News

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