold those responsible accountable. This incident occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Syria and Hezbollah. The day before, Syria accused Hezbollah of kidnapping and executing...

March 17, 2025

Reward Offered for Information on Missing South African Journalist and Partner

March 17, 2025 - South Africa - Authorities in South Africa have announced a R50,000 reward for anyone who can provide information leading to the safe location of missing journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli. The couple went missing on February 18, 2025, and their disappearance has prompted a widespread search involving both law enforcement and community members. The reward is intended to incentivize those who may have seen or heard anything related to the couple’s whereabouts to come forward and assist investigators. Police have encouraged the public to share any...

March 17, 2025

Somali Journalist Detained for Exposing Health Hazards in Mogadishu Amidst Media Crackdown

March 17, 2025 - Somalia - Journalist Bahjo Abdullahi Salad of RTN TV was detained by the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) following her report on the health hazards posed by waste left in public spaces in Mogadishu's Wardhigley district. Her report highlighted the risks to the local community, particularly young children, from the accumulation of rubbish and leftover food. The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemned the unlawful detention and the raid on her home, emphasizing the importance of press freedom in holding authorities accountable. This incident is part of a broader pattern...

March 17, 2025

Uganda: Journalists Brutalised by Security Forces Amidst Electoral Coverage

March 17, 2025 - Uganda - During the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election in Kampala, Uganda, at least 18 journalists were subjected to severe physical assaults by security forces, including the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT). These attacks occurred despite the journalists being clearly identifiable by their press attire. Victims included Hasifah Nanvuma of Nation Media Group, Hassan Wasswa of NBS Television, and Francis Ijjo from NTV Uganda, all of whom required urgent medical attention. The assaults were not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated effort to intimidate...

March 17, 2025

Israeli Journalist Latifeh Abdellatif Arrested for Alleged Incitement Amid Press Freedom Concerns

March 17, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli police arrested Palestinian journalist Latifeh Abdellatif in Jerusalem's Old City. Abdellatif, a freelance photojournalist whose work has been featured in Reuters, ABC News, BBC, Al Jazeera, and TRT, was detained on suspicion of "incitement" and "supporting terrorism" due to her social media posts. Authorities allege that she shared content praising Hamas and its former leader, Yahya Sinwar, including a video where Sinwar expresses a desire to die as a martyr. Following her arrest, Abdellatif appeared in court via video link. While a judge initially ordered her release, Israeli...

March 17, 2025

Telangana Journalists Freed After Arrests Spark Uproar Over Press Freedom

March 17, 2025 - India - Two Telangana-based journalists, Pogadadanda Revathi and Thanvi Yadav, were recently granted bail after being arrested for sharing a video featuring a farmer criticizing Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The video, which went viral, became a flashpoint in ongoing tensions between the media and political leadership. The journalists, both affiliated with the Pulse Digital News Network, were detained on March 11 following a complaint by a Congress social media cell official. The arrest invoked serious charges under India's Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 111,...

March 17, 2025

Outrage in Telangana as Chief Minister Threatens Journalists, Two Arrested Over Critical Video

March 17, 2025 - Source: CPJ - A new wave of concern over press freedom has erupted in Telangana, India, after two journalists were arrested for sharing a video critical of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy—prompting sharp backlash when Reddy publicly threatened to strip other journalists of their credentials. Pogadadanda Revathi and Thanvi Yadav, both affiliated with Pulse Digital News Network, were arrested earlier in March after posting an interview featuring a farmer who harshly criticized the Chief Minister’s agricultural policies. The farmer accused Reddy of abandoning pre-election promises, including loan waivers. Soon after the...

March 17, 2025

Indonesian Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty in Journalist’s Murder Case

March 17, 2025 - Indonesia - In a significant legal development, Indonesian prosecutors are appealing for the death penalty against three individuals convicted of the premeditated murder of journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu and his family in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. The initial verdicts, delivered by the Kabanjahe District Court on March 27, 2025, sentenced two of the defendants to life imprisonment and the third to 20 years in prison. The North Sumatra Prosecutors' Office filed the appeal, arguing that the severity of the crime, resulting in the deaths of Pasaribu, his wife, child, and grandchild,...

March 17, 2025

Haitian Media Under Siege: Gangs Target News Outlets Amid Growing Chaos

March 17, 2025 - Haiti - Haiti's media landscape came under severe assault as armed gangs launched coordinated attacks on prominent news outlets in Port-au-Prince. The Viv Ansanm gang coalition targeted Radio Télévision Caraïbes (RTVC), Radio Mélodie FM, and Télé Pluriel, setting their facilities ablaze and looting equipment. These attacks are part of a broader strategy to silence independent journalism and instill fear among media professionals. The violence forced many journalists to flee their homes and workplaces, seeking safety amid escalating threats. Jean-Jacques Asperges, a veteran radio journalist, was displaced twice due to gang violence...

March 17, 2025

El Salvador’s Trial for Murdered Dutch Journalists Postponed After 42 Years

March 17, 2025 - Netherlands - After more than four decades of impunity, El Salvador was set to commence the trial for the 1982 murders of four Dutch journalists. However, the proceedings have been postponed until June 3, 2025. The journalists—Koos Koster, Jan Kuiper, Joop Willemsen, and Hans ter Laag—were ambushed and killed by Salvadoran soldiers while attempting to enter guerrilla-controlled territory during the country's civil war. The trial involves three former military officials: ex-Defense Minister José Guillermo García, former Treasury Police director Francisco Antonio Morán, and Colonel Mario Adalberto Reyes Mena. García and Morán...

March 16, 2025

Baloch Journalist Who Alleged Pakistan Army Intimidation Goes Missing Amid Enforced Disappearance Concerns

March 16, 2025 - Pakistan - Baloch journalist Asif Kareem Khetran, affiliated with the Barkhan Press Club in Pakistan's Balochistan province, has been reported missing since March 15, 2025. Before his disappearance, Khetran had publicly alleged intimidation and threats from Pakistan Army officials, including being summoned to an army camp and having family members abducted. He also reported that his home was raided and his shop sealed by authorities, actions he believed were attempts to silence him. Human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir expressed deep concern over Khetran's disappearance, highlighting that he had informed her...

March 16, 2025

Palestinian Journalists Return Home After 15 Months of Displacement Amid Gaza Conflict

March 16, 2025 - Palestine - After 15 months of displacement due to the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict, several Palestinian journalists have returned to their homes, confronting both the emotional relief of reuniting with their communities and the overwhelming devastation left by the war. Among them is Anas Baba, an NPR reporter who remained in Gaza throughout the conflict. Following a ceasefire agreement in January 2025, Baba returned to Gaza City, finding his family home partially damaged but still standing. Despite the relief of returning to a habitable space, Baba described the experience as surreal, highlighting...

March 16, 2025

Reporters Without Borders Demands Release of Detained Iraqi Kurdistan Journalists

March 16, 2025 - Iraq/Kurdish - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urgently called for the release of two investigative journalists, Bashdar Bazyani and Sherwan Sherwani, who were detained in Iraqi Kurdistan. Both journalists have been known for their critical reporting on regional political and social issues, which has reportedly led to their arrests. The detentions have sparked widespread concern among press freedom advocates, as RSF highlights a troubling pattern of intimidation and repression against independent media in the region. Authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan have been accused of using legal and extralegal measures to silence journalists...

March 16, 2025

Maria Ressa Receives 2025 Rotary Peace Laureate Award for Press Freedom Advocacy

March 16, 2025 - Philippines - On March 11, 2025, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa was honored with the 2025 Rotary Peace Laureate Award by the Rotary Club of Makati San Lorenzo in the Philippines. The award recognizes her unwavering commitment to press freedom, truth, and social justice amid ongoing challenges to journalism in the country. Ressa, co-founder and CEO of the digital news platform Rappler, has been a prominent figure in advocating for media independence and transparency. Her work has often placed her at odds with governmental authorities, leading to multiple legal challenges...

March 16, 2025

Georgia’s Media Environment Deteriorates Amid Rising Attacks on Journalists

March 16, 2025 - Georgia - Georgia's media landscape has witnessed a significant decline in press freedom, marked by increasing violence against journalists and restrictive legislation. On March 15, 2025, Gela Mtivlishvili, editor-in-chief of the “Mtis Ambebi” publication, was attacked by an armed officer from the Ministry of Internal Affairs near Tserovani. The assailant, accompanied by another individual, threatened and physically assaulted Mtivlishvili, attempting to seize his phone as he documented the incident. Eyewitnesses captured the attack on video. This incident underscores the hazardous conditions journalists face in Georgia. The Media Advocacy Coalition (MAC), comprising...

March 16, 2025

Independent Journalism Faces Mounting Threats in U.S., Columnist Warns

March 16, 2025 - General - In an opinion piece for The Colorado Sun, columnist Mario Nicolais sounded the alarm over the growing threats facing independent journalism in the United States. Using recent developments at The Washington Post as a case study, Nicolais argues that editorial independence is increasingly compromised by political and corporate pressures, putting democratic integrity at risk. The controversy centers on the paper’s decision not to endorse a presidential candidate in the upcoming election, a move Nicolais interprets as an effort to avoid angering former President Donald Trump. He highlights this as...

March 16, 2025

Kurdish Journalist Sherwan Sherwani Faces Extended Imprisonment Amid Ongoing Press Freedom Concerns

March 16, 2025 - Kudish/Iraq - Sherwan Sherwani, a Kurdish investigative journalist and human rights defender, remains incarcerated in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq following a series of controversial legal actions that have drawn widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations. Initially arrested in October 2020 for covering anti-government protests in Duhok, Sherwani was sentenced in February 2021 to six years in prison on charges of "endangering national security." The trial was criticized for serious violations of fair trial standards, including allegations of torture and the use of coerced confessions. In February 2022, his sentence...

March 15, 2025

Royal Television Society Reinstates Award to Gaza Journalists After Public Backlash

March 15, 2025 - General - The Royal Television Society (RTS) reversed its controversial decision to withdraw an award recognizing Gaza-based journalists following widespread criticism and public outcry. The award initially honored their courageous reporting on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The dispute began when RTS rescinded the award, citing concerns over impartiality, sparking accusations that the move amounted to censorship and suppression of vital frontline journalism. Many media professionals, human rights advocates, and international observers condemned the decision, arguing it undermined press freedom and the crucial role of journalists covering conflict zones. Following intense...

March 15, 2025

Azerbaijan Intensifies Crackdown on Independent Journalists Amid Political Repression

March 15, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Since late 2023, Azerbaijan has escalated its campaign against independent journalism, imprisoning more than 20 journalists and media workers, mostly women, on politically motivated charges. This crackdown is widely seen as a deliberate effort by President Ilham Aliyev’s government to silence dissenting voices and control the flow of information. Many detained journalists work for critical outlets such as Abzas Media, Meydan TV, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). For example, Sevinj Vagifgizi, editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, faces accusations of “smuggling foreign currency,” which she and her supporters reject as...

March 15, 2025

US and EU Face Backlash for Blocking Palestinian Al-Aqsa TV Satellite Broadcasts

March 15, 2025 - Palestine/USA/Europe - The United States and European Union jointly announced the suspension of Al-Aqsa TV from all satellite networks, a move that has sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinian groups and media organizations. The decision includes severe financial penalties and potential legal actions against satellite providers that continue to broadcast the channel, which is affiliated with Hamas. Hamas has denounced the ban as a blatant violation of media freedom and an attempt to suppress the Palestinian narrative. The group asserts that the decision is part of a broader campaign to silence Palestinian...

March 15, 2025

Top African Countries Leading and Lagging in Press Freedom in 2025

March 15, 2025 - Africa - Press freedom remains a critical barometer of democracy and human rights across Africa. In 2025, several African nations have stood out either for upholding robust media freedoms or for continuing to restrict independent journalism under government pressures. Among the best performers, Ghana consistently ranks as a leader in press freedom. Its vibrant and pluralistic media environment allows journalists to operate relatively independently without fear of censorship or persecution. Ghana’s constitutional protections and active civil society contribute to a flourishing media landscape, making it a regional beacon for press rights....

March 15, 2025

Israeli Airstrikes Kill Aid Workers and Journalists in Gaza During Ceasefire

March 15, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least nine individuals, including eight aid workers and journalists affiliated with the UK-based Al Khair Foundation. The victims were conducting humanitarian efforts in Beit Lahia when their vehicles were targeted. The Israeli military claimed to have struck "terrorists operating a drone," but the Al Khair Foundation and witnesses assert that the victims were civilians engaged in relief work, not combatants. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from international organizations and human rights groups, who view it as a...

March 15, 2025

CPJ Urges U.S. Congress to Safeguard VOA and RFE/RL Amid Trump Administration’s Media Overhaul

March 15, 2025 - USA - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on U.S. congressional leaders to protect the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) following President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at dismantling the agency. USAGM oversees critical media outlets, including Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia (RFA), which provide uncensored news in regions with restricted press freedom. The executive order led to the suspension of over 1,300 VOA employees, including journalists, and the termination of funding for RFE/RL and RFA. This move has raised concerns...

March 15, 2025

Trump Administration Freezes U.S.-Funded Media Outlets, Sparking Global Concern

March 15, 2025 - USA - The Trump administration took drastic steps by freezing operations and cutting funding for major U.S.-funded international media outlets, including Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia (RFA). This decision resulted in over 1,300 VOA employees being placed on administrative leave and the suspension of broadcasts in key regions such as Asia and the Middle East. The sudden layoffs affected many journalists and staff, with contracts terminated by the end of March. Some VOA channels were forced to replace news programming with music due...

March 15, 2025

Kwara First Lady Urges Muslim Women Journalists to Promote Positive Islam Representation

March 15, 025 - Nigeria - In March 2025, Amb. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria, addressed Muslim women journalists during the inaugural Ramadan symposium organized by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Ilorin. Represented by the state's Commissioner for Environment, Hajiya Nafisat Buge, Mrs. Abdulrazaq emphasized the importance of positive media representation to counteract misconceptions about Islam. The First Lady expressed concern over the commercialization of the media, which has led to the proliferation of fake news. She urged journalists to uphold the truth, balancing professional ethics with Islamic...

March 15, 2025

Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill at Least Nine, Including Journalists

March 15, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli airstrikes struck Gaza, killing at least nine Palestinians, among them two journalists, sparking international outrage. The strikes targeted multiple locations, including the offices of the Al-Khair Foundation, a Palestinian humanitarian organization, leading to casualties and destruction of essential infrastructure. According to Palestinian medics, the air raids resulted in the deaths of two journalists who were reportedly covering the events at the time of the strikes. The loss of media personnel highlights the increasing dangers faced by journalists working in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza, where ongoing hostilities put...

March 15, 2025

Alaa Hashim: Palestinian Journalist Killed After Months in Coma

March 15, 2025 - Palestine - Alaa Asaad Hashim, a Palestinian journalist based in Gaza, tragically died on March 14, 2025, after succumbing to injuries sustained months earlier in an Israeli airstrike. The attack left her critically wounded, and she remained in a coma before her passing, highlighting the grave risks faced by journalists working amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. Hashim’s death marks a devastating loss in a region where journalists routinely face extreme dangers. Since the escalation of violence on October 7, 2023, over 200 Palestinian journalists have been reported killed or injured, making...

March 14, 2025

Azerbaijani Journalists Face Trial Amid Press Freedom Concerns

March 14, 2025 - Azerbaijan - In Azerbaijan, six journalists from the independent online outlet “Abzas Media,” including editor-in-chief Sevindj Vagifgyzy, are facing trial on charges of foreign currency smuggling. Authorities allege that €40,000 in cash was found at the publication's office. However, the journalists assert that their arrests are politically motivated, aimed at silencing their investigative reporting on government corruption. The trial proceedings have been marred by concerns over the treatment of the detained journalists. Initially, they refused to attend court sessions, protesting against being held in cold, smoke-filled rooms and being transported separately...

March 14, 2025

Azerbaijan’s Crackdown on Journalists and Opposition Figures Intensifies

March 14, 2025 - Azerbaijan - In recent months, Azerbaijan has escalated its suppression of independent journalism and political dissent, drawing international condemnation. Meydan TV Journalists Detained Since December 2024, Azerbaijani authorities have detained multiple journalists associated with Meydan TV, an independent media outlet operating from Berlin. The journalists face charges of smuggling foreign currency, allegations widely regarded as politically motivated. Among those arrested is Ulviyya Guliyeva, the 25th journalist detained in Azerbaijan over the past 18 months. Guliyeva, known for her coverage of human rights and social justice issues, anticipated her arrest and left...

March 14, 2025

Rodrigo Duterte Faces ICC Charges as Maria Ressa Warns of Global Disinformation Threat

March 14, 2025 - Philippines - In March 2025, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila and transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity. The ICC alleges that Duterte is responsible for the murder of at least 43 individuals between 2011 and 2019, linked to his controversial "war on drugs" during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as president from 2016 to 2022. Human rights organizations estimate that the total death toll from this campaign could exceed 30,000, many of...

March 14, 2025

Malaysian Journalist B. Nantha Kumar Pleads Not Guilty to Bribery Charge

March 14, 2025 - Malaysia - B. Nantha Kumar, a senior journalist with Malaysiakini, pleaded not guilty in the Shah Alam Sessions Court to a charge of accepting a RM20,000 bribe. The charge alleges that Kumar received the bribe from Muhammad Zahid, a Pakistani national, as an inducement to remove an article from the Malaysiakini portal and refrain from further reporting on a foreign worker agency allegedly involved in a syndicate. The alleged offense took place at a hotel in Shah Alam at approximately 11:45 p.m. on February 28, 2025. Kumar was charged under Section...

March 14, 2025

Journalists Attacked While Covering Otumara Demolition in Lagos

March 14, 2025 - Lagos - A group of journalists was violently attacked while reporting on the demolition of homes in the Otumara community, located in the Ilaje area of Lagos Mainland. The assailants, suspected to be affiliated with the Lagos State government, targeted media personnel from six to seven different outlets, resulting in multiple injuries and the destruction of equipment. Among the journalists assaulted were Segun Adeboboye of Control TV, Oluwatosin Sanni of News Buster, Gbenga Adewale of Seefame News, Seyi Fadoro of Distinct Media, Oluwaseun Adeola Oluwole of Integrity News, Wasiu Ayinde of...

March 14, 2025

Journalists Attacked While Covering Clashes in Syria

March 14, 2025 - Syria - Three news crews came under fire while covering violent clashes in Syria, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released on March 14, 2025. The incidents occurred as fighting intensified between armed factions in the northwestern region of the country. These assaults are part of a growing pattern of violence against journalists in war zones, raising concerns about press freedom and safety. The first attack happened in the Idlib region, where a crew from the local Orient TV was fired upon while filming from a...

March 14, 2025

Columbia Journalism Faculty Defend Press Freedom After Arrest of Palestinian Student

March 14, 2025 - Colombia - In March 2025, Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism issued a strong statement defending press freedom and free speech following the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Khalil, a lawful U.S. permanent resident, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 8 without being charged with any crime. His arrest was part of a broader federal crackdown on pro-Palestinian student activism. The Journalism School's faculty expressed deep concern over what they described as an "alarming chill"...

March 14, 2025

The White House press pool became a way to control journalists – Trump is taking this to new levels

March 14, 2025 - USA - In February 2025, the Trump administration announced a significant shift in White House press access, asserting direct control over the selection of journalists in the presidential press pool. This move ended over a century of precedent where the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) managed the rotation of reporters covering the president in close quarters, including aboard Air Force One and in the Oval Office. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the change by stating that the administration aimed to include a broader range of media voices, suggesting that the WHCA...

March 13, 2025

U.S. Journalist Sues Indian Government Over OCI Revocation

March 13, 2025 - USA/India - U.S. journalist Raphael Satter filed a lawsuit against the Indian government after his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status was revoked. Satter, a cybersecurity reporter for Reuters, received a letter from India's Ministry of Home Affairs in December 2023, accusing him of producing work that "maliciously" tarnished India's reputation. The revocation of his OCI card means he can no longer travel to India, where his family resides. Satter denies conducting journalism in India and asserts that he only visited the country to see his family. He believes the cancellation...

March 13, 2025

Argentine Photojournalist Critically Injured Amid Violent Anti-Milei Protest

March 13, 2025 - Agentina - Argentine photojournalist Pablo Grillo was critically injured while covering a protest in Buenos Aires against President Javier Milei's austerity measures. Grillo, a member of the Association of Graphic Reporters of the Argentine Republic (aRGra), was struck in the head by a tear gas grenade fired by police during clashes between demonstrators and security forces. He underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition. The protest, primarily organized by retirees demanding higher pensions and the restoration of certain free medications cut by Milei's government, escalated when football fans joined the...

March 13, 2025

Russian Court Sentences Four Journalists to Prison for Alleged Extremism Ties to Navalny

March 13, 2025 - Russia - Moscow court sentenced four Russian journalists—Antonina Favorskaya, Sergei Karelin, Konstantin Gabov, and Artem Kriger—to five and a half years in prison each on charges of extremism. The prosecution alleged their involvement with the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), an organization founded by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, which has been banned in Russia and designated as an extremist group. The journalists denied the charges, asserting that their work was independent and journalistic. The trial was conducted behind closed doors, raising concerns among press freedom advocates about the transparency and fairness...

March 13, 2025

Kurdish Journalist Sherwan Sherwani Nears Release After Four Years in Prison

March 13, 2025 - Iraq - Reports confirmed that Sherwan Sherwani, a Kurdish journalist imprisoned since 2020, is expected to be released soon after serving more than four years behind bars. Sherwani was detained during the anti-government protests in the Duhok region and was among a group known as the Badinan detainees. Originally sentenced to six years on charges of “endangering national security,” his sentence was later reduced, making his release imminent. Sherwani’s imprisonment drew widespread criticism from human rights groups and press freedom advocates. Amnesty International and other organizations denounced the charges against him...

March 13, 2025

Royal Television Society Reinstates Award for Gaza Journalists Amid Backlash

March 13, 2025 - General - The UK’s Royal Television Society (RTS) reversed its decision to cancel a special recognition award for journalists in Gaza, following widespread criticism from media professionals and press freedom advocates. The RTS had initially planned to honor these journalists at its Television Journalism Awards on March 5 but withdrew the award on the day of the ceremony, citing concerns that recent controversies surrounding Gaza coverage could overshadow the recognition. Specifically, the RTS referenced the backlash over the BBC documentary Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, which was removed from...

March 13, 2025

Russian Journalist Nadezhda Kevorkova Released After Conviction for “Justifying Terrorism”

March 13, 2025 - Russia - Russian journalist Nadezhda Kevorkova was released from detention after being convicted of "justifying terrorism" over social media posts dating back to 2018 and 2020. The military court in Moscow fined her 600,000 rubles, a reduction from the original 700,000 rubles due to her time already spent in custody since May 2024. The conviction stemmed from a 2020 post referencing the Taliban and a 2018 repost of an article about a 2005 Islamist raid in Nalchik. Kevorkova, aged 66, is known for her extensive reporting and commentary on Middle Eastern...

March 13, 2025

Interactive Map Launched to Track Online Attacks Against Women Journalists in Ukraine

March 13, 2025 - Ukraine - Ukraine’s Women in Media initiative has launched an interactive map that visualizes online attacks targeting women journalists, offering a powerful tool to raise awareness and document the digital harassment faced by female media professionals. Developed with support from the Institute of Mass Information (IMI), this digital platform allows users to see where, how, and how often female journalists in Ukraine are subjected to cyber threats and abuse. The interactive map covers incidents reported from 2021 to 2024, detailing 130 verified cases of online harassment across the country. Each dot...

March 12, 2025

Thai Court Acquits Journalist Supinya Klangnarong in Landmark Press Freedom Verdict

March 12, 2025 - Thailand - In a major victory for press freedom in Southeast Asia, the Appeals Court of Thailand has acquitted journalist and activist Supinya Klangnarong in a long-running criminal defamation case filed by poultry company Thammakaset. This decision, hailed by global media watchdogs as a landmark ruling, underscores growing resistance against the misuse of defamation laws to silence critical reporting. The case stemmed from a 2020 social media post in which Supinya expressed support for fellow journalists and human rights defenders facing similar lawsuits from Thammakaset. The company had filed over 37...

March 12, 2025

Zimbabwean Journalist Remains Jailed Amid Mounting Concerns Over Press Freedom

March 12, 2025 - Zimbabwe - Zimbabwean journalist Jeffrey Moyo continues to languish in police custody as his legal battle drags on, raising international alarm over the state of press freedom in the country. Moyo, known for his reporting with foreign media outlets, was arrested on March 20, 2025, on what rights groups and observers describe as baseless and politically motivated charges. Authorities accuse Moyo of violating the Immigration Act by allegedly facilitating the illegal accreditation of two New York Times journalists in 2021. That charge, which had been dismissed in a previous trial due...

March 12, 2025

UN Special Rapporteur Raises Alarm Over Jimmy Lai’s Case at Human Rights Council

March 12, 2025 - Sowitzerland/China - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, has publicly voiced grave concerns over the ongoing prosecution of Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai. Speaking at the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Khan criticized the use of Hong Kong’s National Security Law (NSL) to stifle independent journalism and silence dissent. Jimmy Lai, the 76-year-old founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has been imprisoned since December 2020....

March 12, 2025

Azerbaijan’s Clampdown on Foreign and Independent Media Intensifies Under Aliyev

March 12, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan’s increasingly repressive media environment continues to draw international concern, as the regime of President Ilham Aliyev systematically silences foreign and independent media voices. A recent wave of reports highlights how the government has created a near-monopoly over the country’s information landscape ahead of and following national elections, leaving little room for dissent or investigative journalism. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Azerbaijani authorities have taken deliberate steps to block access to foreign media outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Voice of America, and Deutsche Welle. These...

March 12, 2025

How Azerbaijan’s Media Was Brought to Heel by Presidential Power

March 12, 2025 - Azerbaijan - In Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev has orchestrated a relentless crackdown on independent media, transforming the press landscape into a tightly controlled propaganda apparatus. Over the past decade, the regime has employed a calculated mix of legal pressure, economic coercion, and outright repression to dismantle dissenting voices and turn journalism into a state-managed tool. According to detailed investigations and reports from regional and international rights organizations, Aliyev's administration has used the pretense of legality, through restrictive media laws and judicial actions, to silence independent outlets. These laws, often passed under...

March 12, 2025

Meydan TV Journalists Speak Out About Mistreatment Amid Intensifying Crackdown

March 12, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan's ongoing crackdown on independent media has taken a troubling turn with the recent arrest and reported mistreatment of journalists linked to Meydan TV, one of the few critical Azerbaijani media outlets operating in exile. The case underscores the government's growing intolerance for dissent and its determination to crush any remaining spaces for investigative journalism. Journalist Aghjabadi Mehtiyev, arrested as part of a wider investigation into Meydan TV, has broken his silence from detention, responding to state-aligned media reports that sought to discredit his reputation. Mehtiyev denied allegations that...

March 12, 2025

UJA Condemns Brutal Attack on Journalist Kibwiika

March 12, 2025 - Source: Nile Post - "Witnesses say the operatives not only prevented him from filming but also confiscated his equipment before inflicting serious injuries." The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has strongly condemned the brutal attack on Steven Kibwiika, a Spark TV cameraman, who was assaulted by security operatives while covering alleged electoral malpractice in Kawempe North. Kibwiika was reportedly filming an incident in Namere, Kawempe North, where a group of individuals was suspected of pre-ticking ballot papers ahead of the March 13 by-election, when armed men confronted and attacked him. Witnesses say...

March 12, 2025

Duterte’s Arrest Reignites Debate Over Press Killings in the Philippines

March 12, 2025 - Philippines - The recent arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, has rekindled urgent calls for justice over the numerous journalist killings during his presidency. International human rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, have emphasized the deep scars left on press freedom during Duterte's administration. Duterte’s presidency, which spanned from 2016 to 2022, was marked by an aggressive and often violent “war on drugs” that drew widespread international condemnation. However, beyond extrajudicial killings of alleged drug offenders,...

March 12, 2025

Belgian Photojournalist Arrested in India Sparks Press Freedom Concerns

March 12, 2025 - India/Belgium - Belgian photojournalist Simon Clement has been arrested in India, triggering alarm among international media rights organizations and raising pressing questions about press freedom in the country. Clement, who was reportedly on assignment to document socio-political issues in India's northeast, was detained at Lengpui Airport in Mizoram state on March 10, 2025. Indian authorities claim that Clement violated visa regulations, entering the country on a tourist visa while engaging in journalistic work. He was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and subsequently transferred to Guwahati, Assam, where...

March 12, 2025

Journalist’s Arrest in Telangana Over Viral Video Sparks Outrage

March 12, 2025 - India - The recent arrest of a journalist in Hyderabad, Telangana, has ignited a storm of controversy over press freedom in India. The journalist, M. Suresh, was taken into custody on March 17, 2025, after he posted a video of a farmer praising former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), leader of the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), while criticizing the current Congress-led state government. The video quickly went viral on social media, prompting swift action from the authorities. Suresh, affiliated with a local Telugu news outlet, was arrested on charges...

March 12, 2025

UN Calls for Stronger Global Action Against Impunity in Journalist Killings

March 12, 2025 - General - The United Nations has renewed its call for stronger international efforts to protect journalists and end the culture of impunity surrounding crimes against media professionals. As outlined in recent reports and calls for input from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UNESCO, the global body is urging states to implement concrete measures to safeguard journalists and ensure accountability for violence against them. The Secretary-General’s 2025 report on the safety of journalists highlights alarming trends. At least 70 journalists were killed in 2024 alone, many...

March 12, 2025

Calls Grow for Release of Detained VOA Journalist in Iraqi Kurdistan

March 12, 2025 - Kurdish/Iraq- Media freedom advocates and international watchdogs are urging the authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan to immediately release Voice of America (VOA) journalist Sirwan Abbas, who has been detained under unclear circumstances since January 30, 2025. Abbas, a Kurdish reporter known for his work on political and social issues in the region, was arrested in Duhok province while covering civil unrest and has remained in custody without formal charges. According to VOA and media rights groups, Abbas was taken into custody by security forces affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). His...

March 12, 2025

Polish Cinemas to Premiere Film About Imprisoned Belsat Journalist

March 12, 2025 - Belarus - A powerful new feature film telling the story of imprisoned Belarusian journalist Katsyaryna Andreeva is set to premiere in Polish cinemas, drawing international attention to her case and the wider suppression of press freedom in Belarus. The film, titled “I Am Katya”, dramatizes the life and imprisonment of Andreeva, a reporter for Belsat TV, who was arrested in 2020 while covering protests in Minsk and has since become a symbol of resistance against the Lukashenko regime’s crackdown on independent media. Andreeva, whose real name is Katsyaryna Bakhvalava, was sentenced...

March 11, 2025

British Comic Journalist’s Detention by ICE Sparks Outcry Over Immigration Practices

March 11, 2025 - USA - R.E. Burke, a British comic book journalist and creator, has found himself at the center of a storm after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while attempting to leave the United States. Burke, who was in the country on a tourist visa and had attended multiple comic conventions, was reportedly stopped at the border in March and subsequently held in an immigration detention center for over a week. His case has drawn international criticism and ignited broader discussions on the treatment of foreign nationals by U.S....

March 11, 2025

Hanin Gebran Freed After Enduring “Horrific” Conditions in Syrian Prison

March 11, 2025 - Syria - Lebanese journalist Hanin Gebran has been released from one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s notorious prisons, ending a harrowing chapter of arbitrary detention and abuse. Her freedom marks a rare moment of relief in a country where the regime continues to silence critical voices, particularly those of journalists and women. Gebran, who was arrested in Damascus in 2022, spent over two years in custody under brutal conditions. Her imprisonment was never officially confirmed, and her whereabouts remained unknown for months. Rights groups believe she was targeted for her work...

March 11, 2025

Lebanese Women Journalists Face Surge in Cyber Violence and Harassment

March 11, 2025 - Lebanon - Lebanese women journalists are increasingly finding themselves at the center of an online battleground, targeted by escalating cyber violence that aims to intimidate, discredit, and silence their work. From coordinated smear campaigns to threats of sexual violence, digital abuse has become a pervasive weapon used against women in media, highlighting the growing vulnerability of female journalists in Lebanon's volatile socio-political climate. According to recent reports by IFEX, the cyberattacks often intensify when women reporters cover politically sensitive topics or challenge powerful interests. These attacks range from hacking attempts and...

March 11, 2025

Masih Alinejad Targeted Again: Two Men Convicted in Iranian Assassination Plot

March 11, 2025 - Iran/USA - Two men have been convicted in a New York court for their involvement in a chilling plot to assassinate prominent Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad. The verdict, delivered in March 2025, marks the latest chapter in a disturbing campaign of transnational repression aimed at silencing Alinejad, who has long been a vocal critic of the Iranian regime. Masih Alinejad, known for her outspoken activism on women’s rights and compulsory hijab laws in Iran, has been living under U.S. protection since authorities uncovered multiple attempts on her life. In...

March 11, 2025

Murder the Truth: Exposing the Global Campaign to Silence Journalists and Suppress Free Speech

March 11, 2025 - General - The book Murder the Truth sheds light on a disturbing and growing global effort to silence journalists and restrict freedom of expression. Through investigative research and firsthand accounts, the author reveals how state and non-state actors around the world employ intimidation, violence, and legal harassment to stifle critical reporting and control narratives. At the heart of Murder the Truth is the alarming increase in attacks on journalists, ranging from imprisonment and censorship to physical violence and assassination. The book documents numerous cases where reporters who dared to expose corruption,...

March 11, 2025

Guatemala Reimprisons Newspaper Founder Amid Growing Press Freedom Concerns

March 11, 2025 - Guatemala - Guatemalan authorities have reimprisoned José Rubén Zamora, the founder of the independent newspaper El Periódico, sparking widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates both domestically and internationally. Zamora, a prominent investigative journalist known for exposing corruption, was taken back into custody in a move his lawyers described as "inhumane" and politically motivated. Zamora had been released on bail earlier this year after facing multiple legal charges widely seen as attempts to silence his critical reporting on government corruption and abuses. His latest re-arrest has intensified fears about the deteriorating state...

March 11, 2025

Christo Grozev: Targeted by Russian Spy Ring Amid Ongoing Threats

March 11, 2025 - Bulgaria - Christo Grozev, a prominent Bulgarian investigative journalist and former lead Russia investigator at Bellingcat, has been the target of a coordinated Russian espionage operation. In 2023, U.S. officials alerted Grozev to a potential threat against him. Subsequent investigations revealed that a Bulgarian spy ring had been tracking him, allegedly planning his abduction. The operation was linked to Jan Marsalek, a fugitive businessman with ties to Russian intelligence. The spy ring, operating out of a UK guesthouse, surveilled Grozev across multiple countries, including Austria, Spain, and Montenegro. They devised various...

March 11, 2025

France’s Strong Commitment to Defending Press Freedom Worldwide

March 11, 2025 - France - France has long positioned itself as a staunch defender of press freedom both domestically and internationally. The French government regards freedom of expression and media independence as fundamental pillars of democracy and human rights. Through various diplomatic and legal measures, France actively promotes and protects these freedoms worldwide. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs highlights press freedom as a core priority in its human rights agenda. France supports international efforts to safeguard journalists, combat censorship, and foster transparent information flows. This includes advocating at multilateral institutions such as...

March 10, 2025

Isolated and restricted: 3 journalists on life and work under Turkish house arrest

March 10, 2025 - Turkey - In Turkey, journalists face increasing repression, with house arrest serving as a significant tool for curbing press freedom. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) highlights the experiences of three reporters under house arrest: Tolga Güney, Delal Akyüz, and Melike Aydın. Charged with membership in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, these journalists have been confined to their homes for extended periods, awaiting trial. Tolga Güney, a reporter for the pro-Kurdish Mezopotamya News Agency, has been under house arrest since February 2024....

March 10, 2025

Belize Journalist Louis Wade Assaulted by Police Amid Reporting, RSF Calls for Investigation

March 10, 2025 - Belize - On February 27, 2025, Louis “Ljay” Wade, a reporter for Belize’s independent PlusTV, was physically assaulted by police officers in Belmopan while covering the recovery of two drowning victims. According to Wade, officers pinned him against a gate, seized his phone multiple times, and demanded he delete his footage or face charges. He refused and subsequently filed a formal complaint against the officers on March 4. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the incident, urging Belizean authorities to conduct an independent and transparent investigation. RSF emphasized the importance of press...

March 10, 2025

Georgia’s Independent Journalism Faces Crisis Amid Government Crackdown and Rising Violence

March 10, 2025 - Source: IPI - Independent journalism in Georgia faces a severe crisis as government actions increasingly threaten press freedom and media pluralism. In early 2025, the ruling Georgian Dream party passed laws restricting foreign funding for media outlets and introduced a “foreign agent” bill. These laws prohibit broadcasters from receiving foreign financial support and require organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents.” Critics argue these measures aim to silence dissent and cripple independent media, which often relies on foreign support to operate due to limited...

March 10, 2025

Montenegro Launches Parliamentary Probe into Decades of Attacks on Journalists

March 10, 2025 - Montenegro - The Montenegrin Parliament initiated a significant inquiry into decades of attacks and murders targeting journalists, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's commitment to press freedom. This move addresses longstanding concerns over impunity in cases such as the 2004 assassination of Duško Jovanović, the founder and editor of the daily newspaper Dan, and the 2008 assault on journalist Mladen Stojović. Despite the passage of time, these cases remain unresolved, with only one accomplice convicted in Jovanović's murder. The International Press Institute (IPI) has welcomed this parliamentary initiative, emphasizing the...

March 10, 2025

Chad Intensifies Crackdown on Journalists with Espionage Arrests Amid Growing Repression

March 10, 2025 - Chad - Chad witnessed a sharp escalation in its crackdown on independent journalism with the detention of three prominent journalists in the capital, N’Djamena. Olivier Monodji, director of the newspaper Le Pays and Radio France Internationale (RFI) correspondent; Mahamat Saleh Alhissein, a reporter at Télé Tchad; and Ndilyam Guekidata, editor-in-chief of Le Pays, were arrested under serious accusations of espionage, conspiracy, and undermining state institutions. The authorities allege that these journalists had ties to the Russian paramilitary group Wagner and that they leaked sensitive information concerning national security and economic affairs...

March 9, 2025

Israeli Forces Kill 24 Palestinian Female Journalists During Gaza War

March 09, 2025 - Palestine - During the recent conflict in Gaza, Israeli forces killed 24 Palestinian female journalists, marking a devastating blow to media workers in the region. According to the Government Media Office in Gaza, these deaths occurred amid intense military operations, highlighting the extreme risks journalists face in war zones. One of the notable victims was Ola Al Dahdouh, a Palestinian journalist killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted her husband’s family home in Gaza City. This incident, among others, has drawn international condemnation, with the United Nations describing the Gaza conflict...

March 9, 2025

BBC’s Gaza Documentary Controversy: Implications for Journalism

March 09, 2025 - General - The BBC's decision to remove the documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone from its iPlayer service has ignited a significant debate over journalistic integrity and editorial responsibility. The film, which depicted the lives of children in Gaza, was narrated by 13-year-old Abdullah Al-Yazouri, whose father, Ayman Alyazouri, serves as Hamas's deputy minister of agriculture. The BBC stated that it was not informed of this familial connection before the film's release. In response to the backlash, BBC Director General Tim Davie admitted to losing trust in the documentary, stating...

March 9, 2025

Journalist Raghvendra Bajpai Shot Dead in Uttar Pradesh

March 09, 2025 - India - On March 8, 2025, journalist Raghvendra Bajpai was fatally shot in broad daylight on the Sitapur-Delhi National Highway near the Hempur railway crossing in Uttar Pradesh. The 35-year-old, a correspondent for the Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, was attacked by assailants on a motorcycle who fired multiple rounds at him. Despite efforts by locals to rush him to the hospital, he was declared dead on arrival. According to Bajpai's family, he had received threatening phone calls in the days leading up to the incident, which they believe were related to...

March 9, 2025

Meta Suspends Palestinian Journalist Saleh Aljafarawi’s Instagram Accounts Amid Controversy

March 09, 2025 - Palestine - Meta suspended two Instagram accounts belonging to Palestinian journalist and influencer Saleh Aljafarawi, known online as "Mr. FAFO," citing violations of its Dangerous Individuals and Organizations policy. The accounts had a combined following of approximately 9.5 million users. Aljafarawi utilized his platforms to document the impact of the Israel-Gaza conflict, sharing firsthand accounts and images from the ground. He expressed frustration over the suspensions, noting that the accounts were removed without prior warning. In a video posted on a backup account, he stated, "Unfortunately, they were both deleted at...

March 9, 2025

Journalist Detentions in Kashmir and Uttarakhand Raise Press Freedom Concerns

March 09, 2025 - India - In recent months, the detentions of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand have sparked significant concerns regarding press freedom and the criminalization of dissent in India. Hilal Mir Detained in Srinagar In early May 2025, senior journalist Hilal Mir was detained by the Jammu and Kashmir Police for allegedly promoting "disaffection" against India and "secessionist ideology" through social media posts. Mir, known for his contributions to various national and international media outlets, was accused of portraying Kashmiris as victims of systemic extermination. His detention is part of a...

March 8, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Ahmad Jalajel Detained Twice by Israeli Forces in Jerusalem

March 08, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Ahmad Jalajel was detained twice by Israeli occupation forces in Jerusalem, highlighting ongoing challenges to press freedom in the occupied territories. The first detention occurred on the evening of Wednesday, March 5, when Israeli soldiers arrested Jalajel from his home in the Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem during Iftar, the breaking of the Ramadan fast. He was taken to a detention center in Jabal al-Mukaber, where he was interrogated for several hours before being released the same night. Just three days later, on Saturday, March 8, Jalajel...

March 8, 2025

Israeli Forces Detain Journalists in Jenin and Jerusalem Amid Escalating Crackdown

March 08, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli occupation forces detained several Palestinian journalists in Jenin and Jerusalem, intensifying concerns over press freedom in the occupied territories. On March 8, Israeli forces briefly detained several journalists near the Jenin Government Hospital while they were covering the military's siege around the hospital and its attempts to storm the hospital’s yard. Earlier that day, military vehicles were deployed in front of the hospital's gate, and toxic gas canisters were fired towards people present in its main courtyard. This marked the 47th day of Israeli aggression against Jenin city...

March 8, 2025

Israeli Forces Detain Journalist Ahmad Jalajel Twice in Jerusalem

March 08, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Ahmad Jalajel was detained twice by Israeli occupation forces in Jerusalem, raising concerns about press freedom in the region. On March 5, Jalajel was arrested at his home in the Silwan neighborhood during Iftar time. He was taken to a detention center in Jabal al-Mukaber, interrogated for several hours, and released the same night. Just three days later, on March 8, Jalajel was again detained, this time from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Israeli forces arrested him during the evening hours, reportedly handing him a summons for further...

March 8, 2025

Russian Spy Cell in UK Planned Kidnapping and Murder of Investigative Journalists

March 08, 2025 - Russia/UK - In a disturbing revelation from early 2025, a Russian spy ring operating in the United Kingdom plotted to kidnap and assassinate two prominent investigative journalists: Christo Grozev and Roman Dobrokhotov. The spy network, led by Bulgarian national Orlin Roussev and linked to fugitive Austrian businessman Jan Marsalek, was convicted of espionage activities carried out between 2020 and 2023. Christo Grozev, a Bulgarian journalist and lead Russia investigator for Bellingcat, has long been targeted by the Kremlin for his work exposing Russian state crimes, including the 2018 poisoning of Sergei...

March 8, 2025

Indian Journalist Raghvendra Bajpai Shot Dead After Investigating Land Scam

March 08, 2025 - India - Journalist and Right to Information (RTI) activist Raghvendra Bajpai was tragically killed in broad daylight on the Sitapur-Delhi National Highway in Uttar Pradesh, India. Bajpai was riding his motorcycle to meet a land tax collector when he was violently attacked. A motorcycle rammed into him, and he was then shot three times in the chest and shoulder. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he was declared dead upon arrival. Bajpai, 35, had been actively investigating alleged irregularities in rice paddy sales and evasion of stamp duty in the...

March 7, 2025

Iranian Journalists Targeted in Separate Stabbing Attacks Amid Rising Threats

March 07, 2025 - Iran - Two Iranian journalists were violently attacked in separate stabbing incidents that highlight the increasing dangers faced by media professionals both inside Iran and abroad. On March 7, 2025, Meysam Rashidi, a journalist based in Ardabil, northwestern Iran, was viciously stabbed by members of the Ardabil Municipality Cultural Organization. Rashidi had recently posted a critical video exposing mismanagement of the local football team, including irregular training schedules and conflicts of interest involving municipal staff. After receiving threatening calls and being forced to delete the video, Rashidi was ambushed by individuals...

March 7, 2025

Malaysian Journalist Denies Bribery Allegations Amid MACC Investigation

March 07, 2025 - Malaysia - Malaysian journalist B. Nantha Kumar was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe of RM20,000 (approximately $6,000) from a foreign worker agent. The agent claimed that Kumar had demanded RM100,000 to halt the publication of two articles concerning a migrant smuggling syndicate, which was later reduced to RM20,000. The agent reported the matter to the MACC, leading to a sting operation where Kumar was arrested at a hotel in Shah Alam after allegedly accepting the bribe. Kumar, a seasoned investigative journalist...

March 7, 2025

Women Journalists in Gaza Face Rising Challenges Amid Conflict and Occupation

March 07, 2025 - Palestine - Women journalists working in Gaza are facing increasing risks and hardships as they cover the ongoing conflict and Israeli occupation. Female reporters are targeted through arrests, intimidation, and physical attacks, adding to the already difficult conditions for journalists in the region. Israeli forces continue to detain Palestinian journalists, with many arrests occurring during raids in Gaza and the West Bank. Women journalists, in particular, face additional threats due to gender-based violence and discrimination, which amplify their vulnerability in detention and on the field. According to reports from press freedom...

March 7, 2025

Stanford Student Journalist Dilan Gohill Cleared of Charges After Arrest at Protest

March 07, 2025 - USA - Stanford University student journalist Dilan Gohill has been cleared of all charges following his arrest during a pro-Palestinian protest at the university in June 2024. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced on March 6, 2025, that it would not pursue felony charges against Gohill, who had been detained while covering a sit-in at the university president’s office. The decision came after a nine-month investigation and widespread criticism from press freedom organizations. Gohill, a freshman reporter for The Stanford Daily, was arrested along with 12 protesters who had...

March 7, 2025

Economic Storm Threatens Future of Journalism in the United States

March 07, 2025 - USA Journalism in the United States is facing a severe crisis driven by a perfect economic storm, with profound consequences for the media landscape. Key factors include deep budget cuts, rising debt, and shrinking advertising revenues, which together are destabilizing news organizations and threatening the survival of quality journalism. The Trump administration’s significant reductions in federal funding for public media and journalism-related programs contributed to an already fragile ecosystem. These cuts limited resources for investigative reporting, local news, and public-interest journalism, sectors that are crucial for holding power accountable. The impact...

March 7, 2025

Convicted Rapist Threatened to Kill Three Female Journalists

March 07, 2025 - Ireland - Mark McAnaw, a 52-year-old man previously residing in Letterkenny, County Donegal, has pleaded guilty to the harassment of three female journalists from the Sunday World. The incidents occurred in August 2023, with McAnaw sending threatening emails and messages to Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker, and Deirdre Reynolds. The content of these communications escalated from inappropriate propositions to explicit threats of violence, including a warning to one journalist that failing to meet him would result in a "life-threatening mistake". McAnaw's criminal history is extensive. In 2012, he was convicted of the...

March 7, 2025

U.S. Lawsuit Targets Former Salvadoran Colonel for 1982 Journalist Killings

March 07, 2025 - General - A civil lawsuit filed in the United States aims to hold former Salvadoran military officer Mario Adalberto Reyes Mena accountable for the 1982 killings of four Dutch journalists during El Salvador's civil war. The lawsuit, initiated by Gert Kuiper—the brother of slain journalist Jan Kuiper—was filed in October 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. It seeks unspecified monetary damages and a declaration that Reyes Mena is responsible for the deaths of Jan Kuiper, Koos Koster, Joop Willemsen, and Hans ter Laag. Reyes Mena,...

March 7, 2025

Journalists in Eastern DRC Face Escalating Threats Amid Intensifying Conflict

March 07, 2025 - Congo - Journalists in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, are confronting unprecedented challenges as armed groups, including the M23, escalate their military offensives. Between January 2024 and January 2025, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) documented over 50 attacks on newsrooms and journalists in North Kivu alone, encompassing looting, destruction, threats, and physical violence. The M23's capture of Goma in January 2025 marked a significant escalation, leading to the closure of at least 26 community radio stations, with approximately 10 directly...

March 7, 2025

Two Kurdish Journalists Released After Detention, One Remains Held in Sulaymaniyah

March 07, 2025 - General - Two Kurdish journalists in Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, have recently been released after lengthy detentions, though one journalist remains in custody. The releases mark a partial victory amid ongoing concerns over press freedom in the region. Suleyman Ahmet, an investigative journalist who was held for 454 days, was freed on bail in late April 2025. Ahmet’s arrest sparked significant outcry from media rights groups who highlighted the risks faced by journalists covering sensitive political and social issues in Kurdistan. Despite his release, Ahmet continues to face legal proceedings related to...

March 7, 2025

Azerbaijan’s Escalating Crackdown on Independent Journalism

March 07, 2025 -Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan's government has intensified its repression of independent media, particularly targeting journalists associated with Meydan TV, a Germany-based outlet critical of the regime. On February 20, 2025, freelance reporter Nurlan Gahramanli was arrested on charges of currency smuggling. Just over a week later, on February 28, Fatima Mövlamli, another freelance journalist for Meydan TV, was detained under similar allegations. Both were placed in pretrial detention, with Gahramanli held for one month and 17 days, and Mövlamli for one month and nine days. These arrests are part of a broader campaign...

March 7, 2025

Global Outcry Grows Over Detention of Filipino Journalist Frenchiemae Cumpio

March 07, 2025 - Philippines - Calls are intensifying for the immediate and unconditional release of Filipino journalist Frenchiemae Cumpio, who has been detained since February 2020 on controversial charges that rights groups say are politically motivated and unjust. Cumpio, known for her work as an investigative journalist and director of Eastern Vista, was arrested during a raid in Tacloban City, along with several social workers. Authorities claim she was involved in communist activities and accused her of illegal possession of firearms and terrorist financing. However, media rights groups argue that these charges are fabricated,...

March 7, 2025

Journalist Patricio Aguilar Killed in Ecuador Amid Spiraling Violence Against the Press

March 07, 2025 - Ecuador - Ecuadorian journalist Patricio Aguilar, known for his work with the digital news outlet Ola Manta TV, was shot and killed on March 1, 2025, in the city of Manta. The 54-year-old broadcaster was ambushed by unidentified gunmen while riding his motorcycle. His murder has sent shockwaves through Ecuador’s journalism community and highlighted the deepening crisis of press freedom in a country increasingly plagued by drug-related violence. Aguilar was a well-known local journalist who reported on issues such as politics, community safety, and organized crime. Though not overtly provocative in...

March 7, 2025

Kurdish Journalist Survives Ambush in Syria Amid Ongoing Violence

March 07, 2025 - Kurdish/Iraq - Kurdistan24 correspondent Anwar Abdullatif narrowly escaped harm on March 7, 2025, after a Syrian Ministry of Defense convoy he was accompanying was ambushed in the coastal province of Tartous, Syria. The attack, reportedly carried out by armed remnants of Bashar al-Assad’s former regime, underscores the persistent dangers journalists face while covering volatile regions still haunted by the remnants of civil war. Abdullatif was on assignment with Syrian government forces documenting military operations aimed at reasserting control in the area, which remains contested despite years of conflict. According to reports,...

March 6, 2025

Journalist Arrested at Ontario NDP Rally for Gaza Protest Sparks Free Speech Debate

March 06, 2025 - Palestine - Independent journalist Zachary Ruiter was forcefully removed and arrested at an Ontario New Democratic Party (ONDP) election night event on February 27, 2025, after staging a brief protest criticizing the party’s stance on the war in Gaza. The incident, which occurred at the ONDP's Toronto rally, has ignited controversy over freedom of expression and political accountability in Canada. Ruiter, known for his independent reporting and activism, held up a sign reading “Marit’s Legacy is Genocide,” directly calling out party leader Marit Stiles for what he described as the ONDP’s...

March 6, 2025

Court Orders Release of Kashmiri Journalist, Affirms Criticism of Government Is Not a Crime

March 06, 2025 -Kashmir - Kashmiri journalist Majid Hyderi has been released from detention following a significant ruling by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, which declared his imprisonment unjust and emphasized that criticizing the government does not constitute a crime. The decision, delivered in late May 2025, has been welcomed by press freedom advocates as a crucial affirmation of democratic rights in India. Hyderi, a senior journalist and frequent commentator on regional politics, was arrested in September 2023 under the Public Safety Act (PSA)—a law that allows detention without trial for up to two...

March 6, 2025

Turkish Journalist Öznur Değer Remains Jailed Amid Ongoing Crackdown on Press Freedom

March 06, 2025 - Kurdish/Iraq/Turkey - The imprisonment of Öznur Değer, a Kurdish journalist with JINNEWS, has become a stark reminder of the ongoing state persecution of journalists in Türkiye. Değer, who was detained in Ankara on May 13, 2024, continues to be held in Sincan Women’s Closed Prison despite widespread calls for her release from human rights and press freedom organizations. Değer was arrested alongside another journalist, Büşra Erdal, and charged under Türkiye’s sweeping anti-terror laws. Authorities accused her of “membership in a terrorist organization,” a charge commonly leveled against Kurdish reporters and media...

March 6, 2025

Nine Women Journalists Spend International Women’s Day Behind Bars in Azerbaijan

March 06, 2025 - Azerbaijan - On International Women’s Day 2025, nine women journalists in Azerbaijan marked the occasion not with celebration, but from behind bars—imprisoned in a country increasingly hostile to independent reporting. These women, known for their critical journalism and advocacy for human rights, now face harsh conditions and criminal charges widely condemned as politically motivated. Among the detainees are prominent journalists such as Sevinj Vagifgizi, Ulviyya Ali, and Nargiz Absalamova, all affiliated with independent media outlet Abzas Media, which has faced a systematic crackdown since late 2023. Azerbaijani authorities accuse them of...

March 6, 2025

Palestinian Sports Journalist Detained Without Evidence Amid Ongoing Israeli Crackdown

March 06, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian sports journalist Mohammad Al-Astal remains detained by Israeli forces, despite the military reportedly acknowledging a lack of concrete evidence against him. Al-Astal, who works for Al-Kofiya TV and is known for his coverage of Palestinian sports, was arrested after giving a televised interview in Rafah, southern Gaza. His case has since become emblematic of the broader Israeli clampdown on Palestinian journalists amid the war on Gaza. Al-Astal was apprehended during a military raid in early March 2024, shortly after appearing on television to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis...

March 6, 2025

Russia’s Detention Network in Occupied Ukraine Targets Journalists and Civilians

March 06, 2025 - Russia - A detailed investigation has exposed a vast network of Russian detention centers in occupied Ukrainian territories, where civilians—including journalists—are being held, tortured, and interrogated under accusations of resistance or mere suspicion of loyalty to Ukraine. The system, often masked as "filtration," has become a tool for silencing voices and instilling fear among populations under Russian control. According to an in-depth report by The Washington Post, based on interviews with over 100 former detainees and data compiled by Ukrainian officials, Russia has detained more than 10,000 Ukrainian civilians since the...

March 6, 2025

Ecuadorian Journalist Patricio Aguilar Shot Dead Amid Rising Media Violence

March 06, 2025 - Ecuador - Patricio Ernesto Aguilar Vásquez, a journalist and television presenter in Ecuador, was shot and killed on March 2, 2025, in the city of La Troncal, marking the latest in a growing wave of violence targeting the country’s press. Aguilar, who hosted the opinion show Claroscuro on a local TV channel, was ambushed by unidentified gunmen who fired multiple times before fleeing the scene. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Aguilar succumbed to his injuries. According to eyewitnesses and local reports, the attack appeared to be premeditated. Surveillance footage...

March 5, 2025

Afghan Journalists Injured by Pakistani Mortar Fire While Covering Border Tensions

March 05, 2025 - Afghanistan - Three Afghan journalists were injured on March 20, 2025, when Pakistani forces launched mortar fire near the Torkham border crossing, a volatile zone between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The journalists were on assignment reporting on the ongoing closure of the key trade and transit route when the incident occurred. The attack marks a dangerous escalation in cross-border tensions and highlights the increasing risks journalists face in conflict zones. The mortar rounds struck Nangarhar province, near the Torkham crossing, which has been closed for several weeks amid political and military friction...

March 5, 2025

Press Freedom in Europe Under Siege: Political Pressure and Disinformation Undermine Media Independence

March 05, 2025 - European - Europe’s media landscape is facing increasing threats from political interference, disinformation, and declining institutional support, according to the 2024 report by the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists. The report, titled “Press Freedom in Europe: Confronting Political Pressure, Disinformation, and the Erosion of Media Independence”, paints a stark picture of deteriorating conditions for journalists across the continent. The findings reveal that journalists in many European countries are working under mounting pressure from both state and non-state actors. Governments have been accused of...

March 4, 2025

Mounting Pressure on Serbian Media Sparks Alarm Over Press Freedom

March 04, 2025 - Serbia - Press freedom advocates are sounding the alarm in Serbia as journalists face increasing threats, surveillance, and legal harassment. Multiple international organizations, including the International Press Institute (IPI), the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), and PEN International, have called for urgent action to halt the worsening climate of intimidation targeting the media and peaceful dissenters. According to a joint statement by IPI and partners, journalists in Serbia are being systematically targeted through smear campaigns, online abuse, surveillance, and threats, often originating from political actors or figures aligned...

March 4, 2025

Mystery Surrounds Disappearance of Journalist Aserie Ndlovu and Partner

March 04, 2025 - Zimbabwe - Concern is growing in South Africa’s media community following the disappearance of journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli. The two have been missing since February 18, 2025, sparking a wave of anxiety among colleagues, family members, and press freedom advocates. Ndlovu, a well-known journalist and founder of Capital Live SA 99.0 FM, was last seen in Mamelodi, Gauteng. His partner was reportedly last seen in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga. Both vanished without a trace, and nearly three months later, there is still no confirmed information about their...

March 4, 2025

Lebanese Journalists Honored for War Reporting Amid Renewed Call for Press Protections

March 04, 2025 - Lebanon - In a moving ceremony held at Olive Beirut in Sin El Fil on March 3, 2025, Lebanese journalists who bravely covered the recent war on Lebanon were honored during a Ramadan iftar. Organized by the Ministry of Information, the event brought together government officials, media professionals, and civil society members to recognize the sacrifices and courage of the country’s press during one of its most challenging periods. Information Minister Paul Morcos led the tribute, emphasizing the critical role journalists played in defending truth and documenting the devastation of war....

March 4, 2025

Turkish Court Acquits Halk TV Journalists, Orders Editor-in-Chief’s Release

March 04, 2025 - Turkey - In a significant development for press freedom in Turkey, a court acquitted five journalists from Halk TV of one of the charges against them and ordered the release of the channel’s editor-in-chief. The decision, announced in early March 2025, marks a rare legal victory amid ongoing state pressure on independent media in Turkey. The journalists, who have been under trial for months, faced accusations related to their reporting and alleged links to groups deemed hostile by the government. The charges have been widely criticized by press freedom advocates as...

March 4, 2025

Malaysiakini Journalist Freed After Bribery Allegation Detention

March 04, 2025 - Malaysia - Malaysiakini journalist B. Nantha Kumar was released in early March 2025 after being held for four days by Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over bribery allegations. He was accused of accepting RM20,000 from a source allegedly linked to a migrant worker syndicate, in exchange for withholding two news articles that would have exposed the group. Nantha, who has been with Malaysiakini since 2018, was detained on February 28 after an agent lodged a report accusing him of demanding a bribe—initially RM100,000, later reduced to RM20,000. He was held under remand while...

March 4, 2025

Istanbul Bar Association Faces Trial Over Statement on Journalists Killed in Syria

March 04, 2025 - Turkey - In a case raising significant concerns about freedom of expression and the independence of legal institutions in Turkey, Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu and ten board members are facing criminal charges that could result in up to 12 years in prison. The charges stem from a statement issued by the Bar Association on December 21, 2024, condemning the deaths of Kurdish journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, who were reportedly killed in a Turkish drone strike near the Tishrin Dam in northern Syria while covering clashes between Turkish-backed...

March 3, 2025

Cambodian Journalist Mech Dara’s Arrest Sparks Global Press Freedom Concerns

March 03, 2025 - Cambodia - The arrest of Cambodian investigative journalist Mech Dara has triggered strong condemnation from press freedom advocates, drawing attention to the shrinking space for independent journalism in Cambodia. Dara, renowned for his in-depth reporting on human trafficking, corruption, and state-linked criminal networks, was detained in late 2024 and charged with "incitement to commit a felony or disturb social order." The charges stem from his social media posts highlighting alleged environmental destruction at a Buddhist site, claims the government quickly denied. Dara’s arrest is seen as part of a larger pattern...

March 3, 2025

Mounting Pressure on Press Freedom in Namibia Draws Continental Condemnation

March 03, 2025 - Namibia - Namibia, once considered a haven for press freedom in Africa, is now under scrutiny as journalists and advocacy groups raise alarms over increasing repression and retaliation against the media. The recent case involving senior journalist Jemima Beukes has ignited widespread condemnation, with African journalist federations and international watchdogs calling for urgent intervention. Beukes, who has earned a reputation for her critical and investigative reporting, has been subjected to professional intimidation, including denial of entry to official press conferences and exclusion from state coverage. These retaliatory actions reportedly stem from...

March 3, 2025

Malaysian Investigative Journalist Arrested Amid Bribery Allegations Following Migrant Trafficking Exposé

March 03, 2025 - Malaysia - Malaysian journalist B. Nantha Kumar, known for his investigative reporting on migrant trafficking, was arrested on February 28, 2025, by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe. The arrest occurred shortly after he published an exposé on an immigration syndicate allegedly smuggling migrant workers into Malaysia, implicating a former immigration officer as the mastermind behind operations at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. According to MACC, Kumar allegedly accepted a bribe of 20,000 ringgit (approximately USD 4,500) from an immigration services agent in exchange for...

March 3, 2025

Iraqi Kurdistan Clamps Down on Media: Media21 Shutdown and Journalist Arrests Raise Press Freedom Alarms

March 03, 2025 - Kurdish/Iraq - Iraq’s Kurdistan Region witnessed a troubling crackdown on independent journalism with the forced closure of the digital news outlet Media21 and the arrest of four of its journalists. On February 28, Bashdar Bazyani, Dana Salih, Sardasht HamaSalih, and Nabaz Shekhani were taken from their homes in Sulaymaniyah. Their phones were seized, and the Media21 office was shut down by authorities, citing the outlet’s operation without a license. While three of the journalists were released on bail just days later, Bazyani remains in custody, fueling concerns over the motivations behind...

March 2, 2025

Global Call for Justice for Palestinian Journalists in Gaza

March 02, 2025 - Palestine - The global community must urgently demand justice for Palestinian journalists in Gaza, who have been systematically targeted during Israel's military operations since October 2023. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 85 journalists were killed by Israeli forces in 2024, and 78 in 2023, making it the deadliest period for journalists in recorded history. Palestinian journalists, such as Ismail al-Ghoul and Rami al-Rifi, have been deliberately targeted while reporting in Gaza City, even when identifiable as media personnel. Despite these attacks, international bodies have failed to hold Israel...

March 2, 2025

Mexican Journalist Kristian Zavala Murdered Despite State Protection, Raising Press Freedom Concerns

March 02, 2025 - Mexico - Journalist Kristian Uriel Martínez Zavala was tragically murdered in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico, alongside his driver, Axel Yahir. Both were fatally shot while traveling in a vehicle in the Condado de la Pila neighborhood. Zavala, 28, was the founder and director of the Facebook-based news outlet El Silaoense MX, which covered local politics and public security. He had previously reported threats and had been under state protection since 2021. This incident marks the third journalist killing in Mexico in 2025, underscoring the persistent dangers faced by media workers in the...

March 2, 2025

EULEX and Serbian Journalists: Advancing the Search for the Missing

March 02, 2025 -Kosovo/Serbia - The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) has been instrumental in the ongoing efforts to locate and identify individuals who went missing during and after the 1998–1999 Kosovo conflict. As of recent reports, approximately 1,600 individuals remain unaccounted for, including several journalists. Among the missing are Serbian journalists such as Đuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenić, who disappeared in 1999 while traveling to cover a report in western Kosovo. Despite extensive searches, their fates remain unknown. EULEX's collaboration with the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) has led to...

March 2, 2025

Oralgaisha Omarshanova: Investigative Journalist and the Fight for Justice

March 02, 2025 - Kazakhistan - Oralgaisha Omarshanova, also known by her pen name Zhabagtaikyzy, was a 39-year-old investigative reporter for the independent Kazakhstani weekly Zakon i Pravosudiye ("Law and Justice"). She was last seen on March 30, 2007, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where she had traveled to cover ethnic clashes between Chechens and Kazakhs in the villages of Kazatkom and Malovodnoye. Just days before her disappearance, she had published an article identifying individuals allegedly connected to these clashes and their ties to local businesses and government entities. In the weeks leading up to her disappearance,...

March 1, 2025

Ukrainian Journalist Tetyana Kulyk Killed in Russian Drone Strike

March 01, 2025 - Ukraine/Russia - On the night of February 25–26, 2025, Ukrainian journalist Tetyana Kulyk was tragically killed in a Russian drone strike on her home in the village of Kriukivshchyna, near Bucha, Kyiv region. The attack also claimed the life of her husband, Pavlo Ivanchov, a surgeon and professor at the Bogomolets National Medical University. The couple's home was destroyed in the ensuing fire, and their bodies were discovered by rescue teams upon arrival. Kulyk was a prominent journalist and editor-in-chief of the multimedia department at Ukrinform, Ukraine's national news agency. She...

March 1, 2025

Crackdown on Independent Media and Journalists in Iraqi Kurdistan Raises Press Freedom Alarms

March 01, 2025 - Iraq - The independent media landscape in Iraqi Kurdistan has faced increased pressure as authorities moved to shut down the Media21 outlet and arrest four journalists connected to it. The crackdown follows months of mounting tensions between the government and independent news organizations critical of regional authorities and policies. Media21, known for its investigative reporting and independent voice, was forced to close after security forces detained four of its journalists. These arrests sparked outrage among press freedom advocates and local civil society groups, who condemn the move as an attack on...

February 28, 2025

Rights Groups Demand Release of Burundi Journalists Amid Concerns Over Press Freedom

February 28, 2025 - Burundi - Human rights and press freedom organizations have urgently called for the release of four journalists detained in Burundi amid mounting concerns about media repression in the country. The journalists were arrested while reporting on politically sensitive issues, raising alarm about government attempts to silence independent media voices. The four journalists, including Radio Publique Africaine reporter Emmanuel Nduwimana, were detained on charges widely seen as politically motivated. Rights groups such as Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and regional organizations have condemned the arrests, describing them as blatant...

February 28, 2025

Myanmar Journalist Tortured in Prison for Reporting Prisoner Abuses

February 28, 2025 - Myanmar - Photojournalist Sai Zaw Thaike, who works for the independent outlet Myanmar Now, is reportedly being tortured in Yangon’s notorious Insein Prison after alerting a human rights delegation to abuses inside the facility. According to Myanmar Now, the torture began earlier this year, shortly after Sai Zaw Thaike informed the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission about the mistreatment of inmates by prison guards during an official inspection visit. Myanmar Now reports that since then, he has faced daily beatings and psychological abuse, including being forced to kneel for hours, verbal...

February 28, 2025

Azerbaijan’s Crackdown on Independent Journalists Intensifies with Latest Arrest

February 28, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan intensified its ongoing crackdown on independent media by arresting Fatima Movlamli, the tenth journalist connected to the Meydan TV case. On February 28, 2025, authorities detained Movlamli on charges of smuggling after raiding her home, where they confiscated €2,000 in cash along with electronic devices. Movlamli’s family has strongly denied the allegations, stating the money did not belong to her and asserting that the charges are politically motivated. Movlamli’s arrest follows a string of detentions targeting journalists and staff linked to Meydan TV, a prominent independent news outlet...

February 27, 2025

Vietnamese Journalist Huy Duc Sentenced to 30 Months for Facebook Posts

February 27, 2025 - Vietnam - A court in Hanoi sentenced prominent Vietnamese journalist and author Truong Huy San, known by his pen name Huy Duc, to 30 months in prison for Facebook posts critical of the government. The court found him guilty of “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state” under Article 331 of Vietnam’s Penal Code. The conviction was based on 13 Facebook posts published in June 2024, which the court claimed had a “negative impact on social order and safety” due to their wide reach and engagement. These...

February 27, 2025

Belarusian Journalist Palina Pitkevich Sentenced to Three Years for Alleged Extremism

February 27, 2025 - Belarus - Belarusian journalist and writer Palina Pitkevich was sentenced to three years in prison by the Minsk City Court on charges of participating in an “extremist formation.” The case stemmed from her alleged involvement with Media IQ, a media literacy project run by Press Club Belarus, which the Belarusian State Security Committee (KGB) designated as an extremist organization in June 2024. Pitkevich, born in 1994 and a graduate of the Faculty of Journalism at Belarusian State University, was known for her cultural journalism and contributions to independent media. Her arrest...

February 27, 2025

Captagon Trafficking Remains a Deadly Taboo for Syrian Journalists

February 27, 2025 -Syria - Despite the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, investigating Syria's Captagon trade remains perilous for journalists. The assassination of journalist Mahmoud al-Harbi in November 2023 underscores the ongoing risks. Al-Harbi, affiliated with Daraa 24, was murdered shortly after reporting on a local family's involvement in Captagon production near the Jordanian border. Surveillance footage captured his execution, and one suspect remains at large, allegedly still engaged in trafficking activities. Captagon, a synthetic stimulant, has become Syria's most lucrative illicit export, with estimates valuing the trade at over $10 billion annually. During Assad's...

February 27, 2025

Nicaragua’s Press Freedom Crisis Deepens

February 27, 2025 - Nicaragua - Nicaragua observed National Journalists’ Day amid a severe press freedom crisis. International organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), condemned the celebration as a "shameful farce," highlighting the government's systematic dismantling of independent journalism. Over the past year, four journalists were detained, three forcibly disappeared, and approximately 300 have been forced into exile due to escalating repression. The regime of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo has intensified its crackdown on dissent since 2018, enacting laws such as the Special Law on Cybercrime and the Law to Regulate...

February 27, 2025

Russian Journalist Barabash Placed Under House Arrest Over Ukraine War Posts

February 27, 2025 - Russia - Russian journalist and film critic Ekaterina Barabash was placed under house arrest by authorities in Moscow, accused of spreading so-called “fake news” about the war in Ukraine. The charges stemmed from social media posts she made condemning Russia’s invasion and criticizing its conduct during the conflict. Barabash, who is 64 and known for her cultural and political commentary, had posted statements on Facebook describing the war as a humanitarian disaster and calling out the Russian government’s actions. Russian investigators invoked Article 207.3 of the criminal code, a law introduced...

February 27, 2025

Journalists Under Attack: Wave of Intimidation Silences Media in Yambio

February 27, 2025 - Sudan - A disturbing series of attacks targeted journalists in Yambio, Western Equatoria State, South Sudan, raising serious concerns about press freedom and journalist safety. The South Sudan Union of Journalists (UJOSS) reported that four journalists faced threats, including arson and intimidation, following the political upheaval marked by the removal of Governor Alfred Futuyo on February 10. Among the victims was Francis John Abui, a former Anisa FM presenter, whose house was burned down; his whereabouts remain unknown. Similarly, Radio Anisa journalist Alex Yaba's home was set ablaze on February 22,...

February 27, 2025

Canadian Journalist Yves Engler Detained Over Pro-Palestine Posts, Sparking Free Speech Debate

February 27, 2025 - Canada - Canadian pro-Palestine journalist and activist Yves Engler was detained in Montreal after publicly criticizing pro-Israel commentator Dahlia Kurtz. Engler’s social media posts accused Kurtz of promoting anti-Palestinian rhetoric, labeling her a “genocide supporter” and “fascist” following her calls for deporting pro-Palestinian activists. Authorities arrested Engler on charges of harassment and indecent communication. He was held for five days in Bordeaux prison before being released on bail. The detention stirred significant controversy, with many seeing it as an infringement on free speech rights. Supporters viewed the charges as politically motivated...

February 27, 2025

Turkish Journalists Sentenced for Reporting on Kurdish Issues Amid Growing Press Crackdown

February 27, 2025 - Turkey - Two prominent Turkish journalists faced harsh legal penalties linked to their coverage of Kurdish political topics. Özlem Gürses received a suspended prison sentence after a Turkish court convicted her of “disseminating terrorist propaganda” for a YouTube interview with a Syrian Kurdish leader. The ruling means Gürses will avoid immediate jail time but remains under probation, with authorities signaling zero tolerance for media giving voice to Kurdish perspectives. Separately, veteran journalist Nevsin Mengu was sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison on similar charges. Mengu, known for critical...

February 27, 2025

Ghanaian Journalists Face Violence and Intimidation While Covering Elections

February 27, 2025 - Ghana - During recent elections in Ghana, numerous journalists were attacked and intimidated by thugs while carrying out their reporting duties. These violent incidents targeted reporters from various media outlets, obstructing their ability to provide accurate and timely election coverage. Journalists faced physical assaults, harassment, and threats, often from politically affiliated groups attempting to suppress independent reporting. The attacks have drawn sharp condemnation from press freedom organizations, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Article 19, and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). These groups have expressed grave concern over...

February 26, 2025

Azerbaijani Journalist Afgan Sadigov Released on Bail in Georgia Amid Ongoing Extradition Dispute

February 26, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov was released from extradition custody in Georgia after the Tbilisi City Court granted a prosecutor's request to replace his detention with bail. Sadigov had been held since August 2024, following an extradition request from Azerbaijan, where he faced charges of extortion—a claim he and his supporters assert is politically motivated due to his critical reporting on the Azerbaijani government. The court's decision to release Sadigov came as his nine-month extradition detention period was nearing its legal limit under Georgian law. He was released on bail...

February 26, 2025

International Outcry Grows for Release of Detained Journalists in Turkey

February 26, 2025 - Turkey - Global press freedom and human rights organizations have issued a strong and urgent call for the Turkish government to immediately release detained journalists, human rights defenders, and political prisoners. This comes amid growing concern over deteriorating prison conditions and the health risks posed by overcrowding, particularly as new COVID-19 cases resurface across the region. Dozens of journalists remain behind bars in Turkey, many of whom were imprisoned for reporting on sensitive political issues or for their affiliation with independent media outlets. Advocacy groups, including the International Federation of Journalists...

