Research – Targeting Journalists is a Crime

Ethical Risks in Embedding with Military Forces Amid Allegations of Genocide

A recent editorial by The Public Source warns of the grave ethical dangers of journalists embedding with military forces accused of genocide. It argues that so-called “propaganda tours” of Gaza orchestrated by the Israeli military are designed not to inform, but to control the narrative, distort facts, and normalise the killing of Palestinian journalists. By agreeing to embed, the piece contends, media outlets accept the trade-off of limited, sanitised access while abandoning independent reporting. The editorial highlights how embedded coverage often reproduces misinformation, dehumanising language, and factual errors, aligning more with state propaganda than journalistic...

Ethiopian Journalists Trapped Between Violence, Political Pressure, and Censorship

In August, 2025, Addis Standard published a study highlighting the grave dangers facing journalists in Ethiopia, who are increasingly caught between severe safety threats, political pressure, and ethical dilemmas. The report details how reporters working across the country are vulnerable to harassment, surveillance, and arbitrary detention, while also being forced to navigate partisan narratives and restrictive government policies that stifle independent reporting. The study underscores that Ethiopia remains one of the most challenging environments for journalists in Africa. Since the outbreak of civil conflict, the country has witnessed escalating hostility toward the press, with both...

Serbia Sees Surge in Attacks on Journalists During Anti-Government Protests

As Serbia grapples with growing political unrest, journalists have increasingly become targets of hostility and violence, marking a historic low for press freedom in the country, according to the International Press Institute (IPI). Since early 2025, there has been a surge in attacks on media workers across Serbia, especially during anti-government protests catalysed by the deadly collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024. IPI documents more than 123 incidents since the start of the year, including 15 physical assaults, 71 acts of intimidation, and 34 verbal threats. Many of these...

Avoiding Discrimination & Hate Speech in Media

Some media outlets take a biased approach in their coverage of events. This presents a professional and moral dilemma, especially if this leads to negative framing of communities or individuals that may damage their public image. Often, this bias becomes a form of discrimination or incitement to hatred, increasing the possibility that these communities or individuals may be exposed to violence.1 This guidebook introduces professional practices and legal boundaries to help journalists avoid being discriminatory, inciting hatred, or promoting racial discrimination in their pieces by providing them with the necessary tools and encouraging them to...

The Legal Pursuit for Justice: HRF and PCHR Take Anas al-Sharif’s Killing to the ICC

On August 10, 2025, an Israeli airstrike struck a media tent outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, killing Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent Anas al-Sharif along with colleagues Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, as well as Mohammed al-Khaldi from Sahat Media Platform and a civilian, Saad Jundiya. The tent had been a key base for frontline reporting, and its destruction has been widely condemned by media and human rights organizations as a deliberate attack on journalists. In response, the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) have...

Violence Targets 496 Journalists in Bangladesh Over Past Year

The article reports a troubling escalation in violence against journalists over the past year. According to data from the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), from August 2024 to July 2025, 496 journalists were subjected to harassment. This includes online threats, physical intimidation, and legal pressure designed to curtail press freedom and suppress independent reporting. This surge in threats and harassment reflects a deepening crisis for journalists operating in a hostile environment. The range of abuses—spanning verbal intimidation, cyberbullying, and punitive legal actions—serves to compromise journalists' ability to report freely and safely. The article underscores how these...

Journalist Attacks in Bangladesh Surge by 230 Percent Under Interim Government

Bangladesh has seen a staggering 230% rise in attacks on journalists since the formation of its interim government in January 2024, according to a new report by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS). The rights body documented at least 878 journalists targeted between January 2024 and July 2025, painting a grim picture of the country’s press freedom environment during a period of political transition. Of the total cases recorded, a significant 285 involved attacks on journalists reporting from the field. Another 220 cases were tied to the repression of critical social media content. Alarmingly, 123...

Exile Without Escape: How Online Abuse Silences Central America’s Women Journalists

In an alarming pattern revealed by LatAm Journalism Review, women journalists from Central America continue to face vicious and gendered online assaults, even while in exile. Despite leaving their home countries, these professionals endure targeted campaigns of hatred that undermine both their safety and credibility in digital spaces. One journalist, forced into exile due to threats against her daughters, explained that the abuse persisted long after relocation. She found professional opportunities severely limited, as hateful rhetoric and smear campaigns followed her to new platforms. Another exile described how spyware, including Pegasus, was used to invade...

International Humanitarian Law and UN Resolutions Safeguarding Journalists in War Zones

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) outlines clear international legal protections for journalists working in armed conflict, grounded in international humanitarian law and reinforced by United Nations resolutions. These protections are primarily established under Article 79 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (1977), which states that journalists on professional assignments in conflict zones must be treated as civilians. They are entitled to full civilian protection as long as they do not take part in hostilities. Under Article 50, paragraph 1 of the Protocol, journalists are also included in the general category of civilians, meaning deliberate...

Julia Loktev’s Documentary My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow Chronicles Exile and Resistance

Film director Julia Loktev returns with her highly anticipated documentary My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow, offering a deeply personal and timely exploration of exile and activism under authoritarian regimes. The film premiered in limited release this summer and has already garnered attention for its unflinching look at life under surveillance in contemporary Russia and its impact on dissident communities abroad. The documentary weaves archival footage, interviews and personal stories to reveal the complex reality faced by journalists, artists and activists forced into exile. Viewers are introduced to several expatriates based...

Ukrainian Investigative Journalism at Risk Despite Groundbreaking Revelations

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released a powerful call to action, spotlighting ten groundbreaking investigations by Ukrainian media outlets while warning that the country’s independent journalism sector is teetering on the edge of collapse. These investigations, ranging from corruption at the highest levels of government to war crimes committed during Russia’s invasion, have played a vital role in ensuring public accountability and democratic transparency. However, the media outlets behind them are facing increasing threats and severe financial instability. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian journalists have endured immense challenges, including physical danger, psychological...

Deliberate Deprivation: How Gaza Was Starved into Crisis

Gaza is facing a catastrophic food crisis, one shaped not by natural disaster but by calculated policies of deprivation. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the humanitarian situation has sharply deteriorated since early 2025, when Israel intensified its blockade, halting nearly all humanitarian aid for three months. As a result, essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine have nearly vanished, while infrastructure needed to deliver aid has been destroyed or rendered inoperable. Prices for basic items like bread and oil have surged by more than 1,000%, leaving families unable to feed themselves. Food...

Central Asia Faces Mounting Challenges in Media and Free Expression

A new report by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reveals growing threats to press freedom and free expression across Central Asia, where governments are tightening control over independent media and silencing critical voices through legal, political, and economic pressure. In countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, journalists face increasing censorship, surveillance, and intimidation. Authorities are introducing new legislation to control online content, revoke media licenses, and criminalise what they label as "false information." These laws are often vague and open to interpretation, allowing governments to arbitrarily target reporters and outlets that challenge official...

Brazil’s Intelligence Agency Illegally Spied on Journalists Under Bolsonaro, Police Say

Brazil’s Federal Police have uncovered a sweeping illegal surveillance operation by the country’s intelligence agency, ABIN, during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro. According to police findings, ABIN used a tracking system called FirstMile to monitor the locations and communications of at least 12 journalists, as well as judges, lawmakers, and civil society members, between 2019 and 2021. Over 60,000 illegal searches were conducted using the software, which was originally acquired to track criminals. Among the journalists targeted were prominent reporters Monica Bergamo and Reinaldo Azevedo. Authorities say the intent was to discredit reporters and gain...

Netanyahu vs. the Israeli Media: A Struggle Over Press Freedom

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is intensifying its efforts to control and suppress critical media voices in Israel, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This crackdown marks a significant challenge to press freedom in a country with a long tradition of vibrant journalism. One of the main targets is Haaretz, Israel’s oldest liberal newspaper. The government has imposed a boycott, instructing officials to avoid the outlet and cutting off state advertising revenue. This economic pressure aims to weaken Haaretz’s influence due to its critical stance on Netanyahu’s policies and war management. Foreign media outlets...

Digging Up Justice: American Journalists Reopen Civil Rights-Era Killings

Two investigative journalists have breathed new life into long-dormant civil rights-era murder cases. Independent reporter Ben Greenberg revisited the 1965 killing of John Wesley Wilder in Ruston, Louisiana, initially ruled a justified police shooting, by poring over neglected police and highway patrol archives and uncovering inconsistencies. His findings prompted the FBI to reopen the case. Meanwhile, Sandra Chapman, a reporter with WISH‑TV in Indianapolis, took on the 1968 murder of Carol Jenkins in Martinsville, Indiana. She traced a key witness, Shirley McQueen—the estranged daughter of a suspect—whose detailed recollection and corroborative documents led to the...

UNESCO Handbook Empowers Journalists to Combat Disinformation and Rebuild Trust

UNESCO’s handbook, part of the Global Initiative for Excellence in Journalism Education, provides a comprehensive framework for educators and practicing journalists to address misinformation and disinformation effectively. Drawing from leading experts, it combines theoretical grounding with practical modules, enabling adaptation for individual courses or standalone use. Structured around multiple modules, the guide starts with Truth, Trust, and Journalism, highlighting the value of skepticism over cynicism and equipping journalists to distinguish genuine reporting from deceptive content. It explores how digital transformation and social media have weakened legacy media business models, eroding newsroom resources and public trust....

Latin America Sees Deadliest Year Yet for Journalists

Journalist killings in Latin America have already surpassed last year’s total, according to a midyear report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), marking 2025 as one of the most dangerous periods for the press in the region. As of July, 14 journalists have been killed, compared to 11 throughout all of 2024. RSF warns that these figures reflect a deepening crisis of violence, impunity, and state failure to protect media workers. Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras are among the deadliest countries, but the danger extends across the continent. Most of the journalists killed were local reporters...

New Hulu Docuseries Revisits Disappearance of Iowa News Anchor Jodi Huisentruit

Jodi Huisentruit, a 27-year-old news anchor for KIMT (Iowa Minnesota Television) in Mason City, Iowa, vanished on June 27, 1995, while en route to work. Initially considered a missing person case, authorities soon suspected foul play after discovering her items scattered near her car and signs of a struggle at the scene. Despite extensive investigations, numerous leads, and public appeals, Huisentruit was never found, and no arrests were made. In 2001, she was declared legally dead at age 32. A new three-part docuseries, Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit, premiered on Hulu on...

Dramatic Rise in Journalist Killings: Press Emblem Campaign Report

In the first half of 2025, 86 journalists were killed worldwide, marking a 16% increase from the same period last year, according to a report by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC). This alarming rise is largely driven by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israeli forces killed 31 Palestinian journalists. Since October 2023, nearly 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza alone. Other deadly countries for journalists this year include Sudan, Mexico, and the Ukraine-Russia conflict zone, each recording 6 deaths. Iran followed with 4 journalists killed in Israeli airstrikes in June. In South Asia,...

