News

February 13, 2026 - Guatemala - A Guatemalan judge has ordered the release of veteran journalist José Rubén Zamora from prison and his return to house arrest, a development that press freedom advocates have welcomed amid ongoing legal battles over charges widely decried as politically motivated. Zamora — founder of the independent newspaper El Periódico — had been jailed since August 2023 on charges that include money laundering, tax fraud, and money smuggling, allegations his supporters say are an effort to quell critical reporting on corruption and government misconduct. On 12 February 2026, a Guatemalan...

February 13, 2026 - General - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have jointly nominated Philippine journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio for the prestigious UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, highlighting her commitment to independent reporting amid threats and detention. The nomination was announced in early February 2026 as part of UNESCO’s annual recognition of individuals or organisations that have made outstanding contributions to press freedom. Cumpio, a correspondent for independent outlets in the Philippines, has been a vocal reporter on issues including local governance, human rights violations, and abuses...

February 13, 2026 - General - Surfshark, a global virtual private network (VPN) provider, has partnered with international media development organisation Internews to expand digital security protections for journalists, activists, and human rights defenders worldwide, industry observers reported this week. The collaboration will offer free access to Surfshark’s secure VPN services to eligible media professionals as part of broader efforts to counter digital surveillance and strengthen online safety for independent reporting. The initiative aims to address rising concerns over digital threats facing journalists, particularly those working in high-risk environments or covering sensitive topics such as...

February 13, 2026 - USA - Journalist Don Lemon, a former CNN anchor now working independently, has pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges in connection with his presence at a protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, authorities and multiple news outlets reported on 13 February 2026. The arraignment marks a key turning point in the unfolding legal case that has drawn national attention to questions of press freedom and protest law enforcement. Lemon appeared in U.S. District Court in St. Paul to enter his plea, where he was joined...

February 12, 2026 - USA - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has welcomed the Oscar nomination for a documentary film chronicling the life and death of an American journalist who was killed while reporting on the war in Ukraine, hailing the recognition as an important spotlight on the dangers faced by journalists covering conflict zones. The nod from the Academy Awards comes as press freedom organisations amplify calls to protect journalists worldwide. The documentary, titled Bearing Witness, tells the story of Pierre “Pete” Johnson, a U.S. freelance reporter and war correspondent who was killed...

February 12, 2026 - USA - The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released surveillance images of a masked individual wanted in connection with the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of U.S. television anchor Savannah Guthrie, as authorities continue a widespread search in Georgia. The release of the photos marks a major step in the ongoing investigation and aims to generate public tips to help locate the suspect and secure Nancy Guthrie’s safe return. Nancy Guthrie, a 75-year-old grandmother, was reported missing on 8 February 2026 after failing to board a scheduled flight from...

February 12, 2026 - Algeria - Algerian security forces have detained two journalists in the lead-up to the country’s upcoming elections, in moves that rights groups say reflect increasing pressure on independent media and critics of the government. Both reporters were held this week in separate incidents, prompting condemnation from press freedom advocates domestically and internationally. According to Journalism Pakistan, one of the journalists, Abdelali Mezghiche, a freelance reporter known for covering political affairs, was arrested in Oran on 11 February 2026. Security officials detained Mezghiche without a public warrant and transported him to an...

February 12, 2026 - Kazakhstan - International rights watchdog FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights) has condemned what it describes as ongoing judicial harassment against Kazakh journalist Gulnara Bazhkenova, warning that the legal actions taken against her represent a broader crackdown on independent journalism and dissent in Kazakhstan. The case has drawn attention from press freedom advocates who say Bazhkenova’s prosecution signals a deteriorating environment for media professionals in the country. Bazhkenova, a prominent investigative reporter and editorial figure known for covering corruption, governance, and civic issues, has faced a series of legal pressures over...

