News

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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 -  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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 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 -  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 - 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 - 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 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 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 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...