News

March 19, 2025 - India -  A female journalist was gang-raped in an under-construction building in the Barontek area of Pallabi, Dhaka. The victim, a reporter for a Dhaka-based daily, was allegedly lured to the location under the pretext of covering illegal activities. She was held captive overnight and subjected to assault before being rescued the following morning. Police arrested two suspects, Enamul Haque (38) and Hamidur Rahman (50), both caretakers of nearby buildings, in connection with the incident. A case was filed naming eight individuals, with an additional eight unidentified suspects. The victim was...

March 19. 2025 - India -  Mukesh Chandrakar, a 33-year-old freelance journalist from Chhattisgarh, was found murdered on January 3, 2025, in a septic tank on the property of a road contractor in Bijapur. His body showed signs of blunt force trauma, and the septic tank had been covered with a newly laid concrete slab, suggesting an attempt to conceal the crime. Chandrakar was known for his investigative reporting on corruption in public infrastructure projects, particularly road construction scams in the Bastar region. He ran a popular YouTube channel, Bastar Junction, which had approximately 159,000...

March 19, 2025 - Palestine -  Palestinian journalist Latifeh Abdellatif was detained by Israeli forces in Jerusalem’s Old City, sparking international concern over press freedom in the region. Abdellatif, a freelance photojournalist, has contributed to major news organizations such as Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, and ABC News. Israeli authorities accused her of “incitement” and “supporting terrorism,” based largely on her social media posts that included content related to Yahya Sinwar, the late leader of Hamas. After her arrest, Abdellatif was brought before a court via video link. Although a judge initially ordered her release, the...

March 19, 2025 - China/France -  Reporters Without Borders (RSF) strongly condemned a coordinated online harassment campaign against two French journalists who produced an investigative report on forced labor in China. The journalists, whose work aired on France 2 on February 6, uncovered evidence that the French sportswear company Decathlon subcontracted production to a Chinese supplier allegedly involved in exploiting Uyghur forced labor. This report touched on a highly sensitive issue, previously flagged by both the U.S. Congress and the United Nations. Following the program’s broadcast, the journalists became the target of an intense wave...

March 19, 2025 - Azerbaijan -  In May 2024, Azerbaijani journalist and economist Farid Mehralizada was arrested and has since been detained on multiple charges, including currency smuggling, illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, and document forgery. Mehralizada, a contributor to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), asserts that his arrest is politically motivated, stemming from his critical reporting on Azerbaijan's economic policies. He has highlighted issues such as the country's heavy reliance on oil and gas exports and has questioned official statistics on unemployment and poverty. During his court appearance on April 8, 2025, Mehralizada testified that...

March 18, 2025 - Somalia -  On March 18, 2025, Somali journalist Mohamed Abukar Mohamed, widely known as Dabaashe, was killed in a bomb attack in Mogadishu. The explosion, claimed by the militant group Al-Shabaab, targeted the convoy of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud near the Ceel Gaabta area. While the president was unharmed, the blast caused the collapse of a nearby building, resulting in multiple casualties, including Dabaashe. Dabaashe, 31, was a freelance journalist who had previously worked with Risaala Radio and TV and was associated with Sirta TV at the time of his...

March 18, 2025 - Somalia -  Somali police raided the offices of Risaala Media Corporation in Mogadishu, arresting five journalists and shutting down the station's operations. The action followed Risaala Media's reporting on a bombing attack targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy near the presidential palace, an incident claimed by Al-Shabaab. The explosion resulted in multiple casualties, including journalist Mohamed Abukar Dabaashe, who had previously worked for Risaala. The detained journalists—Ali Ibrahim Abdullahi Suheyfa (reporter), Hamda Hassan Ahmed (reporter), Mohamed Said Nur (cameraman), Liban Abdullahi Hussein (radio technician), and Abdalla Sharif Ali (cameraman)—were taken to...