February 26, 2025

Ukrainian Journalist Tetiana Kulyk Killed in Russian Drone Strike on Kyiv Home

February 26, 2025 - Ukraine - Ukrainian journalist Tetiana Kulyk was killed in a Russian drone attack on February 21, 2025, in the Kyiv region. The strike, which also took the life of her husband, a prominent surgeon, occurred when a Shahed drone directly hit their home in the town of Hostomel, northwest of Kyiv. Kulyk’s tragic death adds to the growing toll on journalists in the ongoing war, with press freedom groups demanding accountability and a full investigation. Kulyk, 54, worked for the news outlet Kyivska Pravda and had over two decades of experience...

February 25, 2025

Colombian Journalist Diomedes Farid Manrique Shot Dead in Maicao

February 25, 2025 - Colombia - Colombian journalist and radio host Diomedes Farid Manrique was fatally shot on January 18, 2025, in Maicao, La Guajira, sending shockwaves through the local community and drawing international condemnation. Manrique, a well-known voice on the airwaves of Sistema Cardenal, was ambushed and killed by two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle as he left the radio station premises around 8:30 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The attack has raised fresh alarms over the dangers faced by journalists in Colombia, particularly those working in smaller cities and reporting...

February 25, 2025

Venezuelan Journalist Rory Branker Arrested Amid Escalating Media Repression

February 25, 2025 - Venezuela - Venezuelan journalist Rory Branker was arrested in Caracas on May 23, 2025, in what press freedom advocates are calling another alarming move in the government’s widening crackdown on independent media. Branker, a reporter known for his critical coverage of state institutions and constitutional reforms, was reportedly detained by security forces without a warrant while covering a protest near the National Assembly. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Branker was violently apprehended and held incommunicado for several hours before being transferred to a detention center operated by the Bolivarian National...

February 25, 2025

Kyrgyz Supreme Court Upholds Harsh Sentences for Temirov Live Journalists

February 25, 2025 - Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Court upheld the convictions of three journalists from the investigative outlet Temirov Live, a significant blow to press freedom in the country. Director Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy received a six-year prison sentence, presenter Azamat Ishenbekov was sentenced to five years, and reporter Aike Beishekeyeva was handed a five-year suspended sentence. These sentences stem from charges of "calling for mass unrest," a claim widely criticized by international human rights organizations as politically motivated and aimed at silencing independent journalism. The convictions are part of a broader crackdown on independent...

February 25, 2025

Zimbabwean Journalist Blessed Mhlanga Arrested Over Interviews with Government Critic

February 25, 2025 - Zimbabwe - Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga was arrested and detained for 72 days following interviews with Blessed Geza, a war veteran and former ZANU-PF central committee member who openly criticized President Emmerson Mnangagwa and called for his resignation. Mhlanga, a senior journalist at Heart and Soul Television (HStv), was charged under Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly transmitting data messages that incite violence or damage to property. The interviews, conducted in November 2024 and February 2025, were broadcast on HStv and YouTube, where Geza accused...

February 25, 2025

Philippine Photojournalist’s Car Bombed in Attack Raising Press Freedom Alarms

February 25, 2025 - Philippines - A car belonging to Filipino photojournalist Michael Varcas was bombed outside his Quezon City home in February 2025, in what media watchdogs view as a direct threat to press freedom. Surveillance footage captured two individuals on a motorcycle throwing a Molotov cocktail at the vehicle before fleeing. Fortunately, Varcas, a senior photojournalist with The Philippine Star, was not inside the car and was unharmed. However, the bombing left the vehicle severely damaged and sparked serious concern among press freedom advocates and fellow journalists. The Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines...

February 25, 2025

Zimbabwe: Journalist Arrested Under Cyber and Data Protection Act

February 25, 2025 - Zimbabwe - Zimbabwean journalist Blessed “Dhara” Mhlanga was arrested under the country’s Cyber and Data Protection Act (CDPA), marking a significant moment as the first high-profile case using this law against a journalist. Mhlanga, a senior reporter with Heart and Soul Television (HStv), was charged with broadcasting press conferences featuring a war veteran who publicly criticized President Emmerson Mnangagwa and called for his resignation. The charges accuse Mhlanga of transmitting data messages that incited violence or damage to property. The CDPA, enacted in 2021, consolidates several laws related to cybersecurity and...

February 24, 2025

Tamil Journalists Interrogated Over Controversial Buddhist Temple Protest in Jaffna

February 24, 2025 - India - Two Tamil journalists, Kandasamy Bharathan and Thambithurai Pratheepan, were subjected to a six-hour police interrogation at Palaly Police Station in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The questioning centered on a Facebook post that allegedly called for the destruction of the Tissa Raja Maha Vihara, a Buddhist temple located in Thayiddy, a site that has become highly controversial in the region. The Tissa Raja Maha Vihara was reportedly built on privately owned Tamil land, which led to widespread protests from the Tamil community demanding the temple’s removal. The temple is seen by...

February 24, 2025

Azerbaijani Journalist Nurlan Libre Arrested Amid Widening Crackdown on Independent Media

February 24, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijani journalist Nurlan Libre was arrested in connection with the ongoing “Meydan TV case,” marking another development in a harsh crackdown on independent media in Azerbaijan. Libre, the founder of Portagal Media and known for his critical reporting, was detained in Baku and charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, accused of smuggling committed by a group acting together. His home in Sumgayit was searched, and authorities confiscated his phones and computers. Shortly after, a Baku court ordered his pretrial detention for over a month, with reports...

February 24, 2025

Three Years of War: Russia Commits Over 800 Crimes Against Journalists in Ukraine

February 24, 2025 - Russia/Ukraine - As the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine marks its third anniversary, reports reveal a relentless assault on press freedom and media workers in the conflict zone. Since February 2022, Russia has been responsible for at least 823 documented crimes against journalists and media outlets in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Institute of Mass Information (IMI). These offenses range from physical attacks, arbitrary detentions, kidnappings, threats, and targeted killings, highlighting the extreme risks faced by those covering the war. International press freedom organizations have condemned the systematic violence aimed at...

February 24, 2025

Russian Authorities Push for Harsher Sentence Against Imprisoned Journalist Maria Ponomarenko

February 24, 2025 - Russia - Russian prosecutors have requested a new, longer prison sentence for Maria Ponomarenko, a journalist and former columnist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), highlighting ongoing repression of independent media in Russia. Ponomarenko was originally sentenced in 2024 to several years in prison on charges widely condemned by international organizations as politically motivated and lacking credible evidence. The new criminal case against Ponomarenko, announced in early 2025, escalates the pressure on her by accusing her of “spreading false information” related to Russia’s military actions and other sensitive topics. The prosecution...

February 23, 2025

Afghanistan’s Only Women-Led Radio Station Resumes Broadcasting After Taliban Lifts Suspension

February 23, 2025 -Afghanistan - Afghanistan’s only women-led radio station, Radio Shama, has resumed operations after the Taliban lifted a temporary suspension imposed earlier this year. The station, which focuses on women’s rights, social issues, and culture, had been forced off the air in January 2025 following pressure from Taliban authorities, who cited unspecified “violations” as reasons for the shutdown. Radio Shama holds a unique place in Afghanistan’s media landscape as a rare platform run entirely by women, aimed at amplifying female voices in a country where women’s freedoms have been severely curtailed since the...

February 23, 2025

Press Associations Condemn Arrest and Abuse of Azerbaijani Journalists Ulviyya Ali and Ahmad Mammadli

February 23, 2025 - Turkey - Several prominent press freedom organizations, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), have strongly condemned the recent arrest and mistreatment of Azerbaijani journalists Ulviyya Ali and Ahmad Mammadli. These condemnations highlight the increasing repression of independent media and the dangerous environment for journalists in Azerbaijan. Ulviyya Ali and Ahmad Mammadli, known for their critical reporting and commitment to free journalism, were detained by Azerbaijani authorities amid a broader crackdown on independent voices in the country. Reports indicate that both journalists faced abusive...

February 23, 2025

Zelensky Rejects Allegations Over Gonzalo Lira’s Death in Custody

February 23, 2025 - Russia/Ukraine - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly denied allegations that he ordered the killing of Chilean-American journalist Gonzalo Lira, whose death in a Ukrainian prison earlier this year has sparked international concern and controversy. The claims, circulated by Lira’s family and amplified by public figures such as Elon Musk, allege that Lira’s critical stance toward the Ukrainian government and military led to targeted persecution and ultimately to his death. Gonzalo Lira, a dual national, had been openly critical of Ukraine’s leadership and its handling of the ongoing war with Russia....

February 22, 2025

AP Sues Trump Officials Over Press Access Restrictions

February 22, 2025 - USA - The Associated Press (AP) filed a lawsuit against three Trump administration officials—White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt—alleging violations of First Amendment rights. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., contends that the administration unlawfully restricted AP journalists' access to presidential events, including press briefings and travel on Air Force One, in retaliation for the AP's refusal to adopt the term "Gulf of America" instead of "Gulf of Mexico" as directed by President Trump....

February 22, 2025

Slovaks Rally to Mark Journalist’s Murder and Protest Government’s Actions

February 22, 2025 - Slovakia - Thousands of Slovaks took to the streets on February 21, 2025, to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the assassination of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, whose murders in 2018 sent shockwaves through Slovakia and sparked the largest anti-government protests since the fall of communism. The recent demonstrations, held in Bratislava and across more than 20 cities, not only honored the slain couple but also voiced growing alarm over Prime Minister Robert Fico’s policies, which critics argue are undermining press freedom and democratic institutions. Kuciak, a...

February 21, 2025

Tunisian Court Orders Release of Journalist Mohamed Boughalleb Amid Ongoing Crackdown on Press Freedom

February 21, 2025 - Tunisia - A Tunisian court ordered the release of prominent journalist Mohamed Boughalleb, who had been detained since March 2024 under charges related to a presidential decree aimed at combating "false news." Boughalleb, 61, was arrested following a complaint from a civil servant and was prosecuted under Decree 54, enacted in 2022, which mandates prison terms for disseminating information deemed false via communications networks. Despite his release, Boughalleb remains barred from leaving Tunisia, with his next court hearing scheduled for April 21. His detention had drawn criticism from rights groups and...

February 21, 2025

Azerbaijan’s Media Crackdown Intensifies with Another Journalist Arrested

February 21, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan’s tightening grip on independent journalism intensified in February 2025, as yet another journalist, Fikret Faramazoglu, was arrested in Baku—the latest in a wave of detentions targeting reporters linked to the independent outlet Meydan TV. His arrest follows a pattern of state-led repression that has seen at least nine journalists detained since November 2023 under accusations of smuggling and illicit financial dealings, charges critics say are politically motivated. Faramazoglu, editor-in-chief of the now-banned Jam. az news website, was taken into custody on February 20 and is facing charges under...

February 21, 2025

RCMP Apologizes for Detaining Gitxsan Journalist During Wet’suwet’en Raid

February 21, 2025 -First Nation - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) formally apologized to Gitxsan journalist Jerome Turner and his editor, Ethan Cox of Ricochet Media, for violating Turner's Charter rights during a 2020 enforcement operation on Wet’suwet’en territory in British Columbia. The apology followed a report by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC), which found that the RCMP had unreasonably interfered with press freedoms during the operation. On February 7, 2020, Turner was reporting on the RCMP's enforcement of an injunction against Wet’suwet’en land defenders opposing the Coastal GasLink pipeline. Despite identifying...

February 21, 2025

Body of Missing Mexican Journalist Found After Five Years

February 21, 2025 -Mexican - The body of Mexican journalist Jesús Alberto Camacho Rodríguez, missing since 2019, has finally been identified in a morgue in Culiacán, Sinaloa, where it had remained unclaimed for three years. Camacho’s remains were recovered in 2021 from a drainage canal and were held in the local forensic medical service without recognition until activists and forensic experts made the match in early 2025. Camacho was a reporter from Hermosillo, Sonora, and had worked for multiple regional outlets, including El Imparcial, El Regional de Sonora, Extra de la Tarde, and Tribuna del...

February 20, 2025

Hit-and-Run Unveils Chilling Murder Plot in Kerala’s Financial Scam Case

February 20, 2025 - India - The death of 82-year-old C. Pappachan, a retired assistant general manager of BSNL, was initially deemed a tragic hit-and-run accident near Asramam Ground in Kollam, Kerala. However, subsequent investigations revealed a calculated murder orchestrated to appear as an accident. Pappachan, known for his frugal lifestyle despite considerable wealth, had minimal contact with his family and often cycled around the city. His financial prudence and slight memory issues attracted the attention of Saritha, a branch manager at Muthoottu Mini Nidhi, and her associate Anoop. They persuaded him to deposit approximately...

February 20, 2025

Italy: Journalists’ Union Takes Legal Action Over Paragon Spyware Scandal

February 20, 2025 - Italy - Italy's national journalists' union, the Federazione Nazionale Stampa Italiana (FNSI), alongside the Order of Journalists (Odg), initiated legal proceedings against unknown individuals, urging the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate allegations of unlawful surveillance involving the Israeli-developed spyware, Graphite, produced by Paragon Solutions. The controversy emerged when investigative journalist Francesco Cancellato, editor-in-chief of the Italian news outlet Fanpage, reported that his WhatsApp account had been compromised using Graphite, a military-grade spyware typically employed by state entities. WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, confirmed that at least seven Italian mobile phones had...

February 20, 2025

Elon Musk claims Ukrainian president ‘killed an American journalist’

February 20, 2025 - General - Elon Musk has sparked international controversy by accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of being responsible for the death of American journalist Gonzalo Lira. Musk made the explosive allegation on his platform X (formerly Twitter) in late February 2025, stating directly, “Zelensky killed an American journalist!” This claim has drawn sharp attention to Ukraine’s treatment of journalists, particularly those critical of its government during wartime. Gonzalo Lira, a dual Chilean-American citizen, had gained a following for his commentary criticizing both Ukraine’s leadership and U.S. foreign policy in the region. Ukrainian...

February 20, 2025

Montenegro Launches Parliamentary Probe into Decades of Attacks on Journalists

February 20, 2025 - Montenegro - Montenegro's parliament voted to establish an Inquiry Committee to investigate politically motivated attacks on journalists and intellectuals dating back to the 1990s. This initiative aims to address the legacy of unsolved crimes and restore public trust in the justice system. Parliamentary Speaker Andrija Mandić emphasized the need to confront past injustices, stating that the country had been "held hostage by crime" during the previous administration. The committee will examine cases such as the 2004 murder of Duško Jovanović, editor of the newspaper Dan, and the 2008 assault on journalist...

February 20, 2025

Mississippi Judge’s Censorship Order Sparks First Amendment Debate

February 20, 2025 - USA - a legal dispute in Clarksdale, Mississippi, ignited national concern over press freedom and judicial overreach. Chancery Judge Crystal Wise Martin issued a temporary restraining order mandating the Clarksdale Press Register to remove an editorial titled "Secrecy, Deception Erode Public Trust" from its website. The editorial criticized city officials for failing to notify the newspaper about a meeting discussing a proposed tax on alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. City leaders, including Mayor Chuck Espy, contended that the editorial was libelous and hindered their efforts to lobby. They were particularly aggrieved by...

February 19, 2025

British Journalist Charlotte Peet Missing in Brazil: Voluntary Disappearance Suspected

February 19, 2025 - UK/Brazil - Charlotte Peet, a 32-year-old British freelance journalist, has been missing in Brazil since February 8, 2025. Her last known communication was a message to a friend in Rio de Janeiro, stating she was in São Paulo and planning to travel to Rio. When the friend was unable to host her, Peet ceased communication, prompting concern from her family and the filing of a missing person's report. Peet, fluent in Portuguese, had previously worked as a foreign correspondent in Brazil for nearly two years before returning in November 2024. She...

February 19, 2025

USAID Funding Freeze Exposes Global Network of U.S.-Backed Media Outlets

February 19, 2025 - USA - The Trump administration, with support from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), initiated a significant overhaul of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This move included pausing over $268 million in annual funding designated for independent media programs worldwide, leading to a crisis among numerous news outlets that had relied on these funds for operations. USAID had been instrumental in supporting over 6,200 journalists and nearly 1,000 non-state news organizations globally. These initiatives aimed to promote press freedom and democratic values, particularly in regions where media independence...

February 19, 2025

J&K High Court Quashes PSA Detention of Journalist Majid Hyderi

February 19, 2025 - Kashmir - In a significant ruling, the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has quashed the detention of journalist Majid Hyderi under the Public Safety Act (PSA), citing violations of constitutional rights. Hyderi, an independent journalist and political commentator, was arrested in September 2023 on charges of extortion and defamation, following a complaint by another journalist. Despite being granted bail by the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Srinagar, he was re-arrested and detained under the PSA, a preventive detention law that allows authorities to detain individuals without trial for up to...

February 19, 2025

Turkish Court Blocks Journalists’ Social Media Accounts, Citing National Security

February 19, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish courts ordered the blocking of social media accounts belonging to several Kurdish journalists, including Abdurrahman Gök, Oktay Candemir, and Ruşen Takva. The court orders cited concerns over "national security, public order, and preventing the spread of misleading information." These actions are part of a broader crackdown on opposition voices and media freedom in Turkey. The journalists' accounts on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube were rendered inaccessible within Turkey. Gök's YouTube account, for instance, was blocked from access in the country. These measures have raised...

February 19, 2025

Israeli Government Faces Backlash Over Removal of KAN Journalists from PMO Updates Group

February 19, 2025 - Media debate The Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO) removed two senior journalists from the Israel Broadcasting Corporation (KAN), Michael Shemesh and Suleiman Maswadeh, from its official WhatsApp group used for disseminating press updates. This action followed their reporting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reprimanded his spokesman, Omer Dostri, over his conduct during a sensitive diplomatic period. The Union of Journalists in Israel (UJI) swiftly condemned the move, stating, "It is inconceivable for a public servant to deliberately sabotage the media's work and prevent access to information from journalists." The UJI...

February 19, 2025

Idaho Enacts Media Shield Law to Protect Journalists’ Confidential Sources

February 19, 2025 - USA - In a landmark victory for press freedom, Idaho has become the 41st U.S. state to enact a media shield law, offering legal protections for journalists who seek to protect the identities of confidential sources. The legislation, House Bill 158, passed unanimously through both chambers of the Idaho Legislature and was signed into law in late February 2025. It is scheduled to take effect on July 1. The new law ensures that journalists cannot be compelled to reveal confidential sources or unpublished materials in most legal proceedings. It applies to...

February 19, 2025

Caught Between Bullets and Broadcasts: Journalism Under Siege in Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis

February 19, 2025 - Cameroon - For nearly a decade, Cameroon’s Anglophone regions—the Northwest and Southwest—have been engulfed in a violent conflict between separatist groups and government forces. This prolonged crisis has not only resulted in over 6,000 civilian deaths and the displacement of more than 600,000 people but has also severely undermined press freedom, placing journalists in an increasingly perilous position. Journalists operating in these regions face threats from both sides of the conflict. Government forces have been known to arrest and detain reporters under the guise of anti-terrorism laws, while separatist groups have...

February 19, 2025

Three Years On, Ukrainian Journalists Face Escalating Threats Amid Russian Invasion

February 19, 2025 - Russia/Ukraine - As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its third year, journalists covering the conflict continue to face severe and escalating threats. Since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has documented nearly 150 attacks on journalists, encompassing killings, injuries, detentions, and disappearances. Thirteen journalists have been killed by Russian forces, including Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, who died in Russian detention in 2024. At least 47 journalists have been injured, often in targeted attacks or while reporting from areas subjected to Russian strikes. Eighteen Ukrainian...

February 19, 2025

Turkey’s Crackdown Targets Leftist, Pro-Kurdish, and LGBTQ Journalists Amid Opposition Surge

February 19, 2024 - Turkey - In a sweeping operation on February 18, 2025, Turkish authorities detained 282 individuals across 51 provinces, including journalists, politicians, and academics, accusing them of affiliations with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The detentions, part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures, have drawn international condemnation. Among those arrested were prominent journalists such as Yıldız Tar, editor-in-chief of the LGBTQ+ rights organization Kaos GL, and Elif Akgül, a former editor at bianet. Tar's detention is particularly concerning given the government's increasing hostility towards LGBTQ+ advocacy. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,...

February 19, 2025

Italian Journalists Pursue Legal Action Over Alleged Government Spyware Use

February 19, 2025 - Italy - Italy's national journalists' union (FNSI) initiated legal proceedings against the government, alleging the unlawful use of military-grade spyware, Graphite, developed by Israeli firm Paragon Solutions. The spyware reportedly targeted at least seven individuals, including investigative journalist Francesco Cancellato and migrant activist Luca Casarini, both known for their critical stances against the government's policies. The controversy began in January when Meta's WhatsApp notified several EU users, including journalists and civil society members, that their devices had been compromised by spyware linked to Paragon. Subsequent investigations revealed that the spyware exploited...

February 19, 2025

Yemeni Journalist Describes Torture in Houthi Jail

February 19, 2025 - Yemen - Yemeni journalist Abdulkhaliq Imran has opened up about the brutal torture he endured during eight years of detention by Houthi forces. Imran’s testimony sheds light on the harsh realities faced by thousands of detainees in Houthi-controlled prisons across Yemen. He described being confined in a small, dark cell where he was subjected to repeated beatings, flogging, and forced suspension from the walls. Psychological torture was equally severe: prisoners were relentlessly bombarded with recordings of Houthi clerics denouncing them as “enemies of God.” These tactics aimed not only to break...

February 19, 2025

UN Condemns Political Persecution in Tunisia Amid Crackdown on Dissent

February 19, 2024 - Tunisia - The United Nations has condemned the escalating persecution of political opponents in Tunisia, urging the authorities to cease arbitrary arrests and uphold fundamental human rights. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called on Tunisian authorities to end the pattern of detentions and imprisonment of human rights defenders, journalists, activists, and politicians, many of whom are being held in pre-trial detention under vague accusations following the exercise of their rights and freedoms. Since President Kais Saied consolidated power in 2021, following his suspension of parliament and assumption of...

February 18, 2025

Zimbabwean Journalist Blessed Mhlanga Faces Legal Challenges Amidst Press Freedom Concerns

February 18, 2025 - Zimbabwe - Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga, associated with Heart and Soul TV (HStv), has recently been at the centre of legal and safety concerns following his interviews with war veteran Blessed Geza and former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere. These interviews, which included critical commentary on President Emmerson Mnangagwa's leadership, have led to a series of police actions against Mhlanga. On February 17, 2025, three individuals armed with pistols visited HStv's Harare office searching for Mhlanga. He reported the incident on social media, expressing concern over the armed visit. Subsequently, he was...

February 18, 2025

Georgian Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli Ends 38-Day Hunger Strike Amidst Political Turmoil

February 18, 2025 - Georgia - Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, concluded her 38-day hunger strike on February 18, 2025. Her protest began following her arrest on January 12 during anti-government demonstrations in Batumi, where she was charged with assaulting a police officer after slapping Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions over Georgia's halted European Union integration efforts and allegations of electoral misconduct. Amaglobeli's hunger strike drew significant international attention, with numerous organizations and governments calling for her release. The International Federation...

February 18, 2025

Turkish Journalists Face Escalating Repression Amid Crackdown on Dissent

February 18, 2025 - Turkey - Turkey has witnessed a significant surge in the detention and imprisonment of journalists, raising serious concerns about the state of press freedom in the country. One notable case is that of Ozan Kaplanoğlu, the editor-in-chief of Bursa Muhalif newspaper. Kaplanoğlu was imprisoned in February 2025 after a conditional release decision was revoked. He had been convicted in 2013 for insulting then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a protest, a charge that has been upheld by appellate courts. His lawyer argued that this act should be considered an exercise of...

February 18, 2025

Vietnamese Journalist Truong Huy San Sentenced to Prison Over Facebook Posts

February 18, 2025 - Vietnam - Vietnamese journalist and writer Truong Huy San, known as Huy Đức, was sentenced in early 2025 to 30 months in prison under Article 331 of Vietnam’s Penal Code. The court ruled that thirteen Facebook posts he published between 2015 and 2024 constituted an “abuse of democratic freedoms” that infringed on the interests of the state and the rights of organizations and individuals. His posts reportedly criticized government policies and raised sensitive social and political issues. San was arrested in June 2024 and has remained in detention since. His trial...

February 18, 2025

Lawsuits Filed After Florida Journalist Dylan Lyons Killed in Shooting Spree

February 18, 2025 - USA - Spectrum News 13 reporter Dylan Lyons was fatally shot while covering a homicide in Pine Hills, Florida. The shooter, 19-year-old Keith Melvin Moses, had earlier killed 38-year-old Nathacha Augustin and later returned to the scene, fatally shooting Lyons and 9-year-old T’Yonna Major, while injuring photographer Jesse Walden and Major’s mother, Brandi Turner. Moses has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In response to the tragedy, Lyons' family filed a negligence lawsuit against Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum News 13. The lawsuit alleges that the company failed to...

February 18, 2025

Philippine Coast Guard Condemns China’s ‘Dangerous’ Helicopter Maneuvers Over Scarborough Shoal

February 18, 2025 - Philippines - In a significant escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has condemned what it describes as "dangerous" maneuvers by a Chinese Navy helicopter that flew within three meters of a Philippine surveillance aircraft over the contested Scarborough Shoal on February 18, 2025. The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft, which was conducting a routine maritime domain awareness flight, had a group of journalists onboard. According to the PCG, the Chinese helicopter performed "reckless" flight maneuvers, tailing the plane before drawing...

February 18, 2025

France Investigates 2012 Deaths of Journalists in Syria as Crimes Against Humanity

February 18, 2025 - France/Syria - The French judiciary has expanded its investigation into the 2012 deaths of journalist Marie Colvin and photographer Rémi Ochlik in Syria, now considering the incident as a potential crime against humanity. This move follows new evidence suggesting a coordinated attack targeting civilians, including journalists and human rights defenders, as part of a systematic campaign. Marie Colvin, a renowned American war correspondent for The Sunday Times, and French photographer Rémi Ochlik were killed on February 22, 2012, during a shelling of the Baba Amr Media Center in Homs, Syria. The...

February 18, 2025

Belarus Releases American Journalist Amid Diplomatic Efforts

February 18, 2025 - Belarus - Belarus has released three detainees, including an American citizen and a journalist affiliated with U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). This move is seen as part of Belarus's efforts to improve relations with the United States. The American detainee's identity and the charges against them have not been publicly disclosed. The journalist, Andrey Kuznechyk, was arrested in November 2021 during a crackdown on independent media in Belarus. Initially sentenced to 10 days in jail on hooliganism charges, Kuznechyk was later charged with participating in an extremist organization and sentenced...

February 18, 2025

Man Arrested for Racially Charged Email Targeting Journalist Antoinette Lattouf

February 18, 2025 - Australia - A 61-year-old man from Lake Cathie, New South Wales, has been arrested and charged with sending a harassing and racially charged email to journalist Antoinette Lattouf. The email, which contained violent threats, was reported to police by Lattouf in late 2024. Following an investigation by the Counter-Terrorism and Special Tactics Command’s Security Investigations Unit, authorities executed a search warrant at the man's residence and arrested him on February 18, 2025. He has been charged under Section 474.17 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) for using a carriage service...

February 17, 2025

Turkish Journalists Face Legal Challenges Amid Press Freedom Concerns

February 17, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish authorities have intensified their scrutiny of journalists and media outlets critical of the government, leading to arrests and legal actions that have raised concerns about press freedom in the country. Halk TV Journalists Detained On January 28, 2025, Turkish police detained three prominent journalists from the opposition broadcaster Halk TV—Barış Pehlivan, Seda Selek, and Serhan Asker. The detentions were part of an investigation into allegations that the journalists had attempted to influence an expert witness in ongoing court cases involving mayors from the main opposition Republican People's Party...

February 17, 2025

French Court Convicts IS Members for 2013 Kidnapping of Journalists in Syria

February 17, 2025 - France - In a landmark decision, a French court has sentenced 39-year-old French jihadist Mehdi Nemmouche to life imprisonment for his role in the 2013 kidnapping of four French journalists by the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria. Nemmouche, who was already serving a life sentence in Belgium for a 2014 attack on the Jewish Museum in Brussels, was convicted of holding the journalists hostage in Aleppo for 10 months. The court also sentenced his co-defendants: Abdelmalek Tanem received 22 years, and Kais Al Abdallah was sentenced to 20 years. Two...

February 17, 2025

Philippines Achieves Milestone with Zero Journalist Killings in 2024 Amid Ongoing Press Freedom Challenges

February 17, 2025 - Philippines - For the first time in two decades, the Philippines reported no journalist killings in 2024, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). This marks a significant shift from previous years, where the country consistently ranked among the deadliest for journalists. However, experts caution that this development may be attributed to factors beyond improved press freedom. The CPJ's report highlights that the absence of journalist deaths in 2024 could be due to various reasons, including the lack of local reporting on such incidents, increased safety measures, and potential self-censorship...

February 17, 2025

Press Freedom Under Siege: Bangladesh Journalists Confront Escalating Threats and Repressive Legislation

February 17, 2025 - Bangladesh - Journalists in Bangladesh are facing increasing threats, attacks, and legal pressures, raising serious concerns about press freedom in the country. In early 2025, the situation worsened as reporters were subjected to physical violence and intimidation, with at least 17 journalists attacked in February alone. A notable incident involved Shohag Khan Sujon, a correspondent for the daily Samakal, who was assaulted with a hammer and stabbed after investigating allegations of medical negligence. Such attacks highlight the dangerous conditions under which journalists operate, especially when reporting on sensitive issues. Alongside physical...

February 17, 2025

Journalist Manuel Duran Detained Over a Year by ICE After Covering Immigration Protest

February 17, 2025 - El Salvador/USA - Salvadoran journalist Manuel Duran spent over 15 months in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after covering an immigration protest in Memphis, Tennessee. His arrest and prolonged detention have sparked concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists reporting on immigration issues. Duran was arrested in April 2018 during a protest against ICE’s immigration enforcement policies. Although he was initially charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing a highway, those charges were eventually dropped. However, because of a 2007 deportation order from when he was younger, ICE...

February 17, 2025

Dutch Journalist Detained in Sierra Leone Amid Espionage Allegations

February 17, 2025 - South Africa/Netherlands - Dutch journalist Sophie van Leeuwen, an Africa correspondent for RTL Nieuws, was detained by Sierra Leonean authorities on suspicion of espionage. She was reportedly conducting documentary work in Freetown when she was arrested by the Sierra Leone Police. The police alleged that she was filming without proper authorization, leading to her detention and subsequent interrogation at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Van Leeuwen's arrest coincided with heightened tensions between Sierra Leone and the Netherlands over the alleged presence of Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers in Sierra Leone. Leijdekkers,...

February 16, 2025

Turkish Airstrike Kills Syrian Kurdish Journalist Near Tishrin Dam

February 16, 2025 - Turkey/Syria - Syrian Kurdish journalist Agid Roj was killed on February 15, 2025, in a Turkish drone strike near the Tishrin Dam, northeast of Manbij, Syria. Roj, originally from Afrin, had been reporting on escalating tensions between Turkish forces and Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria. His death has drawn widespread condemnation from press freedom organizations and local activists, who accuse Turkey of deliberately targeting journalists and civilians in the region. The Tishrin Dam area has been a focal point of Turkish military operations, with repeated airstrikes and shelling attacks targeting the...

February 16, 2025

International Silence on Attacks Against Journalists in Northeast Syria Draws Sharp Criticism

February 16, 2025 - Syria - The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) has issued a strong call for the global community to end its silence over repeated attacks on journalists in the region. This appeal comes in the wake of the recent killing of Kurdish journalist Egîd Roj (also known as Şervan Sîdo), who was killed in a Turkish drone strike near the Tishrin Dam. This tragic event marks the third attack on journalists in Northeast Syria since December 2024. DAANES condemned the Turkish state and allied forces for targeting media...

February 16, 2025

Journalist Egîd Roj’s Last Words: A Message of Hope Amid Conflict

February 16, 2025 - Syria/Turkey - Egîd Roj, a courageous journalist from Afrin, Syria, lost his life on February 15, 2025, during a Turkish drone strike at Tishrin Dam in northeastern Syria. Known for his fearless reporting from conflict zones, Egîd was covering the ongoing civilian resistance when he was targeted. His death highlights the extreme dangers faced by journalists working to document the realities in war-torn regions. Before his tragic death, Egîd shared a powerful message of resilience and hope. In his final words, he urged people not to give in to despair, emphasizing...

February 16, 2025

Tribute to Journalist Egîd Roj: A Legacy of Courage and Hope

February 16, 2025 - Turkey - Journalist Egîd Roj (born Shervan Seydo) was killed in a Turkish drone strike while covering civilian protests at Tishrin Dam in northeastern Syria. His death underscores the perilous conditions faced by journalists in conflict zones and highlights the targeted attacks on the press by the Turkish state. Born in Afrin into a patriotic family, Egîd Roj dedicated his life to documenting the struggles and resistance of his people. Since the outbreak of the Northern and Eastern Syria Revolution in 2012, he joined the revolutionary movement, initially participating in defense...

February 16, 2025

Resilient and Unwavering: Palestinian Journalists in Gaza Defy Suppression

February 16, 2025 - General - Since the outbreak of intense conflict in Gaza on October 7, 2023, Palestinian journalists have faced extraordinary dangers while reporting from the frontlines. Despite relentless attacks, including bombings and sniper fire, more than 200 media workers have lost their lives, making Gaza one of the deadliest places for journalists globally. The killing of reporters such as Ismail al-Ghoul, who died covering critical events in Gaza City, highlights the grave risks these journalists endure daily. Israeli forces have systematically sought to suppress independent media coverage by evacuating foreign journalists and...

February 14, 2025

AP Journalists Barred from Air Force One Over “Gulf of Mexico” Naming Dispute

February 14, 2025 - General - A dispute between the White House and the Associated Press (AP) arose over the naming of a major body of water. President Donald Trump issued an executive order renaming the "Gulf of Mexico" as the "Gulf of America," a move that drew criticism from the Mexican government, international media, and many observers who viewed it as unnecessary and politically charged. The AP, known for maintaining strict editorial standards, continued to use the term "Gulf of Mexico" in its reporting. The agency justified this decision by citing the name’s long-standing...

February 13, 2025

Italian Government Denies Spying on Journalists and Migrant Activists Using Paragon Spyware

February 13, 2025 - Italy - The Italian government faced allegations of using Israeli-made spyware, Graphite, developed by Paragon Solutions, to surveil journalists and migrant activists. The controversy erupted when WhatsApp informed 90 individuals across 24 countries, including Italian journalist Francesco Cancellato and migrant rights advocate Luca Casarini, that their phones had been compromised by the spyware. The spyware, capable of accessing encrypted messages and other sensitive data, was reportedly deployed without the users' knowledge. The Italian government denied any involvement in the surveillance activities. Cabinet Minister Luca Ciriani acknowledged that at least seven Italian...

February 13, 2025

Crackdown on Dissent: Egypt Arrests Wife of Detained Cartoonist Ashraf Omar

February 13, 2025 - Egypt - In a deepening crackdown on dissent and press freedom, Egyptian authorities arrested Nada Mougheeth, the wife of jailed cartoonist Ashraf Omar, on January 16, 2025. Her arrest came shortly after she gave an interview criticizing the government’s treatment of her husband, who has been detained since July 2024 for publishing satirical cartoons critical of the Egyptian regime and economic mismanagement. According to reports, Mougheeth was taken from her home in Cairo by state security officers. She now faces serious charges, including “spreading false news” and “joining a terrorist organization.”...

February 13, 2025

Georgian Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli’s Defiant Stand Amidst Government Crackdown

February 13, 2025 - Georgia - Mzia Amaghlobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist and founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has become a symbol of resistance against the Georgian government's increasing authoritarianism. On January 12, 2025, Amaghlobeli was arrested during an anti-government protest in Batumi, initially for placing a sticker calling for a national strike. She was later rearrested and charged with assaulting a police officer after slapping Batumi's police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze, in response to alleged verbal abuse. The charge carries a potential prison sentence of 4 to 7 years. In protest...

February 13, 2025

Italian government denies it spied on journalists and migrant activists using Paragon spyware

February 13, 2025 - Source: News4 - The Italian government denied Wednesday that it had spied on journalists and migrant activists using spyware but said it would cooperate with an investigation into “vulnerabilities” after at least seven Italian cellphones were apparently hacked with military-grade surveillance technology. Meta’s WhatsApp messaging service informed dozens of people across the European Union on Jan. 31 that they had been targeted in a spyware attack using technology from Israeli cyber firm Paragon Solutions. In a statement provided by Meta’s Italy press office, WhatsApp said it had disrupted what it called...

February 13, 2025

White House-AP Dispute Over “Gulf of Mexico” Naming Highlights Press Freedom Battle

February 13, 2025 - USA - Tensions escalated between the White House and the Associated Press (AP) over the renaming of the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America.” President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14172 on January 20, mandating that federal agencies adopt the new name. Though the order was limited to government use, it quickly became a point of contention with media organizations and the public, who criticized the move as politically motivated and historically inaccurate. The AP maintained its editorial policy of using “Gulf of Mexico” in its coverage, recognizing the...

February 12, 2025

RSF Condemns Unlawful Detention of Journalist Fernand Cello

February 12, 2025 - Madacasgar - Investigative journalist Fernand Cello, affiliated with the daily newspaper Basy Vava, was arrested at his home in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, and detained at Antanimora prison. His detention has been marked by a lack of access to legal counsel, family, or colleagues, raising serious concerns about due process and press freedom. Cello's arrest stems from a September 2023 Facebook post in which he inaccurately claimed that President Andry Rajoelina and other top officials had fled to France. Although he promptly retracted the statement and issued a public apology, authorities charged...

February 12, 2025

Belarus Frees American, Journalist, and Activist in Surprise Diplomatic Breakthrough

February 12, 2025 - USA - Belarus released three detainees on February 12, 2025, including an American citizen, Belarusian journalist Andrey Kuznechyk, and opposition activist Alena Maushuk. The surprise move, facilitated through diplomatic coordination with Lithuania and the United States, was welcomed by the White House and international human rights advocates. The American citizen, whose identity remains undisclosed, was reportedly transferred to safety in Vilnius, Lithuania, along with the two Belarusians. The U.S. government confirmed their release and praised the collaborative efforts that led to their freedom, particularly highlighting Lithuania’s role in providing safe passage...

February 12, 2025

Haiti: Journalism Amid Collapse and Chaos

February 12, 2025 - Haiti - Haiti has become one of the deadliest places in the world to be a journalist, despite not being in an official war zone. Journalists in the country face relentless threats from heavily armed gangs, political instability, and the breakdown of government institutions. The once-vibrant media landscape is now in survival mode, as reporters are targeted with alarming frequency. Gang violence, especially in Port-au-Prince, has made newsrooms direct targets. In March, the powerful Viv Ansanm gang coalition launched coordinated attacks, setting fire to at least three radio stations, including the...

February 12, 2025

2024: A Record Year for Journalist Fatalities, with Israel Implicated in Majority

February 12, 2025 - Palestine - In 2024, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported a record 124 journalist deaths across 18 countries, marking the deadliest year since the organization began tracking such data over three decades ago. Notably, Israel was responsible for nearly 70% of these fatalities, with 85 journalists killed by the Israeli military during the conflict in Gaza. The majority of those killed were Palestinians, including freelancers and local reporters who continued to document the war despite facing extreme risks. The CPJ highlighted that freelance journalists accounted for over a third of...

February 11, 2025

Guinean Journalist Habib Marouane Camara Still Missing Months After Abduction

February 11, 2025 - Guinea - Guinean investigative journalist Habib Marouane Camara was violently abducted in Conakry by men wearing gendarme uniforms. Camara, founder of the news website Lerevelateur224.com, was en route to a meeting with businessman Kerfalla Camara when his vehicle was intercepted at Carrefour KPC. Witnesses reported that the assailants smashed his car’s windshield, assaulted him, and forcibly took him to an unknown location. Despite immediate efforts by his family and legal representatives to locate him, Camara's whereabouts remain unknown months later. His wife, Mariama Lamarana Diallo, and lawyer, Salif Béavogui, filed a...

February 11, 2025

Kyrgyz President Supports Elon Musk’s Call to Shut Down U.S.-Funded Media Outlets

February 11, 2025 - Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov publicly endorsed Elon Musk's proposal to close U.S.-funded media organizations Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA). Musk, serving as head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), labeled these outlets as outdated and questioned the justification for the substantial government funding they receive. President Japarov, in an interview with Kyrgyzstan's state news agency Kabar, echoed Musk's sentiments, suggesting that the role of traditional media outlets like RFE/RL has diminished in the digital age. He stated that platforms such as Azattyk,...

February 11, 2025

Iran Pardons Journalists Jailed Over Mahsa Amini Coverage Amid Ongoing Press Freedom Concerns

February 11, 2025 - Iran - Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, granted pardons to journalists Niloofar Hamedi, Elaheh Mohammadi, and Rouhollah Nakhaei. This action coincided with the 46th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Hamedi and Mohammadi had been arrested in September 2022 following their coverage of Mahsa Amini's death in police custody—a tragic event that ignited nationwide protests. Hamedi, a photojournalist for Shargh Daily, reported on Amini's hospitalization, while Mohammadi, a reporter for Ham-Mihan newspaper, covered her funeral. Their reporting played a pivotal role in bringing international attention to the incident. In October...

February 10, 2025

Israeli Forces Kill 7 Palestinian Journalists in Gaza Amid Escalating Attacks

February 10, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli military actions in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least seven Palestinian journalists, marking a significant escalation in the conflict's toll on media professionals. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate identified the victims as Omar al-Diraoui, Saed Abu Nabhan, Ahlam al-Taluli, Mohammed Bashir al-Talmis, Aqel Saleh, Ahmed al-Shiah, and Ahmed Hisham Abu al-Rus. Additionally, nine family members of media workers were killed, and six journalists' homes were destroyed during the same period. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has documented over 210 journalist fatalities since the onset of the...

February 10, 2025

Assassination of Investigative Journalist Edmondo Bahati Monja in Democratic Republic of Congo

February 10, 2025 - Congo - Edmondo Bahati Monja, an investigative journalist for Radio Maria in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was tragically shot and killed by armed assailants. Based in the eastern region of the country, Goma has been a focal point of violence involving rebel and militia groups. Bahati had been reporting on these conflicts, highlighting the grave human rights abuses and escalating violence in the area. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay condemned Bahati's killing, emphasizing that such acts undermine the fundamental human right to freedom of expression. Azoulay called on the DRC...

February 10, 2025

Two Somali Journalists Freed After Illegal Detention by Security Agency and Clan Militia

February 10, 2025 - Somalia - Somali journalists Sharif Abdi and Omar Yusuf Mohamed (also known as Omar Guux) were released after being unlawfully detained by the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and a clan militia, respectively. Their detentions highlight ongoing concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists in Somalia. Sharif Abdi, a freelance journalist, was arrested on January 25, 2025, by armed NISA officers who tracked his phone after raiding his home in Mogadishu's Waberi district. He was held without a court order at Godka Jilaow, a notorious NISA detention...

February 10, 2025

Italian Journalist Francesco Cancellato Targeted by Israeli Spyware Amid Press Freedom Concerns

February 10, 2025 - Italy - Italian investigative journalist Francesco Cancellato is, editor-in-chief of Fanpage.It, became the latest target of an alarming spyware campaign that has raised serious concerns about press freedom and digital security. WhatsApp alerted Cancellato that his phone had been compromised by Graphite spyware, developed by Israeli company Paragon Solutions. This spyware is especially dangerous because it can infiltrate devices remotely without any interaction from the user, known as a "zero-click" attack. Cancellato is among nearly 90 individuals worldwide targeted in this campaign, including other journalists, activists, and human rights defenders. The...

February 10, 2025

Syrians Demand Justice as Alleged Informant in Marie Colvin’s Death Returns to Damascus

February 10, 2025 - Syria - The return of Khaled al-Fares to Syria has ignited widespread outrage and calls for accountability among Syrians and international human rights organizations. Al-Fares, previously a member of the pro-Assad National Defense Forces and a key figure in the regime's intelligence network, is accused of providing information that led to the 2012 assassination of American journalist Marie Colvin. Colvin was killed in a targeted artillery strike while reporting from Baba Amr in Homs, Syria. Documents obtained by The Media Line suggest that al-Fares was instrumental in identifying Colvin's location, leading...

February 9, 2025

Taliban Closes Radio Begum, Detains Staff in Escalating Crackdown on Afghan Women’s Media

February 09, 2025 - Afghanistan - Taliban authorities raided Radio Begum, Afghanistan’s only nationwide women-run radio station, arresting two employees and suspending its operations. The Ministry of Information and Culture cited "multiple violations," including the unauthorized provision of content to a foreign-based television channel, as grounds for the shutdown. Founded in March 2021 by Afghan journalist Hamida Aman, Radio Begum was established to provide educational programming for Afghan women and girls, particularly in the face of increasing restrictions on women's rights under Taliban rule. The station's content, produced entirely by Afghan women, includes lessons on...

February 9, 2025

Turkey Detains Three Journalists Over Istanbul Prosecutor Story

February 09, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish authorities detained three journalists from the independent newspaper BirGün after they published a story about a visit by a journalist from the pro-government Sabah newspaper to Istanbul’s chief prosecutor, Akın Gürlek. The detained journalists—Uğur Koç, Berkant Gültekin, and Yaşar Gökdemir—were accused under Turkey’s broad anti-terrorism laws of “targeting individuals engaged in counterterrorism efforts.” This move sparked significant backlash both within Turkey and internationally. The story at the center of the controversy had already been reported by Sabah itself, making the detention of the BirGün journalists even more contentious....

February 8, 2025

Veteran Kurdish Journalist Aziz Köylüoğlu Killed in Turkish Drone Strike

February 08, 2025 - Turkey/Iraq - Veteran Kurdish journalist Aziz Köylüoğlu was killed on January 27, 2025, in a targeted Turkish drone strike in the Ranya district of Sulaymaniyah province, part of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The Union of Democratic Press of Kurdistan (YRD) confirmed his death, describing the attack as a deliberate attempt to silence his critical reporting on Turkish state policies towards the Kurdish population. Born in 1976 in Diyarbakır (Amed), Turkey, Köylüoğlu began his journalistic career in the early 2000s. He worked across various media platforms, including RojNews, ANHA, and Ronahi...

February 8, 2025

Turkish Journalist Ali Barış Kurt Imprisoned for Social Media Posts

February 08, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish journalist Ali Barış Kurt was imprisoned in Istanbul after the Court of Cassation upheld a prison sentence of two years and four months against him. The sentence stemmed from charges related to his social media activity and journalistic work, which Turkish authorities claimed violated anti-terrorism laws. Following his detention, Kurt was taken to the Bostancı District Security Directorate and then remanded in custody at Maltepe L Type Closed Prison No. 1. Kurt’s imprisonment is part of a wider crackdown on press freedom in Turkey, a country where journalists...

February 7, 2025

JinNews Reporter Öznur Değer Imprisoned in Turkey for Reporting on Kurdish Family Massacre

February 7, 2025 - Turkey - Öznur Değer, a journalist for the Kurdish women's news agency JinNews, was arrested during a police raid on her home in Mardin, Turkey. Authorities charged her with "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" based on her social media posts and journalistic work. Değer had previously reported on the 2021 massacre of seven members of the Dedeoğulları family in Konya, a case that garnered significant attention due to its ethnic implications. Her posts, such as "I am a Kurd too" and "Kurds are being massacred in Konya," were cited as...

February 7, 2025

British-Syrian Journalist Richard Medhurst Detained Under UK Terrorism Act, Sparking Press Freedom Outcry

February 7, 2025 - Syria/UK/Austria - Richard Medhurst, a Syrian-British journalist and political commentator, was arrested on August 15, 2024, at London Heathrow Airport under Section 12 of the UK's Terrorism Act 2000. This section criminalizes expressing support for a proscribed organization, including opinions or beliefs that could encourage others to support such groups. Medhurst was detained for nearly 24 hours without being informed of the specific allegations against him. During his detention, his electronic devices and journalistic equipment were seized, and he was denied access to legal counsel until he explicitly requested it. He...

February 7, 2025

Chinese Journalist Zhang Zhan’s Health Deteriorates in Detention Five Years After Reporting on COVID-19 Outbreak

February 07, 2025 - China - Zhang Zhan, a Chinese citizen journalist and former lawyer, has been detained since May 2020 for her independent reporting on the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan. She was arrested after documenting the city's lockdown and the government's response, sharing her findings on social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, and WeChat. In December 2020, Zhang was sentenced to four years in prison on charges of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," a vaguely defined offense often used by Chinese authorities to suppress dissent. During her imprisonment, Zhang's...

February 7, 2025

Pakistan’s DigiMAP Condemns Threats Against Veteran Journalist Munizae Jahangir

February 07, 2025 - Pakistan - Pakistan’s Digital Media Alliance (DigiMAP) has raised alarm over serious threats and intimidation targeting Munizae Jahangir, a senior journalist and anchor known for her fearless reporting on sensitive issues, including controversial blasphemy cases. As a founding member of DigiMAP, Jahangir has been subjected to coordinated attacks aimed at silencing her and undermining press freedom in Pakistan. The recent wave of hostility, largely driven by religious extremist groups, has put Jahangir’s physical safety and professional integrity at risk. This campaign follows earlier episodes of online harassment and trolling, escalating the...

February 7, 2025

IFJ Urges Journalists Targeted by Spyware to Report Breaches Amid Global Surveillance Concerns

February 07, 2025 - General - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is calling on journalists who have been targeted by spyware to confidentially report breaches to the organization. This appeal follows revelations that nearly 100 journalists and civil society members were targeted using Paragon Solutions' "Graphite" spyware via WhatsApp. WhatsApp disclosed the disruption of this spyware campaign in December 2024 and has since notified affected users. Francesco Cancellato, an Italian investigative journalist, was among the first to publicly acknowledge receiving a notification from WhatsApp about the breach. Cancellato's outlet, Fanpage, had previously exposed controversial...

February 7, 2025

Serbian Journalists Face Growing Threat Amid Protests

February 07, 2025 - Serbia - Journalists in Serbia are facing an alarming wave of attacks, harassment, and surveillance as the country grapples with mass anti-government protests and political unrest. The current crisis began after the collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad in late 2024, which killed 15 people and was widely blamed on government negligence. Since then, students and activists have led large-scale protests demanding accountability and reform. Independent journalists covering the protests have become frequent targets. According to PEN International, they’ve faced public smear campaigns, doxxing, and verbal threats, often...

February 7, 2025

Slidell Woman Arrested in Death of Kansas City Reporter

February 07, 2025 - USA - A woman from Slidell, Louisiana, has been arrested in connection with the February 2025 death of Adan Manzano, a 27-year-old Telemundo reporter from Kansas City. Manzano was found dead in a Kenner hotel room during his assignment covering Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The suspect, 48-year-old Danette Colbert, was taken into custody after authorities reviewed surveillance footage showing her entering Manzano’s hotel room early in the morning and leaving alone an hour later. Shortly after her departure, Manzano was found deceased. An autopsy later confirmed that he died...

February 7, 2025

Journalists in Ethiopia Face Mounting Threats Amid Ongoing Conflict

February 07, 2025 - Ethiopia - Ethiopia’s independent media sector is under severe strain as journalists contend with arrests, surveillance, exile, and increasing violence amid the country’s ongoing political and ethnic conflicts. Since 2019, at least 92 journalists have been detained, with many targeted during periods of civil unrest, especially in the Amhara and Tigray regions. The government has used states of emergency and vague legal justifications—often linking journalists to rebel groups or accusing them of spreading misinformation—to suppress dissenting voices. In 2024 alone, 43 journalists were arrested, imprisoned, or kidnapped. Some were held in...

February 6, 2025

Azerbaijan’s Crackdown on Independent Journalists Intensifies Amid Politically Motivated Arrests

February 6, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan's government has intensified its crackdown on independent media, with the recent arrests of two more journalists on smuggling charges, bringing the total number of detained media workers to at least 24 since November 2023. These arrests are part of broader investigations into three prominent independent outlets: Abzas Media, Toplum TV, and Meydan TV. The latest detainees include Shamshad Agha, editor of the news website Argument, who was taken to court in Baku on February 6, 2025. Authorities accuse the journalists of smuggling foreign currency into the country, a...

February 6, 2025

France Warns Russia Over Journalist Accreditation Dispute

February 06, 2025 - Russia/France - France has strongly condemned Russia’s decision to revoke the accreditation of Benjamin Quénelle, Le Monde’s Moscow correspondent, calling it an unjustified and arbitrary “disguised expulsion.” This move has sparked a diplomatic dispute between the two countries amid already tense relations. The French Foreign Ministry expressed deep disapproval, warning Russia that such actions could prompt a formal response. France’s reaction comes shortly after Paris refused to grant visas to journalists from the Russian pro-Kremlin tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda, accusing them of being linked to Russian intelligence services. France views this refusal...

February 6, 2025

Ghanaian Journalists Face Growing Threats Amidst Mining Investigations

February 06, 2025 - Ghana - Ghanaian journalists are confronting escalating violence and intimidation, particularly when reporting on illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey. Despite constitutional guarantees of press freedom, a pervasive culture of impunity persists, undermining journalistic safety and accountability. In December 2024, journalist Ohemeng Tawiah and his camera operator, Joseph Kusi, were attacked by armed men, some in military camouflage, while covering a police operation against illegal mining in the Ashanti region. The assailants assaulted Tawiah with stones and machetes, stole equipment, and destroyed Kusi’s camera. Despite Tawiah providing police with evidence,...

February 5, 2025

Azerbaijan Intensifies Crackdown on Independent Media Amidst Unprecedented Arrests

February 5, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan's government has escalated its repression of independent journalism, with the International Press Institute (IPI) condemning the recent arrests of two journalists, Shamshad Aghayev and Ahmad Mammadli, as part of a broader campaign to silence critical media voices. These detentions bring the total number of journalists arrested in Azerbaijan to at least 25 since late 2023, marking an unprecedented crackdown on press freedom in the country. Aghayev, editor of the independent outlet Argument, was detained in February 2025 and charged with "smuggling of foreign currency" under Article 206.3.2 of...

February 5, 2025

Press Freedom Violations Surge in Turkey Amidst Growing Repression in 2025

February 05, 2025 - Turkey - Turkey experienced a sharp increase in press freedom violations, sparking urgent calls for action from more than 40 international media and press freedom organizations. Groups including the International Press Institute (IPI), the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and Freedom House jointly condemned the intensifying crackdown on independent journalism across the country. The coalition highlighted alarming statistics: in January 2025 alone, at least nine journalists were arrested, six received prison sentences, five were detained, 23 faced investigations, and one was subjected...

February 5, 2025

Bangladesh Faces Escalating Threats to Press Freedom Amid Political Transition

February 05, 2025 - Bangladesh - Bangladesh's press freedom landscape has deteriorated significantly in 2025, with journalists facing increased violence, harassment, and legal persecution. Despite the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, the interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has struggled to protect media workers and uphold press freedoms. According to Ain O Salish Kendra, from August 2024 to March 2025, there were 398 reported incidents of attacks and harassment against journalists, averaging over 50 incidents per month. Notably, in February and March alone, 82 such incidents were recorded. These attacks...

February 5, 2025

Bangladesh’s Press Freedom Under Siege: Arbitrary Detentions and International Appeals

February 05, 2025 - Bangladesh - Since the August 2024 ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's interim government under Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has intensified its crackdown on journalists, particularly those perceived as supportive of the former regime. This repression has led to widespread arrests, legal harassment, and international condemnation. Among the most prominent cases are those of journalists Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed. On August 21, 2024, the couple was arrested at Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport while attempting to travel to Paris. They were charged with murder in connection with their journalistic...

February 5, 2025

Georgian Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli Transferred to Clinic Amid Hunger Strike and Health Concerns

February 05, 2025 - Georgia - Mzia Amaglobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist and founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was transferred from prison to the Vivamedi clinic in early 2025 amid mounting concerns over her health. Amaglobeli was arrested on January 12, 2025, during a protest in Batumi, where she was charged with assaulting a police officer—a charge she and her supporters strongly dispute, arguing it was politically motivated. The protest itself was part of broader demonstrations calling for new elections and opposing the government’s suspension of Georgia’s European Union accession plans....

February 5, 2025

Tunisian Court Jails Opposition Politicians and Journalists Amid Crackdown on Dissent

February 05, 2025 - Tunisia - Tunisia’s political climate has intensified as the government escalates its crackdown on opposition figures and independent journalists. Several opposition politicians and journalists have been arrested and sentenced by Tunisian courts, prompting widespread domestic and international criticism over the suppression of political dissent and press freedom. Among those detained are prominent opposition leaders and journalists who have openly criticized the government’s policies and called for democratic reforms. These arrests come amid ongoing political tensions following the 2021 constitutional changes that increased executive powers and weakened democratic institutions. Critics argue that...

February 5, 2025

Assault on Journalist Viktoria Dmytrenko Highlights Rising Risks for Media in Ukraine

February 05, 2025 - Ukraine - Viktoria Dmytrenko, a journalist for My—Ukraina TV, was physically assaulted while reporting on a murder trial at the Shevchenkivskyi District Court in Kyiv. The incident occurred during proceedings related to the death of 16-year-old Maksym Materukhin, who was fatally injured at a Kyiv funicular station in April 2024. The suspect, Artem Kosov, an employee of the State Protection Department, was charged with premeditated murder. According to eyewitness accounts and video footage, a woman, identified as the mother of the accused, approached Dmytrenko, slapped her in the face, and forcibly...

February 5, 2025

Kurdish Journalist Bashdar Bazyani Detained Amidst Press Freedom Concerns

February 05, 2025 -Iraq - Kurdish journalist Bashdar Bazyani was arrested in Al-Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, after being summoned to the Sarchnar Police Station. Following interrogation, he was transferred to the Criminal Court, where a detention order was issued until February 9. Despite efforts by fellow journalists Sardasht Hama Salih and Dana Salih to visit him, access was reportedly denied. The Metro Center for the Defense of Journalists' Rights has called for Bazyani's immediate release on bail, emphasizing the need to handle journalistic cases under the Press Law and to avoid applying alternative laws to journalists...

February 5, 2025

Mozambican Blogger Albino Sibia Killed While Livestreaming Police Crackdown

February 05, 2025 - Mozambique - Mozambican blogger Albino José Sibia, known online as "Mano Shottas," was fatally shot by police while livestreaming a protest in Ressano Garcia, near the South African border. Sibia, 30, was documenting police dispersal of demonstrators protesting environmental concerns related to chromium transport. During the livestream, he was shot twice in the back by a police officer. His final words, "Help. I got shot and they keep shooting… I am dying," were broadcast live on Facebook. He died approximately four hours later while being transferred from a local clinic to...

February 5, 2025

VOA Journalist Targeted by Deepfake Campaign in Alarming Press Freedom Threat

February 05, 2025 - Russia - Voice of America (VOA) journalist Cristina Caicedo Smit became the target of a deepfake campaign, highlighting growing concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence to spread disinformation and undermine press freedom. At least two fabricated videos surfaced on social media platform X, depicting Caicedo Smit delivering news segments that she never recorded. These deepfakes utilized AI-generated visuals and audio to closely mimic her appearance and voice, making them appear convincingly authentic. The manipulated videos began with Caicedo Smit's standard introduction, lending an air of legitimacy, before transitioning into fabricated...

February 4, 2025

Afghan Journalist Mahdi Ansary Jailed by Taliban in Ongoing Crackdown on Media

February 04, 2025 - Afghanistan - The Taliban regime has intensified its suppression of press freedom with the sentencing of Afghan journalist Mahdi Ansary to 18 months in prison on vague anti-regime charges. Ansary, a reporter for the Kabul-based YouTube channel "Rah-e-Farda," was convicted in a closed-door military court without due process or legal representation, raising widespread alarm among press freedom advocates and international rights organizations. Ansary was arrested on October 5, 2023, by the Taliban’s intelligence agency and held incommunicado for over 100 days. His conviction in early January 2025 was reportedly based on...

February 4, 2025

Kazakh Satirist Temirlan Yensebek Sentenced Over Social Media Post

February 04, 2025 - Kazakhstan - Temirlan Yensebek, a well-known Kazakh political satirist and founder of the Instagram page Qaznews24, was sentenced in April 2025 to five years of restricted freedom after being convicted of “inciting ethnic and religious hatred.” The charges stemmed from a satirical post mocking Russian media figure Tina Kandelaki’s comments about Kazakhstan. Yensebek’s account, known for humorous takes on current events, had posted a parody video that authorities claimed promoted social discord. Yensebek was arrested on January 17, 2025, and tried under Article 174 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code, a broadly worded...

February 4, 2025

Usman Khawaja Defends Journalist Peter Lalor After Dismissal Over Gaza Posts

February 04, 2025 - Australia - Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has publicly defended veteran sports journalist Peter Lalor after he was removed from SEN Radio’s commentary team for expressing support for Palestinians during the Gaza conflict. Lalor, who has reported on cricket for decades, was taken off the air after he shared and liked social media posts criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza. His dismissal sparked a wider debate about media neutrality, freedom of expression, and the treatment of those speaking out about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Lalor stated that his posts aimed to highlight...

February 3, 2025

UK Parliament Introduces ‘Jimmy Lai Bill’ to Protect Detained Journalists Abroad

February 03, 2025 - China/UK - British Member of Parliament Blair McDougall introduced the 'Jimmy Lai Bill'—officially titled the Consular Assistance (Journalists) Bill—in the UK Parliament. This proposed legislation aims to establish a legal right for British journalists detained or held hostage abroad to receive consular assistance, addressing a significant gap in the UK's current foreign policy framework. Named after Jimmy Lai, a British citizen and founder of Hong Kong's pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, the bill highlights the challenges faced by journalists operating in repressive regimes. Lai has been imprisoned in Hong Kong since December...

February 3, 2025

Putin’s Threats Against Journalist Highlight Press Freedom Challenges

February 03, 2025 - Russia/USA - Russian President Vladimir Putin has intensified his crackdown on independent journalism by issuing threats against British journalist Jerome Starkey. Starkey, the Defense Editor for The Sun, has been reporting from Ukraine, documenting the human cost of Russia's invasion. In retaliation, a Russian court in Kursk issued an arrest warrant for Starkey, accusing him of illegally crossing the border during a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Starkey has dismissed these charges as politically motivated and vowed to continue his reporting, emphasizing that journalism is not a crime. This development underscores the increasing risks...

February 3, 2025

Press Freedom in Asia Faces Sharp Decline Amid Crackdowns and Internet Restrictions

February 03, 2025 - Asia - Press freedom across Asia is under severe threat, marked by increasing arrests of journalists, widespread internet shutdowns, and restrictive cybersecurity laws that hinder independent media. The region remains the global leader in imprisoning journalists, with countries like China, Myanmar, and Vietnam holding dozens of reporters behind bars. Asia accounted for nearly one-third of all journalist detentions worldwide in 2024. Myanmar’s military junta has tightened its grip with a new cybersecurity law enacted in January 2025. This legislation empowers authorities to censor digital platforms aggressively, targeting VPNs and other tools...

February 3, 2025

Cambodia Denies Re-Entry to Investigative Journalist Gerald Flynn

February 03, 2025 - Cambodia - Cambodian authorities denied re-entry to British investigative journalist Gerald Flynn, citing alleged discrepancies in his visa application. Flynn, who has reported extensively on environmental issues in Cambodia, particularly illegal logging and land grabbing, was barred from returning after a brief trip to Thailand. Despite holding a valid work permit and a 12-month extension to his multiple-entry business visa, immigration officials claimed that Flynn had submitted a fraudulent visa application and placed him on a blacklist dating back to November 25, 2024. Flynn's exclusion follows his involvement in a France24...

February 3, 2025

Remembering Kenji Goto: A Decade Since the Tragic Loss of a Courageous Journalist

February 03, 2025 - Japan - On January 31, 2025, journalists and supporters gathered in Tokyo to honor the memory of Kenji Goto, the Japanese reporter who was killed by Islamic State militants in Syria ten years ago. Goto's tragic death in 2015 marked a grim milestone, as he remains the only Japanese journalist since World War II to be taken hostage and murdered while covering a conflict zone. Goto was captured during his courageous reporting in Syria, and the shocking video of his execution was released in early February 2015. His work reflected a...

February 3, 2025

Mexican Journalist Alejandro Gallegos León Found Dead Amid Rising Violence Against Press

February 03, 2025 - Mexico - Alejandro Gallegos León, a prominent Mexican journalist, was found murdered in Cárdenas, Tabasco. He had been reported missing the day before, last seen around mid-afternoon. Gallegos, 51, was a well-known figure in local journalism, founding the Facebook news outlet La Voz del Pueblo, contributing as a columnist for Tabasco HOY, and teaching at Alfa y Omega University in Villahermosa. His body was discovered with gunshot wounds, prompting an immediate investigation by the Tabasco State Attorney General’s Office. The circumstances of his death have raised concerns about targeted violence against...

February 3, 2025

Syrian Photographers Union Condemns Turkish Attacks on Journalists Near Tishreen Dam

February 03, 2025 - Syria/Turkey - The Syrian Photographers Union, based near the Tishreen Dam in northeastern Syria, has strongly condemned recent Turkish military actions targeting journalists and civilians in the region. In a statement issued on February 3, 2025, the union highlighted the importance of art and journalism in conveying the suffering, culture, heritage, and spirit of people throughout history. The union called for international pressure on Turkey to cease these attacks and to allow for the organization of art festivals instead of destruction. Over the past three months, Turkish drone strikes have resulted...

February 3, 2025

Yemeni Journalist Sentenced for Social Media Criticism Amid Press Freedom Concerns

February 03, 2025 - Yemen - Freelance journalist Aziz Al-Ahmadi was sentenced to four months in prison with a suspended sentence by the Ataq Primary Court in Shabwa province, southern Yemen. The charges stemmed from an August 2024 Facebook post in which Al-Ahmadi questioned the rental of private land for a solar energy project instead of utilizing public land and criticized frequent power outages in the region. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the ruling, labeling it an example of escalating intimidation against journalists in Yemen. CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna...

February 3, 2025

Hungarian Authorities Detain and Charge Telex Journalists Amid Media Freedom Concerns

February 03, 2025 - Hungary - Two journalists from the independent Hungarian news outlet Telex—reporter Dániel Simor and camera operator Noémi Gombos—were detained by police while waiting to question Prime Minister Viktor Orbán about healthcare issues. The journalists had registered to cover the opening of a film studio in Fót but were stopped and removed by police before the Prime Minister’s arrival. After being held and questioned for three hours, they were charged with misdemeanor offenses for allegedly resisting police orders, potentially facing fines up to $500. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) strongly condemned...

February 3, 2025

Cambodian Journalists Detained Over Video Exposing Alleged Torture in Cyberscam Compound

February 03, 2025 - Cambodia - Two Cambodian journalists, Duong Akhara and Lay Socheat, were arrested after releasing a video that allegedly showed a man being tortured in a cyberscam compound in Phnom Penh. The footage, published by Akhara’s SA TV and Socheat’s Cambodia Star Daily News 24/24, reportedly depicted a victim handcuffed to a pole and subjected to physical abuse. However, Cambodian authorities denied the authenticity of the video and accused the journalists of spreading false information. Both Akhara and Socheat were charged with incitement, with officials claiming their video could disrupt public order...

February 2, 2025

Mexican Journalist Alan García Zúñiga Released After 11 Days in Captivity

February 02, 2025 - Mexico - Mexican journalist Alan García Zúñiga was abducted near his home in Poza Rica, Veracruz, a region notorious for threats against press freedom. García Zúñiga, who had worked for local newspapers Noreste and El Dictamen de Veracruz, had shifted from traditional reporting to managing a Facebook page sharing official police information at the municipal and state levels. He also worked as a stretcher-bearer at a Pemex hospital. Since 2017, García Zúñiga had been under the Federal Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, following an earlier armed attack against...

February 2, 2025

Iraqi Kurdish Photojournalist Qaraman Shukri Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison After Secret Trial

February 02, 2025 - Iraq - In a troubling development for press freedom in Iraqi Kurdistan, photojournalist Qaraman Shukri was sentenced to seven years in prison following a secret trial. The verdict, delivered without public transparency, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights and press freedom organizations. Shukri, known for his courageous reporting and documentation of political and social issues in the region, was arrested in late 2020 under unclear charges. Authorities have not publicly disclosed detailed evidence or the grounds for his prosecution, raising serious concerns about the fairness of the legal process. His...

February 2, 2025

Palestinian Journalists Reveal Untold Stories from the Gaza War

February 02, 2025 - Palestine - Amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Palestinian journalists have been courageously documenting the war’s harsh realities, offering powerful firsthand accounts that go beyond headlines. Their reporting captures not only the destruction but also the resilience and humanity of those living through the crisis. One such journalist, Plestia Alaqad, shared her experiences at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2025. Alaqad recounted the deep losses she witnessed — entire neighborhoods and families erased by conflict. She emphasized how many of the places she reported on no longer exist, illustrating the fragile and...

February 2, 2025

Berlin Police Officer Fined for Assaulting Journalist During Protest Eviction

February 02, 2025 - Germany - A Berlin police officer was fined €7,200 for assaulting a journalist during a police operation at Humboldt University in May 2024. The incident occurred amid the eviction of pro-Palestinian activists who had barricaded themselves inside the university’s Institute for Social Sciences. The journalist, clearly marked with press credentials including a press badge and professional equipment, was covering the protest when the officer unlawfully detained and assaulted him. Despite the journalist’s visible identification, the officer struck him in the face and handcuffed him, holding him in custody for several hours....

February 2, 2025

Israeli Soldiers Shoot Three Palestinians and Assault Journalist in West Bank

February 02, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli forces shot at least three Palestinians, including a child, and assaulted a journalist during operations in various parts of the occupied West Bank. In Beitunia, near the Ofer military prison, a 15-year-old boy was shot in the thigh with live ammunition while near the prison. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that its ambulance crews transported the child to the hospital. Concurrently, soldiers fired concussion grenades at citizens in the area, coinciding with a bus carrying released Palestinian detainees as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and...

February 1, 2025

Israeli Forces Detain Palestinian Journalists and Confiscate Equipment in Hebron

February 01, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli occupation forces detained two Palestinian journalists, Ihab Al-Alami and Nidal Al-Natsheh, while they were documenting agricultural damage near the Israeli settlement of Karmei Tzur in Beit Ummar, north of Hebron. The journalists were reporting on the destruction of Palestinian-owned farmland, a frequent consequence of settler expansion and military actions in the occupied West Bank. During the detention, Israeli soldiers confiscated three cameras from Al-Alami and Al-Natsheh, preventing them from continuing their documentation. After several hours, the journalists were released but forced to leave the area under military orders....

February 1, 2025

Trump’s War on the Free Press: A Systematic Attack on Truth

February 01, 2025 - USA - From the outset of his political career, Donald Trump has waged a relentless war against the free press, undermining public trust and reshaping the media landscape. His campaign is not merely rhetorical but represents a deliberate strategy to discredit, marginalize, and control the flow of information. In the first 100 days of his presidency, Trump took unprecedented steps to sideline traditional media. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) documented multiple alarming trends: the White House excluded major outlets like CNN and The New York Times from press briefings, threatened to revoke...

February 1, 2025

Wave of Journalist Arrests Highlights Growing Media Repression in Kurdish Regions

February 01, 2025 - Kurdistan - A series of journalist arrests in Iraqi Kurdistan and northeastern Syria has drawn strong condemnation from international media watchdogs, highlighting ongoing threats to press freedom in the region. In Iraqi Kurdistan’s Sulaymaniyah province, journalist Bashdar Baziani was detained along with three colleagues in February 2025 while covering the launch of the Media21 digital outlet. Although his colleagues were released shortly after on bail, Baziani remains imprisoned without formal charges. Organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have condemned his detention as arbitrary,...

February 1, 2025

The PA, Israel, and Arab States: A Coordinated Effort to Silence Palestinian Voices

February 01, 2025 - Palestine - Recent analyses highlight a disturbing alliance between the Palestinian Authority (PA), Israel, and several Arab governments aimed at suppressing Palestinian dissent and obstructing the truth about the ongoing occupation. According to Al Jazeera’s Eman Mohammed, the PA has consistently worked alongside Israel to silence independent journalists and restrict freedom of expression. Drawing from personal experience in Gaza, Mohammed describes how the PA’s security forces targeted journalists, activists, and critics to maintain political control and avoid challenging Israeli authority. This partnership allows Israel to outsource much of the internal repression...

February 1, 2025

Israeli Spyware Targets Italian Journalists, Raising Press Freedom Concerns

February 01, 2025 - Italy - Two Italian investigative journalists from Fanpage.it have publicly identified themselves as targets of sophisticated Israeli-made spyware, fueling growing concerns about the misuse of surveillance technology against journalists and activists. In January 2025, Francesco Cancellato, editor-in-chief of Fanpage.it, received an alert from WhatsApp informing him that his phone was targeted with spyware. This notification was part of a broader alert campaign affecting approximately 90 users globally. Cancellato, known for his investigative work on Italy’s far-right Brothers of Italy party, described the attempted intrusion as a serious violation of his privacy....

February 1, 2025

Journalists Killed, Arrested, and Released Amid Escalating Attacks on Press Freedom

February 01, 2025 - Turkey - On December 19, 2024, Turkish journalists Nazîm Daştan and Cîhan Bilgin were killed when a Turkish drone targeted their vehicle near the Tishrin Dam in Northern and Eastern Syria. Daştan worked for Firat News Agency and Ronahi TV, while Bilgin was a correspondent for Hawar News Agency. Their driver was also injured. Press freedom organizations, including the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG), condemned the strike as a deliberate assault on journalists fulfilling their duty to document the conflict. Following the killings, Turkish authorities arrested several journalists on December 21,...

January 31, 2025

Ryazan Journalists Arrested on Extortion Charges Amid Growing Pressure on Russian Media

January 31, 2025 - Russia - In January 2025, three Russian journalists were arrested in Ryazan on charges of extorting a local businessman. The case has attracted widespread attention, highlighting ongoing concerns about media freedom and the legal pressures faced by journalists in Russia. Those arrested include Konstantin Smirnov, editor-in-chief of the Telegram channel Ryazan Vid Sboku and a local Yabloko party member, Alexei Frolov, former head of the Ryazan bureau for the independent Novaya Gazeta, and Natalia Smolyaninova, a former television reporter. Authorities allege that the journalists demanded between 300,000 and 1.2 million rubles...

January 31, 2025

Russia Expands “Foreign Agent” List to Target VOA, Current Time, and BBC Journalists

January 31, 2025 - Russia - In January 2025, Russia’s Justice Ministry added six journalists from Voice of America (VOA), Current Time, and the BBC to its growing "foreign agents" registry, escalating its crackdown on independent media and foreign press. Among those designated are Ksenia Turkova, a journalist for VOA’s Russian service, and Iryna Romaliiska, a correspondent for Current Time, a joint project of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and VOA. Several BBC Russian Service journalists were also included. This designation forces journalists to label all their work with a "foreign agent" disclaimer, report their income...