February 12, 2026 - Russia/Ukraine/Latvia - Two Latvian news crew members were wounded after coming under FPV (first-person-view) drone fire from Russian forces while reporting near the front line in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, Ukrainian authorities and multiple international media outlets reported on 11 February 2026. The incident underscores the growing danger posed to journalists covering active combat zones, as drone technology increasingly figures in battlefield targeting. The Latvian reporters were embedded with Ukrainian forces near Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi when Russian FPV drones — small, maneuverable, weaponised unmanned aerial systems — launched an attack on their position. According...

February 12, 2026 - India - An eyewitness has testified in a Korba court this week in the long-running murder case of Salma Sultana, the Indian journalist who was fatally shot in 2018, as proceedings continue nearly eight years after the crime, local media reported. The testimony underscores the protracted legal process in the high-profile case and provides new details about the events surrounding Sultana’s death. The court session on 13 February 2026 saw an eyewitness describe hearing a song being played immediately after Sultana was shot, a detail that defence lawyers for the accused...

February 12, 2026 - Ukraine - Ukrainian law enforcement authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into the alleged illegal surveillance of journalists connected to the high-profile “MIDAS case,” police and media watchdogs reported. The probe responds to complaints by media professionals who say they were unlawfully monitored by individuals linked to the suspects at the centre of the MIDAS bribery and corruption scandal. The investigation was opened on 13 February 2026 by the Kyiv Police’s criminal investigations unit after journalists filed complaints alleging they had been subjected to unauthorised monitoring of their phones and online...

February 12, 2026 - Palestine - A veteran Palestinian journalist has been re-arrested by Israeli authorities just weeks after being freed in a high-profile prisoner exchange deal, prompting criticism from media freedom advocates and human rights groups who say the move undermines negotiated releases and raises serious concerns about the treatment of journalists in detention. The journalist, whose identity has not been widely publicised in international media due to security and privacy considerations, was originally released in January 2026 as part of a prisoner swap agreement between Palestinian groups and Israeli authorities. Such exchanges are...

February 11, 2026 - Nigeria - The murder trial of 11 suspects accused of the killing of ARISE News anchor Frank Maduagwu formally commenced in a Nigerian federal high court this week, marking a significant procedural step in a case that has drawn national attention to violence against journalists. However, proceedings were delayed when several defendants failed to appear in court, forcing the judge to adjourn the hearing. The trial began on 10 February 2026 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the prosecution presented an initial outline of charges against 11 individuals accused...

February 11, 2026 - Cambodia - A Cambodian journalist who was detained after reporting on sensitive religious affairs has been released following questioning by authorities, in a case that has drawn concern from press freedom advocates about state interference in media coverage of religious issues. The reporter, whose name has been widely reported as Sophal Ear, was taken into custody by police in Phnom Penh on 3 February 2026 after publishing an article detailing ceremonies and financial practices linked to a prominent religious institution, local outlets said. According to Kiri Post and UCA News, the...

February 11, 2026 - Bosnia & Herzegovina - Bosnian authorities and media freedom organisations are condemning a physical assault on journalist Sanja Vasković, calling it a serious indicator of deteriorating safety conditions for journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The attack occurred on 7 February 2026 in East Sarajevo, where Vasković was targeted while performing her professional duties, according to reports by local and regional press freedom groups. Vasković, a correspondent known for covering civic, political, and social issues, was reportedly assaulted by unidentified individuals near her workplace. According to accounts submitted to the SAFE Journalists,...

February 11, 2026 - Russia - A Russian-born Israeli journalist was removed from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official flight to the United States this week after Israeli security services raised concerns about the reporter’s alleged connections to Russian entities, officials and media outlets said. The decision, which was taken at the last minute, has sparked debate about press access and national security procedures. The journalist, whose name has not been publicly released due to security sensitivities, was originally slated to travel with Netanyahu’s delegation on a state visit to Washington, D.C., aimed at strengthening U.S.–Israel...