Hunger as a Weapon: A New Frontier in War Crimes Reporting

The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) has released a new chapter in its Reporter’s Guide to Investigating War Crimes, focusing on the deliberate use of starvation in armed conflict. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maggie Michael, the chapter explores how starvation is increasingly being deployed not as a side effect of war but as a calculated method of warfare, one that qualifies as a war crime under international law. The guide outlines how legal frameworks such as the Rome Statute and Geneva Conventions define starvation as a violation when food, water, medicine, or humanitarian aid...

Diana Turbay: The Journalist Caught in Colombia’s Darkest Hour

Diana Turbay’s life and tragic death remain one of the most haunting chapters in Colombia’s turbulent history of drug violence and political terror. As a prominent journalist and television news director, Turbay dedicated her career to reporting with integrity during a time when Colombia was held hostage by powerful drug cartels, most notably Pablo Escobar’s Medellín Cartel. Born in 1950, Diana Turbay was the daughter of former Colombian President Julio César Turbay Ayala. Despite her privileged background, she chose a demanding path in journalism, committed to uncovering truths in one of the world’s most dangerous...

UNESCO Report Exposes Global Abuse of Financial Laws to Silence Journalists

The UNESCO report titled “The Misuse of Financial Laws to Pressure, Silence and Intimidate Journalists and Media Outlets” highlights a concerning global trend: the weaponization of financial legislation to suppress press freedom. Authored by Edward Pittman and Elisa Juega, the report is part of UNESCO’s World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development series. The report identifies eight categories of legal threats commonly employed against journalists, including allegations of tax evasion, money laundering, extortion, blackmail, terrorism financing, fraud, embezzlement, and illegally receiving foreign funds. These charges are often levied without a direct connection to...

UNESCO Report Warns of Escalating Threats to Journalists Covering Environmental Issues

A new UNESCO report titled Press and Planet in Danger reveals a disturbing rise in violence, harassment, and repression targeting journalists who cover environmental issues worldwide. The report, released in 2024, documents how reporters investigating climate change, pollution, illegal mining, deforestation, and land disputes are increasingly threatened, censored, or even killed for their work. Between 2009 and 2023, at least 749 attacks were recorded against environmental journalists, including murders, arbitrary detentions, legal harassment, and digital surveillance. Alarmingly, 44 journalists were killed during this period in connection with their ecological reporting, often in regions rich in...

India Strikes Back: Operation Sindoor and the Long Road to Justice for Daniel Pearl

India's recently launched Operation Sindoor has reverberated far beyond the borders of South Asia. Framed as a counter-terrorism response to the April 22 massacre in Pahalgam, where 26 Hindu pilgrims were brutally killed, this military operation has now taken on deeper symbolic meaning: a long-delayed act of justice for American journalist Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan over two decades ago. On May 8, India carried out coordinated airstrikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Among the key sites was the Markaz Subhan Allah seminary in Bahawalpur, a known stronghold...

RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025: economic fragility a leading threat to press freedom

The 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index shows a historic decline in global press freedom, driven mainly by worsening economic conditions. Financial instability, ownership concentration, shrinking ad revenue, and opaque public funding are threatening editorial independence worldwide. The economic indicator has reached its lowest point, pushing the global situation into a “difficult” category for the first time. Media outlets are shutting down in nearly a third of countries, including democracies like the U.S., where local journalism is collapsing. Tech giants dominate ad revenue, while media ownership concentration and editorial interference are rising across regions. All...

Press Release: Decreasing Support for Journalists’ Protection will Undermine Media Freedom in Germany and Europe

The plan for the Saxony Budget 2025/2026 reduces financial support for the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) by two-thirds. This poses a significant threat to the stability of the only European civil society organisation operating within the state. The ECPMF acknowledges the difficulty of navigating a state budget amid economic uncertainty. However, in times when public interest journalism and democratic discourse are under severe pressure – facing economic constraints, pressures, disinformation campaigns, a reduced readership, and attacks from the far-right – a strong protection mechanism and unwavering support for press and media freedom in Saxony, Germany, and...

Gaza journalists’ challenging mission: Report on the war, and survive it

After 18 months of war, photojournalist Abdul Raouf Shaath thought he had seen everything. Mr. Shaath was taking a nap in a tent encampment near Khan Yunis’ Nasser Hospital April 6 after a long day documenting missile strikes, when an Israeli airstrike shook the ground and sent shrapnel flying. He rushed outside to find a local news outlet’s tent in flames. Why We Wrote This A story focused on Courage Gaza journalists continue to don their press vests and report – even as Israel blurs the line between media workers and military targets and...

Tracking US Migrant Detention Data: What Journalists Need to Understand

The number of people held in immigration detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) essentially flatlined this month. The total detained population — counted as beds occupied at midnight on a single day — barely increased from 47,892 to 47,928 between March 23 and April 16, an increase of 36. There’s more than meets the eye, however. Journalists should not interpret this as evidence that ICE is not arresting and detaining people. In fact, this gives us an opportunity to level up our understanding of detention data. Let’s dive into it. While the decline...

Who is Joakim Medin, the Swedish journalist who could face over 27 years in Turkish prison?

Joakim Medin, special correspondent for the Swedish media Dagens ETC, has been held since 30 March in the high-security Marmara prison in the Silivri district of Istanbul and will appear in court on 30 April. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the authorities to release the journalist, who specialises in Kurdish issues, and to end the crackdown on news professionals. Arrested on 27 March upon his arrival in Istanbul, Joakim Medin has been accused of “insulting the president,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “belonging to an armed terrorist organisation,” and “spreading terrorist propaganda.” The charges are linked to his...

Americans largely foresee AI having negative effects on news, journalists

Artificial intelligence is already affecting the way news is produced and received in the United States. But Americans are pessimistic about its long-term effect on the news people get and on the already-embattled journalism profession. Roughly half of U.S. adults say that AI will have a very (24%) or somewhat (26%) negative impact on the news people get in the U.S. over the next 20 years. Just 10% say it will have a very (2%) or somewhat (8%) positive effect, according to a summer 2024 Pew Research Center survey. About a quarter (23%) say AI’s impact in this area will be...

Remembering Sivaram – 20 years since the killing of leading Tamil journalist

Today marks the 20th anniversary since the abduction and murder of Tamil journalist Dharmeratnam Sivaram. Sivaram, popularly known under his nom-de-plume Taraki, was abducted in front of Bambalipitiya police station in Colombo on April 28 and was found dead several hours later in a high security zone in Sri Lanka's capital, which at the time had a heavy police and military presence due to the ongoing conflict. His killers, highly suspected to be linked to the government of then-president Chandrika Kumaratunga, were never caught. Read his last article, written just days before he was murdered here....

The safety threats experienced by UK journalists and their physical, emotional, and mental well-being

Source: Reuters Institute - 6.1 Introduction This chapter outlines our findings concerning the safety threats that UK journalists1 experienced, from surveillance and hate speech to legal threats and sexual harassment. Firstly, we explain why this topic was introduced into the survey for the first time, and how it was approached and measured. Secondly, we report how frequently UK journalists said they experienced various safety threats and felt stressed at work. Thirdly, we describe how worried they were about their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Next, we highlight how gender, the medium, and journalists’ seniority affected their experience of safety...

Young UK journalists lean towards activist roles, away from objectivity – new survey

The role of journalists has been changing for some time now. Due to the rise of social media, journalists no longer hold the monopoly on informing the public and holding the powerful to account. Nor do they keep their role as exclusive gatekeepers for news. And many readers find that algorithms do a better job of selecting news than human editors. For a new report on the state of the journalism profession in the UK in the 2020s, my colleagues and I asked journalists what they think their role in society should be today. Facing a world of rising authoritarianism, war in...

Free to speak, free to expose: how corruption shapes media freedom

April 22, 2025 - Source: The Copenhagen Post - “I reported on corruption. Now I’m paying the price,” Azerbaijani journalist Avaz Zeynalli, editor-in-chief of Xural, tells us from behind bars. Thousands of kilometers away in Denmark, Bernardo Basillici Menini, the editor-in-chief of The Copenhagen Post, reflects on a very different reality: “Here, journalism doesn’t need to fight to be heard.” These aren’t just personal anecdotes—they point to something deeper and measurable. Our research explores the connection between press freedom and corruption, using both the Press Freedom Index and the Corruption Perception Index across ten years of global...

Shot From Above: The Dangerous Work of Drone Journalists in Gaza

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 165 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023. In fact, according to CPJ, last year was the deadliest year for journalists worldwide since they began documenting deaths in 1992. Gathering aerial footage of Gaza is a dangerous task, and Bellingcat along with our partners at Forbidden Stories, Le Monde, Die Zeit, Der Standard, Paper Trail Media, Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) and RFI identified several cases where drone journalists were killed or injured shortly after capturing aerial images. The...

The Scope of International Law Protections for Journalists

“Protecting those who inform us is protecting the truth.” – Thibaut Bruttin, Reporters Without Borders’ Director General According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 114 journalists were killed in 2024, the majority through crossfire, dangerous assignments, and murder. As of December 2024, 361 journalists are imprisoned worldwide. International humanitarian law distinguishes journalists and war correspondents when delegating protections to media workers. War correspondents accompany the armed forces of a state and are entitled to prisoner-of-war status upon capture, according to the Third Geneva Convention. Under Article 82 of the convention, it states that “no prisoner of war may be tried...

To journalists from repressive countries, the U.S. is feeling more and more like home

April 21, 2025 - Source: Mission Local - In the last month, Luz Mely Reyes, a reporter at the International Center for Journalists, has been advised to avoid international travel, close her social media account, and scrub information from her phone. It’s the same advice that she used to follow before she moved to the United States in 2020 — back in the days when she was living in her home country of Venezuela, covering human rights and politics. Now, it’s becoming the new normal Stateside. “Some people are very worried about the consequences of speaking up...

Private: Media and conflict

Legally, know your rights According to UN declarations, the legal protection of journalists at work in conflict zones is adequate in theory, but it is not respected in reality. According to IFEX, in nine out of ten cases of journalist murder, the perpetrators of these crimes are never prosecuted, although targeting journalists based on their social function should be regarded as an aggravating circumstance. FPU fight against impunity International mechanisms Although UNESCO adopted the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity in April 2012, data show that unless governments are willing...

The Shifting Protections of War Correspondents under International Law – the example of Israel and the Palestinian Territories and South-East Europe

Journalists are continually subject to harm or the threat of harm during their reporting in foreign wars. The US based Committee to Protect Journalists states that at least 24 journalists have been murdered in 2022 so far globally. The surge in armed groups such as Islamic State and Al Qaeda after September 11, 2001, have also led to the increased targeting of war correspondents with corresponding unsafe conditions. Journalist for the Wall Street Journal Daniel Pearl was beheaded whilst reporting on the deteriorating situation in Pakistan in 2002. Many media staff have also been deliberately targeted. According to...

