Research

A comprehensive assessment of media freedoms in Türkiye for 2025 reflects a sustained deterioration of press independence, legal autonomy, and safety conditions for journalists, culminating in one of the most repressive media environments among European and candidate countries. Multiple monitoring reports show that authorities continued to leverage criminal prosecutions, judicial harassment, censorship, regulatory pressure, and digital controls to curb independent reporting and dissenting perspectives throughout the year. One of the defining features of 2025 was the frequency and scope of arrests and legal actions taken against journalists across the country. According to data compiled by...

A Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) special report published on February 19, 2026, documents extensive allegations of torture, abuse, and mistreatment experienced by Palestinian journalists while held in Israeli custody since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023. The investigation draws on detailed interviews with 59 Palestinian journalists who were released from detention and adds to mounting international concern over the treatment of media workers imprisoned amid the region’s prolonged hostilities. The report, titled We returned from hell, reveals that 58 out of the 59 journalists interviewed described suffering severe physical and psychological...

This research article examines the comprehensive 2026 analysis published by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) documenting the systematic repression of independent media in the Russian Federation. Drawing on legal frameworks, case studies, and quantitative trends, the report highlights how state institutions and allied actors have dismantled press freedoms through legislative manipulation, intimidation, and punitive measures that undermine the basic functions of journalism. Background and Legal Framework Russia’s Constitution formally guarantees freedom of speech and press; however, successive legal amendments and bureaucratic regulations introduced in the past decade — including broad “foreign agent” laws, anti-extremism...

Investigative journalism occupies a central place in democratic societies by uncovering wrongdoing, holding power to account, and informing public debate with deeply researched evidence. The Al Jazeera Centre for Studies’ recent analytical review examines methodological frameworks used in investigative reporting, evaluates their impact on story quality, and explores how these approaches shape trust, public impact, and ethical standards in journalism globally. Conceptualising Investigative MethodologiesInvestigative journalism is distinguished by its depth, duration, and emphasis on verification beyond surface reporting. The core methodological approaches include longitudinal research, source triangulation, data analysis, fieldwork, and cross-referencing documentary evidence. Each...

The article "Sudan’s Civil War Is Silencing the Press" by Isma'il Kushkrush describes how Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises but remains drastically underreported by global media. Despite estimates that the conflict has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, mass displacement, widespread hunger, and brutal violence, international news coverage has been sparse and overshadowed by wars in other regions. Kushkush highlights that Sudanese journalists have continued reporting under exceptionally perilous...

How Journalists Are Killed in Gaza from Inkstick Media (published February 12, 2026): The article, written by Gaza-based journalist Issam Adwan, is a first-person reflection on the cumulative toll that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has taken on media workers. It opens with a personal narrative about learning journalism and quickly shifts to the stark reality that being Palestinian is treated as a liability in Gaza’s conflict zone, and being a journalist adds further risk. Local journalists are often accused of bias or political motivation, which undermines outrage when they are killed and makes their...

A recent Reporters Without Borders (RSF) analysis reveals that more than 175 journalists have been victims of abuse, injury, or death linked to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine — a trend that underscores severe threats to press freedom and journalist safety in contemporary armed conflict. The documentation reflects nearly four years of sustained hostility toward news professionals operating in a high-risk environment where frontline reporting intersects with active military engagement. Scope and MethodologyRSF’s findings are based on systematic documentation with partner organisations, including the Institute of Mass Information (IMI) in Ukraine. Cases recorded since 24...

A comprehensive analysis of United Nations initiatives and international data underscores that the safety of journalists remains a core concern for press freedom and democratic governance worldwide. The “Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity,” a cornerstone of UN policy, aims to protect media workers through prevention, protection, and prosecution mechanisms and to combat the pervasive lack of accountability for crimes against the press. Conceptual Framework: Press Freedom and Human RightsFreedom of expression and information are foundational rights recognised under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with independent journalism essential for...