March 18, 2025 - Turkey -  Belgian journalist and documentary filmmaker Chris Den Hond was denied entry into Turkey upon arrival at Istanbul Airport and subsequently deported. Turkish authorities informed him that he was on a blacklist and imposed a ten-year ban on his entry into the country. The reason cited for this action was his participation in a 2015 celebration marking the liberation of the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani from the Islamic State (ISIS). Den Hond, who resides in France, had traveled to Turkey to cover Newroz, the Kurdish New Year festival. In...

March 18, 2025 - Ukriane/Russia -  Russian journalist Maria Ponomarenko, known for her outspoken opposition to the war in Ukraine, is reportedly on the brink of suicide after enduring prolonged mistreatment in prison. Ponomarenko, who had been previously sentenced to six years in a penal colony for posting about the bombing of the Mariupol Drama Theatre, has now been handed an additional one year and ten months. The new sentence stems from accusations that she assaulted a prison employee—charges her supporters believe are politically motivated and part of a wider campaign to silence dissent. The...

March 18, 2025 - USA -  In March 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order dismantling the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), effectively defunding key outlets such as Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia (RFA). This abrupt action has left hundreds of journalists, many of whom have risked their lives reporting from authoritarian regimes, without institutional support, exposing them to potential retaliation from hostile governments. The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation highlights the dire consequences of this move, noting that journalists affiliated with USAGM are now...

March 18, 2025 - Zimbabwe -  Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga continues to remain behind bars while the court indefinitely postpones ruling on his bail application. Despite multiple bail requests, the High Court has yet to grant him release, leaving him detained without a clear timeline for freedom. Mhlanga was arrested in late February 2025 on charges linked to broadcasting content considered to incite public unrest. Since then, his legal team has repeatedly sought bail, but each request has been denied or delayed, prolonging his imprisonment. The indefinite delay in ruling on his current bail application...

March 18, 2025 - Zimbabwe -  On March 17, 2025, investigative journalist Watson Flexy Munyaka was found dead in Marondera, Zimbabwe, after being violently thrown from a moving vehicle. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a homicide investigation into the incident, which occurred in broad daylight along Fifth Street, near the Chicken Inn drive-through. Munyaka was rushed to Marondera Provincial Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Munyaka, aged 38, was a researcher for Dug Up, an investigative journalism collective focused on exposing corruption and crime in Zimbabwe. His recent work included reports on...

March 18, 2025 - Palestine  -  Palestinian freelance photojournalist Latifeh Abdellatif was arrested on March 16, 2025, by Israeli forces in Jerusalem’s Old City on charges of incitement and supporting terrorism. The allegations stem from her social media activity, including posting a video featuring Yahya Sinwar, a former leader of Hamas. Abdellatif’s work, published by international outlets such as Reuters, ABC News, BBC, Al Jazeera, and TRT, often focuses on documenting life and conflict in Jerusalem. Following her arrest, an Israeli court initially ordered her release under strict conditions, including bail and a temporary ban...

March 18, 2025 - General -  The documentary short Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud has won the Audience Award at the 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival. The film, directed by journalist Juan Arredondo, chronicles the life and tragic death of U.S. journalist Brent Renaud, who was killed by Russian forces in Irpin, Ukraine, in March 2022. Renaud, a Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, was working on a documentary about the global refugee crisis when he was fatally shot while traveling with Arredondo. The documentary offers an intimate look...

March 17, 2025 - Palestine -  On March 16, 2025, Palestinian freelance photojournalist Latifeh Abdellatif was arrested by Israeli forces in Jerusalem's Old City. She faces charges of "incitement" and "supporting terrorism," primarily due to her social media posts, including a video of late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar expressing a desire for martyrdom. Abdellatif's work has been featured by major international outlets such as Reuters, ABC News, BBC, Al Jazeera, and TRT. Her arrest has raised significant concerns among press freedom organizations. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that since the onset of the...

March 17, 2025 - Afghanistan -  Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, Afghanistan's media landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation, characterized by severe restrictions and a pervasive climate of fear. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that the Taliban's "Law for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice" grants the morality police extensive powers to censor media content deemed contrary to their interpretation of Sharia law, including prohibitions on reporting that insults Islam or Muslims. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) documented 181 incidents of press freedom violations in 2024,...