Protection of Journalists

I. Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals in Time of Armed Conflict The number of journalists killed in the world in 2003 – 42 – is the highest since 1995. This figure can be largely explained by the recent military campaign in Iraq, which inflicted a proportionally higher number of casualties on journalists than on members of the coalition’s armed forces: 14 journalists and media personnel lost their lives, two went missing and a dozen or so were wounded while covering the conflict and its aftermath. In recent years, one might also mention the deliberate...

They’re Coming For Us: Media Censorship in the Age of Palestinian Genocide

April 18, 2025 - Source: Counter Punch - Recall those feverish days leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq when Colin Powell presented his dubious evidence to the United Nations Security Council, claiming Saddam Hussein possessed WMDs. The result of those bogus lies was The Iraq Resolution, which authorized the use of force against the sovereign state, and passed the Senate by a decisive 77-23 margin, with only 23 dissenting votes. Support crossed party lines as Hillary Clinton and many other prominent Democrats consistently reached into George W. Bush’s basket of lies, repeating the neocons’ WMD propaganda. The New York Times, fulfilling...

Acknowledging important local journalism

April 18, 2025 - Source: Freedom of the Press Foundation - A series to spotlight public-records-based local journalism A major reason why politicians are able to attack the press without much resistance is that the public distrusts the media. And one of the reasons for that distrust is that when people think “journalist,” they often think of partisan cable news pundits rather than the thousands of local investigative reporters serving communities across the country. We’re hoping to play a small part in changing that by profiling local journalists who use public records laws to hold...

CPJ Safety Advisory: Traveling to the US

A stated policy goal of the Trump administration is to significantly change U.S. travel and immigration policies. Foreign nationals whose countries do not meet U.S. vetting standards may be barred entry. Journalists will not be exempt and should anticipate potential restrictions or questioning when traveling to or from the United States. Under a draft Trump administration proposal, more than 40 countries, including Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and several African countries, are being considered for full or partially restricted travel to the U.S. The policy is based on a travel ban Trump enacted during his first term, which the Supreme Court upheld. Whilst the...

International Journalism Festival 2025: what we learnt in Perugia about the future of news

Journalists from all over the world gathered again this year at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia to discuss some of the news industry's most crucial issues in a time of upheaval. The Reuters Institute's editorial team curated some of the festival's highlights in this piece. You'll find cool projects, several takeaways and quotes that made us think – but not the name of the person who was in everyone's minds. We'll keep updating the article in the next few days. Stuff we learnt 1. Everyone is building AI summaries. But those doing it...

Council of Europe’s Chart Page on National Minorities

The Council of Europe’s interactive charts page offers a visual representation of the data collected under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM). This tool allows users to explore how different European countries are implementing the rights and protections of national minorities. Key features include: Interactive Visuals: Graphs and charts display country-by-country comparisons on various minority rights issues. Topics Covered: Education in minority languages, media access, anti-discrimination policies, cultural participation, and political representation. Comparative Analysis: Users can compare how different countries have implemented recommendations made by the Advisory Committee of the FCNM....

Mass killings; Multiple attacks against journalists and aid workers

April 10, 2025 - Source: Monitor - This update covers developments relating to the freedoms of expression, association and assembly in Haiti from 15th October 2024 to 31st March 2025. On 4th December 2024, Haiti was labeled a “country of concern” in our yearly People Power Under Attack report. GENERAL Haiti continues to face deep political, security and humanitarian crises, and the chaos caused by gang violence continues. On 27th March 2025, former Jamaican Prime Minister and member of the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group trying to mediate in the Haitian political crisis, warned that Haiti was “perilously close” to being...

News Graveyards: How Dangers to War Reporters Endanger the World

Nick Turse’s report explores the growing dangers faced by journalists covering war and conflict. It highlights how both governments and armed groups use threats, censorship, and violence to suppress reporting. Conflict zones have become increasingly deadly, especially for local journalists who often lack protection and resources. The report points to a sharp rise in journalist deaths, particularly in recent conflicts, where hundreds have been killed. As the number of foreign correspondents declines, local reporters are taking more risks to fill the gap, often without proper support. This decline in safe, accurate, and independent reporting not...

Unearthing Truths in Turbulent Times: The High Cost of Investigative Journalism in North Africa

April 08, 2025 - Source: Global Investigative Journalism Network Moroccan journalist Soulaimane Raissouni was arrested outside his home in Rabat, Morocco’s capital city, in May 2020. The editor-in-chief of the newspaper Akhbar Al Yaoum had long been a thorn in the side of the Moroccan authorities, publishing investigations into corruption and state repression — such as a salary bonuses scandal involving the country’s finance minister and the treasurer general. “We are under attack, but we are not defeated. Journalism is evolving, and we will find ways to keep telling the stories that matter.” — Walid Mejri, Alqatiba...

Investigative Journalism in MENA: Struggling Against Tyranny, Fighting to Survive

April 07, 2025 - Source: Global Investigative Journalism Network - In his influential book on tyranny and authoritarianism published at the dawn of the 20th century, the prominent Syrian intellectual Abdul Rahman Al-Kawakibi wrote: “A tyrannical government is oppressive in all its branches, from the supreme despot to the policeman, the servant, and even the street sweeper.” “We can’t afford loopholes in our reporting. We can’t afford sensationalism. We cannot afford mistakes.” — Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of the Egyptian investigative journalism site Mada MasrAl-Kawakibi was notable for being openly critical of the political establishment of the era...

From Prison to Uncertainty: After Battling for Bails, Kashmiri Journalists Battle Stigma, Financial Crisis and Isolation

April 05, 2025 - Source: Kashmir Times - “It takes a very long time for an imprisoned journalist to be back to normal life even after being released,” says Fahad Shah, a Kashmiri journalist and the founder of the now-banned Kashmir Walla News outlet. Shah was arrested on 4 February 2022 and released on 23 November 2023 after a court order but after spending more than 650 days in different jails, facing numerous cases, including the Public Safety Act (PSA) of 1978, allowing for detention without charge for up to two years. His release on bail was a long-drawn ordeal. Slapped with charges...

Protecting the Fourth Estate: The Scope of International Legal Protections for Journalists

Journalists operate at the frontlines of information, often under threat. International law offers them multiple layers of protection, yet enforcement remains inconsistent, and gaps persist. At the foundation lies international human rights law, most notably Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrines freedom of opinion and expression as fundamental. This tenet has been reinforced by numerous regional instruments and UN resolutions, underscoring the indispensable role of journalists in democratic societies. In situations of armed conflict, international humanitarian law (IHL) provides explicit safeguards. Journalists are considered civilians and must not be directly targeted...

No Safe Zones: How Fadi Al-Wahidi Got Shot in the Neck While Wearing a Press Vest

March 27, 2025 - Source: Forbidden Stories - On October 9, 2024, Fadi Al-Wahidi was reporting alongside a crew of journalists from Al Jazeera, Al Araby TV, and others, in the Al Saftawi area near Jabalia, when what they claim was an “Israeli quadcopter” initiated a chase that ended with Al-Wahidi being shot in the neck. Forbidden Stories and its partners reconstructed the event that has paralyzed both of his legs. On January 2, 2025, Fadi Al-Wahidi would have celebrated his 25th birthday in the Gaza Strip, surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues like Anas...

Ortega’s War on Journalism in Nicaragua

March 25, 2025 - Source: Havana Times - The regime has closed or confiscated 61 Nicaraguan media outlets, has 4 reporters in jail, and has forced more than 283 journalists into exile By Confidencial HAVANA TIMES – When raids, forced closures, media confiscations, and arrests of Nicaraguan journalists seemed like they couldn’t get any worse, the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo took it a step further with a bogus court ruling, delivering yet another blow to the national press. Stripping journalists and media directors of their citizenship has been one of the...

Remembering American Journalist George Polk; Victim of Greece’s Civil War

March 19, 2025 - Source: Pappas Post - In May 1948, the body of CBS correspondent George Polk was found floating in Salonika Bay, Greece. His hands and feet were bound and he had been shot in the back of the head. It is widely accepted that he was assassinated, but the mystery of who did it remains unsolved. Polk, 34 years old, was a rising star at the network and was preparing to return to the United States to take up a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. Seven months before his death he had...

‘Murder the Truth’ examines growing effort to silence journalists and curtail free speech

The Supreme Court ruled in 1964 that journalistic organizations were protected from libel or defamation lawsuits brought by a public figure unless that plaintiff could prove the journalists had acted intentionally. The book, “Murder the Truth," documents a well-funded effort to undo that longstanding protection. William Brangham spoke with author David Enrich for our series, On Democracy. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. Geoff Bennett: While the Trump administration eliminates Voice of America, a new book examines another longer-term attack...

Becoming the Story: How Journalists Are Being Targeted by Romanian Law Enforcement Image: Igor Vujčić / BIRN

March 17, 2025 - Source: Balkan Insight - BIRN investigations have uncovered how journalists conducting public-interest investigations in Romania were put under surveillance by their targets with the help of law enforcement. “Do you see that guy taking pictures of us?” “Yes.” “Don’t stare. He’s following us.” We were in Bucharest’s Old Town in the spring of 2023, returning from a meeting with a source for a story about the Tate brothers and their alleged connections to Romanian organized crime. Luiza, my partner in life and journalism, stopped to grab some fries from a takeaway shop,...

World Press Freedom Day 2025

World Press Freedom Day 2025: Promoting Freedom of Expression Observed annually on May 3, World Press Freedom Day highlights the vital role of journalism in protecting democratic values and fostering informed societies. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, the day marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a milestone in defending press freedom. Origins and Purpose Since its inception, World Press Freedom Day has served as a platform to: Celebrate the principles of press freedom. Reflect on the challenges faced by journalists worldwide. Advocate for the independence and safety of media...

Press Freedom

March 16, 2025 - Source: World Economics - Freedom of the press is the right to circulate opinions in print and other media without censorship by the government. The data below is a relative index on a scale of 0-100 comparing each countries freedom to all others in the database. 0 = Least freedom, 100 Most freedom. Base data source: RSF Reporters Without Borders, Paris Data indexed by: World Economics, London Read more: https://www.worldeconomics.com/Indicator-Data/ESG/Governance/Press-Freedom/

A journalist’s killing, a restless metropolis & the ideological divide

March 16, 2025 – Source: The Tribune – ‘I Am on the Hit List’ by Rollo Romig is a detailed investigative analysis of the mystery surrounding the brutal assassination of journalist Gauri Lankesh Here is a book which is bound to touch the reader because of its powerful narrative style. It is a detailed investigative analysis of the mystery surrounding the brutal assassination of journalist Gauri Lankesh. Moreover, it is also a gripping commentary on the fragility of Indian democracy in the light of growing extremism and political disenchantment. What I really appreciate is the...