This analysis examines the state of press freedom in Germany as documented in the recent Reporters Without Borders (RSF) “Focus 2026” report, identifying key structural threats from disinformation, political polarisation, and attacks on journalists, and situating them within broader media freedom research and contextual indicators. The report highlights a multifaceted deterioration in the environment for independent journalism in a country traditionally ranked high in global press freedom assessments. Context and Conceptual FrameworkPress freedom encompasses a society’s ability to produce, disseminate, and access information without undue interference, violence, or censorship. RSF’s assessment incorporates both quantitative indicators—such...

The Al Jazeera Journalism Review (AJR), a publication platform of the Al Jazeera Media Institute, functions as an analytical forum that interrogates prevailing practices, power structures, and narrative dynamics in global media, with a particular focus on perspectives from the Global South. Its mission is to expand journalism discourse beyond dominant Western paradigms and examine how structural, political, and technological factors shape media coverage and press freedom worldwide. Historical and Institutional Context AJR originated as part of the Al Jazeera Media Institute’s broader commitment to media training, professional development, and critical inquiry. It leverages editorial...

Recent news industry layoffs have underscored the fragility of traditional media employment and the need for journalists to adapt to structural shifts in news production. This research-oriented summary synthesises practical guidance from industry experts on how journalists can navigate career transitions after layoffs, emphasising both individual resilience and strategic professional development. Industry ContextIn 2025–2026, major news organisations experienced multiple waves of layoffs amid declining advertising revenue, evolving digital consumption and cost-cutting transformations. Journalists across roles — from local reporting to international bureaus — have found themselves displaced as media companies seek to streamline operations or...

A recent investigation by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), in collaboration with the Syrian Investigative Reporting for Accountability Journalism (SIRAJ), provides new evidence that the February 2012 artillery strike in Homs, Syria, which killed journalists Marie Colvin and Rémi Ochlik, constituted a deliberate attack on media workers. This research-style analysis examines the methodology, findings, and legal implications of the investigation, situating the case within international humanitarian law and broader patterns of violence against journalists in conflict zones. Background and Context On 22 February 2012, during the Syrian government’s siege of the Baba Amr neighbourhood of Homs,...

In January 2026, federal agents under the Trump administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) arrested prominent journalist Don Lemon, a former CNN anchor, along with independent journalist Georgia Fort, in connection with coverage of a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The protest targeted federal immigration enforcement actions and involved demonstrators interrupting a church service. The DOJ charged Lemon and others with federal violations, including conspiracy to deprive rights and interfering with religious freedom, tying the arrests to actions during the protest that prosecutors characterised as a “takeover-style attack.” Lemon was taken into custody...

Recent reporting from ABC 10News outlines how artificial intelligence (AI) is being integrated into newsroom workflows not to replace journalists but to augment their capabilities, improve efficiency, and maintain high editorial standards. This approach reflects a broader trend across the news industry where AI is used as an assistant while human judgment and oversight remain central. Document Analysis and Research Support – One key application of AI in journalism is document analysis, where advanced tools can quickly summarise lengthy policy documents, highlight key sections, and link insights to specific page references. This accelerates the research...

Context of Evolving Reporting Risks – Coverage of protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and related federal enforcement actions has prompted journalists to rethink fundamental aspects of their craft. With heightened government surveillance and legal pressure on both demonstrators and the press, traditional models of observing and reporting are being challenged by ethical risks, safety concerns, and questions about the downstream effects of published material. This shift reflects broader changes in how protest journalism operates in environments seen as hostile to dissent and accountability reporting. Intervention Through Observation – Journalists covering ICE protests...

The widespread protests that erupted across the Islamic Republic of Iran in late 2025 and persisted into 2026 have posed severe operational, legal, and ethical challenges for both domestic and international journalists. Comprehensive analysis reveals that these challenges stem from a combination of state repression, information control, and technological suppression, which together significantly constrain journalists’ ability to report independently and safely from within the country. State Control and Legal ThreatsIran’s government has responded to the protests with extensive crackdowns, treating public demonstrations as threats to national security. Journalists reporting on these events have been directly...

