News

December 17, 2025 - Iran -  Iranian authorities detained photojournalist Aaliyah Motabalzadeh on 12 December 2025 in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, in an operation that also swept up a group of activists and human rights defenders, drawing sharp condemnation from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and global press freedom advocates. Motabalzadeh’s arrest occurred as she and others were gathered to mourn the death of prominent human rights lawyer Khosro Alikordi, whose body was discovered in his office earlier in the month. Iranian security forces characterized the detentions as a response to “illegal behaviour” and alleged...

December 17, 2025 - India -  International press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and allied watchdogs have sharply criticised the Indian digital news platform OpIndia, arguing that its extensive campaign against independent journalists and outlets contributes to a broader erosion of media freedom in India. According to RSF’s latest analysis, OpIndia has published more than 300 articles targeting journalists between 2023 and 2025, often energising coordinated online harassment and undermining credible news reporting. These activities have raised alarm among media freedom advocates about the impact of cyber-harassment campaigns on independent journalism and the safety...

December 17, 2025 - Kazakhstan -  Human rights organisations are intensifying criticism of Kazakhstani authorities for a recent surge in actions targeting independent journalists and media outlets, describing the developments as part of a widening crackdown on free expression and press freedom. A coalition of nine international human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW), has publicly condemned a series of police raids, detentions, and administrative pressures that rights advocates say are aimed at stifling independent journalism in Kazakhstan. The tensions escalated in early December 2025 when police searched the Orda.KZ Independent News...

December 17, 2025 - Yemen -  International rights and press freedom organisations have intensified calls for the release of Yemeni journalist Naseh Shaker, who has been held in detention for over two years without transparent legal proceedings, prompting concerns about press freedom and human rights in Yemen. Shaker, a respected freelance journalist who contributed to major international media outlets, has not been seen publicly since his arrest in late 2023, and his case has drawn coordinated criticism from global advocacy groups, including ARTICLE 19, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Human Rights Watch, the Committee...

December 16, 2025 - Ethiopia - Independent media freedom in Ethiopia has suffered a significant setback following a new wave of government restrictions and punitive actions against critical journalists and outlets, according to human-rights and press-freedom organisations. The development marks the latest in a series of measures that observers say erode constitutional protections for free expression and sharply constrict the space for independent journalism. According to Human Rights Watch, Ethiopian authorities have intensified their campaign against media outlets perceived as critical of the government, particularly those reporting on political unrest, ethnic tensions, and human-rights abuses....

December 16, 2025 - General - A new media initiative, the Global Video News Awards, has been launched to celebrate and amplify compelling journalism from the Global South, marking what organizers describe as “a new era” in international storytelling. The awards — unveiled at a high-profile event in Dubai — aim to recognize excellence in video journalism produced in, by, and about regions that are often underrepresented in mainstream global media. Organizers say the initiative responds to persistent imbalances in whose voices are heard and whose stories are valued on the world stage, especially from...

December 16, 2025 - Myanmar -  Myanmar journalist Sut Ring Pan has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after being convicted on charges of incitement and terrorism, in a case that has drawn sharp criticism from press-freedom groups and human-rights advocates who say the charges are politically motivated and represent a broader assault on independent journalism in the country. Sut Ring Pan, a respected reporter known for covering civil society issues and unrest in Myanmar’s ethnic states, was arrested in late 2023 amid the junta’s intensifying crackdown on critical media following the 2021 military...

December 16, 2025 - Belarus -  Belarusian authorities have freed prominent journalist Maryna Zolatava after she served more than four years in prison, a move welcomed by international press-freedom advocates as a long-delayed acknowledgment of her right to free expression. Zolatava, a former editor of the independent news outlet Tut.by, was arrested in 2021 along with colleagues from the website following a sweeping government crackdown on independent media. Prosecutors accused her of tax evasion and other financial charges — allegations widely criticized by rights groups as politically motivated attempts to silence critical reporting. Throughout her...