January 31, 2025

Israeli Journalist Faces Backlash After Soldiers Watch His Show in Raided Palestinian Home

January 31, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli journalist Yaniv Magal has sparked widespread outrage after posting footage of Israeli soldiers watching his television program inside a Palestinian home during a military raid in the West Bank. The video, shared on Magal’s Telegram channel on January 31, 2025, shows more than 10 armed soldiers gathered in a Palestinian living room in the northern West Bank, reportedly in Tulkarem, while his show aired on the television. The soldiers are seen casually moving around the room, turning the raid scene into what many critics have described as a...

January 31, 2025

Comores Charges Journalist After Report About The President

January 31, 2025 - Comoros - A journalist in Comoros is facing trial on charges of spreading false news after publishing a report suggesting President Azali Assoumani expressed a desire for his son to succeed him as head of state. The case has drawn attention to growing concerns over press freedom in the country. The controversy began after Abdou Moustoifa, a 31-year-old local correspondent for Reuters, published an article on January 24, 2025, quoting President Azali's recent speech. In his remarks, Azali used a Comorian word that can mean "son," "daughter," or "child." Moustoifa’s report...

January 31, 2025

Court releases 7 journalists arrested for protesting colleagues’ deaths in Turkish drone strike

January 31, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish authorities detained several journalists who were covering or protesting government actions, raising serious concerns over media freedom in the country. While courts have since ordered their release, the incidents reflect growing pressure on both domestic and international journalists. Seven journalists were arrested while participating in a banned demonstration in Istanbul. The protest was organized in response to the deaths of Kurdish journalists Nazîm Daştan and Cîhan Bilgin, who were killed by a Turkish drone strike in Northern Syria near the Tishrin Dam. Authorities accused the journalists of violating...

January 31, 2025

Nayla Tueni: ‘I am a journalist, a journalist, a journalist’

January 31, 2025 - Lebanon - Nayla Tueni, the fourth-generation publisher of Lebanon’s Annahar, leads one of the Arab world’s most iconic newspapers through crises while fiercely defending independent journalism. Since its founding in 1933 by her great-grandfather Gebran Tueni, Annahar has withstood wars, assassinations, and economic collapse. Her leadership was shaped by tragedy. In 2005, her father, Gebran Tueni, was assassinated in a car bombing widely attributed to Syria or its allies. Thrust into the spotlight at a young age, she entered both journalism and politics, serving nearly a decade as a Lebanese parliamentarian....

January 31, 2025

Colombian Journalist Óscar Gómez Agudelo Assassinated in Targeted Attack

January 31, 2025 - Colombia - Colombian journalist Óscar Gómez Agudelo, 56, was shot dead while arriving for work at the Rumba del Café community radio station in Armenia, Quindío. Known for his investigative reporting on local corruption, organized crime, and government mismanagement, Gómez had built a reputation for fearlessly addressing sensitive issues. According to security footage, the attack was highly targeted. As Gómez approached the station, a gunman ambushed him, firing multiple shots before escaping on a motorcycle. Despite his attempt to flee, Gómez was fatally wounded at the scene. The incident immediately drew...

January 31, 2025

Iraqi Kurdish Journalist Omed Baroshky Sentenced to Six Months in Prison

January 31, 2025 - Iraq/ Kurdistan - A court in Duhok sentenced Iraqi Kurdish journalist Omed Baroshky to six months in prison on charges of defamation related to a Facebook post. Baroshky, who has faced multiple legal battles over his reporting, was convicted under Iraq’s criminal code rather than the Kurdistan Region’s press law, which does not allow imprisonment for journalistic activity. The case stemmed from a post Baroshky published on January 23, 2024, in which he reported that political prisoner Mala Nazir had been secretly transferred from Zirka prison one day before his scheduled...

January 31, 2025

Iran: Iranian-American journalist sentenced to 10-year prison term

January 31, 2025 - Iran - Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh, a former presenter for US-funded Radio Farda, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Iranian Revolutionary Court, highlighting the continued repression of journalists and dual nationals in Iran. His sentence was confirmed by Tehran’s appeals court in late January 2025. In addition to imprisonment, Valizadeh has been banned from leaving Iran or joining political groups for two years. Valizadeh, who had lived abroad since 2010, returned to Iran in March 2024. Despite assurances from intermediaries that he would not face legal issues,...

January 31, 2025

RSF Urges Mauritania to End Intimidation of Journalists and Protect Press Freedom

January 31, 2025 - Mauritania - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on Mauritanian authorities to take urgent action to stop a rising pattern of intimidation and harassment against journalists. The appeal follows a recent incident that highlights growing threats to press freedom in the country. In January 2025, journalist Hanefi Ould Dahah was physically assaulted while broadcasting live from the capital, Nouakchott. A security officer intervened, seized his microphone, and forced him to stop reporting. RSF described the incident as a clear attempt to silence independent journalism and warned that such actions could embolden...

January 31, 2025

French Journalist Olivier Dubois Recounts 711 Days of Captivity in Mali

January 31, 2025 - France/Sahel - Olivier Dubois, a French journalist specializing in the Sahel region, endured 711 days in captivity after being kidnapped by Islamic extremists in Mali. On April 8, 2021, while on assignment in Gao to interview a local leader of Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaida affiliate, Dubois was abducted and held hostage deep in the Malian desert. Throughout his two years of captivity, Dubois faced harsh conditions, including isolation, limited food, and physical hardship. He was chained to a tree at night, subsisting primarily on dried goat meat,...

January 31, 2025

Colorado Legislator Sparks Outrage by Calling for Arrest of 9NEWS Journalists

January 31, 2025 - USA - A Colorado state lawmaker is facing widespread criticism after publicly calling for the arrest of two 9NEWS journalists in a controversial social media post. The legislator, whose identity has not been specified in the initial reports, demanded that state law enforcement authorities arrest Kyle Clark and Chris Vanderveen, both prominent journalists for Denver-based 9NEWS. The legislator did not provide any specific allegations, legal reasoning, or evidence to justify the call for their arrest. The post quickly gained attention on social media, drawing backlash from both the public and press...

January 31, 2025

Afghan Filmmaker Sayed Rahim Saeedi Sentenced to Three Years Amid Allegations of Torture and Media Repression

January 31, 2025 - Afghanistan - Sayed Rahim Saeedi, a 57-year-old Afghan filmmaker and director of ANAR Media, was sentenced to three years in prison by the Taliban on December 18, 2024, for allegedly “spreading propaganda” against the regime. His arrest and subsequent treatment have sparked international condemnation from human rights and press freedom organizations. Saeedi was arrested without a warrant on July 14, 2024, near his Kabul office by agents of the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI). He was held incommunicado for months in District 40, denied access to a lawyer and visits...

January 31, 2025

Supreme Court Denies Bail to Journalist Rupesh Singh Amid Wife’s Plea and Police Taunts

January 31, 2025 - India - The Supreme Court dismissed journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh’s plea for bail, upholding the Jharkhand High Court’s December 6, 2023, decision. Singh, who has been imprisoned since July 17, 2022, faces accusations of links to the banned CPI (Maoist) organization. Notably, his name did not feature in the original First Information Report (FIR); it was later added in a supplementary chargesheet after police allegedly recovered SD cards containing incriminating content. His wife, Ipsa Shatakshi, a former teacher now juggling legal battles, single parenting, and household responsibilities, remains deeply concerned. Despite...

January 30, 2025

Egypt Intensifies Crackdown on Journalists and Activists Amid International Outcry

January 30, 2025 - Egypt - Egypt continues its harsh campaign against journalists and activists, employing systematic repression to silence dissent and control the flow of information. Recent investigations by Daraj Media and Amnesty International expose how the Egyptian government has escalated its attacks on press freedom, targeting independent voices through arbitrary arrests, vague legal charges, and prolonged detentions. Daraj Media highlights how journalists and activists in Egypt face charges such as "spreading false news," "misusing social media," "joining a banned group," and increasingly, "financing terrorism." These accusations allow authorities to detain individuals indefinitely, often...

January 30, 2025

UNESCO and IFJ Condemn Killing of Sudanese Journalist Mubarak Musa Juma Amid Darfur Conflict

January 30, 2025 - Sudan - Freelance journalist Mubarak Musa Juma was killed during an armed attack in El Fasher, Northern Darfur, Sudan. He contributed to several news outlets and worked with the media office of the Darfur regional government. UNESCO Director‑General Audrey Azoulay issued a strongly worded statement on 30 January 2025, expressing her deep sorrow and calling for a “thorough investigation into the circumstances” surrounding Juma’s death. She underscored the essential role of journalists in conflict zones and urged all parties to ensure their protection. UNESCO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting journalist safety...

January 30, 2025

Afghan Journalist Zia Danesh Details Taliban Threats and Flight to the U.S.

January 30, 2025 - Afghanistan - Zia Danesh, a former Afghan journalist and government official, narrowly escaped his homeland after receiving chilling threats from the Taliban—“This was the first one and we can kill your family”—following a targeted bombing of his car in 2016 that killed his driver. The attack, triggered soon after he appeared on television discussing Taliban suppression, sent a clear warning: his life and that of his loved ones were in imminent danger. Despite the Taliban being out of power at that time, the intimidation persisted. For years, Danesh continued reporting and serving...

January 30, 2025

Three Journalists Detained by Ukrainian Military Now Face Accreditation Uncertainty

January 30, 2025 - Ukraine - Three journalists—Ukrainian freelance reporter Petro Chumakov, Swiss CH Media correspondent Kurt Pelda, and freelance camera operator Josef Zehnder—were detained by Ukrainian military personnel near Sudzha, a Russian border town under Ukrainian control. The journalists were traveling in a military vehicle with a Ukrainian soldier who had official permission for their transport. They were held for eight hours on suspicion of illegal border crossing, even though they carried valid war-zone accreditation. After detention, the Sumy district court dismissed the legal proceedings on January 15, finding their rights had been “grossly” violated. Despite the court’s decision, the Ukrainian...

January 30, 2025

UK and Media Bodies Denounce Russian Arrest Warrant for The Sun’s Jerome Starkey

January 30, 2025 - Russia/UK - The Society of Editors and News Media Association (NMA) has strongly condemned a Russian court’s decision on January 30, 2025, to issue an arrest warrant and place The Sun's defence editor Jerome Starkey on an international wanted list. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) accuses him of illegally entering Russian territory from Ukraine to film a report in August 2024. Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society of Editors, labeled the warrant as “ridiculous,” stressing the “absolute necessity of a free press during times of conflict” and criticized it as a clear attempt...

January 30, 2025

Pro‑Opposition Halk TV Editor-in-Chief Arrested over Secret Court‑Expert Broadcast

January 30, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish authorities detained five staff members of pro-opposition broadcaster Halk TV following the airing of a phone interview with a court-appointed expert witness, Satılmış Büyükcanayakın, involved in investigations targeting opposition-led municipalities. Journalists Barış Pehlivan (who conducted the interview), host Seda Selek, legal affairs manager Serhan Asker, program director Kürşad Oğuz, and editor-in-chief Suat Toktaş were taken into custody. While four were released under judicial control—subject to travel bans and weekly check-ins—Toktaş remains in pre-trial detention after an Istanbul court ruled he improperly authorized the broadcast without confirming consent. Prosecutors cite alleged breaches of Turkish Penal Code...

January 30, 2025

UNESCO Condemns Killing of Sudanese Journalist Aladdin Ali Mohamed Amid Ongoing Conflict

January 30, 2025 - Sudan - Aladdin Ali Mohamed, a respected Sudanese journalist and program director at Wad Madani Radio in Al Jazirah state, was tragically killed on June 22, 2024, during an armed attack by unidentified assailants in East Sudan. His death reflects the increasingly perilous environment for journalists operating in conflict zones across Sudan. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay condemned Mohamed’s killing, calling for a full and transparent investigation to hold those responsible accountable. In her statement on January 30, 2025, Azoulay emphasized the essential role journalists play in providing reliable information, especially in...

January 30, 2025

UNESCO Condemns Killing of Sudanese Journalist Ibrahim Abdullah Amid Ongoing Darfur Conflict

January 30, 2025 - Sudan - Ibrahim Abdullah, widely known as “Ibrahim Showtime,” was a freelance journalist dedicated to covering the Sudanese conflict. He gained prominence through his Facebook and YouTube reporting on war and politics. On June 28, 2024, his home in El Fasher, North Darfur, was struck by shelling from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in his death. UNESCO Director‑General Audrey Azoulay issued a formal condemnation on January 30, 2025, denouncing Abdullah’s killing and urging a comprehensive investigation to hold the attackers accountable. She emphasized that “journalists and media workers are essential...

January 29, 2025

Maha Kumbh 2025: Police Misbehavior Toward IANS Reporter Sparks Outcry

January 29. 2025 - India - Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, footage emerged showing law enforcement officials aggressively confronting IANS journalist Gaurav Pandey while he was covering Mauni Amavasya. The viral video captured a police officer grabbing Pandey’s microphone, strangling his hand, and attempting to push him away when he tried to record an interview with an Akhara pic representative in Sector 20 amid heightened security following a fatal stampede on January 29, 2025. Pandey is seen pursuing the officer while shouting in Hindi, “Tum maarlo aao, tum maar rahe ho na”—essentially challenging the force to...

January 29, 2025

Covering Gaza: Journalist Manisha Ganguly on War Reporting, Trauma, and OSINT

January 29, 2025 - Palestine - At the iMEdD International Journalism Forum in January 2025, Manisha Ganguly, Visual Forensics Lead and Investigations Correspondent at The Guardian, shared her experiences covering the Gaza war and the immense personal and professional challenges journalists face in conflict zones. Her insights highlighted the dual burden of documenting atrocities while managing the emotional toll of exposure to extreme violence. Ganguly spoke about the psychological strain that journalists endure, especially those engaged in open-source intelligence (OSINT) investigations. She described experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), triggered by repeated exposure to...

January 29, 2025

Journalists in Amed Protest Intensifying Crackdown on Press Freedom in Turkey

January 29, 2025 - Turkey - In Amed (Diyarbakır), a powerful demonstration unfolded on January 29, 2025, as journalists and civil society rallied to protest escalating arrests and pressure on media workers in Turkey. Organized by the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) and the Mesopotamian Women Journalists Association (MKG), the protest took place in front of AZC Plaza in the Ofis neighborhood. Participants included dozens of journalists, leaders from the Turkish Journalists Union (TGS) and DISK Press Union, MPs from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), members of the Socialist Party of the...

January 29, 2025

Lawsuit Alleges Spectrum News Negligence in Death of Reporter Dylan Lyons

January 29, 2025 - USA - The family of 24-year-old Dylan Lyons, a multimedia journalist with Spectrum News 13, has filed a negligence lawsuit against his employer, Charter Communications, alleging systemic safety failures that contributed to his death. Lyons was fatally shot on February 22, 2023, while reporting on an active shooter incident in the Pine Hills neighborhood of Orlando, Florida—a story that tragically ended in his death alongside that of a nine-year-old girl, T’Yonna Major, and another victim, Nathacha Augustin. The lawsuit, initiated on January 29, 2025, contends that Spectrum News 13 sent Lyons and another...

January 29, 2025

Turkish Authorities Detain Three Pro‑Opposition Journalists Amid Crackdown on Dissent

January 29, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish authorities arrested three journalists from the pro-opposition outlet Halk TV following a controversial broadcast involving an expert witness in a judicial investigation. The detainees—journalist Barış Pehlivan, anchor Seda Selek, and legal affairs manager Serhan Asker—were initially held but released under judicial control. Two additional staff members, program coordinator Kürşat Oğuz and editor-in-chief Suat Toktaş, were detained on subsequent days, with Toktaş reportedly facing arrest warrants. The arrests stem from a broadcast featuring a recorded phone interview between Pehlivan and a court-appointed expert involved in probes of opposition-led municipalities. Authorities...

January 28, 2025

India and China Agree to Resume Journalist Exchanges and Air Travel in Diplomatic Breakthrough

January 28, 2025 - China/India - In a significant diplomatic development, India and China have reached an agreement to resume direct air travel and facilitate the exchange of journalists, signaling a gradual thaw in relations following years of heightened tensions. This agreement was announced after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on January 27-28, 2025. Direct passenger flights between India and China have been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and worsening border tensions, particularly following the deadly Galwan Valley clash. The restoration of air...

January 28, 2025

IRIB Journalist Detained by Israeli Forces in Occupied Territories Amid Gaza War

January 28, 2025 - Iran - An unnamed journalist from Iran's state broadcaster IRIB has been detained by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territories, Tehran confirmed on January 28, 2025. IRIB head Peyman Jebelli revealed that the journalist is currently imprisoned—not in Gaza—and that the family has opted for discretion, complicating release efforts. Jebelli expressed hope for the journalist’s release, underscoring the high risks facing media workers in conflict zones. He highlighted how Israeli military operations in the region have created a hazardous environment for journalists, citing more than 200 media workers killed since...

January 28, 2025

Tajikistan’s Media Under Siege: Journalists Targeted with Secret Charges and Harsh Sentences

January 28, 2025 - Tajikistan - Tajikistan is intensifying its crackdown on independent media, with recent developments marking a dramatic escalation under President Emomali Rahmon’s authoritarian grip. In Dushanbe, investigative journalist Rukhshona Hakimova (31) is facing a closed-door trial on undisclosed charges, reportedly treason, with prosecutors seeking up to 17 years in prison. Meanwhile, Ahmad Ibrohim, a veteran editor of the regional Paik newspaper in Kulob, was sentenced on January 10 to 10 years behind bars for alleged bribery, extortion, and extremism—charges he vehemently denies. These two cases are part of a broader assault on press freedom....

January 28, 2025

Journalist and Civilian Injured by Israeli Army Fire in Tulkarem, West Bank

January 28, 2025 - Palestine - Two Palestinians, including journalist Nagham Al-Zayt, were injured as Israeli military forces carried out another raid in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem. Al-Zayt, who was covering the ongoing Israeli military operation, sustained shrapnel injuries to her right hand. Another 20-year-old Palestinian man was shot in the face during the incursion and was rushed to the hospital for treatment, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. The incident occurred amid Israel’s intensifying military operations in the West Bank, which have expanded significantly since the onset of the Gaza conflict...

January 28, 2025

NUJ Joins IFJ in Advocating for the Release of Detained Yemeni Journalists

January 28, 2025 - Yemen - The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has publicly pledged its support for a campaign led by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate (YJS), demanding the release of multiple journalists kidnapped or detained across Yemen’s conflict zones. These concerns focus on several journalists who vanished after publishing critical work. Among them is Mohamed Al-Miyahi, who disappeared from Sana’a on September 20, 2024, just days after releasing an exposé on the Houthi organization. Fouad Al-Nahari, a YJS member, was also abducted in late September. Both are...

January 28, 2025

Mozambique’s Press Freedom Crisis Deepens as Two Journalists Killed

January 28, 2025 - Mozambique - Mozambique is facing an alarming press freedom crisis, highlighted by the recent deaths of two journalists — Arlindo Chissale and Albino “Sibia” Sibia — amid ongoing political unrest following the disputed 2024 elections. The killings reflect an escalating campaign of intimidation and violence against independent journalists who have been documenting government abuses, protests, and conflict in the country. Arlindo Chissale, 46, was the editor of Pinnacle News, an independent outlet known for its critical reporting on government corruption and the insurgency in Cabo Delgado. He disappeared on January 7,...

January 28, 2025

Georgian Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli on Hunger Strike Amid Politically Charged Assault Charge

January 28, 2025 - Belarus - Mzia Amaglobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist and co-founder/director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been detained since January 11, 2025, facing an assault charge that could carry a prison sentence of four to seven years. Arrested during post-election protests in Batumi, she initially was held over administrative actions—placing a “Georgia is on Strike” sticker—but was quickly re-arrested after she slapped the city’s police chief amid his alleged verbal abuse. On January 12, Amaglobeli began a hunger strike, stating it was a protest against “repressive, treacherous, and violent processes targeting humanity,...

January 28, 2025

Pakistani Journalists Protest New Social Media Law Threatening Press Freedom

January 28, 2025 - Pakistan - Pakistan’s Senate passed controversial amendments on January 28, 2025, to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), granting the government sweeping powers to regulate social media and criminalize the spread of “false news.” Under the new law, authorities can block content deemed offensive to institutions (judiciary, armed forces, parliament) or thought to incite disorder. Offenders may face up to three years in prison, fines as high as 2 million rupees (~US$ 7,200), and social media platforms could be blocked if they fail to comply. The Senate’s approval followed its passage in...

January 28, 2025

Swiss Authorities Deport Palestinian-American Journalist Ali Abunimah Following His Detention

January 28, 2025 - Switzerland/Palestine/USA - Palestinian-American writer and journalist Ali Abunimah was detained and deported by Swiss authorities on January 28, 2025, after being banned from entry upon arrival at Zurich Airport. Abunimah, co-founder of The Electronic Intifada, was initially blocked from entering Switzerland. Upon contesting the decision, he was taken into custody for two nights and subsequently deported. Swiss officials did not publicly specify the grounds for his exclusion. However, insiders suggest the ban may be linked to alleged security concerns related to his past activism, though no formal charges were presented. Expressing deep...

January 27, 2025

LBCI and MTV Journalists Attacked While Reporting in Southern Lebanon

January 27, 2025 - Lebanon - Journalists from Lebanese networks LBCI and MTV were assaulted in two separate incidents while covering events in southern Lebanon, raising serious concerns over the growing threats to press freedom in the region. The first incident occurred near the villages of Deir Mimas and Khardali, where an LBCI team was reporting on civilians returning to their homes following prior military tensions. While filming, the crew was physically attacked by a group of unidentified individuals. LBCI correspondent Lara El Hachem and her cameraman were beaten, and the attackers seized their camera...

January 27, 2025

Georgian Media Community Denounces Detention of Mzia Amaghlobeli as Press Freedoms Crumble

January 27, 2025 - Georgia - Prominent journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, co-founder and director of independent outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested on January 11, 2025, during Batumi anti-government protests. Initially detained over placing a strike sticker, she was released on bail but rearrested shortly afterward for allegedly slapping Batumi’s police chief—charges that carry a potential prison sentence of four to seven years. Her arrest prompted urgent concern and condemnation. Over 300 Georgian media professionals—journalists, editors, and media managers—signed a strong statement on January 27, warning that Amaghlobeli’s arrest marks a "new phase" in the government’s...

January 27, 2025

Seraiki Journalist Razish Liaqatpuri Arrested, Cleared of Terrorism Charges

January 27, 2025 - Pakistani - Razish Liaqatpuri—a prominent Seraiki-language journalist, author, and former editorial-in-charge at the daily Khabrian—was detained in late January 2025 by Rahim Yar Khan police amid a raid at his home in Liaqatpur. Authorities held him in undisclosed custody for over three days before formally charging him with terrorism-related offenses. According to the FIR filed January 25 at City A Division Police Station, Liaqatpuri allegedly shared a video clip on Facebook titled “To murder Punjabi officers was legal.” The post purportedly referred to tensions between language communities and included inflammatory remarks perceived...

January 27, 2025

Lebanese Journalist Layal al‑Ekhtiar Arrested and Released Over Interview with Israeli Army Spokesman

January 27, 2025 - Lebanon - Lebanese journalist Layal al‑Ekhtiar, an anchor for the Saudi-owned Al‑Arabiya network based in Dubai, was detained at Beirut’s airport on January 27, 2025, after landing from Dubai. Her detainment stems from an October 2023 interview with Col. Avichay Adraee, the Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson for Arabic media, conducted during the Gaza conflict. Lebanese authorities claim the interview violated Lebanon’s strict “anti-normalization” laws, which prohibit contact with Israeli officials, given that the countries are still technically at war. Al‑Ekhtiar was brought before a military prosecutor, who had issued a warrant...

January 27, 2025

Ukraine’s Cultural and Media Losses: 147 Artists and 95 Journalists Killed Since Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion

January 27, 2025 - Ukraine - Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications reports that since the full-scale Russian invasion began, 147 artists and 95 media workers, including seven foreign journalists, have lost their lives. These staggering figures underscore the human cost not only of the war’s military toll but for the country’s cultural and informational fabric. The ministry likens the losses to historical tragedies: “Just as the Stalinist regime eliminated a generation of Ukrainian artists in the 20s and early 30s … so Russia is now deliberately eliminating Ukraine’s cultural elite”. Every individual lost—whether lyricist,...

January 27, 2025

Slain journalist Sukirtharajan remembered

January 27, 2025 - Sri Lanka - Journalists and activists in Sri Lanka’s Tamil-majority north-east recently gathered to commemorate Subramaniyam Sugirdharajan—a Tamil journalist for Sudar Oli who was assassinated on January 24, 2006, in Trincomalee. He was just 35 and a father of two. Sugirdharajan earned widespread respect for exposing atrocities: he documented that five Tamil students were shot at point-blank range—contradicting claims that they died from a grenade blast—after the "Trinco 5" massacre. His reporting directly challenged the Sri Lankan military and allied paramilitary groups, prompting swift retaliation. Commemorative events held on January 24 in Trincomalee, Batticaloa,...

January 27, 2025

Over 300 Georgian Journalists Demand Release of Hunger‑Striking Colleague as IFJ Joins the Call

January 27, 2025 - Georgia - More than 300 journalists, editors, and media leaders across Georgia have issued a powerful joint statement demanding the immediate release of veteran journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti. Arrested on January 12, 2025, during mass protests over alleged election fraud in Batumi, Amaglobeli was charged with assault after slapping the city’s police chief following verbal abuse. At the time of her arrest, she began a hunger strike protesting what media watchdogs describe as politically motivated detention. After 16 days on water alone—eventually lasting 38 days—her health deteriorated...

January 27, 2025

67 Journalists Jailed Across Africa as Global Groups Demand Release Amid Press Crackdown

January 27, 2025 - Africa - A new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has revealed that at least 67 journalists are currently imprisoned across Africa for their work, making the continent one of the most dangerous regions for media professionals. The report highlights a growing trend where governments across Africa are increasingly using anti-terrorism laws, cybercrime regulations, and pandemic-era emergency measures to silence critical journalism. Countries such as Eritrea, Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe feature prominently in the report. Many of these journalists were arrested for covering politically sensitive issues, including...

January 26, 2025

Local Journalist Attacked Outside Municipal Building in Brattleboro, VT

January 26, 2025 - USA - In a disturbing incident reported on June 2, 2024, Brattleboro Reformer reporter Anessa Kim, a 22-year-old journalist and Edgewood Media Group employee, was physically assaulted while covering a town selectboard meeting at the Municipal Center in Brattleboro, Vermont. What HappenedKim had interviewed former selectboard member Michael “Mike” Fitzgerald as he exited the building. While filming with her phone, she followed him briefly to capture a statement. Suddenly, Fitzgerald reached out, grabbed Kim’s phone, and smashed it against a tree before walking away. Aftermath and Authorities’ ResponseKim reported the assault...

January 26, 2025

Rising Violence Against Journalists in Mexico: The Urgent Call for Justice

January 26, 2025 - Mexico - Mexico’s alarming crisis of violence against journalists has once again come into the spotlight following the tragic murder of Alejandro Gallegos León, Editor-in-Chief of La Voz del Pueblo. His body was recently discovered in the southern state of Tabasco, prompting the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to urge Mexican authorities to conduct a thorough investigation. The OHCHR emphasized that the probe should not only identify the perpetrators but also examine whether Mr. León’s journalistic work played a role in his killing. Gallegos León was a widely...

January 26, 2025

Inside Assad’s Secret War on Journalists and His 14-Year Reign of Terror

January 26, 2025 - Syria - The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has exposed horrifying new evidence of systematic repression, mass atrocities, and an aggressive war on journalists. Newly uncovered documents, obtained by OCCRP and its Syrian partner SIRAJ, show how Syrian intelligence agencies extensively monitored, harassed, and targeted journalists, both domestic and foreign, branding them as foreign agents and enemies of the state. Ordinary journalistic activities — interviewing civilians, gathering information, or collaborating with international media organizations — were treated as acts of espionage. Even prominent networks like the Global Investigative Journalism...

January 26, 2025

Lebanese Journalists Survive Israeli Gunfire in Southern Lebanon

January 26, 2025 - Lebanon - In yet another alarming incident highlighting the growing dangers journalists face in conflict zones, a news crew from Russia Today (RT) narrowly survived an Israeli military attack while reporting from Maroun El Ras, a southern Lebanese village near the Israeli border. The team was clearly marked as press when Israeli gunfire targeted their position. Despite their professional identification, transmission engineer Hussein Khalil sustained injuries, while reporter Hussein Ayad managed to escape unharmed. The crew’s vehicle and equipment were also damaged in the attack. Footage released by MTV Lebanon shows...

January 26, 2025

Pakistan’s Hasnain Shah Murdered in Broad Daylight, Exposing Deep Impunity Crisis

June 26, 2025 - Pakistan - Pakistani crime reporter Hasnain Shah was gunned down in broad daylight outside the Lahore Press Club, a location considered a symbolic sanctuary for journalists. Shah, a senior journalist for Capital TV and a well-known figure in media circles, was waiting in his car when two unidentified men on a motorcycle shot him at least seven times before fleeing the scene. The murder occurred in front of multiple witnesses and nearby security personnel, yet the assailants escaped unhindered. Shah's killing sparked outrage among journalists, press freedom organizations, and civil society...

January 26, 2025

Journalists Under Fire: Media Targeted Amid Conflict in Gaza and Palestine

January 26, 2025 - Palestine - In the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, journalists have increasingly become deliberate targets of violence, according to multiple recent reports. The Al Jazeera program The Listening Post, as featured by Asia Pacific Report, highlights the extreme dangers journalists now face, with many reporting that their press vests no longer offer protection. Instead, media workers describe being deliberately shot at with live ammunition and rubber bullets, arrested, or threatened while covering protests, evacuations, and military operations. The program emphasizes that these attacks aim to silence journalists...

January 26, 2025

Ali Abunimah Detained and Deported by Switzerland in Press Freedom Controversy

January 26, 2025 - Switzerland/ Palestine/ Israel - Prominent Palestinian-American journalist and co-founder of The Electronic Intifada, Ali Abunimah, was unexpectedly detained by Swiss authorities in Zurich. Abunimah had traveled to Switzerland to speak at a Palestine rights event but was arrested by plainclothes officers shortly after his arrival. According to reports, he was held for three days in administrative detention without clear charges, access to legal counsel, or contact with his family. During his detention, Abunimah was interrogated by Swiss intelligence agents. He was never formally charged with a crime but was informed that...

January 26, 2025

Press Freedom Concerns Grow in Croatia After Journalist Harassed by Split Mayor

January 26, 2025 - Croatia - Press freedom advocates in Croatia have raised serious concerns following an incident involving the harassment of journalist Damir Šarac by Split Mayor Ivica Puljak. On January 24, 2025, during a public town hall in Split, Šarac, a journalist for Slobodna Dalmacija, asked the mayor a question regarding the role of the city’s port company in recent toxic air pollution issues. Instead of addressing the journalist’s inquiry, Mayor Puljak responded aggressively, accusing Šarac of spreading political propaganda and being affiliated with the opposition HDZ party. The mayor's remarks escalated tensions...

January 26, 2025

Victor Osimhen Launches Legal Battle After Assault Allegations by Turkish Journalist

January 26, 2025 - Turkey/ Nigeria - Nigerian football star Victor Osimhen has filed a defamation lawsuit against Turkish journalist Tolga Bozduman, following allegations that the striker assaulted him in Istanbul. The controversy erupted after Galatasaray’s 3-3 draw with Dynamo Kyiv, when Bozduman claimed that Osimhen physically attacked him outside a restaurant. According to Bozduman, the altercation occurred as he attempted to photograph Osimhen. The journalist alleged that Osimhen tried to grab his camera, punched him in the head, and later offered him money to delete the footage. Bozduman said, “He tried to grab my...

January 26, 2025

Gaza’s Silenced Voices: The Deadliest War for Journalists in Modern History

January 26, 2025 - Source: Palestine/ Israel - The war in Gaza has proven especially deadly for journalists, with at least 184 media workers killed since Israel's offensive began in October 2023. The vast majority— 166 Palestinians —died in Gaza under conditions press freedom groups call unprecedented. This makes it one of the deadliest conflicts for journalists in modern history. Among the casualties were Hossam Shabat , an Al Jazeera reporter targeted by an Israeli airstrike in March, and Fatima Hassouna , a 25-year-old photographer featured in a Cannes documentary, killed in April with her...

January 26, 2025

Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV: Defending Journalists as Guardians of Truth

January 26, 2025 - Italy - In early 2025, the Vatican made a strong moral and spiritual stand in defense of press freedom. On January 25, during the Jubilee of the World of Communications, Pope Francis addressed thousands of journalists and media workers. Abandoning his prepared speech, he spoke from the heart about the sacred role of communication. He described it as a divine gift meant to “build bridges and communities,” and stressed that authentic storytelling must be rooted in truth and integrity. Francis called for the release of unjustly imprisoned journalists, pointing out that...

January 26, 2025

He says journalism is his patriotic duty, even though it made him a target

January 26, 2025 - General - Diaa Al-Ustaz says his work made him and his colleagues a target, with the International Federation of Journalists reporting this month that at least 152 journalists have died covering the war. Reference - https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6623001

January 26, 2025

China Condemned for Torture and Suppression of Detained Journalist

January 26, 2025 - China - International human rights advocates and media analysts are sounding the alarm over China’s ongoing crackdown on independent journalism, focusing particularly on the case of a detained writer and citizen journalist reportedly subjected to torture while in custody. The journalist, whose identity remains protected due to safety concerns, is said to have been severely mistreated, with reports indicating prolonged solitary confinement, denial of medical care, and psychological abuse—conditions that rights groups argue constitute torture under international law. According to sources cited in reports by VOA News and ANI News, this...

January 25, 2025

Killing Palestinian Journalists, Journalism’s Darkest Moments

January 25, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Recent reporting from The Wire asserts that the deliberate killing of over 200 journalists and media workers in Gaza marks one of the most egregious assaults on press freedom in modern wartime history. Never before have so many journalists lost their lives in such a short timeframe, signaling a systemic campaign by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to suppress the Palestinian narrative through lethal force. The Wire’s analysis concludes that journalists have been explicitly targeted, with press vehicles attacked, snipers firing at cameramen, and eyewitness evidence pointing to the IDF’s...

January 25, 2025

BBC Liberia Correspondent Moses Garzeawu Manhandled by Police During Sports Event

January 25, 2025 - Liberia - BBC Liberia correspondent Moses Garzeawu was forcibly handled by a Liberia National Police (LNP) officer while covering Liberia’s National County Sports Meet at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Stadium in Paynesville. The incident, widely shared on social media, has reignited concerns over press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Liberia. Garzeawu, a well-known sports journalist, was in a restricted area of the stadium when Officer Michael Toe approached him. Despite possessing proper media credentials, Garzeawu was ordered to leave the area. When he questioned the demand, the...

January 25, 2025

Crackdown in Turkey: Journalists and Politicians Face Terror Charges Amid Political Repression

January 25, 2025 - Turkey - Turkey has ramped up a sweeping crackdown on political dissent, targeting pro-Kurdish and left-wing figures, including journalists, politicians, and public figures, under the banner of counter‑terrorism. In January, authorities arrested 34 individuals, comprising pro‑Kurdish and socialist politicians, journalists, and activists, on terrorism-related charges following coordinated raids across several cities. Bianet reported that at least 45 public figures, nine of whom were journalists, have been remanded in custody since mid-January, accused largely of membership in outlawed organizations or alleged terror propaganda. Among those detained were journalists from critical, independent outlets...

January 25, 2025

Pope Francis Calls for Release of All Unjustly Imprisoned Journalists

January 25, 2025 - General - Pope Francis issued a heartfelt appeal for the release of journalists unjustly imprisoned around the world. Speaking after his weekly General Audience in Vatican City, the pontiff used the occasion to draw global attention to the growing number of media professionals facing persecution for their work. "I think of the many journalists who, at the cost of their lives or their freedom, courageously inform the world of the tragedies they witness," Pope Francis said. "May their sacrifices not be in vain. May all those who are unjustly imprisoned for...

January 25, 2025

Iran Denies Jailing Journalists at UN, Despite Hundreds of Crackdowns

January 25, 2025 - Iran - Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, addressed the UN Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, firmly denying that Iran detains journalists or civil society figures for their professional work. He dismissed UN Special Rapporteur reports on Iran as biased, politically motivated, and based on unreliable sources. Gharibabadi did not offer names of reputable sources that Iran considers credible, but criticized the mandate of the Special Rapporteur as “an act based on continuous political mobilization against Iran,” allegedly orchestrated by select Human Rights Council member states....

January 25, 2025

Swiss Detainment of Ali Abunimah Sparks Free Speech Outcry

January 25, 2025 - Palestine/USA/Switzerland - Palestinian-American journalist and Executive Director of The Electronic Intifada, Ali Abunimah, was detained by Swiss authorities in Zurich just before a scheduled speaking engagement. His arrest on January 25—described by witnesses as a violent intervention by plainclothes officers—led to a three-day administrative detention and ultimately deportation. Abunimah had entered Switzerland the previous day for a Palestine solidarity event hosted by the Palestine Committee Zurich. Although he cleared a routine customs screening after approximately one hour, Zurich police later intercepted him en route to the venue. Three unmarked officers allegedly...

January 24, 2025

Al Jazeera: The Channel That Restored Journalism’s Integrity

January 24, 2025 - General - The CADTM article lauds Al Jazeera for standing firm amid global media constraints, describing it as “the TV channel that saves the honor of modern journalism.” From its inception in 1996, Al Jazeera carved out a daring editorial space, offering uncensored Arabic-language debates in a region typically dominated by state-controlled media. This approach transformed it into a new kind of public sphere, embracing what it calls “the opinion and the other opinion”—providing a platform without taboos and championing dissent. With its editorial courage, Al Jazeera swiftly earned the moniker “Voice of the Voiceless,”...

January 24, 2025

High-Profile Suspect Yorgen Fenech Granted Bail in Daphne Caruana Galizia Murder Case

January 24, 2025 - Malta - Prominent Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech—charged with complicity in the 2017 assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia—has been granted bail, sparking a mix of relief and outrage. Fenech, who was arrested in November 2019 aboard his yacht and has maintained his innocence, has been detained for over five years with no trial date set. His release marks a rare concession of the legal process amid an intense investigation into political corruption and press assassination. The decision follows Maltese law, which mandates bail for defendants held beyond 30 months without...

January 24, 2025

Malta Businessman Yorgen Fenech Released on Bail in Daphne Caruana Galizia Murder Case

January 24, 2025 - Malta - Yorgen Fenech, a wealthy Maltese businessman accused of orchestrating the 2017 assassination of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, has been granted conditional bail following nearly five years of pre-trial detention. Galizia was killed by a car bomb as she drove near her home on October 16, 2017, after exposing deep-seated corruption within Malta’s political and business elites. Fenech surrendered in November 2019, accused of facilitating the murder. Although three other individuals have already admitted involvement—for planting the bomb and supplying it—this marks the first major development concerning the alleged mastermind....

January 24, 2025

Turkey 2024: Journalists Faced a Year of State-Led Repression

January 24, 2025 - Turkey - The 2024 BİA Media Monitoring Report has revealed a deeply troubling landscape for press freedom in Turkey, describing the year as a period when the government “made journalists' lives a living hell.” The report details widespread intimidation, judicial harassment, censorship, and physical violence against media professionals, highlighting the increasing hostility of the state and affiliated groups toward independent journalism. At least 25 journalists and five media outlets were physically attacked, while 82 media professionals faced threats, largely from individuals connected to nationalist and ruling party circles. Despite the severity...

January 24, 2025

RSF Files ICC Complaint Against Belarus for Crimes Against Humanity Targeting Journalists

January 24, 2025 - Belarus - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has filed a formal complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his regime of committing crimes against humanity through the systematic persecution of journalists since 2020. The landmark move comes just weeks ahead of Belarus's controversial 2025 presidential election, widely considered a sham by international observers. The complaint, based on extensive documentation, outlines how Lukashenko’s government launched an aggressive campaign to silence independent media following the disputed 2020 election. According to RSF, at least 397 journalists have been arbitrarily...

January 24, 2025

Tunisian Journalist Mohamed Boughalleb Arbitrarily Detained and Denied Medical Care

January 24, 2025 - Tunisia - Mohamed Boughalleb, a veteran Tunisian journalist, remains arbitrarily detained as part of an escalating crackdown on freedom of expression in Tunisia. His detention is rooted in a Facebook post criticizing the Ministry of Religious Affairs—criticism that led to his arrest on March 22, 2024, and an eight-month prison sentence for defamation. However, Boughalleb was not released after completing that sentence. Instead, authorities placed him in pre-trial detention under Tunisia’s controversial Decree-Law 2022-54 on Cybercrimes, accusing him of spreading “fake news” and insulting others online. The charges are reportedly linked...

January 24, 2025

UN Complaint Filed Over Detention of Bangladeshi Journalists Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa

January 24, 2025 - Bangladesh - An international legal team filed a formal complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Council, urging intervention in the case of Bangladeshi journalists Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa. The pair, both prominent media professionals, were arrested in 2024 and remain in detention on what rights groups say are politically motivated charges aimed at silencing dissent. Shakil Ahmed, a former news chief at Ekattor TV, and his wife, Farzana Rupa, were accused of involvement in deadly protests during a student-led uprising in mid-2024. Despite a lack of concrete evidence, both...

January 24, 2025

Mexican Journalist Calletano de Jesús Guerrero Killed Despite Federal Protection

January 24, 2025 - Mexico - Mexican journalist Calletano de Jesús Guerrero was shot and killed outside a church in Teoloyucan, in the State of Mexico. Guerrero, 57, served as deputy editor of the Facebook-based news outlet Global Mexico and had been under federal protection since 2014 due to threats linked to his investigative reporting on crime and politics. According to witnesses, Guerrero was attacked by armed men on a motorcycle in the church parking lot. Despite being enrolled in Mexico’s official protection mechanism for journalists, the safeguards in place failed to prevent his assassination....

January 23, 2025

Syria: State Photographer Ibrahim Ajaj Abducted and Fatally Shot in Hama

January 23, 2025 - Syria - Ibrahim Ajaj, a veteran photographer for Syria’s state news agency SANA, was abducted from his home in Hama by two unidentified armed men. His body was found shortly after, riddled with bullets, sparking widespread condemnation from international press freedom organizations. Ajaj had survived years of working in Syria’s perilous media landscape, continuing his role through the collapse of the Assad regime in late 2024. Yet despite having threats reported by relatives, he remained vulnerable—highlighting increasing physical danger for journalists in Syria—even those affiliated with state media . The International Federation...

January 23, 2025

Journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian Imprisoned for Peaceful Expression

January 23, 2025 - Iran - Iranian journalist and civil rights activist Mehdi Mahmoudian has been imprisoned to serve an eight-month sentence after being convicted of “propaganda against the regime.” The sentence, issued by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court under Judge Iman Afshari, also includes a two-year travel ban, a ban on smartphone usage, and a prohibition on joining political or social organizations. Mahmoudian was summoned on February 3, 2025, to the Execution of Sentences Branch, where he was taken into custody and transferred to Evin Prison. His arrest came despite an earlier approval...

January 23, 2025

Palestinian Authority Arrests Al Jazeera Journalist Mohamed Atrash Over Jenin Coverage

January 23, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - The Palestinian Authority (PA) arrested Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed Atrash in Hebron, reportedly to prevent him from covering an Israeli military raid in Jenin. PA security forces stormed Atrash’s home in the early hours, detaining him without formal charges. The arrest followed previous efforts by the PA to bar him from reporting in the area. Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemned the arrest, calling it an “arbitrary and unjustified” act meant to suppress press freedom and block media coverage of critical events in Jenin. The network stated that Atrash...

January 23, 2025

Two Syrian Photojournalists Killed in Separate Incidents Amid Ongoing Conflict

January 23, 2025 - Syria - Syria witnessed the deaths of two photojournalists in separate, tragic incidents that underscored the persistent dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones. On January 23, state-linked sports photographer Ibrahim Ajaj, who worked for Syria’s official news agency SANA, was found shot dead near Hama. His body was discovered riddled with bullets, and no group has claimed responsibility for the killing. According to reports, Ajaj had previously received threats. Syria’s transitional government swiftly condemned the murder and vowed to investigate the incident and hold the perpetrators accountable. This marked a...

January 23, 2025

Kenyan Journalist Assaulted by Police While Covering Protest in Molo

January 23, 2025 - Kenya - Journalist Daniel Chege, a reporter for the Standard Media Group, was violently assaulted by members of the Kenya National Police’s General Service Unit (GSU) while covering a protest in Molo, Nakuru County. The demonstration was organized in response to the death of local activist Richard Otieno, whose body had been discovered under unclear circumstances. Chege was reporting from a vehicle near the protest site when GSU officers approached and, despite his media credentials, dragged him out. According to eyewitnesses and his media colleagues, the officers tore his shirt and...

January 23, 2025

Somaliland Releases Journalist Shafii Shaaciye After a Week in Detention

January 23, 2025 - Somalia - Somaliland authorities have released freelance journalist Shafi’i Abdi Mohamed, known professionally as Shafii Shaaciye, after holding him in detention for one week without formal charges. His arrest on January 16, 2025, came shortly after his return to Hargeisa, reportedly in response to social media posts that were critical of the government. According to local reports, police raided Shaaciye’s home early in the morning and took him into custody. On January 18, he was presented before the Maroodi Jeh court, which extended his detention by seven days without providing a...

January 23, 2025

The Bittersweet Exile of Wael Al-Dahdouh: A Voice for Gaza from Afar

January 23, 2025 - General - Wael Al-Dahdouh, Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, has become a global symbol of journalistic courage and heartbreak. Once reporting daily from the frontlines of Gaza, he now lives in exile, physically distant but emotionally tethered to a homeland devastated by war. In just months between October 2023 and January 2024, Al-Dahdouh lost nearly his entire family. His wife, daughter, son, and grandson were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Later, his eldest son—also a journalist—was killed while reporting. Despite his unimaginable grief, Al-Dahdouh returned to the field within days, continuing...

January 23, 2025

Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Journalists with Home Raids and Legal Threats

January 23, 2025 - Iran - Iranian authorities have escalated their campaign against independent journalism, increasingly resorting to home raids, court summonses, and threats targeting both domestic and exiled reporters. According to IranWire, the crackdown is part of a systematic effort to silence dissent and prevent critical reporting amid rising internal and external tensions. In recent months, multiple journalists in Iran have reported pre-dawn police raids on their homes, followed by official summonses to appear before state security courts. These incidents are often accompanied by vague or politically motivated charges such as “national security violations”...

January 23, 2025

Five Turkish Journalists Sentenced in Coup-Related Retrial Amid Press Freedom Concerns

January 23, 2025 - Turkey - A Turkish court sentenced five journalists to prison following a retrial related to alleged links with the exiled cleric Fethullah Gülen, whom Ankara accuses of orchestrating the failed 2016 coup. The verdict, issued by the 25th Istanbul Court of Serious Crimes, reignites concerns over judicial independence and the ongoing criminalization of journalism in Turkey. The journalists were originally arrested in 2016 during the sweeping purge that followed the coup attempt. They were convicted in 2018 on terrorism-related charges, accused of supporting a terrorist organization through their reporting and affiliations....

January 23, 2025

Jordan Frees Prominent Satirical Journalist Ahmed Hassan al‑Zoubi After Seven Months Behind Bars

January 23, 2025 - Jordan - Jordanian authorities released satirical journalist Ahmed Hassan al‑Zoubi after he served approximately seven months in prison. His sentence was commuted to community service by the Amman Criminal Court, following an earlier one-year jail term handed down in August 2023 for a critical social media post about a transportation strike in Ma’an Governorate. Al‑Zoubi—a well-known columnist for the state-owned newspaper Al‑Rai and founder of the online platform Sawaleif—began serving his sentence in July 2024. Jordan’s Cybercrime Law, enacted in 2023, was cited in his conviction, with charges of inciting discord...

January 23, 2025

Georgia’s Independent Media Under Siege: The Case of Mzia Amaghlobeli

January 23, 2025 - Georgia - Veteran Georgian journalist and media manager Mzia Amaghlobeli, co-founder and director of the independent outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested amid post-election protests in Batumi. She was accused of "assaulting a police officer" after slapping the local police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze, following verbal abuse he directed at her. Her arrest on January 12 sparked widespread concern, especially after Georgia’s police reportedly falsified detention records and mistreated her in custody. She was denied bail and placed in pre-trial detention under what many see as politically motivated circumstances. Within days, Amaghlobeli began...

January 22, 2025

Sudanese Journalist Yahya Hamad Fadlallah Dies After Torture in Army Custody

January 22, 2025 - Sudan - Sudanese journalist Yahya Hamad Fadlallah died on January 13, 2025, just days after being released from nearly a month-long detention by Sudanese military intelligence. His death has sparked outrage among press freedom advocates and human rights organizations, who have linked it directly to torture and medical neglect during his custody. Fadlallah, a veteran journalist and respected voice in Khartoum Bahri, was arrested on December 11, 2024, along with his son. During his detention, he was reportedly subjected to repeated beatings and denied access to medical treatment for his diabetes,...

January 22, 2025

CPJ Urges Pakistan to Stop Harassment and Deportation of Afghan Journalists

January 22, 2025 - Afghanistan - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Pakistani authorities to immediately end the harassment, detention, and deportation of Afghan journalists seeking refuge in Pakistan. The appeal follows multiple incidents in January 2025 where Afghan reporters were threatened, detained, or forcibly returned to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, despite holding valid visas and documentation. According to CPJ, at least two Afghan journalists and their family members were detained in early January and deported from Islamabad without legal proceedings. Others, including journalists Mujeeb Awrang and Ahmad Mosavi, were taken from their homes...

January 22, 2025

Kurdish Journalist Eylem Babayiğit Detained in Turkey Over Terror Charges

January 22, 2025 - Turkey/Iraq/Kurdistan - Turkish authorities detained Eylem Babayiğit, a Kurdish journalist and former contributor to the now-closed Özgür Gündem newspaper, during a raid on her home in Istanbul. She is accused of “membership in a terrorist organization” under Turkey’s broad anti-terrorism laws, which have been frequently used to target Kurdish media workers and political dissenters. Babayiğit’s arrest is linked to her past journalistic work, particularly her involvement with Kurdish outlets and her reporting on minority rights, social issues, and state repression. Authorities allege that she has ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party...

January 22, 2025

Stanford Will Not Discipline Student Journalist Arrested During Campus Protest

January 22, 2025 - Palestine/Israel/USA - Stanford University has announced it will not pursue disciplinary action against student journalist Dilan Gohill, who was arrested in June 2024 while covering a pro-Palestinian protest on campus. Gohill, then a freshman and reporter for The Stanford Daily, was among several individuals detained during a demonstration that entered and briefly occupied the university president’s office. Despite wearing a Stanford Daily sweatshirt and a visible press badge, Gohill was arrested and charged with burglary, conspiracy, and vandalism. University administrators at the time—President Richard Saller and Provost Jenny Martinez—supported the charges...

January 22, 2025

Bangladeshi Journalist Couple Files UN Complaint Over Arbitrary Detention

January 22, 2025 - Bangladesh - Bangladeshi journalists Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed, both formerly with the private broadcaster Ekattor TV, have filed a formal complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Council over their ongoing detention, alleging political persecution and arbitrary imprisonment. Their legal team submitted the complaint to the UN’s Special Procedures in January 2025, urging international intervention. The couple was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on August 21, 2024, as they attempted to leave the country. Authorities charged them with inciting violence during a wave of student protests that erupted earlier...

January 21, 2025

Tanzanian Journalist Maria Sarungi Tsehai Abducted and Released in Nairobi, Sparking Press Freedom Outcry

January 21, 2025 - Tanzania - Tanzanian journalist and activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, by four unidentified men—some posing as police officers—before being released several hours later. Tsehai, known for her outspoken criticism of the Tanzanian government and her leadership of the #ChangeTanzania movement, was targeted while traveling by taxi in the Kilimani area. According to Tsehai’s own account, the men blindfolded and handcuffed her, confiscated her phones, and subjected her to physical and verbal abuse during a four-hour ordeal. She was eventually released at an undisclosed location on the outskirts...

January 21, 2025

Yemeni Journalist Ahmad Maher Released After 2.5 Years of Detention

January 21, 2025 -Yemen - Ahmad Maher, a Yemeni journalist and former correspondent for Al-Sharea newspaper, was finally released on January 18, 2025, after spending nearly two and a half years behind bars. His arrest on August 6, 2022, by security forces in Aden was carried out without a warrant. He was subjected to enforced disappearance, held incommunicado, and tortured—beaten, electrocuted, and waterboarded—force a confession, which was later published online to damage his reputation. Initially accused of “spreading false news” and forging documents, Maher was later linked to a bombing case without evidence. For months,...

January 21, 2025

Amnesty International Warns of Human Rights Risks in Trump’s Second Term

January 21, 2025 - USA - As Donald Trump begins his second term as U.S. President, Amnesty International has issued a strong warning, highlighting the potential rollback of critical human rights protections in the United States and across the Americas. In a joint statement released on January 21, 2025, Amnesty International’s regional directors across the Americas expressed deep concern over Trump’s anticipated policies. They warned that his hardline agenda could worsen the treatment of migrants, weaken protections for asylum seekers, and encourage authoritarian practices in neighboring countries. Ana Piquer, Amnesty’s Americas director, emphasized that Trump’s...

January 21, 2025

Nigerian Police Accused of Ignoring Court Order to Pay N50 Million Compensation for Journalist’s Death

January 21, 2025 - Nigeria - Human rights advocates and the family of slain journalist Alex Ogbu marked five years since his killing by accusing the Nigerian Police Force of failing to comply with a court ruling. Ogbu, a journalist with Regent Africa Times, was shot and killed by police during a protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in Abuja on January 21, 2020. Following a legal battle led by the Falana & Falana Chambers, the Federal High Court in Kurudu, Abuja, ruled on June 21, 2023, that the Nigerian police must...

January 21, 2025

Journalist Suleiman Ahmed Released After Over 454 Days in Detention

January 21, 2025 - Syria/ Kurdistan - Suleiman Ahmed, a Kurdish journalist and Arabic-section editor at Rojnews, was released on January 20, 2025, after being held for more than 454 days by authorities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He was arrested on October 25, 2023, at the Faysh Khabur border crossing while returning from a family visit to Syria. Kurdish security forces, affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), accused him of espionage and links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Following his arrest, Ahmed was subjected to enforced disappearance and denied access to...

January 21, 2025

Azerbaijani Authorities File New Charges Against Toplum TV Journalists, Arrest Another Reporter

January 21, 2025 -Azerbaijan - Azerbaijani authorities filed six additional charges against four journalists from the independent media outlet Toplum TV and arrested another reporter, Farid Ismayilov, as part of an escalating crackdown on press freedom. The new charges increase the possible prison terms from a maximum of eight years to 12 years. The charges, reportedly related to financial crimes such as currency smuggling, are viewed by media rights groups as politically motivated. Farid Ismayilov, who had previously been targeted during a March 2024 raid on Toplum TV, was again arrested despite having serious health...

January 21, 2025

RSF Calls for Journalist Access to Gaza and Justice After Ceasefire

January 21, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Following the January 15, 2025, ceasefire in Gaza, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for immediate access for journalists and an end to the impunity surrounding Israeli attacks on the press. RSF is urging that both international and Palestinian journalists be granted entry to Gaza to report freely and safely. They argue that open borders are essential to documenting the truth, countering misinformation, and holding all parties accountable for actions during the war. RSF emphasized the urgent need to evacuate wounded journalist Fadi al-Wahidi, an Al Jazeera cameraman critically...

January 21, 2025

Six Journalists Arrested in Turkey Over Professional Work, Lawyer Decries Injustice

January 21, 2025 - Turkey - Six journalists were remanded in custody following coordinated house raids in Istanbul, Bodrum, and Artvin. The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) reported that these journalists face charges of “membership in a terrorist organisation”—accusations allegedly based solely on their professional reporting activities. The detained include Ozan Cırık (Sendika.org), Dicle Baştürk, Eylem Emel Yılmaz, and Yavuz Akengin, who were initially taken into custody on June 13 and formally arrested three days later in Artvin. Meanwhile, three others—Semra Pelek, Melisa Efe (translator for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), and Ömer Bülenter—were released under judicial...

January 21, 2025

Three Palestinian Women Journalists Freed in Ceasefire Prisoner Swap

January 21, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Three Palestinian women journalists—Rula Hassanein, Bushra Al-Tawil, and Ashwaq Awad—were released from Israeli prisons as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Their release was among 90 Palestinian detainees freed in exchange for Israeli hostages under the first phase of the January 19 ceasefire deal. Bushra Al-Tawil, a journalist with J-Media Network and a member of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS), was detained on March 7, 2024, and held under administrative detention without formal charges. She has been repeatedly arrested over the years and has spent over...

January 21, 2025

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists – 2 November

January 21, 2025 - General - The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI) is observed annually on 2 November. The date marks the 2013 killing of French journalists Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon in Mali. Established by UN General Assembly Resolution 68/163, the day aims to draw global attention to the alarming rate of violence against journalists and the lack of justice that often follows. Between 2006 and 2024, over 1,700 journalists have been killed worldwide, yet nearly nine out of ten cases remain unsolved, according to UNESCO’s Observatory of Killed...

January 21, 2025

New U.S. Grants Aim to Boost Youth Skills and Media Freedom in Kazakhstan

January 21, 2025 - USA/Kazakhstan - Two new U.S.-funded grant opportunities have been launched in Kazakhstan, focusing on youth empowerment and media protection. The initiatives are supported by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan and are open to Kazakhstani and U.S.-based nonprofit and educational organizations. The first opportunity, titled “Creating Opportunities through Market Development in Sports and Digital Skills”, offers funding between $10,000 and $40,000 (up to $100,000, depending on project scale). It targets youth aged 18–25, particularly outside major cities, and aims to build their professional capacity through sports and digital training programs. Projects should...

January 20, 2025

Executive Order 14149: “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship” (January 20 , 2025)

January 20, 2025 - USA - President Trump issued Executive Order 14149 on January 20, 2025, prioritizing First Amendment protections by prohibiting federal agencies from infringing on constitutionally protected speech under the guise of combating “misinformation,” “disinformation,” or “malinformation.” It bans any federal actor or use of taxpayer resources that would unconstitutionally abridge American speech and mandates a four-year review of potential past misconduct. A key directive requires the Attorney General, in coordination with executive department heads, to investigate censorship-related activities allegedly tied to the Biden administration—especially involving pressure on social media platforms—and recommend corrective...

January 20, 2025

Mexican Journalist Calletano de Jesús Guerrero Killed Under Federal Protection

January 20, 2025 - Mexico - Calletano de Jesús Guerrero, deputy director-general of Global Mexico, was shot dead in Teoloyucan, State of México, while in the parking lot of San Antonio de Padua parish. He was reportedly attacked by armed individuals on a motorcycle. Despite being under federal protection since 2014 due to ongoing death threats, Guerrero’s security failed. This makes him the second journalist killed in 2025 while under state-provided protection. His assassination intensifies concerns over the effectiveness of Mexico’s Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists. Organizations from RSF, UNESCO, CPJ, OAS/IACHR,...

January 20, 2025

Peruvian Journalist Gastón Medina Shot Dead for Exposing Extortion

January 20, 2025 - Peru - Gastón Medina Sotomayor, owner and editor of regional TV channel Cadena Sur TV, was gunned down in front of his home in Ica’s San Isidro district. Attackers on a motorcycle shot him multiple times as he prepared to leave for his morning broadcast. He died on arrival at the hospital, according to the National Association of Journalists (ANP). Medina was known for investigative reporting on local public corruption, including procurement irregularities at Ica's government and extortion schemes targeting transport workers, shopkeepers, and teachers. He received numerous threats, including a 2022 incident where perpetrators left...

January 20, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Rula Hassanein and Detainees Detail Abuse in Israeli Prisons

January 20, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Rula Hassanein, released in January 2025 as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, has spoken out about the abuse she and other detainees suffered in Israeli prisons. Arrested in March 2024 while nursing her infant daughter, Hassanein was reunited with her child after nearly ten months of detention. In interviews following her release, she described routine strip searches, forced removal of her headscarf, and degrading treatment by Israeli authorities. “There were numerous violations against us as women,” she said, calling the experience humiliating and psychologically abusive. Video...

January 20, 2025

Iranian Journalist Mehrdad Aladin Temporarily Released, Mahsa Amini Reporters Pardoned

January 20, 2025 - Iran - Iranian journalist and documentary filmmaker Mehrdad Aladin was temporarily released on bail after nearly two weeks in detention. Aladin, affiliated with the Didban Iran news outlet, was arrested on January 7 following a summons to the preliminary court at Evin Prison in Tehran. Authorities did not disclose formal charges, and he was held without trial. He was released on bail set at 1 billion tomans (approximately USD 12,500). Human rights organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have called for his unconditional release and condemned his arrest as...

January 20, 2025

Peter Greste Launches Hunger Strike in Support of Detained Egyptian-British Dissident Alaa Abd el-Fattah

January 20, 2025 - Egypt/UK - Australian journalist Peter Greste began a 21-day hunger strike outside the UK Prime Minister’s office in London to demand the release of Egyptian-British political prisoner Alaa Abd el-Fattah. Greste, who spent 400 days in an Egyptian prison in 2013 for his reporting with Al Jazeera, shared a prison block with Abd el-Fattah and credited him for helping him survive the ordeal. Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a prominent activist from Egypt’s 2011 revolution, has been imprisoned repeatedly over the last decade. He was most recently sentenced in 2021 to five years...

January 20, 2025

RSF Seeks ICC Recognition for Gazan Journalists Amid Record Death Toll

January 20, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, at least 193 journalists and media workers have been killed by Israeli forces, according to data reported by The New Arab and confirmed by local media outlets. This marks one of the deadliest periods for journalists in modern history, with over 210 media personnel reportedly killed as of April 2025. Most of the victims were Palestinian journalists working under siege conditions with limited access to safety, resources, or protective gear. In response, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has submitted...

January 20, 2025

Journalists in India Under Threat: Alarming Spike in Violence and Impunity

January 20, 2025 - India - Journalists across India, particularly in small towns and rural regions, face escalating threats—including harassment, assaults, and brutal killings—signaling a chilling decline in press freedom under the current political climate. On January 1, 2025, investigative YouTuber Mukesh Chandrakar was found shot dead and dumped in a septic tank in Chhattisgarh after exposing local corruption tied to road contractors. A post-mortem revealed severe head, chest, back, and stomach injuries. Three suspects, including the contractor involved in his investigation, have been arrested; however, concerns persist over the safety sacrifices made by local...

January 20, 2025

Cameroon: Two Years On, Justice Still Eludes Murdered Journalist Martinez Zogo

January 20, 2025 - Cameroon - Cameroonian journalist Martinez Zogo was abducted, tortured, and murdered—his mutilated body found five days later near Yaoundé. Zogo, a well-known investigative broadcaster and director at Amplitude FM, used his daily radio show Embouteillage to expose high-level corruption, including alleged embezzlement linked to top officials and businessmen. Two years after his death, justice remains stalled. Although authorities arrested around 20 suspects—including senior intelligence officers and influential media tycoon Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga—the trial has been marred by delays, secrecy, and procedural controversy. The case is being handled by a military court,...

January 20, 2025

U.S. Policy & Advocacy on Free Expression and “Censorship” Executive Order

January 20, 2025 - USA - President Trump issued Executive Order 14149, “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship”, aiming to halt any federal interference in constitutionally protected speech. The order prohibits federal agencies from using taxpayer resources or exerting covert pressure on private platforms to suppress speech, especially under labels like “misinformation,” “disinformation,” or “malinformation.” It also directs the Attorney General to investigate speech-suppression activities by the previous administration and recommend corrective action. Supporters, including the nonpartisan Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), endorsed the move, noting its potential to increase transparency,...

January 20, 2025

Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Describes Harrowing Detention in Iran’s Evin Prison

January 20, 2025 - Italy/Iran - Italian war correspondent Cecilia Sala, 29, was arrested in Tehran on December 19, 2024, while reporting on assignment for Il Foglio. Despite holding a valid journalist visa, Iranian authorities accused her of violating national laws and detained her in Evin Prison, known for housing political prisoners and critics of the regime. During her 21-day detention, Sala was held in solitary confinement and subjected to extreme psychological pressure. She described spending nights on a concrete floor, under constant lighting, and without her glasses, which were confiscated upon arrest. She recounted...

January 19, 2025

Russian Journalist Fined for Poem Honoring Political Prisoner

January 19, 2025 - Russia - In January 2025, Karelian journalist and poet Denis Pogrebnoy was fined 30,000 rubles (around €290) by the Petrozavodsk City Court for allegedly “discrediting the Russian army.” The charge stemmed from several posts he published on VKontakte between October 2022 and May 2024, including poems that criticized Russia’s war in Ukraine and expressed solidarity with imprisoned activists. One of the poems referenced the case of Aleksandra Skochilenko, the St. Petersburg artist sentenced to seven years in prison for replacing supermarket price tags with anti-war messages. Pogrebnoy’s poem read: “Seven years....

January 19, 2025

Palestinian Authority Arrests Al Jazeera Crew Covering Prisoner Release

January 19, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces detained an Al Jazeera crew—including veteran journalist Givara Budeiri, a cameraperson, and another team member—while they were reporting near Ofer Prison in Beitunia, near Ramallah. The team was covering the release of Palestinian detainees as part of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Palestinian factions. Footage shows Budeiri reporting live just before she and her colleagues were forcibly taken away by uniformed officers. The crew was transported to a local police station, interrogated, and temporarily detained. Their equipment was reportedly confiscated...

January 19, 2025

Odisha: Journalist Brutally Assaulted While Investigating Corruption, Five Arrested

January 19, 2025 - India - Journalist Bijaya Kumar Pradhan was brutally assaulted in Kulthipali village, Balangir district, Odisha, while investigating alleged corruption related to the construction of a ₹10 lakh retaining wall. Pradhan, a TV reporter, had gone to the village to document irregularities in the project when he was attacked by a group led by the accused contractor Gajendra Dalai. According to eyewitnesses and viral video footage, Pradhan was tied up, beaten severely under a tree, and paraded through the village. The attackers confiscated his mobile phones, microphone, camera, and cash. They allegedly...

January 19, 2025

Nearly 200 Journalists Killed in Gaza in 2024, ICC Action Urged

January 19, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - According to the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, 193 journalists were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza throughout 2024, marking one of the deadliest years for media workers in modern history. The figure was echoed by several media watchdogs, including Al Mayadeen, which cited 194 fatalities, along with at least 86 injuries and 64 arrests of journalists by Israeli forces. In addition to human losses, 54 media offices were reportedly bombed or destroyed. Many of the slain journalists were Palestinian reporters working in Gaza under extremely dangerous conditions, often without protective...

January 19, 2025

Niger: Journalist Arrested, Canal 3 Suspended Over Satirical Report

January 19, 2025 - Niger - Nigerien journalist Seyni Amadou, editor-in-chief of Canal 3 TV, was arrested following the broadcast of a satirical news segment criticizing government officials. The program humorously ranked ministers, describing Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine as the most competent, while labeling others as the “soft underbelly” of the military-led regime. In response, the Ministry of Communication suspended Canal 3 for one month and revoked Amadou’s press card for three months. Amadou’s detention sparked swift condemnation from media unions and press freedom organizations, including CAP-Medias-Niger and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Critics...

January 19, 2025

China’s Retaliatory House Arrest of Journalist Anthony Grey: A Chilling Cold War Precedent

January 19, 2025 - China - In July 1967, British journalist Anthony Grey, then the Reuters correspondent in Beijing, was placed under house arrest by Chinese authorities in a retaliatory diplomatic move. His confinement lasted an extraordinary 26 months, from July 1967 until October 1969, making it one of the most prolonged detentions of a foreign journalist in modern history. Grey’s arrest came in response to the British colonial administration in Hong Kong detaining Hsieh Ping, a journalist with China’s Xinhua News Agency, during anti-British riots. Beijing viewed the detention of Chinese journalists in Hong...

January 19, 2025

Russia’s War on Ukrainian Media: 24 Journalists Killed, Over 150 Press Violations in 2024

January 19, 2025 - Ukraine/Russia - In 2024, Russian forces escalated their assault on media freedom in Ukraine, killing 24 Ukrainian media workers and committing over 150 violations against press freedom, according to data from Ukraine’s Institute of Mass Information (IMI). The report marks a sharp increase in the dangers faced by journalists amid the ongoing full-scale invasion. Of the 24 media workers killed, two were actively working as journalists at the time of their deaths. Among them was Victoria Roshchyna, a Zaporizhzhia-based journalist who died while in Russian custody on October 10, after being...

January 19, 2025

18 Years Without Justice: The Enduring Legacy of Hrant Dink

January 19, 2025 - Turkey - On January 19, 2007, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was assassinated in front of his newspaper Agos in Istanbul. The 52-year-old editor had long been a target of nationalist hostility for advocating Armenian-Turkish reconciliation and openly discussing the Armenian Genocide. His murderer, Ogün Samast, a 17-year-old Turkish nationalist, was arrested and later sentenced to over 20 years in prison. In November 2023, Samast was released on parole after serving nearly 17 years. Eighteen years later, justice remains elusive. Though Samast and a few accomplices were convicted, the masterminds and state...

January 19, 2025

Nigeria: Aba Suffers Blackout After Pipeline Attack; Gunmen Kill Prophet in Ogun Church

January 19, 2025 - Nigeria - In two disturbing events highlighting Nigeria’s infrastructure and security crises, residents in Aba, Abia State, experienced a sudden blackout after gas pipeline vandalism, while in Ogun State, a prophet was brutally killed during a church service. On January 19, 2025, vandals targeted gas pipelines supplying the Geometric Power Plant in Aba, disrupting what had been a month-long streak of uninterrupted electricity for the city. The attack, aimed at illegally tapping crude oil from nearby lines, inadvertently severed the gas supply essential for power generation. According to Aba Power Ltd.,...

January 18, 2025

Assaults on journalists in Kurdistan drop 22% in 2024

January 18, 2025 - Kurdistan - In 2024, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq recorded a 22% decline in violations against journalists, according to a report by the Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy. A total of 182 cases were documented, down from 231 in 2023, signaling modest progress in journalist safety. However, rights groups caution that the environment for independent journalism remains fragile. The violations included: 27 cases of physical assault or threats 24 arbitrary arrests carried out without legal warrants 17 incidents of confiscated media equipment 60 cyberattacks, including online harassment and smear...

January 18, 2025

Debra Tice Visits Damascus, Renews Hope in Search for Missing Son Austin Tice

January 18, 2025 - USA/Syria- Twelve years after her son’s disappearance, Debra Tice has returned to Damascus to search for her son, American journalist Austin Tice, who vanished in August 2012 while reporting on the Syrian conflict. Her visit marks a pivotal moment in the long-running campaign for answers, coinciding with political changes in Syria and renewed diplomatic interest. Austin, a former U.S. Marine and freelance journalist, was abducted near Daraya, a Damascus suburb, shortly after his 31st birthday. A video released weeks later showed him blindfolded and held by unidentified captors. Since then, no...

January 18, 2025

Independent Journalism Faces Extinction in Nicaragua Amid Escalating Repression

January 18, 2025 - Nicaragua - Independent journalism in Nicaragua is nearing total collapse, according to a 2025 report by the Foundation for Freedom of Expression and Democracy (FLED). The study reveals that in 10 of the country’s 15 regions, local journalism has completely disappeared. The environment has become a “news desert,” where state propaganda dominates and dissenting voices have been driven into exile, detention, or silence. Under the regime of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, Nicaragua has experienced a steady dismantling of press freedom since 2007. The government has shut down...

January 17, 2025

Turkey Arrests Five Kurdish Journalists in Raids on Media Outlets

January 17, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish police raided two Kurdish media organizations, detaining five Kurdish journalists as part of a broader crackdown on independent and opposition press. The arrests occurred in multiple cities, including Istanbul, Diyarbakır, and Van, and involved coordinated raids on journalists' homes and offices. During the arrests, police reportedly used force, particularly during the detention of Hacıoğlu, whose professional equipment was confiscated. A 24-hour confidentiality order was imposed, preventing lawyers from accessing their clients or the case files, effectively silencing legal recourse in the critical early hours of detention. These arrests...

January 17, 2025

Russian Authorities Detain Journalists Ahead of Navalny Lawyers’ Sentencing

January 17, 2025 - Russia - Russian police detained multiple journalists in the town of Petushki, near Vladimir, as they attempted to attend the court hearing for three former lawyers of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The lawyers—Vadim Kobzev, Alexey Lipster, and Igor Sergunin—were facing sentencing on charges of participating in an “extremist organization,” a label the Russian state has used to target Navalny’s supporters. As accredited journalists arrived by train from Moscow to cover the high-profile trial, police intercepted them at the station. Some were taken directly to the Petushki police precinct for "identity checks."...

January 17, 2025

Taliban Sentences Afghan Journalist Mahdi Ansary to 18 Months Prison

January 17, 2025 - Afghanistan - The Taliban’s primary court in Kabul sentenced Mahdi Ansary, a 27-year-old reporter for the Afghan News Agency (AFKA), to 18 months in prison. He was convicted of spreading “anti-Taliban propaganda” and collaborating with “banned media outlets” via videos posted on his personal YouTube channel. Ansary was arrested on October 5, 2024, while returning to his office in Dasht-e-Barchi. His family was initially left in the dark, only learning of his detention when informed by Taliban intelligence over a month later. During the hearing held in early January, the court...

January 17, 2025

Ethiopia Among Africa’s Worst Jailers of Journalists, CPJ Reports

January 17, 2025 - Ethiopia - Ethiopia has been named one of the worst jailers of journalists in Africa, according to a recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). As of January 2025, at least six journalists are currently detained in Ethiopia, with five of them facing terrorism-related charges—a tactic increasingly used by the government to silence critical voices, particularly those reporting on conflict and political unrest in the Amhara region. These charges, often vague and broad, carry harsh penalties, including potential death sentences. The accused journalists are reportedly being prosecuted under Ethiopia’s...

January 17, 2025

Azerbaijan Arrests More Journalists in Widening Crackdown on Independent Media

January 17, 2025 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijani authorities arrested journalists Farid Ismayilov and Elmir Abbasov, intensifying an ongoing crackdown on independent media. The arrests are part of a broader investigation into Toplum TV, a media outlet known for covering corruption and government accountability. Both journalists now face charges of illegal business activities, money laundering, and smuggling—accusations widely criticized as politically motivated. These detentions come amid a sweeping repression of independent journalism in Azerbaijan. Since March 2024, authorities have targeted Toplum TV, Meydan TV, Abzas Media, and Argument. AZ, accusing their staff of financial crimes. Offices...

January 17, 2025

In Gaza, Wearing a Press Vest Has Become a Death Sentence

January 17, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - In war-torn Gaza, journalists have found that wearing a press vest—once a symbol of protection—is now a potential death sentence. Reports by The Guardian and The New Arab detail how Israeli strikes have increasingly targeted media workers, even when they are marked as press. One of the most harrowing cases involved Ibrahim Muhareb, a young journalist with Al-Quds Today, who was killed in Khan Younis by Israeli tank fire. He wore a helmet and a flak jacket labeled “PRESS,” but this did not save him. His colleague, Salma Kaddoumi,...