March 17, 2025 - Zimbabwe -  Zimbabwe is witnessing efforts to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the media, aimed at enhancing press freedom and ensuring better cooperation. Recently, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and journalists have actively engaged in dialogue and joint initiatives to build mutual trust and understanding. During a media engagement forum organized by the ZRP, senior police officials and members of the media discussed key issues affecting journalism, including safety, access to information, and the role of media in promoting peace and development. The police emphasized their commitment to upholding...

March 17, 2025 - Ghana -  In a significant development, the Ghana Police Service has arrested Daniel Owusu Koranteng, also known as Akwasi Amakye, in connection with the 2019 murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale. Koranteng, a former colleague of Suale at Tiger Eye Private Investigations, is accused of leaking photographs of Suale to a prominent politician before his assassination. Suale was shot dead near his family home in Madina on January 16, 2019, shortly after collaborating with the BBC on an exposé revealing corruption in Ghanaian football. The arrest follows a lengthy investigation, during...

March 17, 2025 - General -  In response to the decline of local journalism, Washington State lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 5400, aiming to bolster the industry through a novel funding mechanism. The bill proposes imposing a surcharge on large social media platforms and search engines with annual gross revenues exceeding $5 million. This surcharge is expected to generate approximately $27 million in fiscal year 2027, with projections of an additional $102 million between 2027 and 2031. The revenue from this surcharge would be allocated to the Washington Local News Journalism Corps Program, established within...

March 17, 2025 - USA -  In March 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the elimination of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees key international broadcasters such as Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and others. This move has led to widespread concern among journalists and media advocates about the future of independent journalism and U.S. soft power globally. The shutdown order resulted in the suspension of operations at these outlets, placing journalists, including those on work visas from repressive regimes, at...

March 17, 2025 - Syria -  A Hezbollah missile strike targeted a group of journalists from Al Arabiya while they were covering events near the Syrian-Lebanese border. The attack resulted in injuries to several media personnel and was condemned by Syria's newly established government. The Syrian Ministry of Information described the strike as a deliberate violation of international laws protecting journalists and called on the Lebanese government to hold those responsible accountable. This incident occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Syria and Hezbollah. The day before, Syria accused Hezbollah of kidnapping and executing...

March 17, 2025 - South Africa -  Authorities in South Africa have announced a R50,000 reward for anyone who can provide information leading to the safe location of missing journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli. The couple went missing on February 18, 2025, and their disappearance has prompted a widespread search involving both law enforcement and community members. The reward is intended to incentivize those who may have seen or heard anything related to the couple’s whereabouts to come forward and assist investigators. Police have encouraged the public to share any...

March 17, 2025 - Somalia -  Journalist Bahjo Abdullahi Salad of RTN TV was detained by the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) following her report on the health hazards posed by waste left in public spaces in Mogadishu's Wardhigley district. Her report highlighted the risks to the local community, particularly young children, from the accumulation of rubbish and leftover food. The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemned the unlawful detention and the raid on her home, emphasizing the importance of press freedom in holding authorities accountable. This incident is part of a broader pattern...

March 17, 2025 - Uganda -  During the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election in Kampala, Uganda, at least 18 journalists were subjected to severe physical assaults by security forces, including the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT). These attacks occurred despite the journalists being clearly identifiable by their press attire. Victims included Hasifah Nanvuma of Nation Media Group, Hassan Wasswa of NBS Television, and Francis Ijjo from NTV Uganda, all of whom required urgent medical attention. The assaults were not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated effort to intimidate...

March 17, 2025 - Palestine - Israeli police arrested Palestinian journalist Latifeh Abdellatif in Jerusalem's Old City. Abdellatif, a freelance photojournalist whose work has been featured in Reuters, ABC News, BBC, Al Jazeera, and TRT, was detained on suspicion of "incitement" and "supporting terrorism" due to her social media posts. Authorities allege that she shared content praising Hamas and its former leader, Yahya Sinwar, including a video where Sinwar expresses a desire to die as a martyr. Following her arrest, Abdellatif appeared in court via video link. While a judge initially ordered her release, Israeli...