Digital Rights Under Siege: Navigating Data Scraping and the Battle for Journalistic Freedom

March 11, 2025 - Source: Net Mission - Human rights online encompasses digital freedom that protects individuals’ privacy, expression, and access to information in a connected world. These rights are crucial for ensuring democratic participation and safeguarding personal dignity while exercising fundamental rights. Recently, numerous human rights violations have emerged, from unauthorized data scraping by AI companies to systematic harassment of journalists, threatening both privacy and press freedom. To this effect, in this case study, we will be highlighting the rising concerns of surveillance capitalism and authoritarianism worldwide to reveal the urgent need for comprehensive digital rights...

Kurdish Women Journalists Who Work Under Constant Threat Have Lessons to Share

March 08, 2025 - Source: Truth Out - his January, a Turkish court sentenced Sofya Alağaş, a Kurdish journalist and elected co-mayor of Siirt municipality, to six years and three months in prison on charges of membership in a terror organization. “I honestly don’t know how it will end,” Alağaş told Truthout. “The sentence was not a legal decision but a political one. If the Turkish state takes some steps towards democratization, the case will end with an acquittal. If it doesn’t, it will be approved and I’ll be arrested.” The sentence was the culmination of an...

Escalating violent conflict in eastern DRC: journalists and HRDs targeted; censorship and internet cuts

March 07, 2025 - Source: Monitor - General Escalating conflict in eastern DRC Civic space is under severe threat in eastern DRC as the armed group M23 has intensified its military offensive. In late January 2025, M23 entered and captured Goma, the capital city of North Kivu province, and later, on 15th February 2025, the city of Bukavu, South Kivu, now effectively occupying Lake Kivu region, while continuing their attacks. The military offensive and fighting between the Armed Forces of DRC (FARD), supported by pro-government armed militia alliance Wazalendo (patriots in Kiswahili), and M23 has cost the lives of at least...

IFJ publishes 2024 annual report on journalists and media staff killed

March 03, 2025 - Source: IFJ - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has published its 34th annual report on journalists and media staff killed, covering the year 2024. The report documents the deaths of 122 media professionals across the world, including 14 women journalists. The Federation calls for the Member States of the United Nations to urgently adopt the IFJ-led International Convention on the Safety and Independence of Journalists, in order to end impunity for the killings of journalists worldwide. “This year marks one of the deadliest for journalists, with Palestine being by far...

Journalism in Times of War

"Journalism in Times of War" is a comprehensive exploration of the challenges, ethics, and evolving landscape of war reporting, particularly within the Arab world. Edited by Awad Joumaa and Khaled Ramadan, and published by the Al Jazeera Media Institute, the book provides first-hand accounts from journalists who have covered conflicts in Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Libya, and Egypt. It highlights the immense dangers faced by journalists, including censorship, threats, imprisonment, and targeted killings, emphasizing the importance of press freedom and the need for protection mechanisms. The book is divided into three key sections. The first part...

Journalism, media, and technology trends and predictions 2025

January 09, 2025 - Source: Reuters - Executive summary News organizations are braced for multiple challenges in 2025 that will likely include further attacks from hostile politicians, continued economic headwinds, and battles to protect intellectual property in the face of rapacious AI-driven platforms. Changes to search, in particular, will become a major grievance for a news industry that has already lost social traffic and fears a further decline in visibility as AI interfaces start to generate ‘story like’ answers to news queries. The US election also highlighted the growing power of an alternative news ecosystem...

Special Report – 2024 is deadliest year for journalists in CPJ history; almost 70% killed by Israel

February 12, 2025 - CPJ Introduction More journalists were killed in 2024 than in any other year since the Committee to Protect Journalists began collecting data more than three decades ago. At least 124 journalists and media workers were killed last year, nearly two-thirds of them Palestinians killed by Israel. The number of conflicts globally – whether political, criminal, or military in nature – has doubled in the past five years, and this is reflected in the high number of deaths of journalists in nations such as Sudan, Pakistan, and Myanmar. But the toll of conflict on...

Paris Charter on AI and Journalism

The media and journalism community acknowledges the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society and is committed to ensuring its responsible integration into journalism. AI presents both opportunities and risks, transforming how news is gathered, analyzed, and disseminated. While AI has the potential to enhance journalism, it must be developed and applied in ways that respect human rights, democracy, and press freedom. Journalists play a crucial role in safeguarding the right to information, and AI should support, rather than undermine, this responsibility. To maintain journalistic integrity, AI systems must adhere to core ethical principles...

The Murder Behind the George Polk Awards for Journalism

January 31, 2025 - Source: JSTOR - The George Polk Awards are given annually to honor special achievements in journalism. They’re named after a CBS reporter who was murdered while covering the Greek Civil War in May 1948. Polk’s body was found floating in Salonica Bay; he had been tied up and shot in the back of the head. In the violent ambiguity of a civil war between leftists and rightists supported by the Soviets and the United States, respectively, Polk became what investigative journalist I. F. Stone called “the first casualty of the Cold War”—a casualty...

Anatomy of a murder investigation – the Lasantha Wickrematunge case

January 31, 2025 – Source: Himal Mag – The delays, denials and obfuscations in the investigation into the Sri Lankan editor’s murder reveals continued impunity around the killing of journalists in Sri Lanka ON THE MORNING of 8 January 2009, Lasantha Wickrematunge, my uncle and the editor of the Sunday Leader, was on his way to work when he noticed black-clad men on motorcycles following him. He had cause to be alarmed, having received death threats – including one just weeks before, scrawled in red ink, which warned, “If you write, you will be killed.” Wickrematunge made...

Lethal violence against journalists in Latin America marks first month of 2025

January 28, 2025 - Source: Lat AM Journalism Review - The first month of the year has not yet ended, and Latin America has already recorded at least four murders of journalists: two in Mexico, one in Peru and another in Colombia. The figure raises alarm bells for press advocates who see in these numbers evidence of how lethal violence continues to be used to censor the press. “Although the contexts and circumstances are diverse, these crimes are a heartbreaking reminder that Latin America continues to be one of the most dangerous regions in the...

One journalist killed every four days in 2022-23, most cases unpunished: UN

UNESCO reports a 38 percent increase in journalist deaths and urges governments to stop impunity. The killing of journalists worldwide surged in 2022-23 compared with the previous two years, with a majority of cases unsolved, the United Nations has said. On average, one journalist was killed every four days, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said in a report released on Saturday. At 162 deaths, the number of journalists killed while working leaped 38 percent, the report found, calling the increase “alarming”. “In 2022 and 2023, a journalist was killed every four days...

How does abuse affect UK journalists and journalism?

January 27, 2025 – Source: Revealing Reality – Designing a research project to better understand the nature of abuse, threats and harm to journalists in the UK required careful thought – and was just the kind of research design challenge we relish. Commissioned by the DCMS, we needed to measure the prevalence of threats, abuse and violence, examine journalists’ perceptions of safety, explore how these affected their professional and personal lives, and investigate what support they had, what they used, and what they wanted. We took a mixed-methods approach, with the eventual findings drawn from...

‘Crisis in journalism’: Leading journalists discuss second Trump term, changing media landscape at 2025 Zeidman Colloquium

January 27, 2025 – Source: The Chronicle – Prominent political journalists convened Saturday in Penn Pavilion to discuss the implications of a second Trump administration and changing political and media landscapes at the 2025 Zeidman Colloquium on Politics and the Press. Hosted by the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy, the colloquium is held biennially in the aftermath of major U.S. elections. This year’s panel — titled “Trump takes charge (again): What his second presidency and a Republican majority mean for America” — featured insights from Maggie Haberman, White House correspondent for The New York Times,...

Journalists On The Frontlines: 122 Killed In 2024 From Gaza To Ukraine

January 07, 2025 - Source: Outlook - A record number of journalists were killed in conflict zones in 2024. According to International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), 122 journalists were killed globally, with three verified cases in India. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also reported that nearly 30 per cent of these deaths occurred in the Gaza Strip, making Palestine as the most dangerous place in the world for journalists. According to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index published by RSF, journalism is under “significant political pressure worldwide”. The Index, which evaluates the level of press freedom...

Africa Media Monitoring December 2024: Threats to press freedom in Sudan, Guinea and Liberia

In December 2024, IPI’s Africa monitoring program recorded at least 10 incidents of threats to press freedom in nine countries across sub-Saharan Africa. These included six incidents of physical, verbal, or online attacks, including the killing of one journalist, in Sudan. Once again, state actors remained the main perpetrators, responsible for nearly all of the incidents recorded. See the factsheet below or download it here: https://ipi.media/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/africa-factsheet-dec24.pdf In Sudan: on December 8, elements of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed journalist Hanan Adam in the village of Wad Al-Asha in Gezira State. She died following an attack on her...

World Report 2025

Our annual review of human rights around the globe 2024: A Year of Reckoning This has been a year of elections, resistance, and conflict, testing the integrity of democratic institutions and the principles of international human rights and humanitarian law. Whether in response to heightened repression in Russia, India, and Venezuela, or catastrophic armed conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, governments around the world are being called upon to demonstrate their commitment to human rights, democracy, and humanitarian action. Many have failed the test. But even outspoken and action-oriented governments have invoked human rights...

National Action Plan for the safety of media professionals in Switzerland

In close cooperation with the media industry, OFCOM has drawn up a National Action Plan (NAP) on the safety of journalists in Switzerland. The NAP comprises nine specific measures in the areas of awareness-raising and prevention, protection and support in cases of violence and threats, and also examines the legal framework. International commitment Analysis of abusive lawsuits in Switzerland Journalists in Switzerland also expeience threats and violence. Many journalists experience hostility and even hate speech, especially via digial channels. In accordance with a Council of Europe resolution, OFCOM and the media industry published a National Action...

INTERNEWS 2025 · OUR STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Internews, for 38 years, has championed access to trustworthy information, empowering people to make informed decisions, engage in communities, and hold governments accountable. Advances in communication have expanded opportunities, improved health and education, and boosted global connectivity, enabling better crisis responses and governance participation. Internews2025_StrategicFramework https://internews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Internews2025_StrategicFramework.pdf

UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity

Aiming to create a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers, thus strengthening peace, democracy and sustainable development worldwide, the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity addresses the fundamental aspects of prevention, protection, and prosecution. The Plan is calling for a coalition-based and holistic approach to its implementation. It includes six areas: raising awareness; standard setting and policy making; monitoring and reporting; capacity building; research and coalition building. According to the UN Plan of Action, we cooperate with governments, media houses, professional associations, NGOs and...

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists 2025

January 21, 2025 - Source: RELX International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists 2025 Advocating for a Safe and Free Press The freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democratic societies, ensuring transparency and accountability. However, journalists around the world face threats and violence, often with little consequence for their perpetrators. The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists seeks to address this critical issue. The Significance of the Day November 2 is observed as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. Proclaimed by the United Nations,...