The 2025 presidential election in Cameroon exposed severe constraints on press freedom, illustrating how political power can systematically suppress independent journalism and distort public discourse. The analysis draws on field reporting and interviews to demonstrate key mechanisms through which media freedom was eroded during the electoral cycle, highlighting implications for democratic processes in similar environments. Context and Regulatory EnvironmentCameroon’s electoral context was characterised by a backdrop of entrenched executive authority and limited institutional protections for journalistic practice. Although the nation hosted more than 600 newspapers, 200 radio stations, and over 60 television channels, these outlets...

A major special report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reveals that despite slight reductions in some places, the number of journalists imprisoned worldwide in connection with their work remained at alarmingly high levels in 2025, and many of those imprisoned endured cruel, life-threatening conditions that further imperil press freedom. The findings highlight enduring threats to journalists globally and significant challenges for media independence and human rights. According to CPJ’s 2025 annual prison census, 330 journalists were incarcerated as of December 1, 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year that more than 300 media professionals...

Climate change and environmental degradation pose existential threats to communities across Africa, yet journalists covering these issues frequently confront significant barriers that undermine press freedom, safety, and the quality of reporting. The International Press Institute (IPI) — together with partner organisations — has documented these challenges in research programmes and monitoring initiatives aimed at strengthening climate and environmental journalism in Africa, highlighting patterns of risk, structural obstacles, and potential support strategies. The Continental Context: Environmental Vulnerability Meets Limited Coverage Africa’s climate vulnerability is well established: the continent faces rising temperatures, extreme droughts, floods, deforestation, biodiversity...

Journalists covering protests and civil unrest face a complex landscape of physical, legal, and situational risks that can compromise both their safety and their ability to report accurately. Protests, while often peaceful, can quickly escalate into hostile environments due to clashes between demonstrators and authorities, crowd dynamics, and the actions of law enforcement. This necessitates a structured approach to safety planning for media professionals. Risk Environment and Context Protests present dynamic conditions that can shift without warning. Reports from recent civil unrest — including incidents in the United States where journalists were hit by rubber...

The year 2025 emerged as one of the most perilous periods in recent history for journalists and media professionals worldwide, with a record-high number of fatalities and escalating threats to press freedom across multiple regions. Data compiled by media monitors and press freedom organisations indicate that at least 128 journalists and media workers were killed globally during 2025, reflecting a grim toll on those reporting in conflict zones, under authoritarian regimes, and in areas plagued by criminal violence. Global Context of Journalist Fatalities According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the final 2025 tally...

The targeting of Palestinian journalists in Gaza during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian armed groups has emerged as one of the most consequential threats to press freedom in a contemporary armed conflict. Independent observers, human rights groups, and media freedom advocates document that an unusually high number of journalists and media workers have been killed, injured, harassed, or barred from reporting in the territory — a pattern far exceeding typical combat-related risks faced by journalists in war zones. Scope and Nature of Targeting Since the resumption of hostilities in October 2023, estimates from...

The Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas at the University of Texas at Austin has released a free trilingual ebook — in English, Spanish, and Portuguese — titled The Worlds of Journalism: Safety, Professional Autonomy, and Resilience among Journalists in Latin America, based on surveys of more than 4,000 working journalists across 11 countries conducted between 2021 and 2024 as part of the World of Journalism Study (WJS). The publication, produced with partners including the University of Miami and UT Austin’s Center for Global Change and Media, provides one of the most comprehensive portraits...

Dijana Toska, an ethnic Albanian journalist, has shared her experiences of threats, censorship and harassment by authorities during the 1980s and 1990s as the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia collapsed and ethnic tensions rose across the region. Toska described how her reporting — particularly on issues affecting ethnic Albanian communities — drew pressure from state security services and administrative restrictions that aimed to suppress independent and critical journalism. Her reflections highlight the risks faced by journalists covering ethnic conflict and political upheaval in the Balkans during that period, underscoring how media freedoms were constrained...

Reports have circulated alleging that journalists and activists participating in the 2025 Freedom Flotilla missions to Gaza were subjected to sexual violence, including rape, following their capture and detention by Israeli police and prison officials, according to statements from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and participants. These accounts, though widely circulated in activist and coalition channels, remain unverified by independent international media or established human rights monitoring bodies at this time, and should be interpreted cautiously pending further corroboration from credible sources. The allegations stem from testimonies shared by individuals associated with the flotilla mission,...