December 16, 2025 - Syria -  Syrian authorities have ordered the release of journalist Iyad Sharbaji, following a detention that drew significant criticism from local media circles, press-freedom advocates, and civil society activists. The decision marks a rare reversal in a context where journalists often face arrest or harassment for independent reporting. Sharbaji was detained by security forces in Damascus in late November 2025. Although officials did not immediately disclose the charges, local and international rights groups widely condemned the arrest as politically motivated and indicative of the shrinking space for journalism in Syria. The...

December 15, 2025 - Palestine -  International media and humanitarian organizations are stepping up efforts to support journalists in Gaza by introducing psychosocial resilience training aimed at helping media workers cope with the extreme stress and trauma associated with reporting in conflict zones. According to UNESCO, journalists covering the ongoing violence in Gaza are facing unprecedented psychological strain due to prolonged exposure to violence, destruction, and loss of life. The United Nations agency — which has been monitoring threats to press freedom and the safety of media workers worldwide — notes that in addition to...

December 15, 2025 - India -  Senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty has been elected the first woman president of the Press Club of India (PCI), marking a historic milestone for one of the country’s most influential journalistic institutions and for women in Indian media. Pisharoty secured the position following elections held in New Delhi, breaking a decades-long pattern in which the leadership of the Press Club had been exclusively male. Her election has been widely welcomed by journalists’ associations, media professionals, and civil society groups as a significant step toward greater gender representation in newsroom...

December 15, 2025 - Bangladesh -  The arrest of prominent Bangladeshi journalist Anis Alamgir under anti-terrorism legislation has sparked widespread concern among media professionals and rights advocates, who warn that the move reflects an escalating crackdown on journalism in Bangladesh. Alamgir, a senior journalist and former editor known for his political commentary and analysis, was detained this week in Dhaka in connection with a case filed under Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Act. Authorities allege that he was involved in activities threatening national security, accusations his supporters and press-freedom groups strongly dispute. They argue that the charges stem...

December 15, 2025 - France/Algeria -  A French journalist imprisoned in Algeria has filed an appeal with the country’s highest court, as his family and international press-freedom organizations intensify calls for his release, turning the case into a growing diplomatic and human-rights issue. Christophe Gleizes, a freelance French journalist specializing in North Africa, was sentenced earlier this year to seven years in prison on charges linked to national security and alleged contacts deemed illegal by Algerian authorities. Gleizes has consistently denied wrongdoing, with his lawyers arguing that his reporting activities were mischaracterized and criminalized. His...

December 14, 2025 - Philippines -  A Filipino journalist has launched a legal and public challenge against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, accusing the tech giant of enabling red-tagging and the spread of disinformation that puts journalists and activists at serious risk in the Philippines. The case centers on journalist Ressa Villanueva (as reported), who says Meta’s platforms were used to circulate false and dangerous claims linking her to communist groups — a practice known locally as red-tagging. In the Philippines, such accusations are widely recognized as a precursor to harassment, surveillance,...

December 14, 2025 - India -  Four journalists in India’s western state of Maharashtra could face jail sentences after a legislative council panel recommended punitive action against them for allegedly defaming a ruling party politician, a move that has triggered alarm among press-freedom advocates and media organizations. According to multiple reports, a privileges committee of the Maharashtra Legislative Council has recommended five days’ imprisonment for four journalists accused of publishing defamatory content against a member of the council. The panel also proposed additional penalties, including reprimands, arguing that the reporting damaged the legislator’s reputation and...

December 14, 2025 - Ukraine/Russia -  The Ukrainian government has begun issuing long-awaited state compensation payments to the families of journalists killed while carrying out their professional duties, marking a significant step toward recognizing the risks faced by media workers during Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to Ukrainian officials, the first compensation payment has been granted to the father of Viktoriia Roshchyna, an investigative journalist who died in Russian custody after reporting from occupied territories. Roshchyna’s case has become emblematic of the dangers Ukrainian journalists face, particularly those covering war crimes, occupation, and human-rights abuses in...

December 14, 2025 - USA -  Journalists of color are being hit hardest by a new wave of layoffs sweeping through U.S. newsrooms, raising renewed concerns about equity, representation, and the long-term impact on media diversity. Industry observers warn that the cuts risk reversing years of progress toward more inclusive journalism at a time when news organizations are under intense financial pressure. Recent layoffs at major media outlets have disproportionately affected reporters, editors, and producers from marginalized backgrounds, according to accounts from affected journalists and newsroom diversity advocates. Many of those laid off were hired...

