News

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, 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/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 - 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 - 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 -  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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 -  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 - 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 - 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 -  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 - 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 - 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 - 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 -  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...