“We Have to Hide Who We Are”: Harassments against journalists in Sudan after the military coup (25 October 2021 – 8 March 2022)

Executive Summary This report monitors the Sudanese army's illegal practices against journalists and media outlets from the beginning of the military coup on 25 October 2021 until 8 March 2022. During this period, about 55 attacks have taken place against journalists and local, Arab, and international media outlets in the country. These violations included arbitrary detentions, harassments, raiding and closing media offices, and assaulting journalists physically or psychologically. An analysis of these attacks shows that the de-facto military authority apparently aims to obstruct or block media coverage of the ongoing popular protests against the military...

In record year, China, Israel, and Myanmar are world’s leading jailers of journalists

January 16, 2025 - Source: CPJ - China, Israel, and Myanmar emerged as the world’s three worst offenders in another record-setting year for journalists jailed because of their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists’ 2024 prison census has found. Belarus and Russia rounded out the top five, with CPJ documenting its second-highest number of journalists behind bars – a global total of at least 361 journalists incarcerated on December 1, 2024. While that number falls slightly below the global record set in 2022, when at least 370 journalists were imprisoned in connection with their work,...

Journalism, media, and technology trends and predictions 2025

January 09, 2025 - Source: Reuters - Executive summary News organizations are braced for multiple challenges in 2025 that will likely include further attacks from hostile politicians, continued economic headwinds, and battles to protect intellectual property in the face of rapacious AI-driven platforms. Changes to search, in particular, will become a major grievance for a news industry that has already lost social traffic and fears a further decline in visibility as AI interfaces start to generate ‘story like’ answers to news queries. The US election also highlighted the growing power of an alternative news...

OHCHR and the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity

Media freedom is vital for democracy, but it is under threat worldwide, with attacks on journalists, censorship laws, SLAPP suits, and surveillance technologies limiting press independence and safety. About safety of journalists and human rights Freedom of the media is essential to enable democratic, free and participative societies. Journalists and the media are crucial to ensure transparency and accountability for public and governmental authorities. Yet media freedom and the safety of journalists are under threat around the globe. In recent years, OHCHR has observed a decline of media freedom in all regions. Various factors demonstrate...

A Survey of Gaza’s Journalists During the War

ARIJ surveyed 383 Palestinian journalists in Gaza during the Israeli war, documenting their personal losses, working conditions, and challenges. The survey provides insights through quantitative and qualitative data. Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) has conducted a survey to document the losses, humanitarian conditions, and multitude of challenges faced by Palestinian journalists during the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza. This survey includes responses from 383 journalists who are either in Gaza or were there at some point during the war. While some have since evacuated the Gaza Strip, the majority remain in Gaza, working amid...

Since 1990, 2658 Journalists Have Been Killed

Report by IFJ: The International Federation of Journalists' annual report on killed journalists has continued for 30 years, highlighting the global toll on media workers, often unnoticed unless it's a Western correspondent. https://www.ifj.org/fileadmin/user_upload/IFJ_white_book__part_1.pdf

Silence on Israel’s massacres of journalists is dangerous to all

International media's failure to challenge Israel's killing of Palestinian journalists and its narrative allows war crimes to persist. Solidarity and accountability are urgently needed to protect all journalists. January 4, 2025 - Source: Al Jazeera - Opinion by Daoud Kuttab - Award-winning Palestinian Journalist. International media’s reluctance to show solidarity with Palestinian journalists could backfire. A December 26 press statement by the Israeli army attempted to justify a war crime. It unabashedly admitted that the military incinerated five Palestinian journalists in a clearly marked press vehicle outside al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee...

The Question of Palestine

This newsletter informs about recent and upcoming activities of Civil Society Organizations working on the question of Palestine. The Committee and the Division for Palestinian Rights of the UN Secretariat provide the information “as is” without warranty of any kind, and do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in the websites linked in the newsletter. Download Document Files: https://www.un.org/unispal/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NGO-Action-News-2-January-2025.pdf Document Type: NGO Action News Document Sources: Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights, Al-Haq, Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights, Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights...

Observatory of Killed Journalists

The Observatory tracks journalist killings since 1993, judicial outcomes since 2006, and country responses to UNESCO requests, supporting efforts to address global impunity and enhance journalist safety. This Observatory provides updated information on the killing of journalists since 1993 and on the judicial status of condemned cases since 2006. It also provides public access to country responses to UNESCO's requests for information into the judicial status of ongoing and unresolved cases. You may browse the full list of killed journalists and search for visual statistics and data. This Observatory makes publicly accessible UNESCO’s work on monitoring and reporting on the safety of...

Know their names – Palestinian journalists killed by Israel in Gaza

Since October 2023, at least 217 journalists have been killed in Gaza, with five more killed on December 26. This conflict marks the deadliest period for journalists in recent history. December 31, 2024 - Source: Al Jazeera - As the conflict in Gaza enters its 15th month, more than 45,400 people have been killed and 108,000 injured. The war has been particularly marked by the challenges of reporting from a warzone in effect sealed off to reporters from outside Gaza, where reporting has been impossible at times — and far too often, deadly. Despite...

List of Journalists jailed in 2024 – by IFJ

IFJ's list of imprisoned journalists highlights individuals detained globally for their work, documenting the ongoing repression and violations of press freedom, stressing the urgent need for action. https://www.ifj.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Jailed_Journalists_Global___Regional_-_31.12.2024.pdf

List of Journalists killed in 2024 – by IFJ

IFJ's list of killed journalists tracks global fatalities since 1990, honoring those who lost their lives while reporting, highlighting the risks media workers face and the need for accountability. https://www.ifj.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Killed_List_2024_-_31.12.2024.pdf

RSF – Methodology used for compiling the World Press Freedom Index

The World Press Freedom Index assesses press freedom in 180 countries yearly, based on journalists' independence and safety. Data may update for major events, as seen in Russia, Ukraine, and Mali in 2022. Aim The purpose of the World Press Freedom Index is to compare the level of press freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180 countries and territories. This comparison is based on a definition of press freedom formulated by RSF and its panel experts when developing the new methodology to be used from 2022 onwards: “Press freedom is defined as the ability...

CPJ Methodolgy

CPJ defines journalists as people who cover news or comment on public affairs through any medium — including in print, online, via broadcast media, or photographs and video. We take up cases involving staff journalists and freelancers. (Read our FAQs here.) Read more: https://cpj.org/data-methodology/

The IPI Database of Killed Journalists

This database contains information about journalists who have been killed in connection with their work. This could mean journalists who, in IPI’s assessment, have been directly targeted in retaliation for their work or journalists who have been killed while reporting, including while covering armed conflict. Cases are categorized according to the following: Targeted due to work: Journalist was killed – with a high degree of likelihood or certainty – in retaliation for their work or for being a journalist. Covering armed conflict/violence: A journalist was killed while covering armed violence or conflict. Covering civil unrest/protest:...

2024 ROUND-UP: Journalists killed, detained, held hostage and missing [EN/RU/UK]

The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2024 Round-up reveals an alarming intensification of attacks on journalists — especially in conflict zones, where over half of the news professionals who lost their lives this year perished. Gaza stands out as the most dangerous region in the world, with the highest number of journalists murdered in connection with their work in the last five years. Since October 2023, over 145 journalists have been killed by the Israeli army, including at least 35 whose deaths were linked to their journalism. What’s more, 550 journalists are currently imprisoned worldwide, a...

World: abuses in real time by RSF

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), in 2024, 41 journalists and 1 media worker were killed, while 555 journalists and 28 media workers were detained. These figures highlight the ongoing risks faced by media professionals worldwide. https://rsf.org/en/barometer?type%5Btue%5D=tue&type%5Bdisparition%5D=disparition&exaction_victimes_pays%5B225%5D=225&annee_start=2024&annee_end=2024#exaction-victimes

Africa Media Monitoring November 2024: Threats to press freedom in DRC and Mozambique

The security situation in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to threaten safety of journalists while protests and post-election repression in Mozambique spilled to November December 19, 2024 - Source: IPI - See the factsheet below or download it here. DOWNLOAD THE FACTSHEET HERE (PDF FILE) In November 2023, IPI documented 14 violations and threats to press freedom in 9 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The highest number of violations we documented were cases of censorship, which affected 16 journalists. According to our data, state actors – and most often police or...

10 Journalists Who Are Missing In Syria

Syria is one of the world's most dangerous places for journalists. At least 30 are reported to be missing or kidnapped, many of whom remain unnamed, and 52 have been killed since the civil war began in 2011. Meet the 10 international journalists identified by the Associated Press as currently missing or held hostage in Syria. November 9, 2013 - Source: Buzz feed news - Bashar Al Kadumi, Jordanian dc4mf.org Al Kadumi is a Jordanian national of Palestinian origin. He worked for a U.S.-based television news channel called Al-Hurra. On Aug. 20, Al Kadumi was kidnapped after crossing...

The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker

A database of press freedom incidents in the United States — everything from arrests of journalists and the seizure of their equipment to assaults and interrogations at the U.S. border. The Press Freedom Tracker documents incidents across the country, involving national, state and local authorities. https://pressfreedomtracker.us/

104 journalists killed this year, according to the IFJ

According to the annual report of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), 2024 was another particularly deadly year for journalists and media professionals. As of 10 December 2024, 104 journalists had been killed worldwide, more than half of them in Gaza, Palestine (55). The IFJ reaffirms its determination to see an International Convention for the Protection of Journalists adopted by the United Nations as a matter of urgency. December 11, 2024 – Source: IFJ – To mark International Human Rights Day on 10 December, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has published the initial findings of its...

Shooting the Messenger – Journalists targeted all sides in Syria

Syria is deadly for journalists, with over 70,000 killed since 2011. Citizen journalists risk lives to expose abuses by all sides, ensuring the world sees violations despite immense personal danger - By Amnesty International. syria_shooting_the_messenger

Journalists in 2024 Films: Women Uncovering Truth

December 04, 2024 - Source: Golden Globes - In a time, when journalism is under attack, there are plenty of movies and TV-series that focus on journalists as the heroes of the narrative. In films such as Lee, Civil War and Scoop, we follow female reporters, who play a significant role in documenting the truth. “It was essential to tell this story now,” says Ellen Kuras, the director of Lee. “Especially when journalists are being targeted physically for the work that they are doing not only on the battlefield but in general. And also because of what is happening to...

THE COURTS CONTINUE TO FLAGRANTLY VIOLATE IMRAN ALIYEV’S RIGHTS

Journalist Imran Aliyev faced detention, physical pressure, and multiple court rulings extending his arrest. Experts deem the rulings unjustified under Azerbaijan's criminal procedure laws. Analysis of violation of law during Imran Aliyev’s judicial proceedings Baku City Court of Appeal trial, Criminal Collegium Case 30 August 2024 Presiding judge: Habil Mammadov Judges: Mirzali Abbasov, Farid Eyyubov Defendant: Imran Aliyev Defender: Qanqa Ibrahimov With the participation of Togrul Huseynov, a major of police and Senior Investigator at the Investigation Division for Serious Crimes within the Investigation and Inquiry Department of the Baku City Police Headquarters, and Emil Alizade, a Prosecutor at the...