January 17, 2025

France: Judges Drop Charges Against Investigative Journalist Ariane Lavrilleux

January 17, 2025 - France - Paris’s anti‑terrorism judges decided not to indict Ariane Lavrilleux, an investigative journalist with Disclose, who had faced serious criminal charges tied to her reporting on French military operations in Egypt. Lavrilleux played a key role in exposing “Operation Sirli,” a secret mission where, based on leaked classified documents, France allegedly assisted Egypt in carrying out hundreds of extrajudicial killings. The revelations triggered a national defense secrecy probe, accusing Lavrilleux of “appropriation and disclosure of a national defence secret”—an offense punishable by up to five years in prison and heavy...

January 17, 2025

UN Expert on Freedom of Expression Visits Zambia Amid Hope and Concern

January 17, 2025 - Switzerland - From January 20 to 31, 2025, Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, conducted an official visit to Zambia. The mission aimed to assess the state of free expression, media freedom, and access to information in the country, as well as the legal frameworks that govern them. Khan’s visit included meetings with government officials, judiciary representatives, journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society groups across several cities, including Lusaka, Livingstone, and Kitwe. Her focus was to...

January 17, 2025

Journalists Behind Bars: China, Israel, and Myanmar Lead Global Crackdown in 2024

January 17, 2025 - General - In 2024, 361 journalists were imprisoned worldwide, marking one of the highest numbers ever recorded, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The three worst offenders were China, Israel, and Myanmar, each playing a leading role in the global crackdown on press freedom. China topped the list with 50 journalists behind bars. Many were arrested under sweeping national security laws, especially in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. The government continues to target those reporting on human rights, political dissent, and minority issues. High-profile cases like Jimmy...

January 17, 2025

Journalists Forcibly Removed After Questioning Blinken on Gaza Policy

January 17, 2025 - USA - U.S. journalist Sam Husseini and The Grayzone’s Max Blumenthal were forcibly removed from a press briefing at the U.S. State Department after confronting Secretary of State Antony Blinken over America’s continued support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The incident has raised serious concerns about the treatment of dissenting journalists and press freedom in the U.S. As Blinken began his final briefing, Husseini challenged him with a direct question about U.S. complicity in alleged war crimes in Gaza, referencing the International Criminal Court and the controversial Hannibal Directive, an...

January 16, 2025

67 Journalists Jailed Across Africa Amid Growing Crackdown on Press Freedom

January 16, 2025 - Africa - As of December 1, 2024, at least 67 journalists were imprisoned across Africa for their work, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). This troubling figure highlights a growing pattern of repression against independent media across the continent, contributing to the global tally of 361 jailed journalists—the second-highest ever recorded by CPJ. The report identifies Egypt and Eritrea as the worst offenders. Egypt currently holds 17 journalists, many detained under vague anti-state or anti-terrorism charges. The country continues to suppress dissenting voices by weaponizing national...

January 16, 2025

Peter Greste Launches Hunger Strike in Support of Jailed Activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah

January 16, 2025 - Egypt - Australian journalist Peter Greste has begun a 21-day hunger strike outside the UK Foreign Office in London to demand the release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a British-Egyptian activist and writer imprisoned in Egypt. Greste, who was himself jailed in Egypt in 2013 while reporting for Al Jazeera, said he owes his life to Alaa, referencing the solidarity shown to him by the Egyptian activist during their shared time in Tora Prison. Alaa, a prominent voice during the 2011 Egyptian revolution, was re-arrested in 2019 and sentenced in 2021 to...

January 16, 2025

Journalist Ahmed Al-Shayyah Killed in Gaza, Raising Death Toll to 205

January 16, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Palestinian journalist Ahmed Al-Shayyah was killed in an Israeli airstrike while reporting near a food distribution point in Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The strike hit a tent sheltering displaced civilians, volunteers, and journalists. Al-Shayyah was reportedly on assignment documenting the humanitarian situation when the attack occurred. Al-Shayyah was a dedicated journalist working as an editor, producer, and correspondent for several Gaza-based media outlets, including ALEF Multimedia. Colleagues described him as deeply committed to telling the stories of civilians caught in the war. His death brings...

January 16, 2025

Egypt Arrests Cartoonist’s Wife and Journalist, Escalating Crackdown on Media

January 16, 2025 - Egypt - Egyptian authorities arrested Nada Mougheeth, the wife of imprisoned satirical cartoonist Ashraf Omar, and Ahmed Serag, a journalist from the independent outlet ZatMasr. Their arrests came after Serag published an interview with Mougheeth in which she spoke out about her husband's detention and alleged abuses by security forces. According to human rights groups and press freedom advocates, the arrests mark a dangerous escalation in Egypt's efforts to silence dissent and intimidate anyone who speaks out. Mougheeth had publicly criticized the authorities for confiscating her family’s savings during Omar’s arrest...

January 16, 2025

Gaza Journalist Removes Protective Gear in Emotional Moment Following Ceasefire

January 16, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Palestinian journalist Anas al-Sharif, reporting for Al Jazeera, removed his flak jacket and helmet live on air following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire in Gaza. The emotional gesture, captured during a live broadcast from Gaza City, quickly went viral, becoming a powerful symbol of both exhaustion and resilience after over a year of relentless war. Standing in a crowd of civilians reacting to the ceasefire news, al-Sharif declared, “Now, I can finally take off this helmet that has exhausted me, and this vest that has become part of...

January 16, 2025

CPJ Uncovers Flaws in Conviction of Senegalese Journalist René Capain Bassène

January 16, 2025 - Senegal - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has raised serious concerns over the conviction of Senegalese journalist René Capain Bassène, who is serving a life sentence for his alleged involvement in a 2018 massacre in the Bayotte Forest region near Ziguinchor, Senegal. CPJ’s recent investigation has revealed major procedural flaws, coerced testimony, and questionable evidence, suggesting Bassène may have been wrongfully convicted. Bassène, a former correspondent and editor known for his reporting on the separatist conflict in Senegal’s Casamance region, was arrested in 2018 along with several others following the...

January 16, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Ahmed Abu al-Rous Killed in Israeli Airstrike, Death Toll Among Journalists Surpasses 205

January 16, 2025 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Ahmed Abu al-Rous was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Abu al-Rous, known for his fearless reporting from the frontlines, died alongside his twin brother, three friends, and four other civilians when their vehicle was hit just hours before a temporary ceasefire was announced. Abu al-Rous was a respected freelance journalist and photographer, contributing to local media outlets including Fourth Estate. He had also been honored by the Sobh International Media Festival for his dedication to documenting life under siege...

January 16, 2025

Venezuelan Rights Advocate Carlos Correa Released After 9 Days in Custody

January 16, 2025 - Venezuela - Venezuelan authorities released prominent free speech advocate Carlos Correa, director of the NGO Espacio Público, after nine days in detention. His arrest on January 7 occurred during a wave of crackdowns targeting activists, journalists, and opposition figures ahead of President Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration for a third term on January 10. Correa, a university professor and leading figure in the defense of press freedom in Venezuela, was taken by hooded security agents without a warrant. His family and colleagues were left without information on his whereabouts for days, prompting widespread...

January 16, 2025

OSCE States Reaffirm Press Freedom and Journalist Safety as Pillars of Security

January 16, 2025 - Europe - Twenty-two member states of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) issued a joint statement reaffirming the critical role of journalist safety and media freedom in maintaining peace and security. The declaration, led by Iceland and supported by countries including Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, and Ukraine, emphasized that there can be “no genuine security without media freedom, and no media freedom without journalists being able to carry out their work safely and freely.” The signatories expressed strong support for the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM)...

January 16, 2025

Dom Phillips’s Final Book, How to Save the Amazon, to Be Published Posthumously in May

January 16, 2025 - UK/Brazil - British journalist Dom Phillips, who was tragically killed in the Brazilian Amazon alongside Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in June 2022, will have his final investigative work, How to Save the Amazon: A Journalist’s Fatal Quest for Answers, published in May 2025. The book, a culmination of Phillips’s research plotting solutions to deforestation and environmental degradation, was completed posthumously by a team of close colleagues and his widow, Alessandra Sampaio. Phillips focused on uncovering sustainable approaches to preserve the world's largest rainforest, covering topics like agroforestry, bioeconomy, ecotourism, and Indigenous...

January 15, 2025

Venezuela Detains Journalist Covering Protest on “Terrorism” Charges

January 15, 2025 - Venezuela - Venezuelan authorities detained journalist Leandro Palmar, news director of Luz Radio at the University of Zulia, and his assistant, Belises Salvador Cubillá,n while they were covering anti-government protests in Maracaibo. Both were arrested on January 9 while reporting on demonstrations linked to growing public discontent with President Nicolás Maduro’s government. Just two days later, on January 11, a local court ordered their continued detention on preliminary charges of terrorism, conspiracy, incitement to hatred, and disturbing public order. Press freedom organizations and human rights advocates have strongly condemned the charges,...

January 15, 2025

Afghan Journalists Stress Lifeline of Safe Refuge Media Freedom Coalition

January 15, 2025 - Afghanistan - The Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) recently spotlighted the critical role of safe refuge in enabling Afghan journalists to continue their work under threat. In a featured case study, two Afghan reporters shared how escaping Taliban-controlled Afghanistan saved their lives—and preserved their ability to document injustice back home. Both correspondents emphasized that while exile is emotionally wrenching—marked by separation from family and the trauma of displacement—it is vital for survival and professional continuity. From their new bases, they have maintained coverage of human rights abuses, women's suppression, and civilian targeting,...

January 15, 2025

Sudan: CFJ Condemns Arrest of Journalist Ahmed Youssef Al-Tay Calls for His Immediate Release

January 15, 2025 - Sudan - Sudanese security forces detained journalist Ahmed Youssef Al‑Tay in Al‑Dindir, Sennar State (southeast Sudan). He was arrested without warrants or charges and subsequently transferred to Sinja, marking a blatant violation of press freedom according to the Committee for Justice (CFJ). CFJ strongly condemned the detention, stressing the arbitrary nature of the arrest and calling for Al‑Tay’s immediate and unconditional release. The committee rejected any justification for targeting journalists, underscoring that his detention undermines Sudan’s legal obligations and international press freedom standards. This arrest fits a troubling pattern in Sudan,...

January 15, 2025

Russia Enacts Harsh New Laws Targeting Critics and Journalists, Drawing International Condemnation

January 15, 2025 - Russia - The International Press Institute (IPI) has strongly condemned a new set of laws passed in Russia that significantly tighten state control over dissent, particularly targeting independent journalists and civil society actors. These laws mark an alarming expansion of the Kremlin’s “foreign agent” framework and further criminalize independent reporting, deepening the suppression of press freedom in the country. The legislation broadens the definition of who can be labeled a “foreign agent,” allowing authorities to apply the term to virtually anyone who receives foreign support or engages in vaguely defined political...

January 14, 2025

Gaza: Journalist Mohammad Al-Talmas Killed as Media Death Toll Rises to 204

January 14, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Palestinian journalist Mohammad Bashir Al-Talmas, an editor at Safa News Agency, was killed following an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of northern Gaza on January 13, 2025. He succumbed to injuries the next day, after undergoing emergency surgery. Al-Talmas, aged 40, was covering the humanitarian crisis in Gaza when the strike occurred, reportedly hitting a gathering that included displaced civilians and media workers. His death marks the latest in a devastating toll on media personnel since the beginning of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in October 2023....

January 14, 2025

Ahlam al‑Nafed: Gaza Journalist Killed While Reporting from Hospital—One of Over 200 Media Workers Lost

January 14, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Palestinian journalist and photographer Ahlam al‑Nafed was killed by an Israeli airstrike while walking to Al‑Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza City. A dedicated frontline reporter, she had spent 100 days covering the besieged Indonesian Hospital, working for Drop Site News and other local media. At 33 years old, al‑Nafed documented atrocities in one of Gaza’s most embattled medical facilities, capturing images and stories that brought international focus to widespread suffering. Drop Site News mourned that “through her words and images, she ensured that atrocities which might have been silenced...

January 14, 2025

Belarus: Journalist Andrei Kuznechyk Released After Over Three Years of Political Imprisonment

January 14, 2025 - Belarus - Belarusian journalist Andrei Kuznechyk, a contributor to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was released in early 2025 after spending more than three years behind bars in what human rights organizations have widely condemned as a politically motivated imprisonment. Kuznechyk had been arrested on November 25, 2021, near his home in Minsk while out cycling. Initially sentenced to short administrative detention for “hooliganism,” his case escalated when Belarusian authorities charged him with “participation in an extremist group,” a vague accusation often used to silence dissent. In June 2022, Kuznechyk was...

January 14, 2025

Turkmenistan Bars Journalist Nurgeldi Halykov from Leaving Country After Release from Prison

January 14, 2025 - Turkmenistan- Turkmen journalist Nurgeldi Halykov was prevented from boarding a flight at Ashgabat International Airport despite holding a valid passport and travel documents. Authorities told him he was under a travel ban, offering no written explanation or legal justification. Halykov had planned to fly to the United Arab Emirates to begin a new job in the hospitality industry, hoping to rebuild his life after years of state persecution. Halykov, a freelance contributor to the Netherlands-based outlet Turkmen. news, had previously spent nearly four years in prison on politically motivated charges. He...

January 14, 2025

Sri Lanka’s New Government Urged to Prioritize Press Freedom Reforms

January 14, 2025 - Sri Lanka - Following the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the rise of the National People’s Power (NPP) coalition, a coalition of 25 media and civil society organizations is urging the new Sri Lankan government to act decisively to protect press freedom. The Press Freedom Collective, which includes the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Federation of Media Employees and Trade Unions (FMETU), Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), and the Free Media Movement (FMM), issued a public statement outlining urgent reforms. The collective calls for an end to impunity...

January 14, 2025

War Journalism: Precarious Work, Rising Threats, and Mental Health Neglect

January 14, 2025 - General - A recent report by Equal Times exposes the deeply unstable and often dangerous conditions faced by journalists reporting from conflict zones such as Gaza, Lebanon, and Libya. While their work is vital for global understanding of war and human suffering, these journalists—especially freelancers and local reporters—are frequently left to operate without adequate support, training, or protection. Many of these journalists work without contracts, insurance, or institutional backing, making them highly vulnerable to injury, arrest, or death. The illusion of “entrepreneurial” journalism masks a reality of precarious gig work, where...

January 14, 2025

Afghanistan: Journalist Mahdi Ansari Sentenced to 18 Months for “Anti-Regime” Reporting

January 14, 2025 - Afghanistan - A Taliban-run court in Kabul sentenced Afghan journalist Mahdi Ansari to 18 months in prison on charges of spreading “anti-regime propaganda.” The verdict follows his October 2024 arrest, when Taliban intelligence forces detained him in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood of Kabul. Ansari, who works for Afghan News Agency (AFKA), had reportedly shared videos on his personal YouTube channel that included speeches critical of Taliban rule, particularly by Shia cleric Ayatollah Waez Behsoudi, who opposed the Taliban’s restrictions and destruction of Hazara cultural monuments. Ansari had previously been briefly detained in...

January 14, 2025

UN Condemns Al-Jazeera Ban, Warns of Global Threat to Press Freedom

January 13, 2025 - General - The United Nations and leading press freedom experts sharply criticized the banning of Al-Jazeera in an undisclosed country, warning that the move sets a dangerous precedent that undermines journalism and fosters impunity for human rights violations. The ban—likely imposed in a politically sensitive region amid conflict—has drawn strong reactions from international institutions committed to safeguarding free expression. The UN expressed grave concern that restricting access to Al-Jazeera, a globally recognized news outlet, effectively denies the public critical information during a time when transparent reporting is essential. A UN spokesperson...

January 14, 2025

Al Jazeera Cameraman Fadi al‑Wahidi Shot by Israeli Forces in Gaza, Faces Life‑Threatening Injuries

January 14, 2025 - Palestine - During a reporting assignment in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, Al Jazeera cameraman Fadi al‑Wahidi was critically injured by Israeli military fire. Fadi, wearing a marked press vest, captured drone footage before being struck in the neck by a bullet fired by an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft. He and reporter Anas al‑Sharif were documenting the effects of displacement when the Israeli drone targeted their location. Al‑Sharif recalled how Fadi fell and collapsed, with colleagues unable to assist immediately due to ongoing gunfire. Fadi was rushed to al-Ahli Hospital, where...

January 13, 2025

Gaza Journalist Abubaker Abed: Bearing Witness Amid Siege and Trauma

January 13, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Abubaker Abed, a 22-year-old Palestinian journalist from Deir al-Balah, has become one of the most powerful voices documenting the human cost of war in Gaza. Originally a sports commentator, Abed transformed into a frontline war reporter amid Israel’s relentless bombardment. In a recent interview with Democracy Now!, he shared his harrowing experience and the emotional toll of covering atrocities while living through them. Abed described Gaza as “a mass grave,” saying that journalists on the ground are not only recording the war—they are surviving it. He detailed how he...

January 13, 2025

Turkish Journalist Fatoş Sarıkaya Assaulted by Police While Covering Protests

January 13, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish journalist Fatoş Sarıkaya was violently assaulted by police in the southern city of Mersin while attempting to film a public protest. The demonstration was sparked by the government’s controversial removal of elected co-mayors in the Akdeniz district—a move many observers labeled a political intervention. Sarıkaya, an accredited journalist, was shoved, her press card knocked to the ground, and she was physically prevented from recording the event. According to the Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ), Sarıkaya’s experience is part of a disturbing trend in Turkey, where journalists, particularly...

January 13, 2025

Venezuela Cracks Down on Journalists and Digital Media as Maduro Begins Third Term

January 13, 2025 - Venezuela - As Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a controversial third term on January 10, 2025, the country witnessed an intensified wave of repression targeting journalists and digital media, accompanied by significant legal consequences. In the days surrounding the inauguration, at least four journalists were detained while covering opposition demonstrations in cities like Maracaibo, where press freedom organizations recorded multiple arrests and violent incidents. Journalist and human rights defender Carlos Correa, director of Espacio Público, was among those seized by hooded agents on January 7 and disappeared for over a week...

January 13, 2025

46 Nicaraguan Journalists Forced into Exile in 2024 Amid Worsening Crackdown

January 13, 2025 - Nicaragua - In 2024, at least 46 Nicaraguan journalists were forced into exile due to escalating repression under President Daniel Ortega’s regime, according to a report by the Costa Rica-based Foundation for Freedom of Expression and Democracy (FLED). This brings the total number of exiled journalists since the brutal 2018 crackdown to 283, underscoring the systematic dismantling of press freedom in the country. The FLED report documented 81 press freedom violations in 2024, including arbitrary arrests, surveillance, newsroom raids, confiscation of equipment, and enforced disappearances. Prominent journalists such as Fabiola Tercero...

January 13, 2025

UNESCO Issues Call for Proposals to Strengthen Journalist Safety in Somalia

January 13, 2025 - UN - UNESCO has launched a call for proposals aimed at strengthening freedom of expression and journalist safety in Somalia, where media workers face persistent threats from conflict, political instability, and targeted violence. Announced on January 13, 2025, the initiative will fund projects with a total budget of US$ 35,000 and run from the second to the fourth quarter of 2025. The call supports organizations capable of implementing practical, locally grounded activities to enhance protection for journalists—particularly women—and promote institutional engagement around media safety. Interested applicants must submit proposals by January 31,...

January 13, 2025

RSF and 110 Organizations Urge France to Protect Journalists’ Sources

January 13, 2025 - France - Reporters Without Borders (RSF), alongside 110 civil society and media organizations, has jointly demanded that the French government enact robust legal protections for journalists’ sources. This collaborative appeal, announced in early 2025, highlights growing concerns over diminished press freedom and criminal risks facing journalists and their informants. At the heart of the coalition’s demand is France’s lagging shield law for source confidentiality. Under current regulations, several court rulings have compelled journalists to reveal their sources during legal proceedings, despite promises of confidentiality. RSF warns that this not only deters...

January 13, 2025

Venezuela’s Post-Election Crackdown: 221 Politicians, 23 Journalists & 6 Human Rights Activists Detained

January 13, 2025 - Venezuela - Since Venezuela’s contentious July 28, 2024, presidential election, the country has been engulfed in a severe human rights crisis. As of January 11, 2025, the Foro Penal human rights network reported 221 individuals—181 more than in late December—have been detained for political reasons. This crackdown has swept up opposition figures, journalists, and human rights defenders alike. Foro Penal’s tally reveals nearly 1,700 people currently imprisoned, with 1,503 detained in connection with post-electoral protests alone, and over 900 arrested immediately after the election. Detainees include 221 politicians, 23 journalists, and six...

January 13, 2025

Three Journalists Killed Weekly in Gaza, Says Palestinian Rights Group

January 13, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) has reported that, on average, three journalists are being killed every week in Gaza, underscoring the extraordinary dangers faced by media workers amid Israel’s ongoing military operations. As of mid-January 2025, more than 200 journalists—mostly Palestinians—have been killed since the war began in October 2023, making this the deadliest conflict for journalists in modern history. The latest incident involved the killing of a journalist by Israeli sniper fire in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on January 12. The victim was...

January 12, 2025

Georgian Authorities Detain Batumelebi Director Mzia Amaghlobeli Amid Anti-Government Protests

January 12, 2025 - Georgia - Seasoned Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, co-founder and director of independent media outlets Batumelebi (Batumi) and Netgazeti (national), was arrested during protests in Batumi calling for fresh elections. The arrest unfolded in two stages: she was initially detained on January 11 for placing a protest sticker near the police headquarters, released, then re-arrested minutes later—this time accused of slapping Batumi’s police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze, during a confrontation. Authorities charged her under Article 353 of Georgia’s Criminal Code—assaulting a police officer—punishable by up to seven years in prison. The Batumi City Court promptly ordered...

January 12, 2025

Missouri Sports Reporter Dennis Sharkey Jr. Killed in Suspected Road-Rage Shooting

January 12, 2025 - USA - Dennis Sharkey Jr., a 50-year-old sports journalist for the Platte County Citizen in Missouri, was fatally shot on January 10, 2025, in what authorities believe was a road-rage incident. The tragedy occurred as Sharkey was driving home from covering a high school basketball game, just one day after celebrating his 50th birthday. Police say Sharkey’s vehicle veered off Interstate 29 near 72nd Street and crashed into a fence. Witnesses reported that his car had pulled over on the side of the highway alongside another vehicle. A man reportedly exited...

January 12, 2025

Journalists Detained and Tortured in Dhi Qar for Exposing Corruption and Protests

January 12, 2025 - Kurdistan - In Iraq’s southern province of Dhi Qar, journalists are increasingly becoming targets of repression for reporting on corruption and anti-government protests. According to Kurdistan24, several reporters have been detained, tortured, and denied access to information after attempting to cover demonstrations and investigate allegations of mismanagement within local government institutions. The crackdown appears to be part of a coordinated campaign to silence critical voices. Journalists have reported being held for hours without explanation, interrogated under harsh conditions, and subjected to physical abuse by security forces. In some cases, their equipment...

January 12, 2025

Italian-Iranian Diplomatic Swap: Detained Iranian Released After Italian Journalist Freed

January 12, 2025 - Italy/Iran - In a delicate diplomatic maneuver, Italy released Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini on January 12, 2025, just days after Tehran freed Italian journalist Cecilia Sala. Abedini had been detained in Milan since December 16 on a U.S. extradition warrant alleging he supplied drone parts used in a January 2024 strike in Jordan that killed three American service members. Rome’s Justice Minister intervened, revoking Abedini’s arrest warrant. Italian courts concluded that his alleged offense—violating U.S. sanctions via the International Emergency Economic Powers Act—had no equivalent crime under Italian law and thus...

January 12, 2025

Record Number of Journalists Killed in Gaza War, CBS News Reports

January 12, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - A recent 60 Minutes segment aired on CBS News revealed a staggering toll on media workers covering the Israel–Hamas conflict in Gaza. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 160 journalists, translators, fixers, and support staff have been killed since hostilities erupted in October 2023. This marks the most lethal period for reporters since CPJ began tracking deaths in 1992. The program noted that the vast majority of those killed in Gaza are Palestinian, with deaths extending to their families, raising fears the targeting of journalists may...

January 12, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Jarrah Khalaf Tortured in PA Custody Over Jenin Coverage

January 12, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Palestinian journalist Jarrah Khalaf has reportedly been tortured while in the custody of Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces, raising serious concerns about media repression and human rights abuses in the West Bank. Khalaf, known for covering press conferences and field reports from the Jenin refugee camp, was arrested at a PA checkpoint earlier this month. His detention comes amid a broader crackdown on dissent and independent journalism during ongoing PA-led operations in Jenin. According to his family and the advocacy group Lawyers for Justice, Khalaf was subjected to severe...

January 11, 2025

China Reports Stable Interprovincial Migration in 2024, Focus Shifts to Talent Retention

January 11, 2025 - Palestine/Israel/China - According to a January 2025 report by China’s state news agency Xinhua, interprovincial migration in China remained largely stable throughout 2024, countering expectations of a significant rural-to-urban population shift. Government data shows that approximately 5.2 million people moved between provinces last year, only a slight increase from the 5.1 million recorded in 2023. The figures suggest that despite ongoing economic pressures and urbanization trends, internal migration levels have plateaued, signaling a new phase in China’s demographic and labor strategy. Of the total movers, 2.7 million relocated to major metropolitan...

January 11, 2025

203 Palestinian Journalists Killed in Gaza: A Press Corps Under Siege

January 11, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Since the beginning of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, at least 203 Palestinian journalists have been killed, according to the Gaza Government Media Office. This staggering figure represents the deadliest conflict for media professionals in modern history and underscores the increasing dangers faced by local reporters documenting war crimes, humanitarian crises, and military operations on the ground. The most recent casualty, Sa’ed al-Nabhan, a freelance cameraman, was shot by an Israeli sniper in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp. He was reportedly wearing press identification and attempting to...

January 10, 2025

Saed Abu Nabhan: Gaza Freelancer Killed by Israeli Sniper — A Grim Milestone in Journalist Fatalities

10 January 2025 - Palestine - On January 10, 2025, Saed Abu Nabhan, a 25-year-old freelance cameraman working with Anadolu Agency and Alghad TV, was fatally shot by an Israeli sniper while reporting inside the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The Israeli military reportedly surrounded the Al-Jadeed Camp—a known area where journalists congregate—before targeting media workers, including Abu Nabhan. Eyewitness footage shows him attempting to flee with his camera equipment before he was struck by a long-range bullet. Medical crews rushed to evacuate him amid active gunfire; unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries in the...

January 10, 2025

DR Congo Bans Al Jazeera and Threatens Journalists Over Rebel Interview

January 10, 2025 - Congo - The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has banned Al Jazeera for 90 days following the network’s broadcast of an interview with Bertrand Bisimwa, the leader of the M23 rebel group. The ban, announced in January 2025, was imposed by the Congolese Ministry of Communication, which accused the Qatari-based outlet of failing to obtain proper accreditation and offering a platform to a group it labels a “terrorist organization.” The M23 group has been responsible for major escalations in eastern Congo, capturing territory and displacing over a million people. The government...

January 10, 2025

Bangladesh Sees Alarming Spike in Attacks on Journalists Amid Political Turmoil

January 10, 2025 - Bangladesh - A surge in violence and repression targeting journalists in Bangladesh has raised deep concerns about the state of press freedom in the country. Recent incidents, including a brutal assault on six reporters at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) building, signal an increasingly dangerous environment for media professionals. On May 21, 2025, six journalists, including DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and Secretary Rafiq Rafi, were violently attacked by a group of armed assailants allegedly linked to ruling party affiliates. The attackers, wielding pistols, sticks, and homemade weapons, stormed the DRU...

January 9, 2025

Tamil Journalist Murukaiya Thamilselvan Survives Abduction Attempt Amid Rising Threats in Sri Lanka

09 January 2025 -Sri Lanka - Freelance journalist Murukaiya Thamilselvan, a Tamil reporter from northern Sri Lanka, narrowly escaped a violent kidnapping attempt on December 26, 2024, while traveling on the A9 road near Kilinochchi. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), unidentified men in a vehicle intercepted him, forcibly dragged him from his motorcycle, and attempted to abduct him. Thamilselvan resisted, calling for help, which prompted the attackers to flee the scene. The motive behind the attack appears to be linked to his recent investigative reporting on local corruption and criminal networks. Thamilselvan...

January 9, 2025

West Bank Press Freedom Under Siege by Palestinian Authority and Israeli Forces

January 09, 2025 - Palestine - A recent report by ARTICLE 19 paints a grim picture of media repression in the West Bank, with both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israeli forces systematically curtailing press freedom. The crackdown includes suspensions, arrests, censorship, and even deadly violence against journalists and media institutions operating in the region. On January 5, 2025, the PA suspended Al Jazeera’s operations in the West Bank and blocked its website for four months, citing allegations of “provocative content” and “incitement.” The suspension, carried out under cybercrime laws and upheld by a Ramallah...

January 8, 2025

Omar Al-Derawi: Gaza Photojournalist Killed in Airstrike as Journalist Death Toll Surges

January 08, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Freelance Palestinian photojournalist Omar Salah Al-Derawi, aged 25, was killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck his family home in al-Zawaida, central Gaza. The attack also claimed the lives of his parents. According to the Gaza Government Media Office, Al-Derawi’s death brings the number of Palestinian journalists killed since October 7, 2023, to 203, marking one of the deadliest conflicts for media professionals in modern history. Al-Derawi worked with several international and regional news agencies, documenting the conflict on the ground despite the immense risks. He was reportedly wearing...

January 8, 2025

Iranian Journalist and Filmmaker Mehrdad Aladin Detained in Evin Prison

08 January 2025 - Iran - Iranian journalist and documentary filmmaker Mehrdad Aladin was detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison after responding to a summons from the Shahi Moghadas preliminary court. Aladin, who works for the Didban Iran news website and is known for covering social and environmental issues, was arrested without formal charges being announced. His sudden detention sparked concern among press freedom advocates and international human rights organizations. Aladin’s arrest is widely viewed as part of a broader crackdown on independent journalism and documentary filmmaking in Iran. His work often explored sensitive topics such...

January 8, 2025

French Journalist Silenced: Sylvain Mercadier Detained by Israeli Forces in Syria

08 January 2025 - France /Syria - Freelance journalist Sylvain Mercadier and his fixer, Mohammed al Fayyad, were detained for over four hours on January 8, 2025, by Israeli troops in the Hamidiyah village near Quneitra—a buffer zone in southern Syria recently occupied by the IDF. The pair were questioned, handcuffed, and blindfolded in what Mercadier described as an “humiliating” process, during which soldiers allegedly confiscated his SIM card, memory cards, and $200 from his fixer—claims the IDF denies. Mercadier posted on X, recounting how they were “threatened and humiliated,” held in a local governorate building, and eventually abandoned...

January 8, 2025

Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Released by Iran After Diplomatic Push

08 January 2025 - Italy/Iran - In a high-stakes diplomatic effort, Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was released by Iranian authorities on January 8, 2025, after 20 days in solitary confinement at Evin Prison. Sala, a correspondent for Il Foglio and the "Stories" podcast from Chora Media, was detained on December 19, 2024, while reporting in Tehran. Iranian state media cited a violation of local laws, though no specifics were provided. Her arrest occurred shortly after Iran expressed frustration over Italy’s detention of Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini—who was arrested on a U.S. extradition warrant for allegedly...

January 8, 2025

French Journalist Sylvain Mercadier Detained by Israeli Forces in Golan Heights Buffer Zone

January 08, 2025 - France/Syria - French freelance journalist Sylvain Mercadier and his Syrian fixer Mohammed al-Fayyad were detained by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the Hamidiyah area, located in the buffer zone of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, near the Syrian border. The pair was reportedly held for over four hours, during which they were blindfolded, handcuffed, and subjected to what Mercadier described as humiliating treatment. According to Mercadier’s account, the IDF accused them of entering a restricted military area and confiscated their belongings, including SIM cards, memory cards, and approximately $200 from al-Fayyad. After...

January 7, 2025

“Journalism Is Collapsing”: Record Journalist Deaths Expose Global Legal Failure

07 January 2025 - General - A recent article published by Phys.org on January 7, 2025, draws urgent attention to the unprecedented dangers facing journalists worldwide, particularly in conflict zones. Based on data presented at the Cairo Media Conference, the article declares that “the international legal system has collapsed, and journalism is collapsing with it.” This stark warning follows the deadliest year for journalists since 1992, with at least 146 journalists killed since October 7, 2023, primarily in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon. Experts fear the actual death toll may be higher. Nidal...

January 7, 2025

RSF Urges Egypt to Free Alaa Abdel Fattah as His Mother Reaches 100 Days on Hunger Strike

January 07, 2025 - UK/Egypt - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has issued an urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of Egyptian-British activist and writer Alaa Abdel Fattah, whose continued imprisonment has sparked global concern. At the same time, his mother, academic and activist Laila Soueif, has completed 100 days on hunger strike, intensifying pressure on Egyptian authorities and drawing renewed international scrutiny. Alaa Abdel Fattah, a leading voice of Egypt’s 2011 revolution, was sentenced to five years in prison in 2021 for allegedly “spreading false news.” Although his sentence officially expired in September...

January 7, 2025

122 Journalists Killed in 2024: A Grim Record for Global Press Freedom

January 07, 2025 - General - The year 2024 was one of the deadliest in recent memory for journalists, with 122 media workers killed worldwide, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). This tragic figure, the highest since 2012, underscores the growing dangers faced by those reporting from the frontlines of war, repression, and political unrest. Over 60% of the deaths occurred in the Middle East and Arab world, with Gaza and Lebanon among the most perilous regions. At least 14 of the victims were women journalists, reflecting both the increasing involvement of women...

January 7, 2025

Sri Lankans Rally for Justice and Press Freedom on Anniversary of Journalist’s Murder

09 January 2025 - Sri Lanka - journalists, activists, and civil society members gathered at Independence Square in Colombo to mark the 16th anniversary of the unsolved murder of Tamil journalist Ayyathurai Nadesan, who was gunned down in 2008. The vigil, organized by Sri Lankan media unions and human rights groups, served both as a remembrance and a call for justice in a country where impunity for crimes against journalists remains alarmingly high. Nadesan, known for his fearless reporting on corruption, human rights violations, and civil conflict in Sri Lanka’s northeast, was murdered in Batticaloa....

January 6, 2025

Algeria’s Arrest of Abdelwakil Blamm Highlights Deepening Media Repression

January 06, 2025 - Algeria - The arrest of Algerian freelance journalist and activist Abdelwakil Blamm marks a new low in the country’s ongoing crackdown on press freedom. Blamm was detained on December 29, 2024, near his home in Chéraga, Algiers, and later formally charged with “spreading false news,” “undermining national unity,” and alleged ties to a terrorist organization. His pretrial detention was ordered by the Sidi M’Hamed Court on January 6, 2025. Blamm is widely recognized for his vocal criticism of the government and his social media commentary, particularly through his Facebook page, which...

January 6, 2025

Syrian Women Journalists Brave Conflict and Displacement to Tell the Truth

January 06, 2025 - Source - Syria - Amid ongoing conflict and displacement, Syrian women have emerged as vital voices in journalism, courageously documenting the human toll of war. Since the uprising in 2011, many of these women—now internally displaced or living as refugees—have taken on frontline reporting roles to expose injustices and give voice to the silenced. One such figure is Sanaa Al-Ali, who fled Aleppo in 2012 with her children and resettled in rural Idlib. Amid bombings and constant threats, she began reporting on massacres and civilian suffering through social media. “I consider...

January 6, 2025

Forest Officer Arrested in Chhattisgarh for Threatening Journalist Amid Rising Media Harassment

January 6, 2025 - India - In a troubling incident underscoring the dangers faced by journalists in India’s Chhattisgarh state, a forest officer was arrested on January 6, 2025, for allegedly threatening a reporter who exposed corruption at a forest check-post. The case reflects the growing pattern of intimidation and violence against media professionals in the region. The journalist, Sandip Shukla, had reported on January 1 about illegal extortion by forest staff at a check-post near Borai village, located in the Sitanadi Forest Range of Dhamtari district. The story, supported by video footage, alleged that...

January 6, 2025

111 Palestinian Journalists Killed in 2024: Gaza Becomes the Deadliest Zone for Media Workers

January 6, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Israeli forces killed 111 Palestinian journalists in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Journalists and Reporters Association. This brings the total number of Palestinian media workers killed since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023 to 202, making it one of the deadliest periods for journalists in modern history. The report highlights that journalists in Gaza have been targeted not only by direct attacks but also by indiscriminate bombing, often while wearing press insignia. Several high-profile journalists, such as Saed Abu Nabhan and Omar Al-Derawi, were killed in...

January 6, 2025

Taliban Detain 300 Journalists as Media Freedom Crumbles in Afghanistan

January 6, 2024 - Afghanistan - A new report by Amu TV and the Afghanistan Journalists in Exile network reveals a devastating picture of press freedom under Taliban rule. Since the group’s return to power in August 2021, at least 300 journalists and media workers have been detained, many subjected to violence and intimidation. Although only 200 have been identified publicly, the scope of repression is far broader, with most detainees unwilling to speak out due to fear of reprisal. In addition to mass detentions, 17 journalists have died, either killed or under suspicious circumstances,...

January 6, 2025

Egypt Releases Three Journalists After Union-Led Campaign

06 January 2025 - Egypt - In a rare but welcome development, Egyptian authorities released three journalists in early January 2025 following an extensive campaign led by the Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate (EJS) and supported by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The freed journalists—Abdul Qader Mubarak, Hussein Al-Qayim, and Hassan Al-Qabbani—had been imprisoned on charges widely seen as politically motivated. Mubarak and Al-Qayim were included in a presidential pardon issued on December 24, 2024, which covered 54 individuals from the Sinai region. Both were serving sentences handed down by military courts. The same day, journalist...

January 6, 2025

Turkey’s Judicial Onslaught Against Journalists Intensifies in 2025

January 6, 2025 - Turkey - A recent report by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) highlights an alarming rise in press freedom cases in Turkey, with numerous journalists facing court proceedings during the week of January 6, 2025. These cases reflect an ongoing pattern of legal harassment and censorship targeting the country’s independent media. The week’s hearings span multiple cities and involve a wide array of charges. On January 6, a court in Antalya held the 22nd hearing in a long-running case against 17 individuals, including journalists Metin Cihan, Eylem Sonbahar, and Sema...

January 6, 2025

Young Journalist Found Dead in Unnao After Clash with BJP Leader’s Aides

06 January 2025 - India - The suspicious death of 24-year-old journalist Shubham Shukla in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, has sparked outrage and concern over rising violence against reporters in India. Shukla, who ran a local YouTube news channel, was found hanging near an e-rickshaw charging station on January 6, 2025. While police initially suggested suicide, his family and colleagues allege he was murdered following a violent altercation with associates of a local BJP councillor. The incident reportedly began a few days earlier, during a birthday celebration, when Shukla and his younger brother were assaulted by...

January 6, 2025

PA Forces Kill Young Journalist in Jenin: Outrage and Accusations of Internal Repression

January 6, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - 21-year-old journalist Shatha al-Sabbagh was shot in the head and killed by a sniper while walking in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank—accompanied by her nephews—according to her family. They accuse the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces of responsibility. Al‑Sabbagh, who worked in media and reported on human rights violations during the PA’s crackdown on armed groups in Jenin, was allegedly targeted just a day after conducting interviews with victims of PA operations. Her mother was present when she was shot, and eyewitnesses say she collapsed...

January 6, 2025

Iran’s Journalists Face Escalating Legal Repression and Intimidation

06 January 2025 - Iran - Iranian journalists are experiencing an intensifying wave of repression, with both domestic and diaspora reporters subjected to legal harassment, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation tactics targeting their families. A recent IranWire report reveals that in 2024 alone, Iranian authorities initiated at least 256 legal cases against journalists, including 36 arrests and 11 prison sentences. This crackdown is no longer limited to political journalists. It now extends to those reporting on environmental issues, economic challenges, and social unrest. Freelancers, online commentators, and journalists affiliated with international outlets have increasingly become targets...

January 6, 2025

ARTICLE 19 Condemns Attacks on Journalists in Gaza and the West Bank

January 6, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - In a powerful statement issued on January 6, 2025, human rights organization ARTICLE 19 condemned the ongoing violence and repression targeting journalists in Gaza and the West Bank amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian armed groups. The group warned that the deliberate targeting of journalists and press facilities not only violates international humanitarian law but could amount to war crimes. According to ARTICLE 19, at least 13 Palestinian journalists were killed in December 2024 and early January 2025 by Israeli airstrikes. One of the deadliest incidents involved...

January 6, 2025

Palestinian Authority Suspends Al Jazeera Websites Amid Crackdown on Press

January 6, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - The Palestinian Authority (PA) escalated its media restrictions by suspending several digital platforms operated by Al Jazeera, including aljazeera.net, aljazeera.net/live, aljazeera360.com, and global.ajplus.net, for a period of four months. The Ramallah Magistrate Court approved the suspension following a request from the Attorney General, citing alleged violations of cybercrime and press laws. Authorities accused the network of “inciting discord,” “threatening civil peace,” and “undermining national unity.” This move comes shortly after the PA shut down Al Jazeera’s Ramallah office and suspended its television broadcasts in the West Bank. The crackdown...

January 6, 2025

Harassment of Journalists in the Netherlands Surged Sharply in 2024

January 6, 2025 - Netherlands - In a troubling development for press freedom in one of Europe’s most open societies, the Netherlands recorded a significant rise in journalist harassment throughout 2024. According to a new report by PersVeilig—a Dutch initiative for journalist safety—218 incidents were documented last year, including 99 threats, 72 cases of intimidation or discrimination, and multiple physical assaults. This marks a sharp increase from previous years and reflects growing hostility toward the press amid heightened political polarization. The report reveals that journalists, especially women and those from minority backgrounds, have become frequent...

January 5, 2025

Bangladesh Media Reform Commission Urges End to Political Bias in Journalism

January 5, 2025 - Bangladesh - Bangladesh’s newly formed Media Reform Commission has issued a bold set of recommendations aimed at eliminating political bias in journalism and restoring public trust in the country's media. The commission, established under Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus in November 2024 and chaired by veteran journalist Kamal Ahmed, completed its 100-day review and published its findings in early 2025. One of the key issues highlighted was widespread political partisanship in media coverage, with nearly 80% of surveyed citizens expressing concerns about biased reporting. Many media outlets are known to align...

January 5, 2025

Yemeni Journalist Mohammed Al-Maqri Executed by Al-Qaeda After Nine Years of Captivity

05 January 2025 - Yemen - After nearly a decade of silence, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has confirmed the execution of Yemeni journalist Mohammed Qaed Al-Maqri, who had been forcibly disappeared since October 2015. Al-Maqri, a correspondent for Yemen Today TV, was abducted in Al-Mukalla, Hadhramaut, while covering protests against AQAP. His fate remained unknown until AQAP released a statement on December 28, 2024, announcing his execution along with 11 other detainees accused of espionage. The execution has drawn widespread condemnation from international press freedom organizations. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and...

January 5, 2025

Palestinian Journalist Mohammad Hijazi Killed in Jabalia: “I Refuse a Cheap Death”

January 05, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - A Palestinian journalist and poet, Mohammad Hijazi, was killed by an Israeli airstrike in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza, according to his family and Gaza’s Health Ministry. This tragic event brings the total death toll of journalists and media workers killed by Israeli forces since October 7, 2023, to approximately 220. This powerful declaration has now become both a haunting epitaph and a rallying cry against the targeting of journalists in Gaza. The latest Al Jazeera report, titled “I refuse a cheap death”, notes Hijazi was among nearly 90...

January 4, 2025

Journalist Mukesh Chandrakar Killed After Exposing ₹120 Crore Road Scam in Chhattisgarh

January 4, 2025 - India - The murder of 33-year-old journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district has sparked national outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of journalists investigating corruption. Chandrakar, a freelancer for NDTV and the YouTube channel “Bastar Junction,” had recently reported on a ₹120 crore road construction scam implicating local contractors and officials. He went missing on January 1, 2025, shortly after publishing his findings. Following a missing person report filed by his brother, police traced his location using CCTV footage and mobile data. On January 3, his body was discovered...

January 4, 2025

Russian Izvestia Reporter Killed in Eastern Ukraine Drone Strike

January 4, 2024 - Russia/Ukraine - Russian news outlet Izvestia confirmed that its freelance correspondent, Alexander Martemyanov, was killed when a Ukrainian drone struck a civilian vehicle on a highway near Donetsk in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. Izvestia reported that the journalist was traveling far from front-line combat zones, raising serious questions over the appropriateness of the strike. The drone strike also injured two other Izvestia journalists and two reporters from a local Donetsk publication, highlighting the collateral risks facing media personnel in conflict zones. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denounced the incident as “deliberate murder,”...

January 3, 2025

Mexico Among World’s Most Dangerous Places for Journalists in 2024

January 03, 2025 - Mexico - Mexico once again ranked in the top three most dangerous countries for journalists in 2024, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). With five journalists killed, it trails only behind war-torn regions like Palestine and Pakistan. The report also highlights that Mexico accounts for nearly 30% of global journalist disappearances over the past decade, underscoring systemic threats to press freedom. Despite the number of journalist murders declining from the 15 killed in 2022, violence and impunity remain alarmingly entrenched. RSF notes that Mexico consistently ranks among the most perilous non-war-zone countries, with...

January 3, 2025

Palestinian Photojournalist Omar Al‑Derawi and Colleagues Killed in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Talks

January 03, 2025 - Palestine/Israel - Israel’s intensified air strikes in Gaza tragically claimed the lives of at least two Palestinian journalists, marking a distressing escalation in line with ongoing hostilities and fragile ceasefire negotiations. On January 3, award-winning photojournalist Omar Al‑Derawi was killed when his family home in Az‑Zawayda, central Gaza, was struck by an Israeli airstrike. He was the second journalist killed within 24 hours, following a separate attack the previous evening. Colleagues covered his funeral in the hospital, placing his press vest atop his shrouded body—a stark symbol of the peril journalists...

January 3, 2025

Two Journalists Killed in Gaza as Strikes Intensify and Ceasefire Talks Resume

January 03, 2025 - Palestine - The war in Gaza claimed the lives of two more Palestinian journalists in early January 2025, amid renewed Israeli airstrikes and efforts to revive ceasefire negotiations in Qatar. Among the victims was well-known photojournalist Omar Al-Derawi, who died after an Israeli missile struck his home in the central Gaza town of Az-Zawayda. His death marked the second journalist killed in under 24 hours. Al-Derawi had been covering the war’s impact on civilians when the strike occurred. Despite being identified as a press worker, he became yet another casualty in...

January 3, 2025

2024: Deadliest Year on Record for Journalists as Press Groups Demand Justice

January 03, 2025 - General - The year 2024 marked an unprecedented spike in journalist deaths, with press freedom organizations calling it the most dangerous year for media workers in recent history. According to the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), 179 journalists were killed across 25 countries, while the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) recorded 124 deaths—the highest number since the organization began tracking fatalities. The overwhelming majority of these killings—nearly 70%—were linked to the ongoing war in Gaza, with over 85 journalists reportedly killed by Israeli military action. Gaza has now surpassed all previous global...

January 3, 2025

Palestinian Photographer Areej Shaheen Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Gaza

January 03, 2025 - Palestine - 32-year-old Palestinian freelance photographer Areej Shaheen was killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck her family home near the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The attack also claimed the life of her mother and seriously injured her father. Shaheen had been documenting life under siege through photography and social media, offering a rare glimpse into the daily realities of war-torn Gaza. Shaheen was a respected visual storyteller with over 13,000 followers on Instagram. Through her lens, she captured powerful images of displacement, destruction, and human resilience. Her work...

January 3, 2025

After Assad: Syrian Journalism at a Crossroads Following Regime Collapse

January 03, 2025 - Syria - The sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, following the fall of Damascus to rebel forces, has brought both hope and uncertainty for the future of journalism in Syria. After decades of strict censorship, surveillance, and the imprisonment of journalists under Assad's authoritarian rule, the post-regime era offers a rare opportunity to rebuild a free press. Yet, deep challenges remain. Under Assad, Syria was one of the world’s most dangerous places for journalists. Independent media was crushed through legal repression and violence. Dozens of journalists were detained,...

January 2, 2025

British Journalist Faces Prison for Protecting Sources, Sparks Press Freedom Debate

January 2, 2025 - UK - Richard Medhurst, a British independent journalist, is facing legal peril for refusing to reveal his encryption passwords to police, following his arrest under the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000 in August 2024. The case exposes a stark clash between national security efforts and the fundamental right of journalists to protect their confidential sources. Medhurst was detained at Heathrow Airport after his critical reporting on Israel’s military actions in Gaza—coverage Amnesty International described as genocide—was misinterpreted by authorities as support for proscribed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Two secure phones—an iPhone...

January 2, 2025

Al Jazeera Condemns Palestinian Authority’s Closure of West Bank Office

January 2, 2025 - Palestine - The Palestinian Authority (PA) ordered the suspension of Al Jazeera's operations in the West Bank, prompting a sharp rebuke from the Qatari-based news outlet and drawing criticism from international press freedom advocates. The PA’s Attorney General announced the closure of Al Jazeera’s Ramallah bureau and the withdrawal of its broadcasting license, accusing the network of spreading content that allegedly incited unrest and endangered civil peace. Although specific violations were not detailed, the PA claimed Al Jazeera’s reporting, particularly on recent security operations in Jenin, was inflammatory and posed a...

January 2, 2025

Gaza Journalists Decry PA’s Al Jazeera Ban as “Crime Against Journalism”

January 2, 2025 - Palestine - Journalists in Gaza strongly condemned the Palestinian Authority's (PA) suspension of Al Jazeera’s operations in the West Bank, calling it a direct attack on press freedom. The PA ordered the closure of the network’s Ramallah bureau and revoked its license, accusing it of incitement and threatening civil peace, particularly about its coverage of recent military operations in Jenin. Palestinian journalists working in Gaza have labeled the decision a “crime against journalism.” Freelance reporter Ikhlas al-Qarnawi, speaking from Deir el-Balah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, said the ban silences critical voices at...

January 1, 2025

Nine Journalists Imprisoned in Iran Amid Escalating Crackdown on Press Freedom

January 01, 2025 - Iran - At least nine journalists remain behind bars in Iran, reflecting the country’s ongoing and systematic repression of independent media. According to Defending Free Flow of Information (DeFFI), these journalists are being held in various prisons across the country under vague and politically motivated charges such as “propaganda against the state” and “spreading false information.” Among those detained are female journalists like Nasrin Hasani, held in Bojnurd prison, and Zhina Modares Gorji, imprisoned in Sanandaj. Many have been subjected to prolonged pre-trial detention, denied access to legal representation, or forced...

January 1, 2025

Palestinian Authority Suspends Al Jazeera’s West Bank Operations, Prompting Backlash

January 1, 2025 - Palestine - The Palestinian Authority (PA) announced the suspension of Al Jazeera’s operations in the West Bank, citing national security concerns. The decision, made by a ministerial committee, resulted in the closure of the network’s Ramallah office, the revocation of its broadcasting license, and a ban on its journalists operating in the territory. The PA accused Al Jazeera of “incitement,” “misleading reporting,” and undermining civil peace, particularly in its coverage of recent security operations in Jenin. Al Jazeera immediately condemned the move as politically motivated censorship. In a strong statement, the...

December 31, 2024

122 Journalists Killed in 2024: A Grim Year for Global Press Freedom

December 31, 2024 - General - In its 34th annual report, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) revealed that 122 journalists and media workers were killed in 2024, making it one of the deadliest years in recent memory for media professionals. The report highlights a disturbing global trend of increasing violence against journalists, particularly in conflict zones, and renewed calls for international mechanisms to protect press freedom. The Middle East accounted for the vast majority of deaths, with 77 journalists killed. Palestine alone saw 64 fatalities, largely due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Other...

December 31, 2024

Cîhan Bilgin’s Final Words Reflect Courage and the Cost of Truth in Conflict Zones

December 31, 2024 - Turkey - Kurdish journalist Cîhan Bilgin and her colleague, Nazım Daştan, were killed in a Turkish drone strike near the Tishrin Dam in northeastern Syria. The pair were documenting the impact of Turkish military operations on local communities when their vehicle was targeted. Bilgin’s last message, written just 20 minutes before the attack, serves as a haunting testament to her unwavering commitment to truth and her understanding of the dangers of frontline journalism. In her final note, Bilgin acknowledged the warnings she had received: “They will specifically target you.” Yet she...

December 30, 2024

Kyrgyzstan’s Arrest of 11 Journalists Marks Alarming Authoritarian Shift

December 30, 2024 - Krygyzstan - Kyrgyzstan’s government detained 11 journalists affiliated with Temirov Live, an independent investigative media outlet known for exposing high-level corruption. The arrests, widely condemned by press freedom organizations, underscore a growing authoritarian trend under President Sadyr Japarov. The journalists were accused of “inciting unrest” under Article 278.3 of the Kyrgyz criminal code. Authorities claim their reports—particularly those implicating senior officials and security figures in corruption—threatened national stability. Among the detained were prominent reporters and media workers, several of whom were held without legal representation and subjected to lengthy interrogations. Some...

December 30, 2024

India Emerges as One of the Most Dangerous Countries for Journalists in 2024

December 30, 2024 - India - India has been ranked among the most perilous countries for journalists in 2024, with four media professionals killed and many others facing harassment, intimidation, and legal threats. According to The Hindu and international press freedom watchdogs, a total of 31 journalists have been killed in India over the past decade, underscoring a troubling pattern of violence and impunity that has intensified in recent years. The year 2024 witnessed several journalist deaths linked to investigative reporting on corruption, organized crime, and political misconduct. One high-profile case involved a reporter in...

December 29, 2024

Palestinian Journalism Student Shatha al‑Sabbagh Killed by PA Forces in Jenin

December 29, 2024 - Palestine - 21-year-old Palestinian journalism student Shatha al‑Sabbagh was fatally shot by a sniper from the Palestinian Authority Security Forces (PASF) during an operation in the Jenin refugee camp. The young reporter, who was known for documenting daily life under occupation, was unarmed and walking with her mother and nephews when she was struck by a bullet to the head. Her death has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over press freedom and civilian safety under internal Palestinian rule. Eyewitnesses, including Shatha’s mother, claim there were no clashes or militants nearby...

December 28, 2024

PANORAMA 2024: A Grim Year for Global Journalism

December 28, 2024 - General - According to MedyaNews’ year-end report, PANORAMA 2024, journalism faced unprecedented threats worldwide, with record levels of violence, repression, and impunity. The report highlights a deeply troubling year in which over 550 journalists were arrested or imprisoned, and hundreds lost their lives, especially in conflict zones such as Gaza and Ukraine. The deadliest place for journalists in 2024 was Gaza, where more than 145 media workers were killed, many while reporting from the ground during Israeli military operations. Of those, at least 35 journalists were directly targeted, raising serious concerns...

December 28, 2024

Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Freed from Iranian Detention

December 28, 2024 - Iran - Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, 29, was detained by Iranian authorities on December 19, 2024, while in Tehran on a journalist's visa. Iran officially confirmed her arrest on December 30, citing alleged violations of its laws, shortly after Italy detained an Iranian engineer, Mohammad Abedini, under a U.S. warrant. Sala, a correspondent for Il Foglio and the podcast platform Chora Media, had completed interviews and produced episodes for her podcast series Stories during her visit and had been scheduled to leave Iran on December 20. Instead, she was placed in...

December 27, 2024

At Least 170 Journalists Killed in Gaza: IFJ Raises Alarm

December 27, 2024 - Palestine - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), in partnership with the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS), has confirmed that at least 170 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since the outbreak of the war in October 2023. This figure, updated in early June 2025, marks Gaza as the most lethal conflict zone for journalists in modern history. The deaths have occurred under a range of circumstances—some while journalists were actively reporting, others while they sought refuge with their families. According to the IFJ, many of these killings...

December 27, 2024

Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala’s Ordeal in Iran Highlights Press Freedom Crisis

December 27, 2024 - Iran - 29‑year‑old Italian journalist Cecilia Sala traveled to Tehran on a valid press visa. Her mission was to report for Il Foglio and the podcast Stories (Chora Media), covering topics ranging from the Taliban’s return to Kabul to Iran’s internal social dynamics. However, on 19 December, just a day before she was scheduled to depart, Sala was arrested by Iranian authorities. Her detention was only acknowledged on 27 December, when Italy’s foreign ministry disclosed that she was being held in Evin Prison under suspicion of “violating Iranian law". Evin Prison,...

December 26, 2024

Afghanistan’s Taliban Regime Intensifies Crackdown on Media in 2024

December 26, 2024 - Afghanistan - According to the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC), 2024 marked a steep rise in restrictions on press freedom in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. There were 181 documented violations against journalists and media outlets—an 8% increase from 2023—comprising 131 threats, the detention of 50 journalists, and the forced closure of 18 media organizations. Detentions were frequent, with 50 journalists arrested, and at least five sentenced to two to five-year terms. Among the closed media outlets, only a handful—four—have been permitted to resume operations, leaving the majority permanently shuttered. New policies introduced by the...

December 26, 2024

Five Palestinian Journalists Killed in Israeli Airstrike Near Gaza Hospital

December 26, 2024 - Palestine - A devastating Israeli airstrike struck a press vehicle belonging to Al‑Quds Today near Al‑Awda Hospital in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, killing five Palestinian journalists instantly. The journalists—identified as Fadi Hassouna, Ibrahim al‑Sheikh Ali, Mohammed al‑Ladah, Faisal Abu al‑Qumsan, and Ayman al‑Jadi—were marked as members of the press, with “PRESS” emblazoned on their van. Witnesses and Gaza medical officials confirmed the strike during early morning Israeli bombardment, a day that saw at least 31 Palestinians killed across Gaza. Relatives and colleagues mourned at Al‑Awda Hospital, laying blue press jackets over their...

December 24, 2024

Two Journalists and a Police Officer Killed in Haiti Hospital Reopening Gang Ambush

December 24, 2024 - Haiti - armed gang members attacked journalists and police at the reopening ceremony of Port-au-Prince’s State University Hospital (HUEH). The attempt to resume services at Haiti’s largest public hospital ended in bloodshed. As reporters and a police officer gathered to cover the event, gunmen opened fire from outside the venue. According to multiple sources, two journalists—Jimmy Jean (44) and Markenzy Nathoux—were killed, along with one police officer; at least seven more journalists were injured. Jimmy Jean, a respected father of six who reported for the online outlet Moun Afe Bon, was...

December 24, 2024

Thirty Kurdish Journalists Killed Amid Syria’s Conflict, Honored as “Martyrs of Free Press”

December 24, 2024 - Kurdistan/Syria - In North and East Syria, 30 Kurdish journalists have lost their lives since 2014 while covering the region’s battles, including the fight against ISIS and ongoing Turkish military operations. An article published by Hawar News on December 24, 2024, lists each of their names—many members of the YPG/YPJ media units and Hawar News Agency—capturing how these reporters risked and often sacrificed their lives to document resistance and human rights abuses. This list includes pioneers like Mazloum Bakok, killed in 2014 during efforts to open a humanitarian corridor, and recent...

December 24, 2024

Al Jazeera Slams Fatah-Led Campaign and PA Ban as Threats to Press Freedom

December 24, 2024 - Palestine/Israel - Al Jazeera Media Network issued a strong condemnation of what it described as an "incitement campaign" orchestrated by Fatah—and by extension the Palestinian Authority (PA)—targeting its journalists in the occupied West Bank. The backlash was triggered by Al Jazeera’s coverage of clashes between PA security forces and resistance fighters in Jenin. Fatah responded by imposing a ban on Al Jazeera’s operations in the governorate, urging Palestinians to avoid collaborating with the network, and accusing the network of sowing division across the Palestinian territories and the broader Arab world. In...

December 23, 2024

Honoring Fallen Journalists: A National Memorial on the Mall Reflects Rising Risks

December 23, 2024 - General - Journalist fatalities are increasing, and in response, a memorial is being planned on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as reported by Maryland Matters. Spearheaded by the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation, this initiative was inspired by the 2018 mass shooting at the Capital Gazette newsroom in Annapolis, which claimed five lives and shocked the U.S. media landscape. Set to be constructed near the Capitol between the National Museum of the American Indian and the Voice of America building, the memorial will stand as the first U.S. structure dedicated to journalists...

December 23, 2024

Europe Faces Rising Press Freedom Crisis as 165 Journalists Remain Detained

December 23, 2025 - Europe - The Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists reports that 165 journalists and media workers are currently detained across Europe. This alarming figure signals an escalating threat to press freedom, with governments increasingly resorting to legal repression, arbitrary arrests, and vague national security charges to silence dissenting voices. Among the most concerning cases is Azerbaijan, which has detained at least 30 journalists, primarily for their investigative reporting on corruption or government abuses. Belarus and Russia continue to top the list, with 44 and...

December 23, 2024

Retired Russian Police Colonel Confesses to 2004 Murder of Investigative Journalist Maxim Maksimov

December 23, 2024 - Russia - Retired police colonel Mikhail Smirnov, once deputy head of the anti-corruption department in St. Petersburg’s law enforcement, admitted to murdering investigative journalist Maxim Maksimov two decades earlier. Maksimov, who worked for Fontanka and the Agency for Investigative Journalism, disappeared in June 2004 while probing allegations of systemic corruption among senior officers, including Smirnov himself. Smirnov made his confession after being arrested in mid-2024 on unrelated charges involving the 1998 bombing of a businessman. During questioning, he admitted to luring the journalist to a house with collaborators, where he strangled...

December 23, 2024

Azerbaijan’s Media Crackdown: Journalists Jailed on Politically Motivated Charges

December 23, 2024 - Azerbaijan - Farid Mehralizada, an economist and contributor to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was detained in May 2024 and accused of conspiring to smuggle foreign currency, among other charges, including illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion, and document forgery, carrying a potential 12-year prison sentence. Mehralizada vehemently denies all allegations and asserts that his arrest stems from his critical reporting on the economy, which he believes threatened authoritarian sensitivities. He explained in court that “journalism in our country today is almost equated with terrorism”. Press freedom organisations such as the Committee...

December 23, 2024

Police explain detention of Azattyk journalists

December 23, 2024 - Azerbaijan - Kyrgyz police detained two journalists from Radio Azattyk—reporter Maksat Kutmanbekov and cameraman Nurlan Beyshebaev—while they were filming near Pre‑trial Detention Center No. 1 in Bishkek, covering a hunger-strike protest by inmates. According to the Oktyabrsky District Department, the detention was preventive: authorities cited a court-ordered ban on demonstrations since August 2024 and said the journalists were taken in for "explanatory talks" before being released shortly afterward. The journalists were interviewing relatives of the detainees, whose hunger strike began on December 22 in protest against the appointment of Chyngyz Kozhoshev as head of the Penitentiary Service and...

December 23, 2024

Turkey jails 7 journalists and media workers, places one under house arrest

December 23, 2024 - Turkey- Turkish authorities detained several journalists and media workers in Istanbul during a protest against the killing of Kurdish journalists Cîhan Bîlgîn and Nazım Daştan, targeted in a suspected Turkish drone strike in northern Syria on December 20. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), five journalists and two media workers were held pending trial, while five others were placed under house arrest. Among those imprisoned were Pınar Gayıp from ETHA, freelance reporter Gülistan Dursun, Hayri Tunç, Enes Sezgin, and Osman Akın of Yeni Yaşam, designer Can Papila, and Serpil Ünal from Mücadele...

December 23, 2024

Over Half of 2024 Journalist Deaths Occurred in Palestine, Reports Guardian

December 23, 2024 - General - The Guardian revealed that 55 of the 104 journalists and media workers killed worldwide in 2024 died in Palestine, making it the most dangerous region for journalists that year. These figures, drawn from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), indicate that over half of global journalist fatalities occurred in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. The report emphasizes that these numbers do not include arrests, injuries, or missing persons and likely underestimate the full scope of the crisis facing media workers in the region. Since the outbreak of war...

December 23, 2024

Silencing the Truth: Journalism Under Siege in a World of Rising Repression

December 23, 2024 - General - Shamsa Ishfaq warns that journalists around the world are increasingly under threat, even as they strive to hold power to account. In Afghanistan—the article highlights—the situation has deteriorated sharply since the Taliban returned in 2021. Data from the UN Assistance Mission (UNAMA) shows that between August 2021 and September 2024, no fewer than 336 journalists and media workers suffered violations, including arrests, torture, threats, and forced media closures, with women journalists particularly vulnerable to systematic exclusion. Ishfaq quotes Fatima Bhutto: “A society that silences its storytellers loses the threads of its humanity,”...

December 23, 2024

Criminalizing Truth: A Decade of Repression Against Kurdish Journalists in Turkey

December 23, 2024 - Turkey - In two closely linked cases nearly a decade apart, the Turkish government’s crackdown on Kurdish journalism reveals a long-standing pattern of silencing dissent through arrests, censorship, and criminal charges. In February 2016, Nazım Daştan, a correspondent for the pro-Kurdish Dicle News Agency (DIHA), was arrested in Gaziantep for allegedly “spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization.” The charges were based on his Facebook posts, which included reporting on alleged Turkish military support for ISIS near the Syrian border. His arrest came during a broader media crackdown in which dozens of...

December 22, 2024

Digital Repression: Serbia’s Spyware Campaign Against Journalists and Dissidents

December 22, 2024 -Serbia - A report by Amnesty International, spotlighted by Deutsche Welle, the Associated Press, Reuters, and The Guardian, exposed a systematic spyware campaign orchestrated by Serbia’s state agencies to target journalists, activists, and government critics. Amnesty’s forensic analysis revealed that individuals—many of whom had not been charged with any crime—were detained or summoned by the Security Information Agency (BIA) or police. During interrogations, their phones were accessed using Israeli-made Cellebrite forensic tools to crack device security, and bespoke spyware called “NoviSpy” was loaded onto their devices. This spyware covertly harvested screenshots, contact...

December 21, 2024

Hostility in “Trump’s America” Attacks and Arrests Target Journalists

December 21, 2024 - USA - In Grand Junction, Colorado, internal distress erupted when 39-year-old Patrick Thomas Egan allegedly stalked and assaulted TV reporter Ja’Ronn Alex, forcefully trying to strangle him outside the KKCO/KJCT studio. Throughout the incident, Egan reportedly shouted, “Are you even a U.S. citizen? This is Trump’s America now! I’m a Marine, and I took an oath to protect this country from people like you!” Alex, who is of Pacific Islander descent and a native of Detroit, believed the motive was racially driven. According to police and witness accounts documented in surveillance video, the...

December 21, 2024

Mohawk Journalist’s Arrest in Akwesasne Raises Constitutional Alarms

December 21, 2024 - USA - Isaac White—a Mohawk journalist for Indian Time based in Akwesasne—was arrested while covering a land claim demonstration on Barnhart Island, northern New York, ancestral Mohawk territory now controlled by the New York Power Authority. According to White’s account, as published by the Freedom of the Press Foundation, he introduced himself as a reporter when police detained him, but was nonetheless handcuffed and taken in, despite doing nothing illegal beyond documenting the protest. White described the incident starkly: “You’re under arrest.” “I’m a reporter.” “I don’t care.” He found the...

December 21, 2024

Venezuelan Reporter Ana Carolina Guaita Released After Detention

December 21, 2024 - Venezuela - Venezuelan journalist Ana Carolina Guaita, a reporter for the critical digital outlet La Patilla, was formally released on December 21, 2024, after more than four months of detention amid post-election protests. Her arrest sparked immediate international concern over press suppression in Venezuela. Guaita was initially detained on August 2, 2024, reportedly by agents of SEBIN (Bolivarian National Intelligence Service), as she was covering protests surrounding President Nicolás Maduro’s contested July election victory. Following her disappearance, Guaita’s family was left in the dark. Her mother faced coercive pressure from authorities, who allegedly told her, "Libero a su...

December 21, 2024

Silenced by Lawsuits: How Europe is Fighting Back Against SLAPPs

December 21, 2024 - General - Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are increasingly used across Europe to intimidate and silence journalists, activists, and watchdogs. These legal threats, often lacking merit, are designed not to win in court but to drain resources, cause psychological distress, and deter public interest journalism. UNESCO highlights the pressing need to raise awareness about SLAPPs as a crucial step toward journalist safety. In a recent initiative focused on North Macedonia, UNESCO emphasized the importance of educating the judiciary and the general public about SLAPP dynamics. It recommends collaborative actions with...

December 21, 2024

From Commentary to Confinement: The Case of Özlem Gürses

21 December 2024 - Turkey/Syria - Turkish journalist Özlem Gürses was detained on December 20, 2024, after remarks made during a YouTube livestream were interpreted as critical of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). In her statement, she referred to the TSK-Syrian National Army structure in a context that some perceived as associating it with ISIS. This triggered immediate legal action, with prosecutors charging her under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for “insulting state institutions” and under Article 217/A for “publicly disseminating misleading information.” These provisions, frequently used to silence dissenting voices in Turkey,...

December 20, 2024

Insight: Afghanistan’s Press Freedom Lowest Since Taliban Takeover

December 20, 2024 - Afghanistan - Afghanistan has reached a historic nadir in press freedom as the Taliban has intensified its crackdown on independent media. According to Reporters Without Borders, at least twelve television and one radio station were forcibly shut down in 2024. Among these, Arezo TV in Kabul endured a raid by the General Intelligence Directorate, supported by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, resulting in the arrest of seven staffers, including the bureau chief, and the seizure of equipment. This campaign has focused on content deemed “transgressive”...

December 20, 2024

Solidarity Surges as Georgian Journalists Face Brutal Repression

December 20, 2024 - Georgia - International press freedom organizations have united in a powerful show of solidarity with journalists across Georgia following an escalating wave of violence, intimidation, and legislative suppression against independent media. During mass protests sparked by the government’s decision to pause EU accession talks on November 28, 2024, at least eighty journalists were physically attacked, threatened, or interfered with by police and masked vigilantes. One prominent case involved photographer Aleksandre Keshelashvili being seized, beaten, and detained despite clearly identifying as press, and another saw Guram Rogava of Formula TV suffering facial fractures...

December 20, 2024

Drones of Silence: The Killing of Kurdish Journalists in Syria

December 20, 2024 - Turkey - Kurdish journalists Nazim Daştan, 32, and Cîhan Bilgin, 29, were killed while covering the escalating conflict in northern Syria. Both were deployed near the Tishrin Dam, documenting clashes between Turkey-backed forces and Kurdish fighters when their car was struck by a drone attack, reportedly by a Turkish drone. Their driver, Aziz Haj Bozan, survived with injuries. The attack took place on December 19 near Kobani, around 100 km east of Aleppo. The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) issued a stern condemnation late on that day, branding the strike a targeted...

December 20, 2024

Enduring Justice: Unraveling the Turab Investigation in Bangladesh

December 20, 2024 - Bangladesh - The murder of photojournalist Abu Taher Md. Turab, commonly known as Turab, on July 19, 2024, amid Bangladesh’s student-led quota movement, has sparked a high-stakes legal battle centering on accountability and institutional transparency. Turab, a reporter for Daily Jalalabad and Daily Naya Diganta, was wearing a press vest when he was shot during a confrontation between police and protestors in Sylhet. The incident was one of several journalist deaths and injuries during the widespread protests that left four media workers dead and over 200 injured. Following the murder, Turab’s...

December 20, 2024

The Killing of Kurdish Journalists Nazim Daştan and Cîhan Bilgin

December 20, 2024 - Turkey - Kurdish journalists Nazim Daştan, aged 32, and Cîhan Bilgin, aged 29, working for Kurdish outlets including ANHA, Rojnews, and Firat News Agency, were killed near the Tishrin Dam east of Aleppo by an alleged Turkish drone strike. The two were traveling in a vehicle marked “Press” while reporting on armed clashes between Turkish-backed Syrian National Army forces and U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters when the drone attack struck their car, instantly killing both and injuring their driver, Aziz Haj Bozan. The Dicle Firat Journalists Association, alongside the Turkish Journalists Union, strongly condemned the attack as...

December 20, 2024

IFJ’s Call to Release 24 Journalists in Egypt

December 20, 2024 - Egypt - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), alongside the Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate (EJS), has made an urgent appeal to President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi to immediately and unconditionally release twenty‑four journalists currently detained in Egypt. Their appeal followed the IFJ delegation’s attendance at the EJS’s sixth general conference in Cairo from December 14 to 16, 2024, where IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger emphasized the human and professional toll of prolonged imprisonments. He underlined the importance of solidarity and pledged cooperation on international advocacy, digital safety training, and press freedom reporting. The...

December 20, 2024

The Smear Campaign Against Anand Mangnale

December 20, 2024 - India - Indian investigative journalist Anand Mangnale, the South Asia regional editor for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, has been subjected to a state-backed online smear campaign after exposing significant corruption. On December 5, 2024, Nishikant Dubey, a Member of Parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, accused Mangnale in Parliament of trying to undermine the government by accessing foreign funds. He alleged that Mangnale was interfering with Indian politics through overseas financing. The official BJP account amplified these claims on X, accusing him of raising “Chinese money” for...

December 19, 2024

Georgian Journalists Caught in Protest Turmoil

December 19, 2024 - Georgia - The streets of Tbilisi erupted into widespread protests after the government’s abrupt decision to delay EU accession talks in late November 2024, triggering fierce clashes between demonstrators and security forces. In this volatile environment, journalists covering the demonstrations found themselves exposed to graphic violence and legal intimidation, despite clearly identifying themselves as members of the press. Law enforcement repeatedly used tear gas, water cannons laced with chemical irritants, rubber bullets, and physical force to disperse not only protesters but also reporters on duty. Many journalists suffered beatings, concussions, broken...

December 19, 2024

Protecting Journalists Online: Global Strategies from IGF 202

December 19, 2024 - General - At the Internet Governance Forum 2024 held in Riyadh, the safety of journalists in the digital landscape took center stage as experts across the globe highlighted the escalating threats posed by online harassment, surveillance, and censorship. The open forum “Safety of Journalists Online” underscored that journalists universally face similar dangers, with female reporters and individuals from marginalized communities bearing the brunt of gender-based abuse. Participants stressed the urgent need to expand legal protections—both by reinforcing existing regulations and crafting new frameworks—to hold online platforms accountable for facilitating harassment and...

December 19, 2024

South Sudan Editor Detained Without Charge

December 19, 2024 - Sudan - Emmanuel Monychol Akop, editor-in-chief of The Dawn newspaper, was arrested on November 28, 2024, by agents of South Sudan’s National Security Service after responding to a summons to their headquarters in Juba. Detained without any formal charges or access to legal counsel, his arrest marks yet another instance of the oppressive use of intelligence services against independent journalism in the country. His family was informed that neither visits nor updates would be permitted until the so-called investigation was complete, while colleagues voiced deep concern for his well-being and access...