December 14, 2025 - Turkey - Turkish authorities have detained journalist Osman Çaklı over social media posts, prompting warnings from press unions and free-expression advocates who say the case reflects the continued criminalization of online speech and journalism in Türkiye. Çaklı was taken into custody in Istanbul following a prosecutor’s order linked to posts he shared on social media platforms. While the exact content cited by authorities has not been fully disclosed, reports indicate that the investigation centers on commentary deemed critical of public institutions. After his detention, prosecutors sought judicial control measures rather than...

December 14, 2025 - Palestine/USA - A sharply critical commentary has accused The New York Times of applying selective moral standards in its coverage of journalists killed in conflict zones, arguing that the paper’s expressions of outrage and conscience appear inconsistent when the victims are Palestinian reporters. The analysis, published by Middle East Eye, contrasts the Times’ strong editorial responses to the killing of journalists in some global contexts with what it describes as muted, cautious, or delayed language when Palestinian journalists are killed during Israel’s war on Gaza. The author argues that this disparity...

December 13, 2025 - Palestine -  The brother of slain Palestinian journalist Hossam Shabat has died in Gaza after Israeli forces allegedly prevented him from receiving urgent medical treatment, further deepening the tragedy surrounding a family already devastated by the killing of a media worker during the war. According to local and regional reports, Hossam Shabat’s brother, who had been seriously injured earlier, succumbed to his wounds after repeated attempts to secure medical evacuation and treatment were denied. Family members and local sources said the lack of access to life-saving care, amid severe restrictions on...

December 13, 2025 - USA -  A New York Times journalist has stirred fresh debate over editorial standards and interview negotiation tactics after proposing conditions for an interview related to the high-profile “Epstein Files” story — a sprawling investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s network and its alleged connections to powerful individuals, including former U.S. President Donald Trump. The development has drawn attention from media observers and political commentators, underscoring ongoing tensions around access, accountability, and journalistic ethics in reporting on sensitive, high-stakes subjects. According to Al Jazeera, the reporter offered to conduct the interview “on your...

December 13, 2025 - Ukraine/Russia -  Ukrainian journalists detained in Russian-occupied territories have been subjected to torture, intimidation, and psychological abuse for refusing to cooperate with Kremlin-backed propaganda efforts, according to new reporting that sheds light on the growing dangers faced by media workers in the war. Journalists who survived detention described being targeted specifically for their professional work, particularly for continuing to report independently or declining to participate in pro-Russian information campaigns. Several said they were accused of spreading “anti-Russian narratives” and treated as security threats rather than civilians protected under international law. Former...

December 12, 2025 - Congo - Press-freedom organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has joined the Journalists in Danger (JED) network in issuing an urgent appeal for the protection of journalists in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), warning that media workers in the region face escalating threats amid renewed violence and instability. According to RSF and JED, journalists operating in North Kivu and Ituri provinces are increasingly exposed to intimidation, attacks, and reprisals linked to their coverage of armed groups, military operations, and humanitarian crises. The organizations say reporters are being targeted by both...

December 12, 2025 - China - A Hong Kong court is expected to deliver a highly anticipated verdict next week in the national security trial of Jimmy Lai, the imprisoned media tycoon and outspoken critic of Beijing, in a case widely seen as a defining test of press freedom and judicial independence in the city. Lai, the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has been on trial under Hong Kong’s sweeping national security law, which was imposed by China in 2020 following mass pro-democracy protests. Prosecutors accuse Lai of colluding with foreign forces...

December 12, 2025 - Italy - Pope Francis has issued a rare and pointed warning to Italy’s intelligence services, urging them to uphold ethical standards and refrain from using secret information to damage journalists, politicians, or public institutions. His remarks came during a private audience at the Vatican with senior members of Italy’s intelligence community, where he emphasized the moral responsibilities that accompany covert power. According to reports, the pope told intelligence officials that secrecy must never be abused to manipulate public opinion or discredit individuals. He cautioned against the misuse of confidential information, stressing...