NUJ: Harassment of journalists still prevalent

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) highlights ongoing harassment of Malaysian journalists, including verbal abuse, online attacks, and physical threats, especially in politically sensitive or investigative reporting. November 27, 2024 - Source: thestar.com.my - PETALING JAYA: Harassment of journalists remains a serious concern in Malaysia, affecting them across various platforms, says the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). While the exact numbers may vary depending on reporting and awareness, harassment – both online and offline – is unfortunately prevalent, said NUJ general secretary Teh Athira Yusof. “The instances range from verbal abuse and intimidation while covering...

Journalist casualties in the Israel-Gaza war

The Israel-Gaza war has claimed at least 137 journalists' lives since October 7, 2023, making it the deadliest conflict for journalists since 1992. Many were killed amid harsh, life-threatening conditions while reporting. November 25, 2025 - Source: CPJ - The Israel-Gaza war has taken an unprecedented toll on Gazan journalists since Israel declared war on Hamas following its attack against Israel on October 7, 2023. As of November 25, 2024, CPJ’s preliminary investigations showed at least 137 journalists and media workers were among the more than tens of thousands killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon since the war began, making it the deadliest...

Meet Nargiz Absalamova, a journalist arrested for reporting on protests in Azerbaijan

Journalist Nargiz Absalamova was arrested in December 2023 in Azerbaijan for covering environmental protests in Soyudlu. Despite state suppression, she highlights journalism's role in protecting civil society and dissent. November 25, 2024 - Source: Amnesty - Nargiz Absalamova is a journalist in Azerbaijan, who was arrested in December 2023 under bogus charges in retaliation for her work covering environmental protests. She and several of her colleagues at Abzas, one of the few independent media organizations in the country, are among the many people arbitrarily detained amid a growing crackdown on dissent in Azerbaijan. Nargiz is...

Number of journalists killed worldwide from 2014 to 2023, by region

In 2023, a total of 43 journalists were reportedly killed in the Arab States, almost four times the number recorded in the previous year. North America, Europe, and Africa tend to be safer for journalists overall, however journalists continue to face threats ranging from online harassment to police violence - By Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/789954/number-of-journalists-killed-by-region/

“See no Evil:” The Israeli Army’s Policy of Targeting Journalists

Palestinian journalists face severe risks in the occupied territories, with over 900 violations by Israeli forces reported in 2022, including shootings, detentions, and assaults, often targeting press clearly identified as such. June 18, 2023 - by GCHR - By Ahmad Al-Rajabi – Palestinian journalist This article was originally published in Arabic on Daraj Media on 18 June 2023 and in English on 5 July 2023. The English version has been modified since it was first posted here. Shireen Abu Akleh is not alone. The Israeli army in recent years killed or maimed numerous Palestinian journalists working in the...

Stop Arresting Journalists

Journalists face frequent arrests, especially during protests, violating the First Amendment and hindering public access to news. Such actions chill vital reporting and undermine press freedom. By Freedom of the Press Foundation - Too often, police arrest journalists for doing their jobs. These arrests and prosecutions chill important reporting. Arrests and prosecutions of journalists often violate the First Amendment, and they undermine the public’s right to learn about newsworthy events. Data from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker shows that journalists are at heightened risk of arrest while covering protests. But police have also arrested reporters...

Let us raise our voices for journalists!

A UNESCO-led campaign in Mexico City, marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, highlighted the dangers journalists face and the urgent need to combat impunity. November 22, 2024 - UNESCO, Mexico - The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists campaign has arrived in Mexico, and users are calling to raise their voices. In the heart of Mexico City, a unique message was displayed on more than 570 screens in 70 subway stations during a week. A headline about a journalistic investigation into an escape from a detention centre...

Philippines makes premature claim to end of impunity in journalist murders

Despite UNESCO's initial declaration of the Maguindanao massacre case as "resolved," ongoing legal challenges and the continued absence of many perpetrators have led to criticism. The case highlights the Philippines' broader issues with media killings and impunity. November 21, 2024 - Source: CPJ - When the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural classified the 2009 Maguindanao massacre — the deadliest attack on the press ever recorded by CPJ — as “resolved,” Philippine authorities were quick to echo and tout this designation. Too quick, as it turned out. UNESCO’s then-assistant director-general for communication and information, Moez...

Journalism as the Fourth Emergency Service – Trauma and Resilience

Journalism as the Fourth Emergency Service highlights the mental health challenges journalists face, advocating for trauma support and resilience training to help them cope with distressing assignments. Summary Journalists have often been considered the "fourth emergency service". They are first on the scene, alongside paramedics, fi re and police, running towards danger rather than away, and providing independent, veritable and crucial information in the public interest. And yet, unlike frontline workers, little (if any) counselling or training is offered to journalists on how to deal with the horrors they witness, and the trauma they absorb...

War in Gaza: Israel must be held accountable

Since October 2023, over 148 journalists have been killed in Gaza. The IFJ supports those affected, providing resources and working with the ICC to investigate intentional targeting of journalists. By IFJ: More than six months of war in Gaza has devastated nearly every aspect of life in the enclave. Since Hamas’ horrific attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, and the subsequent invasion, more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed. This includes at least 148 journalists and media workers, a mortality rate of over ten per cent – dramatically higher than any other occupational...

OSCE Delivers Software To Aid Journalist Attack Probes

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro donated a Document Management System to help track cases of journalist attacks, improving workflow and access. It strengthens the Commission's capacity to safeguard journalists' rights. November 19, 2024 - Source: miragenews - As part of its support for the work of the Commission for Monitoring Investigations of Attacks on Journalists, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro commissioned the development of a Document Management System (DMS) to store and track all information on cases of threats and attacks on journalists and media property in Montenegro. The Ministry of Interior, which provides administrative...

How AI is offering journalists protection from persecution in Venezuela

Venezuelan media launched "Venezuela Retweets," a news show hosted by AI avatars to protect journalists from government censorship. The avatars share real news via social media, shielding reporters from danger. November 17, 2024 -By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Media organisations launch news show hosted by AI-generated avatars to 'shelter their real-life journalists'. A group of Venezuelan media organisations has launched a news show using AI-generated anchors, said CNN. "Venezuela Retweets" is hosted by two AI avatars named "La Chama" (the girl) and "El Pana" (the dude). They share real news created by journalists who have found "reporting the news...

‘Protecting independent journalism is critical to safeguarding democracy’

At a Council of Europe conference, experts discussed increasing threats to journalists. Police protection, cybersecurity, and support systems were emphasized, with practical advice for reporters facing online and physical risks. November 17, 2024 - Source: Cyprus Mail - Police protection and vital cybersecurity for journalists Police protection is seen as one of the ways of dealing with the increasing levels of threats against journalists. Speaking at the last conference of the Journalists Matter campaign in Strasbourg, Wim Hoonhout, team leader and coordinator of the Netherlands Central Police, called for more safeguards to protect journalists from threats – on...

Everyone has a role in press freedom, insists Narcos star Diego Luna

Mexican actor, producer and director Diego Luna took a break from the big screen on Thursday to highlight the dangers faced by journalists in his country and beyond, condemning murders of reporters everywhere as “a scandal”. Speaking to journalists at the UN Office at Geneva ahead of a screening of his new documentary State Of Silence, Mr. Luna insisted that the issue of their safety was everyone’s responsibility. “I think it's time for us to come out, us citizens, to come out and protect journalism around the world and protect these voices that are crucial for us to...

Ukrainian war correspondent Andriy Tsaplienko says free press helps Ukraine defend itself against Russia

For more than two decades, Andriy Tsaplienko has been a war reporter, traveling to conflict zones around the globe. Two and a half years ago, war arrived in his country, Ukraine. When Vladimir Putin sent Russian tanks and missiles across Ukraine's borders, Tsaplienko became a trusted source of information from the front line. He's as fearless a journalist as they come. Some of Ukraine's military leaders told us they're surprised he's still alive. Tsaplienko told us he's fighting for Ukraine's survival… using his reporting - and the truth - as his weapons. Andriy Tsaplienko is battle...

Essential Steps for Journalists in Emergency Situations

Journalists receiving threats may have to flee their homes in a matter of a few hours. Conflicts, though, are often foreseeable and that’s why those in fragile regions should have an exit plan in place and crucial documents ready to go. These documents will not just help reporters with travel, when needed, but may also help them to move to a safer region or country. Below, we’ve listed what documents to gather as well as which organizations support journalists with relocation. Documents to Have Ready Have the original or physical copies of the documents...

Letter from Palestinian Delegation to UN

They are not just numbers. The Palestinian delegation in Paris wrote a letter to UNESCO about Israel targeting Journalists in Palestine, asking them for urgent action. Read the letter: https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2024/10/4_journalists_gaza.pdf

Journalists & Cyber Threats

How can we better ensure the digital security of the press and protect against cyber threats? Download Quick Read October 11, 2024 - CNTI’s Summary The digital security of publishers, journalists and their sources is under threat in many parts of the world. At the governmental level, policymakers must acknowledge the very real threats facing journalists specifically and ensure that digital policy initiatives both protect them and, in doing so, do not threaten free expression, basic privacy rights, or encryption and VPN protections. At the platform level, technology companies can establish and protect human...

List of journalists killed since start of russia’s full-scale aggression (UPDATE)

As of November 5, 2024, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by the russian federation of the territory of Ukraine, the occupiers had killed at least 103 media workers. According to the verified data provided by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) and the International Federation of Journalists, among those killed were 18 media persons who were performing their professional duties; nine media workers registered as civilian victims, and 76 media representatives mobilized for the defense of Ukraine to the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). “If russia had not unleashed this shameful war, all...

On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists: The Ongoing Oppression Against Yemeni Journalists has no signs to fade away

On the "International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists," organizations call on the international community to address rising violence, intimidation, and killings of journalists in Yemen, urging action for their protection. November 2, 2024 - Source: MARSADAK - Today, as the world marks the “International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists,” Yemeni journalists face a dire situation, enduring violence, intimidation, and killings due to their expressions and opinions. The impunity enjoyed by perpetrators further exacerbates these violations. We, the undersigned organizations, call on the international community to focus on the escalating...

International Day To End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 2024 Date and Theme: Know History and Significance of Global Event To Raise Awareness and Ensure Safety of Journalists

Ending impunity for crimes against journalists is one of the most important challenges today. It is an essential precondition to guarantee freedom of expression and access to information for all citizens. Every year, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists is observed on November 2 around the world. The International Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2013, following the 2012 assassination of two French journalists in Mali. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about crimes committed against journalists, ensuring their safety, and ending the cycle of...