December 19, 2024

Murdered for the Story: Greece Acknowledges Journalist’s Targeted Killing

December 19, 2024 - Greece - A court in Athens made a landmark ruling concluding that veteran Greek crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz was assassinated in April 2021 because of his journalistic work. The Mixed Jury Court determined that his murder was a contract killing directly linked to his reporting, rejecting any alternative motives and declaring that the only plausible explanation was Karaivaz’s professional role as a journalist. Giorgos Karaivaz, age 52, was a prominent investigator of organized crime and corruption in Greece. He had a distinguished career with Star Channel and ran the independent news website Bloko. On April 9, 2021,...

December 19, 2024

Sentenced for Reporting: Belarus Jails Yauhen Nikalayevich

December 19, 2024 - Belarus - Yauhen Nikalayevich, a former video reporter for the independent outlet Media Polesye, was sentenced on October 3, 2024, by a court in Pinsk to one and a half years in prison for allegedly “organizing or participating in gross violations of public order.” The verdict, which was connected to his coverage of the 2020 Minsk protests demanding President Lukashenko’s resignation, was upheld in December after his appeal was rejected. The sentence remained concealed until December 19, when it became public following a court’s decision to reject his appeal, triggering widespread criticism...

December 18, 2024

Detained and Undecided: The Lingering Case of Stanford Reporter Dilan Gohill

December 18, 2024 - Colombia - Stanford Daily reporter Dilan Gohill was arrested while covering a pro-Palestinian student occupation of the university president’s office. Wearing his press credentials and hoodie, Gohill entered the building to chronicle the unfolding protest alongside student demonstrators. Despite clarifying to law enforcement that he was acting in his capacity as a journalist, he was arrested on suspicion of felony burglary, vandalism, and conspiracy, and held in the Santa Clara County jail for several hours. His arrest sparked immediate concern from legal watchdogs and free-press advocates, who rushed to his defense...

December 18, 2024

Serbia’s Spy State Targets Journalists and Sources

December 18, 2024 - Serbia - Recent investigations by Article 19 and Amnesty International have revealed a disturbing escalation in Serbia’s surveillance of journalists, sources, and activists. According to their reports, the Serbian Intelligence Agency (BIA) and police have used advanced spyware and forensic tools to hack into the mobile devices of media professionals. Investigations uncovered forensic traces of Cellebrite’s Universal Forensic Extraction Device (UFED), enabling authorities to unlock and extract data from smartphones. The spyware infection, often during routine detentions or interviews, utilized both foreign and domestically developed tools such as “NoviSpy,” allowing remote...

December 18, 2024

IPI Demands Probe into Serbia’s Spyware Crackdown

December 18, 2024 - General - IPI, alongside other leading press freedom groups, has urgently called for a thorough investigation into the Serbian government’s intrusive surveillance tactics targeting journalists and their sources. This appeal comes in response to alarming evidence that both intelligence agencies and police have exploited invasive spyware, such as Cellebrite’s forensic tools and a domestic implant known as “NoviSpy,” without any legal oversight. Investigative journalists working with outlets like BIRN received malicious links via messaging apps; forensic analysis confirmed that the resulting spyware was used to extract contacts, screenshots, and potentially activate...

December 18, 2024

Medvedev’s Threat Against UK Journalists Sparks Diplomatic Outrage

December 18, 2024 - Russia - Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now serving as deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, triggered international condemnation after threatening senior staff at The Times newspaper. The warning came in response to an editorial that described the killing of Russian General Igor Kirillov in Ukraine as a legitimate act of defense. Medvedev accused the paper’s editors of justifying terrorism and declared them “legitimate military targets” in a post shared on his Telegram account. The remarks quickly drew comparisons to mafia-style threats, prompting immediate backlash from UK officials and press freedom...

December 18, 2024

Journalists Under Fire as 2024 Becomes Deadliest Year on Record

18 December 2024 - General - The year 2024 marked a devastating turning point for global press freedom, with journalist deaths reaching their highest level in over three decades. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 124 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide, a staggering escalation largely driven by the war in Gaza. Of those killed, 85 were covering the Israel-Gaza conflict, making it by far the deadliest single theater for journalists in modern history. The majority of these were Palestinian reporters, many of them freelancers working under dire conditions and without institutional...

December 18, 2024

Target on Trial as Mexico Seeks Justice for Javier Valdez

December 18, 2024 - USA/Mexico - Mexico has renewed its pursuit of justice in the 2017 killing of renowned investigative journalist Javier Valdez by formally requesting the extradition of Dámaso López Serrano, also known as “Mini Lic,” from the United States. Valdez, a veteran reporter who covered drug cartels and corruption, was shot dead near his newspaper office in Culiacán, Sinaloa. Mexican authorities have long identified López Serrano as the suspected mastermind of the murder, allegedly ordering the hit in retaliation for Valdez’s reporting on internal cartel disputes involving the Sinaloa drug trafficking organization. Mini...

December 18, 2024

Crackdown in Kyrgyzstan as Court Jails Anti-Corruption Journalists

December 18, 2024 - Krygyzstan - In a major blow to press freedom, a court in Kyrgyzstan has upheld the convictions of four journalists from the investigative media outlet Temirov Live, a team known for its hard-hitting reports on corruption within the government and security services. The Bishkek City Court ruled in December 2024 to maintain prison sentences for Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy, who received six years, and Azamat Ishenbekov, sentenced to five years. Two other journalists, Aike Beishekeyeva and Aktilek Kaparov, were handed three-year suspended sentences. The ruling was later confirmed by the country’s Supreme...

December 17, 2024

Belfast Journalists Win Landmark Case Against Unlawful Police Surveillance

December 17, 2024 - UK - The UK’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) has found that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Metropolitan Police unlawfully surveilled investigative journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney in a series of covert operations aimed at uncovering their confidential sources. The ruling, delivered in December 2024, marks a significant victory for press freedom and journalistic integrity in the UK. The case centers around the 2017 documentary No Stone Unturned, which examined the unsolved 1994 Loughinisland massacre in Northern Ireland. Following its release, the PSNI launched an investigation to...

December 17, 2024

London Stabbing Case Raises Alarms Over Foreign Threats to Exiled Journalists

December 17, 2024 - Romania/UK - British authorities have arrested two Romanian nationals in connection with the March 2024 stabbing of British-Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati, a prominent presenter with Iran International. The suspects, identified as 19-year-old Nandito Badea and 23-year-old George Stana, were apprehended in Romania and are currently facing extradition to the United Kingdom. The charges relate to a targeted attack in Wimbledon, where Zeraati was stabbed in the leg near his home. The incident left him hospitalized but did not result in life-threatening injuries. A third man, a 40-year-old suspect, was arrested in...

December 17, 2024

UK Police Illegally Spied on Journalists, Tribunal Rules

December 17, 2024 - UK - A tribunal in Northern Ireland has found that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) unlawfully used covert surveillance to identify a journalist’s confidential source and to monitor political figures, including former Secretary of State David Davis. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal determined that the PSNI bypassed legal authorization by launching secret operations—known as “directed surveillance” and “covert intrusion”—without meeting the required thresholds under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 or the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. This represented a serious violation of the journalist's right to protect sources and...

December 17, 2024

Press Freedom Under Siege: Arrests of Palestinian Journalists Since October 2023

December 17, 2024 - Palestine/Israel - Since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023, over 86 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been detained by Israeli authorities—a scale of repression unprecedented in recent history. Many arrests occurred without charge, particularly through the administration’s broad use of administrative detention. Initial waves in October 2023 saw noted journalists such as Abdel Nasser al‑Laham, Moath Amarneh, Mustafa al‑Khawaja, and Sabri Jibril taken into custody. Their arrests were carried out in pre-dawn raids, often involving broken doors, confiscation of electronic devices, and allegations that their social media commentary or...

December 17, 2024

Media at a Crossroads as Syria Enters a New Era

December 17, 2024 - Syria - With the collapse of the Assad regime after over a decade of authoritarian rule and civil war, Syria now stands before a rare opportunity to build an independent, inclusive media landscape. For the first time in thirteen years, journalists are no longer restricted by state censorship or the constant threat of violence from government forces. Free Press Unlimited, which has worked alongside Syrian media since 2011, views this transitional moment as critical for establishing press freedom as a cornerstone of the country’s recovery. Throughout the conflict, Syrian independent journalists,...

December 17, 2024

Barbara Gayle’s Death Shocks Jamaican Journalism

December 17, 2024 - Jamaica - The Jamaican media landscape was rocked in December 2024 by the brutal murder of Barbara Gayle, a celebrated veteran court reporter whose career at The Gleaner spanned over four decades. Found dead in her Caymanas Estate home in St. Catherine on the morning of December 17, Gayle had been struck in the head and her throat slashed, likely days after speaking to a visitor outside her residence. Authorities report that her vehicle and mobile phone were stolen, prompting homicide investigations and public appeals for justice from senior government figures,...

December 16, 2024

Al Jazeera Cameraman Killed in Gaza Airstrike Amid Rising Toll on Journalists

December 16, 2024 - Palestine - Ahmed al-Louh, a 39-year-old Palestinian photojournalist working for Al Jazeera, was killed on December 15, 2024, in an Israeli airstrike that struck a Palestinian Civil Defence center in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Al-Louh, who was wearing marked press gear at the time of the attack, was filming rescue operations when the strike occurred. Five Civil Defence workers were also killed in the same incident. He was transported to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, where he was pronounced dead. Al Jazeera issued a strong condemnation, describing...

December 15, 2024

Cameraman Ahmed al‑Louh Killed Amid Gaza Airstrike

December 15, 2024 - Palestine - Al Jazeera photojournalist Ahmed al‑Louh, aged 39, was killed on December 15, 2024, during an Israeli airstrike on a Palestinian Civil Defence site in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Al‑Louh, easily identifiable in his press vest and helmet, was filming rescue efforts alongside Civil Defence workers when the strike struck. Five Civil Defence personnel also lost their lives. He was promptly evacuated to Al‑Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el‑Balah, where he was pronounced dead. Al Jazeera condemned the strike as a deliberate and “heinous crime,” insisting that...

December 15, 2024

Journalists Under Siege in Pakistan as Crackdown Intensifies

December 15, 2024 - Pakistan - The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has sounded the alarm over a tightening crackdown on media freedom, warning that systemic harassment, intimidation, and violence against journalists are severely threatening press integrity in the country. PFUJ’s condemnation comes amid a broader context of recurring detentions, legal threats, and economic pressure on independent media outlets. The union emphasized that these tactics, which include filing sedition charges, enforcing blackouts on critical reporting, and orchestrating cyber harassment campaigns, aim to silence dissenting voices and chill investigative journalism at its core. PFUJ voiced...

December 15, 2024

Pakistan’s Cybercrime Law Becomes Tool for Silencing Journalists

December 15, 2024 - Pakistan - In a sharp escalation of media repression, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the issuance of arrest orders for at least 150 journalists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) accused these journalists of posting content between November 24 and 27, 2024, that allegedly incited violence and undermined state institutions, including the military. The targeted individuals face charges under PECA sections related to glorifying crime, cyberterrorism, hate speech, and cyberstalking—offenses that carry severe penalties, including up to 14 years...

December 15, 2024

Al Jazeera Demands Accountability for Killing of Journalist Ahmad al-Louh

December 15, 2024 - Palestine - Al Jazeera Media Network has condemned the killing of its Palestinian cameraman Ahmad al-Louh in a targeted Israeli airstrike on December 15, 2024, in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Al-Louh, who was wearing press identification gear, was documenting Civil Defence rescue operations when the strike hit, killing him and five emergency workers. His death, the network stated, represents not only a personal tragedy but also a grave violation of international humanitarian law protecting journalists in conflict zones. In a strongly worded statement, Al Jazeera described the attack...

December 14, 2024

Home at Last: Lebanese Journalist Moaz Mouraab Returns After 17 Years in Syrian Detention

December 14, 2024 - Lebanon/Syria - Moaz Mouraab, a 51-year-old Lebanese journalist and father of two, has finally returned to his family in Tripoli, Lebanon, after enduring 17 harrowing years in a Syrian prison. His detention began on May 20, 2007, when Syrian authorities arrested him while he was transiting from Lebanon to Iraq. Accused of links to terrorist groups, Mouraab insists he entered Syria solely in his capacity as a journalist and humanitarian worker. His family lost all contact with him for the first two and a half years, leaving them uncertain of his...

December 14, 2024

Iran Cracks Down on Activists and Journalists Amid Rising Repression

December 14, 2024 - Iran/USA - Iran’s latest wave of repression has drawn sharp condemnation from rights groups, following the arrest of prominent human rights advocate Reza Khandan and the continued imprisonment of Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh. Both cases highlight the Islamic Republic’s deepening crackdown on dissenting voices, targeting not only activists within the country but also media professionals with ties abroad. On December 14, 2024, Iranian authorities arrested Reza Khandan, husband of renowned rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, at his home in Tehran. His daughter, Mehraveh, confirmed the arrest, linking it to a prior conviction...

December 14, 2024

Pakistan Targets Sikh Journalist in Cybercrime Crackdown

December 14, 2024 - Pakistan - Pakistani-Sikh journalist Harmeet Singh, an anchor at Such TV, has become the latest focus of state action under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) following his coverage of November 2024 protests by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Authorities from the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Wing have filed an FIR accusing Singh of propagating anti-state narratives through his social media posts during the Islamabad demonstrations. He was summoned for questioning on December 24 and granted pre-arrest bail until December 21 by a special court in Islamabad,...

December 14, 2024

Staggering Toll: Nearly 200 Journalists Killed in Gaza

December 14, 2024 - Palestine - The conflict in Gaza has inflicted a devastating toll on journalists, with nearly 200 media workers killed in airstrikes carried out since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023. On December 14, 2024, the Palestinian Journalists’ Forum reported the death of Al‑Mashhad Channel correspondent Mohammad Baalousha, raising the total number of media casualties to 195. Just one day later, Gaza’s Government Media Office announced that Al Jazeera photographer Ahmad Bakr al‑Louh had been killed in the Nuseirat refugee camp strike, pushing the count to 196. These grim figures reflect...

December 13, 2024

Freed or Forgotten? The Fate of American Journalist Austin Tice in Syria

December 13, 2024 - USA/Syria - American journalist Austin Tice, kidnapped in 2012 while reporting from northern Syria, remains one of the most enduring cases of an unresolved journalist disappearance in recent history. A freelance war reporter, Tice was covering the unfolding civil war in Damascus when he vanished. After being held by unknown groups, a video released later confirmed his captivity, but his precise whereabouts and condition have remained shrouded in uncertainty since then. Following years of silence, the U.S. government and non-profit organizations recently revealed that new intelligence obtained earlier in 2024 placed...

December 13, 2024

Journalist Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich Killed in Targeted Attack in Pakistan

December 13, 2024 - Pakistan - Pakistani journalist Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich was shot and killed in a targeted attack in Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, marking a grim continuation of violence against media workers in the country. Naich, a local correspondent known for reporting on governance issues, crime, and community concerns, was gunned down by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle while on his way to work. The brazen nature of the attack has sparked outrage and renewed fears among journalists already working under mounting pressure and insecurity. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ),...

December 13, 2024

Justice Beckons for Anton Hammerl After 13 Years

December 13, 2024 - South Africa/Libya - South African photojournalist Anton Hammerl was killed on April 5, 2011, by pro-Gaddafi forces in the Libyan desert while covering the civil war. His body was never recovered, and for over a month, his family was misled to believe he was in custody. After being informed of his death, the family entered a long period of sorrow and unanswered questions, compounded when Libya withheld his passport despite years of international inquiries. On December 12, 2024, Hammerl’s widow, Penny Sukhraj-Hammerl—a journalist herself—filed a formal complaint with the U.N. Human...

December 13, 2024

Russian Court Extends Detention of Veteran Journalist Nadezhda Kevorkova

December 13, 2024 - Russia - Nadezhda Kevorkova, a prominent 66-year-old journalist renowned for covering conflict zones in the Middle East, North Caucasus, and beyond, has had her pretrial detention extended by Moscow courts on multiple occasions throughout 2024 and early 2025. Initially arrested in May 2024 and charged with "publicly justifying terrorism" under Article 205.2, her case centers on two-year-old Telegram posts: one sharing an article by a fellow journalist about a militant raid in Nalchik, and another praising the Taliban for freeing prisoners. Her detention was first extended in October, then again in...

December 13, 2024

Targeted Arrests of Journalists at Israel‑Gaza War Protests in the U.S.

December 13, 2024 - Palestine/USA - Journalist arrests in the United States surged in 2024, with nearly one reporter detained or charged each week, largely at Israel‑Gaza war protests. According to data from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, there were at least 48 arrests or detentions of journalists, marking the third-highest annual total since 2017. Remarkably, approximately 90 percent of these incidents occurred during demonstrations related to the Israel‑Gaza conflict, reflecting a dramatic rise in police actions in response to public dissent. New York City’s Police Department played an especially prominent role, accounting for nearly...

December 13, 2024

Journalists Arrested Ahead of Belarus Election as Crackdown Tightens

December 13, 2024 - Belarus - Belarusian authorities arrested seven journalists from the independent online outlet Intex‑Press in Baranavichy in early December 2024, leveling charges of “supporting extremist activities.” The Belarusian Association of Journalists condemned the detentions as a deliberate effort to extinguish dissenting voices in the run‑up to January’s presidential election, calling it the single largest group of arrests from one media platform in the past year. The arrests come on the heels of a four‑year prison sentence handed down to journalist Volha Radzivonava earlier in December for her critical coverage of the regime,...

December 13, 2024

EU Pressure Urged as Georgian Media Face Escalating Crackdown

December 13, 2024 - Georgia - A coalition of major press freedom organizations, including the International Federation of Journalists and European Federation of Journalists, has urged the European Union to demand an immediate halt to the rising wave of repression against journalists in Georgia. In an open letter dated 12 December, the groups called on key EU figures—Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa, Roberta Metsola, and Kaja Kallas—to address systematic threats to media professionals during increasingly violent anti-government protests in Tbilisi. Since late 2024, demonstrators have rallied against Georgia’s political leadership, especially following the suspension...

December 13, 2024

Investigation Sparks Threats: Grzegorz Rzeczkowski’s Stand Against Russian Influence

13 December 2024 - Poland/Russia - Grzegorz Rzeczkowski, a respected investigative journalist in Poland, has become the target of threats due to his reporting on suspected Russian influence in Polish politics and business. According to Reporters Without Borders, Warsaw prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into acts of intimidation against Rzeczkowski following the arrival of menacing messages and phone calls warning him to cease his exposés. The situation escalated to the point that Poland’s Interior Minister intervened, directing intelligence and police services to ensure his protection, signaling official alarm over the threats he faced. Rzeczkowski’s...

December 12, 2024

Family Tragedy in Gaza: Death of Journalist Iman al‑Shanti and Her Children

December 12, 2024 - Palestine - A deadly Israeli airstrike struck a residential building in Gaza City on December 12, 2024, claiming the lives of Palestinian freelance journalist Iman al‑Shanti and her two children. Al‑Shanti, who contributed to regional outlets and international media, had recently returned to her home and was unarmed and identified as a civilian. Local emergency responders confirmed that her children, aged six and four, were killed alongside her, while her husband and other family members were also severely injured. Rights groups and press freedom advocates have condemned the strike as a...

December 12, 2024

Disappeared in Syria: John Cantlie’s 12‑Year Ordeal Remains Unresolved

December 12, 2024 - UK/Syria - British war photographer and correspondent John Henry Cantlie, who was abducted in November 2012 alongside American journalist James Foley, is still missing nearly 12 years later. After initially being captured by Islamist militants and briefly escaping in mid‑2012, he was re‑abducted in November during a joint assignment with Foley. Foley was tragically executed by ISIS in 2014, while Cantlie was forced into propaganda videos that he narrated until late 2016, shedding light on the dire humanitarian consequences of war through a distorted lens. Cantlie appeared in multiple ISIS-produced clips, including the “Lend...

December 12, 2024

Sudanese Journalist Hanan Adam and Brother Killed by Paramilitary Forces

December 12, 2024 - Sudan - Rapid Support Forces (RSF) soldiers brutally raided the home of Sudanese journalist Hanan Adam in Wad Al‑Asha, Al‑Gezira state. Adam, a correspondent for the Communist Party newspaper al‑Midan, and her brother Youssef were both shot dead at the scene. Their deaths are a harrowing illustration of the extreme dangers faced by Sudanese media professionals during the ongoing civil war. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) denounced the killings as part of an escalating campaign of violence by the RSF against journalists and civilians. CPJ’s Interim MENA Program Coordinator described the...

December 12, 2024

Global Media Outcry Over Gaza Journalist ‘Massacre’

December 12, 2024 - Palestine - Media freedom organizations and press coalitions have sharply condemned Israel following the deaths of dozens of journalists covering the Gaza conflict, calling it an unprecedented “massacre” of press workers. Reports from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and others found that Israeli military actions killed 18 journalists in 2024—16 in Gaza and two in Lebanon, while other monitoring groups report far higher figures for Palestinian media casualties. RSF described the losses in Gaza as “an unprecedented massacre,” highlighting that most of those killed were local journalists or freelancers operating without institutional...

December 12, 2024

The Gaza Killings That Shattered Journalism’s Frontline

December 12, 2024 - Palestine - Gaza has emerged as the deadliest region in the world for journalists in 2024, marking an unprecedented level of danger for media professionals, particularly local Palestinian reporters. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), at least 54 journalists were killed globally in 2024, with a third—18—directly attributed to Israeli forces in Gaza and Lebanon. However, broader counts estimate the toll in Gaza since October 2023 to be far higher, with some figures placing the number of journalist deaths at over 145, and others, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists...

December 12, 2024

The Deadliest Year for Journalists: RSF Warns Israel Accountable for One-Third of 2024 Journalist Deaths

December 12, 2024 - Palestine - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) cautions that 2024 marked a devastating surge in journalist fatalities, with 54 journalists killed globally, the highest annual figure seen in five years. Disturbingly, one-third of these deaths, 18 reporters, were caused by Israeli military operations: 16 in Gaza and two in Lebanon. RSF’s data emphasise the intensity of the threat to media professionals in conflict zones. It states that over 145 journalists have died in Gaza since October 2023, at least 35 deliberately targeted while working. RSF highlights that many of those killed wore identifiable...

December 12, 2024

Assad’s Regime Under Scrutiny for Journalist Killings in Syria

December 12, 2024 - Syria - Recent reporting highlights a growing chorus of voices demanding justice for the journalists killed during Bashar al‑Assad’s rule. The atrocities, some dating back nearly 14 years, are finally being addressed following the regime’s collapse in December 2024. According to Voice of America and Ground News, press freedom organizations—including CPJ, RSF, and Human Rights Watch—are urging formal accountability for Assad-era crimes against the media. Francesca Conroy of RSF emphasizes the dual aim of securing “justice and accountability for Syrian citizens, but also the press”. RSF reports that at least 23 journalists...

December 12, 2024

Heavy Toll on Journalists in 2024: A Crisis in Conflict Zones

December 12, 2024 - General - In 2024, at least 68 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide while on duty—more than 60% of those deaths occurred in active conflict zones, marking the highest proportion seen in over a decade. Although the overall number slightly declined from 74 in 2023 and 88 in 2022, the concentration of deaths in war-torn regions remains deeply troubling. Breaking down the statistics, UNESCO reports 42 deaths occurred in conflict areas: 18 in Palestine, four each in Ukraine and Colombia, three each in Iraq, Lebanon, Myanmar, and Sudan, and one each...

December 12, 2024

At least 68 journalist killings in 2024, UNESCO reports

December 12, 2024 - Source: United Nations - For the second consecutive year, conflict zones have proven dangerous for journalists and media workers, with 2024 seeing at least 68 deaths in the line of duty, according to new data from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). More than 60 per cent of these killings occurred in countries experiencing conflict – the highest percentage in over a decade. Reliable information is vital in conflict situations to help affected populations and to enlighten the world," said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. “It is unacceptable that journalists pay with their...

December 12, 2024

Murdered by Silence: Yoshua Kambere Machozi and the Dangers of Community Journalism in DRC

December 12, 2024 - Congo - The brutal murder of journalist Yoshua Kambere Machozi in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province has sparked international condemnation and renewed fears over the safety of local journalists in conflict zones. Machozi, a presenter for Mpety Community Radio (RCMP), was abducted on October 29, 2024, during a raid on the station by suspected M23 rebels. His body was found days later on November 6 along a riverbank near the village of Katobi, just four kilometers from the town of Mpety. Machozi hosted both music and sports programming...

December 12, 2024

Beka Korshia’s Arrest and the Crackdown on Press Freedom in Georgia

December 12, 2024 - Tbilisi/Georgia - Georgian journalist Beka Korshia was arrested amid a sweeping crackdown on independent media during pro-European protests in Tbilisi. Korshia, an anchor and reporter for Mtavari Arkhi TV, was detained by police on the ninth consecutive night of demonstrations. His family reported his sudden disappearance from Rustaveli Avenue as akin to a “kidnapping.” He later reappeared in police custody and was charged with an administrative offense and fined 2,200 GEL by a Tbilisi court. The protests, sparked by the ruling Georgian Dream party’s abandonment of a European Union accession roadmap,...

December 12, 2024

Journalism in Peril: RSF’s 2024 Round-Up Exposes Deadly Toll

December 12, 2024 - General - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released its 2024 annual round-up, revealing a deeply alarming global environment for journalists marked by unprecedented violence, mass detentions, and growing impunity. The report underscores that journalism has paid an “exorbitant human price” this year, particularly in regions plagued by war and authoritarian repression. According to RSF, at least 145 journalists have been killed in Palestine since October 2023, with over 35 of those deaths confirmed as deliberate targeting while on duty. The organization called it the most lethal toll for journalists in any...

December 12, 2024

Bangladesh Emerges as One of the Deadliest Countries for Journalists in 2024

December 12, 2024 - Bangladesh - According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Bangladesh ranked among the most dangerous countries for journalists in 2024, becoming the third deadliest in Asia. The year was defined by political turmoil and violent crackdowns, particularly during and after the July Revolution—a mass youth-led uprising that ultimately led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. At least five journalists were killed in Bangladesh in 2024, four of them during July’s nationwide protests. These deaths contributed to a grim regional picture, with Bangladesh and Pakistan together accounting for a significant...

December 12, 2024

South Korean Journalists Recall a Night Under Martial Law

December 12, 2024 - Korea - South Korea experienced a brief but shocking political upheaval as President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an attempt to suppress what he termed “anti-state forces.” The unprecedented move marked the first use of martial law in the country since the democratic transition of the late 1980s. Though the decree lasted only six hours before being overturned by the National Assembly, the impact on the country’s journalists was immediate and deeply unsettling. Newsrooms were thrown into chaos as military forces attempted to control the media. Journalists were barred...

December 12, 2024

Global Support for Georgian Journalists Under Attack

December 12, 2024 - Georgia - In the wake of violent crackdowns on journalists during pro-European protests in Georgia, international media organizations and press freedom advocates have rallied in solidarity with the country’s embattled media. Statements from the International Press Institute (IPI), the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), and over 80 prominent editors and journalists across 48 countries denounce the Georgian government's escalating attacks on press freedom. Between November 28 and December 10, 2024, more than 90 journalists were assaulted, harassed, or detained while covering mass protests in Tbilisi. Many were visibly...

December 11, 2024

RSF Urges U.S. to Seize the Moment and Free Austin Tice from Syrian Captivity

December 11, 2024 - USA/Syria - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is calling on the Biden administration to act decisively to secure the release of American journalist Austin Tice, who has been held captive in Syria since 2012. With the recent collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, RSF argues that the United States now has a rare and urgent opportunity to resolve one of the longest-standing journalist abduction cases in modern history. Tice, a former U.S. Marine and freelance reporter for outlets including The Washington Post, CBS, and McClatchy, disappeared near Damascus on August 14, 2012, while...

December 11, 2024

Exiled Journalist Juan Luis Font Targeted by Government

December 11, 2024 - Guatemala - Guatemalan authorities issued an arrest warrant for prominent investigative journalist Juan Luis Font, currently exiled in France. Font, co-director of the radio show Con Criterio and co-founder of El Periódico, stands accused of “collusion and passive bribery”—allegations he vehemently denies. The charges, based on an old case, were revived on December 6, 2024, and observers see them as part of a broader campaign to silence anti-corruption journalism. Font has faced ongoing intimidation since 2022, when he fled Guatemala after critical reporting exposed government malfeasance. In particular, authorities appeared triggered by his interviews and...

December 11, 2024

Empowering Journalists Through Legal Preparedness: Guides from Tunisia and Brazil

December 11, 2024 - Tunisia/Brazil - The Tunisian Journalists’ Union (SNJT), supported by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), unveiled a practical legal guide designed to aid Tunisian journalists facing judicial harassment. Funded by the Norwegian government and produced with expertise from lawyers and press-freedom advocates, the guide—available in French and Arabic—maps the steps of criminal proceedings, outlines journalists’ rights during police summons, prosecutions, and trials, and offers best-practice legal strategies for responses in emergencies or when legal counsel is inaccessible. The initiative responds to growing repression in Tunisia since 2019, particularly the broad “false...

December 11, 2024

Brutal Attack on Croatian Journalist Dario Topić Highlights Press Risks

December 11, 2024 - Croatia - Journalist Dario Topić, editor-in-chief at local outlet Komarilos.com, was violently assaulted in Osijek. He had been investigating alleged irregularities involving a 26-year parking concession held by the Elektromodul company. The company’s co-owner, Damir Taslidžić, lured Topić to his premises under the guise of providing information, then physically beat him—targeting his head and body—immediately after escorting him out of the premises. Topić sustained injuries requiring treatment at Osijek Clinical Hospital and reported the assault to police and prosecutors. On December 7, Taslidžić was detained on charges of “coercion against a person...

December 11, 2024

CPJ Calls on Syria’s New Leaders to End Impunity and Protect Journalists

December 11, 2024 - Syria - Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a powerful call urging Syria’s new leadership to prioritize press freedom, protect media workers, and ensure accountability for years of systemic persecution. With Assad’s fall marking a potential turning point, CPJ stresses that the opportunity must not be squandered. Under Assad’s 13-year crackdown on dissent, Syria became one of the world’s deadliest countries for journalists. CPJ reports that at least 141 journalists have been killed since 2011, including 23 targeted killings...

December 11, 2024

The Alarming Rise of Online Abuse Against Sports Journalists

December 11, 2024 - General - A new report from United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) and the Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA) reveals a disturbing escalation in the volume, intensity, and impact of online harassment faced by sports journalists worldwide. The 2024 Sports Journalist Barometer underscores a growing threat not just to individual reporters but to press freedom itself. According to the findings, 95% of sports journalists surveyed believe online abuse is “very” or “fairly widespread” in their profession. Over 75% say it has worsened over the past year, with more than 40% describing the rise...

December 10, 2024

Gaza at the Epicenter: 2024 Marks One of the Deadliest Years for Journalists

December 10, 2024 - General - In its 2024 year-end report, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) confirmed that 104 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide, making it one of the deadliest years for the profession in over a decade. More than half of these deaths occurred in the Middle East, with Gaza accounting for 55 fatalities—the highest ever recorded in a single territory for a single year. The figures reflect the extreme risks facing journalists in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza, where Israeli military operations and airstrikes have devastated local media infrastructure. Since...

December 10, 2024

RSF Calls for Assad’s Prosecution Over the Murder of 181 Journalists Since 2011

December 10. 2024 - Syria - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has demanded that Bashar al‑Assad be prosecuted for the deaths of 181 journalists and media professionals killed by the regime and its allies since the 2011 revolution. The call comes amid the collapse of Assad’s government in December 2024 and growing international scrutiny of Syria’s legacy of media repression. Between 2011 and 2024, Syria descended into one of the deadliest environments for journalism. Beyond the regime’s 181 killings, another 102 journalists were murdered by other factions in the conflict, including six by Hayat Tahrir al‑Sham....

December 10, 2024

Argentina’s Press Freedom at Risk Amid Milei’s First Year in Office

December 10, 2024 - Argentina - Argentina witnessed growing concerns over press freedom as President Javier Milei’s administration introduced sweeping changes that critics say undermine journalistic independence. A report released by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Argentina’s National Federation of Journalists (FENAJ) outlined a deteriorating media environment shaped by legislative overreach, restricted press access, and stigmatizing rhetoric from government officials. Central to the report is the passage of a controversial omnibus bill in June 2024 that granted President Milei broad decree powers across multiple sectors, including administrative and economic domains. While the government...

December 10, 2024

Argentina’s Press Freedom Plummets During Milei’s First Year

December 10, 2024 - Argentina - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reports that Argentina experienced a dramatic decline in press freedom during Javier Milei’s first year as president (Dec 2023–Dec 2024). The 2025 World Press Freedom Index saw Argentina fall an alarming 47 places, from 40th to 87th out of 180 countries, marking one of the steepest drops worldwide. RSF attributes this decline to several authoritarian shifts: the government stigmatized journalists, dismantled public media outlets, and weaponized state advertising to pressure independent outlets. President Milei personally escalated the hostility, threatening to dismiss or even arrest critical reporters from major...

December 10, 2024

Belarus: International Pressure Demands Release of Imprisoned Journalists

December 10, 2024 - Belarus - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has intensified calls for the immediate release of all Belarusian journalists imprisoned under President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, now the largest jailer of journalists in Europe. As of June 2025, at least 40–45 independent media workers remain behind bars, serving lengthy sentences of up to 15 years. They face charges ranging from "extremist activity" and treason to passive defamation—a sweeping criminalization of routine reporting. Among them is Volha Radzivonava, a journalist convicted in December 2024 for "insulting the president" and sentenced to four years...

December 10, 2024

RSF Urges Ghana to Uphold Press Freedom During 2024 Elections

December 10, 2024 - Ghana - As Ghana concluded its December 2024 presidential elections—won by John Mahama—Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a set of five recommendations aimed at safeguarding press freedom throughout the electoral process. While Ghana has long been regarded as a democratic leader in West Africa, RSF emphasized that recent challenges, including disinformation, harassment, and access restrictions, threatened to undermine that reputation. First and foremost, RSF called for the safety of journalists covering political rallies and polling centers. Zubaida Ismail, RSF’s representative in Ghana, stressed that journalists must not only be protected by...

December 10, 2024

FAJ Demands Urgent Action to Halt Rising Attacks on Journalists Across Africa

December 10, 2024 - Senegal - The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the regional arm of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), issued a stark warning about the escalating wave of violations targeting media professionals across the African continent. In a statement released from Senegal, FAJ condemned what it described as an increasingly hostile environment for journalists marked by violence, legal persecution, and widespread impunity. FAJ detailed a disturbing pattern: physical assaults, arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and even assassinations of journalists have become more frequent, especially in countries facing political instability. In many cases, perpetrators...

December 10, 2024

Press Freedom Groups Urge EU to Oppose Türkiye’s “Agent of Influence” Bill

December 10. 2024 - Turkey - A coalition of 55 press freedom and human rights organizations—including the International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and ARTICLE 19—sent a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the EU to publicly oppose Türkiye’s proposed “agent of influence” bill. The controversial legislation, currently under parliamentary consideration, poses a significant threat to democratic freedoms and civil society in Türkiye. The bill would criminalize any act considered to be conducted “in the interest of a foreign state or organization” that...

December 10, 2024

Azerbaijan’s Post-COP29 Repression Targets Independent Media

December 10, 2024 - Azerbaijan - Following its high-profile hosting of the COP29 climate summit, Azerbaijan has launched a sweeping crackdown on independent journalism, drawing widespread condemnation from global rights organizations. On December 6, 2024—just days after the summit concluded—seven journalists affiliated with Meydan TV and the Baku School of Journalism were arrested on charges of “foreign currency smuggling,” a vaguely defined offense punishable by up to eight years in prison. Those detained include Meydan TV’s editor-in-chief Aynur Ganbarova and journalists Aytaj Ahmadova, Khayala Agayeva, Natig Javadli, Aysel Umudova, and Ramin Jabrayilzade, along with media...

December 10, 2024

Murdered for Reporting: The Fatal Price of Environmental Journalism in Cambodia

December 10, 2024 - Cambodia - Cambodian environmental journalist Chhoeung Chheng, aged 63, was shot in the abdomen while investigating illegal timber transport in Boeung Peam Wildlife Sanctuary, Siem Reap province. Transporting his findings alongside colleague Moeun Ny, Chheng was ambushed near Trapeang Phluoh village. He succumbed to his injuries three days later on December 7, at a Siem Reap hospital, with the suspected logger assailant arrested on December 5 and charged in connection with the shooting. Chheng worked for online outlet Kampuchea Aphivath, documenting illegal logging that, since 2002, has decimated 72% of Beng...

December 9, 2024

U.S. Renews Search for Journalist Austin Tice Following Assad’s Fall

December 9, 2024 - Syria/USA - More than a decade after his disappearance in Syria, American journalist Austin Tice has become the focus of a renewed search effort by the U.S. government, now intensified in the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s fall in December 2024. Tice, a former Marine and freelance reporter for outlets including The Washington Post and McClatchy, was abducted in August 2012 while reporting in Damascus. His fate has remained unknown for over 12 years. With Assad’s regime dismantled and rebel factions such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) now in control of large...

December 9, 2024

Azerbaijan’s Ongoing Crackdown: Photojournalist Ahmed Mukhtar Sentenced to 20 Days

December 9, 2024 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijani authorities continued their campaign against independent media by detaining photo‑reporter Ahmed Mukhtar, a long‑standing contributor to outlets such as Meydan TV. Mukhtar was arrested alongside several Meydan TV journalists on December 6, charged under Articles 510 (“petty hooliganism”) and 535.1 (“failure to obey police orders”) of the administrative offenses code. On December 8, he was sentenced to 20 days’ administrative detention. Mukhtar’s arrest occurred amid broader trials targeting Meydan TV contributors accused of supposedly “smuggling foreign currency.” While those colleagues have faced criminal charges and pre‑trial detention, Mukhtar received a lesser...

December 7, 2024

Doha Forum 2024 Champions Innovation as Key to Global Resilience

December 7, 2024 - Qatar - At the 22nd Doha Forum held in December 2024, Qatar positioned innovation and technology as central to addressing the world’s most pressing crises—from climate change and global security to economic development and digital governance. Under the theme “Diplomacy, Dialogue, Diversity,” the event brought together world leaders, policy experts, and academics to focus on sustainable, inclusive solutions driven by modern innovation. A highlight of this year’s forum was the launch of a major report titled The Innovation Imperative: Tech-Governance, Development & Security at a Crossroads, produced by the Stimson Center...

December 7, 2024

Fresh Hope for Austin Tice as U.S. Reaffirms Journalist is Alive

December 7, 2024 - Syria/USA - Twelve years after American journalist Austin Tice was abducted in Syria, his case has taken on new urgency following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024. The U.S. government, backed by newly surfaced intelligence and shifting geopolitical dynamics, has renewed its search efforts, with President Joe Biden affirming that officials believe Tice is still alive and that “we think we can get him back.” Tice, a former Marine and freelance journalist, was kidnapped near Damascus in August 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war. For years, his...

December 7, 2024

Guinea Under Fire After Journalist Habib Marouane Camara Abducted by Armed Men

December 7, 2024 - Guinea - In a chilling reminder of the dangers facing journalists in military-ruled Guinea, investigative reporter Habib Marouane Camara, founder of the news site LeRévélateur224, was abducted on December 3, 2024, by uniformed men believed to be affiliated with the country’s security forces. The attack occurred in the capital, Conakry, while Camara was in his car with a companion. Witnesses reported that masked men in police or military gear smashed his windshield, beat him unconscious with batons, and dragged him away without presenting any warrant or identifying themselves. Camara had been...

December 6, 2024

Israeli Forces Arrest Three Journalists Near Ramallah Amid Escalating Crackdown

December 6, 2024 - Palestine - Israeli troops arrested three Palestinian journalists in Sinjil, a town north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. The detentions occurred as journalists were covering events in the area; no official charges were immediately disclosed. This incident marks the latest in a sharp rise of press suppression in the West Bank and Gaza since October 7, 2023. According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), at least 76 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been detained by Israeli forces—50 of whom remain held, including 20 under administrative detention—a process...

December 6, 2024

Cambodia Mourns Environmental Reporter Killed Investigating Illegal Logging

December 6, 2024 - Cambodia - Cambodian environmental journalist Chhoeung Chheng, aged 63, was fatally shot while conducting field reporting in Siem Reap province, near Trapeang Phluoh village, as he investigated illegal logging activities in the Boeung Per Wildlife Sanctuary. Chheng, a veteran reporter for Kampuchea Aphivath, was ambushed by an unidentified man wielding a firearm during a routine check of timber transport on December 4. He was struck in the abdomen and died three days later in a Siem Reap hospital. Witnesses say the assailant lay in wait, prompting suspicions that the attack was...

December 6, 2024

Bosnian Journalist Under Threat: Calls for Assassination Protection After Organised Crime Plot

December 6, 2024 - Bosnia & Herzegovina - Bosnia’s Journalists’ Association and Free Media Help Line raised the alarm over an assassination plot targeting investigative journalist Avdo Avdić, who has repeatedly exposed high-level links between drug cartels, organised crime syndicates, and politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Avdić came under threat after commanding reports on Dino “Cezar” Muzaferović, a suspected crime figure arrested in Slovenia over a murder case tied to his organisation. Slovenian authorities alerted their Bosnian counterparts that Muzaferović's network had discussed plans to kill Avdić. The seriousness of this threat prompted immediate...

December 6, 2024

Murder of Two Syrian Journalists Sparks Global Demands for Independent Probe

December 6, 2024 - Syria - The recent killing of two Syrian journalists near the town of Al-Hari in eastern Hama has ignited international condemnation and renewed calls for accountability in one of the world’s most dangerous countries for media workers. The bodies of the two men, both correspondents for local press outlets, were discovered on December 5, 2024, showing signs of execution-style killings. Their identities have not yet been publicly released due to ongoing family notifications, but the circumstances of their deaths point toward targeted violence. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Syrian Center...

December 6, 2024

U.S. Court Sends Strong Message With Prison Sentences for Stalking Journalists

December 6, 2024 - USA - In a decisive move to protect press freedom, a U.S. federal court sentenced a New Hampshire man and several accomplices to significant prison terms for their roles in a targeted harassment campaign against two journalists from New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR). The attacks, which took place in 2022, were retaliation for investigative reporting into allegations of sexual misconduct by a local businessman, a personal associate of the lead perpetrator. Keenan Saniatan, 36, of Nashua, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy...

December 6, 2024

Meydan TV Denounces Illegal Arrests Amid Escalating Media Crackdown in Azerbaijan

December 6, 2024 - Azerbaijan - Berlin-based Meydan TV publicly condemned the arrests of six of its journalists—Ramin Jabrayilzade, Aynur Elgunesh, Aytaj Ahmadova, Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva, and Natig Javadli—as part of the so-called “currency smuggling” case; all were taken into custody by Baku authorities on claims of illegal foreign currency importation under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code. Meydan TV’s management slammed the detentions as unlawful, refuting the allegations and describing the actions as part of a long-running persecution of their reporters and families, involving travel bans, Pegasus spyware surveillance, cyberattacks, and a longstanding website block since 2017. By December 8,...

December 5, 2024

Journalism Under Fire: Palestinian and Lebanese Reporters Face Escalating Deadly Threats

December 05, 2024 - Palestine/Lebanon - The Mancunion shed light on the increasingly perilous conditions facing journalists in Gaza and southern Lebanon, where local reporters are bearing the brunt of regional conflict with limited protection and escalating danger. The article highlights a disturbing trend: journalists are not just collateral damage—they are being deliberately targeted. In Gaza, where foreign media have been largely barred, Palestinian journalists are now the sole chroniclers of events on the ground. Over 120 have been killed since October 2023, with at least 35 cases involving what watchdogs have identified as direct...

December 5, 2024

Rwanda Detains Journalist and Opposition Figures in Repressive Crackdown

December 05, 2025 - Rwanda - Amnesty International condemned Rwanda for detaining journalist Théoneste Nsengimana alongside eight members of the unregistered opposition party Dalfa‑Umurinzi. The arrests stemmed from attendance at a training workshop on peaceful protest tactics, inspired by Srdja Popović’s Blueprint for Revolution, held in late 2021. The detainees—charged with forming a criminal association, inciting unrest, and distributing harmful propaganda—have endured nearly three years of pre-trial detention under vague legal definitions. Rwandan authorities are reportedly seeking sentences ranging from 20 years to life in prison. Amnesty’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah,...

December 5, 2024

Malta OSCE Summit Puts Russia’s Jailing of Journalists Under Global Scrutiny

December 5, 2024 - Malta/Russia - At the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting held in Malta on December 5–6, 2024, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on member states to take a united stand against Russia’s widespread imprisonment of journalists. The appeal, timed with the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, highlighted the detention of 38 journalists—19 Russian and 19 Ukrainian—many held under harsh conditions or fabricated charges, including terrorism, espionage, or “extremism.” RSF urged OSCE states to publicly demand the unconditional release of all detained journalists and to press Russia to allow the International Committee...

December 5, 2024

Two Charged in Stabbing of Iranian Journalist in London Amid Fears of Transnational Repression

December 5, 2024 - UK - British prosecutors have charged two Romanian nationals over the stabbing of Pouria Zeraati, a British-based Iranian journalist known for his critical reporting on the Iranian regime. The attack, which took place on March 29, 2024, outside Zeraati’s home in Wimbledon, is being investigated as a potentially politically motivated assault amid growing fears of Iran’s transnational crackdown on dissidents abroad. The Crown Prosecution Service announced in early December that Nandito Badea, 19, and George Stana, 23, face charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and unlawful wounding....

December 5, 2024

Death Threats Against Kosovo Journalist Spark Urgent Calls for Protection

December 5, 2024 - Kosovo- Kosovo journalist and media founder Berat Buzhala received a chilling death threat via Facebook Messenger, warning that he and “some of your kind” would be killed. The message, sent from an anonymous account that was deactivated shortly after, is believed to be linked to Buzhala’s critical journalism and his outlet Nacionale’s independent editorial stance. This threat follows months of escalating pressure on Nacionale, including online harassment, smear campaigns, cyberattacks, and verbal attacks by government officials. Buzhala, a prominent figure in Kosovo’s media landscape and a former lawmaker, believes the threats...

December 4, 2024

Journalists Brutalized During Georgia’s Pro-EU Protests Amid Democratic Backsliding

December 4, 2024 - Georgia - In a troubling development for press freedom, at least 50 journalists were violently assaulted while covering pro-European Union protests in Georgia between November 28 and December 3, 2024. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other press freedom watchdogs have condemned the widespread police brutality and called on Georgian authorities to ensure accountability. Journalists were injured during clashes with riot police in Tbilisi, where demonstrators were protesting the ruling Georgian Dream party’s suspension of EU accession efforts. Among the most severe cases was Guram Rogava of Formula TV, who...

December 4, 2024

Mexican Journalist Adriano Bachega Shot Dead in Monterrey Amid Growing Press Violence

December 4, 2024 - Mexico - Journalist Adriano Bachega Olvera was shot and killed in Monterrey, Nuevo León, becoming the latest victim of Mexico’s worsening violence against the press. Bachega, originally from Argentina and a naturalized Mexican citizen, was the editor-in-chief of Diario Digital Online and known for his work in media, business consulting, and communication strategy. According to reports, Bachega was driving along Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas, near the border of Monterrey and San Pedro Garza García, when his vehicle was ambushed by gunmen in at least two other cars. Witnesses say more than ten...

December 4, 2024

U.S. Condemns Police Brutality Against Journalists in Georgian Protests

December 4, 2024 - USA - The U.S. State Department sharply criticized Georgian authorities for their oppressive response to escalating pro-EU protests, including physical assaults and arrests targeting journalists. Spokesperson Vedant Patel declared that the “excessive use of force” against demonstrators—and the “assaults and arrests of journalists”—posed serious concerns for press freedom and press safety. The unrest began after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement on November 28, suspending Georgia’s European Union accession negotiations until 2028. Widespread demonstrations quickly followed, met with heavy-handed tactics. Riot police and unidentified masked forces disrupted rallies using water cannons, tear...

December 4, 2024

Israeli Journalists Sound Alarm Over Government Plan to Muzzle Press

December 4, 2024 - Media - A wave of concern swept through Israel’s media landscape as journalists, editors, and opposition lawmakers accused the Netanyahu government of launching a coordinated campaign to weaken press freedom. During an emergency session at the Knesset, media professionals warned that a proposed media reform package would place dangerous levels of control in the hands of the government, threatening the independence of journalism in Israel. The reforms, championed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, include proposals to privatize the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation, commercialize Army...

December 4, 2024

Niger’s Military Junta Detains Prominent Journalist Moussa Tchangari: Calls for His Immediate Release

December 04, 2025 - Niger - Nigerian security forces forcibly arrested Moussa Tchangari, a respected journalist and human rights advocate serving as General Secretary of Alternative Espaces Citoyens (AEC), immediately upon his return from Abuja, Nigeria. Accompanied by others, plainclothes operatives surrounded his residence without presenting any warrant, seized his belongings, and took him to an undisclosed location. Tchangari, a veteran activist with over two decades in journalism and civil society, had attended high-profile meetings in West Africa—including sessions in Abuja and Abidjan—focused on democracy and humanitarian crises. He also lectures on human rights at...

December 3, 2024

Indian Fact-Checker Mohammed Zubair Hit with New Sedition Charge Under Modernized Law

December 3, 2024 - India - Mohammed Zubair, the co-founder of Alt News, India’s prominent fact-checking website, faces renewed legal peril. On December 3, 2024, Uttar Pradesh police filed sedition charges against him under Section 152 of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), accusing him of “endangering the sovereignty and unity of India” through social media content. The case focuses on a video Zubair shared in October 2024 on X (formerly Twitter), which captured Hindu preacher Yati Narsinghanand making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad. Though the preacher was swiftly placed under house arrest, Zubair was accused...

December 3, 2024

Mozambique: IPI Denounces Crackdown on Journalists Covering Post‑Election Protests

December 3, 2024 - Mozambique - Following Mozambique’s disputed October 9, 2024, general election, widespread protests erupted nationwide over alleged fraud and ballot tampering by the ruling FRELIMO party. Journalists reporting on the unrest—especially in Maputo and other urban centers—faced targeted harassment, unlawful detention, physical assaults, and equipment confiscation. The International Press Institute (IPI), alongside press freedom organizations, condemned the illegal arrests and detention of media professionals during these protests. IPI stated that journalists were often blocked from covering events, detained without cause, assaulted by police or masked individuals, and had their cameras and phones...

December 3, 2024

A Voice for Gaza, Silenced in Marseille

December 3, 2024 - France - Marine Vlahovic, a prominent French journalist and pro-Palestinian documentarian, was found dead in late November 2024 on the rooftop terrace of her Marseille apartment. The 39-year-old journalist, known for her outspoken reporting on Palestine and her solidarity with Gaza’s people, had become a respected voice in European media for her coverage of the Middle East. Her sudden and unexplained death has sparked urgent calls from press freedom groups for a full, transparent investigation. Vlahovic had a long history of reporting from conflict zones, including a notable three-year period based...

December 3, 2024

Silenced in Aleppo: Three Syrian Journalists Killed Amid Escalating Violence

December 3, 2024 - Syria - Three Syrian journalists were killed in early December 2024 while covering the intensifying conflict in Aleppo, underlining once again the deadly risks faced by media workers in Syria. According to Gulf Times, the journalists—Ahmed Al-Omar, Alaa Al-Abrash, and Mustafa al-Sarout—were each targeted in separate incidents during their reporting, with both aerial attacks and ground gunfire involved. Ahmed Al-Omar and Alaa Al-Abrash were killed when regime airstrikes hit Aleppo University Hospital, where they had been reporting on the human toll of the bombardment. The hospital, considered a civilian sanctuary, was...

December 3, 2024

Brutality in Tbilisi: Dozens of Journalists Attacked Amid Protests

December 3, 2024 - Georgia - A wave of assaults on journalists during pro-EU demonstrations in Tbilisi, Georgia, has drawn sharp condemnation from the International Press Institute (IPI) and 15 partner organizations. The attacks occurred in late November 2024 amid nationwide protests sparked by the Georgian Dream party’s announcement to suspend EU accession talks—a move seen by many as a rejection of democratic values and a pivot toward authoritarianism. According to monitoring networks, including the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and Mapping Media Freedom, between 50 and 90 journalists were harassed, assaulted, or obstructed while...

December 3, 2024

Democracy Under Pressure: Slovakia’s Media Freedom Eroding

December 3, 2024 - Slovakia - A coalition of international press freedom organizations, led by the International Press Institute (IPI), issued a stark warning on Slovakia’s deteriorating media landscape following a mission held on November 25–26, 2024. The findings underscore a systematic erosion of press independence, driven by government-led legal changes and political interference. Central to this trend is Prime Minister Robert Fico’s populist Smer-led coalition, which has pushed through reforms weakening key institutions. Authorities disbanded the Special Prosecutor’s Office tasked with investigating corruption and assassinations—a move that, they argue, hampers justice for the 2018...

December 3, 2024

Lebanese Journalist Ali Hassan Ashour Killed in Israeli Strike

December 3, 2024: - Lebanon - Lebanese media veteran Ali Hassan Ashour, a journalist with Al‑Nour Radio, was killed during an Israeli military operation in southern Lebanon amid the ongoing Israel–Hezbollah conflict that began on October 8, 2023. Al‑Nour Radio confirmed his death today, referring to him as a “martyr” of Israeli aggression. Although details remain scarce—the exact date, time, and location of the strike were not released—multiple credible sources align in reporting that Ashour died amid renewed Israeli bombardments targeting Hezbollah positions. His death brings to ten the number of journalists known to have been killed by...

December 3, 2024

French Journalist Ariane Lavrilleux Facing Legal Challenge Over Exposé of Operation Sirli

December 3, 2024 - France - Ariane Lavrilleux, a French investigative reporter with Disclose, is scheduled to appear before a Paris court on January 17, 2025, in connection with her groundbreaking 2021 exposé on “Operation Sirli”—a clandestine French military mission in Egypt. She faces charges of “appropriation and disclosure of a national defence secret,” punishable by up to five years in prison and a €75,000 fine. The investigation stems from her November 2021 report connecting French military intelligence to alleged extrajudicial killings of hundreds of Egyptian civilians, detailed through documents marked “confidentiel défense” sourced from the...

December 3, 2024

Quiet Departure in Marseille: The Death of Marine Vlahovic, 39

November 3, 2024 - France - Marine Vlahovic, a French journalist and accomplished documentarian known for her deeply empathetic reporting on the Middle East and unwavering support for Palestinian voices, died suddenly on November 25, 2024, at her Marseille home. Discovered collapsed on her rooftop terrace by concerned friends—who had not received replies to her calls—Vlahovic was just 39 years old. Her passing sparked immediate alarm. After an initial autopsy revealed no clear indicators of foul play, French authorities opened an investigation and awaited toxicology results. Press freedom advocates, including Women Press Freedom, have demanded a "full and...

December 2, 2024

Deadly Escalation: M23 Rebels Target Journalists in Eastern DRC

December 2, 2024 - Congo - The M23 rebel group raided the Mpety Community Radio Station (RCMP) in Walikale territory, North Kivu, in a brazen attack that highlighted the escalating dangers facing journalists in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. That evening, M23 fighters destroyed station equipment and abducted reporter and sports presenter Yoshua Kambere Machozi, whom they later murdered. His body was discovered on November 6 along a riverbank near Katobi, approximately four kilometers from Mpety. Evidence from local witnesses and human rights observers suggests Machozi was “slit… with a knife” before his body was dumped...

December 2, 2024

Assault on Lebanese Journalist Daoud Rammal Triggers Legal Action and Political Fallout

December 2, 2024 - Lebanon - Lebanese journalist and Sky News Arabia analyst Daoud Rammal was physically assaulted in southern Lebanon—specifically in his hometown of Doueir, Nabatieh district—while reciting prayers at his mother's grave. The attack occurred approximately six months ago and has been widely linked to Hezbollah members, amid a broader pattern of intimidation targeting independent journalists in Lebanon. Rammal publicly condemned the assault as intended to "silence" his critical voice. In his statement, he vowed that the experience would "only strengthen my determination to continue fighting until the very end… regardless of the pressure...

December 1, 2024

Egypt’s Journalist Sayed Saber Detained Over Social Media Posts

December 1, 2024 - Egypt - Prominent Egyptian journalist and satirist Sayed Saber was forcibly taken from his home by state security forces and held overnight at an undisclosed location before appearing before the Supreme State Security Prosecution in Cairo the following morning. Authorities have ordered a 15‑day detention, ostensibly to investigate his recent social media posts that sharply criticized Egypt’s military rule, describing it as “fascism”. Saber, an established journalist and author known for his satirical tone, is also affiliated with the Al-Karama Party, carrying on the Nasser-era Arab nationalist and socialist legacy. While formal...

December 1, 2024

Journalist Beka Beradze Beaten and Detained Amid Tbilisi Pro‑EU Protests

December 1, 2024 - Tbilisi - RFE/RL Georgian Service producer Beka Beradze was arrested and physically assaulted by security forces near Georgia’s parliament in Tbilisi during anti-government demonstrations. According to his lawyer, Beradze was walking with friends—off duty and not actively reporting—when he was suddenly seized by masked officers, beaten on the head, and taken to a police van. Beradze recounted that officers became more aggressive upon realizing he was a journalist. He was held in a police minivan for nearly an hour, during which he was repeatedly beaten. His forehead bore visible injuries, and he...

December 1, 2024

Syria’s Journalists Caught Between Bullets and Censorship

December 1, 2024 - Syria - As military escalations continue across Syria, journalists remain among the most vulnerable groups, facing mounting threats from all sides of the conflict. A December 1, 2024, report by The Levant News outlines the dire conditions under which Syrian reporters operate, including frequent attacks, arbitrary arrests, forced exile, and growing state censorship. In northern and northeastern Syria—particularly in regions like Manbij, Kobani, and around Aleppo—journalists risk their lives covering shifting frontlines. In recent weeks, Turkish airstrikes and clashes involving rebel factions like Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have intensified, killing at...

December 1, 2024

Militants Behind Khalil Jibran’s Murder Killed in Khyber Operation

December 1, 2024 - Pakistan - Pakistani security forces killed three militants allegedly involved in the assassination of journalist Khalil Jibran during a targeted operation in the Sultan Khel area of Landi Kotal, Khyber District. The Frontier Corps launched the operation based on intelligence reports linking the suspects to Jibran’s murder and the killings of two police officers in separate incidents. Khalil Jibran, a senior journalist and former president of the Landi Kotal Press Club, was murdered on June 18, 2024. He was returning home after dinner with friends when armed men intercepted his vehicle,...

November 30, 2024

Senior Pakistani Journalist Matiullah Jan Granted Bail Amid Drug–Terrorism Case

November 30, 2024 - Pakistan - Senior journalist and TV presenter Matiullah Jan was granted bail on November 30, 2024, by an Islamabad Anti‑Terrorism Court (ATC), along with a surety bond of PKR 10,000, following his arrest in a high-profile drug possession and terrorism case sparked three days earlier. On November 27, investigative reports state that Jan and his colleague Saqib Bashir were seized by unidentified individuals in black uniforms from a hospital parking lot while probing alleged casualties during a protest by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Bashir was released after three hours, but...

November 30, 2024

Journalist Emmanuel Monychol Akop’s Detention Sparks Outcry in South Sudan

November 30, 2024 - Sudan - Emmanuel Monychol Akop, editor-in-chief of The Dawn Daily in Juba, was detained without charge by South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) on November 28, 2024, after responding to a summons to its Juba headquarters. No warrant was presented, and the newspaper’s staff had no clarity on the reasons for his arrest. Under South Sudanese law, detainees must be brought before a court within 24 hours—an obligation NSS did not meet in this case. In the weeks following his disappearance, neither Akop’s family nor The Dawn staff could establish his...

November 30, 2024

Re‑Arrest of Citizen Journalist Zhang Zhan Highlights China’s Crackdown

November 29, 2024 - China - Shanghai authorities detained Zhang Zhan—widely known for her reporting from Wuhan in early 2020—under the charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” a vague offense frequently used against dissidents. This re‑arrest followed her release in May after completing a four-year sentence stemming from her independent pandemic coverage. Zhang’s initial imprisonment began in December 2020 when she was convicted of “fabricating” stories about Wuhan’s pandemic response, including claims that residents paid COVID‑19 testing fees and were provided rotten food during quarantine. She pleaded not guilty, and human rights groups noted Shanghai...

November 30, 2024

Gaza’s Rising Journalist Death Toll Amid Israeli Strikes

November 30, 2024 - Palestine - Since the war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, Palestinian journalists have faced unprecedented danger. As of December 1, 2024, the Gaza government media office reported 191 journalists killed—a number since revised upward to 192 and 193 in official counts. On November 30, journalist Mamdouh Ibrahim Qanaita, an editor at Al‑Aqsa Channel, was killed in a drone strike while leaving the Baptist Hospital courtyard in Gaza City. Eyewitnesses say he was shot in the head, and the Gaza government media office denounced it as part of “systematic targeting”....

November 29, 2024

Turkey’s Crackdown on Unionists and Journalists Sparks Outcry

November 29, 2024 - Turkey - Turkish authorities launched a sweeping crackdown, arresting dozens of trade union leaders, journalists, and cultural workers in what labor and press freedom groups described as a politically motivated attack on democratic rights. The arrests were carried out just weeks before crucial minimum wage negotiations, intensifying suspicions that the detentions aimed to silence dissenting voices amid growing economic discontent. Among those detained were senior officials from the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), including Remzi Çalışkan of Genel-İş, and regional representatives actively engaged in labor advocacy. DİSK condemned...

November 29, 2024

European Parliament Condemns Hong Kong Crackdown, Demands Release of Jimmy Lai and Journalists

November 29, 2024 - China/Europe - The European Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a resolution condemning Hong Kong and Chinese authorities for the ongoing erosion of fundamental rights under the National Security Law (NSL). Passed by 473 votes to 23 with 98 abstentions, the resolution urgently calls for the “immediate and unconditional release” of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai and other detained journalists and pro-democracy activists. The resolution highlights numerous violations: over 200 people have been arrested under the NSL, and legal abuse continues. Lai, who has been in custody since August 2020, faces life imprisonment and has...

November 29, 2024

Military Detains Leading Investigative Journalist, Sparking Outcry in Nigeria

November 29, 2024 - Nigeria - Investigative journalist and FIJ founder Fisayo Soyombo was detained by the Nigerian Army’s 6th Division during an anti–illegal oil-bunkering raid at a site near Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The army confirmed his arrest, alleging he was among individuals apprehended at the operation site, and seized his devices. Soyombo’s employer, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, initially reported his disappearance and expressed deep concern about the seizure of his equipment and lack of communication, warning that as a journalist, his safety might be jeopardized. The arrest provoked widespread criticism. Media watchdogs, including...

November 29, 2024

UK’s Lammy Criticized for Dismissing Journalists in Gaza

November 29, 2024 - Palestine/UK - British Foreign Secretary David Lammy faced strong backlash after stating there were “no journalists in Gaza” during a UK Parliament session—a remark widely denounced as inaccurate and insensitive. The comment drew immediate attention from Middle East Eye, which questioned Lammy’s awareness of the journalists killed or working amid the conflict. Lammy’s assertion sparked criticism, particularly from British and international media watchdogs, who pointed out that numerous Palestinian journalists were active in Gaza despite facing extreme danger. Social media, including Twitter/X, quickly echoed dismay over what was seen as a...

November 29, 2024

The Fate of Viktoriia Roshchyna: Russia’s Torture and Killing of a Ukrainian Journalist

November 29, 2024 - Russia/Ukraine - Ukrainska Pravda freelance writer Viktoriia Roshchyna, aged 27, disappeared on August 3, 2023, while reporting in occupied Zaporizhzhia for stories on Russian-held prisons. Russia officially confirmed her detention in May 2024 and notified her family of her death in October 2024—but only after months of silence. Investigations by Forbidden Stories, Ukrainska Pravda, The Guardian, and others revealed that Roshchyna was secretly moved through a series of facilities: from Melitopol to Taganrog’s SIZO-2 prison, without access to lawyers or family, and out of official records. When her body was repatriated in...

November 29, 2024

Police Assault Journalists During Protest Crackdown in Tbilisi

November 29, 2024 - Georgia - Georgian police violently cracked down on journalists covering anti-government protests in Tbilisi, prompting alarm from media watchdogs and human rights groups. The protests, centered around opposition to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s political direction and stalled EU integration efforts, saw dozens of journalists physically assaulted, detained, or obstructed while reporting on the ground. According to Civil.ge, numerous journalists were attacked despite wearing visible press identification. Footage from the scene shows riot police using batons, pepper spray, and water cannons indiscriminately, with reporters from Formula TV, TV Pirveli, Radio Free...

November 29, 2024

China Locks Down Journalist Dong Yuyu in Espionage Sweep

November 28, 2024 - China - In a closed-door trial on November 29, 2024, veteran Chinese journalist and former Guangming Daily editor Dong Yuyu was sentenced to seven years in prison on dubious espionage charges linked to meetings with Japanese diplomats. Dong, 62, was detained in February 2022 while having lunch with a Japanese diplomat and kept in prolonged secret custody. Authorities did not publicly charge him until March 2023, accusing him of passing intelligence via his “suspicious” meetings, without presenting any substantive evidence. A prominent commentator and moderate voice within state media, Dong advocated for reform and the rule...

November 28, 2024

Lebanon’s Draft Media Law Threatens Press Freedom and Free Expression

November 28, 2024 - Lebanon - Lebanon’s parliament began drafting a new media law to replace the Publications Law of 1962 and the 1994 Audiovisual Law. However, as scrutinized by the Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression and Amnesty International, the proposed legislation is fraught with provisions that could severely restrict free speech, entrench state control, and punish dissent. A central concern is the re-criminalization of defamation and insult, including protections for “heads of state,” ambassadors, and recognized religions, with penalties of up to three years in prison and hefty fines, raising the stakes for...

November 28, 2024

Targeted Repression: Turkish Operation Collars Pro‑Kurdish Journalists

November 28, 2024 - Turkey - Turkish authorities launched widespread raids across four cities—Eskişehir, Diyarbakır, Batman, Sakarya, and Istanbul—detaining 18 individuals, including nine journalists, writers, poets, filmmakers, and cartoonists, in what prosecutors described as “membership in a terrorist organisation,” “terror propaganda,” and “financing terrorism”. Among those arrested was Bianet reporter Tuğçe Yılmaz, questioned over recurring freelance contributions to pro‑Kurdish outlet Yeni Özgür Politika between 2017 and 2020, as well as social media activity and a recent interview with philosopher Michael Hardt. Others from Diyarbakır—journalists like Sultan Mercen (known as Roza Metina), cartoonist Doğan Güzel, writer Ömer...

November 28, 2024

Al Jazeera Journalist Talal Aruki Injured Amid Gaza Attacks

November 28, 2024 - Palestine - Al Jazeera journalist Talal Mahmoud Abdul Rahman Aruki, one of six correspondents named by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in October 2024 as alleged militants, was wounded in Gaza, further highlighting the peril faced by media professionals in the region. In a statement circulated on social media, IDF claimed Aruki and five others were embedded with Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad—labels that Al Jazeera firmly rejects as baseless and dangerous misinformation. The network argues these false allegations are being used to justify targeting its journalists and suppressing independent reporting in Gaza....

November 28, 2024

Pakistan’s Arrest of Journalist Matiullah Jan Sparks Alarm Over Press Freedom

November 28, 2024 - Pakistan - Veteran Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan was arrested in Islamabad under serious charges, including terrorism, drug possession, and assaulting law enforcement. The arrest occurred after Jan and fellow journalist Saqib Bashir were taken by men in black uniforms from the parking lot of PIMS Hospital. While Bashir was released hours later, Jan was held without communication and transferred into police custody the following day. Authorities claimed Jan rammed a checkpoint, assaulted a police officer, and was found in possession of 246 grams of methamphetamine. He was charged under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism...

November 28, 2024

Kazakhstan Must Ensure Fair Appeal for Journalist Daniyar Adilbekov

November 28, 2024 - Kazakhstan - Investigative journalist Daniyar Adilbekov was handed a harsh 4½‑year prison sentence on October 18, 2024, by the Astana interdistrict court, convicted under criminal charges of “knowingly false denunciation” and “disseminating false information” through his Telegram channel “Wild Horde”. The charges stemmed from his October 2023 posts alleging corruption involving high‑ranking officials—Vice Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, Astana Airport board chairman Yusuf Aljawder, and journalist Gulzhan Yergaliyeva. Adilbekov was arrested in late March 2024 and remained in custody throughout the trial. His appeal is scheduled in Astana, where rights groups stress that he...

November 27, 2024

Serbian Journalist Jelena Mirković Assaulted as Press Freedom Deteriorates

November 27, 2024 - Serbia - Serbian journalist Jelena Mirković of N1 TV was physically assaulted while covering a pro-government protest in Belgrade, marking a troubling escalation in attacks on independent media. Mirković, along with cameraman Aleksandar Cvrkotić, was shoved, struck, and verbally harassed by protesters. The assailants attempted to snatch her microphone, and the camera was damaged during the altercation. Mirković sustained a shoulder injury and later described the attack as the most violent incident in her decade-long career. This assault follows a disturbing pattern. Earlier in November, another N1 crew was attacked during...

November 27, 2024

UN Report Exposes Systematic Repression of Journalists Under Taliban Rule

November 27, 2024 - Afghanistan - The United Nations has issued a scathing report urging the Taliban to end its systematic repression of journalists and ensure media freedom in Afghanistan. Covering the period from August 15, 2021, to September 30, 2024, the joint report by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) documents 336 cases of human rights violations against Afghan media professionals. These include 256 instances of arbitrary arrest and detention, 81 incidents of ill-treatment or torture, and 75 cases of threats and...

November 27, 2024

Spanish MPs question government over kidnapping of Hichem Aboud

November 27, 2024 - Spain/Algeria - Spanish authorities and lawmakers are grappling with the fallout of the attempted abduction of Algerian opposition journalist Hichem Aboud, who was forcibly taken in Barcelona in October 2024. Aboud, a prominent critic of the Algerian regime and former military officer, was reportedly kidnapped by men in balaclavas and driven across the country in an apparent attempt to smuggle him to Algeria by boat. The operation was interrupted by the Spanish Civil Guard near the Guadalquivir River in Lebrija, where Aboud was found bound and gagged. The kidnapping has raised...

November 27, 2024

Journalists Attacked by PTI Protesters in Islamabad: A Blow to Media Safety

November 27, 2024 - Pakistan - During the climax of the “Final Call” protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad’s Red Zone, dozens of journalists and media staff were physically attacked by PTI supporters, marking a disturbing escalation in press violence. Among those assaulted was Mohammad Yousaf, an Associated Press cameraman, who was struck on the head with an iron rod while covering events near G-10 Srinagar Highway. His equipment was also vandalized. Female reporter Quratul Ain was pushed and injured near Express Chowk. Numerous other journalists from both domestic and foreign outlets reported being...

November 27, 2024

Gaza Journalists Killed in Record Numbers as Global Outcry Grows

November 27, 2024 - Palestine - The Gaza Strip has become the deadliest place in the world for journalists, with the Association of Oil and Human Rights (AOHR) reporting that 190 Palestinian media workers have been killed by Israeli forces since the war began on October 7, 2023. The figure underscores what many rights groups and press freedom advocates are calling a systematic and deliberate campaign against journalists operating in the besieged enclave. Among the latest casualties is journalist Alaa Fawzy Barhoum, whose death further inflamed calls for international investigations. While the AOHR figure is...

November 27, 2024

Russia Jails Journalist Nika Novak for Four Years Over ‘Foreign Cooperation’

November 27, 2024 - Russia - Russian journalist Nika Novak was sentenced to four years in prison by a court in Chita, Siberia, under Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, which criminalizes “confidential cooperation with a foreign organization.” The verdict marks a troubling escalation in the Kremlin’s crackdown on independent journalism and foreign-affiliated media. Novak, a freelance reporter and former editor at ChitaMedia, had contributed to U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). Russian authorities accused her of publishing “inaccurate material” aimed at discrediting the Russian armed forces—charges rooted in her reporting on alleged military...

November 27, 2024

Al‑Jazeera Reporter Talal Aruki Wounded in Gaza Blast

November 27, 2024 - Palestine/Israel - Al‑Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Talal Mahmoud Abdul Rahman Aruki was wounded while covering Israeli air and drone strikes near the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The assault occurred as Aruki documented ambulances and health officials responding to civilian casualties. Despite wearing visible “Press” markings, he was struck by shrapnel that hit his head, right hand, and leg. Colleagues described the incident as a deliberate targeting of an identified media professional. Israeli military officials had previously labeled Aruki, along with five other Al‑Jazeera journalists, as militant operatives—a claim that Al‑Jazeera...

November 27, 2024

Israeli Forces Fire on Journalists in Lebanon Just Hours After Ceasefire Begins

November 27, 2024 - Israel - Only hours into a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on a group of clearly identified journalists in the southern Lebanese town of Khiam. The incident occurred as reporters were documenting the Israeli military’s withdrawal operations and the civilian return to conflict-affected areas. The attack left at least two journalists injured, one working for the Associated Press and another for the Russian outlet Sputnik. Eyewitnesses described the moment the ceasefire was shattered. Abdelkader Bay, one of the wounded journalists, recounted how gunfire erupted as they...

November 27, 2024

Russia Expels Two German Journalists in Escalating Media Retaliation

November 27, 2024 - Germany/Russia - The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion of two German journalists—Frank Aischmann, ARD’s Moscow correspondent, and Sven Feller, his cameraman—in what it called a “reciprocal measure.” The move was framed as retaliation against Germany’s decision not to renew visas for two Russian state media reporters working for Channel One in Berlin. While Germany cited local administrative procedures as the reason, Russia labeled the act as politically motivated and responded by stripping the German journalists of their accreditation. The expulsions are part of a growing trend of tit-for-tat actions between...

November 27, 2024

Türkiye’s Conditional Releases Mask Deeper Repression of Journalists

November 27, 2024 - Turkey - Türkiye is facing renewed criticism from international press freedom groups over its continued detention and judicial harassment of journalists. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained media professionals, warning that the Turkish government is increasingly using legal tactics—such as conditional releases and restrictive judicial measures—as a substitute for outright imprisonment. One prominent case is that of Roza Metina, editor at the Kurdish feminist news agency JinNews, who was arrested on charges related to alleged links with the banned Democratic...

November 26, 2024

Russia Intensifies Crackdown: Arrest Warrant Issued for France 24 Journalist in Sensational Case

November 26, 2024 - Russia/Ukraine - The Leninsky District Court in Kursk, Russia, issued an arrest warrant for France 24 journalist Catherine Norris Trent, accusing her of illegally crossing the border from Ukraine with Ukrainian forces into Russia’s Kursk region. The order—issued in absentia at the request of Russia’s Border Directorate (FSB)—carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years under Part 3 of Article 322 of the Russian Criminal Code. Trent isn’t the only Western correspondent embroiled in this case. Russia previously opened criminal cases targeting at least seven foreign journalists—including Italian reporters from RAI...

