News

News organisations stand up for safety of media professionals

The search for concrete ways to improve the safety of journalists and end impunity in the crimes against media professionals will be the focus of a UNESCO conference in Paris this Friday, 5 February, organised in partnership the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and several other representative media organisations.

Charlie Hebdo: anniversary reveals more cautious French press

One year after one of the deadliest ever attacks on journalists, the debate over press freedom, self-censorship and ethical responsibility is constant. Have these attacks triggered a change in how journalists report on religion and acts of terrorism?

Pressures on free and independent media are accelerating in Hungary

2015-11-23. Pressures on free and independent media 
in Hungary are accelerating and the Fidesz government is enacting new and broader laws and regulations aimed at making Hungary’s media pliant to its wishes. These are some of the conclusions of “Articles of asphyxiation. Soft Censorship in Hungary”, a new report by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) and Mertek Media Monitor.

France: No media controls during State of Emergency

The French National Assembly passed an amendment last Friday to eliminate all media censorship from the ‘State of Emergency’ legislation. The announcement came following the approval of its three-month extension.

Biased allocation of official advertising – a powerful impediment to free media in Mexico

Despite presidential promises, soft censorship – most conspicuously in the form of partisan allocation of government advertising – remains a powerful impediment to a free, independent and pluralistic media in Mexico. This is the main conclusion of “Breaking Promises, Blocking Reform: Soft Censorship in Mexico”, a new report by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) and Fundar, Center of Analysis and Research.

State spending in Serbia’s media sector requires fundamental, urgent reform

Despite new governmental leadership since April 2014, Serbia’s political parties appear unwilling to relinquish their informal influence on editorial policy through various forms of soft censorship according to a new report.

International delegation calls on Indonesian President to address media freedom concerns

WAN-IFRA was part of an international delegation of media and freedom of expression organisations that met with the Indonesian government to discuss the state of media in the country. It highlighted concerns regarding journalist safety and an environment that poses significant threats to freedom of expression after a week-long visit to meet with journalists, civil society and government representatives.

Governments Cannot Ignore Soft Censorship

2015-10-29. The release today of three new reports outlining the effects of soft censorship on the media in Hungary, Serbia and Mexico makes for alarming, but altogether unsurprising reading.

How you can help the fight for justice in crimes against journalists

Monday, November 2, in just over a fortnight’s time, is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. It offers an opportunity to help focus attention, through editorial coverage and other initiatives, on the fact that less than one in 10 crimes against journalists are ever successfully prosecuted.

Germany’s Bild removes all photos from web site and print edition

Bild, Germany’s biggest tabloid newspaper, removed all photographs from its print publication and website on Tuesday in protest against complaints about their decision to publish images of the Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi, who washed up on a Turkish beach last week.