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

Journalism is one of the most dangerous and courageous professions, dedicated to seeking the truth and conveying reality without distortion or propaganda. Doha, November 02 (QNA) - The primary function of the media faces numerous obstacles, including threats and crimes that may endanger lives, in addition to restrictions, lack of cooperation, prevention, closure, revocation of media licenses, and misuse of judicial systems in arbitrary ways to target journalists who oppose oppression, murder, kidnapping, torture, and illegal practices. Therefore, access to information and a complete understanding of events and their implications are at stake, because this...

image caption DAY TO END IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS | November 2

Over 1,000 journalists have died in the past 12 years while reporting the truth, facing violence, imprisonment, and harassment. The UN condemns these attacks and urges accountability to prevent impunity and protect journalists. November 2, 2024 - National Day Calendar Also known as INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS. DAY TO END IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALISTS Every year, November 2 marks the Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. The day draws attention to the low conviction rate for crimes committed against journalists on a global scale. #EndImpunity...

2024 deadliest year for Pakistan journalists: Report

Islamabad [Pakistan], November 1 (ANI): Freedom Network's "Impunity Report 2024" reported that the year 2024 emerged as one of the deadliest years for Pakistan after multiple target killings with the government doing little to save media persons November 27, 2024 - Source: ANI - Islamabad [Pakistan], November 1 (ANI): Freedom Network's "Impunity Report 2024" reported that the year 2024 emerged as one of the deadliest years for Pakistan after multiple target killings with the government doing little to save media persons. Six casualties of media practitioners, including a YouTuber - and 57 violations were recorded besides the provinces doing little to ensure combat impunity for crimes against media and...

Documenting Gaza to #EndImpunity

Israel’s war on Gaza – and now, Lebanon -– has resulted in the highest recorded number of journalists killed in the line of duty in any given year or war. On the eve of the 10th International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Israel appears on the annual Global Impunity Index for the first time since its 2008 inception – with zero official investigations underway, and no accountability for even documented, apparently targeted killings. 2024-11-01 The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has been documenting the killing of journalists since 1992: overall, 1 625 names have...

IWMF Report Finds Journalists Under Threat in U.S.

Survey data unveils high levels of harassment and physical violence against reporters nationally [October 17, 2024 – WASHINGTON, DC] — New data released today by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) reveal the staggering threats journalists in the United States face to their safety and well-being – much of it while on assignment covering political campaign events or protests. Derived from a survey of and interviews with 610 reporters who attended 26 IWMF Newsroom Safety Across America safety trainings in 19 cities across 11 states throughout 2024, the report details threats journalists face on the job and the support available...

Strengthening Independent Journalism

A selection of resources for journalists and news rooms are below. Further resources are available on member organizations’ websites: Guide to Understanding Defamation Laws by the Legal Network for Journalists at Risk, Committee to Protect Journalists, Media Defence and the Thomson Reuters Foundation These Guides provide journalists and newsrooms with a practical understanding of defamation laws and the steps they can take to mitigate defamation liability in Brazil, Ethiopia, India and Peru. Training Resource Hub by Media Defence This Hub contains training materials and resources on freedom of expression such as digital rights, privacy security & data protection, and hate speech. eReader by...

Climate and Environmental Journalism Under Fire

A report by IPI highlights the risks faced by environmental journalists worldwide, detailing attacks, corruption, and disinformation. It calls for stronger protection, collaboration, and legal support for journalists. Source: International Press Institute (IPI) Key Findings Addressing the global climate and environmental crisis requires accurate, independent, and accessible journalism that can inform the public debate, clearly highlight the public interest, and protect those most affected by this crisis. Environmental and climate journalists shed light on corrupt practices and illegal activities linked to environmentally harmful businesses and disclose the vested interests that support polluting industries. They report...

Press and Planet in Danger

From 2009 to 2023, 749 journalists covering environmental issues faced attacks, with a surge in recent years. State and private actors are key perpetrators. 44 journalists were killed, and many faced legal actions, including arrests and defamation suits. Source: UNESCO Series: World trends in freedom of expression and media development. Title: Press and planet in danger - Safety of environmental journalists - trends, challenges and recommendations. In the series: World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development Press and Planet in danger Safety of environmental journalists – trends, challenges and recommendations. At least 749...

Covering the Planet: Assessing the State of Climate and Environmental Journalism Globally

A new report from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) and Deakin University, “Covering the Planet: Assessing the State of Climate and Environmental Journalism Globally,” documents urgent challenges confronting climate and environmental journalists across the globe, including 39% experiencing threats as a result of their work; and almost two-thirds feeling obliged to use climate skeptics as sources for “balance.” The report, Covering the Planet: Assessing the State of Climate and Environmental Journalism Globally, is based on a survey of 744 journalists and editors in 102 countries and in-depth interviews with 74 journalists in 31 countries. The...

Who killed Giorgos Karaivaz?

The alleged perpetrators of the assassination of Greek investigative journalist Giorgos Karaivaz, then acquitted, are escorted by a police special force outside the Mixed Jury Court, in Athens, Greece, 26 June 2024. Karaivaz was one of Greece's most prominent investigative journalists specializing in organized crime and police reporting when he was gunned down in broad daylight outside his Athens home on 09 April 2021. Credits: epa11438865 EPA-EFE/YANNIS KOLESIDIS https://ipi.media/who-killed-giorgos-karaivaz-greece/

On Edge: What the US election could mean for journalists and global press freedom

Journalists are bracing for the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. CPJ’s research ahead of the November vote finds that the hostile media climate fostered during Donald Trump’s presidency has continued to fester, with members of the press confronting challenges – including violence, lawsuits, online harassment, and police attacks – that could shape the global media environment for decades. A special report by Katherine Jacobsen. On Edge: What the US election could mean for journalists and global press freedom - Committee to Protect Journalists (cpj.org)

New IPI report assesses FOI in Turkey

The International Press Institute (IPI) published the “The Current State of Freedom of Information (FOI) in Turkey: An Effective Tool for Accountability and Transparency (Or Not?)” report that examines how the freedom of information (FOI) is exercised in Turkey. The report provides a detailed analysis of the FOI requests previously made by journalists and civil society organizations (CSOs), the responses they received, and the challenges they encountered. New IPI report assesses FOI in Turkey - ipi.media FOI Kick-off Raporu 2024 (ipi.media)

Annual Report: Death and Imprisonment

In 2022, 12 journalists were killed, including Shireen Abu Akleh in Palestine. Over 1,000 violations were reported, with female journalists particularly targeted, this report has all of the information regarding all the journalists that have been killed and imprisoned. wjwc.org Annual Report 2022

The Assassination of Sardasht Osman: Debunking the Official Story

Sardasht Osman, a 23-year-old journalist, wrote about corruption within the Kurdish Regional Government, accusing President Barzani’s family. His satirical article led to his tragic death in 2009. Sardasht Osman was a courageous and talented 23-year-old citizen journalist, who wrote about corruption and political mismanagement within the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in a period of political upheaval. On 13 December 2009, Sardasht wrote a satirical article accusing the family of President Barzani of corruption and nepotism, a ‘red line’ in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The article, titled: ‘I Am in Love with Barzani’s Daughter’,...

The murder of Regina Martínez Pérez: An opportunity for justice

Regina Martínez Pérez was a prolific journalist from the state of Veracruz in Mexico, one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. Since 2006, Veracruz has seen a particularly high rate of journalist murders, and on 28 April 2012, Regina Martínez Pérez was brutally murdered in her home in the city of Xalapa. saferworldforthetruth.com/investigations/the-murder-of-regina-martinez-perez-an-opportunity-for-justice PDF - ASWFTT_report01_march15_digital-v2

Breaking the Silence: An Investigation into the Murder of Zubair Mujahid

Zubair Mujahid was a journalist from Mirpurkhas in Pakistan whose stories exposed corruption and human rights abuses. His stories and columns were published in the Daily Jang, an Urdu language newspaper based in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest urban center. saferworldforthetruth.com/investigations/breaking-the-silence-an-investigation-into-the-murder-of-zubair-mujahid PDF - ASWFTT_report02_7june2021

Telling The Story: Remembering Elisabeth Blanche Olofio

Elisabeth Blanche Olofio’s reporting exposed local corruption and human rights abuses in the Central African Republic, providing her community with crucial information on the ongoing rebel advance at the time. saferworldforthetruth.com/investigations/telling-the-story-remembering-elisabeth-blanche-olofio PDF - ASWFTT_report03_ENG_final-v2

The Case for Transparency: Opportunities for Justice in the Case of Pedro Palma and Beyond

Pedro Palma was editor-in-chief of the local weekly newspaper, Panorama Regional, which frequently reported on corruption in the municipal government of Miguel Pereira in Brazil. Because of his work, he was shot in front of his house on 13 February 2014. As of yet, no-one has been prosecuted for his murder. saferworldforthetruth.com/investigations/the-case-for-transparency-opportunities-for-justice-in-the-case-of-pedro-palma-and-beyond PDF - ASWFTT_report_30march_ENG

The murder of Gerry Ortega: Justice Delayed; Justice Denied

The murder of Gerry Ortega is indicative of structural problems concerning the safety of journalists in the Philippines; while the hitmen are often arrested, the powerful masterminds behind the killings of journalists often evade justice. saferworldforthetruth.com/investigations/the-murder-of-gerry-ortega-justice-delayed-justice-denied PDF - ASWFTT_report04_ENG_final

Impunity in Europe: Uninvestigated Murder of Greek Journalist Sokratis Giolias

Sokratis Giolias was a former radio journalist and TV editor who started his new blog Troktiko in 2007. It soon became one of the most popular news sources in Greece. On 19 July 2010, two assailants in police uniforms shot and killed Giolias in front of his house. After thirteen years, no one has been arrested for the murder. saferworldforthetruth.com/investigations/impunity-in-europe-uninvestigated-murder-of-greek-journalist-sokratis-giolias PDF - SWFTT_rapport_engels_print

RSF’s 2023 Round-up: 45 journalists killed in the line of duty worldwide – a drop despite the tragedy in Gaza

According to the annual round-up compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the number of journalists killed worldwide in connection with their work (45 as of 1 December 2023) is the lowest since 2002, despite the war in the Middle East. In Gaza, at least 13 journalists have been killed because of their work as journalists since the war began between Israel and Hamas, a total that rises to 56 if we include all journalists killed in the Gaza Strip, whether or not in the line of their work. Worldwide, 521 journalists are currently detained on...

“What it’s like to be a journalist in the Sahel” – RSF report on threats to journalism in this African region

Two weeks after French journalist Olivier Dubois was released after being held hostage for 711 days in Mali, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is publishing a report about the growing threats to journalism in Africa’s Sahel region. “What it’s like to be a journalist in the Sahel” – RSF report on threats to journalism in this African region | RSF PDF - What it is like to be a journalist in the Sahel_EN

World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development: Global Report 2021/2022

The newly released UNESCO World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development: Global Report 2021/2022 analyses the state of media freedom, pluralism, independence, and safety of journalists over the past five years. The Report sounds the alarm on the worrying decline of press freedom levels around the world: data and original analysis confirms that 85 percent of the world’s population experienced a decline in press freedom in their country over the past five years. World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development: Global Report 2021/2022 | World Trends in Freedom of Expression...