November 26, 2024

Russia Imprisons Journalist Nika Novak Under Broad “Foreign Cooperation” Laws

November 26, 2024 - Russia - Russian authorities sentenced journalist Nika Novak, a former ChitaMedia editor and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) contributor, to 4 years in prison under Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code. The charge: “cooperating with a foreign organization,” a vaguely defined offense used to target independent reporters. Novak was arrested on December 25, 2023, following a Federal Security Service (FSB) raid on her Moscow apartment. Held in custody until February, she was eventually tried in Chita. The proceedings were held behind closed doors, and the court found her guilty of publishing...

November 26, 2024

Pakistani Journalists Granted Bail After Politically Motivated Case Draws Backlash

November 26, 2024 - Pakistan - A court in Hafizabad, Pakistan, granted pre-arrest bail to eight journalists who were accused of aiding “proclaimed offenders” during a press conference, an allegation widely condemned as flimsy and politically motivated. The journalists, including Amjad Pervez, Hafiz Azizur Rehman, Shahbaz Gul, Sheikh Javed, Asrar Shah, Javed Asad, Ehsanullah, and Shafaqat Wattoo, were each released on a surety bond of PKR 50,000. The charges stemmed from their coverage of a media event held at the residence of former MNA Mehdi Hassan Bhatti. Authorities claimed the journalists helped wanted individuals escape...

November 26, 2024

Ringleader Sentenced to Over Three Years for Harassing NHPR Journalists

November 25, 2024 - USA - Eric Labarge, 46, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison on November 25, 2024, for orchestrating a targeted harassment and vandalism campaign against journalists from New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) and their families. Labarge will also serve three years of supervised release, pay a $10,000 fine, and provide over $34,000 in restitution. His sentencing marks the conclusion of a chilling case that has drawn national attention to the growing threat of retaliation against investigative journalists. The harassment began shortly after NHPR reporter Lauren Chooljian co-authored a March 2022...

November 26, 2024

UN Experts Urge Immediate Medical Evacuation for Critically Injured Gaza Journalist

November 25, 2024 - Palestine/UN - A coalition of UN human rights experts issued a pressing appeal for the urgent medical evacuation of Fadi al‑Wahidi, a critically injured Al Jazeera cameraman in Gaza. The experts, including UN special rapporteurs on freedom of expression and the right to health, highlighted that al‑Wahidi sustained severe spinal injuries and paralysis after being shot in the neck during an Israeli military operation in October 2023. The UN statement stressed that al‑Wahidi continues to fight for his life in a Gaza hospital ill-equipped to address his serious condition. They warned that...

November 25, 2024

Israel Sanctions Haaretz in Escalating Crackdown on Critical Media

November 25, 2024 - Media - In a controversial move that has drawn widespread condemnation, the Israeli Cabinet voted unanimously on November 24, 2024, to impose formal sanctions against Haaretz, the country's oldest and most internationally recognized newspaper. The decision, spearheaded by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, bars all government institutions from purchasing Haaretz, subscribing to its services, or engaging with its journalists in an official capacity. The government’s justification centers on recent remarks by Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken, who during a press event in London sharply criticized Israel’s leadership, accusing it of operating an apartheid...

November 25, 2024

Azerbaijani Journalist Nargiz Absalamova Sentenced to 8 Years in Crackdown on Independent Media

November 25, 2024 - Azerbaijan - Nargiz Absalamova, a 25-year-old investigative journalist with the independent outlet Abzas Media, has been sentenced to eight years in prison in Azerbaijan in what human rights groups are calling a politically motivated attack on press freedom. Her conviction stems from allegations of “smuggling foreign currency,” a charge that critics say was fabricated to punish her reporting on government corruption and civil unrest. Absalamova was arrested in November 2023 after covering environmental protests in Soyudlu, a village in western Azerbaijan. Authorities claimed that €40,000 in undeclared cash was found in...

November 25, 2024

Israeli Airstrike That Killed Journalists in Lebanon May Constitute War Crime, Experts Say

November 25, 2024 - Lebanon/USA - An Israeli airstrike that killed three journalists and injured three others in southern Lebanon on October 25, 2024, may amount to a war crime, according to legal experts and press freedom advocates. The journalists—Ghassan Najjar and Mohammad Reda of al-Mayadeen, and Wissam Qassem of al-Manar—were asleep in a clearly marked press chalet in the Tayr Harfa area when the building was hit by two U.S.-manufactured JDAM bombs dropped by an Israeli warplane. Investigations by The Guardian, which included on-site visits, satellite analysis, and interviews with survivors, revealed that the...

November 25, 2024

Israel’s Killing of Lebanese Journalists with U.S. Bombs May Be a War Crime

November 25, 2024 - Lebanon/USA - Human Rights Watch (HRW) has concluded that the Israeli airstrike on October 25, 2024, which killed three journalists in southern Lebanon, likely constitutes a war crime. The investigation, backed by forensic evidence and eyewitness accounts, reveals that the journalists were deliberately targeted using a U.S.-supplied Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bomb guidance kit. The victims—Ghassan Najjar and Mohammad Reda from Al Mayadeen and Wissam Qassam from Al-Manar—were killed while resting in a marked press chalet in the village of Tayr Harfa. The building, situated far from any military activity,...

November 24, 2024

Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Condemns Israeli Restrictions on Gaza Coverage

November 24, 2024 - Palestine – The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) has sharply criticized Israeli authorities for barring both Arab and foreign journalists from covering events in Gaza, denouncing it as a deliberate tactic to suppress media access amid the ongoing military offensive. According to a statement published by the Palestinian news agency WAFA on December 4, 2024, the PJS accused the Israeli occupation of engaging in a "systematic policy" designed to prevent accurate reporting and hinder global understanding of the situation on the ground. Citing reports from journalists stationed near the Gaza Strip, the...

November 23, 2024

Another Journalist Among 189 Killed in Gaza Amid Ongoing Israeli Airstrikes

November 23, 2024 - Palestine - A Gaza media office confirmed that Wael Ibrahim Abu Quffa, a journalist and lecturer at the Islamic University of Gaza, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on November 23, 2024, raising the number of media professionals killed in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, to 189. Abu Quffa’s death is among the many cases that starkly illustrate the risks Palestinian journalists face in the conflict zone. This figure aligns with other regional sources, which reported the same toll and emphasized the accumulation of journalists killed since the war...

November 22, 2024

Press Freedom Under Threat as Nearly 70 Journalists Arrested in Nigeria in 2024

November 22, 2024 - Nigeria - Lead Advocacy at Gatefield and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) released alarming figures: nearly 70 journalists were arrested across Nigeria in 2024, double the number from the previous year. Shirley Ewang, spokesperson for Lead Advocacy, expressed deep concern during an Abuja event that highlighted a troubling atmosphere of intimidation that’s silencing journalists and curtailing public discourse. Christiana Longe of CJID stressed that despite constitutional protections under Sections 39 and 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, press freedom is under relentless pressure. She warned that daily threats, arbitrary arrests, and...

November 22, 2024

Press Freedom Under Siege: Ongoing Attacks on Bangladeshi Journalists

November 22, 2024 - Bangladesh - Bangladesh has witnessed a surge of violent and legal attacks against journalists, alarming press freedom advocates. According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), journalist Shahidul Islam—reporting for Khulna Gazette and News21 Bangla TV—was assaulted twice in one week in Rupsa Upazila. He was attacked by roughly 30 people wielding handheld weapons and required hospitalization. Around the same period, university journalist Mohammad Junayed Sheikh was also physically attacked on campus. In March 2025, two more journalists—N Amin Russell and Monirul Islam—were beaten while covering proceedings at Barishal Court; their...

November 22, 2024

Harassment of Balkan Women Reporters Highlights a Global Crisis for Press Freedom

November 22, 2024 - Europe - Analysts warn that the recent wave of threats and assaults against female journalists in the Balkans is symptomatic of a larger, international crisis in press freedom. The November 2024 VOA article details a surge in online harassment of women reporters in North Macedonia and a physical attack in Montenegro, underscoring persistent gender-targeted aggression within and beyond Southeast Europe. In North Macedonia, female correspondents have endured harsh verbal harassment and sexist threats across social media platforms. In Montenegro, a reporter was physically attacked while covering a political event—an alarming escalation...

November 22, 2024

Philippines: 15 Years After the Maguindanao Massacre, RSF Urges End to Impunity

November 22, 2024 - Philippines - Fifteen years on from the horrific Maguindanao (Ampatuan) Massacre—the world’s deadliest single attack on journalists—impunity remains deeply entrenched in the Philippines. On November 23, 2009, a convoy carrying the Family members of political rival Esmael Mangudadatu and 32 journalists was ambushed and brutally killed by gunmen linked to the powerful Ampatuan clan. In total, 58 individuals lost their lives, with at least 32 media professionals among the victims. In a public statement marking the massacre’s 15th anniversary, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on the Philippine government to "take decisive...

November 22, 2024

Colombian Journalist Steven Andrés Fajardo Shot Dead in Antioquia, Press Groups Demand Justice

November 22, 2024 - Colombia - Colombian journalist and radio presenter Steven Andrés Fajardo was shot and killed in the town of Doradal, Antioquia. Fajardo, who worked for the local station Triunfadora Stereo, was ambushed by unidentified assailants in broad daylight. His murder has triggered urgent calls for justice from international press freedom advocates and human rights organizations. Fajardo was known in the region for his community reporting and had previously survived a violent attack in 2018. His return to journalism, despite ongoing threats, underscored his commitment to serving the public. He was widely respected...

November 22, 2024

Reporting Under Fire: Journalists Face Unprecedented Danger in Gaza War

November 22, 2024 - Palestine/Lebanon - Since the war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, journalists—especially Palestinians—have faced unprecedented threats, making the conflict the deadliest for media workers in modern history. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 178 journalists and media workers have been killed, most of them in Gaza. The majority were Palestinians reporting under constant bombardment, with limited protective gear and no safe corridors. A CBC News investigation highlights that Israel has barred international journalists from independently entering Gaza throughout the conflict. Foreign reporters can only access the...

November 22, 2024

Hong Kong’s “47” Trial: Press Freedom Figures Among Those Jailed for Subversion

November 22, 2024 - China - In a major escalation of Beijing’s crackdown, 45 members of the pro-democracy group known as the “Hong Kong 47” were sentenced in November 2024 under the national security law. Their alleged offense: organizing democratic primary elections in 2020 to nominate Legislative Council candidates, deemed a conspiracy to “subvert state power”. Sentences range from 4 years and 2 months to 10 years, with prominent figures like legal scholar Benny Tai receiving the longest at a decade. Significantly, three press-freedom defenders were among those imprisoned: media founder Frankie Fung, who received 4 years...

November 22, 2024

IFJ Calls for Legal Action to End Gender-Based Violence Against Women Journalists

November 22, 2024 - General - Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) issued a strong call urging governments around the world to implement legal frameworks that explicitly outlaw gender-based violence, especially targeting women in journalism. The IFJ emphasized that despite global awareness, violence against women journalists—ranging from sexual harassment to online abuse and physical attacks—remains widespread and largely unpunished. The IFJ highlighted that these threats are not isolated incidents but part of a systemic pattern rooted in gender inequality and...

November 21, 2024

A Farmer’s Festival and a Journalist’s Funeral

November 21, 2024 - Nepal - In Nepal, the contrast between national celebration and national tragedy came sharply into focus this June. On the one hand, the government observed National Paddy Day with festive rice-planting ceremonies intended to symbolize agricultural renewal. On the other hand, Dalit journalist Suresh Bhul was murdered in a brutal act of caste-based violence that exposed deep fissures in Nepal’s social fabric. National Paddy Day was marked with symbolic gestures from top officials, including Agriculture Minister Beduram Bhusal, who participated in transplanting paddy in Bhaktapur. He assured farmers that fertilizer shortages...

November 21, 2024

RSF Condemns Israel Government’s Attacks on Media Independence

November 21, 2024 - Media - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued an urgent appeal against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, characterizing it as “openly targeting media independence and pluralism” in Israel. The statement criticizes several alarming measures proposed or enacted by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and his cabinet, illustrating a concerted effort to curb critical voices within Israel’s media landscape. A major flashpoint included a government‑mandated boycott of Haaretz, Israel’s oldest and most respected left‑leaning newspaper. Officials were directed to cease all advertising, subscriptions, and any interaction with Haaretz for its persistent critical coverage of...

November 21, 2024

Two Moments of Sacrifice

November 21, 2024 - Palestine - Al Jazeera journalist Hossam Shabat was severely injured while covering the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Gaza City. As he reported from the rubble, a second strike hit the same location, inflicting wounds on Shabat and killing a first responder nearby. He later shared harrowing details on social media: “The moment I stepped inside, the house was bombed again, and dismembered body parts of the wounded flew around me”. Then, on March 24, 2025, tragedy struck again. Shabat, now 23, was killed when his vehicle in northern Gaza’s...

November 21, 2024

Press Freedom on Trial in Hong Kong

November 21, 2024 - China - Selina Cheng, a veteran journalist and recently elected chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), is suing the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) for what she alleges was an unlawful and politically motivated dismissal. Cheng was informed in July 2024 that her role in WSJ’s Hong Kong bureau had been eliminated due to restructuring. However, she contends the real motive was retaliation for her leadership of the HKJA—an organization that has increasingly come under pressure amid Hong Kong’s declining press freedoms. Cheng alleges that WSJ editors pressured her to...

November 21, 2024

Rana Ayyub: A Veteran Journalist Under Siege

November 21, 2024 - India - Investigative reporter and Washington Post columnist Rana Ayyub has faced a renewed wave of cyber‑harassment after her personal phone number was leaked online on November 8, 2024. The number was reportedly posted by a right‑wing account on X named Hindutva Knight, run by a meme creator associated with a BJP-linked consultancy firm. In response, Ayyub received over 200 explicit WhatsApp messages, video calls, and even repeated OTP requests—while authorities, she says, have yet to take substantial action despite her cybercrime complaint. This episode follows chronic abuse. Ayyub has long...

November 21, 2024

Trapped Between Bullets and Silence: Journalists Targeted Amid Haiti’s Gang Chaos

November 20, 2024 - Haiti - As Haiti plunges deeper into chaos, journalists have become deliberate targets in the country’s spiraling gang violence. On November 11, 2024, reporter Wandy Charles narrowly escaped a shooting outside his home in a Port-au-Prince neighborhood that was taken over by armed gangs just hours later. Charles, who was with his family at the time, described the attack as calculated intimidation. Days earlier, on November 5, another journalist, Lookens Jean-Baptiste of Radio Tropic FM, had his home in Fort National torched by suspected gang members. The attackers allegedly justified the...

November 20, 2024

Wounded in the Line of Duty: One of the Last Journalists in North Gaza

November 20, 2024 - Palestine - As international journalists leave Gaza, Palestinian reporters remain, and one of them was grievously wounded but survived. In October 2024, after Israel publicly labeled several Al Jazeera journalists as “terrorists” with the apparent intent to silence them, the few remaining media workers in northern Gaza came under intensified threat. In November 2024, during a double‑tap airstrike on a residential compound, one such Al Jazeera journalist was critically injured—a targeted blow in an operation that seemed directed at silencing frontline reporting. The strike came merely a month after the IDF publicly threatened...

November 20, 2024

IPI Mission Urges Turkey to Retract Repressive “Agents of Influence” Bill

November 20, 2024 - Turkey - In mid‑November 2024, a coalition of international media freedom organizations—including the International Press Institute (IPI), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)—carried out a press freedom mission to Ankara. During meetings with Turkish judicial officials, government representatives, independent journalists, and diplomats, the mission raised alarm over draft amendments to Turkey’s espionage laws. Dubbed the “agents of influence” bill, the amendment would broaden espionage clauses to penalize individuals acting “in alignment with or under the direction of” foreign...

November 20, 2024

Journalists and School Officials Sue Over Unconstitutional Arrests in Rural Alabama

November 20, 2024 - USA - a small-town legal drama in Escambia County, Alabama, exposed alarming misuse of prosecutorial and police powers. School board member and Atmore News co-owner Sherry Digmon, reporter Don Fletcher, bookkeeper Ashley Fore, and fellow board member Cindy Jackson were arrested under accusations of “revealing grand jury secrets.” However, no actual grand jury had convened, exposing the claims as baseless. At the heart of the controversy was a political tussle over Superintendent Michele McClung’s contract renewal. When the board rejected her reappointment twice in 2023, District Attorney Stephen Billy and Sheriff...

November 20, 2024

1000 Days of War: At Least 13 Journalists Killed Covering Ukraine

November 20. 2024 - Russia/Ukraine - As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine entered its 1,000th day on November 20, 2024, data from IFEX and Media-Azi reveals a chilling statistic: at least 13 journalists have been killed while on assignment, underlining the perilous environment for frontline reporting. Of these fatalities, some were victims of indiscriminate shelling, while others appear to have been deliberately targeted. Notable cases include Arman Soldin of Agence France‑Presse, killed by a rocket near Chasiv Yar in May 2023, and Oksana Baulina, struck by Russian shelling in Kyiv in March 2022. Yet the...

November 20, 2024

MADA Condemns the Killing of Palestinian Journalists Amid Israeli Airstrikes

November 20, 2024 - Palestine - The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) has strongly condemned the continued killing of Palestinian journalists by Israeli forces, particularly in the Gaza Strip. In its latest statement, MADA denounced the targeted airstrike that killed four journalists in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on March 15, 2025. The journalists—Bilal Abu Matar, Bilal Akila, Mahmoud Yahya Al-Saraj, and Mahmoud Salim Eslaim—were working with the Al-Khair International Foundation and had been documenting humanitarian efforts at a local shelter when their vehicle was struck. All four were killed instantly despite being...

November 20, 2024

Wounded Al Jazeera Journalist Evacuated to Jordan for Treatment

November 20, 2024 - Palestine - Al Jazeera journalist Ismail Al-Attar, who was severely wounded while covering the war in Gaza, has been successfully evacuated to Jordan for urgent medical treatment. The transfer, completed on June 20, 2025, was coordinated by the Jordanian government in cooperation with Al Jazeera Media Network, following growing calls for immediate humanitarian intervention. Al-Attar, injured during an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip, was one of the few journalists remaining on the frontlines of the besieged enclave. His condition was reported as critical after he sustained serious shrapnel wounds...

November 19, 2024

‘Hit Among Cubs’: Single-Strike Kills Journalist, Sparks Outcry

19 November 2024 - Palestine - In a mother-and-child tragedy amid escalating Israeli bombardment in Gaza, a Palestinian journalist was severely injured — though not killed — and an infant lost their life in a single strike on June 28, 2025. According to reports from Middle East Eye and the state news agency WAFA, the strike targeted a residential area in southern Gaza City. The injured journalist, still alive but gravely wounded, had been covering the conflict; his evacuation and treatment were underway as of the latest update. This incident draws renewed attention to the...

November 19, 2024

Ukraine: 1,000 Days into War, Journalists Keep Fighting

November 19, 2024 - Russia/Ukraine - After 1,000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion began on 24 February 2022, Ukrainian journalists are pressing on despite escalating threats, according to IPI, ECPMF, and IMI data. IPI’s assessment underscores the intense risks: at least 13 media workers killed in combat reporting, countless journalist injuries, and well over 1,000 documented media-freedom violations, including cyberattacks, censorship, and surveillance. The death toll includes frontline reporters like Arman Soldin and Oksana Baulina, many victims of indiscriminate shelling or suspected extrajudicial executions. ECPMF and Media Freedom Rapid Response partner statements mark 19 November 2024...

November 19, 2024

RSF Warns Israel Over Labeling Gaza Journalists as ‘Terrorists’

November 19, 2024 - Palestine - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has raised serious alarm at recent Israeli actions portraying Palestinian journalists in Gaza as “terrorists.” Director‑General Thibaut Bruttin, speaking in Geneva, condemned this as a deliberate effort by Israeli defense forces to recast frontline reporters—many of whom wear press vests and are civilians—as legitimate military targets. Bruttin described the trend as deeply troubling and unprecedented. He stressed that Gaza is essentially inaccessible to international media, meaning local journalists are “civilians at risk and journalists that might be targeted.” Labeling them terrorists makes it easier to...

November 19, 2024

Mozambique’s Press in Peril: Journalists Under Fire Amid Post-Election Turmoil

November 19, 2024 - Mozambique - In the wake of Mozambique’s disputed October 2024 elections, the once relatively secure environment for journalists has crumbled, thrusting media workers into a perilous landscape of violence, intimidation, and legal harassment. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least nine journalists—both local and foreign—have been detained, while two international reporters expelled and Internet shutdowns further crippled independent reporting. On November 14 in Maputo, police apprehended South African journalists Bongani Siziba and Sbonelo Mkhasibe, along with local state broadcaster reporter Charles Mangwiro, detaining them in masked, militarized facilities. They were blindfolded, interrogated...

November 18, 2024

Turkey: Journalist Furkan Karabay’s Release Highlights Ongoing Press Freedom Crisis

November 18, 2024 - Turkey - Furkan Karabay, a court reporter for 10Haber, was arrested on several occasions in Turkey due to his investigative reporting and outspoken social media commentary on judicial and political figures. Most recently, he was detained on May 15, 2025, under charges of “targeting public officials involved in counter‑terrorism” and “insulting” President Erdoğan, connected to his reporting on the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. This arrest followed a prior conviction in April 2025 for defamation and insulting the president, which resulted in a deferred sentence of 25 months. Similarly,...

November 18, 2024

Jimmy Lai’s National Security Trial: A Litmus Test for Hong Kong’s Press Freedom

November 18, 2024 - China - The ongoing national security trial of Jimmy Lai, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has become a stark symbol of Hong Kong’s diminishing press freedoms under Beijing’s tightening grip. Charged with “collusion with foreign forces” and “conspiracy to produce seditious publications,” Lai faces the possibility of life imprisonment. His prosecution stems from his media work and meetings with international officials, including U.S. lawmakers, which authorities allege were attempts to seek sanctions against China. The trial, which began in December 2023 and has stretched for over 140 days, has...

November 18, 2024

Palestinian Journalists Honored for Courage and Mourning Fallen Reporter

November 18, 2024 - Palestine - Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, speaking at a press conference, praised the courageous work of Palestinian journalists amid the ongoing Gaza war. He emphasized their critical role in "publishing the facts that the occupation tried to hide," documenting child casualties, hospital bombings, starvation tactics, and forced displacement—efforts he said were vital for preserving truth and holding Israel accountable.. He highlighted that these journalists courageously brought Gaza's narrative and humanitarian realities to the world, under extremely dangerous conditions. The remarks reinforced President Mahmoud Abbas’s support for the journalists, acknowledging the...

November 18, 2024

International Summit in Tehran Honors Martyred Journalists from Gaza & Lebanon

November 18, 2024 - Iran/Palestine - Tehran hosted a poignant international summit titled “Assassination of Truth”, commemorating over 200 journalists from Gaza and Lebanon who were killed by Israeli fire in the past year. The emotionally charged event featured coverage by Iranian state media, including Press TV and Tehran Times. Iranian media figures—such as IRIB director Peyman Jebelli—spoke at the summit, offering tributes to the fallen reporters and repeating sentiments like Hezbollah’s Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s proclamation that “the time of victory has come”. Hundreds of local and international journalists, media activists, academics, and diplomats participated, paying...

November 18, 2024

Global Support Rallied for Gaza Journalists Amid War’s Devastation

November 17, 2024 - Palestine/Israel - Amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza, international journalism organizations have united to spotlight the plight of Palestinian journalists and demand urgent protective measures. This global movement reflects growing concern over the deliberate targeting of media professionals amid Israel’s military operations. The Palestinian Information Center reported on November 17, 2024, that leading journalists in Gaza have intensified their reporting, spotlighting humanitarian crises such as hospital strikes and mass displacement. They emphasized the importance of keeping global attention on civilian suffering and Israel’s military tactics—a vital form of resistance against attempts...

November 17, 2024

Mother’s Hunger Strike Pressures for Al Jazeera Cameraman’s Evacuation

November 17, 2024 - Palestine - Hiba Al‑Wahidi, the mother of Al Jazeera cameraman Fadi Al‑Wahidi, has launched a hunger strike to demand urgent medical evacuation for her critically injured son in Gaza. Fadi, one of the last remaining Al Jazeera field journalists in the besieged enclave, sustained severe injuries—reported to include paralysis—during Israeli military operations in northern Gaza. Local medical facilities have been overwhelmed, lacking the necessary resources to provide adequate care. In mid‑November 2024, Hiba began her hunger strike in Doha, where she traveled to raise international awareness of her son’s dire condition. She maintains...

November 17, 2024

Palestinian Journalists Face Detention and Death Amid Escalating Repression

November 17, 2024 - Palestine - Palestinian journalists are increasingly under siege, facing arrest, intimidation, and lethal attacks amid the intensifying conflict across the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In a troubling trend, Israel continues to detain journalists while simultaneously targeting media workers in Gaza with airstrikes, undermining press freedom and endangering those reporting from the frontlines. On June 2, 2024, journalist Rasha Harzallah, a correspondent for the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, was sentenced to six months in Israeli prison by a military court at Salem and fined 13,000 shekels. She had been arrested...

November 16, 2024

Drone Strike Targets Gaza Journalist in Jabalia Refugee Camp

November 16, 2024 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Mohammed Saleh Al-Sharif was killed in a targeted drone strike while inspecting the impact of the conflict near his home in the Jabalia refugee camp. Israeli forces deployed a quadcopter drone to open fire on Al‑Sharif and his cousin as they approached their residence in Beit Lahia. His cousin died instantly, and Al‑Sharif bled for more than two hours before succumbing to his injuries. The incident took place amid an intense Israeli military offensive in northern Gaza, with authorities simultaneously blocking civil defense and emergency medical teams...

November 16, 2024

Lebanese TV Host Quits After Death Threats from Hezbollah Supporters

16 November 2024 - Lebanon - Dr. Eman Shweikh, a well-known Lebanese journalist, TV host, and university professor, announced her resignation from MTV Lebanon on November 16, 2024, due to escalating death threats allegedly from Hezbollah supporters. She revealed on X that the threats included being followed home, chased on the road, and her family being harassed. The Samir Kassir Eyes Center reported that the intimidation began on November 12, accompanied by accusations of treason following her political commentary. Shweikh emphasized the absence of state protection in Lebanon, stating: “laws are inexistent…I do not want to expose my life...

November 16, 2024

After Two Years in Insein Prison, Photojournalist Kyaw Swar Tun Freed from Myanmar Jail

November 15, 2024 - India/Myanmar - Myanmar’s military-run Insein Prison, notorious for torture and inhuman conditions, saw the release of photojournalist Kyaw Swar Tun on November 14, 2024, after serving nearly two years of hard labor under Section 505(a) for allegedly insulting the state and inciting unrest—charges often wielded to silence dissenting journalists. Arrested in September 2022, Tun was detained following a phone message exchange with an ethnic armed group while working for Mizzima’s fact-checking unit. His unlicensed use of a drone drew official attention, triggering his conviction in January 2023 and sentencing to three years of forced labor. Upon...

November 15, 2024

Azerbaijan Silences Journalists Under COP29 Spotlight

November 15, 2024 - Azerbaijan - As Azerbaijan hosted the COP29 climate summit in Baku in November 2024, international attention shifted briefly to the country’s environmental commitments. Yet behind the scenes, a harsh crackdown on independent journalists exposed the government’s continued assault on press freedom. In the months leading up to the summit, the Azerbaijani government ramped up arrests of critics. According to the International Press Institute (IPI), at least 18 journalists were detained in 2024 alone, many under charges such as “currency smuggling” and “abuse of office.” Eleven remain in pretrial detention, with some...

November 15, 2024

Mozambique’s Journalists: Caught in the Crossfire of Post‑Election Chaos

November 15, 2024 - Mozambique/Nigeria - During Mozambique’s disputed October 9, 2024, general election, independent journalists found themselves under unprecedented pressure as protests swept the country. The violence—spurred by alleged electoral fraud—continued well into early 2025. In this turbulent environment, the press became a direct target, with journalists facing arrests, beatings, and equipment seizures. On November 14, 2024, News Central TV, a Nigerian outlet, confirmed that its correspondent Bongani Siziba and cameraman Sbonelo Mkhasibe—both based in South Africa—were detained in Maputo alongside translator Charles Mangwiro from Radio Moçambique. Blindfolded and held in a military‑style compound, they endured questioning...

November 15, 2024

The Guatemalan court cancels the release order of journalist José Rubén Zamora and orders his return to prison

November 15, 2024 - Guatemala - José Rubén Zamora, the 68‑year‑old founder of El Periódico, remains at the epicenter of a highly politicized legal battle that offers a stark example of the shrinking space for investigative journalism in Guatemala. Arrested on 29 July 2022 on money‑laundering charges—amounting to about $38,000—Zamora and his publication had gained recognition for exposing government corruption. He has denied all accusations, maintaining the funds were donated to support his newsroom’s work. In June 2023, Zamora was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison, sparking international condemnation. Human rights groups like Amnesty International decried...

November 15, 2024

Italian Investigative Team Threatened with “Charlie Hebdo–Style” Attack

November 15, 2024 - Italy - The editorial staff of Report, a prominent investigative program on Italy’s public broadcaster RAI3, received a chilling social media death threat explicitly referencing the 2015 Charlie Hebdo massacre. The message warned that the Report team “deserved it, Charlie Hebdo editorial team style,” in response to their reportage on the Israel–Gaza conflict. Sigfrido Ranucci, head of Report, revealed the threat was issued on November 12 and was immediately reported to police. Ranucci has been under police protection since 2021, following learned threats linked to an alleged assassination plot by organized...

November 15, 2024

Montenegro Demands Justice for Assaulted Investigative Journalist Ana Raičković

November 15, 2024 - Montenegro- Montenegro has been rocked by the recent assault on freelance journalist Ana Raičković, triggering a wave of outrage from press freedom advocates. On November 2, 2024, Raičković and her cameraman were attacked outside the Podgorica court by a real estate developer and his security guards while investigating a controversial construction permit linked to local political and business interests. The assailants physically assaulted her cameraman and attempted to seize their equipment, while Raičković sustained minor injuries and psychological distress. The attack exposed glaring failures in preserving journalists’ safety when shining light...

November 15, 2024

Nigerian Journalists Detained and Released Amid Mozambique’s Post‑Election Turmoil

November 15, 2024 - Mozambique/Nigeria - Amid volatile protests following Mozambique’s contested October 2024 election, two Nigerian correspondents from News Central TV faced sudden detention while reporting in Maputo, drawing significant international attention and prompting calls for press freedom protections. On November 14, 2024, News Central TV journalist Bongani Siziba and cameraman Sbonelo Mkhasibe, both based in South Africa, were detained by Mozambican authorities alongside translator Charles Mangwiro. The trio was covering anti‑government demonstrations when police seized them at gunpoint, blindfolded them, and took them to an undisclosed location. Held overnight, they were denied medication...

November 14, 2024

Bihar Journalists Arrested for Reporting on Floods and Religious Conversions

November 14, 2024 - India - Two journalists from Bihar—Mithun Mishra and Manish Kashyap—faced arrest and legal retaliation for reporting on flood mismanagement and alleged religious conversions, reflecting growing concerns over press freedom in India’s hinterlands. In October 2024, Mithun Mishra, a local journalist and YouTuber known for grassroots reporting, was arrested after covering flood-hit regions in the Muzaffarpur district. Mishra had filmed local protests against the government's inaction in relief distribution and exposed alleged evangelical activities in nearby villages. His live reporting gained traction online, sparking public outrage but also inviting state backlash. Authorities...

November 14, 2024

VOA Persian Service Mourns Colleague Who Committed Suicide in Tehran

November 14, 2024 - Iran - The Persian Service of Voice of America (VOA) is mourning the loss of their former colleague, journalist Kianoosh Sanjari, who tragically died by suicide in Tehran on November 12, 2024. His death is stirring concerns about his isolation and the pressures faced by journalists working under repressive conditions. Sanjari had previously worked for VOA Farsi in the United States; his career ended amid unconfirmed allegations of espionage. Unable to find work within Iran, he returned to Tehran in 2016. Colleagues described him as deeply distressed over his inability to...

November 14, 2024

Global Press Freedom Under Fire: UN Raises Alarm on Journalists’ Safety

November 14, 2024 - UN/Mexico/Switzerland - At a UN press conference in Geneva on 14 November 2024, the atmosphere was grim: 80% of journalist murders worldwide go uninvestigated, human rights officer Renaud de Villaine warned, calling it a “persistence” of impunity both in war zones and peaceful nations. He emphasised that journalism remains perilous everywhere—from conflict zones like the Middle East and Ukraine to peaceful nations such as Mexico, where reporters exposing corruption, drug cartels, and environmental crimes continue to be targeted. De Villaine cited UNESCO data showing that a journalist is killed every four...

November 13, 2024

CPJ Joins Global Call to Free Turkish Journalist Furkan Karabay

November 13, 2024 - Turkey - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), alongside six press freedom and free speech organizations, urged Turkish authorities to immediately release court reporter Furkan Karabay, who was detained during a November 8 police raid in Istanbul and jailed pending trial the following day. Karabay, a journalist with independent outlet 10Haber, was accused of “making targets of those who were tasked to combat terrorism,” “insulting a public servant,” and “knowingly distributing misleading information to the public,” after he named prosecutors involved in the investigation of an opposition mayor via social media....

November 13, 2024

Sakina Mansour: Lebanese Journalist Killed Alongside Family in Israeli Strike

November 13, 2024 - Lebanon - Lebanese radio journalist Sakina Mansour Kawtharani, a correspondent for Radio al-Nour, was killed in an Israeli airstrike that hit her family home in the town of Joun, southern Lebanon. The attack, which also claimed the lives of her two young sons and multiple other family members, has sparked outrage across Lebanon and international media freedom circles. According to reports from Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera, the strike targeted a residential building sheltering displaced civilians. In total, 15 people were killed, including eight women and four children. Mansour had...

November 12, 2024

Egypt Sentences Journalist to Life in Absentia Amid Ongoing Media Crackdown

November 12, 2024 - Egypt - In a striking escalation of Egypt’s repression of press freedom, a Cairo criminal court has sentenced a journalist to life imprisonment in absentia, despite the journalist reportedly being in government custody at the time of the ruling. The sentence was issued without the journalist being allowed to appear in court or defend himself—an act widely denounced by human rights groups and legal experts as illegal under both Egyptian and international law. The identity of the journalist has not been publicly disclosed, likely due to safety concerns, but media watchdogs...

November 12, 2024

Syrian Journalists Trapped Between Repression and Deportation in Türkiye

November 12, 2024 - Syria/Turkey - Syrian journalists living in perceived safety within Türkiye face an escalating crackdown marked by harassment, legal threats, and forced deportations. According to the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC), the Turkish authorities—leveraging anti-terrorism laws and migration protocols—have begun interrogating, detaining, and pressuring Syrian reporters, accusing them of overstaying visas or "spreading propaganda." Reportedly, journalists have been summoned to police stations, where they face warnings that any critical reporting—especially on Turkish politics or refugee policy—could result in deportation to Syria. One journalist described living in fear: “If I go out,...

November 12, 2024

IPI Launches Observatory to Track Disinformation Against Journalists

November 12, 2024 - General - The International Press Institute (IPI), in collaboration with Croatian fact-checking outlet Faktograf and German newspaper taz, has launched the Observatory of Disinformation Narratives Against the Media, a digital platform designed to monitor and expose coordinated disinformation attacks targeting journalists and independent media. Supported by the European Media and Information Fund, the initiative aims to systematically document the tactics used to discredit reporters, undermine trust in journalism, and silence critical voices. The Observatory tracks and analyzes recurring smear campaigns, false narratives, and online attacks that are increasingly employed by populist,...

November 12, 2024

Mahdi Al‑Mamluk: Palestinian Journalist Fatally Shot Near School in Gaza

November 12, 2024 - Palestine - Palestinian journalist Mahdi Al-Mamluk, a news manager at Wataneya Satellite Channel, was killed by Israeli gunfire while covering the humanitarian situation near a school-turned-shelter in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza. According to eyewitness accounts and media reports, Al-Mamluk was inside a vehicle marked as press when Israeli forces targeted it. He was reportedly shot multiple times and died on the scene. Al-Mamluk’s death has sparked condemnation from international press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which confirmed his killing and added his name to the...

November 11, 2024

Dawit Isaak: Eritrea’s Longest-Imprisoned Journalist Honored After 23 Years Behind Bars

November 11, 2024 -Eritrea/Sweden - Dawit Isaak, a dual Eritrean–Swedish journalist and one of the founders of Setit, Eritrea’s first independent newspaper, has been imprisoned without trial since September 2001. His arrest followed Setit’s publication of a letter advocating democratic reforms, alongside other prominent intellectuals and politicians—a purge that led to the shutdown of all independent media in Eritrea. For over 23 years, Isaak’s fate has remained a mystery. Eritrean authorities have provided no official information about his whereabouts, well-being, or legal status. He remains in de facto detention—lacking contact with family, legal representation, or external...

November 11, 2024

Wael Al‑Dahdouh: Gaza Bureau Chief Honored Amid Immense Personal Tragedy

November 11, 2024 - Palestine - Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, Wael Al‑Dahdouh, has received the prestigious 2024 International John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award from the U.S. National Press Club in recognition of his unwavering commitment to journalism under fire. The award, the National Press Club’s highest accolade for press freedom, was formally announced in November 2024 and presented at the club’s Fourth Estate Gala on November 21, 2024, in Washington, where President Emily Wilkins highlighted Dahdouh’s resilience and vowed continued support for journalists worldwide. Dahdouh’s journey has been marked by extraordinary hardship. On October 28, 2023, while...

November 11, 2024

Frenchie Mae Cumpio: A Journalist’s 5-Year Ordeal Under Philippines’ Anti-Terror Laws

November 11, 2024 - Philippines - Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a community journalist from Tacloban and host at Eastern Vista, has been entangled in a long-running case dubbed the “Tacloban 5.” Arrested in February 2020 alongside fellow activists, she faced charges of illegal firearms possession and terrorism financing—accusations widely condemned as baseless, aimed at silencing her human rights reporting. For four years, her trial was stalled amid delays, court inefficiencies, and expanding charges. Initially accused merely of possessing firearms, she was later “red‑tagged” as a Communist insurgent and levied terrorism financing charges after a cash stash...

November 11, 2024

Frenchie Mae Cumpio: A Five‑Year Fight Against Unjust Detention in the Philippines

November 11, 2024 - Philippines - Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a community journalist and host with Eastern Vista in Tacloban, has endured a prolonged legal battle since her arrest in February 2020. As part of the “Tacloban 5,” she initially faced charges of illegal firearms possession and graduated to accusations of terrorism financing—allegations widely dismissed by press advocates and rights organizations as politically motivated attempts to suppress dissenting voices and grassroots journalism. Over the ensuing years, Cumpio’s trial was plagued by delays and procedural obstacles. Despite presenting a clean record, her case was entangled in an expansive...

November 10, 2024

The War Reporter Who Refuses to Surrender

November 10, 2024 - Ukraine/Russia - In a compelling 60 Minutes profile, veteran Ukrainian war correspondent Andriy Tsaplienko speaks to the indispensable role of journalism in his country’s fight for survival. As bombs fall and frontlines shift, Tsaplienko believes that Ukraine’s ability to resist Russia’s invasion is tied not only to its soldiers but also to the power of a free press. Tsaplienko has covered wars across the globe, but when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he became a war reporter in his homeland. Wounded near Chernihiv by shrapnel, he continues to report from danger...

November 9, 2024

184 Silenced, But Not Forgotten

November 9, 2024 -Palestine - The death toll of journalists in Gaza reached a staggering 184, according to the Gaza Government Media Office. This figure marks a grim milestone in what has become the deadliest conflict for media workers in modern history. Journalists, who serve as the eyes and ears of the world in times of war, have increasingly found themselves among the primary casualties of Israel’s relentless military campaign. The deaths span seasoned reporters, camera operators, fixers, and local correspondents who remained on the ground to document the human cost of the conflict. While...

November 9, 2024

The Blood Price of Truth in Gaza

November 9, 2024 - Palestine - In one of the deadliest 24-hour periods for the press in Gaza, three more Palestinian journalists were killed amid continued Israeli bombardment, bringing the total number of media workers killed since October 2023 to at least 184. Reports from Press TV, Anadolu Agency, and the Palestine Chronicle detail the tragic losses of journalists who remained on the ground to document the war’s toll on civilians. The most recent victim named was journalist Yazan Ibrahim Al-Zwaidi, killed in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza. Anadolu Agency confirmed his death as...

November 9, 2024

UK Demands Justice for Crimes Against Journalists

November 8, 2024 - UK - The UK government and its human rights advocates have united in a powerful appeal for justice following a series of violent attacks and legal suppressions targeting journalists. Echoing broader international sentiment, these calls emphasize the pressing need to hold perpetrators accountable to safeguard press freedom. In recent months, British officials have urged comprehensive investigations into assaults on media workers, ranging from physical violence and sexual harassment to legal intimidation known as SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). They argue that such actions create a climate of fear, forcing journalists...

November 9, 2024

Safeguarding Journalists’ Mental Well‑Being in Crisis

November 8, 2024 - General - UNESCO, in partnership with the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF), has released a groundbreaking Guide for Psychologists in the Emergency Care of Journalists—a critical resource tailored to address the emotional and psychological challenges faced by journalists, especially during crises and online violence. The initiative responds to alarming statistics: over 73% of women journalists report experiencing online threats, harassment, or insults due to their work, with 25% facing physical or sexual violence. These risks compound significantly in conflict zones and during heightened election campaigns. At its core, the guide equips mental...

November 9, 2024

EU Reaffirms Press Freedom at OSCE Council Amid Rising Threats

November 8, 2024 - Albania/Herzegovina/Iceland/Montenegro/Bosnia & Herzegovina - At the 1495th meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on November 7, 2024, the European Union delivered a forceful statement in Vienna emphasizing its deep concern over the deteriorating state of press freedom and human rights across the OSCE region. The EU reiterated its commitment to defending journalists, human rights defenders, and democratic institutions amid rising repression in several member states. The EU delegation called attention to the alarming targeting of journalists through intimidation, imprisonment, physical violence, and legal harassment, especially in countries like Russia and Belarus....

November 8, 2024

Qatar Champions Global Shield for Journalists in Conflict Zones

November 8, 2024 - Palestine / Qatar - Qatar delivered a powerful appeal before the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, urging the international community to reinforce protections for journalists operating in conflict zones. Second Secretary Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al‑Thani emphasized that safeguarding press freedom requires a multi-pronged approach—physical safety, legal assistance, cutting-edge tools, and robust cooperation among states and institutions. Qatar’s proposal builds on its longstanding track record: hosting the landmark 2012 International Conference on the Protection of Journalists and producing the 2016 Doha Declaration. These efforts underlined the country’s dedication to embedding journalist safety into the...

November 8, 2024

When Exposing Corruption Becomes a Death Sentence

November 8, 2024 - Iraq/Kurdistan - Veteran investigative journalist Wrya Abdulkhaliq of Bwar Media was ambushed in his orchard near Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan, shortly after publishing a groundbreaking exposé alleging obstruction by a Peshmerga Ministry official in a regional water and electricity project. At the hands of two assailants—an official’s nephew and his bodyguard—Abdulkhaliq sustained severe injuries: stabbed repeatedly in the abdomen, struck in the head with a gun butt, and had his car tires punctured to prevent escape. After undergoing surgery involving 21 stitches, he was reported in stable condition. Three suspects, including...

November 8, 2024

Safety or Silence: Prioritizing Journalist Protection in Yemen

November 08, 2024 - Yemen - In a country locked in a decade-long conflict, the safety of journalists has become a crisis of urgent proportions. On November 8, 2024, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), in collaboration with UNESCO and the Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate (YJS), concluded a year-long project aimed at improving occupational safety for media workers in Yemen, training over 160 journalists across Aden, Taiz, Hadramawt, and Marib. The initiative comprised eight workshops culminating in the final session on October 31 in Taiz, attended by 20 media leaders. Discussions underscored the need for comprehensive safety measures: psychological...

November 8, 2024

Haunted for Holding Truth: The Harassment of Rana Ayyub

November 08, 2024 - India - Indian investigative journalist Rana Ayyub embarked on a reporting trip to Manipur, only to find herself under constant surveillance by local intelligence personnel. CPJ sources revealed she was followed for four days—through villages, checkpoints, even to the washroom—ostensibly “for her safety,” though intended to intimidate and impede her work. On November 8, her mobile number was leaked on X (formerly Twitter) by a right-wing account known as “Hindutva Knight.” That night, Ayyub received at least 200 unsolicited phone and video calls, explicit WhatsApp messages, deepfake images, and repeated OTP requests flooding...

November 8, 2024

States Must End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

November 8, 2024 - General - In a powerful call-to-action, the International Press Institute (IPI) urges governments worldwide to confront and eliminate impunity for attacks on journalists. According to IPI, a staggering majority of crimes against media professionals—particularly killings—go unpunished, enabling further violence and eroding press freedom. IPI highlights that impunity serves as a flame to an accelerating blaze: unchecked, it emboldens perpetrators and institutionalizes hostility against journalism. This trend—amplified in authoritarian regimes and conflict zones—is undermining the media's essential role as democracy’s watchdog. A focal point of IPI’s advocacy is environmental and climate journalism,...

November 8, 2024

Bolivia’s Press Under Siege: At Least 25 Journalists Assaulted During Mass Protests

November 08, 2024 - Bolivia - Amid widespread anti-government protests sweeping Bolivia since early November, reporters and camera crews have faced escalating hostility. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), at least 25 journalists were violently attacked—physically assaulted, harassed, or obstructed—while covering protest actions such as road blockades and strikes in Santa Cruz and other regions. These incidents, RSF warns, reflect a disturbing erosion of press freedom in one of Latin America’s most politically charged environments. The violence has come from various sources. In several cases, journalists were attacked by police using excessive force. In others, demonstrators—some aligned...

November 8, 2024

“Silenced Harvest: The Killing of Amun Abdullahi Mohamed”

November 08, 2024 - Somalia/Sweden - In a brutal reminder that journalism can be a death sentence, Somali‑Swedish investigative reporter Amun Abdullahi Mohamed was assassinated on October 19, 2024, in her hometown of Afgoye in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia. Shot dead by gunmen suspected to be linked to al‑Shabaab, Mohamed’s killing shocked international media communities and prompted urgent demands for justice. Amun was not just any journalist—she was a trailblazer, celebrated for exposing al‑Shabaab’s recruitment operations both in Somalia and Sweden. She earned the 2010 Swedish Publicists’ Association Freedom of Speech Award and...

November 8, 2024

Freedom on Trial: The Detention of Frenchie Mae Cumpio

November 08, 2024 - Philippines - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urgently called on the Philippine government to release investigative journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been detained since February 2020 on charges of “financing terrorism” and “illegal possession of firearms” that RSF and others label as fabricated. The government alleges weapons were found during a raid, but press freedom groups assert the evidence was planted—part of a wider “red-tagging” campaign that brands critical journalists as subversive. Cumpio, 26, directs Eastern Vista, an independent platform highlighting marginalized voices in Eastern Visayas. Her arrest followed her reporting on...

November 7, 2024

Israel’s Assault on Press Freedom

November 7, 2024 - Palestine/Lebanon/USA - Freedom House warns that Israel’s democratic character is at grave risk due to escalating attacks on press freedom. While Israel has long maintained a reputation as a robust democracy with a diverse media landscape, recent government actions under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threaten to dismantle that foundation. Freedom House highlights a growing pattern of government hostility toward journalists, particularly those critical of the administration. Reporters are increasingly vilified as enemies of the state, with officials using rhetoric that frames the press not as a democratic pillar but as a...

November 7, 2024

Exiled Editor Sentenced: Russia Cracks Down on Novaya Gazeta Europe’s Chief

November 7, 2024 - Russia - In a stark escalation of its campaign against independent media, Russia has taken severe punitive action against Kirill Martynov, editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta Europe. Two interconnected legal assaults—his arrest in absentia and a subsequent 6-year prison sentence—underscore the Kremlin’s intensified drive to suppress dissent. On November 6, 2024, a Moscow court formally arrested Martynov in absentia, accusing him of “organizing the activities of an undesirable organization”. The charge stems from his leadership of Novaya Gazeta Europe (banned by prosecutors in June 2023) and the Free University, another independent project classified as “undesirable”....

November 7, 2024

Mayor vs. Truth: Venelina Popova Threatened for Election Reporting

November 7, 2024 - Bulgaria - Investigative journalist Venelina Popova faced alarming intimidation from Galabovo Mayor Nikolay Tonev following her reporting on suspected electoral fraud during local elections in Bulgaria. Popova’s work exposed worrying irregularities—potential vote buying and procedural manipulation—prompting the mayor to respond not with transparency, but with threats intended to silence her journalistic inquiry. The news site Balkan Insight reports that after Popova published her findings, Mayor Tonev contacted her directly. While the exact nature of the threats isn’t detailed, they were serious enough to prompt action from Women Press Freedom, which publicly...

November 6, 2024

Bulgaria’s Ballot Box Violence: Journalists Attacked During 2024 Elections

November 6, 2024 - Bulgaria - During Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections on October 27, 2024, at least four journalists were attacked, harassed, or obstructed in the line of duty, prompting a wave of condemnation from international press freedom groups. In a joint statement released on November 6, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), International Press Institute (IPI), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and OBC Transeuropa demanded full investigations and accountability for the perpetrators. The most serious incident involved a bTV camera operator who was physically assaulted by two...

November 6, 2024

Rights Groups Urge EPC to Hold Azerbaijan Accountable

November 6, 2024 - Europe/Azerbaijan - Ahead of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest on November 6, 2024, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and partner organizations issued a strong call urging European leaders to address Azerbaijan’s worsening human rights and press freedom crisis. With the Azerbaijani government tightening its grip on civil society, journalists, and activists, the statement demands international action to end the ongoing crackdown. Following Azerbaijan’s presidential election in February and parliamentary election in September, the government has intensified its repression. Independent media outlets have been dismantled, environmental defenders...

November 6, 2024

Closed‑Door Verdicts: Mongolia’s Press Freedoms on Trial

November 6, 2024 - Mongolia - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) sounded the alarm: a closed-door appeal trial for detained journalist Unurtsetseg Naran—conducted without public scrutiny or disclosed evidence—signals a dangerous regression for press freedom in Mongolia. Naran, founder of the independent news outlet Zarig, was initially convicted behind closed doors this July on dubious charges including “spreading false information,” “tax evasion,” and “money laundering.” Her sentencing, carried out without transparency, drew widespread condemnation from local and international observers. Her appeal hearing, also held in secret, deprived Naran of the most elemental judicial guarantees—open proceedings and...

November 6, 2024

Sudan’s Journalists Hunted, Silenced, Disappeared

November 6, 2024 - Sudan - The Sudan Media Forum (SMF)—a coalition of independent outlets like Dabanga, Sudan Tribune, and the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate—launched the “Silence Kills: No Time to Waste for Sudan” campaign during events at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. Coinciding with the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the initiative aimed to highlight the catastrophic impact of Sudan’s ongoing war and mounting attacks on the media. Since conflict erupted on April 15, 2023, both the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces have systematically silenced journalistic voices....

November 6, 2024

Bosnia’s Investigative Beacon Under Threat: The Case of Nataša Miljanović‑Zubac

November 6, 2024 - Bosnia & Herzegovina - Veteran investigative reporter Nataša Miljanović‑Zubac, a journalist with Radio Television of Republika Srpska, has endured a relentless campaign of intimidation for exposing corruption and organized crime. Over the past two and a half years, she’s survived at least seven criminal acts—including arson, violent threats, ominous messages, and psychological torture—all of which have gone unpunished. In mid-2022, unknown assailants torched her vehicle outside her home in Trebinje, which she described as her livelihood, and her reporting was significantly disrupted as a result. Following that, with no legal accountability, the...

November 6, 2024

Israeli and Palestinian Journalists Honored for Courageous Storytelling

November 5, 2024 - Palestine - French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot presented the second Anna Politkovskaya–Arman Soldin Prize for Courage in Journalism on November 5, 2024, to Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham and Palestinian journalist Basel Adra. This prestigious award, instituted by France in 2023, commemorates the legacy of slain Russian reporter Anna Politkovskaya and Franco-Bosnian journalist Arman Soldin, both revered for fearless conflict reporting. The jury—comprising prominent media figures—praised Abraham and Adra “for their work putting a spotlight on violence committed by settlers and the political and legal inequalities between Palestinians and Israelis". Their award-winning collaboration, the documentary No Other Land,...

November 5, 2024

Upholding Truth in the Face of Violence: Africa’s Stand Against Impunity for Journalists

November 5, 2024 - General - The annual International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists—the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) marked the occasion with a powerful webinar calling attention to the dire circumstances facing media professionals across Africa. The ACHPR’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression emphasized that journalists routinely face grave threats—including detention, torture, kidnapping, and online harassment—raising significant obstacles to the free flow of information guaranteed under Article 9 of the African Charter. Such violations not only hinder public discourse but also deepen societal vulnerability by silencing critical voices....

November 5, 2024

Cambodian Investigative Reporter Abandons Journalism After Arrest

November 5, 2024 - Cambodia - Veteran investigative journalist Mech Dara, renowned for his hard-hitting exposés on human trafficking and cyberscam operations in Cambodia, has announced he will leave journalism to become a farmer. This decision came after a dramatic arrest in late September 2024 over social media posts, followed by a difficult stint in pre-trial detention. On September 30, Dara was detained by military police at a toll booth while traveling with his family. Authorities charged him with "incitement to commit a felony or cause social disorder," based on Facebook posts about quarrying at a revered...

November 5, 2024

UK’s Leverage on Egypt: Human Rights Groups Demand a Halt to Financial Ties Until Alaa Is Freed

November 5, 2024 - UK/Egypt - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)—joined by 14 British, Egyptian, and international organizations—issued a forceful appeal to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The groups urged the UK to suspend all new economic, financial, and security cooperation with Egypt until British-Egyptian writer and activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah is released from detention. Abd el-Fattah, a prominent voice since the Arab Spring, was first arrested in 2014 and again in September 2019 amid anti-government protests. Convicted under charges of “spreading false news,” he received a five-year sentence in December 2021. Although his...

November 4, 2024

Journalists Denied Entry: Press Freedom Breached at Greek-Albanian Border

November 4, 2024 - Albania - Two Albanian camera crews—Fjorela Beleshi and Elja Zotka from A2 CNN, and a TV Klan team—were unjustifiably detained at Greece’s Kapshtica/Krystallopigi border as they attempted to cover Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s rally in Thessaloniki. The crews carried valid accreditation and verbal clearance from the Albanian Foreign Ministry, yet Greek authorities confiscated their passports, held them for over four hours, and refused entry without explicit approval from the Greek Foreign Ministry. Authorities also attempted to stop them from livestreaming the delay, impeding real‑time reporting and restricting the journalists from fulfilling...

November 4, 2024

Uttar Pradesh Journalist Arrested Over Election Coverage

November 4, 2024 - India - Imran Khan, editor of the Ghaziabad-based Hindi daily Aap AbhiTak, was arrested on defamation charges following a six-month-old election report in which Congress candidate Dolly Sharma accused BJP MP Atul Garg of being involved in land grabbing. Sharma, during the Lok Sabha campaign, claimed Garg had seized 31,000 m² of public land to build a housing society—allegations that Khan faithfully reported under the headline: “BJP makes land‑mafia Atul Garg its candidate.” Despite a note of Sharma’s status as the source of the accusation—and no evidence added by Khan—the MP filed a...

November 4, 2024

Lawyer Sentenced in Kosovo After Death Threat Against Journalist

November 4, 2024 - Kosovo - The Pristina Basic Court sentenced Kosovo lawyer Driton Dobruna to 150 days in prison on November 4, 2024, after he admitted to sending a death threat to investigative journalist Vehbi Kajtazi, owner of the Paparaci news site. The threat stemmed from Kajtazi’s persistent reporting on corruption and public interest matters. Dobruna reportedly sent a chilling message indicating he would “douse him with gasoline”. His guilty plea at trial spared him a longer sentence, but still marked a rare instance of legal validation for the protection of journalists in Kosovo—a country where...

November 3, 2024

Gaza Becomes World’s Deadliest Zone for Journalists

November 3, 2024 - Palestine - In just one year since the Israel–Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, at least 183 Palestinian journalists have been killed—more than double the global average of journalist deaths in any given year. According to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate and confirmed by international press watchdogs, this represents an unprecedented level of media fatalities in modern history. The massacre, they say, is not collateral damage but a deliberate campaign to silence the press and erase witnesses from the conflict zone. Globally, an estimated 82 journalists are killed annually, based on...

November 3, 2024

Iran Marks International Day to End Impunity Amid Deepening Clampdown

November 3, 2024 - Iran - The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists cast a spotlight on Iran’s worsening media suppression, where the daily reality for journalists is arrest, torture, and even death. Human rights monitors and press-freedom researchers revealed a multi-pronged assault: journalists face arbitrary detention, flogging, threats to families, and violent raids on homes, reflecting a brutal effort to crush independent reporting. This crackdown extends far beyond Iran’s borders. Leaked court documents from early 2024 exposed that the judiciary is issuing judgments in absentia targeting exiled journalists, highlighting Tehran’s transnational...

November 3, 2024

KDP Holds Roj News Editor Suleiman Ahmed Without Evidence for Over a Year

November 3, 2024 - Kurdistan - Journalist Suleiman Ahmed, editor at the Kurdish outlet Roj News, has been held by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) for over 376 days without any proven charges. He was arrested on October 25, 2023, at the Fish-Khabur border while returning from visiting family in Aleppo. On July 29, 2024, the Duhok Criminal Court sentenced him in absentia to three years in prison, but the court provided no evidence or legal justification behind the verdict. Ahmed has been denied basic legal rights, including immediate access to lawyers. It took nearly 210 days before his counsel...

November 3, 2024

U.S.-Iranian Journalist Reza Valizadeh Detained in Tehran: A Case of Hostage Journalism

November 3, 2024 - Iran/USA - Iranian–American journalist Reza Valizadeh returned to Iran after 13 years abroad, even seeking assurances from Iranian authorities. Instead, he was detained by security forces upon arrival, later sent to Evin Prison. According to multiple sources, Valizadeh—a former reporter at Radio Farda (the Persian service of U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)—was arrested again in late September and has remained locked up under Revolutionary Court supervision without publicly disclosed charges. On November 3, 2024, the U.S. State Department confirmed Valizadeh’s detention following reports by AP and Reuters. Officials stated they are...

November 2, 2024

Afghanistan’s Journalists Silenced Under Taliban Reign

November 2, 2024 - Afghanistan - Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Afghanistan has witnessed a dramatic escalation in attacks against journalists, with over 447 documented incidents of threats, arrests, and assaults, according to a new report from the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC). Released on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the report paints a dire picture of press freedom in a country where speaking the truth has become a life-threatening act. Of the 447 incidents, at least 220 involved arbitrary detentions, often without charges or due process....

November 2, 2024

Zhina Modares-Gorji Sentenced as Iran Tightens Grip on Kurdish Journalists

November 2, 2024 - Kurdistan - Kurdish journalist and women’s rights activist Zhina Modares-Gorji has been imprisoned in Iran following a politically motivated trial that underscores the country’s escalating crackdown on dissenting voices, particularly those from marginalized communities. On November 2, 2024, she reported to Sanandaj Women’s Prison to begin serving a 16-month sentence after an appeals court reduced her original 21-year sentence handed down by a Revolutionary Court in May. Modares-Gorji was charged with “forming an illegal group to overthrow the state,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “collaborating with hostile opposition media.” While the...

November 2, 2024

Targeted Deaths in Gaza: Two Journalists Killed in Israeli Airstrikes

November 2, 2024 - Palestine - Two Palestinian journalists, Bilal Rajab and photojournalist Baraa Ali Daghish, were tragically killed in Israeli airstrikes just 24 hours apart in central Gaza, sparking condemnation from Palestinian media groups and international press freedom organizations. On November 1, 2024, Bilal Rajab, an Al-Quds al-Youm TV correspondent, was struck and killed outside a school in Tuffah, Gaza City, when the Israeli military launched an airstrike on a civilian area. Less than a day later, on November 2, 2024, Baraa Ali Daghish, a freelance photojournalist, was killed during an airstrike on a...

November 2, 2024

EU Demands Justice for Attacks on Journalists, Highlights Ukraine

November 2, 2024 - General - On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, November 2, 2024, the European Union issued a powerful joint statement condemning attacks on journalists and urging global accountability. EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Vice President Věra Jourová emphasized that violence, repression, and intimidation against media workers are not just attacks on individuals—they are assaults on truth, democracy, and international law. The statement particularly highlighted Ukraine, where journalists continue to risk their lives documenting Russia’s full-scale invasion. The EU noted that many media workers have been killed,...

November 2, 2024

UN and UNESCO Demand Justice for Journalists on International Day to End Impunity

November 02, 2024 - General- On November 2, 2024, the United Nations and UNESCO marked the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists with renewed urgency, calling on world governments to confront the staggering rate of violence against journalists and the near-total lack of accountability that follows. Since 2006, over 1,700 journalists have been killed while doing their jobs, and nearly 9 out of 10 of those killings remain unsolved. UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a powerful message, emphasizing that when journalists are attacked, societies as a whole suffer. “Without accountability, the cycle...

November 2, 2024

Azerbaijan Marks International Day to End Impunity as Journalists Remain Under Threat

November 2, 2024 - Azerbaijan - On November 2, 2024, Azerbaijan formally recognized the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, echoing global efforts to combat violence and legal persecution targeting media workers. The state news agency AZERTAG noted that this year's international commemoration will occur on November 6–7 at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, under the theme “Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies.” The initiative commemorates the first IDEI event held in Strasbourg in 2014, following the UN resolution that established the observance in 2013 after two journalists were...

November 2, 2024

South Africa’s Press Watchdog Sounds Warning on Global Journalist Safety

November 2, 2024 - South Africa - The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) marked the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on November 2, 2024, underscoring the critical role that journalists play in democracy and urging governments worldwide to act decisively against impunity. SANEF echoed UNESCO and UN appeals for states to protect media personnel and their teams operating in conflict zones, emphasizing that threats to journalists strike at the heart of public accountability and the right to information. SANEF also joined the global condemnation of increasing online harassment faced by women...

November 2, 2024

UNESCO Reports Alarming 38% Surge in Journalist Killings Worldwide

November 2, 2024 - General - UNESCO has sounded the alarm over a dramatic escalation in violence against journalists, with a new report revealing a 38% increase in journalist killings between 2022 and 2023 compared to the previous two-year period. Published on November 2, 2024—coinciding with the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists—the report documents 162 journalists killed during this time, averaging one journalist murdered every four days. The report highlights that more than half of these killings occurred in countries experiencing armed conflict. However, it also stresses that a growing number...

November 2, 2024

Mexico Pledges to Combat Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists RSF Calls for Urgent Action

November 01, 2024 - Mexico - Ahead of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) held high-level meetings with Mexican authorities to address the country’s alarming record of violence against media workers. The discussions resulted in renewed commitments by the incoming government to overhaul mechanisms for protecting journalists and prosecuting their attackers. Mexico remains one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists, with 37 media workers killed during the outgoing administration. The majority of these crimes remain unresolved, contributing to an impunity rate of nearly 98...

November 1, 2024

Gaza’s Press in Crisis: Photojournalist Bilal Rajab Killed by Israeli Airstrike

Nov 1, 2024 - Palestine - Bilal Muhammad Rajab, a 27-year-old camera operator for Al‑Quds Al‑Youm TV, was tragically killed by an Israeli airstrike near the Firas Market in central Gaza City while covering the unfolding conflict. According to the Gaza government’s Media Office and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, his death increases the number of journalists killed in Gaza since October 7 to 183. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that Rajab was collaborating with citizens at the scene around 3:30 p.m. when an Israeli aircraft carried out the attack. The strike was sudden and...

November 1, 2024

Ukraine Loses Ninth Female Journalist in Russian Detention

Nov 1, 2024 - Ukraine/Russia - Ukrainian freelance reporter Victoria Roshchyna, just 27, became the ninth female journalist killed while covering the Russia–Ukraine war since February 2022. She disappeared in August 2023 while reporting from Russian‑occupied Zaporizhzhia and remained missing until a May 2024 admission by Russian authorities confirming her detention in Taganrog prison. In October 2024, Kyiv received notice that Roshchyna had died in Russian custody. Her body was repatriated in February 2025, but horrifyingly mutilated, missing vital organs like the brain, eyes, and larynx, with further signs of torture and possible electric shocks and...

November 1, 2024

A Decade of Defiance: Media Freedom Coalition Demands Action on Journalist Impunity

November 1, 2024 - General - Marking the 10th anniversary of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) issued a powerful joint statement reaffirming its global commitment to press freedom and justice. The coalition, comprising over 50 countries and numerous civil society organizations, warned that impunity for attacks on journalists remains a critical threat to democracy and human rights. The MFC’s statement called on all states to prioritize accountability for crimes against journalists and to fully implement the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists....

November 1, 2024

Calls Intensify for Swift Justice in Gerry Ortega’s Long-Delayed Murder Case

November 1, 2024 - Philippines - Thirteen years after the assassination of Filipino journalist Gerry Ortega, international press freedom groups are demanding a swift trial to finally deliver justice. In a joint statement, Free Press Unlimited, IFEX, and other media rights organizations called on the Philippine judiciary to act decisively and end years of legal delays that have denied accountability in one of the country’s most emblematic cases of impunity. Gerry Ortega, an environmentalist and investigative broadcaster, was gunned down in January 2011 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. He had been a vocal critic of corruption...

November 1, 2024

Algeria Pardons Journalist Ihsane El Kadi After 22 Months in Prison

November 1, 2024 - Algeria - Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune issued a presidential pardon freeing prominent journalist Ihsane El Kadi, who had been detained since December 2022. This act coincided with national celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Algeria’s Independence War, and included the release of over 4,000 prisoners—a gesture welcomed by press freedom advocates. El Kadi, 65, is a central figure of Algeria's independent media scene. He founded Maghreb Emergent and Radio M, key platforms during the 2019 Hirak protest movement. In April 2023, he was convicted under charges falsely alleging “foreign financing” and...

November 1, 2024

Myanmar Among Worst Offenders for Impunity in Journalist Killings

November 1, 2024 - Myanmar - Myanmar has earned a grim reputation in press freedom, ranking 10th on the 2024 Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Global Impunity Index, just behind Afghanistan and ahead of Pakistan, indicating widespread failure to hold killers of journalists accountable. This index highlights that nearly 80% of journalist murders globally remain unresolved—a figure that rises dramatically in conflict and authoritarian contexts, including Myanmar. The country debuted on the index in 2022 at eighth place following the military coup that intensified violence and repression against reporters. The implication is stark: Myanmar’s military...

November 1, 2024

UN Chief Guterres Denounces Journalist Deaths in Gaza as “Unacceptable”

November 1, 2024 - Palestine/UN - UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning about the escalating danger faced by media workers in Gaza during the first anniversary of the Israel–Gaza conflict. Speaking at the UN International Media Seminar in Geneva, Guterres condemned the unprecedented level of journalist fatalities, stating that “journalists in Gaza have been killed at a level unseen in any conflict” and labeling it “unacceptable". He highlighted the ongoing ban on international reporters entering Gaza, warning that obstructing press access “suffocates the truth even further.” Guterres criticized the escalating violence in the West...

October 31, 2024

Al Jazeera Demands Global Action to Protect Journalists in Gaza

October 31, 2024 - Palestine - In a powerful public appeal, Al Jazeera has called for immediate international intervention to halt the systematic targeting of journalists in Gaza. The network condemned the ongoing attacks that have claimed the lives of six of its journalists during Israel’s military campaign, and joined a growing chorus of global voices demanding accountability and protection for media workers in conflict zones. Since the beginning of the war, Gaza has become one of the deadliest places on earth for journalists. Al Jazeera reports that its teams have come under direct fire,...

October 30, 2024

Journalist Mauricio Cruz Solís Shot Dead After Interview in Mexico’s Michoacán State

October 30, 2024 - Mexico - Mexican journalist Mauricio Cruz Solís was gunned down in the city of Uruapan, located in the violence-ridden state of Michoacán. The 25-year-old reporter was shot shortly after conducting a live-streamed interview with Uruapan’s mayor, Carlos Manzo, for his media outlet Minuto x Minuto. Cruz was known for covering local politics and community issues. According to authorities, he was targeted while returning from his assignment, and a bystander was also wounded during the shooting. Cruz Solís’s killing has sent shockwaves through the press community in Mexico, as it marks the...

October 30, 2024

Europe Calls for Justice and Protection Amid Rising Journalist Deaths

October 30, 2024 - Europe/MEA - The European Union voiced grave concern over escalating violence in the Middle East and the growing global threat to journalists. These remarks came amid mounting civilian casualties and a rising death toll of media workers, especially in Gaza and Ukraine. On October 9, the EU addressed the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Middle East, condemning all acts of terrorism and indiscriminate violence. While asserting Israel’s right to self-defense, the EU emphasized that all military responses must strictly adhere to international law. Crucially, the EU called for the protection of...

October 30, 2024

Haiti and Israel Top Global Shame List for Journalist Killings

October 30, 2024 - Palestine/Haiti - According to the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) 2024 Global Impunity Index, Haiti and Israel are now the countries most likely to let the killers of journalists walk free. The annual index, which tracks countries with the highest rates of unsolved journalist murders relative to population, paints a grim picture of accountability and press freedom failures worldwide. Haiti ranks first, with seven unsolved journalist killings in the past decade. This marks a sharp deterioration from last year, when it entered the index in third place. The country’s institutional collapse,...

October 28, 2024

Gaza Becomes the Deadliest Place on Earth for Journalists

October 28, 2024 - Palestine - Gaza has become the most lethal environment for journalists in modern history. According to Palestinian media offices and multiple press freedom groups, over 225 journalists and media workers have been killed in Israeli attacks, the overwhelming majority of them Palestinian. This staggering toll surpasses journalist fatalities in any modern conflict, including World War II and the Iraq War. The most recent wave of killings saw five journalists die in a single Israeli strike, raising the death toll of media workers to over 220. These included individuals working for outlets...

October 27, 2024

Three More Voices Silenced in Gaza’s Relentless War on Journalism

October 27, 2024 - Palestine - Three more Palestinian journalists—Saed Radwan, Hamza Abu Salmiya, and Haneen Baroud—were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, pushing the confirmed death toll of journalists in the conflict to at least 180, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. These media workers were affiliated with Al-Aqsa TV, Sanad News Agency, and the Al-Quds Foundation, respectively, and all were killed while reporting from active conflict zones. Their deaths are part of a devastating and ongoing pattern that has made Gaza the most lethal place in the world for journalists....

October 25, 2024

Israel’s War on Journalism: A Critical Account by Chris Hedges

October 25, 2024 - General - Veteran journalist Chris Hedges—former New York Times bureau chief and seasoned war correspondent—has sharply condemned Israel’s conduct in Gaza, labeling it “a war on journalism.” In heated essays for ScheerPost, he argues that Israeli forces have deliberately targeted Palestinian reporters and suppressed independent foreign reporting, effectively silencing the truth. Hedges highlights alarming cases: Al Jazeera cameraman Fadi al‑Wahidi, shot in the neck by a sniper while wearing protective press gear, now lies comatose. His colleague, Shireen Abu Akleh, was also deliberately targeted. Despite visible press identifiers, both journalists became victims...

October 25, 2024

Belarus’s Media Purge Deepens with Two More Arrests

October 25, 2024 - Belarus - Belarusian authorities arrested two prominent journalists—Ihar Ilyash and Daniil Palianski—in a continuing crackdown on independent media. Their detentions, denounced by the International Press Institute (IPI) and Belarusian Journalists’ Association (BAJ), occurred within a week of each other and reflect intensifying repression under President Alexander Lukashenko. Ilyash, a veteran reporter and husband of imprisoned Katsiaryna Andreyeva (formerly of Belsat TV), was detained in late October. A video released by the KGB showed him confessing to “providing comments to independent media,” including interviews on his wife’s imprisonment and Belarus’s potential involvement...

October 25, 2024

Three Journalists Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Southern Lebanon

October 25, 2024 - Lebanon - An Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Hasbaya killed three journalists and injured several others. The journalists were staying in a residential compound that housed members of the press covering the growing conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border. According to Lebanese officials and local media, the strike occurred around 3 a.m., hitting a building used by journalists and destroying vehicles marked with the word “PRESS.” The victims were identified as Ghassan Najjar, a cameraman for Al-Mayadeen TV; Mohammad Reda, a broadcast engineer for the same outlet; and Wissam...

October 25, 2024

Council of Europe Urges Ireland to Strengthen Protections for Journalists

October 25, 2024 - Ireland - Partners of the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism concluded a fact-finding mission in Dublin, calling on Irish authorities to take concrete steps to better protect press freedom. Their recommendations focus on three key areas: defamation law reform, source protection, and public media funding. One of the primary concerns raised is Ireland’s outdated and restrictive defamation laws. Journalists in Ireland face the risk of costly and intimidating lawsuits from powerful individuals and institutions, tactics commonly used to suppress investigative reporting. The delegation urged the Irish government...

October 24, 2024

Russian Court Targets Romanian Journalist Over Ukraine Reporting

October 24, 2024 - Romania/Russia - The Lenin District Court of Kursk, acting on a petition from the regional FSB’s border guard department, issued an arrest warrant in absentia for Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu, a correspondent for HotNews.ro. He faces charges of “illegally crossing the Russian border” after reporting from the town of Sudzha, which fell under Ukrainian control during Kyiv’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024. Barbu traveled openly to Sudzha with a Ukrainian military convoy to document the conditions on the ground, filming interviews with residents about infrastructure outages and daily...

October 24, 2024

Marked for Death: Israel Labels Six Al Jazeera Journalists as Militant Operatives

24 October 2024 - Palestine - The Israeli military publicly named six Palestinian journalists working with Al Jazeera as alleged members of militant groups, sparking international outrage and fears for their safety. The journalists—Anas al-Sharif, Hossam Shabat, Ismail Abu Omar, Talal Arrouki, Ashraf Saraj, and Alaa Salameh—have been accused by Israel of belonging to either Hamas or Islamic Jihad. Israeli officials claim these allegations are based on documents recovered during operations in Gaza, though they have provided no verifiable evidence to support the claims. Al Jazeera has categorically rejected the accusations, calling them fabricated and...

October 23, 2024

Rights Groups Condemn Egypt’s Widening Crackdown on Journalists

October 23, 2024 - Egypt - A coalition of 34 international and regional rights organizations has condemned Egypt’s latest wave of journalist arrests, calling for the immediate release of those detained and an end to the state’s ongoing repression of press freedom. In early September 2024, at least four independent Egyptian journalists—Ashraf Omar, Khaled Mamdouh, Ramadan Gouida, and Yasser Abu Al‑Ela—were arrested in a coordinated campaign that rights groups say constitutes enforced disappearance. The arrests, carried out without warrants or public charges, have reignited fears of a resurgence in Egypt’s crackdown on the independent press....