February 11, 2026 - India - An Indian court in Gujarat has sentenced journalist Ravi Nair to one year in prison and imposed a fine after finding him guilty in a criminal defamation case filed by Adani Enterprises, according to court documents and multiple media reports. Reuters reported that Adani Enterprises filed the complaint in 2021, alleging that Nair’s social media posts made unverified claims suggesting political patronage, financial irregularities, and unethical conduct. The court said Nair did not produce documentary material or verified data to substantiate the allegations and concluded the posts portrayed the...

February 10, 2026 - Ukraine/Russia - A former Ukrainian journalist, Viktoriia Roshchyna, attempted to cut her wrists in front of guards in a Russian detention facility while pleading for psychological help, according to testimony from a former inmate. Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity in 2024, had been held in Taganrog pre-trial detention centre after her arrest in August 2023 while reporting from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. Her case continues to draw scrutiny as details of her treatment emerge. A former prisoner who shared a cell block with Roshchyna told investigative outlet Slidstvo.Info that she repeatedly...

February 10, 2026 - Algeria - Algerian journalist Omar Ferhat, a co-founder of the independent media outlet Radio M, was arrested by state security forces in Algiers on 14 January 2026, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported, marking a concerning escalation in the North African country’s suppression of independent journalism. Ferhat’s detention comes amid a broader crackdown on civic space and press freedom, human rights advocates say. Local press freedom groups said Ferhat was taken into custody without a formal warrant shortly after leaving his home, and that security personnel provided no clear explanation...

February 10, 2026 - China - Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has been sentenced to 20 years in prison under the city’s national security law, a ruling that has triggered international criticism and intensified concerns about the erosion of press freedom in the territory. Judges handed down the sentence on 9 February 2026 after Lai was convicted on multiple charges related to national security, marking one of the harshest penalties imposed under legislation that critics say is being used to stifle dissent and independent media. Lai, 78, is the founder of the pro-democracy...

February 10, 2026 - Bangladesh - A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 18 bank accounts held by veteran journalist Shyamal Dutta and members of his family amid an ongoing legal dispute involving allegations of financial misconduct, according to multiple Bangladeshi media outlets. The action follows a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and marks a significant development in a high-profile case attracting public and press attention. On 10 February 2026, a judge of the Dhaka Special Judge’s Court–5 approved the ACC’s request to freeze the accounts, which are held across multiple banks and...

February 10, 2026 - Germany - Germany has recorded a significant increase in crimes targeting journalists, according to official data and recent reporting by Deutsche Welle and other media outlets, raising concerns about the safety of media workers and broader threats to press freedom. The trend reflects growing hostility toward reporters across the country amid political polarization, social tensions, and heightened public scrutiny of the media. Data released by Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) show that in the most recent reporting period, there was a notable uptick in incidents where journalists were subjected to...

February 09, 2026 - Tanzania -  Media professionals in Tanzania have been urged to intensify their coverage of environmental issues, with experts and officials emphasising that stronger journalism on ecological challenges is essential for public awareness and policy action. Speakers at recent events highlighted climate change, deforestation, pollution, and natural resource management as areas where investigative reporting can contribute to sustainable development and accountability. At a gathering of media practitioners and environmental stakeholders in Dar es Salaam, representatives from civil society and government agencies told journalists that environmental degradation poses serious risks to food security,...

February 09, 2026 - UK - A major legal transparency initiative that has served as a vital resource for courtroom reporting by journalists across Britain is being shut down by the UK Government, raising concerns about the future of open justice and media access to criminal courts. The platform known as Courtsdesk, which compiled magistrates’ court lists and case data to support press coverage, is being dismantled after authorities cited data protection issues, according to news reports. Courtsdesk was launched in 2020 with backing from HM Courts & Tribunal Service (HMCTS) and approval from the...

February 09, 2026 - China - Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has been sentenced to 20 years in prison under the city’s national security law, marking one of the harshest penalties imposed so far under the legislation and prompting widespread international concern about press freedom and judicial independence. The verdict was delivered on 9 February 2026 in a case that has become emblematic of Beijing’s tightened control over dissent in the former British colony. Lai, 78, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was convicted in December 2025 on three charges,...