IFJ Killed Journalists Report – 2020.

2021 - The International Federation of Journalists today published the report on journalists and media staff killed in work-related incidents around the world during 2020. The annual report, in its 30th edition, details the circumstances of the 65 killings which occurred during targeted attacks, bomb attacks and crossfire incidents in 16 countries. IFJ Killed Journalists Report - 2020 - IFJ PDF - IFJ_KILLED_LIST_REPORT_2020

IFJ Killed List Report – 2021.

2022- The International Federation of Journalists has today published the most comprehensive report on journalists and media staff killed in work-related incidents around the world during 2021. IFJ Killed List Report - 2021 - IFJ PDF - IFJ_KILLED_LIST_2021_FINAL

IFJ Killed List Report – 2022.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) published its full annual report on journalists and media staff killed in 2022. The 32nd report details 68 killings of media professionals, including targeted and bomb attacks and crossfire deadly incidents. There were also 11 deaths due to accidents and illness IFJ Killed List Report - 2022 - IFJ PDF - FIJ_2022_Killed_List

Artificial Independence: South Asia Press Freedom Report 2023-24

2024 - To mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), on behalf of the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN), releases its 22nd annual South Asia Press Freedom Report, entitled ‘Artificial Independence: The Fight to Save Media and Democracy’. https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/reports/detail/artificial-independence-south-asia-press-freedom-report-2023-24/category/publicati PDF - Artificial_Independence_IFJ_SAPFR_2023-24

Advice on Promoting More Effective Investigations into Abuses Against Journalists

2020 - The Fourth Report by the High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom The report concludes with three major recommendations to the signatories to the Global Pledge on Media Freedom, and other key governments, to strengthen investigations into attacks on journalists, address the issue of impunity and progress towards accountability, including the creation of a standing international Investigative Task Force. PDF - advice-on-promoting-more-effective-investigations-into-abuses-against-journalists https://mediafreedomcoalition.org/who-is-involved/high-level-panel-of-legal-experts/reports/

Report on the Use of Targeted Sanctions to Protect Journalists

The First Report by the High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom The report examines current challenges faced by journalists around the world and recommends the consistent use of targeted sanctions as a tool to enforce compliance with international human rights law, including the right to a free press. The report contains an in-depth analysis of the existing systems for targeted sanctions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union and concludes with eleven recommendations for designing and implementing global human rights sanctions regimes to better protect journalists around the...

Bearing Witness Alone

Source: Al Jazeera Media Institute - Journalists testimonies from Gaza and the West Bank - The testimony of Al Jazeera correspondent Hisham Zaqout reveals the immense burden Palestinian journalists carry in documenting the war in Gaza. His words—expressed through tears and exhaustion—highlight the pain of reliving trauma, where faith alone sustains endurance. From the start, this project sought to preserve unfiltered testimonies from journalists enduring siege, starvation, displacement, and death. These accounts were not refined for style but captured as raw historical records, driven by fear that both journalists and their memories could be erased...

Report on Media and Journalists Suppression in Iran; First Half of 2024

The report on the suppression of media and journalists in the first half of 2024 is based on 216 documented cases by researchers from the Organization for the Defending Free Flow Of Information (DeFFI). According to these documented cases, from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024 (11 Dey 1402 – 10 Tir 1403 in the Iranian calendar), 181 media outlets, journalists, and media activists experienced judicial and security confrontations from the Islamic Republic. July 16, 2024 - Source: DeFFI - During this period, the Defending Free Flow Of Information recorded 236 instances of judicial...

Anatomy of a Shooting: How the Israeli Forces targeted an Al Araby TV Crew in the West Bank

June 25, 2024 - Source: Forbidden Stories - On May 4, 2024, two journalists from Al Araby TV who were covering an Israeli raid in the West Bank were fired upon. Forbidden Stories and its partners reconstructed the trajectory of the first shot that hit the camera, determining that it came from Israeli forces vehicles parked only about sixty meters away. “Since the incident, I keep telling the photographer: I feel like I’ll be killed.” Ameed Shehade can still hear the sound of the bullet grazing past his head. The Al Araby TV correspondent and his cameraman,...

Nearly half of journalists covering climate crisis globally received threats for their work

Groundbreaking new research also reports that 11% of surveyed have faced physical violence in their reporting. June 5, 2024 - Source: the guardian - Almost four out of every 10 journalists covering the climate crisis and environment issues have been threatened as a result of their work, with 11% subjected to physical violence, according to groundbreaking new research. A global survey of more than 740 reporters and editors from 102 countries found that 39% of those threatened “sometimes” or “frequently” were targeted by people engaged in illegal activities such as logging and mining. Some 30%, meanwhile, were...

In Abiy’s Ethiopia, 200 journalists have been arrested since 2019

The Nobel laureate won plaudits early on for releasing imprisoned journalists. Today, his government depicts journalists as spies and traitors, and is accused of arresting, harassing and murdering them. June 3, 2024 - Source: Africanarguments - Muhiyadin Mohamed Abdullahi, a multimedia journalist, was sentenced to two years in prison in April 2024 on questionable “hate speech” charges. Photo courtesy: Muhiyadin Mohamed Abdullahi social media. On International World Press Freedom Day, the world commemorated the sacrifices of media workers around the world and celebrated the advances made to enshrine press freedoms and permit journalists to freely carry...

Press Freedom Status for Women Journalists: June 2024

June 2024 - monthly report - Women Press Freedom Venezuela and Georgia Lead in Press Freedom Violations for June 2024 WPF recorded a total of 70 press freedom violations in June 2024. Note from the Editor: June 2024 has been a challenging month for journalists around the world, marked by a series of threats, arrests, and physical assaults. In Iran, Saba Azarpeik's tragic miscarriage while imprisoned is a stark reminder of the severe conditions journalists endure. The imprisonment of journalists like Alena Timashchuk in Belarus, Hiba Abu Taha in Jordan, and Sophia Huang Xueqin in...

Violent attacks against environmental journalists on the rise, report finds

UNESCO joint research dating back 15 years found violence and intimidation against about 750 reporters and 44 murders. 02 May 2024 - Source: The Guardian - More than 70% of environmental journalists have been attacked for their work since 2009, according to a UNESCO report, which warns of rising threats against those covering the climate crisis. At least 749 environmental journalists have faced violence and intimidation in the last 15 years, the UN body found. It said that 44 reporters were murdered between 2009 and 2023 but that resulted in just five convictions. UNESCO and the International...

Authoritarians Threaten Journalists Around the Globe

March 29, 2024 - Source: The Wall Street Journal - From Vladimir Putin in Russia to the theocrats in Iran, authoritarian leaders are increasingly shutting down independent media and locking up reporters, with hundreds of journalists now in jail around the globe. The surge in government crackdowns on the press, which accelerated after Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, has left more than 520 journalists imprisoned worldwide, including a few dozen under house arrest, according to the Paris-based advocacy group Reporters Without Borders. The figure is among the highest the group has ever recorded. The crackdowns reverse an expansion...

75% of all journalists killed across the world in 2023 were killed in Israeli war on Gaza, says CPJ

Report says it is difficult to track journalist deaths in Gaza due to Israeli non-cooperation Nearly three-quarters of all journalists and media workers killed in 2023 were Palestinians who were killed in the first three months of the Israeli war in Gaza, said the annual report of Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released on Thursday , February 15. According to the CPJ, at least 99 journalists and media workers were killed in 2023. This is the highest number of journalists and media persons killed in a year since 2015 and was a 44% increase from last...

2024 begins as 2023 ended… With journalists under threat

Last year was one of the worst years for journalists on record, with 79 journalists alone killed in the Israel-Gaza conflict. With other conflicts in Sudan and Ukraine, with a mass of elections happening globally, and an escalation of threats in countries such as Ecuador, the environment for journalists is increasingly hostile. January 12, 2024 - Source: Publicmedia alliance - On the day before New Year’s Eve, with journalists preparing for a third year reporting on the war in Ukraine, a Russian airstrike hit the Kharkiv Palace Hotel. “There is an incredibly loud thud, the building...

Almost 100 journalists killed and 400 imprisoned in 2023, says report

International Federation of Journalists says 68 killed covering Israel-Gaza war, more than in any other conflict in over 30 years A leading organization representing journalists worldwide has expressed deep concern at the number of media professionals killed around the globe doing their jobs in 2023, with more journalists killed during Israel’s war with Hamas than in any other conflict in more than 30 years. In its annual count of media worker deaths, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said 94 journalists had been killed so far this year and almost 400 others had been imprisoned....

The Role of Citizen journalism in the rising of public awareness in the KRI

Source: Al Jazeera Media Institute - By Dr Abdulsamad Zangana - The development of new technology in recent years has offered ordinary people various online digital platform tools and internet access in providing news stories, information and subjects of public interest in the Kurdistan Region Government-Iraq (KRI). This shifting aspect has offered more opportunities for ordinary people to engage with other individuals in many issues in order to discuss and argue matters relating to their everyday lives. The key purpose of this research project will examine the role of citizen journalism in the increase of...

Shireen Abu Akleh, Al Jazeera Reporter and Daughter of Palestine.

Shireen Abu Akleh, the renowned veteran journalist for Al Jazeera, the 24-hour Arabic news channel, was a mainstay in homes across the Palestinian territories, the wider region and for Arabs and Muslims globally. The strong yet mild-mannered Shireen joined Al Jazeera in 1997 as a field journalist and was introduced on air by the Arabic channel’s Palestine bureau chief Walid Omary. At that time, only a few female Palestinian journalists were working as reporters, and Shireen's career blazed a trail for many young women aspiring to be journalists. The first Oslo Accord had been signed...

Nearly 1,700 journalists killed over past 20 years: RSF

Nearly 1,700 journalists have been killed worldwide over the past 20 years, an average of more than 80 a year, according to an analysis published by Reporters Without Borders. The two decades between 2003 and 2022 were "especially deadly decades for those in the service of the right to inform", said the Paris-based media rights campaigners. "Behind the figures, there are the faces, personalities, talent and commitment of those who have paid with their lives for their information gathering, their search for the truth and their passion for journalism," RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. Iraq...

Staying Safe Under Pressure: Emergency Steps for Journalists in Crisis

January 21, 2022 - General Journalists working in conflict zones or under authoritarian regimes face serious risks that may require sudden evacuation. GIJN’s guide outlines essential steps for preparing in advance to ensure safety and survival in emergencies. First, journalists should gather and securely store important documents. These include original and scanned copies of passports, national IDs, driver’s licenses, birth and marriage certificates, academic diplomas, press cards, and vaccination records. It's crucial to keep both physical and digital backups—ideally encrypted and stored in secure cloud services like Sync.com or Google Drive. Sharing copies with trusted...