October 23, 2024

IPI Urges Global Action to Protect Journalists in Gaza

October 23, 2024 - Palestine - The International Press Institute (IPI) has issued an urgent call to the international community to pressure Israel to uphold its obligations under international law and protect journalists covering the war in Gaza. As the death toll among media workers continues to rise, IPI warns that without immediate intervention, journalism itself is at risk of being extinguished in one of the world’s deadliest conflicts for the press. Since October 7, 2023, more than 170 journalists—almost all Palestinian—have been killed in Gaza and southern Lebanon. Many were identified as press and...

October 23, 2024

Iranian Plot to Assassinate Journalist Masih Alinejad Exposed

October 23, 2024 - Iran - U.S. authorities have uncovered a chilling assassination plot targeting Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad, allegedly orchestrated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). On October 25, 2024, federal prosecutors unsealed charges against Brigadier General Ruhollah Bazghandi, a high-ranking IRGC intelligence official, and six co-conspirators for attempting to hire Russian-speaking criminals to murder Alinejad on U.S. soil. According to the indictment, the plot began in mid-2022 and involved attempts to recruit organized crime networks to carry out the killing. Surveillance footage showed one of the suspects, Khalid Mehdiyev, loitering...

October 23, 2024

Al Jazeera Condemns Israeli Allegations Against Its Journalists in Gaza

October 23, 2024 - Palestine - Al Jazeera has strongly condemned recent allegations by the Israeli military accusing six of its Gaza-based journalists of being members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad. The named journalists—Anas al-Sharif, Hossam Shabat, Ismail Abu Omar, Talal Arrouki, Ashraf Saraj, and Alaa Salameh—were accused without trial or independent verification, with Israel claiming to have recovered documents linking them to militant factions. These claims, Al Jazeera stated, are “baseless” and a dangerous attempt to justify targeting media workers. In an official press release, Al Jazeera denounced the accusations as “fabricated” and warned...

October 22, 2024

Sri Lanka’s Mullaitivu Press Club Urges International Probe into Journalist Killings

October 22, 2024 - India - The Mullaitivu Press Club in northern Sri Lanka called for an international, “judicially empowered” investigation into the killings and enforced disappearances of journalists—especially Tamil journalists—spanning decades of conflict. Their appeal marks the 24th anniversary of journalist Mylvaganam Nimalarajan’s assassination and underscores a persistent culture of impunity that allows perpetrators to act without fear of consequences. Between 2004 and 2009, over 48 journalists and media workers were killed in Sri Lanka, 41 of them Tamil. More recent cases include the high‑profile disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda in 2010, as well as...

October 22, 2024

Iran Imprisons Journalists Under National Security Charges

October 22, 2024 - Iran - Iran’s Revolutionary Courts have intensified efforts to silence journalists reporting on human rights and protests, notably those covering the Mahsa Amini uprising and socio-political issues. Armed with expansive “propaganda” and “national security” laws, the courts have handed down harsh sentences to several women journalists. Two leading journalists—Elaha Mohammadi and Niloofar Hamidi—took part in covering the Mahsa Amini protests in 2022. Initially sentenced to lengthy prison terms—six years (Mohammadi) and seven years (Hamidi) plus additional charges—their sentences were revised on appeal in October 2024. Although acquitted of “collaborating with a hostile foreign...

October 22, 2024

Tamil Journalist Jailed for Exposing Corruption in Sri Lanka

October 21, 2024 - India/Sri Lanka - Tamil journalist Selvakumar Nilanthan was arrested by Sri Lankan police in what rights groups have condemned as a targeted attempt to suppress press freedom. Nilanthan, known for exposing local corruption and human rights abuses in the eastern Batticaloa region, was detained on October 21 by Eravur police without prior legal notice. His arrest followed renewed legal action stemming from a 2019 report he published about alleged misconduct by the Chenkalady Divisional Secretary. Alongside two civilians, he was accused of obstructing government duties and defamation. During his detention, Nilanthan...

October 22, 2024

Guatemalan Investigative Journalist José Rubén Zamora Moves to House Arrest After 800+ Days Behind Bars

October 21, 2024 - Guatemala - After enduring more than 800 days behind bars, veteran Guatemalan investigative journalist José Rubén Zamora—founder of El Periódico—was transferred to house arrest on October 18, 2024. Judges ruled that his prolonged pre-trial detention had exceeded legal limits, prompting a shift to a restricted residence-based sentence pending retrial. A judge explicitly barred Zamora from leaving Guatemala and mandated his appearance before authorities every eight days, while worldwide pressure from press freedom advocates heightened the spotlight on his case. Zamora, a staunch voice in exposing corruption through his investigative journalism, had...

October 21, 2024

Eroding Dissent: Egypt’s Detention of Economist Abdel Khaleq Farouk

October 21, 2024 - Egypt - Egyptian security forces arrested eminent economist and commentator Abdel Khaleq Farouk, 67, from his Cairo home over critical posts on Facebook targeting President Abdel-Fattah el‑Sisi’s economic agenda, including the New Administrative Capital project and the Gaza war stance. He was formally charged with “joining a terrorist organization,” “spreading false news,” and “misusing social media,” marking a stark escalation in Egypt’s crackdown on economic and political discourse. Farouk appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution on October 21, initiating a cycle of pretrial detentions renewed repeatedly, most recently for an...

October 20, 2024

Raid at Dawn Silences Somali Journalist

October 19, 2024 - Somalia - Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) executed a pre-dawn operation in Mogadishu's Boondheere district, forcibly abducting investigative journalist Abduqadir Mohamed Nur—also known as “Jakarta”—from his home at around 3 a.m. Security agents confiscated his phone and laptop before transporting him to the notorious Godka Jila’aow detention center, a facility long associated with torture and abuse. Nur, a senior reporter and editor with Risaala Media Corporation—producers of Radio Risaala and Risaala TV—had been openly critical of Somalia’s security services under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. His abduction represents a brazen attempt to...

October 19, 2024

Taliban’s Grip Tightens: Afghan Journalists Silenced and Imprisoned

October 19, 2024 - Afghanistan - Afghanistan’s Taliban have escalated a brutal crackdown on journalists through the actions of their General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI). On October 5, reporter Mahdi Ansary, 27, working with Afghan News Agency, was arrested in Kabul’s Dasht-e-Barchi district by GDI agents. He was detained without formal charges, and even his family was left to search police stations before confirming his custody. A Taliban court later accused him of anti-regime “propaganda” based on his journalistic reports and Facebook posts, handing him an 18-month prison sentence effective from the arrest date. Ansary’s trial,...

October 18, 2024

Undermining Press Freedom: The Repeated Detention of Thomas Allan Zgambo

October 18, 2024 - Zambia - Investigative journalist Thomas Allan Zgambo was arrested at a Lusaka mall and detained at Ridgeway Police Station without formal charges—his third arrest in a year, highlighting systematic judicial harassment. Zgambo, known for his writing on the Zambia Whistleblower website, was targeted after publishing an article seen as critical of senior government figures. Authorities alleged criminal libel and cybercrime, though CPJ noted he remained uncharged when first detained. Amnesty International swiftly demanded Zgambo's immediate and unconditional release, reaffirming that "journalism is not a crime" and reminding Zambia of its constitutional...

October 18, 2024

UK Police Raid Journalist’s Home in Alarming Press Freedom Breach

October 18, 2024 - UK - British counterterrorism police raided the North London home of Asa Winstanley, associate editor of The Electronic Intifada, seizing his electronic devices under suspicion of “encouraging terrorism.” Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command arrived at dawn and confiscated seven items, including laptops, phones, and hard drives, without arresting or formally charging Winstanley. The warrant cited Sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006 and referenced Winstanley’s social media commentary, though he was not accused of any violent activity. The raid provoked outrage among press freedom advocates. The...

October 17, 2024

When Tax Codes Become Silencing Tools: Financial Laws as a Press Freedom Threat

October 16, 2024 - General - Governments worldwide have begun weaponizing financial legislation—tax audits, anti‑money‑laundering rules, and defamation statutes—to intimidate and control independent media. A forthcoming UNESCO report, along with research by WAN‑IFRA and the Inter American Press Association, spotlights this emerging tactic used to suppress investigative journalism through economic coercion. These financial pressures often manifest as sudden, unexplained tax investigations, hefty fines following critical reporting, forced dissolution of nonprofit media, or freezing of bank accounts. Such actions drive newsrooms into defensive modes: reassigning editorial budgets to legal teams, culling investigative staff, or abandoning coverage...

October 17, 2024

Robert Telles was convicted of stabbing Jeff German of Las Vegas Review-Journal who had written critical articles

October 16, 2024 - USA - Former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles received a severe sentence for the 2022 murder of investigative journalist Jeff German, ending a case that shocked both Las Vegas and the broader journalism community. On October 16, Judge Michelle Leavitt sentenced Telles to life in prison, enforcing a minimum term of 28 years before parole eligibility. The sentence builds upon a jury’s earlier recommendation of a 20-year minimum for first-degree murder, with an additional eight years added due to sentencing enhancements including use of a deadly weapon, premeditation (lying in...

October 17, 2024

Crackdown Continues: Belarusian Journalist Faces High Treason Charges

October 17, 2024 - Belarus - Freelance journalist Danil Palianski, a 53-year-old reporter from Brest, disappeared shortly after returning from Russia. His detention was confirmed by the Belarusian Association of Journalists, marking the start of a harsh judicial assault. Palianski now stands accused of “high treason” — a charge punishable by up to 20 years in prison — as part of a sweeping crackdown on independent media. He is one of at least 34 journalists currently detained in Belarus, a country now regarded as the most dangerous in Europe for press freedom. Andrei Bastunets, head of...

October 16, 2024

Crushed in Omdurman: The Killing of Halima Idriss Salim and the Call for Justice

October 16, 2024 - Sudan - Halima Idriss Salim—30, a reporter for the online news outlet Sudan Bukra, was tragically killed in Omdurman when a vehicle belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck her as she reported on escalating conflict between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces. Despite the gravity of the incident, no formal investigation has been launched into her death nearly a year later. The International Press Institute (IPI) has called for a transparent, independent inquiry into her killing, emphasizing this demand ahead of the first anniversary of the fatal incident. IPI...

October 16, 2024

Threats from the Top: Turkish Mayor Intimidates Journalist Sinan Aygül

October 16, 2024 - Turkey - In a chilling escalation of press intimidation, on August 15, 2024, the mayor of Tatvan in eastern Turkey publicly threatened local journalist Sinan Aygül, stating, “Sinan will know his place” and promising, “We will teach him his lesson” during a press conference, though Aygül was not present. Aygül, who serves as chief editor of the independent Bitlis News website and chairs the Bitlis Journalists Society, had previously been physically attacked in June 2023 by bodyguards of the former mayor in response to his investigative reporting into municipal spending. The current mayor...

October 16, 2024

Honoring Daphne Caruana Galizia: A Rally for Journalists’ Safety

October 16, 2024 - Malta - Brussels, media freedom advocates—including Media Freedom Rapid Response, IPI, ECPMF, EFJ, CPJ, RSF, and others—gathered in front of the Résidence Palace to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the assassination of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Her murder in October 2017, the result of a car-bomb attack while investigating high-level corruption, remains a defining symbol of the threats investigative reporters face. Organizers emphasized Daphne’s legacy as a reminder of the urgent need for structural safeguards, calling on the EU and EU member states to adopt robust protective measures for...

October 15, 2024

Violence and Homophobic Abuse at Düsseldorf Concert: DW Journalist Attacked

October 15, 2024 - Syria - Deutsche Welle Arabic reporter Adonis Alkhaled was physically assaulted and subjected to homophobic abuse by security guards while covering a concert in Düsseldorf, Germany. The incident occurred in a back alley after Alkhaled had conducted a post-performance interview. Without provocation, a group of guards verbally attacked him and his colleague, including using a homophobic slur, before physically assaulting Alkhaled. Video evidence shows one guard repeatedly punching him in the head. Both journalists were forced to flee and later filed a police report. The concert featured Iraqi artist Al-Shami, whose...

October 14, 2024

Death of Photojournalist Ayman Ruwaished Underscores Gaza’s Escalating Toll on Reporters

October 14, 2024 - Palestine - Gaza authorities confirmed the killing of Ayman Muhammad Ruwaished, a renowned photojournalist for Al‑Aqsa Satellite channel. His death, attributed to Israeli military fire, marked the 177th journalist killed in Gaza since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023. Ruwaished was covering the intense military operations unfolding in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza when he was killed, according to local media reports. The Government Media Office in Gaza condemned the attack as part of a deliberate pattern targeting journalists, urging the international community and press freedom organizations to...

October 14, 2024

Sharpening the Repression: Iran Sentences Journalists Over Mahsa Amini Coverage

October 14, 2024 - Iran - Tehran’s judicial authorities upheld five-year prison sentences for journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, marking a severe escalation in Iran’s campaign against press freedom following the Mahsa Amini protests. Both had initially received lengthy terms—Hamedi was handed seven years and Mohammadi six—for alleged charges including collaboration with a foreign government, propaganda against the state, and assembly against national security. Appeals courts later cleared them of the collaboration charge but maintained convictions on national security and propaganda accusations, capping their sentences at five years each. Both journalists were first arrested...

October 14, 2024

Brutal Silence: The Death of Ukrainian Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna in Russian Custody

October 14, 2024 - Russia/Ukraine - 27-year-old Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna was confirmed dead while detained by Russian authorities. She had disappeared in August 2023 while reporting on torture in Russian-controlled southern Ukraine and was later transferred into Russian prisons, where her fate remained unknown for months. Roshchyna was the first Ukrainian journalist to die in Russian captivity and one of twelve killed due to their work during the conflict since 2022. The Russian Defense Ministry notified her father that she had died on September 19, 2024, and by February 2025, her body was returned to Ukraine...

October 14, 2024

Lebanese Demand Justice for Reuters Journalist Issam Abdallah

October 14, 2024 - Lebanon - Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah was killed while reporting on cross-border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Abdallah, 37, and six other journalists from Reuters, AFP, and Al‑Jazeera were identified as press—wearing “PRESS” helmets and jackets—when they came under direct fire from Israeli tank shells. Investigations by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch concluded that Abdallah's death resulted from a deliberate attack on journalists. UNIFIL found no cross-border exchange of fire before the strike, indicating clear targeting;...

October 12, 2024

Kidnap Ambush in Anambra Leaves Journalists Dead or Missing

October 12, 2024 - Nigeria - A team of Nigerian sports journalists traveling to cover an international football match was ambushed by gunmen in Anambra State, resulting in a deadly attack that left three people dead and one journalist still missing. The victims were part of a 14-member SuperSport broadcast crew en route to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to cover Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya. The attack took place on the Ihiala-Orlu Road, a region plagued by insecurity and frequent abductions. The assailants opened fire on the vehicle, killing a cameraman, a...

October 12, 2024

Russian Court Orders Arrest of CNN Journalist Over Reporting in Kursk Region

October 12, 2024 - Russia - In a stark escalation of Russia's control over war coverage, a court in Kursk on October 11, 2024, issued an arrest warrant in absentia for CNN’s Chief International Security Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh. The court accused him of illegally entering Russian territory by reporting from Ukrainian-held Sudzha in the Kursk region following Ukraine's August incursion. Authorities have requested his extradition, declaring he should be arrested "on Russian territory or upon extradition". The move builds on a criminal case opened in August 2024, with Russia’s FSB charging Paton Walsh and...

October 12, 2024

Venezuela Uses Passport Revocation to Silence Critics After Disputed Election

October 12, 2024 - Venezuela - In the wake of Nicolás Maduro’s contested July 2024 re‑election, Venezuela has quietly revoked the passports of at least 40 journalists and human rights activists, according to Caracas–based Laboratorio de Paz, as documented by Financial Times and Reuters. Many learned of the cancellations only when attempting to travel, with documents being seized without explanation at the country’s main airport. This tactic aligns with Maduro’s broader strategy of targeted repression—dropping airport seizures and overt violence for subtler, systemic intimidation. Laboratorio de Paz explained that “unlike murder or torture, which have...

October 11, 2024

Deliberate Silence: How Journalists Became Targets in Gaza

October 11, 2024 - Palestine - An in-depth investigation by The Intercept, published on October 11, 2024, has revealed disturbing evidence suggesting that Israeli forces have deliberately targeted journalists in Gaza since the start of the war in October 2023. Drawing from eyewitness testimonies, verified videos, and open-source intelligence, the report alleges that the killings of several Palestinian journalists were not accidental but the result of direct and intentional strikes. The report highlights that local journalists, many of whom were wearing marked "PRESS" vests and working in areas known to be occupied by media crews,...

October 11, 2024

A Voice Silenced: Gaza Mourns Journalist and Teacher Omar Al-Balaawi

October 11, 2024 - Palestine - Al Jazeera cameraman and teacher Omar Al-Balaawi was fatally shot by Israeli forces in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. The 26-year-old journalist was on assignment, covering the devastation in the densely populated area, when he was hit by gunfire. His colleague, fellow cameraman Fadi Al-Wahidi, was critically injured in the same attack after being shot in the neck. Al-Balaawi’s death marks yet another grim addition to the rising toll of Palestinian journalists killed during Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza. Al-Balaawi was more than just a journalist. He...

October 11, 2024

The Arrest of US Journalist Jeremy Loffredo by Israeli Forces

October 11, 2024 - USA - American journalist Jeremy Loffredo, known for reporting on Middle Eastern conflicts, was detained by Israeli authorities in the occupied West Bank. Loffredo, working as a freelance correspondent for European media outlets, had reported critically on Israeli military operations and Iranian-linked missile activity in Gaza. His arrest came days after coverage accusing Hamas of obscuring battlefield setbacks and alleged ties to Iran. Israeli military and security forces accused Loffredo of violating censorship rules during an active operation and conducting unauthorized field reporting. They held him for approximately nine hours, during...

October 11, 2024

Victoriia Roshchyna: Ukraine’s Journalist Killed in Russian Custody

October 11, 2024 - Ukraine/Russia - 27-year-old Ukrainian journalist Victoriia Roshchyna went missing after traveling to Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine for reporting. She last checked in on August 3, before vanishing while covering the occupied Zaporizhzhia region.. Her disappearance remained unexplained until April 2024, when Russia confirmed she was being held in detention, at one point in Taganrog’s notorious SIZO-2 prison. Roshchyna, a freelancer for outlets including Ukrainska Pravda, Hromadske, and Radio Free Europe, was an award-winning journalist. She received the 2022 Courage in Journalism Award for her courageous reportage from Mariupol during its prolonged siege. On October 10,...

October 11, 2024

European Parliament Warns on Shrinking Media Freedom in Turkey

October 11, 2024 - Turkey - The European Parliament passed a resolution highlighting a concerning deterioration in press freedom in Turkey, as the judiciary continues granting prison sentences to journalists and activists. The motion condemned what it called systemic suppression of independent media, irregular prosecutions under vaguely defined laws, and politically motivated censorship actions. The resolution is timely: 2024 marked “a lost year” for Turkish media, with journalist associations reporting a sharp uptick in judicial harassment and sentencing. According to Index on Censorship, 36 journalists received convictions in the year leading up to May 2025—resulting...

October 10, 2024

Shot for Reporting: Two Al Jazeera Cameramen Critically Wounded in Gaza

October 10, 2024 - Palestine - Two Al Jazeera cameramen, Ali al-Attar and Fadi al-Wahidi, were critically injured in separate Israeli strikes while reporting from Gaza. Both were wearing marked press vests and documenting the humanitarian crisis in refugee camps when they were shot by Israeli forces, in what media watchdogs describe as a deliberate assault on journalists. Fadi al-Wahidi, a veteran journalist, was struck by sniper fire in the neck while filming in Jabalia refugee camp. He was immediately rushed to Al-Ahli Hospital, where doctors revealed that the bullet had damaged major arteries and...

October 9, 2024

Al Jazeera Condemns Systematic Targeting of Journalists by Israeli Forces

October 09, 2024 - Palestine - Al Jazeera Media Network released a press statement sharply criticizing Israeli Occupation Forces for the deliberate targeting of its journalists in Gaza. The escalation began with the shooting of two cameramen—Ali al‑Attar and Fadi al‑Wahidi—in different parts of northern Gaza. Al‑Wahidi sustained a neck wound while covering a military assault in Jabalia camp, and two days prior, al‑Attar was injured while documenting displaced civilians in Deir al‑Balah. The network stated that these were "grave violations" of journalistic safety and international law. Al Jazeera rejected Israeli military claims, labeling six of its reporters as...

October 9, 2024

Tragic Toll: Photojournalist Mohammad al‑Tanani Killed in Northern Gaza

October 09, 2024 - Palestine - Israeli warplanes struck an Al‑Aqsa TV news crew near the Abu Sharakh roundabout in Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza. The strike killed photojournalist Mohammad al‑Tanani and injured reporter Tamer Lubbad, according to Al‑Aqsa TV’s Telegram announcement. The targeting appeared intentional, aimed at media crews, and ambulances were reportedly delayed from accessing the scene. This tragic incident marks yet another escalation in the violence against journalists in Gaza. With al‑Tanani’s death, the Gaza Media Office placed the total number of journalists killed since the start of the intensified Israeli offensive...

October 7, 2024

Hassan Hamad’s Killing Highlights Alarm Over Journalist Safety in Gaza

October 06, 2024 - Palestine - 19-year-old freelance journalist Hassan Hamad was killed when an Israeli artillery strike hit his home in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. In the days before his death, Hamad had received explicit threats via WhatsApp from an individual posing as an Israeli officer, warning him to stop filming Israeli military actions or face deadly consequences—a chilling precursor to the strike that ended his life. A freelance reporter whose footage had been featured by major outlets like Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye, Hamad's work focused on exposing the impacts of...

October 6, 2024

A Year of Silence: Over 1,000 Violations Against Palestinian Media

October 10, 2024 - Palestine - Marking one year since Israel launched its military campaign on Gaza in October 2023, the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) and IFEX released a harrowing report detailing 1,029 Israeli violations against Palestinian media and journalists. The report, titled “A Palestinian Media Nakba,” reveals a systematic, year-long assault on press freedom, which both organizations argue amounts to an intentional silencing of Palestinian voices. The violations include killings, injuries, arrests, censorship, and destruction of media infrastructure. Among the most devastating findings is the death toll: at least 130...

October 6, 2024

The Death of Journalism in Malaysia: Shrinking Media, Growing Censorship

October 05, 2024 - Malaysia - Malaysian media watchers raised the alarm over a dramatic collapse of independent journalism. A collaborative analysis by Malaysia Today and Eurasia Review paints a stark portrait: over 71 journalists laid off since February, two online news outlets shuttered, and a creeping “new regime of censorship” reshaping the media landscape. This crackdown is driven by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which has blocked dozens of websites and journalists after negative coverage of the government. In return, the state offers conditional funding, dictating allowable content and effectively neutering editorial...

October 6, 2024

September Onslaught: 185 Violations Against Palestinian Journalists in One Month

October 05, 2024 - Palestine - Israeli forces committed 185 documented violations against Palestinian journalists in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS). The figures, released in a detailed report, underscore a deliberate campaign to silence Palestinian media voices amid intensifying conflict and occupation. Among the violations, the most severe were two journalist fatalities in Gaza and the injury of nine others in the West Bank by live ammunition while covering protests or military operations. These incidents, PJS states, were not isolated or accidental but part of an escalating...

October 6, 2024

Silencing Their Own: Palestinian Authority Condemned for Shutting Down Al Jazeera

October 04, 2024 - Palestine - The Palestinian Authority (PA) sparked outrage by suspending Al Jazeera’s broadcasts in the occupied West Bank. Citing accusations of incitement, the PA moved to silence one of the region’s most prominent news outlets during a period of heightened tension. The action immediately drew condemnation from journalist unions, human rights groups, and civil society, who warned that this internal repression mirrors the very authoritarian tactics Palestinians have long opposed. According to Middle East Eye, several groups, including the Palestinian Media Forum and the Lawyers for Justice group, denounced the suspension...

October 6, 2024

Ethiopian State Journalist Detained in Amhara Amid Crackdown

October 04, 2024 - Ethiopia - Yeshihasab Abera, deputy editor at the state-owned Bekur newspaper in Bahir Dar, Amhara region, was forcefully taken from his office by Ethiopian security forces. His whereabouts have remained unknown since his transfer to a detention facility in Dangila. Authorities have refused to disclose any charges or allow communication with legal counsel or family, raising alarm among press freedom advocates. Abera’s arrest occurred amid a broader government offensive in Amhara targeting civilians, academics, and media professionals under the guise of "law enforcement operations" following the integration of regional militias into...

October 6, 2024

UK Tribunal Rules Northern Ireland Police Illegally Spied on Journalists

October 04, 2023 - Ireland/UK - In a landmark ruling in December 2024, the UK’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) found that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Metropolitan Police unlawfully conducted covert surveillance on journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey in 2018. The covert operation—authorized by then-Chief Constable Sir George Hamilton—took place during the investigation into the Loughinisland massacre documentary, No Stone Unturned, which accused police of collusion in the 1994 killings of six Catholic men during the Troubles. The tribunal determined that the surveillance violated human rights and journalistic source protections because it failed to assess whether...

October 6, 2024

Fear and Repression: CPJ Sounds Alarm Over Attacks on Journalists in Senegal

October 04, 2024 - Senegal - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a stark warning over the growing threats to press freedom in Senegal following a wave of arrests and physical attacks targeting journalists. Between September 30 and October 2, 2024, at least four media workers faced detention or assault in a troubling escalation of state and non-state hostility toward the press. On September 30, journalist Kader Dia, a political commentator for Sen TV, was arrested by the cybercrime police after making televised remarks that allegedly insulted Senegalese police officers. He was held...

October 4, 2024

Twelve Months of Courage: Global Solidarity with Gaza’s Journalists

October 04, 2024 - Palestine - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) marked one year since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, calling it the deadliest period for journalism in recent history. In 12 months, at least 128 Palestinian journalists were killed, with the total number of journalist fatalities in the region—including Israel, Lebanon, and Syria—reaching 138. The IFJ described the devastation as a “media Nakba,” a term evoking both human tragedy and cultural erasure. The relentless Israeli bombardment not only took lives but also dismantled Gaza’s media infrastructure. Twenty-one radio stations were destroyed...

October 4, 2024

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Fico Files SLAPP Lawsuit Against Prominent Editor

October 04, 2024 - Slovakia - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico initiated a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) targeting Peter Bárdy, editor-in-chief of Aktuality.sk, and publisher Ringier Slovak Media. The lawsuit concerns the use of Fico’s photograph on the cover of Bárdy’s book titled Fico – Obsessed with Power. Fico is seeking €100,000 in damages from each defendant, claiming misuse of his likeness and non-material harm, despite not challenging the book's content. The International Press Institute (IPI), along with nine press freedom organisations, including CPJ, RSF, EFJ, ECPMF, and others, condemned the legal action as a...

October 4, 2024

Judicial Harassment in Peru: Paola Ugaz’s Communications Secrecy Lifted

October 04, 2024 - Peru - Peruvian investigative journalist Paola Ugaz—known for exposing sexual, physical, and financial abuses within the Catholic lay organization Sodalitium Christianae Vitae—faces a disturbing escalation in legal pressure: a court has ordered the lifting of confidentiality on her phone records and geolocation data from 2013 to 2020. This unprecedented judicial move stems from two stacked criminal suits against Ugaz: one for alleged money laundering in 2021, and a broader illicit enrichment inquiry initiated in August 2023. These cases, part of a long campaign of intimidation by interests tied to the Sodalitium,...

October 4, 2024

Russia Targets Foreign Journalist with Threats and Legal Action over Kursk War Coverage

October 04, 2024 - Russia/Ukraine - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the Russian government's threat against Italian journalist Davide Maria De Luca, marking a new low in the country's ongoing crackdown on independent war reporting. De Luca, a freelance correspondent for the Italian newspaper Domani, had been reporting from the Russian border region of Kursk following a Ukrainian incursion in late September 2024. While embedded with Ukrainian forces, De Luca produced a series of reports and videos documenting the aftermath of the conflict, including footage from Sudzha, a Russian town briefly entered by Ukrainian troops....

October 4, 2024

Censorship and Crackdowns: Israeli Journalists Face Rising Repression Amid Gaza War

October 04, 2024 - Palestine - In the year following Hamas’s October 2023 attack and the ensuing war on Gaza, Israeli journalists have faced an alarming rise in state repression, censorship, and intimidation, according to a new report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). While much of the world’s focus has been on the devastation in Gaza, the media climate inside Israel has also deteriorated sharply, with press freedom increasingly sacrificed in the name of national security. RSF outlines how the Israeli government has expanded censorship laws, particularly targeting media outlets perceived as critical of its...

October 4, 2024

Azerbaijan’s Press Freedom Crisis Deepens as 11 Journalists Remain Detained Ahead of COP29

October 04, 2024 - Azerbaijan - In a politically charged crackdown coinciding with Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 in Baku, authorities have prolonged the pretrial detention of 11 journalists from independent media outlets, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). These individuals face criminal charges related to alleged currency smuggling—accusations widely criticized as politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent. The journalists represent four critical outlets: Toplum TV, Kanal 13, Abzas Media, and Meclis.info. Pretrial detention extensions by as much as three months were issued in August and September 2024. Among those affected are Alashgar...

October 3, 2024

Gaza in the Dark: How Israel Engineered a Year-Long Media Blackout

October 03, 2024 - Palestine - One year since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has exposed how Israeli forces have systematically dismantled Gaza’s media landscape, orchestrating a near-total blackout on independent journalism. The conflict has become the deadliest for journalists in recent history, and the deliberate targeting of media infrastructure has stripped both local and global audiences of critical access to information. According to RSF, over 130 journalists have been killed in Gaza over the past year, with at least 32 of them deliberately targeted while on assignment....

October 3, 2024

Two Belgian Journalists Wounded While Covering Beirut Airstrikes

October 03, 2024 - Belgium/Lebanon - Two Belgian reporters working for Flemish broadcaster VTM News—correspondent Robin Ramaekers (49) and cameraman Stijn De Smet (37)—were wounded on October 2, 2024, while covering Israeli airstrikes in central Beirut, as part of the broader Israel–Hezbollah conflict. Their injuries occurred during a live report on bombing strikes targeting Hezbollah-related sites in the city’s southern suburbs. Ramaekers sustained facial fractures, while De Smet was shot in the leg. Both were quickly hospitalized and survived the attack, which also killed six civilians and injured eleven others in that blast. Their coverage, alongside...

October 3, 2024

France 24’s Wassim Nasr Faces Terrorism Investigations in the Sahel

October 03, 2024 - France - France 24 journalist Wassim Nasr, an expert on jihadist movements in the Sahel region, is under formal investigation in September 2024 by the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Prosecutors in all three countries accuse him of “complicity” and “apology for terrorism” following his coverage of jihadist attacks, including the deadly September 17 bombing in Bamako and violence in Djibo, Burkina Faso. These governments, which came to power through coups and have subsequently distanced themselves from Western allies, claim Nasr’s commentary “amounts to blatant support” for terrorist groups...

October 3, 2024

Cuban Journalist Yeris Curbelo Aguilera Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Reporting

October 03, 2024 - Cuba - Independent Cuban journalist and activist Yeris Curbelo Aguilera has been sentenced to two years in prison in what press freedom advocates call a politically motivated move aimed at silencing dissent. Curbelo, who reports for non-state outlets Palenque Visión and CubaNet, was convicted on September 24, 2024, of “causing minor injuries” during an altercation with several young men in Guantánamo earlier this year. He was originally arrested on June 16, detained for two days, and released on bail pending trial. Curbelo and human rights groups maintain that the confrontation was...

October 3, 2024

Press Freedom in Georgia Threatened by Polarization and Political Pressure

October 03, 2024 - Georgia - A recent press freedom mission to Georgia by international media watchdogs, including the Council of Europe’s Safety of Journalists Platform and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), has issued a stark warning: Georgia’s press environment is deteriorating rapidly amid growing political polarization and state hostility. Their report, “Press Freedom and the Safety of Journalists in Peril,” reveals that journalists in the country are facing systemic harassment, legal intimidation, and a climate of fear ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections. The findings highlight a troubling pattern of verbal and physical...

October 3, 2024

JTI Expands Auditing Reach in France to Strengthen Trusted Journalism

October 03, 2024 - France - The Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI), launched by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in 2019, is bolstering its capacity to promote transparency, ethics, and editorial independence by expanding its network of accredited auditors in France and neighboring regions. Previously limited to a single auditor, the JTI now includes two ISO‑17065-accredited firms—CEVA Solution and ICPF, authorized to independently audit media outlets in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. This expansion supports around 120 media outlets already engaged in the JTI process, including approximately 50 entering audits, by offering more local options and greater flexibility....

October 3, 2024

Senegal’s Cybercrime Crackdown: Political Journalist Questioned and Detained

October 03, 2024 - Senegal - Respected Senegalese political analyst and journalist Cheikh Yerim Seck was summoned to the cybercrime division of Dakar police and detained following remarks made on private television channel 7 TV. During the broadcast, Seck challenged official government figures on the country’s economic conditions, citing data from the Ministry of Finance. Authorities subsequently charged him with "spreading false news" and defamation. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), alongside the Coordination of Press Associations (CAP) and the Senegalese journalists’ union SYNPICS, denounced the detention as arbitrary and abusive. IFJ Secretary General Anthony Bellanger...

October 3, 2024

Russia Intensifies Crackdown on Foreign Journalists Over ‘Illegal’ Border Reporting

October 03, 2024 - Russia - Russia has escalated its crackdown on independent war reporting by launching criminal proceedings against several foreign journalists who covered Ukraine’s brief incursion into the Kursk region in August 2024. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the charges as politically motivated and is urging Russian authorities to drop them immediately. Among those targeted are Kathryn Diss, Europe bureau chief for Australia’s ABC News, and Italian journalists Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini from RAI. All three were reporting from the Russian border town of Sudzha while embedded with Ukrainian...

October 2, 2024

Catholic Journalist killed in DR Congo, possibly for just $5

October 2, 2024 - Source: cruxnow.com - YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – A Congolese journalist and coordinator of Radio Maria – a Catholic radio station found in the war-ravaged eastern town of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – has been killed. Edmond Bahle Monja was shot point blank in Ndosho, a district of Goma. He was returning from work when he was killed. His sister, Irene Semakuba told journalists that when she learned that his brother had been murdered, she didn’t believe it. “I had the courage to rush to the spot where his...

October 2, 2024

Sudan journalists: ‘90% of media infrastructure wiped out by war’

October 2, 2024 - Source: dabangasudan - The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate (SJS) report that the war in Sudan has decimated the country’s media sector, destroying 90 per cent of its infrastructure and displacing around a thousand journalists. Many media institutions were systematically looted, forcing journalists to flee or seek work in other professions, according to statements made at the SJS conference in Cairo on Tuesday. Eman Fadul, Secretary of Freedoms at the SJS, outlined these challenges, stating that “80 per cent of Sudan’s states were cut off from internet and communications, making it difficult to report on...

October 2, 2024

Six Years On: Khashoggi’s Murder Remains Unpunished, Global Outcry Persists

October 02, 2024 - Turkey/Saudi Arabia - Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul—lured for consular paperwork, strangled, and dismembered by a team of Saudi agents. Despite overwhelming international evidence, including U.S. and U.N. intelligence pointing to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s involvement, justice has remained elusive. In 2019, Saudi Arabia quietly tried and convicted eight individuals—five sentenced to death (later pardoned) and three imprisoned—for the murder. However, the trial held behind closed doors failed to implicate any senior officials, igniting widespread concern that this was a staged display...

October 2, 2024

Death Threats Against Serbian Journalists Over Kosovo Reporting

October 02, 2024 - Kosovo/Serbia - Serbian news agency Tanjug is facing grave threats to its staff following coverage of Kosovo that sparked a chilling death threat. On September 30, 2024, the agency received an email threatening to “shoot journalists in the back of the head” if they entered Kosovo. The sender accused Tanjug of being a propaganda tool of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and condemned its use of the term “Kosovo and Metohija,” a phrase rejected by many Kosovar Albanians as a denial of Kosovo’s sovereignty. The threat included surveillance claims, stating the sender...

October 2, 2024

Digital Retaliation: Hackers Strike Ukrainian Investigative Outlet Slidstvo.Info

October 02, 2024 - Ukraine - Within an hour after Slidstvo.Info published a high‑profile investigation detailing a luxurious apartment secretly owned by the mother‑in‑law of Vitalii Koval—Ukraine’s newly appointed Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food—the outlet’s website came under a targeted cyber‑attack. According to the platform’s security provider, the DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) assault began precisely at 17:00 local time, just sixty minutes after the article’s 16:01 publication, lasting around 30 minutes. Though the website remained online, the timing strongly indicates the attack was a calculated attempt to disrupt the outlet’s reporting. The exposé had...

October 1, 2024

“I Chose Freedom Over Justice”: Assange Speaks at Landmark Council of Europe Hearing

October 01, 2024 - UK - Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, recently released after 14 years of legal limbo, made his first public remarks on October 1, 2024, addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg. In a powerful and emotional testimony, Assange reflected on the personal cost of his prosecution and the broader threat it poses to press freedom worldwide. Appearing before European lawmakers, Assange said he had pleaded guilty not because he believed he committed a crime, but because it was the only path to freedom. “I pleaded guilty...

October 1, 2024

Senegalese Editors Join IFJ Initiative to Strengthen Ethical Reporting

October 01, 2024 - Senegal - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has taken a vital step in reshaping how migration is covered in the media by consulting editors in Senegal on the ethical and accurate reporting of migration-related issues. This initiative, part of a broader effort across West Africa, aims to equip newsroom leaders with the tools and awareness needed to guide journalists in reporting migration stories with sensitivity, depth, and responsibility. Migration remains a deeply personal and politically charged issue in Senegal, where thousands undertake perilous journeys in search of better opportunities. Media...

October 1, 2024

Ten Years for Truth: Cameroonian Journalist Kingsley Njoka Jailed in Military Court

October 01, 2024 - Cameroon - Cameroonian journalist Kingsley Fumunyuy Njoka has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a military tribunal, drawing international condemnation for what press freedom advocates describe as an egregious attack on journalism. Njoka, a freelance journalist known for reporting on the Anglophone crisis, was convicted on September 24, 2024, of “secession” and “complicity with an armed group”—charges widely regarded as politically motivated and baseless. Njoka was first arrested in May 2020 in Douala without a warrant. Authorities accused him of managing WhatsApp groups allegedly linked to separatists and claimed...

October 1, 2024

Anti-Corruption Blogger Otabek Sattoriy Muzzled After Prison—RSF Raises Alarm

October 01, 2024 - Uzbekistan - Otabek Sattoriy, a prominent independent anti-corruption blogger in Uzbekistan, remains eerily silent and unreachable eight months after his judicial “release,” Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reports. Despite a February 5, 2024, court decision commuting his original sentence to “correctional work” and a fine equivalent to 20% of his income, Sattoriy has neither appeared publicly nor maintained any contact with media, family, or civil society. He also hasn’t posted on social media, contradicting the court’s mandate that he be permitted to do so.  Sattoriy's troubles began with his coverage of corruption...

October 1, 2024

Two Journalists Charged Over Reporting on President’s Exit Plan

October 01, 2024 - Gambia - In a troubling attack on media freedom, Gambian authorities have arrested and charged two respected journalists—Charles Faye, publisher of The Standard, and Babucarr Mbye, editor of The Trumpet—for allegedly publishing “false news” related to President Adama Barrow’s succession plans. The arrests took place on September 25, 2024, after the outlets ran a report claiming Barrow would delay stepping down for another term—an assertion the presidency quickly called “unverified and false.” The journalists are now facing charges under Section 133(1) of The Gambia’s Criminal Code, a provision frequently criticized for...

October 1, 2024

Shut Out of the Debate: RSF Urges UK Parties to End Media Access Restrictions

October 01, 2024 - UK - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has strongly criticized political parties in the United Kingdom for increasingly restricting journalists' access to their annual conferences. Citing multiple reports of denied accreditations and opaque press entry procedures, RSF warned that such practices are incompatible with democratic principles and threaten the integrity of political discourse in Britain. The warning follows a series of incidents in which media professionals, including those from smaller outlets, freelancers, and international journalists, were either barred from attending or faced excessive hurdles to obtain access to key party gatherings. These...

October 1, 2024

Damascus Strike Claims Life of Prominent State TV Anchor Safaa Ahmad

October 01, 2024 - Syria - Israeli airstrikes rocked Damascus, hitting the Mezzeh district and its surroundings. Refugee and news agencies reported that at least three civilians were killed, and nine injured, as Syrian air defenses scrambled in response to incoming drones and missiles—allegedly launched from the occupied Golan Heights. Among the dead was Safaa Ahmad, a well-known presenter on Syria State TV. Joining the station in 2002, she hosted cultural talk shows and the flagship morning program "Sabah Al-Kheir". Her death marked the first journalist killed in Syria in 2024. The International Federation of Journalists...

October 1, 2024

Salvini Sparks Debate Over RAI Independence After Unfiltered Monologue Airing

October 01, 2024 - Italy - A single four-minute video of Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini aired uncritically on public news channel Rainews24 on September 14 has reignited concerns about political influence over RAI’s editorial independence. The clip, in which Salvini defended his handling of the 2019 Open Arms migrant rescue crisis ahead of his trial for alleged kidnapping, was broadcast directly from his social media, with no accompanying commentary or critical analysis—a move that prompted alarm from journalists and media freedom advocates. RAI’s editorial board swiftly condemned the broadcast, accusing political figures of exploiting...

October 1, 2024

Silenced for Spotlight: Award-Winning Investigative Journalist Mech Dara Arrested in Cambodia

October 01, 2024 - Cambodia - Cambodian investigative journalist Mech Dara, renowned for uncovering human trafficking and online scam networks, was detained on September 30, 2024, by military police at a toll booth near Sihanoukville while traveling with his family. He was formally charged on October 1 under Cambodian anti-incitement laws—specifically articles 494 and 495—for “inciting social unrest” related to Facebook posts that highlighted environmental damage to a sacred mountain site from quarry activity. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court remanded him in pretrial detention at Kandal Provincial Prison, where he may face up to two years...

October 1, 2024

Fiction Turned Threat: JD Vance’s False Claims Spark Real-World Attacks on Journalists

September 30, 2024 - Haiti - Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance has come under fire from press freedom advocates after promoting a fabricated story that sparked a wave of threats against journalists and immigrant communities in the United States. The controversy erupted in September 2024 when Vance repeated a baseless claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were stealing and eating local pets. Despite the story having no factual basis and being debunked by police, Vance defended his use of the false narrative, stating he would “create stories so the American media pays attention.” The...

September 30, 2024

RT Still Reaching Europe: RSF Sounds Alarm Over Evasion of EU Sanctions

September 30, 2024 - France/Russia - Despite being officially banned across the European Union since March 2022, Russia’s state-controlled broadcaster RT continues to reach French and wider EU audiences with ease through its website and mirror links. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned what it calls a “glaring loophole” in the EU’s sanctions regime, warning that the Kremlin’s propaganda machine is bypassing restrictions with minimal resistance. RT’s satellite and cable broadcasts were halted in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as part of a broader EU strategy to combat disinformation and state propaganda. However, RSF’s...

September 30, 2024

Balkan Gateway: How RT Circumvents EU Sanctions to Spread Kremlin Propaganda in Serbia

September 30, 2024 - Kosovo/Serbia/Russia - Although the European Union has banned Russia’s state-run RT from broadcasting within its borders, RT Balkan continues to push Kremlin-aligned content throughout the Western Balkans, most notably from its base in Belgrade. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warns that this ongoing media operation poses a serious threat to the EU’s efforts to combat disinformation and safeguard media integrity. Operating outside the jurisdiction of EU sanctions, Serbia has allowed RT Balkan to flourish. From Belgrade, the outlet publishes a steady stream of pro-Russian narratives that are widely picked up by local...

September 30, 2024

RSF Unveils Propaganda Monitor to Expose Global Disinformation Networks

September 30, 2024 - General Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has launched a major new initiative called The Propaganda Monitor, a multimedia investigative platform designed to uncover and analyze the global machinery of state-led propaganda and disinformation. Announced on September 30, 2024, the project aims to strengthen media literacy, expose propaganda disguised as journalism, and support policymakers, journalists, and the public in countering false narratives that threaten democratic societies. The Propaganda Monitor will provide in-depth investigations, profiles of key propagandists, expert interviews, and a wide range of resources to explain how authoritarian states—particularly Russia—weaponize media to...

September 30, 2024

Unprecedented Carnage: 128 Journalists Killed in Israel-Gaza War Amid Mounting Calls for Accountability

September 30, 2024 - Palestine - The Israel-Gaza conflict has become the deadliest war for journalists in modern history, with at least 128 media workers killed between October 7, 2023, and October 2024. According to a joint report from The NewsGuild and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the majority of the victims—123—were Palestinian, alongside four Israeli journalists and one Lebanese. This staggering toll has shattered all previous records since CPJ began documenting journalist fatalities in 1992. Many of the journalists killed were not caught in crossfire but were deliberately targeted. CPJ has confirmed that...

September 30, 2024

Diana Panchenko: From Ukrainian Journalist to Kremlin Propagandist

September 30, 2024 - Russia/Ukraine - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned Ukrainian-born journalist Diana Panchenko for actively spreading Kremlin propaganda under the guise of independent journalism. Once a presenter on Ukrainian television, Panchenko has transformed into a key figure in Russia’s international disinformation strategy, using sophisticated video content and pseudo-journalistic framing to push narratives that support Moscow’s agenda and undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty. Panchenko began her media career in Ukraine, working for outlets like NewsOne and First Independent stations later sanctioned for their pro-Russian stances. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, she relocated...

September 30, 2024

Georgia’s “Family Values” Bill Silences Media Coverage of LGBTQ+ Issues

September 30, 2024 - Europe - Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party passed a sweeping legislative package titled “On Family Values and Protection of Minors”, adopting the bill through its third and final reading by a vote of 84–0. This package amends 18 existing laws—including the Freedom of Speech Act and broadcasting regulations—and explicitly bans media outlets from covering LGBTQ+ content. Under Article 8, broadcasters are prohibited from promoting “identification with a gender other than one’s biological sex or relationships between individuals of the same biological sex based on sexual orientation.” Violators face fines of 1,000 GEL...

September 30, 2024

Italy’s Kremlin Ally: Propagandist Spreads Disinformation from Ukraine to West Africa

September 30, 2024 - Burkina Faso/Russia/Ukraine - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has unveiled the operations of Italian national Vittorio Nicola Rangeloni, a self-proclaimed journalist who has spent nearly a decade amplifying Kremlin propaganda across conflict zones—from Russian-occupied Ukraine to Burkina Faso. RSF’s investigation reveals how Rangeloni’s work blurs the line between journalism and state-backed disinformation, positioning him as a key player in Moscow’s global information war. Rangeloni, a 32-year-old from Lecco, Italy, with partial Russian heritage, rose to prominence by producing media content in Eastern Ukraine that mirrored the Kremlin’s narrative. Fluent in Russian and...

September 30, 2024

Haitian Journalist Threatened After Exposing Reuters’ Gifts to Gang Leader

September 30, 2024 - Haiti - Widlore Mérancourt, editor-in-chief of Haiti’s investigative outlet AyiboPost, has been forced into hiding after receiving death threats for publishing a report revealing that Reuters journalists gave gifts to notorious Haitian gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier. Mérancourt’s September 18, 2024, article detailed how Cherizier showed off items—including balaclavas, alcohol, and cigarettes—that he claimed were provided by a Reuters reporter and photographer. The article sparked national attention and raised serious concerns about the ethics of foreign media reporting from crisis zones. Just a week after publication, Cherizier issued a chilling threat...

September 30, 2024

Russia-Linked Disinformation Spoofs European Media to Spread Propaganda

September 30, 2024 - Russia/Ukraine - The International Press Institute (IPI) has revealed a coordinated campaign of mass spoofing targeting European news outlets, exposing a new and alarming tactic in Russia-linked disinformation efforts. Fake websites mimicking trusted media brands are being used to spread pro-Kremlin narratives while eroding public trust in journalism across the continent. According to IPI’s investigation, dozens of spoofed domains have been identified in recent months, including counterfeit versions of prominent outlets in Ukraine, France, Germany, and the Balkans. These sites replicate the design, logos, and even the URLs of legitimate news...

September 28, 2024

Unlocking Information, Empowering Democracy: IFJ and FAJ Urge Stronger Access Laws in Africa

September 28, 2024 - Africa - On the occasion of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its African affiliate, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), called on African governments to adopt and enforce meaningful access-to-information (ATI) laws. They emphasized that robust information access is not just a media issue—it’s a cornerstone of democratic governance, transparency, and accountability. In many African countries, journalists still struggle to obtain basic public data necessary for reporting. Weak or outdated ATI laws, bureaucratic red tape, and state secrecy all contribute to...

September 27, 2024

Collateral Freedom: RSF Restores Access to Censored News in Russia and China

September 27, 2024 - China/Russia - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has reignited its digital resistance campaign, Operation Collateral Freedom, unblocking nearly 50 censored news websites in Russia and China. By creating mirror versions of independent media outlets hosted on major cloud services, RSF is helping millions reclaim access to journalism suppressed by authoritarian regimes. Launched in observance of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, the operation targets two of the world’s most heavily censored countries. In Russia, where the government has blocked or dismantled most independent outlets since the invasion of Ukraine, RSF...

September 27, 2024

Legal Intimidation in Ukraine: IPI Condemns Lawsuit Campaign by Politician Andriy Portnov

September 27, 2024 - Russia/Ukraine - The International Press Institute (IPI) has strongly condemned a campaign of defamation lawsuits filed by Ukrainian politician and lawyer Andriy Portnov against several independent media outlets and journalists. The organization warns that this strategy represents a dangerous attempt to silence critical reporting through legal harassment, posing a significant threat to press freedom in Ukraine. Portnov, a former deputy head of ex-President Viktor Yanukovych’s administration, began filing lawsuits in 2023 targeting journalists and outlets such as the Kyiv Independent, Hromadske, and the investigative unit Schemes. These lawsuits primarily object to...

September 27, 2024

Tsunami of Digital Hate: Over 37,000 Online Attacks Target Brazilian Journalists Before Local Elections

September 27, 2024 - Brazil - As Brazil prepares for its October 2024 municipal elections, a disturbing wave of digital hostility has engulfed the country’s press. According to a new report by the Coalition in Defense of Journalism (CDJor), with support from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), more than 37,000 online attacks were recorded against journalists in just six weeks—from August 15 to September 27. The majority of these attacks took place on X (formerly Twitter), which accounted for 90% of all incidents. Posts often included derogatory slurs like “trash,” “shame,” or “activist,” and painted journalists...

September 27, 2024

No to Secrets: Journalists Worldwide Demand End to Information Blackouts

September 27, 2024 - General - On the occasion of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) launched a global campaign titled “No to Secrets,” urging governments around the world to stop restricting access to public information. The campaign highlights the vital role of transparency in upholding democracy, combating corruption, and empowering citizens to hold their leaders accountable. In recent years, many governments have tightened controls over information, using national security, anti-terrorism laws, and state secrecy provisions to shield official documents and data from public view. These legal...

September 27, 2024

Digital Battleground: 37,000 Online Attacks Target Journalists Ahead of Brazil’s Local Elections

September 27, 2024 - Brazil - In the month leading up to Brazil’s October 2024 municipal elections, journalists faced an unprecedented wave of online hostility. According to a report by the Coalition in Defense of Journalism (CDJor), more than 37,000 online attacks were recorded against journalists between August 15 and September 27—an alarming figure that underscores a growing crisis for press freedom in Brazil’s digital sphere. The majority of these attacks—nearly 90%—were launched on X (formerly Twitter), where journalists were systematically targeted with slurs, threats, and campaigns aimed at discrediting their work. Reporters Without Borders...

September 26, 2024

Truth Without Borders: IJ4EU Awards Honor Cross-Border Journalism’s Impact

September 26, 2024 - General - At the 2024 UNCOVERED Conference in Athens, the Investigative Journalism for Europe (IJ4EU) Impact Awards celebrated the power of cross-border collaboration in exposing injustice and holding the powerful to account. Three groundbreaking investigations were each awarded €5,000 for their significant public impact, innovative reporting methods, and international reach. One of the award-winning investigations, The Pylos Shipwreck: Reconstruction of a Catastrophe, meticulously uncovered the details of a 2023 migrant boat disaster off the Greek coast that claimed over 500 lives. Through forensic modeling, survivor interviews, and collaboration between outlets like...

September 26, 2024

Polarized Voices, Fragile Freedoms: Armenia’s Struggle for Independent Journalism

September 26, 2024 - Armenia - Armenia’s media landscape has made important strides since the 2018 Velvet Revolution, but a new analysis by the International Press Institute (IPI) reveals that press freedom remains on uncertain footing. Despite climbing to 34th in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, Armenia faces mounting challenges, including rising political polarization, waning public trust, and weak legal protections for journalists. One of the most pressing concerns is the growing perception that media outlets are politically biased. Many prominent news platforms are closely aligned either with the ruling Civil Contract Party or...

September 26, 2024

Kyrgyzstan’s Media Under Siege: Prosecutors Push for Six‑Year Jail Terms for Investigative Journalists

September 26, 2024 - Kyrgyzstan - In a troubling escalation of media repression in Kyrgyzstan, prosecutors have demanded six-year prison sentences for 11 journalists associated with Temirov Live, a prominent independent investigative outlet. The charges against them—ranging from “calling for mass unrest” to “creating an organised criminal group”—follow a January 2024 raid on their homes and offices. The case centers on journalists, including current and former staff: Makhabat Tajibek kyzy, Aktilek Kaparov, Aike Beishekeyeva, and Azamat Ishenbekov, four of whom remain in detention, while others are under house arrest or travel bans. Prosecutors claim the group’s reports contained "indirect" incitement, even...

September 26, 2024

“At This Rate, Journalists in Gaza Will Vanish”—RSF Sounds the Alarm

September 26, 2024 - Palestine - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has issued a stark warning: since October 7, over 130 journalists have been killed in Gaza—at least 32 while reporting—a number so high that RSF fears the enclave may soon be without frontline media workers. Across Gaza, press vests no longer offer protection; instead, they have become targets. On September 26, RSF coordinated flash protests in ten countries, protesting the relentless killings and demanding urgent safeguards for journalists and granting safe access for foreign press. Director-General Thibaut Bruttin underscored that the “massacre of journalists…threatens to...

September 26, 2024

Crackdown Continues: Hong Kong Editors Sentenced to Jail Under Colonial-Era Sedition Law

September 26, 2024 - China - In a stark signal of shrinking press freedoms in Hong Kong, two senior editors from the pro-democracy outlet Stand News—Chung Pui‑kuen and Patrick Lam—have been convicted under the colonial-era Sedition Ordinance. On 26 September 2024, a Hong Kong court sentenced Chung, the former editor-in-chief, to 21 months in prison, and Lam, who had served pretrial custody, received 11 months before time already served and health considerations led to his release. This marks the first use of the sedition law against media figures since the 1997 handover, escalating concerns about the city’s rapid...

September 25, 2024

UN Demands Justice in Killing of Pakistani Journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya

September 25, 2024 - Pakistan/Kenya - Nearly two years after the fatal shooting of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya, calls for justice have intensified. The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Irene Khan, has urged both Kenyan and Pakistani authorities to ensure full accountability for what she described as an "unlawful killing" that demands an independent and transparent investigation. Arshad Sharif, a prominent investigative journalist and vocal critic of Pakistan’s military, was forced into exile in 2022 following threats and legal harassment in his home country. He was killed on October 23, 2022,...

September 25, 2024

Lethal Frontlines: Nine Journalists Killed in Lebanon Amid Gaza Conflict Spillover

September 25, 2024 - Lebanon - Since the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023, Lebanon has become one of the deadliest places for journalists outside the Palestinian territories. According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), at least nine journalists and media workers have been killed in Lebanon as a result of Israeli airstrikes and escalating cross-border violence. These fatalities highlight the growing dangers faced by reporters covering one of the region’s most volatile frontlines. Among the most recent victims was Kamel Karaki, a cameraman with Al-Majd News, who was killed on 24...

September 25, 2024

Alaa Abdel Fattah’s Ongoing Detention Sparks Global Outcry

September 25, 2024 - Egypt/UK - British-Egyptian blogger and activist Alaa Abdel Fattah remains imprisoned in Egypt despite completing his five-year sentence in September 2024, prompting renewed international condemnation. Press freedom organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Press Institute (IPI), alongside a recent UN ruling, have declared his continued detention both arbitrary and illegal under international law. Alaa, a key figure in Egypt’s 2011 revolution and a longtime critic of government repression, was convicted in 2021 on charges of "spreading false news"—a broadly defined offense often used by Egyptian authorities to silence...

September 25, 2024

Hong Kong Denies Entry to AP Photojournalist in Alarming Blow to Press Freedom

September 25, 2024 - China - Hong Kong’s government has denied entry and refused a visa renewal for French photojournalist Louise Delmotte, who was working for the Associated Press. Her expulsion marks yet another troubling sign of the shrinking space for press freedom in the once semi-autonomous city. Delmotte had been based in Hong Kong since March 2023 and was widely recognized for her coverage of politically sensitive topics, including the trial of jailed pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai. According to reports, Delmotte’s work visa application was rejected without explanation earlier this year. On September...

September 25, 2024

Croatia’s Fragile Media Landscape Faces Legal, Political, and Economic Hurdles

September 25, 2024 - Croatia - A recent press freedom mission by the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) has found that Croatia’s media environment is under serious threat from entrenched political interference, outdated laws, and economic instability. While Croatia is an EU member and its constitution guarantees freedom of expression, the practical reality for journalists and media outlets is increasingly precarious. One of the most pressing concerns is the misuse of defamation and insult laws. These criminal statutes are frequently used in strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), designed...

September 24, 2024

From Whistleblower to Accused: Cambodian Journalist Charged with the Crime He Exposed

September 24, 2024 - Cambodia - In a disturbing twist, Cambodian journalist Ouk Mao, who helped expose illegal deforestation in the Phnom Chum Rok Sat community forest, now finds himself accused of the very crime he uncovered. Mao, 49, was charged with deforestation and incitement—serious offenses in Cambodia that carry prison terms of up to 10 and 2 years respectively—after he reported on land seizures and forest destruction linked to powerful political and military interests. Mao’s investigative work revealed how the Lin Vatey company, allegedly connected to military figures, had taken over large swaths of...

September 24, 2024

Detained Without Transparency: Kurdish-Iranian Journalist Fardin Mostafaei Held in Secret

September 24, 2024 - Iran - Iranian security forces arrested Fardin Mostafaei, a 39-year-old Kurdish investigative journalist and administrator of the popular Telegram channel Saqqez Rudaw, in a café in Saqqez, Kurdistan Province. He has since been held at an undisclosed location, with authorities neither revealing charges nor location—a form of enforced disappearance. Mostafaei’s tensions with the state began in November 2023 when Saqqez's cyber police (FATA) summoned him following complaints from the city’s governor. He was interrogated for allegedly "spreading false information" and “disturbing public opinion” related to his reporting on local socio-economic issues. PEN...

September 24, 2024

Six Years of Impunity: RSF Denounces the Unsolved Killing of Mexican Journalist Mario Gómez Sánchez

September 24, 2024 - Mexico - veteran reporter Mario Leonel Gómez Sánchez, a correspondent for El Heraldo de Chiapas, was gunned down outside his home in Yajalón, Chiapas—Europe's most violent region for the press in Mexico—reportedly shot by two men on a motorcycle. Gómez, 41, had long exposed organized crime and corruption in local government, including threats received in 2016 from a congressman’s associate after he reported on alleged abuses. Though three suspects were arrested and convicted years later—with one receiving 25 years and two others 19 years—the intellectual authors behind the murder remain unidentified. The Chiapas...

September 24, 2024

Yemen’s Journalism Schools Adopt Landmark IFJ–UNESCO Safety Curriculum

September 24, 2024 - Yemen - In a milestone for press freedom and journalist protection, two Yemeni universities—Saba Region University in Marib and Al Mahrah University—have become the first in the country to adopt the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and UNESCO’s Media Safety Curriculum. The integration of this course into journalism programs marks a proactive step toward equipping future reporters with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the dangerous and politically unstable media landscape in Yemen. The curriculum, developed by IFJ and UNESCO with support from the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression...

September 24, 2024

Local Lifelines Under Fire: RSF and 547 Sahel Radio Stations Demand Urgent Protection

September 24, 2024 - Sahel - In a bold regional initiative, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), alongside 547 community radio stations across the Sahel, has launched an urgent appeal to protect local journalism from growing threats. The joint statement, released during a large-scale mobilization event in Bamako on September 24, 2024, underscores the vital role community radio plays in informing rural populations in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad—regions increasingly plagued by violence, extremism, and media suppression. Community radio stations in the Sahel are often the only accessible source of independent news for millions of people....

September 24, 2024

Afghanistan Silenced: Taliban Ban Live Political Broadcasts in Sweeping Censorship Drive

September 24, 2024 - Afghanistan - The Taliban have intensified their clampdown on press freedom by banning all live political broadcasts in Afghanistan, marking a chilling escalation in their control over the country’s media landscape. The directive, issued on September 21, 2024, by the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture, mandates that all political and current affairs programs be pre-recorded and vetted before airing. Broadcasters must also select their guests from a pre-approved list of 68 individuals and submit detailed plans of their programs in advance. This unprecedented restriction extends to both television and radio,...

September 23, 2024

The Future Is Fragile Without a Free Press

September 23, 2024 - General - United Nations Summit of the Future in New York, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), backed by 123 civil society organizations, called for urgent and concrete action to safeguard press freedom globally. Their appeal came days before the Summit opened on September 22 and emphasized that democratic principles and sustainable development cannot survive without free, independent media. The focus was on the UN’s “Pact for the Future,” a landmark document intended to guide global cooperation and sustainable development in the coming decades. CPJ acknowledged that the latest version of...

September 23, 2024

Belarus Jails Journalist Yauhen Nikalayevich in Renewed Crackdown on Dissent

September 23, 2024 - Belarus - Belarusian authorities have detained and sentenced journalist Yauhen Nikalayevich in what press freedom advocates are calling a clear act of retaliation against independent journalism. The 2024 arrest and subsequent sentencing mark yet another alarming chapter in Belarus’s ongoing suppression of critical voices under President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime. Nikalayevich, a former video reporter for Media Polesye, was initially targeted in 2020 after covering mass protests in Pinsk demanding Lukashenko’s resignation. He was arrested, reportedly beaten, and served 10 days in administrative detention before fleeing the country and ceasing his journalistic...

September 23, 2024

Somalia Must End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

September 23, 2024 - Somalia - Somalia is still grappling with a severe crisis: attacks on journalists persist while perpetrators rarely face justice. According to the International Press Institute (IPI), an alarming number of journalists killed in Somalia have never seen their killers prosecuted. In November 2023, IPI and the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) formally urged national institutions—including the Attorney General’s Office, the National Media Council, and the Ministry of Information—to prioritize journalist safety and thoroughly investigate at least 11 documented killings dating back to 2016. Despite constitutional guarantees of media freedom and commitments under...

September 23, 2024

Turkey Targets Kurdish Journalist Rabia Önver Over Crime Reporting

September 23, 2024 - Kurdistan/Turkey - Turkish authorities have launched a formal investigation into Kurdish journalist Rabia Önver, accusing her of “publicly spreading disinformation” after she reported on alleged corruption, narcotics trafficking, and prostitution involving officials in Hakkari province. The case marks a troubling escalation in the Turkish government’s use of its 2022 disinformation law to suppress independent journalism. On September 20, 2024, police reportedly raided Önver’s home in Hakkari under a prosecutor’s warrant, confiscating digital equipment and seeking her arrest, though she was not present at the time. The investigation was triggered by her reporting...

September 23, 2024

Indian TV Journalist Salman Ali Khan Gunned Down Calls for Justice Intensify

September 23, 2024 - India - Broadcast journalist Salman Ali Khan, aged 35 and affiliated with a local TV channel and YouTube, was tragically shot dead by three unidentified assailants on motorcycles near a hospital in Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh, on the evening of September 17, 2024. He was riding with his nine-year-old son when attackers opened fire; Khan was rushed to the hospital but died upon arrival. Earlier in February 2023, Khan had suffered a violent assault, attacked with a sword and knife, possibly motivated by a personal feud, which also injured his brother. The International...

September 23, 2024

Taliban Jamming of Afghanistan International: Sharp Media Crackdown in Kabul

September 23, 2024 - Afghanistan - The Taliban began jamming broadcasts of Afghanistan International (AITV), a London-based station delivering independent news to Afghan audiences. Starting September 5, Kabul viewers experienced intermittent “no signal” messages, while video evidence confirmed intentional disruption of the station’s satellite feed. CPJ condemned the move, labeling it “a new low” and urging the Taliban to halt its interference with AITV’s broadcasts. CPJ Program Director Carlos Martínez de la Serna warned that the use of “sophisticated technology” for jamming is alarming and emblematic of expanding efforts to silence independent journalism. An investigative report...

September 23, 2024

Sri Lanka’s New President Faces Urgent Call to Restore Press Freedom

September 23, 2024 - Sri Lanka - Election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake as Sri Lanka’s new president, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has issued a direct and urgent appeal, urging him to commit to restoring press freedom in a country where journalists have long endured censorship, harassment, and violence. Sri Lanka currently ranks 150th out of 180 countries in RSF’s World Press Freedom Index, reflecting a deep and ongoing erosion of media rights. RSF’s statement, released on September 23, highlights the deteriorating state of journalism under the previous government, where legislation such as the Prevention of...

September 22, 2024

UN Summit of the Future Breaches Promise on Right to Information and Expression

September 22, 2024 - UN - At the United Nations Summit of the Future in September 2024, expectations were high that global leaders would commit to robust protections for freedom of expression and access to information. However, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Article 19, the summit ultimately delivered a diluted outcome, prioritizing rhetoric over decisive action. RSF sharply criticized the final Pact for the Future and accompanying Global Digital Compact, describing them as “a missed opportunity” for advancing journalism and democratic information governance. These documents—adopted by UN member states on September 22—mention protecting journalists...

September 22, 2024

Israeli Forces Raid and Close Al Jazeera Office in Ramallah

September 22, 2024 - Palestine - Heavily armed and masked Israeli soldiers launched a pre-dawn raid on Al Jazeera's office in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. The raid was broadcast live, showing troops forcibly entering the bureau and handing a 45‑day closure order to bureau chief Walid al‑Omari, citing alleged “incitement to and support of terrorism”. Journalists were instructed to evacuate with only personal belongings; cameras, documents, and archives were confiscated. Tear gas was reportedly deployed, and soldiers dismantled a poster of the late Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Al Jazeera condemned the raid as a “criminal...

September 22, 2024

China Re-Arrests Zhang Zhan: RSF Condemns Renewed Persecution of Citizen Journalist

September 20, 2024 - China - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the re-arrest of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, calling it a renewed act of repression against independent journalism in China. Zhang, a former lawyer who rose to prominence for her reporting from Wuhan during the initial COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, was detained again in August 2024, just three months after completing a four-year prison sentence for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” Zhang’s earlier imprisonment followed her courageous documentation of the lockdown in Wuhan, where she livestreamed images, interviewed locals, and challenged the official...

September 20, 2024

Russia Fines 11 Journalists and Restricts Media Outlets in Ongoing Assault on Press Freedom

September 20, 2024 - Russia - Russian authorities escalated their crackdown on independent journalism, issuing fines to 11 journalists and imposing legal restrictions on two media outlets under the guise of “anti-state” legislation. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), these actions are part of a broader effort to suppress dissenting voices amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Journalists were fined under a range of repressive laws, including those governing so-called “foreign agents,” “undesirable organizations,” and wartime “disinformation.” Among them was Aida Ivanova, editor-in-chief of the Siberian outlet SakhaDay, who was fined for sharing...

September 20, 2024

France Launches ‘Voices in Exile’ to Support Displaced Journalists

September 20, 2024 - France - In a bold initiative to protect independent journalism and support displaced media professionals, France has launched the “Voices in Exile” program, making Paris a central hub for exiled journalists. Spearheaded by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Canal France International (CFI), SINGA, and the Maison des Journalistes—with support from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs—the program offers a comprehensive support system for journalists forced to flee repressive regimes. Officially launched in September 2024, the three-year initiative will support four cohorts of displaced journalists through a nine-month process, including a...

September 20, 2024

Poland at a Crossroads: Press Freedom Progress Demands Bold Reform

September 20, 2024 - Poland - Poland is experiencing a rare window of opportunity to restore and strengthen press freedom, according to a recent fact-finding mission by the International Press Institute (IPI) and its Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners. In a report released following their September 2024 visit to Warsaw, the delegation acknowledged early improvements but emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive and ambitious reforms to secure long-term media independence. Recent steps taken by Poland’s new government have included reducing political influence over public media, ending biased state advertising practices following the sale of...

September 20, 2024

Azerbaijani Dissident-Blogger Bahruz Samadov Jailed for 15 Years in Broad Anti‑Dissent Crackdown

September 20, 2024 - Azerbaijan - Bahruz Samadov, a prominent researcher, peace activist, and freelance journalist, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in a closed‑door trial by Baku’s Grave Crimes Court, following treason charges stemming from his August 2024 detention. Initially arrested on August 21 while visiting family in Baku, Samadov was accused of passing unspecified information to Armenia—charges he vehemently denies. Prosecutors sought a 16‑year sentence; Samadov is reported to have attempted suicide and begun a hunger strike amid trial proceedings, highlighting the dire conditions he faced. Samadov, born in 1995, holds a doctoral degree...

September 20, 2024

Free Narges Coalition Demands Urgent Release of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Ahead of Iran’s UN Week

September 20, 2024 - Iran - The Free Narges Coalition—a partnership of PEN America, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Front Line Defenders, and the Narges Mohammadi Foundation—is urging Iran for the immediate and unconditional release of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian prepares to address the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2024. Mohammadi, a senior figure in Iran’s human rights and press freedom movement, has been detained in Evin Prison since November 2021. Her health has severely deteriorated: her coronary artery, already stented in 2021 for a 75 percent blockage, has worsened; she...

September 20, 2024

Malaysia Upholds Defamation Ruling Against Journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown

September 20, 2024 - Malaysia - Malaysia’s Federal Court dismissed British investigative journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown’s final appeal in a civil defamation case tied to her 2018 book The Sarawak Report, which investigated the massive 1MDB corruption scandal. The court ruled that the appeal lacked sufficient merit to be heard, thereby upholding a lower court's decision ordering Rewcastle Brown and two others to pay RM 300,000 (approximately USD 71,000) in damages and RM 120,000 in legal costs to the Sultanah of Terengganu, who claimed she was defamed in the book. The court also imposed an...

September 19, 2024

UN Raises Alarm Over Jimmy Lai’s Prolonged Solitary Confinement in Hong Kong

September 19, 2024 - Switzerland/China/UN - During the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), represented by its international legal team, formally voiced grave concerns over the deteriorating physical and mental health of Jimmy Lai. The Apple Daily founder has been held in extreme solitary confinement since December 2020, spending over three and a half years confined to a cell for over 23 hours daily, with only 50 minutes of limited outdoor time. Lai is charged under Hong Kong’s National Security Law—a sweeping measure enacted by Beijing—and...

September 19, 2024

RSF Sharpens Focus on Right to Information and Fight Against Propaganda

September 19, 2024 - General - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reaffirmed its strategic commitment to defending the right to reliable information and combating the growing influence of state-sponsored propaganda. As global press freedom deteriorates, RSF is intensifying efforts to protect independent journalism and expose disinformation campaigns, which it warns are eroding democracy worldwide. At the core of RSF’s strategy is the belief that access to trustworthy, pluralistic information is a fundamental right. The organization has observed that authoritarian regimes and powerful private actors are increasingly manipulating public discourse through propaganda, censorship, and information warfare. To...

September 19, 2024

Alterthess SLAPP Appeal Highlights Growing Threat to Press Freedom in Greece

September 19, 2024 - Greece - Independent Greek news outlet Alterthess and its editor, Stavroula Poulimeni, are facing a critical legal battle that press freedom advocates have condemned as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP). The case stems from a defamation suit filed against the outlet over its investigative reporting, with the plaintiffs initially demanding €100,000 in damages. Although the court later reduced the penalty, the case has become a symbol of the growing use of litigation to silence independent journalism in Greece. Poulimeni had reported on environmental and business issues involving powerful corporate...

September 19, 2024

Samoa Tightens Media Controls Ahead of CHOGM Press Freedom at Risk

September 19, 2024 - Samoa - As Samoa prepared to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October 2024, the government introduced sweeping restrictions on media coverage that raised alarm among journalists and international bodies. Announced publicly on September 11, 2024, these measures severely limit media access and threaten transparency during a major regional event. At a press briefing, Lefaoalii Unutoa Auelua‑Fonoti, co-chair of the CHOGM media subcommittee, confirmed that only state-backed outlets—Radio 2AP and TV9—working in collaboration with New Zealand firm MMG Communications, would have the exclusive right to film and broadcast CHOGM sessions....

September 19, 2024

The case of Dawit Isaak: RSF international joins its Swedish section to file a complaint for crimes against humanity against Eritrea’s president Isaias Afwerki

September 18, 2024 - Source: RSF - Reporters Without Borders (RSF), together with the Swedish legal team of imprisoned journalist Dawit Isaak, has filed a complaint against Eritrean leaders – including President Isaias Afwerki – with the Swedish Prosecution Authority for crimes against humanity. On 23 September 2024, journalist and writer Dawit Isaak will have spent 23 years in detention without trial in Eritrea. Isaak, a Swedish citizen, and his Eritrean colleagues Seyoum Tsehaye, Temesgen Ghebreyesus and Amanuel Asrat are the longest-detained journalists in the world. Ten years ago, Isaak’s legal team filed a criminal complaint with the Swedish Prosecution Authority. The...

September 19, 2024

Nicaragua’s continued attack on journalism: where is Fabiola Tercero?

September 18, 2024 - Source: RSF - Despite the release of 135 political prisoners in Nicaragua, journalist Fabiola Tercero Castro remains missing, with no updates on her whereabouts since 12 July. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the Nicaraguan government to urgently shed light on her case and guarantee her safety, as there are growing concerns the authorities may be involved in her disappearance. No one has seen or heard from freelance journalist and feminist activist Fabiola Tercero Castro since 12 July 2024, when she reported a raid on her home by government agents under the command of Commissioner...

September 19, 2024

Bangladesh Targets Journalists Linked to Ousted Leader in Widening Crackdown

September 19, 2024 - Bangladesh - Student-led uprising that unseated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladeshi authorities have launched a sweeping crackdown on journalists perceived as supportive of the former leader. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least four media professionals have been arrested, while many more face harassment, criminal investigations, or charges in what observers describe as a politically motivated purge. Among the most high-profile arrests are Ekattor TV journalists Farzana Rupa and her husband Shakil Ahmed, who were detained on August 21 at Dhaka’s main airport. Both face charges in a...

September 19, 2024

Belarusian journalist Andrei Tolchyn released following presidential pardon

September 18, 2024 - Source: CPJ - The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the September 17 release of Belarusian journalist Andrei Tolchyn, who received a presidential pardon after serving almost a year of a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence. “While we welcome the release of journalist Andrei Tolchyn, he should not have spent a single day in prison,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, in New York. “Despite the recent releases of political prisoners, Belarus remains Europe’s worst jailer of journalists and one of the most hostile places in the world for independent journalism. The authorities...

September 19, 2024

Russia Issues Arrest Warrant in Absentia for Exiled Journalist Armen Aramyan

September 19, 2024 - Russia - The Basmanny District Court in Moscow, on September 18, 2024, issued an arrest warrant in absentia for journalist and DOXA co-founder Armen Aramyan, who has been living in exile since April 2022. He is accused of “justifying terrorism online” and spreading “false information” about the Russian military through unspecified publications, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Aramyan helped establish DOXA, a student-run outlet, which in April 2022 was accused of involving minors in unauthorized protests and was subsequently banned. Along with two other co-founders, he fled Russia...

September 19, 2024

Georgia Bars Foreign Journalists Amid Rising Crackdown on Independent Media

September 19, 2024 - Georgia - Georgian authorities have intensified efforts to restrict press freedom by denying entry to several foreign journalists, raising serious concerns among international watchdogs. At least four journalists from France and the Czech Republic have been barred from entering the country since early 2024, with no clear legal justification provided. Media freedom groups warn this trend marks a dangerous authoritarian shift, particularly as Georgia approaches key political milestones. In February 2024, French journalist Clément Girardot was turned away at Tbilisi International Airport without explanation. His colleague Jérôme Chobeaux faced a similar...

September 18, 2024

RSF Pushes U.S. Senate to Enact “PRESS Act” Federal Shield Law Before Time Runs Out

September 18, 2024 - USA - With the 118th U.S. Congress concluding on January 3, 2025, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is urging the Senate to urgently pass the PRESS Act, a federal shield law designed to protect journalists from being compelled to reveal sources or disclose sensitive materials—something not currently guaranteed at the national level. Although nearly every U.S. state and the District of Columbia already provide shield protections, a federal statute would establish a consistent standard across jurisdictions and guard reporters operating in federal contexts, such as federal court proceedings, congressional investigations, or national security inquiries....

September 18, 2024

Georgia: Exiled Belarusian journalist and Armenian journalist denied entry without explanation

September 17, 2024 - Source: IFJ - On 15 September, Belarusian journalist Andrei Mialeshka was denied entry to Georgia, where he has lived for the past three years after facing political persecution in Belarus. On 17 September, Armenian journalist Arsen Kharatyan, editor-in-chief of an independent non-profit bilingual Georgian-Armenia media platform Aliq Media based in Tbilisi, was also denied entry to Georgia. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) condemn the denial of entry of both journalists and call on the Georgian authorities to uphold freedom of access for all journalists. Andrei Mialeshka was returning...

September 18, 2024

El Salvador Sees Alarming Rise in Digital Attacks on Journalists

September 18, 2024 - El Salvador - Between March and May 2024, the Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES) documented 50 attacks against journalists, revealing a disturbing increase in both digital and physical aggression. These findings were released in APES’ first quarterly report on press attacks, alongside its Digital Listening Report for the first half of 2024. Journalists are being targeted through online harassment, legal threats, censorship, and stigmatizing public statements. The digital space, especially platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, has become a major battleground. Attacks range from smear campaigns and defamation...

September 17, 2024

Timor‑Leste: Female Journalist Detained, Camera Seized as Authorities Crack Down on Public-Interest Reporting

September 17, 2024 - Timor - Timor‑Leste police arrested Antonieta Kartono Martins, a reporter with Média Diligente Online, while she was covering an eviction operation against street vendors in Dili ahead of Pope Francis’s visit—a rare case of targeting a female journalist in the country. She was held for approximately four hours and released without charges, but the detention highlighted growing pressure on journalists covering public-interest events. Simultaneously, Suzana Cardoso, a journalist from Média One Timor, had her camera confiscated and footage documenting the eviction operation deleted by security forces. Video evidence shows police and masked individuals using...

September 17, 2024

Romania Reopens Smear Campaign Case Against Investigative Journalist Emilia Șercan

September 17, 2024 - Romania - Romanian authorities have reopened a criminal investigation into the coordinated smear campaign targeting journalist Emilia Șercan, marking a significant development in a case long emblematic of institutional failure and media repression. The move follows a September 5 court decision ordering the case to be re-examined after prosecutors previously shelved it without sufficient action. Șercan, known for exposing plagiarism by top officials, faced a torrent of intimidation beginning in January 2022 after she revealed that then–Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă had plagiarized his doctoral thesis. The following day, she received anonymous...

September 17, 2024

RSF Warns of Rising Press Freedom Threats Ahead of Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election

September 17, 2024 - Sri Lanka - With Sri Lanka’s presidential election set for September 21, 2024, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has issued a grave warning over the rapid decline of press freedom in the country. The organization highlights an alarming rise in journalist arrests, legal intimidation, and systemic censorship that threaten the integrity of democratic processes. At least two journalists have already been arbitrarily detained this year. G.P. Nissanka, editor of Ravana Lanka, was arrested after reporting on alleged corruption involving a police official. Freelance journalist Bimal Ruhunage was detained for filming a peaceful...

September 17, 2024

Israel Revokes Al Jazeera Journalists’ Press Credentials Amid Escalating Media Crackdown

September 17, 2024 - Palestine - Amid growing tension over its coverage of Gaza, Israel has revoked the Government Press Office (GPO) credentials of four Al Jazeera journalists—two Israeli citizens and two Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem. Announced on September 12, 2024, this action follows the earlier shutdown and banning of Al Jazeera’s Israeli and West Bank bureaus, part of what press freedom advocates describe as a coordinated media crackdown. The GPO defended the decision, accusing Al Jazeera of disseminating "false content" and "incitement" that threatens Israeli soldiers and national security. The revoked journalists, primarily full-time...

September 17, 2024

Belarusian Journalist Andrey Gnyot Faces Extradition Threat in Serbia, Sparking International Backlash

September 17, 2024 - Belarus/Serbia - Belarusian investigative journalist and filmmaker Andrey Gnyot—also known as Andrei Gnyot—remains under house arrest in Belgrade amid efforts by the Belarusian government to secure his extradition on politically motivated charges. Serbian authorities initially detained him in October 2023 on an Interpol red notice for alleged tax evasion—a charge Gnyot and press-freedom advocates say serves as a thinly veiled attempt to silence him. On May 31, 2024, Serbia’s Higher Court in Belgrade ruled in favor of extraditing Gnyot to Belarus. The decision was later communicated officially in mid-June, prompting condemnation from...

September 16, 2024

Romania: RSF Demands Thorough Probe into ‘Kompromat’ Campaign Against Journalist Emilia Șercan

September 16, 2024 - Romania - In an open letter, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), alongside nearly 40 media outlets and rights organizations, called on Romanian authorities to launch a comprehensive and independent investigation into the highly orchestrated smear campaign targeting investigative journalist Emilia Șercan. The campaign—commonly referred to as a “kompromat” operation—involved the illicit dissemination of intimate photos of Șercan. These images had been stolen and distributed widely online, a tactic designed to intimidate and discredit her following her exposure of plagiarism among high-level Romanian officials. While a Bucharest court did eventually order the reopening of...

September 16, 2024

RSF Condemns Malaysian Court Ruling in Defamation Case Targeting Investigative Journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown

September 16, 2024 - Malaysia/UK - The Federal Court of Malaysia has dismissed British investigative journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown’s final appeal in a civil defamation lawsuit brought by the Sultanah of Terengganu. This ruling upholds a December 2023 decision that she must pay RM 300,000 (approx. £52,800) in damages and RM 135,000 in legal costs—totaling over RM 435,000 (£76,600)—after being found civilly liable for erroneously listing the Sultanah in her 2018 book on the 1MDB corruption scandal. Rewcastle Brown had corrected the mistake soon after publication, clarifying that it was the Sultan’s sister — not his wife — associated with a businessman...

September 16, 2024

Vietnam Jails Journalist Nguyen Vu Binh for Seven Years Over “Anti-State Propaganda”

September 16, 2024 - Vietnam - A Hanoi court sentenced veteran journalist and blogger Nguyen Vu Binh to seven years in prison on charges of “making, storing, and distributing anti-state propaganda.” The 56-year-old was convicted under Article 117 of Vietnam’s Penal Code, which has been widely criticized for its use against dissenting voices. His arrest and sentencing are part of an intensifying crackdown on independent journalism in Vietnam. The charges stem from four videos Binh posted in early 2022 on TNT Media Live, in which he discussed political, social, and economic issues. Authorities claimed the...

September 16, 2024

Post-Election Crackdown in Venezuela Sees Record Number of Journalists Jailed, Press Forced Underground

September 16, 2024 - Venezuela - In the wake of Venezuela’s contested July 28, 2024, presidential election, the country has witnessed an unprecedented wave of repression targeting journalists. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the number of detained media professionals has reached levels not seen in decades. Security forces have arrested reporters with alarming frequency—often without warrants and sometimes demanding bribes of up to US$4,000 to avoid detention, CPJ reports. At least 14 journalists have had their passports revoked without explanation, severely restricting their ability to travel or report internationally. One of the most...

September 16, 2024

Iran Escalates Repression of Women Journalists Since Mahsa Amini’s Death, RSF Warns

September 16, 2024 - Iran - Two years after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released a detailed report exposing the systematic repression of women journalists in Iran. The report documents how female reporters have become primary targets of the Iranian regime’s crackdown on dissent following the mass “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests that erupted in September 2022. According to RSF, at least 42 journalists were arrested in the initial weeks of the protests, 15 of whom were women. Broader estimates suggest up to 79 journalists have been detained...

September 16, 2024

Nigeria: WikkiTimes Publisher and Reporter Face Criminal Charges After Corruption Exposé

September 16, 2024, - Nigeria - In a troubling escalation against press freedom, Nigerian authorities have brought criminal charges against Haruna Mohammed Salisu, publisher of WikkiTimes, and reporter Yawale Adamu following a damning April 2024 investigation. The report exposed alleged embezzlement of public funds by federal lawmaker Mansur Manu Soro, who is accused of colluding with businessman Abubakar Abdullahi to siphon millions through inflated contracts, prompting Abdullahi to file suit two months later. On September 3, 2024, a magistrate court in Bauchi State issued a bench warrant for Salisu, who was abroad, and scheduled Adamu’s...

September 14, 2024

Hong Kong Journalists Face Coordinated Harassment Campaign Targeting Families and Employers

September 14, 2024 - China - A wave of coordinated harassment has targeted dozens of journalists in Hong Kong, marking one of the largest organized intimidation campaigns against the press in recent years, according to the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA). The attacks, which took place between June and August 2024, involved threats directed not only at journalists but also at their families, landlords, workplaces, and schools. At least 15 journalists from more than a dozen media outlets—including Hong Kong Free Press, InMediaHK, and HK Feature—were affected. Anonymous emails, letters, and social media posts were...

September 13, 2024

Two Journalists Killed in Pakistan as Violence Against Media Intensifies

September 13, 2024 - Pakistan - Pakistan’s deteriorating press freedom climate worsened further with the recent killings of two journalists, Muhammad Bachal Ghunio and Nisar Lehri, in separate incidents that underscore a disturbing rise in violence against the media. On August 27, 2024, Muhammad Bachal Ghunio, a reporter for Awaz TV, was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in Sindh province. His brother and local police said the murder was likely linked to his investigative reporting. Authorities have since arrested a suspect and recovered a weapon believed to be used in the attack, though details...

September 13, 2024

Crimean Journalist Remzi Bekirov Endures Continued Harassment and Solitary Confinement in Russian Prison

September 13, 2024 - Crimea - Remzi Bekirov, an ethnic Crimean Tatar journalist from the Russian-occupied Crimea, continues to face severe harassment in jail as his court case approaches its next hearing on October 2, 2024. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Bekirov’s attorney report escalating mistreatment, including repeated placements in solitary confinement and intense scrutiny by prison authorities. Bekirov, previously a correspondent for the independent media outlet Grani, was arrested following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. In March 2022, he was handed a draconian 19-year prison sentence on charges of “organizing the activities of...

September 13, 2024

Southern African Journalists Launch United Front Against Disinformation

September 13, 2024 - Botswana - Journalists from nine Southern African countries have formed a regional alliance to combat the growing threat of disinformation and misinformation, launching a coordinated campaign during a three-day conference held in Gaborone, Botswana, from September 10–12, 2024. The initiative, supported by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and UNESCO, brought together media union leaders from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The conference aimed to strengthen the capacity of journalists to respond to false information through a Training-of-Trainers program on Media and Information Literacy (MIL)....

September 13, 2024

Tunisia Upholds Conviction of Sonia Dahmani Amid Crackdown on Election Coverage

September 13, 2024 - Tunisia - In a concerning development for press freedom in Tunisia, an appeals court on September 10, 2024, upheld the conviction of lawyer and political commentator Sonia Dahmani for “spreading false news,” while reducing her prison sentence from one year to eight months. The ruling, issued without a hearing or the presence of her legal team, comes amid a broader campaign of media repression ahead of the October 6 presidential elections. Dahmani, a commentator on independent outlets IFM radio and Carthage Plus TV, was arrested on May 11, 2024, following critical remarks...

September 12, 2024

Paraguayan Journalists’ Union Launches Training to Strengthen Labor Rights and Union Action

September 12, 2024 - Paraguay - The Sindicato de Periodistas del Paraguay (SPP) has launched a strategic training program aimed at reinforcing union strength and promoting collective labor rights within the media sector. Held in September 2024, the three-day workshop brought together 21 union delegates and executive members from seven media organizations across the country. Supported by Union to Union and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the training marked a significant step toward consolidating journalist-led labor activism in Paraguay. The program focused on three key areas. The first addressed the broader trade union landscape...

September 12, 2024

Poland: IFJ and EFJ Support Bauer Media Workers Demanding Fair Wages and Labor Rights

September 12, 2024 - Poland - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have joined forces with German media union dju/ver.di and Poland’s Society of Journalists to support workers at Bauer Publishing House Poland and its affiliate AKPA Agency. Employees are demanding improved pay and working conditions, citing low wages, lack of social benefits, and unfair salary structures amid soaring inflation. Since March 2024, staff at the two media companies have been engaged in negotiations with management, demanding three key reforms: a monthly salary increase of 1,000 Polish złoty...

September 12, 2024

PTI Politician’s Harassment of Female Journalists Sparks Outrage in Pakistan

September 12, 2024 - Pakistan - At a political rally in Islamabad on September 8, 2024, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur—a senior member of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI—delivered a verbal tirade against female journalists, igniting concerns over media safety and incitement. Speaking to a crowd, Gandapur accused reporters of being "sellouts" for not covering PTI stories and invited supporters to join him in mocking them. He singled out one female presenter, calling her “transgender,” “corrupt,” and alleging she “performed journalism for money”—in an episode that press freedom groups branded a dangerous...

September 12, 2024

RSF and Society Magazine Spotlight Imprisoned Journalists in “The Prison Papers”

September 12, 2024 - General - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the French magazine Society have launched a powerful special edition titled “The Prison Papers”, shedding light on the lives and struggles of eight journalists currently imprisoned across four continents. The project combines long-form journalism, interviews, essays, and illustrations to document the personal and professional toll of incarceration for doing the work of reporting the truth. The stories featured represent a global spectrum of repression. Among them is José Rubén Zamora, the prominent Guatemalan journalist and founder of El Periódico, imprisoned since 2022 in what...

September 12, 2024

Journalist Murat Ağırel Faces Death Threats and Surveillance in Escalating Press Freedom Crisis in Turkey

September 12, 2024 - Turkey - Investigative journalist Murat Ağırel, a prominent reporter for the Turkish daily Yeniçağ, is facing a growing wave of death threats and intimidation due to his reporting on corruption and criminal networks. His case has triggered alarm among international press freedom groups, who are calling on Turkish authorities to take immediate action to protect him and his family. The threats against Ağırel began in late 2023 and intensified throughout 2024. He reported receiving anonymous death threats on social media after publishing investigations into financial misconduct, illegal betting rings, and alleged...

September 12, 2024

Mali Suspends TV5Monde and LCI in Escalating Clampdown on Foreign Media

September 12, 2024 - Greece - Mali’s media regulator, the High Authority for Communication (HAC), has suspended two French television channels—TV5Monde and LCI—over their coverage of sensitive security issues, deepening concerns about press freedom under the ruling military junta. On September 5, 2024, HAC imposed a three-month suspension on TV5Monde, citing its report on a drone strike in Tinzaouatene, northern Mali. The regulator accused the broadcaster of presenting unbalanced coverage by failing to include the Malian military’s perspective. The report, which aired in late August, discussed civilian casualties allegedly caused by the Malian armed forces....

September 12, 2024

Circle 19 Emerges as Crucial Voice for Information Freedom in China

September 12, 2024 - China - Circle 19, an independent collective of media professionals, scholars, and diaspora activists, has become a vital force in promoting the right to information for the Chinese public. Backed by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the network advocates for access to verified, independent news in a country where state-controlled media dominates and censorship is systemic. Founded in 2019 and named after Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Circle 19 brings together around 30 members, including well-known figures like Chang Ping, Kris Cheng, and Xiao Qiang. While some members...

September 12, 2024

Former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes in Custody, Calls for Justice for Journalist Gerry Ortega

September 12, 2024 -Philippines - A 13-year legal saga reached a pivotal moment on September 11, 2024, when former Palawan Governor Joel T. Reyes, alleging mastermind behind environmental journalist Gerry Ortega’s 2011 murder, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Metro Manila. Reyes had evaded justice since an arrest warrant was issued in 2023 by Palawan courts following a Supreme Court directive. His 2018 release by the Court of Appeals sparked renewed public outrage and legal pressure. Ortega, a respected radio broadcaster, was gunned down on January 24, 2011, shortly after speaking out against alleged...

September 12, 2024

Vietnamese journalist sentenced to 7 years on propaganda charges

September 10, 2024 - Source: CPJ - A Hanoi court sentenced journalist Nguyen Vu Binh to seven years in prison on Tuesday on charges of propaganda against the state. Binh was convicted in connection to comments he made in videos on political, economic, and social topics posted on YouTube channel TNT Media Live in January and March 2022. The channel is owned by U.S.-based broadcasting outlet Tieng Nuoc Toi, or “My Country’s Language.” “Journalist Nguyen Vu Binh was arrested and sentenced to seven years for airing independent views, which Vietnamese authorities continue to treat as a criminal offense,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s...

September 12, 2024

Turkmen journalist Ruslan Myatiev banned from entering Turkey

September 12, 2024 - Turkey - In a troubling show of cross-border repression, independent Turkmen journalist Ruslan Myatiev, editor-in-chief of the Netherlands-based Turkmen. news, was abruptly denied entry into Turkey on July 25, 2024, while traveling with his family for vacation. Turkish authorities detained him for four hours at Antalya airport before deporting him back to the Netherlands. He overheard officers say his entry ban—cited as “activity against state security” (code G‑82)—was imposed at the request of Turkmenistan’s government. A Netherlands-based exile journalist blocked from travel by a second country based on Turkmenistan’s demand signals...

September 11, 2024

Anas al-Sharif: Reporting from Gaza’s Ruins with a Camera and Courage

September 11, 2024 - Palestine - Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif has become one of the most enduring voices reporting from northern Gaza, where he has remained throughout the relentless Israeli bombardment. Despite losing colleagues, enduring the death of his father in a strike, and facing direct threats from the Israeli military, al-Sharif continues to document the devastation with a clarity and urgency that has made him a symbol of press resistance under fire. A native of Jabalia refugee camp, al-Sharif holds a journalism degree from Al-Aqsa University. Since the war began in October 2023,...

September 11, 2024

Gaza Becomes the Deadliest Place for Journalists in Modern History

September 11, 2024 - Palestine - The Israel-Gaza war has marked a devastating chapter for press freedom, with journalist fatalities reaching historic levels. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the conflict has become the deadliest for media workers since CPJ began keeping records in 1992. By mid-2025, at least 185 journalists and media workers will have been killed across Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, and the West Bank—an unprecedented toll in modern journalism. The vast majority of these deaths—over 80%—occurred in Gaza. In 2023 alone, 77 out of 99 journalist deaths worldwide happened in the...

September 11, 2024

Philippine Ex-Governor Surrenders, Press Freedom Groups Demand Swift Justice in Journalist’s Murder

September 11, 2024 - Philippines - Former Palawan Governor Joel T. Reyes—the alleged mastermind behind the 2011 killing of environmental journalist Gerry Ortega—surrendered to authorities in Metro Manila after evading arrest for over 13 years. Ortega, a popular broadcast reporter known for exposing political corruption on Palawan Island, was shot dead on January 24, 2011, shortly after challenging Reyes’s administration. A coalition of leading press freedom organizations—Free Press Unlimited, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF)—welcomed Reyes’s arrest and urged the Philippines to expedite a swift and impartial trial. They emphasized...

September 11, 2024

Taliban Targets Independent Broadcaster, Escalates Media Crackdown in Afghanistan

September 11, 2024 - Afghanistan - The Taliban has labeled the independent news outlet Afghanistan International as an "enemy" of the state, further intensifying its suppression of press freedom. The accusation came after the London-based broadcaster reported on allegations of international aid misuse following devastating floods in Afghanistan’s Baghlan province. In a speech on September 4, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Stanekzai condemned the station for waging what he called a “propaganda war” against the Taliban, warning journalists to sever ties with the outlet. The backlash against Afghanistan International is part of a broader Taliban campaign...

September 11, 2024

RSF Suspends Participation in Slovakia’s Press Freedom Advisory Body Over Government Interference

September 11, 2024 - Slovakia - Reporters Without Borders (RSF), alongside the Investigative Centre of Jan Kuciak (ICJK), has suspended their participation in Slovakia’s government-backed Platform for the Promotion of Press Freedom and the Protection of Journalists. This move comes in protest against the government's controversial appointment of Dominik Papala—a radio host with a history of ethical breaches—to the advisory body's civil society seat (Platform), replacing respected journalist Zuzana Petkova. RSF and ICJK argue that his nomination violates the platform’s standards for expertise, professionalism, and genuine representation. Initially launched in October 2023 as a watchdog mechanism...

September 10, 2024

Crackdown in Cairo: Rights Groups Demand Release of Detained Egyptian Journalists

September 10, 2024 - Egypt - A coalition of over 30 press freedom and human rights organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), ARTICLE 19, and Cartooning for Peace, issued a joint statement on September 9, 2024, condemning the arrests and enforced disappearances of four Egyptian journalists. The group called for their immediate release and accountability for those responsible for their mistreatment. The detained journalists—Ashraf Omar, Khaled Mamdouh, Ramadan Gouida, and Yasser Abu Al-Ela—have all been charged under broad anti-terrorism laws for their journalistic work. Ashraf Omar, a cartoonist with the independent outlet Al-Manassa,...

September 10, 2024

UNESCO report reveals 70% of environmental journalists have been attacked for their work

September 10, 2024 - Source: UNESCO - A new report published by UNESCO on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May, warns of increasing violence against, and intimidation of journalists reporting on the environment and climate disruption. At least 749 journalists or news media reporting on environmental issues have been attacked in the last 15 years, and online disinformation has surged dramatically in this period. UNESCO is calling for stronger support for environmental journalists and better governance of digital platforms. "Without reliable scientific information about the ongoing environmental crisis, we can never hope to overcome it....

September 10, 2024

China Targets Exiled Uyghur Journalists to Silence Dissent Across Borders

September 10, 2024 - China - A new report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reveals how the Chinese government is extending its authoritarian grip beyond its borders to target Uyghur journalists living in exile. The case of Kasim Abdurehim, a U.S.-based Uyghur journalist originally from Xinjiang, illustrates the Chinese state’s alarming use of transnational repression to suppress independent reporting and stifle dissent. Abdurehim, who fled China in 2017, has been subject to ongoing intimidation. According to RSF, at least twelve of his former colleagues, classmates, and friends still in China were detained and interrogated by...

September 10, 2024

Azerbaijani Journalist Shahla Karim Detained Amid Crackdown on Election Coverage

September 10, 2024 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijani freelance journalist Shahla Karim was forcibly detained while reporting on a protest led by opposition parliamentary candidate Vafa Nagi in the southern city of Neftchala. The demonstration was part of a broader outcry over alleged electoral fraud during the country’s September 1 parliamentary elections. Karim, who was documenting the event in her professional capacity, identified herself as a journalist but was still seized by a group of about ten masked plainclothes men. Karim was transported roughly 180 kilometers to the capital, Baku, where she was held for several...

September 9, 2024

Philippines: Journalist Roy Barbosa Assaulted, Harassed and ‘Red‑Tagged’ During Protest Coverage

September 09, 2024 - Philippines - Manila Today journalist Roy Barbosa, who identifies as non-binary, was violently confronted while live‑reporting a protest outside the Malolos Regional Trial Court in Bulacan, Philippines. The rally was staged in support of labor activists facing terrorism charges. Barbosa was approached by a masked man claiming to be a "vlogger" and repeatedly harassed—yelled at, spat upon—and subjected to gender-based insults including references to their “bakla” (gay) identity. He was told to delete his footage under threat of legal repercussions. Several police officers present did nothing to intervene. Though Barbosa managed to...

September 9, 2024

Jordan’s Cybercrime Law Weaponized to Silence Journalists, RSF Warns

September 09, 2024 - Jordan - King Abdullah II enacted the new Cybercrime Law (Law No. 17 of 2023), significantly expanding restrictions on online speech and granting prosecutors sweeping powers to detain individuals—including journalists—without complaint under broadly defined charges of “fake news,” “defamation,” or undermining “national unity”. Over the following year, the law has been repeatedly exploited to suppress dissent during Jordan’s heightened protests over the Gaza war and domestic issues. RSF reports that at least four journalists have already been convicted under the law, with two still imprisoned. Jordan’s intelligence services have leveraged their authority...

September 9, 2024

Bangladesh Investigates 28 Journalists Amid Crackdown on Protest Coverage

September 09, 2024 - Bangladesh - authorities in Chittagong initiated legal proceedings against 28 journalists as part of a broader case targeting 109 protesters during nationwide student demonstrations that erupted in June. The charges include allegations of publishing “false or misleading news” alongside accusations of abduction and assault related to the protests. The journalists named in the case have been linked to national media outlets across print, television, and digital platforms. The targeting follows a notable erosion of media freedom in Bangladesh under both previous and current interim administrations. In recent months, dozens of journalists...

September 9, 2024

Journalists Assaulted and Arrested by Mexico City Police During Human Rights Protest

September 09, 2024 - Mexico - Mexico City police violently disrupted a human rights protest in Xochimilco, resulting in the assault and arrest of multiple journalists. The protest was organized in support of Otomí Indigenous activist Hortensia Telésforo and was met with force from law enforcement after tensions escalated between demonstrators and unidentified armed individuals. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and several rights groups, at least four journalists were directly affected by the police crackdown. Among those detained were Penélope Estefanía Galicia Argumedo of Radio Zapote and freelance reporter Elizabeth Díaz. Both...

September 9, 2024

Rare arrest of a journalist in Timor-Leste: authorities reaffirm commitment to press freedom

September 09, 2024 - Timor - In an unusual incident for the Southeast Asian country, freelance reporter Antonieta Kartono Martins, working for Diligente Online, was arrested on the evening of September 4, 2024, while covering police eviction of street vendors in Dili. The detainment—lasting several hours at a police station—was widely seen as a problematic obstruction of journalism. RSF reports that while Martins was released without charges, police also confiscated footage from journalist Suzana Cardoso, who worked for Media One Timor-Leste, erasing critical evidence and raising serious media freedom concerns. President José Ramos-Horta responded swiftly, personally...

September 7, 2024

Nicaragua deports 135 political prisoners, including journalist

September 07, 2024 - Nicaragua - Nicaraguan authorities expelled 135 political prisoners, stripping them of citizenship and relocating them to Guatemala, a move brokered through US and Guatemalan mediation. Among those forced into exile was Víctor Ticay, a journalist formerly at Canal 10, who had been imprisoned since April 6, 2023, for live-streaming a Catholic Easter service—an act the Ortega regime criminalized under “undermining national integrity” and “false news” charges. Ticay's eight‑year sentence was condemned by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), with Cristina Zahar noting that his detention “should have never occurred,” given that he was simply...

September 6, 2024

Journalist Enrique Hernández Avilés Found Dead in Mexico After Two Months Missing

September 06, 2024 - Mexico - Mexican journalist Enrique Hernández Avilés, who disappeared on June 20, 2024, in Taxco, Guerrero, was found dead over two months later in a clandestine grave near the area of his disappearance. His body was recovered on August 31, prompting widespread condemnation from press freedom organizations and international institutions, including UNESCO and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Hernández Avilés, 55, was a seasoned reporter for the local magazine Contacto Policiaco, where he covered crime and public safety—subjects that often place journalists at serious risk in Mexico. His disappearance sparked...

September 6, 2024

Despite Presidential Pledge, Iran’s Crackdown on Journalists Persists

September 06, 2024 - Iran - Iran’s newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, had sparked cautious optimism in August 2024 when he announced plans to withdraw government complaints against journalists. However, that hope has quickly faded. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), at least seven journalists have been targeted in four new legal cases since Pezeshkian took office, indicating that the systematic persecution of the press remains entrenched. The president’s August 7 directive, which called on state bodies to retract existing legal actions against journalists, was widely welcomed by Iranian media workers. It followed persistent lobbying...

September 5, 2024

Kyrgyz Authorities Threaten to Block Independent Outlets Over Presidential Reporting

September 05, 2024 - Kyrgyzstan - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) issued a warning urging Kyrgyz authorities to reverse threats of blocking two independent online news outlets—Novye Litsa and Radio Azattyk—after they published a report linking President Sadyr Japarov to Russian political strategist ties, including connections to the late Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. In a directive issued by the Culture and Information Ministry on September 4, Novye Litsa was ordered to remove the August 30 article within 24 hours or face nationwide internet blocking. The outlet complied but insisted the piece was accurate. CPJ criticised the...

September 5, 2024

Myanmar soldiers shoot dead 2 journalists in raid on home

August 23, 2024 – Source: CPJ — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Myanmar authorities to immediately and credibly investigate Wednesday’s killing of journalists Win Htut Oo and Htet Myat Thu in a military raid on a home in southern Mon State. “The killing of journalists Win Htut Oo and Htet Myat Thu is an atrocity against the free press and must not go unpunished,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative. “Myanmar authorities must ensure swift and full justice for the country’s independent journalists who are being killed simply for reporting the news.” The bodies of Win...

September 4, 2024

Guatemalan Journalist Carlos Monroy’s Home Shot at Amid Intimidation Over Reporting

September 04, 2024 - Guatemala - On the night of September 2, 2024, the home of veteran journalist Carlos Monroy, a correspondent for Nuestro Diario in Zacapa province, was struck by multiple bullets in what press freedom groups characterized as a clear act of intimidation tied to his reporting work. Miraculously, neither he nor his family was injured during the attack. Monroy specializes in covering crime and public security—a beat fraught with high risk in regions like Zacapa, where powerful local figures and criminal groups operate with impunity. The Association of Journalists of Guatemala (APG)...

September 4, 2024

RSF Pledges €100,000 to Support Journalists in Gaza Facing Extreme Danger

September 04, 2024 - Palestine - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has dedicated over €100,000 to assist more than 250 journalists still working in Gaza, offering emergency aid as conditions for reporters deteriorate amid the ongoing Israeli military operations. The funding, provided in coordination with the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), is being used to deliver vital support to journalists facing unprecedented risks, shortages, and displacement. Since the war began on October 7, 2023, at least 130 journalists have been killed in Gaza, making it one of the deadliest places in the world for the...

September 3, 2024

Two Armed Attacks on Journalists in One Week Spark Alarms in Colombia

September 03, 2024 - Colombia - In a stark reminder of the dangers journalists face in Colombia, two armed attacks occurred within a single week in late August 2024, prompting urgent warnings from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The incidents reflect a troubling resurgence of violence targeting the press, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas. The most serious case involved journalist Frank Caro, a correspondent based in the department of Cauca. On August 31, Caro was shot multiple times while driving near the outskirts of Popayán. The attackers opened fire on his vehicle, leaving...

September 3, 2024

Russia Labels Exiled Journalist Galina Timchenko a “Foreign Agent” as Media Repression Intensifies

September 03, 2024 - Russia - The Russian Ministry of Justice has officially branded Galina Timchenko, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the independent news site Meduza, as a "foreign agent," marking another effort by authorities to silence dissenting journalism. The designation, announced on September 3, 2024, accuses Timchenko of “spreading false information” about the Russian government, producing content for foreign entities, and opposing Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Timchenko, recipient of the 2022 CPJ Gwen Ifill International Press Freedom Award, now faces onerous reporting obligations under Russia’s Foreign Agents Law. She is required to submit regular activity...

September 3, 2024

UK: IFJ and NUJ concerned over 24-hour arrest of journalist Richard Medhurst using terrorism legislation

September 03, 2024 - Source: IFJ - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the UK and Ireland, in voicing their grave concern on the apparent misuse of anti-terror legislation and consequential undermining of media freedom in the wake of the arrest of NUJ and IFJ member Richard Medhurst on 15 August upon his arrival at London Heathrow Airport. In a letter to Matt Jukes, UK Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, the NUJ and IFJ general secretaries have expressed their grave concern about an apparent crackdown on both...

September 3, 2024

Bangladesh Paramilitary Assaults Journalist Amid Rising Press Threats Under Interim Cybersecurity Push

September 03, 2024 - Bangladesh - Prothom Alo’s Dhaka University correspondent Asif Himadri was physically assaulted by members of Bangladesh’s paramilitary Ansar force while covering a protest at the Secretariat Complex in Dhaka. Himadri identified himself as a journalist documenting a clash between Ansar personnel demanding job nationalization and student protestors, but that did not prevent him from being attacked. The incident occurred during widespread unrest—carefully captured in footage of the assault—while around 40 students were also injured amid the melee. A total of 388 Ansar members were later sent to jail in connection with...

September 3, 2024

Sierra Leone’s Exiled Journalist Faces Persistent Cyber-Harassment, RSF Warns of Deepening Impunity

September 03, 2024 - Sierra Leone - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned a sustained campaign of cyber-harassment and death threats against Sierra Leonean investigative journalist Dr. Chernoh Alpha M. Bah, who has been living in exile in the United States after exposing alleged government corruption. RSF highlights that these attacks—linked to his reporting on embezzlement involving high-ranking officials—remain unchecked, and the Sierra Leonean authorities have failed to safeguard his safety or allow him to return home. Dr. Bah, editor of the Africanist Press and a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University, has faced increasing online intimidation for more than...

September 2, 2024

CNN Indonesia Fires 11 Journalists for Forming Union, Prompting IFJ and Media Groups to Condemn Union-Busting

September 02, 2024 - Indonesia - In a brazen move that violates labor rights, CNN Indonesia terminated up to 11 journalists and media workers on August 31, 2024, just days after they registered a union via the Ministry of Manpower (Solidaritas Pekerja CNN Indonesia, SCPI) on August 27. The terminations coincided with unjustified salary cuts that began in June, affecting on‑air and digital staff without prior consultation (AJI highlighted unilateral decisions by management). The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), together with Indonesia’s Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), SINDIKASI, and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ...

August 30, 2024

Mapping Where Journalists Disappear – Statista

30 August 2024 - Source: Statista - August 30 marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Enforced disappearances are the arrest or abduction of a person by or on behalf of the state, followed by that same authorities’ refusal to acknowledge it. The move is used as a means to silence opposition and to spread terror. The following chart looks specifically at the number of media workers that have disappeared over the past 24 years. According to the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) database, at least 217 media workers have disappeared since the year...

August 30, 2024

Russian journalist Sergey Mikhaylov sentenced to 8 years in prison

August 30, 2024 - Russia - The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the sentencing Friday of Russian journalist Sergey Mikhaylov to eight years in prison on “fake news” charges and calls on Russian authorities to release him immediately. “The sentencing of journalist Sergey Mikhaylov to eight years in prison on what Russian authorities label as ‘fake news’ is another sign of the Kremlin’s fear of journalists telling the truth about the 2022 civilian massacre in Russian-occupied Bucha,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s program coordinator for Europe and Central Asia. “Russian authorities should not contest Mikhaylov’s appeal and stop their prosecution...

August 30, 2024

Indonesia: Eleven Journalists Attacked by Police During Protest Coverage

August 30, 2024 - Indonesia - At least eleven journalists were violently assaulted by security forces while covering a mass protest in Jakarta on August 22, 2024, prompting strong condemnation from global and national press freedom organizations. The attacks occurred during demonstrations against the controversial Pilkada Bill, a proposed electoral reform that has sparked widespread unrest. According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the journalists were identified as the press but were still subjected to beatings, threats, and destruction of their equipment by members of both the National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian Armed...

August 30, 2024

Over the Past Decade, 19 Journalists Have Disappeared Without a Trace

August 30, 2024 - General - Over the past ten years, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reports that 19 journalists have fallen victim to enforced disappearance by state actors and have yet to be found, accounting for the majority of the 32 journalists who vanished globally during this period. These deliberate abductions represent a grave escalation in the suppression of press freedom, undermining journalists’ safety and the public’s right to information. RSF defines enforced disappearance as a situation in which state agents detain individuals and refuse to acknowledge their whereabouts, effectively placing them outside the protection...

August 30, 2024

Ismail al-Ghoul’s Killing Reflects Growing Pattern of Targeting and Discrediting Palestinian Journalists

August 30, 2024 - Palestine - The killing of Al Jazeera journalist Ismail al-Ghoul on July 31, 2024, in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza has drawn international condemnation and reignited concerns about the systematic targeting and posthumous discrediting of Palestinian journalists. Al-Ghoul, 27, was covering the aftermath of an Israeli strike when his marked press vehicle was hit near al-Shati camp, killing both him and his colleague, cameraman Rami al-Rifi. Their deaths brought the number of journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023 to well over 170, making it the deadliest conflict for media workers...

August 29, 2024

Sudanese Paramilitary Group Kidnaps Journalist, Demands Escalating Ransom

August 29, 2024 - Sudan - Freelance journalist Aladdin Abu Harba, based in East Nile, Khartoum, was abducted by armed men affiliated with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on August 23, 2024, and held in an undisclosed location, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Initially, the kidnappers demanded 1 million Sudanese pounds (approximately US$400) for his release, but upon payment, they raised the ransom to 2 million pounds, threatening to kill him if additional funds were not paid. The CPJ strongly condemned this act, calling on the RSF to immediately and unconditionally release...

August 29, 2024

CPJ Flags Worsening Press Freedom in Iraq Ahead of UN Human Rights Review

August 29, 2024 - Iraq - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), in collaboration with MENA Rights Group and two Iraqi civil society organizations, has submitted a detailed report to the United Nations Human Rights Council ahead of Iraq’s fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR), scheduled for 2025. The joint submission raises alarm over Iraq’s deteriorating press freedom environment and a deepening culture of impunity for crimes against journalists. The report outlines how Iraq has failed to uphold its previous UPR commitments, particularly regarding the safety and rights of journalists. Journalists in Iraq face increasing threats,...

August 29, 2024

Former Nevada Official Sentenced for Murder of Journalist Jeff German

August 29, 2024 - USA - Justice has finally been served in the high-profile murder of investigative journalist Jeff German, who was killed in 2022 after reporting on workplace misconduct in a local government office. On August 28, 2024, a Nevada jury found former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 28 years, a rare but significant legal outcome in a country where murders of journalists often go unpunished. German, a veteran reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, had...

August 29, 2024

Pakistani Journalist Muhammad Bachal Ghunio Shot Dead in Sindh Amid Rising Threats to Press

August 29, 2024 -Pakistan - On August 27, 2024, Awaz TV reporter Muhammad Bachal Ghunio, aged 35, was brutally shot dead by unidentified gunmen while working in a field near his home in the Raunti area, Ghotki District, Sindh Province. The shooting took place as Ghunio, an investigative journalist, was covering reports on armed robbers (dacoits) operating in nearby riverine zones. Local authorities and his family suspect his professional reporting triggered the attack, while police have also referenced a personal feud as a possible motive. Witnesses and police noted that at least seven masked assailants...

August 29, 2024

Las Vegas politician jailed for life for killing investigative journalist

August 29, 2024 - Source: Al Jazeera - Former public administrator Robert Telles sentenced to life after being found guilty of 2022 murder of Jeff German. A Las Vegas politician has been jailed for life for killing an investigative journalist who wrote critical articles detailing wrongdoing in the department he headed. Robert Telles, a former Democratic public administrator, lay in wait outside the suburban home of 69-year-old reporter Jeff German and then stabbed him to death on September 2, 2022. “Justice has been served,” Clark County prosecutor Steve Wolfson told reporters. “Today’s verdict should send...

August 28, 2024

CPJ Hails Conviction in Murder of Las Vegas Review‑Journal Reporter Jeff German

August 28, 2024 - USA - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has welcomed the guilty verdict in the murder trial of former Clark County public administrator Robert Telles, marking a significant victory in the fight against violence targeting journalists. On August 28, 2024, a Las Vegas jury returned a unanimous verdict finding Telles guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of investigative reporter Jeff German—a veteran journalist who had exposed corruption in Telles's office—and delivered a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years before parole eligibility German, age 69, was found stabbed to death...

August 28, 2024

China Cuts Off Journalist Gao Yu’s Internet and Phone in Escalating Digital Crackdown

August 28, 2024 - China - Beijing authorities severed all forms of communication for veteran independent journalist Gao Yu, disabling her landline, mobile phone, and internet access. The disruption followed her publication of a critique of an Al Jazeera interview with Victor Gao, provoking what CPJ called a tactic of enforced isolation used to silence dissenting voices. At 80 years old, Gao found herself unable to contact emergency services, a distressing impact on her well-being. She reported having to rely on mobile data at cafés or at friends’ homes to stay connected. Telecom providers blamed non-payment, but...

August 27, 2024

Thai Ex-Junta Deputy PM Slaps Female Journalist, Igniting Press Freedom Outcry

August 27, 2024 - Thailand - Duangporn Yiampop, a seasoned reporter from Thai PBS, was abruptly struck by General Prawit Wongsuwon—former deputy prime minister and leader of the Palang Pracharath Party—outside Government House in Bangkok. The attack unfolded after Yiampop inquired about Prawit’s absence from a crucial parliamentary vote, captured in a widely circulated video where he slapped her twice on the head while angrily demanding, “What did you ask?” before being escorted away by guards. The incident drew swift condemnation from media watchdogs, legal experts, and international press freedom organizations. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ),...

August 27, 2024

The Security Adviser Who Dedicated His Life to Protecting Journalists

August 27, 2024 - Ukraine/UK - Ryan Evans, a 38-year-old British media safety adviser working with Reuters, was killed on the night of August 24, 2024, when a Russian missile struck the Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine. A former British soldier from Wrexham, Wales, Evans had served in Iraq and Afghanistan before becoming a close-protection officer and later joining Reuters in 2022. Known for his calm demeanor and dedication, he provided safety and emotional support to journalists covering some of the world’s most dangerous assignments. The missile, believed to be an Iskander short-range weapon,...

August 27, 2024

Bangladesh Journalist Couple Arrested at Airport Amid Student Protest Probe

August 27, 2024 - Bangladesh - Prominent Bangladeshi journalists Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa, formerly with Ekattor TV, were detained at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The couple, traveling with their young daughter on August 21, were arrested while attempting to fly to Istanbul. Police held them after questioning for two hours regarding allegations of inciting violence linked to a student-led demonstration that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and reportedly caused around 100 deaths on August 5, 2024. On August 22, they appeared before a Dhaka magistrate and were placed on four days of police remand. Prosecutors accused them under Sections 302...

August 26, 2024

Tunisian Press Freedom Under Threat as Court Upholds Conviction of Journalist Walid Al‑Majri

August 26, 2024 - Tunisia - The Court of First Instance of Tunis 1 provisionally upheld its earlier in‑absentia verdict against Walid Al‑Majri, director of the investigative news site Al‑Katiba, following his appeal. Al‑Majri was originally sentenced in January 2023 to one year in prison for “insulting” former President Béji Caïd Essebsi and the Interior Minister via Facebook posts—a conviction widely regarded as politically motivated. His initial trial, based on a 2017 complaint by the Interior Ministry, was conducted without his presence or official summons, raising serious concerns over due process. The appeal hearing has been...

August 26, 2024

Spain’s Journalists Under Digital Siege: IPI Sounds Alarm on Online Intimidation

September 26, 2024 - Spain - A troubling surge in online harassment is threatening press freedom in Spain. In September 2024, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium—backed by the International Press Institute (IPI) and others—raised the alarm over a targeted campaign of digital attacks against an investigative team at La Sexta TV. The harassment was orchestrated by Daniel Esteve, CEO of eviction firm Desokupa, and involved repeated doxxing threats and broad intimidation across social media platforms, including X and Instagram. Esteve escalated the situation after La Sexta’s Equipo de Investigación aired an inquiry into...

August 26, 2024

Press Freedom Groups Call on EU to Sanction Israel for Targeting Journalists

August 26, 2024 - Palestine - Sixty international press freedom and human rights organizations issued a joint statement urging the European Union to take immediate action against Israel for what they described as systemic violations of media rights. The coalition, which includes the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International Press Institute (IPI), Free Press Unlimited, and Human Rights Watch (HRW), called for the suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement and the imposition of targeted sanctions on Israeli officials involved in press freedom violations. The groups highlighted an alarming pattern of violence,...

August 23, 2024

Two media workers killed, 1 injured in drone strike in Iraqi Kurdistan

August 23, 2024 - Iraq - On 23 August 2024, a suspected Turkish drone strike in Said Sadiq, Sulaymaniyah province, Iraqi Kurdistan, tragically claimed the lives of two female journalists working for Chatr Multimedia Production Company, affiliated with Sterk TV. The victims—40-year-old Turkish reporter Gulistan Tara and 27-year-old Iraqi Kurdish video editor Hero Bahadin—were killed when their vehicle was struck while on assignment. A third journalist, Rebin Bakir, was seriously injured but is now in stable condition at a Sulaymaniyah hospital. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed deep sorrow over the incident, urging Turkish...

August 9, 2024

Taliban Suspends 14 Media Outlets in New Crackdown on Independent Press

August 09, 2024 - Afghanistan - Afghanistan’s Taliban-run Afghan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) revoked 17 broadcast licenses covering 14 media outlets in eastern Nangarhar province—a mix of TV and radio channels, including Hamisha Bahar Radio & TV, Sharq, Arzasht, and eight regional radio stations. Authorities claimed license suspension stemmed from unpaid fees totaling approximately Afg 108,000 (~US $1,500) annually, though some debts dated back to the previous government. Watchdog groups swiftly condemned the move. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Taliban authorities to reverse the decision, asserting it represents ongoing state pressure on independent media...

August 9, 2024

Four Years On, Belarusian Press Faces Persistent Repression as 37 Journalists Remain Jailed

August 09, 2024 - Belarus - Marking four years since Belarus’s widely discredited presidential election, the International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ and EFJ), along with the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), called for the immediate release of 37 journalists currently imprisoned under President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime. According to BAJ, the 37 jailed media professionals—27 men and 10 women—have been detained solely for their journalistic work. Many face charges related to “extremism,” “inciting hatred,” or “threats to national security,” often tied directly to their reporting on protests, political dissent, or human rights abuses. Notable...

August 8, 2024

Ten Years On, No Justice: The Case of Disappeared Maldives Journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla

August 08, 2024 - Maldives - Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla—a fearless journalist with Minivan News known for his critical reporting on religious extremism and advocacy for democracy—was forcibly disappeared after receiving consistent threats from extremist groups in the Maldives. Multiple eyewitnesses saw him at the Hulhumalé ferry terminal, and CCTV footage confirmed his presence there before he vanished under suspicious circumstances. Since then, Rilwan’s fate has been shrouded in silence, with no trace of justice in sight. Early legal action led to the arrest—but eventual release—of three suspects, with charges dropped due to what a court cited as...

August 8, 2024

Kenyan Police Accused of Widespread Violence and Impunity as RSF Demands Justice for Targeted Journalists

August 08, 2024 - Kenya - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned multiple incidents of police violence against journalists in Kenya, demanding immediate accountability and disciplinary action against officers responsible. Over seven weeks of anti-government protests—including rallies against alleged brutality, corruption, and the death of blogger Albert Ojwang—journalists faced a harrowing pattern of intimidation: rubber-bullet shootings, tear-gassing, arbitrary arrests, and equipment destruction. A notable victim, Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki of Kameme TV, was shot in the leg with a rubber bullet during a July 16 protest in Nakuru. She stated, “This policeman tried to kill me,” asserting she...

August 7, 2024

UK Unions Condemn Surge in Violence Against Journalists Covering Riots

August 07, 2024 - UK - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the UK and Ireland have sounded the alarm over a disturbing rise in violence targeting journalists covering recent riots across the country, calling for urgent intervention by employers and authorities. Since late July, far-right riots erupted in multiple UK towns in response to an anti-immigrant disinformation campaign following the Southport stabbings on July 29. Journalists reporting from the front lines have been attacked, harassed, and had their equipment destroyed. In one incident in Bolton on...

August 6, 2024

Mexican Crime Reporter Alejandro Martínez Noguez Gunned Down Despite Police Protection

August 06, 2024 - Mexico - Veteran Mexican crime reporter Alejandro Alfredo Martínez Noguez, also known as “El Hijo del Llanero Solitito,” was fatally shot in Guanajuato while inside a police-escorted vehicle, in broad daylight on a highway between Celaya and Villagrán. Martínez, who hosted a highly popular Facebook page reporting on local crime, had nearly 350,000 followers and had survived a prior assassination attempt two years earlier. Assigned municipal police bodyguards due to persistent death threats, Martínez began filming and livestreaming a recent traffic accident in Celaya minutes before the attack, criticizing poor infrastructure and...

August 6, 2024

Nigerian Journalists Brutalized While Covering Protests as Press Freedom Faces Violent Clampdown

August 06, 2024 - Nigeria - Nigerian security forces launched a violent crackdown on journalists covering nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, with at least 56 media workers assaulted, detained, or harassed, according to reports by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). On August 3 alone, during demonstrations in Abuja and other major cities, 31 journalists were violently targeted. Among them was Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times, who was beaten and struck with a rifle butt while reporting, despite clearly identifying himself as press. In another case, Daily Independent photojournalist Kayode...

August 6, 2024

Indian Broadcast Journalist Beaten by Cop While Covering IDP Rally in Manipur

August 06, 2024 - India - Broadcast journalist Mutum Rameshchandra (known as RC Mangang) of Impact TV was violently assaulted by a sub-inspector of the Manipur Police as he covered a protest by internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Akampat, Imphal East. Despite clearly identifying himself as press and showing his ID card, SI Nikhil Singh allegedly punched him multiple times, tore his shirt, broke his phone, and threatened him. Rameshchandra was hospitalized at Raj Medicity with facial injuries and trauma. The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU), Editors’ Guild of Manipur (EGM), and other regional...

August 6, 2024

Brazilian Government Accused of Threats and Harassment Against Journalist Glenn Greenwald

August 06, 2024 - Brazil - Then-President Jair Bolsonaro and his administration escalated a mounting campaign of threats and harassment against American‑Brazilian journalist Glenn Greenwald, co-founder of The Intercept Brasil. This came on the heels of Greenwald’s publication of leaked Telegram messages suggesting undue collusion between Chief Justice Sérgio Moro and Lava Jato prosecutors—an exposé exposing potential judicial misconduct. During a military ceremony on 27 July, Bolsonaro publicly threatened Greenwald with imprisonment, accusing him of undermining the government. His supporters echoed these attacks, labeling the journalist “aligned with criminal hackers.” Meanwhile, Greenwald and his team reported...

August 1, 2024

Colombian Journalists Face Death Threats After Reporting on Criminal Groups in Cauca and Valle

August 01, 2024 - Colombia - Journalists from the Proclama de Cauca y Valle media network are facing a wave of death threats following their reporting on the activities of armed criminal groups in southwestern Colombia. The threats, delivered through anonymous messages on July 10, 24, and 27, 2024, warned the outlet’s staff to stop publishing sensitive content or face fatal consequences. The July 27 threat was particularly explicit, escalating fears for the safety of both journalists and their families. The Proclama network operates across a region long troubled by the presence of armed factions,...

August 1, 2024

Georgia’s “Foreign Agent” Law Threatens Media Freedom, IFJ Urges Immediate Withdrawal

August 01, 2024 - Georgia - Georgia enacted a controversial Transparency of Foreign Influence law requiring media outlets and civil society organizations that receive over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents.” The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its European counterpart (EFJ) immediately condemned the measure, warning it could be weaponized to criminalize independent journalism and civil society, and demanded its immediate and unconditional withdrawal. The IFJ described the law as authoritarian, labeling it as a legal tool designed to stifle dissent, particularly targeting critics of the government under the...

July 31, 2024

Greek Court Acquits Suspects in Murder of Investigative Journalist Giorgos Karaivaz

July 31, 2024 - Greece - A mixed jury court in Athens cleared two brothers of charges related to the contract killing of veteran crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz, who was shot dead outside his home on 9 April 2021. Prosecutors had claimed Karaivaz was poised to reveal links between organized crime and corrupt police officials, citing at least 10 gunshots fired at the journalist from a motorcycle. Nevertheless, the court found the evidence insufficient, leading to the acquittal on the principle of “reasonable doubt”. The verdict was met with strong criticism from press-freedom advocates. Reporters Without...

July 31, 2024

Two Al Jazeera Journalists Killed in Deadly Israeli Airstrike in Gaza

July 31, 2024 - Palestine - On 31 July 2024, Al Jazeera correspondent Ismail al‑Ghoul (27) and cameraman Rami al‑Refee were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting their vehicle while covering the aftermath of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination in Gaza’s Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. The pair had been filming live near Haniyeh’s residence when they made a last call to their news desk reporting an earlier strike and were advised to leave immediately. Mere minutes later, their marked press vehicle came under direct attack, resulting in a fatal strike that decapitated both...

July 30, 2024

Bangladeshi Journalists Face Deadly Crackdown Amid Quota Protests—Multiple Killed, Hundreds Injured

July 30, 2024 - Bangladesh - Amid the intense quota-reform protests in Bangladesh between June and August 2024, journalists endured a wave of brutal attacks by security forces and political actors while covering nationwide unrest. According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), at least two journalists were killed and over 160 were injured during the violent clashes that claimed more than 200 lives. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) confirmed the deaths of four media personnel—Hasan Mehedi, Md Shakil Hossen, Abu Taher Md Turab, and Mehedi Hasan—all killed while reporting on the protests. Dozens more suffered from...

July 25, 2024

Somalia: Journalist Alinur Salaad detained over military criticism

July 25, 2024 - Source: IFJ - Journalist and head of Dawan TV, Alinur Salaad, was detained by regional police in Mogadishu on 22 July on charges of false reporting and insulting the armed forces. Salaad was taken to court on 23 July and remanded in custody for 45-days while investigations are undertaken and potential charges prepared. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), condemn this arbitrary arrest as an attack on press freedom and demand Salaad’s immediate and unconditional release. Journalist Alinur Salaad was detained...

July 23, 2024

Bangladesh: Journalist killed as protests rage

July 23, 2024 - Source IFJ - At least one journalist has been killed as protests against government hiring quotas continue across Bangladesh, with hundreds killed, injured or detained. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF), in strongly condemning the killing, and urging protestors and authorities to ensure the safety of journalists and media workers. On July 18, Dhaka Times journalist Mehedi Hasan was killed after he was shot in the head while covering a clash between law enforcement and protesting students and activists in Dhaka’s southern...

July 23, 2024

Egyptian Journalists Kidnapped, Forcibly Disappeared Amid Escalating Press Crackdown

July 23, 2024 - Egypt - Within just one week in July 2024, Egyptian security forces arrested two media professionals at midnight and disappeared them without a trace, marking a disturbing intensification of repression against independent journalists. On 16 July, journalist Khaled Mamdouh Ibrahim of Arabic Post was hauled from his home in Cairo’s Mokattam district. Authorities confiscated his laptop and phone, then held him incommunicado for five days before officially bringing him before the Supreme State Security Prosecution. He's now held for 15 days under charges of “spreading false news” and “joining a terrorist...

July 21, 2024

Lebanese AFP Photographer Severely Wounded in Israeli Strike Carries Olympic Torch to Advocate for Press Protection

July 21, 2024 - Lebanon - Lebanese photojournalist Christina Assi, a staffer with Agence France-Presse (AFP), took part in the Olympic torch relay in Vincennes, France, on July 21, 2024, symbolizing solidarity with journalists wounded or killed in conflict zones. Assi was severely injured on October 13, 2023, during an Israeli shelling incident near the Israel-Lebanon border. The strike claimed the life of Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah and wounded six others from AFP, Reuters, and Al Jazeera. Assi suffered grave injuries to her right leg, which was later amputated. During the torch relay, Assi was...

July 19, 2024

Bangladesh Protests Turn Deadly for Press: RSF Demands Clarity on Journalist Mehedi Hasan’s Death

July 19, 2024 - Bangladesh - Bangladesh witnessed a brutal escalation during protests triggered by a High Court decision reinstating a government job quota system. The violent crackdown, led by security forces and ruling-party activists, led to widespread unrest and human rights abuses. On July 18, 35-year-old Hasan Mehedi, a journalist with Dhaka Times, was shot in the head and killed while covering clashes in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area between protesters and law enforcement. His death is notable as one of several journalist casualties amid the protests. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the incident as part...

July 15, 2024

Pakistani Reporter Malik Hassan Zaib Gunned Down in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amid Surge in Journalist Killings

July 15, 2024 - Pakistan - Malik Hassan Zaib, a journalist for the Urdu‑language Daily Aaj and a member of the Peshawar Press Club and Khyber Union of Journalists, was fatally shot by two masked motorbike assailants in Akbarpura Bazaar, Nowshera district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The attackers fired through the vehicle’s window, instantly killing the 40‑year‑old journalist, while his brother—who accompanied him—escaped unharmed. Zaib became the seventh journalist killed in Pakistan in just over six months of 2024, illustrating a disturbing escalation in violence against media workers. KP province alone lost three journalists this year,...

July 6, 2024

Indonesian Journalist and Family Killed in Apparent Arson Press Freedom Advocates Demand Justice

July 06, 2024 - Indonesia - Indonesian journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu, aged 47, along with his wife, daughter, and grandson, tragically perished in a house fire in Kabanjahe, North Sumatra. Pasaribu worked with Tribrata TV and had recently reported on an illegal gambling ring allegedly linked to a local army officer. The fire erupted around 3 AM. Witnesses reported seeing five unknown individuals near the home shortly before the blaze started, raising suspicions of foul play following Pasaribu’s investigative reporting on illegal activities involving military personnel . The journalist had previously received warnings from both military and police...

July 3, 2024

Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Gordon unjustly sentenced to 14 years in Russian prison

July 03, 2024 - Russia - Moscow military court delivered a 14‑year prison sentence, in absentia, to renowned Ukrainian journalist and YouTuber Dmytro (Dmitry) Gordon. The court convicted him under multiple charges, including “public calls for terrorism,” inciting hatred, spreading “fakes” about the Russian military, and advocating violence against Russian leaders. Despite his distance from Russian territory, prosecutors accused Gordon of using his popular platforms to encourage violence against President Putin and Belarusian President Lukashenko and even calling for a nuclear war against Russia . Gordon is a high-profile figure in Ukraine, with millions of subscribers...

June 25, 2024

Gaza War Becomes Deadliest Conflict for Journalists in Decades, with Dozens Targeted and Killed

June 25, 2024 - Palestine - A comprehensive investigation by The Guardian has revealed the Gaza war is now the deadliest conflict for journalists in the 21st century, with at least 180 journalists killed—nearly all Palestinian—since October 2023. The scale of fatalities, combined with mounting evidence of deliberate targeting, paints a devastating picture of what press freedom advocates describe as a war on journalism itself. Journalists have been killed in their homes, on the frontlines, and while wearing marked “PRESS” vests. In numerous cases, reporters were struck by drones or tank shells in circumstances suggesting...

June 14, 2024

Global Surge in Violence Against Environmental Journalists Threatens Climate Reporting

June 14, 2024 - General - A landmark UNESCO–IFJ report released in May 2024 reveals a sharp rise in attacks on environmental journalists over the past 15 years. Among the 905 respondents from 129 countries, more than 70% reported physical attacks, threats, harassment, or legal intimidation related to their work, and 44 were killed between 2009 and 2023. Of those, only five cases led to convictions, underscoring a profound climate of impunity. The report documents 749 instances of violence, including assaults, arbitrary detention, abduction, and murder. Alarmingly, this violence has more than doubled in recent...

June 7, 2024

Sudanese Paramilitary Forces Kill Journalist Makawi Mohamed Ahmed and His Brother Amid Escalating War Crimes

June 07, 2024 - Sudan - Elements of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stormed the village of Wad Al‑Noura in Al Jazirah state, south of Khartoum. During an intense attack involving heavy artillery, RSF fighters killed veteran state reporter Makawi Mohamed Ahmed, 57, and his brother, Shamseddine Mohamed Ahmed. The assault reportedly resulted in approximately 100 civilian deaths across the village. Makawi was a seasoned journalist working with the Sudan News Agency (SUNA). According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), his killing—alongside that of his brother—reflects a broader pattern of violent repression. CPJ's Latin...

June 3, 2024

In Abiy’s Ethiopia, Over 200 Journalists Arrested Since 2019 Independent Media Under Siege

June 03, 2024 - Ethiopia - Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed rose to power in 2018 amid high hopes for reform, Ethiopia has dramatically reversed course on press freedom. Initially celebrated for releasing exiled journalists and loosening media restrictions, the government has since launched sweeping crackdowns, particularly amid regional conflicts and internal dissent. According to Ethiopian Press Freedom Defenders, over 200 media professionals—including reporters, editors, and broadcast staff—have been arrested or detained since 2019. Arrests often occurred without warrants, with journalists held incommunicado for months on charges like “terrorism,” “hate speech,” or “spreading false information.”...

May 30, 2024

Two Years After Frédéric Leclerc‑Imhoff’s Death in Ukraine, RSF and Family Demand Justice

May 30, 2024 - Russia/Ukraine - Vetérán French journalist Frédéric Leclerc‑Imhoff, a camera operator with BFMTV, was killed by shell shrapnel near Sievierodonetsk while covering a humanitarian convoy extracting civilians from Luhansk Oblast during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite wearing protective gear and traveling in a vehicle designated for civilian evacuation, his death sparked concerns that journalists were being targeted even in marked “humanitarian” situations . At a military court in Moscow on 1 July 2024, RSF reported that Leclerc‑Imhoff was posthumously sentenced, in absentia, to 14 years in prison—accused of “calls for terrorism,” hatred,...

May 29, 2024

Pakistan Endures Deadliest May for Journalists on Record Four Killed, Others Attacked

May 29, 2024 - Pakistan - Pakistan suffered its deadliest month on record for journalists, with four media workers killed across diverse regions and several others assaulted, prompting urgent demands from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) for investigations and accountability. On May 21, Nasrullah Gadani, a reporter for the Sindhi-language newspaper Awami Awaz, was shot in the abdomen in Kori Goth, Ghotki district, Sindh. He died three days later in Karachi. Known for his courageous reporting against feudal lords and local politicians, Gadani’s assassination sparked outrage. Police arrested three suspects, but investigations remain ongoing....

May 21, 2024

Palestinian Journalists in Gaza Honored with UNESCO and IPI Press Freedom Awards Amid Ongoing Conflict

May 21, 2024 - Palestine - Palestinian journalists reporting from Gaza were jointly honored with two of the world’s most prestigious press freedom awards, recognizing their extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and commitment to reporting the truth under the most dangerous conditions. The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize was awarded to all Palestinian journalists covering the Gaza war, marking an unprecedented collective recognition of a press community. The award, conferred by an independent international jury, was given “in recognition of their courage, resilience, and commitment to freedom of expression.” Since the start of the war in...

May 17, 2024

Syrian Journalist Mahmoud Ibrahim Detained for Social Media Posts Supporting Protests

May 17, 2024 - Syria - Syrian regime forces arrested Mahmoud Ibrahim, an editor at the state-run Al-Thawra newspaper, in Tartus after he attended a court hearing. He was detained following a Facebook post expressing solidarity with peaceful protests in Suwayda, a southwestern city where demonstrators voiced opposition to the Assad regime and economic conditions. The charges, brought under the 2022 Anti-Cybercrime Law, include “supporting an armed rebellion,” “undermining the prestige of the state,” and “violating the constitution”. Since his arrest, Ibrahim has been held incommunicado at an undisclosed location, with no updates given to...

May 10, 2024

Two Years of Impunity: No Justice for Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh

May 10, 2024 - Palestine - Esteemed Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed while reporting on an Israeli Defense Forces raid in the Jenin refugee camp. Wearing a helmet and press vest, Abu Akleh was identifiable as a journalist when the fatal bullet struck her head—an act widely condemned as a “cold‑blooded assassination” by her employer. In the two years since, multiple independent investigations—including by UN experts, Forensic Architecture, the New York Times, and the US State Department—have confirmed that Abu Akleh was most likely killed by Israeli forces. The IDF itself acknowledged the...

May 8, 2024

Family Denounces ‘Sham’ Inquiry into Killing of Journalist Christopher Allen in South Sudan

May 08, 2024 - Sudan - 26-year-old photojournalist Christopher Allen, a dual British–American citizen, was shot dead while covering conflict in Kaya, South Sudan, near the Uganda border. Distressingly, images of his disrobed and desecrated body circulated online shortly afterward—a harrowing example of the tragedies journalists face in war zones. Despite public outcry, exact details surrounding his death and post-mortem treatment remain contested. After years of calls for truth and accountability from his family, international lawyers, RSF, and the UN, a South Sudanese inquiry committee finally published a 19-page report in March 2024—seven years after...

May 3, 2024

Environmental Journalists Under Siege as Attacks Surge 42% in Five Years

May 3, 2024 - General - Environmental journalism is under growing assault, according to a sobering 2024 report by UNESCO released ahead of World Press Freedom Day. The report documents a 42% increase in attacks against environmental journalists and media outlets over the past five years. From 2019 to 2023, 305 cases of physical violence, threats, legal harassment, and digital abuse were recorded, up significantly from the previous five-year period. In total, 749 attacks have been documented since 2009, including 44 killings of environmental journalists. Shockingly, only five of those murder cases have resulted in...

May 3, 2024

Niger’s Military Junta Tightens Grip on Media: Journalists Arrested, Intimidated and Press Freedom Dismantled

May 3, 2024 - Niger - Since the July 2023 coup, press freedom in Niger has been under severe assault by the military-led transitional government of the Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie (CNSP). Amnesty International warns that journalists reporting on security, conflict, and political dissent are being openly intimidated, surveilled, and arbitrarily arrested, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship. Among those targeted was prominent BBC Hausa correspondent Tchima Illa Issoufou, who was accused of trying to “destabilize the country.” After receiving threats and being wanted by security services, she was...

April 19, 2024

Georgian Police Injure Journalists Covering “Foreign Agent” Protests Amid Press Crackdown

April 19, 2024 - Georgia - On the night of April 16, 2024, while journalists were reporting live from protests outside the Georgian Parliament against the proposed “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law, riot police physically assaulted at least four reporters, according to statements from CPJ and the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics. These protests, which erupted across Georgia through April and May, saw tens of thousands of citizens rejecting legislation seen as a Russian-style assault on independent media. Riot police used pepper spray, tear gas, and physical violence, targeting media personnel as well as demonstrators. According...

April 12, 2024

Targeted from Above: Israeli Drone Strikes Kill Journalists in Gaza Despite Visible Press Markings

April 12, 2024 – Palestine - A joint investigation by ARIJ, Forbidden Stories, and global media outlets has uncovered disturbing evidence that Israeli drone strikes have killed or injured at least 18 journalists in Gaza since October 2023, many of them marked as press. The report, part of the Gaza Project, highlights how Israeli drone operations—designed for precision—are being used in ways that increasingly appear to intentionally target journalists, not protect civilians. Among the most shocking cases is that of Mahmoud al-Basos, a drone operator for Reuters and Anadolu Agency, who was killed on March 15,...

April 6, 2024

Six Months of Horror: Gaza’s Journalists Report Under Fire, Grief, and Genocide

April 6, 2024 – Palestine - Al Jazeera’s The Listening Post episode “Reporting Under Genocide” offers a powerful chronicle of what it means to be a journalist in Gaza after six months of unrelenting war. With foreign correspondents largely barred from entry, the burden of documenting the conflict—and the atrocities—has fallen almost entirely on local Palestinian reporters. These journalists are not only covering a war; they are surviving it. The report weaves together first-person accounts of journalists who have endured bombings, drone attacks, the deaths of colleagues, and the destruction of media infrastructure. Many have continued...

April 3, 2024

Palestinian Journalist Held as Premature Baby Suffers Without Breastfeeding

April 03, 2024 - Palestine - Israeli authorities have refused to release Palestinian journalist Rula Hassanein, despite urgent appeals highlighting her newborn baby’s critical dependence on breastfeeding. The case has drawn international condemnation, as human rights organizations argue that Israel’s continued detention of Hassanein violates both press freedom and child welfare standards. Hassanein, a freelance journalist affiliated with Al Jazeera Arabic, was arrested on March 19, 2024, during a wave of Israeli detentions targeting Palestinian reporters in the occupied West Bank. She was charged with “incitement” based on her social media posts—an accusation frequently leveled...

March 29, 2024

Russia Jails Four Journalists for Covering Navalny in Widening Crackdown on Independent Media

March 29, 2024 - Russia - Four Russian journalists have been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for allegedly promoting “extremist” activity linked to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation. The journalists — Antonina Favorskaya, Artyom Kriger, Sergey Karelin, and Konstantin Gabov — were convicted behind closed doors in Moscow in April 2025, in a move widely condemned by press freedom organizations and human rights advocates. All four journalists had previously covered Navalny’s court cases, protests, or political movement. The Russian government has designated Navalny’s organization as an extremist group...

February 11, 2024

Queen Rania Honors Gaza Journalist Wael Al-Dahdouh in Doha

February 11, 2024 - Jordan/Palestine - In a poignant meeting in Doha, Queen Rania of Jordan sat down with renowned Al Jazeera journalist Wael Al-Dahdouh, a man who has become a symbol of truth and perseverance in Gaza. The encounter took place during Queen Rania’s visit to Qatar for the AFC 2023 Asian Cup final, but it was her private moment with Al-Dahdouh and his family that resonated far beyond the stadium. In a heartfelt tribute shared on social media, she honored his sacrifice, writing, “Few people sacrifice so much for the truth… May God...

February 6, 2024

Justice Denied in Serbia: Acquittal in Slavko Ćuruvija’s Murder Sparks Outrage

Feb 6, 2024 - Serbia - The Belgrade Court of Appeals has overturned the convictions of four former Serbian intelligence officers accused in the 1999 murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija, sparking international condemnation and fears of deepening impunity for crimes against the press. The February 2, 2024, ruling definitively acquitted Radomir Marković, Milan Radonjić, Ratko Romić, and Miroslav Kurak, citing a lack of direct and indirect evidence. The verdict is final and cannot be appealed. Ćuruvija, a prominent critic of Slobodan Milošević and publisher of the Dnevni Telegraf and Evropljanin, was shot and killed outside...

January 15, 2024

Gaza War Drives 2023 to Deadliest Year for Journalists in Three Decades

January 15, 2024 - Palestine - The year 2023 marked a devastating milestone for press freedom, with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) recording 99 journalist and media worker killings worldwide—the highest toll since the organization began keeping records in 1992. Over 75% of these deaths occurred during the Israel-Gaza war, making it the deadliest conflict for journalists in the 21st century. According to CPJ’s February 2024 report, at least 77 journalists were killed during the war in Gaza, including 72 Palestinians, 3 Lebanese, and 2 Israelis. These figures surged in late 2023 and continued...

December 27, 2023

Azerbaijan’s Crackdown on Independent Media Intensifies

December 27, 2023 - Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan is undergoing a severe assault on press freedom, with a wave of arrests, prosecutions, and media shutdowns targeting independent journalists and outlets. Since late 2023, authorities have arrested more than 25 journalists, accusing many of “currency smuggling” and other economic crimes widely denounced as politically motivated. One of the central targets is Abzas Media, an independent investigative outlet known for reporting on government corruption. Its director, Ulvi Hasanli, along with several editors and reporters, was arrested and charged with smuggling. Offices were raided, equipment seized, and the team...

December 20, 2023

Fatal Mission in Khan Younis: The Final Reporting of Samer Abu Daqqa

December 20, 2023 – Palestine - Veteran Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa was killed and correspondent Wael Al‑Dahdouh was injured during their final reporting assignment in Khan Younis, Gaza—a mission now documented by Forbidden Stories and ARIJ as part of the Gaza Project. Abu Daqqa, aged 45, and Al‑Dahdouh, both wearing marked press vests, accompanied Civil Defense rescue crews to the devastated Farhana girls’ school courtyard. Their goal: film the retrieval of an excavator stranded amid rubble. While packing up, they came under Israeli drone fire. Witnesses and first responders report Abu Daqqa was struck by at least two separate strikes,...

December 18, 2023

Mozambique Mourns the Murder of Investigative Journalist João Chamusse

December 18, 2023 - Mozambique - João Fernando Chamusse — a prominent Mozambican journalist, co-owner and editor of the independent outlet Ponto por Ponto, and frequent commentator on TV Sucesso — was found dead in the backyard of his home in KaTembe, just outside Maputo. Neighbors recounted hearing his cries for help before discovering him with a severe head wound, a machete, and a gardening hoe nearby, and two mobile phones and a laptop missing. Chamusse had earned a reputation as a courageous voice against local corruption and government mismanagement. He previously co-founded the respected...

December 13, 2023

Killed for Telling the Story: Eleven Palestinian Women Journalists Die in Gaza

December 13, 2023 - Palestine - As the war in Gaza continues to take a devastating toll, the Coalition for Women in Journalism has reported the deaths of eleven Palestinian women journalists, killed by Israeli airstrikes since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. Among the most recent victims are Nermin Qawwas and Hanan Ayyad, both young reporters who died in December while trying to live, work, and document the destruction around them. Nermin Qawwas, 28, a trainee journalist for Russia Today, was killed when an Israeli airstrike hit her family’s home in Gaza City....

March 7, 2023

Protecting the Storytellers: How Media Outlets Can Support Journalists Facing Online Abuse

March 07, 2023 - General - As online abuse against journalists grows in frequency and intensity, media outlets must act decisively to protect their staff. A guide published by International Media Support outlines practical and urgent steps newsrooms can take to shield journalists from digital harassment, which disproportionately affects women and minority reporters. First, media organizations should take proactive measures to safeguard sensitive personal information. Journalists often become vulnerable through exposed metadata, public profiles, or published details that can be weaponized by online attackers. Outlets must implement training and internal policies that help reporters secure...